Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  Here are just a few of the why verses.  I mean these are some of the things that stand out as most important and what make us stronger.  Think through, pray through and push through these and the others that stand out to you. God First.  That’s why! Isaiah 55:6  CSB   Seek the Lord while he may be found; call to him while he is near. 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.” God’s Wisdom.  That’s why! James 1:5  NLT   If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.  Proverbs 3:5-6  NLT   Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Serve Others.  That’s why! Proverbs 31:8-9  NLT   Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice fo...

  What about the righteous?  Who are they and what does their life look like?  Good question, and the only way we know this is not by our opinion but by the Word of God. There you find the facts of faith provided by the wisdom of Proverbs.  Another reason I love this book and seek to read it daily is because of the truth God shares that guides our lives.  Chapter 10, the one I read yesterday, overflows with truth about the righteous. Here are some simple one line facts about those who follow Jesus. Proverbs 10  CSB 3 The Lord will not let the righteous go hungry… 6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous,… 7 The remembrance of the righteous is a blessing,… 8 A wise heart accepts commands,… 9 The one who lives with integrity lives securely,… 11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life… 13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning… 14 The wise store up knowledge,… 16 The reward of the righteo...

  This past Sunday I shared a message with our church in our series “prepare me” as we get ready for Easter.  I challenged us to take God at His work and ask for Wisdom.  But when we ask there may be a problem, and that problem is fueled by doubting. James 1:5-8  NLT   If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. That is the Scripture I shared.  It is also, verse 5, my life verse.  We should ask God for wisdom and not doubt.  Doubting as these verses share note that our attention and lives are divided between the world and God...

  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...

  There it is once again.  An opportunity to grow, to learn to lean in and hear from God.  As I shared how Scripture speaks to me, I heard my words repeating what James 1:5 says about God’s wisdom for our lives. Then I turn back to the place where I seek to turn everyday.  That would be the book of Proverbs.  The daily challenge to read this book.  Yesterday was July 1st, and that sends us to the beginning of the book once again.  Powerful truth.  31 chapters in 31 days going through the book of wisdom again each month. Go with me again.  Just a few of the verses that stand out and make sense as I lean on Jesus. Proverbs 1 NLT 2-7 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. 3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. 4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernm...

  This week I am sharing with you some of my favorite scriptures.  Each has become a “measuring stick” to help guide my decisions and help me seek the Lord.  Remember that there are opportunities all around for you and me.  How will we face those, with or without God’s help?  Will we seek what God wants for us?  I challenge each of us to let God lead, to choose what builds you and those around you. Read this one.  Take it in.  Study it.  Meditate on it or chew on it.  Ask yourself: what is God is saying to me in these verses?  James 1:2-5  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. 5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give i...