Michael Harrison's e-devotion

Do you know why you were created?  Do you know what gifts God has given you and that you are using them? Those questions can help us or haunt us each, but God’s plan is for our good and to use our lives to help others be better.  I talk about this often.  The reason why is that I want to fulfill the purpose God has given me. One of those things that God has called me to and put in my heart is to help others be who God made them to be.  Take some time today to ask God, if you don’t know already, what your purpose is.  The best ways to do this is in doing three things that bring us insight. Psalm 119:105  NLT   Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Start in the word of God.  Read it.  Let it sink in.  Do this not just to get a word from God, but to spend time with God.  He will share with you.  Listen carefully.  Write down what He says. Acts 10:44  NLT   Even as Peter was saying these thing...

Colossians 1:6     NLT This   same   Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by   changing   lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace. We need to be reminded of important things.   As parents we remind our kids of stuff.   Those we work for or serve with also will remind us of what is most important.   The same is true for the church.   God called us to share His love, to spread His word and to make a difference in the community we live in. That is why I send this reminder in the form of our core values.   We’ve held these for 10 years, since The Community Fellowship began.   We believe that is it all about Jesus.  We find our purpose as we lose ourselves in serving others.  That is best summed up in our motto of   demonstrating the love of God to our community .  ...

Why not?   That is a tough thought for someone who leans to the dark-side of things or struggles with negative thoughts.   I have to fight sometimes to stay positive. God calls us to live out of our potential and calling.   For me my purpose of calling out the potential of others is a huge deal.   God calls us to run toward Him, to kick fear away and to seize excellent opportunities as they come our way. I should be the one for my family and even for our church who sees possibilities and helps each of us to reach for them.   It is easy to take the easy road.   It is much easier to cower under fear and what doesn’t require sacrifice. What do we miss if we don’t take challenges or make sacrifices?   We will miss rewards and blessings.   Others will miss rewards.   Our living won’t challenge others to live by faith or to live with passion. Try to use these words this week.   Why not?   Instead of questioning or sett...

One of my favorite people in the world is Pastor Matthew Barnett from the Los Angeles Dream Center .   We have learned many things in our visits to LA and continue to plan implementation through our local Dream Center. The biggest parts that stand out to me in the inspiration I have gotten through following, listening to and learning from Matthew and many of the people he works with.   I believe you would encouraged by his passion to serve hurting people and the messages he shares. This past fall he published his most recent book Misfits Welcome .   Again, much of what I have consumed (and underlined) from the book hits close to home.   Today I share some of these with you… “your feelings of inadequacy are actually a qualification of usefulness … we can often identify with people’s failures even more than their success.”   (page 3) “One of my greatest fears for Christian people is that we will start valuing safety over danger … the prevent l...