Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  Proverbs 21:31  NLT   The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord. I am sure you have had some of these same thoughts.  But how do you deal with failure when all you are looking for is victory? A successful person has most likely gone through lots of failures, struggles and trials.  The more teaching or reaching or searching I do about finding real and lasting success the more I hear about failure.  Why is that? It is because failure breeds success.  Failure leads us to learn the lessons that lead us to success.  Think about the things that have helped you become who you are, what has given you strength and what has left you better in so many ways.  It is most likely tied to lessons from failures. Let’s dig in a little more… “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” ― Winston Churchill That is good.  Look at your failures differently.  Stumble away from failure ...

A sweet friend sent me a message last night that struck a cord in me, and I would like to just share some of the overflow of what I have been thinking about her question.  She simply asked, “how do I pray for for myself?  It seems selfish.” First, let me say that praying for yourself is never selfish, but I also want to remind us that prayer is vital and also very simple. Praying is connecting to the one who has all the power.  Praying connects us to God who is the one who loves you more than any one else ever will.  Praying also reminds us that all the is needed because of all that is going on, good and bad, is in the control of our good and gracious God. Second, let’s think about how to pray.  You don’t have to use big words or churchy type words.  Just pray.  Whatever is on your mind or in your heart.  Let those those words be what you say. If you are hurting or have questions, ask God to answer, heal and God.  He is able.  You know t...

I want to share our family devotion from last night because it seemed to hit a cord in me as well as in some others.  It is day 3 from a reading plan called “Dealing with Uncertainty” from Bible.com Read on and may this speak to you as did did to me: Exodus 32:1  When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, “Up, make us gods who shall go before us.”  400 years. That’s how long the Israelites waited for God to deliver them from slavery. But after they left Egypt, God didn’t take them directly to Canaan. Instead, they camped at the base of a mountain while God instructed Moses.  But after 40 days, the Israelites grew frustrated. Their delayed expectations led to poor decisions: they rejected God and pursued whatever pleased them.  If you’ve ever felt frustrated by an uncertain season that lasts longer than you anticipated, you’re not alone. We can become so focused on our d...

There is power in the knowing the truth.  Some things seems to be naturally true while others you might have to be convinced about.  The Bible is a great place, really the best place, to learn the truths God has to share. In my reading yesterday I came across some familiar verses that seemed to pop off the page and pop in to my heart.  These might be a little obscure for you, but I remember from early in my learning to follow Jesus. John 12:24-26  NLT   I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me. Death is a reality.  These verses don’t speak of physic...

It was awesome to spend time at the Refuel conference this week.  I shared Tuesday the notes from the first day of the conference.  Today I am sharing notes from the second day.  This isn’t all of the notes but just some that stick out. Listen in.  Learn some of what I did.  May God give give us insight and draw us closer to Him. Dave Stone  A pulley system helps you lift more than you can alone.  Just like h ealthy habits help lighten your load and help you increase your ability and influence.   Four habits of healthy leaders Habit 1. Exceptional leaders continually model humility  Trouble comes when we rely on our own strength.  Wrestling with fear instead of faith.  If the Holy Spirit pulled himself out of your life, would you even relive that she is gone?  If you model humility and partner with God living with a servant heart, it will bear weight like a pulley.  Power with pride is as potent as poison. It wil...

It is the beginning of the 6th and final week of my sabbatical.  It has been an incredible time with family as well as soaking up time with God.  The last week I returned from Oklahoma, and Julie and I spent several days with Ruth, her husband Sean and our future grandchild that will be born in November.  We had a great time.  I am so thankful for this opportunity.   Now we move in to a bit of a different week.  It will end next Sunday with my first sermon back at The Community Fellowship.  It will begin with being part of a mission team that is working with us at our new campus and in the community.  I am a little sad this time is coming to an end, and I am also excited that I get to be part of what God is doing. Yesterday was the 4th of July where our nation celebrates our independence.  I want to be clear that I believe God is more important than our country.  We must preach the Gospel over all else, yet we cannot take for granted tha...

  It seems like time is flying by as it the beginning of the 5th week of my sabbatical.  It has been an incredible time of learning and spending time with family.  The last week Julie has been with her parents in Georgia as her dad continues on hospice.  I have been spending time with dad and family in Oklahoma.  I am grateful that I have had this opportunity.   This last week has brought lots of growth, commitment and even new light for the future.  I finished the book The Unsaved Christian by Dean Inserra and began reading 20/20 Money by Joe Sangl.  I am about to begin a couple other pieces including a coaching series with Blaine Bartel.  I am excited about the learning, growth and inspiration ahead. Over the last week there are several things that have stuck out to me.  Here is a passage of Scripture that in the last couple days has come alive… Philippians 3:7-11  NLT 7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I co...

My sabbatical continues with week two, and our family is in Hawaii visiting our oldest daughter and her husband.  It has been an incredible visit with one week left of this trip.  Each of the next several weeks you will receive one e-devotion on Monday or Tuesday morning with a little glimpse at what I am in to, studying and planning for the week. I finished my first book on sabbatical.  It is Blaine Bartel’s Death By A Thousand Lies which is the telling of his story of moral failure and comeback in ministry and life.  What a great story that hits me and so many others.  I hope to share more. Also during this time I am reading several books as well as Scripture.  It has been refreshing spending time with family, making memories and just getting closer to each other.  I am also spending a good deal of time with the Lord, listening and learning. That is where I will leave this second week of sabbatical.  I want to share with you a couple of the...

  Acts 3:20  NLT Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. Some places are more special than others.  You probably have a few of these that come to mind as they do for me.  I love to remember several of these as well as plan for more. The encounters I remember several different people.  First, it is about time with my God.  Several hold a special places in my heart.  I learned much in those spots where I got quiet and heard from God. Second, it includes people who mean much to me.  Some are family.  Some are people who poured into my life.  All are significant. 1 Samuel 12:7  NLT  Now stand here quietly before the lord as I remind you of all the great things the lord has done for you and your ancestors. Here are a few of the places that hold a special place in my heart.   --- In middle school I spent some afternoons working with my one of my...

Today’s post is simple.  I want to share a few take-a-ways from our Cuba mission trip.  Just off the top of my head several things that went right or were real blessings from God. 1.  It is good to unplug, to take a break, to not be in control, to go with the flow and to watch what God does. 2.  Listen more than you speak.  When they speak another language, you have to listen even more, which might mean use a Google translator or find someone who speaks the language. 3.  Watch their eyes and the expression on their faces.  You might be able to understand their words, but their faces tell much of the story.  You will remember their smiles and how they felt for a long time. 4.  Taste everything, at least a little.  You can finally say you tried that.  You might even like it. 5.  You might come across something that God is doing when you least expe...