Michael Harrison's e-devotion

I was sitting at my desk one day last week when the phone rang, as it does so often, but on the other end of the phone who a fellow who is 4,000 miles away. It sounded like he was in the next room. On the phone was my friend and missionary David Keaton who serves with his wife, Carey, in Peru. One of my favorite people. He encourages me so much. Rarely do I get to hear from him unless he is home. But he is on the phone. Technology is awesome. Then I stop and think. Psalm 27:8 (nlt) --- My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me." And my heart responds, "L ord, I am coming." Like David is 4,000 miles away, some people think that God is light years away from us when He is so close all the time. God's desire is for us. To love us, share with us, spend time with us and more. He is asking for that. How do we answer? David, the king not the missionary, was headed to spend time with His master and God. Are we headed there? The connection is awes...

Dialup, T-1, Cable, or Broadband. Which is the best connection to the internet? I have my idea, but you may have another. The one I want is to be well connected. I hate it when it is slow. That's worst. No, no connection is the big dog that I hate. Being connected to God is similar to those interent connections. Some people are barely connected. They know about God, know just enough. Some people are well connected because they have known Him for years or never known any thing different. Others are inseperable. That is where I want to be. No, I am not talking about the ability to leave or be away from God. What I am talking about is how you and I connect with God. We connect with God through so many ways. Nature, the Bible, Prayers, Church, family or friends and other ways, too. Fact is, we need to be connected to God. In an article I read this week in Discipleship Journal (the theme of the most recent version is Time with God) a writer said that she at one time began ...

1 John 4:16 (nlt) --- We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. Henry Blackaby told us years ago in his book Experiencing God that God's desire was a love relationship with Him. Rick Warren in his book The Purpose Driven Life that God created us to fellowship with Him. That means connecting. In the last two devotions of this week (Thursday and Friday) we will seek to know what it not just to 'know' God but to enjoy our time with Him just like we enjoy time with a family member or friend. God wants to connect with us. This about it. I hate it when my interent connection is slow or not connected at all. Some of that reminds me of my need for connecting with God! Psalm 84:2 (nlt) --- I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul,I will shout joyfully to the living God. E-DEVOTIONS are sent each week day from Michael H...

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (nlt) --- Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say. Greetings, prayers and other thoughts like the verse above can be found all through the New Testament, but I ask you to stop and think with me for a moment. Why would we need hope and comfort and strength? Lots of reasons, I'd say. Last week I quoted an article about how to keep people away from you church, but here is an article that I read this morning that will give us some ideas to help people find a real home at the church we attend. By the way, it is our job, yours and mine, to make people feel welcome and to know the love of God. Don't take that lightly. God didn't. Jesus died for this to happen. Here are notes from that article (I have cut out much of the article BUT I encourage you to click on it and read it fully when you ge...

Do you ever get the feeling that you are different or strange. Not like the other people you are around? The first day of school has just passed us, and I remember well those first days and how strange they were. I still get butterflies in my stomach when I go to a new place or am around people that I don't know. But I hear God saying something to His church. He says be different, set apart and point people to me. Different is not a bad thing. It is a good thing. Think about it. Jesus was radical. But he didn't have a house or a temple or anything that really made the upper crust people look at Him. He was different because He was called to be that way. Acts 26:18 (nlt) --- ... Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God's people, who are set apart by faith in me. John 12:25 (nlt) --- Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. John 15:19 ...

Some time ago I shared THIS blog article with The Community Fellowship's leadership team. HERE is another article that is great as well. Lets take a few minutes to think about the place we worship on Sunday, the church we attend and the people we spend time with there and more. Some things may surprise you. Jeremiah 15:19 (nlt) --- This is how the Lord responds:"If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones,you will be my spokesman. You must influence them; do not let them influence you! Influence. How do we influence others to come to the church we go to? Take a step back. Act like you've never been there before. Would you be turned off by what you see, how you feel or what happens at your church? These are important questions. Why? We get far too familiar and comfortable with our surroundings. We begin to let things slide and take for granted what is around us. Are we drawing peop...

Proverbs 24:5-6 (nlt) --- The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger. So don't go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many advisers. May be a strange question for you, but it really is not. What do we do without God? I am not talking about the time you were not a Christian, but I am talking about the fact that in living we choose far too often to leave God out of what we do. I have noticed, especially this week, that putting God in the mix makes the mix so much sweeter. The blessings are better. Even my surroundings improve. Give God a try on this. Think about it. What do we do without God? Just a thought as I close, is doing something with God a sin? Colossians 3:17 (nasb) --- Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father .

NOTE --- I have just begun getting a very short daily devotion that has been extremely good. It is from the people who put out the New Living Translation and can be found here . Click on devotional sign up. Thanks! Galatians 18:27 --- What is impossible from a human perspective is possible with God. This hits me where I need it so often. What do I try or you try to do alone? With God on the outside. I mean, I don't intend to leave God out. It just happens. I'm busy. Everything seems fine. Fact is, with God inside and in the mix stuff gets done faster, better and with great results. I found it again ... guess where ... in Proverbs this morning. Here are a few nuggets from Proverbs 23 : 10-11 Don't cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers; don't take the land of defenseless orphans. For their Redeemer is strong; he himself will bring their charges against you. 13-14 Don't fail to discipline your children. They won't die if you span...

Galatians 6:9 (nlt) --- Don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. Rick Warren said it best this way, "God never wastes a hurt." He will use it for His glory and use it to help you help others. I don't always like that, but it is true. This past Sunday in our DNA series at The Community Fellowship I talked about the fact that we are human and that we have holes in our lives that God wants to fill. It is a weakness that God wants to work in and make us strong in. Do you get that? Here is want Paul said: 2 Corinthians 12:9 (nlt) --- Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. God is working in us and wants to work more. Yet we far too often stop the what God wants to do 'cause it hurts so much. Maybe it is in a sin you a...

I cannot live without the wisdom of God. Early this morning I was a bit early for a meeting and spent a few minutes reading the Proverb for the day. It was another good day in His book for me. James 1:5 has long been my mantra, so-to-speak, when it comes to hearing from God. It goes well with leaning on Proverbs as both James and Proverbs acknowledge that real wisdom is held by our God. And He is full of that wisdom, ready to give it out. So, I share with you just a few of the verses from Proverbs 20 that spoke to this dad, pastor and leader.... 5 Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out. 6 Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? 7 The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them. 12 Ears to hear and eyes to see—both are gifts from the Lord. 15 Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies. 18 Plans succeed through good counsel; don't go to ...

urgent --- Pray for a local family whose son's military place when down off the North Carolina coast yesterday and pray for His wife as well, Ryan and Andrea Betton. There was an earthquake southeast of Lima, Peru yesterday. Pray for those who were hurt. Also, pray for a local mission team in Lima and missionaries David and Carey Keaton who are way south of that location. The mission team and the Keatons are fine but ask for our prayers.

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 . For several years my wife and I have been supporting Life Outreach , the ministry of James and Betty Robison. They have been and their TV show, Life Today, has been a great encouragement to us. Yesterday on the show James made a comment that hit home with me. He said something like, "To really live life, you have to share life with someone else." For the Robisons this is reality as they seek to give many things including fresh water to people where the need is great. Look at our church's key verse, listed above, to understand how God wants to give us life. Look at that saying again... to really live life, you have to share life with someone else . Far too often people try to do things and live their own way and on their own terms. Living life with others gets complications. Relationships are tough. It may seem easier to withdraw fr...

Hey friends and family - We are over half way to our goal of buying 100 chairs for our worship area at The Community Fellowship (figures not confirmed yet). We are looking for some people wo would want to help buy chairs or to ask others who would like to help, please do it soon. This will make a huge difference for all of us. It is the Patriot Chair at http://www.discountchurchchairs.com/ and is $34.99. This is an awesome way to invest in lives. Those who know Jesus and those who don't. Help The Community Fellowship step forward in serving others the best way we can. This is one step of many we will be taking. God is so good...let me know how you can help! Pastor Michael Harrison (James 1:5) Lead Pastor http://www.thecommunityfellowship.org/ mharrison@thecommunityfellowship.org 276-732-7749

Have you ever noticed that you tend to go back to places you felt welcome or where you were taken good care of. In fact, the most successful service businesses are those who go out of their way to help the customer. The church is the same. If people don't feel welcome or are not made to feel a part, they won't come back. The church ought to be the place known as 'service with a smile' or 'the saving place' or just simply a place where you feel at home. What makes that happen? It is planning. You have to plan to be friendly and go out of your way to greet others and not just greet them but pull them in. It takes planning and sincere people. The businesses AND churches that do that well are going to grow. In fact serving others well will cover the things you don't do so well. For instance, maybe the stuff at a particular store is a bit higher in price, but they made you feel good. You will go back. Maybe it is something else. Loving people and servi...

Oh, I needed that. There are just times when a little bit of something will hit the spot. Could be that perfect lemonade on a hot day or piece of candy you love. Whatever that little bit may be, doesn't get your motor going? Scripture does that for me, and today was one of those days. Here are some verses from The Message and Psalms 107 that hit me where I needed a little bit today. Enjoy (that is all the e-devotion for today)... 1-3 Oh, thank God—he's so good! His love never runs out. All of you set free by God, tell the world! Tell how he freed you from oppression, Then rounded you up from all over the place, from the four winds, from the seven seas. 4-9 Some of you wandered for years in the desert, looking but not finding a good place to live, Half-starved and parched with thirst, staggering and stumbling, on the brink of exhaustion. Then, in your desperate condition, you called out to God. He got you out in the nick of time; He put your feet on a wonderful road t...

Genesis 7:17 (nlt) --- For forty days the flood waters grew deeper, covering the ground and lifting the boat high above the earth. We have been on our new home for almost 40 days without any trouble (almost). Then late last night ... I was busy. Remote in hand flipping from channel to channel just trying to keep my eyes open. My bride was at the computer preparing for a new preschool year to begin. The kids had gone to bed. Then the flood began. First, a shower was heard coming from the area of our basement bathroom. Next, approach the kitchen we hear the sound of rushing water, and upon closer inspection notice that water is spraying from the area behind the brand new dishwasher. What do we do? The 40 day flood... Let me remind you that I am not very handy. I did manage to cut off the water and turn off the electricity to the appliance (and much of the house). Then it hit me, "what's the battle plan?" Pray first. Ask for help. Think hard. That's what ...

I have long been attracted to the D.I.Y. (do it yourself) TV shows that have a woman host who seems to be able to do anything from overhauling an engine to remodeling your home. It is awesome. Well, I guess you need to know that I married a mega woman, and that I am understanding and seeing that more and more every day. Since we moved into our new home, my precious wife has been hard at work making our 1st home not just livable but awesome. Painting, sanding and fixing the kitchen cabinets is almost done, and more projects are being talked about. I am amazed and thankful. Sometimes we just don't realize what we have. So, what I wanted to share in today's devotion is that I praise God for His gift of a great wife, and I want to give a shout-out to my wife for being an awesome 'mega-woman', wife and mother. Just try and keep up, ladies. Proverbs 18:22 (nasb) --- He who finds a wife finds a good thing And obtains favor from the LORD. 1 Peter 3:7 (nlt) --- In the sa...

Our lives are marked by the things we encounter as we live. This could be a scar from some accident, a memory from something big or one of many more things that happen. Fact is, this stuff shapes our lives, our thinking and our actions. It ought to be shaping us to share Jesus with others. How we look at life, how we respond to trials and triumphs speaks volumes about our loving God or not loving God. Think about it. We are marked for Jesus. Galatians 6:17 (niv) --- Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. Paul was literally beaten and stoned and more for Jesus. Isaiah 53:5 (nlt) --- But he was pierced for our rebellion,crushed for our sins.He was beaten so we could be whole.He was whipped so we could be healed. Jesus' death and pain has given us life. Our life was released when His life was given. 1 Timothy 2:2 (nlt) --- Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godlin...

Today's devotion is going to take a bit of a different twist. I am going to share with you some of the websites and blogs that encourage me. This is just some of the stuff that encourages me. (This is going to be a bit longer than normal.) But first, here is a God thought... Set your AIM and your EYES 'cause you lead people by what you aim at and look at! Philippians 4:8 (nlt) --- And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Colossians 3:2 (nlt) --- Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. Hebrews 12:2 (nlt) --- We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. Those are good. Here is some of the stuff that...

A buddy of mine, former pastor of mine, sent me a thought that I have to share with you.  Here goes Joe Brooks' thought ... it will rock you 'blog reading world':   By the way, I figured this out the other day. If a person spends an average time of five minutes a day reading a blog, e-devotion or some other form of communication from a pastor, say Michael Harrison, they have spent enough time to hear five extra sermons per month. How 'zat for good stewardship?  

Proverbs 5:21 (nasb) --- For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD,And He watches all his paths. The first thing I notice about people is their eyes. You can often tell if a person if sick or tired. You can tell if they are excited or fearful. Often you can tell if they are up to no good. What I like most is when you meet a person, maybe for the first time, who loves God, and you can tell it in their eyes. Eyes are a big part of who we are. I cannot imagine what it is to be blind, yet I know what it is to be spiritually blind. Sin does that. When we stop listening to God, we are blind. Here is one of my favorite verses about that truth: Ephesians 1:18 (nlt) --- I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, God wants us to see in every way possible, yet I find people who don't want to see. Maybe its not seeing what God is up to or t...

Philippians 4:6-7 (nlt) --- Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. I need to hear that today. How about you? Some days or weeks are a little trying. Whether it is a person that pushes your buttons, a situation you cannot control or some type of problem, remember that God is still in control. The first time I received that promise was the winter of 1993, and it was sweet. God spoke to my heart through the Spirit and the Bible bringing huge peace, comfort and strength at a time when I needed direction. Since that time these two verses have flooded my mind, been mentioned in hundreds of conversations and counseling sessions and let me to know my God that much better. In my Christian DNA is this passage. God desires for us to have and hold His bes...

I am having a great time teaching through a series of messages called "DNA: the makeup and origin of faith." Yesterday we talked about forgiveness. About getting in on it and giving it away. Two awesome points that will change our lives greatly. God has forgiven us, yet so often we can not get that or forgive ourselves. Jesus did everything that has to be done to get us to heaven, to make us right and ready for God. All we have to do is accept it. It is almost like God gave us an insider's road into Christianity. That's the fact. I like the way Eugene Peterson's The Message helps our thoughts on this: Colossians 2:11-15 (msg) --- Entering into this fullness is not something you figure out or achieve. It's not a matter of being circumcised or keeping a long list of laws. No, you're already in—insiders—not through some secretive initiation rite but rather through what Christ has already gone through for you, destroying the power of sin. If it'...

1 Corinthians 2:10 (nlt) --- But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God's deep secrets. I have really gotten excited lately over a series of movies that kind of surprised me. The Hunt for Red October has long been a favorite and any of the Harrison Ford thriller stuff, but last night I sat down and began watching another movie in one of those series called The Sum of All Fears (in the Tom Clancy series of Jack Ryan novels). Not the best of movies, but a good story line and actors. What do I like about them? Is it the suspense? No. Is it the action? No. I think it is the story of government and enemies trying to out think and out reason each other. You see, I beleive that no one can out think God. He is kind of like the CIA or the FBI where people miss what is happening and are often not expecting outcomes. Have you seen these bumper stickers that read: CIA - Christians In Action? Pretty cool. ...

Today has been a crazy busy day. So, I am going to share a blog entry from Perry Noble . This is good. If you love your church and are a church leader, this ought to get your motor running and your heart hot to see God do some incredible things! This Messed Me Up!!! Joe, one of our pastors on staff found this video on you tube the other night. BEFORE you watch it please keep in mind that it is around nine minutes long…but worth every second. It brought tears to my eyes and raised several thoughts in my mind. #1 - Every Week Is Someone's First Week At (church) NewSpring. If you are a pastor…the same could be said about your church…that every single weekend COULD be THE weekend that THE PERSON who people in your church have been inviting and praying for show up. For some people that may be an afterthought…but I am OBSESSED with this thought. This video was proof that you never know who is going to show up. #2 - If The Tomb Is REALLY Empty Then The Atmosphere At Church Should...

"Scripture breathes wisdom like we breathe oxygen. It can't not. Through Scripture, God reveals Himself. The wisdom cannot be captured, let alone contained, on a neon bumper sticker or rubber bracelet. Wisdom itself invites us to go deeper - right into a relationship with God himself." --- Margaret Feinberg in The Organic God page 78 Leadership books. Cool, innovative pastors. And more. I am always encouraged by people who get it. They have taken a skill, a gift, an idea and shoved it to the next level. Could be a business like one I watched on The Big Idea that started with $78 worth of product but is now grossing 100's of millions of dollars only a couple years later. It is always the church that started just a few years back but it make a huge difference, maybe with lots of people but with so much more as well. People who get wisdom need to be heard. That is why Proverbs continues to be part of my daily routine. Every time I go there, I get something...