Michael Harrison's e-devotion

Are you as inspired as I am by the stories of lives being changed by God?  I could listen to people talk all day about what miracles God has done in their lives.  Listening to these stories I am once again reminded that there are people around us every day that are candidates for the work of God in changing their lives. No.  This is not about God making people good Christians.  This is about God giving people life worth living.  Too many people are living life with no purpose and full of pain that doesn't seem to go away.  God has a plan, and He will fill our lives if we let Him. We serve a God in the life change business, and I am praying that God will use our ministry to see hundreds of lives changed for His good.  I so desire to watch people turn from barely getting by to thriving because they believe God each day for blessings. I'm not talking about the old "name it, claim it and frame it" about getting wealth or possessions because you are a ...

Acts 4:32 NASB And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. I sat around the table last night with a few of our team and others from 9 different churches including all kinds of construction people.  You should have heard what these folks shared.  It is amazing to watch God break down the barriers that have been in place for a long time.  Those barriers have kept Christians from working together.  Those days are quickly going away. Not only did I get to share about The Community Dream Center and how we will be opening a shelter, but we heard from another ministry opening a home for unwed mothers.  The outpouring and desire to serve was incredible.  We all need to see this kind of thing happen as the churches of our communities unite to serve God and serve the people we are around.  The power of partnership is incred...

Death.  Moral failure.  Sickness.  Loss.  All of those have come across my path this week.  It is my desire to minister to people in grace and how Jesus would respond.  Literally how we deal with others can help them see and experience God.   1 Thessalonians 5:11  NASB Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. John 13:34  NASB A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. Ephesians 4:32  NASB Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Romans 12:10  NASB Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; Powerful truth from God changes our lives.  How we deal with others demonstrates a lot about our character and what we believe.  Those verses say we are to love, forgive and encourage others.  Being kind goes a long way. In the last few...

Death.  Moral failure.  Sickness.  Loss.  All of those have come across my path this week.  It is my desire to minister to people in grace and how Jesus would respond.  Literally how we deal with others can help them see and experience God.   1 Thessalonians 5:11  NASB Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. John 13:34  NASB A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. Ephesians 4:32  NASB Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Romans 12:10  NASB Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; Powerful truth from God changes our lives.  How we deal with others demonstrates a lot about our character and what we believe.  Those verses say we are to love, forgive and encourage others.  Being kind goes a long way. In the last few days...

I left a comment on my friend Scott's blog tonight. It is www.servingstrong.com and his stuff is so good. One of the pastor's I respect announced this weekend a moral failure in his life. So, here I the comment I left. Wanted to share it with you.............. Some awesome points, Scott. My heart is heavy. It is greater than almost any time before because of the pain this pastor we learned about this weekend. This man had poured into my life. He fell. He confessed only after 2 years and 4 months of having this affair. Lots of pain. This is not the first time this type of thing has happened. Takes me back to my teen years when a pastor I followed and who taught me how to share my faith fell. Then I learned that he had other affairs in the past. Lots of pain. In the 2 decades I've been serving, I've seen many ministers fall and fail. This doesn't have to be. It is time, high time, for us to get real. Transparency is one of our church's core values. I'm no...

Philippians 2:13- 16 nlt For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.   Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.  Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ's return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.  There is more to being a Christian than just accepting Jesus and being Saved.  God's desire for us is to have a full and purposeful life.  That only comes when we make choices and accept what God says and follow His direction. The verses above give us promises, strength and things to accomplish as we follow God.  Knowing the truth helps us understand what God is God.  God is working.  He is working in us.  When God is working, people will see a difference in our lives.  Do people hear us co...

I have long been intrigued by the story of the children of Israel wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.  Not a place that I wouwant to spend an extended period of time at all.  The reason why they had to stay there was that they took their eyes of of God. There are consequences to doing things against what God says or the way He directs.  That was true for the Children of Israel.  It is true for us.  Think about it. Numbers 32:10-13 nlt Then the L ord  was very angry with them, and he vowed, 'Of all those I rescued from Egypt, no one who is twenty years old or older will ever see the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, for they have not obeyed me wholeheartedly.  The only exceptions are Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun, for they have wholeheartedly followed the L ord .'   "The L ord  was angry with Israel and made them wander in the wilderness for forty years until the entire generation that sinned in the L...

  PRESS RELEASE Immediate Media Release, March 22, 2011 HENRY COUNTY, VA.   ---  The Community Dream Center (TCDC) board of directors announces that we are in the process of purchasing a 69 unit apartment complex. The apartments that are being acquired will allow those who are homeless in our community to have shelter and to find resources to help them in the future. With the combined efforts of citizens, businesses and churches The Community Dream Center will succeed in "reBuilding the Dreams of Broken People". The renovation of the apartments will be done with mostly volunteer labor and materials. TCDC will also begin a transition or discipleship program that will assist men who are not just homeless but have found themselves in some of life's most difficult of places.  In the future TCDC hopes to be able to house homeless families and begin a mobile food ministry.  "For several years our church has been serving those in need here in Henry County of w...

Yesterday I spoke on the subject of "Relationships Work" and talked about how to have a great relationship or marriage you have to work at it all the time.  We have all been in some tough relationships or some tough times in relationships.  Yet there are a few things we can do to find success with the people we care about. Thanks to Joe and April Haynes for sharing with us yesterday.  Their story blessed lots of people for sure.  We can and must learn from others. Here are some things that I shared about marriage and relationships: We need some understanding .  Every one of us have history with God.  We are His kids, He cares for us, and His plan is to give us abundant life.  It is important that both people, husband and wife, in a marriage do their part.   Ladies, submission isn't a dirty word (when you understand it).  God intends for you to connect with Him and for your life to demonstrate your love for God and that you honor your husband.   Gu...

Proverbs 15:28 NLT The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words. Our words are powerful.  I have heard since I was a kid that we need to "think before we speak", but I haven't always lived by that policy.  Therefore, my mouth has gotten me in trouble.  If this is confession, I need to say that my mouth has gotten me in trouble many times. The last couple of days I have been watching my words since God brought to my attention some truth of Scripture as well as how often my words don't follow what God says and how He leads.  His words build up and add good things to life and bring healing.  My words too often cut and hurt people.  I desire that my words be His words. Think with me. Luke 12:12 NLT for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said. When you don't know what to say, let the Holy Spirit give you the words.  That is a promise from the Bible.  How do...

As I sat across the table from this gentle man, I realized we were in the presence of a giant.  He had driven a couple hours just to meet me and some friends for lunch before we left town.  His words were so pointed and the fact that this guy had heard from God were incredible.  Some of my friends said that our trip was worth it if we only had that one hour with this man. His name is Emilio Cervantes .  Emilio is a business man that attends Matthew Barnett 's Angelus Temple and volunteers at the Los Angeles Dream Center .  Today I am not writing to tell you about Emilio but about the light this dude turned on for me and what I have seen since.  Here is a Scripture Emilio shared: 1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." I heard that verse on that day and a couple days before.  A few weeks later I...

I have a heart for hurting people.  In fact, almost four years ago our church began with our marching as "demonstrating the love of God to our community" through acts of kindness with no strings attached.  We have been given opportunity after opportunity to help people.  The hurting, hungry and homeless people we meet don't just have needs, each person needs the hope that only God can given. Friday morning I couldn't turn the news off as reports from Japan flooded in and warnings coming toward Hawaii and the west coast of the United States.  Our county was spared for the most part, but there are thousands of hurting people in Japan.  What can we do to help? We can and must pray.  Intercede, pray for those in need. Psalm 69:29 NLT I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, OGod, by your saving power. Colossians 1:11 NLT We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the e...

NOTES: join me in praying for those who have been touched by the earthquake in Japan and the impact of the Tsunami in Japan, Hawaii and the west coast of the US.  Also, remember to change your clocks this Saturday night when you go to bed.  Set your clocks ahead one hour. Luke 10:33 NLT Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. What must it have been like to the man who was robbed and beaten on that horrible day?  He was in need.  But no one stopped.  People looked and passed by.  It wasn't until an outcast, a Samaritan or a half breed as they were none, stopped, cared and did something for the man that he found help.  Do we know anyone in need? God has blessed our lives.  Our sins have been forgiven, and we have been given resources that include finances, food, relationships and so much more.  Yet there are people who live near us, work with us, go to school with us, sit next to us at church and ...

Join me in praying for the people who have been affected by the earthquake in Japan and the tsunami warnings in Hawaii and the western US.

Mark 12:41-44 nlt Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts.  Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins.  Jesus called his disciples to him and said,  "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions.   For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on." It must have been awesome to be around Jesus when He walked the earth with His disciples.  There were huge moments of learning.  There were moments you had to cry because of the broken people Jesus dealt with.  There were times you needed a notebook or a laptop to take notes from what Jesus said and did. One of those incredible moments with Jesus was when they sat in the temple and were watching people give.  The Scripture is above.  Some of the people gave big offerings.  ...