When Morning Dawns

Do you remember what it meant to you to see the sun shining after a severe storm had passed? Do you remember how it felt to see the light of day dawning after a fearful night?

Suddenly you could believe again that all would be well.

Light does that. It restores our faith, lifts our spirits, and gives us a fresh burst of hope where there was none before.

Nothing dispels the darkness so quickly. Nothing draws us so instantly out of our defeat and despair.

It is no coincidence, then, that Jesus called himself the light of the world. Restorer, Lifter, Dispeller - He is all this and more.

Because of Him, fear does not have the last word; the darkness does not win. So go ahead, lift your head. Your Joy has come.

 

Lord, you are my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear?

Amen

 

Psalm 27:1

New International Version (NIV)

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

2 Corinthians 4:7-9

New International Version (NIV)

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

Submitted by Natalee Harvey.

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Power of Prayer - Lessons from Rephidim

The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, “Pick out some men to go and fight the Amalekites tomorrow. I will stand on top of the hill holding the stick that God told me to carry.” Joshua did as Moses commanded him and went out to fight the Amalekites, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his arms, the Israelites won, but when he put his arms down, the Amalekites started winning. When Moses' arms grew tired, Aaron and Hur brought a stone for him to sit on, while they stood beside him and held up his arms, holding them steady until the sun went down. In this way Joshua totally defeated the Amalekites. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write an account of this victory, so that it will be remembered. Tell Joshua that I will completely destroy the Amalekites.” Moses built an altar and named it “The Lord is my Banner.” 16He said, “Hold high the banner of the Lord! The Lord will continue to fight against the Amalekites forever!” - Exodus 17: 8 - 15 (GNT)

 

 

This looks like a season of Power. I read the above scripture this week and thought I'd share some key points:

 

"Moses said to Joshua....Joshua did as Moses commanded him and went"

 

These requests are like "Moses said" statements. We've

• received the command to pray and support.
• and noted the situations, and the the people involved.

Now In prayer, we begin to ACT just as Joshua did and do "as Moses commanded him and went"

 

 

"I will stand on top of the hill holding the stick that God told me to carry."

 

God keeps His promises. He

• sits high and looks low.
• never leaves us and doesn`t forget us.
• will be with us and keep His word.

Let's get in position, believing that He has already done the same.

 

 

"As long as Moses held up his arms, the Israelites won..When Moses' arms grew tired, Aaron and Hur brought a stone for him to sit on, while they stood beside him and held up his arms..In this way Joshua totally defeated the Amalekites."

 

There are times when victories can be won by one person (i.e Samson).

Other times, a team is needed (i.e Moses, Aaron, and Hur). As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning. The miracle was in the ACT of Moses' hands held up in the air. Leveraging the strength of a team not only makes the ACT easier, but the journey to the finish line becomes easier or lighter. I figure that why Jesus said "For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light.” (Matt 11:29)

 

 

"Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write an account of this victory, so that it will be remembered."

 

Moments like these aren't just for now, but for remembrance, for growth, to handle tomorrows mountains.

 

"Moses built an altar and named it “The Lord is my Banner.” Moses also said “Hold high the banner of the Lord! The Lord will continue to fight.."

 

One definition of Banner is; anything regarded or displayed as a symbol of principles.

• A banner is a symbol.
• Symbols represent values/principles that don't change (i.e Nike's commitment to athletics).
• Principles are learnt and lived, and give evidence that the symbol, the banner, is TRUE.

As long as we're faced with opposition (and even opportunity), "The Lord will continue to fight" because He never changes.

Written and Submitted by Brandon Wells

brandon.awells@gmail.com

Family, be blessed this week as we respond to the numerous prayers requests that have been submitted. Let us ACT and persevere through this season of intercessory prayer and transformative power!

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DO YOU RECOGNISE IT?

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3)

When something good happens, do you recognize that it’s God at work? Right away, that’s when you need to thank Him for it. Make sure you give Him the credit.

Some people don’t think that God is doing anything in their lives. But I’m convinced that God is constantly showing us His goodness. My question is: Are you recognising it? Are you thanking Him for His goodness?

This week, look around. Be more aware of His goodness. Scripture says, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.” If you’re going to taste God’s goodness, you have to realize that every good break, every time you were protected, every door that opened, every advantage that you’ve had is God working in your life. Don’t take it for granted. Recognise Him and thank Him for His goodness and faithfulness all the days of your life!


PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, today I am on the lookout for Your goodness. I honour and thank You for Your love. I praise You because You are faithful and glorify You in everything I do in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Submitted by: Jascent Smythe (a.k.a. "Mama J")

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Let the World See our Love

John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

 

One day, a man was walking across a bridge and saw another man standing on the edge, about to jump off. He immediately ran to him and said, "Stop! Don't do it!" "Well, why shouldn't I?" he replied. The other said, "Well, there's so much to live for!" "Like what”? "Well … are you religious or atheist?" "Religious." "Me too! And are you Christian or Jewish?" "Christian." "Me too! Are you Catholic or Protestant?" "Protestant." "Me too! Are you Episcopalian or Baptist?” "Baptist." "Wow! Me too! Are you Baptist Church of God or Baptist Church of the Lord?" "Baptist Church of God." "Me too! Are you Original Baptist Church of God, or are you Reformed Baptist Church of God?" "Reformed Baptist Church of God." "Me too! Are you Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1879, or Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1915?" "Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1915!" To which he said, "Die, you heretic!" and pushed him off the bridge.

 

When we get together with our family here in Israel on Shabbat, we often find ourselves discussing and even arguing our views on various topics, political, spiritual, etc. You’ve heard the phrase two Jews, five opinions? That’s our family. At the end, we all laugh about who argued best and try to learn from one another.

 

The body of the Lord is one big family. Yes, we differ in opinion on some issues. But we are going to be together for eternity and we must learn to live in peace with one another! In order for us to make a real difference in the world, the world needs to see us loving each other.

 

Let’s not be like the man who pushed the other off the bridge. Let’s [lighten up]  and try to learn from one another.

 

Posted by: Keturah

SOURCE: George Whitten, Editor of Worthy Devotions.

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Guelph Mercury Article on The Guelph Gospel Music Festival

-- “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin” (Zech. 4:10, NLT).

http://www.guelphmercury.com/news-story/3882285-rain-couldn-t-douse-the-fire-of-faith/

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Guelph Gospel Music Festival - The Day After

Romans 8: 31, 35, 37
31What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 
35Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 
37No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

Blessings Kingdom Life Family!

Truly the Apostle Paul in Romans captures the post-Festival sentiment of all of us: "what shall we way about such wonderful things"!  As the praises went up higher and the rain came down harder, truly God was on our side!  As we joined the community in united, raw and authentic praise, God opened up the heavens and poured out a blessing that only those truly seeking to worship in Spirit and in Truth could soak in.

Perhaps you saw the young girl, Deborah's niece, dressed in a swimsuit, sliding through the puddles and dancing with abandon in the rain?  What an amazing example of Jesus' command that "unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3).  Perhaps "conversion" means turning from our stiff, controlled, routine, exclusive and 'dry', attempts at worship and embracing a whole new, fresh, unbridled, inclusive, joyful expression of worship, such as we experienced yesterday? PRAISE GOD FOR THE RAIN!!  Through the rain, not just victory, but OVERWHELMING victory was ours.  

This week let our prayers be filled with thanksgiving for what God has done, in our community, in our fellowship group and in our hearts through this amazing Gospel Music Festival worship experience.  Let's also be grateful for the few good men, women and youth who rolled up their sleeves to do whatever it took to make this experience possible!  And let us give thanks for those who unflinchingly sang, played, praised, and stayed through the downpours to receive the outpouring of God's Holy Spirit.

There IS an army rising up!
Pray that you can be a fear-less, focused and faithful part of it!
Blessings and Shalom for journeying together through this week of focused devotionals and prayers.
May we continue to live for HIS glory.

Your sister, Keturah

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Countdown to Gospel Music Festival - 1 Day Left!

Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established.

Prov 16:3

The real question behind this promise is very simple: How do I define success for my plans? The answer is very simple as well: bringing glory to God for his grace (see Eph. 1:6, 12, 14). Committing our works and plans to God means surrendering them to God's will (James 4:13-15), trusting that God will be glorified in them (Col. 3:17), and recognizing that it is not in our power to properly guide our own steps (Prov. 16:9). God longs to bless us and empower us -- not for our own selfish ambition (James 3:16), but for our eternal good (Rom. 8:28) and God's glory. Like Jesus, when we commit our plans and works to the Lord, we are saying, "Not my will, Father, but yours be done!"

Prayer...

As we prepare to minister to our community tomorrow, let us fully commit our plans to His will.  Let God's glory be our only goal. Let us desire for the removal of any secret motivation or hidden agenda that might block His purpose from being fulfilled.  AMEN

Posted by:Keturah
Source: http://www.verseoftheday.com/en/06032013/

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Countdown to Gospel Music Festival - 2 Days LEFT!

REMINDER:  ALL  are Invited: Prayer Walk @ Riverside Park tomorrow morning at 9:a.m.

 

"Zerubbabel  is the one who laid the foundation

for this Temple, and he will complete it

Zechariah 4:9  NLT

      

The words were familiar but they landed upon me as an announcement of the Lord:  " 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit' says the Lord Almighty." The speaker continued to lead us into a crescendo of faith from this passage in Zechariah 4. It was about 12 hours later that I heard from the Lord, "capstone".  Not sure of what I was hearing, I explored the place and potential of the capstone in a building.  However, soon the Spirit linked it all together by a faithful reminder that "capstone" was also mentioned in the same chapter of Zechariah 4.  I knew I was hearing from the Lord.  More awaited me a few days later as I began my "dig" into this chapter.  It is all about beginning under assignment from the Lord and all about finishing!   

      

The Spirit of the Lord released this revelation to the prophet Zechariah who was teamed by God's design with the governmental leader, Zerubbabel. The assigned task was to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.  Yes, there were many obstacles. There were so many obstacles, in fact, that the Spirit refers to them as a "mountain".  However, there is the clear declaration that while neither human effort nor expertise could not make that mountain move, the Spirit of the Lord was the source of might and power.  We need that same revelation as we move forward in obedience. Faith to begin the assignment is essential.  The "small beginnings" are not to be despised! (vs. 10) The Lord, in fact, rejoices in our steps forward in obedience.The hand that holds the plumbline at the point of the foundation in the construction process will also be the hand that lays the final stone...the capstone! Everything in between in that process of obedient response to the Lord can be empowered by the Spirit.

      

There is a reason the Lord led me back into this hallmark declaration of "Not by might, nor by power, but my Spirit says the Lord."  Many of us have already moved beyond beginning into active partnership with Him in our assignments. Some are looking at the looming mountain of obstacles.  Others have heard the belittling comments minimizing the beginning as being but a small thing when measured against the full task. However, because you've seen by faith the finished purpose of the Lord, you've held the plumbline in confidence that you will also lift the capstone into place. The day is coming when there will be shouts of celebration as the fruit of your labours comes to fulfillment. Receive the Word of the Lord lest fainting en route consume you! Don't abandon your task.  The Lord is joyfully observing your obedience!  Receive a new measure of faith...faith to begin  and a full measure of finishing faith.  "Faithful is He who calleth you who also will do it."  (I. Thes. 5.24)

Today: Pray that God who has been the ALPHA beginning of this Gospel Music Festival will be faithful to the OMEGA ending.  Let's ignite this Community for HIS glory!  The walls of Jericho came down and the Temple at Jerusalem went up.  HE IS FAITHFUL!

Posted by: Keturah

Source: www.TwoSilverTrumpets.ca  

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Countdown to Gospel Music Festival - Day 4

He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." Matthew 9: 37

 

Jesus spoke these words over two thousand years ago, yet it is still true today. Don't believe me? Just take a look around. 

Look in the schools. Look in the workplaces. Look even in the churches. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 

People all around us are starving for truth. They know there is something more, but they don't know what that something more is. Questions are being asked, issues are being debated. Yet in the midst of this, many of the questions are falling on deaf ears. And these issues will be debated over and over again because that's what happens when explanation is left out of the equation. 

And so I repeat: the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 

All around us are opportunities to be changing our world! Whether that means sharing the Truth with someone on a street corner or sharing the Gospel in the midst of a group of friends or even just being a listening ear. 

But all too often we ignore these opportunities. We get caught up in our own little worlds and it becomes very easy to let God-given opportunities pass us by. Then we sit back and wonder why we aren't seeing "God moving" within our lives. 

The truth is, God has placed each and every one of us in a different place for a different reason. The people you work with, the family next door, the clerk who cashes you out, have all been placed in your life for a reason. God wants to use you to be a shining light to them. He wants you to help bring in the harvest. 

The question all comes down to: are you willing? It's not an easy question to answer because in order to do so, you have to be ready to make some changes. You have to be ready to spend less time chatting on MSN and more time talking to the people who you cross paths with. You have to be ready to spend less efforts editing your facebook profile and more time re-arranging your schedule to take part in the ministry opportunities that God sends your way. You have to be ready to put aside your plans in order to take the opportunities that God presents you with. 

So are you willing? If the answer is yes, then get ready for your world to start changing and foundations to be shaken because as DL Moody once said "The world has yet to see what God can do with a heart that is fully committed to Him." 

Your commitment today can literally change the course of thousands of lives for eternity. The harvest is plentiful- today you can become a partner in the kingdom to see that harvest come in!

 

Pray today for God to place within you the motivation to be a Harvester in the communities that you belong to and that Sunday's Gospel Music Festival will represent the beginning of an earth-shattering, Spirit-filled outreach movement to transform lives for the Kingdom of Heaven.

Posted by: Keturah

 

Source: http://www.madradioshow.net/impact/impactharvest.html

 

 

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Countdown to Gospel Music Festival - Day 5

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field’” (Matthew 9:36-38)

 

Jesus took note of the masses of people, and they appeared as “sheep without a shepherd.” It is so important to remember that we were all once like sheep without a shepherd! If not for the mercy and grace of God, we would all still be as lost sheep! And as Jesus had compassion on us, so we should have compassion on those who are still lost. We must never be so complacent with our own salvation that we forget to “GO and MAKE disciples of them…”

 

I admit to forgetting this myself, but we must always be mindful that “the harvest is plentiful.” Ultimately, only God can make the seeds of goodness grow in a person; but we are the hands and feet of God, and we must plant and water the seeds. Furthermore, we must go to God in prayer and ask for help since the harvest is far too great for us to handle in small numbers. If you are not going and spreading the good news, then pray that God changes your heart and gives you the strength to “Go.” Ask the Lord of the harvest to send the rain and the harvesters. We must do our part and trust that God will do His; and indeed He will! Jesus never came to condemn the world but showed compassion and submitted in everything to God.

 

We are the harvesters that have been chosen and sent by Christ. Let us pray together for God to provide us with a spirit of compassion for the crowd (i.e. community) around us and a spirit of collaboration to partner with others within the Body of Christ for the purpose of growing the Kingdom of God!

 

Posted by: Keturah

Source: http://joelcgillespie.wordpress.com/2013/05/08/the-lord-of-the-harvest/

 

 

 

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Countdown to Guelph Gospel Music Festival - Day 6

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Congratulations & blessings to the Harvey Family as they are sworn in as Canadian Citizens today.

"Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old.

 Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth... I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (ISAIAH 43:18-19, NKJV) 

The word translated "behold" or "lo" in the King James Version of the Bible means "look carefully at, see and understand." It is used when we are meant to stop in our tracks, pause and consider what the Lord is saying. He wants the "penny to drop." It is a signpost, and there is something arresting about it. It indicates that we are to have an attitude of awe as we approach the following word from the Lord.

In many translations "behold" is rendered as "look," "see," or "surely," which perhaps miss the sense of a significant pause that the King James (and New King James) word "behold" conveys. So in order to capture that sense of awe, those King James versions of the Bible will be used for this meditation.

Here in Isaiah the Lord calls us to pause and attend to the amazing promise that He is going to do a radically new thing. He is going to cut a path through all the mundane concerns that capture our attention, through all the barren places, and pour out rivers of living water into our thirsty hearts.

Are you ready for God to do a radically new thing with the City of Guelph, the Body of Christ in Guelph, Kingdom Life Fellowship and - most importantly - within you?  Pray today that we will each prepare our hearts and open our minds to pause, consider and stand in awe of the radically new thing that God is about to do through this Gospel Music Festival outreach ministry.

Posted by: Keturah 

Adapted from: http://www.haventoday.org/anchor-devotional.php

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Countdown to Guelph Gospel Music Festival - Day 7

Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.” – Joshua 3:5

 

[The Children of Israel are] finally getting to cross the Jordan River into Canaan. It has been a long trip (40 years!). But the crossing of the Jordan was not something that simply needed to be accomplished – it was not like ordering a burger at McDonald’s. It was going to be a worship experience that needed to be prepared for. Joshua told the nation, you are going to want to prepare for tomorrow, because tomorrow, God is going to move.

Too many Christians have never seen God move and sometimes I wonder if it is because we have never prepared ourselves to see Him move. We just fit Him into the spots in our schedule that is convenient for us. And if that is all that we will do, God will never move in our lives.

 

It is time once again for our fellowship to prepare for the radical movement of God - in our city . Can we prepare to see him move?  Let's spend some time in prayer asking God to prepare us even as He prepares our city for His movement in our lives.

 

Posted by: Keturah

Source: Adapted from http://garrymullen.blogspot.ca/2012/10/joshua-told-people-consecrate.html

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