Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  Encouragement really is a big deal.  Without people speaking truth over us and in to our lives we are in trouble.  There are way too many negative voices, words of discouragement and statements that steal our worth and value. Be that person that makes a difference.  Be that person that builds others up.  Be that person that gives others value.  Be that person. One of my favorite people in the Bible was Barnabas.  His name means son of encouragement.  I can only imagine why that make stuck with him.  It was probably because he was always that person.  That person that was speaking life and love, courage and encouragement, value and vision in to the lives of others. Be that person.  Around you today are people who need to know they are some body and loved by God.  Your words will give them that and more. 1 Thessalonians 5:11  NLT   So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. Hebrews...

  For as long as I can remember we have celebrated with fireworks, cookouts and more the birthday of this great nation of ours.  This year we celebrated the 250th birthday of our nation.  Let’s remember! Psalm 33:12 NIV Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. Today we look at two Scriptures and quotes from those who have led our country.  America is great not because we are powerful. America is great because we have a great God who has greatly blessed us through our founding fathers and far beyond.  The following quote was spoken over congress by Ben Franklin.  “I’ve lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: That God governs in the affairs of men. If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We’ve been assured in the sacred writings that unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain...

  We celebrated 250 years and the birthday of our nation.  We celebrate is.  Men and women have fought for our freedom, and this should not be taken lightly or casually.   We are blessed.  Blessings come in many ways, different shapes and even with different thoughts.  As a Christian I believe that our blessings are tied directly to who we worship and honor.  That is God.  And that is why our God must be lifted, shared and talked of often.  America must bless God.   Psalm 33:12  NASB   Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen for His own inheritance.   The people who seek God, who put God first, will be blessed.  That is a promise from the Bible that cannot be neglected.  In fact what is worth having is worth working for.   That blessing is incredible.  Freedom is a gift.  Think about that.   "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary...

  Let it continue to fill your mind and heart.  What is it?  Thanks for asking. It is the word of God.  A daily diet of time with God and His word changes us.  Our thinking and living begin to adjust to how God thinks, and all that is required of us is to follow. That is why, once again, I point you to some of things I am reading and the overflow of time with God.  This is good stuff! Psalm 115  NLT   1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness. 9 O Israel, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield. 13 He will bless those who fear the Lord, both great and lowly. Psalm 116  NLT   1 I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. 7  Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me. Psalm 117  NLT 1 Praise the Lord, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth. 2  For his unfailing love for us i...

  Too often we don’t make changes until it is obvious and needed.  Pain begins and we need to go to the doctor.  We find ourselves broke and say we need to save money.  Our marriages are in need and we decide to do something about it.   Yet the best thing to do is to start praying before the storm begins and prepare yourself.  Take care of your health before you need to go to the doctor.  Begin saving money before you are broke.  Work on your marriage before your it falls apart.     Does that make sense?    1 Timothy 2:8  NLT   In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.   Make adjustments now.  Check out these verses where the followers of Jesus had little faith and needed to remember Jesus had all the power they need.   Matthew 8:24-26  NLT   Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But J...

  Psalm 145:2-3  NLT   I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever. 3 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. In those verses David declared and promised that he would choose to praise God every day and no matter what.  There is something about praising God that changes us. His life was not only changed by God by recharged, refreshed and renewed as David made time for the presence of God.  Go to those times of celebration, like when the Ark of the Covenant returned home and he danced in the streets, and on to the times of deepest hurt, like in the death of a son or of falling in to sin.  David chose to remember and bless the Lord or praise the Lord. When we choose to bless God at all times we set ourselves up to be blessed.  Literally the results of blessing God and praising God show up in our lives.  That happens for many reasons but the biggest one is we have realigned ourselves to G...