faith and the darkness :: Friday E-Devotion

What do we miss when we choose comfort over a challenge? What happens when we would rather rest than rescue someone?

Fact is most Christian are looking for the 'easy way out' rather than seeking to live by faith, living for God. We would rather know what the next step is and not face uncertainties. What do you think?

Hebrews 11:1 (nlt) --- Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

Yep, faith pushes us to our limits. It takes us to places where we do not know the future. Faith expects us to follow God even when we have no clue what God is doing. By the way, that is scary. We loose control. Maybe that is what faith is...loosing control so God can take control.

Case in point is the disciples. Jesus called them (our series Chase the Lion will take a hard look at these principles this weekend) to leave what was comfortable. That was their homes, their business and their comfort. What did Jesus call them to? He called them to sacrifice which is often painful and uncertain. Would you have gone if Jesus called you?

Matthew 4:19 (nlt) --- Jesus called out to them, "Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!"

Jesus called them to a new way to live.

Matthew 16:24 (nlt) --- Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.

Jesus called them to a new focus.

John 10:27 (nlt) --- My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

Jesus called them (and us) to follow no matter what.

I am uncertain of things at night. That is why we have these cute little blue night light things in our house. It helps you see when it is dark. Faith is not darkness. Faith helps you see in the darkness. Faith takes you places you would not go on your own, gives you success you would not have apart from it and faith plants purpose in your life that cannot come from anywhere else but God.

We have to choose: faith or complacency. We have to choose: adventure or monotony. We have to choose: self or Savior. By the way, faith will crush the darkest things around you...of you let it.

John 8:12 (nlt) --- Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."

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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