Michael Harrison's e-devotion

Do you remember what it is like to sit in the middle of the grandstand and listen to the roar of the crowd?  Maybe it is the football game that is filled with great plays and a close score.  Another awesome setting I like is the speedway where the music of the engines is almost too much for your ears, but something happens and the roar of the crowd is awesome.   I sat around the table with some friends.  It was one of those events where stories were shared.  There were lots of laughing and lots of sharing.  Some of it brought tears.  Some of it brought belly laughs.  It is similar to the roar of the crowd as each person connects with others who sat at the table.  I love those moments.  They really are incredible and memorable.   Hebrews 12:1    NLT Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.  And let us run with endurance the race God has s

The word  love  has so many variations and brings to mind so many different things.  That is one of the reasons that we need divine  love , or  love  that is based on how God  loves .    Proverbs 17:17   NASB A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.   That verse is the epitome of how God  loves  us.  The Bible begins with the story of creation and the relationship between Adam and God.  It was after Adam and Eve sinned that God began to pour out His  love  and mercy upon people.  It really was undeserved  love , but that is how God makes his  love  real to us.  He meets us where we are, as we are and right where we need.    Exodus 20:6   NLT But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who loveme and obey my commands.   The word  LOVE  in the Old Testament is a generous  love .  It is based on a covenant relationship and not a contract.  It’s the kind of  love  God has for his people as part of following the Law.  In other ancient treatie

Give back.  Well, this is a different type of give back to say the least. What do you give back to people who give you grief or stress or struggle?  It is easy to give back what we are given.  In other words, when people give you a hard time, you give them a hard time.  The world says that is fine.  God says something different. So take a few minutes to think through this.  We Jesus followers ought to be givers of grace.  We should not be known as just takers or free-loaders, if you know what that means.  When we are in a difficult place with ourselves or with others, answer with kindness and be a blessing. God gives us some insight and reason for this that I read in my devotion today! Romans 12:17-21  NLT Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.   18  Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.    19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures s

I shared yesterday that TODAY is #GivingTuesday which offers each of us an opportunity to literally give back.  That is part of my DNA and of our church too.  Giving has much more to do with than our wallet and bank account.  It really has to do with how we live our life and how we use our God-given resources. Here is what WIKIPEDIA says about this day: Giving Tuesday , often stylized as #GivingTuesday for purposes of   hashtag activism , refers to the   Tuesday   after   U.S. Thanksgiving   in the United States. It is a movement to create an international day of charitable giving at the beginning of the   Christmas and holiday season . Giving Tuesday was started in 2012 by the   92nd Street Y   and the   United Nations Foundation   as a response to commercialization and consumerism in the post-Thanksgiving season ( Black Friday   and   Cyber Monday ). It is always five days after the holiday. So, how will you give today?  Who will you give to? Wait.  Hold up.  Some

1 Timothy 6:18    NLT 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. Black Friday just happened.  I missed it by choice. Cyber Monday is today, and I will be shopping from the comfort of my computer. Tomorrow is #GivingTuesday as non-profit organizations and churches ask people like you and me to invest in the work they are passionate about.   The same is true for me.  I will ask straight up.  I will also remind our church family that we are expected by God to use what God has given us to bless others and to support His work.  You can give at www.thecommunityfellowship.org by clicking “give online”. Giving Tuesday is meant to be the ASK day.    You will most likely see articles, email, mail and much more asking for your generous donation to worthy causes.    I am doing the same.    There are many different things I would like to ask you to give to, but I sta

I began reading my friend JT Clark’s new book last night.  It is an amazing biography and story of forgiveness and a life well lived.  Since first meeting JT and learning about the journey God has Him on I have been leaning in to listen and to watch what God does through JT, his wife Terri Lee and now their ministry “My Brother’s Crossing”. Boiling down to the heart of the story is the need for forgiveness.  Some of us have a hard time giving forgiveness and often receiving forgiveness. If we following what God says, we will understand just how much we are forgiven.  If we do what God leads us to do, we will forgive even when forgiveness isn’t understandable. Colossians 3:13  NLT Make allowance for each other’s faults, and   forgive   anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must   forgive others. Ephesians 4:32  NLT Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has   forgiven   you. I