Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  Let’s just spend a few minutes today taking in some verses that have some incredible meaning.  In fact these things help us hear from God, get to know God and learn how to trust God. There is no particular order or some method to these.  But there is here is truth to help us walk with Jesus! Read on.  Listen up.  Ask God to speak. Psalm 27:14  NLT   Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Waiting is a spiritual discipline. 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 because we are united with Christ. We are blessed by God. Joshua 7:19  NLT   Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, by telling the truth. Make your confession and tell me what you have done. Don’t hide it from me.” Don’t keep what God has done to yourself.  Tell everyone. Je...

  We have all learned in life that there are some things that we do that make us better and stronger.  In this Friday e-devotion I share just a few that I have found to make me stronger, that give me wisdom and that put life in to perspective. I am not saying that I do these well.  I am saying that I have found these things to be helpful.  Here are some routines that will help us win. Pressing Pause Psalm 46:10  NLT   “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Exodus 31:13  NLT   “Tell the people of Israel: ‘Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy. Times to be quiet and reflect can add so much to our lives.  Life is busy and hectic and even at times overwhelming.  Getting quiet may be one of the best ways to turn off th...

  It is almost a new year, and there are so many things that I am looking forward to.  Some of those things are repeats of the past but great things.  Some things will be new and exciting.   One of the things that I challenge those who love God to do is to make sure that building your faith through interacting with the Bible is one of the most important things.  How do you spend time in the Word of God, the Bible?   Let’s look at a few of my thoughts about the Bible. Colossians 3:15-16  NLT   And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. By spending time in the word we will know His peace because we know His message. Hebrews 4:12  NLT   ...

  Don’t take for granted those moments.  Yeah, God provides moments that we need to cherish and remember. Sometimes life is moving fast.  We are busy.  So much going on and so many things to do.  It is that stuff that keeps us from being able to enjoy what God is doing and what God has provided.  I am speaking from experience. Yeah, I am an over achiever, work a lot, stay on the go and super busy.  Yet there are times I am reminder or hit over the head with opportunity to enjoy moments and people and unique stuff going on. Are we able to see those times?  Are we even able to enjoy those moments that God gives us? Ephesians 5:16  NLT   Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Psalm 46:10  NLT   “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalm 84:11  NLT   For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord wi...

We all have the same amount of time, but what we do with it is the question as well as the opportunity to for more.  Honestly, I am not a good manager of time, yet I see, almost daily, how God guides and flexes my time for His purposes.   Thank God that He reminds us to allow His movement over our schedules and our time.  60 minutes in each hour.  24 hours in each day.  7 days in each week.  And 356 days in each year.  We all have time.  But how we use it is a good question. Ephesians 5:15-16  NASB   So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. How we use our time makes a huge difference.  How we use our time speaks volumes about our faith.   Go a little deeper and here are some thoughts that come to me fairly often about how I use the gift of time God has given.  This really is important. Ecclesiastes 3:1-11  NLT   For everyt...

There are so many things that cross our minds on the weekend.  It is almost like the flood gates are opened.  Depending on the time of the year, the weather forecast and so much more as to what is coming your direction. Yet the challenge is answering the question of how we will use our time and energy.  I’d like to suggest several opportunities that have crossed my path and where they might lead me. Ephesians 5:16  NASB   making the most of your time, because the days are evil. Because of what I do there are often opportunities or events that I get to be part of.  It might be a wedding, a church event, a retreat or a number of other things.  To take time from family I have to decide to spend my energy on what is most important. That can be a hard decision, but we all have to make important decisions and often.  Use what you have in the best ways you can. 2 Timothy 3:1  NASB  But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will co...

  We returned from vacation and time with family yesterday, and there are many take aways that I brought home.  There is one.  That is one big one and simple too. Spend time with the people who mean the most to you, focus on them, have fun, laugh a lot… what we say doesn’t always match what we do.  What do you call that person?  You call them a hypocrite.  That is not what I want to be The last two weeks have done a lot for us.  But the big thing it did was help me realize that we will not always have this time together.  Make the most of what you have.  Time is not something we can get back.  Maybe you have heard what I have… let me explain.  You don’t hear people at the end of their life saying “I wish I worked more” or “I wish I spent less time with my loved ones”. It is not always the easiest choice, but it is the best one. Honor the people the love. Proverbs 3:27  NIV   Do not withhold good from those to whom it is du...

Over the next two weeks we are going to take a look back at e-devotions.  We will turn back time, and in these e-devotions I will pass on to you some that still speak to me.  Enjoy.  Share with others.  Pray for the impact of God’s truth on our lives. Thank you for allowing me to take some time off and still share with you these e-devotions as we turn back in time… This e-devotion was first shared on June 19, 2008: Psalm 34:8 NLT Taste and see that the Lord is good.  Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!   Psalm 69:32 NLT The humble will see their God at work and be glad.  Let all who seek God's help be encouraged. This has been a big week as God has worked in the ministry we are part of.  Yet Satan is often trying to get God's people to look away or be distracted from what God is doing.  We have to remember that Satan's plan is to take from us, and we have to see and know and claim that God's plan is to give to us (see John...