Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  When you spend time with people in crisis, life really gets perspective.  That is one of the things that this time in Cuba afforded for me.  I spent a week there with the struggles, yet our friends and ministry partners are there every day in the struggles. James 1:2-4  NLT   Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. Perspective in those verses is very real.  God uses our situation to teach us and grow us.  That is what we have to understand every day and in every interaction.  I saw in the lives of these precious people how they bounce back when hit with tough things, how they keep on when it would be easier to stop, and when they keep on sharing Jesus when it isn’t easy. Th...

  Isaiah 52:7  NLT   How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! Hello from beautiful, a bit wet and cool Virginia.  Yes, I am home.  My travel partner, Roberto Texidor, and I left Cuba Tuesday morning headed back to the states.  It was a balmy 90 degrees with a touch of high humidity and the lake of electricity for air conditioning.  That means as I am writing this it is 58 degrees back at home. Let me give you just a few highlights from this most recent Cuba mission trip.  First of all a huge THANK YOU to all who supported, financially and prayerfully, this endeavor.  It was a success on so many levels, and it also revealed increased difficulties that our Cuba family and friends continue to deal with each day. The purpose of this trip was to connect with families who serve with sports ministry.  That was awesome as we go...

  1 Corinthians 9:22  NLT   When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. Why Cuba?  It is an honor to serve the Lord with people that love others, serve with all their heart and have a passion to see lives change.   Pray for the sports ministry work in Cuba and for this trip.  Much of this work is with athletes and coaches connected to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes or FCA.  Alex and his team get to share the Gospel and meet needs.    I serve with a team of people here in the United States that help in various ways in Cuba.  What a great blessing and often a challenge.  The economy in Cuba is not good and resources are sparse.  It is difficult for the Cuban people to find even the basic needs such a food, cooking oil or fuel for vehicles.  But God is doing incredible work to meet ...

  One of the greatest things we can do for anyone is to tell them the truth.  We want others to tell us the truth.  Right? In yesterday’s sermon in our series “like Him” we looked at the part of 1 Peter 4 where Peter tells us to be watching for the return of the Lord.  Last week we received warnings to be prepared and to continue to let God shape us to be more like Jesus.  This week we received the reminder that we have hope. In the time of waiting for God continue to have hope and live great lives focused on God.  Living this way makes a difference. 2 Corinthians 9:10  NLT   For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. God will provide.  That is a promise.  Take it heart and watch what God does in the time of waiting.  Oh, waiting isn’t easy.  I am not very patient, but what does God...

  25 years ago.  Seems like forever.  But it also seems like yesterday.  That is because I vividly remember where I was and what I did the rest of the day. Seemed to start out as a normal day, but it could not have been anything near normal as a plane hit one of the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City and then another plane hit the other tower.  Later two more planes with one hitting the pentagon in Washington DC and the other crashing in Pennsylvania as passengers stopped the hijackers from completing their plan. As the towers in New York City fell the world seemed to stand still.  And that fact went on and on for days.  Our world is not the same.  So many lost their lives.  Families lost their loved ones.  Our nation was rocked like never before. If you look at the events of history, so many other horrific things have happened from wars to catastrophes due to hurricanes and storms and so much more. We stop today to rememb...

  Mark 4:21-25  NLT Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine. 22 For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. 23 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” 24 Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. 25 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”   What stood out to you in those verses?  Several things stand out for me.    “A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine.”    We need light.  Don’t hide it.    “Everything that is hidden will eventually be broug...

One of my favorite chapter of the Bible is from Psalm 1.  It came alive once again last week as I was sharing with a family about their loved one who passed away.  It is awesome to know how those who follow Jesus live their lives.  This chapter says it well.  It reminds us to be strong, to go deep with God.  By choosing to follow, we choose Jesus.  By choosing Jesus, we choose to live differently.  And choosing to live differently, we will make a difference in the lives of the people around us.   Digging in to the Word of God changes our lives.  I remember learning from some Godly people as I was growing up just how these verses hit home for me.   I n the middle 90’s as we served on mission trips in Honduras standing next to a tree that was next to a stream that made this passage come to life for me.   Read Psalm 1   Psalm 1  NLT Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners...

  1 Peter 3:18  NLT   Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. We continue our series “like Him” at The Community Fellowship, and this week in chapter 4 there is an incredible truth that we have to get hold of.   Jesus suffered for us.  Here and other places in the Bible we learn about all Jesus did for us because we could not do it for ourselves.  Just like the verse above.   Then comes somethings we need to understand, and these things we might not want or live.  As we choose Jesus we too will suffer.  There is a purpose in our suffering.  That purpose ties us back to God who loves us and has a plan for our lives.  He can be trusted. In 1 Peter 4:1 we are told to “arm ourselves with the same attitude he had”.  That means look at our situation, the pain, the struggle and understa...

  Proverbs 18:22  NLT   The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord. I have.  I am blessed.  And for 33 years Julie and I have been married. That is why I take a personal day to let you and the world and to remind Julie that I am blessed.  It is obvious. Life together.  Ministry through the years.  Family in many places.  Three awesome kids.  Sweet and precious grand kids.  Memories.  Adventures.  Trials.  Victories.  Tears.  Special moments.  Some we want to forget.  Many more we want to cherish.  Life is sweet and a gift from God. Another reason to let you know that my best friend, my partner in life, the best mom and juije has been my wife for 33 incredible years. Has every year been perfect?  No.  Have we grown and learned and moved forward?  Yes.  And we will continue for as many more as God gives us.  Blessed! I am forever grate...