Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  We need wisdom, the wisdom God.  It is a new year with lots of opportunities, and that is why I remind us all of what God offers and where we can find it.   The key to living with significance and success is to trust God and the foundation He built.  Go even deeper to find truth that this transcends us and own thinking on wisdom.   James 3:17-18  NLT   But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.   Define real wisdom.  Does your thought of what wisdom wisdom change you and the people around us?  I need wisdom.    I have challenged our church family to choose 1.  Choose one meal.  Choose one hour.  Choose one day.  In doing those thing...

  Tools come in very handy.  I might not be handy, but I do have tools.  These things make fixing things and adjusting things easier. We need the right tools for the jobs that need to be done.  A mechanic needs the right tools.  An electrician needs the right tools.  The computer guy … you get where I am going with all of that.  We need the right tools. As the new year begins I want us to think about the tools I use in my daily time with God.  I share these so that you will simply think about what tools you might need to grow in your faith. You will find a Bible, a notebook, a pen and my phone as well as a devotion book. Psalm 119:105  NLT   Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:11  NLT   I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Hebrews 4:12  NLT   For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between ...

  It is a new year with all that brings.  Some are making resolutions.  Some are planning for changes or challenges.  All the while we have an opportunity to keep on living.  For Christians we choose to renew our faith and strengthen what we know already. I challenged our church yesterday to make some specific choices that bring us closer to God.  In fact I believe that when we choose to discipline ourselves and put God first, the outcome will bring great results. Philippians 3:13-14  NLT   No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. I asked the church to think about 1.  Three specific things to do.  All three will remind us that we mean business with God and our faith. Choose 1.  One meal.  One hou...

  Do you choose a verse for the year or a word for the year? People do different things to prepare them for the new year and to do somethings that make them and their lives better. As I have said many times it is Scripture reading and prayer that I continue to make a priority and encourage others to do the same.  Also our church has a yearly theme that we begin at the new year. The Community Fellowship’s theme for 2025 is “ROAD 2025” and focuses on the Roman Road and encouraging each person to share their faith throughout our normal day life.  We are also spending time walking through the book of Romans on Sunday mornings for much of this year.  Romans is an awesome book. Proverbs is also a daily routine and so important.  I need the wisdom of God, and the Word of God offers wisdom from God and so much more.  Read one chapter each day as there 31 days in many months. As this week comes to an end I want to share with you some of the verses that continue to b...

  For several years my commitment to reading the Bible each and every day of the year.  Since we are at the start of a new year, I want to remind you of this once again!   We need the Word of God.  It is t he Bible that changes us because His letter and love is for each of us.  Dig in.  Read the Bible. I want to follow Jesus.  How about you?  How do you know who God is and how He works?  The best answer is in His word.   Job 23:11  NLT For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside.   There are so many promises that are tied to the Word of God.  The more time we spend with God and in the Bible, the more of those promises we know and can claim.  Take a few minutes to look at these truths about His word. Hebrews 4:12  NLT   For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It ex...

  It is almost the new year, and I want to challenge each of us to be careful with the new year’s resolutions or commitments we make. I want to be closer to God, healthier, wiser, have more resources, be a better husband, father and friend, have a stronger and bigger church, preach with more impact … you get the point.  So many commitments we can make that do lend to these being a reality.  But many of those resolutions or commitments that we make end up going no where. How we can we do this differently where the commitments stick?  Maybe we take baby steps rather than giant leaps.   Look at all who are impacted by the commitments and ask if they lead us all closer to God. As I was thinking of this e-devotion a song came to mind … Made for More by Josh Baldwin 'Cause I wasn't made to be tending a grave, I was called by name Born and raised back to life again, I was made for more So why would I make a bed in my shame When a fountain of grace is running my way? I ...

  Earlier this week I shared a post that gained the attention of several people.  It first rolled around my head and heart.  I think it is important enough to repeat here… 7 Keys to Life 1.  Put God first 2.  Love One Another 3.  Never Hate 4.  Give Generously  5.  Live Simply 6.  Forgive Quickly 7.  Pray Everyday That is some powerful stuff.  In fact, as the new year begins those are many of the things that wraps us resolutions and life change that so many people are longing for.  Some of them are close to impossible if we are honest. You might not have an issue or problem with putting God first, loving others or living simple.  But a lot of people struggle with forgiving or dealing with hate.  Those are the characteristics that lead to frustration and even more problems when they are not dealt with. Look close at the list again.  Might two of those things be the opposite or the cure for hate and not forgiv...