Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  John 8:36  NLT   So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. Today we celebrate freedom and fathers.  Freedom is one of those things we take for granted, and it has so many facets to it.  It could speak of prison.  It can speak of oppression.  It can speak of inner turmoil and so much more. In 1863 in our nation a declaration was made to free slaves in the the United States of America.  Yet as I read in an interesting article yesterday there were parts of the nation that did not hear about this for two years.   In other words there were still people living without freedom who were declared free.  Live as free people!  But until you know know you are free you can can not do that.  Celebrate freedom!  You cannot celebrate until you know and live free. My prayer is that we will celebrate the freedom given in the past, and we will also know the freedom that comes to us through God.  He frees us from sin.  He f...

  Today’s e-devotion is shared from one of my favorite preachers, Alistair Begg and from Spurgeon’s “Morning and Evening”.  This is so good… Psalm 27:1  The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? The LORD is my light and my salvation." Here is personal interest: "my light," "my salvation"; the soul is assured of it, and therefore declares it boldly. Into the soul at the new birth, divine light is poured as the forerunner of salvation; where there is not enough light to reveal our own darkness and to make us long for the Lord Jesus, there is no evidence of salvation. After conversion our God is our joy, comfort, guide, teacher, and in every sense our light: He is light within us, light around us, light reflected from us, and light to be revealed to us. Note, it does not just say that the Lord gives light, but that He is light; nor that He gives salvation, but that He is salvation; s...

  Psalm 23 is an incredible piece of Scripture, literature, encouragement and even a gift from God.  Psalm 23 is a gift from God.  I need this kind of treat and long for it.   Have you come to love Psalm 23?  It is quoted in so many places and references in countless sermons and devotions.  There are many passages in the Bible that come to mind when I think of my favorites.  Few that are as well known as Psalm 23.     The beauty of chapter of Psalms gets our attention in many different translations.  Today I share with you The Message translation of the Bible.  It is a powerful reminder.  This is good stuff.   Psalm 23  The Message  God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. 4  Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk a...

  God has a plan.  We can trust His plan.  But you might ask at times why things are tough or why the struggle keeps on.  That is a great question. God can be trusted, but we can align ourselves with God.  In following Him there are so many things that come in to place.  Our choices really do make a difference.  Our decisions have consequences.   Good and bad.  Those choices and then the consequences are either leading us closer to God or further from Him. So, who are you following?  Who are you learning from?  What is the legacy you want to leave?  What kind of life do you want to live? Those questions can be best answered, in my opinion, from people of faith.  Learn from those who have followed God before you.  Their lives might just some what of a pattern that helps your life.   Try this one. Philippians 4:8-9  NLT   And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is tr...

  Romans 15:13  NLT   I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. There are so many things rushing through my head and heart this morning, but what I want to share is a simple fact that does not change.  God is good.  All the time. Julie and I as well as our church, The Community Fellowship, has been blessed by our partnership with Eastlake Community Church in Moneta, Virginia.  I met Pastor Troy Keaton a few years ago, and another ministry leader and friend, Daniel Henderson, attends Eastlake.  This church supported and blessed our church at Easter with the ability to reach farther and touch more people with the Gospel.  We are grateful! Last week as Eastlake was putting on a great event celebrating the church’s 20th anniversary and what they called Multiply Week many from The Community Fellowship went to...

  Early this week I was having lunch with a pastor friend.  Great conversations about what God has been doing in our lives, in the church and what Scriptures have been coming alive for us. He shared some amazing truths from the Bible, and what came to my mind was a chapter that I fell in love with when I was just in Bible college in 1990.  It is from Psalm 19 and was shared by one of the greatest preachers of my lifetime at a conference I was attending in Texas. Psalm 19 talks about the power of Scripture coming alive but even more so can be trusted.  The instructions of Scripture revive us.  The command of God are clear and insightful.  Honoring God is pure and lasts.  And so much more. In these verses there are a few things I point out to us today.  We should desire Scripture and the presence of God.  Why? Psalm 19:10-11  NLT   They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold.  They are sweeter than honey, even honey d...