Read:
24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
W-Who God is in us
O-One with God
R-Restoration through our worship
S-Stand upon the foundation
H-Heed to His call
I-Insight for our destiny in Him
P-Producing fruit will come from our worship
Praise and worship is so important for us as believers. As a praise and worship leader, I understand the importance of the need for revelation mixed with my worship to God. Praise is an expression of faith, either through song or devotion of what God has done for us. Worship is an expression of special love to God by song or devotion of who God is, and who God is in us. We praise God for his acts, and we worship God for his character. I want to encourage you today as you worship the Lord in song or devotion to bring with you a revelation of who God really is. Great things will happen in your walk with God when you magnify and lift Jesus up. Many magnify the moves of God instead of the one who pours down His glory upon us. Many magnify the things of God rather than lifting the one who creates all of the things. There's nothing wrong with enjoying the things that God created when are heart is fixed upon Him. There is such power when we think upon God's name. Name in Hebrew is Shem, and it means his reputation and character, and we need to reverence His character and His reputation. The power of the worshiper doesn't come from the mind, but it does go through the mind. What we think upon as we are praising and worshiping God effects our whole life to be consecrated to Christ fully. God's word in our heart begins to renew our mind, heal our emotions, and gives us the strength to walk in the spirit.
Prayer:
Lord we ask that you give us such a revelation of your name as we enter your presence. You said in your word that we can enter the most holy place by the blood of Jesus. We enter today Lord by that revelation, and we seek your holy face. We seek you Lord for who you are. Because of who you are we are accepted and can express our love for you because of that acceptance. Amen.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
From Filthy Garments To Righteous Robes July 2nd Devotional
Read:
Zechariah 3:1-6
1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.
2 The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?"
3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel.
4 He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, "Remove the filthy garments from him " Again he said to him, "See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes."
5 Then I said, "Let them put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments, while the angel of the LORD was standing by.
6 And the angel of the LORD admonished Joshua, saying,
7 "Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'If you will walk in My ways and if you will perform My service, then you will also govern My house and also have charge of My)courts, and I will grant you free access among these who are standing here.
The Branch
8 'Now listen, Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who are sitting in front of you--indeed they are men who are a symbol for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the Branch.
How many times do we put a filthy garment of negative perception on top of our beautiful robe of righteousness that we have received in the new birth. You’ve been born again through true repentance, and you felt you could do the works of Jesus right then, but oh! Then you see that growth is necessary in your walk with Jesus. You see that Jesus needs to be the Lord of your life in every area. Then the devil comes and starts whispering things in your ear like, your no good! You are not really saved! You will never make it in this life! etc. Here in Zechariah chapter 3, Zechariah the prophet is there to speak a message to the Jews about rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. The Jews became complacent and lost hope bringing a fifteen year delay in rebuilding the temple. Joshua was a high priest who came to Jerusalem years before with Zerubbabel the governor with the first fifty-thousand jews to return to Jerusalem under the Kings order. Zechariah saw a vision for Joshua. Satan was standing next to Joshua as an accuser. Wow! How many times does the enemy stand there to accuse us. Then Zechariah sees the angel in the vision rebuke Satan. This was so that Joshua could see who he really is again through the eyes of God. Then the angel took the filthy garment in the vision off of Joshua and put a new revelation before him to show him his state of position as priest. The greek word for remove in Zechariah 3:3 is cuwr and it means to come to an end, and the greek word for festal robes upon Joshua in the vision is machalatsah and it means a state of position. The branch in verse 8 is Christ Jesus coming from the Davidic tree being born as the branch or messiah, God the Son. Life application here is that sometimes we do put a filthy garment of negative perception on top of the beautiful robe of righteousness, and our life walk with Christ seems to come to a halt. We feel pain, guilt, misery, and every other other sort of emotion that keeps us from advancing God’s Kingdom and living a fruitful life as a believer. I can hear the words of the Holy Spirit speaking to you now in this devotional. Take off that filthy garment of legalism and religion. Take off that filthy garment of negative things that maybe family or even friends have spoken over you. Take off that filthy garment of lies that the enemy has told you. I can hear the Holy Spirit tell you that you are great. You are a child of the King. You are a chosen generation, new Jerusalem, living stones, and I clothe you now with a “revelation” of who you are in me says the Lord God almighty. Let’s go from filthy garments to a fresh revelation of the robe of righteousness that God has already placed upon us in the new birth.
prayer:
Lord we come to you in the name of Jesus and ask that you give us revelation of who we really are in you. We are so tired Lord of seeing you the way that others portrayed you to be, and we want to see you through the eyes of your spirit with such a fellowship and devotion that brings forth a power to submit to you in such a powerful way. We rise up in the name of Jesus and stretch out our hands with the glow and light of a robe that was washed clean by the blood of Christ. Amen
Zechariah 3:1-6
1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.
2 The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?"
3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel.
4 He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, "Remove the filthy garments from him " Again he said to him, "See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes."
5 Then I said, "Let them put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments, while the angel of the LORD was standing by.
6 And the angel of the LORD admonished Joshua, saying,
7 "Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'If you will walk in My ways and if you will perform My service, then you will also govern My house and also have charge of My)courts, and I will grant you free access among these who are standing here.
The Branch
8 'Now listen, Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who are sitting in front of you--indeed they are men who are a symbol for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the Branch.
How many times do we put a filthy garment of negative perception on top of our beautiful robe of righteousness that we have received in the new birth. You’ve been born again through true repentance, and you felt you could do the works of Jesus right then, but oh! Then you see that growth is necessary in your walk with Jesus. You see that Jesus needs to be the Lord of your life in every area. Then the devil comes and starts whispering things in your ear like, your no good! You are not really saved! You will never make it in this life! etc. Here in Zechariah chapter 3, Zechariah the prophet is there to speak a message to the Jews about rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. The Jews became complacent and lost hope bringing a fifteen year delay in rebuilding the temple. Joshua was a high priest who came to Jerusalem years before with Zerubbabel the governor with the first fifty-thousand jews to return to Jerusalem under the Kings order. Zechariah saw a vision for Joshua. Satan was standing next to Joshua as an accuser. Wow! How many times does the enemy stand there to accuse us. Then Zechariah sees the angel in the vision rebuke Satan. This was so that Joshua could see who he really is again through the eyes of God. Then the angel took the filthy garment in the vision off of Joshua and put a new revelation before him to show him his state of position as priest. The greek word for remove in Zechariah 3:3 is cuwr and it means to come to an end, and the greek word for festal robes upon Joshua in the vision is machalatsah and it means a state of position. The branch in verse 8 is Christ Jesus coming from the Davidic tree being born as the branch or messiah, God the Son. Life application here is that sometimes we do put a filthy garment of negative perception on top of the beautiful robe of righteousness, and our life walk with Christ seems to come to a halt. We feel pain, guilt, misery, and every other other sort of emotion that keeps us from advancing God’s Kingdom and living a fruitful life as a believer. I can hear the words of the Holy Spirit speaking to you now in this devotional. Take off that filthy garment of legalism and religion. Take off that filthy garment of negative things that maybe family or even friends have spoken over you. Take off that filthy garment of lies that the enemy has told you. I can hear the Holy Spirit tell you that you are great. You are a child of the King. You are a chosen generation, new Jerusalem, living stones, and I clothe you now with a “revelation” of who you are in me says the Lord God almighty. Let’s go from filthy garments to a fresh revelation of the robe of righteousness that God has already placed upon us in the new birth.
prayer:
Lord we come to you in the name of Jesus and ask that you give us revelation of who we really are in you. We are so tired Lord of seeing you the way that others portrayed you to be, and we want to see you through the eyes of your spirit with such a fellowship and devotion that brings forth a power to submit to you in such a powerful way. We rise up in the name of Jesus and stretch out our hands with the glow and light of a robe that was washed clean by the blood of Christ. Amen
Thursday, July 1, 2010
July 1st Devotional
Read:
Matthew 5:13-15
13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
I can remember back years ago when I worked at this particular place. I was a cell leader and did some worship and teaching at my Father's church he was a pastor at. I was on fire for the things of God, and I would bring my bible and read during lunch time. They probably called me a Jesus freak. I don't know, but I really didn't care. I cared for the things of God more than life itself. There was this one guy I couldn't stand. We will call him John Doe. John had a filthy mouth and loved to drink. I told the Lord, "Lord, this guy will never come to you!" John made me so mad. I would be reading during my lunch break, and he would just cuss and carry on. Months later, John Doe sat down at the table I was at one night, and he had tears streaming down his face. He said, "I want this God you serve!" I couldn't believe it. I had to shake my head and wipe my eyes to see if this was really happening. He was in front of everyone in the lunch area, but it seemed like he didn't even care. His car was in the shop that morning, so I was able to take him home. I led him to the Lord that Sunday morning and he repented of his sins and was washed by the blood of Jesus. He began to weep and cry and you can really tell that it was a true conversion. It gets better. Years down the road, I was at my brother-in law's house, and I asked him how his job was coming along? He worked at the same grocery retail store that I worked at but a different location. He was an assistant store manager and told me that he had a pretty good crew. He said, "There is this one fellow there though that is kinda weird." I asked him about this fellow. He said his name was John Doe. He said that he brings his bible to work every night and talks about Jesus to all of us. Man! you talk about a chill running down my spine. This John Doe is the same exact John Doe that I led to Christ Jesus years past. I said all of that to let us realize that we are the salt of the earth and just remember that there is always somebody watching us. They want to see that what we believe is really real or not. Let's be the salt of this earth, and let's be the reflection of Jesus to a lost and dying world.
Prayer:
Lord we thank you today for your power and salvation. We pray that we would shine forth your light like never before to this generation. Lord we never know sometimes that there is the most unlikely prospect that is studying our every move to see if we really believe what we believe. Help us Lord to be the salt of this earth. Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Matthew 5:13-15
13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
I can remember back years ago when I worked at this particular place. I was a cell leader and did some worship and teaching at my Father's church he was a pastor at. I was on fire for the things of God, and I would bring my bible and read during lunch time. They probably called me a Jesus freak. I don't know, but I really didn't care. I cared for the things of God more than life itself. There was this one guy I couldn't stand. We will call him John Doe. John had a filthy mouth and loved to drink. I told the Lord, "Lord, this guy will never come to you!" John made me so mad. I would be reading during my lunch break, and he would just cuss and carry on. Months later, John Doe sat down at the table I was at one night, and he had tears streaming down his face. He said, "I want this God you serve!" I couldn't believe it. I had to shake my head and wipe my eyes to see if this was really happening. He was in front of everyone in the lunch area, but it seemed like he didn't even care. His car was in the shop that morning, so I was able to take him home. I led him to the Lord that Sunday morning and he repented of his sins and was washed by the blood of Jesus. He began to weep and cry and you can really tell that it was a true conversion. It gets better. Years down the road, I was at my brother-in law's house, and I asked him how his job was coming along? He worked at the same grocery retail store that I worked at but a different location. He was an assistant store manager and told me that he had a pretty good crew. He said, "There is this one fellow there though that is kinda weird." I asked him about this fellow. He said his name was John Doe. He said that he brings his bible to work every night and talks about Jesus to all of us. Man! you talk about a chill running down my spine. This John Doe is the same exact John Doe that I led to Christ Jesus years past. I said all of that to let us realize that we are the salt of the earth and just remember that there is always somebody watching us. They want to see that what we believe is really real or not. Let's be the salt of this earth, and let's be the reflection of Jesus to a lost and dying world.
Prayer:
Lord we thank you today for your power and salvation. We pray that we would shine forth your light like never before to this generation. Lord we never know sometimes that there is the most unlikely prospect that is studying our every move to see if we really believe what we believe. Help us Lord to be the salt of this earth. Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
June 30th Devotional by Keith Edwards
Read:
Philippians 2:5
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus
Also:
Philippians 2:15
so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,
We are living in a time of a crooked and corrupt generation. We are living in a time where we need to show forth character and be a light to the world like never before. All the world can see is a plastic type Christianity with no fruit. You see the hype-prosperity message, strange prophecies, and other things that have been going on in the church and this would have shocked great protestant ministers during the great reformation. Martin Luther in the 1500’s would have fallen over in disbelief at how corrupt the protestant movement has gotten off to. He would have placed ninety-five more thesis at the foot of the church. We have tv evangelist’s begging for seeds, asking for mortgage payments so that God will pay off there mortgage payment, and every other ridiculous move that has embarrassed the protestant church. This is not the most popular devotional but it is needed. I’d probably get hung in some churches if I taught this message. But friend, we need a character rebirth like never before. The greek word for attitude in Philippians 2:5 is phroneo, and it means to be like-minded with the same views. Could you imagine Jesus teaching on the sermon of the mount and saying, “For ten dollars I’ll give you my teaching of the sermon on the mount.” Could you imagine Jesus saying, “I’ll pray for you for a whole year with a little love offering of one thousand dollars, and two years for two thousand dollars." This sounds unbelievable, but just go online or watch some of the tv channels and you’ll see this nonsense. I've seen it first hand, and I about fell over when I saw this mess, being so so grieved in my spirit. I know that I’m being a little sarcastic about what would Jesus do, but we need to be lights in the world. How do we get a good attitude and walk in the spirit? By our devotion, prayer, and our faithfulness. You see, the secret to a successful life as a Christian is the success of our secret life in our prayer closet and our personal life. It goes hand in hand with our commitment to the body of Christ and faithfulness in our home church. Character is determined by the inner-life of a person. It reflects either the sinful nature being influenced by the world, or the devine nature influenced by the Holy Spirit. Our character will affect our attitude, our attitude will affect our calling, and our calling will ultimately affect our destiny here on earth. God’s got a destiny and place here on this earth for us, and our character is the foundation for unleashing God’s will in our life. Some of us need a new birth, but many of us need a character rebirth. Let’s be like Jesus and show something to this generation.
By Keith Edwards
Prayer:
Lord, we come to you in your precious name and ask that you search our hearts. Show us if there is anything that is not right, and help us to shine our light to this fallen world. We sit at your feet Jesus in prayer and we ask that we would have the same mind and attitude that you have Lord. Help us Lord to hear your heartbeat as your church and body. We ask this all in your name. Amen.
Posted by Keith at 12:00 AM
1 comments:
Sandy Groom MSW said...
Thank you Keith for your blog.
Our most powerful work begins in our prayer closet -- that quiet place where we spend alone with our mighty God.
It is easy to turn our eyes on those who make a mockery of walking with Jesus; who choose hype over committed faith. In fact, it's easy to become distracted by many things. Yet so important to draw close to the Lord and spend time with him, looking at him and who he is, praising him, crying out to him, loving him, and his Word - the Bible.
He is the one who gives us a character re-birth; he will make us and mold us each day, if we allow him to work in us and through us.
He loves us that much.
Thanks
Sandy Groom at hopeforhurtinghearts.blogspot.com
Philippians 2:5
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus
Also:
Philippians 2:15
so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,
We are living in a time of a crooked and corrupt generation. We are living in a time where we need to show forth character and be a light to the world like never before. All the world can see is a plastic type Christianity with no fruit. You see the hype-prosperity message, strange prophecies, and other things that have been going on in the church and this would have shocked great protestant ministers during the great reformation. Martin Luther in the 1500’s would have fallen over in disbelief at how corrupt the protestant movement has gotten off to. He would have placed ninety-five more thesis at the foot of the church. We have tv evangelist’s begging for seeds, asking for mortgage payments so that God will pay off there mortgage payment, and every other ridiculous move that has embarrassed the protestant church. This is not the most popular devotional but it is needed. I’d probably get hung in some churches if I taught this message. But friend, we need a character rebirth like never before. The greek word for attitude in Philippians 2:5 is phroneo, and it means to be like-minded with the same views. Could you imagine Jesus teaching on the sermon of the mount and saying, “For ten dollars I’ll give you my teaching of the sermon on the mount.” Could you imagine Jesus saying, “I’ll pray for you for a whole year with a little love offering of one thousand dollars, and two years for two thousand dollars." This sounds unbelievable, but just go online or watch some of the tv channels and you’ll see this nonsense. I've seen it first hand, and I about fell over when I saw this mess, being so so grieved in my spirit. I know that I’m being a little sarcastic about what would Jesus do, but we need to be lights in the world. How do we get a good attitude and walk in the spirit? By our devotion, prayer, and our faithfulness. You see, the secret to a successful life as a Christian is the success of our secret life in our prayer closet and our personal life. It goes hand in hand with our commitment to the body of Christ and faithfulness in our home church. Character is determined by the inner-life of a person. It reflects either the sinful nature being influenced by the world, or the devine nature influenced by the Holy Spirit. Our character will affect our attitude, our attitude will affect our calling, and our calling will ultimately affect our destiny here on earth. God’s got a destiny and place here on this earth for us, and our character is the foundation for unleashing God’s will in our life. Some of us need a new birth, but many of us need a character rebirth. Let’s be like Jesus and show something to this generation.
By Keith Edwards
Prayer:
Lord, we come to you in your precious name and ask that you search our hearts. Show us if there is anything that is not right, and help us to shine our light to this fallen world. We sit at your feet Jesus in prayer and we ask that we would have the same mind and attitude that you have Lord. Help us Lord to hear your heartbeat as your church and body. We ask this all in your name. Amen.
Posted by Keith at 12:00 AM
1 comments:
Sandy Groom MSW said...
Thank you Keith for your blog.
Our most powerful work begins in our prayer closet -- that quiet place where we spend alone with our mighty God.
It is easy to turn our eyes on those who make a mockery of walking with Jesus; who choose hype over committed faith. In fact, it's easy to become distracted by many things. Yet so important to draw close to the Lord and spend time with him, looking at him and who he is, praising him, crying out to him, loving him, and his Word - the Bible.
He is the one who gives us a character re-birth; he will make us and mold us each day, if we allow him to work in us and through us.
He loves us that much.
Thanks
Sandy Groom at hopeforhurtinghearts.blogspot.com
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Our Actions Do Speak Louder Than Words June 29th Devotional
Read:
It was a hot day at Jakarta airport. Chuck Colson, who is an author and minister of the gospel, was standing in line waiting for his next flight. Passport in his sticky hand, he was exhausted and exasperated at the long, inefficient line snaking ahead of him. He was worried he and his ministry colleagues would miss their next flight, and some ministry friends were waiting for them. He remained calm and not let the frustration get to him. He talked with his friends; they laughed and made the best of the situation. Two years later, he got a letter from a businessman who lived in Singapore. He told me he was a follower of Confucius, but that he had sent his children to a Presbyterian church so they could get some moral training in Sunday school. When he picked up his children one Sunday, he happened to hear the end of the sermon. A visiting missionary held up a copy of a book called Born Again, and on the cover the businessman saw a picture of Chuck Colson. Then, a few months later, he was stuck in a long line in the steaming Jakarta airport. He looked over into the next line and saw the same face he had seen on the cover of Born Again. He was so impressed by my calm demeanor and cheerfulness, the man wrote, that when he went back to Singapore, he got the book Born Again, read it-and committed his life to Christ. Our actions do speak louder than words. Wherever we are at we are called to advance God's Kingdom. If you are a doctor, you are called to advance God's Kingdom. If you are a cake decorator, you are called to advance God's Kingdom. Wherever we are at, we are called to the great commission of Jesus Christ. Our actions will shake faulty foundations, evil spirits, and will make those around us see something that is different. I have seen my actions stir things up without me saying a word. I want to encourage you and I today to let our actions speak to others around us. It could be at a hot steamy airport, or it could be at your workplace. Wherever you are at, shine the light of Jesus.
Prayer,
Lord, we ask that you would shine forth your spirit to others around us. Help us Lord to have character and calmness as you use us in a mighty name, Amen.
by Keith Edwards
It was a hot day at Jakarta airport. Chuck Colson, who is an author and minister of the gospel, was standing in line waiting for his next flight. Passport in his sticky hand, he was exhausted and exasperated at the long, inefficient line snaking ahead of him. He was worried he and his ministry colleagues would miss their next flight, and some ministry friends were waiting for them. He remained calm and not let the frustration get to him. He talked with his friends; they laughed and made the best of the situation. Two years later, he got a letter from a businessman who lived in Singapore. He told me he was a follower of Confucius, but that he had sent his children to a Presbyterian church so they could get some moral training in Sunday school. When he picked up his children one Sunday, he happened to hear the end of the sermon. A visiting missionary held up a copy of a book called Born Again, and on the cover the businessman saw a picture of Chuck Colson. Then, a few months later, he was stuck in a long line in the steaming Jakarta airport. He looked over into the next line and saw the same face he had seen on the cover of Born Again. He was so impressed by my calm demeanor and cheerfulness, the man wrote, that when he went back to Singapore, he got the book Born Again, read it-and committed his life to Christ. Our actions do speak louder than words. Wherever we are at we are called to advance God's Kingdom. If you are a doctor, you are called to advance God's Kingdom. If you are a cake decorator, you are called to advance God's Kingdom. Wherever we are at, we are called to the great commission of Jesus Christ. Our actions will shake faulty foundations, evil spirits, and will make those around us see something that is different. I have seen my actions stir things up without me saying a word. I want to encourage you and I today to let our actions speak to others around us. It could be at a hot steamy airport, or it could be at your workplace. Wherever you are at, shine the light of Jesus.
Prayer,
Lord, we ask that you would shine forth your spirit to others around us. Help us Lord to have character and calmness as you use us in a mighty name, Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Monday, June 28, 2010
June 28th Devotional
Read:
1 Timothy 3:5
5 If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?
One night I did an experiment with both my children and my son's friend from down the street. Earlier that day, I told my little boy to come down stairs and spend some time with me. He and His friend wanted to wrestle, so we spent a little time throwing each other around a little, and then just spending that quality time together. Before I got dinner together, I told my daughter, who was on facebook to come down stairs and walk the dog with me. My little boys friend wanted to take a walk with us as well, so we got everything together and took off down the street. It was a nice walk around the block. Then me and my daughter played a card game. After I got dinner prepared I did a little experiment with them. I looked at my little girl and asked, "So, what is the best thing you did all day?" My daughter said, "It was playing cards and taking a walk with you Daddy!" I was shocked! She said, "Yes daddy, I love spending time with you." Then, I asked my little boy's friend what was the best thing He did all day long? He said, "Taking a walk with you and Avery." Then I got to my little boy who absolutely loves playing games. I asked, "What was the best thing you did all day?" He said, "Wrestling and spending time with you daddy." Through all of these three experiments I come to the conclusion that spending time and paying attention to your family is crucial, especially in these current dark ages we are facing with family values. It's time that we turn that television and computer off and get back to family values. I'm not saying that we can't watch some good programs or get on the internet. I'm talking about balance. It is so easy to get unbalanced in the day to day life, and God is wanting us to get back to that place of priority. The greek word for rule in 1 timothy 3:5 is proistemi, and the definition is to give attention to. It also means to care for and manage. We as parents need to spend more time with our children. The television and internet is taking over our kids and it is causing them to become calloused to what is really important. This will shock you! they did a survey with a bunch of five year old kids. They asked each one of them what they would rather give up, their daddy or the television? 1/3 of the kids said, "I'd rather give up my daddy." This was shocking. I don't know if these kids were getting abused or not, but it just goes to show that we are losing are precious little kids to technology. I believe that God wants us to get a balance in our home like never before. One more thing. The night before, I was praying that God would show me what I needed to give up in my house, and praying that He would make me a better Father and husband to my family. Huh???
Prayer:
Lord, we ask that you would help us as parents to manage and pay attention to our children. We ask that you would make us a better spouse. Give us the wisdom and balance in our home Lord, and help us to put the first things first. We need priority in our homes and lives in Jesus name, Amen.
by Keith Edwards
1 Timothy 3:5
5 If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?
One night I did an experiment with both my children and my son's friend from down the street. Earlier that day, I told my little boy to come down stairs and spend some time with me. He and His friend wanted to wrestle, so we spent a little time throwing each other around a little, and then just spending that quality time together. Before I got dinner together, I told my daughter, who was on facebook to come down stairs and walk the dog with me. My little boys friend wanted to take a walk with us as well, so we got everything together and took off down the street. It was a nice walk around the block. Then me and my daughter played a card game. After I got dinner prepared I did a little experiment with them. I looked at my little girl and asked, "So, what is the best thing you did all day?" My daughter said, "It was playing cards and taking a walk with you Daddy!" I was shocked! She said, "Yes daddy, I love spending time with you." Then, I asked my little boy's friend what was the best thing He did all day long? He said, "Taking a walk with you and Avery." Then I got to my little boy who absolutely loves playing games. I asked, "What was the best thing you did all day?" He said, "Wrestling and spending time with you daddy." Through all of these three experiments I come to the conclusion that spending time and paying attention to your family is crucial, especially in these current dark ages we are facing with family values. It's time that we turn that television and computer off and get back to family values. I'm not saying that we can't watch some good programs or get on the internet. I'm talking about balance. It is so easy to get unbalanced in the day to day life, and God is wanting us to get back to that place of priority. The greek word for rule in 1 timothy 3:5 is proistemi, and the definition is to give attention to. It also means to care for and manage. We as parents need to spend more time with our children. The television and internet is taking over our kids and it is causing them to become calloused to what is really important. This will shock you! they did a survey with a bunch of five year old kids. They asked each one of them what they would rather give up, their daddy or the television? 1/3 of the kids said, "I'd rather give up my daddy." This was shocking. I don't know if these kids were getting abused or not, but it just goes to show that we are losing are precious little kids to technology. I believe that God wants us to get a balance in our home like never before. One more thing. The night before, I was praying that God would show me what I needed to give up in my house, and praying that He would make me a better Father and husband to my family. Huh???
Prayer:
Lord, we ask that you would help us as parents to manage and pay attention to our children. We ask that you would make us a better spouse. Give us the wisdom and balance in our home Lord, and help us to put the first things first. We need priority in our homes and lives in Jesus name, Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Sunday, June 27, 2010
First Love June 27th Devotional
Read:
Revelation 2:4,5
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.
5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
Have you ever came to a place in your walk with the lord, where you feel like you are doing everything right. You are faithful and committed to your home church, giving of your first fruit, and it seems like there's nothing else that you need. I can remember doing this a few times in my walk with the Lord, and found myself crawling to God in tears for leaving that first love with Him. There's nothing wrong with doing the things of God as long as the motive of why we are doing them is pure. There are many faithful church members that are just going through the motions. It's great that they are faithful for this is crucial to grow as a Christian, but we can just be maintaining our walk with the Lord instead of having that healthy fellowship with Him. It's as if we serve the things we do instead of serving the one that is the giver of those things. Are you feeling like you are doing all of the right things yet there is something missing? Sometimes we can be oblivious to it though, and that's why we need to search our hearts and let God show us the things we need to change so that we can be that burning candle to a dark and lost world. We usually lose our first love by not lifting Christ up in everything we do. We have to focus on Christ Jesus through the things we do, our worship, and even our commitment to the body of Christ. Let's repent today for losing our first love, and let's focus totally on the one who has redeemed us from the jaws of hell.
Prayer:
Lord we ask that you forgive us for losing focus on you. Sometimes Lord we magnify the things we do instead of magnifying your name that causes us to do the works of you. Sometimes Lord we endure, are faithful, and have not grown weary in church things, but we have somehow lost that first love. Light that fire within us in your name we pray. Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Revelation 2:4,5
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.
5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
Have you ever came to a place in your walk with the lord, where you feel like you are doing everything right. You are faithful and committed to your home church, giving of your first fruit, and it seems like there's nothing else that you need. I can remember doing this a few times in my walk with the Lord, and found myself crawling to God in tears for leaving that first love with Him. There's nothing wrong with doing the things of God as long as the motive of why we are doing them is pure. There are many faithful church members that are just going through the motions. It's great that they are faithful for this is crucial to grow as a Christian, but we can just be maintaining our walk with the Lord instead of having that healthy fellowship with Him. It's as if we serve the things we do instead of serving the one that is the giver of those things. Are you feeling like you are doing all of the right things yet there is something missing? Sometimes we can be oblivious to it though, and that's why we need to search our hearts and let God show us the things we need to change so that we can be that burning candle to a dark and lost world. We usually lose our first love by not lifting Christ up in everything we do. We have to focus on Christ Jesus through the things we do, our worship, and even our commitment to the body of Christ. Let's repent today for losing our first love, and let's focus totally on the one who has redeemed us from the jaws of hell.
Prayer:
Lord we ask that you forgive us for losing focus on you. Sometimes Lord we magnify the things we do instead of magnifying your name that causes us to do the works of you. Sometimes Lord we endure, are faithful, and have not grown weary in church things, but we have somehow lost that first love. Light that fire within us in your name we pray. Amen.
by Keith Edwards
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