Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  John 8:36  NLT   So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. Today we celebrate freedom and fathers.  Freedom is one of those things we take for granted, and it has so many facets to it.  It could speak of prison.  It can speak of oppression.  It can speak of inner turmoil and so much more. In 1863 in our nation a declaration was made to free slaves in the the United States of America.  Yet as I read in an interesting article yesterday there were parts of the nation that did not hear about this for two years.   In other words there were still people living without freedom who were declared free.  Live as free people!  But until you know know you are free you can can not do that.  Celebrate freedom!  You cannot celebrate until you know and live free. My prayer is that we will celebrate the freedom given in the past, and we will also know the freedom that comes to us through God.  He frees us from sin.  He f...

  The search is on.  Yet the question is will we be honest.  If we get on honest, greater things are ahead. That is just part of what I shared in the message Sunday at The Community Fellowship through our series “Road to Recovery”.  Whether it is addiction or so many other things, even our health, until we admit there is a problem, help will not come. That is why we have to ask God to help the search begin.  Allow God to look in and begin to work in your life.  The outcome is what makes it worth it.  Follow on. Lamentations 3:40  NLT   Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn back to the Lord. Examine.  Search.  And then turn to where God leads.  Psalm 139:23–24  NLT   Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24  Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. I love those verses from Psalms.  I first reach them as a t...

  Matthew 5:3  NLT   God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Welcome home!  Yes.  I returned home from the latest Cuba mission trip late Monday, and I am excited to share with you just a little form the trip.  This might seem like a little bit of overflow, and it is.  I might forget some things.  BUT… God showed up.  That is so, so good.  The people of Cuba are open to hearing and following Jesus.  That is evident not just because of the great needs they have, but it is evident because they have hope in days of crisis.  I am grateful for the churches, ministries and more that are making a difference for Jesus! The crisis continues.  The lack of gasoline is the biggest thing you see.  There are less vehicles on the road and less movement over all.  Lots of the other things … electric vehicles, bicycles, horses and more.  Electricity is sporadic as be...

Jesus wants you to be free.  That is the title of a devotion from Henri Nouwen, one of my favorite authors.  And that is a powerful title and truth. Freedom is not tied to situations or even locations.  I have talked to people who are in prison who share that they understand their freedom in Christ.  Then I have talked with people who are not free because of their choices and difficult struggle. My prayer is that we will know the kind of freedom that Henri Nouwen shares about.  This is the freedom that comes in Christ by believing what He says. Nouwen wrote: Jesus wants to free us from the chain that imprisons us.  He wants to free us by revealing that we are loved before we can give or receive love from anybody.  Jesus came to reveal to us the first love. The original love. We are called by Jesus to come in touch with that first love. 2 Thessalonians 2: 13  “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because...

  Some Scripture just stands our when you read it.  Some Scripture not only stands out when you read it but sticks in your head and heart.   Well, that is what these verses from John 8 did yesterday.  As you read them not the link between each verse. John 8:12  NLT   Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” Light and life.  They both come from Jesus. John 8:26  NLT   I have much to say about you and much to condemn, but I won’t. For I say only what I have heard from the one who sent me, and he is completely truthful.” Jesus knew that what the Father said and what the Father did was of utmost importance for Him and for us.  Read on. John 8:28  NLT   So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I am he. I do nothing on my own but say onl...

  Freedom can be found in many places and have lots of differing definitions, yet I believe that as a Christ follower, real freedom is found in coming to know Christ. Last night I was blessed to share the lesson during our Celebrate Recovery ministry.  The lesson is on “denial”, and one of the greatest truths about denial is when we give it up we find freedom.  Check out this quote: “The basic test of freedom is not what I’m free to do, it’s what I’m free not to do!” God frees us to know Him and follow Him and leave regret, guilt, shame and even sin behind.  There is the freedom God offers those who choose to follow, choose His best rather than what we think is best. John 8:32  NLT   And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. May we learn to live in real freedom.  That real freedom is found in the person who gave Himself so others can be free.  Jesus gave Himself for our freedom. That is why I ask you to spend a few minutes read...

  Isaiah 61:1  NLT   The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. Jesus repeated that Scripture in His ministry, and it has rattled through what I do many times.  This is powerful and important truth. Julie and I wanted the move “Sound of Freedom” again yesterday.  It is about Tim Ballard who has battled to release children caught in the sex slave trade.  The movie is streaming online and worth your time.  It is tough to watch, but it is a true story reminded us of what is going on in so many places. One of the things that it says at the end of the movie is that there are more people living in slavery today than in any other time of history, even when slavery was legal.  That hurts my heart. Yes, there are many who have been sold and are being used in the sex trade in t...

Freedom is one of those words and concepts that has a lot of different meanings.  Everything from someone being released from a difficult place to another allowing their mind to let go of what what holding them back.  Take some time to think about how you deal with freedom. Galatians 5:1  NLT   So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. That is a great word.  May we know that our freedom, true freedom, comes from Jesus.  Also we can help others find real and lasting freedom. Galatians 5:10  NLT   I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you. We have to trust God.  We must help others trust God.  But it begins with us believing what is right and acting up on it. There are things we hold on to for various reasons.  But do some of the things you hold on too steal your fre...