Tag: #dailydevotional

EP380 FORGIVE

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The title of today’s episode: FORGIVE

This week we are going back to basics. It is good to be reminded and make sure our foundation is solid. I have been feeling like God is wanting the church to go back to basics and check to see that they are still on the solid rock.

Many things can come into our lives slowly. We don’t even think about them at times. But the enemy can slowly chip away at our rightness and cause us to become wrong.

There is power in forgiveness. First, I want to share with you the most amazing power of forgiveness. Jesus was brutally beaten, mocked and tortured. But still he had forgiveness in his heart. He had forgiveness for every one of them that hurt him. He had so much forgiveness for us that he suffered for our sins.

After those people had beaten him, whipped him and tore open his flesh and after all the mocking then nailing him to a cross, he said, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. Such love and forgiveness goes beyond our human capacity to let go. It takes the spirit of God to help us to let go of certain things, but we have to be willing to try.

Jesus was our example, as followers of Christ we are to strive to walk as much like he did as possible. Walking in forgiveness is something that we all struggle with from time to time. Things happen that cause us hurt and disappointment. People do not always have our best interest at heart. Which causes us pain and unforgiveness.

Carrying the weight of what has happened comes with the weight of unforgiveness. When we do not forgive, we keep ourselves tied to the situation. Not forgiving keeps us tied to the situation and the hurt. It is impossible to heal from being hurt when we don’t forgive.

Some say, I forgive but I won’t forget. This statement is true and false. Yes, our memory will recall the situation from time to time, like so many of our experiences. But not forgetting, means you are purposefully holding onto the situation as if you are waiting for the right time to retaliate.

Matt 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

We do not forgive for the other person, we forgive for ourselves. It doesn’t matter if they are sorry or not. It makes no difference if they ever admit wrong doing or ask for forgiveness. We have to live by Jesus’ example and forgive them even if they don’t know what they have done.

God will hold us accountable for our unforgiveness. In order to accept his forgiveness, we have to give the same courtesy to others. Even if they don’t deserve it. Because we do not deserve to be forgiven for trespassing against God’s laws. Yet he extended to us the ultimate forgiveness. When we truly forgive, we are releasing ourselves from the hurtful situations.

Is the situation worth holding on to so much that you would risk not being forgiven.

Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

We cannot fall into the enemy’s trap to allow unforgiveness to harden our hearts. God cannot use a hardened heart. He can only use a heart that is surrendered to him. A heart of compassion, love and forgiveness.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 378 TIME FOR A DECLARATION

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: TIME FOR A DECLARATION

Our forefathers were oppressed by England. The king was forcing them to pay large taxes for delivering goods from England. That is why the Boston Tea Party happened. They were tired of oppression and came together to make a declaration that they were binding together and that they were not going to take it any longer. They were setting themselves free from their enemy. Our country was established by this powerful declaration. This declaration said we are no longer under your control.

The body of Christ now faces oppression by an enemy; satan. He will continue to oppress the church until we collectively take a strong stand and make a declaration of freedom from his oppression. Our words have power, God gave Adam dominion over all the earth. He had dominion over the animals. The word dominion means- rule, control or authority.

When Adam and Eve sinned and were thrown out of the garden, they lost their control and authority. They gave it over to satan. It took Jesus to take back the authority. Now that authority has been given to the church. We have power over the powers of the enemy.

Over the years through sin and unbelief we have allowed the enemy to chip away at our dominion and control over the earth. Sin has allowed the evil that is going on today to get a strong hold. It is time we open our mouths and declare that we are binding the enemy. He will no longer rule over our friends, families, our country and all the countries of the world. We have the power to bind the power of the enemy.

Matt. 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

We as the body of Christ need to bind together and declare to the enemy we are taking back our territory. You will no longer steal from our friends and families. You will let go of the places that you have strongholds. We take back the territory that we have given up over the years. We declare freedom to the people of the world from your oppression. Satan you will not win, we declare your power null and void over the people of this world. Jesus gave the church dominion, and we will walk in our authority and be the body of Christ in the earth.

Job 22:26-29 For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God. 27 Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows. 28 Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways. 29 When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.

There are many examples in the bible about declaring the works of the Lord. Our words have power. The fact that America is still standing is testament to the resolve and power of the declaration of that group of people that wanted our country to stand for God.

Abraham was made the father of many nations, because of his declarations.

Romans 4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

Making declarations, is a statement of faith. We have asked God for this thing, now we are going to speak as though it already has happened.

Each one of us that have accepted the work of the Cross and God’s plan to redeem us from sin have made a declaration. We will walk in the ways of the Lord, we have denounced a life of sin. We will no longer live by the lies of satan. We accept that God’s grace will stand in the gap when we fall short, but it is not a license to live any way we choose. We have to strive to live the best life we can live. God will take care of the rest. Looking unto Jesus who is the one that authored and carried out this plan of faith.

Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Confessions and declarations are both made with the mouth. Confession is to admit wrong doing and ask for forgiveness. Declaration is speaking about a subject and making a stance.

First we confess our sins, then we declare that we will live for the Lord. So do not feel like I have been covering new territory when speaking about declaring something. We have to stand on our faith and declare things that we pray for as if they are already tangible circumstances.

July 4^th we celebrate our country and the religious freedoms we have in America. We need to be thankful for our country. Living in American cannot be taken for granted, we have a responsibility to future generations to carry on the freedom to serve God. We celebrate the freedom from England today, but let us not forget to celebrate the freedom from our enemy, satan.

Thank God for the day we gained our Independence, so we could give it to God. We give up living like we choose to become dependent on the one true God, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Have a safe and happy July 4^th. God bless you and God Bless America.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 377 KNIT TOGETHER IN LOVE

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The title of today’s episode: KNIT TOGETHER IN LOVE

There is an old form of needle work that many generations of people have used to create clothing, blankets and many items that are useful. Knitting takes a single thread and weaves it into intertwining loops that hold on to one another. All the loops keeps the garment from unravelling. But if one loop gets broken the whole garment could unravel. The broken thread needs to be restored to save the garment.

When a person gets a bad cut, they require stitches. Someone will clean out the wound to prevent infection, then stitches bring the two halves together. This helps the skin to repair itself and grow together.

In life we often have misunderstandings and differences of opinion. Each side holds back and doesn’t truly listen to one another. If they do it is to respond with a counter argument. Instead of listening to understand. This attitude comes from pride. We know what the word says about pride, it goes before a fall. When things become about who is right and not what is right, everyone loses.

Col 2:2-4 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

The body of Christ is supposed to be one body. This says we are knit together with love. Other scriptures say that if one member hurts we all hurt. It is time we cleanse the wounds and come together with love. Let God’s love be the stitches that pulls us together.

The thing our enemy satan fears more than anything is unity in the body of Christ. Because if we would spend the time we invest in fighting one another and start rebuking him instead, he would not stand a chance.

For us to be effective in the last days, we are going to have to come together. We will never win souls until people feel there is a safe place for them to run.

Prov 18:19-21 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. 20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

How many people out there have suffered church hurt. They have been hurt by someone in the body of Christ. Then when they left the local congregation no one even checked on them to see where they were, to let them know that they care.

By our words we are justified and by our words we are condemned. Our words have power. We can restore or kill with our words. It is time we restore and bind up the wounds of those who are hurt. In restoring those who are hurt, we strengthen the body of Christ.

To be effective in the last days we are going to have to come together. The prodigals will not come home, if they do not have a safe place in which to run. In bible times when someone was injured they would use wine and oil for healing. The oil had healing herbs and the wine would kill germs. If we spiritually pour in the oil and the wine, they are representations of the Holy Ghost. When we allow the anointing of God’s Spirit to flow, it will heal our wounds.

We must remember that it is not all about us. We are all members of the same body. Unity will go a long way in us seeing the final harvest come in before Jesus returns.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 376 WHO TOUCHED ME?

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The title of today’s episode: WHO TOUCHED ME?

There is a story in the gospels that show how important not only the power of touch can be, but how faith changes things.

Luke 8:43-45 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. 45 And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

It wasn’t just that some one made contact with him. As Peter said, many people has pressed into you and you question who touched you. Peter didn’t understand how that woman’s faith could draw something out of Jesus. Her faith drawled anointing from him that healed her of the affliction she had suffered for twelve years.

Luke 8:46-48 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

She could have touched any other garment, but nothing would have happened. She was afraid when she heard Jesus ask who touched me. But she once again found boldness and admitted that she needed healing. Because of her boldness, Jesus was able to tell her that she was made whole. When our faith can reach out and touch Jesus we will see miracles.

People can lay hands on you and pray until they turn blue, but without the anointing of the Holy Ghost and faith there will never be a transfer of God’s power. The enemy loves to use examples of when someone doesn’t receive healing to try to tear down our faith. There are too many examples of when God does heal.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Our enemy comes to destroy, but Jesus came to give us an abundant life. That includes walking by faith. Every choice we make in life needs to be led by Jesus. We can always reach out and touch Jesus. He will supply our needs. He is our savior, healer, deliverer and our guide. He will never lead us in the wrong direction.

Touch can transfer healing power. Think about Peter and John and the man at the gate, beautiful. He had sat at that gate for years and begged for money. Peter and John came by, and he looked at them, expecting they would give him some money. Peter said, Silver and gold have I none, but I have something better. Then he reached down and got him by the hand, lifting him to his feet. The man was not healed until Peter commanded in the name of Jesus for him to rise and walk, then he touched him by reaching down to help him up.

Never underestimate the power of prayer, faith and simply taking someone by the hand and lifting them up. There is power in prayer and power in a touch.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 375 GO TO THE SOURCE

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The title of today’s episode: GO TO THE SOURCE

There is a game that children often play to learn the lesson not to gossip. It is called the telephone game. Everyone stands in a line, and one whispers a sentence or two in the ear of the person next to them, they repeat it to the one beside them and the game goes on and on. When the person at the end of the line seems confused by what they were told they have to go to the original source to see what the sentence actually said. Things along the line always gets confused when it comes to human beings.

Jesus is our source, he has given us his Spirit to always whisper the right information in our ear. We can depend on Him to lead us and guide us, every step of our way.

People in many countries carry their water for many miles. They have to go to the rivers or streams. They have to go to the source to get the water. Like those of us who are blessed to have water come to us by pipe, our sink is our source.

But to find living water, we have to go to Jesus. He met a woman at a well in the heat of the day. She was being shunned by the other women in her village, because she had been married several times and was currently living with a man she was not married. She came for water, but ended up getting so much more because she met Jesus.

John 4:13-14 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

How many people try to run from their problems, only to find that they carry them wherever they go. I have been known to go to the beach in search of peace. I always feel close to God standing on the edge of the ocean. I feel like my problems are so very small. I realized that the destination was not my peace, but God was my peace. Yes, maybe the beach helps me to connect to God, but ultimately, anywhere God is, there is peace. He is our source.

When a car breaks down, you have to take it to someone trained by the manufacturer to fix it. You have to take it to the source that it came from originally. When we get sick, Jesus, our source, is waiting to bring healing to our bodies.

Psalm 34:18-19 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

Whatever we have need of Jesus is our source. All we have to do is call on His name. He will save, heal, deliver and set free those who need help.

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

This verse is a good way to summarize what I have been saying today. God is the vine, we have to connect to the vine or our source for strength or we will never produce fruit. Whatever we need, we can go to our source.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 374 HE’S STILL GOD

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The title of today’s episode: HE’S STILL GOD

When we can’t see the path before us. When we wonder if our foundation is solid. When the storm clouds are so very dark and the rain is beating down. He is still God.

When we are in so much pain that we do not know if we can get out of bed, or we are so emotionally heartbroken and smothered by grief that we find it hard to breathe. He is still God.

He will never leave us or forsake us. God will see us through whatever we face. He is still on His throne, and He is still God. Our faith has to be in Him and not our circumstances. No one knew this better than Job. He didn’t allow his grief, sickness or the influence of others to shake him. He lost all that he had for a season. He didn’t look outward to the influence of others. He didn’t look inward to the voice of his flesh, but he looked up to God for the answers.

The one who held his every breath in His hand. He kept his focus on God and God turned it all around to pour out a blessing on Job. God wants only what is best for us, we can trust him. He is bigger than our circumstances.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

I want to encourage you with a true story…

There was a man who was stranded on a raft in the middle of the ocean. He survived several days. He went through a couple of hard storms. When he was asked how he survived the storms and waves he said, “I had to be here now.” In other words, he had to focus only on that moment he was living.

He could not be overwhelmed by all the waves that may come at him. He had to focus on the one in front of him. He could not celebrate all the ones that were behind him, because he had to focus on the one in front of him.

If he had gotten wrapped up in fear and worry about all the waves, he had yet to face he would have become battle weary and fallen into fear. He would not have survived. If he had been caught up in celebrating and looking at all the waves behind him, he would not see what was coming at him. We have to learn how to live in the moment.

In the hard moments we need to keep breathing and know he is still God. We cannot worry about tomorrow’s problems. Tomorrow, will bring what it brings, and we will have time to face it then. He will still be God. When our time on earth is done. He will still be God and He will be there for his children.

Phil 4:11-13 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

We have to remember that nothing we face is bigger than our God. When things are going wrong or when they are right, He is still God. He will forever reign. He is good and in every moment of every day, He is still God.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 373 LAGNIAPPE

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The title of today’s episode: LAGNIAPPE

I used to work with a man that had a retirement cabin on a lake. The name of his cabin was Lagniappe. He explained to me that it meant “a little something extra”. That cabin was his something extra.

According to Wikipedia, A lagniappe is “a small gift given to a customer by a merchant at the time of a purchase” (such as a 13th doughnut on purchase of a dozen), or more broadly, “something given by way of good measure.” It can be used more generally as meaning any extra or unexpected benefit.

I was reminded of this when I started to think about what God expects from us. We need to be willing to give all that we can give to the cause of Christ. Not just what is expected or required but we need to give the little something extra.

God is worth us making the effort to give that little something extra. To go above and beyond what is required.

Luke 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Jesus did not deserve the punishment he received. He went above and beyond what was required of him. We have been given a so very much because of Jesus’ sacrifice. Since the word says whomsoever, much is given of him shall me much required. It leaves me to ask, what is required and how can I give a little something extra?

MATT 5:40-42 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Jesus shared how his disciples should treat others. He says if someone asks us to go a mile with them we should go two. Many times we do not even want to go one. This is when we need to remind ourselves that Jesus went above and beyond for us. He gave more than we could ever give. So we should be willing to give more than is required.

MATT 5:43-45 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Loving our enemies is a difficult thing that God asks of us. It is hard to be good to those who are trying to destroy us. But Jesus was our example. When Peter cut off the ear of the soldier that came to take Jesus away. Jesus healed him. That was an act of love on Jesus’ part. He also saved Peter who was acting on emotion. Without proof of Peter cutting off the man’s ear, there was no way he could have been punished for a crime of assault on the man.

Our actions can affect those around us, both good and bad. We have to be ready to do all we can to further the cause of Christ, even if it is Lagniappe.

Thanks for watching,

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 370 BEHIND THE MASK

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The title of today’s episode: BEHIND THE MASK

There are masks like the ones used to make movies and television shows. They make the actors look like someone else. There are the masks that people wear to a masquerade ball. Then there are the ones we put on every day if we aren’t careful. In the world we live in, we often wear many masks.

Prov 6:16-19 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

These six things the Lord hates. I am going to cover a couple of them today. It is the unintentional and the intentional masks. God hates a proud look. Pride is something that Lucifer developed before he was kicked out of heaven. His pride led to his downfall.

For a long time, I thought a proud look was someone who walked around with their nose in the air, like they were really important. That is one way to look at it. But the more I think about it, a proud look is the mask we try to hide behind.

The first mask I want to talk about is the unintentional mask. In a culture that doesn’t allow us to be vulnerable, it is hard sometimes to show people the real us in a world where if you show weakness, it could be what others would use to bring you down. To protect ourselves, we put on a mask and go out into the world. Pretending things are fine. When we may be crumbling inside. We may be going through horrible storms all the while wearing a fake smile.

This false face causes people to look at Christians as fake pretenders. Some Christians tell people that if they serve Jesus, everything will be sunshine and rainbows. Giving people a false sense of Christianity. Many times, we do not realize we are putting on this face. But is wearing this mask not a form of lying or deception?

When people in the world decide to turn to Jesus, based on observing the masked church. They will either buy into it all and create their own mask, or they will feel like a failure for letting their emotions and disappointments show.

They will not understand why their life is not a bed of roses. They will return to a life of sin because they cannot live up to the illusion. When they come under their first attack from satan, they will feel like they failed as a Christian because they struggle.

2 Cor 12:9-10 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Learning to allow ourselves to be human is one of the hardest things. We need to understand that we are weak and only in Christ are we strong. We need to have confidence in our God. Being real for one another will help everyone to grow. What if showing that you struggled with something, you encouraged someone else that they are not alone in their struggles.

It is time for us to set aside our pride and focus on what matters. God needs us to just be real, true and authentic. That is the only way we are going to win the world to Christ.The second mask is the intentional mask. This is the false face that people put on to deceive others; the mask of deception. They want to make everyone think they are on fire, Christians. When they want to gain an advantage over others, to manipulate. They are the enemy of the cross. They can be false shepherds out to deceive the congregations by clothing themselves with good deeds. Their purpose is to sow discord among the people in order to tear down the work of the Lord. Satan has sent his children of darkness to deceive and destroy.

These people say all the right things and do all the right things. Only by the spirit of discernment can we see behind their mask. It is time you show the world the real you. God made you the way you are; you are special in his sight. Look to him and live for him, free from the mask.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 369 DON’T DIE TWICE

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The title of today’s episode: DON’T DIE TWICE

I have shared with you many times about how fear destroys faith. Fear is fuel for our enemy to turn up his pressure. He wants to keep us down by causing us to fear. As Christians, we are to walk by faith. If we allow fear to destroy our faith, how are we going to finish this race that is set before us? Fear is the opposite of faith.

We often hear people say that a liar shall have their place in the lake of fire. This is a serious thing. It is a reminder to pray every day to keep our failures and sins under the blood of Christ. After reading the following verse I am starting to think that walking in fear may be the sin of unbelief. Since fear is the opposite of faith.

David stood before Goliath in faith. He didn’t stand in fear. He faced the giant with the strength and heart of a warrior. Knowing that God would deliver Goliath into his hands. We, too, need to know that God will not allow us to be overtaken by our enemy.

Rev 21:6-8 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

It is appointed for man to die once and then the judgment. How we have lived the one life will determine if we suffer from a second death. Those who are not right upon physical death will end up in hell, which is the second death.

Most know that being a liar, murderer, whoremonger, sorcerer and idolater will send them to hell. But what surprised me in the list was fearful and unbelieving. Many people will end up in hell because they chose to live in their sins. They do not believe in Jesus and his work on the cross. We often even call them unbelievers. However, I had never noticed the word fearful in that verse before today. I guess always before, I had skimmed over it.

It makes me think if we fully trust God, we will not be shaken. Nothing will cause us to fear because he holds us in his hand. He will take care of us. We have no reason to fear. I don’t know too many, if any, that have arrived fully, at the point in which they always walk by faith and never by sight.

Learning to walk by faith is a lifelong pursuit. That is why our elders seem so strong in their faith. They have been living by faith for a long time. They have learned how to be overcomers. In verse six, when he said he was Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. That encompasses everything from start to finish.

The key to verse six is that next phrase, I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. If we are thirsty for the things of God. We will draw close to Him. We will spend time in pursuit of Him through prayer and worship. The closer we are to Jesus, the less we will fear man or satan. This is the place we need to be to avoid the lake of fire. We need to be close to Jesus.

The fountain of the water of life means eternal life for the believer; it is a sign of spiritual cleansing and ultimate satisfaction for our soul.

Matt 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Our faith walk boils down to how much we hunger to be in God’s presence. If we desire righteousness, we will be filled. If we have righteousness from the Lord, we will not fear the enemy. We will never have to suffer the second death. We will have life eternal.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 368

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO VERSION: https://rumble.com/v6v1nad-god-focus-this-morining-ep368-faith-in-our-defense.html

WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: FAITH IS OUR DEFENSE

How often in life do our circumstances cause us to stumble because we do not trust? How many times do we fall because we look at circumstances instead of having faith? How many times do we let fear override what we know to be true? For example, if there is nothing we face that God cannot handle, why should we fear?

Often, we as humans allow the circumstances, to be bigger than God’s potential answer, to our problems. Our failures all boil down to a lack of trust and faith. When things are good it is easy to say we trust. But when things get tough, we often falter for lack of faith.

But when we get down to the place where there is nothing more we can do, then we are ready to trust God. Learning to trust, before we exhaust all other options, is what faith is all about. When we are to the point we trust God first, we have begun to walk by faith.

HAVING FAITH MEANS BEING FULLY PERSUADED THAT GOD IS ABLE AND WILL PERFORM WHAT HE HAS PROMISED.

Rom 4:20-22 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Just as Abraham trusted God. He had promised him that he would be the father of many nations through Issac. A time later, God told him to take Isaac up to the mountain and sacrifice him. Many of us would fall into fear and question how God could ask us to sacrifice Isaac if he was to be the next link in the lineage. But Abraham obeyed God and believed that He would work it out.

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Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to

quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Shields were used in several ways. They could be put together with other

soldiers’ shields to create a wall of defense. They were used as protection for the

individual. Some shields were large enough for a man to stand behind.

Our faith is like a shield; it protects us from attacks by the enemy. But we can

combine our faith with that of fellow believers to create a wall of defense against the enemy. Through our faith, we can be a strength to one another.

Most of us, at some point, have lost faith. It may be a huge thing, or we may have

let a little doubt creep into our hearts. This happens when we let down our guard

or our shield and allow the enemy to place thoughts in our minds. Doubt is a liar, a tool of the enemy to make us question God’s motives and his promises.

When we let fear set in, we have dropped our shield. We are no longer protected from the darts of the enemy.

Never run into battle without all of your armor. We cannot give the enemy the opportunity to make us question or doubt. God will go before us and will fight for us, but we have to keep the faith. So stand strong, be encouraged and keep the faith.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

LIKE SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ENCOURAGEMENT