Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  It is common for verses to seen similar in wording and even in theme.  And those things ought to remind us of what God says.  Take it to heart.  Remember it and even tell others. This year my brother and I have been reading and memorizing the book of James.  The first chapter is packed with meaning and what we need to apply.  Move on to this Sunday’s sermon from 1 Peter 1 and we find common ground.  This is truth we need to apply. Here are the verses.  Spent come time here today. James 1:2-4  NLT   Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. and…  1 Peter 1:6-7  NLT   So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trial...

  James 5:11  NLT   We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy. Last week was very full with lots of outcomes that make me smile as well as make me know that the future of our ministry is going to be even stronger than the past 20 years.  It is an honor to be part of what God is doing and of a church where God is working. In the last few months I have been led to read through the book of Job.  It is a book of suffering with not many answers of why suffering happens.  More so we are given an example of how to maintain character in the middle of suffering, pain and tragedy.   But what has stuck out to me most is toward the end of the story.  Job was tested by Satan because God allowed that to happen.  Job was encouraged to quit.  Job was told by his wife to walk away fro...

Matthew 28:6 NASB He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. What was it like when those ladies came to Jesus' grave that first Easter Sunday morning?  This man changed their lives.  His body was gone.  Now it was time to remember ... remember why Jesus came to earth.  He came to die. 1 Peter 3:18 NLT Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. His death was not something that surprised Jesus or His father.  His death was a choice He made to help people know the peace of God.  His death brings life to all who will come to Him.  His death was cruel on a cross meant for criminals and the worst of society and not for the son of God.  But it was on that cross that our sin and humanity found it's right plac...

Reminders that we need and need often: Psalm 148:13  NLT Let them   all   praise   the name of the   Lord . For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven! Keep on praising God.  No matter what is going on praise Him! Psalm 119:71 NLT My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees. I talked about suffering yesterday, and a friend sent me this verse.  Even our suffering reminds us to pay attention to what God is doing. Hebrews 10:25  NLT And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but   encourage   one   another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Be an encourager.  Be encouraged.  Spending time with other people who love God and love you will be encouragement to you. Don’t miss those meetings and times together. Psalm 46:10  NLT “Be ...

One of my favorite passages about Easter and our Savior is from the Old Testament and written long before Jesus was on earth.   The prophet Isaiah shared these words that bring to life what Jesus went through Easter week and beyond. As you careful read these verses allow your mind to connect the dots.   Connect the parts of our Jesus’ childhood.   Connect the dots between the suffering and our Savior’s death.   Jesus really is the truth of Christmas and the gift of Easter. Yes.   I said gift.   We don’t deserve His not God’s grace, yet God gave.   Read on and celebrate Easter with this reality. Isaiah 52:13-53:12   NLT See, my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted. 14  But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man. 15  And he will startle many nations. Kings will stand speechless in his presence. For they...