Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  We are just a few days ahead from our back2school outreach, and one of the things that we do is to share with students and their families that they have value.  God loves each and every one.  It is an honor to help others grow to know and experience Jesus. Why do we want to help them grow as well as have a great school year?  think about this … Roots are important.  If roots aren’t getting nourished, the rest of the plant will not get what it needs.  When roots are strong, the rest of the plant will be strong. Here is just a few thoughts or truths to help us and others grow in Christ and live a life and is successful. Psalm 46:1  NLT   God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Deuteronomy 31:8  NLT   Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Trust God.  Let Him be your strength and toil your life wit...

  The greatest part of the inner workings of the #back2school project is the people.  It is not the resources that are given away.  It is not the number of students we serve.  It is not the incredible number of churches involved.  It is not the number of sites and locations where the outact takes place.  It is the people.  If you are going to serve in this outreach, please take a few minutes and notice the faces and the smiles of each and every student that comes our direction.  They are special and a gift. If you are going to serve in this outreach, look around at the people who are serving with you.  Men and women, boys and girls who are excited to share and give and make a difference.  Each volunteer is awesome. It doesn’t stop there, but I will stop for now.  Well, with one last thought.  That thought is this… Without each and every person this outreach is useless and empty.  Yet there are people, the greatest gift and...

Today is the last day to register students for back2school.  Each of the locations will be open this evening will be open for 6 to 8pm for all students who need to register or have their feet measured for shoes. Why do we lead the back2school program?  That is an easy question.  We desire to serve and share value with others.  Maybe the voice of the volunteer that serves a specific child or maybe it is the feeling that the student feels or even the story that each student hears will remind them of the hope we have from Jesus. That is the very reason we seek to share with each and every student.  Would you help us today to get the word out about registration.  Tell a friend or neighbor.  Share a facebook message.  Do something to help us serve more people. Matthew 19:14-15  NLT   But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” 15 And he plac...

  1 Peter 4:10  NLT God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.   We are in our 18th year of back2school, and I am as amazed as ever as well as excited about all that God is putting together.   It’s like there is a buzz in the air as people ask questions, others prepare to serve, and so much is doing on as we get ready to serve students and their families.  Yesterday I answered Why does back2school?  Simple put … We want to share the hope that God gives us.   You can be involved where you are close by or not.  Today is the event with our local baseball team beginning at 6pm.  This weekend is pack the bus at our local Walmart.  Please choose to help.  Here is how … Pray.   Pray for the students and their families that will be served.  Pray for the servants who will serve.  It takes lots and lots of volunteers, and there is a pl...

  This past weekend was one for the books.  Our back2school outreach was incredible, but we have a couple locations still serving in the weeks ahead. I am not going to share results with you in this e-devotion, yet I do want to tell you a little of what I have seen, how it has gone, and what I believe the the largest and most important outcomes. God has called us, each of us and our churches, to serve others.  We do that in many different ways, and what I am convinced of is that God wants us to help others see His goodness and to know their God-given value. One of the most important places to share value is in the lives of children.  That is why back2school is incredible.  Matthew 19:13-15  NLT   One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven ...

It’s not over.  In fact, we have only just begun. Back2school is happening.  This afternoon at The Community Fellowship we will serve special needs students and their families.  Saturday we will serve hundreds of students.  We are excited about them all. It isn’t over because we have a message to share.  Please join me in praying for each person that interacts with our back2school team members.   I believe this is who God has called us to be.  I mean, I love the church, and specifically I love the church God has allowed me to serve.  What a blessing. But the “big C” is important.  It is a big deal.  I am talking about all the people who have made Jesus their savior.  We are children of God.  We might attend different churches.  We might lives in different places or communities.  But what is most important is we have the same story to tell. The story is about Jesus.  It’s not over. The story gets sweeter and sweet...

Lean forward.  Don’t lean so far that you lose your balance and fall.  Lean enough to help get your momentum going and be ready for what God has for you in the minutes, days and years ahead. Proverbs 3:5-6  NASB   Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. One of my favorite days of the year is when our group from back2school comes together to pack backpacks.  Well, last evening was that time.   A few hundred volunteers.  A few hundred backpacks.  Thousands of school supplies.  Several trucks and vans.  Lots of prayers and hugs, laughter and a few tears.  Reuniting with some friends we haven’t seen in a while and meeting a bunch of new, cool people.  It was amazing. But the best part is how we lean on each other.  Not literally.  But we work together, getting done a task that by ourselves woul...

You most likely have heard of the website and program “I Am Second”.  It is an incredible series of short videos of people sharing how God is first in their lives, and they are second.  Check it out. You also might remember the logo or slogan that was also our church theme for 2022.  It was HE>i literally about the fact that God is greater than I am. We need to live those out.  Just like I shared yesterday.  Put God first.  Make Him the priority of your life.  Seek God.   Let’s go through this SECOND stuff for a bit today. John 3:30  NLT   He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. Make sure God is becoming greater, more important in your life. 1 Peter 5:6  NLT   So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Stay humble.  Let God lead and be lifted up. John 12:32  NLT   And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyo...