Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  With the new school year about to begin and the competition of our back2school program, I am always encouraged to pray for students and educators.  Dwane Massenburg is a ministry friend, and he shared a great guide to pray through. Matthew 7:7-8 KJV "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." PRAY FOR OUR CHILDREN To have alert, inquisitive minds towards the subject, and long attention spans To come to school with a good attitude and respect for adults For the ability to resist peer pressure To respect each other as people so they can attend classes without bullying PRAY WITH OUR CHILDREN Lord, we pray that every parent would grab their child by the hand and get on their knees so their child will perceive the importance of prayer That they would understand who You are, dear God, so they can seek Your face this ...

  The back2school outreach was amazing, and there is more to share to come.  We will hold off on sharing more stories, yet please know there is much more to come as we see all God has done and is doing. We continue our series from the book of Romans at The Community Fellowship, and this Sunday we began chapter 12 with a sermon titled “Culture, Compromise and the Christian Life”.  There is so much to talk through and share in the first couple verses, and I would like to challenge you to take a close look at these. Romans 12:1-2  NLT   And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing a...

  It is the Monday after back2school, and I stand amazed at all God has done through this outreach this weekend and through the planning.  There is more to share than I can possibly deal with today. What grabs my attention the most is the response to what God has done.  I am remembering the little one who said “thank you” over and over after a volunteer watched their feet and prayed for them.  Move to a little later and hear what one of our volunteers said after washing feet for the first time.  This lady was hesitant to do this, but after the first student, she wouldn’t stop serving until the day was almost over. I loved hearing the story that our children’s leader shared and see how students were listening and we pray responding the the invitation to know God’s love.  And His love was being shown and shared all around the building. It is not over.  This coming week we will have the opportunity to help even more students who were not able to be with u...

  Matthew 19:14  NLT   But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” It is almost time for back2school 2025.  We have planned for months and been sharing this outreach for 19 years.  I still get excited and nervous.  But what I know is that I do not know it all. Let me explain. The stories and things that happen around back2school are incredible and could only be utilized together by our good and gracious God.  Because of that fact there is something that I have been reminded us that I want to pass on to others.  This applies not only to this back2school event, but this applies to everything our God does.  Here we go … Expect God to work! I mean really.  Expect God to open hearts and eyes.  Expect God to meet needs and go beyond what you think possible.  Expect God to speak when things and times seem silent.  Expect God to change live...

  Are you like me and amazed when things happen that you do not expect?  Well, may be you do expect them.  But when it happens, it is refreshing and encouraging big time. That kind of thing happens all the time around back2school.  So let me give you just a few occasions that it has happened this week and recently. Psalm 66:5  NLT   Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for people! One evening this week a friend pulled me aside an shared some of his heart.  I am grateful for partnerships like this one.  All year we get to connect from time to time and heart each other, but every year at back2school he and his wife are a part and ready for it all. Some of our team listened to one of our children’s leaders share our new Gospel story that will be used during back2school.  This young women put her heart and soul in to this prevention, and the power of Jesus will be flowing as students and their families hear. Great...

  1 Peter 4:10  NLT   God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.  I think of the Dr. Suess book Oh the Places You Will Go when I think of the people who serve our church and who serve with back2school.  Because of these people we can go further and do more.  I am further reminded that I am not and we are not alone. Last night packing backpacks is another reminder as more than 200 people (wish someone counted, and maybe they did but didn’t tell me) showed up and were full of joy.  It was so good listening to conversations, hearing laughter and sharing stories of why we serve.  These people are awesome. Then there are so many from our church and community that just love to serve and do it often.  I can call names, but I won’t.  What I will say is that life is so much better when these people are making great effort to show others Jesus, to meet needs and to encourage oth...