Category: BLOG

GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING –EP477 HE SEES, HE HEARS, HE HELPS

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: HE SEE, HE HEARS AND HE HELPS

The Lord’s hand is not ever too short that he cannot reach down and pick us up. He is not deaf to the cries of his people. At times we have all felt like God doesn’t hear our prayers. We feel isolated from him and like He will never answer again. There three reasons that we could feel this way.

Isaiah 59:1-2 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

The first reason could be we have allowed sin to creep into our lives and we need to renew our dedication to God and repent of our wrong doing. If we feel like that is not the case then it could be that God is silent because he is wanting us to learn a lesson that only his silence can teach. The third reason could be that satan is trying to tell us that God doesn’t hear us. He is wanting to drive a wedge between us and God. He will try to convince us that God is not listening to us. Making us feel like we are all alone.

Psalm 34:17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

This verse says all of their troubles. Not some, not certain troubles, but all. We can be sure that even if we have to pray for a while God does hear us. He not only is the God who hears but the God who sees.

The Hebrew word for God, El Roi means the God who sees me. It comes from the story of Hagar. She had run away after Sarai was cruel and mistreated her. Sarai was jealous that Hagar became pregnant. It made her hate her and she was awful to her. Even though she was pregnant because of Sarai’s plan.

Hagar was all alone in the desert when the angel of the Lord appeared to her. The angel told her to return to Sarai and promise to greatly multiply her descendants. El Roi means that God has intimate awareness of our struggles. He understands our pain and frustrations. He will show up and make a way for us. If we put our trust in him.

There is nothing that we face that he does not see. There is nothing that happens that he will not see us through.

Psalm 46 1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

We can be sure that no matter what we have facing us, He is the God who see our struggles. He is the God that hears our cries. He is not a God that sits by quietly and watches, but he helps us fight our battles. He helps us with our struggles.

I am thankful that he is the God that see, hears and delivers.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP376 LESSONS FROM A QUEEN

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: LESSONS FROM A QUEEN

Haman was an evil man that manipulated his way into being second in command next to King Ahasuerus. He used his influence to get the king to make a decree that all the Jews would be slaughtered on a certain day. Haman did this because of his hate for one man; Mordecai, Queen Esther’s cousin. Haman hated him because Mordecai didn’t feed his delusion of being someone great. Mordecai refused to bow down to him, when he walked down the street.

When Mordecai found out about the decree he sat in sackcloth and ashes at the king’s gate. When Esther was informed why, Mordecai asked her to go to the king. Her immediate reaction was, I could die if I approach the king without being called.

If Esther had rushed to the king without the days of fasting. The result may have been different. In order to save a nation, the people have to feel they need saved. The fast not only helped Esther prepare her thoughts and actions. It helped the Jews prepare and be strong enough to stand in the end. But I don’t want to get too far ahead of the story.

What would have happened in open court when the king asked what Esther wanted. Calling out Haman in open court would have embarrassed the king for trusting Haman. The result would not have been good. Instead, she moved the conversation to a more private destination. This helped her to get the upper hand on her enemy; Haman.

We can cry to people about our problems, but that doesn’t fix them, most of the time it makes it worse. But if we can get in a place where it is just us, the king and the enemy, we can petition the king.

It turns out the enemy doesn’t like it when we approach the throne of grace. He doesn’t like it when we petition God for our miracles. But we can be free in him just as Esther got rid of her enemy.

Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Esther obtained mercy through the king reaching out his scepter. That was a form of grace. Without that show of mercy, things would have been different for Esther. She asked for the king and Haman to come to dinner. They agreed.

He asked her at the dinner what her wish was, for some reason she didn’t tell him but asked for a second dinner, the next night. The word doesn’t say why she asked to have the second dinner. But it was not in God’s timing for her to make her request.

What a difference twenty-four hours can make. I am sure she felt like Haman had the upper hand. But she had the king’s favor. Never underestimate the power of God’s favor. He has proven time and again that he can turn things around quickly.

When the king and Haman returned the second night. Esther asked for the fate of her people to be in her hands. She explained someone was trying to destroy them all. The king then got to play the hero in his wife’s eyes and had Haman hung on the gallows he built to destroy Mordecai.

The lessons we can learn from Esther is to be bold when approaching the throne. Be brave enough to stand against the enemy and never forget to be patient and wait for the right time. God gives us grace and will always take care of his people. All we have to do is wait for his timing.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP475 LIGHT AFFLICTION

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: LIGHT AFFLICTION

An affliction is anything that causes pain. It can be sickness, disease, trouble, distress, sorrow, trials, and abuse. Anything that brings on physical or emotional pain. Most afflictions we face, feels to us to be big and heavy. There are things that come into our lives that we do not know how we will survive them, yet the word calls them light afflictions. I guess that comes down to perspective are we looking from the perspective of our flesh, or are we going to see it through God’s eyes?

II COR 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

This verse calls our struggles light affliction because it is just for a small season. It will produce fruit in us that will carry us into the eternal. Our struggles are insignificant compared to what God has in store for us.

Anything we have to walk through will be light compared to what Christ suffered. He went through horrific things to lighten our burdens. At the time we are walking through things we feel they are anything but light. I know people who have walked through horrible, difficult things beyond my comprehension. But they are the strongest people I know.

Are they strong because of what they have gone through, or were they just strong enough to handle what they were facing? I feel like that we gain strength as we face hard things. As we learn to lean on God and give him space to help us carry our burdens, we become stronger.

Most Christians will tell you they have walked through some hard battles. At times they didn’t know how they would make it through, but they trusted God. They waited for him to come along and help carry their burdens.

Eccl 4:9-10 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

Not only does God help us when we fall into affliction but he sends other believers along to help us. There is nothing we face, even when it seems anything but a light affliction. As long as we look to Jesus, we will never carry our pain alone. He will be there to comfort us and give us strength.

We will gain and eternal weight of glory, because of the spiritual growth that comes from walking through affliction.

James 1:3-4 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.

Walking through the trials of life will shape us into mature Christians that can be a light and help to those around us that are facing their own afflictions.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP474 SATURATION

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: SATURATION

The word saturation means when something is absorbed to the point that it cannot hold one more drop. Imagine a sponge, one that has been sitting in a bowl of water. It is so full that it can not take on one more drop of water. It is saturated with the water.

A sponge will absorb whatever liquid it is put into; dirty and filthy water or pure clean water. Our lives are like that sponge; it will absorb the good or bad around us. If we are not careful. This is why it is important to surround ourselves with people that will encourage us in our faith. But even more than those we surround ourselves with we must be full of God’s power. We want to be saturated with Jesus. We want to walk in his light and anointing. Because it is going to take that anointing and light to break the hold darkness has on people.

Rev 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

Jesus was the light of the world. When he ascended, he said now you are the light of the world. But are we letting that light shine. Are we saturated with his light so that it spills out?

The enemy would like nothing more than to get us paralyzed by fear. The world is full of evil and smothering darkness. But we cannot walk by flesh or by how things appear. We need to see them through God’s eyes. In that darkness fear is magnified. As children of God, we have no reason to fear the dark, because we are full of his light. Fear cannot stand up to the light.

I was thinking about the glow in the dark stickers I had as a child. The longer the sticker was under the light, the brighter it was when the lights were turned off. As children of God, the more time we spend in his presence the more our light will shine into the darkness. But like the stickers, we have to be recharged by the light.

It comes down to us being so saturated with the Spirit of God, that we cannot help but pour that light out to those who are lost in the dark. Being saturated by God means we are not spiritually lazy. We put in the time and investment to become full of God. It is not about us, but it is all about Jesus. We just have to keep going and let our light shine.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP473 NO IDOLS

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: SATURATION

Rev 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

Jesus was the light of the world. When he ascended, he said now you are the light of the world. But are we letting that light shine. Are we saturated with his light so that it spills out?

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP242 UNMOVABLE

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: UNMOVABLE

Have you ever been around that person that nothing shakes them? Bad news comes, they say, God will take care of it. Devastating things happen maybe their house burns down or is washed away in a flood. They are one the news standing strong saying, I don’t know why this had to happen. Yes, it is hurtful and sad but God will take care of me.

They appear to be solid like granite. They have unshakable faith. Every child of God should be that unshakable. We have our lives built on the solid rock. Things in this life are looking unstable and are beginning to shake. But His children will be unshakable.

Psalm 125:1 They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

Mount Zion is God’s dwelling place. It is symbolic of being unmovable. It is a place of security to us who believe in God. Follow me for a moment if Mt Zion is unmovable because it is the place God dwells. Then our lives should be unmovable because God dwells within us. Being unmovable will make us grow deep roots and allow us to be fruitful.

Being steadfast doesn’t mean that we are not emotionally moved. We will still feel disappointment, loss and pain when bad things happen. But we will not let our faith waiver. We believe that God has got our backs and will work out our issues.

I Cor 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Abounding means plentiful, large quantity. We must be steady or consistent, unmovable always working for the Lord. Our labor is not in vain in the Lord. We cannot outgive God. He will take what we give him and always multiply it into something good. Having consistency in our faith walk, with help us to be steadier and more unmovable.

Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

These verses explain what it means to be strong and steadfast. We have chosen as Christians to walk in the path of God’s way. Not in the way of the ungodly. Not in the seat of judgmental and critical. Being negative and critical is not walking in God’s plan. Our happiness should be in God’s plan. As his children we must be saturated with God’s word.

We as children of God are compared to a tree that is planted beside of water. Trees beside of water has to grow deep roots, to keep from being washed away in the water. By having deep roots, the tree will grow strong and bring forth fruit at the right time.

The thing that makes the tree fruitful is that it has strong roots. The tree is unmovable. We too can have the kind of roots that will produce godly fruit.

Col 2:6-7 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

No one starts out being an instant mature Christian. It takes time to study, learn and establish our faith. It takes time to sort out man-made religion and to find God’s plan for our lives. As we grow into mature Christians, we become established and grow the roots we need to be bold in our faith. To be unmovable.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING- EP471 RECIPE FOR GROWING MATURE FRUIT

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: RECIPE FOR MATURE FRUIT

While baking some recipes are forgiving while others are precise and technical. Having good baking skills are necessary to make the perfect recipe. Some skills can be taught, while others are instinct. People who bake a lot can tell just by looking at dough if it is right. They will know if it needs water or more flour to make it the perfect consistency.

Everything we do in life is this way, the more we practice and hone our skills the better the outcome. This is true for our Christian faith walk. We cannot expect someone who has just surrendered their life to Christ to walk with the maturity of a seasoned veteran. Learning to walk by faith takes time and practice.

Strength and wisdom come from walking out our faith in various types of situations. Developing our skills will come with time if we faint not.

Gal 6:7-10 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

In our Christian walk, if we can continue to be consistent and practice what we read in the word, it will become a part of us. Everything we apply to our lives will become a part of us. We need to sow the good things of God. It is easy to become battle weary at times, but we have to hold on and not be weary. We must press on and keep working on just the right recipe for our lives.

We are to pick up our brother if he falls, helping him along his way. Be encouraging, we do not have the right to judge others for their place in life. We are all on a journey and are trying to change ourselves into who we need to be, by sowing good things. Learning to walk by faith and planting those seeds is how we grow to be someone that is mature and seasoned.

When a seed it planted, first a sprout will spring forth, that sprout becomes a plant over time, but it takes that plant becoming mature in order to produce fruit. We cannot be upset where we are at in the growing process. We need to thank God where we are and pray for his help that we mature enough to grow fruit.

Study the word and apply it to your life. There will be days like the baker there will be a need to adjust a little. Maybe one day there needs to be a little more grace or forgiveness, while on another day there needs to be a little more boldness. God has the perfect plan and pattern, we just need to look to him and allow him to guide us. Remembering that we walk by faith and not by sight. We cannot allow the enemy to discourage us or get us to give up. This is our recipe for growing mature fruit.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING — EP470 THRONE OF MY HEART

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HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: THRONE OF MY HEART

As I sat down this morning to share my thoughts with you, I found myself asking, what do they need to hear the most today. My mind wandered to thoughts of how great our God is to us. There is nothing that we have facing us in this new year that we cannot overcome with his help. His place is first in our lives, he belongs on the throne of our hearts.

As we study, we need to pay close attention to context. I know a man that believes to be a Christian means that you cannot own anything. Because of couple of verses in Matthew chapter nineteen. Let’s start with that story. Jesus was approached by a young man that wanted to follow him. He asked what he must do to gain eternal life. First Jesus told him to honor his father and mother, don’t steal and he went through the list of things that are in the ten commandments. The young man said he had done those things from his youth.

Matt 19:21-26 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. 23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

The man I know bases his idea on is verses 23 and 24.

Matt 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

The disciples understood Jesus’ reference to the eye of a needle. When we read that verse it brings forth images of a camel which are large animals and a sewing needle. That would be impossible. But in reality, the disciples knew about the narrow gate in Jerusalem. This gate was mostly used at night and required that the camel be unburdened by its load and it would have to kneel to get through the tiny opening.

Jesus wasn’t saying it was wrong to have money. But he knew the young man’s heart. He had an unhealthy attachment to money and possessions. It is not that Jesus needed his money, he could cause money to be found in fish. He was trying to get the young man to put God before things and money. We cannot allow the things of this life to become a burden. We must make sure we have a healthy approach to money and not make it the lord of our lives, like this young man.

As we go forward and God begins to change things in this world, we must realize that we are blessed to be a blessing, not to hoard wealth. He places things in our hands to share and to further the gospel. But salvation is not based on how much or how little money we have in our possession. It is not based on how much we donate to a TV preacher. Salvation is based on our faith believing in God’s word. Salvation is about being filled with God’s Spirit and allowing him to lead us.

Matt 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Don’t fall into the trap that God cares about how much money you have or don’t have, it’s not about the quantity, but about where it ranks on your list of priorities. God must be first in our lives. We must be like the camel and unburden ourselves and be humble enough to get down and pray. In being humble and having a heart in search of God’s will, we will be allowed through the gate.

Strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leads to life. Few will find it because they will allow other things to weigh them down. Other things will be a priority over God. He is a jealous God and must be first. As we start the new year, let us be humble before the Lord and put him in the proper place. He belongs on the throne of our hearts.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP469 TURN THE PAGE

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: TURN THE PAGE

Our lives play out as time intertwines with us each day. There are seasons of time and seasons of life. At the end of each year, we turn the page with hope that the year ahead will be filled with good things. The seasons of life are filled with years of just living out our lives.

At year end it is a good time to look back at the past year. Reflect on the lessons learned and the things we would do differently. It is a time that some make resolutions to be a better person. Some want to lose weight, give up bad habits or start something new like a workout routine.

I like to sit quietly with my thoughts for an hour or so and think about the lessons that I have learned over the past year. The things that I would have liked to have accomplished. I write those down for the next year. The things that I would have like to have done differently.

Then I pray and ask God to guide my upcoming year. To lead my feet down the right path.

In Christian circles we often say, Keep your eyes on the prize. Keep your focus on God’s plan. There are many encouraging words. Lazer focused on God’s plan is where we need to find ourselves. Every day, we need to begin with the right attitude. Getting in that frame of mind often takes prayer.

In the morning when I rise, give me God’s plan. My plans do not compare with what he has in store for me. Spending time with God sets the tone for the whole day. Each morning, we have to determine that we are going to follow Jesus that day.

Psalm 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

His word is a light to our path. He will guide us if we trust him to follow the path he lays out before us.

Prov 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.

God hates lies. When we say we are a Christian, and our lives doesn’t reflect our faith, we are living a lie. But when our lives reflect that we walk in our faith and reflect God in all we do, we are living out our faith. It is a delight for God when we walk out our faith. When we walk in truth and allow God’s word to be our path.

Our way is established by the will of God. The children of Israel would not have had to wander for forty years if they had believed. If they had trusted the plan. But because of unbelief, they wandered for forty years. I don’t want to wander in the desert because of lack of trust. I want him to delight in me and direct my path.

Being in a place of God’s delight comes from our ability to focus. The enemy will try to fill our lives with distractions. Anything he can do to get our mind and focus off of God. It is time to set aside the things that are dead weight and press on further.

Heb 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,

As we come close to the year end. It becomes a time of reflection. It is a time to refocus on the things that really matter, and that is our faith walk. The path that is ahead of us will bring to us things we have never seen. How we deal with those things will define our character. They will help mold and shape us into the children of God that he can show delight in.

As we close this year. I want to wish you a wonderful new year. I pray it is all that you want it to be, remember to keep your eyes on Jesus and he will direct your path.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP468 – NOT COMPLACENT, NOT TODAY

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: NOT COMPLACENT, NOT TODAY

The church can fall into a place of complacency easily. If we as the body of Christ slow down and are not diligent we can become lukewarm. Today is not the day to be going through the motions. God was dealing with me to remind his people as we approach the year end that it is time to take inventory of our faith walk. Have we allowed the enemy to get a stronghold? Have we lost our fire? Are we lukewarm? God doesn’t want us to be lukewarm.

I started to think about Sampson. He was a judge over Israel. He had incredible strength tied to his long hair, which was an outward sign of his vow to God. Sampson toyed with the enemy, not realizing each time he did, it was weakening him. Every time he got closer to being overtaken.

The enemy used Delilah to manipulate his emotions and he told her the truth. Before long he was weakened because she put him to sleep. The enemy cut his hair. The source of his strength, not because his hair was powerful, but because of the vow to God. By cutting his hair, they severed his vow to God.

Our enemy is looking for ways to cut off our strength. He wants to sever our connection to God. The joy of the Lord is where we get our strength. But what if Satan can get us to have joy or find delight in something other than God. He knows he can cut off our strength. As Sampson’s hair was cut off his head.

If the enemy can break our connection to our head, who is Jesus Christ. He knows he can bind us up. Just as the enemy did Sampson. The Philistines captured Sampson and they gouged out his eyes. Our enemy will blind us if we let him. Letting down our guard where our enemy is concerned is how we end up lukewarm.

We tell ourselves this little thing or that won’t matter. God warns us to not be complacent or lukewarm. In the lukewarm state we are not a good light. Sampson forgot his place, he started feeling like his strength was his own. He got prideful about his strength and forgot it came from God.

If we are not careful, we forget where the blessing came from, our God. The blessings become a part of our lives and we can get where we feel like it’s because of us. We lose our attitude of gratitude. This is why it is important to always check ourselves and stay in the word. By studying the word, we find that we have something to compare our faith walk to and keep our feet on the right path.

When Sampson came to himself and realized that he had made a mistake he asked God to restore to him his strength. In spite of his mistakes, God used him to take out even more of the enemy than he had before, because he humbled himself.

We can never fall too far that God cannot pick us back up, if we ask. There is no shame in falling or failing, as long as we get back up. But there is shame in staying in a place of complacency.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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