every addict matters

As I was running yesterday I saw a lady outside of a local business wearing a shirt that caught my attention. On her shirt I read these words… Every Addict Matters. I was caught by and held on to that statement.

This past year I met a man who speaks around the country that shares a message he calls “You Matter”. That man is Bobby Petrocelli. That statement has stuck with me since that last fall.

Another reason why that lady’s statement caught my attention is because of our commitment to serve people who are battling addiction. Our transitional homes for homeless men offer help for those in addiction. Our church has hosted recovery ministry for many years. Currently that is Celebrate Recovery that meets on Tuesday’s at 7pm.

Recently one of the men we have been serving passed away due to a relapse of addiction. His death hit me hard as do the tough times that so many we are close to have hit. Addiction is a very difficult and a very real thing.

God has called our church to remind others that they matter. They matter first to God. They matter to each of us because we love people. That is why that lady’s hit me, and that is why I am sharing with you this e-devotion.

It is not Black Lives Matter that I bring to you. It is not Blues Lives Matter or Police Lives. It is people matter. And one of those groups of people that keep pulling at my heart are those who find themselves in one of the most difficult places I have experienced. That would be in the throws of addiction.

John 3:16 NLT

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

God loves people. That is settled. Every person. He gave His greatest gifts for people who to know and experience His deep and unending love.

Mark 12:33 NLT

And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law.”

We are called to love God and love others. Give that phrase another look. People matter. Every Addict Matters.

Now go live it out. Know that you matter and every person you come in contact with matters.

Who is it in your sphere of influence that needs to know they matter?

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

why is it Good Friday?

Holy Week is the time we focus on God and His gift of salvation. We come to Friday. The day we remember the cross, Jesus’ death and all God has done for you and me Why do they call this day “Good Friday” because it doesn’t seems good? Jesus was treated as a criminal. He was beaten so much that He could not recognize Him. His pain would have been too much for you or me to endure. That is especially from Scripture I’ve read or as in the movie the Passion of the Christ . Yet it is a good day. It is Good Friday because God had our good in His heart. What Jesus did that day changed our forever direction. Here are some thoughts that come to me: He is Redemption and Redeemer He too our Pain and Punishment He is our Righteousness and Reality He is the Savior and Life All of those happened from the cross. It was meant for the worst lawbreakers. It was not meant for a Savior who never broke a law. It was lifted high so that onlookers could see the price Jesus. Look

happy Thanksgiving

thursday e-devotion From my family to yours. From The Community Fellowship church family to you. Happy Thanksgiving!!!! 1 Chronicles 16:8 (NLT) Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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