DAY 2
As I was meditating on the powerful words from great leaders of our United States of America, I couldn't help to feel a great great pain within me. I began to shed tears from reading the words I believe was straight from the heart of our Father God. Today I want us to read about the leaders of our country who had some guts to stand up for America. I think we need the voice of Abraham Lincoln screaming out to our nation today, "Keep The National Day Of Prayer!" I don't know how long God is going to tolerate this nation under whatever it is under, but I don't believe that God wants us to give up just yet. Lets not put away our bible in hoplessness, and just look up to the heavens alone and wait on the Lord to return. We need to have a desire for Christ to come back for His church, but we still have a bit of work to do yet. I believe that God is wanting us to reflect today on great men who couldn't have spoken prophetically any clearer for what we need today. I feel the pain in me as I am writing this devotion. I beg you church to kneel with me right now in prayer for our nation, and after this prayer I'm about to write below this devotion, I want you to look and reflect on some great words our leaders have spoken for America. Let's pray.
Prayer:
Lord, we come to you in your precious name for America. Forgive us Lord. Forgive us Lord for not be concerned for our next generation. Forgive us Lord for being complacent in the church and not reaching out to the community as a whole. We repent Father God for where we have gotten to, and ask that if there is any glimmer of hope left for this nation to reach down with your mighty hand and touch this nation. Help us to have a backbone to speak truth in your mighty name. We do pray for our president of the United States, and we ask that you plot new Christian leaders in Congress to stand up for God in America. Amen
From George Washington's "Inaugural Speech to Both Houses of Congress," April 30, 1789:
"Such being the impressions under which I have, in obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station, it would be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes....No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency. . . . We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained and since the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered as deeply, perhaps finally, staked on the experiment, not to mention Abraham Lincoln honoring the national day of prayer, Warren Harding speaking of his conviction that the fundamental trouble with the people of the United States is they have gotten too far AWAY FROM GOD. Dewight D. Eisenhower spoke that the purpose of the United people was set forth in the pages of the BIBLE, and the bible continues to inspire us.Thomas Jefferson, one of the writers of the Declaration said: "Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath?"
Friday, September 9, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
He'll Meet Our Needs January 30th Weekly Devotional by Keith Edwards
Read:
Philippians 4:19
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus
Are you in need today? If we keep our eyes focused on God then He will take care of us, and He will meet our need. As we seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness God will meet our needs not our wants, yet so many snap there finger and expect it right now and no later. I can remember many times having to be patient even when I prayed earnestly, and the answer did come. There have been times where I had forgotten a particular prayer that I had prayed, and that prayer was answered eventually. God works that way at times. But then there are times when God will intervene in a certain situation at that very moment we pray. I remember when I was in full time ministry, and many would come in from other ministries. There were pastors, evangelists, and ministries that would come in to this particular ministry to partner with us. That morning I was in need for new tires on my car, and I prayed for exactly three-hundred dollars for some tires. That morning an evangelist came in and came up to me. After the worship he told me that he felt like the Lord told him to give me a bible. It was a very expensive bible. He told me that he just bought it for a hundred dollars, and for some reason he really felt like the Lord wanted him to bless me with it. He also wanted me to come by his house later that night and fellowship with him and his family. Little did I know what a blessing it was going to be. When I got there he told me to pull my car in the shop next to his house. He put my car on the rack and said that He felt like the Lord wanted him to bless me with two hundred dollars worth of tires. I couldn't believe it. coincidence? No, I believe it was God. They owned the tire shop, and this all come out to about three hundred dollars. Friend, God is concerned with us. He wants to meet our need but not our greed. Sometimes God wants us to ask him for a need so that it can build our faith, but our asking will never be out of line with our union in Christ. He will automatically take care of us as we are seeking him, but sometimes it is a faith builder. I still have that ole' bible, and I read it and have been blessed by it. Let's realize today that God is concerned with us, and He will supply all of our needs.
Prayer:
Lord we ask that you meet our needs that we have today. We pray that you will first bless us with knowing you more, and that you will meet any needs we have, whether it is financial, physical, or emotional. Move us into a new season with you Lord, and grow us up in the ways we should go with you, Amen.
Philippians 4:19
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus
Are you in need today? If we keep our eyes focused on God then He will take care of us, and He will meet our need. As we seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness God will meet our needs not our wants, yet so many snap there finger and expect it right now and no later. I can remember many times having to be patient even when I prayed earnestly, and the answer did come. There have been times where I had forgotten a particular prayer that I had prayed, and that prayer was answered eventually. God works that way at times. But then there are times when God will intervene in a certain situation at that very moment we pray. I remember when I was in full time ministry, and many would come in from other ministries. There were pastors, evangelists, and ministries that would come in to this particular ministry to partner with us. That morning I was in need for new tires on my car, and I prayed for exactly three-hundred dollars for some tires. That morning an evangelist came in and came up to me. After the worship he told me that he felt like the Lord told him to give me a bible. It was a very expensive bible. He told me that he just bought it for a hundred dollars, and for some reason he really felt like the Lord wanted him to bless me with it. He also wanted me to come by his house later that night and fellowship with him and his family. Little did I know what a blessing it was going to be. When I got there he told me to pull my car in the shop next to his house. He put my car on the rack and said that He felt like the Lord wanted him to bless me with two hundred dollars worth of tires. I couldn't believe it. coincidence? No, I believe it was God. They owned the tire shop, and this all come out to about three hundred dollars. Friend, God is concerned with us. He wants to meet our need but not our greed. Sometimes God wants us to ask him for a need so that it can build our faith, but our asking will never be out of line with our union in Christ. He will automatically take care of us as we are seeking him, but sometimes it is a faith builder. I still have that ole' bible, and I read it and have been blessed by it. Let's realize today that God is concerned with us, and He will supply all of our needs.
Prayer:
Lord we ask that you meet our needs that we have today. We pray that you will first bless us with knowing you more, and that you will meet any needs we have, whether it is financial, physical, or emotional. Move us into a new season with you Lord, and grow us up in the ways we should go with you, Amen.
Friday, January 28, 2011
The Judges And Prophets Removed From The Land by Darren Smith with Streetscape Ministries comment by Keith Edwards January 2011 Word
In Isaiah 3:1-2 God is warning his people that judgment is coming to the land and one of the things He said is that He was about to remove the prophets and the judges. God starts by saying that He will take away the stock and the store as well as the whole supply of bread and water in verse 1. It's hard to imagine that we could ever face such difficult times in our country but I imagine it was just as hard for Jerusalem and Judah to believe, in fact, with them as well it wasn’t a message that they wanted to hear either but it didn’t stop it from coming.
I want to look at taking away the Judge for just a moment before we move onto the Prophet. The Judge is a symbol for justice, which is very hard to find in our modern culture. We have turned away from Gods law unto the rule of man and sadly for the most part we have let this happen. As the foundational beliefs of our country have been stripped away by liberal humanistic judges and lawmakers vowed to take us into a godless nation, the church has slept. Could this be the reason for the successes of the enemy? I think so. But what I want you to consider, have the Godly Judges been taken from the land already? I think it's worth thinking about and praying over, could we be this close to judgment? I think the case can be made, look at Isaiah 1:2-4 and Isaiah 2:5-8 do you see anything that resembles our culture? Let's look at another, Isaiah 3:13-15 another comparison that rings true. We have devastated the vineyard and plundered the poor. Idolatry is rampant in our land and we are blind to it even in our own house. Our land is full of gold and silver and it has replaced the fear of the Lord in our life, there truly is no end to our treasure. Could this be why the judges have been removed that will rule with justice?
Let's move on to the Prophets, where have they gone? Where are the men of God that speak truth without compromise or the fear of consequence? Where are the men with faces set like flint to the cause of Christ? They are gone and have been replaced by humanistic people pleasers without any fear of God. Today we have the most educated well-equipped preachers that we have ever had in history and the greatest lack of truth and faith than ever before. I ask again where are the Prophets of God that fear God? I know that God has a remnant that has not bowed their knee. I believe that we must rise and join together setting aside any motives other than the cause of Christ. As for myself I must confess that I have failed to do my part and have taken several trips around Mt Sinai that I didn’t need to take. The distractions of this world are overwhelming but not an excuse for being sidetracked from the purpose of God.
We must identify the faults within our self and ask for forgiveness from the Lord and healing so we can fight the good fight without fear. A lot of what holds me back is the release of all that I am or all that I could ever hope for to Jesus, sounds silly but I still struggle. I have had a lot of shortcomings and failures along my journey and if not careful they can keep me from pressing forward. This must be put behind and left there to advance in the Kingdom. We are already in this season of judgment and must understand this is not a future event but a present reality! Look at Isaiah 3;4-5 the Word says I will make youths their leaders and the unstable will govern them. Can you see this reflected in our country’s leadership, it's already here and still we sleep. Don’t get me wrong this is not political, I know the only answer for this land is Jesus but for Him to manifest His bride must get clean. I believe that God will give us signs in current events to warn us where we are in time and they are shouting at us now to repent and stand for Christ.
Again I ask where are the Prophets who are willing to risk all to gain Christ? Many are comfortable and afraid to rock the boat, but I believe that God is about to awaken us to repent! Look at Isaiah 1:16-18 as the Lord shouts to us Wash yourselves, cleanse yourselves, remove your evil deeds from my sight. Stop sowing evil, learn to do what is good. Seek justice, correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.
It's time for us to wash ourselves and cleanse ourselves, I’m asking God to tear out everything in me that is not godly. I’m at the point that I would rather die than go on living half-halfheartedly. I'm doing inventory of my life with the Holy spirit to find every evil deed so I can put it out of my life once and for all. I cannot go another minute without the power and peace of God ruling my life. This has caused me to dig deep into my heart to the place that only God and I can go and although very painful it’s also refreshing. We must learn to do good in all things all the time! I am reading the Sermon on the Mount everyday and comparing my life to what Jesus said to do and after 10 straight days I’m undone and desperately lacking. The brokenness is overwhelming but still is bringing me peace. Jesus meant those things He said in the Sermon on the Mount and expects us to live them, no more excuses!
Seek justice! This causes you to go against the grain and causes very hard reaction from the enemy. Injustice is all around us friends and as a matter of fact we have grown accustomed to it, in fact it is the norm. When you see justice you will find a fight.
Correct the oppressor! This also comes with a price, in fact, many of us will be jailed for the truth and not in the distant future but now. Are we willing? Can we correct all the oppression around us? The Lord instructs us too and we must act without fear of retribution.
Defend the rights of the fatherless and plead the widow’s cause! This should be second nature to us but sadly we have also neglected the importance that Jesus puts on this subject. We do a lot of work in these areas already but not what the Lord expects. I repent of all the works that I have done that are self-directed instead of God ordained and ask the Lord to direct my paths.
I believe that we are in the days of judgment, they have come upon us while we slept just as our Lord said they would but it is not to late to awake and become the spotless bride.
Isaiah 1:19 gives us the promise that if we are willing and obedient we will eat the good things of the land.
I’ve been willing and not obedient as well as obedient and not willing nether will bring about the favor of God, we must be both. Are you willing and obedient? If not are you ready to be? I ask you to pray and seek the Lord for your answers and I would also like to hear from you guys, as I believe that we must unite the fight. I want to connect to others in this land and abroad that are willing to forsake all to live for Christ. The harvest is truly white but the laborers are few.
I also would like to ask for anyone that I have wronged in anyway to let me know. I don’t want spot nor blemish left unclean. I will close with this, Isaiah 1:18 Come let us discuss this says the Lord, though your sins are scarlet they will be white as snow: though they are red as crimson they will be as wool.
Isaiah 1:20 But if you refuse and rebel you will be devoured by the sword
Friends there is no other way than Jesus!
In Him alone I stand,
Darren Smith
comment by Keith Edwards:
This couldn't be more of a serious word for us as the bride of Christ. In 2009 I wrote a blog word about the shaking that would take place in the stock market, Kings and leaders who lead us, and influenial people of this world. One thing that was written in this blog about the shaking was that "Many will cry tears upon the mighty dollar but that's as far as those tears will go. But some will cry tears that are real and repent. We see the mighty dollar taking place of family values, ethical leadership, and even the church. This is 2011 and God is going to increase the shaking for the next move of God. I believe that we can see some purity in congress and whitehouse in 2012 if we will humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and seek His face for our nation. It's all in God's hand and it's up to us as the church to pray for the next president and congress. Let the rich pure words of Darren so penetrate our hearts today to repent and let Christ clean us and make us more like Him to be a spotless bride for the next move of God.
by Darren Smith and Keith Edwards
I want to look at taking away the Judge for just a moment before we move onto the Prophet. The Judge is a symbol for justice, which is very hard to find in our modern culture. We have turned away from Gods law unto the rule of man and sadly for the most part we have let this happen. As the foundational beliefs of our country have been stripped away by liberal humanistic judges and lawmakers vowed to take us into a godless nation, the church has slept. Could this be the reason for the successes of the enemy? I think so. But what I want you to consider, have the Godly Judges been taken from the land already? I think it's worth thinking about and praying over, could we be this close to judgment? I think the case can be made, look at Isaiah 1:2-4 and Isaiah 2:5-8 do you see anything that resembles our culture? Let's look at another, Isaiah 3:13-15 another comparison that rings true. We have devastated the vineyard and plundered the poor. Idolatry is rampant in our land and we are blind to it even in our own house. Our land is full of gold and silver and it has replaced the fear of the Lord in our life, there truly is no end to our treasure. Could this be why the judges have been removed that will rule with justice?
Let's move on to the Prophets, where have they gone? Where are the men of God that speak truth without compromise or the fear of consequence? Where are the men with faces set like flint to the cause of Christ? They are gone and have been replaced by humanistic people pleasers without any fear of God. Today we have the most educated well-equipped preachers that we have ever had in history and the greatest lack of truth and faith than ever before. I ask again where are the Prophets of God that fear God? I know that God has a remnant that has not bowed their knee. I believe that we must rise and join together setting aside any motives other than the cause of Christ. As for myself I must confess that I have failed to do my part and have taken several trips around Mt Sinai that I didn’t need to take. The distractions of this world are overwhelming but not an excuse for being sidetracked from the purpose of God.
We must identify the faults within our self and ask for forgiveness from the Lord and healing so we can fight the good fight without fear. A lot of what holds me back is the release of all that I am or all that I could ever hope for to Jesus, sounds silly but I still struggle. I have had a lot of shortcomings and failures along my journey and if not careful they can keep me from pressing forward. This must be put behind and left there to advance in the Kingdom. We are already in this season of judgment and must understand this is not a future event but a present reality! Look at Isaiah 3;4-5 the Word says I will make youths their leaders and the unstable will govern them. Can you see this reflected in our country’s leadership, it's already here and still we sleep. Don’t get me wrong this is not political, I know the only answer for this land is Jesus but for Him to manifest His bride must get clean. I believe that God will give us signs in current events to warn us where we are in time and they are shouting at us now to repent and stand for Christ.
Again I ask where are the Prophets who are willing to risk all to gain Christ? Many are comfortable and afraid to rock the boat, but I believe that God is about to awaken us to repent! Look at Isaiah 1:16-18 as the Lord shouts to us Wash yourselves, cleanse yourselves, remove your evil deeds from my sight. Stop sowing evil, learn to do what is good. Seek justice, correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.
It's time for us to wash ourselves and cleanse ourselves, I’m asking God to tear out everything in me that is not godly. I’m at the point that I would rather die than go on living half-halfheartedly. I'm doing inventory of my life with the Holy spirit to find every evil deed so I can put it out of my life once and for all. I cannot go another minute without the power and peace of God ruling my life. This has caused me to dig deep into my heart to the place that only God and I can go and although very painful it’s also refreshing. We must learn to do good in all things all the time! I am reading the Sermon on the Mount everyday and comparing my life to what Jesus said to do and after 10 straight days I’m undone and desperately lacking. The brokenness is overwhelming but still is bringing me peace. Jesus meant those things He said in the Sermon on the Mount and expects us to live them, no more excuses!
Seek justice! This causes you to go against the grain and causes very hard reaction from the enemy. Injustice is all around us friends and as a matter of fact we have grown accustomed to it, in fact it is the norm. When you see justice you will find a fight.
Correct the oppressor! This also comes with a price, in fact, many of us will be jailed for the truth and not in the distant future but now. Are we willing? Can we correct all the oppression around us? The Lord instructs us too and we must act without fear of retribution.
Defend the rights of the fatherless and plead the widow’s cause! This should be second nature to us but sadly we have also neglected the importance that Jesus puts on this subject. We do a lot of work in these areas already but not what the Lord expects. I repent of all the works that I have done that are self-directed instead of God ordained and ask the Lord to direct my paths.
I believe that we are in the days of judgment, they have come upon us while we slept just as our Lord said they would but it is not to late to awake and become the spotless bride.
Isaiah 1:19 gives us the promise that if we are willing and obedient we will eat the good things of the land.
I’ve been willing and not obedient as well as obedient and not willing nether will bring about the favor of God, we must be both. Are you willing and obedient? If not are you ready to be? I ask you to pray and seek the Lord for your answers and I would also like to hear from you guys, as I believe that we must unite the fight. I want to connect to others in this land and abroad that are willing to forsake all to live for Christ. The harvest is truly white but the laborers are few.
I also would like to ask for anyone that I have wronged in anyway to let me know. I don’t want spot nor blemish left unclean. I will close with this, Isaiah 1:18 Come let us discuss this says the Lord, though your sins are scarlet they will be white as snow: though they are red as crimson they will be as wool.
Isaiah 1:20 But if you refuse and rebel you will be devoured by the sword
Friends there is no other way than Jesus!
In Him alone I stand,
Darren Smith
comment by Keith Edwards:
This couldn't be more of a serious word for us as the bride of Christ. In 2009 I wrote a blog word about the shaking that would take place in the stock market, Kings and leaders who lead us, and influenial people of this world. One thing that was written in this blog about the shaking was that "Many will cry tears upon the mighty dollar but that's as far as those tears will go. But some will cry tears that are real and repent. We see the mighty dollar taking place of family values, ethical leadership, and even the church. This is 2011 and God is going to increase the shaking for the next move of God. I believe that we can see some purity in congress and whitehouse in 2012 if we will humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and seek His face for our nation. It's all in God's hand and it's up to us as the church to pray for the next president and congress. Let the rich pure words of Darren so penetrate our hearts today to repent and let Christ clean us and make us more like Him to be a spotless bride for the next move of God.
by Darren Smith and Keith Edwards
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Time To Bind Together January 23 Weekly Devotional by Keith Edwards
Read:
Acts 2:42-47
42And they continued steadfast in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
A Pastor said one day that the church would be alright if it were not for people. This sounds kind of humorous, but the way we act sometimes, including some ministers, we would think that the church is all about me and not we. Someone said one time, "To live above with those we love will be full of glory, but to live below with those we know we'll, that's another story." God never attended for us to be that Lone Ranger type christian who sits in there 8X8 closet and that is the only fellowship that they have. For so many years I spent more time by myself just in my own little world studying. There is definitely nothing wrong with this when done in balance. We need that quality time in our prayer closet. The secret to a successful life of a believer is the success of there secret life in the prayer closet. This will build character and cause the anointing of God to increase in our lives. But we need the fellowship of other believers in the church. This is how God builds. God builds in three ways. He builds by revelation, relationally, and by generation. All throughout the bible God was looking after His holy seed for the coming messiah. After Christ came He was a seed for all of humanity through all ages, and that seed was by generation. God also builds by revelation. Jesus asked His disciples one day, "Who do men say that I am?" Some said this and some said that, but Peter spoke and said with power and revelation, "You are the Christ the Son of the living God!" This was by revelation of who Jesus was as God the Son. The third way God builds is very important for us as believers. He builds relationally. There is such a power in cell groups, prayer meetings, and bible studies branched from the home church itself. I can remember back two years ago when we had a prayer meeting, worship music, and bible study in the basement of a minister friend of mine. God move miraculously. There were some healed, delivered, and set free by the power of God. The minister's wife prayed for a young girl who had breast cancer. The young girl's mom come running in to her office crying. She said I know you believe in miracles, and I'm pleading with you to pray with us. Will you? She said yes let's pray. She laid her hands on her and the mom took her young daughter to the doctor and they couldn't find a trace of that cancer. Many other things happened there. I can remember just leading worship and lifting Jesus up. You see, when you lift Jesus up together in unity, things will happen. So many Christians get caught up in lifting miracles and other things up instead of lifting Christ Jesus up. We need each other. I want to encourage you today to get connected and plugged in to your home church like never before. Yes it's going to make your flesh go crazy. One revelation that helps when I feel the pressure of connecting to believers in a more powerful way is realizing that it's the enemy that don't want you to get connected. He knows the power in it. Don't try and fight the body of Christ when this happens. This is how the enemy works. The devil hates relationships and always will. Will you say with me today, "I am a part of the body of Christ, and I will get connected like never before with bible studies, corporate worship, and other ways in the church." I want to encourage this day to re-focus on how God builds.
prayer:
Lord we come to you in your mighty name. We know that the enemy hates anything to do with you Lord and the fellowship of believers. We know that we need to bind together as a body of believers like never before. Help us Lord to plug in greater than ever with the body of Christ and help us pick up a stone as living stones and carry it back with the other stones of other believers if we have strayed away with our own little stone. We long to be a part of the building of the temple. Lord we also pray for our youth. We understand Lord that if you tarry the youth will be the next generation. God we lift up our youth pastor's today, and we pray protection upon this generation in Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Acts 2:42-47
42And they continued steadfast in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
A Pastor said one day that the church would be alright if it were not for people. This sounds kind of humorous, but the way we act sometimes, including some ministers, we would think that the church is all about me and not we. Someone said one time, "To live above with those we love will be full of glory, but to live below with those we know we'll, that's another story." God never attended for us to be that Lone Ranger type christian who sits in there 8X8 closet and that is the only fellowship that they have. For so many years I spent more time by myself just in my own little world studying. There is definitely nothing wrong with this when done in balance. We need that quality time in our prayer closet. The secret to a successful life of a believer is the success of there secret life in the prayer closet. This will build character and cause the anointing of God to increase in our lives. But we need the fellowship of other believers in the church. This is how God builds. God builds in three ways. He builds by revelation, relationally, and by generation. All throughout the bible God was looking after His holy seed for the coming messiah. After Christ came He was a seed for all of humanity through all ages, and that seed was by generation. God also builds by revelation. Jesus asked His disciples one day, "Who do men say that I am?" Some said this and some said that, but Peter spoke and said with power and revelation, "You are the Christ the Son of the living God!" This was by revelation of who Jesus was as God the Son. The third way God builds is very important for us as believers. He builds relationally. There is such a power in cell groups, prayer meetings, and bible studies branched from the home church itself. I can remember back two years ago when we had a prayer meeting, worship music, and bible study in the basement of a minister friend of mine. God move miraculously. There were some healed, delivered, and set free by the power of God. The minister's wife prayed for a young girl who had breast cancer. The young girl's mom come running in to her office crying. She said I know you believe in miracles, and I'm pleading with you to pray with us. Will you? She said yes let's pray. She laid her hands on her and the mom took her young daughter to the doctor and they couldn't find a trace of that cancer. Many other things happened there. I can remember just leading worship and lifting Jesus up. You see, when you lift Jesus up together in unity, things will happen. So many Christians get caught up in lifting miracles and other things up instead of lifting Christ Jesus up. We need each other. I want to encourage you today to get connected and plugged in to your home church like never before. Yes it's going to make your flesh go crazy. One revelation that helps when I feel the pressure of connecting to believers in a more powerful way is realizing that it's the enemy that don't want you to get connected. He knows the power in it. Don't try and fight the body of Christ when this happens. This is how the enemy works. The devil hates relationships and always will. Will you say with me today, "I am a part of the body of Christ, and I will get connected like never before with bible studies, corporate worship, and other ways in the church." I want to encourage this day to re-focus on how God builds.
prayer:
Lord we come to you in your mighty name. We know that the enemy hates anything to do with you Lord and the fellowship of believers. We know that we need to bind together as a body of believers like never before. Help us Lord to plug in greater than ever with the body of Christ and help us pick up a stone as living stones and carry it back with the other stones of other believers if we have strayed away with our own little stone. We long to be a part of the building of the temple. Lord we also pray for our youth. We understand Lord that if you tarry the youth will be the next generation. God we lift up our youth pastor's today, and we pray protection upon this generation in Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Shaking The Salt January 16th Weekly Devotional by Keith Edwards
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.
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.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Revelation Through Our Worship January 9th Weekly Devotional by Keith Edwards
Read:
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight
The thing we need to have during restoration is a revelation of what to do through our restoration. One, we need to understand that God still loves us even though we are facing things that we brought upon ourselves. Two, we need to have a revelation of pure worship in the middle of restoration. Three, we need to speak positive and pray against negative habits that has caused the unnecessary pain that we experience. We will begin to see all of those bad ugly habits break off of us as we build good habits driven by the word of God. We also need to have a healthy repentance through our daily devotion, for this is very important. Our worship needs to be mixed with the fact that God loves us, and He sees us righteous by the blood of His son Jesus. We can put on that revelation of our right standing with God, and we can get through anything with the help of the Holy Spirit. Three, we need to trust the Lord as we walk down that path with Him. Trust is very important, and we can trust in the fact that He is who He say's He is. He is God, and His name is on our lips to speak out our God given destiny here on earth as followers of Christ. I want to encourage you today to praise Him through the storm. Hold on through it all, and don't let go. You can make it today. Don't let your past dictate your future, but say with me, I will make it with a revelation through this restoration.
Prayer:
Lord, we ask that you give us extra grace today through what we are facing. Help me to get through this trial and valley. We know that we can get through it a lot faster when we let you be the Lord of our situation. We call you Lord in the very things that we face, and we lift your name as we run this race with you, Amen.
by Keith Edwards
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight
The thing we need to have during restoration is a revelation of what to do through our restoration. One, we need to understand that God still loves us even though we are facing things that we brought upon ourselves. Two, we need to have a revelation of pure worship in the middle of restoration. Three, we need to speak positive and pray against negative habits that has caused the unnecessary pain that we experience. We will begin to see all of those bad ugly habits break off of us as we build good habits driven by the word of God. We also need to have a healthy repentance through our daily devotion, for this is very important. Our worship needs to be mixed with the fact that God loves us, and He sees us righteous by the blood of His son Jesus. We can put on that revelation of our right standing with God, and we can get through anything with the help of the Holy Spirit. Three, we need to trust the Lord as we walk down that path with Him. Trust is very important, and we can trust in the fact that He is who He say's He is. He is God, and His name is on our lips to speak out our God given destiny here on earth as followers of Christ. I want to encourage you today to praise Him through the storm. Hold on through it all, and don't let go. You can make it today. Don't let your past dictate your future, but say with me, I will make it with a revelation through this restoration.
Prayer:
Lord, we ask that you give us extra grace today through what we are facing. Help me to get through this trial and valley. We know that we can get through it a lot faster when we let you be the Lord of our situation. We call you Lord in the very things that we face, and we lift your name as we run this race with you, Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
We Need A Rebible August 7th Weekly Devotional
Read:
James 1:21,22,26
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
In India, a native wrote to friend about a great revival in the area and he said, “We are having a great rebible here!” Revival means "new life" and it always starts with the bible totally saturating His bride through the bride repenting for the condition of the church.Throughout history we see Christendom with many distinctions that mark a particular denomination. We have the baptists' that center on conversion and evangelism, eastern Orthodox denomination that even centers on pentecostal gifts', the reformed church who centers on justification by faith, and pentecostal which is motivated by revelation and power of the baptism. You can get revelation from different types of denominations, but wouldn't it be nice if we could just be the new testament church. It would be nice to have a bit of each denomination and just be the church, going forth in our calling, advancing God's Kingdom, and moving forth in the power of the Holy Spirit, yet rooted in sound doctrine. If you look at each type of denomination, you will see what they emphasize is clearly taught in scripture. We see sacrament taught in scripture, conversion is definitely an essential to our protestant belief, the power of the Holy spirit is taught, and we see doctrine is taught as well. Sometimes though we see a particular denomination lift there head up in arrogance and say, "We are right, and you are wrong!" This will absolutely kill revival, because the world sees this hate among the protestants. Its amazing to see when something is wrong with our society, you will see some reformed group get together and make a declaration or some type of article dealing with a particular thing. There's nothing wrong with bringing forth sound doctrine and truth to a certain situation that needs to be dealt with, but I'm talking about the venom that is sometimes shot through the veins of the church. This can kill the fire of a productive church. Revival should be a lifestyle and not just a season. You can see some strengths and weaknesses in different denominations, but before a powerful pure revival can break lose, we have got to bind together and be the church. We sometimes get so caught up with fads and theological issues, that we lose sight with what we are really here for. Revival shouldn't be confined within the four walls of the church building, but should be out on the highways and byways. Our devotional life should be a revival. Our lifestyle should be changed day by day to reflect Christ more and more, and so we what we really need is a rebible. We need to let the word of God weed out and water the seed that is engrafted within us. We have a garden within us, and that garden has been unattended and the church has lost it's fire. The world has lost it's faith because the church has lost it's fire. I want us to concentrate on three things in this devotion that will bring forth a great revival in our world again. One, receive the engrafted word which will pull out the weeds and rocks of sin out of our soul for revival to spring up again. Two, we need to be a doer of the word of God and not just a hearer only, and this will bring forth a salt to this world as we become a living epistle right before their eyes. Three, we need to watch the words we speak out by the power of the Holy spirit and our daily devotion. Lets get the bible back in the church, and watch and see how a rebible will bring forth a revival.
Prayer:
Lord, we ask that you will forgive us for attacking each other, and we pray that you help us bind together as one body. Help us to hold hands with one another with such a great seriousness of sacrament, yet rooted in good doctrine, and going forth in the power of the Holy Spirit. We desire Lord for many to be converted, and we want our life to be a revival, and we know Lord that this kind of life saturated with your precious word will bring forth revival all across the land, Amen.
by Keith Edwards
James 1:21,22,26
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
In India, a native wrote to friend about a great revival in the area and he said, “We are having a great rebible here!” Revival means "new life" and it always starts with the bible totally saturating His bride through the bride repenting for the condition of the church.Throughout history we see Christendom with many distinctions that mark a particular denomination. We have the baptists' that center on conversion and evangelism, eastern Orthodox denomination that even centers on pentecostal gifts', the reformed church who centers on justification by faith, and pentecostal which is motivated by revelation and power of the baptism. You can get revelation from different types of denominations, but wouldn't it be nice if we could just be the new testament church. It would be nice to have a bit of each denomination and just be the church, going forth in our calling, advancing God's Kingdom, and moving forth in the power of the Holy Spirit, yet rooted in sound doctrine. If you look at each type of denomination, you will see what they emphasize is clearly taught in scripture. We see sacrament taught in scripture, conversion is definitely an essential to our protestant belief, the power of the Holy spirit is taught, and we see doctrine is taught as well. Sometimes though we see a particular denomination lift there head up in arrogance and say, "We are right, and you are wrong!" This will absolutely kill revival, because the world sees this hate among the protestants. Its amazing to see when something is wrong with our society, you will see some reformed group get together and make a declaration or some type of article dealing with a particular thing. There's nothing wrong with bringing forth sound doctrine and truth to a certain situation that needs to be dealt with, but I'm talking about the venom that is sometimes shot through the veins of the church. This can kill the fire of a productive church. Revival should be a lifestyle and not just a season. You can see some strengths and weaknesses in different denominations, but before a powerful pure revival can break lose, we have got to bind together and be the church. We sometimes get so caught up with fads and theological issues, that we lose sight with what we are really here for. Revival shouldn't be confined within the four walls of the church building, but should be out on the highways and byways. Our devotional life should be a revival. Our lifestyle should be changed day by day to reflect Christ more and more, and so we what we really need is a rebible. We need to let the word of God weed out and water the seed that is engrafted within us. We have a garden within us, and that garden has been unattended and the church has lost it's fire. The world has lost it's faith because the church has lost it's fire. I want us to concentrate on three things in this devotion that will bring forth a great revival in our world again. One, receive the engrafted word which will pull out the weeds and rocks of sin out of our soul for revival to spring up again. Two, we need to be a doer of the word of God and not just a hearer only, and this will bring forth a salt to this world as we become a living epistle right before their eyes. Three, we need to watch the words we speak out by the power of the Holy spirit and our daily devotion. Lets get the bible back in the church, and watch and see how a rebible will bring forth a revival.
Prayer:
Lord, we ask that you will forgive us for attacking each other, and we pray that you help us bind together as one body. Help us to hold hands with one another with such a great seriousness of sacrament, yet rooted in good doctrine, and going forth in the power of the Holy Spirit. We desire Lord for many to be converted, and we want our life to be a revival, and we know Lord that this kind of life saturated with your precious word will bring forth revival all across the land, Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Sunday, January 2, 2011
River Of Ahava January 2nd Weekly Devotional
Read:
Ezra 8:21
21 There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions.
Life can get so stressful at times. Things can change in an instant, and we need to know how to get strength from God in those rough times. We can learn a great deal about our daily walk with the Lord by looking at Ezra. Ezra is going to Jerusalem concerning the reconstruction of Jerusalem. Fifty-Thousand Jews come before Ezra to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem Eighty years before Ezra actually takes the journey from Babylon to Jerusalem. When Ezra starts his journey to Jerusalem, he stops at the river of Ahava with the three-thousand he has with him. The hebrew definition for Ahava is "I Shall Subsist" and subsist means to gain nourishment needed to carry on. It was just as much a spiritual nourishment as it was concerning food and raiment. Ezra proclaims a fast, and he gathers leading men to lead with him. Ezra not only knew the importance of humbling himself before God to help them make it to Jerusalem, but he knew the importance of plotting leaders all around him to bind together as one as they carried on the journey. I want us to stop today and gain the nourishment needed to walk this Christian walk. Let's open our hearts today for His spirit to strengthen us and make us strong in Him. We need to stop at that place like the River of Ahava, and we need to draw strength from the Father. He is so willing and able to help us in trying times, and He can help us through restoration to build the little Jerusalem that we may have in our heart. We can also learn a great deal about Ezra here as we build the church of the Lord Jesus Christ upon the rock of revelation. Ezra plotted men around him. It is so important as pastor's to understand how God builds. If we don't have the revelation of how God builds, and how the church needs strong Godly leaders around them, then the church isn't being built upon that rock. There is a great deal of revelation from Ezra today that we need to understand, and we can gain that nourishment needed to carry on the great journey of spiritual growth with one another as the bride of Christ. Maybe you have a dream and you have given up on that dream. Maybe you are going through a very hard time right now and don't know what to do. Just reach out to God today, and gain the nourishment needed to go forward in the things of God.
Prayer:
Lord we ask for strength as we face another day. We stop to gain the nourishment needed to carry on Lord. Give us the power to walk out this walk in your grace, and help us to hear your voice and learn of your ways in Jesus name we pray. Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Ezra 8:21
21 There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions.
Life can get so stressful at times. Things can change in an instant, and we need to know how to get strength from God in those rough times. We can learn a great deal about our daily walk with the Lord by looking at Ezra. Ezra is going to Jerusalem concerning the reconstruction of Jerusalem. Fifty-Thousand Jews come before Ezra to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem Eighty years before Ezra actually takes the journey from Babylon to Jerusalem. When Ezra starts his journey to Jerusalem, he stops at the river of Ahava with the three-thousand he has with him. The hebrew definition for Ahava is "I Shall Subsist" and subsist means to gain nourishment needed to carry on. It was just as much a spiritual nourishment as it was concerning food and raiment. Ezra proclaims a fast, and he gathers leading men to lead with him. Ezra not only knew the importance of humbling himself before God to help them make it to Jerusalem, but he knew the importance of plotting leaders all around him to bind together as one as they carried on the journey. I want us to stop today and gain the nourishment needed to walk this Christian walk. Let's open our hearts today for His spirit to strengthen us and make us strong in Him. We need to stop at that place like the River of Ahava, and we need to draw strength from the Father. He is so willing and able to help us in trying times, and He can help us through restoration to build the little Jerusalem that we may have in our heart. We can also learn a great deal about Ezra here as we build the church of the Lord Jesus Christ upon the rock of revelation. Ezra plotted men around him. It is so important as pastor's to understand how God builds. If we don't have the revelation of how God builds, and how the church needs strong Godly leaders around them, then the church isn't being built upon that rock. There is a great deal of revelation from Ezra today that we need to understand, and we can gain that nourishment needed to carry on the great journey of spiritual growth with one another as the bride of Christ. Maybe you have a dream and you have given up on that dream. Maybe you are going through a very hard time right now and don't know what to do. Just reach out to God today, and gain the nourishment needed to go forward in the things of God.
Prayer:
Lord we ask for strength as we face another day. We stop to gain the nourishment needed to carry on Lord. Give us the power to walk out this walk in your grace, and help us to hear your voice and learn of your ways in Jesus name we pray. Amen.
by Keith Edwards
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