Michael Harrison's e-devotion

Take a walk with me in to the “hall of fame”.  No, not Nascar in Charlotte or Baseball in Cooperstown.  But faith in Hebrews 11.   These people, some we know well and some we don’t, live like we can.  Yes, our faith sail high or fail being low.  We can trust God or do our own thing.  That choice reminds us that blessings are really tied to faith.  Obedience brings blessing. You and I have heard that and seen that before.  These people encourage me.  Walk through the hall of fame with me… Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rehab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel… wow.  What a list.  Go learn more about them.  But what does this passage say about them? Verse 1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Verse 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who ...

Take one side and then the other.  There are many times in the Bible when sides are taken or compared, and it often comes in with great weight and wisdom. Such is the book of proverbs where the wisest man to ever live, King Solomon, offers to us life giving quips that never seem to end.  If you believe you can trust God’s word, than remember that the Bible always explains itself. Take a few minutes to look at these verses.  They balance out the scales and give us deep perspective.  I need His wisdom far more than anyone else’s. Psalm 34:4  NLT I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Psalm 94:19  NLT When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. Fear and faith. Isaiah 40:30  NLT Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. 2 Corinthians 12:10  NLT That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I ...

One of my favorite parts of ministry is back2school.  Well our 2021 planning for this exciting project is off and running.  Last evening a great group of leaders gathered in a virtual meeting to begin the year. The stories were incredible.  There were ideas shared as well as many smiles, laughs and joy shared from people at many different locations planning for what might be the grandest year ever for this ministry.  Stronger, better, more offered… even with the challenges of a pandemic. Matthew 19:14  NLT But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” It is our desire to impact the lives of students and their families.  When we serve and meet needs, our prayer is that we win the right to tell them about the greatest person who ever lived, the one who loves us most. Telling people about Jesus and showing them what Jesus is like is one of the greatest thing we can do....

  Matthew 25:35-36,40 NASB 'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ 37  "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38  'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39  'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' ... 40  "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'  Those are powerful verses.  But they are also revealing verses.  They look at what we are doing and how we look at people.  Not everyone is as compas...

We began a new series called #HopeHeroes at church on Sunday talking about people who made a difference in their world.  There are people all around us who qualify for this title.   Be careful.  We often make heroes of people who we think are extra ordinary or uncommon when in fact most really are common.  People like David.  When he was anointed king, his father was the last one he thought about.  How about Gideon?  He was hiding from everyone, not just God, and when he finally was willing to do what God asked, he thought he needed a huge army.  God dwindled that down to a few hundred to defeat thousands.  How about Paul?  The most unlikely to be a picture of faith because of his anti-faith stance and work.  Eve think about Moses. God takes the people who seem the most common and will use them to do uncommon things.  God takes what is ordinary and uses it or them to do the extra ordinary.  Remember that. Matthew 19:26...

Just because.  Because I said so. Both of those phrase hold lots of memories for me.  Reminds me of an answer my parents would give me when I asked a question or didn’t want to do something.  The other is the answer to so many questions that I don’t understand. A recent new song has caught my attention.  It is by a band named Judah, and the song is “Just Because”.  It gives one of those answers.  I really like the sound of the song, and then I really connect with what it has to say. Here is a little of the song or the lyrics.  Go find the song and listen or watch. Boldly I come Into His arms With nothing to bring But all of my heart How could this be? The way He looks in my eyes All broken and crimson sin He sees only white And I can’t do anything To gain what He’s done I’m His beloved I am His friend His love has no limit From beginning to end No angel or demon will ever separate Me from His goodness and His wonderful gaze So let me remind you Of all ...

Ashes remind us of death and repentance in the tradition of those who follow Jesus.  It is not pretty, or at least it is not meant to be.  Honestly, this ought to be an act of humility as we prepare ourselves for Easter and the understanding that Jesus gave His life for ours.  Literally there was an exchange. We aren’t worthy, but Jesus made us worthy.  Ashes remind us that we have been forgiven and enter a new life by the act and sacrifice of the only savior.  Jesus is the savior, our friend, God in the flesh and so much more. He is a hero to say the least.  He was common we are told.  Many verses in the Bible before his before and after let us know that Jesus came from a common home and led somewhat of a common life until His ministry began. Hero is not a term we use for Jesus.  But He was just that.  Or Jesus is just that.  Hero. Hebrews 10:10  NLT For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Ch...

  Sunday was a great day at The Community Fellowship as my friend, Dr. James Cook, shared a message on the Armor of God.  James’ testimony and what he has learned through a difficult journey was a real blessing.  I encourage you to go to the church facebook page and watch the message.  There are several pieces that stick out for me and that I will continue to learn from. Here is the text from the Bible.  Read it a couple times and note where God is speaking most to you.  I pray He will speak clearly and strong. Ephesians 6:10-18  NLT A final word: 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 ...

Yesterday was a very special day.  It was Valentine’s Day.  It is a day we celebrate love and what real love is all about. But it is also a day that is very hard for many people.  Those who are alone or who have lost a loved one have a hard time.  Those who have gone through a difficult relationship have a hard time with thinking about those they once cared for.  Yet this a day of celebration. What I think needs to be lifted high and almost printed on a banner for many to see.  That is the real meaning of love.  Not about the short lasting and ignorance of selfish love.  It is deeper because it doesn’t come with conditions and last a long, long time.   Spend some time, yes the day after Valentine’s Day, examining the characteristics of godly love.  This is the God kind of love. He loved us first.  1 John 4:19 His love doesn’t end.  Psalm 136 He knows us and we know Him.  1 John 4:8 This love is different from what most of ...

Walk with me back through the scripture I shared yesterday as there are a few parts that I want to share in a different light.  This is good stuff.  It really is big stuff. Romans 12:9-21  NLT Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! 17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do...

  There are so many ways to look at people.  It might be as a judge who is looking at people as a skeptic or as better than others.  There is another way that some look at people, and it is that so many are better than you. But what is the right way?  Don’t see others as an obstacle but as an opportunity.  Don’t see others as a problem but as a possibility.  How do you look at others? One of the places where we find the best way to look at and plan to share with others is the Bible.  Paul was clearly an outspoken throughout the New Testament about the believer’s place in the world.  Our place is to make a difference and to help people see God and that each of us have huge worth.  Follow Paul’s teaching and thoughts in Romans 12 with me. Romans 12:9-21  NLT Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each...

One of the songs that has caught my attention recently is the “Goodness of God”, and this is one of those powerful testimonies that I need on a daily basis.  You know what it is like to be driving down the road, a long or short trip, and a song comes on that grabs you. I have been grabbed.  It is powerful and strong.  It is one that touches my heart AND makes me want to leap for joy.  Let me just simply share the lyrics to this song with you today.   Read on.  Go listen to it.  I pray it touches your heart as it does mine. Goodness of God by Bethel Music I love You, Lord For Your mercy never fails me All my days, I've been held in Your hands From the moment that I wake up Until I lay my head Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God And all my life You have been faithful And all my life You have been so, so good With every breath that I am able Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God I love Your voice You have led me through the fire In the darkest night Y...

So many people grab on to what little hope they can find.  Often it doesn’t last, like the snow.  It is here for a little while and then disappears.  We hope in the money we get or the relationship that is rocky or the job that just isn’t a good fit.  We hope in things that aren’t meant for our hope. That is where God comes in.  That is where a relationship with the one who loved us first and loves us most comes in.  Do you hear that?  Keep listening. 1 Peter 1:3  NASB Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, Choose a living hope.  That is lasting hope and not what is fleeting. Jeremiah 31:17  NASB There is hope for your future,” declares the Lord, “And your children will return to their own territory. Choose a future full of hope that is for you and others. Psalm 146:5  NASB Blessed...