Tag: #dailydevotional

EPISODE 208 BEING REAL

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO VERSION: https://rumble.com/v5jrf71-god-focus-this-morning-ep208-being-real.html

The title of today’s episode: Being Real

What can I say to make a difference in your life? What small nugget of wisdom can I share that will make your day better? I can tell you that God is good. That he died to set us free. There is joy in service Jesus. But if I am not walking in that freedom, it may seem like a slogan. Only in seeing others free will the lost understand God’s freedom.

The same goes for every aspect of Christian life. We can tell people all we want to about Jesus, but most need to see it. They need to know that there are real people that are living and walking out their faith. Being real before God and man is our duty as Christians. When we tell others there is joy in serving Jesus, it better be showing on our faces.

Some Christians walk around downtrodden all the time. They are overburdened and never show any spark of Joy. These are the Christians that are in man’s bondage with legalism and religion. If you know someone for five years and they say they are a Christian and they never seems like there is any joy in their life they are bound by man’s religion and need set free. I am not saying as a Christian we will not have down times and sadness. But even in the worst grief and pain there is still God’s peace and his joy.

Now more than at any time before the world needs see us to being real. Not self-righteous, not religious, not someone who gives the gospel or Jesus lip service. We have to be sold out, all in, on fire, living and walking by faith. Everything we do and say should be to glorify God. Our lives are not our own.

I Cor 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

People can listen to sermons all day long, but it means nothing if it is not applied to their lives.

James 1:22-27 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was, 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

The word tells us to be a doer and not just a hearer of the word. It must be applied to our lives or we will remain the same person we were before. God’s word has the power to transform lives, but we also have the power to resist God’s leading.

This says if we are a hearer and not a doer we are like a man that looks in a mirror. For a moment when we hear the word we see where we stand with God. In other words things become clear. But if the man walks away, he doesn’t remember what he looked like. The same can be said for those of us that do not allow the word to change us. If we are a hearer and not a doer we will never know what we could have become.

It comes down to this, are we going to make an effort to allow the word to change us. Will we let it penetrate to our hearts and make changes. When these changes happen others will take notice. It will make us better witnesses.

We want to be the kind of Christians people know they can count on to be prayer warriors when they need God to move. The kind of people that will tell them the truth, even if it is not what they want to hear. We need to be the type of Christian that makes a difference in the world.

Ask yourself today if you are a hearer or a doer. Does the world know you are the real deal? Do they know that you are Christian in name only?

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

LIKE SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ENCOURAGEMENT

EPISODE 207 BIRTHRIGHT

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO VERSION: https://rumble.com/v5jmwhx-god-focus-this-morning-ep207-birthright.html

WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: BIRTHRIGHT

Down through the ages, when the father would pass away, the firstborn son was in the position of being the head of the family. He would inherit most of the wealth of the family. He would be in charge of taking care of his widowed mother. Any unmarried sisters would have to have his permission to marry. It was his birthright. The sons who were born, second or after received property and other things, but didn’t have the authority as head of the family.

I was reading the story of Issac’s sons, Essau and Jacob. As I read the part of the story that said he sold his birthright for a bowl of beans. I thought about how crazy that was, he gave up long term wealth and security. He gave up being in a position of making a difference in the world for a moment of fulfilling his appetite.

As I pondered this, I started thinking about how we as children of God all have been given a birthright. All of us who are born again are on even ground. We are all going to inherit our father’s kingdom. Unless we give up our birthright and walk away from God.

Essau was hungry. That was an appetite of the flesh. He didn’t care what he had to give up, he just wanted that hunger satisfied. It is the same way with people today. Our flesh sometimes wants things that are sinful. The enemy has bombarded us for so long that sometimes in a moment of weakness, we yield to our flesh. In committing that sin, we are giving up our birthright, we are treating the cross like it is unimportant. Like Essau he was hungry for food again a few hours later. Giving up his birthright didn’t fix that hunger long term. Neither does giving into a sinful desire.

Essau couldn’t get his birthright back. We, however, can if we repent of our sins. Grace is not something to be treated like a get our of jail free card. In America we have heard the story of the cross so much that we have become desensitized to the horror that Christ suffered. If we truly love God, and are truly saved we will not want to walk in the flesh. We will not want to hurt Jesus by being nonchalant about sin. I am not saying that we are perfect, but we need to do all we can to walk fully aware of the enemy’s tactics. We do have power to resist the devil. The word says if we resist him, he has to flee. It all comes down to our willingness to walk like a child of God.

We cannot keep temptation from coming our way. We cannot keep the enemy from trying to find our weakness. But we can stay in the word and walk as close as possible to God. If we keep our mind on Jesus, the enemy has less of our attention to intrude upon.

Think about what Essau gave up, his grandfather Abraham was blessed and had great wealth. That wealth became Issac’s when Abraham was gone. Essau gave up land, cattle, sheep, servants and great wealth because he didn’t take seriously his position in life. He didn’t truly accept his place in the family.

I try to stay positive and encouraging. But this message has been heavy on me. I feel like someone is at that point of decision. Will you keep your place in the family, holding on to your birthright or are you going to give it up for a moment of sin. There may not be a chance to come back from it. Life can turn on a dime, we never know when our time is up. I would not be doing what God wants if I didn’t warn you to yield to God. Don’t give into the things of this world.

As I was studying this God said ask them where will they be when the music stops, will they have a seat at the table. I immediately thought of a game we played as children; musical chairs. There would be enough chairs for everyone in the group but one. When the music stopped the last one that didn’t get a seat was eliminated.

There are only enough seats at the marriage supper of the lamb for those who are saved. We don’t want to lose our seat at the table because we have willfully and blatantly committed sin without repentance. I don’t want anyone’s blood required at my hand. So, I have to give you a warning today. Don’t wait too late to yield your lives fully to Jesus. He is faithful to forgive us if we repent.

Many think to repent means to say, I am sorry for the sin I have committed. But it has to be a heart felt sorry, not just lip service. Repent also means we will turn away from that sin and not look back. Repentance comes from deep within, when you realize you have broken God’s laws and his heart. It should break our heart and we should truly be sorry.

I often say, saying the sinner’s prayer is like a bunch of words to most people. It doesn’t cause true change, it is a temporary band aid, but soon they are right back to their sinful life. Because the words do not sink in, they do not cause real change. The example I use is this, when I was in elementary school, we started the day with the pledge of allegiance. But until I was a lot older, I didn’t understand what those words even meant. I feel the same goes for most people that say the sinners prayer. I am sure that there are a few that are the exception. That it was a start for them to learn to become a follower of Jesus. But at some point they have truly cried out from their heart for God to make changes in them and save them from their sins.

It comes down to this, I have learned over the years that being a Christian is less about the Chirstian things and rituals and more about connecting on a personal level with the creator of the universe. The one true and living God that died on a cross for me and for you. I don’t want to see anyone sell their birthright. The one that Jesus paid a high price to obtain for us. Not for something fleeting, a momentary satisfaction of sin. Idon’t want to see anyone not have a chair at the supper table when Jesus calls us to the marriage supper.

I ask, where will you be when the music stops? Or will you be when the trumpet sounds? Where will you be when you take your last breath? Will you have a place at Jesus’s table?

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

LIKE SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ENCOURAGMENT

EPISODE 206 NOT DRAWN AWAY

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO VERSION: https://youtu.be/hDbyc9Xgm7Y

WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: NOT DRAWN AWAY

There is an old phrase that says, “curiosity killed the cat” It originated before the end of the 1600’s. The meaning was a warning to not be nosy or too drawn to experimentation. It implies that being overly curious can lead to danger.

Human beings, especially young adults today are drawn to try all sort of things, from drugs and alcohol to all sorts of sinful experimentation. All too often when we become curious about the things of this life, we end up in a mess. Many people have lost their lives by trying drugs just once.

Sheep are curious and often want to see what is on the other side of the fence. They are not well established without a shepherd. If we are not well established in our faith, we will be easily drawn away. This is why we need to be rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ. So that curiosity about the things of this life will not draw us away.

The old saying the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence, means with every situation it is not always as pretty a picture as satan tries to paint it. God is the master painter. We can trust what he paints for our lives to be a masterpiece. He can paint the peace and joy that we really need in our lives.

James 1:14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. This verse is referring to eternal death or spiritual death, but there are times that sin turns into physical death also.

It is not a sin to be tempted. Only when we are drawn away and that lust is carried out is it sin. Satan will constantly try to draw us away from God. Especially, if he knows we are serious about our faith walk. Satan will not bother those that are lukewarm or going through the motions. He wants to cause the ones in the spotlight, the one that are on fire to fall. Because he knows it will cause others to lose heart and fall.

We cannot put our faith in a preacher and worship leaders. We have to keep our eyes on the shepherd. Only he can truly lead. Don’t misunderstand me I am not saying we do not need church leadership and pastors. But we should only follow them as they follow Christ. Blindly following someone, just because they say they are a pastor, can be a scary thing to do. This is why we need to know the word and make sure the pastor is aligned with that word.

Sheep are easily distracted by insects, flies and storms. Christians can become easily distracted if we are not established in our faith. If we don’t stay close to the shepherd, we will be distracted by life. Luke 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

The word surfeiting means to indulge in one’s appetites excessively. We are to be careful not to indulge in sinful appetites or allow the cares of this life to distract us to the point we do not hear our shepherd.

This is another reason I encourage you to keep your God focus. I am a firm believer, as long as we keep our focus fixed on God, the enemy doesn’t have a chance. It is when we allow our focus to waiver that we can get draw away into sin.

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.

This verse tells us what to keep our focus on and if you look at the adjectives they are all characteristics of God. He is honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report. The worship of our Lord takes our mind and focus off ourselves and our lusts. Worship gives us a better perspective of our relationship with God and keeps our minds set on the right thing, God.

Luke 9:23-24 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Jesus was telling his disciples that they would be facing some hard things. He told them to take up their cross daily and follow him. The next verse could be taken two ways. First, we all know that many have lost their physical lives and been martyred for the gospel of Christ. This could also mean to lose the life that we have planned. Lose the focus we have on the things of this life and put our focus on the things of God. We can lose the life we were living when we die out to self and live a life fully devoted to Christ. He is our shepherd, we need to follow him and not allow our attention to be drawn away to things that have no purpose in the eternal.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

LIKE SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ENCOURAGEMENT

EPISODE 205 SEARCH YOUR HEART

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO VERSION: https://rumble.com/v5j4amd-god-focus-this-morning-ep205-search-your-heart.html

WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: SEARCH YOUR HEART

I want to talk to you today about some spiritual maintenance. Every so often we need to stop and take an inventory of our lives. In doing this we can see where we stand with God. Are we still standing firm on the issues that matter to God? Are we still calling sin a sin, or have we let down our guard.

Prov 4:20-23 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.

We have to make sure to keep our hearts right before God. The enemy will come in with some lie that is almost truth. He will even tell you ten truths in order to tell you one lie. We have to stop the lies when they hit our mind. They need to be reasoned out and compared to the word of God, to see if they are true.

Sometimes satan will find us in a state that our mind is tired. We may be fighting sickness, stress or some type of distraction that will allow something to get beyond our first line of defense. We will accept something as truth that is not. Then the lie the seed the enemy has planted will start to take root in our hearts. This doesn’t make us weak; it makes us human. But it is also the reason we have to search our hearts and compare our beliefs to the word of God.

The word “search” according to oxford dictionary online means – try to find something by looking or otherwise seeking carefully and thoroughly:

We have to seek carefully, trying to find the things that don’t belong in the heart of a child of God.

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

David often in the Psalms asked God to search his heart. I cannot tell you the times over the years that I have asked God to search me. I can not tell you how many times he came back with an answer. You need to work on this or that and point out something that had tried to take root. Things like jealousy, bitterness and more.

I’ve recently been on a journey that I didn’t consciously decide to take, but its been a good one. I was praying one day and ask God to remove anything in me that was not of Him. Over the course of the next two months, he brought three people into my life that had caused me hurt. They were what most would call a chance meeting. There were no big apology scenes or even a discussion. But God allowed me to let go of the hurt that had turned to bitterness. I was carrying, that I didn’t even realize. I won’t share all of them, but I will share one.

I was at a gathering and a friend. She had some friends that sat with us. A woman that had made me feel really small and useless years ago, came and sat with us. As I sat listening to her share her story from the past ten years, God filled me with compassion for her and removed my bitterness. He will dig deep and search out the things that he knows we are ready to deal with and let go of; all we have to do is ask Him.

Prov 4:26-27 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. 27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

I think when we take time to ponder the path of our feet and make sure we are established in our faith that is another way of searching our hearts. We have to stay on the straight and narrow. In other words, keep our focus on God and his plan for our lives. We cannot allow ourselves to lose focus and turn to the right or left. If we do, we can remove our foot from evil and make a course correction. This is why we search our lives, to make sure we are still on the right path.

God is faithful and just, he will lead us into all truth and righteousness, but we have to make the choice each day to follow. We must have a made-up mind to keep our focus on him and allow him to lead us.

Psalm 57:7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.

When I was younger, I thought this verse meant that God had healed our brokenness. David was saying his heart was now fixed or healed. Because Jesus can heal the brokenness of our lives. He delivers us out of the place that we are walking around shattered in pieces and makes us whole.

But I believe that David was saying his heart was fixed like a point on a map. It was no longer going to be swayed by the enemy but was set on God. His life was on course and his heart was steady. The place his heart was, could be used as a reference point. In other words, he had a made-up mind and heart to keep his God focus.

It is amazing how fast this week has flown by, I want to encourage you to stay strong, keep looking up, and make sure you are on the right path. We are facing some scary things, but God will see us through them if we put our trust in Him and walk by faith. We know that things are not always as they appear to be at first glance. The enemy loves to try to deceive us, by making things look worse than they are at first glance. Be smart and don’t fall for his deception. Be ever vigilant about guarding your heart and mind.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

LIKE SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ENCOURAGEMENT

EPISODE 204

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO VERSION: https://youtu.be/3ozwA-exDLk

WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: GOOD BYE GOOD ENOUGH

I want to talk to you about rising above good enough to a place of excellency. We read the inspirational stories in the Bible about all the miracles of God. It is easy to lose the awe and wonder of it all. But the same God that flattened the walls of Jerico, guided David’s rock against Goliath, delivered the Israelites at the Red Sea, is the same God that turned water into wine, walked on water and raised Lazarus from the dead. That same God lives in you and me.

We need to find our awe and wonder when it comes to God. Like a little child we need to come to him with an expectation of the unexpected. We need to learn to believe in miracles again.

Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

If God has not changed, then it stands to reason that the church has changed. We are desensitized to the word of God. We have settled down into a routine of complacency. Look at the lives of the apostles. Their lives were anything but routine. The early church sacrificed much, but they also received much from God.

We are not hungry enough for the things of God. Complacency has become our friend. It is easy to go through the motions and not get into the emotions. Worship is a connection, an emotional thing. We allow our spirit to connect to God. Over the years we have become dignified. We don’t want someone to see us cry or lift our hands in praise. What will someone think? If their opinion is standing in your way, you have made them an idol. Because their opinion is more important than God’s opinion.

God longs for us to connect with him and put him first in our lives. When we get our lives aligned with God and have that connection again, we will see miracles, signs and wonders.

I want to hear the preachers that most people hide from, those who tap dance on my toes. Yes, it hurts, but it makes me want to live better. Eventually, the pain of them on our toes lessens, because we have grown. They will help us find our faith.

Romans 8:15-17 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

There is nothing we go through in this life that if we approach it with the right attitude cannot be a stepping stone to growth. Situations arise and we have to walk through them the way Jesus would have chosen to deal with them. If people reject us because of Jesus, that rejection is not ours alone but one we share with Jesus.

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

If we can endure the suffering of being a Christian, we will gain far more spiritually. God will allow us to grow and gain a level in him. He will know he can trust us with more and more responsibility. We will have more faith to stand against the enemy.

In order to reach a level of maturity in Christ we have to set aside childish things. We have to set aside the petty things of the judgmental and self-righteous. We can walk in maturity of faith by honoring God.

My calling is more important than my comfort level. Your calling is more important than your comfort level. Doing the right thing is not always comfortable. It’s like the old quote that says the truth hurts. Sometimes it does, but better a true friend that hurts you in love than someone who lies to you. With the truth there is room for growth and understanding. With a lie we get to live in the false world we made, one where it seems everything is fine. In reality, it is just a complacent house of cards waiting for the wind to blow. We all know what happens when the wind blows on a house of cards. It all comes crashing down. That also hurts.

The hurt that accompanies the truth is one that will allow cleansing of wrong and cause actual healing.

Eph 5:6-11 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: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

We are children of the light, it is time we walk like we are enlightened. It is time that we set aside the heavy weights of complacency and conformity. It is time to be who God created each of us to be, a shining beacon to the lost. Search your heart today, as I will be searching mine. Ask God to reveal any areas of complacency. It is impossible to win the race if we are jogging along like we are not even in the race. We can win the battle if we stand for Jesus and let go of things that cause us fear.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

LIKE SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ENCOURAGEMENT

EPISODE 203 THE RIGHT PLACE

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO VERSION: https://youtu.be/fNhIEtn8f0s

WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: THE RIGHT PLACE

Many people struggle with finding their place in the world. People in their teens and twenties especially are trying to figure out who they were meant to be. But you do not have to be a teenager to struggle with the identity question. Who am I meant to be in this season of life. Many things can change that will push us from one season to the next.

I talked to you yesterday about being in the right place or the secret place in God. When we find ourselves asking questions of God he will give us the answers to our new seasons of life.

I came across a Hebrew word in my studies. It is Anavah (Ah-na-va) which means bring down. It is translated into the English word humble or humility. We often think of humility as having a modest view or low view of our own importance. We may approach God with this point of view. God’s ways are always higher than our own. We are lower than he is because he is God and we are his creation.

However, this word doesn’t mean humility in the same way we think about it today. When the bible was written the word anavah was used and its meaning was to take up the space God gave you. Being aware of and occupying the territory that God created for you. Today, we would be considered humble if we backed off and gave the spotlight to someone else. However, there are times that God has given you that particular place to occupy. The hard part is knowing where your place is, God doesn’t want us to overestimate our territory. But he doesn’t want us to underestimate it either.

He wants us to walk confidently in the place he has put us; with conviction that we are where he wants us to be right now, for this season. But not to be overbearing like we have all the answers.

When we walk in humility, we are walking in the God given space, if we can do that, we will be an influence to those around us. Because we will be perfectly aligned with the will of God.

Think about it, have you ever had a moment that you knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that you were right where you needed to be; perfectly aligned with God. In that moment he used you to make a huge difference. Like the time God rerouted my day to put me at the falls to keep a woman from committing suicide. What if I had missed that moment?

Evil people often overestimate their place in the world. In the book of Esther; look at Haman, he had been made second in command of the kingdom. One step below the king, yet he was angered because a lowly man named Mordecai would not bow to him. He was trying to overreach his place in the world. When we are evil like he was, our overreach is always our downfall. He wanted to kill God’s people. Not something that was in his original design from God. He ended up hanging on the gallows he built for Mordecai.

Mordecai however, walked in the place God had for him. He would not bow to Haman, because he said he only bowed to his God; Jehovah. Mordecai did what he knew God wanted from him, to stand strong on his faith. God blessed Mordecai for his faithfulness.

It is easy to walk in the flesh and allow the enemy to mess with our thinking. If we can learn to walk in humbleness before God, he will help us. Underestimating our abilities is not humbleness, it is false humility. God doesn’t want us to walk in that either.

The enemy is out to destroy our identity. He wants us to feel like we cannot step into the calling God has for us. He makes us feel like we could never fill the space God has for us to occupy. In truth, we cannot on our own, but allowing ourselves to be meek enough to let God lead, we can do anything he has called us to do.

Jeremiah 29:11 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.

He knows what he is doing, he created each of us with a plan and a purpose. It is up to us to get in that secret place with him and let him tell us who we are and what he created us to do.

Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Our Christian Walk is all about balance; not too much or too little. Like those who are legalistic they are on the one side too far. They make up rules to make sure to keep people in line. (They think too highly of themselves) Then you have those who have a nonchalant attitude that because God gives us grace that we can do whatever and it’s ok. (They think too little of their real place in God and in his blood) Somewhere in the middle is the Christian that wants to please God. They want to do HIS will. They don’t care about man’s legalisms, even though they are persecuted by the overly religious. They try to keep God’s commandments and do the right thing, even though there are those who are Christian’s in name only that try to sway them the other way. This little thing won’t matter. In the middle of it all is God and his plan for our lives the anavah.

Think about where God wants for you to be, ask him to point you that direction. I pray that you will learn to be right where you need to be at all times. That is my prayer for me, that I am always occupying the right space, in Him and for Him.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

LIKE SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ENCOURAGEMENT

EPISODE 202 CHANGE HIDING SPOTS

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO VERSION: https://youtu.be/kFrRQeJCvyw

WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: CHANGE HIDING SPOTS

As children, most played hide and seek. If you found a good spot you would go to it over and over, until the seeker found you. But if you were found it was time to find a new hiding spot. I want to talk to you today about the right hiding spot.

I often encourage you to read Psalm 91. There is a lot of encouragement packed into that one chapter.

Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

God will protect his people, we are under his wing as a baby bird is protected by the mother’s wing. It is easy to look around us and be alarmed by the evil in the world. Many of us have considered our government a large entity that will protect us from foreign countries attacking us. We thought that they had our best interest at heart. Many of us understood their greed, but didn’t understand their evil. Not until recent years, have we seen the true colors of most of those who rule over us. It goes deeper than greed, many are evil personified.

Prov 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

The church has hidden behind, the passive “I don’t want to get involved in politics. We are called to love everyone.” We have hid behind our own moral compass and good deeds. Instead of hiding in the secret place with the Almighty, we have hidden in our entertainment. Justifying sin by saying that little thing or this little thing will not matter. We have cheapened the message of God’s Amazing Grace to basically a message of live anyway you want, he will forgive.

They miss the verse in, John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

It is time for the church to find a new hiding place. It is often said that the best place to hide something is in plain sight. This is what our enemy is doing. They are not even trying to hide their evil.

Far too long we have cowered in the corner, hiding our light. How will the world know they are in darkness if there is no light? It is time we hide ourselves in the secret place of the most high God in prayer and worship. Studying the word and hiding it in our heart. The word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Unless we are illuminated by having that word in us, we will not have light for our path or enough to shine for others that they may see.

Psalm 31:19-20 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! 20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

If we fear the Lord and want to walk in his ways he will hide us in the secret of his presence, away from the pride of man. Because we all know what happens to the prideful…they fall. He will protect us from evil.

Psalm 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

It is time we change our hiding place, to hidden in plain sight. We want to hide in the secret place of God. He will allow us to be seen in a way that will be a help to those around us. There is too much riding on how we react to what is going on in the world. We no longer have the luxury to be quiet and passive, it is time we lift our voices to God and for God.

Look at history, the Jewish people in Germany sat quietly by and soon Hitler had slaughtered approximately six million of them. They didn’t stand when they should have and soon it was too late. We can no longer hide in passivity. It is time we went to battle. We have to fight on our knees this war, the best place to fight is in the secret place where it is only you and God.

He wants our company and for us to honor him. Our hope is in the Lord, there is no other place we can run to for safety. All of our hope is in Jesus.

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

We will weather the storms of life, because we have safety in name our Lord.

Take time and think about your hiding spot. Are you hiding in the secret place of the most high? Are you ready for what is coming or are you hiding somewhere in the passive zone thinking where you are is good enough?

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

LIKE SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ENCOURAGEMENT

GOD IS NEAR

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO VERSION: https://youtu.be/A0lXMWxa0o8

WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: Whatever Season, God Is Near

Yesterday, I spent the day outside in the beautiful fall weather. The leaves have mostly turned and are falling like rain in the Autum breeze. It is good to take a few moments and soak in the sunshine, while lifting up thanks to God for all He has done.

In the political climate and with all the negative things we see, it is easy to forget how blessed we are in America. I am certain of changing seasons as I am sure the leaves will turn bright colors and fall off the trees each year. I found it interesting as I stood on the porch in the sunshine, just how dark things appear, spiritually. If you have an ounce of discernment, it is not hard to feel how evil and dark things are all around us.

But the darker things get the more our light will shine. The more people will find hope in Jesus. That is why it is so very important for us to let our light shine and to not get caught up in the darkness of the world.

As we walk by faith and not by sight, we can help others to change their focus. We will not walk in fear. We will not allow Satan’s lies to overtake us. We will walk by our faith and trust in our Lord Jesus Christ. The world is full of hurting, broken people that just needs Jesus. Some will never accept him, in spite of all the times he knocks gently on their hearts door.

We will not be able to have an effect on everyone we meet. But what if we are like Noah and witness to people for many years and everyone rejects our message except just a handful. Noah was able to influence his wife and sons and their wives. If we can pull just one soul out of the fires of hell, there is no sacrifice too great.

It reminds me of the story of the preacher that was in a boat with his son and another boy. This boy was his son’s best friend. They got in a storm and the son and his friend fell overboard. The preacher could only save one of them. He chose to sacrifice his son, because he knew he was saved. He also knew the friend was not a Christian. In that great sacrifice, the preacher mimicked what God had done. He sacrificed his son Jesus, so that we could live. That young man that was saved by the preacher went on to be saved and become a preacher that lead many to Christ.

We never know when we will be called on to show God’s love and compassion. We do not know what hard things we will face as the seasons of life change. But I do know who holds all of my tomorrows. Each one is planned to grow me and allow me to help others grown.

We are on the edge of the greatest revival of all mankind. God will have a final harvest, then he will call us to come up and meet him in the air. He tells us to occupy until he comes. I think he knows we will have things to do in this life that most would not consider spiritual. Laundry, dishes, mowing the lawn all the chores that we have to do. Going to work and common things like grocery shopping. But even in the middle of these simple things, we can talk to the Lord. We can worship him and be a light and a beacon of hope to the lost.

Many are groping in the darkness, looking for a light switch. When we come along, we can show them Jesus. Then suddenly their countenance will show that light that Jesus gives.

I know people that are so bound by legalism that they are miserable. There is a joy in serving Jesus. He didn’t come to give us a bunch of laws to follow. He came to teach us to love God and love one another. He came to set the captive free. He didn’t die to release us from the bondage of sin, only to bind us up again with a bunch of legalism. Do not mistake church by laws for God’s laws. Do not think that I do not stand against sin. There is a difference in breaking a rule that man sets and one that God says is a sin.

Be encouraged my brothers and sisters, God is still on the throne. Jesus still saves and we can walk in joy and freedom in the Holy Ghost. So go out today, pause and thank God for the beauty around you. Ask him to roll aways the darkness or help you to shine as a beacon of hope, always pointing everyone to Jesus.

I want to leave you with a scripture verse today. As a reminder that we are never alone. God told Joshua that he would walk with him as he did with Moses. We have to believe that he is with us as he has been in the generations before us.

Joshus 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

LIKE SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ENCOURAGEMENT

WE WILL PREVAIL

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO VERSION: https://youtu.be/vvHEY_zLVlY

WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: WE WILL PREVAIL

Right now, it is easy to look around at the state the world is in and be discouraged. Many are out of work or working part-time. These hurricanes have devastated several states. The enemy seems to press in from every side. The news tells of one crisis or another constantly. But even in the middle of the worst things imaginable, God can be found. We will prevail.

The word prevail, as defined by Oxford dictionary: prove more powerful than opposing forces; be victorious:

Our enemy expects that he will wear us out. He thinks by throwing so much at us that we will get to be battle-weary. But we will be victorious because God is on our side. The strength he gives us will prove to be more powerful than our enemy. We will walk in victory.

Falling into fear, anxiety and depression will not help us survive this attack from our enemy. We have to look to our king, our commander in chief named Jesus. He has a battle plan and will fight for us. The enemy will not overtake us. We will prevail.

I will remind you once again about how Jehosophat followed God’s command and set his worshippers out front and marched to battle. But before they arrived at the battlefield, God had already caused the three armies that wanted to destroy Jehosophat, to destroy one another. God will cause our enemy to do the same. We just have to keep praising our Lord and keep praying for his guidance. We will prevail, not because of who we are, but because of whose we are, we belong to the Most High God.

Matt 6:25-27 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

We have all met people who thought too highly of themselves. But even their thoughts didn’t change their status in life. We are not supposed to be concerned about what we will eat, or drink or wear. Because God will take care of us. He will supply our needs.

Phil 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

It doesn’t say he sees your need and will only take care of half, or if you are good maybe three-fourths. No, it says ALL your need. Whatever we need, he is our provider.

Matt6:28-30 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Matt.6:31-33 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

If we seek God first, he will supply our needs. We do not have to worry or fret about what tomorrow will bring. God is our provider. He will take care of his people.

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.

Worrying about tomorrow is not a good use of our time. Worry will not add anything to the next day, but it will subtract from the day we are walking in. Today we need to learn to lean on Jesus. Dig deep and find the strength to trust in him. If we can trust Him, we will win the battle. If we learn to trust, we can walk in faith a whole lot easier. Trust makes it easier to praise Him in the storms of life.

Taking each minute as it comes. If we take a look at where we are now and where we have been. He never has failed us; he has not brought us this far to give up on us. That would have been like saving the children of Israel from Egypt only to allow the Pharaoh and his army to destroy the Israelites. But he didn’t allow the enemy to win, he instead drowned him and his army in the Red Sea.

Be encouraged this weekend, dig into the word, pray and seek God’s plan. He will never let us down, we will prevail as long as we put our full trust in him. There is not a problem that we face that we cannot overcome with Jesus by our side. There is not a battle too big for our God. We will prevail.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

LIKE SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ENCOURAGEMENT

BE ENCOURAGED

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO VERSION: https://rumble.com/v5i4t38-god-focusthis-morning-ep199-be-encouraged.html

WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: BE ENCOURAGED

Every day, I want to bring you encouragement. It is my prayer that nothing I have been through will be for nothing. I have grown a lot in my faith walk every time I have to deal with something that I don’t think I can get through. We all have seasons of growing. Storms of life can come from nowhere and suddenly we know we will never be the same.

Our God is the same, yesterday, today and forever. He is the one constant that we can depend on. He is our solid rock. Our faith walk is all about our mindset. We have to have a made-up mind. Things all around us appear scary. It feels like the enemy is closing in all around us. But we cannot give in to fear. Being children of the most high God, we have no reason to fear.

PS 91:1-3 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

We have to remember to live in the secret place of the most High. That place is a place of peace in Christ Jesus. If we keep our mind on him and stay close we will have a fortress to keep us safe. A fortress is a place not susceptible to outside influence. If we are hidden in Him and he is our fortress, then we should not be shaken by how things appear. The influence the enemy wants to send our way, we will be able to shake off, because we are under the shadow of the almighty.

In uncertain times, there are some things we can do to keep ourselves going. The first is to pray for guidance and protection. Make a choice to walk in faith and not in fear. Find supportive prayer partners to pray with and encourage one another. At times like this we need to remind ourselves of God’s faithfulness. Think about all the times he can through for us in the past.

When fear attacks, give it over to God. Dig deep in his word and allow it to light the path. The word will give us examples of people who were on the edge of disaster, but God saw them through. Hold on tight to God’s promises.

Some worship music in the background can soothe rattled nerves. Lift up your voice and sing to the Lord. Thank Him and be grateful for all that he has done for us.

I often tell the story of the little preacher who came to our Sunday School class one morning. They asked him to testify. He stood and said, “I praise God for all he is…and worry is not faith.” That hit me hard at that time because I was bound by fear, anxiety, depression and was a chronic worry wart. We realize how small we really are when disaster strikes. But even more than realizing there is little we can control. We hopefully get the revelation that our God is bigger than any storm. He holds the universe in the palm of his hand.

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

This world is not our home, we are just passing through. It is up to us on this journey of life to take as many people to heaven with us as possible. We need to set our affections on things above. Keep our mind on Jesus. Keep our God Focus.

If we can learn to live in the day that we are living in, we cannot change the past, we can only make the most of the current day, and look with hope to tomorrow. The new day can bring lots of things, we may find ourselves with Jesus in heaven. We may find that we have an assignment from the Lord. But whatever the new day brings, we have to start it with hope and prayer. Believing that God has got us.

David often fell into depression and discouragement. But after a short period of time he would encourage himself and ask God for help to face those who were coming against him. One time, his men wanted to stone him, because they were afraid they would never get their families back. David encouraged himself in the Lord and God told him to go and recover all that had been taken by his enemy.

We too, have to stand strong and encourage ourselves in the Lord. There is nothing we can not get through as long as God is with us. All our hope is in Jesus. Stay strong, we are almost at daybreak. Satan will not win.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

LIKE SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ENCOURAGEMENT