Tag: #beboldbebrave

EP394 GOD KNOWS THE WHY’S?

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The title of today’s episode: GOD KNOWS THE WHY?

Most Christian’s can look back on a time they did something wrong and wonder why? We cannot allow conviction of sin to become condemnation. There is a difference in conviction and condemnation. The Holy Ghost inside of us will nudge us when we have done wrong. This is so we can make a course correction.

The enemy will use condemnation to make us feel bad and unworthy of God’s compassion. He will tells us there is no use to try, because we will fail again. Satan will tempt us into sin and then use it to further beat us down.

God knows the Why of everything. There is not a question that he doesn’t have the answer. He sees the real version of us, the one we don’t show anyone, even ourselves. He sees the broken parts and He understands why they are broken. He also knows he can create a beautiful masterpiece out of our brokenness.

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Jesus had every right to condemn those who had broken God’s laws. He was perfect and he was God. But he came to show by example compassion and love. Jesus never told them how awful they were, he showed compassion. We may not understand the why of our circumstances, but God’s sees the big picture.

Look at the woman at the well. She had plenty of people condemning her. She couldn’t even draw water early in the morning like every other woman in the city. She had to go in the heat of the day to avoid the stares and whispers of judgment. All those people didn’t see her heart like Jesus did, they judged her by her actions. She had been married several times and was currently living with a man that she wasn’t married.

Jesus understood the Why of her circumstances. Maybe she married so many times because she was looking for financial stability. Maybe all of them were lazy bums. Maybe they all talked a good game but were narcissists. Maybe she was just wanting to be loved and none of them had offered real love to her. Maybe she believed the judgements of others that she was not a good person and she felt lucky that anyone would pay attention to her. God was there every step of the way and understood the circumstances that led to each bad decision. He sees all and understands the why. He sees how the enemy manipulated us to trap us into a place of misery. We don’t know the why; it is not our place to judge another person’s issues. We often do not even understand our own whys.

When we turn our lives over to Jesus he can fix the issues that cause the Why? He came to give us an abundant life. He came to set us free, not bury us in a bunch of legalism and religion. Jesus knows how hard it is to deal with religious people. After all the religious people of his day had him crucified.

We are going to have to deal with this type of person. But the only one we have to answer to is God above and he knows our hearts and minds. He knows the Why’s. Do not be discouraged by condemning, legalistic people. Look to Jesus and ask him to show you the why’s of your life. He can take all the bad choices and turn them around to leave a good outcome. Because he is God and that is what he does, he restores the broken to a place of wholeness.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EP 393 — IT’S ABOUT A RELATIONSHIP

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The title of today’s episode: IT’S ABOUT RELATIONSHIP

People have different reasons for online dating. There are some seeking someone to spend the rest of their lives with, which prompted me to think about God wanting a relationship with each of us.

Heaven’s personal ad would read. Loving God, seeking those who will worship me in truth. Seeking a bride for a long-term relationship for all of eternity. Must learn of me and know me.

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.

When I hear this verse the picture of Jesus knocking on a big wooden door comes to mind. He knocks on everyone’s heart. Some open the door and let him come inside. Others refuse out of fear or disobedience. When he knocks we cannot refuse, he will only knock for a short time, then he will walk away.

John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

As with any relationship, it is important to get to know the other person. To build a friendship, it is the foundation of any good relationship. God called Abraham his friend. He will call us friends also, as long as we put our trust in him.

Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

When we seek and search for God we will find him. When we put our whole heart into learning about him and searching to find the heart of God, He will be found. His word is full of love and clues to lead us to his whole heart. What he desires from us is our whole heart.

Psalm 145: 18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

His arm is not short, nor is his ability to see us through what we are facing. Nothing is too hard for our God. If we want God to be near, we have to call on him. But not just call on him but call on him in truth. He wants us to yield to his presence and listen to his voice.

Unlike idol worship, Christianity is more than a bunch of rituals around a statue. Christianity is all about a relationship with our creator. The one who made the heavens and the earth. And he created us.

He wants us to really know him, and we do this by prayer and study of his word. Take time to spend in the Word. Look for his character and his love. It is his love story to us, his bride.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EP 392 IF IT WERE NOT SO…

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The title of today’s episode: IF IT WERE NOT SO…

Today I want to start with a familiar passage. If you have been attending church for any length of time you will have heard it.

John 14:2-3 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

People get wrapped up in the mansion part and do not pay any attention to the rest of the verse. They miss the truth nuggets. If it were not so I would have told you. God’s word is true we can rely on it. If he says he is coming again to receive us, then he is coming again to receive us.

He said he was going away to prepare a place for us. Then he was returning to heaven to fix up a place for his bride. He will come again. If it were not so, he would have told us.

We can depend on every word in the bible being true. He will come again and gather his bride. The world will not know until it is too late. Because he is only coming after his bride who has made herself read.

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.

Jesus said he was the way. No one can get to God except through the work of the cross. We can depend on him to be the only way. If it we not so…he would have told us.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

He has given us peace. Peace comes from him because he left it for us when he went away. Then he said let not your heart be trouble. That is worded like we have a choice. We can choose to walk in peace or walk in turmoil.

He said he was leaving peace for us, if it were not so she would have told us. Because Jesus cannot lie. Every world of God is true.

We must possess enough faith to believe that Jesus is real and true. That he is the one true God. Beyond that we just have to pay attention to what the word says. He is the truth and he will not lead us down the wrong path.

He wants nothing more than what is best for us. He wants us to live an abundant life full of peace and joy. But he didn’t paint a picture of sunshine and rainbows all the time. He also told us that we would have trouble. But he promised to make a way for us to escape out of those troubles.

If it were not so, he would have told us.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EP391 THE ANSWER

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The title of today’s episode: THE ANSWER

Often, we tell people that Jesus is the answer. It doesn’t matter the issue or problem, he is the answer. But when someone is broken, hurting and oppressed or even possessed by the enemy they cannot understand. It is so simple, but we make it so complicated.

I know that I have walked through times of brokenness and even though I knew Jesus was the answer, I tried everything else first. That is human nature, we have the tendency to try to fix things on our own. I am not sure why that is, when we believe that God can do anything. Some may feel that they don’t want to bother God with small things.

It is hard for many of us to relinquish control to someone else, even to God. We are used to doing things on our own and are independent. It is time we learn to be dependent on the God of the universe. How will we ever convince the lost that Jesus is the answer if we do not immediately go to him when we need help? God knows where he is going to take us. He knows all the detours we will take and how long it will take us to get to our destination. We will arrive right on time.

How do we know Jesus is the answer. The word of God tells us that it is so.

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.

We find mercy and help in the time of need, when we approach the throne of God’s grace.

John 16:32-33 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Because Jesus has overcome the world, he knows how to get around the traps of the enemy. This is how we know he has the answers. He has the keys to unlock the doors of our issues. We can feel safe in his hands, because he will never leave us nor forsake us. It is not complicated, even though we make it that way at times. If you find yourself struggling to find the answers, look to Jesus. Let him be your guide; he will set you free.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EP390 CAN YOU HANDLE IT?

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: CAN YOU HANDLE IT?

Today, I want to start with a verse that many misquote and often miss the point of the verse.

I Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

It says that he will not allow us to be tempted about our threshold. God holds us in his hands, nothing comes as a surprise to him. He knows what we are capable of even when we don’t grasp our strength. God knows our threshold limits of tolerance is for every type situation. God has placed boundaries around us that the enemy cannot go through.

We, too, can pray a hedge of protection about us, our family, and all that God has given to us. We can draw a bloodline the enemy cannot cross. He will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to resist the enemy.

Exodus 12:13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.

Unlike the Israelites, we do not have to physically put blood over our doors and on the side beams for protection. When Jesus died for us his blood was sufficient for our salvation and our protection. We have a blood covenant with God. The enemy has to flee when we remind him that we are covered by the blood.

As Jesus’ children, his blood has been applied to our lives and death cannot touch us until Jesus is ready to take us home. The enemy may try to get us to give up. He may try to get us to speak negative words that will harm us. But he can only touch us if God allows him. Look at Job; the enemy had to petition God to do anything to Job.

Job didn’t know how strong he was, but God did. God knew he would not curse him, no matter what the enemy did to him. God knows how much we can handle. Use that fact to give you strength to keep pressing on.

Any time the enemy comes and tells you that you can’t handle whatever you are facing. Tell him to get behind you, because he is a liar. You will not believe his lies or give in to his nonsense.

I ask the question again: Can you handle it? Now I am sure, you can confidently say Yes, I can, because God says I can.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EP389 VOICES

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The title of today’s episode: VOICES

The world is full of voices. Each one is distinct and unique. Our voices can be made beautiful or ugly by how we choose to use our voice. Some use their voices to teach others about Jesus and the things of God. These are the most beautiful voices in the world.

There are those who sing beautiful songs of praise. If they are truly connected to God, it doesn’t matter if they are technically precise, because the anointing comes forth and touches the hearts of those listening.

The most powerful voice is the voice of God. He spoke the world into existence; he spoke to everything to be created but man. Adam, God formed with his hands then breathed his breath into him. He created Eve with his hands and a rib from Adam. But everything else he spoke and it happened.

We can use our voice to further the gospel. We can encourage others to stay strong and to not give up. In the times in which we live, we have to use our voices to lead the way for people to come out of darkness.

Everyone has someone in their life that is so negative. Listening to them, nothing is right, nothing is good and they are miserable. If you listen to their voices for very long, it will drag you down to the bottom with them. They will tear down your self-esteem, your strength and your will to go on.

Then there are strong voices that have an opinion and will shout it from the roof top. Many think the louder the more right someone is, after all you wouldn’t be shouting so loud if you were wrong. This is not accurate, sometimes the loudest voices are the most wrong. They have to yell to get anyone to pay attention to what they are saying.

When it is all said and done, the only voice that matters most of the time is not loud, but a soft whisper in you spirit. God’s Spirit within us will lead us and guide us, if we stop listening to the noise and sit quietly so we can hear the whisper of God’s Spirit.

Being raised Pentecostal, I have seen people be loud and shout all over the church. But God was not in it. Before I start a debate with that comment listen to the end, not everyone that lifts their voice in praise and worship are doing it for the right reason. If people are doing it to be seen, then they have their reward, like the Pharisee that stands on the corner with great swelling words of prayer.

God wants us to lift our voice in sincere worship. But he also wants our private worship. You don’t have to wait until church service to give God praise. Either way, it is fine, as long as it is with the right attitude. The church service should not be like a funeral, so quiet you can hear the candy wrappers being opened.

We have a reason to shout, God redeemed us from sin. He saved us from a life of bondage. We should be thankful and lift our voices in praise to the most high God. If we praise, he will come down and be with us. What was the first thing the children of Israel did when they saw the enemy destroyed. They worshipped God.

Psalms 22:3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

He also inhabits the praise of his people today. He desires to spend time with us. He wants us to draw close to him. So lift up your voice and give God some praise. Listen for his voice and ignore the voices of the enemy that only wants to drag you down.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EP287 GRACE FOR THE HUMBLE

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: GRACE FOR THE HUMBLE

I often speak about the wisdom of my grandfather. He taught me a lot about being a Christian. I pray someday I can be as wise and humble as him. With experience comes wisdom. He walked through a lot of difficult things. In doing so, he learned to stay humble and lean on God.

I want to talk about the humbleness of his prayer. As a young man that was just starting to walk into his calling of preaching, he would go to the woods and spend time with God. He would pray and study the word, asking God for revelation. He understood the importance of being humble. He prayed never let me be exalted when you use me. Never let me feel less than who you made me to be, when you use someone else.

People can get caught up in things and become full of themselves when God uses them. They start to feel like they are more important than they actually are. Look at Elijah, after God used him to perform a major miracle of calling fire down from heaven, he was hiding in a cave.

I kgs 19:10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

Elijah started to think he was the only person that God could use. God made known to him quickly that there were 7000 prophets that had not bowed to Baal. God always has a remnant of people that are going to stand for him no matter what. Not because of who they are or anything they have the ability to do. But because they fully put their trust in God.

Matt 23:11-12 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

God may choose to use us and we could do mighty things under the anointing, but if we are not humble it means nothing. God can use anyone who he chooses, He even used a donkey once to speak to a prophet that was going down the wrong path.

It is not about titles so we can feel important. It is about us walking humbly. You can call yourself Bishop, Apostle, Prophet, Pastor with your chest stuck out in pride and what good will it do? We all know what happens to those who are prideful. Pride goes before the fall.

I want to remind you that the ground is level at the foot of the cross. We are all servants of the most high God who deserves all the credit for every good thing that happens. He is the one who deserves to be lifted up.

Being humble doesn’t mean that we are weak, but it is a sign of strength. It shows that we are willing to set aside our fleshly pride and yield to God’s plan. It show that we are willing to follow his leading.

We should never get caught up in what God has called us to be, but we need to just take life as it comes and handle what is in front of us. We should never try to convince people that we have been called by God for whatever task he has given us. Their opinion doesn’t matter. Only the opinion of God matters. If he has chosen us for a specific task, he knows what we are capable of handling. He placed within us all that we need to walk into and do what he has chosen us to do. This is why we must walk humbly before God, follow his leading and he will do the rest.

This world needs the light of God’s love. His word says some plants and some waters, but God gives the increase. We cannot get exalted when God allows us to be the one to see someone find Jesus. You can be sure that many others have planted and watered to make that harvest possible. It has very little to do with us and everything to do with Jesus.

James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Who couldn’t use more of God’s grace?

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EP386 WHEN SLEEP ELUDES US

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: WHEN SLEEP ELUDES US

God often will wake us in the middle of the night to pray for someone or something. Many nights I have been awakened with a prayer on my lips and someone on my heart. After intercession for a little while, I feel released to return to sleep.

God often awakens me with an idea or a scripture verse for a blog. I get up and make notes. Then I feel like I can return to sleep.

Many down through Bible times were awakened by God for a purpose and plan.

Esther 6:1-3 On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. 2 And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. 3 And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.

I love how God turns things around in a single night many times. Because the king couldn’t sleep, he found out that Mordecai had saved his life. This is how evil Haman had to swallow his pride and parade the man he hated most, through the streets saying, This man is one the king desires to honor.

How awesome is God that he not only turns things around, but he humiliates the enemy at the same time. Just when the enemy seems to have the advantage God flips the entire thing around in just 24 hours.

Paul and Silas were in prison; they were not sleeping. They sang praises to God and he rocked the jail. He made a way of escape and in the process saved a jailor and his family. What would have happened if they had fallen asleep?

There is nothing wrong with sleep if we have prepared for what God is going to do in our lives. Look at the parable of the ten virgins. All of them slept. Five had prepared ahead of time and were now resting. But for whatever reason the five foolish were just caught unprepared and asleep. There is a season for everything. A time to work and a time to rest.

Psalms 4:8 – I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

Just as God comes and interrupts our sleep so we can pray for someone. The enemy will try to interrupt our rest, so that we will not be as effective the next day. It is hard to be a good light when we are physically tired. But God will give us peace and rest.

He watches over us in the night and keeps us safe from harm and danger. It is a good idea to pray before going to sleep that the enemy will not invade our dreams and that only God will give us dreams. He is the lifter of our soul.

Prov 3:24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

When the whole world is quiet, the enemy loves to come at us with fear and stressful worry. He will some times try to cause us to be awake and not get rest. But God is the God of peace and he will give us peaceful rest if we ask him.

God has promised to supply what we need and that includes rest for our weary minds and bodies.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EP385 THEN GOD SENT A PLAGUE

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The title of today’s episode: THEN GOD SENT A PLAGUE

The Hebrews that were in bondage in Egypt had been there for generations. They knew as much about the gods of Egypt as they did their own God. I used to wonder why God sent so many plagues and how he chose each one. I recently came across an article of history that explained a little about the beliefs of the Egyptian people at that time.

God was trying to show His people as well as the Egyptians that he was the only God. All the gods of Egypt had no power and he proved it with each plague. Every plague was custom designed by God to defy one of the gods of Egypt.

God knew that Pharaoh would never believe he was the only God. They were too deep in their traditions and religion. Every time a plague would happen, Pharoah would temporarily seem to soften and make promises to let them go in different stages. But he would not allow them to completely leave until the last plague.

The first plague, the Nile River was turned to blood. Hapi (pronounce happy) was the god of the Nile, it was the god that the Egyptians believed gave them life and fertility. When the plague came the fish died and the river had a stench from death, not life and fertility. They believed the river was life and God turned it to death.

The second plague, Frogs—the Egyptian god Heqet-( Haget ) was a frog-headed goddess of fruitfulness. God sent the frogs upon the land. They covered everything. The Egyptians Heget was said to have the key of life beyond death, according to their beliefs. Egypt’s magician could reproduce this with their enchantments. When God stopped the plague, all the frogs died and they gathered them together in heaps and they stank. There was nothing fruitful about it.

The 3rd plague, Lice – The Egyptian god, Geb, was the god of the desert and foreigners. With this plague the Egyptians magicians could not duplicate this plague. They had to recognize that it was the work of God. Geb was the God of the earth. When God took the dust of the earth and turned it into lice to torment the Egyptians and their animals it proved that God’s power was greater than the belief of Geb.

The 4th plague Flies—Khepri (kepri) He was known as a scarab-faced God in ancient Egypt. He represented the rising and moving of the sun. His name means to come into existence.

This plague defied Kepri, because he was know as the god of order. The disorderly swarms of flies demonstrated that God was the only one who was truly the God of order.

The 5th plague—cattle—Hathor- cow-headed goddess of motherhood and childbirth. All the cattle died, as a defiance to Hathor. This undermined what the Egyptians believed about the goddess that she was the life giving nurturer of the Egyptians. When the cattle died it not only took away their food source but also their ability to worship. The god Hathor had no power to sustain them.

The 6th plague—Boils—Sekhmet—(sockomet) goddess of healing or medicine –

When all the Egyptians started breaking out in painful boils they realized that their goddess of healing was no match for the one true God. The Israelites did not have even one boil among them.

The 7th plague—Hail and Fire—Nut—goddess of the sky. The Egyptians believer that she swallowed the sun each evening and gave birth to it every morning. She controlled the weather. The 7^th plague proved that Nut could not control weather when the hail started to fall from the sky and destroy things on the ground.

The 8th plague—Locust—Shu—god of the wind. They believed that their god Shu was the god of the air, atmosphere and light. His role was to separate the god Nut from the god Geb. This gave a space between the two for life to exist. So when God sent Locust into the air, it proved the Shu could not control the wind.

The 9th plague—Darkness—Ra—sun god, the king of the gods. Our God showed darkness to prove the sun god Ra was not the light. The darkness was so thick they could feel it. They didn’t leave their houses.

The 10th plague—death of first born of all of Egypt-Bes—father of mankind; protector of households. But Bes could not save Pharaoh’s son or any of the Egyptian first born.

Exodus 12:12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord.

God proved to everyone that the idols of Egypt were no match for the one true and sovereign God. He proved that he was the one who broke chains and crushed lies of the enemy. This was for the benefit of the Israelites as well as the Egyptians.

The old testament is types and shadows of things to come. There are many, many lessons we can learn from the children of Israel. But the thing I want you to take away from today’s lesson is this: when we are in sin, we are in bondage. We are a slave to the enemy satan. God will fight to set us free. He will go before us to guide us.

I do not think it is a coincidence that the sea was known as the Red Sea. That can be a representation of the bloodline. Once we pass through the blood of Jesus. We are no longer slaves but are free. The enemy cannot come past the bloodline. He no longer has a hold on us. He has no authority.

God has given you a life. He has set you free from bondage. What will you do with it?

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 384 HIGHLY FAVORED

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The title of today’s episode: HIGHLY FAVORED

There are many in the bible that had God’s favor, some were even highly favored. When you walk in a place that you have God’s favor, the enemy tries even harder to take you out. He wants to destroy you because you have God’s favor on you life. He understands better than we do that God uses those he favors to tear down strongholds of the enemy.

The thought of being highly favored sounds like a good place to be, but before you sign up to be next think about it. There is a price to be paid for that favor. Gabriel told Mary she was highly favored. Mary suffered things that no other woman has ever suffered. She watched that baby grow up and become a man. Then she watched him be beaten beyond recognition. She watched him, who was innocent, nailed to a cross and she watched him die. Do you want to be highly favored?

John the Baptist was the forerunner of Christ. He was highly favored. Because he stood for truth and honesty, he ended up losing his head. But before the end he got to go out and tell people about Jesus. He had the privilege to be the one to baptize Jesus.

His life was full of adventure and miracles, he had many followers that went on to be followers of Jesus. Do you want to be highly favored?

There was a movement a few years ago that everyone was favored. They would say God will give you the best seats in the house. He will give you places of prestige and honor. But that was not exactly accurate. I am really about to blow up some of your theology. God will do things for one that he will not for another. Pause and let that sink in, God will do things for one that he will not for another. It doesn’t mean that he loves them more, but it is about relationship and trust.

Think about it this way, a man has several children. He loves them all. But will only allow certain ones to drive his car. Only the one he knows has the skills to drive and the proper license. He won’t turn the car over to his six year old. Because the six year old is not mature enough to handle it. But the eighteen year old that has always been obedient he will give the keys. But the sixteen year old that is always in trouble he is not so ready to turn over the keys.

If we want God’s favor in our lives we need to be obedient and follow his laws. When he shows us favor, we need to be prepared for those who God will not turn over the keys. They will be jealous and may try to stand in your way. Instead of acting with jealousy, they need to yield more fully to God. They must be obedient in order to find God’s favor.

It is not easy to be chosen and walk in favor. Look at the twelve disciples, out of the twelve, Jesus only let three into his inner circle. One of the remaining nine was a betrayer; Judas.

Eleven went on to be part of the original church, the one hundred and twenty that received the Holy Ghost. These original eleven suffered many things for the gospel. Yet they had God’s favor on their lives.

They spread the gospel across the ancient world. But in the process, angered a lot of people not willing to give up their money, power and position. They had false gods that served their purposes and didn’t want to know the truth. These people were often in charge of courts and governments. This is how most of them ended up dying for the gospel.

Let’s look at history, Peter went to Antioch and Rome. He was crucified upside down in Rome for the gospel. Andrew was crucified in Greece. James was martyred in Jerusalem. John is the only one who died naturally at an old age. But he was exiled to and island called Patmos where he couldn’t influence other people. Philip was crucified upside down at Phrygia. Bartholomew was martyred in India with a sword and beheaded. Thomas was pierced with spears and martyred in India. Matthew was stabbed to death in Ethopia for the truth of the gospel. The other James was thrown from the temple in Jerusalem. Thaddus travelled to Mesopotamia and was martyred in Beirut. Simon was killed in Persia. Methias who was the one that replace the betrayer, Judas, was stoned and beheaded in the Caspian region. These men along with others spread the gospel and paid a high price to tell someone about Jesus.

Today, we don’t want people to think we are weird or that we are uptight. We don’t want someone talking about us behind our backs. We have gotten too complacent, yet we want God’s favor.

To be favored of God doesn’t always mean that everything will be sunshine and rainbows. It often means you will walk through hard things. But it also means he will give you grace to face the hard things with his strength.

Job was favored by God, because he knew he could trust him with the attacks of the enemy. He knew Job would let his light shine. Do you want to be highly favored by God? If so I can promise your life will never be boring, but it will be full of obstacles that you can overcome as long as you keep your God Focus.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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