Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  Ephesians 4:32  NLT   And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. How we respond to people does make a difference.  It makes a big difference. Some situations require us to be stern and strong.  Other situations demand humility and quiet.  Every situation requires a response of some kind, and that is why I ask us to think through we respond to people going through so many different situations. Be kind.  That is the first.  Being kind is one of the things that costs us nothing, and kindness can open hearts and doors and so much more. Be compassionate.  This is one of those Philippians 2:3-4 where we look out for others and not just ourselves.  Jesus chose to have compassion on the people He dealt with. Be forgiving.  What might be the hardest thing to do might just be the most important.  We have been forgive, as the verse above says.  We should extend forgi...

  Galatians 6:9-10  NLT So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.   So many things come to mind when we talk about “doing good”.  Some people leave their wealth to bless people in need.  They do great things and are making a difference.   Other people just walk across the street or down the hall to serve some one in need.  All are making a difference in the lives of others.   What really connects people and what really makes a difference is what the verse above says to us.  It doesn’t matter is where we come from or what we have, but what matters is using what we have to be a blessing.     It might be o ur selfish desires or us being driven by motives for wrong reasons.  On the other we can serv...

  It is easy to forget what just happened, what what went on last week or last month.  Be encouraged to not forget because people are still struggling, still dealing with loss and still need others to intervene. This applies to the people who recently went through the horror of the hurricane.  I am reminded of the people who lost a loved one.  There are many, many situations that we should not forget and people who need your kindness and compassion. Caring for one another is not always easy, but it is always right.  The thing we often take for granted is the fact that we stay so busy and feel like things will take too much of our time.    It only a takes a few minutes to stop and show someone you care.  Step out and do something.   Zechariah 7:9  NLT “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another.   When you feel a tug in your heart to do something, do it.  Stop and do s...

We began a new series this Sunday called “LOVE MORE”.  We are talking about how God has positioned us to expect more from Him and how we encounter God and love others. Living out of abundance is not about what you have.  It is about what you do.  It is not how much money you have, how many degrees you have obtained or even how fortunate you have been. Our greatest honor ought to be in loving others.  Help people know they have value that is based on God’s love.  Your value is about what God says and what God has done. Here are just a few things God says about how we treat others and share God’s love: Luke 6:31-33  NLT  Do to others as you would like them to do to you. 32 “If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! 33 And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! The golden rule is that.  Love like God loves an...

  Those people.  You have heard this talked about from many different people.  They call out certain people for various reasons.  I am going to do the same today. There is this guy.  You might have met him.  I am not going to call him by name, but you know him.  He is an older gentleman with loads of strength and character.  We met about two decades ago.  He exemplifies godly character, is kind to the people he encounters.  This guy helps the people around him, family and friends alike, be better people and to live by faith. Acts 20:35  NLT   And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Then there is this other lady.  I haven’t know her as long, but it is evident that she loves people and desires to make a difference in the lives of the people around her.  She works hard.  She ...

There is so much more to living the Christian life than just being a Christian.  Yet I want to make sure we both understand that Christianity is not a checklist of do’s and don’ts.  It is not religion but relationship. Here are some key thoughts about relationship, our daily walk with and getting to know Christ: John 1:12 NKJV “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name”. Being a Christian is asking Christ to come and live inside of you.  This relationship is a day in and day out way of life.  In other words you don’t add God to your life.  God is life and part of every area of life. Like in marriage as a husband I am to treat my wife like Jesus treated the church.  We are to live with understanding and love. To neighbors and those we come in contact with we are to offer grace and kindness in every way possible.  That is a different way because so often humanity says we are to do w...

As I was running yesterday I saw a lady outside of a local business wearing a shirt that caught my attention.  On her shirt I read these words… Every Addict Matters.  I was caught by and held on to that statement. This past year I met a man who speaks around the country that shares a message he calls “You Matter”.  That man is Bobby Petrocelli.  That statement has stuck with me since that last fall. Another reason why that lady’s statement caught my attention is because of our commitment to serve people who are battling addiction.  Our transitional homes for homeless men offer help for those in addiction.  Our church has hosted recovery ministry for many years.  Currently that is Celebrate Recovery that meets on Tuesday’s at 7pm. Recently one of the men we have been serving passed away due to a relapse of addiction.  His death hit me hard as do the tough times that so many we are close to have hit.  Addiction is a very difficult and a very re...

Christians never have the luxury of being unkind - Jerry Vines One of my favorite preachers and mentors has quoted that so many times when I have been around him.  That preacher is Johnny Hunt.  He spells out this reality, and it continues to rung in my ears a lot these days. Why don’t we have that luxury?  It is because God called us to live selfless lives, not selfish.  It is because the kindness that God extended to us can be given to others that desperately need God.  It is because in our kindness people find much more than kindness. Ephesians 4:32  NLT Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. The best understanding of kindness is wrapped in what God has done for us.  You have it.  Experience it.  Let that sink in.  Now, share that kind of kindness with the kind of people who need it so much.  Philemon 1:10  NTL I appeal to you to show kindness to my ...

Make some choices that count.  Think through the things that you hang on to and how those will impact your life tomorrow or next month.  That is because our choices will impact our lives and the lives of those around us. We don’t always choose that perspective or the one that will have the greatest influence.  Too often we choose what feels good or what is fine.  Only to find that the consequences of our choices have led to pain between friends, impact on our health or something that cannot be reversed. Find the things that bring life and health, strength and peace, smiles and closeness to your life and to others.  Those choices will have impact for a long time in great ways that will leave you much better.  What are those choices for you! Ephesians 4:32  NLT Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Choose kindness and forgiveness over being mean or becoming bitter Romans 12:14...

I started a new series a couple weeks ago at The Community Fellowship, and this past Sunday we looked at the way our “good God” dealt with the storm the disciples found themselves in.  He called the storm and calmed His followers. One of the reasons He calmed the storm was His kindness.  I have been looking at the different ways that the kindness of God comes out in Scripture, and once again I am overwhelmed by how awesome our God is.  He is more than kind.  That just scratches the surface. Here are some things that we learn about the kindness of God. Romans 2:4  NLT Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? His kindness draws us closer to Him.  That is the way God designed it. 2 Corinthians 6:1  NLT As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. His gift of life, e...

  Caring for one another is not always easy, but it is always right.  The thing we often take for granted is the fact that we stay so busy and feel like things will take too much of our time.  That really is not the case. Let me remind you of something that hit me recently… it only a takes a few minutes to stop and show someone you care.  Step out and do something. Zechariah 7:9  NLT “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. When you feel a tug in your heart to do something kind or to serve someone else, do it.  Stop right then and do something.  Waiting most likely leads to forgetting to do it. You don’t have to have a lot of money or other resources to meet a need.  It might be as easy as buying a cup of coffee, letting someone go ahead of you in line at the store or walking across the street to have a conversation.  It could be that God leads you to do something that does have...

  There are so many ways to look at people.  It might be as a judge who is looking at people as a skeptic or as better than others.  There is another way that some look at people, and it is that so many are better than you. But what is the right way?  Don’t see others as an obstacle but as an opportunity.  Don’t see others as a problem but as a possibility.  How do you look at others? One of the places where we find the best way to look at and plan to share with others is the Bible.  Paul was clearly an outspoken throughout the New Testament about the believer’s place in the world.  Our place is to make a difference and to help people see God and that each of us have huge worth.  Follow Paul’s teaching and thoughts in Romans 12 with me. Romans 12:9-21  NLT Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each...

There is more to life than just getting by.  In fact it is really easy to move day-to-day, week-to-week, doing the same old thing.  Without direction and desire life will seem empty and useless. The Bible tells us that life is full of purpose for those who choose to follow Jesus.  In fact Jesus said often that He stayed connected to the Father to know His way, His words and His purpose.  We must do the same. Out of bad can come good.  Out of the current chaos and uncertainty can come blessing and even strength.  That is why I turn back to Proverbs for some wisdom. Wrestle with these nuggets of truth from   Proverbs 11 … 2 ... Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. 3 Honesty guides good people... 4 ... right living can save you from death. 5 The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin. 8 The godly are rescued from trouble... 10 The whole city celebrates when...