Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  There are many things that are important to remember as a Christian.  One of of those things is to know that you are a child of God.  And because of that being true there are many untrue things that will hinder our lives. 2 Timothy 1:7,9  NLT   For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline… For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. Fear has got to be replaced with power.  This power is not to dominate others but to give you and me an understanding of who God is.   He is love.  He guides us in to truth.  He saved us and reminds us that being his is by grace and a gift from God.  It is all because of Jesus. That is why I give you this one simple truth as we begin a new week.  You are a child of God.  As I shared in the serm...

Firsts.  This summer has brought several of these, and I want to tell you about a few of them.  I am pretty excited about each one, but I am especially excited about the last one. As I have shared with you a couple weeks ago we had the opportunity to see an active volcano while we were visiting Hawaii.  It was awesome.  It was once in a lifetime.  There were so many things that went through my mind those days.  It was an incredible event for Julie, our daughter Rebecca and myself. Watching the volcano during the day was one thing.  You could see steam.  You could see limited lava flow and some lava.  Night was so much different, and it was breath taking.  The light from the lava flow.  Both shooting in the air and flowing.  The crater lit up.  It was awesome  1 Chronicles 16:24  NLT   Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. I will only share one more thin...

  We have one event left this coming weekend for back2school, but let me tell you… what we experienced this past weekend was incredible.  I would like to download a bunch of stories for you, yet that isn’t possible.   Let me hit some highlights that keep me thanking God for what He is doing because so many of His kids are being faithful to their calling from God.  Oh this is good. Matthew 19:14  NLT   But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” Let’s do everything in our power to point these kids to Jesus.  That is why #back2school is a reality and a great outreach. I walked in to a church in a town no far from where I live.  They are part of the back2school partnership, one of 16 sites this year, and I stopped to watch as the story we share was being shown on a big screen.  I watched as a dear friend I haven’t seen in a number of years shared with pow...

It is time for back2school to happen in 13 of our 16 sites.  Last weekend was amazing in two new sites.  Next weekend there will be one in South Carolina, but now is the time. Shoes are being prepared.  Backpacks and school supplies are set up and ready to be given out.  Volunteers are preparing locations and so much more for the students to arrive and to be blessed. My biggest concern are the resources.  My biggest prayer are the students and their hope.  My biggest celebration is that we get to do this together. Hebrews 11:8  NASB   By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going. If you don’t mind, I am going to take just a couple minutes to reflect and then to share what the next 24 hours means to me.  Please understand my heart is not about the size of what we do or how many students we serve.  My heart is to be faithful to t...

Don’t stop doing what you made a commitment to so early in the year.  I am not asking if you made some resolutions or promises, but I do ask if you had a desire to do some things that will make you stronger and guide you to be a Jesus follower. The Bible has become some things to me that reminds me to never stop don’t turn back and keep learning.  Watch how the word of God and some special verses stand out for me and for others. Ephesians 4:21-24  NLT Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. To go a new direction you have leave the old direction.  God wants to renew us.  He is remaking me each and every day.   John 1:12  NLT But to all who believed him and a...

Psalm 127:3  NLT Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. We have waited for this day.  Literally we waiting for decades to hear those words.  “She’s here!”  Well we have at least waited since the day we were told, and honestly, I was skeptical at first. Our daughter and her husband came to visit.  It was April 1st of this year.  Oh, we were excited they were coming to see us, and they had an announcement for us.  It was April Fool’s Day.  That meant people were playing games, telling lies, pulling your leg so-to-speak.  Ruth and Sean told Julie and me that they were going to have a baby.   Excited.  Skeptical.  But it was true, and this really revealed this last Saturday at 10:42 pm when Harper Lauretta Markland arrived at UPMC Hospital in Harrisburg, PA.  She is gorgeous.  She is perfect.  You know the story. We got in the car last Thursday afternoon in Collinsville to make our way to Penn...

Proverbs 7:24  NLT So listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words. Today is an important day as our last born, youngest child, will cross the platform and receive his high school diploma.  We could not be more proud of this young man and his accomplishments over the last 17 years. Ryan came along after we moved to Virginia.  He has two older sisters that he watched play and fight, love and excel at so many things.  Learning from them has been sweet.  All three of our kids loved marching band for which we are so grateful for those years, those trips, those late nights and the friendships. School was a struggle for Ryan in the earlier years.  In middle school it was tough getting him to apply himself.  Seems like I remember my dad sharing a story like that about me.  High school has been a different case. His grades and his work have been so good.  Learning and being part of school was something that he has done well, at least until th...

  Psalm 127:4-5  NASB Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate. Today I am going to talk with you on a personal level.  There is so much going on around us that we might get distracted or even miss some of the blessings God has put in our lives.  Take some time to think about your up close, personal blessings. Ruth is our middle child.  I say that not because she is anything other than extra ordinary or extraordinary.  Today is her 22nd birthday.  In the last year she has gone from college student to gainfully employed to married and on her way to so many, many great things ahead.  We are proud of our kids, and Ruth has made us so proud.  She is a special child, a bright light and loved big time by her parents.  We cannot wait to see what else God does through her and Sean, her husb...

Psalm 127:3  NLT Children   are a   gift   from the   Lord ; they are a reward from him. Today and this weekend we celebrate our daughter Ruth.  Today is her last day of college, and tomorrow she officially graduates from the College of William & Mary (though she will walk at graduation in the spring). I couldn’t be more proud of a father than I am of Ruth.  She has worked hard and achieved a goal that she set for herself. Overcoming obstacles and trials, hard classes and life decisions, and so much more through this journey that began a couple years ago.  She will receive her bachelor’s degree from a great and very challenging school. Everyone of our children are different.  One is quiet and one is louder.  Another is very social and another is an introvert.  Another or two have played instruments and done well while the other twirled flags and rifles.  They ar...

I have shared this several times, but it never gets old, and that is why I am share once again.   Here is The Father’s Love Letter .   Knowing this truth, we will grow stronger and live with confidence.   Living by faith is living out the truth. Read on and apply: FATHER’S LOVE LETTER My Child, 

 You may not know me, 
but I know everything about you. 
Psalm 139:1 I know when you sit down and when you rise up. 
Psalm 139:2 I am familiar with all your ways. 
Psalm 139:3 Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. 
Matthew 10:29-31 For you were made in my image. 
Genesis 1:27 In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28 For you are my offspring. 
Acts 17:28 I knew you even before you were conceived. 
Jeremiah 1:4-5 I chose you when I planned creation. 
Ephesians 1:11-12 You were not a mistake, 
for all your days are written in my book. 
Psalm 139:15-16 I determined the exact time of your birth 
and where you would live. ...