Posts with the tag “obedience”
You Are Chosen, Not Just Saved
by Ed Newton on October 28th, 2025
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" - 1 Peter 2:9When it comes to your relationship and journey with God, salvation isn’t the finish line. It’s the starting point. Too many believers stop at being saved and never step into being sent. Bu... Read More
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God Is Calling You to Bold Obedience
by Ed Newton on October 27th, 2025
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" - Joshua 1:9Most people want the will of God without the risk of obedience. But there is no such thing as safe faith. God's calling rarely fits neatly into your comfort zone. Bold obedience is not reckless, but it is rarely easy. It might ask you to forgive someone who hurt y... Read More
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You Are Not Too Far Gone for God to Use You
by Ed Newton on October 25th, 2025
"For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable" - Romans 11:29There is something the enemy would love for you to believe, and maybe you already do. It’s the idea that because of what you did, because of how long you stayed away, or because of how far you ran, you are no longer useful to God. That His calling must have moved on to someone cleaner, more faithful, more qualified. But that is n... Read More
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God Uses Broken People for Big Things
by Ed Newton on October 21st, 2025
"For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth" - 1 Corinthians 1:26If you think your flaws disqualify you from being used by God, you are exactly the kind of person God is looking for. Over and over in Scripture, God chooses the unexpected, the overlooked, and the imperfect to carry out His great... Read More
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Don’t Wait to Be Perfect to Be Used by God
by Ed Newton on October 20th, 2025
“But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.” - 1 Corinthians 1:27One of the biggest lies the enemy will try to get you to believe is that you have to have it all together before God can use you. That you need to be more qualified, more disciplined, more educated, or more spiritual before you step into the purpose God has f... Read More
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You Are Placed on Purpose, for a Purpose
by Ed Newton on October 15th, 2025
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” - 1 Peter 4:10You are not where you are by accident. You may not love where you are. You may not have planned to be where you are. But God did. There is purpose in your placement. Whether you're on a job site, in a classroom, stuck in a hospital bed, raising kids, waiting on a door to open, or feeli... Read More
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All In, All the Time
by Ed Newton on August 31st, 2025
"I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." – Revelation 3:15-16Following Jesus is not a halfway commitment. He never called anyone to dip their toe in the water or test the temperature. He called people to drop their nets. To leave everything. To die to themselve... Read More
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Worth the Cost
by Ed Newton on August 30th, 2025
"Jesus said to him, 'If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.' When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." – Matthew 19:21-22The story of the rich young ruler is one of the clearest examples in Scripture of someone who wanted to follow Jesus, but not badly enough. He ... Read More
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Accept Him or Following Him?
by Ed Newton on August 29th, 2025
"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." – Luke 9:23There is a difference between accepting Jesus and actually following Him. We live in a culture that’s gotten pretty comfortable with the idea of “believing in God” without ever truly submitting to Him. You can ask a room full of people if they believe in Jesus, and most hands will go up. But... Read More
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Don’t Wait Another Day
by Ed Newton on August 27th, 2025
"For he says, 'In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the favorable time, behold, now is the day of salvation." - 2 Corinthians 6:2There is no more dangerous decision than to delay surrendering your life to Jesus. I know people push it off. They think there’s more time. They think they’ll get serious later, when life slows down or when t... Read More
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The Reward Lasts Longer
by Ed Newton on August 24th, 2025
“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” – 2 Corinthians 4:17Sometimes it feels like the pain drags on forever. The sacrifice gets exhausting. The wait gets heavy. And if you’re being honest, you may be wondering if it’s really worth it. You’ve been giving your all. You’ve been trying to stay faithful. But the results feel slow, an... Read More
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The Blessing is Always Greater
by Ed Newton on August 23rd, 2025
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” - Romans 8:18When you're in the middle of the struggle, the weight can feel unbearable. The sacrifice feels costly. The obedience feels painful. It can feel like no one sees what you’re giving up, how much you’re enduring, or how heavy the burden really is. And in those mo... Read More
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Obedience Comes First
by Ed Newton on July 24th, 2025
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." – Psalm 119:105If you're waiting to obey God until everything makes sense, you'll be waiting forever. Obedience has never been about having it all figured out. It’s about trusting the One who already does.God doesn’t call you to follow Him once the plan is laid out in detail. He calls you to follow Him step by step. That’s what faith is. It’... Read More
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Right Where You Need to Be
by Ed Newton on July 20th, 2025
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9You are not where you are by accident. You may not fully understand why you are here, how long this season will last, or where it’s leading, but none of that means God has lost track of you. You are where you are for a reason.Sometimes we believe the lie that if things aren’t ideal, then they must be off course. B... Read More
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Positioned for Purpose
by Ed Newton on July 19th, 2025
“To whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” – Luke 12:48When God opens a door for you, when He gives you influence or visibility or elevation in any area of your life, it’s never just about comfort or recognition. It is never for the sake of your status or to help you build your name. It’s always about purpose. Always... Read More
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Testing God’s Protection
by Ed Newton on May 30th, 2025
"Jesus said to him, 'Again it is written, You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" – Matthew 4:7The second temptation Jesus faced in the wilderness was all about manipulation. The devil took Him to the holy city, set Him on the highest point of the temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On th... Read More
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Going All In
by Ed Newton on May 15th, 2025
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." – Ephesians 6:12The battle you’re facing isn’t just physical. It’s spiritual. And it’s happening in the heavenly places. The devil is fine with you coming to church, singing the songs, an... Read More
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The Choice That Matters
by Ed Newton on May 13th, 2025
"For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law, indeed, it cannot." – Romans 8:7Every single day, you’re faced with a choice. And it’s a choice that shapes everything about your life. Will you please God, or will you please yourself? That’s it. Those are the only two options.If you’re honest, living for yourself sounds like freedom. You get to do what... Read More
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Stop Living Like a Spiritual Orphan
by Ed Newton on April 22nd, 2025
"So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God." – Galatians 4:7If you are a child of God, why are you living in spiritual poverty? Why do you struggle to walk in freedom when the Spirit of God lives inside you? Why do you settle for less when the King of Kings calls you His own?The answer is simple. You are grieving the Holy Spirit by refusing to walk in obedienc... Read More
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Do Not Quench the Spirit
by Ed Newton on April 15th, 2025
"Do not quench the Spirit." – 1 Thessalonians 5:19How many times has the Holy Spirit nudged you to do something, and you hesitated? Maybe He told you to pray for someone, to speak life into a situation, to take a step of faith, but fear held you back. You started thinking, “What if they think I have lost my mind? What if I do not know what to say? What if someone else is better suited for this?”Th... Read More
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God Will Honor Your Obedience
by Ed Newton on March 25th, 2025
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9 Obedience isn’t always easy, especially when the reward doesn’t come right away. You do the right thing, you stay faithful, you make sacrifices for God, and yet… nothing seems to change. The breakthrough doesn’t come. The doors don’t open. The blessing feels delayed. And in those moment... Read More
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Just Start
by Ed Newton on November 20th, 2024
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." - Psalm 119:105 Have you ever found yourself waiting for God to do something before you take that first step? Maybe you’re waiting for a sign, a clear path, or some guarantee that everything will work out. You think, "If God just shows me the way, then I’ll move." But that’s not how it usually works. God doesn’t move until you take that f... Read More
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God-Given Dreams
by Ed Newton on November 18th, 2024
"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4 Have you ever wondered if the dreams in your heart are really from God? Sometimes we think that what we truly want for our lives isn’t aligned with God’s plan, as if our deepest desires and God’s will are somehow at odds. But what if the very dreams that fill your heart were put there by God Himself? Wh... Read More
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When Will You Go All In?
by Ed Newton on September 4th, 2024
"As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill." - Psalm 2:6
Have you been putting off fully committing to God's plan for your life? Whether it's accepting Jesus as your Savior for the first time or stepping into a specific calling He has given you, there's often a tendency to delay. We hold on to our old lives, our comfort zones, and our plans. But the question remains: When are you going Read More
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Considering the Alternative
by Ed Newton on September 3rd, 2024
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 6:23
Have you ever taken a moment to consider the alternative to disobeying God? We often think about the sacrifices and the challenges of living a life of obedience, but do we truly understand the consequences of continuing in sin and disobedience? Have you thought about what your life will look like if you continue to ignore God's calling and live contrary to His will? Read More
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Standing Strong in Obedience
by Ed Newton on August 26th, 2024
"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." - Galatians 6:7
Remaining obedient to God can be challenging, especially when those around us mock our faith or question our choices. Yet, we are called to stand strong and remain faithful, trusting that God-s promises are true.
When you choose to follow God's path, you may face ridicule or pressure from those who don't understand your faith. Read More
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The Blessing of Saying No
by Ed Newton on August 24th, 2024
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." - Titus 2:11-12
In a world that promotes instant gratification and self-indulgence, it can be challenging to say no to the temptations that surround us. Advertisements, social media, and even peer pressure encourage us to chase after whatever feels good in the moment. For many, the idea of self-control and denying oneself seems outdated and unappealing. Read More
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Radical Generosity
by Ed Newton on July 21st, 2024
"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."- 2 Corinthians 9:7 Radical generosity is a powerful expression of God’s love working through us. It’s about giving freely and abundantly, without expecting anything in return. When we embrace radical generosity, we reflect the heart of God, who gave His only Son for us out of... Read More
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Going All In for God
by Ed Newton on July 18th, 2024
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." - Matthew 6:33 What if you decided to go all in on God? Imagine a life fully surrendered to God—a life where every thought, every action, every decision is guided by His wisdom and His love. It’s a life of purpose, of passion, of unshakeable peace—a life beyond anything you could ever imagine. W... Read More
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The Dangers of Getting Ahead of God
by Ed Newton on July 15th, 2024
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6 Have you ever been in a hurry to move forward, to take matters into your own hands when God seems silent? It’s a natural inclination—to want to take control, to make things happen according to our own timetable. But rushing ... Read More
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The Path to Divine Reward
by Ed Newton on June 21st, 2024
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. - Hebrews 11:6 Are you willing to go through a season of discomfort if it means receiving God’s very best for your life? A season where God seems to be nudging you out of your comfort zone, asking you to step into the unfamiliar and the unknown... Read More
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Breakthrough Begins with Obedience
by Ed Newton on June 12th, 2024
And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. - 1 Samuel 15:22 Are you longing for a breakthrough in your life? Perhaps you've been praying for God to move in a mighty way, to bring about change and transformation. But have you considered the role... Read More
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The Power of Long-Term Faithfulness
by Ed Newton on May 19th, 2024
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9 Living in today's fast-paced world, where everything seems instant and at our fingertips, it's easy to adopt a microwave mentality even in our faith journey. We want blessings, answers, and rewards right away, and we can become discouraged when they don't come as quickly a... Read More
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The Power of Deliberate Choice
by Ed Newton on May 9th, 2024
"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve..." - Joshua 24:15 Life is filled with moments that require us to make deliberate choices—decisions that shape our character, define our priorities, and determine our destiny. Whether it's choosing forgiveness, taking action on a command from God, or simply obeying His Word, our response of... Read More
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Growing Every Day
by Ed Newton on April 16th, 2024
"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." - 2 Corinthians 3:18 Life is a journey of growth, of transformation, of becoming more like Christ with each passing day. But here's the thing: that journey never ends. As long as we're on this earth, God is always at w... Read More
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The Power of Deliberate Choice
by Ed Newton on April 9th, 2024
"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve..." - Joshua 24:15 Life is filled with moments that require us to make deliberate choices—decisions that shape our character, define our priorities, and determine our destiny. Whether it's choosing forgiveness, taking action on a command from God, or simply obeying His Word, our response of... Read More
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Gratitude for God's Faithfulness
by Ed Newton on March 23rd, 2024
"And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord: 'If you give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord's, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.'" - Judges 11:30-31 Have you ever found yourself in a desperate situation, bargaining with God, promising to fulfill a vow if He comes through for you? It'... Read More
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The Unseen Guardian
by Ed Newton on March 1st, 2024
"The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." - Psalm 121:7-8 Did you know that no matter where you are or what you are doing, you have a Heavenly Father watching over you? God assumes the role of an unseen guardian, tirelessly watching over us even when we may not realize it. We are assured of this ... Read More
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Rising Above Fear
by Ed Newton on February 25th, 2024
"The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor!" - Judges 6:12 When looking at his story in the book of Judges, we can see that Gideon emerges as a mighty example of courage in the face of fear. His story unfolds with a divine encounter, where the angel of the Lord addresses him not in his current state of hiding but as a mighty man of valor. Gideon's response is not one of immediate agreement bu... Read More
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The Consequence of Disobedience
by Ed Newton on February 21st, 2024
"But if you or your descendants turn away from me and do not observe the commands and decrees I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel from the land I have given them..." - 1 Kings 9:6-7 When it comes to obedience, it is very simple: Obedience leads to blessings and disobedience leads to consequences. When we step outside of God's plan and act ... Read More
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Why Me?Ordinary but ChosenYour Past Prepares You for God's FutureWhy Not Me?The Burden of PreparationIt’s Bigger Than YouJust Show UpAnchored in PrayerBreakthrough Was Always God's PlanWaiting on Your BreakthroughTransformative Power of PrayerThe Art of PrayerThe God of BreakthroughKryptoniteLifelineThe Dare of DependenceWho Needs Your Prayers?Soaring in PrayerObedience Through PrayerThe Power of Prayer in Overcoming TemptationIs Your Heart Prepared for God's Mighty Work?The Joy of SimplicityPatient in Affliction, Faithful in PrayerBurning PrayersWhile You Wait...He WorksChoosing His Will with Free WillEquipped for Victory: Overcoming Sin from WithinEverydayThe Great I AMSaying Yes to GodOrdinary People, Extraordinary God
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Freedom from LabelsFaithful Before the AppointmentLabels Don’t Define YouPut Off the ArmorRun Your Own RaceA Champion, Not a ContestantThe Story’s Not OverWhat Really MattersWinning the Battle WithinYou Are Positioned for a PurposeYour Worth Is SetYou Are EnoughTake Off the MaskOn Purpose, For a PurposeKnown. Loved. Enough.What Are You Afraid of Losing?What Are You Trying to Hide?What Are You Still Trying to Prove?What Are You Chasing?Stop Faking ItAre You Living in Fear?Stop Hiding Behind FearLive in God’s TruthOne OpportunityYour Identity Is in ChristYou’re His WorkmanshipYour Weakness Doesn’t Disqualify YouYou’re in God’s Providence
March
Stop Living the LiesGod Put You HereGod Didn’t Make a MistakeYou Belong HereTake Off the MaskBreaking Free from Imposter SyndromeWhat Are You Afraid of Losing?What Are You Still Trying to Prove?Leading with HumilityLeading with WisdomStop Holding Yourself BackWho Are You Really?The Cost of Believing the LieT.H.I.N.K.Failure Is Not FinalThere is a Dream Inside of YouIt’s Time to Dream AgainThe Journey to Your DreamBe Careful Who You Share Your Dream WithWhen the Dream Leads to a PitThey Can’t Steal God’s FavorFaithful in the Small ThingsIntegrity When No One (and Everyone) is WatchingWhose Name Are You Building?God Will Honor Your ObedienceGod Will Honor Your ObedienceGod Has Not Forgotten YouA Renewed Mind Changes EverythingA Mind Set on the SpiritChange Starts from the Inside OutThe Power of BeliefA Renewed Mind Sees Differently
