Michael Harrison's e-devotion

Listening is vital to life.  Some people cannot listen and have to make up for that in other ways.  But if we can hear, it is important to listen. Often Jesus said, in the Bible, “He who has ears to hear, listen”.  Do that.  It is hard to love God and love others if you do not listen. Mark 9:7  NLT   Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.” God told us to listen to Jesus.  Life will be better.  We will be stronger.  There is wisdom and understanding if we will choose to listen to what Jesus has to say. Take that a step further.  Listening to the people we care about helps us to love and serve them even more.  But not listening will get you in trouble.  Don’t listen to your parents or your teacher or your boss and there will be trouble.  You have found that to be true as I have.  Listening is vitally important to every area of life.  Listening can keep us safe, blessed, wise and even ready for what is ahead. Deuterono

There is more where that came from … I have heard that many times through the years, and what hit me often is when we really want it.  But it applies too when it is something we do not want.   Far too often the consequences of bad choices ends up being pain or something that we did not bargain for or even expect.  Yet that is what happens when we seek things or people outside of what God wants for us. When our choices are good or God choices the outcome is much different.  No, life is not perfect.  There will always be difficult times and people, but serving and following God will always bring us to places or peace and blessing. Our perspective is important.  Choose before you act or speak.  Think of the outcome and see what God might have you do or say.  It might just be the difference between a tough time and a blessed time, chaos or peace. Luke 14:28  NLT   “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to

I love this passage.  But I also love people.  I love you.  It is an honor to share with many of you each week. That is why today is simple.  I want to thank God for you and I pray for you. Read on.  Let God speak.  Know you are being prayed for today… Philippians 1:3-8  NLT   Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, 5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. 7 So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. 8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. I praise Go

We need reminders and encouragement.  Some day we need it more than others.  Lean in. Today the e-devotion is short and even a little late, but the verses I am going to share have been on my mind for several days.  There are so many good thoughts, yet a few things really stand out as important for today. I pray that you and I both get these.  Hold these.  Believe these.  Tell others about these! Hebrews 12:1-2  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. Be encouraged.  You are not alone. Not only is God with us but others are with us.  So many have

So many things run through my mind as we close out the weekend and move in to a new week.  A few years ago I would share something called a “mind dump” on Mondays to simply unload all that went on during the weekend. So I will jump back to the mind dump and share just a little of the overflow from the weekend!  Remember this is not bragging or gloating but to sharing what is on my mind. Proverbs 20:7  NLT   The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them. Last week was full.  It had opportunities of all kinds as well as meetings.  But the best part of the week was time with our oldest daughter.  She lives thousands of miles away, and she came to visit her new nephew as well as the rest of the family.  Having adult children is very different from having children at home. Cherish the moments you have with those you love.  We enjoyed breakfast several mornings.  We enjoyed some afternoon talks and time with her mom and brother.  It was sweet.  Enjoy the time toge

  What is ahead?  You and I watch road signs to see what is ahead of us as we travel.  If we are in an area we haven’t traveled much before, we might watch closer or signs.  If it is an area common to us, we might not watch as close.  But we need to watch the signs. Yesterday I was riding with some people who have not been in our local area before  We talked about signs, especially those with blinking lights.  Conversation turned from railroad crossings to hairpin curves.  Warning signs are important. Spiritual warning signs are also important.  Know what is ahead.  Listen to what God says.  Prepare for the journey that is near, the upcoming twists and turns as well as what is even further ahead of us. 1 Peter 5:8-11  NLT   Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kin

Here are just a few quotes that come from Charles H. Spurgeon who is often called the “prince of preachers”.  His boldness and powerful messages have impacted many people through the years. It is also well known that Spurgeon battled depression and other issues.  Yet God used him to speak life, to inspire others and to change the direction of many churches and preachers.   Here are some of the most powerful quotes from Spurgeon: “Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths.”  ― Spurgeon “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” ― Spurgeon “Visit many good books, but live in the Bible.” ― Spurgeon “Faith goes up the stairs that love has built and looks out the windows which hope has opened.”  ― Spurgeon “A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.”  ― Spurgeon “If Christ is not all

Jesus is our example, and there are times that I get overwhelmed with who He is and what He does.  There is always a reason behind what God does. Matthew 9:36  NLT   When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. When Jesus saw this truth, knew why He was sent from heaven and began His ministry, things changed.  God was moved to loved people because of what separated people from Him.  That is where Jesus came in.  That is where I believe we have to step in, learn from God and make a difference. This is more than a one time event.  Really it was a 30 year preparation with a 3 year time of instruction.  In other words Jesus built people, taught truth and lived out what He taught in order to change the separation from people in bringing them, or best yet US, close to God. Matthew 5:1-2  NLT  One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2