Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  The back2school outreach was amazing, and there is more to share to come.  We will hold off on sharing more stories, yet please know there is much more to come as we see all God has done and is doing. We continue our series from the book of Romans at The Community Fellowship, and this Sunday we began chapter 12 with a sermon titled “Culture, Compromise and the Christian Life”.  There is so much to talk through and share in the first couple verses, and I would like to challenge you to take a close look at these. Romans 12:1-2  NLT   And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing a...

Psalm 122:6-7  NL   Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. 7  O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces. Over the last several days attacks and war in Israel has intensified.  The reports have been very difficult to hear, and I cannot imagine what it is like to be in that area at this time. Pray for Israel. I asked some friends who have close contacts there how should we pray, and today I share with you what I was sent.  Please join me in praying for the name of Israel. Here is what I was sent from two different friends: Pray for recovery of all kidnapped people and Israeli army bases and settlements that were invaded. Pray for protection of the northern border against infiltration and missile attacks. Pray for the Israeli government to lead the people with godly wisdom. Pray for protection from traps and explosives for as troops go in to recover what was lost. Pray for those who need to be saved a...

The battle is real.  I am not talking about the battle currently happening with Ukraine and Russian, although we need to pray over the people of both nations and their leaders.  I am talking about the spiritual battle that takes place every day. You and I have the understanding when we choose to follow Jesus that our enemy, who is very real, is set to be against us, distract us or discredit us.  That was the case in the message that I shared with our church yesterday from Nehemiah 6 as the people opposing Nehemiah and God’s people did all they could to stop the rebuilding of the city of Jerusalem.  But the enemy failed. And our enemy will fail too if we take the appropriate steps headed toward victory and not defeated, listening to God rather than the enemy.  Listen in… Ephesians 6:10-13  NLT   A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of ...

Monday was the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in 1941.   That was 74 years ago.   It was a day that signaled the beginning of more than just a war on earth, but it was part of our county, the United States of America, being in the war. Yet war continues today in very different ways.   Study the nations that have come and gone and you will see how real bullets have been traded for chemicals, destroying data and so much more.   Bullets still fly, but things seem to be much more complicated.   Some of the places that have never seen actual war are in the middle of pain due to death. Places like San Bernardino, California and beyond have seen horrible happenings.   Home invasions and crime continue.   Recently a pastor’s wife was killed in Indianapolis, Indiana when men broke in her home.   What I am pointing to is the fact that pain is rampant today. We cannot point to the single issue of terrorism, yet that is a gr...

There is a battle around us, or maybe there is a battle in us.   This battle, I firmly believe, begins in our minds.   It is a choice we can make.   Realize that God has prepared us.   He has given us salvation.   He is changing our lives.   He is offering us abundant life and freedom from destruction and distraction. One of the places, if not the place, where the battle begins is in our mind.   Realize that our thinking is a big deal.   Right thinking leads to right living.   Wrong thinking leads to wasted living.   Claim what God has already given us. 1 Corinthians 2:16   NASB For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ . We have the mind of Christ. Because of salvation and God’s promises on our lives, we have the mind and wisdom God already in our lives.   Why is it so many people miss this fact?   Why do we and so many others not take advantage...