Tag: #godfocus

EPISODE 299 AVOIDING FALSE ASSUMPTIONS

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: AVOIDING FALSE ASSUMPTIONS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He has promised if we seek, we will find.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 298 TREES IN A STORM

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 297 REGAINING FOCUS

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: REGAINING FOCUS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 296 KEEPING FOCUS ON GOD’S VOICE

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: KEEPING FOCUS ON THE VOICE OF GOD

I try to always come to you with positive and encouraging content. All day yesterday however, I kept feeling a warning in my spirit, a call to obedience. It is time that people quit trying to straddle the fence as we often say in Christian circles. It means you say with your mouth you are a Christian, but often your actions do not align with your words.

Then there are those whom God gives positions of authority. Sometimes, it is to test them and see if they will love power and status more than they love him. They have the potential to be mighty in the kingdom of God, but there is also potential for a big fall. It all depends on where their focus lies. Are they listening to what God is saying, or are they following their own path.

We can never let our position in the kingdom become our life. God is our life. Following his lead is crucial. Many in the fivefold ministry have been taken down by the enemy because they lost their focus on who was in control. They allowed the enemy to steal their anointing or God’s glory from their life. They became too caught up in the work or sometimes the world, to see that his anointing had lifted from their lives.

Like Sampson, he played with the devil too long and lost his strength. He didn’t even know it was gone until it was too late. His story should be a warning to us all not to play around with the enemy.

People in positions of authority in the church have an even greater responsibility to walk close and not give room to the enemy. Many are looking to them for guidance.

Eph 4:22-27 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil.

There is a lot in these few verses. We need to make sure to renew our mind that we do not read things into what is happening but allow God to lead us. We cannot open the door to the enemy and expect God to bless us.

Eli’s sons were wicked, he didn’t call them on it but allowed their wickedness to continue. They defiled the temple of the Lord. God will give everyone warnings and then after a space of time, to turn from their evil he will remove them from their positions of authority in the body.

Just like the ark of the covenant, in Israel’s hands, it went before them and God blessed them and gave them victories over their enemies. But that same ark when stolen by someone who is not permitted to have it, it became a curse to the Philistines.

We cannot treat God’s anointing and glory with carless attitudes. We do not want to lose out on what God has for us. We all have work to do for the Lord. We need to approach it as a privilege and try to honor God in everything we do.

Heb 10:22-23 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Hold fast to our faith without wavering; without being double -minded or unstable in the way we conduct our faith walk. We need to keep hold tight to our faith, not allowing the enemy to cause us to doubt. When we are faced with decisions, we need to pray for God’s voice to be the only one we hear. That the voice of truth will tell us the story, the way God wants it to play out in our lives. Pray that we do not allow our desires or our own understanding to cause us to falter. One verse even tells us to trust God and not our own understanding.

The choices we make may not even, on the surface, appear to be something sinful or prideful. It could be that we see a space and think God wants us to step in when it was something that was meant for someone else. The place that God was going to give them to shine.

We cannot be paralyzed by fear and not make any moves to step out and try to do something for God. But we need to know that it is his voice we hear. If we are willing to listen, he has promised to lead and guide us. We have to be willing to follow even if it is not what we think is best. Listen for the voice of truth, that still small voice that is God’s Spirit within, he is there to be our guide. He will help us walk in obedience.

I Sam. 15:3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

God told Saul to go and smite Amalek and utterly destroy every living thing. But Saul was disobedient for whatever reason. He allowed flesh to dictate his outcome. He said he feared the people. We cannot allow people to get in the way of our obedience to God.

I Sam 15:14-18 And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? 15 And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed. 16 Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the Lord hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on. 17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel? 18 And the Lord sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.

I Sam 15:19-20 Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the Lord? 20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and have gone the way which the Lord sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

I Sam 15: 21-23 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal. 22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

I pray that I am not rebellious or stubborn when God tells me to do something. I do not want to fail in this way. We are human and God does give us grace. But expects us to walk in obedience.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 295 DEFINING MOMENTS

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The title of today’s episode: DEFINING MOMENTS

Life is full of defining moments. The moments we take our first steps or on our first day of school, graduation. Many other defining moments of our earthly life. We also have defining moments in our spiritual lives. The day we give our lives to Christ. Many things define who we are, but none more than how we handle adversity as children of God.

A situation arises in our lives and our first reaction is to allow our emotions to rule. The enemy will attack us with fear, anxiety, stress, worry and all the emotions to get us to fall apart. Our natural instincts about situations often go against us. If we belonged in the natural world then those instincts would probably be right. But this world is not our home, we are just passing through. We cannot allow fear and worry to overtake us.

Now is the time to make a conscious decision to stand and fight against the attacks of the enemy. God wins! Nowhere in the word does it say that satan will win. It says he has no power against God. He cannot win against the power of God.

I want to remind you that the Lord is on our side. It doesn’t matter the pain, fear and stress. The situations that seem impossible in our lives to cause us to worry, are no match for our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is when we have to hit our knees in order to stand on his promises. He has promised he will take care of us. We need to dig in and fight for what is right. In most of the stories we use for inspiration there comes one defining moment. Like the moment Esther pushed open the doors of the court and approached the king. Because of her courage, evil Haman was hanged on his own gallows. Our enemy will be caught and will be stopped by our King Jesus.

At another defining moment David threw down Saul’s armor and decided to go against Goliath without it. That seemed crazy to the natural mind. You are going to battle against someone twice your size and you have no protection. At least to the natural mind he seemed to not have any protection. But he went in the name of the Lord. And God showed up at just the right moment and guided his stone. Then the enemy’s weapon was used against him to cut off his head.

Genesis 50:19-21 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. 21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. He went through many things before the Pharaoh made him second in command in Egypt. Every elevation got him closer to God’s will. But he had to spend time in unpleasant situations. We have to walk through situations to elevate us to the place that God can use us.

What the enemy meant to destroy us; God will use to elevate us. But God is completely in control. He will not allow us to be destroyed. We may get a little uncomfortable when situations arise. But we have to remember that God will not allow us to be overtaken. Uncomfortable is a part of life, we are in a fight and warriors do not always have a comfortable life.

We can gain perspective by worship. Worship creates an atmosphere that gives us joy and strength. As the coming days play out, we need to stay strong and keep our focus on God through worship. He will see us through. We never face our giants alone. We are close to our defining moments. Will we stand, or will we allow the enemy to get the upper hand because we have lost heart? God will give us strength if we faint not; he will make sure that we have what we need to overcome in our defining moments.

One final thing to think about today, who do you want defining you? The enemy is never right when trying to define who we are, but God says we are blessed, chosen and his. If we depend on God, we will never fail. We will see our way clearly through those defining moments.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 294 FULLY TRUSTING GOD

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The title of today’s episode: FULLY TRUSTING GOD

Not everyone assigned to a task will find God’s will. Sometimes, our flesh can get in the way. Moses sent twelve spies into the promised land to check it out. God had already told them the land belonged to them. But ten men got into the flesh and allowed what they saw to cause them to fear. Walking in fear will always take us the wrong direction.

How often do we fall into fear? God says he will take care of us. He promises us that he is with us and will never leave us. He has given his angels charge over us to protect us. He promises that he will restore what the enemy has stolen. Yet we find ourselves bound up with worry and fear. Who’s report do we believe? God’s or our flesh that is being lied to by satan.

We need to have the strength of Joshua and Caleb. They saw everything the other ten saw. The difference was in their reaction. They decided not to allow fear to overtake them, they decided to get some grapes and bring them back to show the people. They had proof they actually went into the land. The other ten only brought words of fear and negativity.

When God promises us something, there is not time for negativity. If he brings us to it, he will make a way to get rid of the giant obstacles that are in the way of us getting to where he wants us to go. There is not a mountain too high or a giant too big that can intimidate our God. He is endless, boundless, everlasting the Almighty God that made everything.

Joshua and Caleb embraced God’s steadfast, unwavering promises. The rest were not trusting enough in God’s word. It is often when we are met with what seems to us to be insurmountable odds, that God’s hand really shines through with a mighty miracle.

America is teetering on the edge; we are needing God’s mighty hand to restore and give us back what the enemy has stolen. Satan has tried to steal the next generations from God, by offering shiny, distractions. We know that not everything that glitters is not gold. Especially today, many glittering things are made from cheap plastic. We cannot fall for the temporary substitute of cheap peace. It is a trap of the enemy.

When only true peace is found in Jesus. He is the one with real joy and satisfaction. The enemy cannot match in any way. But people fall into legalism, feeling like they cannot serve God, because it is too hard. They listen to the enemy when he tells them that the things he offers are to make them happy. But once inside the trap, people realize it is a cheap substitute for God’s love and peace.

I know I want to be like Caleb and Joshua, I want the boldness of God to arise in me when faced with decisions like they were facing. I want to say, yes there are giants, but our God is still bigger than them. Have you seen the size of the grapes. There is much fruit to be had in the promises of God if we are willing to reach out in spite of our fears and gather it.

If the Spirit of God dwells within us, we will have the fruit. When faced with seemingly insurmountable odds we can be strong and allow what God has grown within us to give us the strength to face adversity.

Pause and think about God. Think about this sentence. “OUR GOD NEVER FAILS”. Why do we worry, why do we fear, if he has promised so much to us?

Allow the boldness of God and the fruit that is within you to give you strength to face down the giants. You will not go alone, God is with you. You can make it, it you believe.

Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

I don’t see fear, doubt, negativity, being argumentative, being double-minded on the list of the fruit of the spirit. This is why we must walk in the boldness of God, keeping in mind his peace, joy, goodness and the rest of the fruit. It is our fruit that separates us from the nonbeliever.

We grow our faith by speaking God’s promises, not by speaking negativity. Allow God’s boldness to arise within you. Stand up and look the enemy in the eye and tell him he is under your feet. You are not listening to him anymore.

May the peace of God surround you today. May the Joy of the Lord give you strength. Hold on and stand strong, God has got us in the palm of his hand. He will keep his promises we can depend on his word.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 293 ARISE OUT OF SLEEP

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: ARISE OUT OF SLEEP

Being a servant of God is not always an easy road. Sometimes in the middle of the night you find yourself awakened by the needs of others. God will wake us up to pray. After an hour or so of intercession you feel the release to go back to sleep, only to be awakened in a couple of hours with an urgent thought running through your mind. By the time the computer boots up, the thought is gone. Then you sit with one eye open, trying to think about what you should be writing. (At least that is what happened to me last week.)

God will sometimes stretch us out of our comfort zones to make us more moldable clay. It is sort of like the process of getting out all the air bubbles. The potter beats the clay, not because he is angry or out of a twisted sense of revenge, but because if the air bubbles are not removed, the pottery will explode in the fire.

God is preparing us to be on fire for him. A great army of warriors that will be the ones to witness, persuade, encourage the final harvest of souls. It will not be a snap of the fingers, and we are done kind of task. Although God goes with us and will work on them to make their heart ready to hear the word. We will still have to speak the word.

Warriors endure great hardship for the sake of king and country. We need to think about our willingness to sacrifice when God asks us to step out of our comfort zone. How willing are we to push back our plates and fast a meal? How willing are we to spend an extra fifteen minutes sitting quietly waiting for God to speak to us? How willing are we to sacrifice to see a soul saved?

It is my prayer that God will find me a worthy vessel for his use and that I am strong enough to do his will.

Matt 26:40-41And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Our flesh is the enemy at times. This is why we must make it uncomfortable in order to carry out God’s plan. Because our mission is greater than we are.

Joshua 5:2 At that time the Lord said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.

All the men that came out of Egypt had died over the 40 years except Joshua and Caleb. God was getting ready to take them to the promised land. But first, they cut away the flesh in order to renew their covenant with God.

It is time the church got back to the business of truly being the church. It is time we cut away the flesh. I am not saying we need to cut ourselves with actual knives. But the Old Testament is the type and shadows of the new. It stands to reason that if they had to cut away the flesh to regain covenant that we would have to remove the desires of our flesh and cut away parts of the way things were done. It is time we strengthen our determination to follow Jesus.

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.

When we take up our cross it will not always be pretty. Attending church service and enjoying ourselves. Sometimes it is driving for an hour and sitting with a friend that is at the hospital with a loved one that is dying. Sometimes it is loving and serving others. It means sacrificing our will to what God needs us to do in that moment.

How do we show we are the disciples of Christ?

John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

We could have love, for them and instead of praying or going to that hospital we go back to bed and pet our flesh. Then send a sorry I couldn’t be there card. When we know we should have sacrificed our time.

I could have a million dollars to give you, but if I never made effort to let you know or take it to you, you could starve to death. We have to show that love and give it to others.

I guess this is a long way of saying, it is time the church woke up and got outside the walls. No agenda, just people loving people with God’s help, encouragement and strength. Showing them God’s incredible love for us all.

It is time to leave religion in the desert and step into the new, just simply living a life sold out to Christ. Cutting away traditions of men and denominational boundaries set by men unable to reason together. It is time for the church to wake up.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO VERSION: https://rumble.com/v6q17ly-god-focus-this-morning-ep292-plead-the-blood-of-jesus.html

WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EP291 SOMETIMES VICTORY IN THE SHOUT

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO VERSION: https://rumble.com/v6pvj4w-god-focus-this-morning-ep291-sometimes-victory-is-in-the-shout.html

WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EP290 UNAPOLOGETIC WORSHIP

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO VERSION: https://rumble.com/v6ps0pf-god-focus-this-morning-ep290-unapologetic-worship.html

WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: UNAPOLOGETIC WORSHIP

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

The Pharisees sat in judgment.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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