Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  Step One: GO It has been a few days since I have shared an e-devotion, and this week will be a little different.  No; it is going to be a lot different.  I will take some time to share this week a few thoughts leading up to Christmas with lots of inspiration from where I am this week. Last week and on Thanksgiving some of our family gathered at the home of our oldest daughter and our son-in-law.  Although they live in Alabama we had a great time.  Laughing, shopping, talking, eating thanksgiving dinner … all of it together.  We had to go be with them.  And it was a good “go”.   Julie, Ryan and myself really enjoyed some special family time. This week I am blessed to be able to be in Israel.  As I write this e-devotion I am listening from an open window of horns and traffic from Jerusalem.  You read that write.  I am in what we Christians call the “Holy Land” where Jesus walked, taught and lived. I cannot wait to share bits...

  We get to serve. 1 Corinthians 12:5  NLT  There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord.   This is one of those times where we learn to do what God has called us to do.  As I shared yesterday, it will be a busy week and weekend for many in our church as we are part of ministry at Emmaus, the speedway and on a mission trip. It all began 24 years ago with Raceway Ministries Martinsville.  One great outreach in our community happens two times per year or more.  We have met and served thousands of race fans from all over the world. Conversations, praying for people, snacks and coffee, golf cart rides and more.   But the best part is we get to talk about Jesus.  It is happening again this weekend! Another thing happened even longer ago.  It was 30 years ago when I first went on a mission trip to Honduras, and most recently in Cuba.  But mission trips happen in so many places from close to home to far off.  We ge...

  The more we hear about the losses and devastation from Hurricane Helene the more my heart hurts for those hit by this huge storm.  That is why we take time today to stop and pray. I ask you to read through, pray through and stop and pray through this list.  But I also ask you to give to the relief efforts.  See my notes below in how you can give. Isaiah 65:24  NLT   I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers! Pray for those who lost loved ones.  Pray for those who haven’t been found. Pray for those who have lost their homes and businesses.  Pray for those who are cut off from the supplies desperately needed. Pray for those who have lost electricity and communication. Pray for those who are serving in the recovery effects. And finally, pray for those who need the hope only Jesus gives. I remind you to make a difference by choosing to serve and to give....

  A new week.  A new set of opportunities.  All new learning even though we might be stepping in to places and situations we have been in before.  That is why I challenge you and me to seek God in big ways. Matthew 6:19-20  NIV   “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. That is why I want to take this e-devotion and this day to say a huge THANK YOU to those who have supported, given items or funds, prayed many prayers and done so much more to help make the trip to Cuba successful.  Thank you. Over those 8 days there were so many happenings that I am blown away by the faithfulness of God.  With the Cuban sports leaders we visited many sports fields and ministries where we saw athletes being trained, Bible studies being shared and coaches...

Ray Charles made a song popular that was written almost 40 years before he sang.  I can almost hear Charles singing “Georgia On My Mind”.  His rendition of the song was so powerful that it soon became the official song of the state. Why do I share those facts?  My wife is from Georgia.  She thinks about the state a lot.  I lived there for almost a decade.  It has lots of facets I like.  But that is not why I share it with you. Cuba is on my mind.  That is not a song, but it reminds me of a song.  That is why I shared with you the song and ask you to let Cuba take the place, the thought place for a few minutes over the next 9 days and beyond. Thursday I begin the journey back to Cuba to work with the sports ministry and introduce some new friends to the incredible work God is doing there. Psalm 2:8  NLT  Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession. 1 Corinthians 9:22-23  NLT ...

Doors are one of those incredible things that we often notice.  We see people painting the doors on their house many different colors.  In this Christmas season people put a wreath with lights or some other decoration on their doors. They are the place where you enter.  My prayer is that you and I will find peace at the doors we enter, ours and others. God also provides doors for us! Revelation 3:20   NASB Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. Literally our God is seeking to enter our lives, and He calls it a door for Him.  Open your life.  Open your home.  Be open to God and His wonder in your life. 1 Corinthians 16:9   NLT There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me. Paul said there was a door open for him to do lots of kingdom, God kind of work.  The same is true for you and me.  Walk through the doo...

Romans 13:1    NLT Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. I am an American.  I am also a Christian.  Those two things do go together, and it is not because all Americans are Christian.  I am an American because I was born in the United States of America.  I am a Christian because Jesus forgave my sins, and I accepted that truth for me. Because I am a Christian and an American I want to share what I believe with others.  It is important that we do what we believe is right and share with others.  Doing what is right is not always the popular thing to do, but it is always right. Romans 15:2    NLT We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. Today is Election Day.  We have the awesome right to speak our mind by voting.  This is one of our rights as an American.  In our c...