Michael Harrison's e-devotion

It is almost time for back2school, this Friday and Saturday.  Over the next few days I am going to share part of what students will experience during the back2school program and how it got started.  The first years was only school supplies.  Then we added backpacks.  Then came shoes and lots of locations where students are served. More than 20 years ago I heard a missionary from Appalachia share about serving students, and that testimony sparked something in my mind.  That next summer and after starting The Community Fellowship we have been serving through back2school.   More than 15 years ago I was at a meeting where a friend introduced me to the ministry of Samaritan’s Feet and it’s founder Emmanuel “Manny” Ohonme. That ministry serves people around the world by giving shoes, washing feet and sharing the Gospel.   We began partnering with Samaritan’s Feet that actually sparked the first mission trip to Cuba.  You could say that the rest is histo...

  One week away from the back2school big day and outreach.  Pray for the students we will serve and their families.  Pray for the teams of people who will serve students.  Pray for the final resources needed (wide ruled notebook paper and 1” three ring binders, as well as a few other items).  God will supply and will bless these young people. I have asked us to go through what we know as the Lord’s Prayer.  One of Jesus’ disciples asked for him to teach them how to pray.  This prayer guides us how we pray as well reminds us of the importance of prayer.  Here is what Jesus shared. Matthew 6:9-13  NASB   “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Th...

  Just over one week away is the back2school outreach.  We will serve over 1,500 students.  Please join me and others in praying for the impact of this outreach.  Today we will also share the school supply items we are still in need of (be watching for that announcement). This week we have been learning to pray based on the Lord’s Prayer.  This special prayer came to Scripture when one of Jesus’ disciples asked for him to teach them how to pray.  This prayer guides us how we pray as well reminds us of the importance of prayer. Matthew 6:9-13  NASB   “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Focus on verse 12 today.  One of the biggest issues in life a...

  Now we head in the direction of our back2school outreach, and it is an exciting time.  Over the next several days items will be gathers, plans will be made and all the details are coming together to serve students and their families on August 2.  This really is one of my favorite times of the year.   Let’s continue to learn how to pray.  One of His disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray.  That is when “The Lord’s Prayer” became a reality, and this prayer guides in how we pray and what is important in prayer. Over the last couple days we have begun to walk through this profound prayer and all it holds for us and our faith.  One simple request from one disciple led to a powerful answer from Jesus that connects us to the Father.  Matthew 6:9-13  NASB   “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day ...

  Please pray that today, Tuesday July 22, that hundreds of students will register to be part of this year’s outreach.  It is the last opportunity for anyone to register to be part of the back2school outreach.  Pass the word, and please pray. Just ten days away is August 2 when we hope to serve a couple thousand students.  This really is one of my favorite times of the year.   Let us learn how to pray.  One of the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray.  And that is when what we know as “The Lord’s Prayer” became a reality, and this prayer is a guide that we can use and learn from. Simple request from one disciple led to a profound answer from Jesus that takes us to new places with the Father.  Matthew 6:9-13  NASB   “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgiv...

  We move closer to our back2school outreach, and I am excited because of several different reasons.  I will confess that there have been several challenges this year.  Yet what we continue to be excited about and encouraged by is how God continues to come through. Volunteers have been so good.  Support and sponsors have come on board to help in great ways.  And there is more. Please pray that this Tuesday hundreds of students will register to be part of this year’s outreach.  Pass the word, but most of all pray. As we move toward the big day of August 2 I call your attention and mine to how Jesus responded to a request from those closest to Him.  This is something that applies to your life and mine.  Let us learn how to pray even more. Luke 11:1  NASB   It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, when He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples. Simp...