God is SO Good All The Time

I have a problem that I believe that I will never get over, let me explain.  I am a book junkie.  I have a stack of books that grows on a daily basis.  For each one I read, there is at least two that I add to the stack.  But my Mom from time to time brings me a book that she has read or she saw that she thinks I will like.  Normally, I just add them to the pile, but this last one I started just after I got it.  The book is entitled,  Innovate Church by Jonathan Falwell.  If that name sounds familiar, Jonathan is the son of Jerry Falwell.  Jonathan is the senior pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia.  Jonathan became senior pastor after his father went to be with the Lord.  Jonathan has been a staff member of Thomas Road for over 25 years, in about every position that you can think of.  The first four chapters are about leadership and as I began reading a Scripture verse popped into my head and then later he mentions that same verse.  The passage is 2 Corinthians 3:5, It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own, Our qualification comes from God. (NLT)  As I stopped and thought about this verse, how many times have I made excuses why I can't do something that the Lord commands.  I'm not smart enough, not enough education, people will make fun of me, etc.  The list of excuses could go on and on.  That verse tells me that whatever God wants me to do, He will provide the means and the way for me to do it.  God doesn't half way do it either, you will succeed with the help of the Lord. 

Make today the day that you will let God bless you by being who He wants you to be.
P.S.  Please remember my wife in your prayers, she is having surgery in the morning.  She will be on the disabled list until the first of the year.

Keeping Christ First
Billy Edwards

It's Been A While

It has been a while since my last blog post.  It has been a roller coaster ride over the last several weeks.  One thing that has been constant over the last several weeks,  God loves me and has a plan for me. 

I am truly excited each time I am with the middle school students at my church.  These youth are amazing.  To see how they are inviting their friends to our services throughout the week.  To see how God is really working in the lives of some of them is AWESOME!!!!  For example, one of the middle school guys stayed behind after our Wednesday night small group was over this past week.  He said that he was going to start his own small group as soon as his football season was over.  He is inviting all of his teammates to get together weekly for small group.  As the middle school leader, I am so excited for him.  I have seen a passion to share the Gospel with others in him for some time.  During our small group time each week, he is a sponge.  He is constantly asking questions and taking notes.  It has me digging deeper in Scripture, just because I know that he will be asking questions that the normal middle school student wouldn't have.  God is working through this young man and my prayer is that God will use him to reach the guys on his team.  But that is the passion that God wants from each and every one of us that are a child of God.  A passion to learn more from His Word and a passion to make disciples.  So please keep this young man in your prayers as he prepares for this small group.  That God will use him to reach the lost guys on his team.

Keep Christ First
Billy