Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  It really does break my heart to see people going through difficult times.  That is why I want to give you just a few thoughts about this kind of stuff. Psalm 34:18  NLT   The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. There is the first thing to know and remember.  God is close to those who are hurting and positioned to help, rescue, provide and more.  And so often he does those things that others.  That is people, His children, like you and me. Late last week I got several notes from my dear friend Alex in Cuba.  He shared the declining situation and how hard the people of Cuba are having to work to have what is needed for their families.  The failure of systems in Cuba makes it hard not just for the ministry to happen but for the needed things like food, gasoline and electricity to be found. I got a message from another friend who is having surgery and her husband continues to have critical medical ne...

  This past weekend I shared in a Bible study at church the incredible blessing of the meaning of Easter and how we need to share with others, especially our children the most important parts.  The following is part of an article from the desiringgod.org website, and it a great reminder of what is important. WHAT WE NEED TO REMIND OUR CHILDREN OF EASTER 1. The Story of Redemption … Read through the story of our redemption. From creation to and the Fall, from God’s covenant promises in the Old Testament, prophecies about the Messiah (as in Isaiah 53).  Move to Jesus’s birth, baptism, and ministry. During the final week, Holy Week, each day’s focuses on Jesus’ last days. Isaiah 53:5-6  NLT   But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.  All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. 2. The...

  You have probably read this passage before.  It comes from David and Psalms.  I am reminded of when it came alive to me over 30 years ago, and this passage and these few verses still speak volumes in to my heart and head. Take some time.  Read it a few times.  Even pray these verses with this in mind … God is worthy and we are needy. Psalm 63:1-15  NLT   O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you.  My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. 2  I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. 3  Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! 4  I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. 5  You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. Here are some take aways from these verses: Search for God.  Allow God to satisfy you and He will.  Re...

  People talk about what stands out.  Maybe it is a favorite team or a new found place.  It could even be some food that they love.  We talk about what stands out. In this simple e-devotion I share with you some verses that have stood out the last several days.  These have been encouraging, revealing and even strengthening to my faith.  I pray they are the same for you. Numbers 6:24-27  NLT   ‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. 25  May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. 26  May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’ 27 Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my name, I myself will bless them.” Proverbs 17:3 CSB  “A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold,  and the Lord is the tester of hearts. ” James 1:2-5 CSB  “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your...

  You never know what people are going through.  We encounter people every day who are going through things we have no clue about.  It could be anything from sickness to extra stress or even war. So how should we pray for each other?  That is a good question. James 5:16  NLT   Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Pray for healing.  Pray for peace.  Pray for each person to know the God that we have come to know. Philippians 4:6-7  NLT   Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Pray for understanding and strength.  But most of all pray that we will see what God wants us to see...

  The New Testament is marked by a man named John.  He was the cousin of Jesus and was given the message that all of us need to hear.  Prepare yourself for the coming of the Messiah.  Literally “repent for the kingdom of God is near”. He was a strange man who dressed differently than most in clothes made of camel’s hair with a leather belt.  Camel hair sounds itchy.  And John ate locusts (think grasshoppers) and wild honey.  Not a diet I have ever tried.  John the Baptist lived, not in a city, but out in the wilderness. He sounds like a an isolationist and maybe a little eccentric.  But John the Baptist was by Jesus’ own words the greatest man living at that time. But what this man had to say is something that desperately needed to be heard and still does today.  Prepare yourself.  Prepare for Jesus.  Change is needed. Sounds like a political statement.  And it was.  But that is not the point.  Sounds like a spir...