Michael Harrison's e-devotion

1 Thessalonians 1:4   NLT We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. I sit across the table from a friend who is pouring out their heart, and the pain they are going through is so very real.  There is almost nothing I can do.  I listen.  I speak very little as my heart is twisted, aching and I’m asking God for help and wisdom. Tears are welling up inside me as the story about this friend’s kids makes me want to grab them up to protect them and let them know the love of God.  All I can do is affirm the thoughts and actions of my friend, and I must even more affirm and share that God loves them no matter what. One of our church staff begins to share with me about one of our members that is going through a very tough situation.  Homelessness is becoming almost inevitable.  There is no matter as well as lots and lots of troubles all around.  Yet several friends ha...

Taking it a step further from where we were yesterday, it is amazing to see God teach us about who He is and how we share Him with others.  There is strength in what the Bible says, and it takes faith to put what we read into practice. To do what the Bible says shows all who God is.  Staying connected to God is possible through practicing spiritual disciplines.  Colossians 4:2-6  NLT 2  Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.  3 Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ.  That is why I am here in chains.  4 Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.  5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.  6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. There is more to being ...

We had a special guest at The Community Fellowship this weekend.  Sylvia Pearce is a good friend and shares the truth of how God has liberated us by giving us Jesus to forgive our sins and live through us (read more at her website http://theliberatingsecret.org ).  During our Sunday community worship we read through Colossians 3, and as I went back to the chapter later in the day God began to work in me even more.  Take a few minutes to read through the verses below from Colossians 3, and I pray God will give you some stuff to chew on. Colossians 3 NLT 2  Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3  For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God… 10  Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him… 12  Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, ...

This is one of the great times of the year for The Community family and friends, and that is why you can help us do more to serve more and more and more people.  But before we get to those things, don't miss this Sunday as there will be an awesome surprise for everyone.  It will be awesome!!!  Hope to see you Sunday at 10:10am and please bring people with you. FOOD FOR EMERGENCY PANTRY  --- there has been many people asking for help as of late.  Please bring non-perishable food when you come to church in the coming weeks.  There is a box as you enter the building on the right.  Thanks for your help to bless more people. RACEWAY MINISTRIES IN MARTINSVILLE ---  your help is needed as we serve race fans who come to town for the NASCAR weekend.  Gold cart drivers are needed.  Helpers at our tents and during worship services are needed.  It all takes place Friday thru Sunday, October 25-27.  See Lee Hobbs or Pastor Michael for details or send an email to  mharrison@thecommunityf...

I love old buildings.  When I went to school in New Orleans, I enjoyed visiting the French Quarter and seeing the beauty of the old buildings that were so new to me.  Charleston is another place I enjoyed.  After living in Georgia for about a decade, I really enjoyed visiting Savannah and the communities along the coast.  My favorite was St. Simons Island, and my favorite landmark was in a cemetery.  You heard me right.  It was outside an old, old church.  The sign and landmark told of how John Wesley preached on that spot.  I was stunned, convicted, impressed and ignited all at the same time. Landmarks and historical markers are cool.  We need to stop and read them.  Learn from them and be encouraged by them. In fact, have you noticed that God gives you landmarks or spiritual markers in your life?  Henry Blackaby was the first to point this out in my life through his book Experiencing God . Blacka...

One of the deepest things in all the world is the grace of God, at least in my opinion.  There may be other aspects of your relationship with God that consume your thoughts.  I love the sweetness of seeing God in nature like in the roar and wind of the waves or the beauty of rolling mountains.  Yet the grace of God makes my mind wonder even more. By defining or trying to define and understand real grace we fall very short of what God did for us, how He loves us and desire He has for us. Take some time today to take in some thoughts about the grace of God.  His grace is free to those who accept it.  His grace has and will continue to transform our lives. “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”  ― Anonymous , Holy Bible: New International Version (see 2 Corinthians 9:8) “Life is grace.  Sleep is forgiveness. ...