Read:
11 Corinthians 10:3-5
3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Also Read Joshua 24:15
15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
Operational Definition of Spiritual Stronghold:
Strongholds are patterns of thought etched into the mind over a period of time or through a traumatic experience. Strongholds are seldom recognized, and if recognized not understood to be choices.
We learn of strongholds the hard way, in battle. I would not trade His lessons, but sometimes find it VERY hard battling for those who attack the "perceived enemy". We step into warfare when God directs, and our weapons are strong and mighty. God's Words will pull down strongholds, yet satan's words are thoughts often in Christians, and exalt themselves above the thoughts of the mind of Christ. Satan then begins his stirrings within minds not prepared with Word defenses, usually through demonic whisperings of confusion, suspicion and division. Often people are clueless to his wiles. They see strongholds through their own strongholds. They then go to war against who ever the enemy points to, armed with human reasonings and satan's weapons being, the wrong attitudes, thoughts, imaginations, actions, and carnal weapons which is futile in Christian warfare. God entrusts some with the holding of keys of truth, keys to free for those held by lies and choices not submitted to the mind of Christ. The enemy knows exactly who holds these keys. They love truth, have singleness of purpose, **stand against compromise** they fear Him over men, and have an ability to convey God's truth. We need to always ask, "does this friend truly understand warfare?" It is not those demons about us or in others which pose great harm to the Christian. It is those long at home within! Those having ..squatters rights..to ground willing given. Those within being (wrong thoughts, leading to wrong attitudes and actions) which prompt us to use those well fitting old boxing gloves to do all the bashing. They fit so well, and are quite comfortable. He fails to tell us, they are his weapons, and we lose the war, for we are fighting for him. If God tells us that His weapons, thoughts (within our minds), are not carnal but spiritual and mighty, then even so, satan's weapons, thoughts (within our minds) are carnal and weal..failing the pulling down of any strongholds in others. They actually strengthen those strongholds of the enemy!
comment by Keith Edwards:
We need to have a "more than a conqeuror revelation" when it comes to overcoming the thoughts and attacks of the enemy. Revelation of who we are in Christ jesus will take us above with the mind of Christ. We are seated in heavenly place in Christ Jesus, and we are above and not beneath. The greatest weapon the enemy has upon us are those thoughts of a defeated mentality. Satan tries to lure us into uneccessary warfare, and we start fighting it out in the flesh insteaed of understanding how to pray, discernment in a given situation, and letting the Holy Spirit do work needed apart from our "extra" help. Sometimes we just need to enter into praise like King David and put the praise up front and the warfare in the back. We are more than conqeurors. Conquerors fight, but a more than a conqueror will enter into the rest of what Christ has already done with the finished work of calvary. Let's have the revelation today that we were buried with Jesus, but we were also raised with him through that beautiful resurection.
Prayer:
Lord, help us to choose to serve you with a whole heart. We seek you today Lord with the choice of seeking your face. As we seek your face give us that revelation of who we are in you, and help us to cast down all imaginations as we choose to think meditate upon you in all of our ways, Amen.
by Anita Mundorf and Keith Edwards
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
We Will Not Recant August 13th Devotional by Keith Edwards
Read:
2 Timothy 1:14
14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
In the presence of rulers and leaders of the Roman Catholic Church stood a man of great character named Martin Luther. Martin Luther spoke these words, “I will not recant” and these are the very words that we as the body of Christ need to live for the faithful word that God has breathed within all who have been born again by faith in Christ through repentance. However, we need to guard the great treasure of God's word with the help of the Holy Spirit. In the council of powerful men he spoke that he cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God Amen. The same revelation and strength that Martin Luther had gotten from the spirit of the Lord is the same revelation that we need as the church. It is a revelation that can only be obtained by God Himself, and no man can give it to you, not even the pope himself. There is no man that can save nor deliver, and this is what got Martin Luther in trouble. They were so drunk with themselves and the money that they saw coming in, that I think they actually believed that they were the only one’s that could save sins. It is a delusion that has gotten many in trouble throughout history, and it is what has gotten us in trouble today. I made up a quote for the corruption that is going on today in parts of the church. "As soon as the coin in the basket rings, so shall the extravagant lifestyle of the evangelist spring." Sad but true! Leaders branched from the Roman Catholic church would beg for money from the poor people of there land, and make a fortune from them. I'm not afraid to confront this mess today. It's embarrassing to us as Christians, and we need to not recant true sound doctrine, pure worship, and the advancing of God's kingdom. We need to keep a child like faith when we study and meditate on the scriptures. Martin Luther got a revelation of salvation by opening the new testament scriptures, and the corrupt leaders thought that Luther's new and strange teaching was odd. Jesus' teaching is odd to those who don't have the revelation of who Christ really is. Martin Luther would help those in need, strengthen the believers in Christ Jesus, and do great and mighty works that came only by the spirit of Christ. I want to encourage us today to not recant the very breath of God that has been breathed within us, and to guard our heart with all diligence. Let's guard the very treasure that has been given to us. Say with me today! "We Will not recant!"
Prayer:
Lord we love you today. We ask that you help us to guard that deposit that has been given to us by your word, and we ask for your spirit to give us the strength to stand up for the teachings of Christ. Amen.
by Keith Edwards
2 Timothy 1:14
14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
In the presence of rulers and leaders of the Roman Catholic Church stood a man of great character named Martin Luther. Martin Luther spoke these words, “I will not recant” and these are the very words that we as the body of Christ need to live for the faithful word that God has breathed within all who have been born again by faith in Christ through repentance. However, we need to guard the great treasure of God's word with the help of the Holy Spirit. In the council of powerful men he spoke that he cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God Amen. The same revelation and strength that Martin Luther had gotten from the spirit of the Lord is the same revelation that we need as the church. It is a revelation that can only be obtained by God Himself, and no man can give it to you, not even the pope himself. There is no man that can save nor deliver, and this is what got Martin Luther in trouble. They were so drunk with themselves and the money that they saw coming in, that I think they actually believed that they were the only one’s that could save sins. It is a delusion that has gotten many in trouble throughout history, and it is what has gotten us in trouble today. I made up a quote for the corruption that is going on today in parts of the church. "As soon as the coin in the basket rings, so shall the extravagant lifestyle of the evangelist spring." Sad but true! Leaders branched from the Roman Catholic church would beg for money from the poor people of there land, and make a fortune from them. I'm not afraid to confront this mess today. It's embarrassing to us as Christians, and we need to not recant true sound doctrine, pure worship, and the advancing of God's kingdom. We need to keep a child like faith when we study and meditate on the scriptures. Martin Luther got a revelation of salvation by opening the new testament scriptures, and the corrupt leaders thought that Luther's new and strange teaching was odd. Jesus' teaching is odd to those who don't have the revelation of who Christ really is. Martin Luther would help those in need, strengthen the believers in Christ Jesus, and do great and mighty works that came only by the spirit of Christ. I want to encourage us today to not recant the very breath of God that has been breathed within us, and to guard our heart with all diligence. Let's guard the very treasure that has been given to us. Say with me today! "We Will not recant!"
Prayer:
Lord we love you today. We ask that you help us to guard that deposit that has been given to us by your word, and we ask for your spirit to give us the strength to stand up for the teachings of Christ. Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Thursday, August 12, 2010
That Precious Blood August 12th Devotional
Read:
Hebrews 9:12
12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
All over the world there have risen religions and beliefs that doesn't acknowledge Jesus Christ as our ultimate sacrifice. Their god is a god of war, indulgences, and other faulty foundations that is very shaky. The scripture here in Hebrews chapter 12 states that Christ entered the most holy place once for all by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. Hebrews 10:19,20 says to enter the Most Holy Place boldly by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way. We have a perfect covenant which is Jesus Christ and His blood. The blood of Jesus will convict of sin, bring someone to salvation, pluck one from the jaws of hell, and cleanse us of sin. We would die and go to hell if it were not for the blood that saves us. Every prophecy about Jesus in the old testament came to pass to the letter. Where Jesus was going to be born, the manner of Christ's death, Zechariah speaks of Jesus riding on a donkey, and of course we can't forget the very first prophecy in Genesis 3:15 where God tells the Devil that because of what he did, God would put enmity between him and the woman, and between his seed and hers. This was the first greatest prophecy about Jesus being born of the virgin Mary. Jesus did crush the satanic power of hell when He died upon the cross. The blood of Jesus gives us entrance into His presence. The blood of Jesus will never lose it's power, and we can put our past mistakes under His blood and He will cleanse our conscience from dead works. Oh! that precious blood of Jesus. There is surely something about that name. The blood of Jesus pours from the foundation of Christ to you today. You may need healing in your body. The blood is there to heal. You may need deliverance. The blood is there to deliver you. You may need salvation. The blood can save you now. There is no other foundation that will stand the wind of God's judgment other than the blood of Jesus Christ and the work of the cross. When we stand in judgment this will be the only thing that will allow us into Heaven. It's going to be our faith in that precious blood. Many will say, "Lord I have a doctorate degree. I did many good works" etc. But my heart to you today is rely upon the blood everyday to enter in His presence and purge your conscience, and if you don't know the Lord Jesus as your Lord, then repeat this prayer with me now. Lord, I realize that I was born into sin because of Adam's fall. I ask you now Lord to save me from the power of Satan, and make me new in you. Give me new life Lord. I repent now and turn to you as King of Kings and Lord of Lord's. Oh! that precious blood. If you have prayed that prayer with me you can go to my website and click awaken on my front page. It will guide you through steps of finding a church, baptism, and get you on your way to a great adventure with your new Lord.
prayer:
Lord we come to you in your precious name. We thank you Lord for your blood and what you did on the cross. We don't take it lightly. We ask that your blood cleanse us of every sin and make us clean by your spirit. Create in us Lord a clean heart, and wash anything in us that needs to be washed by your blood, we ask it all in your name. Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Hebrews 9:12
12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
All over the world there have risen religions and beliefs that doesn't acknowledge Jesus Christ as our ultimate sacrifice. Their god is a god of war, indulgences, and other faulty foundations that is very shaky. The scripture here in Hebrews chapter 12 states that Christ entered the most holy place once for all by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. Hebrews 10:19,20 says to enter the Most Holy Place boldly by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way. We have a perfect covenant which is Jesus Christ and His blood. The blood of Jesus will convict of sin, bring someone to salvation, pluck one from the jaws of hell, and cleanse us of sin. We would die and go to hell if it were not for the blood that saves us. Every prophecy about Jesus in the old testament came to pass to the letter. Where Jesus was going to be born, the manner of Christ's death, Zechariah speaks of Jesus riding on a donkey, and of course we can't forget the very first prophecy in Genesis 3:15 where God tells the Devil that because of what he did, God would put enmity between him and the woman, and between his seed and hers. This was the first greatest prophecy about Jesus being born of the virgin Mary. Jesus did crush the satanic power of hell when He died upon the cross. The blood of Jesus gives us entrance into His presence. The blood of Jesus will never lose it's power, and we can put our past mistakes under His blood and He will cleanse our conscience from dead works. Oh! that precious blood of Jesus. There is surely something about that name. The blood of Jesus pours from the foundation of Christ to you today. You may need healing in your body. The blood is there to heal. You may need deliverance. The blood is there to deliver you. You may need salvation. The blood can save you now. There is no other foundation that will stand the wind of God's judgment other than the blood of Jesus Christ and the work of the cross. When we stand in judgment this will be the only thing that will allow us into Heaven. It's going to be our faith in that precious blood. Many will say, "Lord I have a doctorate degree. I did many good works" etc. But my heart to you today is rely upon the blood everyday to enter in His presence and purge your conscience, and if you don't know the Lord Jesus as your Lord, then repeat this prayer with me now. Lord, I realize that I was born into sin because of Adam's fall. I ask you now Lord to save me from the power of Satan, and make me new in you. Give me new life Lord. I repent now and turn to you as King of Kings and Lord of Lord's. Oh! that precious blood. If you have prayed that prayer with me you can go to my website and click awaken on my front page. It will guide you through steps of finding a church, baptism, and get you on your way to a great adventure with your new Lord.
prayer:
Lord we come to you in your precious name. We thank you Lord for your blood and what you did on the cross. We don't take it lightly. We ask that your blood cleanse us of every sin and make us clean by your spirit. Create in us Lord a clean heart, and wash anything in us that needs to be washed by your blood, we ask it all in your name. Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Be Sincere With God by Joel Halkins & Keith EdwardsAugust 11th Devotional
Philippians 1:9,10 - And this I pray...that you may be sincere...
In the profession of a stone mason, the craftsman may once in awhile strike the stone in a wrong manner and thus create a flaw in his work. If he is a bona fide artisan, he will simply start over. If however he is half-hearted in his ethics, he may try to "patch" the flaw with a little wax. Once the wax hardens, it would be virtually invisible to the untrained eye...except on a really sunny day. Just as soon as the heat sets in good on that wax, it will begin to melt and thus reveal that the carving was not in truth what it had appeared to be.
The word "sincere" means literally "to be without wax"; and here in our text, Paul prays that the believers in Philippi will be "without wax", that they will always be in truth what they seem to be and that there will never be a part of their heart that they reserve in secret for themselves alone while the other part of their heart is given to God and their brethren. This latter condition is of course called hypocrisy - when what appears is not what really is.
Besides the quality of faith, if there is anything that God requires in order to walk with Him, it is sincerity. GOD WANTS US TO BE REAL...or better yet...TO BE REALLY AND COMPLETELY HIS!
Genesis 6:9 - Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
Genesis 17:1 - The Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him "I am the Almighty God; walk before me and be thou perfect."
These two men were certainly far from being "flawless" (as some take the word "perfect" to mean); but they were REAL with God - there was no passion, desire or any part of their heart held back from Him!
Deuteronomy 4:29 - But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with ALL thy heart and with ALL thy soul.
"...ALL thy heart..." The bottom line in walking with God is not a condition where we will never fail again; but it is keeping ALL of our heart before God and belonging to God!
When I was in my twenties, I went on a hunting trip with some brethren out in the woods of northeast Mississippi. Our number was divided between some older, experienced hunters and some younger, unseasoned "deer chasers". As we quietly plodded along a certain trail with our guns resting back on our shoulders, one of the older gents up front slyly whispered
"Got your safety on, Brother Jay (what I was called back then)?"
There could then be heard a slight "click" coming from my direction, followed by my reply
"Oh, yes sir...always got that safety on."
Can you say "wax-covered hypocrite"? By close observation, I had learned how to mimic the walk of those experienced hunters, possibly fooling my peers; but the shrewdness of that "real McCoy" veteran of the woods melted the wax of my disguise and revealed a "green horn" just trying to fit in!
Ananias and Sapphira were not wholehearted with the Holy Ghost, and it cost them their lives (Acts 5). Paul feared for the Corinthian believers that they would be corrupted from the "simplicity" (singleness, wholehearted devotion to Jesus that has no competitors) that is in Christ (II Corinthians 11:3). Christ Himself commanded in Matthew 5:48...that word again was "commanded"...that we be perfect (wholeheartedly devoted) even as our Father which is in heaven is perfect (wholeheartedly devoted)!
Weaknesses and yet-to-be-refined flaws all included, GOD WANTS US TO BE REAL WITH HIM AND REALLY HIS...or simply said...sincerely perfect!
coment by Keith Edwards:
If we could just have revelation about the condition of the heart. I can remember back years ago in my child-hood days, where the women would wear their hair two feet high and think that this was holiness. I also remember when the preachers would spit and scream like a bull, and this was a sign of power. I'm not against a woman wearing their hair two foot high, or a preacher getting a little excited, but when you think that this is holiness we are sincerely wrong. Yes,there was something in the heart I believe some of the holiness movement had that God saw, but not the "outward" things alone. Lets be sincere with God today, and lets let God breath upon our inner soul and spirit, so that we will display holiness ways by our inner character. Lets be sincere with God today church.
Prayer:
Lord, we come to you with a sincere heart. Help us to endure the fire of your holiness as you are that consuming fire that burns and molds us as gold and silver. We need you Lord in our life, and we want to be sincerly right by our heart to you, instead of being sincerely wrong in the things we do.
by Joel Hawkins & Keith Edwards
In the profession of a stone mason, the craftsman may once in awhile strike the stone in a wrong manner and thus create a flaw in his work. If he is a bona fide artisan, he will simply start over. If however he is half-hearted in his ethics, he may try to "patch" the flaw with a little wax. Once the wax hardens, it would be virtually invisible to the untrained eye...except on a really sunny day. Just as soon as the heat sets in good on that wax, it will begin to melt and thus reveal that the carving was not in truth what it had appeared to be.
The word "sincere" means literally "to be without wax"; and here in our text, Paul prays that the believers in Philippi will be "without wax", that they will always be in truth what they seem to be and that there will never be a part of their heart that they reserve in secret for themselves alone while the other part of their heart is given to God and their brethren. This latter condition is of course called hypocrisy - when what appears is not what really is.
Besides the quality of faith, if there is anything that God requires in order to walk with Him, it is sincerity. GOD WANTS US TO BE REAL...or better yet...TO BE REALLY AND COMPLETELY HIS!
Genesis 6:9 - Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
Genesis 17:1 - The Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him "I am the Almighty God; walk before me and be thou perfect."
These two men were certainly far from being "flawless" (as some take the word "perfect" to mean); but they were REAL with God - there was no passion, desire or any part of their heart held back from Him!
Deuteronomy 4:29 - But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with ALL thy heart and with ALL thy soul.
"...ALL thy heart..." The bottom line in walking with God is not a condition where we will never fail again; but it is keeping ALL of our heart before God and belonging to God!
When I was in my twenties, I went on a hunting trip with some brethren out in the woods of northeast Mississippi. Our number was divided between some older, experienced hunters and some younger, unseasoned "deer chasers". As we quietly plodded along a certain trail with our guns resting back on our shoulders, one of the older gents up front slyly whispered
"Got your safety on, Brother Jay (what I was called back then)?"
There could then be heard a slight "click" coming from my direction, followed by my reply
"Oh, yes sir...always got that safety on."
Can you say "wax-covered hypocrite"? By close observation, I had learned how to mimic the walk of those experienced hunters, possibly fooling my peers; but the shrewdness of that "real McCoy" veteran of the woods melted the wax of my disguise and revealed a "green horn" just trying to fit in!
Ananias and Sapphira were not wholehearted with the Holy Ghost, and it cost them their lives (Acts 5). Paul feared for the Corinthian believers that they would be corrupted from the "simplicity" (singleness, wholehearted devotion to Jesus that has no competitors) that is in Christ (II Corinthians 11:3). Christ Himself commanded in Matthew 5:48...that word again was "commanded"...that we be perfect (wholeheartedly devoted) even as our Father which is in heaven is perfect (wholeheartedly devoted)!
Weaknesses and yet-to-be-refined flaws all included, GOD WANTS US TO BE REAL WITH HIM AND REALLY HIS...or simply said...sincerely perfect!
coment by Keith Edwards:
If we could just have revelation about the condition of the heart. I can remember back years ago in my child-hood days, where the women would wear their hair two feet high and think that this was holiness. I also remember when the preachers would spit and scream like a bull, and this was a sign of power. I'm not against a woman wearing their hair two foot high, or a preacher getting a little excited, but when you think that this is holiness we are sincerely wrong. Yes,there was something in the heart I believe some of the holiness movement had that God saw, but not the "outward" things alone. Lets be sincere with God today, and lets let God breath upon our inner soul and spirit, so that we will display holiness ways by our inner character. Lets be sincere with God today church.
Prayer:
Lord, we come to you with a sincere heart. Help us to endure the fire of your holiness as you are that consuming fire that burns and molds us as gold and silver. We need you Lord in our life, and we want to be sincerly right by our heart to you, instead of being sincerely wrong in the things we do.
by Joel Hawkins & Keith Edwards
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Power From On High August 10th Devotional by Drew Kaylor & Keith Edwards
Read:
Luke 24:49
49I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
By Rev. Drew Kaylor
There is a grace flowing from the hand of God, an investment of divine energy wrapping us within. It's a quickening life that fills, moves, and lifts us out of the natural plane into the realm of the almighty. The power of his presence with no weakness to be found. Filled, yes filled! and wonderfully filled with God Himself. It's a clothing woven with the fibers of divine omnipotence. It's a mantle of Holy Ghost power and glory wrapping and covering all those who will believe. All things are possible to him that believeth. Arise in faith in the upcoming years, and let's go forth in power as we proclaim the name of Jesus, and the Spirit shall quicken us.
Comment by Keith Edwards:
This is such a great word to let God work in us in a great way by His power. I want us to see something here as we go on another day in His word and power. Power in the Greek is dunamis, and it means miraculous power, virtue, and the definition is to have inherent power or power for performing miracles. It also means power and excellence of the soul. The definition for inherent is "existing in someone or as a permanent and inseparable element, quality, or attribute." It is the intrinsic power of God Himself within us. Intrinsic is belonging to a thing by it's very nature. We have been born again by God's power, and because of that new nature, we are reflecting the very grace of God by that power to others. I do believe in miracles because I have seen miracles in my life and ministry, but we should never forget that the dunamis power here is also power to strengthen the soul morally for the miracles, healings, and every gift of power that God has for us. Many today have forgotten the one that is full of power, and primarily look at the results of the power of God Himself. We need to focus on God everyday first and foremost, so that we can walk in that grace, that quickening life, the power of His presence, and be filled so wonderfully with His love and Spirit.
Prayer:
Lord we ask that you strengthen us with you power of moral character. Sanctify us to be more like you, so that the gift's and the miracles of winning souls and other great things of your Kingdom will be so pure. Help us to focus totally on who you really are, and help us to tarry at times until we hear your voice in everything that we do.
by Drew Kaylor and Keith Edwards
Luke 24:49
49I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
By Rev. Drew Kaylor
There is a grace flowing from the hand of God, an investment of divine energy wrapping us within. It's a quickening life that fills, moves, and lifts us out of the natural plane into the realm of the almighty. The power of his presence with no weakness to be found. Filled, yes filled! and wonderfully filled with God Himself. It's a clothing woven with the fibers of divine omnipotence. It's a mantle of Holy Ghost power and glory wrapping and covering all those who will believe. All things are possible to him that believeth. Arise in faith in the upcoming years, and let's go forth in power as we proclaim the name of Jesus, and the Spirit shall quicken us.
Comment by Keith Edwards:
This is such a great word to let God work in us in a great way by His power. I want us to see something here as we go on another day in His word and power. Power in the Greek is dunamis, and it means miraculous power, virtue, and the definition is to have inherent power or power for performing miracles. It also means power and excellence of the soul. The definition for inherent is "existing in someone or as a permanent and inseparable element, quality, or attribute." It is the intrinsic power of God Himself within us. Intrinsic is belonging to a thing by it's very nature. We have been born again by God's power, and because of that new nature, we are reflecting the very grace of God by that power to others. I do believe in miracles because I have seen miracles in my life and ministry, but we should never forget that the dunamis power here is also power to strengthen the soul morally for the miracles, healings, and every gift of power that God has for us. Many today have forgotten the one that is full of power, and primarily look at the results of the power of God Himself. We need to focus on God everyday first and foremost, so that we can walk in that grace, that quickening life, the power of His presence, and be filled so wonderfully with His love and Spirit.
Prayer:
Lord we ask that you strengthen us with you power of moral character. Sanctify us to be more like you, so that the gift's and the miracles of winning souls and other great things of your Kingdom will be so pure. Help us to focus totally on who you really are, and help us to tarry at times until we hear your voice in everything that we do.
by Drew Kaylor and Keith Edwards
Monday, August 9, 2010
The Renewed Mind August 9th Devotional
Read:
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is his good, pleasing and perfect will.
It is so important to keep our mind on the things of God in our walk with Him. The power of the christian life doesn't come from the mind, but it does flow through the mind, and it is so important to keep our mind from being influenced by the world. One night my son was begging me to get him a particular car game on his play station, but this game was not a good one. I was trying to explain to my seven year old son the danger in games and television, and how we need to be very careful what we put in our head. He went over to the door in frustration, and he said, "Daddy, let me show you what I saw on this game at a friends house." He busted through the door in excitement and this was the perfect opportunity to teach him something. I said, "Son, you see how a game can influence you." He kind of grinned and nodded his little head. I told him that I didn't want him playing or getting that game. It is so important to keep a balance in our home and life. We are influenced by television and other things, and we don't even realize the effects it can really have upon us. The bible says to renew our minds, and as we meditate upon the holy scriptures it will begin to transform us into the image of Christ Jesus. Our life should be influenced by our inner character, and our inner character is influenced by the Holy Spirit. I want us to allow the Holy Spirit to touch us today, and allow Him to speak to us about what we need to filter from our lives.
Prayer:
Lord, we ask that you will speak to us today concerning our lives, and how we are influenced by what we read, watch, and think upon. Help us to meditate upon you more, and help us to renew our mind so that we can be that living epistle.
by Keith Edwards
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is his good, pleasing and perfect will.
It is so important to keep our mind on the things of God in our walk with Him. The power of the christian life doesn't come from the mind, but it does flow through the mind, and it is so important to keep our mind from being influenced by the world. One night my son was begging me to get him a particular car game on his play station, but this game was not a good one. I was trying to explain to my seven year old son the danger in games and television, and how we need to be very careful what we put in our head. He went over to the door in frustration, and he said, "Daddy, let me show you what I saw on this game at a friends house." He busted through the door in excitement and this was the perfect opportunity to teach him something. I said, "Son, you see how a game can influence you." He kind of grinned and nodded his little head. I told him that I didn't want him playing or getting that game. It is so important to keep a balance in our home and life. We are influenced by television and other things, and we don't even realize the effects it can really have upon us. The bible says to renew our minds, and as we meditate upon the holy scriptures it will begin to transform us into the image of Christ Jesus. Our life should be influenced by our inner character, and our inner character is influenced by the Holy Spirit. I want us to allow the Holy Spirit to touch us today, and allow Him to speak to us about what we need to filter from our lives.
Prayer:
Lord, we ask that you will speak to us today concerning our lives, and how we are influenced by what we read, watch, and think upon. Help us to meditate upon you more, and help us to renew our mind so that we can be that living epistle.
by Keith Edwards
Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Power Of Mixture August 8th Devotional
Read:
Ezra 9:1-7
1 After these things had been done, the leaders came to me and said, "The people of Israel, including the priests and the Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices, like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians and Amorites. 2 They have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, and have mingled the holy race with the peoples around them. And the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness."
3 When I heard this, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down appalled. 4 Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me because of this unfaithfulness of the exiles. And I sat there appalled until the evening sacrifice.
5 Then, at the evening sacrifice, I rose from my self-abasement, with my tunic and cloak torn, and fell on my knees with my hands spread out to the LORD my God 6 and prayed:
"O my God, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to you, my God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens. 7 From the days of our forefathers until now, our guilt has been great. Because of our sins, we and our kings and our priests have been subjected to the sword and captivity, to pillage and humiliation at the hand of foreign kings, as it is today.
Also Read:
9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
When Ezra came to Jerusalem years after Johua and Zerubbabel came, Ezra found out that the leaders and people have married foreign wives who were involved with idol worship. Ezra fell on his face and plucked some of his beard and hair, and ripped his robe. He was so grieved by what he found out. The leaders and people who were involved with this mixture came to Ezra and told him that they would divorce the wives that they married. This was to keep that Holy Seed from being tainted for the lineage to run pure course for Jesus' birth. All throughout the bible we see that the enemy has always tried to get the Jews to commit adultery with those involved with idol worship. We see this again with Prophet Balaam. Prophet Balaam knew that he couldn't curse Israel, so he told King Balak that if we could just get them to enter into idol worship, then that would break the blessings and bring curses upon them. We see this happening with some of the church today. False worship and weird manifestations have crept in the church, and it has really stopped the Holy Seed for the great commission to go forth in advancing God's kingdom. We need soundness like never before in the church, and sound doctrine is knocking on the door of the church today that have entered into false worship. The Ezra's are falling on their knees and crying out to God for the minister's and people that have fallen away from the one and true God. The greek word for sound in this scripture is hugiano, and it means free from any mixture or error. When our hearts are one with the father, then we will have filter system within us to be able to detect what is true and not true concerning order in the church.
Prayer,
Lord, we fall down in prayer with the same heart that Ezra had in the reconstruction of Jerusalem. Forgive us Lord for entering into strange fire. Forgive us God for allowing things to come in without weighing it out. Lord, send down your fire of your spirit to burn anything that is not of you, and bring us to a place of true conviction. Allow this conviction to go forth and convict of sin, show forth your holy righteousness, and bring us back to you. We divorce anything that we married Lord that's not of you, Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Ezra 9:1-7
1 After these things had been done, the leaders came to me and said, "The people of Israel, including the priests and the Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices, like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians and Amorites. 2 They have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, and have mingled the holy race with the peoples around them. And the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness."
3 When I heard this, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down appalled. 4 Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me because of this unfaithfulness of the exiles. And I sat there appalled until the evening sacrifice.
5 Then, at the evening sacrifice, I rose from my self-abasement, with my tunic and cloak torn, and fell on my knees with my hands spread out to the LORD my God 6 and prayed:
"O my God, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to you, my God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens. 7 From the days of our forefathers until now, our guilt has been great. Because of our sins, we and our kings and our priests have been subjected to the sword and captivity, to pillage and humiliation at the hand of foreign kings, as it is today.
Also Read:
9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
When Ezra came to Jerusalem years after Johua and Zerubbabel came, Ezra found out that the leaders and people have married foreign wives who were involved with idol worship. Ezra fell on his face and plucked some of his beard and hair, and ripped his robe. He was so grieved by what he found out. The leaders and people who were involved with this mixture came to Ezra and told him that they would divorce the wives that they married. This was to keep that Holy Seed from being tainted for the lineage to run pure course for Jesus' birth. All throughout the bible we see that the enemy has always tried to get the Jews to commit adultery with those involved with idol worship. We see this again with Prophet Balaam. Prophet Balaam knew that he couldn't curse Israel, so he told King Balak that if we could just get them to enter into idol worship, then that would break the blessings and bring curses upon them. We see this happening with some of the church today. False worship and weird manifestations have crept in the church, and it has really stopped the Holy Seed for the great commission to go forth in advancing God's kingdom. We need soundness like never before in the church, and sound doctrine is knocking on the door of the church today that have entered into false worship. The Ezra's are falling on their knees and crying out to God for the minister's and people that have fallen away from the one and true God. The greek word for sound in this scripture is hugiano, and it means free from any mixture or error. When our hearts are one with the father, then we will have filter system within us to be able to detect what is true and not true concerning order in the church.
Prayer,
Lord, we fall down in prayer with the same heart that Ezra had in the reconstruction of Jerusalem. Forgive us Lord for entering into strange fire. Forgive us God for allowing things to come in without weighing it out. Lord, send down your fire of your spirit to burn anything that is not of you, and bring us to a place of true conviction. Allow this conviction to go forth and convict of sin, show forth your holy righteousness, and bring us back to you. We divorce anything that we married Lord that's not of you, Amen.
by Keith Edwards
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