Michael Harrison's e-devotion

Pray.  Pray for those who have been impacted by Hurricane Ian.  I have watched, prayed and been awaiting news from many people over the last few days.  Our community is beginning to see a little of the results of the storm. Pray for those impacted, those who lost loved ones, those who have lost homes and other possessions… God knows the needs.   It is easy to watch from a distance or even to discount things because it is not affecting our lives.  How do I need to adjust this view?  And it does need to be adjusted soon. Here are just a few things to keep in mind.. especially at a time when things are out of your control. Proverbs 3:25-26  NLT   You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, 26 for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap. No reason to fear when God is in control.  It really is and must be faith over fear. 1 John 3:17  NLT   If someone...

We really do have victory in Jesus.  He promises it.  He provides it.  We claim the promise God provides. Psalm 20:7  NLT   Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God. It is time with live out what we have heard and sang and believe.  Our success is based not on our skill or hard work, our resources or luck.  Our success and victory is based on our obedience to Christ. Trust Him for victory.  E.M. Bartlett said it this way: I heard an old, old story How a Savior came from glory How He gave His life on Calvary To save a wretch like me I heard about His groaning Of His precious blood's atoning Then I repented of my sins And won the victory, yeah Oh, victory in Jesus, my Savior forever He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood He loved me 'ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood I heard about His healing Of His cleansing power revealing...

  Life is full of ups and downs, celebrations and sad times, weddings, births and funerals.  Everyone goes through some difficult things in life, but the question is how will we deal with such times?  When you need help, who do you go to or where do you look for it?   Psalm 121:1-3 NLT I look up to the mountains- does my help come from there?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!  He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.   Each day presents itself with the obstacles that I have to deal with.  I have watched God work in tremendous ways.  Watching and experiencing people follow God really is amazing and inspiring.  Yet there are also those times when you lose someone close to you, and his or her death is not expected.  Much pain comes from their death as well.   In those places we need the help of God.  We need to know that personally, and we can and must help others...

We have the ability to make a difference in the lives of people both near and far away from us.  Yet we will not impact others if we don’t plan to do that.  Think about how your life and resources count.  How will you make a difference in the lives of others. This evening is a rally for homelessness in our community.  Since about 2009 we have sought to serve and make a difference in the lives of those who find themselves homeless in our community.  If we don’t serve, needs will go unmet.  Join me… Here are three principles that will challenge us to make a difference over things we literally can change.  Read and pray through these…   1.  You cannot change what you avoid.   2.  You cannot complain about what you tolerate.   3.  You cannot impact what you run from.   My friend Manny Ohonme shared those principles with me years ago, and they remain true today.   Joshua 1:9  NLT This is my co...

  Romans 12:13  NLT   When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. There is a need, and you can help make a difference.  Let me share a bit today! Tuesday at 6pm is a Rally for Homelessness in our community.  You have heard me say before that I am committed to serving those who are homeless in our area, and the time is growing closer that this will become a reality.  Now, we need your help. This rally will begin at the big chair on Church Street in Uptown Martinsville which is across the street from the former Globeman’s Department Store.  People are asked to gather at 6pm with signs in hand to join voices and with others to walk to the city municipal building asking for funding and to raise awareness of this need.  Will you join me? Why homelessness?  Because there is a need.  And because people matter to God and should matter to us. Why homelessness?  Because the need continues to ...

It is the end of the week, and my heart is still full.  In fact God is doing some things that I am so excited about.  That is why I will close out this week with the overflow. Yes.  Overflow.  Just some things from my time with God this week, from the trip to Cuba, from the planning I am doing for the days ahead.  Soak in some of these things.  God is working, and I am grateful! Watch to see where God is working and join Him.  - Henry Blackaby (from the book Experiencing God ) If you want to impress people, talk about your successes.  If you want to impact people, talk about your failures… if you want to influence people, let your actions speak louder than your words. - Benny Tate Isaiah 43:19  NLT   For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. It is the people.  That is what really matters.  Make much of the people around you.  We don’t inf...

  Colossians 3:12   NASB So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; I have shared some things with you that are close to my heart, things that I am passionate about and ministry that keeps me going in awesome ways.  I really do love what I get to do for a living and the people I get to do it with. But some days are tough.  This stuff is heavy in so many ways, and it is important to learn how to deal with my own heart when things get in unexpected.  Go a little further because some times we let things into our heart that aren’t easy to deal with. It is critical that we put on a “heart of compassion” so that we can give others what we have received from God.  As Paul wrote to the church at Corinth when passing on to them the Lord’s supper he said that it was his responsibility to pass on to others what God had given to him.  We have to give it all away.  All ...

Do you know your favorite things?  I do.  Over the last several months I have met some people that bless me and encourage me big time.  Take a look at the picture on this devotion.  Those four men encourage me big time.  One of them I have known for a few years.  The other three I have just men. Joshua 1:6-7  NLT   “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them.  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. These guys are leading sports ministry across the country of Cuba, and their work is having great impact.  To listen to what God is doing through their leaderships amazes and encourages me. One of the guys has a testimony that caught me off guard when I met him back in May.  L...

I will spend a few days this week and next talking about my trip to Cuba, and specifically today I want to talk about a few things that are heavy on my heart. 1 Thessalonians 3:2  NASB   and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the benefit of your faith, It is a joy to serve with friends in Cuba and with the Madem / FCA sports ministry.  God continues to touch hearts and to draw people in to a close relationship with Him.  I have met some incredible people whose testimonies are strong and growing.   On this past trip I met two couples who came to faith while playing baseball, accepted Jesus as their Savior and are faithful to the church.  One of those who on the street and addicted to illegal drugs.  Now he is married, living by faith and changed because of his relationship with Jesus. I met another young lady, a girl almost 13 years old, that was taken in by a local church af...

This Sunday I shared a message about our influence.  It is important that our influence counts for what really matters.  We talked about the relationship between Paul and Timothy and how their lives were an example pointing people to Jesus. Influence is important.  It is something we cherish and choose!  The way that I share it, learned it and believe it is this … Whoever shows up most in someone’s life wins the battle of influence. Show up.  That is where we make the biggest difference for the people we want to influence.  But if we don’t show up, we cannot be an influence.  If you are there for only a few and gone, you loose your influence.  If you never show up, you have no influence.  If your character does not line up with your intentions and words, you screw up your influence.  But if you keep showing up and are consistent to show up and to live, your influence will increase substantially. I want to be the one who influences people...

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 in love.   I have been waiting for this day and this trip.  I am on the way or have arrived arrived in Cuba for another mission trip, and I am excited about all God is doing.  It is an honor to be part of the sports ministry in Cuba that works with FCA and . This ministry is led by Alex Martinez whose wife will have their second child in October.  They are hoping to buy a home soon, and our FCA leaders are helping to make that happen.  Pray for wisdom and for God to provide. This coming week there will be a group of 15 plus people meeting in Cuba to help take further steps to help athletes and coaches know Christ.  Pray for the connections and the resources needed to make this ministry successful across Cuba.   Please pray for a couple things to...

How personal is your faith?  In other words are you living off of what someone else believes, or are you bought in, understanding God loves you and that Jesus died and lives for you? Let me go a little deeper… when the struggle comes, will you still believe in God?  When there aren’t any answers, when there are lots of reasons to run, when the pain of this world seems to be greater than ever, will you lean on God or lean on yourself? That is a tough one to answer.  There is no turning back.  Or is there?  When times get tough, do we get tough or do we run the other way?  Honestly, too many are running the other way, waffling in their beliefs. This is a personal word.  Be careful.   Matthew 26:35  NLT  “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same. Do you remember what Peter did?  He committed to stay close, to stick with Jesus no matter what.  What did ...

1 Thessalonians 5:11  NLT   So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. We ought to be the people who help others know how special they are.  It is our words, words of kindness and encouragement, that make a difference.   Words can be used to hurt or to help.  Often the right words chosen just at the right time can do damage to the people they are given to.  Yet we ought to use all we have, including our words, as something like gifts to those who they are given to.   Speak life and strength over the people that means the most to you.  That is a choice I want to make, especially to the people closest to me.  That is my family and friends.  Sometimes these people get the worst and not the best. Take the opportunity to build up, not to tear down.  Choose words that bring courage.  In fact we are told by God to use the name of Jesus to give light and strength to those they are given to. The foll...

  I am at a pastor’s meeting this week.  I would like to share a couple things that stood out to me from yesterday.  Just some simple thoughts, a verse and some quotes. May God continue to guard us and guide us as we choose to follow Him. —Cancel culture is so great in our world and has become part of the church, which is not good. There cannot be unity where there is false judgment.  —Pursuit of purity is vital. It is a gift of the Lord.  Why do we want to be pure? Is your desire to be pure because of the Glory of God or the approval of man?  That is a powerful word right there. —Is it possible to finish strong?   —Discouragement in the present can overshadow God moments of the past and hamper your future. —You will run into discouragement. —If you want to navigate change, you will get hit by the arrows. —It’s encouraging to see men like Elijah who also struggled lows and highs. And I will close with a verse that has run through my mind.  In fact...