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Ministry Simplified Through Our New Web Design With 1 Goal: You!

I hope that you are enjoying some of the newer features that are being implemented in the web site.There has been a lot of consideration in some of the pieces in this newer redesign, with one simple goal in mind: we want all of this to be easy to use for everyone!

After rolling out the mini-mobile web version of the web site, we realized it was time to take a look and seek God for what direction the main site should be going. As I took a long look over all of the content and how much that God has given for us to provide, I am overwhelmed with joy! I also realized how easy it could be to be overwhelmed by so much content all at one time, so the site’s main page has been revised to just a few key pieces to make everything easy to read and use. For our great supporters who have been reading and viewing from the beginning we know and believe that if you want to dive into the deeper resource of the ministry, you will! All content is still available via the two menus above at the top!

We encourage you to keep on taking advantage of the tools and resources that are here for the building up of your life! God bless you!

A Bid Farewell To The Amen Corner (Not Really) – Support Is A True Calling!

Over the many years that I have attended church, there has always been the classically stereotyped band of people that were always known as the super-supportive “amen-corner”. These were the kind of people that would stand through the beginning and end and were the greatest example of what support stood for. I could remember seeing people literally begin to grow and over time become a stronger individuals in God from the support of their brothers and sisters in Christ. There were MANY moments I am sure that people would have given up without the words of encouragement to pick them up after moments where they felt like they had failed. There were other moments I am sure where people came through like a breath of fresh air to revive someone that had been walking and carrying the load of a work for quite some time as well. Are we living in the day where we are seeing the end of support for one another? Has the amen corner truly fell?

To me, I do not think the amen corner will ever go. I do think however that the amount of support in the church for one another is at an all time low. And with the additions of newly committed lives to Christ, those lives are in need of continual refreshing and rejuvenation by those around them! I can honestly say that in my own personal life that there are 4-5 people (new or renewed in Christ) that I stay personally committed to on a constant basis by making sure that I encourage them and stay as a spiritual mentor to. This is such a vital piece, as they need to see me on my feet when they step out to obey God. They need to hear my words in person when they have stepped out for God and maybe faced a tough night. Most importantly, support needs to come when it counts the most: in a time of weakness! When God shows you by discernment when a person (or persons) are in weakness and are in a frail state, support them! Do what you are called to do to help them. Waste no expense to which you have in your resources to make a difference. In other words, love your neighbor as yourself.

Here is the tough part (I have had to learn this the hard way): I cannot guarantee that support will ever return back to you. The great part about being selfless for God is that the blessings of God will flow in your life for your service in Him! Always remember this when you give yourself for Him in service for others! It is worth every step, every word, and every mile of the journey! As for me, I’m in (the amen corner that is). There may be a day where you look and you stand alone, but never forget that God is with you!

Is The First Step Is Always The Hardest One? I Feel A Poll Coming On…

One of the most used phrases that I have ever heard in church or for even life in general is that “that first step is always the hardest”. I remember one of the first times that I ever prayed out loud in front of anyone when I was a child. At the time it seemed like the hardest thing in the world to do. What helped me to carry through was the help of hearing the voices of others around me praying. It was truly a great moment to remember. It is always a great thing to remember to be a voice for someone else to follow along to, no matter what medium it is for the Lord!

I also remember one of the first times that I ever stepped out and played and sang a song alone. The first few seconds before I began felt like a million years, yet as I began there was a gentle calm that came over me that helped me through. I attribute the ‘calm’ to the presence of the spirit coming to help me make a difference through the offering of obedience. If there is something that I remember each time I obey God, it is that the spirit of God is always going to meet you in your immediate act! You will not be alone!

One of the toughest first steps I have ever taken was when God was moving me into a new church. It was a brand new environment with new people and very little that I had ever known before. I was afraid at first because I did not want to leave the place I had been my whole life. However God was preparing me for my next work! And as I stepped out more and more and continued to follow the Lord in my calling I have been blessed to see many wonderful things there! The lesson that I learned here is that I would have missed on so much if I had not been listening to the burning call of God that was moving on me. Follow God when He leads you and be surprised at just how much of a blessing you are!

Do I think I have taken my last steps? No way! I think there are many more things and churches ahead! Do I think you have either? Absolutely not! Seek God for the understanding and be willing to follow for the directions for change in your life. Most importantly as I have heard all my days, do not be afraid to take that first step!

At Last! Our First Book Is Finished!

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After a long and wonderful learning process, I am happy to announce that the paperback and e-version of our first 30 day devotional, Using Gods Spiritual Glue: Becoming a Stronger, Spiritual Self and Sticking to It has arrived!

After one more week of pending processes the book will be fully released for all popular book publishers (iBooks, Nook, Google, Amazon, Lulu, etc.). I am so happy to close this chapter (no pun intended) and to finally get this word that God has been trying to get out for everyone to read!

We will be posting more permanent links and adjusting everything soon, but in the meantime here are the ‘unofficial’ links below:

eBook Version

Paperback Version

Attention: Now Accepting Applications For Spiritual Leaders

I first would like to clarify in a very silly way that this is in no way directed towards Heart of Grace Ministries actually taking applications. I am writing this today for what I feel God is leading me to give some direction on about spiritual leadership.

When it comes to the everyday hometown spiritual leaders, most of them have put in many wonderful years of service. The examples of people that I have had the privilege to meet and know has blessed me and helped me beyond words I could explain today. The part that alarms me is that how we are starting to not match up or miss with the word of God. All through the times you read in the scriptures the anointing and wisdom of the older generations was written and passed down, purposed for the up and coming seed that was growing to be the new leaders after them. There were multiple cases of this you can study to, and how the ministries and works only multiplied!

Today I am striving with all that is within me to be a spiritual leader and to use what had been passed down to me. I cannot say that when I received all of the wisdom that I saw myself as ‘ready’, but God sure did! Even at a younger age God has already given me a work and a purpose. If I were to waiver or give up on this purpose, I would not only be hindering the work God had intended for me but the works that were passed down to me!

So as God leads you each and every day, learn to take in each and every good work and wisdom from your elders. Give respect and honor and understand their purpose to better help you find yours! God is surely looking for those of us in the current generation to begin to rise as the new and next leaders of God! How do we apply? Prayer and continual seeking before Him! Finding your calling is the easy part (just like your dream job), but sticking with it with dedicated passion and purpose will prove you as a leader to others and a follower of Christ!

The Post I Wish Could Be Heard Around The World

As you read this, please think of so many around you that stand in need. Please lay aside all pride and selfishness for a few minutes and allow yourself to submit to a good solid prayer for someone else. Pray for people around you. Pray for people that are suffering in other countries. Pray for our children. This is such a period of time where we need to be in continual prayer before God.

Normally I write in a catchy, positive way to try and lift you up and set you on for your day. I literally cannot do that today. I do not feel that call to write those words for now. All that I can ask you today is to begin to sow good things in your mind for the things that are not as though they will be! Ask that God turn around situations that could potentially lead to far worse of things. Ask for the light of God to be shone into darkness. Pray for God to send you as a witness of Him.

Please pray with our ministry as we continue to strive to see mountains moved in our families, communities, counties, and countries.

What God Puts In Purpose Will Succeed

Exodus 1:6-14

[6] And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation.
[7] And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.
[8] Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.
[9] And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we:
[10] Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.
[11] Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.
[12] But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.
[13] And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour:
[14] And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.

Exodus 2:1

[1] And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi.

Exodus 1:2

[2] Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah,

Exodus 2:2-10

[2] And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.
[3] And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink.
[4] And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.
[5] And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river’s side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.
[6] And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ children.
[7] Then said his sister to Pharaoh’s daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?
[8] And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child’s mother.
[9] And Pharaoh’s daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it.
[10] And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.

In the time when Joseph died, the new King of Egypt at that time foresaw the people that Joseph had ruled over and how they were in his eyes “better”. As we read this now we know that this was just the after-effects of the almighty favor and blessings of God! As this Pharaoh raised intentions in his heart to fight the almighty favor of God, God saw that Israel needed a new “Joseph”, or a new leader to keep them walking before God the way God had instructed all of the time before this. So what happened? The man that we now know as Moses was conceived and brought into the world! Despite all that tried to even destroy him from birth God proved that His will and power supersede all of our plans (or as we read it that His ways are above ours)! Moses was raised in that time to lead them out of the very captivity this Pharaoh had intended for their destruction!

My thought for you today is to remember that when you walk uprightly and obedient before God that you will always have His favor and direction no matter what opposition that would come (even if it were from a great King!).

1 John 3:1-24

[1] Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
[2] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
[3] And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
[4] Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
[5] And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
[6] Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
[7] Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
[8] He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
[9] Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
[10] In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
[11] For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
[12] Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
[13] Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
[14] We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
[15] Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
[16] Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
[17] But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
[18] My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
[19] And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
[20] For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
[21] Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
[22] And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
[23] And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
[24] And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

When God foresaw the way sin was going to overcome the world and mankind, He sent Jesus into the world. Jesus Christ became the new atonement beyond the realm of Moses and his generations all the way to where we are. And now we have a leader that dwells within each and every one of us for all of the fiery trials we all go through. We have a way out of sin and have a leader through the presence of the spirit to guide us into living a life from sin. For that I celebrate not having to be as I was, but to be as I am through the one that spoke unto Moses, the “I am”.

Living From The Provision Of Christ

John 4:13-14

[13] Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
[14] But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

We have the promise of living water with the keyword “springing” up, or trying to bring life to you. Considering this, I have learned that by the waters of the spirit that I have in my life that I am continually refreshed and never have to be in a state where I walk in a desert without water. The benefits of the spirit and the comforter which is the Holy Ghost is there to provide your immediate help and refuge in your time of need!

John 6:32-51

[32] Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
[33] For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
[34] Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
[35] And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
[36] But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
[37] All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
[38] For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
[39] And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
[40] And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
[41] The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.
[42] And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?
[43] Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.
[44] No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
[45] It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
[46] Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.
[47] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
[48] I am that bread of life.
[49] Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
[50] This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
[51] I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

Jesus is the bread of life and the very word that we live by, and if we partake of it we can live and bring life to a lost and starving world! In reading this, when I eat of the bread of life of the word of God (which is Christ), my spiritual self begins to grow. As my spiritual self begins to grow, I am able to overpower the parts of me that would have normally fallen to weakness of flesh. That is the beauty of the fellowship of the word of God and the spirit that dwells in your life!

John 10:27-30

[27] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
[28] And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
[29] My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
[30] I and my Father are one.

We have the promise of eternal life and no man can pluck that away from you! When we seem to walk away from the cupboard of the waters and bread of life, there will be opportunities for you to be able to turn back to God and to feed that malnourishment. How? Recalling our salvation by restoring the joy of it! And if you have never established that first acknowledgement and relationship in belief through Christ and the crying out for the forgiveness of your sins, it is there for you also!

John 14:26-29

[26] But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
[27] Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
[28] Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
[29] And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

Through the promise of what came to pass we can believe, we can hold fast and not be moved! We can begin to learn to use each and every aspect of Jesus Christ: the sacrifice for salvation, the word for the building up of our ability to resist sin, and the spirit to comfort us in the hard times in our lives!

A Special Thank You On This Special Day

I write this today with a very humble heart, because I am so grateful for what God has done for me. There are many trials that I have faced in my life to which I would have counted myself out or defeated or even done with life, yet God had another plan. Through the love of my wife Angela, God has shown me how magnificent that He is. Through the way that she has stood throughout all of time no matter if I was on the mountain or in the valley, God has shown me what patience means. Through the way she looks over my irrational behavior and times when I was weak and discouraged, God has shown me what forgiveness and mercy means. It is one thing to hear people say your whole life to wait one day until you just “know” what these sorts of principles are, but I feel like that God has given me the most wonderful person in the world to show me each and every quality that I would have never seen otherwise. God gave me someone to be able to make it through life instead of giving up a long time ago. Today I thank my wife for sticking with me throughout all of the changes in life. I celebrate this day with her and I pray that each and every one of us examine and magnify the great things about one another! I thank God for His love and the love that He has given me through letting me meet such a wonderful person!

Worship 365: The Power Of A Worshiping Life

Now that I have completed this book recently (as of today), all I can say is one word: empowering. This book empowers each and every person to be a constant voice for the importance of worship by not only the act of worship for ourselves but for all others who need led to that deeper walk!

The part I love about David Edwards work is that He gets the word of God worked in throughout the book in all the right places! There are also titled sections if you can only digest a little at a time. This works best for me as I feel that trying to take it all in at once loses its great spiritual value! I highly recommend!

And always remember when you are done with one, pass it on or recommend! That helps the ones who work so hard to write them!

Check out: Worship 365: The Power Of A Worshiping Life- ISBN 978-0-8054-4367-7

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