Michael Harrison's e-devotion

My family just returned from a great weekend in our nation's capital. It was awesome with lots of fun and lots of good old fashioned family-bonding. Eye opening to say the least. 1 Peter 2:13 (nasb) --- Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, Romans 13:1 (nasb) ---- Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Our first sight was the United States Capitol. A staff member from our congressman's office gave us a tour of this awesome place of history. We stood in places where great men and women have been. Lincoln, Jefferson, Bush, Harrison (the presidents, not me) and so many more. We sat for a moment in the room where congress meets and where the "State of the Union" address is given as I imagined the people and the happenings. I am humbled and understand we are blessed with a grea...

(NOTE: this will be your last devotion for this week as my family is away getting so fam-time! See you on Monday.) God loves you and me no matter what. That's it. Nothing else changes that fact. Not something we do or so. Not somewhere we go or someone we are with. All that makes God's love real is God. That thought has continued to rock through my head all week. We have to get it. I often talk to people who think that God could not love them or what they have done is so bad that God's love is out of their reach. Fact is, we are never out of reach of God's love. What is often out of line is that we close the door on letting God love us. Some people do that to their spouse or their parents or friends, don't let them love. We do that to God as well. Here's the deal ... STOP IT. Let God love you, now...no matter what. Think about it: Toby Mac's song Made To Love (From the album Portable Sounds) The dream is fading now I am staring at the door I kn...

One of the reasons that Proverbs remains a daily part of my life is the truth that comes off the page as I sit, read, think and let God speak. It is not always profound. Sometimes it is simple. Today was one of those simple 'just the truth' kind of days. Made me a laugh a little. Profound yet simple... (this is a little long but good) Proverbs 25:17-22 (nlt) --- (17) Don't visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome. (18) Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow. ( 19) Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot. (20) Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone's coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound. ( 21) If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. ( 22) You will ...

Proverbs 22:6 (niv) --- Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. That is one powerful AND convicting verse. We have such a great opportunity when it comes to giving our kids Jesus and raising them in this crazy, immoral society. When they get it right and we've pointed them in the right direction, things start to click. Below is an e-mail I got from a lady in our community. It hit my heart and reminded me of our obligation: A Prayer before Surgery My 9-year-old's last-second request surprised his doctor and taught me a valuable lesson about sharing the gospel. {from Tina Blessitt, a freelance writer, lives with her husband and four children in Kentucky.} Last fall my 9-year-old son, Austin , had his tonsils removed. Before the surgery, Austin's anesthesiologist came to start an IV. He was wearing a cool surgical cap covered in colorful frogs. Austin loved that "frog hat." The doctor explained that he ...

2 Corinthians 8:5 (nlt) --- They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do. I really like that verse, and I get excited when people do that. Our folks at The Community Fellowship shined big time this weekend in many ways for me. They are an awesome group of people who love Jesus and work great together....kind of like God put us together (duh). What I don't get is when people don't meet your expectations. You have to ask some questions. Did they know what I expected? Were my expectations too much, too little, off base or just wrong? I believe that people will do what you ask them to do when they know what are asking. Especially when it comes to the church, we need to give our best every way we can. Even bigger, when it comes to telling people about Jesus, we need to go beyond the norm to get His name out. Easter is over. The Anna Nicole Smith situation has died down. Virginia T...

Some people call me and other preachers 'narrow minded'. I used to get offended until I understood the crowd I join who have been classified as narrow minded. Let me give you just one example of what one guy said: Matthew 7:13 (nlt) --- You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. Ephesians 4:4-6 (niv) --- There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. John 14:6 (nlt) --- Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." Sounds like Jesus was pretty narrow minded. What do you think? Here is my problem. The first verses says that the way of destruction is wide. It says the way to God and from God is narrow. Got that? Ok, those who are tolerant of the crap that wor...

Psalm 20:7 (esv) --- Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. You may not know it, but I played a little football in my high school years. I played baseball in elementary. I've tried my hand at a few others things ... big game fishing, golf, horse shoes, volleyball, professional wrestling, checkers ... in each case I found that my strength rarely would touch the strength of others who were well prepared. In fact, we are about to have our first game of our very first softball team at the new church. Again, I am not too strong when it comes to batting and running. Oh well, I am sure you are having some thoughts about me by now. Some of those sports, I have not tried. Time to get honest. This week I've spent much time thinking about weakness and strength. You can read the paper or watch the news and listen to all sorts of suggestions to how the shooting and 33 victims could have been avoided at Virginia Tech. It happened. It is horr...

I don't have an answer for the horror of Monday's mass killing here in Virginia. It is just wrong. What I do know is that there are many people who need help. That is help that only God can give. We continue to pray for those surrounding this situation and what have been rocked by the insanity. Psalm 18:2 (nlt) --- The L ord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. That is not an answer I seek to provide you with or anything other than to tell you where I go when I am at the end of my rope or about to explode. That is God. He is able, He is gracious and He is mine. Years ago I remember writing that verse on a card and putting it on the dash board of the little car I was driving. Those words from Psalm 18:2 gave me comfort that could come from no one and no where else. It was a wisdom drug and comfort shot. It gave me hope that everything would be OK. Some p...

33 dead 1,000's touched close to the scene a nation is rocked by it's worst killing spree We have been asked to pray. Our church and those near by have been asked to ready to respond in other ways of comfort and counseling for those close to the happenings on the Virginia Tech campus. It is hard to look at such an event and make any sense to me or to anyone. What can we do? We can and must pray. We can and must trust God and gives others reason to do the same. There is a convocation for students, faculty and staff at 2 pm Tuesday afternoon. Please plan to spend some of that hour praying for those involved. Talk to others about Jesus. This is a time when people will listen. This is a time when people will share their fears and their needs. Think about and talk about Him. Remember (as our philosophy is) we are called to get the attention of our community and while we have their attention, tell them about Jesus. Some verses from Psalms 46 (nlt): 1 God is our refuge and strength, ...

Psalm 86:2 (nlt) --- Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God. Just over 60 miles from where I am sitting there were many people killed and others wounded a short time ago at Virginia Tech. Please being praying for those involved, those who attend the university and those who serve the public, medical and law enforcement. As you are, I am overwhelmed with this news and situation. What I do know is many Christians who live in the area and some who go to school there. When difficult news hits, where do we turn? What happens inside us and around us? The only place to turn is to God. He is in control. I remember where I was during 9-11 and the horror that hit all of us during that time. It was crazy. It took a long time for things to move in a positive direction. God can and will use times like these to turn people toward Him. It will also make us check our faith. The thought of doom ought to leave us as we trust God. Difficul...

"Lose your dreams and you might lose your mind." --- Mick Jagger What a quote from an unquotable dude! I have long understand that vision and dreams are vital to success, church and leadership. What do you think? We serve a big God. Dream big! He is into miracles, and most often those miracles come at times we did not expect them. Think about it. The folks at the wedding where Jesus turned water into wine didn't expect to run out of wine. Lazarus and his family didn't expect Lazarus to die or that Jesus would bring him back to life. Few people outside Jesus' circle of friends expected that stone to be moved by angel and for Jesus to walk out of His grave. Jesus is into miracles. He is into dreams. He gives us vision. And we need to hang on, hold on, tell others, write it all down and shout it as loud as we can. One preacher said a couple things about vision that hit me hard ... "vision requires provision" and "without vision life looses...

I recently shared with our folks a document called "Introduction to Property Law from a Toddler's Perspective." This is funny ... " The Introduction to Property Law From A Toddler's Perspective." If I like it, it's mine. If I can take it away from you, it's mine. If I had it a while ago, it's mine. If I say it's mine, it's mine. If it looks like mine, it's mine. If I say I saw it first, it's mine. If you're having fun with it, it's mine. If you lay down your toy, it's mine. If it's broken, it's yours. Reality, would you say? But I have seen some adults act like that and live by those concepts. Now, that is sad. Earlier this week I gave you some verses that I want to share with you again: Micah 6:6-8 (nlt) --- What can we bring to the Lord? What kind of offerings should we give him? Should we bow before God with offerings of yearling calves? Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of ol...

Jonah 3:1-3 (nlt) --- Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time: "Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you." This time Jonah obeyed... We are in week 3 of our Leadership Style of Jonah? series on Wednesday nights at The Community Fellowship. We have lots to learn from Jonah. He ran from God, but as you see from the beginning of tonight's verses, Jonah begins to make his way back to God. Ever been there? Maybe we question God. Maybe we even run from God. Maybe we just ignore God. Whatever the case, not obeying God brings big trouble and lots of wrong turns. I don't like bad weather especially when I am on a boat. I don't like the smell and feel of fish and don't think I would care for some time in the belly of a big one. Guess my choice is to follow God. How about you? This morning through my reading of Proverbs, I came across some words I want to share with you (and I leave you by asking you to think of...

Just an easy BUT overflowing devotion for the morning. I am still walking tall from our awesome Easter weekend. Yet there is always stuff on the agenda and people asking for time and myself pushing me harder and harder. Maybe it is time to rethink the busy monster some of us serve. What do you think? Here is one of my favorite passages. I have to thank Bob White from Georgia for sharing it with me (three times in one year, 1998). Read on with passion: Micah 6:6-8 (nlt) --- What can we bring to the Lord? What kind of offerings should we give him? Should we bow before God with offerings of yearling calves? Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins? No, O people, the L ord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. We need to know what God expects of us. No, this devotion is not about tithing ...

As of late our young son has been spending lots of OUR time watching movies like "The Incredibles", "Spiderman" and others. What I have learned about these superheros is that they show up just when you need them and then they are gone. Sounds familiar! After Jesus had risen from His grave, He appeared 11 times (the Bible recalls) to various people in various places. He would appear, and then He would be gone. In the first spot I want to give you jumping to shout about, the Bible says this when some people went to Jesus' grave: Luke 24:5 (nlt) --- The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, "Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? Jesus was gone. No body was found. Didn't appear to be stolen by bandits or the mafia. Jesus' body was gone. Can you imagine being there and seeing that? Then, you remember what He said. Jesus was alive again. From death to life....far too many times...

word for the day CROSS verse(s) for the day Romans 5:8 (nlt) --- But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 1 Peter 3:18 (nlt) --- Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. thought for the day Death is not easy to talk about especially one that is bloody and filled with difficult things. Yet Jesus' death must hit us a little different from those of murders and car accidents. Yes, His death was full of pain and terror as well as bloody scenes hard to look at. Fact is and even the Bible tells us, that people won't die for one another. We cherish the stories of people who died for a cause, and we call them martyrs. Through history many people have died for a cause. Some seemed like huge causes and some seemed somewhat insignificant. But the Easter scene, not spring flowers...

word for the day STONED verse for the day Matthew 27:60, 28:2 (nlt) --- He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left...Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. quote for the day Peter Marshall --- The stone was rolled away from the door, not to permit Christ to come out, but to enable the disciples to go in. thought for the day What gets in our way? We could be talking about all kinds of things. What gets in our way of winning, of making money, of winning the lottery, of taking a nap, and the list goes on. But my thought is this: what gets in our way of going with Jesus? The answers cannot be held in a one page or a 50 page document. At Easter time I am touched and asked to think about the big rock that was put in front of the place where Jesus was buried. That rock was huge. It took many people to move, and i...

word for the day FAITH verse for the day Hebrews 11:1,6 (nlt) --- Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see...And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. (and another) quote for the day Faith is embracing the uncertainties of life. It is chasing lions that cross our paths. It is recognizing a divine appointment when you see one. Embrace relational uncertainty. It's called romance. Embrace spiritual uncertainty. It's called mystery. Embrace occupational uncertainty. It's called destiny. Embrace emotional uncertainty. It's called joy. Embrace intellectual uncertainty. It's called revelation. --- In A Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson , page 89. thought for the day That is incredible. I am talking about faith and how faith will rock us, push us and e...

word the day CHOOSE verse for the day John 10:10 (nlt) --- The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. thought for the day There are choices to make every day. First bumper sticker I saw today said "Keep Planned Parenthood Away From My Child". I'd say that was a huge 'choose' statement. It is not always easy to decide which direction to go, which one to take, what to do...and the list goes on. At Easter, there are a couple choices I am reminded of. The first is in the verse for the day and speaks of our choice of death or life, Satan or God, trivial or meaningful life. The choice is ours. The second reminder is from Jesus the night he was arrested. He was in the garden praying when drops of blood fell from his head. This was an intense time, needless to say. Here is what Jesus said to God: Matthew 26:39 (nlt) --- He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying...

word for the day STORY verse for the day John 1:14 (nlt) --- So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son. thought for the day Some people have a real problem with Easter because if depicts the story of something bad that happened. It is grusome and hard to look at. But Jesus' story is real and really needed by us and others. Are we willing to tell His story? Has His story changed our story? Singer Todd Agnew with his song "MY JESUS" got it right as the church looks at Jesus. I pray as we get ready for Easter that His story will change us. Which Jesus do you follow? Which Jesus do you serve? If Ephesians says to imitate Christ Then why do you look so much like the world? Cause my Jesus bled and died He spent His time with thieves and liars He loved the poor and accosted the arrogant So which one do you want to be? Blessed are the poo...