Tag: #Jesus

EPISODE 333 ANTICIPATION

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The title of today’s episode: ANTICIPATION

The word anticipation means to be expectant, have hope, be ready for an event. Some synonyms include suspense, excitement, and hopefulness.

The church has much to be in anticipation about in our modern age. This is the best time in all of history to be alive. We wake each morning with the expectation that soon we are going to see the next great awakening. God is going to flood the earth with his spirit. We will see things that generations before us have only desired to see.

We should be hopeful, even though things may appear to be smothering and dark. The enemy is on the prowl to cause fear, anxiety and depression. He wants to paralyze the believers with these things. He is also using fatigue and illness like never before to distract the body of Christ.

But we have hope. Our hope is in Jesus. We can be excited and have anticipation about the good things to come on the other side of the darkness. I have often thought about the early church after the day of Pentecost. They added three thousand souls to the body of Christ in one day. What an amazing thing it will be to have a great revival and add several souls.

Once the gospel has been preached to all the world and everyone has had an opportunity to be saved. Then comes the end. Jesus will come and gather up his bride.

Most women can remember how excited they were on their wedding day. Many hours and some even months and years went into planning the perfect day. The morning, they were to walk down the aisle, the anticipation was almost unbearable.

The bride of Christ is in this waiting place a short time before the rapture. I understand that the word rapture is not in the bible. However, it says we will be caught up into the air with him. The anticipation is getting real.

Now is not the time to be distracted by the things of this life. We cannot allow life to overwhelm us. Often the way to manage large tasks is to break them down into smaller ones. We have a period of time before this revival sweeps the land. If the anticipation and pressure of the enemy gets overwhelming, we can break it down to one day at a time. We can concentrate on the tasks we have to get done for that day.

Anticipation is a theme of the Bible to live in hope and readiness of God fulfilling his promises. There are different places in the word that God’s people acted with anticipation and hope of God fulfilling his word.

Instead of the anxiety that the enemy tries to give us, we need to cast it down and accept God’s anticipation. He has amazing things for his body. We have that hope to cling to with fervent excitement and anticipation.

The things we focus on will shape the course of our lives. If we focus on the evening news and how bad they tell you things are, it is easy to get down and depressed. Negative thoughts and words can get us in a position of being paralyzed.

When our enemy is about to lose his grip, he will throw everything at us at once. We have to know how to navigate the storm. But the great thing about the enemy’s storm is that God is above it. We will be elevated above the storm, because our God will lift us up.

What do we do to prepare for the storm? The best thing we can do is pray and ask for God to give us wisdom to navigate the upcoming days. We will ride out the storm because we are sheltered under God’s wings. It comes back to us getting in the secret place of the Most High God.

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

If we dwell in the secret place of the Most High, we will be protected under his shadow. He is our fortress, which is a safe place that has been reinforced against the enemy. God will deliver us from the traps and snares of the enemy and from pestilences, which are diseases.

Psalm 91:4-8 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

The key to being protected and covered is to get into the secret place with God. I read this out loud over my home almost every night.

Psalm 91:9-12 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Because thou hast made the Lord thy habitation, no evil will befall thee. He has angels that watch over us and protect us. Think about hiding under God’s wings, the enemy will not be able to touch us. Because of this, we have no reason to fear.

In summary, it is good to anticipate our future; God will show up with his glory. The enemy will not win. Do not be discouraged, do not allow anxiety to overtake you. We are living in a great time to be alive, and we have to hold onto our hope and anticipation of what our God will do.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 332 HUMBLE AND JUST

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: HUMBLE AND JUST

There is a portion of our society that is all about gaining power and influence. They will lie, cheat, steal, and in some cases kill to get their way. The name of the game is elevation to more power. But their type of power is an illusion. Because it is all based on a lie. Truth is the only sure thing. We can rely on the truth.

Some of the greatest influences in my life have been people who had power and influence but didn’t wield it like a weapon. Most of them were humble, and only a few even realized that they had great power.

Prov. 11:1-3 A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.

Think about the old scales that had two baskets or platforms. On one side, they put an exact weight, then in the other basket, they would put what they wanted to weigh. When the two baskets or platforms were balanced, you could say that the thing you were weighing was of a certain weight.

Often, dishonest merchants would have false weights in order to cheat their customers. People often do things dishonestly to as we would say, tip the scales in their favor. But the dishonest will not get away with their cheating forever; the truth will come out. They will be ruined; no one will want to buy from them once the truth is known.

However, if you are humble and honest, God will make things work out in your favor. You do not have to brag about yourself. God will do the bragging for you. He will lift you up and make you prosperous in every way.

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

James was repeating what Jesus said to his disciples.

Matt 23:11-12 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Jesus was our example; he was the Lord of everything. He was God Almighty wrapped in flesh, but he never acted like he was anything more than a humble servant of God.

Jesus told his disciples that if they sought to be elevated, like people today want wealth and political power, then they would be humbled. But if they were humble, God will exalt them.

Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

We are to do that which is just and true. We are to love mercy, embrace it at every turn, when the opportunity arises. And walk humbly with our God. We do not have to walk this road or any road alone. He is there to help us and be our guide, but we have to humble ourselves and allow him to lead us.

Prov 11:2-3 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. 3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

Many times the word talks about pride. Pride goes before a fall. When we allow pride to enter our hearts, we will do anything to save face. These types of people do not want others to know they are not the person that they are perceived to be; they end up falling by trying to cover their pride.

Those who do not seek to be exalted have wisdom. They value other things over the pedestals in which people can elevate one another.

Proud and exalted people never slow down to notice those around them that are hurting and need a kind word or deed. The humble person notice others pain and are willing to do what they can to make life bearable.

To be exalted and prideful is a lie, because they pretend to be something they are not. Those that are humble, are full of truth because they do not pretend to be something they are not.

Even children can understand the difference between real and make-believe. But as adults, if we pretend too long, we believe our lies. This is why getting our identity from the Lord is so important. He will never lead us in the wrong direction, but will keep us grounded in truth.

That truth being that we can do nothing without God. We are nothing without God. If we keep the proper perspective on our focus on God, walking humbly will be possible. Because all things are possible with Jesus.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 331 WHAT IS IN YOUR GARDEN?

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: WHAT IS IN YOU GARDEN?

I was reminded today of something that a friend told me they experienced in a vision. They had been feeling guilty about the things they did when they were backslidden. Months after they had asked for forgiveness the enemy was still throwing up the sins of the past.

To God, once we have asked for forgiveness, he sees it all through the blood. Our sins are forgiven.

Heb 10:15-17 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Does this mean that God has a bad memory? No, it means that he chooses to look at us through the blood of Jesus and those sins, He chooses to not count them against us. They are erased and, as far as God is concerned, are not there to be remembered against us.

Heb 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

How can the enemy still use something that is wiped away? Because we still have a memory of what we have done. He tries to make us believe that we are really not forgiven. As long as he can torment us with the past, we are distracted from concentrating on God’s plan for today.

God gave her a vision of two gardens. One was the garden of the past and one was the garden of now. God said to her, “Quit trying to plant seeds in the garden of the past. That garden is now empty.”

In other words, don’t beat yourself up for things you cannot change from the past. Today is a new day. What kind of seeds are you going to plant in your garden now that you have chosen to walk with God?

She saw another garden full of vegetables and flowers in all states of growth with some ground left to still plant seeds. It is in the fruitful garden that we plant seeds of righteousness, love, kindness, forgiveness and grace.

I want to be found planting seeds in the garden of God’s will for my life. I want to plant all the good things. I never want to be stuck in the things of the past. Today is a new day, he will be with us to help us plant only good seeds.

We often talk about the parable that Jesus shared about the seed we sow. It can be found in Matthew chapter 13, if you want to read it.

The enemy will try to steal our seeds. This is what happens when he is trying to distract us from the good garden and get us to pay attention to the barren plot of the past. God has uprooted what we planted there so that it will not grow.

When seeds fall on good ground the plot that is under the blood of Jesus, they will take root and grow in our lives. We nurture them by watering them with prayer.

Hosea 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

Fallow ground is a plot of land that has been left unplanted for a season. Farmers used to rest the land and allow it to absorb nutrients. They would often burn the plots to help the earth be more productive when something is planted there. God is saying that now is the time to seek him. He will give us righteousness.

Do not look back at what is behind, the past is gone. But look to the future and plant good seeds in your good garden. There was a quote that I want to share with you. I don’t know who said it first, if I did I would give them credit. But it goes, “He who plants a seed beneath the sod and waits to see, believes in God.”

When we plant seeds they do not grow immediately. Some spiritual seeds take years. But we are still called to plant them and let God do what he does to make a miracle happen. He takes that tiny seed and multiplies it into much fruit.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 330 KNOW THE ENEMY

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: KNOW THE ENEMY

This morning, I sat and pondered all that is happening in our world. People are blinded to what satan is doing. A large portion of the Body of Christ is blind to the tactics of the enemy. We need to be wise to his tactics to keep us from falling into a trap.

Matt 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Jesus told his disciples he was sending them forth as sheep in the middle of a bunch of wolves. Sheep are vulnerable animals, they do not have many built in natural defenses. It is not like they have razor sharp fangs or sharp claws. When a predator comes around sheep are vulnerable without their shepherd. They do not have much chance of survival. They will be consumed by wolves. Just like satan, he is a predator, he will devour us if we do not stay close to our shepherd.

Understanding the enemy will give us wisdom on how to avoid his traps. However, we do not have to go down the proverbial rabbit hole and study satanism to know how to avoid his traps. God’s word tells us all we need to know.

I Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

We think sober just means not drunk on alcohol. But it also means: serious, solemn, clearheaded, temperate. Temperate means mild, balanced and self-restrained. Vigilant means to be watchful, careful, alert to danger.

The word is telling us to pay attention and not be distracted, be clear headed and self-restrained. The enemy’s biggest tool in his arsenal is to draw us away from God, he tempts us with something that our flesh desires. If we lack self-restraint it is easy to get caught in the trap of the enemy. Satan is out there, roaming and watching for us to get in a vulnerable place for him to try to pounce on us. Everyday, we have to make sure we have on the whole armor of God. We have to be watching out for the enemy’s attack.

Think about all the evil that is on open display in our society today. We cannot even imagine the evil that is being hidden from us all. God is going to expose the evil. All the evil will not stand if we pray for exposure and for God to remove it.

Luke 12:2-3 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. 3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

God will reveal every evil plot and plan of the enemy. Part of God’s protection as our shepherd is to reveal the plots of the enemy to us. He has given us discernment. Which is an instinct that we know in our spirit with deep understanding the plans of the enemy.

We can overcome it all by resistance. We can resist the things he is plotting and planning. If we resist him, he has to flee.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

We resist by being temperate or self-restrained enough to say no to satan’s temptations. In resisting we take away any right he has to overpower us. He has to leave us.

We overcome the enemy with the blood of the lamb and the words of our testimony. We need to speak out of our mouths how great God is, when we speak it, we reinforce it in our own belief system. Our testimony will encourage others as well as ourselves.

Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

We have power over the powers of the enemy. We are wise to his devices. We have to stand together and stand strong. Hold onto our faith and nail scared hand of our shepherd.

2 Cor 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

We have to know the tactics of our enemy and how to combat them. Our Lord is there to keep us safe. God will not allow us to be overtaken by the enemy as long as we look to him. He has promised to be our protector, savior and friend. So be vigilant, keep watch for the enemy so that you are not caught in his trap.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 328 STANDING IN THE GAP

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: STANDING IN THE GAP

All through the Bible we find stories of people who stood in the gap for their nation, people, and family. Standing in the gap means we fill the void space between those who are in need of God to reach God. Jesus is the ultimate example, without him standing in the gap for our sins, we would not even have a right to ask for God’s help. The largest gap ever created was the one Adam and Eve made when they sinned. Jesus came and filled in that gap.

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.

Moses interceded on behalf of the children of Israel several times. Asking God to give them mercy when they deserved punishment. Many times God was weary of their idolatry and disobedience, but Moses prayed for God’s mercy.

Esther called a fast and prayed for God to save her people from Haman’s evil agenda to kill all of her people. Once the time of fasting and prayer was over she went to the king at risk of death. She asked for her people to be given into her hand to do as she wished. When his plot had been revealed to the king. Evil Haman was hung on a gallows he had prepared for Mordecai a Jew that would not bow to him. God’s people were spared because of Esther and her call for prayer.

Nehemiah was grieved by the news that the walls of Jerusalem lay in ruins. Because of his intercession and excitement of rebuilding the wall. Others got on board. Nehemiah stood in the gap and the people were lead into a time of repentance and renewal. The walls were fortified and once again Jerusalem was a strong city.

Sometimes all it takes is for one person to get excited about something. Their vision can become the vision of others. Nehemiah wanted to rebuild the walls, but it took a group of people to accomplish it.

Abraham pleaded with God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah. He asked God to spare it if he could find fifty righteous. He did not. Abraham kept bargaining down to ten people who were righteous. God could not even find ten in all the city that was righteous.

After Lot, his wife and his daughters left the city, fire and brimstone started falling from the sky on the evil. God told them to not look back, but Lot’s wife turned and looked back, she was turned into a pillar of salt.

It is safe to say that God spared Lot and his daughters because of Abraham’s prayers.

For years, there has been a movement in our country of intercessors who have prayed for our country and the world to be free from evil rulers. Many have cried out to God for mercy on our country, our states and local areas.

Being an intercessor takes time and energy. It means going beyond the words and feeling the emotion of the weight of where our country is spiritually. We have been taken over by evil agendas and the worship of satan.

I am sure that the only thing that has spared America is the large group of God’s people that feel compelled to intercede. Now more than ever we need for God to reveal the evil, make know satan’s agenda. God will spare our country, but we have something to do, we need to intercede.

I am sure we all have someone in our lives that needs us to stand in the gap of intercession for them. They are bound in sin and need God to intervene on their behalf. There are people that are dying of sickness and bad choices that need God.

We cannot be the church of recent years where we look at these situations and say a surface prayer and go on about our lives. Now is the time to get serious and get down to business. We need to allow our prayers to penetrate heaven. Many prayers never leave the earth. The difference one is saying a prayer. “Lord help that situation. Amen.” The other is getting on our face before God and praying until we feel like we cannot pray any longer. We need to P.U.S.H, Pray Until Something Happens.

Are you willing to stand in the gap for that loved one or friend? Are you willing to invest time in crying out for our country? God is needing us to keep pushing and praying. We are so close to our breakthrough but we need to keep going. Keep walking by faith.

Heb 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Because of what Jesus has done for us, we can come boldly to the throne of God and petition for mercy and grace. We can be bold in our prayers and intercession for those in need of God’s intervention.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 326 SPEAK LIFE, SPEAK LOVE, SPEAK JESUS

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: SPEAK LIFE, SPEAK LOVE, SPEAK JESUS

Many in our world today are blind to the truth. They follow their own way. They follow false religions created to worship evil spirits. Then there are those who have chosen to follow satan. I recently saw an unbaptism ceremony on social media. These people who were once baptized decided to follow satan. They were denouncing their ties to the one true God and all that baptism means. It saddened my heart.

Being baptized, as a follower of Christ, is to take on the family name. It is sort of our adoption papers. It shows that we have been buried with Christ and raised to a new life. To denounce that baptism is to say, I do not want the life that Christ died to give me. I want back my old life or a life of spiritual death.

As children of God, we cannot even imagine what happened to these people to get them to make such extreme moves. Did they suffer from church hurt? Because being treated badly by other believers is the leading cause of people leaving the church. It is not just being drawn away through sin as most believe. Many are hurt by someone they trust in the church.

I have come to realize that church hurt is hard to recover from, however we have to keep going for Jesus no matter what happens. We cannot allow others to stand in the way of us being who God created us to be.

I am guilty of spending a long period of time away from church, because of church hurt. I know now that allowing that hurt to keep me from worship was wrong on my part. But I lost all faith in people that called themselves Christians. In the early 90’s my husband and I attended a large church. Several small things happened that I didn’t agree with, but I just prayed about it and pressed on.

There was a woman who attended services. She tried to commit suicide and was in the hospital for a week or two. When she returned to services, everyone should have rallied around her and been supportive. They should have said things like “I am sorry, I didn’t know that things were that bad.” Things like “I am here in the future if you need someone to talk to or pray with.” But none of the supportive things happened. Five people in the congregation talked to her that day. The rest avoided her like a plague. Their reasons for avoiding her were all different, I am sure. But sometimes we have to push through the difficult situations to be what God needs us to be. It is easy to get caught up in our own issues and not see what is going on with other people. We need to pray for God to open our eyes to the hurt of others.

As the body, we should all feel that pain. We should all know what it feels like to be in such dark despair. The word says if one hurts, we all hurt. Today is the day to start fresh and press outside of our comfort zone.

Many people are hurting, this world is a dark and cruel place sometimes. They are needing the love of Christ. Compassion is their desire. But instead at a lot of congregations they receive judgment and no compassion for their pain.

If we are going to gather the large harvest of souls in a short time. We who are in the body are going to have to spend time praying for restoration of those who have been hurt.

Some of those people were not ready to follow Jesus, they didn’t want to give up some form of sin. They were lukewarm and used church hurt as an excuse. But still these people need Jesus.

Prov 18:19-21 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. 20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

It is not impossible to restore those who are offended. But it is difficult. It will take much love, compassion and prayer. We do not realize the power of our words sometimes.

I saw a science experiment with water that I found to be amazing. In one room, people spoke negatively and hate to water. In another room people spoke positive words of love to water from the same source as the other water. The only difference was the words spoken over that water. Then after a period of time the water was frozen. The water that had positive words of love froze into beautiful snowflake-like patterns. While the other water that had all the hate and negativity spewed in its direction froze in strange blob patterns.

If our words have that kind of effect on water, then how much more do we affect others and ourselves with the words of our mouth? Speak life. Speak healing. Speak love to those you meet, you never know how close they are to the edge of the darkness. We can reach this world, one kind word or deed at a time. The kindest thing we can do is to speak Jesus.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 323 GETTING TO KNOW THE SHEPHERD

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: GETTING TO KNOW THE SHEPHERD

It is easy to look at a younger generation and shake our heads in amazement at their lack of responsibility. I am sure the generation before me felt the same way about my generation.

In the church today, so many people want everything spoon-fed to them. They beg for prayer but are not willing to pray for themselves. They want easy religion but not a faith walk that requires something. We are the fast-food, convenience generations. This life is about walking through tough things sometimes.

If we are not willing to put in the work, we will not reap the rewards. The word says many things about reaping what we sow. That is seeds of good and seeds of evil. Whatever we sow will grow.

Gal 6:5-8 For every man shall bear his own burden. 6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

These people want someone to search out the scriptures for them and just give them the CliffsNotes. But if we do not dig into the word for ourselves, we are vulnerable to deception. It is hard enough to walk in truth when you are digging in the Word every day.

We are each responsible for our own souls. We cannot base our salvation on what someone else says. We have to compare what is being said to the written word of God. See if what they are saying lines up with what God’s word says.

It is time we take responsibility and grow up. God needs a mature church in order for us to reach the lost world. Because we have the freedom of religion in America, some people are under the misconception that any religion will do. We do not need religion; we need a faith walk with the one and only real God of the universe, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Col 3:23-25 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

It is time to get down to business and dig in our heels. It is time to get serious about our faith walk. This world is shaking and things are about to change. We can either get on board or be left behind. I don’t want to be left behind.

When Jesus comes to get his bride, I want to be found faithfully doing what he has asked of me. I want to be found faithful.

Matt 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

I believe that these are the saddest words in the bible. These people will come before him with their Christian lists of things that they have done. But they were too busy doing all this stuff to develop a real and true relationship with him. He says I never knew you.

John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Jesus said if we are his sheep we will hear his voice and he will know us. If we hear his voice, we will follow him. It is time we get serious about hearing the voice of God. It is either hear him now and follow or hear those awful words, Depart from me, I never knew you.

If we are truly his sheep, we will hear, Well Done!! That sounds so much better.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 322 ARISE OUT OF SLEEP AND FIGHT

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO VERSION: https://rumble.com/v6s5gln-god-focus-this-morning-ep322-arise-out-of-sleep-and-fight.html

WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: Arise Out Of Sleep And Fight

Almost everyone I talk to is struggling with fatigue, stress, anxiety, fear of the unknown. The enemy is trying to wear us out, but we have to fight. We are on the edge of something happening that will change the world as we know it. God is going to begin to pour himself out in the churches that are ready to accept him.

Some churches, as I have said many times, are social clubs. They are happy with the status quo. They do not want God’s presence in their midst. If he were to show up, they would have to measure up.

Other congregations of people are starving for fresh bread of God’s anointing. They desire a closer walk with him. They want to know him, not just know about him. Not in word or deed, but truly know him. These are the people that he is going to visit. He wants to be welcome in the buildings that bear his name. He longs to communicate with us and give us direction and a better understanding of what he wishes to do with us.

Far too long, the harvest field has been ready, and the church has been asleep. It is time to wake up and arise out of sleep. The Pharisees of today have bound up God’s people for too long. God doesn’t give us a checklist and expect us to live by it.

By this list, you will know you are my disciples. Don’t do this; you can’t do that, and on and on. No, the words says, we are his if we have love one to another. If we love him, we will do what his word says, but we do not get salvation by works. It all comes down to a personal relationship. How much time do you spend with him? How often do you think about God and his wonderful mercy outside of church services?

Today is a grand and glorious day. It is an opportunity to change things for the better. Today is the day to get serious, arise out of sleep, and press forward. Do not allow the enemy to wear you out. He is trying to make everyone battle-weary.

But we do not have to allow satan to wear us out. We can praise our way through. Praise will break the heaviness. Praise helps us power through whatever the enemy is trying to do in our lives to wear us down. If he can get us to fall into fatigue, depression, or fear, he knows we will not have the energy to fight him. He knows we will become weary of trying to witness to the world.

But we can break through and break out of the chains he is trying to bind us up in by praising the Lord. There is not one thing the enemy can do to us if we can keep our God Focus.

When we feel weak, we are strong in the Lord. He draws near to the humble and the weak. He will see us through whatever comes our way. We cannot give up; we have to stand strong and fight. The enemy will not win unless we give up. Let the boldness of the Lord arise in you and stand strong. Look to the Lord, and He will restore our peace.

I want to leave you with a verse for the day.

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

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 321 GIVE ME FIRE

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: GIVE ME FIRE

There has to be toe-stomping preaching in order to save our souls. I long for the days when preachers were full of fire and not afraid to preach the word. I love for a message to step on my toes, because it makes me better and stronger. Today, too many churches have motivational speakers. But we need powerful messages that make us grow and not always the fluff of living our best lives. Sometimes life is hard. Jesus told the disciples that they would face hard things. It is not different for us today. But in those hard things, we grow and become stronger. With our new level of faith, we can be a beacon of hope in a dying world.

Unbelief is the new norm; people do not know how to have faith. The ministry has to start preaching with fire the things the church needs to hear about growing faith. They need to hear that it takes prayer and a lot of prayer to grow your relationship with God. People need to be told and understand that they are signing up for a life of service and sacrifice. Everything will not always be wonderful. Being a Christian is not about having a pampered, cushy life. People need to be taught that there is a difference in saying a prayer to check off a to do list for the day of Christian things and getting down to business and pouring your heart out to God in prayer. One is saying a prayer, and one is praying a prayer.

When we desire sermons that get on our toes, it means we want to grow in strength and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The truth sets us free. The truth is hard to swallow sometimes. But it is always best for us in the long run.

The truth is like a medicine, bitter to swallow, but it will give you strength and make you stronger. I don’t know when it became the norm to not tell the truth, especially behind the pulpit. Be encouraged, there are real ministers of God out there and they are standing tall to proclaim the truth of God. If you know such a preacher, stand behind them, encourage them and back them in anyway you can.

We need the fire to be restored to the pulpit in order for it to be restored to the body. Our God is a consuming fire. The word consume means to destroy, ingest, swallow up, use, or utilize. Our God will destroy the things of our flesh. He will swallow up who we are and make us better vessels for his use. We have to be on fire, too, for the world to know we are different. In order for us to be a usable vessel for God.

Just like the burning bush in the desert. What made Moses go see what was going on, because it was on fire. The only one God spoke out of was the bush that was on fire. The only people today that God will truly use are those who are on fire for him.

We are the temple of the Holy Ghost; God’s fire lives within us. Only by allowing His fire to burn on the altar of our hearts, can we learn to walk in the light of his fire.

The Children of Israel had a pillar of fire that was a buffer between them and their enemy. If we keep the fire burning bright, it will keep away the evil of this world. They will not be able to look at us for the light of God that is within us.

People will know we are different and will be drawn to the warmth of the fire of God within us. We will be able to lead them to Jesus, the only one who can save them from the evil of this world and the evil inside of them.

God’s holy fire is important. The fire of truth will help us to understand the word of God. It will help us to know what God is calling us to do in this life. But if the fire has gone out in the church, then the people will starve. Their bones will become cold, and they will die.

Keeping the fire of God in our lives is crucial to our spiritual walk. It is also crucial to all those we will meet along the way that we are supposed to share Jesus. Pray for him to stoke the fire in your life. Pray for the body of Christ to catch on fire. It is the only way we will reach the world. Just like the burning bush, if we are on fire, they will come to see what God has to say through us. And through that word of God, many will be delivered and saved.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 320 OVERCOMING UNBELIEF

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: OVERCOMING UNBELIEF

Unbelief is a plague in the church today. Everything is by and through faith, so how do we grow faith?

Sometimes we can draw on past experiences where God has shown up in those moments we desperately needed him. We can be sure He will show up again. When I am sick and need healing, I remember all the times God has healed me. I will remember the times he healed others.

Growing up in a faith that believes in the laying on of hands. I have seen many miracles over the years. I watched my dad’s leg grow together one time when he had a bad cut. There is no doubt in my mind it was so deep that it needed stitches. But we battled through about thirty minutes of prayer. God came through with a healing miracle.

Other times we have to dig into the word of God and find inspiration.

There is a story for every situation that we face in life. The word of God has scriptures that will build us up and bring encouragement to our souls. There is nothing we face that others have not gone through and God brought them through it. Job’s story alone covers most everything anyone could suffer. But if we stay faithful and look to God, he will bless us for our faith in Him.

We can build our faith through prayer. Start with praise and transition into acknowledging what He has already done. Petition God for what you need. Then start thanking Him for it. We have to get into a spirit of prayer. This means really pouring out your heart to God and not just saying a few words halfheartedly.

Jude 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

It comes down to trust. How much do we trust God? Do we know in our hearts as well as our minds that he will answer our prayers? Many people will say he is able, but how many know without a doubt he will come through? If you know, you have faith, then it is just a matter of waiting until you see with your eyes what you know in your spirit. Faith is seeing light when your natural eyes see only darkness.

Think of it this way. Say you want to be a master piano player. You can study everything about all the people who were master piano players. You can study how the piano is made. You can study how many keys and how much a baby grand weighs, you can even learn to read sheet music. But if you do not put into practice what you know, you will never be a master piano player.

The same goes for our faith in God. We can read and study all about God. We can have knowledge about walking by faith. But until we try to walk by faith, we will never learn how to do it.

We must be firm in our belief that God will do what he has promised.

Prov 3: 5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

The word says for us to trust in the Lord with all our heart. This is what it means to fully trust. There is not a shadow of a doubt that God will do what he has promised. You know it with all your being. We cannot try to reason things out in our minds. God rarely answers the way we think. But he does answer. If we acknowledge him in all our ways, he will guide us.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Merriam Webster dictionary defines – Diligently – a manner involving great or constant activity. With great determination, intensely.

We have to keep at it and stay focused on God and not our problems. The more we focus on him the stronger we will grow in our faith.

Let’s recap.

We can draw on past experiences to encourage us.
We have to dig into the word of God and find inspiration.
We can build our faith through prayer.
Practice- until we try to walk by faith, we will never learn how to do it.
We must be firm in our belief that God will do what he has promised.

I hope this has been an encouragement to you to hold on if you are believing God for something. Remember everything happens in God’s will and his perfect timing.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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