Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  The time we get with the Lord is precious.  You might not feel that way today.  You might not have felt that way in the past.  But what I have come to long for and enjoy is what He shares with me. It is not because I am special.  But to Him I am.  It is not because I am a pastor.  But I am called.  It is because God desires to meet with each of His children and impart to them the truths and the love that He has.  It really is as simple as setting aside some time just for you and God.  He will speak. Matthew 6:6,33  NLT   But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you… Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. First thing and best thing is that time with Him.  Seek God and His kingdom. Romans 10:17  NLT   So faith comes from hearing, that is, ...

  It is the week after back2school, and I am amazed at all God has done through this outreach.  Plus, it is not over.  More people are receiving items and being blessed and even being served as an overflow of the outreach.  There is more to share than I can possibly deal with today.   What grabs my attention the most is the response to what God has done.  I remember the little one who said “thank you”.  I remember the team member who fell in to a hug with another little one and prayed for them.  I remember the team member who washing feet for the first time and shared their emotional experience.  I remember and am grateful for a lot.   I loved hearing the story that our children’s leader shared and see how students were listening.  And now we keep on praying for a response to the invitation to know God’s love.  And His love has been shown and shared all over.   Romans 12:9-10  NLT   Don’t just pretend to l...

  One of the things I have learned and enjoy is praying Scripture.  A few years ago I learned about a ministry called Strategic Renewal and the 6:4 Fellowship that helps churches and pastors do just that… pray Scripture and lead others to do the same. As I was reading earlier this week in Proverbs 10 I was reminded of how these verses come alive in our prayers.  Check these and use them as you say them back to God: 1 A wise child brings joy to a father… 2 … right living can save your life. 3 The Lord will not let the godly go hungry… 6 The godly are showered with blessings;… 8 The wise are glad to be instructed… 9 People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed. 10 … bold reproof promotes peace. 11 The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain… 12 … love makes up for all offenses. 13 Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding… 14 Wise people treasure knowledge...

  With the start of the new school year and the competition of the back2school outreach, join me in praying for students and educators.  Pray for college students, school aged students and all those who teach or serve or share in schools.  Dwane Massenburg is a friend and local pastor, and this is a prayer guide he shared.  This is good.   Matthew 7:7-8 NLT   Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.   PRAY FOR OUR CHILDREN   To have alert, inquisitive minds towards the subject, and long attention spans   To come to school with a good attitude and respect for adults   For the ability to resist peer pressure   To respect each other as people so they can attend classes without bullying   PRAY WITH OUR CHILDREN ...

  Mark 10:16  NLT   Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them. That is what Jesus did.  He blessed the children, and that is what back2school is all about.  We have been able to bless the children as we shared with them and showed them the love of God. I am not giving you the details and the numbers from our back2school outreach, but what I want you to hear is how the Lord worked in the lives of children and churches.  It was once again incredible.  God moved and is still moving. Ten locations and hundreds of volunteers gathered the past two weekends to serve students who are heading back to school.  Backpacks and school supplies, shoes and socks, and more were given out.  Students and their families heard the Gospel. I got to watch and listen.  Many of those students grabbed our attention and our hearts.  I love seeing our people serve others. Matthew 25:40  NLT   “And the ...

  Matthew 19:14  NLT   But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” We are getting ready for the kids.  back2school is happening, and it is such a blessing.  Please pray for these students and their families as they hear about Jesus and see examples of His love for them. In the 36 years I have been in ministry I can definitely say that the sweetest and most powerful thing I have been blessed to be part of is #back2school as to which this is the 20th year of this outreach.  Oh my, the memories flood my mind and heart. I think of the smiles on the faces of the kids.  Some walk in with the smiles already painted across their faces.  Some take a little while to warm up.  Often they are so little and cute as they are excited about school and getting things they want.  Others are older and not so enthusiastic about going back to school. But what they hav...

  Mark 6:34  NLT   Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. What do you see?  Or maybe, who do you see?  Perspective really is a big deal.  Sometimes our eyes have something in them or are even sick.  It could be something that is in the way of seeing like your glasses are dirty or there is a lot of fog. Seeing is an important part of life.  Just ask a blind person if it is important.  We take it for granted a lot. Over the next few days I ask you to see the things you see.  I mean really see them or look at them.  Is God pointing something out or sharing something you should learn or maybe even pointing you in a direction of where to go and serve?  That could be the case. As couple days ago I mentioned “God Moments”.  What we see is a big part of those moments.  Just like when Jesus saw t...

  Last night was a good night.  Really good.  Not different than ones we have had in the last 20 years of back2school, but this one was fresh and so sweet. Over 200 volunteers gathered to pack backpacks for the locations serving students this coming weekend.  So, so awesome to be around like minded people who want to make a difference and use our resources for the glory of God and loving on people. Ephesians 6:19  NLT   And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. Each student will not only receive items but will hear the Gospel.  That is why, once again and importantly, I ask that you PRAY and SERVE with all the back2school family. PRAY.  Pray for students and their families who will be served and hear about Jesus. SERVE.  Choose to be at one of the locations where it is happening this Friday, Saturday or Sunday.  Tonight at The ...