Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  Have you ever had an authority figure in your life that you had to respect but you really didn’t care for that person?  Maybe this was a coach, a teacher, a boss, or maybe a government official. 1 Timothy 2:1  NLT   Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. Did you know that person was in a position of authority because God designed authority to be part of our world and in God’s sovereign plan, that person was placed in that position? Not always something else.  In fact we would most likely rather complain, rebel or do anything besides honor that person we struggle to respect. Yesterday we continued our series in Romans and began chapter 13.  It is important that as Christians we are good citizens and examples for others to see Jesus. Romans 13:1,4-5  NLT   Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in position...

Reminders come in all shapes and sizes.  They might be as big as a billboard on the side of the road or as small as the smile from an infant.  God has placed things around us to remind us of His truth, His promises and His love for us. Many of these reminders jump off the pages of the Bible.  That is what I find in these verses: Ephesians 4:17-24  NLT With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and yo...

Nothing can change the lives of people like the Bible. I’ve seen alcoholics and addicts get their lives sober and clean because they started reading the Bible. I’ve seen God’s Word turn self-centered, narcissistic men who abuse and misuse women into godly husbands, wonderful dads, and upstanding citizens in the community. Laws can’t change human hearts. If I believed they could, I’d be a politician. I have zero faith in politics to actually change the greatest problems on the planet. You can make laws to outlaw racism and bigotry, but no law will turn a bigot into a lover of people of other races. Only God can do that.  Jesus said it like this in John 8:31-32, “If you abide in my Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (NKJV). Secular universities all around the world have the second half of that verse printed in stone on university buildings: “The truth shall make you free.” But those same universities ignore the firs...