GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP618 SHARING BOLD FAITH

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: SHARING BOLD FAITH

How bold are you about your faith? Do you find it difficult to tell others about Jesus? Every Christian at times finds it difficult to share. Too many lives are hanging in the balance for us to shy away from our duties as children of God. In the days we are living, now more than ever the lost need for us to be bold. We do not have time to be timid. There are a lot of people searching for something, but they don’t know that what they are searching for is Jesus. Their soul is restless and they don’t know why. It is up to us to share with them the answer that they are seeking.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

When we are faced with an opportunity to witness to someone, we have to be prepared. It takes time to study and know the word. First, every day, we must ask him to help us be a witness. Some take the intellectual approach; they memorize the right verses from the word. They practice just how they should use those verses. Unless you are talking to a prodigal, some are intimidated by the bible.

People need to connect with the one doing the witnessing. Just be honest and share your story. Explain how important God is in your life. Listen for the leading of his Spirit. Listen for feedback from the one you are sharing Jesus. The Holy Ghost will lead you to have the right words. People often just need to know someone cares. They need to know God cares.

We don’t have time to be as timid as a kitten. The harvest is ready; it is time for us to get busy. It is time for us to be bold.

Bold means to be daring, courageous and strong. As children of God, we have to be confident in our faith. Studying the word and learning how to share Jesus is something we all must learn. Striving to be bold witnesses is what our faith walk is all about.

Prov 28:1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

The righteous are bold as a lion. This means we are courageous and fearless. The king of the jungle doesn’t fear any creature. It does not flee from the threat of its enemy. Our courage comes from our God. We want to make him proud by standing our ground. We must be firm in our convictions.

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear,

If we walk by faith and let our light shine, the world will know that we are different. We have hope that the world doesn’t have within them. This verse says we must be ready to give an answer to everyone that asks why we have hope. Sharing Jesus is not some complicated formula. Being bold enough to just simply tell someone what he has done for you is how we witness. Do not be discouraged if they don’t accept what you are saying. You have planted a seed, God will take it from there.

I Cor 3:6-9 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

All of our hope comes from Jesus. Someone shared that hope with us when we had no hope. It is only fair that we share Jesus with the lost world.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP617 FLIGHT SUIT

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: FLIGHT SUIT

I want to share with you an article that was written by my late husband. We published a Christian Newsletter for many years. I came across a copy and this stuck out to me as something I wanted to share with you.

The flight suits worn by fighter pilots and astronauts are an amazing piece of technology. It allows them to perform super human feats at speeds that were beyond all comprehension just one hundred years ago.

The forces they endure during high-speed maneuvers would turn them into sack of pudding without the flight suit. Even in the early days of flight, pilots had to dress for the cold of an open cockpit. The flight suit allows humans to escape gravity for a short time.

1Thes 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

We have the promise of God that one day we will escape the bonds of gravity without aid of a machine. But we will still need a “flight suit” our wedding garments.

Matt 22:10-12 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

Many of us have heard the story of a man on an airplane that is told to put on a parachute because it makes his flight better. The parachute is uncomfortable and awkward. The man eventually takes it off. The plane crashes and the man dies because he took off his parachute, he didn’t have time put it on and jump out.

There was a second man that kept his parachute on not because he wanted to improve the flight but because he knew the plane would crash. He would endure anything to keep from losing his parachute.

These two men are examples of people who make a start to live for Christ. The first one was told it would make life better, but he decided it is too awkward or uncomfortable. He gave up and end up crashing with the plane. But the second man understood, that his choice was clear. He must live for Jesus, no matter how awkward or uncomfortable. He must hold onto Jesus.

Some flight suits today actually allow one to glide. They are called “wing suits.” A wing suit turns falling into flying. We are still imperfect humans living in a corrupt world. There will be times we find ourselves in a fall. Satan will put a stumbling block in front of a pit and be more than willing to help us trip. If we have on our flight suit then, not only can we recover but we can gain victory over the enemy.

Gen 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

We do not have to hit bottom just because we are falling. All we have to do is spread our wings. We do this by prayer and praise. The word tells us to put on the garments of praise when we are feeling spiritually down. He will pick us up and make us feel like we are flying.

I want to leave you with one final verse.

Isaiah 40:29-31 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Until next time,

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

GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP616 ONE STEP FURTHER

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: ONE STEP FURTHER

On the journey of life, we can never go back. Even if we try to live in the past, it never works out. We have only one direction, that is forward. People are meant to move in and out of our lives, only a select few are meant to be there for a lifetime.

Think about all the people you have helped over the years and you no longer even know where they are now. It is not like you had any breech in your friendship. It is just hard to keep track of everyone with life being so busy.

There are some people that you meet and you know will be lifelong friends. These are the ones that God has placed in our lives to help us or for us to help along all the bumps in the road of life. Life is all about going one step further each day on the road of life.

We have a destination; we will never reach it unless we keep going. When life tries to stop us in our tracks, we must press on. God has given us light for our path. He has given us a guide. We must take the authority over the enemy when he tries to put obstacles in our path.

Matthew 17:20 –If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

When our problems seem the size of mountains, we can say to the mountain be moved and it will move. God has given us authority. As believers we must start using the authority he has give us. He didn’t say come to me and beg for me to move it. He said you will say to it be removed.

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

Fear is the opposite of faith. When we come against obstacles, we cannot allow the enemy to speak fear into our lives. Fear will tear us down and destroy us if we let it. However, we know the spirit of fear is not from God, it is from our enemy. This is why we cannot allow fear to control us. God has given us power over the powers of the enemy. He has given us love and a sound mind.

We must determine in that sound mind that we will not be slowed down or stopped by the traps of the enemy.

Prov 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.

Proverbs tell us to acknowledge God and he will direct our path. Leaning on him and looking to him will keep our feet on the right road. But we cannot allow our hearts to get distracted by fear. It says trust in the Lord with ALL of our heart. Fear will keep us from trusting with our whole heart.

Galatians 6:9 –And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Staying consistent in our faith walk will go a long way. Persistence in showing good works will have the outcome of reaping good things, unless we stop. Every step we take gets us one step closer to our goal. It is up to us, no matter what happens we must keep pressing on to the goal. You can do it, I know, because God will never leave us to walk alone.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING –EP615 JOY

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: JOY

The word Joy inspires many ideas of what it means. It is a strong emotion of happiness, bliss or delight. When I stand in the sunshine and feel the peace of God that is when I feel joy. We all want to experience Joy in our lives. The best way to accomplish that is to stay in God’s presence.

Miriam Webster’s dictionary defines joy as a feeling of great pleasure or happiness that comes from success, good fortune, or a sense of well-being : gladness

Psalms 16:11-Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

In the presence of God is fullness of joy. This is why we are told to worship. Because our praise and worship bring God’s presence. In his presence is the fullness of joy. Which means the full range of joy.

Nehemiah 8:10- Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

The end of this verse is the one that always comes to mind when thinking about joy. Our strength comes from the Lord. Depression and anxiety are the opposite of joy. They will drag us down and make us weak. In God’s presence it is hard to have depression. That is why the presence of the Lord gives us joy and strength.

John 15:10-11 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Jesus said if we keep his commandments and abide in his love that his joy will remain in us and be full. We do not have joy outside of being in God’s love. The enemy doesn’t want us to have joy. He wants us beat down, full of hate, self-doubt and depression. We are in a battle with our enemy. We must stand strong against his attacks.

James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

James tells us to have joy when we fall into temptation because when our faith is tried it will develop the fruit of patience. Which helps us to be complete. We want to develop fruit in our lives, because the more fruit we have, the more we become like Jesus.

Take some time today to find joy in the little things. Stop and let the sunshine on your face and thank God for his love, joy and peace that goes beyond anything we could ask and believe.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP614 JESUS IS OUR JUDGE

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: JESUS IS THE JUDGE

We all have met them, they are not sold out to Christ. They say they are Christians but there is not any fruit. They have the Jesus bumper sticker, they attend church. But deep down you know that the only time they touch their bible is when they pick it up to come to church. Instead of judging them, it is our job to encourage them in their faith walk. Because if this is not currently us, we need to be thankful that God has grown us. This lukewarm state is dangerous to the body of Christ. Judging them is also dangerous and could tip the scales so that they decide they are better off cold instead of being on fire.

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

This means that having a friend that will be honest with you and call you out in love. A true friendship is a mutual growth process, based on compassion, encouragement and sharing the good and bad times. Judgmental attitudes do not sharpen anyone, they cut them. Sometimes to the point that people want to stop following Jesus.

I have bible study with a group of women who empower me to be better. They all are prayer warriors and love the word of God. I am thankful that God put me with them. I am encouraged every time we have a conversation. I would not know much about what is going on in the world, if I didn’t have them. They have led me to some people online that I follow their channels. They too are deep in faith and I grow weekly because of their teaching.

I said all of that to say, God didn’t call us to judge the lukewarm, the overly critical, the judgemental or the sinner. He called us to lift them up and encourage them to come up a little higher. Not to where we think we are, on our level, but up higher to be closer to Jesus.

ROMANS 14:1-5 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

How many people split hairs over man-made doctrine? That is the reason for so many denominations today. God is wanting unity in his body. We are not to judge one another, it is displeasing to God. Notice verse four, 4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. How would you feel if you had a servant that you were pleased with, but people in the neighborhood went around talking about what a bad job they did. It would make you upset. When we judge one another, it displeases God. That we are judging is his servant. He loves them and understands what they are walking through. He knows what they will become, but judgment of others makes their journey even harder.

The last thing we want to do is satan’s job for him. We are supposed to stand united against him, not help destroy one another. We are being called to higher ground. God is wanting us to pray more and judge less. Compassion is what we should be walking in, instead of judgment. Truly Jesus is the only one who is qualified to judge any of us. Let’s do what we are supposed to do and leave the hard stuff to our wise judge.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP613 MOVE OR STAND?

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: MOVE OR STAND?

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When faced with difficult situations do we stand still and wait or do we move? That will depend on what God says. He has perfect timing. We must discern that timing in order to be obedient.

Impossible odds were facing the children of Israel. They were at a place that they had no choice except to stand still. They couldn’t go forward and they couldn’t go back. The enemy was closing in fast. Fear gripped them as they stood there in the sun. Some of them began to complain and wanted to return to bondage. No one could have imagined what God was about to do to deliver them.

We are often the same way. Sometimes we face a sea one way and the enemy is closing in fast. It is time for God to make a bold move on our behalf. We cannot see how God is going to work out our problems, but he will open the sea if we trust and not fear.

Exodus 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

I have often wondered what would have happened to the children of Israel, if they had not moved when the sea parted. Sometimes God gives us opportunities to get out of situations and we stand still. The sea is parted and the land is dry, yet we stand staring at the enemy in fear. We cannot see the deliverance when we are focused of the fear.

The enemy loves to cause us to have fear. Which is false evidence appearing real or lies that sound like truth that will cause us to fall, if we don’t trust. Their freedom depended on their ability to move away from the fear caused by the enemy. Their freedom depended on their trust in God and their ability to move at the right time.

As children of God, we must pray to know when to move and when to stand still. Moses told them to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. They had to wait on God to part the water. We often have to stand still and wait on God’s timing. However, there came a time that God parted the water.

He did his part, but the enemy would have over taken them if they had not moved. Knowing when to move is crucial to our spiritual walk. It takes time to learn when to stand and when to move. We have to be led by the Holy Ghost. He will lead us into all truth and righteousness. The word is a lamp unto our feet and a light for our path. But God’s Spirit will lead us on that path.

God cannot destroy our enemy in the sea, if we are in his way. Praying to be led by the Spirit is something we must pray daily. Look at Lot, God told him he could not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah until he was gone.

God will not be able to deliver us in our times of enemy attack if we allow Fear to paralyze us. Having courage to move, when we hear God say the word, is what will see us through.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP612 MOVE YOUR HANDS

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: MOVE YOUR HANDS

Many times, in life’s situations we say we give them to God. Then we continue to try to work things out the way we want them to turn out. We stick our hands into the situation even though with our mouth we have prayed and told God it was his to work out. Jesus is trying to shape us on the potter’s wheel and we are trying to jump off because we get dizzy going around. Instead, we keep on going around and around the same trial. Sort of like Israel kept going around the same mountain. The reason they had to keep walking around the same mountain was because of unbelief and disobedience. Let that sink in for a moment.

Imagine clay on the potter’s wheel. If clay was like we are, it would be trying to become a bowl, while the potter is trying to make it a pitcher. It ends up being an unusable mess. So, the potter has to start over with the lump of clay. This is why we stay in situations for too long. God is trying to use the situation to grow us into what he wants. Learning to ask for his help and then allowing him to help takes growth in trust.

Learning to be obedient to God’s nudging and gentle pressure will grow us into the bold, brave children of God we are called by God to become.

Jer 18:1-6 The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, 2 Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. 3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. 4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. 5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

God told Jeremiah that he was trying to do something with Israel, but they were not allowing him to shape the direction of their path. God desired repentance, he knew if they did not turn their hearts toward him, they would harden like clay and be unmoldable.

Can you see the clay of the wheel with its own hands sticking out in the way of the potter? Yet this is what happens in our life, every time we pray about a situation and then hold on to it.

This topic reminds me of a situation years ago, I had been in a battle for about a year. One day I was reading this passage of Jeremiah and it spoke to my heart about letting go. I prayed, “Lord, I cannot do this, I need you to fix it.” From that point on I had tried to keep my hands out of it. I had already seen a major turnaround in this situation.

A few days later, I was pretty frustrated because it seemed like things were getting worse. The enemy will always turn up the pressure before he has to let go. I was tempted to try to fix it, but instead I prayed, “Lord even though it looks worse, I know you are in control and however you work it out, I know it will be for my good. Your word says so.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

The next morning, I was crossing the parking lot, at work and a sparrow landed on the back of a truck. I was reminded of the old hymn which goes, “his eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me.” It gave me a sense of peace. It was like God spoke to me in that moment and said, “I have you in my hand.” So, I kept reminding myself that God is in control. He didn’t need my hands he needed my obedience and trust.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP611 DOORS

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: DOORS

We often hear people talking about opportunities as open doors. They talk about closed doors too. I want to cover this subject from a Christian perspective.

REV 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Jesus waits patiently for us to yield to him, and open our hearts. He is a gentleman and will not force his way in the door to our lives. He longs for a relationship with us. By allowing Jesus access he will help clean out everything that is ungodly. He will take the empty space and fill it with the things of God. He offers salvation, companionship, peace, joy, freedom, and so much more.

In this life we often suffer because we have opened the door to the wrong things. The enemy has many traps waiting. We cannot trust every door. Not every opportunity is the right option.

Once I was frustrated with my current job. It felt like I was in a rut. I was approached by someone with a great opportunity. It sounded perfect. The job was mine if I wanted it, the interview was just a formality. When I walked into their showroom it was gorgeous, marble floors, beautiful light fixtures, not the standard office squares of fluorescent light. To look at it, it spoke the word success. But as I looked around God said to me, “all that glitters is not gold.”

The interview went well; I was offered more money and benefits than my current job. I told them I had to give notice to my current employer. On the way home I couldn’t shake what I knew God had said. I called the next day and told them I changed my mind. In less than six months they were out of business. I often think of that when an opportunity looks too good to be true. The enemy can open doors too.

I often pray for God to open doors of anointing and wisdom for me. I pray I will be able to recognize the doors that are mine. I also pray for God to show me when an open door will open me up to the enemy’s trap or attack. We can sometimes hear a song or watch something on TV that will open a door to a demonic attack or a witchcraft attack. We need to pray to keep these doors shut.

Rev 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

This verse is written to the Philadelphia church age. He is saying he has given them an opportunity to spread the gospel and serve others. He has given them favor, the door is open and no man can close it. Even today, the door of salvation is standing open and is moving toward a time it will be closed. Until then we have an opportunity to lead as many as possible to that door, so they may walk through to salvation. Jesus is that door of salvation. We can not be saved except we come through Jesus, the door.

Matt 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Jesus said to ask, seek and knock. When we ask him in faith he will give us what we have prayed. When we seek him in prayer and seek his wisdom in the word he says we will find that in which we seek. If we knock it will be opened.

All of these steps take patience there is a time from the ask to the answer. When you knock on a door, it takes time for the person inside to answer. We all know when seeking or searching for something that also takes time. That time with Jesus is about cultivating our relationship with him. Jesus is that door of salvation. We can not be saved except we come through the door

So be careful about what doors you walk through. If it is closed ask God if you should even knock on that door. Remember not every opportunity is from God. “All that glitter’s is not gold.”

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP610 PREPARING FOR ENEMY ATTACK

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: PREPARING FOR ENEMY ATTACK

As children of God, we will come under attack by the enemy. It’s not a matter of if we will, but when. There are some steps we can take ahead of time to lessen the impact, before the enemy shows up with his bag of tricks and lies.

One we must determine ahead of time that we will walk in our integrity. We will not yield to the enemy or his temptations.

The second decision, we have to predetermine that we will stand for Jesus, even if we have to stand alone.

Instead of drawing a line in the sand for the enemy, we must draw a line in concrete, showing we will not be moved. The longer you stay the more likely you are to be swayed by the enemy. We need to get out of the situation as fast as possible.

GENESIS 39:1-4 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. 2 And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand. 4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

Joseph found favor with Potiphar. He gave him the position as overseer of his house, because of the favor of God on Joseph. But after a little time Potifar’s wife looked at Joseph and was determined to cause him to lose his integrity.

Gen 39:10-14 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. 11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. 12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. 13 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth, 14 That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:

Joseph fled from the temptation to compromise his integrity. He ended up being thrown in prison, because of her lies. God gave him favor with the head guard and he gave him a position of overseeing the prison. He eventually gets out after telling the Pharaoh about his dream and what it meant. He was elevated again and was able to save his family from famine.

If he had not made up his mind long before the temptation to be unmovable and remain faithful to God’s commands, there could have been a different outcome. His actions not only had an effect on his life but his entire family. This is why it is so important for us to purpose in our hearts ahead of time that we will walk in our integrity.

The first time Daniel showed his determination to follow Jehovah’s commands was when the King of Babylon ordered that the captives be given food from his table.

Dan 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

He knew there was a good possibility that the meat and wine from the king’s table may have been an offering to an idol. He didn’t want to compromise; he worked it out with the prince of the eunuchs to give him beans.

Daniel knew what it meant to purpose in his heart. He had a made up mind to stand firm, be immovable when it came to compromising his faithfulness to God’s commands. Even in captivity. Daniel understood he couldn’t wait until the test came to make up his mind. This is how he had the boldness to open his windows and pray loudly three times a day, even though it was forbidden.

Because of his determination to stay faithful to God. The nation saw him go into the lion’s den. But they also saw him come out, unharmed.

In summary, One – we need to be determined to not compromise our integrity. Two – we will make up our minds to stand for Jesus, even if we have to stand alone. Three – We need to study the word of God and get it down on the inside of us. So it will be there, when we need to draw from it to combat the enemy. Four – We must pray and keep the lines of communication open with the Lord. So that we can flow into prayer easily when we are in need of an immediate answer.

The word says to put on the whole armor of God. That is always a good place to start. But the battle is in our minds. So we must have a made up mind, determined to follow Jesus at all cost. Because if we do not have a made up mind, we may fall for the enemy and his lies.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING –EP609 WIND OF GOD– NEW BIRTH

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO VERSION: https://rumble.com/v7e1rum-god-focus-this-morning-ep609-wind-of-god-new-birth.html

WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: THE WIND OF GOD – NEW BIRTH

The past couple of days I have been speaking to you about the wind of God or the Spirit of God. We have discussed that Adam was just a well-formed pile of dirt until God breathed the breath of life into him. It is important to understand the significance of the wind of God or the Spirit of God. Without the Holy Ghost there is no spiritual life.

Every Christian denomination believes that Jesus died on the cross to set us free from our sin nature. This came through Adam’s fall in the garden. After that there are many different beliefs on what it takes to save your soul. On Monday I discussed how Jesus told Nikodemus he must be born again. That was found in John Chapter 3.

The fleshly bodies we have, are born of flesh. But we are spiritually dead until the breath of God, the wind of the Holy Ghost blows over us. The Old Testament is types and shadows of things to come. Adam was not alive without the wind of God. We not alive spiritually without the Holy Ghost.

Acts1:1-5 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

After Jesus came out of the grave, he walked with his disciples and taught them, then he ascended into heaven. That ended the old covenant and he was about to start a new one. No longer would his spirit be with man, but would come and dwell within man.

He told them to stay in Jerusalem, go into the upper room and wait until they be endued with power from on high. They were waiting for their spiritual birth. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is a total immersion of God’s spirit. He surrounds us and creates in us a right spirit before God. We are a new creation in Christ.

He didn’t do away with what John had done, he built on that foundation. Because John preached repentance and water baptism to show that you died out to self and was buried with Christ in death. When you come out of the water that shows the resurrection of something new, but it still doesn’t have life until the breath of God (the Holy Ghost) fulfills his role of creating a new birth. He breaths spiritual life in us.

The ones in the upper room believed in Christ. They had been baptized under John’s baptism, yet they had to tarry for the promise of God’s spirit coming into them and creating a new life.

Acts 2:1-2 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Notice, we have been talking about the wind of God. There came a sound from heaven as a rushing mighty wind. This was God’s spirit coming to earth for the first time to dwell within the believer.

Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. The word cloven means divided tongues. People often say that tongues is just different earthly languages. But not when it comes to the infilling of the spirit unto salvation. God can use tongues to be an interpreter of earthly languages if necessary. But that is not what happened here. That gets much deeper into the gifts of the spirit and types of interpretation. That is a video for another day.

Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. God’s breath, the might wind, his Spirit came into them. During the process of creating the bond of the Holy Ghost to their spirit, he created a language within them. Notice it says the spirit gave them utterance or helped them to speak. Unless God breaths on us, we are not Spiritually alive, just like Adam was not physically alive.

Jesus promised to send another comforter if he went away. He ascended and that comforter was sent on the day of Pentecost to lead and guide us into all truth. But we have to not allow our flesh to rise back up. We must allow the Holy Ghost to lead us.

Jude tells us that we build up our faith by praying in the Holy Ghost.

Jude 17-19 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

Notice this lists those who are not part of the body of Christ. They walk after the things of the flesh. Living ungodly by their own lusts. They do not have the Spirit of God.

JUDE 20-21 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

He tells those who are walking after God to build up themselves on their most holy faith by praying in the Holy Ghost. This is our prayer language or speaking in tongues. But it is not the end all be all of being a Christian. It is the first fruits; we are to build up our faith, to make us more like Christ. Not to be judgmental and self-righteous.

Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

We go from death unto life when we repent and are converted. Which means we don’t repeat bunch of words after a preacher and then go on living like the devil. But we make a change of what is within our power to change and allow God to make changes. Then the time of refreshing will come from the presence of the Lord. This means he will fill us and re-fill us with his spirit.

The word refreshing comes from refresh, which means to give new strength or energy to something. God gives us that new strength and energy. A good example is often when hosting someone for dinner you refresh their coffee or drink. Refresh in that sense of the word means to pour out more or refill. That is what God does, he refills us so that we always have oil in our lamps.

I hope this past three days has helped in answering some questions you may have had about the Holy Ghost and his role in our salvation and preservation. If you have further questions, feel free to email me.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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