Michael Harrison's e-devotion

The Bible overflows with the character of God, and as I have shared recently, these verses lead us to pray Scripture back to God.  We learn about God, how He works and even how He loves and cares for us, His children.

Take a few minutes to read through some verses of the Bible and note the things you learn.  Mark what sticks out.  I am constantly amazed and grateful and encouraged by the greatness of our God.

Psalm 3:3  NLT  

But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.

Psalm 5:7  NLT 

Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.

Psalm 7:17  NLT  

I will thank the Lord because he is just; I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.

Psalm 8:1  NLT  

O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens.

Philippians 1:29  NLT  

For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. 

Philippians 2:9-11  NLT  

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

There is so much more.  Those are just a few of the verses that remind us of who our God is and how He acts.

Take some time as the weekend begins to pray.  Pray Scripture and see how God shows up.  Enjoy His presence because He is worthy and we are needy!

See you at church this weekend!

Hosea 6:1  NLT  

Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds.

Come back.  Come home.  Have you heard that before?  When you left that time or place or people that you miss so much.

Return to the place where you found love and strength. That place where God worked and you knew truth was held on to. Come back to God where life can return to you and there is more to come.

Run to God who loves and knows you.  Drifting from God is something we all most likely know too much about.  Drifting can happen quickly but often is subtle and slow.

That is why God reminded us to be light to this world.  We are not the light, but we hold the light.  We point to the light, and the light is Jesus.

Matthew 5:14-16  NLT  

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

One of the reasons we drift is we grow cold to the light due to sin in our lives.  We have to allow God to forgive our sin, point out our difficult places and help us run back to Him.

This has been a great week as a team from our church went on a mission trip to help build a church in eastern North Carolina.  They continue to serve, and I was able to spend two days serving.

So many things rush through my mind as we worked in the church’s new building.  First and foremost, I am overwhelmed with the responsibility and opportunity that the church has to impact their community and the world.  Second, I was reminded of what still needs to be done in the building we are working on.  And third, it is obvious that we all have the same call.

That call is to worship God and to help others see and come to know God.  May we take up that challenge and be who God called us to be.  He is worthy, and we are needy.  That is why I remind you of the facts from Psalm 1.  

This is a powerful statement that has long been part of my faith.  Read this and make it part of how you walk with God and serve others.

Psalm 1:1-3  NLT  

How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers! 2 Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Pray for the students.  This week and the past few weeks have reminded me of the important investment and incredible opportunity we have to love students.  Every age from the very young to college age students are around us.

Choose to be an agent of change and strengthening.  This could be words of encouragement or even some time well spent with students.  Teach them at church.  Shoot basketball with them.  Go to summer camp as a counselor.  Do something to impact the younger generation and support the ministries that work with them.

Graduations are happening or have happened.  College students are moving in the work force or getting ready for more study.  High school students are seeing opportunities for college, work or more years of study.  And others are having the joy of summer and such.

Pray for these students.  I found an article that encouraged us to pray in some certain ways for students.  Use these as a guide:

Pray for students to have: strength (Phil 4:13), courage (Joshua 1:9), peace (Phil 4:6), provision (Phil 4:19), direction (Proverbs 3:5-6), protection (Psalm 91:1-2), joy (Psalm 16:11), compassion (Ephesians 4:32), justice (Isaiah 1:17), wisdom (James 1:5), hope (Romans 15:13), love (2 Corinthians 13).  Check out this link https://club31women.com/12-powerful-verses-pray-children/

So stop and pray for the students you know.  Call their names out to God.  Those you are close to at any time let them know you are praying for them.  It will make a difference.  

2 Timothy 2:1  NLT  

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 

Finally, pray for teachers, professors, school staff and administrators.  May God do a wonderful work in those in education.  The last thing I ask you to pray for is our ministry and outreach called back2school that will happen in early August.  Next Thursday, May 28th, is an important meeting.

Prayer makes a difference.  Spend time in the presence of God!

Psalm 16:11  NLT  

Psalm 82:3-4  NLT  

Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. 4 Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people.

You might be keeping up with things that are going on around the world.  Pray for the peace of Israel and the middle east.  Pray for the nation of Cuba and the unrest and desperate economic situation.

My heart is in Cuba and has been in 2019 when I took my first mission trip.  So many people have left a mark on my heart and life.  Friends and ministry partners who are sharing the Gospel in their country.  I am so grateful for God leading me there these 6 and half years.

But the situation is grave.  So pray.  As the verses above say.  Pray for the poor, the oppressed, pray for rescue of the helpless and the release from evil or difficult people.  

Cuba gets worse daily with the need for food, fuel, electricity and hope.  The United States government continues to push change in their country, and I do believe that God will provide change that will lead to the people of this island nation.  Change not just to have what they need but so they will know God and have His hope.

Very simple, don’t stop praying.  Thank you for joining me in this important and life changing prayer.  As Matthew West says in his song, “Don’t Stop Praying”.

What’s your impossible , Your “I need a miracle” What’s got you barely hanging by a single thread What looks so hopeless now  What weighs down your heart with doubt  You beg for a breakthrough but no sign of breakthrough yet 

When you’ve cried and you’ve cried til your tears run dry The answer won’t come and you don’t know why And you wonder if you can bow your head even one more time … 

He’s close to the brokenhearted Saves those who are crushed in spirit The Alpha and Omega knows how your story ends …

Some of the strongest I’ve ever studied and thought through are the ones I share with you today.  They hold truth that will guide us now and for eternity.  They helped shape what I do and what I believe.

As you read through these verses note of what sticks out to you.  It will reinforce what you believe or change it.  Let God speak.

Philippians 2:3-11  NLT

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.  7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.  When he appeared in human form,  8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This a short e-devotion, but I intend for it to be packed with the truth of this passage from the Bible.  I leave you with that one thought that puts it all together…

Luke 9:43  NLT  

Awe gripped the people as they saw this majestic display of God’s power.

Have you ever been stopped by something somewhere and ended up in AWE?  It is one of those moments you didn’t expect, left you inspire, and left you with peace.

I have been there.  Most likely we all have.  It might be the landscape or sky you notice.  It could have been a story someone shared.  Maybe it was a Scripture you read many times before, but this time was different.  It was something you didn’t expect.

Psalm 65:8  NLT  

Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy.

Watch because God is working.  We will be in awe and long for times of awe.  Unexpected moments of joy.  Moments that seemed to stand still.

Exodus 14:31 NLT  

When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses.

An artist worked to create what his heart saw.  A writer pens what seems to roll through their brain.  A speaker shares a message, a story that grabs you.

God is an artist.  He captures events, landscapes, moments in time to give us glimpses of His glory.  Those are the moments that leave us in awe of our awesome God.  

Habakkuk 3:2  NLT 

I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy.

Watch for them.  Put down your phone.  Stop the car.  Take a breathe.  Take it in.  Thank God and see how He continues to create moments of awe for you.

Psalm 33:8  NLT  

Sunday is always a good day.  Church.  Family.  Rest.  And more.  So today in the e-devotion I share with you some thoughts, quotes and overflow from what I shared with our church yesterday.

Psalm 122:1  NLT  

“I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

Worship is one of those places, as a pastor, where I get nervous and desire to lead our people in the right direction.  That would be in to the presence of the Lord.  He has a plan.  He is worthy of worship and more.

Scripture says in James that those who teach are under a more judgment because of the weight of what they do, and that is why I want to make sure that I share a word from God.  Also the worship service should be full of what leads all of us to worship God.

You’ve been there.  It is a special time.  It is an important time.  There is an old saying that reminds me that you only get out of something what you put in to it or expect out of it.  That is why we should prepare for the worship service and expect to meet with the Lord.  Expectation is a big thing!

1 Timothy 2:8  NLT  

In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

On to some quotes from yesterday’s sermon…

- Ephesians 4 is packed full of truth that helps us know God and His love for us.  It leads us no only to Him but to recovery and leaving behind hurts, habits and hang ups.  He says we are to grow in Him, live in His love and unity, choose to be children of light and choose humility.  Maturity over immaturity.  Jesus over self.

- You will never have to forgive anyone more than God has already forgiven you.

- Resentment brings anger that leads to worrying, stewing, spewing, bothering you.  It makes you miserable.

- How do I forgive? (Forgive my self and forgive others)  GET honest. Admit it. Let it out. Face it.  You can’t get over hurt until you admit it hurt.

- Refocus your life by getting your heart right, reaching out to God, and face the world again with what God shares.

Colossians 3:15  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.

What were you aiming for?

A few months ago I was invited to a special event, fundraiser for a great nonprofit in Charlotte, that was a clay shoot.  You know.  Shotguns.  Clay targets hurled in various directions that you have to shoot.

Needless to say, I am not a very good shot.  I got some, but most of them I missed and missed by a long way.

In a conversation this week with one of our coaches he quoted this old saying, “If you aim at nothing, you hit it every time.”  What a huge reminder.

Life is intended to be lived with purpose and with goals.  Much like that shotgun and the targets you have to aim right, understand the direction of your target and work toward hitting it.

So many of the things in our lives involve the same thing.  Aiming at something, setting goals, making decisions and trying to hit where you aim.  Thus, I ask us a question this morning, “what are you aiming for?”  That question ought to leave us with a few more questions and decisions that will take us a long way.

As a Christian we have much to aim for … be like Jesus, serve others, encourage people, listen and follow God.  Those are awesome goals, but you might have others… finish school and the degree, plan the trip, complete the project, buy that house.  Whatever the goal, choose what you are aiming for?

Philippians 3:12-14  NLT   

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Paul knew what he was aiming for.  It wasn’t something that was so far away he could not reach, but it was a huge goal.

Set your goals.  Aim at the target.  Make big goals that challenge you, and along the way let God lead you to great days and making a great impact for the Gospel.

Deuteronomy 10:21  NLT  

He alone is your God, the only one who is worthy of your praise, the one who has done these mighty miracles that you have seen with your own eyes.

Often I wake up with a song playing in my head and even singing parts of it.  There are times that this drives Julie crazy because I keep repeating it.  

It happened again today.  Before I share the song I go back to something I shared yesterday.  The prayer pattern I have learned from Strategic Renewal has impacted how I lead others to pray and how I pray.

There is a simple pattern when you use Scripture in prayer.  It is “God is worthy” and we are need”.  Keep that phrase, those two distinctions, in mind as you read Scripture and understand who God is.  He truly is worthy.  The Scripture declares that throughout.  And our lives declare it the closer we get to God.

Then on to the song.  It is sung by CeCe Winans, and the song is “Worthy of It All”.  Here is part of the song (go listen to it for yourself).

All the saints and angels

They bow before Your throne

All the elders cast their crowns

Before the Lamb of God and sing

You are worthy of it all

You are worthy of it all

For from You are all things

And to You are all things

You deserve the glory

God is worthy of it all.  All our praise.  All our lives and all of the glory.  The older I get the more this is real to me.  May our lives and our prayers declare the glory of God!

John 17:4  NLT 

I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.

Jesus taught us and showed us how to give all the glory back to God.  Your turn!

Romans 12:1  NLT  

Deuteronomy 10:21  NLT  

He alone is your God, the only one who is worthy of your praise, the one who has done these mighty miracles that you have seen with your own eyes.

Often I wake up with a song playing in my head and even singing parts of it.  There are times that this drives Julie crazy because I keep repeating it.  

It happened again today.  Before I share the song I go back to something I shared yesterday.  The prayer pattern I have learned from Strategic Renewal has impacted how I lead others to pray and how I pray.

There is a simple pattern when you use Scripture in prayer.  It is “God is worthy” and we are need”.  Keep that phrase, those two distinctions, in mind as you read Scripture and understand who God is.  He truly is worthy.  The Scripture declares that throughout.  And our lives declare it the closer we get to God.

Then on to the song.  It is sung by CeCe Winans, and the song is “Worthy of It All”.  Here is part of the song (go listen to it for yourself).

All the saints and angels

They bow before Your throne

All the elders cast their crowns

Before the Lamb of God and sing

You are worthy of it all

You are worthy of it all

For from You are all things

And to You are all things

You deserve the glory

God is worthy of it all.  All our praise.  All our lives and all of the glory.  The older I get the more this is real to me.  May our lives and our prayers declare the glory of God!

John 17:4  NLT 

I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.

Jesus taught us and showed us how to give all the glory back to God.  Your turn!

Romans 12:1  NLT  

What is God like?  I mean how do we know the character of God?

Some time ago I began following a ministry called Strategic Renewal that guides us to through Scripture Fed and Bible based prayer.  Literally praying through the verses we read out of Scripture.  It is powerful stuff.

As I was reading through Proverbs yesterday this seemed to come alive and lead me to pray.  So, in this e-devotion I am going to give you some verses from Proverbs 12 that reminded me of the character of God and led me to pray using these and other verses.

Read on.  Well, pray on and see how God leads you.

Proverbs 12  NLT

… the godly have deep roots. (verse 3)

The plans of the godly are just … (verse 5)

… the words of the godly save lives (verse 6)

… the family of the godly stands firm (verse 7)

… the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit. (verse 12)

Wise words bring many benefits, and hard work brings rewards. (verse 14)

Truthful words stand the test of time … (verse 19)  

The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge… (verse 23)  

The godly give good advice to their friends … (verse 26)  

The way of the godly leads to life; that path does not lead to death. (verse 28)

Matthew 11:28-30  NLT

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Powerful words read often.  Shouted and shared in many places and in many ways through the years.  Since I became a Christian this truth has been a great reminded, and that is why I give it back to you today.  God is for each of us.

SAFE PLACE — God offers safety to His children.  We are God’s kids!  And because His we know that we are made by Him and saved by Him.  He offers shelter, warmth, safety and peace.  When people live in without those things, there is no safety.  They constantly live in a mess and with trouble.  They live in fear.

Faith replaces fear when God is in your life.  The first concept of these verses says “come to me”.  Come to God because He is our safe place.  

BURDENS — We all have burdens, some bigger than others.  Daily we deal with them, but what are we going to do with our burdens?  By ourselves we will fail.  With God’s help we win.  With God’s help burdens become blessings in time.  

God says that our burdens are His and not ours.  Exchange ours burdens for His blessings.  When we worry less, we will trust Him more.  

TEACH US — There are many more truths to these verses.  Like the disciples learned from Jesus, we learn from Him.  We learn to deal with our struggles.  We learn to rest instead of being stressed.  His burdens are light.  

With God our lives are different.  Our passion will be different.  Our path with be different.  Our purpose will become evident.  

Do you get overwhelmed by the things you have to do?  I do.  The list tends to grow.  I get more discouraged.  Sometimes I give up or just cross something off the list that falls to the side.

My point today is not to tell us to quit but to encourage each of us to do something that is the most important.  I am reminded about a story.  It involved two sisters that loved Jesus.  They spent a lot of time with Him.  Jesus raised their bother, Lazarus, from the dead.  The sisters are Mary and Martha.

Luke 10:38-42  NLT  

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

They both loved Jesus.  This was an important time for them both and for all that were close to Jesus.  Martha was worried that everything would be right, everyone would have food to eat and so much more.  But Mary just sat at Jesus’ feet.

I am sure they had talked about their issues many times.  Different gifts.  Different ideas of what is most important.  We have seen this before.

Jesus said clearly that Mary has chosen what was most important.  Sitting at Jesus’ feet.  Seeking God.  Taking in the moments and the truth and the time with Jesus.  That is what most important to Mary.

We have all those things to do, but we cannot and should not miss our time with God.  He loves us and desires to pour in to our lives.  I often get distracted with the busy things of life, but the most important thing is time with Jesus.

Choose to pray and stay close to Jesus.  It is the most important thing, always!

James 4:7-8  NLT  

This is an important weekend for many things going on.  That includes Mother’s Day.  But for our family it is even more.

Our kids will be with us as we celebrate that our oldest daughter will be having a baby in a couple months.  But all our kids and grand kids will be here and a few other family members.

It hit me late last night as my wife gave me a task to complete.  Our girls are mother’s.  That gives this Sunday even more joy.  Those little girls that we raised are not so little any more.  They are raising little ones.  Kind of hits this dad in the heart.  

Put on top of that that I have been missing my mom and dad more lately, or so it seems.  Family is important.  Take time to make that a reality of what is important to you.  And for this weekend celebrate the moms who mean so much to you.

Proverbs 31:28-30  NLT  

Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.

What awesome gifts these ladies are to our lives, to our families, to our church and so much more.  May we recognize the importance of how God has blessed each of us.

Let me encourage us not to miss those ladies that might not be moms but they are such great encouragers and blessings. 

Isaiah 55:6  NLT  

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.

I close this week by giving you the same challenge that I have given our church for the month of May.  It is the 5th month of the year, and each month we have asked our church family to do something a little different to turn our attention to God.  

Being the 5th month take the challenge to spend 5 extra minutes 5 days each week to pray.  Pray for people you don’t normally pray for.  Or take some passages of Scripture and pray them back to God.  Use Psalms or Proverbs and speak them and what comes to mind back to God in prayer.

What we honor says a lot about us.  Honor the Lord with your prayers, and this weekend choose to honor the ladies around you that are so important.  

1 Peter 2:17  NLT  

Today is set aside by our country as the National Day of Prayer.  The first Thursday of May each year.  Choose to spend some time today in prayer.

2 Chronicles 7:14  NLT

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

That one important verse is shared in many places, quoted in sermons and repeated in so many places.  When we talk about the needs of our country and the world, this is where we should turn.  If you read the verses that surround it, there is much, much to learn.

Solomon had just completed the construction of the temple.  It was a beautiful landmark that his father, King David,  wanted to build, but it was his son, now king Solomon, that brought the temple in to its glory.  God appears to him and reminds Solomon of the need for God to know His people and to love them.

Even if all kinds of bad things happen when God’s people come humbly to their God, God will be who He promises to be and do what He promises to do. What a great example of a people connected to God and to strong nations.

Psalm 33:12  NASB

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.

Our nation and the nations of the world need God.  Today is the “National Day of Prayer”.  We are encouraged to pray for authorities and to God.  We need God.  Our families need God.  Our nation needs God.  Today we proclaim that fact.

Spend some time praying today.  There are mostly likely programs or activities in your community today.  In Martinsville there is a special time of pray in many locations including at noon at the old courthouse in Uptown and at 6pm at the New College Institute with a special program all are invited to.

Pray today… for your family, church, your town and county, state, country and the world.  Include leaders of each of those.  Our prayers are important.  Prayer reminds us of who is in control and that trusting God is essential.  

Prayer make a difference.  Prayer will change you.  Prayer will change others.  Most of all prayer realigns us with our great, gracious and miracle working God that loves us so much.

Choosing to be grateful is an every day thing we should do.  It might not be your first choice when things around you are tough, the struggle is hard or negative stuff floods your mind.  But being grateful might just change those things in and around you because of your choice.

Psalm 50:14  NLT

Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High.

Thankful people are fun and pleasing to be around.  Grumpy and negative people aren’t a lot of fun.

That is one reason I choose, and need to choose, to be thankful.  I want to be known as a person who is gracious to others, grateful and generous. 

Stop for a few minutes and make a list.  Name a few things that you are thankful for that might go unnoticed.

Here are a few of mine… I am grateful for the people that said “thank you” when I didn’t expect it.  I am thankful for with our children and grandchildren through our phones or FaceTime.  I am thankful for the gas station that had gas had when I pulled in yesterday.  I am grateful for friends.  I am thankful for good night kisses from my wife.  I am thankful for good wifi.  I am thankful for a God who loves us no matter what.

What are you grateful for today?

One last one... happy birthday to our oldest daughter Rebecca. I am thankful for her!

1 Thessalonians 5:18  NLT