CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO VERSION: https://rumble.com/v64fbfp-god-focus-this-morning-ep252-rear-view-mirror.html

WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: REAR VIEW MIRROR

It is often said the reason our rear-view mirror is smaller than our windshield is because we are not supposed to spend too much time looking back. As 2024 comes to a close, I will spend the day, as I always do on Dec 31, reflecting.

It is good to look back and think about the lessons we have learned. It is good to think about what we could have done to make our walk with God better. I often think about the story of Lot and how when his wife looked back to Sodom and Gomorrah she turned into salt.

She was punished because she looked longingly to the place of sin that they left. We can look back in a way that is productive. When we draw on past experiences to sympathize with someone who is stuck in the same trap you were rescued from by Jesus. There is nothing wrong with thinking about how far we have grown. But if we are looking longingly at our old life of sin, then we are going to end up in trouble, like Lot’s wife.

One year ago, after wrestling with God for months, I started my video devotional channel. I do not have a large following, but the ones that I do have are faithful to check in. There are some things I have planned for this channel in 2025. But I am waiting for the right time to start.

Time is a curious thing, we can do the right thing, and if it is not in God’s timing, it is normally a wasted effort. Praying for God’s timing in the upcoming year will be more crucial than ever. Our world is on the verge of some major changes. It is most important for us to stay strong and hold onto our Faith. God has amazing things in store for his people. I would not want to be found in the shoes of those who defy God and fight against his will.

For those who have shown an interest in scripture writing, I am working on a project that I should have completed soon. I will share more about that later. Let me know what you think about a Bible Trivia question on Monday and an answer on Friday. If it is something you would enjoy, let me know. But if you are going to google the answer, you would be cheating yourself out of leaning more. It is all about getting to know the word of God as well as we know our TV trivia or sports trivia.

At the beginning of each year, many pick a word as their word for the year, for example, faith, meaning they want to increase their faith. It is good to reassess our goals for the upcoming year. Figuring out where we are weak and trying to do better is a good thing, especially when it comes to the things of God.

We cannot change the past, so there is no use worrying and wishing it were different. There is no reason to look back, except to draw perspective and strength or to remember something or someone who is not a part of our present day.

We can only make the most of each day that God blesses us with; what can I do today that will prepare me to be a stronger Christian tomorrow.

We can only look with hope to tomorrow, that no matter what we face, God is there, and he will take care of his people. We cannot allow the things we see to cause us to get battle-weary. We need to be strong like David and believe that we never go to battle alone.

Take some time to reflect on the good. Try to let go of the bad. One thing we can always count on, God is in control as long as we yield to him, and he will see us through whatever 2025 brings.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

LIKE SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ENCOURAGEMENT

Have a wonderful New Year’s Eve!

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO VERSION: https://rumble.com/v62ckbe-god-focus-this-morning-christmas-eve.html

The title of today’s episode: CHRISTMAS EVE

I thought since today is Christmas Eve I would read the Christmas story found in Luke chapter 2. There are many opinions among Christians about Christmas. They argue over Christmas trees and other thing that have become American traditions. I am not going to debate those here. I want to embrace what we have come to know as the meaning of Christmas, even though the birth of the savior probably was in the summer months the early church moved it to be when the winter solstices happened to keep people from being drawn away to worship idols during pagan festivals. Just as the resurrection of Jesus is celebrated during the spring equinox, for the same reasons. But I think most can agree it is good to remember the stories of Jesus.

Luke 2 – And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

It doesn’t matter what day he was born, we need to be sure we celebrate the fact that he was born. We celebrate the fact that we have eternal life because he was born, lived and died and rose again.

I appreciate all my viewers, I want to wish you a wonderful Christmas tomorrow. I will not have any videos the rest of the week so I can spend time with my family. I will resume on Monday Dec 30 so we can get prepared for the new year.

God Bless each and every one of you. Merry Christmas!

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

LIKE SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ENCOURAGEMENT

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO VERSION: https://rumble.com/v60rsr2-god-focus-this-morning-ep-248-a-flock-a-stone-and-a-banner.html

WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: A FLOCK, A STONE AND A BANNER

I came across a verse that I have read before, but today it seemed like it had a lot to say. This one verse I look at like it is a summary of God’s people.

Zechariah 9:16 And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.

Let’s start by breaking it down in smaller pieces. “The Lord their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people.”

We are often referred to as sheep and Jesus our shepherd. There are many lessons we can learn from this comparison alone. I will try to summarize for time sake. Shepherds are people that watch over and care for their flock of sheep. They make sure they have a place to graze and find water. They anoint them with oil to keep away bugs and snakes. Just as God’s anointing drives away the serpent the devil.

Is 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. There is no one else that can save, heal and deliver us except our God and God alone. When the new lambs are born, the shepherd talks to them often so they can get used to his voice. They know by his voice that they are safe and he will take care of them. Just as Jesus takes care of us.

Philippians 4:19 – But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Just like God provides all we need to live.

Shepherds protect their sheep from predators even if they are putting themselves in danger of being hurt. Because they love their sheep they want to keep them safe.

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 – But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

Shepherds keep their sheep together, if one gets lost they go and look for the lost lamb. Just as it is often said about us, Jesus left the ninety and nine to find the one lost lamb. Each of us has been that lost lamb at some point in life.

Psalms 100:3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

The next part of the main verse says, “for they shall be as the stones of a crown,” We are the embellishment that make his crown to have meaning. If he didn’t have people to be king over the crown would not mean a whole lot. The crown is a symbol that Jesus is our king. Jewels are valuable, the more that a king has in his crown the richer the kingdom.

The third part of the main verse for tonight, “lifted up as an ensign upon his land.”

Many think of a military rank in the navy when they hear the word ensign. But it also means emblem or banner. It comes from the latin word insignia. We see in history when a people conquered a land they would plant their flag or banner. This was a sign to everyone, who was in control of that land. They always planted it on the highest ground possible, so everyone could see.

God is our banner. Ps 60:4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah. A banner is a symbol that people can rally around. Just like our the stars and stripes of America. That banner identifies us as citizens of this great country. We come together under that banner from every walk of life and bind together as Americans against our enemies.

As Christians, we are a sign to the world that God has control of the world. We are like a banner to show the world that he is real. Just as banners or flags were always planted on high ground, we too are in a place that people will see God. When we let our light shine, it is unmistakable that we are the children of God. Matthew says a city on a hill cannot be hidden, because of the lights.

Think about how amazing God is to give us ways to think about our relationship to him. All the stories and parables in the word of God to help us understand God in a deeper way. And all of them are there to help us hear the voice of our shepherd.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

LIKE SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ENCOURAGEMENT

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO VERSION: https://rumble.com/v5xt6a2-god-focus-this-morning-ep-241-higher-ground.html

WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: HIGHER GROUND

It is often said when we find ourselves in a situation that could cause us to fall into temptation, we need to seek higher ground. It seems the opposite should be true, if we are in danger of falling, the closer to the ground the safer the landing. However, when it comes to the things of the spirit, the higher the better for us.

As we climb toward higher ground the closer, we become to God. When our God Focus is set right, we will not fall into temptation. The closer we get to God, or the higher ground we find ourselves standing, the more we will be able to resist temptation.

 The enemy wants to drag us down. It is his job to make us fall. He will come at us like a flood at times, just to see if he can destroy us.

Isaiah 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.

God is our standard or wall of defense against the enemy. He may come at us like a flood, but it will not penetrate the wall of defense or dam that God has raised against it. The enemy is powerless against God. God’s ways are higher than ours, he is always our higher ground. He is our safe place to run to when the enemy comes in like a flood.

High places have always been used for religious purposes. Moses went to the mountain top to receive God’s laws. God was speaking to Moses on the mountaintop and the children of Israel were in the valley, committing evil. They were breaking every law God had given to Moses. Many prayers and sacrifices have been made on mountaintops.

We should never discount the lessons of the valley. The valley is not a bad place, it is a growing place. Sometimes it is a resting place before we start to climb the next mountain in our path. Rest assured even though Jesus is the lily of the valley, He goes with us on our journey to climb the next mountain.

The higher, the fewer; this phrase could describe anything school, work, athletics. Only those who have discipline and determination will rise to the top.  Many people for example, start out with big goals, but as life happens, they allow things to cause them to drop out or fall away. We cannot allow the circumstances of life to destroy our determination to keep climbing to higher levels in God.

Isaiah 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

We can feel safe in knowing that God’s ways are higher than our ways. He knows best and will take care of us, as long as we look at him. We can not allow the things that are going on in this life to drag us down. They may seem bad, scary or disappointing, but as children of God we have to stay strong and keep looking higher.

We can never allow ourselves to be overtaken by pride either. Pride will cause us to have a false sense of security. It will make us feel to good to ever fall. When we get to the point that we feel we are higher and better than others, we can be sure a fall is coming. God will not tolerate his children being prideful.

Prov 16: 18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

The only way we can keep from falling is to stay on solid ground. Keep our feet on the right path and our focus on Jesus our Lord.

Psalm 56:12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. 13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

We depend on God to save our souls. Why can’t we depend on him for everything else, like keeping our feet on the right path? If we can stay on the right path and depend on him, we will always reach higher ground.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

LIKE SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ENCOURAGEMENT

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO VERSION: https://rumble.com/v5xi7lb-god-focus-this-morning-ep240-be-encoraged.html

There is nothing too hard for God. He is with us and will watch over us. Each day is a new beginning. God gives us a chance to start fresh and change our future. I could not imagine when I was in my twenties that I would have walked through some of the things that I have been through. We never know what a day will bring, good or bad. But God can and will use whatever we face and go through for our good and the good of others.  

Romans 8: 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

God’s mercy is waiting in our future to carry us through anything that the enemy will try to do to us. There is not a battle that will come our way today that God will not be there.

Lam 3:22-23 It is of the Lord‘s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Mercy means that we are given forgiveness, kindness and compassion when we deserve punishment. God shows up in our time of need, even if we have brought our troubles on ourselves. His compassion doesn’t fail us when we need it. He is faithful or loyal to be there for us.

How faithful are we to doing what God wishes for us?

At times we can get busy in the hustle and bustle of life. Especially this time of year and get sidetracked. It is easy to lose our focus. But even when we have lost focus, God is there to help us get on track. We sometimes need to stop and take inventory of our priorities.

I have allowed myself to get a little sidetracked this weekend. I didn’t have much time to prepare anything for your devotion. I am cutting this short this morning. In order to refocus and regroup. I am glad that God never gives up on me and that his mercy is new each day.

I just want to remind you that God is good. When we are celebrating, God is good. When we find ourselves in the middle of our fiercest battle, God is good. On the ordinary days, God is good. Keep looking up and stay encouraged. He will not leave us to face things alone.  We can look to him in every situation. Remind yourself that you are not alone.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

LIKE SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ENCOURAGEMENT

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO VERSION: https://rumble.com/v5vza9k-god-focus-this-morning-ep239-hold-on-and-keep-fighting.html

We have so much to be thankful for as children of God. I want to encourage you today to think about your worst moment. Then, think about how God brought you through it. It is always good to use the past to encourage ourselves when we are facing hard things. To those who are in the middle of your worst moment, be encouraged your breakthrough moment is coming.

It is always darkest before dawn. The enemy fights the hardest right before God makes him let go completely. There is nothing we face that we must face alone. Jesus is with us to help us and give us strength for that next minute, next hour and next day.

I just have a quick idea to share with you today.

Genesis 28:10-17 And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. 12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. 13 And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; 14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. 16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not. 17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

How many times have we been a place that we didn’t feel like God was there? Jacob woke up and said “Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.” There are times God is there, and we don’t know it. It feels like our prayers are hitting the ceiling and there is no hope. But even when we don’t feel him, he is there.  We have to know that we walk by faith and not by feeling. Our faith says he is there with us, even in the darkest valley.

Circumstances do not dictate our outcome. God dictates our outcome. He will see us through even when we do not know he is there, that is when our faith has to come through. We know his word says he will not leave us or forsake us. We have to stand on the promises in the word.

Matt 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

If you feel like your world is flying apart, he is the glue that is holding it together. Stand strong, look unto him and keep fighting the good fight of faith.

Thanks for watching,

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

LIKE SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ENCOURAGEMENT