Tag: #dailydevotional

EPISODE 355 STAND STILL AND WAIT

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The title of today’s episode: STAND STILL AND WAIT

Standing still and waiting for God to move is always a hard thing to do. We pray, and then we have to stand on our faith, knowing God will answer. He rarely answers the way we think he will. His timing rarely happens when we think it should or want it to be. If we wait on him, doors will open that we could not have even imagined.

We are not the first to be surprised at how God chooses to help us in our situations. There is no way the children of Israel could have known that God was going to provide them an escape through the Red Sea. Many of them didn’t even see God delivering them at all. They accused Moses of bringing them out into the desert to die. But God came through for them and saved them from their enemy. I am sure that many responded first with shock, seeing the waters part.

God sometimes shows up in ways we cannot even imagine. He is never late, but always right on time. There is often a wait between the realization of the problem and God showing how He will deliver. Moses told the people to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.

Standing is the hardest thing to do. I am sure the time from the revelation to the time that the answer was revealed was quick for the children of Israel. For us, sometimes it takes days, weeks, months, or even years to see the solution. But he is still God. It is in the time of the “standing still” that our faith is tried. We cannot be guilty of doubting the Lord. Doubt and worry are not faith, but break down our faith. He will see us through if we stand strong on his promises. I want to share a few verses with you.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The Lord is not slack but is long-suffering. He wants what is best for us. He loved us so much that he didn’t want to see us perish and die in our sin. So, how much more is he willing to do for those who are his children and have accepted the work of the cross? Those who carry his Spirit inside of them. We should have faith to believe He will do what He has promised. It may not happen the way we think or want it to happen. But He will take care of our situations and answer our prayers. He has promised us eternal life if we choose to follow him.

Number 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

If God says He will do something, you can be sure He will do it. He is incapable of lying. Because God is the truth.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

God tells us to not fear because He goes with us. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. He says He will uphold us with the right hand of His righteousness.

Is 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

This verse says If we wait on the Lord. In other words, stand still and be patient for him to work out our situations. If we wait on him and not try to fix things on our own, He will lift us up as if we are carried above our circumstances. Soaring high above the issues like an eagle would fly. He will give us the strength to run this race that is set before us. We will keep going and will not faint or give up. Because He gives us the strength to keep going. But it takes standing and waiting on the Lord. His timing is not our timing.

There is nothing in this life that we will ever face alone if we are His children. He has promised to provide for us. He has promised us power over the powers of the enemy so that we can stand strong. The comforter will be our peace, our guide, all we need to empower us to stand still and wait on the Lord.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 354 CLOUD OF WITNESSES OR CHAOS

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: CLOUD OF WITNESSES OR CHAOS

It is nice to have people in your corner. One’s that you can rely on to see you through the tough times. To laugh with you in the good times. The bible refers to a cloud of witnesses. That phrase means like-minded people who support the same ideals and causes that you do. As Christians, we should be a cloud of witnesses for other Christians. People of like-mindedness are those who hold to the truth of scripture.

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.

Those in the body of Christ can be our cloud of witnesses. Those who encourage us, to walk in the truth of his word. Hebrews says to lay aside every weight. Man is notorious for complicating the things of God. Look how many laws the Pharisees made out of a few commandments that God gave them. We, too, have complicated things with the religious rules of mankind. We need to get back to the basics.

These rules of man only add chaos to our faith walk. Some people would die on the mountain of their religious belief about the word of God, before they would yield to the truth of his word. These people are clouds of chaos in the body of Christ.

It is better to be in a cloud of witnesses instead of a cloud of chaos. I am not advocating that we give up on the truth so that there could be peace. Giving in to man-made religion is the problem with the body of Christ already. We have to stand strong on the foundation of God’s word.

We are supposed to run our race with patience. How do we develop the fruit of patience? By walking through tribulations and trials. We can get through it all with Jesus by our side.

Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

This verse says that tribulation works patience. With patience comes experience and then hope, once we have walked through a few hard things. We know that if God saw us through that moment when we were at our most broken, he will come through again. It gives us the hope we need to walk in faith.

If we do not handle the tribulations well. We will not develop the fruit of patience like we need to develop. Without the fruit, it is harder to have hope. It is harder to walk by faith and not by sight.

Without the experience of the trials, we have nowhere to draw inspiration from except others. This is why we need the word of God. In it are stories of people who walked through difficult things. When they trusted God, he blessed them and helped them. When they didn’t trust God, they got an Ishmael.

Abraham and Sarah lost patience, waiting for the promise. We cannot lose sight of the promises of God and try to do things our way. We will end up in chaos. We have to wait upon the Lord. In his perfect timing, we will receive the things God has promised. We will not end up with our own version of Ishmael.

Today is the day you want to ask yourself: Do I want a cloud of witnesses? Those who encourage me in the Lord and give me encouragement to endure the trials. Or do I want a cloud of Chaos that walking in the flesh and trying to fix things my way will bring?

We have been promised that as long as we walk in the ways of the Lord, he will be with us and strengthen us. The enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy. He wants nothing more than to destroy our peace and steal our joy.

Surround yourself with a strong cloud of witnesses. Those who have walked through the fiery trials of life. They can encourage you and help you to go through your own fiery trials. Because no one wants to live with a cloud of chaos.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EP353 THE HIGHER THE FEWER

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: THE HIGHER THE FEWER

It is easy to get lost in a crowd, just blending in and not having to do anything. Easy going with the flow. But songs are not written about the crowd. People are not inspired to go the extra mile by the people pleasers.

People that inspire others are those who are hungry for something deeper. The people that desire to climb higher than the status quo. Take the story of Zaccheus in the bible. He was with a crowd of people. We don’t know their names. They never made an impact on people to climb higher. To rise above the status quo. But Zaccheus’ desire to see Jesus was more important than blending in with the crowd.

The first thing he did was run ahead of the crowd. Then he climbed a tree so he could see Jesus. When Jesus passed by he noticed Zaccheus and told him to quickly come down, that he was going to his house. By running ahead of the crowd and climbing the tree he was given more than he was looking for, Jesus noticed him.

Most birds can fly; each one has a limit to the height that they can reach. Most are content to fly closer to the ground. But the eagle can soar high above them all. A crow can really harm an eagle if it starts an attack. But the eagle can soar high above the crow’s ability to breathe. Soon the crow has to break off its attack and swoop lower to the ground to breathe.

Many people we know can be the crowd in our lives. But we cannot allow their influence to keep us from climbing higher to get to what we desire. As Christians our desire should be to climb to the place where it is just us and the Lord. We should hunger more for God’s presence than man’s approval.

Matt 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

The broad way is the crowd. Sinner’s don’t have to separate themselves and climb higher. They don’t have to seek God for deeper meaning and higher heights of understanding about God’s word.

Strait is the gate, this word doesn’t mean uncurved, but it means narrow like a passage of water between two land masses. Narrow is the way which is life and fulfillment. But many are not willing to leave the crowd.

Finding the narrow way will cost you something. It will cost being self-willed. It will cost allowing the flesh to do whatever it wants. It means having accountability to do the right thing. Walking in integrity and doing the right thing even when no one is looking.

Mountain climbers are unique individuals with a skill set to get to the top. Mount Everest is one mountain that only a few have successfully climbed. These are the individuals that had the most determination and learned skills to get them there. These people didn’t wake up one day and say, “I think I will go climb Mt. Everest today.” No, they worked out and trained their bodies to be in the best physical shape. They practiced on smaller mountains. They studied the stories of the ones who successfully climbed the mountain. Applying their stories to their own climb.

When it came time to climb the mountain, many may have started out with them, but the higher they went the fewer people went with them. The same can be said about our faith climb. The more we set aside the things of this life and focus on God and his will, the less people want to go with us. Often it means leaving them behind to find their own path.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

We will never know the perfect will of God unless we go the extra mile to find out what he desires for our lives. It may mean praying more than others in the crowd. It may mean studying the word more than others. God will see that we have climbed up a little higher. He will respond with wisdom and understanding.

2 Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

How will we ever reach the top of the mountain if we don’t study the stories of those who have gone before us. Those warriors of faith that sacrificed and didn’t back down from the truth of God. The more we study God’s word the more the pieces fall into place. The more sense it makes.

John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Don’t expect the status quo crowd to be happy for you that Jesus notices you in the tree and wants to abide at your house. Many will not understand your choices. They will say this little thing or that will not keep you from being saved. That may be true, but how do you want to finish the race? Do you want to say, I have done everything in my power to surrender to the leading of God’s spirit. To quote a sports analogy, Have I left it all on the field? Or did I just do enough to get by; to just be a bench or pew warmer.

Katherine Kuhlman said, “Serving God will cost you something. To walk in his anointing will cost you something. It will cost you everything.” When we give our lives to Jesus, we need to fully surrender, giving ourselves completely to Him.

It is my prayer for you that you go the extra mile. Climb the highest mountains and do not be discouraged if the crowd gets a little thin. Remember the higher the fewer.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 352 PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

As Christians, we cannot be caught up in the past. We are to keep living in the present and looking with hope toward the future.

Phil 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

The enemy wants nothing more than to use our past to distract us from our goal. He will use our past mistakes and sins as a guilt trip, telling us we need to suffer for them. He will tell us that we are so bad that there is no way that God has forgiven us for our mistakes or sins. Many fall into this trap at some point in life, living with regrets. Until they look at the scriptures that says Jesus’ blood cleanses all our sins. The only sins that are not forgiven are the ones that people have chosen not to repent.

Paul, more than most of them understood regrets. He persecuted the early church because they didn’t hold to the Jewish standards of the Pharisee’s. He helped those religious people martyr Stephen and others in the early church. He also understood that we have no ability to go back and change the past. We have to repent for the wrong and move on. Forgetting those things which are behind. Not in a denial that they happened. But in a Jesus has covered my mistakes and sins with his blood. We are no longer accountable for the past.

He says I press on toward the prize of our high calling in Jesus. We can only do what we can today to honor God. Our life needs to reflect daily our commitment and faith. We press forward to do the will of God in the earth. Looking to tomorrow with hope that we will be found doing the will of God when tomorrow becomes today.

Matt 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Jesus told his disciples not to worry about tomorrow. When tomorrow became today, they would have time to deal with the issues that arose. Too often, we get caught up in worrying about next week, next month, next year. We don’t need to be concerned about tomorrow; there is plenty that needs our attention today. Many things can happen in a day. Being concerned about next year to the point of worry, stress and anxiety is pointless; many things can change in the time between now and then.

Phil 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

His word says to be careful for nothing, which means to not be anxious about anything. We need to pray about our concerns and leave them at Jesus’ feet. He will take care of everything.

John 9:4-5 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

These were the words of Jesus before he healed the blind man. But it applies to our lives today. We must be doing what God called us to do while it is day. While we can make a difference. While people can still be saved. Because night comes when no man can work. In other words, the light will be taken from the earth and it will be dark.

Before Jesus ascended, he said, Now you are the light of the world. When the bride of Christ is taken from the earth, sin will reign. No one will be concerned about working for God.

We have to live in the moment. Do what we can today. Ask God to show us if we are lacking in some area of our lives. We need to be on fire for God. Allowing the flame of that light to shine to the dark, broken world. There are people who are waiting for us to just be kind and show them God’s love.

Forgetting the past, we need to live today as if it were our last. Making the most of every day. While we look toward tomorrow with the hope and love of Jesus Christ. There is nothing that we have been through or will face today that is a surprise to God. He will help us today and meet us in all of our tomorrows.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 349 WHERE IS YOUR MIND?

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: WHERE’S YOUR MIND?

From the title, don’t think I am saying you have lost your mind. But I want to discuss where our mindset is when it comes to the work of God. God laid it on Nehemiah’s heart to rebuild the city. They rebuilt the city because the people had a mind to work. Do you have a mind to work for God? Are you ready to rebuild the city?

Neh 4:6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.

We will never accomplish anything unless we come together and work together. We have a responsibility to the lost to be the body of Christ in the earth. We have to show them how to build a life on the foundations of the truth in God’s word.

Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

If God is not working with us, it is useless to work. We often try to build things that we believe is God’s will. Congregations of people will come together for services. But if they are not of one mind, soon there are divisions among them. He will confirm his truth.

The enemy will sometimes send people in to cause confusion and division. His Body should be in one mind and one accord. Jesus even prayed for his disciples that they be one. The enemy comes to subtract and divide, Jesus comes to add and multiply.

John 17:21-23 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

We can build large fancy buildings. We can have thousands in attendance every week, but if we are not in one accord working with God, then church is nothing more than a social club. A big waste of our time.

Psalm 127:1 Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

I ask where is your mind? Do you have a mind to work? Are you ready to build a place for people to find God without judgment? I have been around judgmental people my whole life, it is impossible to go to church without there being at least one or two in the crowd. Even the devil goes to church. He sends witches and those who have a mind to cause trouble, because he cannot stand to see us building something for God.

Look at Nehemiah, his enemies said, let us sneak in and they will not know it until it’s too late. We have to be wise and following the leading of God. For this reason, we need to know by the leading of God’s Spirit who is for us. If we know them that labor among us the enemy cannot send in anyone to ambush us. Know them that labor among you. We do not want to be guilty of being caught unaware of the enemy.

We have to be aware of our enemy’s tactics. We cannot focus on him to the point of being paralyzed by fear. But we have to be wise to his devices. He will not overtake us, he will not destroy us. He will never defeat us if our mind is where it needs to be. The battlefield is our mind. The enemy will come against our thoughts. We have to know where our mind is and where it should be.

I want to leave you with two verses that remind us where we need to concentrate our thoughts and mind.

Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Ask yourself, where is your mind? Is it on the attacks of the enemy or is it on the things that build up the kingdom of God in the earth?

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 348 TIME TO SHOUT

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: TIME TO SHOUT

Victory will happen when we shout down the walls of the enemy. Obstacles seem impossible, but God says, Take the authority I have given you and open your mouth and shout down the walls. There is no way it is humanly possible for Joshua and his army to ever take Jericho, not with the weapons they had at the time. But God said I will give you the city.

We have to stand firm on the word of God. For too long, the enemy has had a giant wall built to destroy the body of Christ. The layers of evil the enemy has in place can look like a huge wall. But we will overcome, the enemy and his wall will fall. Satan worship and evil has prevailed because the church got quite. We often look at the walls with our natural eyes instead of looking at them with faith.

How did this happen? WE LOST OUR SHOUT! We became dignified and lost our joy. We sit in our dignified services, and the spirit doesn’t move because we have not allowed God into the services. It is time we got undignified and ugly cry before the presence of God and not care what others say about us.

Everyone is afraid someone will talk about them if they stand and raise their hands. Generations long ago lifted their voices and truly worshipped God. It is time the shout returns to the church. People are afraid of others’ opinions. But if everyone were praising and shouting, people would not have time to see what others were doing.

The walls of the enemy will never fall if we keep tiptoeing around quietly. Joshua and his army marched 12 times in total in silence. The thirteenth trip, God told them to shout. The walls did not fall until they let a shout to God come from deep within their soul.

Our walls will never fall if we remain dignified and stiff, feeling important because we are saved. We have to give up our control to God. Allow him to come in our midst and minister to our hearts. He will strengthen us and reveal the unrevealed to us.

Seven mountains of influence have all been turned into strongholds of the devil. Media, Government, Education, Family, Arts and Entertainment, Business and Religion.

Our Media has been taken over by those who push evil agendas. These evil people have been elevated to the top levels of the school systems. They set the curriculum that is trying to destroy the next generation. While not allowing God any place. Satan has broken down the family unit until children are left to raise themselves. Our government has been infiltrated by those who worship Lucifer. They control a large portion of the business world. They control our Arts and Entertainment. Movies and entertainment are created to influence us in the wrong direction.

But the worst is religion. False religions have taken over the mainstream and faith in the true God has been shoved to the background. The enemy has divided the body of Christ over silly things and while we are being distracted the enemy has weakened the church.

As God’s children in the earth, it is time we started influencing the world around us. Jesus did not die so that we can sit on a bench and grow cold. While the enemy is raging. He saved us to go out into the world and influence those around us.

We got quiet and complacent. We lost our shout. We lost our backbone. Think about it, without a backbone, it is impossible to stand. It is time the church rose up, but we cannot rise up until we find our backbone. The foundation we stand on is built on the apostles and prophets. We have to allow God to fortify our strength to stand on that solid foundation, which is Christ Jesus.

Eph 2:18-20 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

It is time for the army of the Lord to come to life, like the army of God when Ezekiel prophesied to the dry bones. We are in the same position as the body of Christ. We have allowed our bones to become dry bones. It is time to allow the winds of anointing back into the church.

We can see the enemy’s walls fall if we unite and lift up our shout to the Lord once again.

Psalm 47:1-3 O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. 2 For the Lord most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth. 3 He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.

We can shout unto God with a voice of triumph or victory. For too long the enemy believed he was in charge. It is time we stood up and announced that The Lord most high is a great King over all the earth.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 347 SMOOTH STONES AND JAGGED ROCKS

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: SMOOTH STONES AND JAGGED ROCKS

Imagine walking along a quiet stream, the water calmly flowing over the rocks. There are all types of rocks in the water. Smooth stones, small pebbles, and those with a jagged edge. Each one is in different stages of being in the water. The jagged rocks are normally closer to the edges, where the water is not constant. Because the motion of the water wears down the surface, causing the rocks to become smooth. But the rocks that are in the deeper part of the water are smooth, because they are in the constant flow of the water.

Christians are like those rocks; some are smooth stones. These are the ones who have been in the flow of the Spirit for a long time. They have been changed by the washing of God’s word. They wade out into the deep, desiring the deep things of God.

Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

The word cleanse is found in the concordance Greek #2511 word Chalaq (kaylack) means smooth then refers to #2505 to apportion or separate, divide, separate self. The smooth stones are the ones who have been made smooth over time or separated from other stones.

We are set apart for God’s use. We are separate people. He has cleansed us and continues to cleanse us as we spend time with him and in his word. His blood cleanses daily as we ask for him to sanctify us for his use. We are vessels set apart, cleansed for God’s purposes. Just like the vessels in the temple were cleansed and set aside for use in the temple.

In the sixth chapter of Corinthians, Paul is telling them that you cannot mix belief systems. Jesus and Baal do not mix. There are people trying in our time to create Chrislam, a mix of Christianity and Islam. The two don’t mix. They are like oil and water. But the people of Paul’s day were trying to mix the teaching of the Apostles with Baal.

2 Cor 6:17-18 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

We are called to be separate from the trappings and beliefs of the world. We have been cleansed and set apart for God’s use. He tells us to come out from among those who will not accept the love of the truth.

2 Thes 2:10-13 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

So many are turning to strong delusions. But everyone has an opportunity to seek God and ask him to lead them. If they truly want God to show them, he will. But they will have to seek him and desire to be in his presence. There are many that will not endure sound doctrine, but will turn to the fables of man. There is nothing we can do to help those who make choices to believe in fables. We can pray for God to open their eyes and go on. There are too many people out there who need us.

Other people are like the jagged rocks. They will not allow God to smooth over their sharp edges. They want to do things their way. Living like the world and following all the things this world says is the right way. If God’s Spirit is not flowing over us like the water in the stream, we will never be smooth stones.

Did you ever wonder why David chose 5 smooth stones? Remember, smooth means cleansed or set apart. God had those stones at just the right place to destroy the plans of the enemy. If a jagged stone was put into the sling it would not have flown correctly. It would not have accomplished the task that the smooth one can.

We, being smooth stones, can be in the right place to destroy the enemy’s plans. We just have to be willing to follow God’s leading. He will use us to do great things if we can just believe and trust in him. It should be our prayer that he makes us ready to be used for his glory.

Psalm 42:7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

I don’t want to be a jagged stone. I want to always be found in the flow of God’s stream. Wading out into deeper water to find out more about our Lord Jesus Christ. When the deep desires of our heart reach out for the deeper things of God, He will fulfill our desires.

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Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 346- UNFINISHED

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: UNFINISHED

If I were to ask you if you have any unfinished tasks, I am sure each of you would say yes. Some of our tasks we cannot accomplish alone and need a friend to help. For other tasks, we need more information about how to complete the task. We may lack supplies or money to pay for the help or supplies necessary. The big factor is timing. We underestimate how long it will take to complete a task and run out of time.

Doing things for God is no different. Sometimes we need someone to come into agreement with our prayers and help us to accomplish our tasks. We could lack knowledge of how to deal with a situation. We then would have to leave things undone for a time until we get leading from God. Other tasks we may need equipment or supplies to carry out our tasks.

Leaving things undone can be irritating to the person that likes to check off the tasks and move on to the next. But people and soul-winning are not a to do list. We have to invest time in people. They need to be prayed for, encouraged, witnessed to and even taught about God. It is about building a relationship.

I would never attempt to do electrical work in my home. I need an expert, someone who understands how electricity travels. But I will take on some home improvement tasks that I feel qualified to handle. When it comes to people, we have to leave a lot undone until God says it is the right time. He is the only expert on perfect timing. We may do something that we can handle when it comes to helping others. Then God will send someone else along to provide something that they are qualified to do to help that same person. We are not meant to be everything to one person; we are meant to do all we can to help as many people as we can. God will never leave anything undone concerning his children. Unlike us, he will finish what he started.

Phil 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

There are times that God starts something in our lives, then it’s like he hits the brakes, and we are left at a standstill. We sometimes question if God really wants us to do certain things. Because to us, it seems like we have been at a standstill way too long. But in his great wisdom, he is waiting for everything to align with perfect precision. He will work things out at the proper time.

He often will give us a vision to do things long before the time for it to come to pass. I believe there are different reasons for his leadership. We need time to get used to certain ideas and believe we can do what God is asking. Other times it is because we need to research how to do things or enlist help.

We can be sure he will never ask us to do anything he will not empower us to do. God is a God of perfect order; he will not leave anything undone forever. We can be sure he has a plan.

Jer 29:11-13 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

He gives us an expected end. Whose expectations? Probably not ours, but he knows what to expect from us. He will never expect more than we can deliver. But in the process of doing his will, we will also grow in trust and wisdom. We have to pray and he will answer. He desires for us to seek him with our whole heart. If we can encourage others to search for him with all their heart, then they will find what they need, because they will find Jesus.

Job 12:13 With him is wisdom and strength he hath counsel and understanding.

When we stand before him one day, he will be able to say, “well done”. The only thing that will prevent us from completing what he has started is if we choose to walk in our flesh and not yield to his leading.

Matt 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

We have to trust God’s timing. Learning to walk out our faith walk with his leading. Sometimes we decide what needs to be done, and then God will reroute our day. The task we had planned remains undone. But if we can accomplish daily what God wants us to do, then we have done the right thing with our time. There will be another opportunity to finish what we started, some other day. The main thing is that we never miss our opportunity to be obedient to the leading of God’s Spirit. Because when it comes to his children, God will never leave anything unfinished.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 345 HEAR MY HEART

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: HEAR MY HEART

There is a beautiful song by Sherri Easter, it is about dealing with feeling like the trials are going to overtake her. One portion says, “I’ll be quiet, so you can hear my heart.” Sitting alone in quiet meditating to God, we sometimes feel like it doesn’t accomplish anything. Revelation may not come before we end our quiet time. We lack direction and want answers. But God leads us to sit quietly in his presence.

As someone who is a multi-tasker sitting and doing nothing is difficult. God is teaching me that when we spend time listening for his still small voice, it is not time wasted. It is not sitting and doing nothing, but it is growing our connection to his Spirit.

The enemy will try to throw guilt into the mix. He will make you think about the large pile of laundry, the unpaid bills, the fact that there is a large list of things that need to be done. I am learning to give myself permission to let the laundry go for a few hours or until the next day. That will not change my future as much as listening for the voice of God.

It is in the quiet times with God that he may pour into us strength to face the next trial. We are building a connection with God that will empower us to reach the lost. We can crawl up into his lap and take a break from the troubles of life. When we don’t have words to say, we can let him listen to our hearts. He knows all about our concerns, stresses and cares. He has the answers to all of our questions.

A family member recently told me a story of their elderly aunt; she craved the company of family. Every time her nephew would stop by and visit, she would hide his jacket so he would come back soon. That started me to think about God wanting our company. Instead of hiding our jackets, maybe he will allow certain things to come into our lives to draw us to him.

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

How can he show us the path of life if we never spend time with him? We cannot follow him if we don’t hear his voice. He says his sheep hear his voice and a stranger they will not follow. He cannot lead us if we don’t spend enough time with him to know his voice.

Spending time with God will give us joy. The joy of the Lord is our strength.

Getting to know God is a process. We have to be willing to sacrifice what we want to do in order to spend time with him getting to know his voice.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

In order to put God in his proper place in our lives we have to be willing to spend time with him. I question myself when I have allowed life to crowd out my quiet time with God. Does that mean he is in his proper place? In order to not commit idolatry, we have to make sure God has the number one place in our lives.

God knows us better than we know ourselves. He understands our concerns and questions better than we could even imagine. Trying to put into words in a prayer sometimes how we feel may seem impossible to us. We end up frustrated, but God knows all about it. He will make the answers known at just the perfect time.

When we think about tests, flashbacks of high school often come to mind. When teachers tested us, it was to see what we had learned. God allows tests not so he can understand what we have learned, but to show us our strengths. We often do not know how strong our faith is in a certain area until we are tested. Then we understand and grow from the knowledge that the test reveals to us.

Faith was there all along, but we didn’t necessarily know it was there. Not until we had to dig deep and hold on to God when things spun out of control. Do not be discouraged if you are going through a time of trial. God is just revealing to you that he has placed something new in you. Something that he can grow in our quiet time with him.

Take some time to sit quietly and allow him to hear your heart.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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VIDEO LINK TO THE SONG HEAR MY HEART : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7mltTaIdUU

EPISODE 344 WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: What a friend we have in Jesus!

A friend is someone who will stand by you in the good and the bad of life. Especially, in the bad. Knowing that you have someone in your corner when many others walk away is a wonderful feeling. Jesus is our friend who will stand by us when everyone else walks away.

There are lyrics to an old hymn that goes, “What a friend we have in Jesus. All our sins and griefs to bear, what a privilege it is to carry everything to God in prayer.” Do we look at prayer as a privilege? Do we feel blessed that we can carry our burdens to God in prayer? What about the burdens of those around us?

I am reminded of a story in Luke; Jesus was in a house preaching. A large crowd was gathered there at the house. They were all pressed in and it was impossible to get from the back of the crowd to Jesus.

Luke 5:17-19 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 18 And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. 19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.

This man was very sick. These men were determined to get their friend to Jesus. They believed that He could heal him. Sometimes it takes determination to get a prayer answered. Sometimes it takes peeling back a few roof tiles to see things accomplished. How far are we willing to go to see someone get what they need from God?

Do we really pray when asked to do so, or do we say a couple of quick sentences in passing? Dear Lord, help so and so receive their healing. Amen.

There are times when it takes our faith to push a prayer through. There are times we have to take on their cause as if it were our own. If we were in the position of that man, needing healing and could not get to Jesus, wouldn’t we want someone to go the extra mile with us?

Luke 5:20-25 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? 22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? 23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? 24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. 25 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.

When the Pharisees saw what had taken place, there was little that they could say, because the man was healed. Jesus honored the faith of that man’s friends. It was a good day for everyone but the self-righteous religious people.

We have to be willing to sacrifice and stand in the gap for those who cannot reach Jesus on their own. Today, there could be many reasons a person may not be able to reach Jesus. They could be too weak physically. They could be bound in a prison of guilt and drug or alcohol addiction. They may feel they are unworthy to pray. The enemy loves to tell people that they have gone too far for God to ever forgive them.

The reason is not as important as what we need to do to help. God will lead us to those we are supposed to help. We must be willing to peel back the roof if necessary and get them to Jesus. He has already done the hard part, he died for us all. They can be set free, as long as we are faithful and lead them to Jesus.

I am thankful for the friends that I have in my inner circle. I am thankful, for my wonderful family. But I am most thankful, that I know a man called Jesus, who will be with me to the end.

Thanks for watching,

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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