Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  Remember them.  Wait.  Over the last couple weeks I have asked you to remember several different people.  That would include Abraham, Job, Joseph, and people who have encouraged you.  Let’s take another step forward in remembering. There are people in your past who poured in to your life.  As Julie and I were having a conversation last night we talked about people who helped build our faith.  It was so awesome to talk about some of those people. Jude 1:20  NLT   But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, I thought of a family friend who I remember from my earliest years.  That sweet lady taught me at church, shaped my faith when I was around her and much more.  Then I remembered a Sunday School teacher from 4th or 5th grade.  And older man who was missing a finger on one hand.  He loved Jesus and us boys in his class.  Then there was the couple that...

  What is most important to you? Work hard to make sure what is most important really is what we focus on.  It is far too easy to live aimlessly or in a meaningless way rather than living out of our God given passion.     What has God has put in your heart for you to accomplish?  We should know that answer.  Go that direction!   1 Corinthians 9:22-23  NASB To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak; I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.   I first shared those verses atThe Community Fellowship almost 20 years ago.  It was that call that led us to focus on those who are hungry, hurting and homeless so that we can win some to Christ.   Use your life, your time and resources for what is most important.  What is keeping you from living for God’s glory?   Debt keeps us away from pur...

  Some people just stick out more than others.  This could be some one you know or maybe someone who is famous that you have only heard about from a distance.  This could be like the person that I wanted to ask you to remember from the Bible. His name is Jospeh.  He was the youngest son of a big family, an important family.  If you look at his entire story, you will be amazed.  He was a special kid and so loved by his parents, but his brothers didn’t like him.  By the way I think the youngest child is the greatest child in the family (my wife and I are both the youngest in our families).  I’ll move on. Joseph was a great man throughout his life, but there are a few places that I want to point out to you about this man.  They are verses.  They are things I pray will be said of me and others who walk close to God. Remember Joseph and read on. Genesis 39:2  NLT   The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he...

  I take us back to a place, a known Scripture, that keeps rolling through my mind.  All you are asked to do today is read these verses and dig in where God leads you. This is a strong statement about our faith, and that statement clearly reminds us that it is all about Jesus. Here are several parts of Hebrews 12.  Read and take these in. Hebrews 12  NLT   Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.  2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.  3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up… 12 So ...

  1 Thessalonians 5:11  NLT   So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. This week I have been encouraging you to remember specific people and memories.  We started with Job and Abraham.  Then we talked about memories.  All of them were meant to encourage us to see what God is doing. Today we turn just a bit more personal.  Who are the people that have encouraged you through your life?  Here are a few in my own life. My boss.  In high school I worked for a man in our church.  Actually I worked for a few of those  But one in particular made a huge impact in my life.  We talked about life and family, but he also showed me what it is like to live by faith.  He also taught me some skills I would have never gotten any where else. My pastor.  Oh, I have had several of these throughout the years.  But one sticks out.  He not only was a great preacher, but he took time to get to ...

  Acts 3:20  NLT Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.   I have lots of memories that I cherish and remember well.  You probably have a few of these that come to mind.  Might be encounters I remember about different people or about things that happened.    It is times with God that come to mind and maybe the special places that I think of.  It is often the people who have meant so much.  Some are family.  Some are people who poured into my life.    1 Samuel 12:7  NLT  Now stand here quietly before the lord as I remind you of all the great things the lord has done for you and your ancestors.   In middle school I spent some afternoons mowing yards with my one of my teachers.  I remember several of the conversations about faith and Christianity.    Sometime around 1985 our youth group went on a retreat.  It was...