Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  There are so many things wrong that we can talk about.  In fact we live in a day where most people want to agree, and someone is going to be offended.  Why does this keep going on? Please know that what I am sharing is not up for debate.  It is simply truth based on the foundation that I choose to stand on.  It is all about Jesus.  On Monday I reminded us that the Gospel is the central theme and the reason why the church is around.  Yesterday I shared about the power that comes from making Godly character part of our lives. Romans 5:1-5  NASB Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and prov...

  The power is yours.  Not really but really.  Unless you take what you have been offered you have no power at all.  Literally God has offered us the ability to move forward and live in abundant freedom. This might seem a little strange or awkward.  Yet these verses stand out to me.  They represent how real power is gained in our lives. No, I am not talking about power that comes from the position you hold or the possessions that are yours or the privileges that are yours.  This power comes from using your choices to allow you to live in freedom. John 10:10  NLT The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. Colossians 3:2  NLT Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. Galatians 5:13  NLT For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another...

  I am preaching through our church’s core values, and yesterday we talked about creativity.  I challenged our church to be creative with how we share the Gospel.  We ought to share the most important thing we have with others.  Share what is eternal and stop worrying about things that are temporary. Paul went to great lengths to see that he did not miss what was in his heart and his calling.  He was an “all in” kind of guy.  There was no way to be half way or casual about this stuff.  He meant business with God and knew that what was entrusted to him was a big deal. Every day we are distracted the various things happening around us.  Whether it is news or politics or the coronavirus, the happenings of the present day are being used to kick us off center, to remove the main thing, to keep us from sharing what really matters.  God has changed our lives, and He will change others. Honestly, I believe we have pushed the main thing to the proverb...

  We find ourselves at the end of the week, and for me it has been long and full.  It has been eye opening as well.  I am grateful for each person who have chosen to be part of the “week of prayer”.  Together our prayers go further and impact us and others even more. There are numerous times that I have chosen to be part of a prayer movement, and those times have impacted my life in some grand ways.  I remember when a group of pastors in my community met each Wednesday to pray for each other and our community.  Those men still hold a special place in my heart.  I remember even further back when a group of students would gather on Friday nights to pray and then go share with others. Even as recent as yesterday I chose to be part of a special prayer time for the City of Hope in Tanzania.  There is great work being done there, and it was an honor to spend some time praying for Regina ChaCha and that work. Years ago some very special people invited my...

  For as long as I can remember I am been grateful for and watched from a distance the ministry known as Disaster Relief.  So many things need to be accomplished as well as the places that are desperately waiting to be served. DAY 5.  The “week of prayer” for Vision Virginia continues, and today join me in praying for this important ministry.  Southern Baptist Disaster Relief is the third largest responding agency in North America.  Praise God for all our state baptist volunteers trained and ready to respond.  Pray that God will raise up many others to be equipped and ready when the need arises. When I was in elementary school, around 1980, I remember a big truck, an 18 wheeler, pulling in to the parking lot of the school and being able to tour it.  It was a cooking or feeding unit for Oklahoma Baptist.  Most recently our church has partnered with our state agency as well as the national agency to serve those in need specifically helping with reso...

  This week I have asked you to join me in a “week of prayer” for Vision Virginia.  Today is day 4 of the week.  It is incredible when we join our hearts and prayers for a cause that is close to the heart of our God. In fact yesterday I was able to be part of several things that God is doing in the lives of people.  This is everything from hearing the stories of high school students and how God is working in their lives to a lawyer who is getting stronger in his walk with Christ.  Moving on to a challenge that was given for some people to join in serving an important mission project and seeing them take steps.  Yesterday was full of wins. That is another reason why I ask you to join me in prayer.  Today’s request is one that I would not regularly think about.  But for some people this is where they live and learn and share with others.  Take some time to pray with me. DAY 4.  Pray for deaf ministry leadership training.  The cultural...

Prayer is an awesome opportunity to connect with God.  In fact Jesus showed us so many times that connecting with God is a vital part of our lives.  He spent time with the Father as a priority and taught others to do the same. In fact this Saturday there is an event in Washington DC hosted by Franklin Graham called “Prayer March 2020” (prayermarch2020.com). There are other events as well around the country.  It is my belief that we must continue to pray. Our situation around the world and with the coronavirus is a matter of prayer.  The various opportunities or challenges in our lives calls us to pray.  Many things you are dealing with remind you and me that we must spend time in prayer, speaking with and listening to our God. Colossians 4:2  NLT Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. I have asked you to join me in a week of prayer for Vision Virginia.  This is an event in partnership with our Virginia partner churches and...

  As I shared last week I will be asking you to join me and others in a special time of prayer this week.  Spend a time praying for the ministry you part of and for your church. 2 Thessalonians 3:1  NLT Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you. Today I will give you the first two days of the week of prayer because Sunday was actually the first day. DAY 1.  Pray for those who serve in the “English As a Second Language”.  These folks use teaching to share the Gospel and help people learn the English language.  Ask God to open places for teaching and to open those who are learning so they will get to know Him. DAY 2.  Pray for resources for new churches including the sound and worship equipment that is needed.  Ask God to provide sound systems, instruments and more so that these churches can reach even more people for th...

  Focused prayer is a big deal.  It is also something that God helps us with as we realize what matters.  Our calling, our passion and even the things that get our attention often are the things God desires for us to pray about. Over the next week I will be adding a part to the e-devotions that coincide with the Week of Prayer from Vision Virginia (our partner in Virginia SBCV).  These will be prayers for mission endeavors close to us but that also happen around the world.  I ask you to join me in praying for these things over the coming week: English as a second language ministry, worship equipment for new churches, mission team training, deaf ministry leaders, disaster relief, church planting, evangelism and church revitalization.  I will share these next week in the e-devotions. Luke 5:16  NLT But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. Jesus stopped to pray.  He would spend extended time and many different times in prayer.  Con...

  One of my favorite passages of Scripture is from Psalm 1.  That is for several reasons, and I would like to share with you just a few of those reasons. First, I know that I need God and His word.  Getting in to it.  Digging in to the Word of God changes my life.  Plus the more of it that is in me and in my mind the more of God will be heard. Second, I remember learning from some Godly people as I was growing up hw this passage hits home for those seeking God.  It gives direction and strength.   Third, I remember in the middle 90’s as we served on mission trips in Honduras standing next to a tree that vividly made this passage come to life for me. Fourth and finally, these verse ring in my head often.  Just like they have this morning. Psalm 1  NLT Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.  2  But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day...

  Psalm 127:4-5  NASB Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate. Today I am going to talk with you on a personal level.  There is so much going on around us that we might get distracted or even miss some of the blessings God has put in our lives.  Take some time to think about your up close, personal blessings. Ruth is our middle child.  I say that not because she is anything other than extra ordinary or extraordinary.  Today is her 22nd birthday.  In the last year she has gone from college student to gainfully employed to married and on her way to so many, many great things ahead.  We are proud of our kids, and Ruth has made us so proud.  She is a special child, a bright light and loved big time by her parents.  We cannot wait to see what else God does through her and Sean, her husb...

  I choose to be a broker of hope.  Hope is something that we all need and is offered based on someone or something that is much better and better than us. Proverbs 23:18  GWT There is indeed a future, and your hope will never be cut off. What does the future look like for you?  Is it bright or dark?  Is it full of possibilities or troubles?  It is a place you are excited about or one you are dreading? Those answers can be real intense and tell me a lot about your life.  The honest answer is our future ought to be one full of hope.  Hope for you and those around you.  Hope for you to give away as often as possible. God will not cut off your hope.  I meet people every day that have no hope.  Their hope is gone.  That is why it is time for us, the people of God, to put hope where people can reach it.  Did you hear that?  Hope is unreachable for some people, but we have hope and can share with others. People need ho...

  These are crazy times.  Yet our God is the same God who took us in, saved our souls and has given promise after promise that we can claim.  That is why today’s core value is so important for you and for me.  It is for the church.   John 14:6  NLT Jesus told them, “I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one can come to the Father except through me. That is relevant.  But how so?  Everywhere there are people or things offering us answers or ideas of how to keep going.  Look for them.  Most of those offering answers and the answers couldn’t be further from the truth.  The truth is Jesus.  Truth is not a concept or an ideology.  It is a relationship and not religion either.   Let me take that to another level.  We often lie to ourselves or believe things that are not true.  We all have to have a foundation of truth or an understanding of what is truth.  Go with me.  Grow with me in 1 John. 1 ...

  Matthew 5:8  MSG "You're blessed when you get your inside world— your mind and heart— put right. Then you can see God in the outside world." What does that verse mean to you? I am convinced that our inside must match what and who our God is. By the way, when our inside matches God our outside will line up with the inside. I need --- no --- we need God in the middle of everything. Think about it. God is still God. Keep Him on your mind and let Him deal in your heart. Hebrews 10:25  GN "Lets us not give up the habit of meeting together ... instead let us encourage one another."  "Without a purpose, life is motion without meaning." - Rick Warren NOTE: this devotion was originally shared in September of 2006

  Psalm 77:11  NLT But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. It is a great thing to remember.  Tuesday, September 11, 2001 is one of those days that we say we will never forget.  The towers in New York City collapsed after being hit by airplanes killing hundreds of people, and there were the crashes at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania too.  We will remember. There are lots of other days that we will remember.  Depending on our age there are dates that stick out to us.  I hear people speak of the day President Kennedy was shot, the day Pearl Harbour was attacked and others.  I remember the day Elvis Presley died, the shooting of President Reagan, when the space shuttle Challenger exploded in 1986 and others. Each of those holds a special place in our hearts.  But there are also the things that God has done that I remember.  It might have been something God did or something that God used in m...

  John 10:10  NASB The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. That is a verse we quote at church a lot.  There are other verses that stick out and are shared, too.  Like Jeremiah 29:11 and God knows there is more for us.  Another is John 3:16 that God loved all the world.  Then there is Psalm 23 with the Lord as our shepherd.  Over and over there are other verses that stick out. But for me the verse above, John 10:10, has become a lighthouse helping me remember and know that our God is a giver and not a taker.  He is set on abundance for me and for those who follow Him. I like the thought of abundance and His awesome plan for our lives.  I am ready to focus on what God will do as I seek to follow Him and help others do the same.   Matthew 25:29  NLT To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who d...

  Our church family went last night to see the movie “My Brother’s Crossing”.  It was an incredible event and also great to have many of our people in the same room and being so blessed. You’ve got to see this movie.  It is playing in two places in our town.  Also playing in Roanoke and Westlake.  Have heard it is playing in about 100 places around the nation including Texas, South Carolina, Illinois and many more.  Look for it at your local theater, and if it is not there, ask for it.  Learn more by going to https://mybrotherscrossing.org .  You can also go to the IMDB website. We first learned of this story when we met JT Clark.  I shared much of this last week in devotions.  He has not shared at our church several times.  The message of forgiveness and love is one that never gets old. Why is that?  It is because we all need forgiveness and love.  We have the opportunity to get it from God, and God calls each of us to sh...

  Proverbs 18:22  NASB He who finds a wife finds a good thing And obtains favor from the Lord. Twenty seven years ago today.  That was the day we said “I do” and made our commitment to each other.  There have been a lot of changes since then.  We have gone through, gotten through and been blessed many times through it all. I am grateful for Julie and the life God has given us.   It was in December of 1992 that I believe God began to open my life to prepare me for marriage.  I had met Julie the month before when I began to pastor my first church in Georgia.  In early January we began dating.  We actually got engaged in February and were married the following September.   Some have said we are that family with the perfect kids, the best marriage and the home with the white picket fence.  That could not be further from the truth.  We have had our struggles in so many areas.  We still struggle.  We have dealt with sicknes...

  Today is the release of the movie “My Brother’s Crossing” that I have been speaking about, and I want to point you back to the first time I shared about it and JT Clark.   It is a story of forgiveness and being the walking and living Jesus before those who need Him.  Get the book and read it.  “In the Blink of an Eye” by JT and Terri Lee Clark.  See the movie playing in many places.  “My Brother’s Crossing” will impact many lives.  And do notice that there a couple scenes where people in our community are a part, including myself.  What a humbling and sweet experience. Below is the post I shared in October 2015.  God is using this story, and it is only getting bigger.  This really is God’s story.  Pray for those who hear it!  Read on… Ephesians 4:32   NLT Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Earlier this week there was a story in our local news...