new year's commitments

It is almost the new year, and I want to challenge each of us to be careful with the new year’s resolutions or commitments we make.

I want to be closer to God, healthier, wiser, have more resources, be a better husband, father and friend, have a stronger and bigger church, preach with more impact … you get the point. So many commitments we can make that do lend to these being a reality. But many of those resolutions or commitments that we make end up going no where.

How we can we do this differently where the commitments stick? Maybe we take baby steps rather than giant leaps. Look at all who are impacted by the commitments and ask if they lead us all closer to God.

As I was thinking of this e-devotion a song came to mind …

Made for More by Josh Baldwin

'Cause I wasn't made to be tending a grave, I was called by name

Born and raised back to life again, I was made for more

So why would I make a bed in my shame

When a fountain of grace is running my way?

I know I am Yours, and I was made for more

We were made for more. Not for defeat but victory. Not for the mediocre but for greatness. Not for just surviving but thriving. Not for just getting by but winning.

It all begins in our hearts. Let’s start there.

Proverbs 4:23 NLT

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Joshua 22:5 NLT

But be very careful to obey all the commands and the instructions that Moses gave to you. Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul.”

Luke 10:27 NLT

The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Who and what we love makes a difference, and it even reveals what is in our hearts. This is a time to be careful or to choose wisely.

May this new year find us even more confident in our faith and walking closer to God. Happy New Year, and thank you for allowing me to share these e-devotions with you.

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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