Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  Christmas is 1 week away away.  Focus on truth that keep us celebrating the real meaning of this season.    Let me remind us that none of the things we deal each day change who our God is and what He can do.  God is still working, He is still God completely, and God is still the hope of the world.   Matthew 1:21-23  NASB She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”   Isaiah 9:6  NASB For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.   Jesus, because He will save His people.     Immanuel...

  Isaiah 7:14  NLT   All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).  The Christmas season is one that most of us look forward to.  But if we take a look at all the details and happening we might second guess the excitement and even the joy. It really is all about Jesus, yet the world and often even Christians have made the holiday something it is not.  May we change this reality to point us all and others back to God and to the reason for the Christmas season. That is why I stop today (and next week).  That is stop these e-devotions because I will be on a mission trip in Cuba with limited connectivity.  There might be some updates via the e-devotion minute on FaceBook a few nights, but there will not be email or written devotions. Lets take some time today to make a Christmas list.  What are the things this...

  It is a new season as Christmas is only a few weeks away.  Our church began a new series leading up to the birth of Christ and the celebration of Christmas, and we would like for you to join us on this journey. It is called Everyday Gospel and based on a devotional reading from Paul David Tripp.  The readings began yesterday, and you can catch up or start any time.  This reading will help you take in the meaning, joy, celebration and worship that surrounds our faith built up on the coming of Christ. Here are the ways to get the devotion: Download a free copy: https://store.paultripp.com/products/everyday-gospel-christmas-devotional-ebook Read on the BIBLE APP: https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/52502 Or we have a few copies left at church. Here are just a few thoughts from the sermon yesterday: Matthew 1:21  NLT   And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Shane Pruitt … The Gospel isn’t abou...

How did you hear?   What a question.  It keeps on confusing people as to what is or isn’t important.  The same might have been said to some strangers that came to town looking for someone they had heard about.  It was the wisemen from the east who said they had followed a star.  Now that is strange.  Or is it? They heard about something that happened a long way from their home, and they even brought gifts because what they heard was about to change their lives and the lives many others. How did they hear? Matthew 2:2  NLT “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” Their faith wasn’t the same as the people they approached on their journey.  In fact what they heard about this one who was born would shake the faith of millions to come.  How do we know that?  The leader that they spoke to, King Herod, wasn’t happy.  He was mad, intimidated and even more.  Herod would try to...

How do you know?   That is a question that has always confused, maybe because I am often confused.  But it depends on where you are coming from as to how you answer the question. There are many different ways to learn.  The methods of communication can vary from the text message to the message on the billboard, the letter in the mail or the unscheduled meeting at the store.  Each time information is passed.  It might be good news.  It might be simple information.  It could be anything. But those shepherds were in the right place at the right time.  Better yet, God knew them and knew where they were.  Not the most highly favored in the eyes of the world because they often didn’t smell very good and maybe were different than the other people around. The shepherds were the first to hear the good news.  How did they know?  The angels told them.  And what they were told was amazing. Let’s replay that one again. Luke 2:9-14  NLT...

Isaiah 7:14  NLT   All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).  The season of Christmas is loved and cherished by so many people.  I presume that is true for you and me as well.  God have us His seal, His promise, His son and became part of us. In the coming two weeks I encourage you to spend much time making much of Jesus.  Look at the signs of the seasons, and point yourself, point others to the really meaning and the strength that comes from pursing what matters most. 1 John 3:16  NLT   We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. His love is the real deal.  His love is what changes us and changes others.  Real love is what Christmas was wrapped in way back then, and the best Christmas celebration continues to...

December is here.  That has so many things tied to it for all us.   It is the holiday and time off from work or school.  It is time with family, those you rarely get to see.  It is a time of giving, sharing and doing things for others that we don’t always do the rest of the year. It is also the time of the year when we talk even more about Jesus, the real reason for Christmas.  It is His birthday.  It is Him who is the reason for the season.  It is time of the year when we can put up decorations and talk about Jesus without dear of being shunned.   You get it.  But I ask you to really get it.  Get the goal in front of you to make much of Jesus. Matthew 1:21  NLT   And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins From the manger to the cross… it was a three decade journey full of life and meaning.  It was a God given gift, the first Christmas gift, that took on more meaning...

If we love Him, then we must show His love to those who most need to see and feel His presence. --- Matthew Barnett Christmas is ahead.  Opportunities are endless.  Needs are all around us.  There are places and people and organizations seeking our attention.  What is on my mind more than anything are the God kind of thoughts. The quote above quote sums it up for me.  Matthew Barnett is the founder of the Los Angeles Dream Center .  It has been his dream and now reality to lead a church that's doors never close.  24 hours a day,7 days a week, and 365 days a year the Dream Center is meeting needs in many locations and in big ways. God has led our church, The Community Fellowship, to make a similar difference in our community and beyond by demonstrating the love of God to our community .  We began over 15 years ago with our clothes closet ministry on Christmas Eve.  It has been awesome since.  Our feeding ministry has grown in huge w...

From Andy Williams song The Most Wonderful Time of the Year  It's the most wonderful time of the year With the kids jingle belling And everyone telling you be of good cheer It's the most wonderful time of the year It's the hap-happiest season of all With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings When friends come to call It's the hap-happiest season of all There'll be parties for hosting Marshmallows for toasting And caroling out in the snow There'll be scary ghost stories And tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago … It's the most wonderful time of the year There'll be much mistltoeing And hearts will be glowing When loved ones are near It's the most wonderful time Yes the most wonderful time Oh the most wonderful time Of the year Here we are are.  The decorations are going up.  The electricity in the air.  It is thick, it is fun and it will be gone before you know it. That is why I challenge us to slow down just a bit to answer the ...

  Sometimes you just know that God is speaking to you.  It is obvious.  You don’t have to question.  In fact you need to stop questions and listen in a bit more. Yesterday was one of those days for me.  I began a new sermon series at The Community titled “Give THANKS” and spoke from 1 Chronicles 16 of a psalm of thanks from David.  Last night I attended a meeting and heard an awesome sermon by a missions leader.  Guess what passage he used.  It was 1 Chronicles 16. Stop right there.  I had to ask (and I still and asking) God what He wants me to hear and learn.  I have already come away with a few things. The message I shared was about deciding to give thanks before other things or people led us away from being thankful.  The missions sermon from the same passage was about the people of God sharing with the world God’s message.  Both have a good foundation in the Scripture.  Both are pretty clear. I walk away with two verse...

Last week I introduced a new challenge online and at church, and I wanted to pass it along to you.  It is very simple.  There are 24 chapters in the book of Luke, and there are 24 days in December leading up to Christmas.  The challenge is to read one chapter a day, and on Christmas you will have a much greater appreciation for the birth, life and purpose of Jesus. Yes, it is now the 6th of December, and you will have to catch up a little.  But it is worth it.  Here are some of the pieces that have caught my attention so far as I am reading through the book of Luke and being part of this challenge. Luke 1:31-32  NLT You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.   32  He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.   Luke 2:7  NLT She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped h...