Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  Mark 6:34  NLT   Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. What do you see?  Or maybe, who do you see?  Perspective really is a big deal.  Sometimes our eyes have something in them or are even sick.  It could be something that is in the way of seeing like your glasses are dirty or there is a lot of fog. Seeing is an important part of life.  Just ask a blind person if it is important.  We take it for granted a lot. Over the next few days I ask you to see the things you see.  I mean really see them or look at them.  Is God pointing something out or sharing something you should learn or maybe even pointing you in a direction of where to go and serve?  That could be the case. As couple days ago I mentioned “God Moments”.  What we see is a big part of those moments.  Just like when Jesus saw t...

  Let me introduce you to an old friend.  I first met Dwane when we were serving those coming out of prison and integrating back in to communities.  His heart for God and others has been refreshing.  Recently be became the pastor of a church in our community, and I am grateful for his ministry, encouragement, compassion and friendship. Today’s e-devotion is from Dwane Massenburg who leads Christians United and is pastor of St. Paul High Street Baptist Church in Martinsville.  Enjoy what he shared today… Holy Heavenly Father, we come to You today recognizing Your omniscience. The Bible says You know the hairs on our head, Lord. Your Bible says that You know our hearts and our thoughts. Your vantage point is different from ours, Father. You know everything about us. A group of cars, trees, and a city street are nothing unusual to write home about. We have all seen them before. However, if one changes the vantage point, the things that can be learned from the view ...

  Today is Halloween.  For some it is an important day, but for many others this day is about evil.  Let’s check our perspective.   I encourage you to focus on what really matters.  Truth is simple.  The one who provides for us is willing to do so much more and make sure that our future is secure.   Jesus is life.  God is peace.  You are loved by God.   God is not just willing to help us and be with us, but it is His nature to make our lives stronger and better.  Remember who you are.  You are forgiven.  Focus on God.  Doing that will change almost every situation, will remove shame, encourage others and allow us to know real and lasting peace.  That is why we need to share the love of God as it has been shared with us.   Enjoy the day.  Halloween.  Enjoy the candy and the fun.  But most of all enjoy life!  Now, share that with others.   Romans 5:1  NLT   Therefor...

Today is an important day for children every where as Halloween is celebrated.  I am not going to share the wickedness of the holiday or the comparison of the day. What I will do is encourage you and others to focus on what really matters.  The truth is simple.  The one who provides for us is so many things that we can lift up and shout about.  Jesus is life.  God is peace.  You are loved by God.  He is not just willing to help and be with us, but it is His nature to make our lives stronger and better.   Remember who you are.  Forgiven.  Remember that focusing on the good and on God will change almost every situation, will remove your shame, will encourage others to live in peace and not fear, and allows us to share the love of God as it has been shared with us. Enjoy the day.  Enjoy the candy and the fun.  But most of all enjoy life!  Now, share that with others. Romans 5:1  NLT   Therefore, since we have been m...

  We need perspective.  Perspective is much about the understanding of what we see.  If you change your position, your perspective might change as well.  It is like seeing something up close and then moving away, seeing something from ground level then moving five stories in the air.  It really changes things a lot.  Your perspective changes. I think this is something of what Paul was talking about in Philippians 3.  These verse stream off the page, and to look at it a little different or to apply them in a different way may make them come alive. Here is what I mean… take them at face value as true and note the various things about faith that come to life.  Now make them a part of prayer with each piece a different prayer.  Let’s read it. Philippians 3:9-11  NLT   …I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depe...

  There was a time I remember a special verse began to take a hold in my life.  God does that.  He uses His word. In fact the Bible tells us, God tells us, that His word is useful in our lives.  It acts to guide and even rebuke, to encourage and to comfort, and it does so much more.  It will not be void or useless. There are times that stick out in my minds.  Some of those are like what I shared yesterday about times where God spoke to me.  But then there are other times that stick out.  This is like when my dad had heart-attack when I was young. God spoke in those times too.  It is one verse that keeps popping up at some critical times.  This began when I was very young.  It says, “let everything that has breathe praise the Lord.”   No matter what and when anything happens just praise God.  Think about praising Him when everything around you says don’t praise.  It will make a difference. When life is hard, praise God...

  There are times we just have to recognize it.  Today is one of those days for me.  From the calls or text, to the messages from so many, it is so evident to see how God has placed in my life some incredible people.  Has also given blessing, upon blessing. I mean it is easy to get negative.  It is easy to see the down side or even to dwell on what should have been.  All the while God is working and blessing all around us.  Look at the sunrise or the sunset.  Remember the conversation.   Stop taking making it so hard on yourself to life each day.  Stress takes minutes off of our lives.  Struggles rob us of life to live and to enjoy.  Literally what we dwell on will take the joy we can have. I choose joy.  I will choose to recognize the blessings.  Look at them.   Ephesians 1:3  NLT All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms ...

2 Corinthians 13:9   NLT For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong ; this we also pray for, that you be made complete. Where I am weak, He is strong.   Take a look at your life.   What struggles have you been through?   What turns have you been led to take?   What barriers have you come up against? The power of Scripture amazes me.   It is not just words, but the Bible holds life and so much for us.   It reveals to us God and the truth about God. God is powerful.   When our strength is drawn from something stronger than us, then we have loads of more power!   We have strength to get through the battles.   1 Corinthians 1:23-24 NASB but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24  but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. When His strength is ours, life is much different.   The dar...