Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  Proverbs 10:21  NLT   The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense. A word that encourages, an act that lifts someone, a helping hand… all of those things may change someone’s life.  Did you realize that? One of the things that I have talked about for years is the power of putting your hand on someone’s back.  It may be the encouragement they need to keep going, to go further, to not stop, to make a difficult decision, to do the right thing, to be kind, to know they aren’t alone, to try something new, to stop doing what is hurting them and others, to seek God, to live life… You get the point.  Or I hope you do. Be the encouragement someone needs today.  Put your hand on someone’s back.  Help others be better and stronger by giving just a little bit of what you have been given. This is one of the things that we have talked about ministry doing for those who are in difficult times.  It might be ...

Let me introduce you to two people.  I have some new heroes. Matthew 23:11  NLT The greatest among you must be a servant. I walked in to the room this last Monday night before the event started.  Many of the helpers for this event, an FCA event at our local community college, were busy getting things prepared as it was the first day of school and all student athletes and coaches were invited.  Before we knew it well over 120 of them arrived. But in the process I observed some of them while I was helped with the meal and various things around the huge room near the pond on campus. First there was this guy.  I believe he plays baseball.  He has lots of hair and even growing a beard.  I am guessing this is his first day of college after graduating from high school this last spring.  I was carrying cases of water from one place in the room to where they would be served.  He jumped up and grabbed the case I left behind, and when we arrived at the ...

James 5:16 NASB Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Do you ever have someone ask for you to pray for them?    I do and it happens often in my line of work.    One of the pieces of my life that I try to commit to is stopping to pray for that person when they ask.    That request may come in person, on the phone, via Facebook, in an email or letter and maybe several difference ways.    Praying at that point is important. When we stop at that moment and pray for them, we say "you are important to me".    We might even say through our pray that "God cares about you" which is incredible. I'm going to leave today's thought at this … "pray for each other" … make it part of your life.    It take 30 seconds or less to stop and take the time to pray.    It may change someone's lif...

There are times we simply need reminders.  This week will be full of life for me and for our family.  There are a couple ministry things I get to be part of, but we are also set for our daughter Ruth’s wedding on Saturday. So much to praise God for.  So many people to pray for as they travel.  So much life to enjoy.  I choose to look up and enjoy the week.  I also chose to pour in to the lives of others. Pray for those dealing with sickness and those stressed over the virus around the world.  Pray for those going through their own crisis.  We never know what the people around us are going through. That is why today is for reminders… James 5:16  NASB Therefore, confess your sins to   one   another, and   pray   for   one   another   so that you may be healed. The effective   prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Pray for one ...

Today’s devotion is from one of my reading plans yesterday that I am reading with a couple guys.  This one spoke to me and about the reason we started our church over 13 years ago.  As you read this ask yourself how you are connected in community. Why do we need community? What if we just one-anothered one another better? — Andy Stanley  From the beginning of creation, being alone was never the plan. So, God did something about that by creating fellowship for humans.   That’s where  community  comes in.  So, what  is  community? As Christ followers, community is having meaningful relationships where we do life together by sharing, encouraging, serving, forgiving, and chasing faithfully after God.  Community is where we can be our true selves with others. It is our safe place; the place where we can share our greatest accomplishments and joys as well our darkest moments and failures. It is where ...

Pray for one another.  That is a command.  It is a heart issue at the center of it.  Be careful how you promise to pray and for those people that are in need.  Be sensitive to the needs and hearts of others.  Prayer goes a long way. Prayer connects us to God.  Prayer connects us to others.  Often our prayers connect others to God as well. Here is a devotion from one of my favorites, Henri Nouwen.  As you read ask the Lord to help you do well in praying for others! God’s Heart Has Become One With Ours When we say to people, “I will pray for you,” we make a very important commitment. The sad thing is that this remark often remains nothing but a well-meant expression of concern. But when we learn to descend with our mind into our heart, then all those who have become part of our lives are led into the healing presence of God and touched by him in the center of our being. We are spe...