Tag: #Jesus

EPISODE 215 A MOMENT OF DECISION

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The title of today’s episode: A MOMENT OF DECISION

As Christian’s we face many hard decisions as we travel this road of life. I often think about Elijah on Mt. Carmel asking them to choose who they will serve. I think that is a good question to start today’s post. Who is on the Lord’s side?

My first video was on location from Cape Henry, Va. I stood near the sight of the landing of the original settlers of Jamestown. They landed April 29, 1607. One Hundred Sixty Nine years before our revolutionary war. These people were people of great faith. It would take faith to get on a ship without any guarantee that you would ever see land again. But they loaded their families, a few belongings, their bibles and their faith and set sail. They wanted the right to worship God as they chose, without religious persecution.

When they landed Robert Hunt, their spiritual leader called a fast. They fasted and prayed before disembarking from their ship. The first day off the ship they erected a cross on the beach and Robert Hunt made a covenant of dedication.

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We do hereby dedicate this Land, and ourselves, to reach the People within these shores with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to raise up Godly generations after us, and with these generations take the Kingdom of God to all the earth. May this Covenant of Dedication remain to all generations, as long as this earth remains, and may this Land, along with England, be Evangelist to the World. May all who see this Cross, remember what we have done here, and may those who come here to inhabit join us in this Covenant and in this most noble work that the Holy Scriptures may be fulfilled.

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After the prayer, they read the following Bible passage: “All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the Lord’s and he ruleth among the nations” (Psalm 22:27-28).

People today would like to tell Americans that we were not founded on faith. We were never a Christian nation. They have tried to wipe out the real history. They no longer teach civics in school, because they do not want the next generation to know the rights they have been given under the Constitution of the United States. It is up to each of us to ring the bell of freedom. It is up to each of us to stand strong for the foundation of our country and our faith. The Lord ruleth among the nations.

Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Our nation will not survive without godly principles. It will not survive unless we grow a backbone and stand up for what is right. The narrative today is a separation of church and state. They say Christians shouldn’t be involved in politics. Some Christians say, “I am not going to vote, God will put whoever he wants in there anyway.” But these things are not true.

One, the separation of church and state was created to keep the government from setting up a religion and expecting all the citizens to attend that church. Like the church of England was doing. This is why many fled from Europe to come here for freedom of religion. It is to keep the government out of church, not God out of government.

As for the attitude that some have about God putting whoever in office he wants, we still have to come in alignment with God’s plan and vote. It is our right and responsibility to choose the next leaders of our country.

There is a lack of faith in election integrity. I understand the frustration as an American. But not voting because some may try to cheat is like saying, “I don’t care, do what you want to do.” At least by voting, we have done everything possible to make things go right. Then we pray and leave the rest to God.

I Tim. 2:1-4 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Paul told Timothy to pray for those in authority. That doing this is good an acceptable in the sight of God. This will help us to see souls saved. We have to lead by example.

I shared all of this to encourage you to not fail to fulfill your duty as an American Citizen and as a Child of God. We don’t have the luxury to vote for a party. We have to vote for Christian values according to the word of God. The truth of God’s word is the party line I am sticking to this year.

I ask that you pray about the right choices. Do your research and know the truth. God will reveal the truth if we ask Him. He can guide us to make the right choices. Our country was founded on One Nation Under God. Many have fought and died for our freedom to vote. Not voting is like spitting on the grave of every veteran who didn’t come home and all those who came home, never to be the same again.

There is a movement to stop whatever you are doing today at six o’clock pm and pray for our country. Send up prayers that our elections will be one of integrity. That God’s will prevails and America will come into alignment with God’s will. Pray about the choices we have on the ballot. Then go out and do your Christian Duty and vote.

God is with us and will be with us as long as we choose to walk with Him. We have the choice, do we walk with Jesus or do we turn our backs and allow satan to have free reign?

As Joshua bold stood and declared before the children of Israel.

Joshua 24:15 “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

The choice I make is, I choose Jesus. I will serve the Lord.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 214 NEVER ALONE

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The title of today’s episode: NEVER ALONE

Today, I want to share with you are few thoughts about our hope. There is a basic difference between God’s children and those who walk in darkness. We always have God to lean on, we know he’s got our backs. There is nothing that we will face that he cannot see us through. We have this hope, that he will never leave us to deal with things on our own.

Those in the world have to prepare for every contingency. They have no one to rely on but themselves. If they fail, they are in big trouble.

When I was a child, I thought God could do anything. I had great faith. Then as I got older and God said no a few times, that belief was shaken for a while. Then I spent a year or two in a church that messed with my theology. The things I thought I knew about God was tainted by judgmental attitudes and man-made religion.

If you attend week after week and you feel worse on your way home than you did before you went, you probably need to pray about changing churches. Not every body of believers are walking as God’s body. But don’t go to the far extreme either, no place is perfect because it is made up of imperfect people. There has to be a balance.

But God has cleansed me from the damage done by religion. Every day, I grow closer to Him. I have learned that our faith walk is less about religion and denominations and more about our individual connections to the God of the universe; the one that shed his blood for us.

We are living in amazing times. I know that every past generation has felt like their generation will be the one to see the rapture of the church. But prophecy is aligning, and we are not far from everything being in place for that to happen. But first, a great harvest of souls.

God is waiting for us to yield fully to him. We have a lot of work to do in a short time. God will pour out His Spirit to help us. I get excited just thinking about it. But first, we have to walk through a few rough spots. God is pulling down evil and that will not happen quietly. We cannot allow ourselves to get caught up in the things of this life. We have to keep our eyes on Jesus.

Isaiah 45:2-3 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: 3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

God says he will go before us and make the crooked places straight. He said he would give us the treasures of darkness. He is going to give his children the spoils of the enemy. We will be able to take back everything the enemy has taken from us. Our peace, our health, our strength, our joy and our wealth. He will give us treasures of darkness. He is our restorer and the lifter of our heads.

Psalm 139:1-3 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

There is nowhere that we can go to get away from God. There is peace in knowing that he is watching over us. He knows us and cares about what we care about.

John 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

When Jesus was getting ready to leave his disciples he told them he would send them a comforter, a companion, His Spirit. This Spirit called the Holy Ghost abides and lives within everyone that is born again. He will lead us and guide us into all truth, as long as we let him lead us.

There is great comfort in knowing we are not alone. We don’t have to face our troubles alone. God is always there, never failing, always working things out for our good. All we have to do is trust in him.

I hope you spend some time thinking about how much He loves you. I hope this has encouraged you to draw closer by praying and studying his word.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 213 BREAKING FREE

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The title of today’s episode: BREAKING FREE

Yesterday, I talked to you about being oppressed and how Christians should not participate in things that this world promotes. Another thing that has become popular and I have noticed it worked into several television shows lately. They say burning sage cleanses the room or home of evil spirits, but it is quite the opposite, it actually attracts the enemy. I am sure by now some of you think that I have lost my mind and that is fine. It is easier to pretend evil doesn’t exist.

We no longer have the luxury of burying our heads in the sand and pretending all is well. Evil is all around us, it is time we take a stand. It is time we take back our territory.

We allow the enemy to get a stronghold in our lives. Then we are caught in a dilemma, we face a lot of struggles because of the stronghold. But the enemy can only keep us bound as long as we let him. We have the power at any time to walk away. But it takes prayer and a great show of strength. We have to fight for our freedom from his bondage.

Making the choice is not easy. If it were easy, it would not be a prison. But Jesus is waiting for us to ask him to set us free. He knows when we really mean it and when we are just playing with the enemy. The word says if we resist the devil he will flee. We just have to choose to resist and ask to be set free.

Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

Jesus came to set us free in every way possible. All we have to do is release it to him. Which is easy and hard at the same time. This is why the word says that the flesh wars with the spirit. Our spirit is ready to be free, but our flesh is holding onto whatever the enemy is using to bind us up. Again, all it takes is for us to release that thing that is binding us up, to Jesus.

Col 2:21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Paul was telling the church to not handle, taste or touch the unclean thing that came from commandments and doctrines of men. The Pharisees did all sorts of evil in the name of doing good. Paul didn’t want the church to get caught up in man’s doctrines and the things of the flesh. We are to not handle, taste or touch sin, even in the name of good works.

Again today I remind you of the questions we should all be asking, How close can I get to Jesus? The closer we walk to him the less likely we will be to fall into things that cause us to get snared by our enemy.

But never forget, that we are human, and if you find yourself caught in a snare, stop, the more you struggle the tighter the grip of the enemy. Make up your mind to let go even if you don’t want to, then ask God to break you free.

Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

Have hope, be encouraged, God will give you strength. But we must fully yield and fully trust in him. If you are on the side of the Lord, you will never lose. God wins and satan always loses. As Tim Sheets says, He is the forever loser. You can be set free, the choice is yours.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 212 OPPRESSION

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The title of today’s episode: Oppression

Today I want to talk to you about oppression. Oppression means that a person is being controlled by prolonged unjust and cruel treatment. We think about communist countries and how their people are oppressed. We may think of the millions of people are being held against their will and are being forced into all sort of cruel treatment.

But I want to talk to you about spiritual oppression. It is possible for a child of God to be oppressed by the devil. If we are filled with God’s Spirit we cannot be possessed by the enemy, but we can be oppressed. Many things in life can open up opportunities for the enemy to come in and oppress us.

He sends spirits to try to distract us from our appointed duties. He will use fear, anxiety, depression, anger to control us. It is hard to sum up this subject in just a few minutes. I grew up in church, but we were never taught about how we can open portals to the enemy. Music, entertainment, the way we speak, doing things like yoga, astrology, psychic readings, and celebrating Halloween.

I know many think that yoga is just breathing and relaxing the muscles and the mind. But in doing this practice you are opening yourself up to being controlled by a spirit. Don’t take my word for it, research for yourself.

You may not think it’s a big deal to own a Buddha statue, or statues of wizards, dragons and witches. But spirits are often attached to these things. When you bring them into your home, you are opening your home to the enemy. You are giving him legal rights to torment you.

Halloween is an all-out holiday of real witches. I am not talking about the ones on television that are green with big warts on their noses. Ones with pointy hats and are afraid of water. There are people that practice the arts of darkness. They have opened their lives up to the evil things of the world. Satan is their god. The very ritual of dressing up as something that you are not is in its very nature deceptive. But many Christians every year allow themselves to be drawn into the enemy’s trap.

Let me say, I would never mistreat a child that came to my door dressed like their favorite cartoon or candy bar. As Christians, it is our responsibility to show kindness. Children don’t understand, to them, it is just dressing up and getting candy. It is all about the candy.

But we have to understand as Christians that Halloween is evil. The same people who don’t want to hear about the blood Jesus shed on the cross because it is too gruesome or graphic, are the first ones in line for the next horror movie. The people that make these movies are evil. They have real witches on set casting spells and then people willing to submit themselves to take it all into their spirit by watching.

Psalm 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

We are supposed to come out from among the evil and be set apart for the good of God. We are not supposed to allow our spirit to take in the evil of this world. There is nothing new under the sun. God’s people have always struggled with staying away from evil and keeping themselves pure. How many times did Israel go after false gods?

For many years, even as an adult Christian, I didn’t understand a lot of the things that I am starting to learn. Like for many years, I didn’t realize that all the false gods of the bible are backed by real spirits. Of course, they are all evil spirits, but I thought that these people just made up a religion and built a statue to have something that they could see.

When the word says we do not fight against flesh and blood, but spiritual wickedness in high places, it is referring to all the false gods of this world and the spirits behind them. In bible times they always built their altars to the false gods in high groves and high places.

It is time we walk closer to God. People always want to know how close they can walk to the world and still make it. That is the wrong question. We need to change our mindsets and ask How close can I walk to Jesus.

God will set us free from spiritual oppression if we ask him to, ask that he reveal places that you have opened to the enemy. They tell him you want the access to the enemy closed. Repent of allowing him in and ask for God to set you free. He will break the chains of oppression and set you free.

This was not my typical words of encouragement, but it was something that I felt needed to be said, many people are opening doors to things they are not equipped to deal with, then end up bound.

Prov 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

If we can keep our hearts right, the enemy will not be able to get a stronghold. He will not be able to oppress us if we can keep our minds on Jesus. I am completely convinced if we can keep our God Focus and not allow the things of this life to take control, we will prevail.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 211 WHO ARE YOU?

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: WHO ARE YOU?

There is a lot of talk about identity. People are constantly questioning who they are and who they are meant to be in the future. They allow the world to define them by their looks, money and job title. We are also defined by our character and work ethics.

Many companies take advantage of people who are hungry to climb the corporate ladder. These people sacrifice twelve and fifteen hours a day on the alter of corporate greed. Each time a new project comes up they are promised a promotion, only to be passed up for someone who is a drinking buddy of the boss. Where do Christians fit in in this crazy rat race. We value time with family and to do ministry over devoting ourselves fully to the God of corporate greed.

We realize that our identity is not in our looks, money, job title or what kind of car we drive, but our identity is in the Lord. We lay our lives on the altar of doing God’s will. That will looks different each day. Sometimes we are called to serve, other times we are called to encourage. Listening for God’s leading is what is important.

This was prompted by a woman that I know. She said she felt like she didn’t do anything for God. When I questioned her further she brought up that her sister in law taught Sunday School to the children for many years. She had never done that so she was feeling like she had not ministers to anyone. I know for a fact that this woman and her husband have given not only tithes faithfully to the church but generous offerings. I know of many meals she has prepared and taken to people that just went through surgery or a loss of family. She writes notes of encouragement to people and many other things. All of this without wanting draw attention to herself. I reminded her of this fact. Not all of us are called to stand behind a pulpit, but we are all called to share the gospel. Not all are called to be Sunday School teachers, but like my friend, she taught her sons to love God.

We cannot allow the enemy to drag us down or tell us that we do not have an identity. He would love nothing more than to get us depressed about our status in life and our identity. If he can cause us to doubt who we are, then he can keep us from stepping into who God wants us to be in the next season of our lives.

There is no doubt the church is on the brink of some major changes. But they will be for the good. The line is being drawn and the fence is too high to straddle any longer, we have to pick a side. Will we be defined by the things of this life? Will we allow Satan to tear us down by telling us we are not a good enough Christian? Will we allow the politically correct of this world define us?

It is time we check the fence. Are we on the inside where God is? If not it is time we get inside the safety of God’s yard.

Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

There is a whole lesson on that one verse about being in the presence of the Lord. Being thankful gets you in the gate, but we have to go further to get to him, we need to enter his presence with praise. There is a difference in being thankful and worshipping from the heart. Worship makes that heart connection.

It is going to take us being 100% sold out to Jesus. Like those people who work those crazy hours for a promotion on the job. We need to be sold out to our job of furthering the cause of Christ. There is a big dying world that needs us to step up.

Our identity and all our hope should be in Jesus. If we know who we are in Him, we will not be confused about our identity. So, I ask again, Who Are You?

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 210 PSALM 27

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The title of today’s episode: PSALM 27

27 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? We have no reason to fear because the Lord is with us.

2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

David said that even though a large group come against him. He would not fear. We are in a battle for the soul of our nation. We are in the biggest battle of our lifetime. Far too long we have looked at what the enemy is doing. It is time we stop looking at what he is doing and start looking to Jesus the author of our stories.

4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

We all know the story of the one who build their house on a firm foundation. As long as we are on solid ground, God will protect us and our house will be solid. It is when we allow the cares of this life to chip away at our foundation that we risk falling into temptation and sin.

Keeping our focus on God will assure that we stay on that solid rock.

6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord. 7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.

Not everyone seeks God’s face, many seek his hand. But he desires that we seek his face.

9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. 11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

Lead me in the plain path. The simple path. The enemy will paint pretty pictures of the wrong path. It is paved with all sorts of shiny luring things to cause us to go the wrong way. It would be easy to be deceived, except we have the Lord to lead the way. He will lead us in all truth.

12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. 13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

It is easy to get battle weary and want to rush ahead of God’s will. If we can learn to wait on him and keep our faith, he will give us strength.

I want to encourage you to not look at how things appear, but how we believe God is going to make them. We walk by faith and light, not darkness and the deception of the enemy.

Stand strong and be courageous. We are in a battle, but we will win, as long as we are on the right side and that side is the side of the Lord.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 209 KNOWING GOD’S VOICE

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The title of today’s episode: KNOWING GOD’S VOICE

Today I want to talk about God’s voice. It is the most powerful thing in the universe. His voice spoke the world into existence. The word says if we are his sheep, we will know his voice. But we do not start out knowing God’s voice. It is a process of learning to follow the leading of His Spirit. Although God can speak in an audible voice like he did Moses from the burning bush, most of the time it is a gentle nudge in your spirit. It is a thought in your mind.

Learning to discern between our thoughts, the enemy’s noise and what God is speaking to us, is a process. God will tell us to do something, and the enemy will immediately start telling us why we shouldn’t. The more we ask for God to speak to us, the better we will learn his voice.

John 10:4-5 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

If we are his sheep we will know his voice, he goes before us and we follow him. We will not follow a stranger because we do not know his voice. In this life there are many voices competing for our attention. The enemy has many voices that try to sway us. But if we can learn to know God’s voice, we will never go astray. Sheep normally stay close to their shepherd.

When lambs are born, the shepherd makes sure to spend time talking to the sheep. That way they know his voice. In the long run, it will help when the sheep gets out in the field. There may be other voices, but he will always find his shepherd.

Jeremiah 33:3 – Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

God has promised to not only answer but that he will show us great things. When it comes to the things of God, a lot falls under the category of the miraculous. We have to be able to hear him when he answers us.

Romans 10:17 – So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

We can hear God through his word. The word reinforces our faith and our understanding of God. I am sure that most Christians have experienced the right verse at the right time. This is one way God speaks to us. The more we know his character the easier it becomes to discern the voices we hear. For example: We know that God’s word tells us to not lie. If we hear a voice telling us to lie, we can discern that is the enemy instead of God. But if we didn’t know the word of God said that we are not to lie, it may be harder to discern his voice.

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Part of knowing God’s voice is having quiet time to be still and listen for his voice. Because we never want to go where he doesn’t not lead, it is important that we learn to follow his voice. He will lead us into all truth and righteousness, but we have to be willing to follow his leading.

There is nothing we face that he will not see us through if we lean on him and allow him to lead the way.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 208 BEING REAL

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The title of today’s episode: Being Real

What can I say to make a difference in your life? What small nugget of wisdom can I share that will make your day better? I can tell you that God is good. That he died to set us free. There is joy in service Jesus. But if I am not walking in that freedom, it may seem like a slogan. Only in seeing others free will the lost understand God’s freedom.

The same goes for every aspect of Christian life. We can tell people all we want to about Jesus, but most need to see it. They need to know that there are real people that are living and walking out their faith. Being real before God and man is our duty as Christians. When we tell others there is joy in serving Jesus, it better be showing on our faces.

Some Christians walk around downtrodden all the time. They are overburdened and never show any spark of Joy. These are the Christians that are in man’s bondage with legalism and religion. If you know someone for five years and they say they are a Christian and they never seems like there is any joy in their life they are bound by man’s religion and need set free. I am not saying as a Christian we will not have down times and sadness. But even in the worst grief and pain there is still God’s peace and his joy.

Now more than at any time before the world needs see us to being real. Not self-righteous, not religious, not someone who gives the gospel or Jesus lip service. We have to be sold out, all in, on fire, living and walking by faith. Everything we do and say should be to glorify God. Our lives are not our own.

I Cor 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

People can listen to sermons all day long, but it means nothing if it is not applied to their lives.

James 1:22-27 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was, 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

The word tells us to be a doer and not just a hearer of the word. It must be applied to our lives or we will remain the same person we were before. God’s word has the power to transform lives, but we also have the power to resist God’s leading.

This says if we are a hearer and not a doer we are like a man that looks in a mirror. For a moment when we hear the word we see where we stand with God. In other words things become clear. But if the man walks away, he doesn’t remember what he looked like. The same can be said for those of us that do not allow the word to change us. If we are a hearer and not a doer we will never know what we could have become.

It comes down to this, are we going to make an effort to allow the word to change us. Will we let it penetrate to our hearts and make changes. When these changes happen others will take notice. It will make us better witnesses.

We want to be the kind of Christians people know they can count on to be prayer warriors when they need God to move. The kind of people that will tell them the truth, even if it is not what they want to hear. We need to be the type of Christian that makes a difference in the world.

Ask yourself today if you are a hearer or a doer. Does the world know you are the real deal? Do they know that you are Christian in name only?

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 207 BIRTHRIGHT

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: BIRTHRIGHT

Down through the ages, when the father would pass away, the firstborn son was in the position of being the head of the family. He would inherit most of the wealth of the family. He would be in charge of taking care of his widowed mother. Any unmarried sisters would have to have his permission to marry. It was his birthright. The sons who were born, second or after received property and other things, but didn’t have the authority as head of the family.

I was reading the story of Issac’s sons, Essau and Jacob. As I read the part of the story that said he sold his birthright for a bowl of beans. I thought about how crazy that was, he gave up long term wealth and security. He gave up being in a position of making a difference in the world for a moment of fulfilling his appetite.

As I pondered this, I started thinking about how we as children of God all have been given a birthright. All of us who are born again are on even ground. We are all going to inherit our father’s kingdom. Unless we give up our birthright and walk away from God.

Essau was hungry. That was an appetite of the flesh. He didn’t care what he had to give up, he just wanted that hunger satisfied. It is the same way with people today. Our flesh sometimes wants things that are sinful. The enemy has bombarded us for so long that sometimes in a moment of weakness, we yield to our flesh. In committing that sin, we are giving up our birthright, we are treating the cross like it is unimportant. Like Essau he was hungry for food again a few hours later. Giving up his birthright didn’t fix that hunger long term. Neither does giving into a sinful desire.

Essau couldn’t get his birthright back. We, however, can if we repent of our sins. Grace is not something to be treated like a get our of jail free card. In America we have heard the story of the cross so much that we have become desensitized to the horror that Christ suffered. If we truly love God, and are truly saved we will not want to walk in the flesh. We will not want to hurt Jesus by being nonchalant about sin. I am not saying that we are perfect, but we need to do all we can to walk fully aware of the enemy’s tactics. We do have power to resist the devil. The word says if we resist him, he has to flee. It all comes down to our willingness to walk like a child of God.

We cannot keep temptation from coming our way. We cannot keep the enemy from trying to find our weakness. But we can stay in the word and walk as close as possible to God. If we keep our mind on Jesus, the enemy has less of our attention to intrude upon.

Think about what Essau gave up, his grandfather Abraham was blessed and had great wealth. That wealth became Issac’s when Abraham was gone. Essau gave up land, cattle, sheep, servants and great wealth because he didn’t take seriously his position in life. He didn’t truly accept his place in the family.

I try to stay positive and encouraging. But this message has been heavy on me. I feel like someone is at that point of decision. Will you keep your place in the family, holding on to your birthright or are you going to give it up for a moment of sin. There may not be a chance to come back from it. Life can turn on a dime, we never know when our time is up. I would not be doing what God wants if I didn’t warn you to yield to God. Don’t give into the things of this world.

As I was studying this God said ask them where will they be when the music stops, will they have a seat at the table. I immediately thought of a game we played as children; musical chairs. There would be enough chairs for everyone in the group but one. When the music stopped the last one that didn’t get a seat was eliminated.

There are only enough seats at the marriage supper of the lamb for those who are saved. We don’t want to lose our seat at the table because we have willfully and blatantly committed sin without repentance. I don’t want anyone’s blood required at my hand. So, I have to give you a warning today. Don’t wait too late to yield your lives fully to Jesus. He is faithful to forgive us if we repent.

Many think to repent means to say, I am sorry for the sin I have committed. But it has to be a heart felt sorry, not just lip service. Repent also means we will turn away from that sin and not look back. Repentance comes from deep within, when you realize you have broken God’s laws and his heart. It should break our heart and we should truly be sorry.

I often say, saying the sinner’s prayer is like a bunch of words to most people. It doesn’t cause true change, it is a temporary band aid, but soon they are right back to their sinful life. Because the words do not sink in, they do not cause real change. The example I use is this, when I was in elementary school, we started the day with the pledge of allegiance. But until I was a lot older, I didn’t understand what those words even meant. I feel the same goes for most people that say the sinners prayer. I am sure that there are a few that are the exception. That it was a start for them to learn to become a follower of Jesus. But at some point they have truly cried out from their heart for God to make changes in them and save them from their sins.

It comes down to this, I have learned over the years that being a Christian is less about the Chirstian things and rituals and more about connecting on a personal level with the creator of the universe. The one true and living God that died on a cross for me and for you. I don’t want to see anyone sell their birthright. The one that Jesus paid a high price to obtain for us. Not for something fleeting, a momentary satisfaction of sin. Idon’t want to see anyone not have a chair at the supper table when Jesus calls us to the marriage supper.

I ask, where will you be when the music stops? Or will you be when the trumpet sounds? Where will you be when you take your last breath? Will you have a place at Jesus’s table?

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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EPISODE 206 NOT DRAWN AWAY

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO VERSION: https://youtu.be/hDbyc9Xgm7Y

WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: NOT DRAWN AWAY

There is an old phrase that says, “curiosity killed the cat” It originated before the end of the 1600’s. The meaning was a warning to not be nosy or too drawn to experimentation. It implies that being overly curious can lead to danger.

Human beings, especially young adults today are drawn to try all sort of things, from drugs and alcohol to all sorts of sinful experimentation. All too often when we become curious about the things of this life, we end up in a mess. Many people have lost their lives by trying drugs just once.

Sheep are curious and often want to see what is on the other side of the fence. They are not well established without a shepherd. If we are not well established in our faith, we will be easily drawn away. This is why we need to be rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ. So that curiosity about the things of this life will not draw us away.

The old saying the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence, means with every situation it is not always as pretty a picture as satan tries to paint it. God is the master painter. We can trust what he paints for our lives to be a masterpiece. He can paint the peace and joy that we really need in our lives.

James 1:14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. This verse is referring to eternal death or spiritual death, but there are times that sin turns into physical death also.

It is not a sin to be tempted. Only when we are drawn away and that lust is carried out is it sin. Satan will constantly try to draw us away from God. Especially, if he knows we are serious about our faith walk. Satan will not bother those that are lukewarm or going through the motions. He wants to cause the ones in the spotlight, the one that are on fire to fall. Because he knows it will cause others to lose heart and fall.

We cannot put our faith in a preacher and worship leaders. We have to keep our eyes on the shepherd. Only he can truly lead. Don’t misunderstand me I am not saying we do not need church leadership and pastors. But we should only follow them as they follow Christ. Blindly following someone, just because they say they are a pastor, can be a scary thing to do. This is why we need to know the word and make sure the pastor is aligned with that word.

Sheep are easily distracted by insects, flies and storms. Christians can become easily distracted if we are not established in our faith. If we don’t stay close to the shepherd, we will be distracted by life. Luke 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

The word surfeiting means to indulge in one’s appetites excessively. We are to be careful not to indulge in sinful appetites or allow the cares of this life to distract us to the point we do not hear our shepherd.

This is another reason I encourage you to keep your God focus. I am a firm believer, as long as we keep our focus fixed on God, the enemy doesn’t have a chance. It is when we allow our focus to waiver that we can get draw away into sin.

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

This verse tells us what to keep our focus on and if you look at the adjectives they are all characteristics of God. He is honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report. The worship of our Lord takes our mind and focus off ourselves and our lusts. Worship gives us a better perspective of our relationship with God and keeps our minds set on the right thing, God.

Luke 9:23-24 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Jesus was telling his disciples that they would be facing some hard things. He told them to take up their cross daily and follow him. The next verse could be taken two ways. First, we all know that many have lost their physical lives and been martyred for the gospel of Christ. This could also mean to lose the life that we have planned. Lose the focus we have on the things of this life and put our focus on the things of God. We can lose the life we were living when we die out to self and live a life fully devoted to Christ. He is our shepherd, we need to follow him and not allow our attention to be drawn away to things that have no purpose in the eternal.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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