Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  Mark 8:31-32  NLT   Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead. 32 As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. Two weeks from today is what we call “Good Friday”.  What is good about it? It is the day that we remember how Jesus was taken to and died on the cross.  It was meant for the worst of criminals and not a perfect Savior, yet God let Jesus be placed there. Jesus willing went to the cross, laid down His life and had your wrongs and mine put on Him.  All this for a purpose. But that is two weeks from now.  Take a minute today and think the thoughts that maybe the disciples thought.  Jesus said He would have to die.  He would not be with them much longer.  ...

  What are you looking forward to?  That is a tough question because I live always planning for the next event, the next trip, the next thing and more.  After what I planned for I often feel let down and even struggle.  But there is more to get ready for. This past week was so full with our ladies at the Emmaus Walk, Raceway Ministries at the speedway and the Serve Tour mission trip in Virginia Beach.  All three of those were incredible and effective.   But there is more ahead.  Like this weekend we have an outreach we are hosting.  The next week is a worship service, meal and kid’s Easter event at our church’s future campus.  Then the next week is Easter and Resurrection Sunday.  Wait, the following week I head back to Cuba for a mission trip. Whew.  I need a break after all that.  I need a break before that. But what am I looking forward to?  Thanks for asking. I look forward to this … God changing more and more lives....

  Easter is less than three weeks away, and this is the most important day for Christians that we cannot take for granted.  More important than Christmas, Easter and the resurrection are literally the central belief of salvation and the Gospel.   God sent John the Baptist to prepare people to know Jesus.  God continues to send the story and testimony and life through other people.  People like you and me have the opportunity to point others to Jesus.   God has prepared us and the world for Jesus and His death.  He is also coming again.   Psalm 45:6-7  NLT   Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.  You rule with a scepter of justice. 7 You love justice and hate evil. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.   The throne won’t be one that people expect.   His rule is unlike what those before him held.   Many will miss Him and even hate Him, but thi...

  Stop and Praise.  That is something important for Christians to do. I heard a song recently that has stuck with me.  It is simple.  It is profound.  Most likely the simplicity of this particular worship song from Mac Powell may include the greatest of all theological truths.  Let me illustrate. A long time ago a prominent pastor of a large influential church was asked a great question.  This pastor was also know as a theological scholar.  He was asked, “what is the greatest theological thought you have ever had?” The pastor stopped and thought for a minute.  Then be began to hum and then sing.  “Jesus loves me this I know…” Profound and important.  That is the fact of the song the pastor sung and the thought that he had. Back to the Mac Powell song I mentioned above.  The song is “I Love Jesus” and here are some of the lyrics… I love Jesus, yes I do I love Jesus, yes it's true I love Jesus While I was on the wrong road Lost a...

  Wow.  I am overwhelmed by all that has taken place over the weekend.  Last week I shared what was taking place and even asked you to pray over each one. Colossians 1:3  NLT   We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. I will begin with the mission trip that 14 people from our church were blessed to be part of.  We traveled to Virginia Beach to be part of the Serve Tour.  58 churches from 13 different states partnered together to complete 40 different projects.  What excited me the most was to watch our team from The Community Fellowship grow closer and closer.  God was working.  We complete several projects from flower beds at schools, a wall at an animal shelter, helping with a roof, sharing the Gospel door to door on what is called a grill walk, sharing the Gospel on the beach and more.  It was awesome. Move on to Emmaus as 6 ladies from our church had a lifetime of God’s goodness ove...

  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...