Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  Today is set aside by our country as the National Day of Prayer.  The first Thursday of May each year.  Choose to spend some time today in prayer. 2 Chronicles 7:14  NLT Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.   That one important verse is shared in many places, quoted in sermons and repeated in so many places.  When we talk about the needs of our country and the world, this is where we should turn.  If you read the verses that surround it, there is much, much to learn.   Solomon had just completed the construction of the temple.  It was a beautiful landmark that his father, King David,  wanted to build, but it was his son, now king Solomon, that brought the temple in to its glory.  God appears to him and reminds Solomon of the...

  7 signs.  I am not talking about 7 signs of end times.  I am not talked about the 7 signs you saw on the side of the road.  I am also not talking about the 7 signs of getting older (although I might can share a few).  I am not talked about the top 7 signs of having the greatest team of all time. I am talking about 7 signs God gives us every week that we should be aware of. Ephesians 5:16  NLT   Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. We are given 7 days each week.  I suggest to us that they are signs.  Each day is a gift, and we have a choice in how we use it.  We can waste it.  We can make the most of it like the verse says. Some people live for the weekend.  You might say your favorite day of the week is Friday or Sunday or whatever, but do we use each and every day to its fullest? Here are the signs.  God gives us life.  God gives us opportunities.  Use your days in a way that glorifies God. R...

  Finishing up a good week, and there is so much ahead.  School began this week in our community.  Preparing for a mission trip next week and another next month.  Add to that so many people in need and on my mind. How to do you stay focused and make sure that you don’t miss the important things?  That is a tough question, but let me remind you of a couple things. Proverbs 3:9-10  NASB   Honor the Lord from your wealth, And from the first of all your produce; 10 Then your barns will be filled with plenty, Isaiah 55:6  NLT   Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. That first passage from Proverbs may speak to our stuff, but it also is about our time and what is important to us.  Second verse is really about opportunities. Start your day with God.  Choose to spend time with Him.  Listen to Him.  Pray.  Search for Him, like Isaiah said. I find it is before anything happens that our da...

  Ephesians 4:15  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.   Today is an important day in our nation as a new president takes office.  Please join me praying for the USA.   It is also the day to remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Dr. King was great man who spoke up for those being oppressed.  We learn much from he taught and shared and even more from his heart.  He was a servant.     Here are some quotes from him that will remind us of some important truths we need to hold on to…   Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.   The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.   We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid ...

  Today is Halloween.  For some it is an important day, but for many others this day is about evil.  Let’s check our perspective.   I encourage you to focus on what really matters.  Truth is simple.  The one who provides for us is willing to do so much more and make sure that our future is secure.   Jesus is life.  God is peace.  You are loved by God.   God is not just willing to help us and be with us, but it is His nature to make our lives stronger and better.  Remember who you are.  You are forgiven.  Focus on God.  Doing that will change almost every situation, will remove shame, encourage others and allow us to know real and lasting peace.  That is why we need to share the love of God as it has been shared with us.   Enjoy the day.  Halloween.  Enjoy the candy and the fun.  But most of all enjoy life!  Now, share that with others.   Romans 5:1  NLT   Therefor...

  One of the sweetest days of the year is Mother’s Day, yet it is also a day that comes with so many emotions  Many have lost their mother or may have lost a child.  It is this day that reminds us that there are people who have poured in to our lives that have made a difference in our lives. There are many of those in my life.  From my mom, to my wife, to so many other ladies through the year that have made me a better person.  Scripture is clear that godliness and Christ-likeness are vitally important.  Think about it. Proverbs 31:28-29  NLT   Her children stand and bless her.  Her husband praises her: 29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” It is in Proverbs 31 where we find so much about the women who have made us stronger and strengthened our faith in God.  Hey are some things that stick out in this chapter: A godly person must be a person that can be trusted (see verse 11).  A...

  Love is one of the most important parts of our faith.  It is also one of the most important parts of our lives and families.   When it comes to this day, Valentine’s Day, love becomes something that is just about relationships, couples and romance.  While those things are important, real love goes far beyond what is between couples. Love comes from God.  Jesus is the best example of love.  Love is what we share with the world around us as we want to introduce them to Christ. No matter the application love is vital.  And in our marriages and relationships love is something we want to be pure and strong.  Listen in to what a portion of 1 Corinthians 13 has to say.   Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Do...