Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  Isaiah 55:6  NASB Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.  Seeking nothing or seeking the wrong thing has become far too common.  The wrong thing and nothing will get you to the wrong and no where.     That is why we need to … Get up.  Take a look.  Ask the questions.  Then do it all again.  All the while seeking God.   Seeking the right thing, or the right person, is always right and needed.  Step a little further … Seek your purpose.  Seek to serve others.  This will help you find your purpose in life.  Live a life that matters and make a difference.   It all comes from what we seek.  That is why we have to seek God first.   Matthew 6:33  NASB But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.   1 Chronicles 16:11  NASB Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually.   Seek God.   Seek ...

  It was a normal Wednesday evening.  Our church offers Bible study for youth and adults.  I was leading our adults through the last section of Matthew 6 as God continued speaking to me about some of the greatest things going on in my heart. He began something in me early in the week that is still going on.  What I know is that there are several parts of what God has said that run deep.  I am grateful for what God is doing.  I am also still listening so I can respond.   It isn’t always easy to go the direction God leads, but it is always the right direction.   Here are a few of the verses that have come alive this week, and I will simply give you a few thoughts after the verses.  But what I ask you to do is to read through and even pray through each verse.  Maybe God has something for you as well. James 5:16  NLT   Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteo...

  Perspective is important.  That is one of the reasons why Jesus talked so much about the kingdom of God.  It is easy to slide in to the mode and typical fashion or worrying about and building our own kingdom rather than the kingdom of God. Remember that our example is Jesus, and He spent a great deal of time with His father.  What He said came from the father.  What He did was directed by His father.  We need to do the same. And as we listen in, follow the direction, and seek more of His kingdom we will see the growth of what last for eternity rather than what fades away quickly. Beginning a new week I ask that we turn our attention to what Jesus said in one chapter about the kingdom of God.  Read on.  As you read ask yourself how does this apply to my life, my situation and family, the church I am part of and the choices that I make.  It will help you understand the heart of God. Matthew 13  NLT 24 Here is another story Jesus tol...

  What a week it has been, and it is not over.  The mission team in town is doing a great job working on our new building as well as serving in a local apartment complex.  Also, we are gearing up for a great year with back2school with the last planning meeting being tonight. So much going on, and even our youngest grandson’s first birthday is tomorrow.  That is making this week even more fun, greater and … you get it.  But it is a full and blessed week. As I was headed home late last evening a song caught my attention.  You know, it is one of those songs that leads me to think about God and even to worship.  The words took on a life of their own.  It was a song of several repeats and strong words that helped me seek God. Isaiah 55:6  NASB   Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. To seek God is to pray.  It is to focus and worship Him.  It is to let the other things that have our attention fade in t...

  Psalm 34:4  NLT   I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Do you ever have something that grabs your mind that just won’t let go?  I do, and sometimes that something is a song.  Therefore, I share with you this one. Trust in God by Elevation Worship … And what He did for me on Calvary is more than enough…  I trust in God, my Savior, The one who will never fail, He will never fail…  Perfect submission, all is at rest.  I know the author of tomorrow has ordered my steps.  So this is my story and this is my song.  I’m praising my risen King and Savior all the day long.  I trust in God, my Savior, The one who will never fail, He will never fail… He didn't fail you then, He won't fail you now … I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered That's why I trust Him, that's why I trust Him…  That is just pa...

Remember that God told us we are to be in the world but not of the world.  That means we are not be like the world, think like the world, be distracted by what the world values and so much more. That is one of the major problems that we deal with.  We want more of God, but the things around us keep our attention and often distract us from the things of God.  But it is what we allow in our lives and where we point our attention that distracts us. Today I suggest to things to help us keep our attention on God.  You might think this is simple, but it is profound.  What we store in our lives and what we seek from our lives will keep us pointed toward God or point us away from God. Think about it. Matthew 6:19-21  NLT   “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 2...

As the week comes to an end there are so many things on my mind.  I reflect on the things I have shared through the e-devotion as well as the things that are just ahead and I need to reflect, be grateful and go a little deeper. Here at the end of the week, I choose to… Truth God This week held the anniversary of my mother’s death as well as some challenges that were often under the surface.  Some friends lost their parents and som others close to me have been struggling.  I choose to trust God because He knows and He cares and He has the answers. Keep Praying So many things are in my daily prayers: my wife, our kids, the church and more.  All the things going on around the world are so heavy including Israel and that part of the globe.  My heart hurts for those in the war zone, physically and emotionally.  I choose to pray to God and lay those feelings and burdens and needs at His feet.  He is able. Show Appreciation Lots of people have made and still ...