55210324-Faith-Use-it-or-Lose-It

Faith is a gift from God.

In her book, “Faith: Use it or Lose it!” Minister Mary Edwards gives down to earth, practical advice on how to obtain, maintain, and increase our faith.

Topics include:

“Faith Killers”

“Need for Proper Attitude”

“How to Get a Prayer Breakthrough,”

“Dealing With Our Fears”

This timely teaching will help many who are struggling during these hard economic times. Edwards is so sure that this book will help lift your burden that she will give a MONEY BACK GUARANTEE if it doesn’t.

Faith: Use it or Lose it!

The author concludes her book with testimonies from 10 overcomers in the final chapter, along with several of her own personal praise reports.

MINISTER MARY D. EDWARDS

However, just as the Scriptures tell us in Matthew 25:28, if we don’t use the gift, we will lose it.

Faith Use It... or Lose It! Minister Mary D. Edwards with Foreword by The Rev. Dr.Stanley L.Scott

Faith

Use It… or Lose It!

Minister Mary D. Edwards with Foreword by The Rev. Dr. Stanley L. Scott

PUBLISHED BY LEAVES OF GOLD CONSULTNG, LLC P.O. Box 48365 - Oak Park, MI 48237 edwardsmd@sbcglobal.net

Copyright (c) 2009 by Minister Mary Edwards

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic, or electronic process, or in the form of any audio recording. No part of this book is to be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or otherwise published or copied for private use without the written permission of the author.

ISBN: 09710482‐6‐6

Printed in the United States of America

For more information, contact: edwardsmd@sbcglobal.net

Printed in the USA by InstantPublisher.com

Book cover and page design by Shannon Crowley for Treasure Image & Publishing

Dedication This book is dedicated in loving memory to my mother, Audrey Gertrude (Fountaine) Pennamon May 29, 1924‐January 25, 1996

During some of my most trying times, I could see her lapel pen that she loved to wear. It read: “I’VE GOT FAITH!”

Acknowledgements From the bottom of my heart, I wish to thank the following for their commitment to this project.

Dr. Stanley L. Scott, my esteemed pastor, Salvation Temple church in Detroit. When I joined his church, he promised to be the best pastor I’ve ever had. My special name for him is “Best Pastor.” That’s how I address him. And I have no reluctance in doing so.

Mrs. Rosa Stephens, for her editorial suggestions.

In spite of her very busy schedule, she stopped what she was doing when I came to her at the last minute for assistance.

Dr. Debby Mitchell, my dear friend and prayer partner for her review of the manuscript and valuable input.

Ms. Shannon Crowley for her creative work on the cover design and layout.

Minister Dorothy Butler for her encouragement and prayers.

Thanks to Pamela Osborne for her faithful friendship and professional support.

All of the writers who are fighting the good fight of faith and their willingness to share their very personal stories in this book. ‐MDE‐

Foreword Hello Dear Reader, This book that you are holding is more like a journey into a new realm of living in peace and confidence through FAITH that is “used” every step of the way!

Actually, I would really want to invite you to take your time going through this book. I believe that you will be best served by having a quiet place, get into a relaxed satisfying environment, and allow your heart to be open to the gentle touch of Holy Spirit as you absorb the wisdom from its pages.

My dear friend, Mary Edwards, has put together a masterful presentation on the concept of keeping FAITH alive, active and flourishing! FAITH: Use It or Lose It. Mary’s life and heart are in these pages. This work is practical and embraceable, because she is.

She, and the other contributors to this assignment, earnestly reach out to you with messages that bring

the big super spiritual ideals about FAITH into a place where FAITH can be readily understood and applied with confidence that produces victory.

I highly recommend this book to you in the hope that the calling of God on the life of Minister Mary Edwards will bring FAITH FILLED LIFE into clearer focus in you!

I am honored by God’s grace to be her “Best Pastor”.

Enjoy your journey.

God Bless, The Rev. Dr. Stanley L. Scott www.salvation‐temple‐church.org 888.898.WORD (9673)

Introduction Were you to ask those who know me, they would tell you that I have great faith. Indeed, God has blessed me to receive recognition over the past 30 years for my work throughout Michigan and beyond. Iʹve received awards from the city, county, state, governor and even the President of The United States of America.

Churches, civic groups, and businesses also have honored me. To God be all the glory!

What many donʹt know is that there was a time I felt like throwing in the towel, facecloth AND the soap. I have had what can be described as many “anticipointments.” My hopes were sky high and I was on cloud nine. Suddenly, it was as though the rug had been pulled out from under me. Health and financial issues had me on an emotional roller coaster: Up one day and down the next. My hope had come to a halt. My faith was spiraling downward and was about to hit rock bottom. I asked the Lord on a regular basis to send the rapture and get me out of here. I’m so glad that He didnʹt listen. Instead, He increased

my faith. I’m still looking for the rapture, but I’m not homesick What Iʹm about to share with you are the lessons I learned during this “dry spell.” While we all have desert experiences from time to time, God wants us to learn “desert etiquette.”

Let me leave this word with you:

NO RAIN, NO RAINBOW! NO TEST. NO TESTIMONY! Minister Mary Edwards 2009

Table of Contents

PART ONE

13 • WHAT IS FAITH? • WHY HAVE FAITH IN GOD? • HOW DO WE OBTAIN, MAINTAIN, AND INCREASE OUR FAITH? • FAITH KILLERS

PART TWO

41 • WEARINESS • ATTITUDE • FEAR NOT • TRUST • TIMING • PATIENCE • HOW TO GET A PRAYER BREAKTHROUGH • DISCIPLINE • JOY

PART THREE

• A CLOUD OF WITNESSES • CONCLUSION

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Part One

Part One

WHAT IS FAITH?

If you feel that someone is out to get you, you may not be paranoid. Your intuition may be revealing a truth to you.

The Bible tells us in St. John 10:10 that the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy God’s people. Who is the “thief?” Biblically speaking, he is the Devil.

Whether you want to admit it or not, there is a devil.

The Bible calls him Lucifer and Satan. Whatever his name is, he is your enemy. And, indeed, he wants to steal your faith, your dreams, and eventually your soul. Let’s begin this discourse with a brief definition of faith.

Faith can be described as “confidence or trust in a person or thing: faith in another’s ability; belief not based on proof.”

The Christian faith, which is what I will be emphasizing in this book, has existed since the time that Jesus Christ was on earth. Followers of Jesus have had different understandings about many things, but all true Christians agree that Jesus Christ is a revelation of God in the flesh. We all believe that, after the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, God came to earth to bring us back into a relationship with Himself. In order to be a Christian, we must accept all of this by “faith,” meaning we believe this without physical proof.

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Faith is a gift from God.

In her book, “Faith: Use it or Lose it!” Minister Mary Edwards gives down to earth, practical advice on how to obtain, maintain, and increase our faith.

Topics include:

“Faith Killers”

“Need for Proper Attitude”

“How to Get a Prayer Breakthrough,”

“Dealing With Our Fears”

This timely teaching will help many who are struggling during these hard economic times. Edwards is so sure that this book will help lift your burden that she will give a MONEY BACK GUARANTEE if it doesn’t.

Faith: Use it or Lose it!

The author concludes her book with testimonies from 10 overcomers in the final chapter, along with several of her own personal praise reports.

MINISTER MARY D. EDWARDS

However, just as the Scriptures tell us in Matthew 25:28, if we don’t use the gift, we will lose it.

Faith Use It... or Lose It! Minister Mary D. Edwards with Foreword by The Rev. Dr.Stanley L.Scott