Tag: #beboldbebraveandkeepyourgodfocus

BOX OF CHOCOLATES

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The title of today’s episode is: BOX OF CHOCOLATES

The famous line from the movie, “Forrest Gump” went through my mind as I sat thinking about what to share with you today. It is true to a point that, “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you will get.” But if we allow God to direct our path, we can be sure it is all for our good. I decided to give you a box of chocolates or some random thought, some sweet and others more like the not so sweet jelly filling.

Random though one: We often are not happy with what is going on in our country. This is jelly candy. Evil has taken over but just for a season. Complaining will not do a thing to fix it. It only makes us emotional and stirs up others. Now to the chocolate coating on this one. These things we see needs covered with prayer. God and only God alone can fix the mess we find ourselves in, but we are not alone. It is this way all over the world.

I Thes 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Giving thanks when things are not going right or are even painful situations seems the opposite of how we are feeling. We cannot go by our emotions, but press through and give God thanks anyway. Even the hard things are working out for our good. Even if we will never understand.

Random Thought Number Two: God honors the bold and the brave. This is why I encourage you to be bold and to be brave and keep your God Focus. If we can keep our focus on Him, everything else will work itself out. The enemy loves nothing more than to put us in positions of fear. Fear is not faith. Fear is seeds of doubt that enemy tries to plant in our minds. If the fear is allowed to grow it will turn into full blown doubt and unbelief.

We have to cut the enemy off when a stray thought enters our minds. When situations arise that we have never dealt with before, it is easy to have trepidation. The enemy can spot our uncertainty. At this point he is rubbing his hands together in excitement. Then he will say, “I have the perfect lie to plant doubt and fear.”

As children of the most high God. We have power over him and his lies. The hard part comes in discerning the difference in our thoughts and his whispered lies. Paying attention to our thoughts is one way of taking into captivity the lies of the enemy. Throw them into a bin for God to deal with, then pray for him to show us what we need to know about the new situation in our life.

Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

Random thought Number Three: Grief is a personal thing. No one can tell you how to grieve. When I lost my husband two and a half years ago. I went through all the full range of emotions. I had the questions of Why? I believe that is normal. Then I realized that it wasn’t all about my pain. Some of it had to do with God’s plan for him. He was God’s child too, and God did what was best for him. I would have to make peace with that fact. I found myself saying to a friend, “It is not my place to question Why, it is my place to say I trust you Lord.” Even though I would never understand the reason Why. But I found myself every time I wondered why, I started saying, I trust you, Lord. God sees the big picture and understands everything, he does what needs to be done.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:4 – Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Psalms 34:18 – The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Random Thought Number Four: Find Joy In The Little Things.

Some find joy in long walks in the woods. Other find joy in hobbies or crafts. Some find that getting lost in the pages of a good story make them happy. As Christians, first and foremost our joy comes from the Lord. It is what gives us our peace and strength.

Knowing the Lord and being in his presence joy. The joy of the Lord is our strength. So it would stand to reason the best way to stay strong is to know the Lord. I am not talking about understanding or knowing the stories of the Bible. I mean really knowing him. Having a close relationship with Him.

That relationship will give us the courage to navigate whatever life throws in our direction.

Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

Being in God’s presence gives us joy and joy gives us strength.

Random Thought Number Five: God has a plan for each of us. Not all are called to the same things in life. But do whatever you are called to do with all of your heart. If you don’t know what that is, ask God. He will answer. Just make sure you are ready to hear the answer. We are all called to go out and win souls.

If he brings you to it, he will bring you through it. He will empower you to do what he needs you to do. I am hopeful for the future of the church. Revival is on the way. Even though things appear to be at the end. God has one final harvest time period. Now is the time to be gathering in the sheaves.

Take some time to think about this box of chocolates, I hope you found just what you needed. Always remember God Loves You more than words can say, he showed us with his amazing act of love on Calvary.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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HANNAH’S SACRIFICE

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode is: HANNAH’S SACRIFICE

In 1 Samuel we find a story of a woman named Hannah. She was married to a man name Elkanah. He also had a wife named Peninnah. She had sons and daughters. Peninnah bullied Hannah because she was baren.

Every year they went to Shiloh to sacrifice and worship. Every time Hannah was sad. It grieved Elkanah that she was so sad and would not eat. She prayed many times for a son. She went before the Lord and wept asking God for a son.

1 Samuel 1:11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

She continued to pray before the Lord. She had a discussion with Eli after he accused her of being drunk. She explained that she was distraught because she was barren.

1 Samuel 1:17-18 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. 18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.

Hannah conceived and brought forth a son. He was named Samuel. As soon as he was old enough to be weaned, she took him to Eli. Hannah had made a promise to God that if he gave her a son, she would give him to the Lord. Eli mostly raised Samuel in the house of God. God then blessed Hannah with five other children.

Often the things we have worked hard or prayed hard to obtain in our lives are tested. Hannah wanted to be a mom more than anything in this life. But she then took what God gave her and gave back him to God. It is a great gift to God when we give him what he has given us. He gives us life and we give it back to him to honor him in worship and obedience.

God sometimes will allow us to be tested. Will we stand for truth and for God? Is our relationship with God the most important thing in our lives. Are you willing to give up the very thing you prayed for in tears before the Lord? That job, that house, your place of tranquility in the back yard, that position of standing in the community, or your position in church leadership? What has God given us that we should not be willing to give to him? Nothing.

He gave us life and we come to him in repentance and say I give to you, my life. But do we surrender all of it to him. I think over time we slowly take back control without even knowing it. Especially, if you have a personality that you are born to lead and control things.

Giving God full control is often hard. But he is the only one that can truly make our lives the fullest and happiest. There is a joy in serving Jesus. We often hear those words. They are very true. But there is also a lot of pain that people don’t want to talk about, that comes from the trials of being a Christian.

There are times that following Jesus will cost you a lot. Maybe even your family, because they don’t understand your passion. But as time goes by, people see that you did the right thing.

As we read the story of the life of Samuel, it is apparent that being a prophet of God was his destiny. We would not even know who he was, if it wasn’t for the position he held in God’s work. If Hannah had raised him then he would have never learned all he needed to know to be a prophet of God.

Hannah brought Samuel clothes from year to year when she came with Elkanah to worship and sacrifice. Samuel grew and was favored by the Lord and men. I am sure as she watched him become a grown man, that she was pleased with her decision.

God grew ever more weary by the day with the sons of Eli. He was displeased with Eli also for allowing them to continue in their wickedness. They cheated the people when they came to sacrifice to the Lord. They committed fornication with women who stayed in the doorway of the temple.

God always has a plan for his people. He knew that Eli’s sons would grow up to be evil and would not turn from their wickedness. Even after they were warned, they continued. God will let sin continue for a season. He is longsuffering and allows people every opportunity to make things right. If we choose to not turn from our evil, he will soon turn us over to it. When this happens, destruction is just around the corner.

God elevated Samuel to be the prophet of Israel. This happened right before God allowed Eli’s sons to be killed in battle. Eli died when he got the news of his sons. God’s will, will be accomplished even if He has to use a donkey. We need him more than he needs us. If we will not do what he asks us to do, he will send someone else.

It is easy to judge the people in the bible. I have often thought, how could the children of Israel build a golden calf. After all they saw God do for them. But human nature wants to be comfortable and in the absence of things working like we think they should we fill in the blanks. They had head knowledge of God, but not heart knowledge.

This I think was true for Eli’s sons. They were raised to know all about God, but somehow missed the relationship part. They didn’t really know who God was in their hearts. Because their hearts were full of evil. They allowed pride to get in their way.

But God used the desire of a woman to have a child and the knowledge that she wanted to please God. He knew she would give him to the work of the Lord. So I have to ask again, what are you willing to sacrifice? Do you have head knowledge about God or do you have heart knowledge? Questions to ponder as you meditate on the goodness of God today.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 140 RESPECT GOD’S PRESENCE

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode is: RESPECT GOD’S PRESENCE

The Lord had Moses to build a tabernacle for him to come down and be in the middle of his people. Many places speak of God’s glory as being a cloud of God’s presence. In bible times his presence dwelled in the holy of holies. In this place was the ark of the covenant with the mercy seat on the top. The Old Testament is full of types and shadows of what will be in the New Testament Church. Like the tabernacle is a type of temple.

I Cor 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

We are now where God comes and dwells. God also comes down with power and authority. Make no mistake, he is in control of what is going on. There are times his glory shows up in the form of a cloud. His presence manifests in different ways but it is still God.

In the New Testament, people in positions of authority in the body of Christ (the ministry) have a responsibility to live holy and clean lives. When people in ministry commit sin and continue to live in that sin, he will remove them from their position of influence.

If we respect God’s presence in our lives, we will live like we honor him. We will not intentionally sin or walk in immorality. Does it mean we are perfect? No. But we need to do all we can with our daily choices to honor God with our lives.

The example of the Old Testament disrespect of the temple of the Lord in I Samuel. Eli was starting to be blind. When the ministry starts to become blind to sin, it only goes downhill from there. I think about the sons of Eli, they committed sin right in the temple of God. Hophni and Phinehas were given chances to change but they were arrogant about their sin. They felt entitled, like they were special and could do what they wanted. (Pride goeth before the fall). When the Philistines and Israel went to war, they were both killed. When Eli heard the news, he fell off of his seat and broke his neck. God raised up Samuel and he became God’s prophet to Israel. God is weary with the Eli’s and the entitled second and third generations of corrupt ministry.

God’s glory can bless or destroy. Sin cannot stand in the presence of God. This is why we have to approach the throne of God through the blood of Jesus. It is the cleansing of the blood that gets rid of our sin.

In Chapter 4 of 1^st Samuel is the story of the Philistines and Israel went to battle. Just as God told Eli that both of his sons would die the same day, they were killed. The Philistines stole the ark of the covenant.

Chapter 5 The ark was taken back to the camp of the Philistines. The placed the ark of the covenant in the temple of Dagon their god. The next day they went in to find the statue Dagon on it’s face, on the ground. Fake gods will not stand before the presence of God.

The Philistines set the statue back up in his place.

I Samuel 5:4 And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.

God showed them that their god was not anything. The statue didn’t just fall over by accident. It head and hands were cut off. God showed them that without a head it cannot function. Without hands it cannot work.

The hand of the Lord was heavy and they realized that they made a mistake by taking the Ark. The Philistines understood when God smote some of them with hemorrhoids. Others he struck down with death. Their leaders came together and returned the presence of God.

The arks stayed in the house of Abinadab for twenty years. There was much prosperity there, because they respected the presence of God.

Skipping ahead twenty years later, David 2 Sam. 6:3-7

2 SAM 6:3-7 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart. 4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark. 5 And David and all the house of Israel played before the Lord on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals. 6 And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. 7 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.

Uzzah put his hand on the ark and he died, because he was not authorized to touch the ark. Jerusalem prospered once the ark was returned.

God’s presence will either be a blessing or a curse, depending on how we treat his presence. Eli’s sons disregarded God’s presence and God killed them. Uzzah died for his mistake.

Those who respected the presence of God are blessed and prosperous. God’s glory fills our temple if we are obedient and walk in his ways. He will take care of his people. God’s people are not arrogant and prideful that we are blessed. We use our blessings to be of service and help to others.

If we choose to walk in arrogance and feel that we are better than everyone else because we have received God’s Spirit, then we’re headed for a fall, very quickly. Because pride goeth before the fall. I beg you to get right with God if you’re not right with God. And to respect his presence. You will be blessed all of your days.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 139 — PEOPLE OF UNDERSTANDING

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode is: PEOPLE OF UNDERSTANDING

I have always prided myself on being a good multi-tasker. The trouble with multi-tasking is that the attention is so divided that deep understanding is often missed. If the tasks are only partly important, then multi-tasking is the way to go to get that to-do list checked off. But to be a person of understanding, it takes a singular focus.

I often listen to preaching, worship music, or my audio Bible while doing my household chores. This multi-tasking is ok, but there are times when I have to sit quietly with my Bible and speak the word out loud. While listening for that still small voice to give me understanding.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Hearing has two definitions. For our ears to pickup on sounds. The other definition is to understand. This verse is saying faith comes by understanding and understanding by the word of God. It is helpful to audibly hear the word. It helps with understand. Our faith will increase as we understand what God is trying to say in the Bible. This is why it is so important to make the word a part of everyday.

When it comes to the things of God, we need to learn to slow down. Discernment and hearing the voice of God is crucial in the times we are living. It is time for us to have a singular focus on God. The enemy is trying to distract in every way. He is trying to destroy our country. America will be responsible for sending many missionaries to the world. God will not allow us to be fully destroyed. He is allowing a shaking to get his people’s attention. Many blame a political party or a politician. But the true enemy is satan, and he is controlling these evil people.

But our fight is the fight we have on our knees. As children of God, it is time to not be double-minded but to focus on declaring and decreeing that the enemy will fall. God’s will be done. It is our job to pray for America to be restored to its foundational roots.

James 1:6-8 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

We have to fight the good fight of faith. Standing strong in the name of the Lord. Now is not the time to get into fear or be double-minded. Now is the time for a single focus; God’s will be done. Being people of understanding puts us in the perfect position to discern God’s perfect will.

God doesn’t expect us to fight the battle at hand. He doesn’t want protests of violence. He wants us to battle with our words in prayer. We need to decree that the enemy will fall. Declare that God is going to move mightily and set his people free. We need to be singularly focused on him and pray.

There is not one example in the word that someone depended fully on God, and He let them down. He has put forth much effort to prove his love for us. He died for us, how much more proof do we need? He made a way for us to escape sin and hell. Speaking of hell, many have the misconception that satan will be in charge of hell. Movies and cartoons have shown us that he is planning parties and it will be one big sinfest. But my bible, which is the ultimate authority of what is to come, says he will be bound and tossed into the pit of hell. Does that sound like he is in charge?

1 John 3:7-8 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Jesus destroyed the works of the devil. Satan tries to make us believe that he has power. He tempts us to sin but cannot make us surrender our free will. We will be controlled by something. The choice is ours, will we choose life or death, whole or broken, purity or sin, Jesus or satan?

Our enemy may seem big and scary. But our God is bigger than anything the enemy can use to bring us down as long as we resist the enemy. The word doesn’t say to play with the devil-like Samson did Delilah. He knew the enemy was trying to get his secret. All he had to do was keep his mouth shut. Instead, he was snared by his words. He allowed the cunningness of an attractive woman to get him to tell the enemy what would defeat him.

Our words have power, we have to guard our words. The things we speak in negativity and complaint give the enemy tools to use against us. He will turn our words into weapons against us.

Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Whatever is in our hearts will come out. This is why we need to renew our minds and our hearts with God’s presence and his word. Reading the word out loud will help us to get it into our spirit.

Now is not the time to be slacking or to be asleep while on guard duty. We have a responsibility to our brothers and sisters and the lost to stay alert. Satan is on the move, it is up to us to be people of understanding and not allow him an inch of space to form a stronghold. Stay strong my friends, fight the good fight of faith. It is all going to be worth it in the near future.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 138 — WALK IN PEACE

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode is: WALK IN PEACE

Many opinions have been aired in the past days since the attempt on President Trumps life. I want to share mine. We are in unstable times. But make no mistake God is in control.

As children of God, we cannot allow ourselves to be overtaken with anger. I have been through the emotions of shock, anger and overwhelming sadness for the victims that were minding their own business and their families. My heart goes out to the family of the shooter. Any life lost is a potential soul that the church allowed to slip through our fingers.

I want to encourage you today, that we need to be united more than ever as the body of Christ. There is not a devil in hell that can stand against us, if we walk in love and unity. Because there is a strength in that unity, it concentrates God’s power on earth. In the middle of the worst chaos, we can walk in peace. Because our peace doesn’t come from our circumstance. Our peace comes from the Lord.

Phil 4:7 – And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

It doesn’t matter how much chaos is going on around us, we can have peace. This is a peace that only God can give because it passes all understanding. It is impossible for our human mind to comprehend how we feel peace, when logically we know that we should be feeling anything but peace.

Psalm 91 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

God’s truth is our shield. He will give us peace and strength to face each new day. There is safety and when we put ourselves in God’s care, he will protect us and give us strength.

Part of having peace is to not allow fear to overtake us when we see horrible things happening. The opposite of faith is fear. The enemy will insert fear at every turn. As we see bad things unfold before our eyes, we cannot give in to the enemy and allow ourselves to fall into fear.

When we see these things happening, we need to hit our knees. Prayer will overcome the emotions of fear, anxiety and all that the enemy tries to put on us.

I know I say this a lot,

2 Cor. 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

We cannot look at how scary things appear. It is a scary thought that someone tried to kill our president. It is scary when we get personal news that looks like there is no way out of the situation. Many things will come our way in life. It is how we deal with them that affects the outcome. Do we cower and get into our emotions of fear and anxiety? If we do, things will take a bad turn. But if we stand strong in our faith and face the enemy, he will cower.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

If we submit ourselves to God and resist the devil he will flee. Because when we submit to God, we come under his covering. We have power over the enemy. When we resist and not allow him to fill our minds with negativity and fear, we gain the strength to keep going.

Do not be discouraged, keep praying, keep looking up. God is with us if we are with him. That is the key, America is going to have to turn to God and resist the devil.

I am remined of the story of Jehosophat. It seemed like the enemy was all around and there was no hope. But they changed their focus from the enemy to God. They began to worship.

2 CHR 20:15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

I say to the enemies of all mighty God. You will not prevail. The more you do to put God’s people in fear. The more we are going to worship our God and look to him.

To my brothers and sisters I say, Pray for our country, Pray for the victims of this assassination attempt and their families. Now is the time to make sure we are walking in God’s peace and love. Keep the faith and stay strong. The battle is not ours, but God’s.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 137 — FAVOR

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode is: FAVOR

The past few days I have been meditating on walking through darkness and how that elevates us. I want to share a few of those thoughts with you today.

Joseph had the favor of his father on his life. His father Jacob gave him a coat of many colors. This coat was a mantle that his father gave him. Like our heavenly father gives us our callings and purpose. His coat stood out because no one else had a coat like the one he had been given. This represented his identity and favor of his father. It also brought out the worst in his brothers because they were jealous of him. Not everyone is going to be happy for you when they see the mantle that God gives you. Some will be jealous of your gifts and callings.

I saw this happen sometimes when travelling with my grandparents. My grandfather was a walking concordance. God used him to completely turn people’s lives around. He had the gift of prophecy and would give people words of knowledge. God used him to work healing miracles. Other preachers sometimes would become jealous of his gifts. That is something I never understood, because God is no respecter of persons. They could have had the same gifts if they wanted to pay the price. My grandpa spent countless hours on his knees with the Bible asking for revelation. He fasted and prayed over every revival before going that God would show up and deliver people.

He used to say everyone wants to ride the wagon down the hill, but no one wants to help push it to the top. Everyone wants God’s favor. But few want to do the work and fully whole heartedly sell out to the cause of Christ.

Everything we go through in life is to get us to where we are supposed to be when it is time for our divine purpose to be revealed. God gave Joseph a dream and when he told his family it made his brothers even more angry. They took him out and put him in a pit. This was the first time Joseph knew true darkness.

He felt the sting of betrayal and loss. I am sure he didn’t feel favored at that moment. Unwilling to kill him they eventually sold him into slavery. But first they stripped him of his mantle or coat. He ended up in Egypt and found favor and elevated to working for a man named Potiphar Captain of Pharaoh’s guard. Joseph was an honorable man and would not have an affair with Potiphar’s wife so she lied about him. She told her husband that he attacked her, so he threw him in prison. Once again Joseph was put in a pit of darkness. I am sure he didn’t feel favored. He was there for a long time before another elevation by God. This time he interpreted a dream for the Pharoah and became second in command over all of Egypt.

The boy who had the coat of many colors would never have been made second in command over Egypt. If he had not gone through bad times, he would not have reached his destiny. It took all the growing that Joseph did during his lifetime to make him that man. The one that was made leader over Egypt. He was in a position to be able to save his family from famine. The boy with a coat of many colors would never have found favor with Pharoah.

All through his life he had God’s favor. Even when he was in prison, he was given a position over the other prisoners. Because of his integrity and the favor of God. We sometimes walk through our own times of darkness. Sometimes, it is because others are jealous of the favor of God in our lives. Other times it is because we choose to not participate in sin and immorality. Not everyone is going to like us or treat us fairly. Joseph remembered his love for his God. He walked in with integrity and had a servant’s heart.

Joseph walked through darkness many times. God always brought him out the other side, wiser and stronger. These things formed him into the man that God could use to save his people from famine.

The stripping process often hurts. Every time he entered a dark period of his life, he was stripped of his mantle. But when he became elevated, the one in authority always gave him a new garment. Sometimes we have to let go of our old identity and who we think we are in order to step into the new identity in Christ.

We go from a sinner, full of sin to being in a safe condition or saved. There are times that we go through fiery trials as we walk out our faith. These trials and times of darkness strip us of the things that we need to let go of in order to grow. Every level of growth is a new opportunity to become who we need to be in life for that moment.

It wasn’t that all that Joseph went through was just for the one day he could save his family. There were many along the way that he was able to help and encourage. We need to have faith that God will take us where we need to go. He will use us at whatever level we are on, even if we haven’t reached our destiny moment.

These trials and what we think of as dark times are never as dark as they could be to children of God. Because of the light of Jesus within us, even in dark times, there is a ray of hope.

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

We have the light of life that will shine on our path. There are days when a little of our light can spill over on someone else’s path. That light gives them what they need to take one more step. So go out and let your light shine, even if you feel like you are walking through a time of trial yourself. We never know when our moment may be for God to move us to a new level of His favor.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 136–STIRRING RAIN

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO VERSION: https://rumble.com/v56fsoy-god-focus-this-morning-ep136-stirring-rain.html

WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode is: Stirring Rain

I am encouraged this evening as I get ready to shoot my video for my morning devotional. I spent a few hours on Wednesday with a group of intercessors. It was an uplifting experience. It is when we are in the presence of God, that we find strength and encouragement. There is nothing on earth that can compare to being in the presence of God.

When I sat down to pull my thoughts together, I planned on a different subject for this morning’s devotional. But God kept saying to me stirring rain. I can feel a stirring in my spirit. God is getting ready to do some amazing things on this earth. We have to keep holding on to Him and keep walking by faith.

When a person is said to be stirring, they move slightly in their sleep. They may be starting to wake up. I feel like the church is on the edge of stirring rain. The movement of the Holy Ghost is called the former rain. This was when God poured out his spirit on the earth, the first time.

On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood and proclaimed that what they were experiencing was God’s Spirit. This was according to the prophecy of the prophet Joel.

Joel 2:28-29 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

The modern church was in a state of slumber. We allowed the enemy to all but take over what God had given us dominion over; the earth. But there is hope, the rain is stirring in the atmosphere and God is getting ready to pour out revival. This spiritual rain is referred to as latter rain. We are in those days now, it is time for the final harvest.

Joel 2:23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. 24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.

Oil and wine were used for medicinal purposes. They helped with the healing process. I find it interesting that the floors will be full of wheat and the vats of oil and wine will overflow. The floor being full of wheat refers us to the harvest. The oil and wine are both words used to describe God’s spirit.

He will pour down the latter rain to help empower his people to collect the final harvest. They will do that by walking in the anointing (oil and wine) of God Almighty.

We have been in a spiritual drought for many years. We have been experiencing a small flowing of God’s living water. There are many reasons, but God is moving them out of the way, including man’s religion and false preachers and teachers. We are living in amazing times, even as thing appear to get darker in our land, God is going to be the light that gets us out of our darkness. God is getting ready to allow the free flow of that living water.

Be encouraged. There is a stirring of rain. It is forming in the spiritual atmosphere and will soon begin to fall. Old timers had a phrase, “I want to be under the spout where the glory comes out.” That is true today. We need to be under the spout of heaven, where God’s glory is going to pour out on the earth. I can promise you, that you do not want to miss this rain shower.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 135 — THE FINISH LINE

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode is: THE FINISH LINE

On our headstone, there will be a beginning date and an ending date, but what counts is how we live the time between. I read a poem one time it is call its how we live our dash. It talked about many things, while we are living out our dash between the dates. It was about doing the right things and not getting caught up in material things and the trappings of life. How big our house is and how many cars we have in the driveway will not matter. Because when we come to the end of our journey, all that will matter is the people that we have loved. Only the lives we have touched with kindness, encouragement and love.

Some people have a rough start, and it is hard for them to get beyond what has happened in their past. They find it hard to walk out their faith walk because they do not feel worthy of God’s love. We were all sinners and Christ died for us. It is his blood that makes us worthy.

We chose a path to walk for Jesus, the enemy will try to use our past against us. If he cannot get us to turn around and quit. He will do all he can to slow us down. He tries to fill us with fear and unbelief by whispering lies and doubt.

In a natural race there is a finish line and getting to the end the fastest is the goal. However, our goal is not speed, but to finish and finish well. With us, there are certain things we need to accomplish. Many times, we have to pace ourselves. We cannot accomplish certain things when the timing is off.

Running in the natural, if you go too fast sometimes you will feel a pain in your side and you have to slow down. Sometimes God allows things to come into our lives to slow us down until we can get our pace right. God’s timing is perfect, and we need to be in his timing. He will accelerate us or slow us down to get us to be in the perfect timing.

Eccl. 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Now more than ever, we have to make sure that we do not allow the enemy to slow us down. There is a harvest of souls that we must reach. Our time is short before our finish line. Now is the time to dig in and push harder. A runner, in the natural, will pace themselves, but when they are close to the finish line, they will run as hard as they can. This helps them to reach their goal. Our goal is to harvest many souls for the kingdom.

God has put us here on the earth for such a time as this, we all have an important part to play in reaching the lost. Many souls are depending on us to run this race at the right pace. God is the one that gives the increase and the timing of it all. We need to be ready to fight hard, dig deeper and run this race with all we have got within us.

Along the sidelines of long distance races there are water stations. God’s living water, the Holy Ghost, will help us to be refreshed so that we can keep running. It is time that we get the refreshment that comes from the presence of the Lord. His Spirit is the hydration our soul needs to keep going.

Runners often win or lose a race based on their beliefs. If they believe they are going to finish well, they do. But if they feel like others are better athletes than they are, they will not finish well. This is why God tells us not to compare ourselves to others.

Faith is our fuel to keep us running the race. We cannot allow the enemy to plant unbelief and fear. We have to open our mouths and speak faith. Something happens when we speak it; we hear it. If we keep speaking it and hearing it, we start to believe it.

I often think of the widow woman who’s son died. She left him on the bed and went to find Elisha the prophet. All along the way, she had opportunities to speak out of her mouth that her son was dead. She could have gone to her friend for sympathy and to cry on her shoulder. But any time anyone asked about how she was, she would just say, “It is well.” She was speaking faith. She did not accept the fact that her son was gone, because she knew he would live again. Keeping her faith strong, with her words was important to the miracle that God was going to give her.

We speak faith, we run our race, we dig deep and fight for the right things. We dig into the word and ask God for understanding. He will not leave us wandering lost. He will keep us on the course if we just keep the faith.

Lots of times in battle, armies would be battling one another. The one who won was the one that didn’t retreat. We have to have a made-up mind to finish our race strong. There is no time to retreat or surrender to the enemy. It is time to not only hold our ground but take back territory. We can only do this if we walk by faith and speak faith.

One day we will come to the finish line. I want to be happily greeted by my heavenly father saying, “Well done.”

I Tim 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Instead of a blue ribbon or trophy, we will receive a crown of righteousness. If we are looking for him and love his appearing, we have to want to finish the race strong, not for bragging rights but so we can see Jesus face to face.

Paul said I have fought a good fight. That takes a lot of prayer and walking by faith. Finishing our course is all about God’s timing. Keeping the faith is important because that is what will see us through to the end.

Don’t give up; we are too close to the finish line to give up now.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 134–DON’T GO THE WRONG WAY

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO VERSION: https://rumble.com/v55zbd2-god-focus-this-morning-episode-134-dont-go-the-wrong-way.html

God Focus This Morning

The title of today’s episode is: “Don’t Go The Wrong Way”

—JONAH DIDN’T WANT TO GO TO NINEVAH HE ENDED UP THERE

We can do things the easy way or the hard way. God sometimes asks us to do things that makes us uncomfortable. Fear of failure is often one of the biggest excuses. Do we go where he asks, or do we take the long road there? We will end up where he needs us. It just comes down to will we go willingly, or will we be a spoiled brat that He has to drag along. Unless we completely turn from God. We will end up where he wants us to be, how we get there is our choice.

God asked Jonah to go to Ninevah. He didn’t want to go there, he felt they were all evil. Maybe there was a little fear there. He had many excuses to not go. He wanted to go the opposite direction toward Tarshish.

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

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

Jonah took the long way around to get to where God wanted. God understood Jonah could reach a lot of people that is why he told him to go to Ninevah in the first place. How often does God ask us to do something and we end up taking the long way there but end up in our Ninevah. If the tasks could be accomplished in our own strength, we wouldn’t need God. Jonah forgot that God would go with him. How often do we forget that we don’t have to do hard things alone, God is with us.

We all want to be used by God and want to do the right thing. Often our idea of what we want to do, and God’s ideas are different. We cannot allow fear to control our every move, we have no reason to fear. God is with us. Fear, doubt and many things will cause us to run the opposite way if we are not careful. Either way we will end up in Ninevah. We can be obedient and just step out in faith and go or we can take the long way there. I want to be obedient and don’t want to take the long way there. I know there are no shortcuts in life, either. This is why it is best to follow God’s plan. Taking the long way is full of pitfalls and stressful situations.

Jonah seemed to lack compassion for the lost people in Nineveh. Above all else we need to have a heart of compassion. We need to be soul winners. It doesn’t matter how wicked the people, God loves them, and it is not our place to judge. We are to show them God’s love and speak the words He wishes.

When he told them that they had 40 days then God would pour out his wrath. They fasted and put on sackcloth, even the king. God changed His mind because of the people had repented and turned from evil. Jonah was not pleased that God changed His mind.

Remember Jonah, the next time God asks you do to something that takes you outside of your comfort zone. It is not easy to step out in faith. We question, did I really hear from God? Lord, do you really want me to do this or that, we will question. All the time, knowing that was exactly what he asked us to do. I don’t know if we think that by stalling, He will give us a pass. He has everything in the universe working like a well-oiled clock. Everything is in his timing. He knows what he created for us to do. We must be bold enough to step out in faith and do what he has asked of us.

After a couple of days of self-pity, Jonah saw things God’s way. Read Chapter 4 of Jonah to see how God used a worm to make his point and give Jonah understanding. God often uses simple things to reach us.

Thanks for watching,

Until Next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 133– SWITCHBACK

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO VERSION: https://rumble.com/v55yxre-god-focus-this-morning-ep133-switchback.html

WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode is: SWITCHBACK

A switchback is a road that is somewhat like a rollercoaster, with rises and falls, twists and turns. But when it comes to train tracks and trains the tracks are laid out with as little twists as possible. Switchback is a term used when a train climbs a mountain in a zigzag pattern. It will go forward up a hill. It passes a switch, which allows the train to switch directions. Then it will go in reverse, climbing the hill in elevation, even though it appears to be backing up. Once it gets past a certain point the switch can be thrown for it to climb forward again. This repeats until the train has climbed a steep mountain to the top. It would have been too hard for it to climb straight up the hill.

At times we want to go at things the fast way, the difficult way, just to get to the top. It is at these times that we do not realize we cannot climb to the top without the switchbacks of life. In our lives, there will be times when we feel like we will never see the top of the mountain. The process of climbing is taking forever.

Standing at the bottom of the mountain looking up the steep incline, we are not even sure there is a way to the top. It seems too monumental to try to climb to the top. Jesus is there with the answers, but he only gives us one step at a time, so we have to trust that he will get us to the top. Letting go of our ideas of how to get there and just allowing him to lead is the first step. We cannot possibly see the reversals ahead, but we have to trust that even in reversals, he is elevating us.

We go so far and then we have to make a switchback. At this time, it seems like we are losing ground by going in reverse. But all along we are climbing in wisdom and understanding. In the case of a switchback, reverse is not losing ground. Remember the train is still climbing, it just appears to be losing ground.

Life often throws us things that makes us feel like we are in reverse or losing ground. But when we look back a little later the switchback set us up to climb higher and reach our final destiny.

1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Fiery trials are allowed to enter our lives for different reasons. Some are to grow us and make us stronger. Others are to burn out impurities and make us more like Jesus. While in the middle of the process, we may feel like we are backing up or losing ground. The fiery trials make us partakers of Christ’s suffering. But one day, we will look around and find the things that appeared to be failures and reversals were actually steps forward. Remember when the train is in reverse it is still climbing.

We cannot allow the things that happen to cause us to fall. Even when we seem to be going in reverse, pray and ask God to help you climb higher. He has the ability to turn reversals into triumphs. He turns pain into joy and fiery trials into glory.

If the trials of life will eventually bring us joy, then they also give us strength. Because the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Psalm 84:7 “They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.”

When faced with a mountain, many of us want to pray for God to remove it. We do not want to have the difficult process of climbing. Someone went to all the trouble to lay the track with switchbacks to help our journey. The same one will elevate us and give us what we need to keep climbing.

John 16:33 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.

There is not a trial we face, not a mountain that needs climbing, not a river too deep to cross that He is not with us. We can be encouraged that even in the times when it looks like we are suffering a reversal, he is there to say no you are in the middle of an elevation.

This is why we walk by faith and not sight. Looking at the reversal could be discouraging. Because it appears to be going backwards. No one ever wants to lose ground, especially in a battle. Faith says we are not going down, not going under but we are rising above like an eagle.

Psalm 37:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

As long as we allow God to order our steps, even if we fall he will lift us up. Upholdeth- is defined by dictionary.cambridge.org – to defend or keep a principle or law, or to say that a decision that has already been made, especially a legal one, is correct:

God holds us up with his hand, even when we fall. Get an image of a toddler walking beside of a parent and they fall, but because the parent has a hold on their hand, they lift them up before they are completely on the ground. Though we fall, God will keep us from completely falling flat.

We can be encouraged that we never walk alone, he is holding our hand. Even when things look like they are going the wrong way. God is raising us higher, just like the train on a switchback.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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