Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  I have spent much of this week at a conference, and I have had the opportunity to reconnect with so many friends as well as spend time with some people that encourage me so much. All of us need to be around people who make us better and stronger.  Be encouraged and be an encourager.  That is one of the things we need to make sure happen in our lives. There are great benefits to encouragement.  Acts 14:22  NLT  where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. Some of the people I have connected with have history with me.  We have shared stories and even prayed together.  It has been good. Romans 1:12  NLT   When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. Much of the things that have encouraged me this week come from messages and testimonies.  Faith of others have...

  Trust you are going to have a great day.  In this e-devotion I want to share some of the overflow from the ministry in Cuba that I experienced, and today I share with you the word ENCOURAGE. I went to encourage others, but I left encouraged.  One of the things that this ministry has on my heart is to encourage the workers of the sports ministry.  And I got to do that.  Alex and his family are special to me, and our time together was sweet.  Their little boy is almost 1 year old, and he calls me HARRY.  Most everyone calls me Harrison, but he doesn’t use my whole name.  He is cute.  This family encourages me so much. Another family is Maikel and Lala Morera and their boys.  Awesome leaders and sweet family.  Another is Diocelis and Belkis Morales.  These two blessed and encouraged me big time.  I met some new pastors that I enjoyed time with.  Carlos and Iris led part of the trip I was able to be part of in a remote ...

  What keeps you encouraged?  There should be lots of different answers, but the one thing that often troubles me is the lack of seeking encouragement and being an encouragement to others. It is easier to look at the negative than to look for the positive.  It is easy to get stuck in a rut that leads no where than to stand tall and look up. That is why I give you just a couple words for the weekend.  Check these: Proverbs 26:27  NASB   One who digs a pit will fall into it, And one who rolls a stone, it will come back on him. In a conversation yesterday this verse came up.  Look for wrong, and you will find it.  Be a problem, and you will have problems.  That is a fact. Psalm 121:1-2  NLT   I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? 2  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! What you look for, you will find.  Look to God for help, and there He is with what is needed and with encouragement. Tak...

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 G...

Who are the people that inspire you?  There are many different people in my book.  Some of them are from history.  Some of them are from stories I have heard.  Some of them are personal and people who have impacted my life.  We need to be inspired.   Most of the people that stick out to me are those who loved sacrificially.  These are people like Mother Teresa or Billy Graham.  Others would be like the sweet little lady at church that serves so faithfully or a friend that has many times gone out of their way to serve you.   Romans 12:9  NLT Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.   Loving the way Jesus loves is sacrificial.  It is giving of itself not expecting anything in return or totally unconditional.     To love like this will help those loved be more confident and help more people know they ...

Let’s begin a week on a high note.   We have just come through a great weekend with lots of stuff that has encouraged me.   My wife and I went away for a night and had a great time relaxing and even doing a little shopping.   Church was great with several people taking steps toward God.   Got to have some excellent conversations about God’s grace in our lives.   Another are the conversations with some people struggling who are seeking God for breakthrough. Deuteronomy 31:6   NLT So be strong and courage ous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. It is in the middle of strain that God moves ahead of us.   He is our strength and is our guide.   And I must confess that what will keep me connected to God is often the things I listen to on the radio or on my playlist. This post is taking a strange turn because I am simply going to...