Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  One of my favorite chapters of the Bible since the mid 1980’s has been Psalm 139.  That is for several reasons.  Most of it for the last two verses.  But there is so much good in that I want to point out a few parts that ought to remind us of the goodness of God. God knows.  He knows us.  And He is awesome.  The first six verses say this in beautiful ways.  He is the one who blesses. Psalm 139:6  NLT   Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! The Psalm goes on to remind us that God is everywhere and even makes the dark times and places light.  We can trust that God is with us. Psalm 139:12  NLT   but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. The next part makes me shout a bit.  He knew me before I was even born.  He created me and you.  I love the verses that say He formed us as we were created....

1 Thessalonians 5:11  NLT   So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.   Be the person who lifts and helps others know they are special.  Our words, kindness and encouragement make a difference.     Words can be used to hurt or help.  Often the right words at the right time can can bring healing.  Speak life and strength over the people that mean the most to you.  That is a choice I want to make, family and friends and even people I don’t know. Take the opportunity to build up and not to tear down.  Choose words that bring courage.    A song has stood out to me for a while.  It speaks in to my life.  Speak the name of Jesus over people and situations.  Speak Jesus over addiction, over fear and anxiety, over darkness and the enemy.  Why?  Jesus wins.   Let our words give life.    I just want to speak the Name of Jesus  Over every hea...

  If we loose hearing, it is a big deal.  There are many things that help us hear and connect to what is around us.  You also have the other senses like touch, smell and sight.   Can you hear and who are you listening to?   If you can’t hear, you can’t listen.  If you aren’t listening but can hear, you have chosen not to hear.  Why block out things and people that make our lives better?   Think about who you are listening to and what you are listening to.  Those things are influencing us, shaping our character, changing our minds, even tearing apart or building us up.   Deuteronomy 6:4  NLT   Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone   Exodus 19:9  NLT   Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will come to you in a thick cloud, Moses, so the people themselves can hear me when I speak with you. Then they will always trust you.” Moses told the Lord what the people had said.   Hebrews 4:7  NLT   S...

  We continue our series “Like Him” at The Community Fellowship this weekend as we study 1 Peter.  So many of the verses in this book stand out as important as does the vital truth that God is changing us so that others can see Him even more. One verse this weekend stands out a little more.  This verse was one I learned as a teenager being discipled by my youth pastor.  The thoughts and theology behind the verse is what makes it so incredible. As you read this verse note what stands out as important.  Being a Jesus follower is more than just having faith.  It is about trusting the completed work of Christ. 1 Peter 3:18  NLT   Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. For our sins and shortcomings Jesus suffered and died. The sinless one died for us who are sinful. What happened in the flesh through de...

  Ain’t God good.  Come on now.  You have seen this reality in your life and in the lives of others.   This month we have asked our church to seek “God moments” and to share those times where God has shown up.  I love hearing these stories. I will share one.  August is one of our busiest and craziest of the year as we lead the back2school program.  It is crazy, but it is also amazing.  I am grateful for the almost 2,000 students that have been served this year. Anyway, I was on the way from our church in Collinsville, Virginia to Charlotte, North Carolina to pick up the shoes we were to use for back2school when our church box truck, former U Haul, broke down in Winston-Salem which is about an hour from us and an hour and a half from my destination. The box truck was out of commission.  I pulled in to a park and called a friend.  That friend is Andy Bowersox of Energize Ministries.  Where the box truck broke down was about a mile fro...

  I love it when Scripture seems to come to life.  You know literally Scripture is designed by God to be living and interactive in our lives.  Watch how God does that.  Psalms is one of the greatest places for me as I use the verses for Scripture-fed, Spirit-led, worship-based prayer. For years I have been reading Proverbs on a daily basis.  Those verses come alive.  Add to that Psalms and the book Praying the Psalms by Daniel Henderson.   Strategic Renewal and the 6:4 Fellowship is where I found this.  Check out www.strategicrenewal.com for that and other resources as well as great content on prayer.  Also for a great conference call “Resilience” coming in October.  Daniel’s book guides you through Psalms in your prayer time.   Take some time today to read and pray the Psalms.  Here are just a few verses.  Grab from them some characteristics of God…  He is my shield and holds me, His love is unfailing, He ...