Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  Looking Unto Jesus (poem)   Just one glimpse of Jesus and all the cloud depart; All my foes are conquered, Peace reigns in my heart. Not a lonely feeling, Not a tear may dwell. Just one glimpse of Jesus And everything is well.   Look to Jesus.  That is an imperative.  It is a must for all who choose to follow Him and to know God.  Looking to Jesus will do many different things in our lives.   Why look to Jesus?  He will change things in and around our lives.  He will establish our way and even the character that we need in life.  He is the one who did for us what no one else could do.   Make looking to Jesus a regular practice and a habit.   Hebrews 12:1-3  ESV Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising

  Don’t you love have God makes the Scripture come to life or come alive?  It is amazing how He speaks to us and life gets better, stronger and more. That is something that happened for me recently.  I will point you to a simple passage from Psalms that I read this past weekend.  But first I remind you that daily Bible reading is important to me.  It is something I challenge you to make part of your life. Listening to God changes you, changes how you see things and gives you wisdom to live.  That is what happened with Psalm 89. Psalm 89  NLT 1-2  I will sing of the Lord’s unfailing love forever! Young and old will hear of your faithfulness. 2  Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens. 5-8  All heaven will praise your great wonders, Lord; myriads of angels will praise you for your faithfulness. 6  For who in all of heaven can compare with the Lord? What mightiest angel is anything like the Lord? 7 The highest angelic powers stand in awe of G

  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 live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to sat

  We are all looking for reasons.  It might be something personal, for the family or even for something we are passionate about like the church.  But the reasons we choose to do things matters. As we close another week and move in to the weekend be challenged to look for the reasons you need.  Let the truth filter your decisions as well as your thoughts and feelings.  Be careful not to miss the best for you and those you care about. Reasons to smile and have joy. Colossians 1:11  NLT   We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, John 15:11  NLT   I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! Reasons to be grateful. Psalm 138:1-3  NLT   I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods. 2 I bow before your holy Temple as I worship.  I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfuln

  Psalm 1:1  NASB Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!   Matthew 5:3  NASB Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.   We are blessed!  The concept of blessing goes in many different directions.  Take these two verses and dig in more.    Those who lived a blessed life make choices to stay away from the wrong places.  The blessed person doesn’t walk with those who are wicked or not blessed. The blessed person doesn’t hang around with people heading in the wrong direction.  The blessed person stays away from situations and people who lead away from the blessings God has for us.   Those who are blessed realize their need for God.  That is truth of being poor in spirit.  We need God.  Stop relying on ourselves or leaning on our thinking.  Learn from God and allow His truth and wisdom to flow in and out of our lives.  That is where the blessings of heaven meet us on

Waiting isn’t easy.  Waiting isn’t fun.  I don’t have much patience, yet often in the waiting is when God is working.  When you have to wait, keep seeking God for what He is doing.   Psalm 5:3  NLT Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.   Psalm 27:14  NLT Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.   Psalm 40:1  NLT I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.   Isaiah 40:31  NLT But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.   I don’t like to wait, but I am willing because God is to have first place in our lives.  God is guiding my path and my family and doing things that I don’t know about as of yet.   Do you struggle with waiting? Prayer List: Brandon Pickett and family in death of his daughter in law, Bruce Berger, Keith Depoy