Tag: #Jesus

EPISODE 251 – NO LACK TO OUR GOD

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Our world is in the middle of a time of spiritual starvation, but not for lack of food. There are plenty of bibles. Many people that are not willing to accept the word of God as a source for their soul. There are too few people trying to share the amazing word of God. The word that has the power to strengthen, enlighten, encourage and transform even the hungriest soul.

We find a story in the fourth chapter of 2Kings about a poor widow. She approached Elisha and told him that her husband was gone and that they were going to take her sons for bondmen to pay off her debt. Now there was famine in the land. People lacked a lot of the basic necessities of life.

The prophet said to her, what do you have in your house? She started to say nothing then she said except a pot of oil. He told her to go barrow vessels from all her neighbors, and he told her to not barrow a few but many. When she had them all she was to go into her house and shut the door.

2 Kings 4:4-7 And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full. 5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out. 6 And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. 7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.

Because there was a famine, people were lacking oil also. She was able to sell all the oil and become debt free.

I was thinking about how we have a spiritual famine in the world today. It is not because God is lacking. We are not using what we have in our house. The Holy Ghost is often referred to as being oil or the anointing of God. There is not a shortage of oil. But there is a shortage of willing vessels.

In order for us to complete the harvest so that Christ can come and get his bride, we need to go gather vessels. We need to gather as many as we can. People are needing to be filled with the power of God or the oil of his anointing.

The widow poured and poured until she ran out of vessels. God will do the same, he will pour out his Spirit until there are no more vessels (willing vessels). Then he will call his children home.

Just as her children were almost sold into slavery. The whole world is a slave to sin unless they have let God fill them full of his precious oil. This story is often used to reflect the nature of how God provides and takes care of his people, even in famine.

He sent the children of Israel to Egypt to get away from a famine. When Joseph was second in command of the land of Egypt. They were not meant to stay 400 years. Sometimes we move in and take up residence in the places that God only meant to be a temporary situation. A place to ride out the famine.

It is time that we help those around us to get out of the place they have set up residence. We need to help them get back to the place God has for them to dwell. We are to dwell in the secret place of the almighty, not be traveling in the sinful world. It is easier to dwell in the secret place of the almighty if we have oil in our vessel.

The next time your spiritual life feels like you are in a famine, remember the Lord will give strength to his people. There is nothing that we face today or will face tomorrow that he cannot handle. He tells us to not walk in fear, but to trust him. God is with us and will provide for us. He will fill our vessel or refill our vessel and give us a refreshing of his power and strength, if we trust in Him.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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CHRISTMAS EVE

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The title of today’s episode: CHRISTMAS EVE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

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

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

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

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

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

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

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 250 WAITING FOR STRENGTH

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO VERSION: https://rumble.com/v61z75b-god-focus-this-morning-ep-250-waiting-for-strength.html

WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: WAITING FOR STRENGTH

All around us are people who are growing battle-weary. They are facing terrible things and have been praying it seems like a long time for their answers. Almost anyone who has been around Christians or church any length of time has heard the following verse.

Is 40:31 – But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

We often are encouraged and want to soar like an eagle above our issues and problems. But even though we read it, we often do not allow the Wait part of the verse to sink into our thoughts. They that wait upon the Lord. That is an important part of the process.

There are times when we barely get finished saying a prayer and it is answered. That is awesome and wonderful, other times he wants us to wait. There is something to be said about the waiting process. In the waiting, we learn to trust. In the waiting we learn that God has a plan and lessons to teach us. We are strengthened by the process.

Once we have gained this amazing strength, God is growing in us, we will be able to run and not be weary. We will walk and not faint or give up by falling to the side. During the wait we often have to encourage ourselves, and find strength to keep trusting, because things do not look like we are praying for them to look. But he is still God in our trials, in our problems and in our victories. He is still God.

Being a child of God is not always an easy road. Anyone who tells you that life is always wonderful when you are a Christian is a liar. We are subject to the same ups and downs in life as anyone else. We often have more issues, because the enemy tries to put things in our path to see how we will deal with them. He uses people to try to trip us up.

But those who wait….will gain strength. Think about the eagle’s wings. They are large and powerful. An adult eagle can lift their body weight. They can fly between twenty and thirty miles per hour.

Learning to wait on the Lord is often a difficult process. We are the instant generation. We want everything right now. God says there is something to be said about the waiting.

Psalm 27:14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

This verse again tells us to wait on the Lord and we will gain strength. This says strengthen thine heart. Often, it is our heart that needs courage and strength. God will provide what we need, but first, we must go through the growing process. In our waiting, we learn to trust.

Psalms 37:7-9 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.

It is easy to get discouraged as we see the wicked prosper and we seem to struggle. But their prosperity is only temporary. His word says that the evildoers will be cut off and not inherit the earth or eternal life. We should not be discouraged everything in this life is temporary both good and bad.

Psalms 130:5 – I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits for God to move but in his word (which he promised to strengthen us) I do hope. Every word in the Bible is there for us to be strengthened and encouraged. It is there to teach us to trust and what will happen if we don’t fully trust in him.

We can be sure that God will strengthen us to run our race to the end, as long as we wait on Him.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 248 A FLOCK, A STONE, AND A BANNER

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 247 – WHY EXPECT LESS

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: WHY EXPECT LESS?

Yesterday, my scripture writing was to write the fourteenth chapter of Matthew. One of the portions of that chapter is the story of the miracle feeding of five thousand. With five loaves of bread and two fish, he fed about five thousand men, not counting women and children. I would say that most of those men had wives, and people back then had large families. I am guessing it was probably closer to ten to twelve thousand. Either way, by human standards, it would be hard to feed a few people with two fish and 5 loaves of bread. And still, Jesus fed a large number of people and had food left over that it filled twelve baskets.

People often use this to show that if we give God what little we have, He will multiply it, use it, and give us back more than we had at the start. This is one of God’s principles throughout his word. We cannot outgive God. He will bless it and break it and create more than was there to start with once everyone is satisfied.

Why should we expect less today? Why do we act like God cannot provide for our needs? Why do we walk in fear and worry about tomorrow when God is already there and will take care of his people.

Then, the next section is about the disciples crossing the sea to the other side and Peter walking on the water. Anytime we try to make a crossing to get away from the large multitude, we will face a storm. The word tells us to be set apart from the people of this world. Because we are not of this world when we become children of God. We are travelers passing through. Those who choose to walk in darkness are of this world.

But even in the middle of our worst storms. Jesus is there to protect us from serious consequences. Peter was more in the storm than those who sat in the boat. He was the one stepping out, trying to get closer to Jesus. His faith was increased because of his brief moment of walking on the water. But Jesus protected them all. None of them were harmed by the storm.

Why should we expect less?

Jesus has promised to go with us and to be our provider, protector and safe place. There are many examples in the bible of how God looked out for his people. I feel it is safe to say, we should not expect less.

I used to wonder what I would do if put to the ultimate test, like Daniel or the three Hebrew men. Bow to this false God or die. But every day, we are put to that test in smaller ways. I feel sure that if it ever came to the ultimate test, the Spirit of God would rise up in us and we would stand strong.

Some people say they don’t want to serve God now, that they will be saved during the Great Tribulation. That is a lie of the enemy they have chosen to believe for two reasons. One, unless you are Jewish, you will not have a right to be saved. But the one that came to my mind first when I heard it was, what makes them think they can defy the anti-christ and stand against the evil then, when they cannot stand against it now. Because it will be even harder to survive in those days.

Many people down through time have been blessed, healed, delivered and set free by our Lord and our Savior. Every promise in that Bible belongs to his children. Why should we worry, fear and be down trodden. God will save, heal, provide for whatever we need and deliver us from our storms. He has never failed his people. Why should we expect less?

Have faith, stay strong, be encouraged Jesus is coming soon for his bride. We need to make sure we are ready. Many say that it is just a story. That Jesus will not return. Some say, people have been saying that for over two thousand years and it has not happened. But you can be sure, Jesus said it, it will happen. Why should we expect less?

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 246 WHY SO SAD?

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I was out shopping yesterday, now I know why I order my groceries and pick them up. The people in the stores were all walking around looking sad and defeated. It was almost like they were wearing a dark cloud that was pushing them down. It is easy to let the cares of this life weigh us down. It reminded me of the question, “Why has thy countenance fallen?” God was talking to Cain.

I am sure the enemy was working on Cain, telling him that God loved Abel and if he wasn’t around then Cain could be God’s favorite. He was filled with jealousy and rage; God warned him what would happen. He had a choice to make, but he didn’t make the right one. It is important that we always choose to do and say the right things.

Genesis 4:6-7 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

It wasn’t because he gave vegetables and his brother gave sheep. Notice Able gave of his first fruits. I imagine Cain picking up a basket of vegetables and thinking this is good enough. He didn’t give God of his first fruits. I believe he did it with the wrong mindset and attitude. Where Able gave to God first. It meant that Able knew where God fell in the order of things. God was first.

Genesis 4:8-10 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. 9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? 10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.

Cain allowed the enemy to get him in the wrong mindset. When our countenance falls and we start thinking negatively, we are going down the wrong road.

Another example of a fallen countenance.

Nehemiah 2:1-3 And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence. 2 Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid, 3 And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?

Nehemiah was sad because Jerusalem lies in ruins. The people were living in captivity in a foreign land. But God gave him favor with that king. He allowed Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem to repair the walls and gates to the city.

In our society today with all going on in the world we have every reason to appear, sad, down-trodden and depressed. Many are fighting severe illness; others are struggling to survive financially. But we do not have to carry these things alone. Our king is waiting like Nehemiah’s to do something to fix our problems.

We can have peace like a river that washes away our pain and sorrow. God’s peace can whisper to our broken spirit, “It is going to be ok, I am with you.” Even if things may not be going our way at this moment, we can have peace if things are well with our soul.

Nothing we face in this life will ever cause God to give up. We have a choice to make, we can keep doing the right thing and eventually things will work out. If we choose to make the wrong decisions, we will end up in an even bigger mess.

We have every reason to be encouraged, God is going to save America and other countries around the world. We have a lot of work to do as the body of Christ. A huge harvest is coming. Do not worry, do not fear, do not be discouraged. I want you to have hope in the Lord. He will always lift our head when we are downtrodden.

Psalms 3:1-3 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. 2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. 3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

He lifts our heads when we are looking down, so that we can see him. If we keep looking up, we will see him more clearly.

Psalm 3:4-6 I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. 5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

This was David’s reality. Large groups of people, armies from all around were out to destroy him. If we are honest most of us do not have that many wanting to destroy us. Only the evil one, the forever loser and he was defeated a long time ago.

Psalm3:7-8 Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. 8 Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

We can be encouraged and not be downtrodden. It doesn’t matter what we are dealing with in life. God is with us.

When Moses had been on the mountain with God and came down, his face glowed. We too can shine if we take the time to spend with God.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 245 THE CONCLUSION

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: THE CONCLUSION

The word of God seems like an endless book. Every time I pick it up to read the word enlightens me in some way that I never saw before. People say it is living and breathing, because the word changes the reader. We are transformed by the word according to the situations we are currently walking through.

We know that God is love, but each time we walk through something, and God shows up to be our strength and help, we understand His love in a different way. The very basic idea is that love is a flowery feeling. But God’s love is so much more than a feeling. It is an expression of his greatest gift, a right to become his child. We were orphans, lost without hope, but Jesus died to give us the right to be adopted. We can continue to learn about His love a lifetime and still not figure it all out, because his ways are beyond us ever understanding fully.

The writer of Ecclesiastes summed up our duties as children of God as:

Eccl 12:13-14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

The summary of everything is to Fear God and keep his commandments. It is the complete duty of man. Because this is a serious conclusion, it is not to be taken lightly. We must learn to love God. If we love God, we will want to keep his commandments and walk in his will.

We are not born knowing how to love God. This lesson was taught to me many years ago by my four-year-old nephew. His parents had been teaching him to say that children’s prayer at the dinner table, God is great, God is good… he was sitting at the table and has said that but continued to sit quietly with his head down. My mom finally asked him if he was finished, then he said some profound words… “Help me Love God, amen.”

I pondered those words for a week or more before I wrote a newsletter article about it. That is the conclusion of the whole matter, help me love God. Because the more we love him the more we will want to please him. The more we will want to do for him. The more we will desire to read the word so he can talk to us. The more we will want to pray and sit in his presence, the more we will pray and sit in his presence.

It is so elementary, but still so hard to obtain. We walk through times we feel like he has left us all alone, and we do not feel his presence. But to remind you when walking through times like this, love is not a feeling. God is faithful and consistent. He will always be there, even when we cannot feel him. Because he promised to never leave us.

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

Jesus summed up everything to his disciples as:
Matt 22:34-40 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Jesus was saying if we love God, we will not desire to commit sin. If we can keep our God focus, we will not allow our flesh to give into temptation. If we love our neighbor as ourselves, we will treat them with respect and make sure that we do right by them.

Although, we think we know what these verses mean, everyday is an opportunity to learn a little more about what it means to walk in God’s love. It is a lifetime journey. We will never know all there is to know, because just as God’s mercies are renewed every day, so are the lessons for us to learn.

God wants us to be a sponge and openly embrace the journey. Spending time with him and learning to lean on him for everything we need. Life is a journey and every step we take will teach us a lesson for the next day. But the greatest lesson we can learn is how to love God and one another.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 244 – PLEADING THE BLOOD

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I have been doing online research about what others have said about, pleading the blood of Jesus. This is something I grew up around and never thought about where it came from until I started to look deeper. Although there is not a bible verse that specifically says to say these words, I do not believe it to be harmful as some would have you believe. Some have gone as far as comparing it to an incantation or magical words. Which is witchcraft. I assure you it is not an incantation or spell. People who plead the blood say it to acknowledge the work of Jesus to give us salvation and power over our enemy.

Sometimes, when we are in situations, we desperately need God to move, we plead the blood against it. This means that we are saying, “I accept that you have given us power over the enemy and that he will not prevail because of the blood of Jesus.”

I have seen God move in serious situations where someone prayed and pleaded the blood against the enemy. I know it to be a valid practice.

Faith moves God. Far too long Christians have torn each other apart over our practices and beliefs. When we should be working on reasoning together and seeing people saved, healed and delivered from satan and hell. If you don’t feel it is necessary, then don’t do it.

When Israel was about to leave Egypt, we all know the story of the Passover and how they applied the blood of a spotless lamb to the door as a seal. That was a foreshadowing of how Jesus would become the lamb that would take away the sins of the world. His blood cleanses all sins.

When we plead the blood, we are saying that we acknowledge that Jesus’ blood cleanses all of our sins. There is power in that blood to save, heal and deliver. Without that blood we would not have the right to ask for anything else. Without the blood, we cannot become children of God. We would not receive his Spirit, which empowers us to live as Christians. We have power over the powers of the enemy because we are part of God’s family. That comes through the blood of Jesus.

By pleading the blood we are saying, I accept that your ways are higher than mine, your sacrifice is a covenant to save and deliver me. Through the blood we have access to the power of God to save, heal and deliver us from all manner of attacks of the enemy. God is our defense. When we plead the blood we are acknowledging what he did for us on the cross.

This is not a magic phrase, as some would argue. But these same people also do not preach blood as redemption for our sins, because it is too gory. Their megachurches are all about their smoke machines and entertainment. We don’t go to church to be entertained. Church is not about us. It is about worship of the one true God and his plan for our lives.

We understand that God works everything for our good. Sometimes, things we want to happen do not because they are out of the will of God. Pleading the blood against a situation helps us to turn it over to God for his will to be done. We have to pray according to his will. The best way to do this is outlined in Jude.

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

We have to get into the spirit of prayer, allowing our spirit to pray. When our spirit connects to God, it is easier to pray His will in our situations. Praying in the spirit causes all of our human wants and desires to fall away. It gets us to yield the situation to God for his will to be done.

Prayer and the power of prayer is a vast subject. Many books have been written about how to pray. Many make it too complicated. Prayer is connecting to God. Spending time in that secret place with him and waiting for him to answer. I have barely scratched the surface on the subject.

I will continue to plead the blood over my life. I want to keep my sins under the blood. I want to be found faithful on the day of his return. I hope that this will encourage you to pray for God to guide you in all things.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 243–FINDING HOPE

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There is a phrase that says, I’ve lost all hope or they’ve lost all hope. What does it mean to lose hope? First, we have to understand what having hope means. Hope is having an expectation that things will work out for our good and we will have a happy outcome to our situations.

We have all been walking through some crazy things since Covid hit. We can tell when an event makes an impact because we say before Covid or after Covid, just like the events of 911. Almost everyone can remember where they were when the news came that there had been a plane crash into the towers. It was like time stood still. For a couple of days, we were in shock, but then America rallied and found hope.

We are in another time that it seems like hope is hard to come by, but as a Christian we can always have hope. When we have Jesus, we can get through the highs and lows of life, because we are not alone. We place our hope in Jesus and, not in our abilities, politicians or anything else. When we put our hope in man, we will be disappointed.

Finding hope in Jesus, means that we know without a doubt, he is the one that will go before us. In our highs and lows, our happy times or our worst days, we have hope that he will work everything out.

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

It is hard to understand circumstances sometimes. It is even harder to believe that loss and grief can be for our good. It is hard to walk through sickness and pain, wondering how it is for our good. In other situations I have walked through, I questioned how it could be for my good. But God knows what he is doing and will use even the dark times to strengthen us and help us grow closer to him.

This life is all about growing fruit an winning souls for the kingdom of God. Our purpose in life is to be a light and help to all that we come in contact with in this life.

I do not hide the fact that I went through a period in my late twenties when depression was my companion. I had lost all hope. It seemed like everything I ever wanted was slipping through my fingers. The harder I tried the worse things seemed. I pray that you never have to experience that smothering darkness of lost hope. As long as we can hold onto our peace and hope, we will not fall into depression.

Prov 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

The word deferred means to postpone or put off. When hope is postponed, it is easy to become hopeless and fall into depression. If you are in a state of depression, it is impossible to just snap out of it. I had someone tell me that one time. It is not that easy, but it requires a change of attitude. You need to find a reason to have hope again.

Jesus is the light that can shine into our darkness and give us a ray of hope. Once we find that hope again, we need to hold onto it with every ounce of strength we have in us. I pray I can always hold onto hope in every situation that I will face.

Once we have walked through a few situations in life, it is easier to cling to hope. Because God brought us through our fiery trials in the past, we can use that to strengthen our hope that he will do it again. We may not see how He will see us through, but He will.

Lam 3:18-21And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord: 19 Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. 20 My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. 21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

Anytime we face a situation that tries to cause us to lose hope, we have to remember where God has brought us from and the promise of where we are going. It will strengthen our hope in the Lord.

Many stories in the bible will help to encourage us and strengthen our hope. God is the God of the impossible situations. He can take the bad and turn it around for good.

I want to leave you today with one final verse:

Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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Episode 242 – Honest and Sincere

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: HONEST AND SINCERE

I want to talk to you today about being honest and sincere. What does each thing mean? How do we apply honesty and sincerity to our lives?

On a family vacation when I was about fifteen, we visited a wax museum. To a kid in the 80’s that was an amazing thing to see. There was even one of the statues on the outside of the display that looked so real, we waited for her to move out of our way for a short time before we realized she was wax too. She was a little blue-haired lady with her pearls and purse on her arm. Although they appeared real, they were only statues.

People all down through time have worshipped people and things that are not the real, one, true God. There is only one God, our Lord Jesus Christ. If you are idolizing anyone else, you are committing a sin. Movie stars, pro athletes, and singers are normally at the top of that list. But some even put preachers on a pedestal. Our pastors are meant to lead and watch over the flock to warn of false teachers who are wolves in sheep’s clothing. They were never made to be a dictator over their congregation’s lives. They were never made to be idolized. All of these are like the wax people in that museum. None of them are real compared to our God.

Psalm 97:5-7 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. 6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. 7 Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.

The word says that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Even the most wicked, demonic person we can think of because the demon that is controlling them knows who Jesus is and that they have no power over him. We want to be found in worship of the only God that is worthy. The one that died to save us from eternal torment.

We want to be found doing God’s will and being sincere vessels. For those of you who do not remember when I shared this before, the origin of the word sincere means without wax. It used to be that when porcelain vessels were fired in the kiln, sometimes they would develop small cracks. Dishonest merchants would fill those tiny cracks with wax to make them appear to be whole. The ones without cracks sold for more money. The ones without cracks were said to be sincere or without wax.

When we are real, genuine and sincere, we will simply be who we are and will not try to be something else. Learning to accept who God made us to be is the beginning of a whole new world. Because we will be walking in the path he created for us. If we are doing all that we can do, Jesus will cover our broken places with his blood. We do not need to fill in the broken places of our lives with wax.

The world is full of people wearing masks, trying to be something that they are not, there is freedom in just simply being ourselves. There is freedom in honesty.

Proverbs 11:3 – The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

Integrity means to walk upright, have good morals or to be honest, lacking deception. Our integrity will be our guide because when we walk with integrity, we follow the teachings of the Bible.

Psalm 26:11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.

This verse emphasizes the importance of walking in honesty and sincerity. They are building blocks for the fruit of the Spirit to develop in our lives. We all know how important it is to bear good fruit. Go out today and make it a good one by walking with integrity.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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