Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  God has a plan.  We can trust His plan.  But you might ask at times why things are tough or why the struggle keeps on.  That is a great question. God can be trusted, but we can align ourselves with God.  In following Him there are so many things that come in to place.  Our choices really do make a difference.  Our decisions have consequences.   Good and bad.  Those choices and then the consequences are either leading us closer to God or further from Him. So, who are you following?  Who are you learning from?  What is the legacy you want to leave?  What kind of life do you want to live? Those questions can be best answered, in my opinion, from people of faith.  Learn from those who have followed God before you.  Their lives might just some what of a pattern that helps your life.   Try this one. Philippians 4:8-9  NLT   And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is tr...

  Be careful to avoid wrong turns.  It is easy to get lost or confused or just miss where you are headed.  There are lots of reasons why we get off track and take wrong turns as we travel.  The same very true for us spiritually. Proverbs 16:9  NLT   We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. Proverbs 16:25  NLT   There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. It may seem like the right direction.  It might even feel right, but in the end you are literally in the wrong place, going the wrong way and have to make changes. What needs to change in our lives that will keep us on the right road?  Maybe it is like changing the GSP in your car or phone so that it leads you the right way.  Connect back to God for His direction and see that your life is headed the right way. This might be something we all need to be reminded of.  The wrong way or even just barely going in the wrong direction wil...

  It is a new year with all that brings.  Some are making resolutions.  Some are planning for changes or challenges.  All the while we have an opportunity to keep on living.  For Christians we choose to renew our faith and strengthen what we know already. I challenged our church yesterday to make some specific choices that bring us closer to God.  In fact I believe that when we choose to discipline ourselves and put God first, the outcome will bring great results. Philippians 3:13-14  NLT   No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. I asked the church to think about 1.  Three specific things to do.  All three will remind us that we mean business with God and our faith. Choose 1.  One meal.  One hou...

  The end of this week I will be back in Cuba serving with the sports ministry there, and what an honor it is to work with this incredible group of people who are seeing God to so many things.  Lives are being changed by God. Take some time to think about our choices.  Get on your mind what God has on His and follow what He says.   When our choices show we are following God, the outcome is different.  Life is not perfect.  There will always be difficult things, but serving and following God will always bring us to places where we find peace and blessing.   Perspective is important.  Choose to act and speak based on what God says.  Think of the outcome you desire.  It might just be the difference between a tough time and a blessed time, chaos or peace.  Follow what God says.   Luke 14:28  NLT   “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost t...

There is more to life that just getting through.  In fact when we have a desire to really live, to enjoy life, we will look at things in a very different way.  Take a few minutes and think about how you find meaning in life. 2 Timothy 1:7  NLT   For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. Fear robs us of life and of joy.  Let your fear be swallowed up by the love that God promises and has given to you. John 10:10  NLT   The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. Our enemy is a taker.  Our God is a giver.  Choose who you are going to follow, who you are going to listen to and who you will let guide your life. Romans 6:14  NLT   Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. Back to fear.  Fear and being tied down from si...

We started a new series at church on Sunday.  It is called “Pre-Decide” and is built on the understanding that we ought to be making better choices and can do just that.  But the only way is to let truth, preferably God’s truth, and our faith guide our decisions before emotions and feelings guide our decisions. Joshua 24:15  NLT   But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua made that decision.  It was pretty clear for him as it is for me.  I choose now, no matter what happens or how I feel, to trust God and lean on Him for wisdom and guidance. What is the difference between those who are really making a difference and the rest of the world?  It boils down to our decisions.  Our decisions are incredibly and indescribably i...

Make some choices that count.  Think through the things that you hang on to and how those will impact your life tomorrow or next month.  That is because our choices will impact our lives and the lives of those around us. We don’t always choose that perspective or the one that will have the greatest influence.  Too often we choose what feels good or what is fine.  Only to find that the consequences of our choices have led to pain between friends, impact on our health or something that cannot be reversed. Find the things that bring life and health, strength and peace, smiles and closeness to your life and to others.  Those choices will have impact for a long time in great ways that will leave you much better.  What are those choices for you! Ephesians 4:32  NLT Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Choose kindness and forgiveness over being mean or becoming bitter Romans 12:14...

What do you do when everything seems to be in chaos?  Or maybe it is not chaos and just the struggle that comes with life. We all face challenges.  Some are big.  Some are small.  Some are irritations while others are fiercely difficult with huge results that you have to deal with for some time.  No matter the size, no matter the challenge, God is still with us. Here are some thoughts for this Friday of how to deal with the challenges that come our way. Be still. Psalm 46:10  NLT “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Choose peace. John 14:27  NASB Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. Think right. 2 Corinthians 10:5  NASB We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience...

Job 11:18  NLT Having   hope   will give you   courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety. These two things are linked in so many ways.  Hope and courage are family members.  They are characteristics of people who care about themselves and the people around them.  They are ways that God builds His people and what is used to guides us through this adventure called life. Hope reminds us that there is more to life than self and struggle.  Courage pressed us on.  Maybe it is not just that simply, yet that seems to make sense. Psalm 31:24  NLT So be strong and   courageous, all you who put your   hope   in the   Lord ! Sounds like a command to me.  Not one of those like the sign that says “don’t walk on the grass”.  But it is one of those that if you choose this thing that other thing will happen. Choose to be strong and your hop...

Share your story. Not someone else’s story but the one that God has built and given to you. 1 Peter 3:15  NKJV But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always   be   ready   to   give   a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the   hope   that is in you, with meekness and fear; I have had the honor of being at some local schools and at several events this week in our community where Rich Garza, who formerly played professional football, shared his story and faith.  He talked a lot while in schools about the choices we make and the voices we listen to. Many students have responded about choices they are thinking about and have made.  It is incredible to see how God will use our story to encourage others to follow Him. Your story is powerful.  If you know Jesus, have made Him your savior, then you have a story to share.  Simply tell what God has done for you when yo...