Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  Proverbs 20:7   NLT The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.   We are blessed so that we can bless others.  It is overwhelming to see how blessed we really are.   C ount those blessings.   I recognize the blessings and the people who have impacted my life.  Stop again, or at least slow down, and realize that God made me to be a blessing to others.   Claim those blessings by giving to others, loving others and making a difference in the lives of others.  I challenge you and me to look at your blessings and turn those toward others.    Thanksgiving is a couple weeks away.  There will most likely be opportunities to serve and to share with others.  Then Christmas is not long after that.  With all that is going on in the world there are people in need and places to serve.  Watch for opportunities and go after them.   Be a blessing!  We were made for this. Ephesians 1...

  Don’t stop praying! That is a line from a song boy Matthew West, and I love the song and lyrics.  But what I really love is what it reminds me of. Prayer is essentially to connecting us to God and keeping God’s purpose as a priority in our lives.  Let’s choose to have prayer as part of our lives each day. There are several things or truths that help me make prayer a priority. - Choose to spend time with God each morning. - Lead where you have the ability in prayer.  Be an example. - When you see a need, stop and pray at that moment. - One way to connect with people is to ask how you can pray for them. Luke 11:1  NLT   Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, and that is when he gave them the pattern of the Lord’s prayer … “our father who is in heaven”. Jeremiah 33:3  NLT   Ask ...

  Have you been given advise that ended up being something that changed your life? I think we all have had conversations that led us to be stronger and better.  These things might have even strengthened our faith and brought us closer to Jesus. In the reading of Scripture I often come across verses that speak to my heart.  That is why I share some thing that might just change our thinking or serving or maybe even our walk with God.  My desire is not to be a better person or a better Christian.  My desire is simply to obey what Jesus says. Check out what Paul had to say to some of the people closest to him. Galatians 2:9-10  NLT   In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews. 10 Their only suggestion was that we keep on helping th...

  Don’t you love it when God speaks to you?  Often in Scripture.  Some times in song.  Could be through other people, conversations and situations.  But God gets our attentions and shares something we need to hear. For me there are many different ways, but the Bible is the one that most often shows off what God is says and how He is leading.  He also uses songs, and there was a song yesterday that caught my attention and hit my heart. The song this time is Goodbye Yesterday by Elevation.  Here are some of the lyrics: Goodbye, yesterday I'm livin' in the light of a new day I won't waste another minute in my old ways Praise the Lord, I've been born again Goodbye, yesterday I'm livin' in the light of a new day I won't waste another minute in my old ways Praise the Lord, I've been born again Oh, I've been born again Again and again and again and again You rescued me out of the mess I was in You traded my sorrow for something to sing Now, I'm dancin...

  Here are some of my favorite verses that reference GRACE.  The concept or belief about grace is central to our faith.  One of the easiest ways to understand what grace is might be known from this acrostic of the letters in the word … God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Praise God for all He has done for us that we do not deserve  Check out these verses on grace: Ephesians 2:8  NLT   God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Our salvation is by the incredible grace of God and not because we deserve it. Romans 11:6  NLT   And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved. Galatians 1:5  NLT   But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him Ephesians 2:7  NLT   So God can point to us in all future ages as ex...