Tag: #keepyourgodfocus

GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP606 A WARNING TO THE CHURCH

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: A WARNING TO THE CHURCH

I normally come to you on Fridays with something light and encouraging. But sometimes God deals with me to do something else. What the Lord has been speaking is a heavy weight and I want to share this warning with you.

It is about the future of the church. Not all members are on fire for God. Those that are lukewarm cause more harm to the kingdom than they help. The lukewarm are normally judgmental to make themselves feel better. They end up hurting and running off those who are new to the gospel and those who have not decided if they want to be a Christian. This is one reason why it is dangerous to be lukewarm. Another reason is that if you are lukewarm you end up dabbling with sin, this is being a bad light. Our God is a jealous God and wants us to not create little gods in our lives.

Then you have entire congregations that attend services and are more like a country club than a church. They never do true outreach, they are about building their kingdom bigger. This type of greed will not stand before God. He is about to bring it all down.

REV 3:15-16 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

If someone is hot, they are an on fire Christian, full of zeal and desire to follow Jesus. They are a good light because fire produces light.

Someone who is cold, has turned their back on God completely or has never made a start to live for Christ. The light of God is not in them.

In the middle is the lukewarm, full of apathy and going through the motions. God says he would rather we be hot or cold. If we are lukewarm, he will spue us out of his mouth. I think that explains it. We will be cast out like tares. The lukewarm have just enough light to do damage to the kingdom of God.

REV 3:17-19 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Many say this is about the church today. They will tell you that they have need of nothing. They may give God credit for what they have, or maybe not. We are poor, blind and naked without God’s light in our life. If we are sold out to God and allow him to shape us, he will cover our nakedness or sin with his garment of grace.

The next verse is something that I kept hearing, hell hath enlarged. For a couple of days God dealt with me about these verses in Isaiah.

ISAIAH 5:14-16 Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. 15 And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled: 16But the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.

God gave warning to the prophet Isaiah for the people of Jerusalem. They were full of pride, self-righteous, judgmental, covetous, not yielding fully to God. God warned that his judgment was going to fall. That so many were going to be swallowed up by hell that it would have to expand to take them all in, because of their disobedience. This passage depicts hell as a giant creature with its mouth wide open devouring everyone in sight.

This was a warning of being lukewarm and being morally corrupted. It was a warning to the proud and morally bankrupt. Hell is making room for everyone that is not on fire for God.

These people instead of following God they chose their own way, but wanted people to think they were obedient to God. He is patient and long suffering. But he will only allow evil to reign for a season, especially in a group of believers. In order for him to bring judgment on the evil of this world first he has to clean up the church.

I feel that the warning God gave Isaiah about Jerusalem could apply to the modern day church. There is a parable about wheat and tares and how God will divine the two.

I Pet 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Peter was calling for the people to examine themselves to see that they were on a solid foundation. To see if they were on fire for God. Were they living in a way that honors God or were they lukewarm?

This is a serious thing. I am sure most of us have experienced a time of being lukewarm. I know I have several times in my life. But God’s long suffering toward the church is wearing thin. In order for us to step over into the glory of God we need to have clean hands, pure hearts and be on fire for Jesus. He is about separate the wheat from the tares.

I have been doing some soul searching this week. I don’t want to be found lacking. I shared this today to give you something to think about over the next few days. Ask God to show you if you have anything in your life that would cause him to think you are a tare and not wheat.

Because the tares are gathered and thrown into the fire to be burned. That is not the type of fire we want, hell fire is torment. God’s fire is pure and holy. This is a serious thing, so meditate on it and pray about it before you dismiss it.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP604 BROKEN CISTERNS

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: BROKEN CISTERNS

A cistern is a manmade reservoir that is used to catch and store rain. It is different from a spring, stream or well because it is a holding tank for something that is poured into it. A broken cistern is symbolic of human shortcomings.

Empty and broken cisterns were often used as places for punishment or as prison cells. Imagine being underground, the only light or air you have comes from a hole at the top. It is muddy, musty and damp.

Jer 2:13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

God told the prophet Jeremiah that Israel has committed two evils, they had forsaken him. Then he referred to himself as the fountain of living waters. They dug out cisterns that were broken and could not hold water. In other words, they carved out their own way, while forsaking the one true God.

I feel like there are also a lot of churches today in which this verse can be applied. They have forsaken the real and true God. They say they are a Christian church, but have built idols of their watered-down version of the gospel.

In doing this they have compromised and become vessels that can no longer hold the living water of God, because the truth is broken. They have allowed the enemy to fill the reservoir with sin and lies. Making it good for one thing, a place of imprisonment.

In the case of these churches, nothing will change until they decide to cry out to God and ask him to repair the damage. They need sound doctrine and truth, not watered down entertainment.

On a personal level, when we allow the world to creep in, we will be spiritually broken and cannot hold God’s living water. It will take repairing the cistern of our lives to make us capable of holding God’s presence. But in order to make those repairs we must look to our God. He is the only one who can fix our brokenness and make us strong enough to hold his living water.

We need fresh water daily to live. Allowing the world to creep in, our spiritual water becomes stagnant or polluted with sin and the cares of life. We will not produce fruit when the water of life within us is polluted. In order for fruit to grow in our lives we need fresh water. The stagnate and polluted water needs to be purified. Just as our soul is purified by the blood of the lamb.

Before a harvest can take place, something has to be planted and watered. Many souls are in need of being harvested. Its time the church repented, repaired the altars and cisterns, prayed for clean hands and clean hearts. Then we will be ready to go out and make disciples teaching them about our great God and his wedding plans for his bride.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP602 GOD INCREASES

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: GOD INCREASES

Gal 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He often used stories about sheep and shepherds or about planting seed and reaping the harvest. God placed the laws of reaping and sowing in place from the beginning.

When we show kindness to someone in need, it will come back to us. The opposite is true too, if you show hate to others, you will receive hate. If we choose to walk and live righteous lives, we will reap the benefit of that choice. If we choose to walk in darkness and sin, we will reap all sorts of things in this life.

Our flesh would love to take us down the road of instant gratification and pleasures for a moment. Things that on the surface appear to be pleasant. But are dark and evil. They will grow the fruit of deceit in our lives.

It is not easy to walk not after the flesh but after the things of the Spirit. God is there within us to give us strength to do the right thing. We just have to say no to the devil and ask God for strength to sow good things.

Often, we hear people say, “the devil made me do it.” The devil doesn’t have power to make us do anything. He can come and try to tempt us, by whispering in our ear. We have the right to resist him. It may take resisting a time or two. But we do have the power to resist. God will help us to resist but will not make us do anything either. We have free will and the right to make the choice. Which ever voice we yield to, will determine the outcome of our future.

It is up to us to decide, are we going to sow evil things that seem easy but is actually fumbling in the darkness of sin? Are we going to sow good things that seem a little more difficult but will reap wonderful things from the Lord including eventually eternal life?

One key is not allowing the enemy to wear us out. When we get weary it is easier to give into temptation. But if we can stay strong and not get battle weary, we will not listen to the devil’s lies that he comes to whispers.

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

We are not to be weary for trying to do the right thing. At the right time we will reap the harvest and we will reap benefits from the Lord for our own lives, if we don’t get too weary to keep going.

I COR 3:6-8 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

This passage reminds us that we just need to do what we are lead by God to do. If it is plant, water or harvest. But other than being happy that another soul was plucked out of the hand of satan, we should not feel like we did anything. Because God gives the increase to our efforts. We are not meant to plant, water and harvest a person. We are meant to work in unison with the Holy Ghost and other believers to accomplish the end goal of seeing people saved. Remember God is the one that gives the increase.

Go out this week and sow good things into people’s lives. Be encouraging and be bold, time is short. But remember, it is God that gives the increase.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP600 GOD IS CALLING

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: GOD IS CALLING

Many believe that giving our lives over to Christ is a one-time thing. We repent and then all is well. But I am here to tell you it is not a one-time thing. It is an everyday, every hour maybe every minute thing. As we go about our day, things arise that can cause us to pull away from our relationship with God. Trials, temptations, distractions and even well-meaning tasks.

God wants us to submit to him, but what does that mean? To voluntarily place oneself under the authority of another. It is translated from the Greek word, hupotasso, which means to “arrange under” as in a military ranking order.

Biblical submission to God is an active choice we make to prioritize ourselves below God, under his authority. This submission is rooted in trust and love for God. We submit to God’s will because we trust his authority.

I Peter 5:5-6 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

We are to submit to one another as the joint body of Christ. Submitting because we care for one another and to humbly serve God. In other words, we are to love one another as Christ loves us.

Eph 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

I want to cover a couple of examples: Judas never fully submitted to living a life for Christ. He never submitted his authority to God. He was submitted to his lust for money. Like us, he could only fully commit to one. We have two choices God or satan. He allow the spirit of lust and greed to get him to submit to satan. Evil overtook him and he betrayed one who had done nothing to him but care for him. He sold information about where Jesus was to the Pharisees. He submitted to thirty pieces of silver, instead of submitting to following Jesus.

Sampson is another example; he took the authority he had and shared his secret with the enemy. He lost his submission to God the moment he started toying with Deliah. He allow his attention to be drawn away from God. Slowly he submitted to his desire for her. He allowed the source of his power to be cut off, which was his hair. In our case, we may allow the enemy to get us to stop praying and reading the word. Soon he was captured and bound by the enemy.

He prayed for God to forgive him. He realigned his submission to God and his strength returned. When his strength returned, he pulled down large pillars that held the roof of the temple. The enemy had chained him to them. In collapsing the roof, he destroyed around 3000 men and women of the Philistines. He also died in the collapse. It could have all been avoided if he had stayed committed and submitted to God in the first place.

It is easy for us to sit in judgment of these two men. But we too have some work to do to make sure that we stay in submission. It is easy to allow the cares of this life, troubles and trials to weaken our dedication and submission to God. He wants our complete surrender to him. He doesn’t want half of us. He doesn’t want our attention just on Sunday. Submission 100% of the time, we need to choose to surrender to his authority.

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

We are in serious times. Lines are being drawn in the sand. Today is not a time to be trying to straddle the fence or be lukewarm. We need to be all in with both feet, calling down the fire of God. To prove that he is God to a new generation that may be following an illusion of who he is or a false little “g” god of this world.

Today is the day to re-dedicate, renew, and surrender ourselves more fully to God. In submitting to God, we will resist the devil. He has to flee because if we are under God’s authority. We will have no authority to give the enemy. He will not have any control over our lives. He only gets authority over us if we submit to him. That is something to really think about. Let me say it again, satan only gets authority over us, if we submit to him.

All the more reason to stay in submission to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanks for watching,

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING–EP598 LOVE NOT THE WORLD

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: LOVE NOT THE WORLD

Every day we have choices to make, do we continue to walk out our faith or do we allow the world to dictate our path. As children of God, our choice must be to continue to draw closer to God.

I JOHN 2:15-16 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

We are not to love the world. This verse says that if we love the world the love of the Father is not in us. The things of the world we often think of as being external things we do. But it is a spiritual thing, notice lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life. These things come from the enemy and are not of God. The lust of the flesh is the desire for physical gratification. The lust of the eyes, is when we want everything we see. The latest designer purse, the new fancy car anything that is materialism driven. The pride of life, this is all about status and feeling like you are more important than others.

Satan attacks us in these three areas which is nothing new, he tempted Jesus the same way. He tried to get him to turn stones to bread playing into the hunger his flesh felt. When that didn’t work he also showed him the kingdoms of the world and promised them to him if he would bow to him. That was playing into the lust of the eye. Then he tried to play into his ego, if you are the son of God prove it. That was the pride of life. He was trying to play into his ego. But Jesus was secure in who he was and didn’t allow any of it to shake him.

I JOHN 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. The more we resist the things of this world the less control they have over our lives. If we resist the devil, he will flee. If we resist his lies, they will have less and less power over us.

ROMANS 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

We can be transformed from walking in the flesh by renewing our minds with the things of God. If we allow the things of this world to transform us we will conform to the evil of this world. If we renew our minds with the word of God and prayer will be the example of how to walk acceptable in the sight of God. Others will see the light that we have in us.

Walking like the world will only serve to confuse those that are lost. Some people say they are Christians but have not been transformed. Others look at them and say, I am just as good as they are, they do this or that. This leaves the door open for Satan to give them another excuse to not walk in the will of God. Many love their sin too much to release it and give their lives to Jesus.

The word says that sin has its pleasure for a moment, then it fades quickly and leaves death behind. Learning to walk by faith and not walk by the desires of our flesh is a long process. But the closer we draw to Jesus, the less the things of this life matter. I encourage you to pray and draw closer to him.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP597 HOW THIRSTY?

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: HOW THIRSTY?

How thirsty is your soul for God’s presence? Do you desire for more of God’s living water? Longing to feel the presence of God in a more powerful way should be all of our desires. God wants us to want to be in his presence. He longs for us to quietly commune with him.

Psalm 42:1-2 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

True worship is about a heart connection to God. You can sing, pray, praise, lift your hands, kneel, lay flat on your face, it is all about the heart posture. God wants to be first in our lives, there is no room before him or above him. But in our human capacity, we have to fight constantly to make him our number one thought, care and priority.

Matthew 16:24 –Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Total surrender is what he longs for from us. Jesus emphasized surrender by denying ourselves the things we would do or want to do, to follow Jesus. He desires our complete surrender to his will.

1 Peter 5:7 –Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Surrender means trusting him with our cares and burdens. We must come to him as a little child. Think about how trusting they are with their parents. They will believe whatever they tell them. We should also trust God with that childlike trust. He wants only good things for us, he will look out for us.

As the weekend approaches and hopefully we all find a little bit of time, think about the question I asked when we started today, How thirsty is your soul for God’s presence?

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP595 GENERATIONS

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: GENERATIONS

The book of Joshua starts with God telling Joshua that Moses is dead. He then tells Joshua he will take the people of Israel into the promised land. Then he said that where ever the sole of your foot shall tread upon, I have given it to you.

(Hoe shee ah)

Joshua’s given name was Hoshea which meant salvation. Moses renamed him Joshua which means YAHWEH is salvation. That is just what happen, Yahweh saved them time and time again as they went about the promised land, claiming their territory.

Joshua 1:5-6 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

The generation that is about to enter into the promised land is those who were born along the journey. They never knew the hardship of Egypt. They had always known Yahweh as their provider of everything they needed.

Notice as God promised Joshua as he was with Moses, he would be with him. He promised to never fail him or forsake him. I often think of some of us who are second, third or fourth generation believers in God. We can take this verse and apply it to our lives. So as I was with your great-grandfather, your grandfather, your father I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.

My great grandparents were completely sold out to the cause of Christ. My grandparent and parents have stood strong on their faith for many years. I have seen many amazing things growing up to believe in the God of the bible; our Lord Jesus Christ. So I claim this verse today.

As God was with my ancestors, so he will be with me. He will never leave me nor forsake me. I can be strong, because God is with me. I believe we are on the edge of God showing up in a mighty way on this earth. People are not going to believe it. I am grateful for my Christian heritage. But make no mistake, God doesn’t have grandchildren, we all my forge our relationship with him.

Each of us have to choose to surrender our lives to him. We all must learn to hear his voice and allow him to lead us.

Joshua 1: 7-9 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

We are not under the law of Moses but have our own plan. But we are not to get distracted by the enemy and turn right or left. We must stay steady to our course. We must follow the word of God that has been given to us. We are to meditate on the word of God. It will help us to stay on the right path.

It is easy in our world to get distracted by many things. A lot of these things on their own is not a sin. But when we allow distractions to keep us from God, the they become our idols. God does not tolerate his children having any other gods.

Be encouraged my friend, if you are third or fourth generation Christian or if you are the first of your bloodline to find Jesus. We can be sure that he will go with us and will fight our battles. This is our legacy as children of God.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING –EP594 THE TONGUE

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: THE TONGUE

There is a quote that says, “loose lips sink ships.” Which means that you are not to tell everything you know. The bible is full of verses that tell us to not gossip. The day in which we are living, judgmental attitudes and gossip are driving forces behind social media. It is easy to see a post and jump on the band wagon of judging someone based on the post. This is not God’s way.

I often share with you about the words you speak. Our words have power to change our lives for the good or for the bad. The entire third chapter of James is about controlling our tongue. It says it is the hardest thing to control. What we say, is as important as what we don’t say.

There is an old quote that says, “If you don’t have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything.” In theory that seems right. But often we must speak the truth in love. It is often not what someone wants to hear. But we must be led by the Spirit as to what we need to say. Allowing God to give us the right words will help us to control our tongue. It will be what the other person needs to hear. It will not be gossip or judgement.

Having an untamed tongue include things like gossip, insulting, belittling, manipulating others with lies and false narratives. Other things we often don’t think of is flattery in order to gain something from someone. We are supposed to be true to who we are and real before God. Manipulation is the same as witchcraft.

Prov 6:16-19 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

God hates a proud look and a lying tongue. We are called to higher ground than to act like we live on reality tv. The world is all about drama and calling people out. It is all about judging one another and spewing hate. Anything to cause problems and issues. The more drama the more likes and shares someone gets, which comes down to money.

James 3:3-4 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

This is explaining how the tongue can change the entire course of our lives. A horse can be turned by a small bit in its mouth. A large ship can be turned by a small rudder or helm. So the entire course of our lives can be turned a different direction by our words.

James 3:5-6Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

Our enemy uses people words to harm one another, to bring about discord and hurt. The enemy will lie to us. If we repeat those lies it creates things in our lives that we do not need. Like the enemy may tell you that you are worthless and no one loves you. If you start to believe it and then speak it, it will become your reality. Destruction can come quickly from angry words.

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

In the list of the fruit of the spirit, self-control or temperance means being able to control ourselves. That includes controlling our words. Because our words lead us down the right path or down the wrong road.

Others have to feel we are trustworthy. If someone shares something with us, we have to walk in our integrity and not gossip to others. We need to take the issues to God. He is the only one that can judge. So keeping it to ourselves and only telling Jesus will save us from a lot of drama and pain.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING –EP593 CLEAN HANDS AND PURE HEART

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THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: CLEAN HANDS AND PURE HEART

A pure heart is one that has been cleansed by the blood of the lamb. A pure heart has God’s spirit dwelling within. But it is also a heart turned toward following the Lord with every ounce of their strength. We must have a heart for God’s ways and have his laws written on our hearts.

Our focus has to be a God focus. A willing heart to be obedient to God’s voice. It is not easy to fully surrender our hearts. The flesh fights us every step of the way. We cannot listen to our flesh, if it had its way we would end up in hell. Because our flesh is easily distracted.

Psalm 24:4-6 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.

We have clean hands when we follow God’s ways and do not allow our flesh to draw us into sin. Avoiding the traps of the enemy take some prayer. The more of the word we have in our spirit the less likely we are to fall into a position that we end up with dirty hands. We want our deeds to be pure before the Lord.

Psalm 119:9-11 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Seeking God with our whole heart is key to living a life pleasing to God. Hiding the word in our hearts will keep us from falling for the enemy’s traps of sin. In the fast-paced world we live in, there are many distractions. A large portion of them are caused by the enemy.

Matt 23:26-28 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

The Pharisees appear to many to be holy. But Jesus had a different opinion. He told them to clean the inside of the cup and platter so the outside would be clean also. They had pride, greed and deception in their hearts. They loved to be honored by men, but their heart was far from God. They did not have pure hearts or clean hands. He told them they were like white washed sepulchers or graves but inside they were full of dead men’s bones. They would remain dead as long as they were full of sin. This is why Jesus came, to give us all a chance at life.

Mark 7:5-9 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? 6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

Again, God cares about the purity of our heart. The Pharisees didn’t have pure hearts. Jesus quoted scripture to them about honoring God with their lips. But their worship was in vain because their hearts was far from honoring God. In other words they didn’t have clean hands. They rejected God’s commandments but made up their own.

Many denominations are full of people today that have a bunch of traditions of men, but their hearts are not pure. If their hearts were pure, there would not be so much church hurt in this world. All the Bertha better than you’s with their “we’ve always done it this way attitudes, but they don’t care about showing someone God’s compassion. I pray people wake up and realize how much they need to change. This world is full of people that are dying lost every day and many are worried about traditions of man.

Dear Lord, Give us clean hands and pure hearts. Help us to not be caught up in man’s traditions, but be caught up in knowing you more.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP588 TERRITORY

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: TERRITORY

God told the children of Israel, wherever they set their feet he would give them for an inheritance. He will give us new territory if we believe him for it. I am not talking about physical ground but spiritual. There are times we need to believe for land and he will give us that too, if we are building his kingdom.

We all are in different places every day, but how many of us have claimed that territory for the kingdom? Our jobs, our city hall, anywhere we go, we should pray for God to move on that territory. We must pray over our workplace, the neighborhood and even the post office and grocery store before entering. Pray over everywhere you go. Ask God to be a guide. He can point his people to those that need an encounter with Jesus.

There are seven mountains of influence that shape a society. Right now, the enemy has strongholds in all of them. It is time to pray for God’s chosen people to take back these territories. They are as follows: business, education, family, media, religion, arts and government.

It used to be when a king would conquer a land, he would plant his flag, with his crest at the palace of his enemy. This let everyone know they were under a new ruler. He would hang banners showing he was in control.

God is our banner. One Hebrew word for God is Jehovah Nissi means the Lord our banner. God is the one we can depend on in battle. We go into battle under his flag, under his anointing and authority, we will be victorious.

1Chr 4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

Several years ago, it was a popular thing to pray the prayer of Jabez. Bible studies and books were written about it. Then some new thing came along in Christian culture and it was forgotten about. God honored Jabez and answered his prayer. He desired for God to increase his territory. If we ask God to increase our territory, he will honor our prayer too. But before we pray this prayer, we need to be sure we are ready to have our territory enlarged.

When battling an enemy, in their territory it was a little more difficult because of the strongholds. They may have had an advantage of being fortified. Maybe they were high up and could see an army approaching.

Today our enemy has strongholds in many territories. He has created a network of sin that traps people. There is only one way out of the trap. His name is Jesus. God can give us new territory, but we must be willing to battle for it.

2 Cor 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Our weapons are the word of God and prayer. Not a little five minute, patty cake prayer. Not a ritualistic prayer with fancy words but a deep intercessory prayer. We can pull down strongholds of the enemy. We can take territories if we are brave and bold enough to step out of our comfort zone.

The place we have already won and is our current territory may feel comfortable. But we do not want to get too comfortable, because complacency will soon follow. We will not win against our enemy unless we are growing the territory of God’s kingdom. This will also at the same time shrink the territory of our enemy until he has nothing left.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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