Tag: #Jesus

APPOINTMENT

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The title of today’s episode: APPOINTMENTS

I want to talk to you about time. I was sitting looking at the month ahead. I have a few dates that there are meetings and appointments I have to keep. Then I thought about God’s divine appointments. Although we cannot write them on the calendar like a dentist appointment. They are very important.

I thought about all the times God rerouted my day to put me in just the right place at the right time. His timing is perfect. Sometimes, it helped me learn and grow. Other times it was to be the light he created me to be to the world.

One day my late husband and I decided to take the day off work and go look for property closer to our jobs. Around three we were about twenty miles from home and decided to stop and get something to eat. It was a beautiful early fall day. He suggested we go to a scenic spot and have a picnic.

When we arrived, we started eating when all of the sudden I spotted a lady standing beside of the water. I said to him, I feel God telling me to go talk to her. To make a long story short, she was being attacked by depression and suicide. She stopped there for a few minutes before running her car off the road on a high mountain.

I told her that God had rerouted my day to put me there at that spot to tell her that there is hope. After talking for an hour or so she let us pray with her. God came on the scene and lifted that depression and suicide off of her. I was so happy that I had kept my appointment that I didn’t know I even had, it saved her life. She went on to pick up the pieces of her life, to get married and most of all become a Christian.

As I think about that and all the other times God has intervened on my behalf or used me to intervene for others, I am excited that he allowed me to keep those appointments.

As things appear darker in our world, it is more important than ever to walk by faith, keeping our spiritual eyes and ears open to God’s leading. We do not want to be guilty of missing an appointment that he sets up for us. People’s lives and souls are on the line.

Would God have sent someone else to that woman if I had failed to listen? I like to think he would have, but I would have missed the opportunity to know I heard his voice. I would have missed out on getting to know this woman and become friends with her and watch her grow in her own faith walk.

Divine appointments can change the course of one or both people involved, and they can even change the course of nations. I was thinking about how we can get busy doing things and pack our calendars so full of stuff that we don’t have time to breathe, let alone be sidetracked by a divine appointment.

As I sat staring at the blank page of October with two appointments written down, I decided to pray over the page that those coming days would be full of God’s divine appointments. That I would have the faith, strength and courage to walk through whatever is facing me.

Where would the children of Israel have been if Moses had missed his divine appointment with the burning bush? Where would we be if Jesus had not obeyed and kept his divine appointment with the cross?

Granted these are extremes. God knew that both would be obedient to his voice. That is why he chose them, but the fact remains they had a choice. Every choice we make changes the course of our life. When I was an infant, my parents lived in another state for a while. I was just discussing with my mom how different our lives would have been if they had stayed there, they would have been different.

We have God’s Spirit inside us as Christians for a purpose. That is to lead and guide us into all truth and righteousness. He is there to make sure our feet stay on the right path.

Our Nation is teetering on the edge, we are at the tipping point. Good is pulling one way, evil the other. The next few months will show if we have kept our divine appointment or if we have cancelled it. Will we yield to God and allow him to turn it around? Will we continue to think that we are not worthy to fight the good fight of faith? Thinking that someone else will take a stand. If we do not stand for the cause of Christ within the next few weeks and seek His face. Our nation could fall deeper into the evil that is trying to destroy us.

Prov 3:5-7 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.7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

If we acknowledge the Lord, which means if we admit his existence and the importance of his presence and leading, he will direct our paths. We cannot do it alone, walking in our own wisdom. We need to have reverence for God and walk according to his ways.

Be encouraged, keep praying, keep looking up. God is going to deliver our nation and the nations of the world from evil. It could be a bit of a roller coaster ride, but God has got us buckled in tight, we will not fall. Keep your ears open for his leading to those divine appointments.

Psalm 31:15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

David prayed for God to deliver him from his enemies, we too can have deliverance from our enemies, all in God’s divine timing. Don’t miss your appointment.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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IMAGE

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: IMAGE

An image is a visual representation of something. For example, a picture of a dark rainy day could be used to convey emotional sadness or depression. Billions of dollars each year are spent to convey an image to us about a product or people. Those who are in the spotlight are always worried about their image and the way people see them. They secretly do evil but want people to think they are good. I recently was floored at a couple of the names dropped that are supposed to be caught up in child trafficking and all that evil that goes with it. I had bought into the image they wanted the world to see. I bought the lie about them.

Satan comes at us and wants us to think he is still a beautiful angel. At one time, he was the most beautiful angel of light. Then his heart turned dark and the rest of his being followed, and he was tossed out of heaven. We have to see him for who he really is now, we cannot by the lie.

I also know people that were involved in witchcraft, devil worship, drug abuse and other things I will not mention, at that time they were proud of their image. They wanted everyone to think they were evil and perverted. Now, these same people, I see the glow of God on their faces and in their eyes. I am not saying we cannot change who we are; Jesus died so we can become a new creature. Then, we will reflect Christ. Our image, if we truly live for God will reflect Him, in all we do and say.

Gen 1:26-28 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Mankind was created in the image of God. All was well until the fall of man. Then their image didn’t reflect God any longer. Jesus came to restore us to himself. Now our image should once again reflect the image of God.

They we were given dominion over the things of the earth. Because of Jesus we have power over the powers of the enemy. If our image doesn’t reflect God, the enemy will just laugh when we try to rebuke him and send him on his way. He knows who is reflecting the image of God and who is not, because he knows what we do when no one else is watching.

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.

We have a small window of time to make sure our image is right. To make sure the world is seeing who we really are in Christ. We are created in the image of God. He wants us to reflect who he is to the world, so they can find him through the all the noise of fake imagery.

Ask yourself, what do people see when they look at me, do they see someone trying to hide behind and image of a good person? Do they see Jesus and that you are walking by faith in the image of Almighty God? I pray they can see Jesus in all of us.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 190 SCRIPTURE WRITING

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The title of today’s episode: Scripture Writing

For those of you that want to start scripture writing as a part of your study time, there are many in depth videos on You Tube and Rumble that will give you lots of creative ideas.

About a year ago I started a deep dive into the Psalms. Every couple of weeks I take a Psalm and break it down. I write out my thoughts about it. I will write down the passages that stand out to me. I have a few examples I want to share with you.

There is no right or wrong way to study, as I discussed yesterday. There is not right or wrong way to do any of the creative things. I also have a note book that I will share a few pages out of that I have written down because the verses inspired me or I had a sticker that was the inspiration for the page.

Lets get started with Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 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. 4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

I basically took notes in different color ink for each separate thought.

I wrote that blessed is the man who doesn’t listen to the advice of the ungodly or stands in the way of sinners. Not acts disrespectful. We can stand in the way of sinners by being judgmental.

Do not be disrespectful.

We will delight (define please greatly, satisfied) in the law of the Lord and will think on it night and day.

The ungodly will be like chaff blown away by the wind. God will remove them because they bear no fruit.

We will bring fruit in our season, our leaf also will not wither. (Ever in a state of healthy growth.) This makes me think of leaves in the fall how they die and fall off the trees. But we will be evergreen, ever growing and producing fruit.

Then I had this cute sticker that says we are rooted in Christ. I wrote the 3^rd verse around it. 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.

The way of the ungodly will perish.

Then I included a small prayer Dear Lord help me be the tree that produces fruit.

I know it is not the neatest page and not the prettiest writing, but when I got finished that day, I felt like I had made a connection with the scriptures. I felt like I had connected to what the word was saying. That is the point of Bible study.

Psalm 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. 4 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. 7 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.

I loved this Moses sticker, it reminded me that even though an army is coming to destroy me. God will make a way, he will part the sea and destroy the enemy. Psalm 3 reminded me of the Red sea moment.

David is pressed on all sides by people that rise against him. Many said there was no hope. How many times do people speak those types of words over us? With God there is ALWAYS!!! HOPE!!!

Then I copied verse 3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

The Lord is our shield (defense) His glory lifts up our heads. We have no reason to look down and feel down. He hears ten thousands of people against us for God will take care of them all. Just like Pharoah and his army. Like the three armies that came against Jehosophat. DO NOT FEAR!

On the sides of the sticker, I wrote Salvation belongs to the Lord! God has God us.

I hesitated to show you those pages at first because I do not think they are neat enough. But I have learned a lot by doing them. I have tried to slow down and be neater.

Now I will share a few pages of scriptures, to encourage you. It is always my goal for you to leave our time together feeling encouraged to dig deeper and stand stronger in your faith. To Keep your God Focus.

I was playing around with stickers to get inspiration one morning. I found these that I had left over from a poster I made for my Dad’s birthday party one year. It was his life on poster boards and he is a military veteran. Immediately I remembered the verse in 2 Cor. 10:4-5

2 Cor 10:4-5 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

We need to realize as children of God that we have mighty weapons through the BLOOD of Jesus. We need to take unto captivity every thought that is not of God. The battle is in our minds. We need to check every thought and see if it is from God or the enemy. If it is from the enemy, we need to dismiss it quickly.

Life is an amazing adventure when you live a life for Jesus. You never know what He will do to surprise you. There is a joy in serving Jesus. I hope something I have said today has inspired you to get into the word and dig for all the treasures of wisdom God has waiting for you. He is worth searching out.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!!

BIBLE STUDY TIPS

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: BIBLE STUDY TIPS

It doesn’t matter what skill you wish to learn, it will take most people practice to get it right. For Example, unless, you are a gifted music prodigy, it will take hours and hours of lessons. Some are more musically inclined than others, but everyone learns at their own pace.

Cooking is another example, my mother-in-law used to make the best chocolate cakes. She never measured or wrote down a recipe. She could tell by the color that she had the right amount of Ingredients. If I had tried by just watching her, it would have been a horrible mess. I needed a precise recipe, because I was taught to cook with recipes and measuring cups. Neither way is wrong if the end result is good. The same is with study of the word, as long as we are growing in our wisdom and knowledge of God, there is not a wrong way.

I however, learned about Jesus by watching someone else live for Jesus. My grandparents and parents were my example. I learned about Jesus before I could even read about him for myself. They told me about Jesus, and I grew up watching my mom and grandma sing songs about him while they were cooking and doing dishes, laundry etc. around the house.

My grandpa would sit down at the dining room table, with his dictionary, a note pad and his bible to study for his sermons. He was never too busy to share what he was reading with my brother and me. My dad would go to his bedroom where it was quiet to read his bible. My mom would read hers with a cup of coffee early in the morning or with a soda late in the evening in her recliner.

It would be easy to say that there is only one way to study, and get legalistic. But it didn’t matter as long as they spent time in the word. Today, people are bible journaling and spending time to paint and doodle beautiful things. Some do scripture writing with fancy doodles and stickers in a journal. Others are scribing the entire bible as a way to study the word. Some spend hours with commentaries and concordances.

The main thing is to study the word. I personally enjoy the creative doodles when I am doing what many call scripture writing. I am not so legalistic that I believe it is wrong to write in my bible. I do highlight and take some small notes in mine. But it gives me a little bit of anxiety to see some of those bibles. I don’t understand how they read the scripture through the paint. Maybe, the bible journaling is just a way to have a flip through of bullet points and they actually read in another bible.

I guess the main point is we need to study the word. Doing all the creative things are great if it keeps you in the word. I actually do bible journal in an actual journal. I do some scripture writing and write down things that I want to remember.

When we get someone that is a new Christian is would be easy for them to get overwhelmed with how to study. It seems like a monumental task to learn sixty-six books. One thing I wish I had known when I first started is the breakdown of those books.

OLD TESTAMENT

LAW: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy are know as the books of the law from the beginning of creation to the point of the Children of Israel entering the promised land.

HISTORY: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. These are books of the history of the Jewish people.

POETRY: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. These books are more metaphorical but contain a lot of wisdom about life and practical living, like honoring God.

MAJOR PROPHETS: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel and Daniel.

These books came to be known as major prophets because of the length of the books. It has nothing to do with the importance of their messages.

MINOR PROPHETS: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.

These books became known as minor prophets because of the length of the books. It has nothing to do with the importance of their message.

NEW TESTAMENT

GOSPELS: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These books are known as the gospels. They cover the life of Christ from before his conception to his ascension into heaven. They are written from the perspectives of these four men who were a part of his twelve disciples.

CHURCH HISTORY: Acts. This one book contains the beginning of the New Testament Church. It contains what the apostles or original disciples did to establish congregations all over that area of the world.

LETTERS: Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Theselonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1, 2 &3 John, Jude.

In Bible times they didn’t have modern communications. They did have written language. In order for the meaning of what they were saying to get from one place to the other they wrote letters. Paul wrote most of the letters but not all. They would contain instruction, clarification of meaning, warnings and encouragement for the church or person they were sending the letter. These letters make up most of the New Testament.

PROPHECY: Revelations. This is the final book in the bible. It contains prophecy of the end times with themes of a catching away of the Bride of Christ (the church). To the anti-Christ taking control of the earth. To satan being cast into the pit of hell.

If you would like a copy of that list, shoot me an email I will send you a PDF.

That guide will give you somewhere to begin to understand what is in the word. There is no wrong way to study the word. I suggest praying before you start for God to give you understanding and wisdom. If you are a brand new Christian I suggest you start with Matthew, Mark, Luke and John they are all about Jesus.

I say that because for several years, I would start with the intention of doing the read through the bible in one year. For several years, I would get stuck in Leviticus, it became about the laws and the sacrifices. It would seem overwhelming to me. I felt like I needed to remember it all. But since I am not Jewish, I am not under the law, I do not have to worry about animal sacrifice for my sin. It makes me so thankful for Jesus, knowing that his sacrifice paid the price for all sin.

In summary, find you a good bible translation. I use the King James Version. I will accept other versions if I compare them to the KJV and the verses mean the same, however some translations are missing verses and the meaning is different.

Ask God for his guidance in prayer before you start studying. Have a bible dictionary handy. If you want to do a deep dive, a concordance.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

As we read and learn about God, we will learn of his spirit that was sent to earth on the day of Pentecost. Which is the beginning of the New Testament Church. That spirit is within anyone born again. God’s Spirit will teach us, He will open our understanding. If we desire a deeper understanding, God will not hide it from us. He wants us to know him in a deeper way.

There is no right and wrong way to learn about God. Because we could never learn everything there is to know, we always have more to learn; which is exciting. Don’t allow the opinion of the world to taint your opinion of God’s word. It is not some outdated old book about history. But it is living and breathing, it will be the best guide you have ever looked at to understand this thing called Life.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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BOLDLY APPROACH THE THRONE

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: Boldly Approach The Throne

I woke yesterday morning to a daily bible verse and short devotional. I have a dear friend that sends them to me daily.

The verse happened to be Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

I have always liked this verse because it says we can come boldly to God. We do not have to be in fear that he will reject us. He will extend his scepter to us every time. He wants to hear what we have to say.

Bold means not hesitating, or fearful in the face of possible danger. In times of kings, no one approached the king without a formal invitation. If they did there were assassins waiting to behead them on the spot. The only way these body guards did not take someone out was for the king to stretch out his scepter. It would be dangerous to approach the throne. But God says, we have access because we are his children, we can come boldly. Without fear and hesitation to make our requests know to our King.

Then I turned on Prophet Julie Green, I listen to her almost every day. The first bible verse she read was, you guessed it, Hebrews 4:16. For the past few days she has been talking about petitioning the courts of heaven for God to return to us what the enemy has stolen. Then she listed a few things like: health, peace, joy, any part of our faith walk and our finances.

I had plans for the day but, I felt God really impress on me to intercede for our country. People are dying every day because of the evil that has taken over this nation. We were founded as one nation under God. That is with a big G not any of the false gods of this world which are little g’s.

As I sat in my office, the spirit of God came over me and I started weeping. He totally wrecked me. I have not been so wrecked by the Spirit of God since I attended a ministry conference over a year ago. I could not stop crying and praying. I spent a long time praying for our nation, praying for lost family, for restoration of thing that needed to be restored. I felt compelled to keep praying for the needs I have on my prayer wall.

Once that anointing left me, I rushed to my computer to write my thoughts down.
I feel like God wants me to encourage you to come boldly to his throne. Take a list of what the enemy has taken from you. Petition the courts of heaven for what you feel needs to be restored to you.

We never know what our prayers may unlock. One example that comes to mind is the story of Hannah. She had a desire to have a child. She didn’t understand the profound effect that child would have on the world. Samuel did many things to restore their people. He returned righteousness to the house of God. He anointed kings, he gave them words of direction from the Lord.

We often have an overwhelming desire for something, but do not realize the heavenly impact of that prayer. All we know is that prayer burns within us. God will use our surrender and our prayer to further the kingdom.

She prayed, then she surrendered her son to the work of the Lord. Her prayer gave birth to the destiny of her nation. What prayer is within you that God wants you to boldly come and petition the court of heaven to receive? What may seem simple to you, may change the destiny of your nation. At the least it will make an impact on your life. Our God is a God of answered prayers.

Phil 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

This means to not worry or be anxious about things, but with thanksgiving we can come boldly to the throne and petition God for his help. We enter his presence with praise and thanksgiving. Once we have that connection is the time to ask God to move upon the situations of our lives.

Psalms 145:3 – Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

His greatness is unsearchable. In other words, it would take more than our lifetime to understand God. He is beyond fully knowing, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t try to understand his vast greatness.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD’S FIRE

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: GOD’S FIRE

What made the burning bush that Moses encountered so special? What made it different from all other bushes? Why did he notice it?

It was on fire but was not destroyed by that fire. God used the fire to get Moses’ attention. How will God get people’s attention today? He will send down the fire. The church for too long has denied the power of God. If people cannot control it, they don’t want it.

Our God is a consuming fire. He burns out all that within us that is not of him. This is why our trials are called fiery trials. Because they are purifying us. But the fire I want to talk about is the fire of God.

The children of Israel were led by a pillar of fire. It also was there standing wall between them and the enemy. It gave light to God’s people and brought darkness to the enemy.

Just as the blood of the lamb on the door post represented Jesus atonement for sin. This pillar of fire represented the Holy Ghost that was given on the day of Pentecost. This fire from God will be our guide.

We have to allow the Spirit of God to lead us. For too long we have had our programs and ideas of what church should be like, it is so programmed that there is not time for God to move and do what He wants to do for his people.

So the pillar of fire that goes before us, is God’s Spirit. The separation from our enemy is also the spirit of God. If it was not for God we would be overtaken by the enemy.

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

The Spirit will lift up a flood wall to keep us from being overtaken. We need the fire of God in our life. Most of you will relate to the little lady on the movie War Room. She is fiery, and I am sure the enemy shakes in his shoes when she wakes up in the morning.

If we can catch on fire, our fire will produce light that will shine out and others will see that we are different. That fire will not destroy us. We will be like the burning bush God used to talk to Moses. We will shine, but will not be destroyed. There were probably many bushes around but the only one that caught Moses’ attention was the one on fire. It was the only one God used to talk out of.

We can no longer be a body of lip service. We have to be the body of God’s light. We have to be able to pray for people and God will move in their lives. Many needs delivered from horrible situations. Only God can help them, it is beyond our human capacity to help most of them, but God can deliver. He can save, heal, deliver and set free. But only if someone catches fire.

Matt 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

A candle will not light a room without fire. We need God’s holy fire to be stirred up in us. A camp fire will die down to only a few embers, but as long as the coals are hot the fire can burn again by adding some wood and blowing gently on the coals.

As the body, it is time we throw some wood on the fire of revival. Ask God to send the gentle breeze of his breath to cause the tiny coals we still have to turn into a roaring fire of revival once again.

Just as Elijah called fire down from heaven to prove his God. We too can be a fire starter. Many people on the mountain that day needed to see that God was real. We need to be the ones today that shows them he is not just a fairy tale from an old outdated book. This time the sacrifice is not a bull, like it was in Elijah’s day, but it is our praise and worship. It is about our relationship with the one true and living God. If we make ourselves a living sacrifice like the word says, we can be that light God wants us to be.

The world is waiting to see some light. They are needing the warmth to step out of the coldness and cruelty.

Ask God to make you his mouthpiece, allow you to be the on fire tree that is a light to someone. The world needs the church to be that beacon of hope full of God’s holy fire, once again.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 186 THE WAY OUT

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: THE WAY OUT

We often find ourselves in the middle of trial. These things happen for many reasons. It doesn’t matter how bad the trial, we can worship our way out. The word says that God inhabits the praise of his people. Praise and worship gets his attention.

We do not worship in an action only, as if to butter up God for a favor. He is not one to be manipulated. But if we can learn to praise him, from a sincere place in our hearts, he will come to our prisons of trouble, he will shake the jail and set us free.

I said it that way, because that is what happened to Paul and Silas. They had been taken prisoner for preaching the gospel. Other believers gathered to pray on their behalf.

Acts 16:22-24 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

Paul and Silas went about doing good. They had cast a devil out of a woman who was being forced to basically be a fortune teller. But once that spirit was cast out of her, she could no longer make money for her masters. They stirred up the people against them and they were thrown into jail.

What would we do in their position? Would we complain about how much our backs hurt from our beating? Would we have a pity party and sit in the dark jail until someone bailed us out?

Acts 16:25-26 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.

Notice God shook the foundations of the prison, then the doors were open. The doors of all of them were opened. Then he loosed their bands. It took a shaking of the foundation to set them free. Sometimes we build our lives on things that are not the right foundation and God has got to shake the foundation to set us free from our prison.

For example: I keep feeling like God is calling for unity in the body of Christ. God is shaking the foundation of our religion so that we can be set free to just be His body. This is something everyone of us needs to be praying, “Lord remove religion and help me to see you in a deeper way. I want to walk in your ways and not be bound by man’s traditions and man’s religion.”

Acts 16:27-30 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

People are watching our lives. They see us in our storms and wonder how we are even breathing at times. When a tragedy hits us and we are stuck in the prison of our pain, sickness or grief for a season. But if we can keep praising God in the middle of our pain and our prison, God will set us free and use that to help others find Him.

When this jailor realized that he would not be executed for letting the prisoners escape he came and fell down before them and asked them to introduce him to Jesus.

We never know how strong we can be until we are faced with the trials of life. But if we face them with prayer and praise. God can use our dark times to set free those around us who are bound. We will be able to be a witness for the cause of Christ if we can just learn to worship and war with prayer and praise.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 185 WORSHIP THE LORD

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: WORSHIP THE LORD

Never before in history do we need God’s presence like we need him today. It is impossible to turn on the TV, look at social media or even go to the grocery store without being bombarded by evil. The enemy has ramped up his spiritual attacks on everyone. He is determined to destroy the next generation. But God has other plans.

No one has a bigger heart for children than our God. He loves that they are completely honest and open. But their innocence and honesty sometime is a handicap when it comes to satan. But it is not just children that do not know how to handle the enemy. Many of us as adults struggle with it.

How can we get to a place that God will be there and listen when we call? It is all about our relationship with him. Once we are saved, that is not a place that we can get comfortable and sit down and wait until the rapture. That is the beginning of our work here on earth. We are called to go make disciples or followers of Christ. We cannot do that if we do not have a real relationship with him.

Opening our bibles only on Sunday and only praying over our food is not enough to really build a relationship.

Psalm 145:18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

We cannot have a relationship with someone we do not ever talk to, the same way goes for God. We need to spend time with him getting to know him. He inhabits the praise of his people. He wants us to worship him. We need to lavish love upon him.

Imagine being engaged to someone who only wanted to be kind to you when they wanted you to do something for them. What kind of a relationship would that be; not a very good one. But I am sure God feels like we don’t care unless we need him to fix something that is wrong in our lives.

Our prayer sessions are all about the needs of us and others. But do we stop and listen for him to speak?

Worship is the key that opens the door to everything else in the spirit realm. We open ourselves up to whatever we worship. If that is God or our evil enemy, worship draws us closer to what we praise.

Isaiah 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

We are living in a day and time when God will not accept less than our whole heart. When we give our heart to Jesus, we cannot take any of it back to walk in the ways of the world.

We have been given his promise to seal our marriage contract. He gave us the Holy Ghost to be our engagement ring. The first fruits and down payment.

2 Cor. 1-20-22 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

The earnest of the Spirit, means our downpayment of His Spirit working in our lives.

God wants our worship more than that of the angels. They were created to worship. God created us for friendship, to have a relationship with him. Then sin entered our world. Now we have to connect to God through worship and prayer.

The book of Psalms is full of beautiful passages about praise. David learned in isolation what it would take to carry him when he stepped out in faith to walk in his calling. We all have things God has created us to do.

He will show us the way if we fellowship with him in times of worship. Every day is a new chance to raise our hands in praise and thanksgiving. Church, we are in the home stretch, the finish line is in sight, how will we finish our race? How many sheaves will we bring along in our harvest baskets?

It is all about Jesus and it is all about helping the lost give their hearts to Jesus. Not in word only, but to truly, fully, openly, to be 100% sold out to the cause of Christ.

Worship will light the fire in our hearts to go out and share what wonderful things God has done for us. I pray that God lights you up so brightly that you reach your area of influence. The harvest is ready and there are few laborers to gather them into the barns. Go out and make a difference in someone’s world today.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 183 HIDDEN TREASURE

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: HIDDEN TREASURE

Prov 2:4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

Prov 2:5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

This is encouraging to me and should be to you too. We are on our way to gaining wisdom and understanding, when we search for it. God wants to give his people so much, but we are not ready. We are not wise enough or mature enough to carry the weight of what he wants to share with us. Because we have allowed for too long a watered down message to be prevalent in our pulpits.

God will give us what we can handle; if we seek wisdom and understanding. This chapter says if we look for it as a hidden treasure, then he will give us knowledge and understanding.

When I hear the phrase hidden treasure, I think about it being something that has to be searched for by studying our guide or map to find it. Then once the spot is located, there is a lot of digging to get to the pearl of wisdom or the treasure chest of understanding.

Verse 7 says he is a buckler. When the bible was written that was a common word everyone understood. Today many people would look at you strange if you said God, was your buckler. Part of digging for that treasure is understanding the time in which the text was written. A good bible dictionary is one of our best tools.

A buckler was a small shield worn normally on the left arm to protect not only the upper body but the sword hand from enemy attack. Our bible is our sword. As we use our sword, God will be our shield, to protect our work. To keep us from falling prey to the enemy. When the enemy starts throwing his darts, God is our defense.

Psalm 91: 4-7 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.

It does not matter the size of the enemy. Look at David and Goliath. God doesn’t care how big our enemy is, because he is bigger and far more powerful. Another place in the word says he is our our defender. It doesn’t matter how bad things appear, he will protect his people. He loves us so much that he sends his angels to protect us.

Psalm 91: 11-12 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.

He will keep us on the right path if we seek him and allow him to guide us. He will shine a light on our path. That will help us to find the hidden treasures of wisdom and understanding.

How have you improved your understanding lately? Are you studying his word and asking for wisdom? The word says if we seek we will find, if we knock it will be opened to us. What plan can be put in place today to help you find what you seek? There are several tools: daily devotionals, bible studies, bible journaling and scripture writing, listening to mid-week podcasts. None of it should be done without asking God for his understanding to flow.

1Peter 3:15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

We cannot tell anyone else about the great treasure we have found, if we lack understanding about what we have found. The hope we have even when the storms of life rage, the hope we have when we are standing at a loved ones grave the hope that when we leave this life, heaven is waiting for us. Our hope comes from the Lord and understanding his promises in his word.

In other words, we cannot be an effective witness, if we do not know the word of the Lord. In digging for the hidden treasures inside the pages of our sacred book, we find God and learn about his character. We learn to look at ourselves through the lens of the scriptures.

I have found the more I dig into the word, the deeper my faith and hope grows. I understand that many of the hidden treasures written there are not hidden deep. God wants us to find them and he wants us to truly know Him. In prayer and study, we can be transformed from who we are in the world to who we are in Christ.

Ponder the hidden gems of God’s wisdom, then get out your road map and start looking for direction.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 180 –SOW GOOD SEED

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: SOWING GOOD SEED

As Christians we often speak about the golden rule, do unto other as you would have them do unto you. Today I want to talk to you about another rule of God’s word, you will reap what you sow. Meaning whatever we invest into our spiritual walk, that is what will guide our life. Our life becomes the fruit or product of our spiritual walk. If we invest in our relationship with God, we will reap in many areas.

I was reading Matthew Chapter 5 this morning. I never thought about what is normally known as the beatitudes, many can be something we sow in our lives.

Matt 5:1-12 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: ²And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, ³Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.⁴Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. ⁵Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

If we sow meekness, we will reap from God’s hand; we will inherit the earth.

⁶Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Starting with verse six, if we sow in hunger for God’s ways, his righteousness, we will reap in having that hunger filled.

⁷Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. ⁸Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

If we sow mercy, we will receive mercy. If our heart is set on God and his will, we will have a pure heart. God can use a heart that is pure and doesn’t have any deception in it.

⁹Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

We are called to be peacemakers. If we sow in peace, we will reap in peace.

¹⁰Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. ¹²Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Then comes the ones we don’t want to talk about, Being persecuted, falsely accused and had evil lies spread about us. We are to stand against it by not defending ourselves. If we do not defend ourselves, God will fight our battles for us.

He will shut the mouth of the accuser.

Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

With God on our side we do not have to go out and try to defend ourselves. God is our defense.

It is hard to take the high road at times. Our flesh wants to get scrappy with people. But we have to walk in our humility and keep our head up high. The only opinion that matters is what God thinks. We are to continue on doing God’s will and he will take care of the rest.

We are in serious times, now is not the time to be playing games. Now is not the time to sit on the fence. We are either Children of the Most High God, or we are the children of darkness. There is no middle ground.

It is time that we examine ourselves and look to see which side of the fence we are on. Are we sowing the right seeds in our lives? Are we daily sowing prayer seeds that will bring forth God’s blessings, power and strength in our lives?

Time is short, we want to hear him say, “Well Done” the saddest thing to ever hear is “depart from me I never knew you” I pray that you think about it and do something this weekend to strengthen your faith walk.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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