Tag: christianity

GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP450 VESSELS OF USE

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: VESSEL OF USE

God chooses the ordinary with something special inside. He looks for those who will be vessels that he can use. Think about Jesus’ disciples, he chose fishermen, a tax collector, a physician, and one that was a scam artist. Each one had a job to do. Each one was different in their upbringing and abilities.

Over time he molded and shaped their lives. He took them from ordinary vessels to extraordinary vessels. All that growth happened during the firing process. They learned to have faith while Jesus walked with them, but that faith was tested in the furnace of life after Jesus ascended.

We often talk about the three Hebrew men that were thrown into the fiery furnace. It had been turned up seven times hotter than normal. We walked into the middle of their story. We didn’t see all that happened in their lives to give them the strength to say, we are vessels of use to Jehovah. We will not bow to an idol; we don’t care if it is the law of the land. We don’t care that it can mean death. We only worship Jehovah.

How many trials had they walked through previously that gave them that boldness. They were individuals that had consecrated their lives to live for Jehovah. They would not betray him just because the politician in charge, the king said so.

How do we get to be vessels God uses? We prove that we are worthy to be used by getting to know the God of the universe. He created each of us for a purpose. Many never fulfill that purpose because they choose to not follow God or his path for them. But we have chosen to follow him. He will not allow us to sit on the shelf too long.

Is 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.

He has promised to be with us and to not allow us to be overtaken. We can be sure he will go with us and not allow the enemy to prevail. All he asks of us is to be willing vessels of honor and integrity. Ones that will follow him and not bow to the world.

2 Tim 2:20-22 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

It doesn’t matter what the vessel looks like what matters is the heart. Is the heart pure and willing to be obedient? Because God cannot use a vessel that wants to do their own thing. Imagine a pitcher telling the potter, you cannot use me right now to serve iced tea, I plan on holding water and some flowers. There is nothing wrong with either thing. But by wanting to hold water and flowers, the pitcher is not doing what the designer chooses (it is being disobedient).

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP423 GOD’S DESIRES

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: GOD’S DESIRES

Human beings have an overwhelming desire and thirst for knowledge. History has judged Eve too harshly. She made a bad choice and trusted the wrong voice. If we are honest, I don’t believe one of us could say that we haven’t been taken in by someone who was manipulative.

But I want to discuss with you today the garden itself. God gave them everything they needed. There was peace in the garden. It was a place that God came down and talked to Adam and Eve. He desired people to commune with and he wanted to be their God.

When given a chance to be thankful for what God had done for them, they were disobedient. It should not have mattered the amount of knowledge that the tree would give them if their friend asked them to not eat of that tree. Even the threat of death didn’t stop them from seeking knowlege.

Adam can blame Eve all he wants, but he knew they were being disobedient. That is why God kicked them both out of the garden. That didn’t stop God’s desire to communicate with mankind.

He made a better way. He sent Jesus to die for our sins, so that his spirit could dwell within us and commune with us. God is still wanting someone to talk with, just as he came down to the garden and talked with Adam and Eve, he wants to talk to us.

Prayer time should not just be a quick thank you for what you have done, here is my wish list, thank you, Amem. Prayer time should be us quietly worshipping until he speaks to us. Now more than ever before we need to know his voice. We need to not be deceived by the sneeky snake.

Just as Adam and Eve got kicked out of the place God created, many church leaders have listened to the enemy and have eaten the forbidden fruit. These evil pastors have large followings, because they give people a feel good fifteen minutes. He never tells them to choose life and not death. The best way to know if what is being preached at your church is God’s truth, is to know the word for yourself and ask God himself for direction.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

God gave the church his spirit, not just so that we could witness, as some say. But he gave us his Spirit so that we can be connected to God. He didn’t fill us with His Spirit just so we could speak in tongues and rejoice, but so that we could be empowered by God to do his will. So that we could be led by His Spirit. If we will listen to the leading of the Holy Ghost we will not be misled by the snakes of this world.

The Holy Ghost is not given to us so that we can become self-righteous and judgmental. He came so that we could have a connection to God. One that will lead us to fulfillment. God’s desire is to have a relationship with us. His Spirit will show us things to come. If we take the time to sit quietly and wait up on him to speak to us through that still small voice.

God desires for us to worship him in Spirit and Truth. He doesn’t want us going through the motions. He wants us to be led by His Spirit and not our will.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING –EP419–DIGGING OUT THE WELLS

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I grew up near an artesian well. As a kid it was amazing to go get a drink out of the fountain that didn’t need a pump. There was not a handle to turn it off and on, it ran all the time. As an adult, I understand that it has to do with pressure in the water table. To a kid it seemed almost like it was magic. Even on hot days it was ice cold, which made it more magical.

Other wells, like the one my grandfather had, was a big hole in the ground that water flowed into and stayed until it was dipped out with a bucket. This is how the wells were in the bible times. In order to stop the flow of water these types of wells must be filled with dirt or rocks.

After Abraham’s death his enemy the Philistines stopped up his wells. Issac came along and dug them out again. Each time he fought with the enemy over the wells. He would walk away and try the next well until he came to a place that the enemy gave up. That well he called Rehoboth which meant the Lord has made room.

At the well of living water God too has made room. He wants us to share the living water with everyone. God has made room for everyone who is thirsty to come and be filled with is Spirit or living water.

It is impossible for an artesian to become stagnated. Water becomes stagnated when it quits flowing. This allows decaying leaves and other things to build up and contaminate the water. Our spiritual lives can be like either type of water. If it is like the artesian well, we are living close to God allowing the things he wants to pour into our lives to flow. If our living water becomes still and doesn’t flow out of us, we can become contaminated by the world and become stagnate.

John 7:37-39 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Out of our bellies will flow rivers of living water. We need God’s spiritual water to be an artesian well springing up in our lives. The spiritual water (Holy Ghost) will continuously flow and keep out impurities. As long as we stay in the flow of the Spirit of God we will not become stagnate.

But more than having enough God in us to keep us on the right path and not stagnate, we have to share the water. Some want to share God’s Spirit according to church by laws or man’s traditions. Some want to share him on their own terms. But there is only one way.

John 14:6- Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Are you ready to be one of God’s wells that will pour out his living water to the lost and thirsty souls? God needs us to be ready to spread the gospel to the lost. He pours into us and gives us wisdom and understanding for us to take and share with those who are dying to know God’s ways. The world is in desperate need of a savior, now more than ever. We can be that well that springs up and shares Jesus with them before they die lost.

Prov 10:11-12 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. 12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

I always think of the woman at the well when I think about God’s living water. Jesus was telling her that He was God and man and Holy Spirit all in one. He was telling her that even though she had been disappointed in people that he would not disappoint her. All she wanted was someone to love her and accept her. But instead, she was left with an unsatisfied life, going from relationship to relationship. To make matters worse, everyone treated her badly because of her choices. Instead of having compassion and showing her God’s love. She had been hurt and judged by the religious self-righteous people of her day. I know many who have been judged harshly by self-righteous people. These judgmental people need more of God’s living water inside of them.

The enemy will do all he can to keep the flow of the Holy Ghost from accomplishing a good work. We are the earth that can get in the way of that flow. Today, I want you to think about how much earthly flesh you allow to stand in the way of the flow of God’s Spirit. We don’t want a trickle or small stream of God’s living water in our lives. We need the artesian well, so that there is room for everyone to have a drink. The word tells us to not quench the Spirit. How many times do unintentionally do that very thing?

Until Next Time,

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BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING — EP400– GOD’S HANDS

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: GOD’S HAND

As children of God we often say that we are in his hands. There is safety and strength in God’s hands. Today I want to take you through the scriptures and share more about God’s hands.

When I think about being in his hands I think of safety. Being in his hands means we are protected from the storms of life. One verse says we are under the shadow of his wings. We are safe when we put ourselves in his hands.

Because it is a choice, and we have free will, we can choose to leave the safety of his hands and choose to walk away. Nothing can take us out of God’s hands. There is nothing or no one bigger and more powerful.

Jer 18:6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

We are in his hands so that he can shape our lives, like a potter does clay. He knows how long to allow us to be fired in the kiln of trials and adversity. In the times of fiery trials we become who God wants to make us.

Is 64:8 But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

God spoke everything into existence, but he formed man with his own hands. Like a master potter, he forms us and molds us into the people we need to become. As long as we are moldable clay. As long as we yield to the way he tries to shape our lives. We can become usable vessels. Vessels that can be used to pour out the goodness of God in witness to the lost. We can pour our encouragement to those who are hurting.

If we do not yield to God and are not moldable clay in His hands. We will never become the vessels that God can use for his glory.

Is 41:13 For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

We have every reason to trust that he will help us. We are not to fear, he has promised to help us. His hand is not too short that he cannot reach us. It doesn’t matter how far we fall, he will pick us up.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING–EP399–EMPTY TO OVERFLOW

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING, I AM THRILLED TO BE BACK AND HAVE EVERYTHING WORKING AGAIN.

THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: EMPTY TO OVERFLOW

I often think about Peter fishing all night without a catch. He was ready to give up. Peter had used his equipment and experience, all that he had within his power to catch fish. We too can do everything in our power to get a good outcome, sometimes, but in spite of our best efforts we fail. Then Jesus came by and said go out and cast your net on the other side. I am sure the last thing Peter wanted to do was go back out after a long night. But he listened to Jesus and went back out. He was obedient.

The first time he was out he was fishing in his own strength and wisdom. The second time he went on Jesus’ word. He caught so many fish; he had to call for another boat to help him. We may accomplish thing on our own. But it is always more profitable to listen to the leading of God.

When we are obedient, we go from an empty vessel to one that is overflowing. When we are obedient, not only will God bless us, but he will bless those around us. It doesn’t say, but I think it is safe to assume that the boat which came to help Peter had fished all night too without much to show for it.

The blessing that God gives us will always overflow onto others. He pours into us so that we can pour out to others. He fills us with encouragement so that we can encourage others. The hope he gives us to give us something to share with others. He gives us faith to share the good news of salvation.

When we are tired of trying, like Peter was that morning, remember God has a plan. We may be empty like the boat Peter was in, but God can fill us up to overflowing. We just have to cast our net on the other side. If we follow God’s instructions and are obedient, we will be blessed and many around us.

Now is not the time to sit in the empty boat feeling tired and frustrated. The world is depending on us to try again. We need to keep fishing, keep trying to win the lost to Jesus. Now is the time to look for answers, listen for God’s direction. He will not leave us empty handed but will tell us to launch out into the deep.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

EPISODE 118 — SEARCHING THE HEART

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode is: SEARCHING THE HEART

King David’s writing is my go-to for encouragement. The Psalms are full of his humanity and humility. He was not perfect; he made a lot of mistakes like we all do. But what he lacked in making good decisions he made up for in heart. He had a heart of worship.

Some believe your works will save you and they go about doing good. They work in soup kitchens and raise money for homeless shelters. It is nice to do all sorts of things like this, some are called to that work by God. Others are called to work in nursing homes to take care of our elders. But no good deed will save you.

We have access to God’s spirit and rebirth only through and by the blood of Jesus. But that doesn’t mean that once we are born again that we can sit down and do nothing until Jesus comes. He will lead us to our calling. We are created for a purpose; we must walk in our purpose. We are all supposed to go out and lead the lost to Christ.

Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

David asked God to search his heart. This is something we need to do from time to time. Because things happen over time that we hang on to and don’t even realize it. We can develop envy, jealousy, hurt feelings or offense and bitterness. Often, we do not even realize that we are holding onto offense.

All of these things can get in the way of us being fully effective in our callings. It is good to take inventory from time to time and ask God to search our hearts. Tell him to expose any root of bitterness, hate, jealousy. The Proverbs are full of what happens when we are not wise in our faith walk.

Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

One example of the root of bitterness is the story of Cain and Abel. If Cain had not let bitterness take root in him. Then it would not have festered and turned into hate and then to murder of his own brother.

Cain had several opportunities to turn from his bitterness. God wanted Cain to surrender to him. Cain believed that God loved Abel more, because he accepted his offering. God loved Cain as much as he did Abel. He blessed Abel for his faithfulness. He would have blessed Cain too if he had surrendered to God. But instead, he held onto offense until it became bitterness. Many carry things for a long time until they don’t even realize they are jealous, envious, bitter or are carrying hate. Sometimes we carry the heaviness so long it becomes a part of us.

This is why we have to look diligently and search our lives to make sure we are not carrying things we were not designed to carry. Think of it this way. The maximum capacity of weight you can carry is one hundred pounds. If you are carrying forty pounds of bitterness and thirty pounds of jealousy you only have thirty pounds of capacity left to carry everything else, joy, responsibilities of everyday life, your family obligations and last but not least your calling of God. If we can get rid of the bitterness and jealousy, that leaves more room to carry the good things.

There are things that God wishes to give us, but our hands are not open to receive. Our hands are full of all these things we need to release. Many need to release man’s religion to make room for God’s plan and relationship. We need to ask God to empty our lives of anything that is not pleasing to Him. So he can fill us up to capacity with his love and light.

Sickness can be caused by lots of things. Sometimes, however, it is caused by the physical manifestation of what is inside; our pain and bitterness. These emotions can be powerful and will make us sick if we cannot learn to let go.

Bitterness ties us to a situation like being unforgiving keeps us chained to a situation. Being bitter and angry can have long term effects on our health. When God tells us to put away bitterness, anger and unforgiveness, it is for our good.

This is where we have to ask God to give us the strength and power to lay down what is potentially harming us. I often pray “Empty me of me and fill me with more of you.” As we walk in the fruit of the spirit and not in our flesh we will find true freedom. If we can learn to search our hearts.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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FAITH

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Faith is seeing light with our hearts when our eyes see only darkness. Often, situations look bad in this life, so it looks dark. But if we believe that God will work it out for our good, then there is hope. Hope creates a small pinpoint of light. God takes that small pinpoint and starts chipping away at the darkness until it disappears. Having faith is knowing he will see us through any situation.

We don’t have to see things with our eyes to know that God is going to move in our situations. This is what it means to walk by faith. Believing that God will take care of our situations even when they seem impossible. It is about having hope that God will deliver on his promises even when we don’t see it.

God wants us to have pure faith, not mixed with any doubt.

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS