Michael Harrison's e-devotion

It’s almost December.   Thanksgiving is over.   But there is so much truth to the thought that we have so much to be thankful for because we are blessed.   Being thankful is a way of life for the person who sees the greatness of God and the opportunities that He gives us. 1 Thessalonians 5:18   NASB in everything give thanks ; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Everything means everything.   In the good and the bad, give thanks.   In the celebrations of life and in the sorry that comes along the way, give thanks.   In our strength and in our weakness, give thanks.   It isn’t easy, but it is right. The person who sees God, loves God and seeks God will give thanks in their everything day lives.   As we leave Thanksgiving Day, the American holiday, I understand that every day ought to be a day of giving thanks for us. Here are some verses that speak to us about giving thanks: 1 Chronicles 16:34   NASB O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;

Look back at the historical beginning of this holiday, and you will notice that there are several pieces that stand out.   The people who began Thanksgiving chose to work with and unified to other like-minded people for the good of others.   There were things they agreed on.   There were things they disagreed on, but the people we know as the Pilgrims decided to work together because they knew that is where they would find strength.   The same can be said for and learned by us as we chose to work and serve with the people around us. Our community needs to see the church, Jesus followers, working together.   We might not agree on everything, yet when we work together, more people win AND God gets all the glory.   I want that! As you press toward Thanksgiving, here is what ought to be our stand: 1 Thessalonians 5:18   MSG Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens.   This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to liv

It is the Tuesday before thanksgiving, and we have much to be thankful for.   Whether we have a little or a lot, there is much to thank God for. Psalm 100:4   NLT Enter his gates with thanks giving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. The way we respond to God tells others about our God.   It also tells people what we believe about God.   Too many people have a perpetual frown on their face and are always sour.   What does that say about God? When God fills our hearts, when we acknowledge His goodness, praise comes across our lips and a positive attitude fills our lives.   Thanksgiving and being thankful is a way of life.   Have you seen that before?   I want to be around people that are positive, people that build me up, people that are making a difference in this world. The biggest difference we will make is NOT in feeding someone or giving them clothes or in giving them a place to stay that is warm.   The biggest difference

It is Thanksgiving week.   And the question is who are we going to thank this week.   Sunday morning I shared a message with our church about giving thanks and being thankful, and the illustration came from a story in David’s life.   But I will share more of it later this week. In the story as well as in this season of the year we understand that when we get excited about things, we will share it with others.   There will be something that we celebrate.   It’s a party.   It’s a fun time.   It’s something that doesn’t happen all the time, yet it’s awesome. I enjoy Thanksgiving.   But I miss my family.   There is so much to give thanks for.   We are blessed.   Blessed big time.   People have long been impressed, challenged, and encouraged to come to know Jesus.   Thanksgiving is a great time for people to hear about and meet Jesus. John 12:42-43 NLT Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders.   But they wouldn’t admit it for fear

What keeps us from being able to see?   There are things that hinders our view.   There are sickness that makes our eyes not work properly.   There are things that won’t even allow what we see to make it through to our brain.   But I want to see more. Within the last year I visited a local eye doctor because I was having a problem being able to focus as I was reading.   After a few minutes of simple tests and checking on a couple things, the Doctor shared with me something I wasn’t ready to hear.   It was devastating.   I was shocked and hurt at the same time.   He said that my eye sight would not get any better, and my problem with focusing was due to … getting older.   He said things change with age. His suggestion was to get some reading glasses, and I did.   But I rarely use them.   Maybe it is because of pride.   Maybe it is because of laziness.   Maybe it is because I just don’t want to admit that at 43 years old that I am growing older (my birthday was last Sunday, a

Holiday season is upon us, and there are so many opportunities as well as much to celebrate!  Please join us for worship this Sunday as it is the weekend before Thanksgiving. free THANKSGIVING MEALS At The Community ...  from 2 to 4pm on Thanksgiving day there will be a community meal at the church.  Everyone is invited.  Please consider making your favorite dish of food and bringing it to share with others.  If you need more information or want a rise, call 276-632-1452.  Volunteers are needed to help! At the Martinsville Hotel ...  at 2pm on Thanksgiving day our ministry partners at the hotel will be serving a free meal as well.   At Orchard Drive Baptist Church ...  our own Kasim Adams helps lead this meal in the Sanville Community.  For more information call the church at 276-629-7450 or talk with Kasim.  Volunteers are needed there as well. Take the 10:10 CHALLENGE There is still time to commitment to this challenge.  It includes the following:  STOP & PRAY at

PEOPLE > things 1 Thessalonians 1:4 NLT We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. We have all kinds of resources at our disposal.  Walk into a library or any of our homes, and there are all kinds of books to read.  Search the internet, and you find endless information, useful and useless.  Go to a gas station, and you can buy fuel till all your money is gone.  Go to the store, and on isle after isle there are items to feed, clothe, clean and do all kinds of thousands of things.  Yet none of those are not our greatest resources. Our church has become known as a church that helps and encourages people.  As we interact with people we know and many we don't, it is tough to see the huge needs, yet the most difficult thing we deal with are hurt relationships.  Unless you are a hermit, you have to deal with people every day.  Family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and others cross our path every day. Our greates

There are some things that are obvious.   You can tell when it is fall because the weather changes and the color of the leaves change around.   You can tell things about people as well.   Some things are just very obvious.   There ought to be some characteristics that are various obvious about Christians. In His sermon on the mount Jesus shared what we call the beatitudes about some things that happen in the life of His followers.   Are these obvious in your life? Matthew 5:3-10   NLT God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.   4  God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.   5  God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.   6  God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.   7  God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.   8  God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.   9  God blesses those who work

Psalm 19:1   NLT The heavens proclaim the glory of God.   The skies display his craftsmanship. Step outside.   Did you see it?   Painted across the sky is some of the most beautiful art that I have ever seen before.   That was night. I looked up and saw the moon draped by the most glorious black expanse dotted with little white twinkling lights.   The moon is perfectly round, and you can make out the valleys and mountains.   And it is so beautiful.   The air is crisp and clean.   It is a little chilly which capped off a sunny day of about 70 degrees.   I’m reminded at our wonderful our creator, at how awesome our God is. Another morning I looked across the scene before me.   It could have been the ocean from the white sand beach.   It might have been a mountainside of fresh summer growth surrounded by the hills, the streams, the trees and so much more.   Maybe it was fall with the colorful leaves almost like someone took the many colors of paint and spent days creat