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Our hope and prayer at Keys Vineyard Ministries is that we will be able to be a blessing to pastors and churches around the world and partner with them to fulfill the calling of God on their lives.
Keys Vineyard Church and Ministries
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Kingdom Foreshadowed Part 4 Devotionals
Explore the epic narrative of the Israelites’ journey from bondage in Egypt to the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea in Kingdom Foreshadowed Part 4.
Day 1: The Call to Worship
Devotional The story of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt begins with a divine command: ‘Let my people go so they may worship me.’ This call to worship is not just about physical freedom but about spiritual liberation. True freedom is always found in choosing God’s way and pursuing Him. When we worship and serve the Lord, we break free from the chains of other ‘masters’ that seek to enslave us. Reflect on what you are living for today. Is it God, or is it something else?
Bible Verse ‘But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.’ – Exodus 14:29
Reflection Question What are the ‘masters’ in your life that you need to break free from to truly worship and serve God?
Quote Let my people go so they may worship me.
Prayer Lord, help me to identify and break free from anything that keeps me from worshiping and serving You. Lead me to true freedom in Your presence. Amen.
Day 2: Overcoming Fear
Devotional As the Israelites stood at the edge of the Red Sea with Pharaoh’s army closing in, fear must have gripped their hearts. Yet, Moses reassured them, ‘The Lord will fight for you. You need only to be still.’ Spending time with God and in His presence will overcome fear. When we trust in God’s power and His plan, we can face any challenge with confidence. Remember, God is with you and for you.
Bible Verse ‘Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.”’ – Exodus 14:13
Reflection Question What fears are you facing today, and how can you bring them before God to find peace and stillness in His presence?
Quote Spending time with God and in his presence will overcome fear.
Prayer Heavenly Father, help me to trust in Your power and presence. Calm my fears and give me the strength to be still and know that You are fighting for me. Amen.
Day 3: The Path to Salvation
Devotional The parting of the Red Sea is a powerful symbol of God’s salvation. Just as God provided a way for the Israelites to escape certain death, He has provided a way for us through Jesus Christ. Jesus takes our sin and mess, our fear and judgment, and exchanges His life for ours. This act of love and sacrifice opens the path to eternal life. Reflect on the magnitude of this gift and how it transforms your life.
Bible Verse ‘For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ – Romans 6:23
Reflection Question How does understanding Jesus’ sacrifice change the way you live your daily life?
Quote Jesus takes our sin and mess. Jesus takes our fear and judgment at the cross.
Prayer Lord Jesus, thank You for Your incredible sacrifice. Help me to live in the light of Your love and grace, always remembering the path to salvation You have provided. Amen.
Day 4: Embracing New Life
Devotional Jesus’ resurrection is the ultimate victory over sin and death. Just as the Israelites were delivered from slavery and given a new life, we too are given a new life in Christ. Our status has changed from death to life, from guilty to forgiven, from lost to found. Embrace this new identity and live in the freedom that comes from knowing Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
Bible Verse ‘Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.’ – John 5:24
Reflection Question What does it mean to you to have crossed over from death to life in Christ?
Quote Your status has changed from death to life, from guilty to forgiven, from lost to found.
Prayer Thank You, Jesus, for Your resurrection and the new life You offer. Help me to live each day in the freedom and joy of being found in You. Amen.
Day 5: Living in Freedom
Devotional True freedom comes from knowing Jesus as your Lord and Savior. When we say yes to Jesus, we are set free from the power of sin and death. This freedom allows us to live a life of purpose, worshiping and serving God. Remember, God is with you and for you, and He loves you despite your mess. Trust in Him, be still, and embrace the freedom He offers.
Bible Verse ‘Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.’ – Romans 8:1-2
Reflection Question How can you live out the freedom you have in Christ in your daily life?
Quote True freedom comes from knowing Jesus as your lord and savior.
Prayer Lord, thank You for the freedom I have in Christ. Help me to live each day in the light of this freedom, serving and worshiping You with all my heart. Amen.
Community Church Impact 2024
As we enter 2024, a community church like Keys Vineyard Church is uniquely positioned to impact their local areas significantly. Here are three ways a community church can positively influence their community this year:
Community Outreach and Service Projects: One of the most direct ways a church can impact its community is through organized outreach and service projects. This could include food drives, clothing donations, volunteering at local shelters, or participating in clean-up projects. By addressing the community’s immediate needs, a church not only provides essential aid but also demonstrates the practical application of its faith-based values. Such initiatives build bridges between the church and the community, fostering a spirit of cooperation and mutual support.
Youth Engagement and Programs: Engaging with the youth is vital for any community church. Offering programs like after-school clubs, sports activities, mentorship programs, and educational workshops can have a lasting impact on young people. These initiatives provide safe spaces for youth to learn, grow, and develop positive relationships. By investing in the younger generation, the church can help shape their future while instilling values of community service and personal responsibility.
Mental Health Support and Counseling: With the rising awareness of mental health issues, churches can play a crucial role in providing support and resources. Establishing counseling services, support groups, or mental health awareness workshops within the church can offer a much-needed refuge for those struggling. Churches can collaborate with local mental health professionals to ensure the community can access quality care and support.
In 2024, community churches have many opportunities to make a meaningful impact. Through targeted outreach, youth engagement, mental health support, fostering community dialogue, and environmental stewardship, churches can significantly contribute to the well-being and unity of their local areas.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
Politics and Faith in the Church
In recent years, the entanglement of politics and faith has sown discord in many religious congregations, significantly in the church, where the primary focus should ideally be spiritual nurturing and solidarity. The deviation towards political inclination, albeit often well-intentioned, can unintentionally foster division and erode the foundational unity that is built upon the teachings and love of Jesus Christ. As a community church in the Florida Keys we are doing our best to navigate the delicate balance between politics and faith.
Jesus, in His earthly ministry, presented an exquisite model of love, kindness, and inclusivity. His teachings, soaked in unwavering love and acceptance, extended beyond the boundaries of class, race, and politics. The early church thrived on this principle, establishing a haven where individuals, irrespective of their societal standing, could unite under the banner of Christ’s love.
However, infiltrating politics into the sanctity of the church threatens to overshadow the divine mission. One of the fallouts of a politically charged church environment is the inadvertent alienation of certain members. As political views get intertwined with spiritual teachings, congregants may find themselves in a perplexing dilemma: whether to uphold their political beliefs or compromise them for spiritual adherence. This dualism can potentially drive wedges among church members, detracting from the overarching message of universal love and acceptance preached by Jesus.
Moreover, when politics seep into spiritual discourses, it may unintentionally idolize political ideologies, thereby diluting the essence of spiritual teachings. Churchgoers might start associating spiritual success with political allegiance, undermining the pure, undiscriminating love that Jesus advocated. This shift in focus can deter the church from its path, rendering it a political entity rather than a spiritual sanctuary.
Amidst these challenges, the church’s role in addressing societal issues cannot be overlooked. The church, indeed, is mandated to speak against injustices and advocate for moral policies that resonate with Christian values. The delicate balance lies in ensuring that political inclinations do not overshadow the message of Jesus.
In navigating this problem, churches might consider refocusing on Jesus’s teachings as the central guide for addressing societal and political issues. This implies adhering steadfastly to principles such as love, compassion, and empathy in all discussions and activities, even those that touch on political realms.
Adopting a Christ-centered approach to politics means advocating for policies that align with biblical teachings without endorsing specific political entities or figures. It involves fostering an environment where members can express their political views without fear of alienation, permanently anchoring discussions and actions in the teachings of Jesus.
While navigating through the tangle of contemporary political and societal issues, the church must clutch steadfastly to the teachings of Jesus, ensuring that love, acceptance, and spiritual growth remain paramount. Through this lens of unwavering, nonpartisan love, the church can effectively engage in societal discussions and advocate for justice and morality without splintering its divine mission and unity.
In the end, let the church be a beacon of Jesus’s unblemished love in a politically charged world, embracing all without prejudice and leading with the spiritual integrity that threads us all into the unbreakable fabric of universal kinship and divine love.
Steve Lawes is a pastor at Keys Vineyard Church and a Church Encourager.
