Tag: faith

EPISODE 71–SPIRITUAL STORMS

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO VERSION: https://youtu.be/AR4aji24n2A

The title of today’s episode is: “ SPIRITUAL STORMS”

The recent storm that ripped through my surrounding community knocked out our power and internet. I stood on my front porch one minute and went inside the house. I heard hard rain hitting the roof. As I looked through my window, I could see the rain, I could hear the thunder. All was ok at my house.

My family lives half a mile away. They got high winds, and there was lots of storm damage near them, including downed trees and power lines. It may take a week to get through all the damage. It reminded me of the Derecho of 2012. That time, my home had all sorts of wind damage and trees on my roof. My neighbors looked like they had been through a rainstorm.

Spiritual storms in our lives can come out of nowhere. Things we don’t expect can throw our lives into chaos. The enemy loves to create chaos. He tries to get us to doubt how big our God is by making our situations seem out of proportion. If he can get us to fall into fear, he is closer to getting the upper hand.

Many scriptures tell us to not be afraid. I have to admit when that Derecho was tossing treetops on my roof, I was a little scared. Just as quickly as the storm came up it was gone. The whole thing was over in about three minutes, except for some rain.

When it comes to the spiritual storms we all face, we have to remember that we have some control over the situation. We can call on Jesus. He will help us to endure the short time it takes for it to blow through our lives.

Faith is what helps us to stay on course in a storm. Without faith we cannot stand firm on God’s word. It takes that deep belief in the power of God to stand strong when the wind is blowing.

The enemy would like nothing more than to send a storm to destroy us. He will try all sorts of things to distract us from our mission. But we must stay on course for the sake of those we are on earth to reach.

We never know when a spiritual storm may arise. We do not always know when someone else is in the middle of a storm. They may be fighting a battle that has hit them like a Derechos.

As children of God, it is our responsibility to help those that find themselves in a spiritual storm. Pray for them. Our country needs prayer to survive the spiritual storms that are coming. But be encouraged, Jesus is in our boat and will speak “Peace Be Still” to our storms.

Finding peace in the middle of the storms is not always easy. Our emotions want to get in our way. Fear will overtake us if we allow it. Fear is the opposite of peace. Allowing fear in our storms only gives power to the enemy. He then will bombard our minds with more scenarios. Your boat is going sink you will drown. He will try to put so many what if’s in our thoughts that we begin to believe them.

But our God is there waiting and watching, to see if we can walk on faith like Peter walked on water or if we are going to sink by losing faith. Do not be discouraged, sinking happens to everyone. It wouldn’t be a storm if it wasn’t something to overcome. It wouldn’t be a storm if it wasn’t scary.

God is close by to see how we handle our storms. But if we are His child you can be sure He is not far and will lift us above the storms. As the old song says there is shelter in the arms of God. To quote it, “I will have no fear for Jesus walks beside me. Sheltered safe within the arms of God.”

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

LIKE SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ENCOURAGEMENT

OPENING DOORS TO A NEW SEASON

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO VERSION: https://youtu.be/9q1Bs5v_QF4

Yesterday, I talked about how we close doors on the enemy to prevent him from creating havoc in our lives. Today, I want to talk to you about opening doors that are shut. God opens doors during different times and seasons. Right now, the door of salvation is standing wide open. Everyone has an opportunity to be born again. This is a door that only God controls when it is open and shut. Just like the door to Noah’s Ark. Once God shut it, no one could get inside. If you don’t know Jesus as your savior, do not wait too long before entering the door of opportunity.

Some feel that all roads lead to heaven. But Jesus is the only way to receive salvation. He is the door to salvation. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. This refers to the door of our heart. That is one door that we have the power to open or shut. God has given us free will. He wants us to accept Him and allow Him into our life. But we have to make the choice to open the door and invite him to come into our hearts.

There are also smaller doors that open during different seasons. God sometimes calls us to step out in faith and do a ministry. (Not all ministries are about standing behind a pulpit and speaking.) Many have ministries and never speak to a crowd. You may feel like God is calling you to gather blankets for the homeless or start a food pantry. But every time you think about how to do this thing you feel like you are called to do, something gets in the way. God often gives us a vision for something long before he opens the door for us to actually do it.

Many times, we have to do research and see how to go about doing what we are called to do. Like for the food pantry idea. Maybe you would want to visit a pantry, ask them how they determine who to help. Find out about how to collect food and store it so that nothing goes to waste. Do you have to have permits in your city? Once that is done you may still need to pray for the project. It will come together when it is God’s timing. He will open the doors to use the ministry to bless many.

Sometimes doors are open before us and we have to ask God, is this a door I am supposed to walk through. The enemy will often offer us a shortcut to where we want to go. But his shortcuts will lead us down the wrong road every time. It will take twice as long to get back on track and to find where we belong. The enemy’s main function, if he realizes he can’t stop us, is to distract us.

There are seasons when God opens a door for us. We dwell within that season. But there are times when he wants to elevate us to a new season of life. When this happens, he will open a new door and lead us to shut the old door. We cannot reach our potential if we stay stuck in the doorway of the completed work.

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.

The best way to get doors to open is through prayer. If we seek direction, He will always guide us and open the right doors. We can trust him that he will lead us to the right one. I often pray for God to open the doors I need to walk through and to make sure to shut the doors that I don’t need to walk through. Seeking God’s direction is always the right move.

We need to always be encouraging of others when they are in transitional seasons. We can lift them up in prayer that God will guide them and open the right door. As I covered yesterday, we also need to pray for God to help us shut any door that will give the enemy a toehold and cause us to sin.

As you open the door to new beginnings, remember that anything worth doing requires hard work and sacrifice. Pray about the seasons in life and live each day with a servant’s heart, knowing that God is there to guide you.

Until next time, be bold, be brave and keep your God

EPISODE 28 –IT IS ALL IN THE PACKAGING

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO VERSION: https://rumble.com/v49zi2l-god-focus-this-morning-episode-28-its-all-in-the-packaging.html

Hello my friends

The title of today’s episode is: “IT IS ALL IN THE PACKAGING”

Psalm 27:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

Think of the extravagance of Las Vegas; everywhere you look is bling and flashing lights. It is called Sin City, and it lives up to its name. Often, things have to be painted up, glitzed up, and made fancy to be more appealing to people. They never share the ugly side of sin.

The advertising industry is a multi-billion-dollar-a-year industry that paints up and glamorizes everything from dishwashing liquid to toothpaste. The better the packaging, the more they sell.

God’s way may not be packaged with glitz and glamor but it is truth. Truth doesn’t change with the trends. Often the truth is not what we want to hear because sometimes the truth hurts. But the plain path will lead to a place where the Lamb is the Light. A place where sin is no more. The plain path leads to truth and righteousness.

The enemy will always try to paint sin as something we can’t live without. Like all the “for a limited time” gadgets that make our lives better. After all, everyone needs all these things to make our lives better. But most of the time they are just more clutter.

The enemy comes at us with something that he knows is our weakness. He will try to get us tied up in knots. He custom-designs temptations for each of us. We have the power to walk away. We have, with God’s help, the strength to say, “Satan get behind me.”

The battle always starts in our minds. The thought will come to us to do something we know is a sin. If we reject and say get behind me, satan. We take authority over that sin. We will be strong enough to walk away. If we entertain the thought for a moment. The next thing we know, we are caught in satan’s trap. It is always easier to get into the trap than to get out of it. One example is the story of King David and Bathsheba.

A lack of integrity in one area of our life always carries over to another area of life.

2 Sam. 11:2-4 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.

(3) And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

(4) And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.

Look at David, he saw Bathsheba, he could have turned away, resisting temptation. That would have been the end of his grief. No, he stood and allowed lust to take hold of him.

Still, he could have resisted temptation. When he found out that she was someone’s wife. He should have maintained his integrity and walked away. But he decided he didn’t care, he wanted her and that was all that mattered. He allowed his lust to draw him into an adulterous relationship with the woman he saw.

That sin led him to try to pass his child off as her husband’s child. But Uriah, her husband, refused to go home and see her. He did not think it would be fair to his soldiers since they could not go home. David sent him to the front lines, hoping and knowing he would be killed.

One step led to something worse: to hide the first thing. This is how the enemy lures us in, one step at a time. He went from an accidental glance at a naked woman to practically committing murder.

That is why we need to be vigilant and avoid the first sign of temptation. The enemy will paint pretty pictures of the things we want, but it is all an illusion.

All that glitters is not gold. Many fish have been caught on shiny lures that are not real. The instinct of the fish is to look for food. It allows the shiny lure to fool it into thinking it is a smaller fish or minnow. Then, the hook is set, and it ends up in a frying pan.

Many things have been suffered by people because they allowed Satan to make sin look shiny and pretty. No doubt Bathsheba was the most beautiful woman David had ever laid his eyes on; he should have walked away. Every step he took dug him in deeper and deeper.

We cannot leave the tiniest crack in the door to our thoughts, or the enemy will take advantage. He will stick a toe in, then a foot, and before we know it, he will use our thoughts to create a stronghold.

Not only will he have a place of constant intrusion at this point, but he will attack our conscience for ever sinning in the first place. Doubling our misery and pain.

Never think you cannot get out of the trap. All it takes is to turn from evil and ask God for his help and forgiveness. He will break the chains that have us bound and will set us free. But we have to want to escape. We cannot be like Sampson and play with the enemy. We have to walk away.

Think about what the enemy is trying to sell you? Think about how he is packaging it, I can guarantee it will only bring pain.

UNTIL NEXT TIME,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

EPISODE 27–WHY FOCUS ON GOD?

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO VERSION: https://rumble.com/v49xvkf-god-focus-this-morning-episode-27-why-focus-on-god.html

Hello my friends:

The title of this episode is: WHY FOCUS ON GOD?

This morning, as I sat pondering the goodness of God. I was thinking about the name of my blog and my videos. God is a general term, but make no mistake, when I say God, I mean the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the only true and living God. With a capital G., all of the gods of this world are not even worth mentioning unless it is to point out in a story how they were defeated by our God. When writing, we use a Capital letter because our God is the superior and only real God. All the others are little g’s. Because they cannot hold a candle to Jesus.

There is a doctrine that has deceived many, and I am sure this episode will not make some of them happy, but I have to speak the truth of God’s word. All roads do not lead to heaven. It is the biggest lie ever told by satan.

This is a universal idea created by people who do not want us to know our identity in Christ. They do not want us to understand that we have power over the enemy. They want us to be weak-minded, so we will blindly follow and not question anything. My God gave us a sound mind and the power to reason. He also will help us discern and understand things that are happening around us.

None of the little g’s, the gods of this world, died for me. They didn’t deliver me from my sins and from the pit of depression. That was Jesus, to him I owe all praise and glory.

John 14:5-7 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

Back up to verse 6, Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Jesus came and died on the cross so that we could have a right to be born again. So that we could become children of God. None of the little gods of this world ever died for us. Even if they were a person at one point, they just died, and they will be judged along with everyone else. Many of the little gods of this world and their followers shed blood for them in sacrifice rituals. Jesus is the only one who shed blood for us. His blood was pure and it will redeem us from all sin.

I had a hard time finding a name for my blog and my channel that wasn’t already taken, I started to think about what I wanted to accomplish with the ministry that I had been given. I realized I wanted to encourage people to keep their focus and not be distracted by the things of the world. To keep their God Focus. If we can focus on him, everything will work out.

Col 3:1-2 3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

The word affection means to be fond of or liking. The act or process of affecting. Affecting means touching the emotions and moving. In other words, this verse is telling us that we need to worship God, talk to Him, and build a relationship with him. In doing so we will move God’s heart.

I Pet 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

This verse is often used to cheer people up when they are struggling. Saying we can give him our burdens and worries because he cares for us. Although that is true, it could also mean we need to cast our affections on him. We humble ourselves and show him how much we care for Him by showing him trust and worship.

We are in scary times if we look at things around us. That is why I always end with Be bold and be brave. God is needing warriors to arise and be brave, boldly declaring the truth of the Bible. If we are bold and brave, we will not walk in fear no matter how bad things look around us.

If we keep our focus on Jesus, we will walk by faith and not by how bad things look around us. I want to encourage you today to stand strong in your faith. Knowing that Jesus is the only way.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

EPISODE 25 BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE

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

Hello my friends:

The title of today’s episode is: “THE BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE”

The book of Proverbs was written mostly by King Solomon, the son of King David. When God told him he would bless him with whatever he asked for, Solomon asked for wisdom. The book of Proverbs is full of wisdom about the fear of God, following God, and how to treat others. It is an easily understood word on the surface. But it carries a lot of deep philosophical and religious impact when we take time to dig deep into the Proverbs.

Our society tries to tell you how loving God is, and they don’t think he is against sin. Being a loving God means he is accepting of people and their sins. We are to love the sinner and not the sin. We can be good to people and show them love without accepting their sins.

Prov 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

If we want to be wise, we need to have reverence for the Lord or a fear of the Lord. It is the beginning of our walk with God. We cannot be foolish and despise the instruction of God. Many things in his words, the world views as him not wanting us to have any fun. But God, in his vast wisdom, knows that the sins that we commit have consequences in this life, not to mention the life to come. God tells us in the first chapter of Proverbs to turn from sin at his correction. He said he would pour his spirit into us. He will let us know his words and his will.

Prov 1:10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. He is telling us that we need to resist temptation and close the door to it. Do not let anyone lead you astray. We need to be wise and stick to the old paths.

Everyone wants to see the God of love; no one wants to see the other side of God. Many people down through the bible would not heed the word of God. He poured out his wrath on them.

Prov 1:23-31 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. 24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; 27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. 28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: 29 For that they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord: 30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. 31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way and be filled with their own devices.

Because they would not listen to God’s correction, he allowed destruction in their lives. It is just like with the Pharoah; God gave him ample opportunities to change his mind and heart. But Pharoah hardened his heart against God. God sent destruction in his direction.

I have a genuine fear for some people. I believe that some are on that edge. I am afraid that God is growing weary with them and soon there will be no turning back for them. He has called and called for them to repent and change. Everyone has a final chance and then God will give up.

We have an awesome responsibility as God’s children to not be lukewarm fence-sitters. God doesn’t like for people to be lukewarm. A lukewarm Christian will stand in the way of sinners. They look at the fence sitting Christian and say, I am as good as they are, they do this and that sin. People sometimes don’t realize that others are not a good excuse to not live right. The lukewarm often hurt people by being judgmental and self-righteous.

We need to be on fire for God, not lukewarm. People will look at us and think we are crazy. They may not agree with the fact that we are sold out to Christ. But who do they come to when they need prayer? It is not the lukewarm fence-sitter.

People need to see and believe that it is possible to live a Christian life. I don’t want anyone to come before God and try to use me as an excuse for why they didn’t serve God. I don’t want their hearts hardened because I did something to hurt them. This is a serious thing. I don’t want to be so wrapped up in my religious ideas and rituals that I miss the move of God.

Our walk is not about a religion or denomination; it is about a relationship. One we have with the creator of heaven and earth. One that we cultivate by spending time alone with him. Time praying and studying his word. That word reveals to us God’s heart and character. It is not his will that any should perish.

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

Do not think because he said he would pour out his wrath that, he is sitting in heaven waiting to zap us if we step out of line. He is longsuffering and his grace is perfect. He weighs the consequences out and knows the deepest parts of our hearts. He created hell for satan and the angels that fell with him. God didn’t make hell for mankind. But if we choose to not obey his words, then he has no choice but to punish the disobedient.

Prayer: Oh God, help your body to come into alignment with our head. Help us to be a light and show people the love you have for them so that none of them will harden their hearts against your pleading for them to come to you.

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

EPISODE 22– DON’T GO UNLESS ARMED

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION: https://youtu.be/n8Heq8T1V-o

Hello my friends

The title of today’s episode is: “Don’t go unless armed”

It is common sense that an army should not go to battle unless armed. Having good equipment and protection is necessary to be victorious. I want to start this journey in Deut. 1:41-45 Then ye answered and said unto me, We have sinned against the Lord, we will go up and fight, according to all that the Lord our God commanded us. And when ye had girded on every man his weapons of war, ye were ready to go up into the hill. 42 And the Lord said unto me, Say unto them. Go not up, neither fight; for I am not among you; lest ye be smitten before your enemies. 43 So I spake unto you; and ye would not hear, but rebelled against the commandment of the Lord, and went presumptuously up into the hill. 44 And the Amorites, which dwelt in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah. 45 And ye returned and wept before the Lord; but the Lord would not hearken to your voice, nor give ear unto you.

God first told them to go against the Amorites. Then, they started speaking against what God had said. They put on their natural weapons and were ready to go up against their enemies. But the main thing they forgot was God’s protection. His armor. By the time they decided to go to war, the Lord told them to not go because he would not go with them. They went anyway and it was a disaster.

If we are to go to battle with our enemy, we cannot do it in our flesh. We cannot fight with our emotions, intelligence, education or our physical or mental strength. We will lose to Satan every time. But if we use what God has armed us with, we cannot lose. Eph 6 lists the whole armor of God. We need to make sure we have God’s armor to protect us. Then we can use our sword, which is the word of God, and fight the enemy. Jesus was our example. When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness. Jesus would turn around and quote scripture to satan.

This is how we fight our battles. On our knees by praying the word of God. When satan comes to temp us or tear us down. We can quote scripture to him.

Most everyone knows the basics of the story of David and Goliath. Saul should have been the one to go against Goliath. He was too afraid. He had allowed the enemy’s lies to penetrate his mind and cause fear. He lost his GOD FOCUS. When David said he would go out against Goliath, Saul tried to cover him with his own armor. David set it aside because he said it wasn’t tested; it didn’t fit him. He knew God would protect him. He took it off and went in the name of the Lord. He destroyed the enemy with his own weapon. Because God was with him.

1 SAM 17:45-47 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.

Notice David was armed with his faith that God would not fail him. God’s honored his bravery and delivered Golaith into David’s hand. People say that David killed Goliath with a rock. The rock knocked out Goliath, but it could have just stunned him. We do not know. But David took Goliath’s sword and cut off his head. What the enemy tries to use against us sometimes, God will turn it around and we can defeat our enemy with his own weapon.

We have a battle ahead; the enemy will destroy us unless we are armed. Never Go to battle without God’s armor. Read Eph 6 for a list of the whole armor.

We can not become battle-weary, or the enemy may overtake us. Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

It is easy to get battle-weary along this journey. It is ok to take a step back and rest our minds. We do not do anyone, including ourselves, any good if we are on the verge of a breakdown.

It gets frustrating when you work hard toward a goal. At times it seems like the harder you work the worse things seem. But God has promised that if we stay steady and keep pressing on, we will achieve our goal. As long as we look to him. So I want to encourage each of you to press on, stay strong and keep looking up, our redemption is close at hand.

Remember today to not go to battle unless armed. To go in the name of the Lord. Make sure the armor you wear is God’s armor. You will not be defeated.

Until next time, BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

EPISODE 21-GLEANING GOD’S WORD

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO VERSION: https://youtu.be/9dJdIM5lLuM

Hello my friends

The title of today’s episode is: “Gleaning God’s Word”

The story of Ruth is a tale of three widows. Naomi, the mother-in-law, and two daughters-in-law. They all lost their husbands. Naomi told them she wanted them to return to their families. Because she didn’t have any more sons for them to marry.

The one returned to her family. But Ruth didn’t want to leave Naomi.

Ruth 1:15-17 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. 16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her. She allowed her to travel back to Bethlehem. People were happy to see Naomi because she had been gone for about ten years. It was harvest time when they arrived. Naomi told Ruth it was ok to go and glean in the fields of Boaz. On the first day, he told Ruth not to go to any other field but to stay with his maidens and glean.

In Bible times, farmers would leave the corners of their fields for the poor to harvest. It was part of their belief system under the law. They still do this today. In essence, the fruit of their labor to grow the crops is being left for someone else to reap the benefits.

We often read and glean a little something extra when we study God’s word. It is good to take the time to look up the meaning of words. Even if you think you know what they mean. By doing this, we often get a little something extra. The dictionary defines gleaning as gathering slowly and laboriously bit by bit. To learn, discover, or find out by study and research. It could be said that every time we research and study the word, we are gleaning. We can read a scripture and take it for face value of what we think it means. But if we start digging into the meaning of words in the original Hebrew and Greek, we find that we can glean a deeper meaning from God’s word.

Boaz told his workers to leave a little extra for Ruth. She impressed him because she was such a hard worker and she had sacrificed everything to accompany Naomi. He found that to be honorable. God will honor our efforts with enlightenment and wisdom. If we just invest the time to study.

Just like those who glean the fields that someone else planted. We, too, can benefit from what others have labored to dig out of the word of God. Ministers who aren’t afraid to stand for the truth can share the hidden bits of knowledge with us to help OUR FAITH WALK.

But we don’t have to wait until the next sermon, we can do a little gleaning of our own. God is waiting to give us understanding if we just ask him for it. Some don’t want to spend the time to study on their own. They are satisfied with living on what other people have invested the time to research. Many people are deceived because they are not willing to dig deep into the word of God for themselves.

James 1:5 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. Upbraideth means to rebuke, criticize or find fault) In other words God will give us understanding without being critical that we do not already know what he is trying to share.

God’s word is all about sowing and reaping. How often do we plant a seed in someone’s life, only to have someone else say just the right thing, causing it to produce fruit? That fruit will give strength and nourishment to a weary soul. People often pick and choose who they think will be saved. They try to harvest who they choose. But we never know when God is dealing with the heart of another. We need to glean the harvest field and make sure no one is left behind.

I am sure that Ruth could not have imagined the plan God had for her when she ended up widowed. There is no way for her to know that she would be part of the lineage of Christ.

We never know what God has planned for our lives. We just have to be determined to follow Jesus and to keep gleaning the word for direction. He is writing our story. It may not be as amazing as being the great-grandmother to King David but be assured God has a plan.

I encourage you to get into the word of God. Search it out and glean its deep secrets. We need to know when someone is preaching the word of God that what they are saying is true.

Prov 16:25 “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Many false teachers and preachers are in our land. We need to be able to discern who is true and who is speaking the truth. We will not know if we don’t study the word and pray for God’s guidance.

Just a nugget to think on today as you go about your routine.

Until next time, BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 19 — MY FAILURE /GOD’S FAILURE

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO VERSION : https://youtu.be/UOnGliUObaI

Hello my friends

The title of today’s episode is: “MY FAILURE / GOD’S FAILURE”

By the title, I am sure some of you wonder if I have lost my sense of direction. If you have been serving God for any amount of time, you will have heard that God cannot fail. He is the God of the impossible and will do what he has promised. This is true, so we have established that God cannot fail. If there is any failure, it is on our part.

Deuteronomy 31:8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

If we attempt something and fail, we often get down on ourselves. Other’s opinions make us not want to try again. What will they think? They will make fun of me. Pushing past other people’s opinions is one of the biggest obstacles to getting to your destiny.

Sometimes, we fail because God steps in and intervenes. Failure often comes because if we were successful in what we chose to do, we would get stuck there. It would be like settling for Ishmael and never seeing our Issac.

Failure often happens when God has something better. But we want to hold onto our Ishmael. Failure doesn’t define us. It is just something that happens to us. However, when we try to create success ahead of God’s plan, we end up with an Ishmael and not the Issac he had planned for us. In studying this story, we need to take away from it to be patient with the Lord, and he will bring success. He will fulfill his promises.

Often, what we call failure is just God closing a door to force us to move on. Most of the time, it is just the push we need to step into our new season. Fear of failure can keep us frozen. But God doesn’t give us fear. He gives us the power to overcome our fears.

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.

There is a quote that says if you are not making mistakes, you are not doing anything. I see a lot of truth in this statement. It is almost impossible to start something new and be perfect at it. It takes time to build up experience and to become comfortable with doing something new.

Failure is the opportunity to begin again with an idea of what not to do. We can never underestimate our abilities to be determined to try again.

I feel one of the biggest failures of Peter and so many of us is that we let fear cause us to deny Christ. Most of us, at some point, have allowed people to influence our walk with Christ. But God took Peter’s failure and turned him into a mighty man of God. Who boldly proclaimed the gospel for many years. But Peter didn’t allow his moment of failure to define him. We cannot either.

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

I encourage you today to step out of your failures and insecurities and be bold enough to try again. God is there to help guide you.

Thanks for starting your day with me.

Until next time, BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

EPISODE 18 — WHERE IS JESUS?

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS BLOG: https://youtu.be/86zlExW01Bs

Hello my friends

The title of today’s episode is: “Where is Jesus?”

Psalm 10:1 Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?

David felt like we often do. When things in life get rough, we sometimes feel all alone. He felt like God was far away from him. He felt like he was all alone in his time of trouble. Others have felt that way too or the author would not have written the poem, “Footprints in the sand.” In the troubled times when we only see one set of footprints, Jesus did not leave us, He was carrying us.

God often carries us at our worst moments when we feel all alone. Other times, we have walked away from Him. Not completely or intentionally in an I am done trying to be a Christian, kind of way. But we sometimes start looking within to figure out things that are troubling us and we neglect our bible study and prayer time. Before long, we find ourselves asking, “Where are you, God? Why are you so far away from me?”

When we come to a place where we feel like God is far away. We need to pray and worship. Ask him to draw close to us. It is up to us to return to where we left him. Look at the story when Jesus was a child. Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem for Passover. When it was over, they started traveling. They assumed that Jesus was traveling with the rest of their group.

They went on a day’s journey before they realized they couldn’t find him. They turned around and went back to the last place they had seen him, Jerusalem. It took them three days to find him in the temple. He was sitting with the scholars and was asking questions that showed them He was special. He was teaching them things about the Word because He was the Word made flesh.

Mary and Joseph found him right where they left him. We can, too. If God feels far away while we are in a season of trouble. We need to turn around and look for Him. He will be found right where we left Him. He has said he would never leave us.

Hebrews 13: 5-6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee

Life can sometimes cause us to be wary. Troubles and trials can be distractions in our lives. The distractions do not have to be temptations and sin. It can just be a large to-do list or a time of walking through a trial of sickness or other issues. It doesn’t take long to realize that we have been neglectful with our time and have not given Jesus the attention he deserves. We suddenly feel like we are in a dry place.

Psa 63:1 A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; Psa 63:2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Psa 63:3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

We have all walked through spiritual deserts in which we feel like we are alone. We feel like God is not there. Being in the desert gave David a good perspective. Our bodies desire water; we cannot function without it. But just as our flesh needs water, our soul needs God’s living water.

I want to take time to remind those who feel like they are in a spiritual desert that God is there and will not leave you. He has promised he will never leave us or forsake us. Just when we think we cannot go one more step, he sends a refreshing to our soul. O Lord, how our souls thirst for your presence. Fill us up Lord. God is with us, even if we cannot feel his presence.

Thanks for watching today.

If you have a prayer request, it can be sent to my email angela@godfocus.net

Until next time, BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

EPISODE 16–THINGS ARE NOT AS THEY APPEAR

Episode 16 Check out the video version of this blog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9ek7gVcYpg

The title of today’s episode is, “THINGS ARE NOT AS THEY APPEAR” Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. The flood that destroyed the wicked elevated the ark. We often feel like the enemy has the upper hand when really God is just waiting on the right time to bring the flood. During that flood, he will elevate us above the destruction and destroy the enemy. Even though they were rained on just as hard as the rest of the world, they were safe inside the ark. God gave people plenty of time to do the right thing, but they just mocked and laughed at the preacher who was building a boat on dry land. God was patient, but once he sealed the door, it was too late.

God always has a plan. He always protects his people. Like during all the plagues of Egypt. God’s people didn’t suffer any of the plagues. They were safe in the place where they dwelled. Things escalated to the meeting at the Red Sea. That divine moment destroyed their enemy while delivering them safely to the other side. We can dwell in safety. He will never allow us to be overtaken by the enemy, as long as we dwell in the secret place with Him. We dwell under the shadow of His wings.

God told Jehoshaphat to go to battle. He had three different armies that were against him. That sounds like a recipe for disaster. To the natural mind, what Jehosophat did may seem silly, but God knew what needed to be done. He led him into the battle to see that God would take care of his people.

These are just a few examples of how God used different people to destroy the enemy. Each one took faith and walked in God’s promise that he would deliver. Can you imagine loading all those animals on a boat and getting inside, not knowing what was going to happen. It took faith to get inside with a bunch of wild animals. Under normal circumstances, they would have ended up ripped to shreds by claws and fangs. But God made the animals to even be peaceable.

Imagine how scary it was being trapped by a body of water and the enemy closing in fast. God used that moment to show the Israelites that he was their God, their provider and protector. He turned that moment of fear into joy as they saw God destroy the enemy.

Imagine you are a worshipper in Jehosophat’s army, he says, “God said you will go before the army.” To the natural mind that is a scary place to be, you would be the first one to see the enemy. You would be the first one attacked. As you march along praising God, you are also the first one to see that the enemies have destroyed each other.

The Jewish people in the book of Esther were going to be destroyed. Haman the evil advisor to the king we determined to kill them all and had a special hatred for Moredcai. (Esther’s cousin) But after calling a fast Esther boldly went before the king. At that moment, God started turning the situation around. Before that moment, the evil Haman had built a gallows to hang Mordecai. But because they prayed and trusted God, the Jewish people were saved from being slaughtered, and the evil Haman ended up hanging on his own gallows. Him and his sons. God even destroyed his bloodline.

These examples lead me to believe that as long as we trust Him, even when it seems to the natural mind that it is a crazy or bad idea, we will experience amazing things. We are about to experience what may appear scary to the natural mind. We live in uncertain times. But we know through reading the bible that there is nothing we face that we have to face alone. This is where we have to fully put our trust in him. He will keep us safe and will show us amazing things. He will allow what the enemy meant to destroy us to be our salvation. If we can only trust in Him. Take time to think about your life and your situation. Remember, things are not always as they appear. God may be allowing something that looks scary to launch you into your destiny. Hold tight to him. He will deliver you from the enemy as long as you look to Jesus.

Thanks for watching,

Until next time, BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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