how we place value

In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

That is a powerful verse. Far too many people look at the people around them, the people they encounter and judge them at first sight. Be honest. You’ve done that, and I have too. I dare say that we are wrong a lot when we chose to judge in ways that don’t come from God nor do they honor Him.

One of the reasons that our thinking is flawed is that we put too much weight on things that don’t matter. When someone is attractive, they are considered more worthy. When someone comes from a wealthy or well-known family, they seem more important or to have more value. However we measure, if Christ is not the mean and the mark, we are headed in the wrong direction.

“Christ is all that matters.” That is a great thought each of us must examine. Examine it honestly making sure that we value what God values, and that we help people know that they are valuable to God and to us!

“He lives in all of us.” If Jesus is our Savior, that is a fact. He lives in us, and that fact cannot be changed by our choices, and we have a promise from God that He won’t change that fact. Doesn’t this truth reinforce the fact that we are valuable to God? Christ matters most because He will be with us longer than anyone else will be.

Be careful how you judge. We all should be careful. Be careful about where you place the greatest value. We all need to value what God values.

1 Samuel 16:7 NLT

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

If we judge on the same merits that Jesus does, things will be much better. Plus we will have to lean on God. He is the one who knows the heart of every person. It is our job to let people know they are important.

People are valuable to God and to us. Our opportunity is remind others that they are valuable and have great God-given potential. Jesus is what matters. Jesus is who fills us with value and potential. Let’s share that fact!

NOTE: much of this e-devotion was shared in the fall of 2014.

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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