Michael Harrison's e-devotion

It is time to pray.  Prayer the foundation of our relationship with God because without communication you do not have a relationship.  The Apostle Paul knew this well because he built the churches or the people around him through discipleship, like he did with all the churches he helped.  It wasn’t a casual relationship at all.  It was built on what mattered most which is God.   1 Timothy 2:8  NLT   In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy. There is a starting place.  Prayer.  Know the power of prayer.  Connect to God because you want to and have to.  We need Him like we need our next breathe.  Prayer is as essential to us as breathing.  Prayer is what we need to connect to Him … In the sermon yesterday I talked about Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1.  I used several verses from Colossians 1 that highlight the connection we have to God through our pray...

Colossians 4:8  NASB   For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; It is time that we, as followers of Jesus, live on mission.  Live out the purpose that God has placed in your heart. For the last two decades there has been so much shared, talked about, written about, seminars about and so much more about being “on mission” as a church and as individual Christians.  Know your purpose and live it out as your mission. God has called His people to give Him glory and tell others of His goodness. That is purpose.  It is a great mission that we have to embrace.  Yet the problem is we often choose not to live with purpose. We have talked about this several times.  I have shared my life’s mission and purpose with you in there e-devotions.  And I am overcome with what He has done in me. One of those places that I know my purpose is at home.  My wife and children are...

Today’s devotion is copied from one of my favorite daily devotions, and it is from The Navigators and was published in July of 2022. May we remember and share and know the power of the word of God.  Read the following powerful word about God’s word…  1 Peter 1:23  For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.  Sports commentators often remind us how difficult it is for a visiting team to play at someone else’s home court or field, because the home fans are so fanatical about their team. But any coach will tell you that in order to be successful and win on the road, a team must be able to overcome all the jeers and cheers. Have you noticed in the book of Acts that Paul rarely had the home field advantage? He was usually preaching the gospel in difficult venues. In Acts 19, we find him in the city of Ephesus. Here stood the great temple to Artemis–a worship built around the practice of immorality...

You most likely have heard of the website and program “I Am Second”.  It is an incredible series of short videos of people sharing how God is first in their lives, and they are second.  Check it out. You also might remember the logo or slogan that was also our church theme for 2022.  It was HE>i literally about the fact that God is greater than I am. We need to live those out.  Just like I shared yesterday.  Put God first.  Make Him the priority of your life.  Seek God.   Let’s go through this SECOND stuff for a bit today. John 3:30  NLT   He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. Make sure God is becoming greater, more important in your life. 1 Peter 5:6  NLT   So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Stay humble.  Let God lead and be lifted up. John 12:32  NLT   And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyo...

There are so many things we can list about what is first.  We could talk about our first words or first steps.  You might move on to share your first thoughts or first actions after something happened. But I start this week with some thoughts about firsts.  There are important.   Years ago I heard about some ministry impacting students in big ways.  It was not something that was getting the church lots of attention.  Simply needs were met and people were hearing about Jesus. That is when back2school was born in some conversations I was part of.  There are so many firsts that I can share, but we are in the middle of our 17th year of back2school and ready to serve students once again.  This is a great opportunity.   Think with me for a few minutes about some of the first things… 1 John 4:19  NLT   We love each other because he loved us first. God loved us first.  He sought us and blessed us first.  Long before we thought abo...

  We are in the middle of the back2school outreach, and there are so many things going on.  It is good stuff.  It is a lot of stuff. Let me take some time and unload what is in my mind.  It is a lot, especially this time of year. First,  Luke 16:9  NLT   Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home. That is a big deal.  Make others better.  Share with others.  It is something we do and should do. Second,  Ephesians 6:23  NLT   Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. Peace and faithfulness.  Share the love of God that you came to know.  Don’t just keep it inside. Now for the brain dump as it relates to back2school. Oh, the kids are the most critical piece of the entire outreach.  Not the school supplies or ba...