Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  God is good.  He shows us that as we watch, listen and take in the things that He says and does.  Even in experiencing the things around us we see God, like the sunrise or sunset and more. This year my oldest brother and I have been reading the book of James in the Bible.  It really has been incredible, and many of the verses from chapter one through chapter 5 have come alive.  Some more than others.  Some verses I have history with.  Some are new. In today’s devotion I give you some from chapter 1 that stand out and run through me head.  Then I will share one that came alive this week. James 1:2-4  CSB   Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3  because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4  And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. First heard these when I was a teenager, and they still have deep...

  One of the most important things we can be is an influence.  Every one of us has influence but is that influence good or bad?   Think about it.  Read on.  These verses are eye opening.   2 Peter 1:5-9  NLT   In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. 8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.   God’s promises help us respond differently.  His promises allow our lives to be influence...

  Exodus 17:15  NLT   Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-Nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner”). Sunday I shared at the end of the message the purpose of altars.  It was during the sermon that talked about letting go of our struggles and letting God give us help and rest.  Altars will do just that. What is an altar?  Why build an altar?  It comes from a heart, like Moses, that has seen God work and needs God.  Moses built that altar because he was committed to going to God and to lifting God up. All through Scripture, especially the Old Testament, there are people who built altars.  They are built because people choose to praise God.  Draw attention and give praise to God because of what He has done and who He is. Altars are also built because of the burdens we have.  They come with times of praying and pleading with God for what is needed and what He does for the people He loves.  We need altars where we take ...

  Every one is going through something.  Often we are unaware of what that might be, and that is why we should be kind, lookout for our neighbor and pray for one another. Maybe it is you that is going through something that is tough, big and out of your control.  Simply put you are looking for help.  Here is an invitation from God. Matthew 11:28-30  NLT “ Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” ” That is big.  In this invitation is an offer we cannot miss and shouldn’t ignore.  Yet we do put it off and ignore the promises of God.  He promises help with our burdens.  He promises rest.  He promises life that has more meaning and strength for the days. In our series at church, Road to recover...

  Joshua 1:7-8  NLT   Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8  Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. It is good to be home.  Arrived back in Virginia and home late Monday night after the most recent mission trip to Cuba.  It was a good trip, as I have already shared some with you. Getting home there was a lot to do and a week full of importunities.  That is where I am going today and in this e-devotion.  Just a little of where I experienced God after getting home. The verses above reminds me of my calling, and it is vitally important that we are committed to being strong in the Lord and confident in His work. First and foremost, it is always...

  What impacts your life the most?  What influences you?  It is important to be careful what influences you allow around you.   Colossians 3:15  NASB Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful.   Let peace flow in and out of your life.  What keeps you from having this kind of peace?    James 4:8  NLT Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.   Our hearts might be divided.  That means we can’t follow God or anything with all of our lives because we are spent in other ways, confused by situations or not focusing on God.    Take some time today to make sure you are doing what really matters and following God.  That is why and how being thankful becomes a way of life.   Hebrews 12:28  NLT Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is uns...