Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  Philippians 2:5  NLT   You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. That verse is one that keeps coming back to my mind.  I believe it is a reminder from God that I often need. It fits in with some important things that make a lot of since.  One of those are the verses that follow it.  It talks about why Jesus came to earth.  He is savior.   Philippians 2:6-8  NLT   Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8  he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Those verses are very clear in how Jesus gave what we couldn’t give so we could receive what God wanted us to have.  That is the cross and the payment for sin.  Jesus provided for our salvation. Most above that first first for more of Jes...

  Jesus is our example.  There are times that I get overwhelmed with who He is and what He did.  He always had a reason behind what He did.   Matthew 9:36  NLT   When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.   He saw people.  When Jesus saw people, He knew why He was sent from God.  He was moved to loved people.  Many times in the Bible we are told that Jesus had compassion on people because of their need. That is where I believe we have to step in, learn from God and make a difference.   This is more than a one time event.  Jesus built people, taught truth and lived out truth in order to bring people and us close to God.   Matthew 5:1-2  NLT  One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.   Because of the need of people, Je...

  Ephesians 4:32  NLT   And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. How we respond to people does make a difference.  It makes a big difference. Some situations require us to be stern and strong.  Other situations demand humility and quiet.  Every situation requires a response of some kind, and that is why I ask us to think through we respond to people going through so many different situations. Be kind.  That is the first.  Being kind is one of the things that costs us nothing, and kindness can open hearts and doors and so much more. Be compassionate.  This is one of those Philippians 2:3-4 where we look out for others and not just ourselves.  Jesus chose to have compassion on the people He dealt with. Be forgiving.  What might be the hardest thing to do might just be the most important.  We have been forgive, as the verse above says.  We should extend forgi...

  We get to serve.   It all began in 2001 after we moved to Virginia.  There were lots of opportunities to serve where our church and I could be a part.  There are always opportunities.  There is always a list.   One of those was through Raceway Ministries at the speedway in Martinsville where NASCAR comes to town every year.  And as Paul Harvey would say, “that’s the rest of the story”.   Not sure how many races I have been to, but I can tell you that I have only watched a few laps of some race.  In these years I have met thousands of race fans from all over the country and some foreign countries. It has been full of conversations.  Full of praying for people.  Full of talking about life, sharing snacks and coffee, giving golf cart rides from one place to another and so much more.   But the best part …  We get to talk about Jesus.  Not only does our team host worship services at the speedway before the big race, but ...

  We have come to Friday, the close of another week, and I remind you of just one of the spiritual disciplines that can keep us centered.  That is reading Scripture. Centered.  That is a weird word.  It is also one we need to understand with all of our minds and hearts. Have ever noticed how a car looks and acts when it’s front end if out of alignment?  It can be all over the road and is tough to keep in between the lines.  The tires will wear unevenly and need to be replaced more often.  It can even look like it is going side ways.  Being aligned or centered is important for a car. It is also important for us as Christians.  Keep our eyes and heart and mind on what matters and keep moving forward.  The is what Scripture does for me.  That is what staying in the book of Proverbs does (one chapter per day, and today is March 20.  So read Proverbs 20). Here are verses for each of the last 5 days that helped me stay centered on Go...

  What keeps you going?   There are many different answers to that question.  But most often for me that is tied to the purpose that God has given me.  He put in my heart things that cannot be removed.  It is the passion to serve those who cannot give anything in return.  It is a desire to make a difference in the places where people are struggling.   What stays on my mind?   That question and answer is similar to the first one, but it is a bit different.  Family is one of the most important parts.  I miss those who are far away.  Julie’s family is a few hundred miles away.  My brothers are over 1,000 miles away.  Our children are scattered but what a blessing when we get to be together.   The things that consume our minds and hearts are important.  Make sure that those things have been filtered through what God loves and cares so deeply about.     God loves people.   That is what stays on my heart...