Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  John 8:36  NLT   So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. Today we celebrate freedom and fathers.  Freedom is one of those things we take for granted, and it has so many facets to it.  It could speak of prison.  It can speak of oppression.  It can speak of inner turmoil and so much more. In 1863 in our nation a declaration was made to free slaves in the the United States of America.  Yet as I read in an interesting article yesterday there were parts of the nation that did not hear about this for two years.   In other words there were still people living without freedom who were declared free.  Live as free people!  But until you know know you are free you can can not do that.  Celebrate freedom!  You cannot celebrate until you know and live free. My prayer is that we will celebrate the freedom given in the past, and we will also know the freedom that comes to us through God.  He frees us from sin.  He f...

  Yesterday was Father's day, and I grateful and blessed to be a father to three great children.  Also Julie and I were blessed with great and godly fathers.  We have so much to be thankful for. That is why I take some time the first of this week to point you to the wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon who was the son of King David.  There are so many things we can talk about when it comes to the example of great and godly Fathers. Here is just one place in Scripture that reminds me of what a godly father is like.  Read these verses and take note of what a godly father is like. 2 Chronicles 1:1,7-12  NLT  1 Solomon son of David took firm control of his kingdom, for the Lord his God was with him and made him very powerful. … 7 That night God appeared to Solomon and said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” 8 Solomon replied to God, “You showed great and faithful love to David, my father, and now you have made me king in his place...

  Who are the men that have influenced your life?  That list for me is a long one, yet there are a few that stand out or rise in my heart because of how God used them in my life and family. Sunday was Father’s Day.  It is a difficult one for those who have lost their fathers or who never had a father.  That is real for me as a couple of the men I think of have moved on to heaven.  May we be influencers and encourage others to do the same. Proverbs 4:1  NLT   My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment, Back to that list …  My dad was a great influence in my life.  I remember his commitment to our family, to the church and to being a servant.  His voice was one of wisdom and strength.  Another influencer was my father in law.  When I needed a godly man close to me, he stood out and was a man of faith and acceptance.   There are so many people that could be on this list, and I do ...

Deuteronomy 5:16  NLT “Honor   your   father   and mother, as the   Lord   your God commanded you. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the   Lord   your God is giving you. My blessing. My dad. Happy father’s day, Richard Harrison.  Since as early as I can remember you have been a great and incredible influence on my life.  You are a blessing from God for me and my brothers. What does a great father look like?  That is a tough question because our world has become callus and ok with what is nominal. God requires much more than nominal.  It is the opinion of the Bible and I agree that parents have a great responsibility to raise children to be successful in life and to honor God in all they do. This is tough.  It is mostly tough because of the days we live in. Let me share with you what I learned from my dad and from being a dad. Be there. ...