Tag: #dailydevotional

EPISODE 365 ARE YOU PLUMB?

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The title of today’s episode: ARE YOU PLUMB?

Tucked away in the Old Testament is a book called Amos. It is a small book and like so many in the Old Testament. But it carries a lot of truth. Amos, like so many of the prophets, was sent by God to call Israel to repentance. Anytime a group of people forgets who God is they find themselves in a mess. War, famine, and disease are all side effects of a broken society. When a society embraces God, it is prosperous. America almost went too far; we were close to being destroyed.

A few years ago, everywhere you went you would see two bible verse, 2 Cor 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

They were both reminders that we needed to get our society back on track. As we watched America decline, some of us got the message God was sending. People paid attention to God’s leading and started to pray again in earnest. Prayer is turning around our country. We are not out of the woods yet, but we will see God’s power and glory. Revival is about to hit our land like a tsunami. God will not allow evil to win.

I was talking to a friend of mine about a situation with another friend. This person knows what they need to do. God has showed them, but they are not willing to be obedient, but they keep asking for prayer that God will change the circumstances. If we are not willing to do our part, we cannot expect God to do his. He will not override free will. We have to be strong enough to step out in faith and do what God has asked us.

We have to decide are we going to do what God asks, or are we going to walk in our free will and do our own thing? Israel would walk in God’s ways so far, then when the pressure of life lessened and they became prosperous, they would slowly turn their backs on God. They would turn to lesser gods.

As God gets us through the storm that we have facing us a nation and we get to the revival, we cannot allow the blessings to get us to the point of being complacent. We must continue to dig deep into the Word and to run after God with all of our hearts.

We do not want a repeat of what happened with the children of Israel. We do not need to turn back to bondage because things will look a little different. We do not need to return to the idols that were once at the forefront of our lives. Which brings me to the scripture I want to share with you.

Amos 7:7-9 Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand. 8 And the Lord said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more: 9 And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.

Just as God showed Amos, he was about to get out his plumbline and use it to check Israel, He is going to check the church of today. Before the final harvest can be gathered, the church has to be ready to receive and disciple them.

Many phrases in our culture speak of being right. When people speak of walking a fine line, it is the place where two contrasting opinions meet. It is another way of describing the plumb line. I used to watch my grandpa build cinderblock walls; he would stretch out a line between two points and would hang a plumb line on it. That let him know that the wall was not leaning one way or the other. A plumb line keeps things balanced.

God’s word is our plumbline; it is what we measure ourselves with to make sure we are not leaning on our own understanding or on man’s religion. God is going to separate his sheep from those that say they are his sheep. We can see it happening with some of the mega church pastors and churches already. Sad to say, many more are going to fall because they leaned on their own ideas, charisma, and abilities. They are master manipulators that the enemy has used to deceive many. God has called to them and tried to turn them around. Some have listened but others love their kingdom more than God’s and they will fall. Denominations are splitting over liberal ideas and the truth of God’s word.

Now is the time to check the plumb line and make sure what you are building is not leaning on anything but Jesus Christ. We cannot be guilty of fence sitting or ignoring sin because we don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings. It is better that they have hurt feelings than to end up in hell. We need to tell them the truth and do it in love, from a place of concern. We cannot go about it with a self-righteous and judgmental attitude and then say, “Well, at least I told them.” That is not the love of God. Even if we are loving toward them and show them concern, they still may turn away and reject our words. But if we do it from a place of God’s compassion, then we have done all we can do, except pray for them.

The word plumb means to examine minutely and critically, check the vertical as in a wall. To measure the depth of water.

A plumb bob is used by ships to check the depth of the water. This prevents the ship from scraping the bottom. The plumb line is used to check the to see that the wall is not leaning.

We use God’s word to check that we are growing deeper in the things of God. That we are not in shallow water to get stuck or damaged. We can use it to make sure that we are going up straight in understanding. That we are not leaning on our own understanding. Take God’s word and use it to make sure your life is plumb.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EP364 HOLY GROUND

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The title of today’s episode: HOLY GROUND

We may never stand in the desert in front of a burning bush, but can we stand on holy ground? God told Moses to take off his shoes; he was on holy ground. Is Holy Ground a place, or is it God’s presence? What did the taking off of the shoes represent? Holy Ground is about being in God’s presence. Holy ground can be anywhere. We could go to the same spot as the burning bush, and it would not be considered holy ground today. Why? Because God’s anointing is not there like it was when the bush was on fire.

God is everywhere, and some would argue that everywhere should be holy ground, but there are special places that God sends his anointing. Just like the tabernacle was just a tent until God’s presence came down and settled on it.

The Damascus Road was just a path that many travelled on daily. Until one day, a light came from heaven and Saul heard the voice of God. At that moment, that road was holy ground.

Exodus 3:4-5 And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. 5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

God told Moses to take off his shoes, the place he was standing was holy ground. This was symbolic of all sorts of things. One thing God was saying that he needed to honor the place where he was standing, in the presence of God.

His shoes could have represented that old life, the places he had been. He went from the shoes of a shepherd to the shoes of a leader. God was getting ready to give him a new life. He was about to step into his calling. God wanted him to have respect for the place he was about to walk.

The priests of Egypt would remove their shoes as a sign that they were unworthy to stand in the presence of their gods. Moses, knowing their customs, understood that God was revealing to him that He was God. All over the world today, in mosques and synagogues, this practice is still done. The one entering the place where God is will remove their shoes as a sign of unworthiness to stand in the presence of unspotted holiness.

Moses also covered his face as a sign that he understood that he was unworthy to stand in the presence of God almighty.

Just as their custom to take off their shoes before entering someone’s home showed respect. Because the shoes carried the dirt and debris of where they had walked. We, too, have to remove where we have been when we come into God’s presence.

Joshua had an experience when the children of Israel was about to go against Jerico.

Acts 5:13-15 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? 14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my Lord unto his servant? 15 And the captain of the Lord’s host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

God was about to show up big for Joshua. He was getting ready to prove that he would deliver the enemy into his hand like he did Moses. He was reminding Joshua to be humble before the Lord and follow His instructions. This is when Joshua received specific instructions about how to take down Jericho. It was the strongest and most fortified city. By taking down Jericho first, the people in other cities knew they were no match for the God of the Israelites.

Holy Ground is when the glory of God miraculously comes down to give us a miracle. We are not to take it for granted that we can call on him anytime we choose. Worship will draw the presence of God to us. We must always respect the presence of God. Because in his presence, when you are fully engaged with God, you are standing on Holy Ground.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 363 PROMISE TO FULFILLMENT

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The title of today’s episode: PROMISE TO FULFILLMENT

There is often a testing period of time between a promise and the fulfillment. There are many examples in the Bible. Abraham and Sarah allowed the time between God’s promise of giving them Isaac and the fulfillment of that promise to get to them. They started to doubt God’s promise or his word, and they ended up with a lot of heartache. They did what we all like to do, they tried to make it happen themselves. God doesn’t need our help to fulfill his promises; he needs our trust. He is able to perform what he has said he will do.

The word promise is defined as a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that a particular thing will happen. Synonyms for the word promise: vow, word of honor, pledge, guarantee, covenant or oath.

The waiting period before fulfillment is the hardest time to walk through. During this time, the enemy will try to make us doubt God’s promise. He will make us question if we really heard from God. There is often pain in waiting. But we must push through and trust God. We have to remember that we have a guarantee; if God said it would happen, it will. He cannot lie.

Exodus 3:19-22 And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand. 20 And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go. 21 And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty. 22 But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.

God sent Moses to tell Pharaoh he needed to let the children of Israel go. God knew Pharaoh would refuse and that they would have to walk through a process of learning to trust God. Every time Moses went to Pharaoh, and he refused to let them go, God sent a plague.

The Pharaoh would grow angry and make things more difficult for the Israelites. They were constantly having the pressure turned up. Our enemy will often try to turn up the pressure. The more difficult the pressure, the closer we are to our breakthrough. I am sure the children of Israel felt like they were never going to be free.

At times, we feel like the pressure is going to crush us. We are squeezed so hard that we feel like we cannot breathe.

When the day finally came that they were free of the enemy, they didn’t leave Egypt without resources. They had everything they needed to create their future. They had walked through a lot of pressure and uncertainty between God’s speaking to Moses from a burning bush and the time the Red Sea parted, and they were truly free. The fulfillment was beyond anything they had ever imagined.

Heb 10: 22-23 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

We have to draw closer to God with a true heart. We cannot allow doubt to cause us to fall into fear. It is a process of learning to fully and completely trust God. His promises are true; we have to hold onto that assurance of faith. We cannot allow the time between the promise and the fulfillment to cause us to doubt God.

2 Cor. 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Do not allow the enemy to cause you to give up when you find yourself in the waiting. We are often tested to see what we are made of and if we will trust even when it seems like the answer will never come.

Olives do not produce oil, unless they are squeezed. If the olives were like people, the crushing would be painful. The crushing brings forth the anointing. In our hardest times, the most painful things we walk through produce the oil of anointing. As we look back over the deepest, darkest valleys, it was those times that made us the strongest spiritually.

When you are in the times between the promise and the fulfillment, remember that every promise of God is true. We have strength through our Lord Jesus Christ to stand strong and wait for his promise. We cannot allow the enemy, our reasoning or anything to stand in the way of our belief that every promise of God is true.

Our country is in one of these times between promise and fulfillment. We have to not be shaken by how things appear. We have to stand strong in our faith and wait for the fulfillment of his promises that he will restore our country back to the foundation of our faith.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 362 DON’T FEAR THE STORM

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: DON’T FEAR THE STORM

Not every wind that blows through our lives like a storm is from the enemy. We tend to give him too much credit. Have you ever stopped to consider that maybe God allowed the storm to make you stronger. Strong winds will break off dead or weak branches. But the trees are spared. They will have a spurt of new growth once the branches that were a drain of strength are removed. It is for the good of the tree.

Things sometimes happen to give us freedom. God will remove people from our lives that are a drain on our spirit. He knows that it is time to move on from the job we have had for a long time. Even though we are comfortable. When we have done all, we can in a place or to help a person, He will move us on to a fresh place. Somewhere, we can be effective and help someone else.

After a storm, the air smells cleaner, and the ground has been cleansed with fresh water. Maybe the new place has someone who will never find Jesus unless we are there to encourage them in that direction. Maybe the new territory is to give us what we need to grow stronger. There could be someone there that will mentor us to grow stronger.

Life is full of seasons, just as the earth has spring, summer, fall, and winter. We will walk through many different seasons. We can be sure that God is with us and will empower us to do the right thing. We have to listen to his still, small voice that is our guide.

God allowed the storm on the day Peter walked on water. Jesus was trying to get the disciples out of their comfort zone. He was trying to teach them that his power was real. Because of Peter’s ability to push aside his fear, he walked on the water. The rest were too complacent or too afraid to try. They had to learn of God’s power in other ways.

Nahum 1:3: The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

When life’s storms blow into our lives, God will not waste them. He will use it to draw us closer to him. The whole purpose of our life’s journey is to learn how to love God and rely on him. To learn how to walk in his love and show others love.

We are safe in the hollow of his hand. He is our strong tower that we can run to when life gets rough. He is our hiding place, the secret place under his wings. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. We can count on him to keep all of his promises.

Some storms are sent by our enemy to rip apart our lives. It pleases our enemy when he sees our lives falling apart. God will often send us warnings about people and situations long before the storm of attack hits us. Often, we can stop the enemy’s attack before it ever comes, or at the very least lessen the damage. By praying against his plans.

God has plans for us, too; his plans consist of good things. The enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy. God comes to add to and multiply the good in our lives. If we are obedient to Him, he will see us through any storm the enemy can send our direction.

Things look scary in our world right now. We cannot fall into fear. The enemy will not prevail. God is watching over his people. He will never allow us to be overtaken; he will give us the strength to stand against our enemy. God is our fortress, our safe place to take shelter during the storms of life.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 361 OUR FOUNDATION

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: OUR FOUNDATION

How solid is your foundation? I have heard people stand and give a warning to others not to go around people who are sinners. Their reasoning, they may make you backslide. But that depends on your foundation. It is possible to be influenced by people good and bad. However, if we are standing on sandstone, it may crumble beneath our feet. If we are sure footed and standing on the solid rock, we will not be influenced by sinners.

Jesus spent a lot of time with sinners. Never once did they influence him to turn from his purpose. They were his purpose, to save, heal and set free those that were bound by sin, sickness and oppressive spirits. He knew his foundation was solid. The sinners would not cause him to stray.

Jesus our rock is still solid. We need to be sure we are on a solid foundation. Judas was not on solid ground. He was on sandstone. It is more solid than sinking sand, but not as hard as granite. He allowed a root of greed to get between him and his foundation.

It is all about the anchor. A house could be placed on top of the ground, but without being anchored to the earth, it is not stable. When people go to build a house, they will dig down into the ground and create a concrete foundation. This is the solid foundation, and it has anchor points all around.

There is a process called concrete lifting. Companies that do this type of work will dig down below the ground level and build up the foundation underneath a building. This keeps it from sinking and breaking.

There are times we are on shaky ground. We may have made a wrong choice or got complacent about our faith walk. It is not impossible to strengthen our spiritual house. We just need to come in and dig down deep, like the concrete lifting process. We need to return to our roots and pray for God to strengthen our foundation. Studying the word of God and applying what we have learned is a good start to firming up the foundation.

The truth of God is our foundation. It doesn’t matter how solid the rock is under our feet if we are not anchored to that rock. A house that is not anchored can be blown or washed away in a storm.

We have stability for our souls because Jesus is our anchor. He is the one who keeps us from being blown away by the lies of this world. He keeps us grounded and stable. If our foundation is solid, we will not be tossed to and fro by the winds of adversity and false teaching.

I Cor 15:57-58 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Being anchored says that we are steadfast in our faith. We will be unmoved when the enemy tries to move us. He will come at us in all sorts of ways. If he cannot confuse us with false doctrines and twisting of scripture, then he will come at us in other ways.

John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

We can be sure of our foundation as long as we know the word of God. Because our bible is the foundation of understanding on which we build our lives.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 360 HOPE IN THE LORD

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: HOPE IN THE LORD

Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

In the world that we are living in, hope seems hard to find. The news is full of things that if you allowed your mind to dwell on them it could be depressing. From the way things appear on the news, we have no hope. But I want you to be encouraged, we cannot go by the news. God is on our side. He will give us strength.

Psalm 119:49-50 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. 50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

Quicken means to make alive or revive. It is often associated with the renewal of faith. We have to lean on our hope in the Lord. There is nowhere else we can look. He is our hope. He is able to quicken what needs to be revived in our lives.

Without him, we have no hope. When something is alive, it needs food. The more alive we are in Christ, the hungrier we will be for the word of God. The more we will desire his presence.

Being aware of God’s presence as we go about our day will keep us on the right path. He gave us His Spirit to be our guide, yet we often do not pay attention to His leading. Then, when we end up in a mess or find ourselves without hope, we wonder what has happened. The answer, we lost our God Focus. At this point, we must turn our attention back to God.

Oxford dictionary online defines hope as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen:

How could we not live in a state of being hopeful? God has made so many promises to us. He has promised to lead us and guide us. Which means we will always be at the right place at the right time. If we follow him. He has promised to protect us from all evil. He sent angels to watch over us. And someday, he will take us home to be with him. For all of eternity, we will live and reign with him. We have this hope in the depths of our being. He has given us life beyond this life. He has proven to us in the past that we can rely on him.

To our natural man, things seem a little hopeless and worrisome, but God will give us hope through his Spirit that dwells within us.

Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

He is the God of hope. He will fill us with all joy and peace that we may abound in hope. How do we abound in hope? Through the power of the Holy Ghost. Which goes back to being led by the Spirit of God.

Deut 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.

With the promises of God like this verse, we should be filled with hope. He tells us to be strong and full of courage, that we have no reason to fear the enemy. God goes with us and will not fail or forsake us. How much more should we be filled with hope, knowing he has our backs?

We are not full of hope just for ourselves. We have hope in order to share and encourage those who have no hope. There is a great big world full of hopeless people that needs to meet Jesus. They need to know that there is a great big God who loves them and wants to watch over them, too.

Romans 5:3-4 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Even our trials are to strengthen our hope. When things come into our lives to burn them down. Our suffering produces strength and persistence, perseverance. As we build our character through faith we also build up our hope.

Do not allow the enemy to destroy your hope. If he can cause hopelessness, he can tear down your faith and cause fear. Hope comes from the Lord, because we know that it doesn’t matter how things appear, God can change circumstances in the blink of an eye.

Stay strong, be encouraged, hold on to your hope. Things may appear dark and scary, but that means we are on the edge of a breakthrough.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 359 – SPEAK LIFE

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: SPEAK LIFE

Many places in God’s word tells us that our words have power. Having the right attitude has to be the beginning of our Christian Walk. If our words are negative and not in alignment with God’s word, then we will cause many things to be out of balance. When we complain and speak negatively then the enemy can use those word seed to grow things in our lives that we should not have to deal with as a child of God.

Ps 37:4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

People use this to portray God as a genie in a bottle, granting our every wish. But it doesn’t mean that at all. It means if we delight in the Lord, our ways will align with his ways. Our desires become the right desires. Then we will pray and ask God for the right things. If we commit our path to following the teachings of the Lord and place our trust in him, he will bring to pass the things we desire.

Nowhere does this say he will give us large amounts of wealth to stockpile and live like a king. God will, however, give us the finances necessary to further the gospel. He gives us wealth to be a blessing, not stockpile material things.

Prov 4:14-18 Enter not into the path of the wicked and go not in the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. 16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. 17 For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. 18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

We, as God’s children, cannot get caught up in the ideas of man. We have to turn from the wicked ways of man. Our path is like the shining light. He will illuminate our way so that we can see where we are going. We will not be lost in the darkness.

He has given us the power to resist the devil. We have been given the power to overcome evil with good. The words we speak are life to the soul, as long as those words align with God’s word.

Parents do not realize the power they have over the future of their children. Many want to send them to a big-name college and want them to have successful careers. But then they will fuss at them and tell them they will never amount to anything. They will say things about how unintelligent they are when they do not do as their parents wish. They do not realize they are actually cursing the future growth of that child. Over the years I have heard people say all sorts of things to their children that made me want to shake them. I once heard a woman in the store call her child a demon spawn. Knowing how powerful words are, it broke my heart for that child.

Prov. 18:20-21 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.

If you receive a diagnosis from the doctor, don’t start saying I have this disease or that affliction. It is ok to ask for prayer and to pray against it. It is ok to say, I have symptoms of this disease or that affliction. As soon as you say, “I have,” you have laid claim to it, and it now belongs to you. Some would think this is extreme. But remember, the power of God lives within you. That power is creative and can change outcomes. Do not speak negatively; speak life.

James 3:2-4 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

This is saying that we can control the direction of the whole body by our words. A horse is bridled so that the rider can control the direction of the horse. A small rudder can control the direction of a large ship. By speaking life-affirming words, we can help to lift up others. We can change the course of our lives.

Negative words are fuel for the enemy to tear down everything we try to build with faith. Faith is pure and there is no room to mix it with doubt. Doubt is created by speaking negative words out of our mouths.

James 3:5-8 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

By saying the tongue no man can tame it seems like an impossible task. This is where being led by the Spirit comes into the equation. We can tame our tongue if we allow our words to be filtered through the Holy Ghost that lives within us and is our guide.

James 3:9-12 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

Many verses in the Word speak about having our hearts right. If our heart is right, then good things will flow from it. We will speak life, encouragement and healthy things to others and over ourselves. Our words will align with God’s word and God’s will.

James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

As we grow in our faith, we will become wise and will speak good things. Our works will align with our heart and with the wisdom that God has given unto us. This is all a part of learning to walk by faith, being led by the Spirit of God. When we surrender to the leading of God’s Spirit, we will speak life-affirming things that will be health and life to those around us.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 358 THE RIGHT HEART

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: THE RIGHT HEART

When we come to Jesus, we are sinners. People often say that because we have repented, we got our hearts right. But getting our hearts right goes beyond salvation. It is a process of learning to walk in the ways of the Lord. We can be saved and still not walk fully in a position of having our heart completely right. Out of our heart flows the issues of life. It controls how we handle the various things that come our way.

Especially new Christians will not react from a place of a right heart. We all have room to improve not walking by flesh but by the Spirit that lives within us.

I am going to share several verses that will show how important the heart being right is to a person.

Matt 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Jesus was talking to the Pharisees. Because they knew the words of the law, but didn’t have a godly attitude he called them viper. They spoke the things of their flesh instead of speaking the things of God.

Prov 4:20-24 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. 23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. 24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

If we listen to the word of God and study it, until it gets into our hearts, we will find that it gives us life. The words of the scriptures are health to our flesh. We are to keep our heart with all diligence ( which means careful, persistent effort) because out of our heart flows the issues of life. Just as our fleshly heart provides life-giving oxygen and nutrients to our body, our spiritual heart can be life or death depending on the path we choose.

Prov 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.

Even Christians can sometimes fall into a belief that they are right. This is why there are so many denominations. Everyone believes they are right. But God looks at our hearts, he knows those in every building that is called a church, who will come to surrender fully their will and ask God for his perfect understanding and will. He sees us as we can be, if we will fully surrender to him.

Ezekiel 11:21 But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord God.

Many believe they are right in the sight of God. But they are too full of religion. Isaiah 64:6 says our righteousness is as filthy rags. Walking the Christian Walk is about a right heart. From that heart comes our attitude, our words, our actions. If our heart is weak, we will fall into the works of the flesh. If our heart is strong in faith and the desires of God. We will have the fruit of the Spirit showing in our lives.

Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

We want to be found bringing good treasures to others. If our heart is right, we will share that perfect love of God. It is a process to increase our surrender to God. The more of our life we give him, the more our heart will reflect his love and mercy. Walking in love and compassion is not a sign of weakness, but of great strength.

It takes love to forgive those who have harmed you. It takes love to walk away instead of arguing with someone. It takes compassion to do good to those who have tried to destroy you in multiple ways. But the word says His love is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost. Receiving his Spirit and learning to walk by that Spirit is the beginning of having a right heart. Even if we are not perfect, we will walk in God’s love and shine our light. Showing the world what it means to have a right heart.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 357 DON’T STOP – KEEP GOING

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: DON’T STOP – KEEP GOING

How often do we give up right before things change? God wants to deliver us from our troubles. But if we give up on him, he will allow us to stay in our circumstances. It is like a runner getting to within six feet of the finish line and stopping and then walking off. If this person were in first place, they would never be declared a winner. Because they didn’t finish what they started.

There is something to be said for completing or finishing what we started. If we can endure to the end of this spiritual race, we will get the prize we have been running for all along.

Heb 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The word says to lay aside the weight and sin that get in our way. We need to work on our attitudes too. We cannot allow the enemy to talk us into giving up before we have completed our race. He will try everything to discourage us and weigh us down. He sends spirits like depression, anxiety and discouragement to keep us from our goals.

He will paint a picture of dark clouds and tell us how bad things are so that we do not see the light. But if we walk in the light that God gives us we will not fall into the mindset of darkness sent by our enemy.

Eph 5:6-8 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

If we are children of the light, then God’s light is within us. We cannot allow the enemy to dim our light with negativity, depression, and anxiety. I understand it is not easy if you are hard-wired to automatically go worst case scenario when you hear of an issue. That comes from walking through a lot of rough spots in life. But God can lift us above our circumstances. His light within us can give us hope to keep going even when we don’t know how we will find the courage or strength.

Gal 6:8-9 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

When we give in to the negativity and depression, we are sowing to our flesh. Walking by how we feel emotionally. But if we can pray and push away the negativity, we will sow to our spirit. Adding worship during times of trying to set aside negativity and depression will always lift away the dark clouds. If we can keep going, we will see that God has got us in the palm of his hand and will help us to keep running.

Do not be discouraged about yesterday. It is over and done with, today is a new day. We need to embrace God’s plan for today and look with hope to tomorrow. God is already there working things out. Things can turn around in a day if we fully rely on God.

So run today toward that finish line and don’t give up before you have completed the race.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 356 SIMPLE TOOLS / BIG RESULTS

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: SIMPLE TOOLS BIG RESULTS

We never get to our goal in life without having to give up something. It doesn’t matter if it is natural or spiritual. If we want to learn to play piano, we have to sacrifice time practicing. The same goes for any sport or talent that we develop. We trade time for experience.

In our spiritual walk, we often want to gain strength and be used by God. But it will cost us something. We have to use the time that we would be doing other things to pray and study God’s word. We have to sacrifice something in order for God to give us something in return. The trade is always in our favor. He will never ask more of us than we can give, because he understands our limitations.

Exodus 4:1-5 And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee. 2 And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. 3 And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. 4 And the Lord said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand: 5 That they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.

God doesn’t ask us to do great big tasks that are beyond our capabilities. God had been preparing Moses his entire life to lead the children of Israel. He was raised with the Pharaoh so he was not intimidated by him like a lot of people would have been. He was raised to know and understand the beliefs of the Egyptians.

Moses came to know the God of his real people. He met The Great I AM, in the desert, in a burning bush. The bush was on fire, but did not burn up. Moses had never seen anything like it. He definitely never seen anything like that from the gods of Egypt.

When God told him to throw down his rod, he did. God will often ask us to relinquish something to him, so he can give us the tools necessary to fulfill our destiny.

From that point on Moses’ stick was called the rod of God. Because Moses had given it to God. It was no longer just a shepherd’s rod. It now would be used for the glory of God. During their wandering in the desert that same rod was used to bring water forth from a rock to part the Red Sea and many other things.

In the hands of a nomad, a tent spike is a tool used to keep the tent from blowing over in the wind. But in the hands of a desperate woman, a tent spike killed a leader who was fighting against God’s people. God used simple, everyday tools in many cases to defeat the enemy. Jael used a hammer and put a spike through the temple of the leader of the enemy’s army.

God uses simple things; instead of weapons, he used clay jars with Gideon. All he needed was a trumpet and war cry from his warriors and the walls of Jericho fell. Most people of that day believed that Jericho was a fortress that could not be breached.

God will never send us to battle without equipping us with what we need. He has given us his armor. Like David when he faced Goliath, we have to always go forth in the name of the Lord. Wearing the whole armor of God. We cannot rely on man’s armor. Just as David threw aside Saul’s armor, we have to set aside the worldly armor if we are going to win spiritual battles.

God used simple things to teach his people that victory was not in their weapons, strength and numbers. Their victories came through obedience to the one true God.

We, too, have power through walking in the anointing of God’s Spirit. Being obedient to his will for our lives. He can take foolish things and confuse even the wisest people. Because his ways are not our ways. He will show us the way if we are willing to give him something as simple as a stick or a clay pot. These things were not special on their own, but when given to God, they became tools of victory.

What are we willing to give to God to see miracles? Is it money, tools, canned food, or a blanket for someone who is cold? Anything we have in our possession could be required of us. We cannot outgive God. Whatever he asks of us, he will return in greater measure.

What do I have in my hand that I can give to God? This is a question worth asking ourselves.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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