Tag: #beboldbebraveandkeepyourgodfocus

EPISODE 79–GOD WILL DELIVER

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The title of today’s episode is: “GOD WILL DELIVER”

Psalm 91:11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

I mentioned this verse a few days ago in Episode 72 about Angels. God loves us so much that He created Angels to watch over us and protect us. Let that sink in and think about it the next time the enemy tries to tell you that you are not loved by God.

Psalm 91:13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. God gives us authority to overcome attacks of the enemy. The word says that satan is like a lion roaming to see who he can devour. We have power over the enemy. An adder is a type of poisonous snake, but God will render the poison of the enemy neutralized. The lion, adder and dragon are all representatives of satan’s attack. But God has given us power over the powers of the enemy and we can walk right over top of the enemy.

I want to take a moment to look at the word trample. Dictionary.com defines trample – step heavily and noisily; stamp. to tread heavily, roughly, or crushingly.

We will not tip toe past the enemy quietly in fear of getting attacked. But we will step heavily, roughly crushingly to destroy the attacks of the enemy.

Psalm 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. God says because we set our love upon Him, He will deliver us. Oxford Dictionary defines set – as put or bring into a specified state. We need to show Him our love for Him. If we lavish him with our love, he will deliver us from the enemy.

He will place us on high, because we love Him enough to learn of Him. Because we know His name, the name of Jesus.

Psalm 91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. When we have been in the secret place and really know God, we can call upon Him and He will answer. He will deliver us from trouble.

Things in our country needs a God intervention. The only way that will happen is if His people, will get in the secret place and pray for God to forgive our nation for turning their back on Him. Ask for Him to deliver us out of the hand of the enemy.

Psalm 91:16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

This is the best way to sum up and end this chapter. God will give us a long life and give us peace. He will satisfy or meet our needs, desires and expectations. He will be there to show us his deliverance.

Over the past four days we have learned the key is alone time with God in the secret place. If we can build our relationship with Him in the secret place, there is nothing that can touch us. Because He hides us under his wings. He will protect us from attacks of the enemy. He will send angels to watch over us.

Until Next Time,

Be Bold, Be Brave and Keep Your God Focus

EPISODE 75–PRESSING TOWARD THE GOAL

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A goal can be defined as an objective or a desired result. A point we reach when trying to accomplish something. In a foot race it is the finish line. What is your goal in life? If you ask this question some say they want to be an Olympic athlete. Others go to school for years to be doctors or engineers. Too often when thinking about life’s goals people think only of their careers. Others long for the day they can have their retirement home on the beach.

As children of God, we often do not think about pressing on to the goal of finishing this life’s race. The things we do in this life are temporary. The word says we need to occupy until he comes to get the bride. That is why we can have goals in this life for whatever we wish to do.

It is a good thing to have goals about the direction of our lives. However, we need to remember that only what we do for the cause of Christ lasts. Only following Jesus and doing what he has told us to do will matter. He has told us to go out and make disciples.

Phil 3:12-13 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Paul says He hasn’t arrived at his goal, neither is He perfect, but he follows after Christ that He may reach perfection. Then He goes on to say to forget the things which are behind. There is no reason to look back. We cannot change the past.

Phil 3:14-15 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

He keeps pressing on toward his goal, the prize of the high calling of God. He will reveal to us what we need to do on our journey for the next step toward our goal.

Phil 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

We are to walk in the light we have been given while searching for the next level of understanding. As we walk in the light we are given, He will shine more light on our path. Paul told them to follow him and to mark them that walk as he did as an example.

Phil 3:18-19 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

Paul warns that many walk as enemies of the cross. He warns of their destruction. They seek after what satisfies their appetite for sin. They boast and glory in their evil. Because they desire the earthly things. Even though we are to live and occupy until he comes, we must keep our eyes on the prize of finishing this race strong.

Phil 3:20-21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Our goal and focus should be on doing the will of God. Christ is able to subdue or bring under control all things.

Psalm 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Our goal as God’s children is to gather the harvest. Keep pressing on to learn the deep things of God. As a part of the body, it is our responsibility to gather the harvest and wait patiently for the day He comes to get His Bride.

Until Next Time,

Be Bold, Be Brave and Keep Your God Focus

EPISODE 52 — LEVELS OF BOLDNESS

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Hello my friends

The title of today’s episode is: “LEVELS OF BOLDNESS”

We are living in times where we need to be bold about our faith. The word bold means, not hesitating or fearful in the face of actual or possible danger; courageous and daring. Warriors of God, we need to not be fearful but have courage.

When Jesus chose Peter, he was a fisherman; strong and willing to do the right thing for his family. Fishermen were often rough brawlers. They were not considered scholarly or well-educated. Most of them had what we would call street smarts today. They had survival skills that helped them brave the elements as they tried to catch fish. They knew how to negotiate for the best price for their daily catch.

Peter was determined to follow Jesus. He was brave enough to walk away from everything to follow Jesus. As he walked with Jesus, he started learning about miracles. He knew in his heart that Jesus was the Messiah. Many of the Jews were blind to this fact. Some were too evil to care, others were too religious to see it.

Peter was known to have a temper. He would hear Jesus preach about loving people. Yet Peter was ready to defend Jesus with a sword. In the garden of Gethsemane, Peter was bold and took on a Roman soldier with a sword, cutting off his ear. He was brave enough to fight for Jesus in the natural. He was bold in the flesh, but he lacked spiritual boldness. Once Jesus was taken to be delivered up for crucifixion, Peter lost all boldness for a moment, and he let fear kick in. He allowed his fear to overtake his faith. I can see how easily that could happen. One day, he is walking with the Messiah, who had the power to heal people and raise the dead. Then all of a sudden he was taken captive to be offered up for punishment.

He denied Jesus and found himself warming by the enemy’s fire. Jesus wasn’t concerned by his momentary laps in judgment. Jesus knew what Peter would become someday. He knew Peter would be a strong leader after He ascended into heaven.

Matt 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

When Jesus was crucified, Peter’s faith waivered. His boldness spiraled and failed him. Until fortified on the day of Pentecost. Then he boldly stood and proclaimed, “This is that which was prophesied by Joel.” He never looked back. Once he walked with Jesus as a man and his friend. But after that day, God was within him. Suddenly he had HOLY Boldness. He became an empowered spreader of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

He suffered much for the gospel. He may not have always done the right thing. But he never denied Christ again. Church history says that he was even crucified upside down, because he felt unworthy to die like his savior. Many people down through the years have been Martyred for the gospel. Peter went through many levels of boldness. As he walked in one and grew in faith, God raised him up a level.

Satan has always had evil men in power. Look at Hearod, he killed many young male babies in hopes of killing Jesus. Because he didn’t want to give up his crown. He didn’t understand that Jesus wasn’t born to take his earthly crown.

The Foxes Book of Martyrs is a book of church history. It tells stories of people that have been martyred for the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is horrific what these people suffered. They were an inspiration to many people down through the ages. They had to have holy boldness to stand and say, “It doesn’t matter what you do, I will not deny Christ.”

Today satan has people in power that have evil intentions. We can stand strong, like Peter or David. The same Spirit that was in them is within us. We can have Holy Boldness and stand in the middle of adversity. Jesus is the only way to heaven. He is the only true God. He is the only God that died to give us life.

We need to give him back that life as an offering to thank him for Eternal life. Make no mistake about it when you decide to live a life for Jesus. The enemy will try to stop you. Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.

We will never win the lost with a watered down, weak gospel. People need the real truth of God. They need us to have holy boldness and stand up to evil as the early church. Where would we be today if they had not fully surrendered to the cause of Christ? Would we even know about God’s plan of salvation? I would hate to think that the gospel itself became lost because I was not bold enough to open my mouth in declaration of God’s plan.

II COR 4:1-4 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

I encourage you today to let your bold light shine to the world. They have been blinded to the gospel. But Jesus opened the eyes of the blind, physically and spiritually. If we can be bold, we can give the blind a little bit of light to start to see that Jesus is real and HE IS ALL they need.

Thanks for watching,

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

EPISODE 48- THE HARVEST

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A farmer is going to protect his harvest more than a hired hand. The farmer nurtured the
seeds. Invested time to ensure the seedlings had water and kept the weeds out. He watched it grow to a seedling and then to fruit production. During Harvest time, many small farmers hire migrant workers. Those workers do not care beyond their payment for the day. They don’t care if the fruit is bruised
or not harvested properly. It doesn’t bother them if they harm the vines or the
trees. They only care about their payment. The farmer cares that his harvest is
taken care of and not bruised. He wants it to be protected. Jesus cares about the harvest. He is the farmer in my scenario. He plants, waters and
nurtures the seeds of faith that are planted. But He never hires those who
don’t care about the harvest to help gather the fruit. He asks for his heirs who love the harvest to go out and gather. He asks his children to help in the harvest. They want to do the will of the father.

James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the
husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience
for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

Jesus is longsuffering and cares about the branches that they produce fruit. God is
patient and long-suffering. His children must first produce fruit before theycan be effective at harvesting the lost souls. God’s spirit inside of us, produces fruit as we deny our flesh and learn to yield to God.

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

The fruit that is produced in our lives causes us to be the light others need to see.
When we let our light shine, it will help us to harvest souls. There is nothing
more important to God than harvesting the souls that are lost. In order to be what God wants us to be, we have to work the harvest. We do not want tobring shame to our heavenly father.

Proverb 10:5 5 He that gathereth insummer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

How can we be thankful for what he has done for us, when we don’t share that story? The
church has been asleep, but is waking up just in time to pray for harvest. Now
more than ever we need to be doing all we can to see souls saved, time has
never been shorter than this moment. 2Cor 9:6-8 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; andhe which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in hisheart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a
cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye,
always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

This verse is used a lot when people are speaking about tithing and offerings. If we sow
bountifully into the work of the Lord, the church will have resources necessary
to be the church. But I want you to look at it with different eyes. If we sow
sparingly in witnessing and shining our light, we will reap sparingly. The darkness of this world will not keep people If we are bountiful in the amount of witnessing, we will reap a larger
harvest. We do not want to be found guilty of neglecting the harvest. Being
more than adequate to do what we have been called to do. If we rise above the
status quo, we can be the ones to fulfill God’s plan.It is not his will that any perish, but that all come to repentance. He gave his
disciples a clear-cut plan for the future. Go out and make disciples of others.
We are called to follow in their footsteps and go out and make disciples. A Disciple can be defined as one who follows a teacher or philosophy. We are disciples of Jesus and his teaching. We believe in the written word of God and the story of Jesus that is written there. I encourage you today to go out and make disciples of the lost. They are starving for the
truth. They may not realize it, but what they need is Jesus.Until next time,

Be bold be brave and keep your God focus

EPISODE 46 – COMPLAINING KILLS FAITH

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Hello My Friends,

I want to talk to you today about how important it is to not be a complainer. The word complain is defined to express dissatisfaction or annoyance about something, grumble, find fault with someone or something, criticize.

Since God has given us what we have, if we complain we are saying God what you have done for me is not enough. Let that sink in for a moment. We are telling God that everything you have done for me is not good enough. He created life. He created us. He came and died to repair the damage that a man done to the world God created. We are saying that the work of the cross is not even enough.

I often speak about our words and how they have power. I am passionate about this subject because I know firsthand how complaining and looking at everything negatively can destroy a person. When I was suffering with depression, I made it worse by focusing on the negative. It made the hole I was in even deeper, darker and more hopeless by complaining and speaking negativity.

The things we focus on, we magnify in our life. If we focus on God, his place in our life becomes bigger. IF we focus on negativity and wrong it will become bigger in our lives. Complaining is making God smaller and magnifying the enemy. I recently had a friend tell me they heard a minister say, “Complaining is worship to the enemy.” I think this is true, because you definitely are not magnifying the Lord with complaining lips. It is not edifying to anyone.

We go to God in prayer for something. The act of prayer plants a faith seed about a situation. Then we complain about the situation we have asked God to fix. What is that complaint doing to the faith? It is killing the faith seed.

When we speak faith about the situation, even when it doesn’t look like it is going our way, God honors our faith. That faith seed grows into a faith tree.

Phil 2:13-15

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Paul tells the church at Phillipi to do all thing without murmuring and disputings, which means complaining, so that they stay free of blame. That they can be without rebuke which means that God will show his disapproval if we complain. He actually punished Children of Israel for complaining and speaking words of murmuring and negativity.

Numbers 14:26–30 And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 27 How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me. 28 Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the Lord, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: 29 Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward which have murmured against me. 30 Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

Several times the Children of Israel complained against God. They accused him of bringing them into the wilderness to die. That was like saying God had evil intentions. When he set them free, he wanted them to have an abundant life in the promised land. But their constant negativity ended up being their destruction.

God finally realized that they were not ever going to trust him fully and quit complaining. He set them to wandering around and around in circles until all of those that came out of Egypt from twenty years old and older died in the wilderness. Except Joshua and Caleb. Joshua and Caleb had faith and trusted God at his word. They are the only two out of the twelve spies that went to spy out the promised land.

They didn’t go to see that it was good. It was everything that God said it would be, they were sent to check out the stronghold of the inhabitants there and to make a strategy to take the land. But the other ten allowed their fear to override their faith. Then they spoke out that fear and negativity. God allowed their words to define their destiny.

God let their words define their destiny. Many had complained that he brought them out of Egypt to die in the wilderness. So that is what happened to them. They never received what God had for them because of complaints.

Think today about the words you say. Are they complaints? Are they words of faith? I pray they are words of faith. Faith can move mountains. Complaining keeps you going around the same mountain as you wander in the desert.

Tune in tomorrow for part two of this subject.

Until next time, BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

EPISODE 45 –ON-TIME GOD

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The title of today’s episode is: “On-Time God”

Many times, we may feel like God has let us down because our perspective can lead us down that road. Emotions of our situation override our knowledge of God. Like Mary and Martha, they were upset with Jesus because Lazarus had died and he waited until the fourth day to show up. It seemed too late. But God needed to receive the glory out of the situation.

There was no doubt that Jesus had the power to raise the dead. People needed to know this because they needed to know that he could raise himself again. It wasn’t that he was being malicious and withholding healing. There was a bigger perspective to be known by people experiencing Lazarus being raised from the dead.

Look at all the miracles. If the children of Israel had not been to the point where they were boxed in, God couldn’t have used the situation to destroy their enemies.

The same way with the three Hebrew men that were thrown into the fiery furnace. They stood for their God. There was no doubt among the people whose side they were on. By them being thrown into the fiery furnace it showed the people the power of God. If he had saved them before they were tossed into the fire, the people would not have come to know the real God. They saw how hot the fire was because the men who tossed them into the furnace died. God was on time.

The same goes with Daniel. God could have saved him before the lion’s den, but then the people would not have seen the power of our God.

We go to God in prayer and ask Him to use us for his glory. We want to make a difference in the world around us. We have lost loved ones and friends that need to know the God of the Bible. Sometimes, we, as Christians, need a deeper understanding of who He is. We pray, “Oh God, use me for your glory.” Then, when the trials come that can show others how great our God is, we are screaming, “Oh God, don’t let me get thrown into the fiery furnace. Don’t let the enemy overtake me at the Red Sea.” We don’t want to be uncomfortable.

We don’t always understand why things happen, but we can be sure God has a reason to allow the battles in our lives. I watched a family member walk through a battle with cancer. It was scary and faith-testing, not only for them but for the whole family. I still don’t understand why it happened and I may never know. But I do know that it increased the faith of our entire family. God has blessed us with them still being with us and growing stronger every day. They are cancer-free, and I am so grateful.

We may not always understand what God is doing or why he has allowed things to happen. We can trust that he knows what he is doing. He sees the big picture of what we have asked him. When we surrender to his plans like Daniel or the three Hebrew men, we do not know what he will do with our lives. This is why we have to learn to trust him. If they had not spent alone time with God and had trust in him, they would have caved. They would have denied their God and given into a false narrative to save their lives.

We need to have a resolve and a deep determination to stand for Jesus. Before the tests come, we need to know that He is an on-time God. He will never allow more in our lives than we can handle. We often have a deeper faith than we think. We will look at someone else in their fiery trial and admire their strength. Not feeling like we could overcome what they are going through.

Let me tell you a secret if the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives within you, you have the strength. We don’t always feel like it or even know it is there, but when that strength is needed, it will rise up in us. I know this because My God says He will never leave me nor forsake me. He will give me strength in times of trouble.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

We can trust that He will do what He has promised. When we find ourselves in the middle of a situation where we really need God to move, we need to hold on to the knowledge that He is always right on time.

Thanks for watching, until next time

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

EPISODE 44 – MORE LIKE MARY

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Hello My Friends,

The title of today’s episode is: “MORE LIKE MARY”

Mary, as in the woman that worshipped at Jesus’ feet. Many things have been said about the story of Lazarus’ sisters. One was named Martha, who was busy working to prepare food for the people at their home who were with Jesus. She was ministering in her own way. She was upset that Mary wasn’t helping her. Martha’s calling may not have been Mary’s calling.

Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus. She was doing what she was supposed to do. She was worshipping at Jesus’ feet. Mary was the same woman who poured out precious ointment on Jesus’s feet.

Notice verse 2

John 11: 1-2 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)

People sometimes get angry with you because they feel you need to be doing one thing while God may have you doing something else. Mary could have helped Martha in the kitchen, but she was sitting at Jesus’ feet, learning. Which, in the grand scheme of things, was more important. In this situation, Mary was learning how to sit and soak in the atmosphere that surrounded Jesus.

I am not making light of all that Martha done to serve, but Mary was where she needed to be at that moment. Sometimes, God will pull us aside and tell us to take some quiet time for prayer and study. He doesn’t want us out doing other things for the kingdom. Sometimes, we are to quietly sit and worship at his feet.

He knows where he is getting ready to use us and wants us to be prepared. He prepares us in the quiet times when we are sitting at his feet, listening for him to speak to us. It is in the quietness of reflecting on his word that we gain strength. He shows us the deeper things and opens our understanding.

In the quiet times he helps us to know our identity in Him. There are times when we can get so busy serving him and doing all the things that we feel make us a good Christian that we neglect our time with Him. We neglect our relationship. People in ministry especially have to focus hard to find quiet time. It’s easy to get caught up in the ministry and miss the minister of Jesus.

Later, six days before his burial, Mary went to the house of Simmon, a Phariasee, and poured out the oil to anoint his feet. Mary worshipping at Jesus’ feet and wiping his feet with her hair was a sign of humility. Also, the word of God says that a woman’s hair is her crowing glory. So she was saying my crowing glory is not worth much compared to you. I use it to wipe your feet.

Sitting quietly at Jesus’ feet the first time prepared her to enter to Simon’s house and anoint Jesus’ feet. If she had been rushing around in the kitchen, she might not have had the courage to anoint him with the spikenard ointment. This was necessary for his burial since he was not in the grave long enough for the women to anoint him in the tomb.

My pastor used to say, “Sometimes you need to come apart before you fall apart.” He would reference Jesus getting on the boat and going to the other side to be alone with his twelve disciples. We all need to take time to refresh in the quiet time of communication with God.

We are at a critical time in the Body of Christ. Many decisions need to be made quickly. Lines are being drawn in the sand and we need to be sure we are on the right side of the battles. Sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening for His direction will be what carries us through. Then we will be glad that we were more like Mary in this instance than Martha.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

EPISODE 43 – IT’S ELEVATION TIME

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The title of today’s episode is: “ IT IS ELEVATION TIME”

Hab. 3:18-19 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

Even in the middle of all of our troubles, we can have the correct perspective. We rejoice in the Lord. And wait for him and He will lift us up.

Hinds is another word for dear that is used in the bible. Have you ever watched a deer run up a rock cliff? It is because God has equipped their feet to climb that terrain. We, too, can be equipped by God to climb higher and on rough terrain. Many don’t want to take the risk of climbing higher in God. They fear falling or that God may ask them to step out of their comfort zone. I have been there and probably will be again.

We should not be afraid of elevation. God is everywhere and will keep us even hanging on the side of a mountain. It takes strength to keep climbing, but it is worth it when you get to the top. We cannot allow our fear to get in the way of the amazing journey that awaits us. Because the view from the top of the mountain can be spectacular. If we stay on safe ground, we will never see it.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

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

In preparing for elevation, we need to study God’s word. This is not a legalist; we have to read so many chapters a day to check off the list of being a “good” Christian. But God requires certain things from us in preparation for elevation.

Studying the word will lead to a deeper understanding of God and His ways. So that when the fiery trials come, we are better equipped to stand. We have the word in us to strengthen us.

Job suffered many things. But he was already at a place where he knew God. Really knew his character and how much he loved Job. Job was not just trying to get to know God. We are tested so that we will understand who we are in Christ. God knows what we are capable of handling, often we do not until we are faced with walking it out in our lives.

There are examples of people God elevated through trials to be in a place to save the Israelites. Joseph went through all sorts of trials in his life. God used them to elevate him and, in turn, save his people. He was sold by his brothers as a slave. Ended up in Egypt. He was close to the Pharoah until his wife lied about Joseph. He ended up in prison. He was promoted from prison to being the second in command of all of Egypt.

The three Hebrew men who were thrown into the fiery furnace received promotions. When King Nebuchadnezzar realized they were alive, he humbled himself and decreed that the people should only worship the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Daniel 3:30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.

Once we walk through our trials, we will receive elevation in the Lord. For every new level, we will have to be stretched and grow in wisdom and knowledge before we level up. But with each elevation, we have more power over the powers of the enemy and will be able to help more people.

What do all these people have in common? They were humble before the Lord. They built their relationships with him in their prayer time. They didn’t pray and act like they were superior to everyone else. God uses the humble. Because if he chose to use someone who had pride in them already it would only make their pride worse.

Matt 6 1-6 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. 5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

GOD SEES IN SECRET WILL REWARD OPENLY. Faithful in a little thing no one knows, God will elevate you to a place where He can use you because it is about obedience. If we are obedient in small things, then he will trust us with larger things.

We don’t do the little things in secret thinking God will elevate me and I will be famous, everyone will know me and see me. No you are faithful in the little things because that is what God has asked for you to do. Remember, you can’t fool God. He knows our thoughts before we think them and he knows our hearts.

If you find yourself in the middle of a fiery trial, remember to keep doing the little things. Stay faithful to God and his will and he will promote you on the other side of the fire.

UNTIL NEXT TIME,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

EPISODE 41–BEING FLUID WITH THE SPIRIT OF GOD

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO VERSION: https://youtu.be/ouZmo8_w62k

Hello My Friends,

Have you ever met someone who people say about them, “Oh they go with the flow.” In other words, they are not shaken by their circumstances. I strive to be one of these people.

Every Christian will face times of fiery trials. When walking in these times, it is not easy to know what to do. Many say just shake it off. We go through Red Sea moments where it looks like there is no hope and suddenly God shows up and delivers us.

Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Instead of allowing the things that are pressing in on us to affect us, we have to be strong. We cannot wallow in self-pity or allow our circumstances to look bigger than God to us. This is where we say, “I am a child of God, I am a warrior in God’s army. A soldier would not be wallowing; they would be determined to accomplish their mission.

God will always make a way of escape for us. Our ability to overcome doesn’t solely depend on us. It does, however, fully depend on God and His mighty hand. Our trials are often referred to as fiery trials. We cannot allow doubt in the middle of the fire. If we do, the flames will destroy us. The things we know to be true when things are good are still true in the fire. Satan’s lies will not change us as long as we hold fast to the truth.

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.

Gold has to be melted to get the impurities out of it. We must be fluid in God in order to walk in the Spirit. In other words, to flow in the Spirit, we have to get rid of the things that are sinful or even those things that are in the grey areas. If we walk in the Spirit, we will not be walking in the flesh. It is impossible for both to be in charge of our day.

We may question why good people go through bad situations. God allows things to grow us. It is all about making us a better light to the lost. Ultimately, this life is all about winning souls to Christ. But we can rest assured that God knows what is best. We have to have faith that God will not allow anything that will not grow us in some way.

Many of us can look back and thank God for not answering certain prayers or for even answering no. At the time we prayed the prayers, we couldn’t see the big picture like God can, but looking back, we realize why he said, no. He always works things out for our good.

Someone may respond, “If he always works things out for our good, then why did he take my loved one? That was not best for me.” Things sometimes are hard to understand. But we have to remember, in the case of our loved ones, it’s not always about us. Maybe God took them to spare them something worse in this life than what they were dealing with already. In the case of the loss of a loved one, we need to remember it was about them and God’s will for their life. Their loss becomes one of our growing and learning-to-walk-by-faith experiences.

John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

The living water is fluid, when we learn to flow in the spirit we will see God do amazing things. Sometimes, we must press in and make an extra effort to get to a place where God can use us. Sometimes, it takes learning to walk in faith. As we learn to be fluid and flow in the Spirit, we will see God move in our lives.

Do not be discouraged if you are walking through a fiery trial. Do not let the enemy tell you lies about God’s motives. God wants only what is best for us, and he wants us to learn to lean on him and love him. He wants us to become fluid in the spirit. We need to be so intertwined with His spirit, so fluid, that people cannot tell where we end and where He begins. Be encouraged today, if you know Jesus, lean on Him. He will help you with the fiery trials and teach you to flow in that living water.

Until next Be Bold, Be Brave and Keep your God Focus.

Have a great day.

EPISODE 40 — THE HEART OF THE MATTER

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO VERSION: https://youtu.be/uGFHd1kLcZU

Hello friends,

Some of you today may be walking through difficult circumstances. Maybe you have just broken up with someone. Maybe you are grieving the loss of a loved one. Many circumstances can cause us to be down. If you are one of those people, let me tell you that you are not alone because God loves you. Jesus is always there if you will let Him be the one your heart loves. He will heal your broken heart and he will never leave you. I like to share with others that He saved me from a dark pit of depression. He gave me strength to find my way out of the darkness, many years ago. If you find yourself struggling with depression, you have to fight it with all you have within you. God will help you be set free if you ask him.

I want to talk to you today about the heart of the matter.

“The heart of the matter” is a phrase we often use to mean the main central point about a topic. As Christians, we often are asked to sum up the reasons we have faith. We say things like, I love Jesus because he first loved me. He saved me from the mess that was my life. Jesus summed up our duty as Christians to Love God with all our heart, soul mind and strength and our neighbor as ourselves.

One of my favorite verses defines the whole duty of man as follows. Eccl 12:13-14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

The conclusion of the matter, or the heart of the matter, is that we need to Fear God and keep his commandments. How do we keep his commandments? Our heart has to be set on the right things. Our affection must be on Jesus and the things that are pleasing to him. God knows our heart if it is set on the things of this world or the things of His kingdom.

Psalm19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. David prayed that his words and his heart be acceptable to God. With this attitude his affections moved the heart of God. We need to have a heart like David.

I am reminded of when God sent Samuel to anoint one of Jesse’s son king. He looked at how strong they were physically. God told him that none of the ones before him was the one. They all were nice to look at and were physically strong. But strength of the heart is a better trait. Long story short he ends up anointing the smallest in stature.

1 Sam 16:6-7 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him. 7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

God knew that Eliab and all of Jesse’s sons would be standing and trembling beside of the battlefield while Goliath mocked God and Israel. He knew that all of the men of Israel who were there would be too afraid of the enemy to go out and fight. Because they didn’t have their hearts set on the things of God. David spent a lot of time praising God in the fields with the sheep. In the quiet time of watching over the sheep, David found the shepherd of his heart. He learned to trust and love the Lord with all his heart.

The Psalms are full of verses like:

Psalm 57: 7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. Although Jesus can heal or fix our broken hearts. This is not what David meant in this passage. He meant he had his heart set on doing the will of God. Fixed as in a set point, a determination to keep going even in the face of fear and danger.

We could learn a lot from David. As Children of the most high God, we are facing some giant situations. Witchcraft, devil worship and every kind of evil imaginable is running wild in our world today. We have power over the power of the enemy as long as we have faith. As long as our heart is fixed or set on Jesus and His word. We cannot allow fear to distract us from having our hearts fixed on Jesus.

I want to encourage you today to show someone you love them. Spend time with the one who created the concept of love, showing him how much He means to you. Hug those you love a little tighter and cover them with prayers of protection. Read and declare Psalms 91 over your house and family every day.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS.