Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  Yesterday we talked about serving.  This is something that is in the DNA of our church and is part of every day life for so many.  I love what I get to do as a pastor and leading the church.  And I reenforce the fact that we are called to and passionate about serving. Today I want to give you just a few truths about serving.  These are verses straight out of the Bible and speak to why and how we serve. Mark 10:45  NLT For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. Jesus came to earth to serve.  That was who He is.  And as this verse says, He gave His life for us.  Look a little closer at John 3:17.  Jesus was sent to save.  Serving is always about doing for others, and sometimes it is costly. 1 Samuel 16:21  NLT So David went to Saul and began serving him. Saul loved David very much, and David became his armor bearer. David served the king, and it didn’t end well....

  Galatians 5:13-14  NLT For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Powerful truth.  As we serve others and share God’s love, we literally do what God called us to do.  It is in serving and love that the law of God is summed up. That is another reason God called us to serve.  In serving we are like God.  In serving we allow others to get a break or to rest.  In serving we meet needs and help people in ways we know and in some we might not know. To love others is what God says pleases Him.  Remember that verse, or verses in the Old and New Testaments, about loving God with everything that we are and have.  Remember the next thought is about loving your neighbor. Within the context of loving God and loving oth...

  I love old buildings.  My thoughts and mind are captivated by old architecture and history when it seems to come to life. 2019 was the year I was introduced to Cuba.  It is a beautiful country with buildings and views that grab my attention.  When I went to school in New Orleans, I enjoyed visiting the French Quarter and seeing the beauty of the old buildings that were so new to me.  Charleston is another place I enjoyed.  After living in Georgia for about a decade, I really enjoyed visiting Savannah and the communities along the coast.  My favorite was St. Simons Island, and my favorite landmark was in a cemetery.  You heard me right.  It was outside an old, old church.  The sign and landmark told of how John Wesley preached on that spot.  I was stunned, convicted, impressed and ignited all at the same time. Landmarks and historical markers are cool.  We need to stop and read them.  Learn from them and be encouraged by ...

  Scripture is one of the greatest gifts we have ever been given.  The conversations I have had as of late about the Bible and our interaction with it really is encouraging.  God’s word speaks to every area of our lives. The Bible is meant to be interacted with.  And the Bible interacts with us in a very special way.  Why is that?  It is because the presence of God is directly tied to His word.  He inhabits our praise and He works in, and through, and by His word.  Another step forward, as John 1 describes, Jesus is the word.  He is all God.  He is the reflection of the Father. Take some time to look at a passage of Scripture, any passage.  See how God interacts with you.  See how God embodies Himself and shows His character through Scripture.   Here is a passage that does just that.  Read carefully.  Maybe even underline what sticks out to you.  There might even be new things or renewed truth within.  ...

  This weekend we completed out series about our Core Values at The Community Fellowship.  It has taken a couple months and has been refreshing for me. Those seven values have been important to us since God led us to start to the church in 2006.  And today we dealt with the value of expectations.   Most of the messages I have shared about this talked about what to expect of the people who call this church theirs.  This message went in a different direction.  We talked through the commitment David made in Psalm 101 of “I Will” statements of how he would serve the Lord and stay pure.  We also were reminded that we can expect much of God. So many things are true of our God.  His character is incredible.  There are many, many things that we can expect of God, but here are three that stand out to me.  What we can expect of our God? His unfailing love for us… Jeremiah 31:3  NLT Long ago the Lord said to Israel: “I have loved you, my peopl...

  We need reminders and truth to hold on to.  That is why I share some of the devotions and thoughts from e-devotions of the past.  Here is The Father’s Love Letter .   These truths, directly taken from Scripture remind us that God is love, God loves us and that nothing changes those facts.  Take some time as you read to thank God for these truths and to internalize, or believe, each one! FATHER’S LOVE LETTER My Child, You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1 I know when you sit down and when you rise up.  Psalm 139:2 I am familiar with all your ways.  Psalm 139:3 Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.  Matthew 10:29-31 For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27 In me you live and move and have your being.Acts 17:28 For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28 I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5 I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12 You were not a mistake, for all your days are...

  What do you desire? I heard this asked on a TV show recently.  Each time it was asked the person had to share from deep inside them what their biggest desire was.  How often do we really know what our desire is? Often we deceive ourselves or are deceived by others when it comes to what we want.  We might even trick others or do things that we think will get us what we want. Be careful.  How desires should line up with what is best.  That is what God says is best and what builds up everyone involved.  Check your motives.  Be honest about what you find.  In fact watch how God adjusts your desire or my desire because we choose to focus on Him. God will reveal our desires.  God will help us dig in to see things happen or become reality. Psalms 145:16  NASB You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing. We serve an awesome God.  He loves to bless His children, but often our desires are so far out of line with wha...

  Romans 13:7  NLT  “Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and import duties, and give respect and honor to all to whom it is due.” Honor is something that seems to be alluding us in 2020 and in the generation that we live.  I remember a time when people honored or kept their word.  I remember people who would be kind and honor people.  These might be people who are older, people are in authority or countless others. It is important that we learn to honor others.  The verse above simply says to give to those who deserve it.  Many, and I mean many, people around you and me deserve to be honored. Who will you honor today? Psalms 29:2  NLT  “Give honor to the LORD for the glory of his name…” Honor God.  That is where it starts.  In fact when we honor God we will hear Him guide us to honor others. 1 Corinthians 12:23  NASB “…those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant h...

Today is a big day.  It is my wife’s 50th birthday.  We have been married for more than 27 years, and I continue to be amazed at this lady.  She is incredible (and not just because she married me). There are many things that God says about wives.  And I draw your attention to some of those things, and in honor of Julie, let you know that she is these and so much more… Proverbs 18:22  NLT The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord. Julie is a treasure, and having her in my life helps me realize just how God has blessed my life and our family. Proverbs 31:28-31  NLT Her children stand and bless her.  Her husband praises her: 29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. 31 Reward her for all she has done.  Let her deeds publicly declare her praise. I want ...

  John 17:21-22  NLT I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.  I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. That is from Jesus’ final prayer for His followers which included us.  Yes, Jesus prayed for us.  His prayer included that we would be one with the Father and with others. Being one is a big deal.  That understanding can be wrapped in the word unity, or our choice to work together, and even more in the idea of being a servant.  We are stronger when we are working as one and serving each other. Jesus gave us this truth beginning with a repeat of something God said much earlier.  We are reminded to love God with all we have and are.  Then, we are pressed to love our neighbor as well.  To love someone makes us one with God and one with others. Romans 12:5  NLT so it is with ...

Hello Community family and friends! This notice is to remind you that we are meeting this Sunday at 11am at Jack Dalton Park for a special time of worship.  Please a lawn chair and some canned food that will be donated to Grace Network.  Also there will be a love offering taken for the Good News Jail and Prison Ministry. We will NOT be meeting at the church in Collinsville this week.  Please make sure others know this as well. Our friend JT Clark and CJ Martin will be sharing the message that is tied to their movie  My Brother's Crossing .  You don't want to miss this very special time.  Our church is meeting with other churches as well… Stone Memorial Christian Church, First Baptist Collinsville and House of Purpose Church in Bassett. I hope you will join me in the morning.  Have a great rest of your weekend, and remember God has called each of us to  demonstrate the love of God to our community .  Keep on! With GOD as my guide, Pastor Michael Harrison – James 1:5

  Today I give you a few lines that I have shared over the years.  Some of them are deep.  Some of them are a bit far out.  But each of these thoughts come from the archives of E-devotions. It thrills to be able to share each week day with you.  What I believe is my calling is what I will do.  That would be to preach, to dream and to encourage people to achieve their potential.  That is what I will continue to do, and that is what I share with you some notes that stick out. Take a few minutes to read through these lines.  Just because they are from me doesn’t make them incredible, but because God uses us, I am grateful.  read on: Don’t let anyone rob you of your peace and turn your safe zones in to battle grounds. All God is asking you and me is if we are willing to follow Him.  He didn’t ask us to take on the title of Christian.  He asks us to follow Him and be His disciples. Be generous every day. The Gospel must be at the center....

  I have been thinking a lot lately about old hymns.  Many of these I learned in my childhood or early in ministry.  They ring true with theology and what it is to follow Christ on a daily basis.  One of those hymns is Standing On the Promises , and that is what I want to share with you today.  Read some of the word of this precious hymn: Standing on the promises of Christ my king, through eternal ages let his praises ring; glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, standing on the promises of God… Standing on the promises that cannot fail, when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, by the living Word of God I shall prevail, standing on the promises of God… Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord, bound to him eternally by love’s strong cord, overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword, standing on the promises of God… Standing on the promises I cannot fall, listening every moment to the Spirit’s call, resting in my Savior as my all in all, standing on...

  Claim truth.  Settle for nothing less.  I heard Andy Stanley say something that has stuck with me the last day… Jesus is all grace.  And Jesus is all truth.  All the time. Our savior and friend, the one who has always been for us and the sacrifice sent from God brought freedom and forgiveness.  His life was exchanged for ours.  This is truth.  That is overwhelming grace.  And it really is for all time, and Jesus is for us all the time. Take some time to think through these thoughts on grace and truth and our Savior. Grace. James 4:6  NLT And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Hebrews 4:16  NLT So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Ephesians 2:8  NLT God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God...