Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  It is common for verses to seen similar in wording and even in theme.  And those things ought to remind us of what God says.  Take it to heart.  Remember it and even tell others. This year my brother and I have been reading and memorizing the book of James.  The first chapter is packed with meaning and what we need to apply.  Move on to this Sunday’s sermon from 1 Peter 1 and we find common ground.  This is truth we need to apply. Here are the verses.  Spent come time here today. James 1:2-4  NLT   Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. and…  1 Peter 1:6-7  NLT   So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trial...

  Mark 1:16-18  NLT   One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 17 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 18 And they left their nets at once and followed him. Can you imagine the conversation and situation around those verses?  These men are God followers already.  They knew John the Baptist, and when the “lamb of God” was pointed out to them, something changed. Other Scriptures, like in John 2, notes that some began to follow Jesus immediately, but then He called then.  Like the verses above. Jesus called then to a new way, a new career, a new challenge and a new vision.  No longer looking for fish but for people.  No longer mending their nets but mending the hearts of broken people.  No longer wondering what might be and now knowing who they are walking with. ...

Saturday is coming … registration for back2school 2026 … VBS (Vacation Bible Saturday) … tell gate grill (giving our burgers and praying for people).  Please pray as we serve and for those being served. So many thoughts go through my mind as we get to serve children and their families.  God called us to “demonstrate the love of God to our community”, and that is our WHY?  Yet all the details of the WHAT tend to consume me. Lots of things I hold near to my heart.  These are the things that keep me going, and these are the things I challenge you to to be part of in this ministry or wherever you are.   Isaiah 32:8 NLT 'But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity.'    Just do it, as NIKE says.  Choose to serve.  Choose to be generous with your abilities and your gifts.  Being generous is a non negotiable around here.  This is big in serving others.     How will ...

  This Saturday begins a very special time for our church and many of our partners.  It is the first registration for back2school 2026.  In fact for us it includes VBS (Vacation Bible Saturday) and a tell gate grill (giving our burgers and praying for people) that will happen at church.  Please pray as we serve. Each of these are a part of who our church is.  It is our 20th year of back2school, and that means we have served thousands of students who are getting ready to go back to school in August.  This Saturday is registration when parents and guardians can get their children signed up. Registration begins at 9.  VBS begins a little later.  Tell gate grill is the entire time.  Volunteers arrive at 8:30.  Come out and help! Why do we serve?  Thanks for asking.  Jesus said serve others!   1 Peter 4:10  NLT God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. ...

  Encouragement really is a big deal.  Without people speaking truth over us and in to our lives we are in trouble.  There are way too many negative voices, words of discouragement and statements that steal our worth and value. Be that person that makes a difference.  Be that person that builds others up.  Be that person that gives others value.  Be that person. One of my favorite people in the Bible was Barnabas.  His name means son of encouragement.  I can only imagine why that make stuck with him.  It was probably because he was always that person.  That person that was speaking life and love, courage and encouragement, value and vision in to the lives of others. Be that person.  Around you today are people who need to know they are some body and loved by God.  Your words will give them that and more. 1 Thessalonians 5:11  NLT   So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. Hebrews...

  For as long as I can remember we have celebrated with fireworks, cookouts and more the birthday of this great nation of ours.  This year we celebrated the 250th birthday of our nation.  Let’s remember! Psalm 33:12 NIV Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. Today we look at two Scriptures and quotes from those who have led our country.  America is great not because we are powerful. America is great because we have a great God who has greatly blessed us through our founding fathers and far beyond.  The following quote was spoken over congress by Ben Franklin.  “I’ve lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: That God governs in the affairs of men. If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We’ve been assured in the sacred writings that unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain...