Author: angied

GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP536 NOT MY CUP

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: NOT MY CUP

Jesus prayed in the garden for God to let the cup pass. It was not an actual cup, but a metaphor for his suffering before and on the cross. In other words, he didn’t want to have to go to the cross. That was a cup he did want to drink. Who could blame him. The flesh side of Jesus didn’t want to suffer for all of mankind. But still he submitted and he said, not my will but yours be done. He willingly went to the cross because of his compassion for all of us. He wanted to protect us from eternity in hell.

But how many times do we try to drink from the cup that belongs to someone else. How often do we take on someone else’s burdens and try to carry them, when only God can help them. It is easy, out of our compassion to get wrapped up in other people’s situations. Before we know it, we are trying to fix their issues. When that is God’s job. We are trying to drink from their cup or Jesus’ cup.

Either way we need to learn to set the cup down and walk away. We have our own situations and cup that we must drink from to finish our race. I am not saying we cannot have compassion for others. It is up to us to encourage them and pray with them. But it is theirs to carry. It is often because of our love for people and the compassion that Jesus put within us that we desire to jump in and fix things. It’s not our responsibility. When we do this, we are overstepping and trying to put ourselves in God’s place. He has got it under control. He doesn’t need our help. He needs our obedience and for us to pray.

Isaiah 59:1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

His arm is not short, so he cannot fix the situations that we care about. He is not shaken by circumstances. He saw them coming and has already made a way of escape. We must trust his timing and his plan.

Jesus already carried whatever cup we are trying to pick up and carry. Every pain, every thought that needs taken into captivity, every burden of any kind was in that cup. That cup carried sin, shame, disease, mental disorders, evil thoughts, hate, bitterness, envy, strife, murderous plans, unforgiveness. Every bad thing the enemy could conceive, everything that God is not, Jesus took on himself. Not to become it, but to gain power over it. So, we too could have power over it.

That cup also carried joy. Think about that for a moment. His flesh didn’t want to suffer, but still he took spiritual joy in knowing it was for the good of mankind.

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Because he drank from his cup, he is our redeemer. We can have joy, peace salvation and eternal life.

Everything that we overcome in this life, we have power over it. We then can use that power to help someone else dealing with that situation. The next time you find yourself getting caught up in someone else’s situations. Ones you know you are not meant to carry, pray for them and set down the cup. Then pickup the one you are supposed to drink from, because we are all on our own journey of finding out what God had in store for us. Finding out what he has for us to do for the kingdom.

We are all here for a purpose, we cannot allow the enemy to tie us in knots over things that we cannot control. Our only hope is to give it to Jesus. The author that holds the pen and is writing our story. He will lead us to the right path. He will not fail us.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS LIKE, SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ENCOURAGMENT

GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP535 RECOGNIZING THE ENEMY

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: RECOGNIZE THE ENEMY

Today, I am going to share with you some things that happen, to cause us to question where we stand with God. Some may feel that they are overthinkers. Things get stuck in a constant loop in their minds. They think about how someone wronged them. The memories of the pain they caused is part of the nonstop reel.

They wake in the middle of the night and the reel starts playing, depriving them from much needed rest. But instead of realizing what is going on they will blame themselves. “Why can’t I let go? Why can’t I forget about this incident? I have forgiven them, Why, can’t I forget?” They pray; they tell God that they had forgiven this person for the pain they caused. They tell God that they bear no ill will toward that person. They need to realize they have just been tied in knots by the enemy.

If they had slowed down long enough to think about it. They may have realized that this reel in their mind was not their thoughts at all, but it was put there by the enemy. The battle is in our minds.

2 Cor 10:4-5 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Every temptation, every time the enemy starts with reels of the past. Every time he comes to persecute you over things that are under the blood. We must bring them into captivity. In other word, say to the enemy, “I will not allow you to play your reels in my mind. I have let that situation go. You have no place in my thoughts. My mind is not your playground. I take authority over you in the name of Jesus.”

If the thoughts try again, start singing worship songs and ignore it. When the enemy sees that he cannot get to you in that way, he will go away for a season. We have the power to resist the devil.

Another tactic of our enemy is to try to cause fear. If he can’t get us to be caught up in being unforgiving or stuck in a loop of pain, then he tries to attack our identity. Are you sure you are a Christian? Are you sure you are really saved? You know you messed up last week, are you sure God forgave you? Then what we think is self-loathing starts, I am worthless, I am a failure, no one will believe that God called me, to do whatever your calling may be. We have to realize that the enemy will try to get us to give up.

2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

When we get battle weary it is ok to retreat to a quiet place. Every military has different lines of defense. The front line is where the battle is, the rear area is where those who have been in the heat of the battle go to get food, fresh clothes and shower and much needed rest.

Sometimes we have to get in a quiet place and rest in Jesus. Just to sit quietly in his presence and worship. The word says when we wait on the Lord we will renew our strength. That renewal comes from the presence of the Lord.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP534 RELATIONSHIP

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: RELATIONSHIP

Heroes of the faith are often celebrated in the word of God as being rare individuals. But there have been many through the ages that have stood boldly and not bowed to kings and idols or ideologies.

Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Job, Abraham and David. Them and many others are in the word for our examples.

BOLDLY PRAYED

Daniel was told by decree of the king he could not pray to anyone except the king for thirty days. Did he go into his closet and whisper prayers to God for thirty days? No. Instead he had boldness and opened his windows, before praying out loud. He prayed seven times a day. This put him on a direct path with a den of hungry lions. He stood his ground and God delivered him.

WOULD NOT BOW

The three Hebrew men would not bow to an idol. Instead, they stood boldly and said, Our God is able to save us from the fiery furnace. But even if he chooses not to save us, we will not bow. They were thrown into a fiery furnace and God delivered.

THOUGH YOU SLAY ME

Job was tested and afflicted in everyway possible. The enemy tried to destroy him by any means necessary. God told the devil he could take away things from Job he could make him sick, but he couldn’t take his life. The enemy worked in those closest to him. His wife said, Why don’t you curse God and die? Job held onto his faith in God. He said, Though you slay me I will trust you. The enemy finally had to give up and God rewarded Job for his faithfulness.

CALLED THINGS AS NOT AS THOUGH THEY WERE

Abraham called things as not as though they were. God asked him to sacrifice his son Isaac. That would be a hard enough for a father but Abraham had waited many years for the promise of Isaac to be born. But he had faith in God and proceeded as God had asked. He had faith enough that he told his servant that he was going to the top of the mountain with Issac and that they would return.

Abraham didn’t know how God was going to work things out, but he trusted God that Isaac would go home with him. Because of the prophecy that God had given him about the descendants of Isaac, Abraham believed that Isaac would return with him.

I COME TO YOU IN THE NAME OF THE LORD

David learned to love and trust the Lord while out in the fields attending his flock. He learned that God would take care of him. That is why when Goliath stood against the Israelites with his word curses about their God. The entire army was afraid of Goliath because he was big and loud. But David was full of holy boldness. Who did this giant think he was to defy the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. With his sling in his hand and five smooth stones he went out to face Goliath. He boldly proclaimed “I come to you in the name of the Lord.” He destroyed the enemy with God’s help.

Living a life fully trusting God is possible. All of the examples I have shared were before Jesus. They were under the old covenant when God was with them, but didn’t dwell within them. We are under the new convenant, how much more should we be bold. God lives within us. Most just don’t want to invest the time to get to know God. Remember it is all about relationship.

Many other people in the bible and since bible times have been bold like David. Some have had faith like Abraham. They have trusted God with their whole heart. Many have been martyred for the gospel because they would not bow down to the evil of this world. Each one an example of what it means to be a true child of God.

We too can be strong, bold, and full of faith. The word of God tells us that we can do all things through Christ. He will give us the strength, boldness and the faith we need to get through whatever comes our way. After all we have fine examples written in the word of God. It is up to us to invest the time to build our relationship with God.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP533 PRECIOUS OIL

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: PRECIOUS OIL

As I think about God’s word and how there is so much there. I think about worshipping at Jesus’ feet. There is a story of two sisters. One named Martha, she was a planner and a practical one. Martha was busily preparing a meal for Jesus and those with him. Her hospitality was driving her to make everything perfect, but she was feeling a little overwhelmed. She complained to Jesus that her sister should be helping her.

It is not that Mary was lazy and didn’t want to help. But Mary felt it more important to be sitting at Jesus’ feet. She was practicing for her a special moment and didn’t realize it. But Jesus understood, Mary was where she needed to be at the moment. Jesus told Martha to leave her alone that she had made the best choice. Mary had a heart of worship.

There are times we need to stop in the middle of what is expected of us and take time to sit at Jesus’ feet. Just as Mary chose to listen to the teaching of Jesus, instead of fretting over a meal. She learned to be comfortable at his feet. If she had not gotten comfortable at his feet, she may not have had the courage later to worship in front of a room full of people.

She would later take very expensive oil and anoint the feet of Jesus. To her it was worship of the Messiah. She didn’t know it was for his burial. Because when they came to put spices and oils on his body in the tomb, he had already risen. When the disciples told Jesus to stop her, he told them to leave her alone that she did it for his burial.

Often expensive oils would be sealed in a container made of alabaster. The seal kept the oil from evaporating. The container has to be broken in order to get to the oil. This act of Mary was more than just simple worship, it was an act of sacrificial worship. That oil was expensive so it was a sacrifice to pour it out on Jesus’ head and feet.

There are many things we can use in the story of the alabaster box. In order to pour out our worship, we too need to be broken sometimes. Worship is an act of the heart. As we let God’s presence in it can break us down, allowing the worship to flow. Drawing us into a place of greater connection to God.

He understands our sacrificial praise, just as he knew how much that oil that Mary poured out on him cost. He knows when we sacrifice and worship even when we do not feel like it. But we push through our sickness, fatigue or overpack schedule to stop and give him praise.

This is precious oil, spiritual oil because we are connecting our spirit with God. That time of worship although we do not worship to receive but to give, God will in that time of connection, break yokes, encourage us, strengthen us. When we pour out our precious oil of praise and worship. That leaves room in us for God’s spiritual oil to refresh us.

Our attitude should be like Mary’s, no oil is too precious or too expensive. It is a privilege to worship at Jesus’ feet.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP532 TRIM YOUR LAMP

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: KEEP YOUR LAMPS TRIMMED

This refers to the story of the five wise and five foolish virgins. The word says that when they heard that the bridegroom was coming they all rose up and trimmed their lamps. Five had oil and five did not. A lamp without oil will still burn for a few minutes as the wick burns on its own. But it will not burn long.

This is why it important to have the oil of the Holy Ghost in us. So we will not burn on our own, and burn out. We will be able to burn longer and brighter with God’s anointing within us.

The Bible talks about keeping your lamp trimmed. Most people today would not understand what it means to trim your lamp. Modern day lamps run on electricity or battery. During the times of the bible people used oil lamps. They would burn by the oil being absorbed into a string known as a wick.

After a wick burns a little bit, the flame doesn’t burn as bright. Unless you trim off the edge that’s burnt before you light it, and then it lights better, and it burns brighter. We have to keep our wick trimmed. We have to remove all the dead stuff, all the burnt stuff. All the things that are hindering our light needs cut off and out of our way, so that our light can shine.

MATT 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

By letting our light shine we show the world our good works. Our works are important, not for our salvation, but to show the world Jesus. What makes a better impact on someone, kindness or some one who is hateful or judgmental. Of course, the kind one.

James2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Our faith has to have works for others to learn about Jesus. If we didn’t show any good works or any fruit of the spirit, we would never win anyone to Christ. Everyone wants their light to shine, but no one wants to trim the wick.

HEBREWS 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

We are to set aside the weights and sin which trip us up and run with patience the race that is in front of us. Setting aside the weights and sin is one way to trim our lamps so our light can shine. Another way, is to check our lives against the word of God. Are we in alignment with what God desires for us and in us.

Other things we need to trim is fear, anxiety, worry and negativity. God didn’t give us a spirit of fear. It is not ours to carry. Anxiety comes from the enemy, he likes nothing more than to keep out focus off of Jesus, by worrying.

By removing the things that are not serving us, we will make room for more of God’s anointing and his fire. Which will give us a better light for the world to see. When the enemy tries to weigh you down, fight against the things that can cause your light to be dull.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP531 PREPARATION

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: PREPARATION

For those of you who are like me, detail oriented that is not always a bad thing. Planning ahead is good in balance. When we get to the point that planning ahead is destroying today then we need to take a step back and reevaluate what we are doing. God plans ahead or there would be no prophesy in the bible. We would be walking blindly not knowing what was going to happen. But God gave us prophecy to encourage us and help us to be ready.

Many today are freaking out about the mark of the beast. They say AI is going to take over everything. I too can see the potential for what is happening to eventually usher in such things. I am not blindly burying my head in the sand. But not yet, there is a great big harvest out there that is waiting for us to reach out to them. Jesus didn’t tell his disciples to go out and warn of the mark of the beast. He told them to go make disciples of men.

I am not worried about the mark of the beast, I am not going to be here when that happens and neither are you if you are a blood bought, spirit filled child of God. Look at God’s pattern, all down through history God remove his people from situations before his rath fell. Noah and his family were safe in the ark. God told Lot and his family to leave Sodom and Gomorra, he told them to hurry, he could do nothing until they were gone.

God never pours out rath until his people are safe. He will not leave us here to be overtaken by evil and the mark of the beast. As long as we have planned ahead enough to accept Jesus and the work of the cross.

I Thes 5:5-11 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Verse ten says we are not appointed to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. If we belong to him, he will deliver us out of the place we are in before he pours out his wrath.

I know how things appear with the technology and the fact that certain things are aligning with prophecy. This lets us know that our time is short. God will only wait so long before he comes to get his bride. This is why it is so important for us to do what God put us here to do, be a light and a witness. To warn people, not so much of the mark of the beast, but that Jesus is coming soon. We need to be ready for that event, after all God has been working on preparation for a long time.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP530 TWELVE SPIES

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: TWELVE SPIES

In the book of Numbers, God’s people had been released from Egypt. They saw many miracles, signs and wonders. They watched as the Red Sea parted before them. They watched as the waters closed in behind them to destroy their enemies. They had head knowledge that God would deliver them, he promised he would. But they lacked heart knowledge. That deep down knowing that comes from time spent growing our faith. This is why we are encouraged to get in the word and learn more about the character of God.

Number 13:17-21 And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain: 18 And see the land, what it is, and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; 19 And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds; 20 And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes. 21 So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath.

God also made a promise of a large amount of land for the people of God to take possession. He wanted them to live long, fruitful lives, under his blessings. They came to the edge of the land that was promised to them. Moses sent in twelve spies to search the land. They searched the land for forty days.

Upon returning ten gave bad reports. They were discouraged about the stature of the giants. They were afraid of the number of those who dwelled in various walled in cities. They allowed fear to make them forget who parted the water. They forgot who sent the plagues and rescued them from Egypt. God all mighty, that is who had delivered them.

Joshua and Caleb were ready to go to battle. They knew their God, they had seen the fruit of the promise. The others had allowed fear to distract them from the fruit. Many today are like the ten. They only see things with a carnal mind. They do not bear any fruit of God’s Spirit. If we are God’s chosen, we will have fruit in our lives. Our faith will be strong even when we are weak. Even if it doesn’t feel strong, all it takes is to keep holding on to God. He will go before us and run out our enemies.

Those who walk according to their flesh will manifest the works of the flesh.

Gal 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Because of unbelief, they wandered for forty years until all those that didn’t believe had died. Those born on the journey were the ones to see the promised land.

Notice our lives we live in the flesh and have the works of our flesh manifesting in our lives. But when we become born again, we will no longer desire to walk in the flesh. Yes, it is a battle. Follow me for a moment, On our journey of life only what is born in our wilderness moment will see the promised land of heaven. This flesh is not going to see heaven. Only what is born during the process will make it to the promised land.

The fruit that Christians should have operating in their lives is in Galatians chapter five.

Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

We want to always have good fruit, so we won’t be like the ten unbelieving, fearful spies. We never want to be found walking in the flesh. But we always want to be found walking in the Spirit.

Ask yourself which type of spy are you? Do you stand and say, we can overcome because God has given us the land. Or do you allow the size of the giants to dictate your future and blessings or lack there of? If this is you, it is not too late to change, God can and will help you grow in faith and in fruit.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP529 JESUS OUR DIRECTION

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: JESUS OUR DIRECTION

We as human being are going to be led by something or someone. It is human nature to want to fit in with those around us. But following the crowd is not always a good thing. Unless that crowd is following Jesus.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

“I am the way.” That is direction. We can count on his Spirit to lead us in the right path. If we accept what Jesus did on the cross. The work of the cross is foolishness to those who will not accept Jesus. But to those who accept him, it is the power that drives the decisions of our lives.

“I am the truth.” He is real, sure, steady, and true, not fake. When you are talking about direction true north is a set point that doesn’t change. It is the starting point for any direction you would want to go. Jesus is that to the spiritual direction of a believer.

“I am the life.” Apart from Jesus, you have no life. You may exist in this world until death. Then you will have death for all of eternity, never to experience true ever lasting life. But to those of us who are saved, our life begins with Jesus. When we close our eyes in death here, we will have life forever with Jesus.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Listening to anyone but God will not get us where we are going. We have to trust God with our whole heart. Not looking toward our ideas or someone else’s ideas, but acknowledging God in all things. If we can fully trust God, he will lead us the right way. We will not have to worry about what tomorrow holds. We will not have to worry about what a day brings forth, because we can trust that he has a plan and is leading us.

Psalm 27:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

Our steps are ordered or put in place in proper order by the Lord. If we fall, God will not allow us to stay down he will lift us up again. He will set our feet on that solid rock.

If we grow weary, we are not alone. God is with us to strengthen us and keep us on the right path. He restores our strength. He will not allow us to be overtaken.

Psalms 23:3 – He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

The word of God is a lamp to our feet. It is important to seek answers in the pages of his word. He will not let us down, he will lead us to the answers we seek. His word will open up to us and reveal the hidden mysteries of God. All we have to do is ask, study and trust.

Now is the time to make sure you are going the right direction and that you are trusting in Jesus will all of your heart. Now is not the time to be playing around. We are in serious times. Lines are being drawn in the sand, it is time you need to decide which side you are on, Jesus’ or satan’s. There is not room for fence straddling, playing church. The fence belongs to the enemy and so do churches that are playing around with feel good sermons. They are fluff with no substance, and they will not lead anyone in the right direction.

Find somewhere that challenges you to walk closer, study the word more and most of all, look to Jesus for direction. he will lead us and guide us and will not fail us. We will reach our destination as long as we walk with him.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP528 GIFTED VERSES ANOINTED

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: GIFTED VERSES ANOINTED

In Jeremiah, God says he knows the plans he has for us. They are plans for our good. He gives each of us natural abilities to do what he has called us to do. But we will never reach the place that he will enhance our natural ability until we surrender to the anointing. There are those who do quite well on their natural ability. They often lack spiritual growth in those areas, because they rely on their own abilities. These people often end up wanting the glory, because they have not surrendered that part of themselves to God.

Then there are those who have pushed beyond their fleshly desire for the spot light. They realize that if anything gets done, God will have to do it through them. They will give God the glory, because they understand that the power and anointing come from God.

The anointing is heavy to carry. This is why God slowly moves us up a level. One step at a time. He grows us to carry what we were created to carry. The example, I often think of is the story of Elijah. People wonder after a moment like calling fire down from heaven why he would run and hide in a cave, overtaken by depression.

While he was battling the prophets of Baal, he was under strong anointing. God was heavy upon him. He has the pressure of creating the atmosphere for a miracle, with God’s leading. Then the miracle happened. Fire fell and consumed the sacrifice. Notice while this was going on no one bothered Elijah.

Once the anointing lifted, Jezabel sent messengers to threaten Elijah. He was in a state of fatigue from the weight of the anointing, so he ran to a cave to hide. The mighty man of God who had just prayed fire down from heaven and destroyed the prophets of Baal was now hiding from one woman who was full of evil.

God understood Elijah needed physical rest and food. But once he was refreshed, God sent him on his way to anoint kings and train his replacement the prophet Elisha.

God’s Spirit lives within us, it is often referred to as oil. In the Old Testament they would anoint things with oil to set them apart. Example:

Gen 35:10-14 And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel. 11 And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; 12 And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land. 13 And God went up from him in the place where he talked with him. 14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.

Anything set aside for God’s use was anointed. Kings, implements for the temple, priests. The oil was applied as an outward sign of something being set apart from the others like it. Jacob was showing respect to the place he had talked to God.

If we are God’s children full of His Spirit, we already have a measure of anointing. But as we grow in wisdom and knowledge of God, we gain more of God’s anointing. We need to pray for more of God’s power in our lives. Not so we can be self-righteous acting like we are better than someone else. But so we will become closer to fulfilling the plans God had for us from the beginning. Remember, when he was forming us in the womb, he was placing things within us. Some will stay dormant until God awakens them with his anointing.

We have to be ready, by praying and asking God to help us to flow into the anointing he has for us. We want to walk in God’s empowerment and the authority he gives us in different areas of our lives. When we walk in the authority, power and anointing God wants us to have, we will be equipped to be a better light to the lost.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP527 THE LONG WAY OR GOD’S WAY

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO VERSION: https://rumble.com/v77v79a-god-focus-this-morning-ep527-the-long-way-or-gods-way.html

WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: THE LONG WAY OR GOD’S WAY

—JONAH DID WANT TO GO TO NINEVAH HE ENDED UP THERE ANYWAY

We can do things the easy way or the hard way. God sometimes asks us to do things that makes us uncomfortable. Fear of failure is often one of the biggest excuses. Do we go where he asks or do we take the long road there? God asked Jonah to go to Ninevah. He didn’t want to go there, he felt they were all evil. Maybe there was a little fear there. He had many excuses to not go. He wanted to go the opposite direction toward Tarshish.

He put it off and then started on a journey the opposite way. He went to Joppa and got on a boat. A storm came up. The storm was rough on the boat, and they were afraid that it was going to sink. Jonah knew it was because of his disobedience. He told them if they toss him overboard, they would be spared. The men on the boat tossed Jonah overboard.

God had prepared a fish that opened up its mouth and swallowed him. He was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. He prayed and asked God to deliver him and he said he would go to Ninevah. After his ordeal Jonah went to Ninevah and God saved many.

Jonah took the long way around to get to where God wanted. God understood Jonah could reach a lot of people that is why he told him to go to Ninevah in the first place. How often does God ask us to do something and we end up taking the long way there but end up in our Ninevah.

We all want to be used by God and want to do the right thing. Often our idea of what we want to do and God’s idea are different. Fear, doubt and many things will cause us to run the opposite way if we are not careful. Either way we will end up in Ninevah. We can be obedient and just step out in faith and go or we can take the long way there. I want to be obedient.

It could be the reason God used the big fish to redirect him and not something else was the people of Ninevah and their belief system. They believed in a god that was half man and half fish. Sort of like Neptune today. That false god was named Oannes. They believed he came out of the water to earth to teach them how to write and about art and science. This was many years before Jonah.

God used their beliefs to show them who he was. Can you imagine believing in a half man and half fish deity only to see a large fish come up on land and spit Jonah out onto the shore. Then this man came preaching the true God and repentance. No wonder the whole city came to life with faith in the new to them God that Jonah preached.

It proves that even in our times of failure and lack of faith, God has already factored it all in. He knows how we are going to react and he allows for our time of dragging our feet. To put us exactly at the right place at the right time.

Remember Jonah, the next time God asks you do to something that takes you outside of your comfort zone.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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