Tag: #dailydevotional

EPISODE 307 WHAT IS IT WORTH TO YOU?

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The title of today’s episode: WHAT IS IT WORTH TO YOU?

Did you ever notice how when you buy a new car you treat it like it has value? It is washed every week. You park away from other cars, so it doesn’t get scratched. You make a rule that no one is to eat in the car. Which lasts about two weeks. As the newness wears off you start parking closer to the store, telling yourself it will be fine. What changed? It is still the same car. But the newness has worn off. You start taking it for granted. Quickly, it becomes just transportation.

How often do we do the same thing to God? When we are born again it is like getting that new car. Suddenly we have a new life. Everything is shiny and exciting. We tell ourselves we are going to be the perfect Christian. We make rules for ourselves, almost rituals about how much we will read our bibles and do all the Christian things.

As time goes on, we either wear ourselves out trying to be perfect within ourselves or we grow weary and slack off of spending time with God. What changed, He is still the same God.

Then I am reminded of Essau that sold his birthright for a bowl of beans. This has often puzzled me. Those must have been some amazing beans. He gave up all that he was to inherit and his place in standing as the head of the family. He didn’t value his place in the family.

We sometimes take for granted our place in God’s family. We get neglectful of the value of our salvation. It is almost like we become desensitized to the amazing gift that we have been given.

Heb 2:1-4 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

We cannot neglect our gift of salvation. We have to treat it with value, because it is the most valuable gift we could ever be given. There is nothing in this life worth trading the gifts that God has given us.

What has value to us will be valued by others. How many times do people go out and buy something because someone acts like it is the greatest thing on the market. It is time we walk out our faith giving God his proper place. If we act like our salvation is important, others will think that their salvation is important.

I Tim 4:14-16 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Paul told Timothy to not neglect the Holy Ghost that was in him. He is to meditate on the things of God. If we prioritize the things of God, he will use them to be a light to others around us.

What is your salvation worth to you? Are you willing to give up everything? Are you willing to focus on God? By focusing on him and his word, we will find that place of value. We will no longer treat our salvation like a bowl of beans.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 306 -GOD OF THE BREAKTHROUGH

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: GOD OF THE BREAKTHROUGH

He is the God of the breakthrough. When things seem like they are going wrong we realize we need a breakthrough. We need God’s anointing to break whatever is holding us. It takes God’s anointing to break our chains that hold us bound. Worship will bring the flow of anointing.

Isaiah 10:27 And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.

One definition of “Break Through” is to succeed in forcing your way through something. I think about breaking down a wall. We often do not want to worship when needing a breakthrough. When we worship, we make a deeper connection to God. Worship helps to get us in a position of breakthrough, because our focus shifts when we worship. It goes from us and our problems to just how big, wonderful, helpful, loving and amazing our God. His intervention on our behalf brings about the transformation of events. We achieve victory in the moment that we feel like we cannot hold on one more second.

Many examples in the word of God show the moments of breakthrough. The Red Sea parting. The falling of the walls of Jericho. When God shut the mouths of the lions for Daniel. The thud when the stone from David’s sling hit Goliath in the one spot he didn’t have armor.

All it takes for a breakthrough is circumstances to look like there is no way things could possible work out for our good. Then God says stand still and watch what I will do.

Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

We have to hold on to this verse. When things look like they are not going to work out and we are down for the count. God will raise us up and put us back onto our feet. Once we are back on our feet we have the ability to walk out our faith. We have the ability to encourage others.

It is almost impossible to keep our minds on God all the time. Many things are in our lives to distract. I don’t even mean the enemy. But the responsibilities of this life. He will help us to focus on the things that matter if we look to him for all the answers concerning our lives.

Our first real breakthrough is when we are born again or brought from death to life.

We will always get breakthrough when our challenging circumstances meets God’s intervention. How do we know we are on the verge of getting our breakthrough. The enemy will throw everything he can at once at us to get us to give up or speak negativity out of our mouths. He wants us to say that we cannot go on. We will never make it. There will be numerous obstacles and an overwhelming feeling of being stuck.

The enemy will send toxic people to encourage us to give up. Saying things like maybe it’s not God’s will. They will spew negativity and if we are not careful, we will find ourselves agreeing with them. But God says, We are his children and he will take care of us, no matter what the need may be.

God will send us real encouragement, if we pay attention. Maybe it’s a song, a verse of scripture, or someone to speak life into our situations. He will not let us down or leave us all alone to fight for ourselves. Even when we go through times, we do not feel his presence. He is not far from us, as long as we have not allowed sin to creep in and separate us from him.

Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Be encouraged, when life seems like it will never change, you are on the edge of your breakthrough.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 299 AVOIDING FALSE ASSUMPTIONS

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: AVOIDING FALSE ASSUMPTIONS

Every division in the body of believers in Christ started somewhere. Two people didn’t see eye to eye, so they split and started their own thing. Now, we have too many denominations to count and too many translations of the Bible.

What if I told you that a group of evil people paid pastors to cause confusion. They didn’t want God’s people to stand strong. They created a church culture that allowed people to have an eased conscience without having to sacrifice. They created versions of the word that sounded good but left out the true meaning of the gospel.

I was raised in church. Saved at the age of fifteen. I spent some time in the world doing things I shouldn’t have done. I then returned to the church and tried to do what I thought was expected of me. But when I really got serious about my faith walk. I decided to question everything I had ever been taught. It bothered me that there were all these different denominations of Christians. But the word said we were one body. I questioned how we could be one body with all the different ideas. Many would die for their denomination before they would die for Christ. It is so ingrained in them that they are right that their minds are closed to the revelation of what God’s word actually says.

I didn’t want to be narrow-minded, but knew that the grand philosophy of all roads lead to heaven was way too open minded. There has to be a balance between the two. When two people do not agree, they both cannot be right. But they both can be wrong. They are both wrong if the discussion becomes about who is right and not what is right, even if one of them has the correct answer. I am all for open discussion and an exchange of ideas, this is how we learn. But when it turns into an argument, then it is wrong.

That being said, I want to encourage you to sit down and pray for God to reveal his word to you. He will not withhold the truth from someone who seeks it. We cannot be so arrogant to assume we know it all. The more I learn the more I realize I don’t know everything. My grandfather after studying the bible for more than seventy years, would say he didn’t know it all either. He also would smile and say, it is what you learn after you know it all that counts. In other words when we get to the end of ourselves and learn what God is trying to say, that is what counts.

Are you knocking on the door of understanding and revelation? Are you seeking God’s wisdom and truth? Or are you blindly following a preacher because he is a good speaker and has a nice smile?

God has promised to give us wisdom. If we ask for it.

James 1:5-8 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

We need to ask and God will not withhold it from us. If we ask in faith and are not wishy washy about it. We cannot be double minded, because we will not have a solid foundation if we are double minded.

He has promised if we seek, we will find.

Matt 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

God knows the sincerity of our hearts. If we seek answers and pray for his wisdom he will open it to us. He also warns us not to throw our pearls before swine. In other words, do not argue about doctrine, if someone just wants to argue for the sake of argument. It is a waste of time.

I want to warn you that today there are many that their whole purpose is to deceive God’s people. They will come with a bible and a smile, but be careful. The word says by their fruit you will know them. Many false prophets and teachers know the scriptures better than a lot of saints. Pray about everything.

2 Tim 3:10-12 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

2 Tim 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

It is important to know the life of the person that is ministering to you. Do they walk the walk or just talk the talk on TV and live a wicked life the rest of the time?

2Tim 3:15-17 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

We have our bibles to make sure that we have the correct ideas about God, life, love and salvation. That we may be perfect and thoroughly equipped to do the good works of God.

I want to encourage you to ask God, Seek God, Pray for wisdom, Pray for understanding. He will never let you down. He will not allow us to be deceived if we depend on him.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 298 TREES IN A STORM

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: TREES IN A STORM

No one wants to deal with adversity. We all would like life to be exactly as we want it to be without the storms of adversity. But without the storms we wouldn’t recognize the sunshine.

I was thinking about the winds of adversity. When strong winds blow against a tree there are four different things that can happen to the tree.

It can fall over, pulling the roots out of the ground. This means that the tree grew too fast for the roots to develop and grow deep. Deep roots will allow the tree to stay grounded.

Christians sometimes jump into the church culture. They do all the Christian things, but do not take the time to get grounded in the word. Learning what God’s word says will give us the root system we need to help us to grow and stay grounded when the winds of false doctrines blow through our land. If you are not grounded in God’s word you may fall for anything that sounds good. This is how people end up in cults. They are willing to accept what some so called preacher or prophet tells them, instead of knowing the word for themselves. On a side note, If a person is a true prophet of God, what they say will always, always line up with the Bible.

Sometimes a tree grows too many leaves and branches and becomes top heavy without having a strong trunk. During the storms this type of tree will break into at least two pieces. But if the trunk of the tree has strong roots it will soon send out shoots to produce a new tree. All is not lost as long as the roots are strong and run deep.

Christians who fall into this category may face something that causes them to break. It may shake their faith to their very foundation. It may be so bad that everyone wonders if they will come back from it. Many go through periods of depression and grief. But if their roots are deep, they will rely on their faith foundation to help them to pick up what is left of their lives and try once again to grow toward heaven. Finding new ways to reach for the sky.

Having a strong but flexible trunk will give them the ability to bend when hit with heavy winds, but to remain true to their purpose. As soon as the wind stops blowing, they are standing tall and as strong as ever. I pictured the palm trees during a hurricane. When thinking about a tree being flexible.

Christians that are flexible have been through a few storms. When a tree is young and flexible it will be more pliable. Saplings that face strong winds will develop small cracks in their structure. The tree will repair those places in the tree’s fibers causing it to be stronger. It is through facing the wind that it actually becomes strong. Just as we grow stronger when we are facing the winds of adversity.

A tree might stand strong when the winds blow. This is the tree that has a strong root system. It is not top heavy. And has the right amount of flexibility to withstand the storms.

Christians that are like these trees have grown and are mature. They have had the right environment to grow in and flourish. They have deep roots. They are not top-heavy with a bunch of things they do not need to be dealing with, traditions of men, gossip, and trying to measure up to society’s standards. Worry about things we cannot control. Fear, anxiety. All the things the enemy wants us to carry in our minds so that we cannot deal with what is happening in the moment. It is the enemy’s number one trick to try to distract us with run away thoughts. He always causes us to go to worst case scenario before we know the facts.

Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

People that have learned to set aside the weights that try to distract us are ones that are growing and are becoming mature Christians. Only mature trees grow fruit. A young tree that doesn’t have to face the wind will never grow a strong trunk. It is in our adversities that we gain a strong core. Helping us to produce fruit.

Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

God allows the storms to make us stronger. Adversity causes us to grow deeper roots. The more we set aside our ideas, wishes and traditions the more room we have for God’s will and word. Making us mature enough to start developing the fruit of the Spirit. Listed in Gal 5.

Psalm 92:13-15 Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; 15 To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Learning to fully trust and rely on God will help us to be that flourishing tree even when the wind blows.

Jer. 17:7-8 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. 8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

The next time you face adversity, remember the storms are there to make you stronger or clear a path to your next level of growth. It is in the storms, we realize more than ever that we need our savior. Only in him do we have the strength to face the storm.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 297 REGAINING FOCUS

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: REGAINING FOCUS

In the world we are living in there are many things that are going on that the average person doesn’t know about. The truth is slowly coming out and some of the stories are hard to wrap our minds around. The cruelty done to innocent children is beyond the scope of imagination.

I heard one such story today, it shattered my heart into a million pieces. It grieved my Spirit; it took me several hours to pray my way through it. As a child of God, it would be impossible to not be moved by all of the things going on, but I was reminded that we cannot dwell on the evil. We cannot do anything about it except pray and let God deal with it.

He is the God of justice; he is the God that will punish those who are evil and refuse to repent. His word says Vengeance is mine, I will repay. God is in control; I had to change my focus. I started thinking on God and his amazing grace.

I realized that I had allowed my God focus to become unfocused. I had to pray for an adjustment to my lenses. For God to help me focus on what I could control and let him handle everything in his scope of control. We have to be ever-vigilant to keep our minds focused on Jesus.

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

As we lean into the vastness and glory of our God, it will give us a sense of peace. It helps us to realize even though we are small and in many ways weak, we are still mighty through the power of his Spirit that lives within us.

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.

Our God is an awesome God. He has got the entire universe in his hand. Focusing on him will always give us peace. In a world where peace is hard to find outside of God. It may not even exist outside of God. But we can sit in his presence and feel surrounded by a calm tranquility that can only come from him. As he ministers to our souls.

Being in his presence and gaining our focus on him will lighten the heaviness that comes from knowing the evil that exists in the world. Some of it is closer than we ever thought possible.

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.

We are human and it is easy to allow our focus to be swayed to things other than our God. But he is there to remind us as soon as life gets to be overwhelming. He is the same God that delivered a nation from Egypt. He is the same God that delivered the three Hebrew men from the fiery furnace. The one that caused the walls of Jerico to fall, giving his people access to take the city. He is the same God that sent his son to die for our sins. He created each of us with a purpose. But we will never fulfill our purpose until we get our focus on him and allow him to move in our lives.

When you find yourself discouraged or see something that breaks your heart, he is there to pick you up and give you peace. It all comes down to our ability to keep our God focus and allow him to do a work in us.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 292 – POWER IN THE BLOOD/ PLEADING THE BLOOD OF JESUS

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: POWER IN THE BLOOD /PLEADING THE BLOOD OF JESUS

Most people know that in Ephesians chapter six it speaks of the whole armor of God. We have a shield of faith. Our faith is what makes us strong. Our faith protects us from attacks of the enemy. Faith is how we receive our blood covering, by faith we believe on God for salvation.

Eph 6:11-12 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

In the story of the Children of Israel, God told Moses to tell the people to kill a lamb and place the blood on the door posts. This was a sign to the death angel that would pass over that house. All the houses in Egypt that didn’t have the blood over the door, would have a death of its first born. This is a foreshadowing of Christ and how his blood is placed over the door of our heart. The placement of the blood prevented death. Christ’s blood on our lives prevents spiritual death.

This event was a life-changing moment in the lives of everyone on both sides. It was the beginning of freedom to God’s people. The enemy was seeing that they were no match for the One True God.

I don’t think it was a coincidence that they passed through the Red Sea. I believe the name of the sea is prophetic and represents the blood line. God’s people went through, but Egypt could not follow. They could not because God had drawn the blood line. He said to the tormentors, you will not trouble my people any longer, you can go no further.

Jesus always brought freedom to the hurting and sick. He brought joy and understanding to those that lacked the education of the Pharisees. To the arrogant and elite, he brought fear and trepidation. They were afraid of his popularity, because they didn’t want to lose their standing in the community.

As people who are blood bought, spirit filled Children of the most high God, we too have been set apart. Because the blood of Jesus has been applied to our lives, we have victory in our Lord Jesus Christ. There is not a devil in hell that can come through the blood.

There is power in the name of Jesus. The blood has transforming power. There is nothing the enemy can throw at us that can overpower the blood of Jesus. We cannot fear what the enemy is doing or going to try next. We need to plead the blood against it.

For those of you who are new to Christianity the phrase “plead the blood” means we ask God for his blood covering against the situation. Since the enemy cannot cross the blood line, then we can plead the blood for protection. In other words, we are asking for God to draw a blood line around us to keep us from the enemy. Many illnesses are demonic attacks, whether you want to believe it or not. They are spirits that are on assignment to distract us from our assignment by causing us to have pain and symptoms of disease. When we plead the blood of Jesus against these attacks, we are asking for a blood line that the enemy cannot cross.

Before you say the blood is not for healing, Jesus took stripes for our healing. Not only our spiritual healing, but emotional and physical healing as well. He wants us to be completely whole, body, mind and spirit. Jesus is the only way to achieve this balance. Having this balance or wholeness is the best way to be effective in the world around us. If we are out of balance in any area it can keep us from running our race effectively.

Faith in Jesus Christ is our shield, the blood is our covering. We often are told to check our hearts to make sure all of our sins are under the blood of Jesus. We do this by repenting immediately if we know we have slipped up. But it is good to also ask for forgiveness for the things we do not realize we have done.

As we move forward, our country is in need of prayer. There has never been a time that it needs prayer more than now. Fear and fearmongering are trying to take control of our society. We need to stand strong and not allow fear to get a toe hold. I am sure things looked scary for the children of Israel. God parted a sea for them, he can do exceedingly, abundantly more than we ask or think to take care of his people today.

Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

The power of the Holy Ghost within us will give us the strength and power to face whatever the enemy tries to throw our way. Walk in Love, Encourage One Another, Pray for God’s Peace Against Fear. We will make it as long as we stay under the blood covering of our Lord Jesus Christ. Remember; There is power in the blood.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EP291 SOMETIMES VICTORY IN THE SHOUT

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: SOMETIMES VICTORY IS IN THE SHOUT

There is no substitute for true praise. Worship is not always a person sitting quietly with their hands folded in their laps with their eyes shut. Sometimes it is shouts, tears and displays of emotion. God wants us to give him worship from our hearts and not lip service.

I was reading Luke 19 today and came across the account of Jesus riding a colt into Jerusalem.

Luke 19:33-38 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? 34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him. 35 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. 36 And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. 37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

They were not quiet, they were singing, rejoicing and praising with a loud voice for all the mighty works. Sometimes God is so good that we cannot contain the praise. It is not undignified to be loud, if someone is doing it for attention then God knows that too. I don’t know where the church got the idea that everything had to be silent all the time. I can’t find it in the bible. When the church lost their shout, they also lost their praise, which led to the loss of joy and strength. Soon the churches became social clubs and not places of worship. It is time we lost our dignified ways and gave God exuberant praise from our hearts. If everyone was doing this no one would have time to look at one another with judgment.

Luke 19:39-40 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. 40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

The religious people didn’t want them praising God in a manner that didn’t fit their theology. And of course, they didn’t believe that Jesus was the son of God. They didn’t think he should be praised. There are many Pharisees today in all walks of life.

Worship is not about candles, long robes and silence. These people have a form and a fashion but deny the power of God. Because when God shows up for church it will wreck your theology. It is about a heart connection to the one that saved our souls. If we really allowed that to sink in about where he has bought us from, we would remember the reason he deserves praise and worship.

I then think about Jerico. The Israelites marched for days around the city. They were quiet and didn’t provoke their enemy. It didn’t cause anything to happen. But on the last day God told them to shout, and the walls fell. The shout of triumph can make our enemy scared and bring down the walls the enemy has built.

Jesus would have walked past Bartemaeus, but he cried with a loud voice. The people around him tried to silence him, but he cried out anyway. When we want to receive something from God, sometimes it takes a shout. Jesus answered him and gave him his sight. Think about how close he came to missing his miracle. If he had listened to the crowd, he would have remained blind.

Many people are spiritually blind today. It is up to us to lead them to Jesus. We cannot stand in their way and tell them to be dignified and quiet. We need to tell them to cry out to Jesus for his soul cleansing, never ending, healing power. Time is short and we need to cry out and let our voices be heard. Many are needing to meet Jesus. We cannot let the Pharisees of today, those who wish for us to be silent, stop us from telling people about Jesus.

It is time we left our comfort zones. It is time we got serious about our witness to the world. I don’t want rocks crying out for me in praise or witness. I don’t want to come before God and him say, you should have told others about me. I want to hear him say, Well Done.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EP290 UNAPOLOGETIC WORSHIP

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: UNAPOLOGETIC WORSHIP

Today I want to talk to you about keeping your focus on Jesus. We need to worship him unapologetically. There is a story in the gospel of Luke of a woman that was determined to worship Jesus. This woman brought an alabaster box of expensive oils, and anointed Jesus.

The Pharisees sat in judgment.

Luke 7:36-38 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

The Pharisee was uncomfortable with her open worship of Jesus. Because he didn’t believe Jesus deserved worship. He didn’t see him as anything more than maybe a prophet. The Pharisee questioned if he was even a prophet. He thought it was wrong of him to allow her to continue.

Luke 7:39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

He questioned Jesus’ status by saying if he were a prophet, like he wasn’t even worthy to be a prophet. Then he judged the woman, saying she is a sinner. Like there was no hope for her.

Luke 7:40-43 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

Jesus understood the heart of the woman. He knew all about her circumstances and didn’t judge her for the past. She had lived a sinful life and needed much forgiveness, but she showed her gratitude toward Jesus by interrupting their dinner to sit at his feet and worship.

Luke 7:44-46 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

Luke 7:47-50 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

No where does it say the woman defended her interaction with Jesus. She didn’t care that the religious leader (the Pharisee) was watching her. An account in another of the gospels says that the disciples said she could have sold the ointment and given the money to the poor. Like they thought it was a waste.

Anything we give to Jesus is never wasted. Our time, our praise, our tears, the substance of our finances. We could learn a lesson from this woman and continue to pour out our hearts in praise as the woman poured out the oil. She didn’t see anyone but Jesus, she was focused completely on him. She didn’t apologize that they were judging her for her behavior.

One of the biggest lessons we can take away is that true worship from the heart and a life lived fully sold out to Jesus will draw criticism from those who are not comfortable with that level of openness to the Lord.

I don’t care how perfect you walk as a Christian there will be those with a judgmental spirit that will criticize. Sometimes out of jealousy because they really want to be free enough to worship openly, showing their heart. But they are afraid of being judged.

We need to focus on our worship of Jesus and let them say whatever they want, their opinion doesn’t matter. Only the opinion of the one who died for us matters. Unapologetic worship allows us to connect with the heart of God. Get out of that comfort zone, ignore people and love openly our Lord Jesus Christ.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EP289 IS JESUS LORD?

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: Is Jesus Lord?

I am going to ask you a question I have been pondering about my life. This question is for you to think about today. Is Jesus Lord? Most would say yes immediately. Think about his place in your life. God wants to be first. People all around the world want to make Jesus their savior. They are willing to give up a few things to have someone tell them they are saved. But do they ever make him the Lord of their lives? It is one thing to say he is Lord, but it is another thing to live that way.

When he was born as a baby, he was named Jesus. He was flesh and grew up as we all do. When he started his ministry after John baptized him. The spirit of God came and rested on him like a dove. After this he was called Christ or Jesus Christ. Christ meaning the anointed one. But the account in Acts 2:36 is one of the earliest places that he is referred to as Lord.

Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

When Jesus came out of the grave victorious over death, hell and the grave and ascended into glory. His victory gave him the authority and made Lord of all.

Paul stood on the day the church was born and declared that Jesus was both Lord and Christ. He was letting them know that he was both Messiah and God Almighty, Lord overall.

Eph 3:14-15 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

This verse says that the whole family in heaven and earth are named after the Lord Jesus Christ. He is more than a savior that died on a cross. Although that is a major part of what he has done. He is so much more, he is Lord above all, over all and hopefully in us all.

We often say when someone repents that they made Jesus the Lord of their life. We really mean that they have made a good start toward that goal. But it takes a period of time to learn to surrender fully to his leading. To give up our control and put him in his place in our lives, which is the first place, in charge, and in control.

Most of us, and I did say us including me, want to do what we choose until we hit an obstacle then we wonder why God is not moving. Because we never gave him the situation to control. We didn’t follow his leading and ended up somewhere he didn’t mean for us to go. There are many reasons things happen but sometimes it is because we have not given the proper place in our lives to God Almighty our Lord.

Wikipedia says the word Lord means – “Lord is an appellation for a person or deity who has authority, control, or power over others, acting as a master, chief, or ruler.”

The word appellation is defined by Miriam Webster Dictionary online – as an identifying name or title: designation. For example: not everyone can be called doctor, only those who have graduated medical school.

When we say Lord, we are giving him the proper respect. Not everyone can be Lord, it takes certain credentials. He died for our sins; he is the one who has the right to be in control. He is Lord.

Since he is Lord, he gave us power to become the sons of God. We cannot say he is Lord until we have been born into his family, we have no right to call him Lord.

I Cor 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

We could never begin to put him in his proper place in our lives without the power of His Spirit that lives within us. Like I’ve said before, we are not born knowing how to love God. We are born in this flesh. It is a process that takes a lifetime to grow into; all he wants is for us to try to give up our control and let him be who he was created to be to us. He is more than our savior, he wants to be our Lord and Savior. Again, I ask the question, Is Jesus Lord? Have you given him the proper place in your life? Something to think about as you go about your day. I know I have been pondering it.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 288 REST IN THE YOKE

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: REST IN THE YOKE

In the fast-paced world in which we live there are times I am envious of people in the late 1800’s. Except for electricity and indoor plumbing they had the perfect life. People back then valued friendship and family above material things and having the latest gadgets.

Now we rush about, pulling long hours at a job that is not our dream, just to survive. We live for the weekend. Then when it comes it is so full of activities that we do not get rest. If we are lucky, we will get two weeks a year of vacation. We plan trips and it takes us until Mid-day Wednesday to get unwound enough to enjoy our time, we blink, and it is right back to the rat race.

Jesus says there is a better way. In him we can find rest for our weary soul. Having God’s peace inside of us will give us a better attitude and perspective on our lives. He can give us hope and help us to figure out what is really important to us.

Matt 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Jesus is with us to help us carry our burdens. If we take his yoke upon us, it means we are working in tandem with him to carry the situations of life. A yoke was traditionally a piece of wood with straps or rope that the animals were tied to, they then would be given encouragement to walk and pull the burden together. When both pulled it made the load move smoothly forward.

To be yoked with Christ means that we too are connected with a piece of wood. The old rugged cross. When Christ died for us on that cross, he made a way for us to shun the heavy weight of sin. Our hearts and souls can find rest in him from the burden of sin.

If we are yoked to the world, we are the ones carrying the weight. Not only is it hard to pull that weight, but it keeps getting heavier and heavier. Because we are yoked to satan and he will not carry any of the weight once he has you hitched to the yoke. Up until that time he paints a pretty picture and carries all the weight. When we agree to put on the harness and he says, Now I can drop it. The full weight of sin falls on us, and it falls hard.

When training a young ox, it is often yoked with a larger more experienced one. It will resist but gets encouragement from the older ox as he often is pulling more than his share. The yoke is not always level in this case. The mature ox is carrying three quarters of the load. But the young one will soon learn how to be yoked and then it will carry more of the burden.

The young ox needs to learn not to try to run ahead of his partner. He cannot lag behind either. Falling in line with the pace of the one leading makes for the smoothest, easiest journey. We too cannot run ahead of God, or we will make a mess of what he wants to in our lives. We do not want to fall behind and feel like we are being dragged to our destiny either. Because God will not force us. He expects our willingness to go the distance.

Exodus 33:14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

When we get a made-up mind to follow Jesus and not try to do our own thing. We will find rest and peace for our weary heart. It doesn’t mean that there will not be storms and steep rocky places. But he will see us through them all as long as we look to him and make sure to let him carry the heaviest part of the burden.

Just as I sometimes wonder about a simpler time, I am reminded of the old paths and how we are supposed to look for them.

Jer 6:16 Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

In the old paths we can find the deep meaning of living a Christian life, fully devoted to the path God has for our feet. In that path we will find peace and rest for our weary souls.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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