the gifts of Easter

It is holy week. Easter is ahead. What is it we will take from Easter? It might be something sweet. It could be time with family and friends. It possibly could be the special worship and church times ahead.

But what we should really hold on to and treasure are the things that last. They re part of our journey and the gifts God gives.

1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT

Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love—but the greatest of these is love.

There are the things we will not find in a plastic egg or a basket. You won’t find these in a meal or from visiting with someone. These are the true gifts that God gives us because of His endless grace and marvelous light and eternal love for us.

Cling to faith. It is what we use to learn about and get close to God.

Lift up hope. Far beyond any physical trait this is what lets us look through situations and pain to trust God.

Share His love. This is what placed Jesus on the cross and raised Him from the grave.

The truth of Easter and our connection to God are these. God loves you and has given us faith so we can have hope. Cherish these during Easter. Share these during Easter. And beyond!

That is the week that leads us to Friday’s crucifixion of Jesus and Sunday’s resurrection. This week we look at the different parts of the Holy week.

I continue to declare that God is good. No one compares to Him, His love for us and the price He paid for our sin. Easter reminds us of God’s gifts of faith, hope and love.

2 Thessalonians 2:14-17 NLT

He called you to this through our gospel, so that you might obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught, whether by what we said or what we wrote. 16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.

Catalyst ticket arrived

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

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 ...

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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