Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  Look around.  Notice your blessings and notice the many needs.  They are many of both.  Some are big.  Others seem small.  But all are so very real.   When focusing on the people around us, we see where we need to be encouragers.  Plan to make a difference in the lives of the people that we encounter every day, those close to us and others not so close.   1 Thessalonians 5:11  NASB Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.   Encourage people.  Build them up.  Building helps people stay strong, helps us to be strong and for us all to know our worth.   Hebrews 3:13  NASB But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.   The pain and heartache around us often makes us lean on the negative side of things and look at what we don’t have.  When we seek the positive and to encourage others, we don’t allow this world nor sin to be our guide.   I challen

  Romans 1:9  NLT   God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son. It is the beginning of a new week, and there is so much going on.  There are needs for us to pray for and to meet.  There are people whose lives have been and are being changed by Jesus all around as well. I just returned from an Emmaus Walk weekend.  These events are incredible opportunities for Christians to grow in their faith and to learn how much God love them and each of us.  I am grateful that we get to encourage others as well as be a part of their walk with God. Maybe someone around you today needs to be encouraged by your walk with God.  Freely talk about what God is doing and how He is working in your life.  That very well might be the light someone needs to guide them, to lighten their load or even get them started following Jesus. Then there are needs.  I am stunned by the devastation fro

  As I drove home from an out of town meeting I was enjoying music.  Mostly I listen to Christian music, and more specifically, worship music.  I enjoy the quiet and alone time.  I enjoy the scenery, time to think and more. But while I was driving one fairly new song stuck out, and I would like to share it with you in this e-devotion.   Made for More by Josh Baldwin I know who I am 'cause I know who You are The cross of salvation was only the start Now I am chosen, free and forgiven I have a future and it's worth the living 'Cause I wasn't made to be tending a grave I was called by name Born and raised back to life again I was made for more So why would I make a bed in my shame When a fountain of grace is running my way I know I am Yours And I was made for more I know who I am 'cause I know who You are The cross of salvation was only the start Now I am chosen, free and forgiven I have a future and it's worth the living 'Cause I wasn't made to be tending

  Do you ever just need to hear something?  It might be you are weak and needed some strength.  It might be you needed lifting.  It might be needed a hug or a little encouragement. No matter what you needed it came in the form of a word from God, Scripture coming alive.  God reminding you of His goodness. Here is one I got from God this week. 1 Peter 5:6-9  NLT   So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. Stay humble.   Prepare to see God.   Stop worrying and give that stuff to God. Watch out for the enemy all the time. Stand strong and opposed to the enemy. Be a person of f

  Ephesians 4:15-16  NLT    Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. What would you say to someone who is struggling and finding it hard to have hope?   Think about that question.  It is easy to share our opinion.  It is easy to point people to some book that you liked or even just to be nice.  But our words have the power to change the direction of someone’s life. Proverbs 18:21  NLT   The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. There is power in the words we use.  Choose them wisely.  Use them like a skilled carpenter uses their tools or like a musical artist plays their instrument.  Words are important and should make life better lifting us and others. What should our w

  Matthew 28:18-20  NLT   Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” As the new week begins I want to share a little overflow with you from the weekend.  It was a blessing, and there is so much more to come. We were honored by some guests to joined us as they passed through town.  Morgan and Lynn Clough has been ministry partners for almost of 20 years as we first met in the world of Raceway Ministries.  Since that time our churches have almost been mirror images seeing those who are in need in our communities.  Morgan in rural eastern Tennessee and us in southwest Virginia.  Yesterday he shared a testimony at church, and it was awesome. A the end of our service we wer

  “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” is not only a book by Dr. Suess but a reality about life.  What I experienced on the mission trip to Cuba was really found in that title.  I didn’t expect some of those places and things. Way up in the mountains where vehicles can’t go and they haul water in jugs… On a 14 hour bus ride that makes 6 or 8 stops along the way… More than an hour sitting in the office of an immigration official who speaks no English… Attending a church’s 25th anniversary and learning from some amazing leaders who love the Lord and have experienced so many things… Visiting a friend late at night at a funeral home as the prepare to bury his mother… Playing pickle ball with 10 other leaders who use sports to share the Gospel with people… Those things and so many more describe “oh, the places you’ll go” in living detail. Psalm 23:3  NLT   He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. It is along those places and so many other where conversations

  Trust you are going to have a great day.  In this e-devotion I want to share some of the overflow from the ministry in Cuba that I experienced, and today I share with you the word ENCOURAGE. I went to encourage others, but I left encouraged.  One of the things that this ministry has on my heart is to encourage the workers of the sports ministry.  And I got to do that.  Alex and his family are special to me, and our time together was sweet.  Their little boy is almost 1 year old, and he calls me HARRY.  Most everyone calls me Harrison, but he doesn’t use my whole name.  He is cute.  This family encourages me so much. Another family is Maikel and Lala Morera and their boys.  Awesome leaders and sweet family.  Another is Diocelis and Belkis Morales.  These two blessed and encouraged me big time.  I met some new pastors that I enjoyed time with.  Carlos and Iris led part of the trip I was able to be part of in a remote area of the mountains.  Wow.  I was big time blessed and encouraged.