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
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
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
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Sitting At the Feet Of A Title August 7th Devotional
Read:
18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.
Colossians 2:19
19 He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
One day in my devotion with the Lord, I asked the Lord, "Lord, what office or title have you called me to?" I pretty much knew what God has called me to, but I wanted to hear it from God. With hesitaion and impatience, I heard a voice within me say, "Son, I called you to an office of character! With a little more humbleness, I asked the Lord, "Lord what gifts have you given me?" The voice within me said, "Son, I have given you gifts of love! I was pretty much corrected and reproved that day. Now, we know that God does give us gifts and moves some in an office, but the Lord was trying to make a point to me that day. How many times do we get caught up in the title thing? You hear some say, "I am a prophet or apostle of God, and it just don't seem pure to me at times." In the last days we are going to see more ministers in the church get inflated by the things that they have seen. We are going to also see the worship of angels get stronger in the days to come, and this is so dangerous to the body of Christ. It will cause a mixture to get in. This mixture will cause a false growth of weird and crazy manifestations other than God causing a growth to the body of Christ. This is why it is so important to have strong teachers of foundation to keep things flowing in the church. We need the whole body to function by revelation of who is the head of the church which is Christ Jesus, and we need to sit at the feet of Jesus in our devotion and corporate worship. Are we sitting at the feet of a title today? Do we love the things of God more than God himself, and this is causing a false growth to the body. Lets pray right now together, and lets repent for this lack of true growth.
Prayer:
Lord, we ask that you will forgive us by your blood for not holding to the head which is you Christ Jesus. We ask that you will breathe the breath of your spirit upon any false growth, and that it will break away any faulty foundation that ministers have laid. Breathe upon us now Lord, and we desire to walk in character, love, pure revelation, and walk in truth and soundness of your spirit, Amen.
by Keith Edwards
18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.
Colossians 2:19
19 He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
One day in my devotion with the Lord, I asked the Lord, "Lord, what office or title have you called me to?" I pretty much knew what God has called me to, but I wanted to hear it from God. With hesitaion and impatience, I heard a voice within me say, "Son, I called you to an office of character! With a little more humbleness, I asked the Lord, "Lord what gifts have you given me?" The voice within me said, "Son, I have given you gifts of love! I was pretty much corrected and reproved that day. Now, we know that God does give us gifts and moves some in an office, but the Lord was trying to make a point to me that day. How many times do we get caught up in the title thing? You hear some say, "I am a prophet or apostle of God, and it just don't seem pure to me at times." In the last days we are going to see more ministers in the church get inflated by the things that they have seen. We are going to also see the worship of angels get stronger in the days to come, and this is so dangerous to the body of Christ. It will cause a mixture to get in. This mixture will cause a false growth of weird and crazy manifestations other than God causing a growth to the body of Christ. This is why it is so important to have strong teachers of foundation to keep things flowing in the church. We need the whole body to function by revelation of who is the head of the church which is Christ Jesus, and we need to sit at the feet of Jesus in our devotion and corporate worship. Are we sitting at the feet of a title today? Do we love the things of God more than God himself, and this is causing a false growth to the body. Lets pray right now together, and lets repent for this lack of true growth.
Prayer:
Lord, we ask that you will forgive us by your blood for not holding to the head which is you Christ Jesus. We ask that you will breathe the breath of your spirit upon any false growth, and that it will break away any faulty foundation that ministers have laid. Breathe upon us now Lord, and we desire to walk in character, love, pure revelation, and walk in truth and soundness of your spirit, Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Friday, August 6, 2010
There Is A River August 6th Devotional
Read:
Psalms 46:4
“There is a River, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.”
Also Read:
Exodus 47:9
He is the Master of the Healing Stream. Jesus Lives!
“And everything shall Live whither the River cometh.”
There is a River that flows from Genesis to Revelation. The Bible begins and ends with a River. It is an unending stream of Gods’ Life and Power, and it is the River of Life and Healing found only in Jesus Christ. The Apostle John describes for us the wonder of this Healing stream. In Revelation 22:1 the Holy Spirit gives us a glimpse of this Life flowing from the Throne of God. “And he shewed me a pure River of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the River, was the tree of Life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” There is something about the touch of Jesus that causes this healing virtue to flow. There is something about the touch of the Saviour that heals, restores, and delivers. Learn the secret of touching Him.
“And when Jesus was come into Peters’ house, He saw his wife’s mother laid, sick of a fever. And He touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.” Matthew 8:14-15.
Great men of God have often spoke of this wonderful Heavenly power. Jesus is Gods’ Healing Stream.
“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as His Divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us unto glory and virtue.” 2 Peter 1:2-3.
It is through the Word that we contact God, and it is through the Word that He contacts us. The Bible is our meeting place with Him and Him with us. It is through the Word that we touch God. It is through the Word that He touches us. The Prophet David wrote, “There is a River, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.” Psalm 46:4.
The Holy Ghost has come to teach us all things. God has given us the revelation of Christ the Healer. Jesus is the Healing stream of Calvary, and He is by your side today. Jesus of Nazareth is the source of all Life. He is the fountain of Wholeness, Health, Peace, and Happiness. He is the Master of the Healing Stream. Jesus Lives!
“And everything shall Live whither the River cometh.” Ezekiel 47:9.
comment by Keith Edwards:
There is a river today that flows from God above, and we can drink of that living water that is eternal. I want to encourage you today to let God quench your thirst today. whatever you are facing, God has all a place of His presence, and we can enter that place today by His precious blood.
Prayer:
Lord, fill our cup as we lift it up. Come and quench this the thirst and dryness we sometimes feel. We need a spiritual drink of your spiritual river, and we need your love to rain upon us as we seek you day by day, Amen.
Psalms 46:4
“There is a River, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.”
Also Read:
Exodus 47:9
He is the Master of the Healing Stream. Jesus Lives!
“And everything shall Live whither the River cometh.”
There is a River that flows from Genesis to Revelation. The Bible begins and ends with a River. It is an unending stream of Gods’ Life and Power, and it is the River of Life and Healing found only in Jesus Christ. The Apostle John describes for us the wonder of this Healing stream. In Revelation 22:1 the Holy Spirit gives us a glimpse of this Life flowing from the Throne of God. “And he shewed me a pure River of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the River, was the tree of Life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” There is something about the touch of Jesus that causes this healing virtue to flow. There is something about the touch of the Saviour that heals, restores, and delivers. Learn the secret of touching Him.
“And when Jesus was come into Peters’ house, He saw his wife’s mother laid, sick of a fever. And He touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.” Matthew 8:14-15.
Great men of God have often spoke of this wonderful Heavenly power. Jesus is Gods’ Healing Stream.
“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as His Divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us unto glory and virtue.” 2 Peter 1:2-3.
It is through the Word that we contact God, and it is through the Word that He contacts us. The Bible is our meeting place with Him and Him with us. It is through the Word that we touch God. It is through the Word that He touches us. The Prophet David wrote, “There is a River, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.” Psalm 46:4.
The Holy Ghost has come to teach us all things. God has given us the revelation of Christ the Healer. Jesus is the Healing stream of Calvary, and He is by your side today. Jesus of Nazareth is the source of all Life. He is the fountain of Wholeness, Health, Peace, and Happiness. He is the Master of the Healing Stream. Jesus Lives!
“And everything shall Live whither the River cometh.” Ezekiel 47:9.
comment by Keith Edwards:
There is a river today that flows from God above, and we can drink of that living water that is eternal. I want to encourage you today to let God quench your thirst today. whatever you are facing, God has all a place of His presence, and we can enter that place today by His precious blood.
Prayer:
Lord, fill our cup as we lift it up. Come and quench this the thirst and dryness we sometimes feel. We need a spiritual drink of your spiritual river, and we need your love to rain upon us as we seek you day by day, Amen.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Start Those Engines August 5th Devotional
Read:
Jude 1:20
20 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.
God is building us strong. The engine is almost complete and He is about to put a spark in the plugs and fire it up! Once the spark goes off our strong engines will start running, but coupled with that strength, he is giving us a softness, an anointed love to give away. He is going to love people through us, and they are going to feel His love so strong as the body of Christ. He is going to bring the hurting, the lost, and the forgotten to us, and He is going to heal their hurt through us. His love can abound in our hearts and it will be so much sometimes we might think we cannot bear under the shear delight of it. But the overflow will go to His hurting children. Your family can prosper in Love and can affect others around you. God will bring us those who need to be loved. He wants us to be fully His so that He can show His true self to those who need Him the most. We must work on not judging or believing the lie of the enemy, and we must not go by what we see on the outside of the person when God is concerned about what is on the inside. We are being called to do His work, and we are called to be separate from the world, and even separate from Christians who would try to stop the call of the Lord on our lives. We need to be totally focused on Him and nothing else. He will bring the ministry to us. We MUST be willing vessels and we are going to be strong in the power of His might, but we must trust Him and be willing to do whatever He tells us to do. He loves us so much and He proved it by dying on the cross for us and He is going to show that very kind of love through us. We are going to bring His hurting people into our bosoms and hold them, let them cry, let them be angry, and let them be healed. We can have such a powerful love anointing, such an agape kind of love that can only be obtained by God working in us. He wants to give us this love so we can give it to each other and to the hurting. He wants to embrace His hurting children, like any loving father would. He is going to do it through our arms and our hands. His love is going to abound in us for we are his loving instruments, but we must be willing to let His love flow through us. This means letting go of everything, every hurt, every pain, and every offence. We need to love a homosexual, crack head, or murderer if God sends us one. Let's pray in the spirit and build ourselves up in the name of the Lord.
Prayer:
Lord light the fire within us to touch the hurting. Help us to reach out to a world that doesn't trust any longer. We desire to be your hands, your feet, and we desire to do the same things you would do Lord. Amen
by Heidi Edwards
Jude 1:20
20 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.
God is building us strong. The engine is almost complete and He is about to put a spark in the plugs and fire it up! Once the spark goes off our strong engines will start running, but coupled with that strength, he is giving us a softness, an anointed love to give away. He is going to love people through us, and they are going to feel His love so strong as the body of Christ. He is going to bring the hurting, the lost, and the forgotten to us, and He is going to heal their hurt through us. His love can abound in our hearts and it will be so much sometimes we might think we cannot bear under the shear delight of it. But the overflow will go to His hurting children. Your family can prosper in Love and can affect others around you. God will bring us those who need to be loved. He wants us to be fully His so that He can show His true self to those who need Him the most. We must work on not judging or believing the lie of the enemy, and we must not go by what we see on the outside of the person when God is concerned about what is on the inside. We are being called to do His work, and we are called to be separate from the world, and even separate from Christians who would try to stop the call of the Lord on our lives. We need to be totally focused on Him and nothing else. He will bring the ministry to us. We MUST be willing vessels and we are going to be strong in the power of His might, but we must trust Him and be willing to do whatever He tells us to do. He loves us so much and He proved it by dying on the cross for us and He is going to show that very kind of love through us. We are going to bring His hurting people into our bosoms and hold them, let them cry, let them be angry, and let them be healed. We can have such a powerful love anointing, such an agape kind of love that can only be obtained by God working in us. He wants to give us this love so we can give it to each other and to the hurting. He wants to embrace His hurting children, like any loving father would. He is going to do it through our arms and our hands. His love is going to abound in us for we are his loving instruments, but we must be willing to let His love flow through us. This means letting go of everything, every hurt, every pain, and every offence. We need to love a homosexual, crack head, or murderer if God sends us one. Let's pray in the spirit and build ourselves up in the name of the Lord.
Prayer:
Lord light the fire within us to touch the hurting. Help us to reach out to a world that doesn't trust any longer. We desire to be your hands, your feet, and we desire to do the same things you would do Lord. Amen
by Heidi Edwards
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
August 4th Devotional
Read:
15 But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;
Setting an example as a leader is very important, especially for the world today. We need to set an example for those who watch and follow us. The definition for behavior here is anastrophe, and it means conduct or manner of life. We need to set an example by doing the right thing as a leader. I was a manager for about eight years in the grocery retail, and was training a young man that I lead to the Lord. I told him that I would clean up the meat cutting room so he could cut meat. After I got through he looked down at my shoes and said, "You don't mind getting wet do you?" I told him, son, a leader will do things that no one else wants to do. I'm doing this to set an example to you by not only making you a disciple in the spiritual things, but also training you in the work place so you can be ready, and advancing God's kingdom is at our workplace as well. It is so important to lay aside our pride and lead, but sometimes leading is humbling ourselves and doing things that is inconvenient to the worlds standards. We are not of this world and leading by the example of Christ will rub against the mainstream of the typical "get to the top" motivation. This young man has learned alot so far, and I am willing to invest in this young man. I want to encourage you today to lead by example. I need to do this more myself, and sometimes it is laying down our own pride and allowing others to do what we teach them. Show them and they will know, but allow them and they will do and be ready to teach others the same way we taught them. They will understand the importance of our conduct for others, and they will also understand the example that they need to set for the new converts that they will make. Lets see this scripture in a whole new light today, whether it is setting an example as a spiritual leader, or teaching them in the workplace through on the job training.
Prayer:
Lord, we ask that you will make us better leaders by setting a better example to others by our conduct and behavior. Help us to shine your light to others around us, especially those that we are discipling, Amen.
by Keith Edwards
15 But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;
Setting an example as a leader is very important, especially for the world today. We need to set an example for those who watch and follow us. The definition for behavior here is anastrophe, and it means conduct or manner of life. We need to set an example by doing the right thing as a leader. I was a manager for about eight years in the grocery retail, and was training a young man that I lead to the Lord. I told him that I would clean up the meat cutting room so he could cut meat. After I got through he looked down at my shoes and said, "You don't mind getting wet do you?" I told him, son, a leader will do things that no one else wants to do. I'm doing this to set an example to you by not only making you a disciple in the spiritual things, but also training you in the work place so you can be ready, and advancing God's kingdom is at our workplace as well. It is so important to lay aside our pride and lead, but sometimes leading is humbling ourselves and doing things that is inconvenient to the worlds standards. We are not of this world and leading by the example of Christ will rub against the mainstream of the typical "get to the top" motivation. This young man has learned alot so far, and I am willing to invest in this young man. I want to encourage you today to lead by example. I need to do this more myself, and sometimes it is laying down our own pride and allowing others to do what we teach them. Show them and they will know, but allow them and they will do and be ready to teach others the same way we taught them. They will understand the importance of our conduct for others, and they will also understand the example that they need to set for the new converts that they will make. Lets see this scripture in a whole new light today, whether it is setting an example as a spiritual leader, or teaching them in the workplace through on the job training.
Prayer:
Lord, we ask that you will make us better leaders by setting a better example to others by our conduct and behavior. Help us to shine your light to others around us, especially those that we are discipling, Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The Great Soldier August 3rd Devotional
Read:
3Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
All throughout my life I've had friends that were in the service. Some were in Vietnam, some were in other wars. My father was a military man, along with his whole family, so I know different things about being a soldier by being around them. One particular friend that I worked with was in the special forces and went to war. He would tell me about how they would help with the training of Navy Seals and the things that were imparted to them to be sharp and ready for war. One particular thing that I asked him about was, "what do you do when you get stranded out in the ocean?" He told me that you watch the birds. At night the birds go back to land because they can't see well for there catch of food, so you follow the birds at night and go away from the birds during the day, because they are going out towards the ocean during the day for there catch of food. Immediately, I thought about us as soldiers of Jesus Christ. When we get stranded in life's ocean, we need to focus totally on Christ Jesus. His voice is like that bird that flies towards land at night, and towards the ocean during the day. With patience we can hear his voice and navigate our way by His grace to the land of our calling, destiny, and what God has for us. You may be in an ocean of mess today. I want to encourage you to listen with patience for God's voice to get to the place He wants you to be in. We may get ourselves in an ocean of mess by choices we make, tragedy that comes our way, or other things that causes us to lose focus. Another thing about a soldier, is they get wisdom in certain situations so that they can make it through. There was this story of a private that couldn't stand this one Sergeant. He would always scream at him the words, "Get Down!" He got so tired of this particular Sergeant. When he went to war he heard those words again screaming in his head after a gun shot went off. He immediately got down and the bullets missed him by inches. Even though the Sergeant wasn't there he could hear those words in his head after that blast or gun shot. That Sergeant saved his life and he was thankful for that man that he didn't like. How many times do we hear the Holy Spirit talk to us about certain traps and situations we may get into if we don't change our course in a certain situation. God don't scream at us the way a Sergeant does or call us things that they would call a soldier, but listening to God's voice is so important. Jesus said, " my sheep know my voice, and no other voice will they follow." Are you lost in an ocean of mess today? You just had a tragedy hit you, or maybe something else in life hit you and you don't know what to do? Hear his voice today. Let Jesus wrap his arms around you as you follow his course in the destiny and calling that He has got for you.
prayer:
Lord we come to you as soldiers of the most high. We ask that you help us hear your voice today in a great way. Help us to be the soldier of your grace to others, and help us to train faithful one's for the ministry of a good soldier in the fight for lost souls, and advancing your Kingdom to the fullest degree. We ask this in your name. Amen.
by Keith Edwards
3Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
All throughout my life I've had friends that were in the service. Some were in Vietnam, some were in other wars. My father was a military man, along with his whole family, so I know different things about being a soldier by being around them. One particular friend that I worked with was in the special forces and went to war. He would tell me about how they would help with the training of Navy Seals and the things that were imparted to them to be sharp and ready for war. One particular thing that I asked him about was, "what do you do when you get stranded out in the ocean?" He told me that you watch the birds. At night the birds go back to land because they can't see well for there catch of food, so you follow the birds at night and go away from the birds during the day, because they are going out towards the ocean during the day for there catch of food. Immediately, I thought about us as soldiers of Jesus Christ. When we get stranded in life's ocean, we need to focus totally on Christ Jesus. His voice is like that bird that flies towards land at night, and towards the ocean during the day. With patience we can hear his voice and navigate our way by His grace to the land of our calling, destiny, and what God has for us. You may be in an ocean of mess today. I want to encourage you to listen with patience for God's voice to get to the place He wants you to be in. We may get ourselves in an ocean of mess by choices we make, tragedy that comes our way, or other things that causes us to lose focus. Another thing about a soldier, is they get wisdom in certain situations so that they can make it through. There was this story of a private that couldn't stand this one Sergeant. He would always scream at him the words, "Get Down!" He got so tired of this particular Sergeant. When he went to war he heard those words again screaming in his head after a gun shot went off. He immediately got down and the bullets missed him by inches. Even though the Sergeant wasn't there he could hear those words in his head after that blast or gun shot. That Sergeant saved his life and he was thankful for that man that he didn't like. How many times do we hear the Holy Spirit talk to us about certain traps and situations we may get into if we don't change our course in a certain situation. God don't scream at us the way a Sergeant does or call us things that they would call a soldier, but listening to God's voice is so important. Jesus said, " my sheep know my voice, and no other voice will they follow." Are you lost in an ocean of mess today? You just had a tragedy hit you, or maybe something else in life hit you and you don't know what to do? Hear his voice today. Let Jesus wrap his arms around you as you follow his course in the destiny and calling that He has got for you.
prayer:
Lord we come to you as soldiers of the most high. We ask that you help us hear your voice today in a great way. Help us to be the soldier of your grace to others, and help us to train faithful one's for the ministry of a good soldier in the fight for lost souls, and advancing your Kingdom to the fullest degree. We ask this in your name. Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Monday, August 2, 2010
Putting First Things first August 2nd Devotional
Read:
Matthew 6:33
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
So many times we worry about our family, finances, and future. I know that I do this at times and I have to get back in line with my devotion to the Lord. Jesus told His disciples to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all of the things you need will be taken care of. Righteousness in the Greek is Dikaisosune, and the definition is integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting. We need a correctness of thinking like never before. The biggest struggle for a Christian is the false perception of how God sees them. They may get it by how they were raised, low self esteem, or from there religious background. We need to have a correct perception of who God really is. Many times preachers will get up on the pulpit and bring out a false image of God. This can kill the blessings of God in our life. He said to seek first His kingdom. We need to advance the kingdom of God like never before by making disciples, supporting missionaries by giving, supporting our home church, and staying connected to believers. You hear more about what God can give us coming from the pulpit, versus the condition of our heart first and foremost. When the desire to be closer to Jesus increases so shall the things that we have need of unfold before us. The Holy Spirit longs to teach us today the ways of the Lord. He longs to show us how to seek Him. God will take care of us as we earnestly seek Him. Lets put the first things first.
Prayer:
Lord we ask that you bring us to a special place in you today. Help us to know you how you want us to know you, and lead us in the way we should go. Help us Lord to renew our minds, and touch us by Your Spirit, Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Matthew 6:33
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
So many times we worry about our family, finances, and future. I know that I do this at times and I have to get back in line with my devotion to the Lord. Jesus told His disciples to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all of the things you need will be taken care of. Righteousness in the Greek is Dikaisosune, and the definition is integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting. We need a correctness of thinking like never before. The biggest struggle for a Christian is the false perception of how God sees them. They may get it by how they were raised, low self esteem, or from there religious background. We need to have a correct perception of who God really is. Many times preachers will get up on the pulpit and bring out a false image of God. This can kill the blessings of God in our life. He said to seek first His kingdom. We need to advance the kingdom of God like never before by making disciples, supporting missionaries by giving, supporting our home church, and staying connected to believers. You hear more about what God can give us coming from the pulpit, versus the condition of our heart first and foremost. When the desire to be closer to Jesus increases so shall the things that we have need of unfold before us. The Holy Spirit longs to teach us today the ways of the Lord. He longs to show us how to seek Him. God will take care of us as we earnestly seek Him. Lets put the first things first.
Prayer:
Lord we ask that you bring us to a special place in you today. Help us to know you how you want us to know you, and lead us in the way we should go. Help us Lord to renew our minds, and touch us by Your Spirit, Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Sunday, August 1, 2010
The Power Of Words August 1st Devotional
Read:
Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
Words can be so powerful. I'm really quick to rebuke someone that is speaking negative over my children. I've seen words totally crush an individual, and I believe many have actually committed suicide because of something someone spoke over them. I do believe in positive confession along with walking in the spirit. There is something about speaking over your children, your life, and speaking positive to those around us. Jesus would speak and things would happen, but Jesus was one with the Father. The bible says here in proverbs that death and life are in the tongue, and those who love it will eat it's fruit. It's like planting a seed. We can enjoy the fruit of our union with Christ and speaking his word in our life, or we can reap the negative seed we plant by always talking negative. I know through my own life that there is something about speaking the word of God over me through my worship and devotion. It stirs up faith and the things of God inside of us, and it helps us grow in the word of God. I want to encourage you today to start speaking positive upon your life and your children. God wants us to watch our words, and He wants us to walk in the spirit with the word of God flowing out of our heart to others.
Prayer:
Lord we ask that you forgive us if we have been talking negative about someone. We also ask that you forgive us for our poor negative attitude that seems to keep us from really walking in your spirit. Help us to speak your word as we go day by day in your spirit. Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
Words can be so powerful. I'm really quick to rebuke someone that is speaking negative over my children. I've seen words totally crush an individual, and I believe many have actually committed suicide because of something someone spoke over them. I do believe in positive confession along with walking in the spirit. There is something about speaking over your children, your life, and speaking positive to those around us. Jesus would speak and things would happen, but Jesus was one with the Father. The bible says here in proverbs that death and life are in the tongue, and those who love it will eat it's fruit. It's like planting a seed. We can enjoy the fruit of our union with Christ and speaking his word in our life, or we can reap the negative seed we plant by always talking negative. I know through my own life that there is something about speaking the word of God over me through my worship and devotion. It stirs up faith and the things of God inside of us, and it helps us grow in the word of God. I want to encourage you today to start speaking positive upon your life and your children. God wants us to watch our words, and He wants us to walk in the spirit with the word of God flowing out of our heart to others.
Prayer:
Lord we ask that you forgive us if we have been talking negative about someone. We also ask that you forgive us for our poor negative attitude that seems to keep us from really walking in your spirit. Help us to speak your word as we go day by day in your spirit. Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Saturday, July 31, 2010
No Reputation July 31st Devotional
Read:
7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Have you ever wondered how Jesus was always there from the beginning? Some believe that Christ Jesus was a created angel, Some believe that he was just a prophet, and some believe that he was just a good teacher. According to the bible He was always there from the beginning because He is God the Son. Theologically, the word reputation means that He emptied himself. It is called the Kenotic Theory, which means he emptied himself. He became what He was not without ceasing to be what He was. He never stopped being the second person of the trinity. He emptied Himself not literally, but metaphorically. By taking-not subtraction. Even as a child in the manger He was still"...holding all things together by the power of His Word." Hebrews 1:3. If Christ in not God, then the work of Jesus in not eternally valid, but temporal, contingent, and relative. The good news is that our salvation is anchored in eternity. Thank God for Jesus coming to earth and dying on the cross, and this gives us the ability to repent and allow Christ to save us. I want us to reflect on what Christ really did when He came to earth. This was such a love for Christ to reach come down and make Himself of no reputation. This love is speaking to you today. Jesus is calling out to you in love and extending an invitation to cast all of your care upon Him today as Christians understanding what He really did, and He is extending His love for those who need salvation.
Prayer:
Lord we thank you for what you did upon the cross. We thank you Lord for coming down from heaven, and dying for us. You were the perfect Lamb Lord who fulfilled the many prophecies of the bible concerning your death, burial, and resurrection.
by Keith Edwards
7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Have you ever wondered how Jesus was always there from the beginning? Some believe that Christ Jesus was a created angel, Some believe that he was just a prophet, and some believe that he was just a good teacher. According to the bible He was always there from the beginning because He is God the Son. Theologically, the word reputation means that He emptied himself. It is called the Kenotic Theory, which means he emptied himself. He became what He was not without ceasing to be what He was. He never stopped being the second person of the trinity. He emptied Himself not literally, but metaphorically. By taking-not subtraction. Even as a child in the manger He was still"...holding all things together by the power of His Word." Hebrews 1:3. If Christ in not God, then the work of Jesus in not eternally valid, but temporal, contingent, and relative. The good news is that our salvation is anchored in eternity. Thank God for Jesus coming to earth and dying on the cross, and this gives us the ability to repent and allow Christ to save us. I want us to reflect on what Christ really did when He came to earth. This was such a love for Christ to reach come down and make Himself of no reputation. This love is speaking to you today. Jesus is calling out to you in love and extending an invitation to cast all of your care upon Him today as Christians understanding what He really did, and He is extending His love for those who need salvation.
Prayer:
Lord we thank you for what you did upon the cross. We thank you Lord for coming down from heaven, and dying for us. You were the perfect Lamb Lord who fulfilled the many prophecies of the bible concerning your death, burial, and resurrection.
by Keith Edwards
Friday, July 30, 2010
God's Amazing Grace July 30th Devotional
Read:
Galatians 5:1
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Grace will give you the power to do what you cannot do in your own strength. It is far more than what we have been taught from the pulpit. Some tell us that grace will cover you no matter what you do. The other thing taught from the pulpit is that grace is good and it is unmerited favor, but basically you have to obey a bunch of rules to make it to heaven after the initial coming to Jesus through repentance. A young man asked a preacher one time, "After I do all of these things you want me to do, is there anything else?" If we live for Christ to stay out of hell then that is the wrong reason to live for Him. If we haven't repented of our sins, then we will be convicted by the Holy Spirit and given the opportunity to receive Him. The bible makes it clear that all will have the opportunity at some time or another to receive Him. This would be very unfair for someone in the world to stand in judgment and them not ever having the opportunity by God's grace to receive Him. Grace doesn't give us a liscense to sin but to serve God. Grace is the knowledge of who God really is within us. We have Christ living and abiding within us as believers. If we don't tap into that revelation even as a christian, we will begin to look to ourselves to be right, and this is falling from grace. Falling from grace doesn't mean that your lost and going straight to hell, it means that you are looking to your works to make you right. Don't get religious on me now! How many of us look at our good deeds at times in our christian walk to make us right apart from the grace that needs to flow from within us? We start to feel miserable don't we. The bible say's to walk in that which we have received. When we come unto Jesus by that initial invitation through repentance, we need to keep coming unto Jesus everyday through our devotion, prayer, and worship. Grace teaches our heart to have a Godly fear and lead us on to great things of God. You may ask, “how do I understand and gain a knowledge of who God really is?” It’s by getting into the word of God, entering into his presence daily, and by prayer and devotion on a consistent basis that strengthens your relationship with the Holy Spirit. You will see things in a different light of who you are in Christ.
Grace is far more than what we have been taught. It is the power and strength that we draw from, giving us the ability to rise above the clouds of sin, and use our hands from the power of the recreated heart.
prayer:
Lord we pray that you will forgive us by your blood for looking to things to make us right. We do the right things because we have faith in you. We have good works Lord because we trust in you grace to make us like you. We ask that you would lead us by your grace in a mighty way today. Amen.
by: Keith Edwards
Galatians 5:1
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Grace will give you the power to do what you cannot do in your own strength. It is far more than what we have been taught from the pulpit. Some tell us that grace will cover you no matter what you do. The other thing taught from the pulpit is that grace is good and it is unmerited favor, but basically you have to obey a bunch of rules to make it to heaven after the initial coming to Jesus through repentance. A young man asked a preacher one time, "After I do all of these things you want me to do, is there anything else?" If we live for Christ to stay out of hell then that is the wrong reason to live for Him. If we haven't repented of our sins, then we will be convicted by the Holy Spirit and given the opportunity to receive Him. The bible makes it clear that all will have the opportunity at some time or another to receive Him. This would be very unfair for someone in the world to stand in judgment and them not ever having the opportunity by God's grace to receive Him. Grace doesn't give us a liscense to sin but to serve God. Grace is the knowledge of who God really is within us. We have Christ living and abiding within us as believers. If we don't tap into that revelation even as a christian, we will begin to look to ourselves to be right, and this is falling from grace. Falling from grace doesn't mean that your lost and going straight to hell, it means that you are looking to your works to make you right. Don't get religious on me now! How many of us look at our good deeds at times in our christian walk to make us right apart from the grace that needs to flow from within us? We start to feel miserable don't we. The bible say's to walk in that which we have received. When we come unto Jesus by that initial invitation through repentance, we need to keep coming unto Jesus everyday through our devotion, prayer, and worship. Grace teaches our heart to have a Godly fear and lead us on to great things of God. You may ask, “how do I understand and gain a knowledge of who God really is?” It’s by getting into the word of God, entering into his presence daily, and by prayer and devotion on a consistent basis that strengthens your relationship with the Holy Spirit. You will see things in a different light of who you are in Christ.
Grace is far more than what we have been taught. It is the power and strength that we draw from, giving us the ability to rise above the clouds of sin, and use our hands from the power of the recreated heart.
prayer:
Lord we pray that you will forgive us by your blood for looking to things to make us right. We do the right things because we have faith in you. We have good works Lord because we trust in you grace to make us like you. We ask that you would lead us by your grace in a mighty way today. Amen.
by: Keith Edwards
Thursday, July 29, 2010
God Wants To Use Me? July 29th Devotional
Read:
1 Corinthians 12:12
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.
One night I was preaching at this church, and was in full time ministry working as a counselor and worship coordinator, and also did some evangelistic work teaching at different churches in Texas and Oklahoma. The message I felt like speaking about at this one church was that everyone in this church is important and has a specific place in the body of Christ, and told them that it's not just the Pastor or those involved in full time ministry in the church that only does the works of Christ. It's all of us. I told them that the minister's in the church supposed to equip the body of Christ to go out and advance God's Kingdom and do the works of Jesus. I looked back in the back row and immediately saw a young man who seemed like he got lost in the shuffle. I spoke that I felt like there is someone here who feels like you don't have any part in what is going on in the church, and spoke that God does have something for everyone here, and He is speaking to all of you right now to take that step of faith and walk in what He called us all in. That young man that I was focusing on came running to the altar. I walked down from the pulpit and prayed with him. We should never let the devil tell us that we are not special in God's eyes. We have a part to play. One of the tactics that the enemy uses is to make us think that we don't have a part to play in the church. We have to cast down all imaginations and thought patterns that tempts us to disconnect from the body of Christ. We all have a part to play, and we are a body made up of many parts. That young man that I prayed with was touched that night and exhorted to play a part in what God is doing. How many times do many get lost in the shuffle. I'm talking about born again Christians. You may feel like this young man, and you feel like you don't fit in or you can't be used by God. I want to encourage you today to get plugged in like never before. As the faithfulness to the body of Christ increases, so shall our destiny here on earth unfold before us. As we get plugged in to the church with a good attitude we will find out what God has really called us to.
Prayer:
Lord we ask that you help us to plug in to the church in such a powerful way. We ask that you give us a revelation of why we are here, and help us Lord to find that placement in the body of Christ like never before, Amen.
by Keith Edwards
1 Corinthians 12:12
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.
One night I was preaching at this church, and was in full time ministry working as a counselor and worship coordinator, and also did some evangelistic work teaching at different churches in Texas and Oklahoma. The message I felt like speaking about at this one church was that everyone in this church is important and has a specific place in the body of Christ, and told them that it's not just the Pastor or those involved in full time ministry in the church that only does the works of Christ. It's all of us. I told them that the minister's in the church supposed to equip the body of Christ to go out and advance God's Kingdom and do the works of Jesus. I looked back in the back row and immediately saw a young man who seemed like he got lost in the shuffle. I spoke that I felt like there is someone here who feels like you don't have any part in what is going on in the church, and spoke that God does have something for everyone here, and He is speaking to all of you right now to take that step of faith and walk in what He called us all in. That young man that I was focusing on came running to the altar. I walked down from the pulpit and prayed with him. We should never let the devil tell us that we are not special in God's eyes. We have a part to play. One of the tactics that the enemy uses is to make us think that we don't have a part to play in the church. We have to cast down all imaginations and thought patterns that tempts us to disconnect from the body of Christ. We all have a part to play, and we are a body made up of many parts. That young man that I prayed with was touched that night and exhorted to play a part in what God is doing. How many times do many get lost in the shuffle. I'm talking about born again Christians. You may feel like this young man, and you feel like you don't fit in or you can't be used by God. I want to encourage you today to get plugged in like never before. As the faithfulness to the body of Christ increases, so shall our destiny here on earth unfold before us. As we get plugged in to the church with a good attitude we will find out what God has really called us to.
Prayer:
Lord we ask that you help us to plug in to the church in such a powerful way. We ask that you give us a revelation of why we are here, and help us Lord to find that placement in the body of Christ like never before, Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
The Greater One In Us July 28th Devotional
Read:
4You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
It's great to know that we have a God that is not far away, but is living and abiding within us as believers. God breathed His life within us and we can walk in the spirit because of the blood of Jesus. The Greek word here for greater is megas, and one of the definitions is "powerfully affecting the senses." As we walk with the Lord day by day, His word begins to affect our emotions, mind, and even our health. A minister friend of mine whom I talk by phone and email said that there was a time in his life that he had lost his first love with God. He went to a meeting and everyone there seemed so joyous and full of life. He was doing all of the right things, but there was something missing in the season of his life. He went back to his hotel room and tears streamed down his face as Christ within him began affecting his every fiber. He went back home from the meeting, and he went to the doctor about some medicine that he had been taking. The medicine was making him sick. He came to find that the physical condition totally went away when he returned to his first love. Why? Because God's spirit is powerful within us and upon us. We have something on the inside of us that is more powerful than the thoughts the enemy throws our way, more powerful than the lies the world throws at us, and more powerful than the satanic force that tries to paralyze us from being effective as believers in Christ. Many , bless there heart, think they have to say a bunch of prayer formula's before the Lord, do a millions things to be accepted by the Lord, and they are just going through the motions without having that loving relationship with the Father. I want to encourage us today to realize that the very Christ within you as a believer is bigger and greater than the very problem you are facing. We need to find that place in the holy of holies from a revelation of who is really inside of our hearts.
Prayer:
Lord we ask you today to open our spiritual eyes to see who is really within us. We ask Lord that we try and not take advantage of the great power that is in us, and keep our gifts and talents that you have given us pure before you. Help us to return to our first love with you by expressing our love for you by that which is within us, and help us to really see who we are in you, and who you are within us.
by Keith Edwards
4You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
It's great to know that we have a God that is not far away, but is living and abiding within us as believers. God breathed His life within us and we can walk in the spirit because of the blood of Jesus. The Greek word here for greater is megas, and one of the definitions is "powerfully affecting the senses." As we walk with the Lord day by day, His word begins to affect our emotions, mind, and even our health. A minister friend of mine whom I talk by phone and email said that there was a time in his life that he had lost his first love with God. He went to a meeting and everyone there seemed so joyous and full of life. He was doing all of the right things, but there was something missing in the season of his life. He went back to his hotel room and tears streamed down his face as Christ within him began affecting his every fiber. He went back home from the meeting, and he went to the doctor about some medicine that he had been taking. The medicine was making him sick. He came to find that the physical condition totally went away when he returned to his first love. Why? Because God's spirit is powerful within us and upon us. We have something on the inside of us that is more powerful than the thoughts the enemy throws our way, more powerful than the lies the world throws at us, and more powerful than the satanic force that tries to paralyze us from being effective as believers in Christ. Many , bless there heart, think they have to say a bunch of prayer formula's before the Lord, do a millions things to be accepted by the Lord, and they are just going through the motions without having that loving relationship with the Father. I want to encourage us today to realize that the very Christ within you as a believer is bigger and greater than the very problem you are facing. We need to find that place in the holy of holies from a revelation of who is really inside of our hearts.
Prayer:
Lord we ask you today to open our spiritual eyes to see who is really within us. We ask Lord that we try and not take advantage of the great power that is in us, and keep our gifts and talents that you have given us pure before you. Help us to return to our first love with you by expressing our love for you by that which is within us, and help us to really see who we are in you, and who you are within us.
by Keith Edwards
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
To Serve Others Is To Serve The Lord July 27th Devotional
Read:
Ephesians 6:7
7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.
There is such power in reaching out to those who are in need. We pray that God will use us and ask Him to bring somebody our way to help, and when people who need help come around we seem to miss them. Ministry is all around us. We just have to open our eyes. I can remember going to church one Wednesday night, and in our worship time the Lord began to speak to me about ministry. I started thinking how many there had needs and needed some help. The person behind me could use a little money to buy groceries for there children, and the person beside me maybe needed a ride to church tonight. The person in front of me could use some extra prayer, and on and on it goes. It really opened my eyes that ministry is all around us. People who need help in certain areas don't care how much we know until they know how much we care, and sometimes it just takes us reaching out to them without words. There are times to speak an encouraging word to somebody, but just a little smile or touch from the Lord can be worth a million dollars to someone. I want to encourage you today to really reach out to those in need, and just remember that we are doing it unto the Lord and not men.
Prayer:
Lord we ask that you will open our eyes to see those in need. We want to be used Lord to be your hands and your feet to reach out to many, and to walk in places that you would walk to. Help us to be the body of Christ, amen.
by Keith Edwards
Ephesians 6:7
7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.
There is such power in reaching out to those who are in need. We pray that God will use us and ask Him to bring somebody our way to help, and when people who need help come around we seem to miss them. Ministry is all around us. We just have to open our eyes. I can remember going to church one Wednesday night, and in our worship time the Lord began to speak to me about ministry. I started thinking how many there had needs and needed some help. The person behind me could use a little money to buy groceries for there children, and the person beside me maybe needed a ride to church tonight. The person in front of me could use some extra prayer, and on and on it goes. It really opened my eyes that ministry is all around us. People who need help in certain areas don't care how much we know until they know how much we care, and sometimes it just takes us reaching out to them without words. There are times to speak an encouraging word to somebody, but just a little smile or touch from the Lord can be worth a million dollars to someone. I want to encourage you today to really reach out to those in need, and just remember that we are doing it unto the Lord and not men.
Prayer:
Lord we ask that you will open our eyes to see those in need. We want to be used Lord to be your hands and your feet to reach out to many, and to walk in places that you would walk to. Help us to be the body of Christ, amen.
by Keith Edwards
Monday, July 26, 2010
The Functioning Temple July 26th Devotional
Read:
Ephesians 2:21
In whom all the building fitly framed together growth unto an holy temple in the Lord.
Also Read:
1 Corinthians 3:16
Know ye not that you are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you?
In the book “Another Wave Of Revival Frank J. Bartleman wrote: “In the beginning of the Pentecostal work, I became very much exercised in the spirit that Jesus should not be slighted, ‘lost in the temple,’ by the exaltation of the Holy Spirit and of the gifts of the Spirit.” Let’s bring out the two Greek words for temple in the old testament and new testament, and how the two words can really relate to us as the functioning church. The first Hebrew word is heykal. It means palace of God as King. The second Hebrew word is bayith, and it means a house containing a family. It also means a palace or household. Temple in 1 Corinthians chapter 3:16 and Ephesians chapter 2:21 is a body or church. The definition for temple in the new testament is naos, and the definition is a spiritual temple consisting of the Saints of all ages joined together by and in Christ. We are his temple, and he is our Lord. I want to encourage us to bind together like never before as a church or temple. One thing that will cause God's holy temple to rise stronger is exalting Christ Jesus completely, ands as we exalt Christ individually and corporately, then things will begin to unfold before us. We thank God for the great things that He gives us, but we need to exalt Him first and foremost for those things He gives us. The temple has been delayed as the body of Christ because of exalting the glory of God instead of the one who is the giver of glory. We have exalted the prophetic more than exalting Christ, and when we exalt Christ Jesus as who He is, we will function properly as the temple. Let's beging to build again as the temple.
Prayer:
Lord help us to be that functioning temple you desire us to be. We exalt you today Lord, and we lift you far above everything, and we desire to go forth in your mighty name as a temple. Amem.
by Keith Edwards
Ephesians 2:21
In whom all the building fitly framed together growth unto an holy temple in the Lord.
Also Read:
1 Corinthians 3:16
Know ye not that you are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you?
In the book “Another Wave Of Revival Frank J. Bartleman wrote: “In the beginning of the Pentecostal work, I became very much exercised in the spirit that Jesus should not be slighted, ‘lost in the temple,’ by the exaltation of the Holy Spirit and of the gifts of the Spirit.” Let’s bring out the two Greek words for temple in the old testament and new testament, and how the two words can really relate to us as the functioning church. The first Hebrew word is heykal. It means palace of God as King. The second Hebrew word is bayith, and it means a house containing a family. It also means a palace or household. Temple in 1 Corinthians chapter 3:16 and Ephesians chapter 2:21 is a body or church. The definition for temple in the new testament is naos, and the definition is a spiritual temple consisting of the Saints of all ages joined together by and in Christ. We are his temple, and he is our Lord. I want to encourage us to bind together like never before as a church or temple. One thing that will cause God's holy temple to rise stronger is exalting Christ Jesus completely, ands as we exalt Christ individually and corporately, then things will begin to unfold before us. We thank God for the great things that He gives us, but we need to exalt Him first and foremost for those things He gives us. The temple has been delayed as the body of Christ because of exalting the glory of God instead of the one who is the giver of glory. We have exalted the prophetic more than exalting Christ, and when we exalt Christ Jesus as who He is, we will function properly as the temple. Let's beging to build again as the temple.
Prayer:
Lord help us to be that functioning temple you desire us to be. We exalt you today Lord, and we lift you far above everything, and we desire to go forth in your mighty name as a temple. Amem.
by Keith Edwards
Sunday, July 25, 2010
The Sun Still Shines July 25th Devotional
Read:
2 Kings 20:1-6
1 In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, "This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover. 2 Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, " Remember, O Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 4 Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: 5 "Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, "This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day form now you will go up to the temple of the Lord. 6 I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the King of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.
Have you ever felt like you couldn't run the race of a christian any longer? You have had so many things come your way, and it feels like life has drained every ounce of strength you had within you. It's like your'e in a very deep dark hole and you can't even see your hands in front of you. You've come to the end of your rope with any faith you might have had. You try to climb out of this hole of discouragement to no avail. Then you pray and you see a very small light in front of you, and you hear God speak these words. "Child, meet me where you are at!" How many times do we try and climb out of a hole that we dug ourselves. We get to the place where we can't seem to find our way. God can meet you at any crossroad and situation that you may have gotten yourself into. He can pick you up when you fall, dig you out when you call, and love you when you need love. Sometimes we focus on our past instead of pressing towards the future. This can kill your faith. Just remember that yesterday is in the tomb, and tomorrow is in your womb, and birthed within you is great things that the Lord wants to show you. There lies within you a hope that will give you a desire to hold on when times are tough. In the story of King Hezekiah, Isaiah prophesied to him to set his house in order, for he is going to die. The bible says that King Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to God. Then God spoke to Isaiah and told him to go and tell King Hezekiah that He will not die and he shall live. Why? because King Hezekiah didn't look at his situation. He didn't look at where he might of missed it. The only thing that King Hezekiah could see was God. You may be at a place where there are clouds in your sky, but that doesn't mean that the sun isn't shining right behind those clouds. The clouds will eventually fade away, and the sun will shine. You may feel like you can't go on, but you can. Just look to Jesus and do what King Hezekiah did. See nothing but God. The Son still shines.
prayer:
Lord we come to you in your name and ask that you help us in our times of trouble. Help us Lord to call on you in the bad times and the good times. Let us see the sun shine Lord when we don't see any light beyond the horizon, and help us to forgive ourselves when we feel like we can't. Lord forgive us of any sin that brought unnecessary pain, and help us to still serve you with our whole heart in the middle of restoration. Amen.
by Keith Edwards
2 Kings 20:1-6
1 In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, "This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover. 2 Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, " Remember, O Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 4 Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: 5 "Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, "This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day form now you will go up to the temple of the Lord. 6 I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the King of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.
Have you ever felt like you couldn't run the race of a christian any longer? You have had so many things come your way, and it feels like life has drained every ounce of strength you had within you. It's like your'e in a very deep dark hole and you can't even see your hands in front of you. You've come to the end of your rope with any faith you might have had. You try to climb out of this hole of discouragement to no avail. Then you pray and you see a very small light in front of you, and you hear God speak these words. "Child, meet me where you are at!" How many times do we try and climb out of a hole that we dug ourselves. We get to the place where we can't seem to find our way. God can meet you at any crossroad and situation that you may have gotten yourself into. He can pick you up when you fall, dig you out when you call, and love you when you need love. Sometimes we focus on our past instead of pressing towards the future. This can kill your faith. Just remember that yesterday is in the tomb, and tomorrow is in your womb, and birthed within you is great things that the Lord wants to show you. There lies within you a hope that will give you a desire to hold on when times are tough. In the story of King Hezekiah, Isaiah prophesied to him to set his house in order, for he is going to die. The bible says that King Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to God. Then God spoke to Isaiah and told him to go and tell King Hezekiah that He will not die and he shall live. Why? because King Hezekiah didn't look at his situation. He didn't look at where he might of missed it. The only thing that King Hezekiah could see was God. You may be at a place where there are clouds in your sky, but that doesn't mean that the sun isn't shining right behind those clouds. The clouds will eventually fade away, and the sun will shine. You may feel like you can't go on, but you can. Just look to Jesus and do what King Hezekiah did. See nothing but God. The Son still shines.
prayer:
Lord we come to you in your name and ask that you help us in our times of trouble. Help us Lord to call on you in the bad times and the good times. Let us see the sun shine Lord when we don't see any light beyond the horizon, and help us to forgive ourselves when we feel like we can't. Lord forgive us of any sin that brought unnecessary pain, and help us to still serve you with our whole heart in the middle of restoration. Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Say The Name July 24th Devotional
Read:
Matthew 4:1-4
1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
There is such power in the name of Jesus. Notice that Jesus didn't scream a spiritual type warfare for the enemy to leave. He didn't take over territorial spirits like some believe. He just simply, "spoke the word" and was able to overcome the temptation that the tempter came with. So many believe that you have to say a bunch of spiritual type warfare prayers, but Jesus nor the disciples ever did this type of warfare. They simply spoke the word. They never started a great spiritual warfare club or poked holes in the clouds of darkness. Now there were times in the bible that the apostles cast out demons, but they were so in tune with Christ. They never exercised their faith outside the realm of God. They heard his voice. I can remember in my younger days of ministry going through a season of this spiritual type warfare. It seemed appealing, but I found that it basically was works apart from walking in the spirit. I found myself thinking that I had to put on the whole armor of God literally every morning when I woke up, and it seemed that I was magnifying these things instead of just being obedient to Christ Jesus. It was like walking in the law. I would pray and put on the girdle of truth, etc. and couldn't remember if I put on the helmet of salvation. I would focus on that instead of focusing on Jesus. There's nothing wrong with speaking forth the armor of God if this increases your faith, but the best warfare is sitting at the feet of Jesus and learning of His ways, and as we do this we will know His voice. I've seen minister's in the being in full time ministry do so much binding and loosing that Christ seemed to be lost in the middle of it. Great men of God in the past always received direction from the Lord, whether it was healing or spiritual things. Many times we just jump into things without waiting and getting direction from the Lord. As I was praying last week about this devotional, I wanted God to speak to me about how we speak His name. It seemed like God spoke to my heart about this devotional. God wants us to realize that we are more than conquerors in His blood, and when the enemy tries to draw us into warfare we need to be like King David and put the praise and worship in the front and the warfare in the back. We need to realize that the battle has already been won, and we can rest and walk in what has already been done for us on the cross and through His resurrection. We are more than conquerors. conquerors fight! More than conquerors walk in what has already be defeated. As a worship leader, I found the greatest strength over negative thoughts or darts of the enemy was just entering into the presence of God and speaking that precious name of Jesus. I found strength by just opening my heart out to God. He will strengthen us as we lift Him up. Obedience is the key for great spiritual warfare in our life. Habits and strongholds automatically get broken when our heart is towards God, when we feed upon the word, and through our pure devotion. There will be times when God will have us speak directly in a relevant way towards a certain situation, but we shouldn't go around thinking there is a demon around every corner. Being submissive and sitting at the feet of Jesus is a weapon that will destroy every negative thought and dart the enemy throws our way. The battle is between our ears. It is our mind. We can't control the birds flying over our heads, but we can keep them from building a nest there. This is so true. Our flesh is the greatest hindrance that comes against us. Paul said that he puts his flesh under subjection everyday. It says in 2 corinthians 10 to cast down all imaginations or speculations. We have all of the tools and weapons within us as believers, and we learn how and when to use those tools as we are so close to Father God. Let's walk in that which we have received. The Greek word for put on in Ephesians chapter 6 is enduo, and it means to be endued and to walk in. We have truth, peace, we are righteous by His blood, we have the mind of Christ as we walk with Christ, we have faith, and we have that precious name to speak over our life.
Prayer:
Lord we ask that you help us to not meditate all of the time on what the enemy speaks to us, but what you speak to us. We pray that we will hear your voice like never before, and that we would be obedient to you. Lord give us such a revelation today that we are right with you by our faith in you, and because of that righteousness by your blood we can stand today with your word upon our lips and the sword in our hand. Help us Lord to walk in that which we have received. Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Matthew 4:1-4
1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
There is such power in the name of Jesus. Notice that Jesus didn't scream a spiritual type warfare for the enemy to leave. He didn't take over territorial spirits like some believe. He just simply, "spoke the word" and was able to overcome the temptation that the tempter came with. So many believe that you have to say a bunch of spiritual type warfare prayers, but Jesus nor the disciples ever did this type of warfare. They simply spoke the word. They never started a great spiritual warfare club or poked holes in the clouds of darkness. Now there were times in the bible that the apostles cast out demons, but they were so in tune with Christ. They never exercised their faith outside the realm of God. They heard his voice. I can remember in my younger days of ministry going through a season of this spiritual type warfare. It seemed appealing, but I found that it basically was works apart from walking in the spirit. I found myself thinking that I had to put on the whole armor of God literally every morning when I woke up, and it seemed that I was magnifying these things instead of just being obedient to Christ Jesus. It was like walking in the law. I would pray and put on the girdle of truth, etc. and couldn't remember if I put on the helmet of salvation. I would focus on that instead of focusing on Jesus. There's nothing wrong with speaking forth the armor of God if this increases your faith, but the best warfare is sitting at the feet of Jesus and learning of His ways, and as we do this we will know His voice. I've seen minister's in the being in full time ministry do so much binding and loosing that Christ seemed to be lost in the middle of it. Great men of God in the past always received direction from the Lord, whether it was healing or spiritual things. Many times we just jump into things without waiting and getting direction from the Lord. As I was praying last week about this devotional, I wanted God to speak to me about how we speak His name. It seemed like God spoke to my heart about this devotional. God wants us to realize that we are more than conquerors in His blood, and when the enemy tries to draw us into warfare we need to be like King David and put the praise and worship in the front and the warfare in the back. We need to realize that the battle has already been won, and we can rest and walk in what has already been done for us on the cross and through His resurrection. We are more than conquerors. conquerors fight! More than conquerors walk in what has already be defeated. As a worship leader, I found the greatest strength over negative thoughts or darts of the enemy was just entering into the presence of God and speaking that precious name of Jesus. I found strength by just opening my heart out to God. He will strengthen us as we lift Him up. Obedience is the key for great spiritual warfare in our life. Habits and strongholds automatically get broken when our heart is towards God, when we feed upon the word, and through our pure devotion. There will be times when God will have us speak directly in a relevant way towards a certain situation, but we shouldn't go around thinking there is a demon around every corner. Being submissive and sitting at the feet of Jesus is a weapon that will destroy every negative thought and dart the enemy throws our way. The battle is between our ears. It is our mind. We can't control the birds flying over our heads, but we can keep them from building a nest there. This is so true. Our flesh is the greatest hindrance that comes against us. Paul said that he puts his flesh under subjection everyday. It says in 2 corinthians 10 to cast down all imaginations or speculations. We have all of the tools and weapons within us as believers, and we learn how and when to use those tools as we are so close to Father God. Let's walk in that which we have received. The Greek word for put on in Ephesians chapter 6 is enduo, and it means to be endued and to walk in. We have truth, peace, we are righteous by His blood, we have the mind of Christ as we walk with Christ, we have faith, and we have that precious name to speak over our life.
Prayer:
Lord we ask that you help us to not meditate all of the time on what the enemy speaks to us, but what you speak to us. We pray that we will hear your voice like never before, and that we would be obedient to you. Lord give us such a revelation today that we are right with you by our faith in you, and because of that righteousness by your blood we can stand today with your word upon our lips and the sword in our hand. Help us Lord to walk in that which we have received. Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Friday, July 23, 2010
The Darious In Our Life July 23rd Devotional
Read:
Zechariah 4:6,7
6 So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. 7 "What are you, O mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of 'God bless it! God bless it!' "
Have you ever gotten to a place in your life where you said, "I have no strength left to continue on." You've done great things for the Lord, and there has been unbelievable things happen in your life, but you feel you can't continue with what God has got for you. You are tired and exhausted by the hammer of life, and every swing of that hammer just brought you to your knees in complacency. Zerubbabel is feeling this here in the rebuilding of Jerusalem. They have laid the foundation, and there has been a fifteen year delay in the reconstruction and they are tired. Zechariah is a prophet of God that sees a vision and is awaken by the angel of the Lord. The angel of the Lord tells Zechariah to tell Zerubbabel that the work of the temple will go forth and will be completed. The mountain in verse seven was symbolic to Darius I who made a decree that the work on the temple should cease. Zechariah spoke to Zerubbabel that this mountain will become plain and that the chief capstone, which refers to the chief top stone or the crowning of the building, will be laid by the builders with shouting of grace. Is there a Darius in your life. I feel like the greatest Darius that is in our life is our own will and sin in our life. It is our flesh that screams out, No! It is our own desire to do things contrary to what God wants. If you have gotten to a place in your life where you don't feel like you can go on, I want you to shout grace in your mountain. I want you to scream to the Darius in your life, whatever that Darius or mountain in your life may be. Hear the words of Zechariah the prophet today in the growth of your temple corporately and individually, and realize that God is almighty and more powerful than any King, any situation, or any devestating decree. You may have had words decreed over you that has paralyzed you spiritually from walking in the Spirit and doing the things of God. The decree for you today as a Christian is, "Begin To build again!"
Prayer:
Lord, we ask that you will breathe a fresh breath of your spirit upon us to build and grow in you as your temple. We need your grace to speak grace Lord, and we need your power to speak to the Darius in our life. Let your power be with us as we put the capstone that is engraved with the words, "return to that first love." Amen.
Zechariah 4:6,7
6 So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. 7 "What are you, O mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of 'God bless it! God bless it!' "
Have you ever gotten to a place in your life where you said, "I have no strength left to continue on." You've done great things for the Lord, and there has been unbelievable things happen in your life, but you feel you can't continue with what God has got for you. You are tired and exhausted by the hammer of life, and every swing of that hammer just brought you to your knees in complacency. Zerubbabel is feeling this here in the rebuilding of Jerusalem. They have laid the foundation, and there has been a fifteen year delay in the reconstruction and they are tired. Zechariah is a prophet of God that sees a vision and is awaken by the angel of the Lord. The angel of the Lord tells Zechariah to tell Zerubbabel that the work of the temple will go forth and will be completed. The mountain in verse seven was symbolic to Darius I who made a decree that the work on the temple should cease. Zechariah spoke to Zerubbabel that this mountain will become plain and that the chief capstone, which refers to the chief top stone or the crowning of the building, will be laid by the builders with shouting of grace. Is there a Darius in your life. I feel like the greatest Darius that is in our life is our own will and sin in our life. It is our flesh that screams out, No! It is our own desire to do things contrary to what God wants. If you have gotten to a place in your life where you don't feel like you can go on, I want you to shout grace in your mountain. I want you to scream to the Darius in your life, whatever that Darius or mountain in your life may be. Hear the words of Zechariah the prophet today in the growth of your temple corporately and individually, and realize that God is almighty and more powerful than any King, any situation, or any devestating decree. You may have had words decreed over you that has paralyzed you spiritually from walking in the Spirit and doing the things of God. The decree for you today as a Christian is, "Begin To build again!"
Prayer:
Lord, we ask that you will breathe a fresh breath of your spirit upon us to build and grow in you as your temple. We need your grace to speak grace Lord, and we need your power to speak to the Darius in our life. Let your power be with us as we put the capstone that is engraved with the words, "return to that first love." Amen.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
don't Wither Up by Philip Edwards & Keith EdwardsJuly 22nd Devotional
Read:
Mark 4:3-6
I have been working to get at least 30 minutes a day in the bible. I found that we need to take root in the bible as it reads in Mark 4:3-6
3"Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds
came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.
def. of wither::- to become dry and sapless
I don't want to become sapless or dry. I want to become saturated with GOD, and in order to do so we need to study the bible, have consistent prayer, and have a heart of true worship and praise.
As our prayer, worship, and devotion increase we begin to walk in the spirit. Paul told us that everyday he puts his flesh under subjection, and that the flesh is an unruly evil ready to rise up at any time. We need to walk in the spirit, and not walk in the flesh.
Be ready! test and trials will come, but as we Study and pray we can stand strong, and not wither.
by Philip Edwards
comment by Keith Edwards
This is a powerful word from my brother Philip Edwards. God wants us to become saturated with the presence of God. God don't want us as Christians to just sit on the sideline, but He wants us to go forth in His mighty name and win souls for Him. Let's find that time for him everyday, and let's let His word saturate us until we decrease and He increase.
Prayer:
Lord we ask that you help us to spend more quality time with you. Give us such a strong desire to read your word, and to have that pure devotion with you. Amen.
by Philip and Keith Edwards
Mark 4:3-6
I have been working to get at least 30 minutes a day in the bible. I found that we need to take root in the bible as it reads in Mark 4:3-6
3"Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds
came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.
def. of wither::- to become dry and sapless
I don't want to become sapless or dry. I want to become saturated with GOD, and in order to do so we need to study the bible, have consistent prayer, and have a heart of true worship and praise.
As our prayer, worship, and devotion increase we begin to walk in the spirit. Paul told us that everyday he puts his flesh under subjection, and that the flesh is an unruly evil ready to rise up at any time. We need to walk in the spirit, and not walk in the flesh.
Be ready! test and trials will come, but as we Study and pray we can stand strong, and not wither.
by Philip Edwards
comment by Keith Edwards
This is a powerful word from my brother Philip Edwards. God wants us to become saturated with the presence of God. God don't want us as Christians to just sit on the sideline, but He wants us to go forth in His mighty name and win souls for Him. Let's find that time for him everyday, and let's let His word saturate us until we decrease and He increase.
Prayer:
Lord we ask that you help us to spend more quality time with you. Give us such a strong desire to read your word, and to have that pure devotion with you. Amen.
by Philip and Keith Edwards
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Being Fruitful In The Land Of Famine July 21st Devotional
Read:
Genesis 41:33-36
33 "And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. 35 They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. 36 This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine."
Also Read:
Psalms 119:11
11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
We are living in a time where are nation is crumbling before the eyes of the church. The problem is that most of the church don't even know that the church is in need of the sound word of God. We have a lot of television minister's that minister the word of God, but with a mixture of greed and pride. The only thing this does is bring forth a deception that we are totally alright with no need of repentance as the body of Christ. I believe we are living in a time where a great famine of the word of God is going to come stronger upon our nation, yet the candy coated messages from many preachers will become stronger as well. The messages will be mixed with more humanistic teachings and the sheep of God will become so thirsty for the pure word of God like never before. Joseph had two sons. One was named Manasseh, meaning God has caused me to forget, and the other is Ephraim, meaning God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. I want us today to realize that God wants us to store the word of God in our hearts for the famine that will get stronger in the years to come. The bible says to hide the word of God in our hearts that we may not sin against God, and we see many sinning today by lack of sound doctrine. Joseph told Pharaoh to put a wise man and overseers over the land of Egypt and store up food for the famine that will come upon the land. I believe that God has raised up true teachers in the past few years to speak to the body of Christ as a whole through Internet ministry and other means. I believe that the message from true minister's of God has touched many, and there will be some that will repent during the famine of the word of God in our nation. I want to encourage you today to listen to the greatest wise man who ever lived who is Jesus Christ, and listen to the voices of true teachers who are speaking and storing fresh words from heaven for the days we are living in and the days to come.
Prayer:
Lord, we need you today like never before in the famine of the word of God that has been with us, and is going to get greater in the years to come. Help us Lord to follow sound doctrine, and help us to discern between what is right and what is wrong. We desire to store the word of God in our hearts today Lord, and we long to be fruitful during the land of affliction, Amen.
Genesis 41:33-36
33 "And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. 35 They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. 36 This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine."
Also Read:
Psalms 119:11
11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
We are living in a time where are nation is crumbling before the eyes of the church. The problem is that most of the church don't even know that the church is in need of the sound word of God. We have a lot of television minister's that minister the word of God, but with a mixture of greed and pride. The only thing this does is bring forth a deception that we are totally alright with no need of repentance as the body of Christ. I believe we are living in a time where a great famine of the word of God is going to come stronger upon our nation, yet the candy coated messages from many preachers will become stronger as well. The messages will be mixed with more humanistic teachings and the sheep of God will become so thirsty for the pure word of God like never before. Joseph had two sons. One was named Manasseh, meaning God has caused me to forget, and the other is Ephraim, meaning God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. I want us today to realize that God wants us to store the word of God in our hearts for the famine that will get stronger in the years to come. The bible says to hide the word of God in our hearts that we may not sin against God, and we see many sinning today by lack of sound doctrine. Joseph told Pharaoh to put a wise man and overseers over the land of Egypt and store up food for the famine that will come upon the land. I believe that God has raised up true teachers in the past few years to speak to the body of Christ as a whole through Internet ministry and other means. I believe that the message from true minister's of God has touched many, and there will be some that will repent during the famine of the word of God in our nation. I want to encourage you today to listen to the greatest wise man who ever lived who is Jesus Christ, and listen to the voices of true teachers who are speaking and storing fresh words from heaven for the days we are living in and the days to come.
Prayer:
Lord, we need you today like never before in the famine of the word of God that has been with us, and is going to get greater in the years to come. Help us Lord to follow sound doctrine, and help us to discern between what is right and what is wrong. We desire to store the word of God in our hearts today Lord, and we long to be fruitful during the land of affliction, Amen.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
The Seed Of Praise July 18th Devotional
Read:
“The Seed Of Praise”
Isaiah :11
11 For as the earth brings forth its growth,
and as a garden enables what is sown to spring up,
so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise
to spring up before all the nations.
So many times in our christian walk the enemy tries to draw us into fleshly warfare with him. There are times that we need to fight the enemy with certain words, but most of the time it is our praise that is the biggest weapon against the tactics of the devil, and when purity and sound doctrine is mixed with our praise and worship it will cause the enemy to run. We just need to enter into praise and that praise will spring forth great fruit in our lives. In the act of praise is the revelation of faith and our righteousness in the blood of Jesus Christ. As we grow in the knowledge of righteousness we begin to bear fruit just like a seed in the ground, and the fruit of the spirit begins to manifest from within us more and more each day. Our praise and worship is so powerful and it will bring us to that most holy place as praise turns into worship for Christ. There is something that we need before we enter into praise and worship, and that is revelation of what God has done by his mighty hand through praise, and revelation of who God is through our worship. We need praise and worship. The greatest revelation we could have is a revelation of what God has already done on the cross. We need to enter the presence of God with the realization that he has won the victory already. There is no need for us to fight a war that Jesus Christ has already defeated. We can enter into that rest through our praise and worship. Today I want us to enter prayer and devotion with this revelation, and I want us to reflect on what God has already done. We need to shout the victory in the presence of the enemy.
prayer:
Lord we enter into your presence now with the realization of what you already did on the cross. We thank you Lord for your many blessings through our praise, but we seek your face today through our worship. We sit at your feet today and ask you Lord to make us more like you in everything we do. We want our praise to spring forth to all nations. Amen.
by Keith Edwards
“The Seed Of Praise”
Isaiah :11
11 For as the earth brings forth its growth,
and as a garden enables what is sown to spring up,
so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise
to spring up before all the nations.
So many times in our christian walk the enemy tries to draw us into fleshly warfare with him. There are times that we need to fight the enemy with certain words, but most of the time it is our praise that is the biggest weapon against the tactics of the devil, and when purity and sound doctrine is mixed with our praise and worship it will cause the enemy to run. We just need to enter into praise and that praise will spring forth great fruit in our lives. In the act of praise is the revelation of faith and our righteousness in the blood of Jesus Christ. As we grow in the knowledge of righteousness we begin to bear fruit just like a seed in the ground, and the fruit of the spirit begins to manifest from within us more and more each day. Our praise and worship is so powerful and it will bring us to that most holy place as praise turns into worship for Christ. There is something that we need before we enter into praise and worship, and that is revelation of what God has done by his mighty hand through praise, and revelation of who God is through our worship. We need praise and worship. The greatest revelation we could have is a revelation of what God has already done on the cross. We need to enter the presence of God with the realization that he has won the victory already. There is no need for us to fight a war that Jesus Christ has already defeated. We can enter into that rest through our praise and worship. Today I want us to enter prayer and devotion with this revelation, and I want us to reflect on what God has already done. We need to shout the victory in the presence of the enemy.
prayer:
Lord we enter into your presence now with the realization of what you already did on the cross. We thank you Lord for your many blessings through our praise, but we seek your face today through our worship. We sit at your feet today and ask you Lord to make us more like you in everything we do. We want our praise to spring forth to all nations. Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
No Reputation July 16th Devotional
Read:
7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Have you ever wondered how Jesus was always there from the beginning? Some believe that Christ Jesus was a created angel, Some believe that he was just a prophet, and some believe that he was just a good teacher. According to the bible He was always there from the beginning because He is God the Son. Theologically, the word reputation means that He emptied himself. It is called the Kenotic Theory, which means he emptied himself. He became what He was not without ceasing to be what He was. He never stopped being the second person of the trinity. He emptied Himself not literally, but metaphorically. By taking-not subtraction. Even as a child in the manger He was still"...holding all things together by the power of His Word." Hebrews 1:3. If Christ in not God, then the work of Jesus in not eternally valid, but temporal, contingent, and relative. The good news is that our salvation is anchored in eternity. Thank God for Jesus coming to earth and dying on the cross, and this gives us the ability to repent and allow Christ to save us. I want us to reflect on what Christ really did when He came to earth. This was such a love for Christ to reach come down and make Himself of no reputation. This love is speaking to you today. Jesus is calling out to you in love and extending an invitation to cast all of your care upon Him today as Christians understanding what He really did, and He is extending His love for those who need salvation.
Prayer:
Lord we thank you for what you did upon the cross. We thank you Lord for coming down from heaven, and dying for us. You were the perfect Lamb Lord who fulfilled the many prophecies of the bible concerning your death, burial, and resurrection.
by Keith Edwards
7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Have you ever wondered how Jesus was always there from the beginning? Some believe that Christ Jesus was a created angel, Some believe that he was just a prophet, and some believe that he was just a good teacher. According to the bible He was always there from the beginning because He is God the Son. Theologically, the word reputation means that He emptied himself. It is called the Kenotic Theory, which means he emptied himself. He became what He was not without ceasing to be what He was. He never stopped being the second person of the trinity. He emptied Himself not literally, but metaphorically. By taking-not subtraction. Even as a child in the manger He was still"...holding all things together by the power of His Word." Hebrews 1:3. If Christ in not God, then the work of Jesus in not eternally valid, but temporal, contingent, and relative. The good news is that our salvation is anchored in eternity. Thank God for Jesus coming to earth and dying on the cross, and this gives us the ability to repent and allow Christ to save us. I want us to reflect on what Christ really did when He came to earth. This was such a love for Christ to reach come down and make Himself of no reputation. This love is speaking to you today. Jesus is calling out to you in love and extending an invitation to cast all of your care upon Him today as Christians understanding what He really did, and He is extending His love for those who need salvation.
Prayer:
Lord we thank you for what you did upon the cross. We thank you Lord for coming down from heaven, and dying for us. You were the perfect Lamb Lord who fulfilled the many prophecies of the bible concerning your death, burial, and resurrection.
by Keith Edwards
Thursday, July 15, 2010
July 15th Devotional
Read:
Philippians 4:11
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
Also Read:
Psalms 138:8
8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your love, O LORD, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.
Have you ever felt like giving up on your dreams and goals in this life. God has put dreams and gifts' within each and every Christian, but we need to let God move us to that place we need to be to fulfill that which is within us. It can get so frustrating at times, but God sometimes has to deal with us about different things in our life so that those things won't become a hindrance down the road. I know from experience of great financial stress how discouraging it can get. Can I get a witness? You go through the Dave Ramsey course and drive an old "cash for clunker" type car, with the ceiling falling in your coffee on your way to work. Every time you push in the clutch it squeaks lol. You look up to God in your devotion and say, "Lord I just can't take it anymore!" I want to encourage us in our daily walk with the Lord to be content with what we have. Maybe you got to a certain place in your life and it has caused unnecessary pain. It brought your dreams and visions to a screeching halt. Don't give up. God promised in His word that He will perfect that which concerns us. He will open that door that once was open, and He will get you back to that place that will lead you to the fulfilling place that God has for us. The Lord didn't bring you all of the way here to just let you go. It's not too late for you and I. However, we need to stay totally focused on the Lord as we go through that door again. Sometimes that door of our dreams and visions may only be cracked open. We see a little bit of hope on the other side of that door, but we sometimes doubt if God is in the middle of the door opening up for us. God is for us and not against us. Have you gotten to this place friend where it just seems like you are at a dead end job. You failed somewhere and you find yourself settling for where you are at. Pray to God today to help you be content where you are at, but also pray to God that He will give us wisdom on how to pray for restoration in our life. The last thing I want us to see today is have a good attitude where you are at. Attitude is very important. Attitude and being content go hand in hand, and our good attitude along with that content heart will allow God to open that door just a little further each day, until one day you look and see you are in a place that God wanted you to be in. A teacher at the bible college talked to us about when he graduated from bible school and went to his pastor and told him, "Man! I know what God wants me to do now. He's called me into full time ministry." The pastor looked at him with that serious grin and said, "Good! now go get a job! God needs to shape and mold you before you step into the ministry." He did that, and worked at arby's scrubbing toilets and cooking arby sandwiches. We'll not in that order..lol. About three months after he got a job at arby's, God moved him out of there and put him into full time ministry. I feel something right now for you and I as I'm writing this devotional. God didn't move him out of arby's because of necessarily his calling. God moved him out of there into the place he had for him in ministry because of his attitude. Here is what I feel for us as we go through another day wondering why God hasn't totally moved us to that certain place here on this earth as Christians. It's all about attitude, and I said this in one of my devotional's but I want to bring it to the table again. Our attitude will affect our character, our character will affect our calling, and our calling will ultimately affect our destiny here on earth. We just have to remember that even when we are in that particular place that God has for us, we still have to be content in whatever state we are in. Sometimes we can get to a place where we feel like we don't need God. We have everything. This is a very dangerous place to be in. We need God in the good, bad, and the ugly.
Prayer:
Lord help us to be content with where we are at. Help us to be content even when we are feeling good. But we need you so much Lord in every situation. Lord help us to cry out to you in not only in the hard times, but good times as well. Help us to realize in whatever state we are in that we need you the same in any situation. Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Philippians 4:11
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
Also Read:
Psalms 138:8
8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your love, O LORD, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.
Have you ever felt like giving up on your dreams and goals in this life. God has put dreams and gifts' within each and every Christian, but we need to let God move us to that place we need to be to fulfill that which is within us. It can get so frustrating at times, but God sometimes has to deal with us about different things in our life so that those things won't become a hindrance down the road. I know from experience of great financial stress how discouraging it can get. Can I get a witness? You go through the Dave Ramsey course and drive an old "cash for clunker" type car, with the ceiling falling in your coffee on your way to work. Every time you push in the clutch it squeaks lol. You look up to God in your devotion and say, "Lord I just can't take it anymore!" I want to encourage us in our daily walk with the Lord to be content with what we have. Maybe you got to a certain place in your life and it has caused unnecessary pain. It brought your dreams and visions to a screeching halt. Don't give up. God promised in His word that He will perfect that which concerns us. He will open that door that once was open, and He will get you back to that place that will lead you to the fulfilling place that God has for us. The Lord didn't bring you all of the way here to just let you go. It's not too late for you and I. However, we need to stay totally focused on the Lord as we go through that door again. Sometimes that door of our dreams and visions may only be cracked open. We see a little bit of hope on the other side of that door, but we sometimes doubt if God is in the middle of the door opening up for us. God is for us and not against us. Have you gotten to this place friend where it just seems like you are at a dead end job. You failed somewhere and you find yourself settling for where you are at. Pray to God today to help you be content where you are at, but also pray to God that He will give us wisdom on how to pray for restoration in our life. The last thing I want us to see today is have a good attitude where you are at. Attitude is very important. Attitude and being content go hand in hand, and our good attitude along with that content heart will allow God to open that door just a little further each day, until one day you look and see you are in a place that God wanted you to be in. A teacher at the bible college talked to us about when he graduated from bible school and went to his pastor and told him, "Man! I know what God wants me to do now. He's called me into full time ministry." The pastor looked at him with that serious grin and said, "Good! now go get a job! God needs to shape and mold you before you step into the ministry." He did that, and worked at arby's scrubbing toilets and cooking arby sandwiches. We'll not in that order..lol. About three months after he got a job at arby's, God moved him out of there and put him into full time ministry. I feel something right now for you and I as I'm writing this devotional. God didn't move him out of arby's because of necessarily his calling. God moved him out of there into the place he had for him in ministry because of his attitude. Here is what I feel for us as we go through another day wondering why God hasn't totally moved us to that certain place here on this earth as Christians. It's all about attitude, and I said this in one of my devotional's but I want to bring it to the table again. Our attitude will affect our character, our character will affect our calling, and our calling will ultimately affect our destiny here on earth. We just have to remember that even when we are in that particular place that God has for us, we still have to be content in whatever state we are in. Sometimes we can get to a place where we feel like we don't need God. We have everything. This is a very dangerous place to be in. We need God in the good, bad, and the ugly.
Prayer:
Lord help us to be content with where we are at. Help us to be content even when we are feeling good. But we need you so much Lord in every situation. Lord help us to cry out to you in not only in the hard times, but good times as well. Help us to realize in whatever state we are in that we need you the same in any situation. Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Do You Still Believe In Miracles? July 14th Devotional
Read:
Psalms 77:11
11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
Can you remember when God came through for you? Probably more than you can count. He will come through for us, and he is still in the miracle working business. I can remember when my wife was going through a physical thing that tested my faith in a great way. She was almost in a paralyzed state, and couldn't even get out of bed. My kids were very young at the time, and I can remember taking her to the hospital with my kids a few times to find out what was going on. I felt so helpless. They ran test after test but couldn't figure out what was wrong. I began to fast and pray, and I called some prayer intercessor's that I knew of at the time to pray for her. God brought us through with the help of friends, family, and prayer warriors. We never figured out exactly what it was, but I really believe that it was a miracle. Another memory that comes to mind is with my brother and his wife. They were at an office max, and this little boy ran away from his mother at a very fast pace. My Sister-in-law saw the little boy run to the automatic doors and immediately said the word, "Jesus!" The doors would not open at all. When the mother got to her little boy, the doors opened and a car was driving very fast in front of those doors at the same time the little boy would have ran in front of that car. Coincidence? I don't think so. It's the miracle working power of God almighty stepping in and honoring our prayers. I believe there were angels at that automatic door. Today I want us to reflect on the memories that kept us alive. I believe that God does intervene many times in our life, and there are times that we will never know that He was right there. God wants us to realize that He holds us in the palm of His hand to never ever let us go. He does love us.
Prayer:
Lord help us today to trust you like never before. Lord we know that we need to trust you in the good times and the not so good times. You never change Lord, and you hold us in the palm of your hands. Help us to never forget the times you allowed us to cross the red sea, and help us to reflect on you in a great way today, Amen.
Psalms 77:11
11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
Can you remember when God came through for you? Probably more than you can count. He will come through for us, and he is still in the miracle working business. I can remember when my wife was going through a physical thing that tested my faith in a great way. She was almost in a paralyzed state, and couldn't even get out of bed. My kids were very young at the time, and I can remember taking her to the hospital with my kids a few times to find out what was going on. I felt so helpless. They ran test after test but couldn't figure out what was wrong. I began to fast and pray, and I called some prayer intercessor's that I knew of at the time to pray for her. God brought us through with the help of friends, family, and prayer warriors. We never figured out exactly what it was, but I really believe that it was a miracle. Another memory that comes to mind is with my brother and his wife. They were at an office max, and this little boy ran away from his mother at a very fast pace. My Sister-in-law saw the little boy run to the automatic doors and immediately said the word, "Jesus!" The doors would not open at all. When the mother got to her little boy, the doors opened and a car was driving very fast in front of those doors at the same time the little boy would have ran in front of that car. Coincidence? I don't think so. It's the miracle working power of God almighty stepping in and honoring our prayers. I believe there were angels at that automatic door. Today I want us to reflect on the memories that kept us alive. I believe that God does intervene many times in our life, and there are times that we will never know that He was right there. God wants us to realize that He holds us in the palm of His hand to never ever let us go. He does love us.
Prayer:
Lord help us today to trust you like never before. Lord we know that we need to trust you in the good times and the not so good times. You never change Lord, and you hold us in the palm of your hands. Help us to never forget the times you allowed us to cross the red sea, and help us to reflect on you in a great way today, Amen.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Forever Settled by Rev. Drew Kaylor and Keith Edwards July 13th Devotional
Read:
Psalms 119:39
39 Forever O Lord, thy word is settled in Heaven
Forever Settled
The Word of God is from everlasting to everlasting. The Saviour is calling, and you can be made whole? There is a river flowing from Calvary today, and it is the River of Life and Healing, for the Bible is God's Healing Stream for all. Everything is there. How lovely is His Word, for Life, Peace, Joy and Strength are flowing from the Father, and we can Learn the secret of touching the hand of God. His Word alone holds the Key. The psalmist David wrote, "Forever, O Lord, thy Word is settled in Heaven." Psalm 119:39. Redemption is Complete in Jesus. Healing belongs to you now! Rejoice in God Today. Jesus Lives!
Posted by Drew Kaylor
comment by Keith Edwards:
It's good to know that we have a God that will never ever change. His word is settled, His character will always be the same, and His love will remain forever and ever. Drew and I want you to have hope today. Have hope in the fact that God has breathed His life into every believer, and that is forever settled as well.
Prayer:
Lord we ask that you will give us hope today. We need hope in a lost and dying world, and we need to see that we have been bought by a price and that price came from your very love. Amen.
by Rev. Drew Kaylor and Keith Edwards
Psalms 119:39
39 Forever O Lord, thy word is settled in Heaven
Forever Settled
The Word of God is from everlasting to everlasting. The Saviour is calling, and you can be made whole? There is a river flowing from Calvary today, and it is the River of Life and Healing, for the Bible is God's Healing Stream for all. Everything is there. How lovely is His Word, for Life, Peace, Joy and Strength are flowing from the Father, and we can Learn the secret of touching the hand of God. His Word alone holds the Key. The psalmist David wrote, "Forever, O Lord, thy Word is settled in Heaven." Psalm 119:39. Redemption is Complete in Jesus. Healing belongs to you now! Rejoice in God Today. Jesus Lives!
Posted by Drew Kaylor
comment by Keith Edwards:
It's good to know that we have a God that will never ever change. His word is settled, His character will always be the same, and His love will remain forever and ever. Drew and I want you to have hope today. Have hope in the fact that God has breathed His life into every believer, and that is forever settled as well.
Prayer:
Lord we ask that you will give us hope today. We need hope in a lost and dying world, and we need to see that we have been bought by a price and that price came from your very love. Amen.
by Rev. Drew Kaylor and Keith Edwards
Monday, July 12, 2010
Say The Name July 12th Devotional
Read:
Matthew 4:1-4
1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
There is such power in the name of Jesus. Notice that Jesus didn't scream a spiritual type warfare for the enemy to leave. He didn't take over territorial spirits like some believe. He just simply, "spoke the word" and was able to overcome the temptation that the tempter came with. So many believe that you have to say a bunch of spiritual type warfare prayers, but Jesus nor the disciples ever did this type of warfare. They simply spoke the word. They never started a great spiritual warfare club or poked holes in the clouds of darkness. Now there were times in the bible that the apostles cast out demons, but they were so in tune with Christ. They never exercised their faith outside the realm of God. They heard his voice. I can remember in my younger days of ministry going through a season of this spiritual type warfare. It seemed appealing, but I found that it basically was works apart from walking in the spirit. I found myself thinking that I had to put on the whole armor of God literally every morning when I woke up, and it seemed that I was magnifying these things instead of just being obedient to Christ Jesus. It was like walking in the law. I would pray and put on the girdle of truth, etc. and couldn't remember if I put on the helmet of salvation. I would focus on that instead of focusing on Jesus. There's nothing wrong with speaking forth the armor of God if this increases your faith, but the best warfare is sitting at the feet of Jesus and learning of His ways, and as we do this we will know His voice. I've seen minister's in full time ministry do so much binding and loosing that Christ seemed to be lost in the middle of it. Great men of God in the past always received direction from the Lord, whether it was healing or spiritual things. Many times we just jump into things without waiting and getting direction from the Lord. As I was praying last week about this devotional, I wanted God to speak to me about how we speak His name. It seemed like God spoke to my heart about this devotional. God wants us to realize that we are more than conquerors in His blood, and when the enemy tries to draw us into warfare we need to be like King David and put the praise and worship in the front and the warfare in the back. We need to realize that the battle has already been won, and we can rest and walk in what has already been done for us on the cross and through His resurrection. We are more than conquerors. conquerors fight! More than conquerors walk in what has already be defeated. As a worship leader, I found the greatest strength over negative thoughts or darts of the enemy was just entering into the presence of God and speaking that precious name of Jesus. I found strength by just opening my heart out to God. He will strengthen us as we lift Him up. Obedience is the key for great spiritual warfare in our life. Habits and strongholds automatically get broken when our heart is towards God, when we feed upon the word, and through our pure devotion. There will be times when God will have us speak directly in a relevant way towards a certain situation, but we shouldn't go around thinking there is a demon around every corner. Being submissive and sitting at the feet of Jesus is a weapon that will destroy every negative thought and dart the enemy throws our way. The battle is between our ears. It is our mind. We can't control the birds flying over our heads, but we can keep them from building a nest there. This is so true. Our flesh is the greatest hindrance that comes against us. Paul said that he puts his flesh under subjection everyday. It says in 2 corinthians 10 to cast down all imaginations or speculations. We have all of the tools and weapons within us as believers, and we learn how and when to use those tools as we are so close to Father God. Let's walk in that which we have received. The Greek word for put on in Ephesians chapter 6 is enduo, and it means to be endued and to walk in. We have truth, peace, we are righteous by His blood, we have the mind of Christ as we walk with Christ, we have faith, and we have that precious name to speak over our life.
Prayer:
Lord we ask that you help us to not meditate all of the time on what the enemy speaks to us, but what you speak to us. We pray that we will hear your voice like never before, and that we would be obedient to you. Lord give us such a revelation today that we are right with you by our faith in you, and because of that righteousness by your blood we can stand today with your word upon our lips and the sword in our hand. Help us Lord to walk in that which we have received. Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Matthew 4:1-4
1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
There is such power in the name of Jesus. Notice that Jesus didn't scream a spiritual type warfare for the enemy to leave. He didn't take over territorial spirits like some believe. He just simply, "spoke the word" and was able to overcome the temptation that the tempter came with. So many believe that you have to say a bunch of spiritual type warfare prayers, but Jesus nor the disciples ever did this type of warfare. They simply spoke the word. They never started a great spiritual warfare club or poked holes in the clouds of darkness. Now there were times in the bible that the apostles cast out demons, but they were so in tune with Christ. They never exercised their faith outside the realm of God. They heard his voice. I can remember in my younger days of ministry going through a season of this spiritual type warfare. It seemed appealing, but I found that it basically was works apart from walking in the spirit. I found myself thinking that I had to put on the whole armor of God literally every morning when I woke up, and it seemed that I was magnifying these things instead of just being obedient to Christ Jesus. It was like walking in the law. I would pray and put on the girdle of truth, etc. and couldn't remember if I put on the helmet of salvation. I would focus on that instead of focusing on Jesus. There's nothing wrong with speaking forth the armor of God if this increases your faith, but the best warfare is sitting at the feet of Jesus and learning of His ways, and as we do this we will know His voice. I've seen minister's in full time ministry do so much binding and loosing that Christ seemed to be lost in the middle of it. Great men of God in the past always received direction from the Lord, whether it was healing or spiritual things. Many times we just jump into things without waiting and getting direction from the Lord. As I was praying last week about this devotional, I wanted God to speak to me about how we speak His name. It seemed like God spoke to my heart about this devotional. God wants us to realize that we are more than conquerors in His blood, and when the enemy tries to draw us into warfare we need to be like King David and put the praise and worship in the front and the warfare in the back. We need to realize that the battle has already been won, and we can rest and walk in what has already been done for us on the cross and through His resurrection. We are more than conquerors. conquerors fight! More than conquerors walk in what has already be defeated. As a worship leader, I found the greatest strength over negative thoughts or darts of the enemy was just entering into the presence of God and speaking that precious name of Jesus. I found strength by just opening my heart out to God. He will strengthen us as we lift Him up. Obedience is the key for great spiritual warfare in our life. Habits and strongholds automatically get broken when our heart is towards God, when we feed upon the word, and through our pure devotion. There will be times when God will have us speak directly in a relevant way towards a certain situation, but we shouldn't go around thinking there is a demon around every corner. Being submissive and sitting at the feet of Jesus is a weapon that will destroy every negative thought and dart the enemy throws our way. The battle is between our ears. It is our mind. We can't control the birds flying over our heads, but we can keep them from building a nest there. This is so true. Our flesh is the greatest hindrance that comes against us. Paul said that he puts his flesh under subjection everyday. It says in 2 corinthians 10 to cast down all imaginations or speculations. We have all of the tools and weapons within us as believers, and we learn how and when to use those tools as we are so close to Father God. Let's walk in that which we have received. The Greek word for put on in Ephesians chapter 6 is enduo, and it means to be endued and to walk in. We have truth, peace, we are righteous by His blood, we have the mind of Christ as we walk with Christ, we have faith, and we have that precious name to speak over our life.
Prayer:
Lord we ask that you help us to not meditate all of the time on what the enemy speaks to us, but what you speak to us. We pray that we will hear your voice like never before, and that we would be obedient to you. Lord give us such a revelation today that we are right with you by our faith in you, and because of that righteousness by your blood we can stand today with your word upon our lips and the sword in our hand. Help us Lord to walk in that which we have received. Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Are You Living In Rubble City? July 11th Devotional
Read:
Nehemiah 4:10
10 Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.
There is a large percentage of the body of Christ today that is needing restoration in there personal life. I'm talking about true born again Christians that have repented of there sins and have been washed in the blood of Christ. We have been living in rubble city for far too long. If we don't know what to do in the middle of restoration, then we will be overtaken by discouragement, a lack of hunger for God's word, and loss of hope to let God help us rebuild whatever is wrong in our life. It could be things that have come into our life by the Lord to produce more fruit, or it could be some unnecessary pain that we caused ourselves by wrong choices. We see this in the book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah is a great leader and minister to follow today in the reconstruction of the walls that need to be built in our life. I can remember going through some very tough times financially. I lost all of the overtime at my job, and other things hit us from every angle, but I focused on God through my worship to Him. I'm not saying that I didn't get discouraged and throw in the towel at times. I did, but I found that entering God's presence will change our situation. It's not fixing all of our problems and then we say, "Lord! I can enter you presence now." I've done this, and that, and now I can enter on in. We don't wait until something in the natural is completed before we have devotion and prayer with the Lord. It's the devotion and the prayer that is going bring forth a completion in the natural. I'm not saying that we don't stay in true repentance during restoration. Our lifestyle should be a lifestyle of true healthy repentance, but there are some things that may take some time. We don't have to live in rubble city any longer. If you look at the whole chapter in chapter four of Nehemiah, you will see three things that can help us as we build. First, Nehemiah had every vulnerable space covered with family and there weapons. This can be true unity in the body of Christ. Second, there was a trumpet player next to them as they built. This can be the worship we have for God corporately and individually. Third, Nehemiah kept the moral up by praying to God that He would protect them as they built. We need to protect our mind from the enemy. He will shoot darts of discouragement our way, and when those darts come, we need to pray to God as we worship Him, and as we worship Him God will give us hope to carry on the great journey of building. I want to encourage you today to pick up a stone of worship and start building. I know it doesn't make sense to worship the Lord first before all of the things in our life here on earth is completed, but it's the first priority that all Christians should understand. We see the Jews coming to Jerusalem to rebuild. The bible says that everything was in ruins, but they started out with a heart of worship as they built their first altar. They kept on building as they worshiped the Lord. Lets have the heart of Nehemiah today and get out of rubble city, and move on in to the new city that God has called us to as the body of Christ.
Prayer:
Lord we come to you and ask that you help us focus through the restoration in our lives. Lord if we have any sin in our lives, we ask that you will forgive us and wash us anew in your blood. We ask that you will be that wall of fire around us as we build the wall as the body of Christ. We ask that you will be that wall of fire around us as we worship you and seek you first as you begin to bring forth a shift in the natural, and help us to remain steady in the things of you as you move us into a new season, Amen.
by Keith Edwards
Nehemiah 4:10
10 Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.
There is a large percentage of the body of Christ today that is needing restoration in there personal life. I'm talking about true born again Christians that have repented of there sins and have been washed in the blood of Christ. We have been living in rubble city for far too long. If we don't know what to do in the middle of restoration, then we will be overtaken by discouragement, a lack of hunger for God's word, and loss of hope to let God help us rebuild whatever is wrong in our life. It could be things that have come into our life by the Lord to produce more fruit, or it could be some unnecessary pain that we caused ourselves by wrong choices. We see this in the book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah is a great leader and minister to follow today in the reconstruction of the walls that need to be built in our life. I can remember going through some very tough times financially. I lost all of the overtime at my job, and other things hit us from every angle, but I focused on God through my worship to Him. I'm not saying that I didn't get discouraged and throw in the towel at times. I did, but I found that entering God's presence will change our situation. It's not fixing all of our problems and then we say, "Lord! I can enter you presence now." I've done this, and that, and now I can enter on in. We don't wait until something in the natural is completed before we have devotion and prayer with the Lord. It's the devotion and the prayer that is going bring forth a completion in the natural. I'm not saying that we don't stay in true repentance during restoration. Our lifestyle should be a lifestyle of true healthy repentance, but there are some things that may take some time. We don't have to live in rubble city any longer. If you look at the whole chapter in chapter four of Nehemiah, you will see three things that can help us as we build. First, Nehemiah had every vulnerable space covered with family and there weapons. This can be true unity in the body of Christ. Second, there was a trumpet player next to them as they built. This can be the worship we have for God corporately and individually. Third, Nehemiah kept the moral up by praying to God that He would protect them as they built. We need to protect our mind from the enemy. He will shoot darts of discouragement our way, and when those darts come, we need to pray to God as we worship Him, and as we worship Him God will give us hope to carry on the great journey of building. I want to encourage you today to pick up a stone of worship and start building. I know it doesn't make sense to worship the Lord first before all of the things in our life here on earth is completed, but it's the first priority that all Christians should understand. We see the Jews coming to Jerusalem to rebuild. The bible says that everything was in ruins, but they started out with a heart of worship as they built their first altar. They kept on building as they worshiped the Lord. Lets have the heart of Nehemiah today and get out of rubble city, and move on in to the new city that God has called us to as the body of Christ.
Prayer:
Lord we come to you and ask that you help us focus through the restoration in our lives. Lord if we have any sin in our lives, we ask that you will forgive us and wash us anew in your blood. We ask that you will be that wall of fire around us as we build the wall as the body of Christ. We ask that you will be that wall of fire around us as we worship you and seek you first as you begin to bring forth a shift in the natural, and help us to remain steady in the things of you as you move us into a new season, Amen.
by Keith Edwards
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