Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  We are back at the speedway and serving race fans.  For the last 23 years I have had the honor of being part of the team known as Raceway Ministries Martinsville.  This group is part of a larger group that serves race fans across the country. It is an honor to be in ministry serving Jesus and sharing Him with others.  But it thrills me and gets me even more excited when we can serve people that might not walk in to a church. Please join me in praying for those that hear about Jesus.   And I ask that you think outside of the box with me.  Getting creative, learning from others and going further, all for the glory of God, really does make life better and better. Here are a few quotes that have stuck with me for a long time.  Read and see what sticks with you.   "The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." - Walt Disney   “Life Moves Pretty Fast. If You Don’t Stop And Look Around Once In A While, You Could Miss It.” - from the movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”  

  Today is Halloween.  For some it is an important day, but for many others this day is about evil.  Let’s check our perspective.   I encourage you to focus on what really matters.  Truth is simple.  The one who provides for us is willing to do so much more and make sure that our future is secure.   Jesus is life.  God is peace.  You are loved by God.   God is not just willing to help us and be with us, but it is His nature to make our lives stronger and better.  Remember who you are.  You are forgiven.  Focus on God.  Doing that will change almost every situation, will remove shame, encourage others and allow us to know real and lasting peace.  That is why we need to share the love of God as it has been shared with us.   Enjoy the day.  Halloween.  Enjoy the candy and the fun.  But most of all enjoy life!  Now, share that with others.   Romans 5:1  NLT   Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has d

  Do ever feel alone or struggle with anxiety?  Have you battled or dealt with depression?    How do you deal with times like that?  Turn to God.  Don’t stop listening to Him.  Connect to what matters and what fulls your heart and your soul.  Stay close to the people that feed you with encouragement and courage.   Here are some verses that share His greatness, connectedness and strength.  They come with promises from God.   Psalm 56:3  NLT But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.   Psalm 62:6  NLT He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.   Proverbs 3:24  NLT You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.   Isaiah 58:11  NLT The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.   2 Timothy 1:7  NLT For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.   That is ju

  We get to serve here.   It began 2001 after we moved to Virginia.  There were lots of opportunities I learned about where outreach in our community was happening and I could serve.    One of those was through Raceway Ministry at the speedway in Martinsville where NASCAR comes to town two times per year.  And as Paul Harvey would say, “that’s the rest of the story”.   Not sure how many races where I have been able to serve, but I can tell you that I have watched very few laps of racing.  But I have met thousands of race fans from all over the world, had countless of conversations,  prayed for people, talked about life, shared snacks and coffee, gave golf cart rides from one place to another and so much more.   But the best part is that we get to talk to people about Jesus.  Not only does our team host worship services at the speedway but the entire time we are on the property assisting with guest services, and we get to talk about the great person who ever lived and the one who change

  Reminders are good things.  In fact I have heard some of this stuff for years, but because I am not from the country, don’t know sheep very well and have never been a shepherd, these are good reminders. Our church continues through a series titled “Get to Know the Shepherd” where we are looking at Bible passages that teach us about sheep.  Pretty awesome passages so far like Psalm 23 and John 10.  Yesterday we looked at Ezekiel 34, and this is good stuff.  Follow these reminders … Ezekiel 34  NLT  11 “For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep. 12 I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. 13 I will bring them back home to their own land of Israel from among the peoples and nations. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel and by the rivers and in all the places where people live. 14 Yes, I will give them good pasture

  Read the word of God.  Keep on taking it is because it is the word of God that changes our lives and keeps us connected to God.  It really is that easy. Psalm 119:11  NLT   I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Life can often get a bit overwhelming and the stuff around us, life a whirlwind through confusion of chaos, will move us from being being focused on and led by God.  It literally is the word of God, the Bible, where we hear from God which is so needed.  Or at least I need it. Proverbs 30:5  NLT   Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. God’s word protects us and us. Colossians 3:16  NLT   Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.  God’s word teaches us and changes our hearts. Joshua 1:8  NLT   Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate o

  When you get the message or information and I am too far away to do anything, I can still pray. A friend shares there is a need, a struggle or heart ache, I can pray. It is an honor to be the intercessor that lifts them to God.  I will pray. This might seem simple, but the most profound thing we can do is acknowledge where the real power is, who is in control and what will make a difference.  That person is God.  He has connected to us.  He called us to pray. Matthew 7:7-11  NLT   Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more wil

  How we respond to the needs and conversations of others is a big deal.  I challenge you today to choose as a response that builds you both up, that makes all around you better and leads people to think about making a difference rather than not having any value at all. Pray for one another. James 5:16  NLT   Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Honor one another. Romans 12:10  NLT   Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Respect and love one another. 1 Peter 2:17  NLT   Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. Serve one another. 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.” It really is that easy.  Choose your response and take note of how it makes a difference to the other person