Tuesday March 2, 2021
Pastor David Kelley
Trinity Assembly of God Church
1113 4th Street NW
Red Bay, Alabama
ccm Cross 0313
GPS/DMS 34.4398° N, 88.1409° W
Additional Photos After Testimony
5326 cdd Cotton Field Church
Cyber Daily Devotion
Volume 21 Number 049
Today’s Author: Pastor Bill
Scripture: Matthew 6:30
“Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” NKJV
Hello, my name is Pastor David Kelley with Trinity Assembly of God Church Red Bay, Alabama. This is my Cross testimony of the faithfulness of Christ through the generations in my life. My story begins with my parents marrying at an early age in 1947 and loving the Lord while farming to live. They traveled on horse and wagon to attend church and at times they would travel from house to house sharing church. Their example of raising four boys on a farm in the mid-20th century sharing Jesus led to us now in the 21st century loving the Lord and preaching the word.
Each generation had their struggles, but the Lord has been faithful through the challenges of life to bring Kingdom salvation through this family to thousands.
I was the number three born of the four boys to a Jesus loving church family. Very early in my parents’ marriage an evangelist was preaching and had a word from the Lord for my dad and mom. He reassured my parents that the Lord had plans and they would have four boys. He told them they would all grow up to be Godly men. That word has come true as my oldest brother also Pastors a church and my other two brothers have established soul winning families for the Lord.
My personal life in Christ started strong at a young age in an altar call. Then my rebellious teen years tested my parents patience with me. When I was 20 years old my mom heard a voice, “You are going to lose the boy.” Mom shouted, “No, I will not allow it.” Mom bombarded heaven with her prayers.
I had recently met Jeffery (a very uncommon name for a young woman). We married and together with my mom’s prayers Jeffery was instrumental in my coming back to the Lord. In 1984 our son Garrett was born. In 1988 our daughter Lauren. More about our children a bit later.
I surrendered to the call of the ministry in August of 1989. While in prayer the Lord revealed I would go back to school and learn to Pastor. Jeffery and I agreed together that we would go wherever the Lord God would lead us.
I was 32 years old with two children and a wife when we left for Bible college in Lakeland, Florida. In 1994 we moved to Red Bay, Alabama, to start the Lord’s ministry. Recently we celebrated our 25th anniversary here at Trinity Assembly of God Church and the congregation took up an offering in celebration. They paid off our mortgage, as a gift, on our house we purchased 5 years ago.
Our heart is to see the love of the Lord shared throughout our area and bring the saving grace of life in Christ throughout our community.
We have experienced many miracles in our lives that have brought us to today. None more important than our two children. When Garrett was born Jeffrey was over taken by Toxemia. This caused a sharp rise in blood pressure and a leakage of large amounts of the protein albumin into the urine along with swelling of hands, feet, and face. It is a dangerous condition for both mother and child. We prayed and others agreed with us in prayer. Then came word that if Jeffrey’s blood pressure does not recede then measures must be taken to protect Jeffery and the child. Around midnight the evening before Jeffery was to see her doctor she went into natural labor and Garrett was born the next day. Garrett was born four weeks early, and with Jeffery’s blood pressure being extremely high Garrett was born with no complications to him or Jeffery.
1988 found us once again seeking the Lord for a miracle as Jeffrey was pregnant with Lauren. This time Jeffrey experienced a tear in her placenta, at four months into her pregnancy. This is where the placenta separates from the inner wall of the uterus before birth. This deprives the baby of oxygen and nutrients while causing heavy bleeding in the mother and can lead to premature birth.
Once again we were driven to our knees asking the Lord for a miracle. The choice of save the mother or save the child reared its ugly head. Then at the six month mark is when Jeffrey went into labor. Lauren was born weighing only one pound ten ounces.
Baby Lauren struggled to live as people were once again storming the gates of heaven for her life. She struggled to live while losing weight down to one pound six ounces. Then our miracle happened, all those prayers were answered as she began to respond. After staying in the hospital for 94 days, David and Jeffery were able to bring their daughter home. Today she lives a normal life serving the Lord.
Along our journey I had a vision. I was standing in a cotton field. People were coming to me for prayer. As I prayed they were set free from years of pain and bondages. Deliverance from drugs, pornography and healings were happening as I could see the demons fleeing. People were stepping out of wheelchairs, throwing away crutches and walking like they were before.
Many years later we began planning our church building here in Red Bay, Alabama. We were holding a service as one elderly lady (now 93 years old) stepped forward and said, “Many years ago I stood right here picking cotton. The area was a large cotton field. I’m here to tell you thank you for placing your church here.” If we ever needed a confirmation as a congregation that we are at the right place at the right time. This was it!
My favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You” NKJV AND Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. NKJV
This Cross planted is secured on a hillside adjacent to one of the most traveled highways in Red Bay, Alabama, for all to see. We will light it up at night as a 24/7 sentinel for Jesus Christ.
We desire that each car that passes is touched by the reality that Jesus lives and favor and blessings belong to those who believe. A living relationship with Jesus is our only true source of peace, joy and hope.
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” NKJV
Prayer: Father thank You that you are Faithful through the generations for those who love You. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!