Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  The last two weeks have been incredible, and I want to thank all who have prayed for the mission trips.  West Virginia was great as our team served with several hundred people and specially our team helped build a fence at a school.  One to Cuba thee were so many good outcomes, and I will share with you some of those over the next several days. As we go through various struggles during life we learn lessons.  Lessons that lead us to be stronger and to have a different perspective really are important.  I have found that those lessons change our lives.  It is a good thing to change, but most people do not like change.  For the record, change is good. John 15:2  NLT   He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. God is working in our lives to make us more life Him.  What is in our lives that isn’t working or isn’t need might be removed through t...

Today’s post is simple.  I want to share a few take-a-ways from our Cuba mission trip.  Just off the top of my head several things that went right or were real blessings from God. 1.  It is good to unplug, to take a break, to not be in control, to go with the flow and to watch what God does. 2.  Listen more than you speak.  When they speak another language, you have to listen even more, which might mean use a Google translator or find someone who speaks the language. 3.  Watch their eyes and the expression on their faces.  You might be able to understand their words, but their faces tell much of the story.  You will remember their smiles and how they felt for a long time. 4.  Taste everything, at least a little.  You can finally say you tried that.  You might even like it. 5.  You might come across something that God is doing when you least expe...

I get to serve with some awesome people at church.  They help make me stronger and more effective.  They can also drive me crazy at times.  Just being honest. In our meeting early this week each leader was asked to look at a specific book and find a nugget of truth that would encourage our leading and our following Jesus.  As you read through these things I pray God will grab your heart and you as well as me become a more effective follower of Jesus! To lead you must serve.  Reach those where you are. Healthy churches reflect God’s character. Don’t stress the past but emphasis the future. It is tough to quit God and be obedient to Him.  But God… Every day I will add value to others. Daily life with Christ brings out Christian ideals. There is an energy crisis in the church today. Encourage positive thinking by directing depressed people to the Word of God. Those are powerful truths....

Leaders are important.   Good leaders are vital to every institution.   Godly, good leaders are ones who have chosen to take up a call from God and seize opportunities to help others grow strong! Deuteronomy 1:13   NLT Choose some   well -respected men from each tribe who are known for their wisdom and understanding, and I will appoint them as your   lead ers.’ Yesterday I listened to Pastor Jim Carter from Riverside Church in Lynchburg, Virginia share insights he has gained over four decades of leading inside and outside of a church setting.   Here are some of the notes I took that spoke to me.   Read on and enjoy! Make sure the well is dig deep and correct to give the best water it can as it gives life.   Often enemies will fill the well with debris.   It is harder to re-dig the well than to dig it the first time. Find your purpose.   Don’t just do something because you think God said so. Many times you want t...