Michael Harrison's e-devotion

Proverbs 14:4  NASB Where   no   oxen   are, the manger is clean, But much revenue   comes   by the strength of the ox. I struggle sometimes. Do you?  I am a little OCD or hung up on how things should be.  It is like this, I walk in to a room at home or church and see things are out of place.  Or I see someone doing a project and just maybe they are doing it differently than I would do it.  You see, I struggle. That struggle hits me often to remind me that everything doesn’t have to be like I like it or done my way.  As the old saying goes, “there many ways to skin a cat.”  And by the way I don’t like cats. As long as the project is complete it is good.  As long as things are taken care of in the room or at church it is all ok.  Do you get that?  It takes me time.  It hits my thinking and even deep down to my heart as I begin to th...

Today’s devotion is taken from the Navigators and their daily devotion in mid January.  Read on and be inspired! Ephesians 4:17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.  What do we do when our lives get out of focus and we’re no longer doing what God has called us to do? Too often, nothing! Sometimes the blurring occurs so gradually that we don’t even know we’re out of focus. All the more reason to keep our eyes on Jesus. You see, He was a very focused person, and He stuck with His mission. Notice Jesus’ words in Matthew 9:12-13: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick… For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus healing, teaching, and preaching–all part of revealing His kingdom. And everything He did was focused on His goal of calling people to repent and believe.   Can you imagine everyth...

Being bold is something that happens when you are settled and confident.  It is not something that is gifted to those who have it all together.  Boldness is an attribute of a person who has understanding and holds tight to it.  Be confident in who you are and in what God has done for you. Proverbs 28:1  HCSB The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. The bold stand firm when everyone else is running away.  The bold think of others rather than just about themselves.  People who are bold make a statement about living with passion rather than living with fear. Jesus loved people that others didn’t want to love or who didn’t think they deserved love. Valentine’s Day has just come and gone.  The hype of this holiday and others is huge.  But the love meant by various people on this holiday is fake.  It is a love that is not lasting, and th...

Titus 3:14  NASB Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to   meet   pressing   needs, so that they will not be unfruitful. When it comes to making a difference in the world, I believe this is the calling God has given the church.  Specifically, I desire to help people who live in poverty and often cannot help themselves. Just do good. That is a goal we can each hold on to. There people like Mother Teresa who said just help someone.  Speak up. Share what you have.  Realize that it cost you nothing to be kind or to help others know they are valuable. In fact when we serve others we will find that we have value too.  When we realize we have value, we might even find out what our purpose in life is.  This has become a revelation for many people I have watched serve through the years. Find out what you are passionate about and do it.  Find ways to meet needs i...

John 13:35  NLT Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. Today is Valentine’s day, and there are many things that go along with this day.    As a husband it is my day to spread a little extra love to my wife.    As a father it is also my place, with my wife, to love on our kids.    We often show this with gifts or a special meal, but it is really about connecting with people we care about. Today’s post is more personal than most.    I am blessed to have had some excellent examples of love in my life.    The love I am talking about is what looks past my shortcomings and brings out the best in me. I see that love in my wife.    I know that is the way God loves me as well.    I experience this kind of unconditional love when I have the opportunity to serve others.    Often that serving is when we do for others when they cannot do anything in return...

Gather memories.  Memories are gathered as you experience the moments of life… I have heard that type quote from various sources and many different ways. What I do know is that life is links by a series of moments that often mold us.  It is our faith and our perspective that helps that molding process especially when we allow God to be part or even the driving force of our lives and our passion for life. 1 Corinthians 13:7  NLT Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every   circumstance. Psalm 25:3  NLT No   one who   trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others. Some of the moments from last week’s mission trip to Cuba has shaped my thinking, and I continue to think about the reason or how things came together.  God can do anything, but why?  God made great things happen even when we didn’t understand o...