Michael Harrison's e-devotion

Psalm 29:4  NLT The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. Do you hear Him?  God is always speaking.  But do we know that?  Have we experienced this? What might be in the way of us hearing from God?  It could be our sin or our pride.  It might even be the fact that we are not listening.  You could even say that you just plain don't think God is speaking. Fact: God is always speaking.  Another fact: we humans don't always listen.  Yet when we hear God and respond to God great things will happen.  As I said yesterday, our choices today will impact the results and blessings that tomorrow will bring our way.  Hearing from God may just change everything in our lives. Another reason we might not be listening or hearing God is fear.  We are afraid that what God would say would be too hard to hear or too hard to do.  He might make us give up something.  When we get on our heart what God has on His heart ... when we want what God wants ......

Philippians 4:19 
NASB And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.   I love that fact.  Yet that fact is not something that is to pump us up so we can feel better about ourselves and our situation.  God gave us this truth so we might be best prepared and have the ability to serve others.  Too many Christians live in a way where they couldn't bless others if we wanted to.   That is because we have no margin in our lives.  God wants us to create margin.  We have no margin when we overspend and are in debt.  We have no margin when our calendars are packed and have no room for anything else.  We have no margin when we don't take into account what God says is best for our lives.   We began a new series at The Community Fellowship yesterday called "Be Generous", and our people are being challenge to seek God now, to create margin so we can serve God and others and to be generous with the resources God has put in o...

1 Timothy 6:17-18  NLT Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. One of the highlights of our history at The Community Fellowship was at Christmas in 2008 when we shared with people in our community through GIVE-BACK.  It is simple.  We will offer a simple amount of cash to our folks who are willing to serve their neighbors, co-workers or a friend that is in need.  They are asked not to give cash and to meet a specific need. The stories that came out of those special time are awesome.  Plus, this event pressed us further than anything ever had before.  Therefore, the next round of GIVE-BACK begins this Sunday.  And I am excited about it.  We will be able to help more peop...

Romans 4:21  NLT He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. 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. God is in the business of changing lives.  He is interested in people.  Jesus didn't die on the cross and give His life for institutions.  He gave His life for people, for the relationships around us and more. One of the things that keeps me doing what I am doing is the fact that God has a call on my life to serve others and to love Him above everything else, yet one of the struggles I have is watching others simple build the mechanism and institution.  we have to have the buildings and the institutions, yet too often those things take our time, our money and almost all of our other resources. Are we building things or are we building people?  Are we pouring our lives into things that are temporal or things that are eternal?...

We are excited to share with you that we have 2 new ministry teams that have formed here at The Community. They are a prayer team and a care team. Last week if you were in church you heard the ministry of the  PRAYER TEAM . Please share your requests with your church family in this way: Call 276-565-8321 or email:  prayer.communityfellowship@gmail.com Each night requests will be prayed over by our prayer team and then they will be posted on Pastor Michael's E-Devotion. This week you will hear from our brand new  CARE TEAM  that will be ministering to people inside our church when needs arise such as surgery, funerals and other situations that life brings our way. You hear it often, but this is a great time to be part of The Community family. God's call on our lives and this church is to  demonstrate the love of God to our community  and we are doing that in greater ways than ever before. See you Sunday for community worship at 10:10am. Don't forget that there are ...

We've not seen anything yet.  The biggest impact we will ever see as followers of God is when we do things together and for the kingdom of God.  The first example of this happened not long after Jesus went to heaven.  Here is their story: Acts 2:42-47  NLT 42  All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper), and to prayer.   43  A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44  And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.  45  They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46  They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— 47  all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those ...

Romans 15:6  NLT Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. I'm passionate about this.  In the past few months I have begun to see and share how much stronger we are when we join together to serve others.  Our church's are stronger when we join with each other to serve our community.  In fact, I believe as The Community Dream Center, what we are founding in the coming months, strength will be the various Christians and churches that lock arms and energy to work together.  The church's strength is in what we share.  It is all about Jesus. The things that divide us need to be set aside, and it is time to see needs and meet them.  By joining together we will find that we have more energy, more resources, more passion and just plain more ability given by God to see His kingdom grow and lives changed by Him.  Do you agree? I had the opportunity to attend an event this week in Ham...

Will you join The Community leadership team and family in our prayer challenge?  It goes through Monday, December 6th as we seek God for wisdom, open doors and changed lives.  This is tied to the beginning of some new work and The Community Dream Center is coming our way soon.  Again, will you pray? This began as our leadership team was talking about all the blessings we have seen from God and the direction that He is taking us.  Let me give you a bit of guidance as we pray today. Ask for direction ... Proverbs 16:9  NLT We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. Psalm 37:23  NLT The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Ask for wisdom ... James 1:5  NLT If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. Colossians 1:9  NLT So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete...

John 15:13  NLT There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. It is Veterans Day here in the USA.  I am grateful for the men and women who have served our nation and fought for our freedom.  That is another true definition of a friend.  They might not be my neighbor, I might not know their name or maybe even never met them, yet I count them as my friend, every veteran, because of the price they paid and time they gave to serve.  If you are a Veteran, thank you! I love the story that I have read a few times of a group of military men walking through an airport.  One I remember was a single person that began to clap.  Before long everyone around these troops was clapping and chatting and giving high fives.  Another story talks about being thankful and every time you see one of these men and women place your hand over your heart and mouth the words thank you.  It doesn't take much, but it will mean a great deal. We have so much to b...

Here is a portion of a note I sent some of our church leaders yesterday: --- Acts 1:14  NLT They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. That is a powerful verse. It is vital that we get on our knees in private and in public. You (our church) will be called on this Sunday during the invitation to pray and lead our people to pray. We must do this. The future is so bright. The blessings of God are evident. Our vision is strong and will change lives by God's grace. Yet Satan is working overtime. Therefore we can't and must not move out from under the will and hand of God. My prayer is that will get so desperate for God in the next four weeks that can't miss God and will never be the same. Then our community will be changed, broken lives will begin to be rebuilt, hundreds of people will find in Jesus and all of this because some God's people chose...

So goes the family, so goes the nation.  It is the one structure that our nation and our faith hinges on.  When our families crumble, our lives crumble.  It is the backbone of all we are. Look at the children around us.  Is there a difference in the kids raised in a stable, God-fearing environment compared to the child raised in chaos?  Does it make a difference to teach our kids about God or can we leave them to learn on their own?  I assert that it takes a community of strong family and faith to see that a person is ready to live a successful life.   Proverbs 22:6 
NASB Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.   The first institution was marriage and family.  That is why Jesus so often talked about it and God gives us so much to think about relationships.  How can we turn the 10 commandments into commitments for our kids?   take kids to church & make it a great experience, talk through why you honor God in s...

This is your reminder. Time change is this Sunday. So, change your clock before you go to bed Saturday night and enjoy the extra sleep. Community worship will begin at the normal 10:10am Sunday morning. See you there!

This is a big weekend in respect to The Community Dream Center beginning. Here are the things we can get excited about: 1st work day at our Dream Center houses is Saturday, Nov 6th beginning at 9am. The address is 609 Fayette St (corner of Massey and Fayette streets in Martinsville), and we will be doing yard work. Join us and bring yard tools and mowers to help. Lunch will be provided! Our Sunday morning community worship experience at 10:10am will include a special testimony from a new friend as well as an interview with someone you won't want to miss. You will also get to celebrate a huge blessing The Community has received. Sunday evening at 5pm there will be a short prayer meeting at the same house we are working on Saturday (this will be led by the Collinsville small group). You don't want to miss the excited this weekend will bring as we hear and celebrate what God has brought to us this week. Pass the word and bring a friend with you.

This is a big weekend in respect to The Community Dream Center beginning. Here are the things we can get excited about: 1st work day at our Dream Center houses is Saturday, Nov 6th beginning at 9am. The address is 609 Fayette St (corner of Massey and Fayette streets in Martinsville), and we will be doing yard work. Join us and bring yard tools and mowers to help. Lunch will be provided! Our Sunday morning community worship experience at 10:10am will include a special testimony from a new friend as well as an interview with someone you won't want to miss. You will also get to celebrate a huge blessing The Community has received. Sunday evening at 5pm there will be a short prayer meeting at the same house we are working on Saturday (this will be led by the Collinsville small group). You don't want to miss the excited this weekend will bring as we hear and celebrate what God has brought to us this week. Pass the word and bring a friend with you.

Financial Truths via  JosephSangl.com  by jsangl on 11/4/10 Here are some basic financial truths: Income – Outgo = Exactly Zero Consumer Debt is  NEVER  helpful long-term Saving a little every month trumps trying to save a lot once in awhile Automatic savings is far more consistent than relying on oneself to write a check every month A spending plan prepared BEFORE the month begins allows one to accomplish far more than one without a plan No one has ever cried that they had saved too much money, but many have cried over saving too little Retiring entirely dependent upon Social Security is far worse than retiring independent of Social Security Working together with your spouse on money will improve your marriage Prayer really works! Seeking wise counsel from those who have "been there – done that" always trumps "going it alone" Mutual funds are not the only way to build financial wealth Everyone CAN be debt-free – it is a  choice What are some other financial t...

Proverbs 4:18 MSG The ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they live, the brighter they shine. It is one of the worst, if not the worst, street in the city.  Everything from drug deals to prostitution are happening along this street and down the side streets. I'm told by people who live there that being outside after dark might not be the wisest thing to do.  But the stir from a little bit of light is happening. Yesterday afternoon a group of people from The Community began meeting people in the neighborhood around the houses we will be using for the start of our Dream Center.  We met all kinds of people and had some wonderful conversations.  A few of the places we visited were evidence that there is darkness around.  Yet through Jesus there is light being shined.  There are a few churches in the area already.  Some great people are beginning to speak up. Here is what is heavy on my heart ... take light into the darkness!  Be light every...

Proverbs 4:18 MSG The ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they live, the brighter they shine. It is one of the worst, if not the worst, street in the city.  Everything from drug deals to prostitution are happening along this street and down the side streets. I'm told by people who live there that being outside after dark might not be the wisest thing to do.  But the stir from a little bit of light is happening. Yesterday afternoon a group of people from The Community began meeting people in the neighborhood around the houses we will be using for the start of our Dream Center.  We met all kinds of people and had some wonderful conversations.  A few of the places we visited were evidence that there is darkness around.  Yet through Jesus there is light being shined.  There are a few churches in the area already.  Some great people are beginning to speak up. Here is what is heavy on my heart ... take light into the darkness!  Be light every...

I'm proud of our little guy. Every day he grows and learns. He's beginning to like racing and little cars (dad is pleased). He's learning to play the guitar (gifted like his mom). Our Cub Scout is sharp!

Luke 8:25  NLT Then he asked them, "Where is your faith?" The disciples were terrified and amazed. "Who is this man?" they asked each other. "When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!" One of my favorite things is to be amazed at what God does. Today was another one of those times as I met with two city officials.  It was so incredible to hear what God had already done.  Most of that I will share with you all later. Ever noticed what happened after Jesus preformed miracles?  People were amazed.  They would stand with their jaws on the ground, amazed at all God has done.  One of the pieces that always gets me is how the disciples, his closest followers are amazed at what Jesus can do and has done. It is time God's kids to begin to ask God to do miracles and move mountains.  This is the same God we read about in the Bible.  He still saves souls, changes lives and does miracles.  Ask Him.  I am. John 4:10  NLT...

2 Timothy 1:14  NLT Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you. Don't you love gifts?  There are some people (and I am one of them) that really like to get gifts.  It doesn't have to be big stuff.  It can be small and in-expensive things.  But if you get gifts all the time, it does get old. Do we see the truth God gives us as a gift?  When we get used to getting or having, we take things for granted.  When we get desensitized to things, we tend to stop being grateful for the gifts that come our way.  The truth of God is a huge gift.  What has this truth done for you. His truth has ... forgiven and freed us from sin.  His truth has ... given us eternal life and promise of heaven.  His truth has given us ... peace and purpose to live.  His truth given us ... a reason to be good to others and to share hope.  His truth has given us ... strength to get through the tough times and insi...