Michael Harrison's e-devotion

Ephesians 3:20  NLT  Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  There are so many times that we let our nature and our fear guide what we think and even our faith.  Does that mean that we lack faith or don’t believe God? Honestly, I believe the answer to both of those is YES.  That hurts.  Do you get it? Throughout the Bible are stories of people who thought differently, thought bigger and thought outside of the way that most people thought.  I believe God gave us a mind to use.  God gives us creativity to use.  Stop holding back. For years I have shared about dreaming big and attempting big things and living by faith, but I will confess that over several years and through getting busy or even becoming complacent, it is easy to stop dreaming, stop taking risks and even to stop living by faith.  Think about it! 2 Corinthians 5:7  NIV  ...

I continue to preach through the messages to the churches of Revelation (chapters 2 and 3), and this past Sunday we were in Sardis.  God had some issues with the church.  In fact it resembled a lot of places I have seen in my years going to church. The writer said that they had a reputation for being alive.  They did good things.  They even sounded good.  But a reputation is what God is looking for. They were dead.  On the outside they looked the part.  On the inside there was no life.  Jesus spoke to this as He encountered the Pharisees.  Listen in to that conversation that got very real … Matthew 23:37-38  NLT   "What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs-beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people's bones and all sorts of impurity. 28  Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and ...

Our family is finishing up our vacation early this week, and I continue to take a look back at e-devotions from the past.  I will turn back in time and pass on to you some that still speak to me.  Read and share as you are touched by these.  Pray God continues to use these e-devotions. The following e-devotion was first shared in May of 2018: These verses stick out.  They come from our series Chase the Lion that I shared at church.  I would call them support or background or teaching points or maybe even foundation.   As you read these there are many different directions that you could go, but I ask that you choose the most obvious.  There are some truths that held on to will allow us to go further, live stronger and to believe that God isn’t done with us and our families.  Read on…   Hebrews 11:6  NLT And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewa...

Claim the promises of Scripture and hold tight to them.  What is it that every day has in common for you?  You may say brushing your teeth or eating or a number of things.  But there are a few other things that ought to make the list. I believe there are a few great daily goals we should strive for.  Notice I did not say set resolutions.  I didn’t challenge you to lose weight or build a new house.  Let’s all find something that will take us further. First, focus on your faith. Romans 5:2 NLT Because of our   faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now   stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. Second, make sure your family know how important each of them are. Job 4:3 NLT In the past you have encouraged many people; you have   strengthened those who were weak. Third, read the word.  Hide the...

1 Samuel 19:5   NLT Have you forgotten about the time he   risk ed his life to kill the Philistine giant and how the   Lord   brought a great victory to all Israel as a result? You were certainly happy about it then. Why should you murder an innocent man like David? There is no reason for it at all!” That is about David.   Do you remember the details? David was at the camp where his brothers and the soldiers were.   He was checking on them and bringing food from his dad for his brothers.   While there he heard this big dude, the giant named Goliath, making fun of his God. This young boy was not going to let this go on.   He was not just young but small and seemingly weak.   What happened next wasn’t what was expected. Little David went out to face big Goliath.   No armor on and no sword in David’s hand.   He had tried to hold those things, but it wouldn’t work.   He did have some stones and a sling shot. ...