Michael Harrison's e-devotion

Christmas tradition  There are so many of these.  Look around you as we are almost to Christmas.  The hustle and hurry of these traditions and the holiday will often take us away from the real meaning of Christmas. Be careful to not let the Christmas traditions take your focus off of Christ.  I am not suggesting that we be legalistic about Christmas and leave all the other stuff behind.  I am suggesting that we “keep Christ in Christmas” and make much of Him. Take some time each day to personally keep your celebration all about Jesus.  Here are just a few things that will do that for me… 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’). Isaiah 9:6  NLT   For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonder...

  Christmas Fear Yes.  You read that right.  It is not about Christmas cheer but fear.  Too many people have lots of this. Fears comes in the times where we are out of control, are unsure of some things or maybe even fear people.  It could be a million things that we fear. What fear does is magnify where we have not let faith and trust in God fully take our hearts and lives.  No, christians will never fear, but we should fear less.  Why is that? 2 Timothy 1:7  NLT   For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.   Isaiah 41:10  NLT   Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.  Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. There are a couple things that God has gifted us with.  No, they are not Christmas gifts, but they are gifts that the best Christmas gift has given us.  Jesus r...

  The best part of Christmas is not the lights of the gifts.  It really is the person of Christmas, Jesus, and all He has done to us.   T hink about the change that God has made in your life.     1 John 3:17  NASB But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?   Thank about it.  Self or savior?  Giver or taker?  We know the truth.  God knows our hearts.   Reach out to those who are struggling and give each the gift of the example of what God’s love looks likes.   Matthew 2:11 NASB After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.   The wise men worshipped, gave and were in awe of ...

  Let me begin today’s e-devotion by simply saying THANK YOU to all who helped make last week’s Cuba sports ministry mission trip a success.  Your prayers and support were a vital part of this great efforts, and the impact is still going forward. Our team served in five different Cuba cities with 15-20 church and sports ministry leaders attending each training season.  Each leader represented athletes and coaches that are part this important ministry and many churches that they are part of.   My prayer for these leaders is not only are they stronger and better leaders, but I pray that hundreds of lives will be changed this coming year because of the commitment of these men and women to share the Gospel and let others know of hope in Jesus.  Keep praying.  More trips are being planned for 2025 John 1:14  NLT  So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. The word came to us and was sent from Go...

  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...