Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  Isaiah 61:1  NLT   The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. Jesus repeated that Scripture in His ministry, and it has rattled through what I do many times.  This is powerful and important truth. Julie and I wanted the move “Sound of Freedom” again yesterday.  It is about Tim Ballard who has battled to release children caught in the sex slave trade.  The movie is streaming online and worth your time.  It is tough to watch, but it is a true story reminded us of what is going on in so many places. One of the things that it says at the end of the movie is that there are more people living in slavery today than in any other time of history, even when slavery was legal.  That hurts my heart. Yes, there are many who have been sold and are being used in the sex trade in t...

I really enjoyed sharing yesterday’s e-devotion about first verses.  Thinking about the things that come to our minds allows us do with our thoughts what needs to be done. It is kind of like organizing the pantry or your closet.  I am a bit OCD and like things a certain way.  Sometimes that means the colors have to match.  It always means putting like things with other like things.  We need to do the same with the thoughts that reach our brains. First things first.  Put the thoughts that aren’t from God where they ought to go: 2 Corinthians 10:5  NLT We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. Grab those thoughts and organize them.  The ones that come from the enemy need to be thrown away. Next choose the truth.  here are just a few of those thoughts that change us if we really, really believe them.  It is time to organize these: Romans 8:1-2...

  This past Sunday I shared a message titled “Jesus is greater than…” and talked about how the book of Hebrews outlines the greatness of our savior and the son of God.  There are many ways that Jesus is greater than other things and people, but what we really do know is that the creator and holder of everything is the greatest. That is Jesus.  He is before all things, and all things are through Him.  Continue to lift Him up, yet this is not always easy.  It is easy to let other things stand above Jesus.  So, how do you make sure that doesn’t happen? Here are a few thoughts and verses that come to mind in how we keep Jesus the greatest.  These are some of my go-to and favorite verses. Set Your Mind Colossians 3:2  NASB Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. Focus on Jesus Hebrews 12:2  NLT We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith… Take Thoughts Captive...

There are some incredible songs playing on Christian radio. Let me give you just a few of the lines that have hit my heart: Josh Baldwin’s “Stand in Your Love” …  My fear doesn’t stand a chance when I stand in your love. Michael W. Smith’s “Surrounded” …  It may look like I’m surrounded but I’m surrounded by your love…this is how we fight our battles. Tauren Wells’ “Known” …  I’m fully known and loved by you, you won’t let go no matter what I do. Lauren Daigle’s “You Say” …  You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing, You say I am strong when I think I am weak, And You say I am held when I am falling short, When I don’t belong, oh You say that I am Yours Each has huge truth to pour in to our lives.  We need to hear and hold these. With that said, I struggle.   There.  I said it.  At times I struggle with thoughts that I am ashamed of, with depression and even low self-esteem at times, with anger and selfishn...