Michael Harrison's e-devotion

It is Wednesday, and I am continuing to share the Navigators’ Hand Illustration (click THIS LINK to learn more) helping us get more in to the word of God.   See the picture above for the pieces of the illustration. Acts 17:11   NLT And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. There are many ways to study the Bible, and all of them are good.   Yet your learning style and preferences should lead you to the best way to study.   Choose a way and start!   There is treasure ready to find and fruit ready to pick. You can study the Bible by topics.   Use tools such as online websites with notes and books or commentaries.   Choose your topic, and dig in with the tools and look at the Bible.   Another way to study the Bible is going chapter by chapter in a book of the Bible.   Work through it, looking up parts

Today I continue sharing with you this week the Navigators’ Hand Illustration (click THIS LINK to learn more) about getting more in the word of God.   See the picture above for the pieces of the illustration. Let’s dig in and talk about READING the Word of God.   There are many ways to read the word from using a traditional Bible, to using your phone or some devise of some kind, or even having the Bible read to you. Revelation 1:3   NLT God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near. When we read the Word of God, we are directly hearing the words of God, and this is often the way that God speaks directly to us.   As a Christian we have the Holy Spirit in our lives, and the Bible impacts us, affects us and penetrates our thoughts.   In fact I have noticed that the more I read the Word of God, the more I quote and share it in my daily conversations.

Many years ago I was introduced to ways to study the Bible, and one of the greatest illustrations was from the Navigators and their Hand Illustration (click THIS LINK to learn more).   See the picture above for the pieces of the illustration. Each day this week I am going to highlight points on each of the fingers.   I pray this will help you and I understand how the Bible, God’s word and love letter to us, ought to be a big part of our lives.   On a daily basis we can apply some things that will bring us closer to God and make us wiser in how we lives our lives. Today’s point is HEARING.   This speaks to the fact that we need to be hearing the word of God, and this can come in many ways and forms. Listening to sermons is a great way to hear the word of God, but of coarse I am a preacher who shares sermons.   We can also hear through being part of a Bible study group.   Being taught the word of God by people who know the word and that we respect is a powerful tool to l

Romans 15:32   NLT Then, by the will of God, I will be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and we will be an encourage ment to each other . All those people who walk through the door do so for a reason.   They are not just thinking about themselves.   They went out of their way to show others the goodness of God. Each and everyone of the text messages, phone calls and facebook messages are reminders that we are not alone.   They are intends to be “pick-me-ups” and reminders of the connections God has given us. It is important to encourage others.   In the last few days I have been reminded over and over that I am not alone in the struggle I am in.   My mom continues to be ill, but there are so many people around you and me that need a word of encouragement.   We make a difference in the lives of the people we step toward. Matthew Barnett said, “whoever shows up most in a person’s life wins the battle of influence.”   I have used that quote forever.   And I be

Deuteronomy 5:16   NLT “ Honor your father and mother , as the Lord your God commanded you. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you. I’ve never sat here before.   But I’ve been in other similar places with the people I get to serve with.   Just have so many different things going through my mind and my emotions.   There have been lots of prayers. That picture is of my mom and dad sometime around 1960.   I didn’t show till 1970, but they are incredible people.   My brothers and I are so very blessed! Let me say this, hospital furniture is pretty uncomfortable.   I spent last night in my mom’s hospital room.   She is not doing well.   Your prayers mean much to my family and to me. I arrived in Tulsa, Oklahoma last night and knew that I would see her in a state that I have never seen her in before.   She is not responding at this point to any of us.   About 7 months ago she broke her, and that began the process of what we are

dear community family and friends Thank you for your prayers for my family and specifically for my mom.  My mom's health continues to get worse.  This morning her doctor has shared with my dad that we need to prepared.  Please pray for my dad and my brothers through this difficult time.  I am flying to Oklahoma this afternoon to be with them. I am grateful for our church family and friends who faithfully serve with me and serve me and my family.  Thank you as well to those who check in on my wife and kids any time I am gone.  How sweet it is to have family that goes beyond human connection to the connection that Jesus has given us! In my absence I am reminded that The Community Fellowship is God's church and it is His gift to us.  Please stay faithful in serving, and I want to thank those who fill in for me making sure all is ready, worship happens well and our service and serving stay strong. Again, your prayers mean much to us, and I will keep you updated through Facebook and

Acts 4:24   NLT When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— I had the privilege of traveling to Williamsburg, a city in Virginia rich with our nation’s history, for a time of prayer and being inspired to lead others to pray for our government officials, local, state and federal as well for the needs of our nation.   Testimonies from pastors to all levels of politicians talked about the impact of prayer as well as the influence that we have on others when we choose to pray. For more many years my life has been shaped by the people who poured in to my life, and it really is an honor to be part of the lives of great men and women who love of God and pray for others.   Some of the grateful people in the world are the ones who few people recognize. I speak of the Sunday School teacher who began to shape my life when I was 5 or 6 years old.   S

Today I am spending time in Williamsburg, Virginia at an event where government officials are asking citizens and churches to pray for our nation and to pray for them.   We must pray.   It really is one of the most important things we can do. Take some time and look at the website www.prayusa.com and choose to be part of this great and important work!   Here is a devotion from My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers and should remind us of the priority that prayer must have in our lives. Luke 11:1   NIV …one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray…" Prayer is not a normal part of the life of the natural man. We hear it said that a person’s life will suffer if he doesn’t pray, but I question that. What will suffer is the life of the Son of God in him, which is nourished not by food, but by prayer. When a person is born again from above, the life of the Son of God is born in him, and he can either starve or nourish that life. Prayer is the

Communion is one of the grandest places of the church.   It is where we come together as a family to remember what Jesus has done for us.   The bread and the cup are gifts from God representing His best for us. Welcome to the place where we meet Jesus, where He changes our lives and where we reflect on what He has done and what we are going to do.   That is not one singular place but many.   It is also not a few minutes of time but much time. Jesus spent 3 years of his life with the men we know as the disciples, his closest followers and friends.   Not many days before the cross and the resurrection, Jesus called these men to celebrate a meal together. Many around that table on that particular night didn’t understand and couldn’t wrap their minds around the things Jesus said.   Think about it. 1 Corinthians 11:25   NLT In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with