Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  There is more to the Christian life than going to church or being a good person.  Realize that our salvation is totally based on what Jesus did for us and not what we do or how we act.  We cannot work our way to heaven or do anything to qualify for salvation.   Jesus is sole giver of salvation.  It was His sacrifice, His completed work, and the love of God that continues to do what we can’t and God can.  Take that in.  Share it with others.   Here is a reminder.     John 3:14-17  NLT And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.   16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the worl...

  We need wisdom, the wisdom God.  It is a new year with lots of opportunities, and that is why I remind us all of what God offers and where we can find it.   The key to living with significance and success is to trust God and the foundation He built.  Go even deeper to find truth that this transcends us and own thinking on wisdom.   James 3:17-18  NLT   But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.   Define real wisdom.  Does your thought of what wisdom wisdom change you and the people around us?  I need wisdom.    I have challenged our church family to choose 1.  Choose one meal.  Choose one hour.  Choose one day.  In doing those thing...

  Tools come in very handy.  I might not be handy, but I do have tools.  These things make fixing things and adjusting things easier. We need the right tools for the jobs that need to be done.  A mechanic needs the right tools.  An electrician needs the right tools.  The computer guy … you get where I am going with all of that.  We need the right tools. As the new year begins I want us to think about the tools I use in my daily time with God.  I share these so that you will simply think about what tools you might need to grow in your faith. You will find a Bible, a notebook, a pen and my phone as well as a devotion book. Psalm 119:105  NLT   Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:11  NLT   I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Hebrews 4:12  NLT   For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between ...

  It is a new year with all that brings.  Some are making resolutions.  Some are planning for changes or challenges.  All the while we have an opportunity to keep on living.  For Christians we choose to renew our faith and strengthen what we know already. I challenged our church yesterday to make some specific choices that bring us closer to God.  In fact I believe that when we choose to discipline ourselves and put God first, the outcome will bring great results. Philippians 3:13-14  NLT   No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. I asked the church to think about 1.  Three specific things to do.  All three will remind us that we mean business with God and our faith. Choose 1.  One meal.  One hou...

  There are too many to name.  The list really would go on and on, but humor me (if you need to).   Here are just a few of my favorite things.  Well, favorite Christmas things.  Some might not feel like Christmas, but they are to me.  Read on, and may the God who gave us His perfect Son guide us in to His Marvelous Light!!!! Matthew 1:21  NLT   And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. Verse 3 of “Silent Night” Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love's pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth. Micah 5:2  NLT   But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah.  Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. This one came alive even more this month after I visited Israel. Verse 1 of “Joy to the ...