Michael Harrison's e-devotion

Note: much of the following post was first shared in 2015, and the armor of God is something we need to put on daily and to understand even more! Ephesians 6:10-17  NLT 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 the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 

Since late last week there has been a verse that has continued to run through my brain.  In fact the underlying pieces of the verses, in context before and after, would allow us to lose ourselves and gain Christ.  Literally I mean we can find peace when life is less about us and more about God. When things are the opposite, there is trouble.  In fact there is less God when there is more about me or self.  Find out what makes the most sense, find out what helps you find more peace and pursue it with everything you have. There will come a day when you have to get honest about the things that don’t matter.  I mean there are things that we seek after that get us no where and have no eternal value.  There is the biggest question.  What is valuable to us? So, back to the place I started.  Here is the verse that keeps coming back to mind and making its way through my heart. Galatians 2:21  NLT I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could m

Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” It is time to make sure we are separating worry from our lives.  Often I have heard people say that inactivity or being quiet shows a lack of faith.  Somebody got that one wrong, and for a few lines, a few minutes, today I challenge us to rethink this idea. Being still might cause us to make better decisions. Being still might allow us to hear better. Being still might allow us to avoid another problem. Being still might bring healing, re-charging and strengthening. The first place we encounter the idea of being still is when God created the world.  It says on the 7th day God rested.  Why did He do that?  I believe it is because we needed the example to follow.  We needed the ability to see our bodies are made for rest. That is why begin still is often missed or missed marked as something it is not.  Take an opportunity today or th

What is going to change our situation?  I am not talked about the virus or about the tension around our nation.  What I am alluding to is the strain inside of each of us. Many times I have reminded our church and my e-devotion readers that we, those who follow Jesus, should be thermostats and not thermometers.  A thermometer tells the what the temperature is.  They literally conformed to whatever they are surrounded by.  Whereas a thermostat sets the temperature for the area it is in. Set the temperature, the mood, the attitude.  Set the standard and don’t slide to what is easy, the status quo.  Allow your mind and heart to be on a foundation that will see us through the strain and on to victory. No matter what we see in the news, what we learn about friends or ourselves, we will be strong because of some real truth, not fake news. Deuteronomy 31:6  NLT So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personall

I shared the following devotion in November of last year.  But I want to magnify the truth that trusting God will change the way we look at our situation and the way we deal with life.  Always we must choose faith over fear … What do you trust in?  Often we put things in front of God or trust in things that cannot help us through life and it’s struggles.  Give this a few minutes because what we trust might not be easily recognized. Proverbs 3:5-6  NASB Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Psalm 4:5  NASB Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And trust in the Lord. Psalm 115:11  NASB You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. Psalm 20:7  NIV Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. What we trust in will show up in how we live and in what we say.  May our t

A few years ago I was at a conference and heard a message from Pastor Steve Gains, Bellevue Baptist in Memphis, as he shared about prayer.  I read back through the notes from his message, and it was powerful.  So powerful that I wanted to share with you. Here is goes… some of my notes: Things are different after you pray then before you pray.  You don’t have to have the greatest intellect for God to use you, but you do have to pray.  If you don’t pray, you will not be used as God wants to use you. You can go to all kinds of conferences or read all kinds of books, but if you don’t pray, God’s hand won’t be on your ministry, your marriage or on your life. DANIEL 9:23 NLT The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God. Listen carefully so that you can understand the meaning of your vision. A day without prayers is a wasted day.  Why is that?  It is because prayer moves the hand of God

Yesterday was Father’s Day.  It is an important day to remember some of the people who have impacted our lives.  I am grateful for my dad, my father-in-law and several other men who have made a difference in my life. We are watching all around us life seem to unravel.  From the affects of the Covid-19 virus to the unrest of protests and riots all the way to the political happens around our nation, this is obviously a time when we need people of great character to step up and lead.   In the message I shared with our church yesterday I asserted, as many have before me, that our homes and families must be places of strength and peace where countless people and even our nation are led with strength.  How can we have stronger homes?  I believe that happens with strong commitments from the leaders of our homes.  And we think about dads, husbands and parents where much of that great leadership should begin. Stop thinking that the schools or the government should be leading and

Hello friends.  This might come as a little surprise to you, but I am taking a break.  For the next two weeks (more like the next 10 days) I will not be sharing a e-devotion. Thank you for allowing me to share my ramblings, thoughts, what God is sharing with me.  Often these are the things simply flowing through my heart as the days are patterned by our good and gracious God.  They most of the time are easy to write and share, but there are times that it is anything but easy. Let me take just a couple minutes, or lines, and tell you my heart is heavy with all the happenings around our world as of late.  We have been crippled by the quarantine due to Covid-19.  Now we step even further with the pain of the senseless death of George Floyd which has ignited protests and so much more across America. I stand in solidarity with my brothers and sisters who have lived with oppression.  This applies to my black friends as well as so many others who have gone through horrible thi

Joshua 1:7  NLT Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. One of the strongest verses of early history is this one.  Joshua is told that success is sure with the right decisions being made consistently.   There is much to be said and credited to the decisions that show concern for others, doing what is right and standing strong in the face of adversity.  God has said to each of us that His presence is promises and His help is always available.  It is our choice. I want to be successful.  How about you? Why is it that this verse makes us question side steps, or stepping aside?  I think there are many reasons to avoid those kind of steps. Don’t slow down unless God calls you to do so.  There are times when we take an easier road or one that might bring us more pleasure.  Often those steps remove us f

Proverbs 20:7  NLT The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them. There is no question of blessing.  Almost everyone on the outside and on the inside notices when a person or family or business or ministry is blessed.  It is almost like everyone stops to see what is up. The book shelves, both in the store and online, are filled with volumes and volumes of self-help leading to success books.  There are videos, seminars, programs, articles and blogs about how to reach your maximum potential and success.  Countless people and companies are making money off of those who are seeking to be blessed or to be successful. No shortcuts when it comes to the blessings from God.  This will not come because you were dressed right or simply in the right place at the right time.  The greatest blessings come from some specific reasons. The godly will be blessed.  Their children will be blessed because they chose obedience over pleasure.  Over and over in

Speak up. Today’s devotion is a bit more person.  It might be a statement about things going on around our world, but I want to remind you that these are my thoughts and not those of our church, my family or of any thing I am affiliated with.  With that said… What I see around me is alarming.  It hurts my heart on so many levels that what to share is extremely difficult and might even be a bit confusing.  Listening to the news and the opinions of others can help, but it can also make my mind spin and my blood boil.  Does that make sense. Speak up. When you know something is wrong and you do nothing about it, that is just that… wrong.  When you know something is right and you don’t speak up about it, that is just… wrong.  Either way it is always right to speak up. Proverbs 31:8-9  NLT Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.  Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. The death

Hebrews 1:1-4  NLT Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 2 And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. 3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. 4 This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names. God is speaking.  Always.  Are you listening?  What have we heard Him saying. Actually, God speaks in many different ways, but it is always through the person of Jesus, our Savior and friend.  There is more for us to hear, more for us to enjoy, more for us to treasure, and there is more for us to help us know we are worshipping the on

James 3:18   NLT And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. Plant seeds of peace.  That kind of peace is a new concept for many people, but you and I have a choice on a daily basis to live a life ruled by the peace of God or by something else.  I am looking forward the harvest that this verse promises. Peace like God gives is much different than the peace the world around us is seeking for.  Take a few minutes to look through the differences James 3:17  NASB But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. John 14:27  NASB Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. Philippians 4:7  NASB And the peace of God, which surpasses all compre