Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  Have way through February and so much to share, to do and even to take in.  Yet I want to though some thoughts your way that have been swirling through my mind. No.  I am not giving you the negative junk.  That stuff is getting kicked to the curb where it belongs for the trash man to pick up.  In fact I would like to give you some of the thoughts that bring me to look at life in a different perspective.  It is more of what I am thankful for. Life. 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. 1 Thessalonians 3:8  NLT   It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. Not just life but new and abundant life.  That is a gift from God.  Everything from the daily ability to live but the desire for good days, living and being alive.  Life is a gift from God. People. Galatians 5:13  NLT   For you have been called to l...

As I was preparing for the Sunday morning sermon something hit me pretty hard.  We are in a series titled PRE-DECIDE, and the message was about the power and character trait of being consistent.   What hit me was that my dad is a great example of being consistent.  This past couple weeks has been a whirlwind of emotions.  Fact is there is more to come in so many ways.  Some of this I do not look forward to while other parts are very comforting and helpful. Consistency has great potential not only to impact the direction of my life but for the lives of the people I influence.  It is the key to our spiritual strength.  It is the key to your ministry Impact.  I have learned personally and see in others that this quality is the key to your physical health, key to great Relationships, to financial success and even the key to accomplishing goals.  It is not about our appearance or background or even our Education.  It’s our choice to be consis...

  There are so many things that people seek each and every day.  Most of us would confess that much of what we and others seek doesn’t last.  It is what makes us feel good either with pleasure or material things.  Either way they do not last. Make a choice to seek what lasts.  The right choices today will build our future.  The wrong choices rob our future.  The choices are yours and mine. 1 Chronicles 16:11  NLT Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. Seek the right things matters.  Seek God, and he will build your strength. Proverbs 3:6  NLT Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Seek the will of God, and He will give you the guidance to make life better and to make you wiser. Isaiah 55:6  NLT Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Just seek God.  He will be found because He is near, and He cares about you.  That is why He stays close...

Let's close out the week with some thoughts that might get the weekend going in a little different direction.  It might be a little research or reflective, but I think this will be very helpful.  It has been for me. Proverbs 23:18  NASB Certainly there is a future, And your hope will not be cut off. That is good, but I share another verse that we often hear.  It is a promise from God.  Claim it.  Think hard about it. Jeremiah 29:11  NASB For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Now for the research. What are some of your dreams or desire for your future and your family’s future? What are you doing to get you to what you desire for your future? Hard questions.  Takes some reflection as well as honesty.  God has a plan as well. If we care about what God wants and want to follow where He leads, our dreams will be from Him and even about Him.  H...

  Today I am going to share some personal thoughts and observations from the last several days.  Thanks for allowing me some personal time… Psalm 127:3-5  NLT Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. 4  Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. 5  How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates. We sat the table last night in a rather loud restaurant over a meal.  It isn’t often that we get to be with Rebecca, but the last week has been so good.  She is visiting from Hawaii to spend time with family and to meet her new niece.  It has been refreshing to be with her and to enjoy her company.  We are so blessed. Turn to the side for a few minutes and listen in to the conversation.  Ryan has grown up so much the last couple of years.  The thoughts he shared around the table were deep and even convicting.  ...

So many people grab on to what little hope they can find.  Often it doesn’t last, like the snow.  It is here for a little while and then disappears.  We hope in the money we get or the relationship that is rocky or the job that just isn’t a good fit.  We hope in things that aren’t meant for our hope. That is where God comes in.  That is where a relationship with the one who loved us first and loves us most comes in.  Do you hear that?  Keep listening. 1 Peter 1:3  NASB Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, Choose a living hope.  That is lasting hope and not what is fleeting. Jeremiah 31:17  NASB There is hope for your future,” declares the Lord, “And your children will return to their own territory. Choose a future full of hope that is for you and others. Psalm 146:5  NASB Blessed...

  Fear is a damaging thing.  In fact as we move toward 2021 we have a choice to prepare for the future and to not live out of fear.  This is a really big deal. Conversations are happening around you, I would guess, as they are happening around me.  People want to believe in something.  People are looking for hope.  We should and can be the ones delivering the message, sharing the light and being an example of how to deal with what is happening around us as well as what will happen ahead of us. The pandemic continues.  Covid is spreading.  Fear is building.  Yet all through it God is working, and he is working in incredible ways.  Do you see it?  Are you hearing about it? Scripture describes this for us in almost every book, and if you will, on almost every page of the Bible.  Take a look at Psalm 34 that opens some of this truth for the reader. Psalm 34:4-10  NLT I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from a...

Welcome to May.  May is a good month.  But it did seem like March and April were years and years long.  This new month ought to bring opportunities for growth and getting out, healing and learning, and much more. Some of the reasons that I like May …. my dad’s birthday (and this year is his 80th on May 5th), our oldest daughter’s birthday, the National Day of Prayer is the first Thursday, Mother’s Day (and I sure do miss her), school typically is out for the summer, the weather changes to be a little warmer, more signs of spring all around nature, vacation with the family is not far away, church projects and outreach is in full swing, and more. The thing that I want to share today is that we need some positive things to look to.  We need to understand that the weeks we have just come through do not define us, our families, the church, or even our country.  Growth is coming.  Challenges are coming too. How will I...

We have never been here before.  That is one reason that this situation is so hard.  Many have characterized it as worse than the tragedy of September 11, 2001.  No matter the case we have much ahead of us. It is my opinion that things will not be the same when this is over.  There will be a new normal.  In the struggles ahead we will experience things we have never experienced. We can make our plans.  We can strategize, but there is not telling what is ahead and how it will all play out. We will get there.  This will end. The most important thing is we do not give us.  This virus will not end the world.  It is not going to steal our faith. We will press on.  Paul said it best. Philippians 3:12-16  NASB Not that I have already   obtained   it   or have already   become perfect, but I press on   so that I may   lay hold...