Tag: christianity

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