Tag: #wilderness

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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE:  EMBRACE THE WILDERNESS

Most would say the wilderness is a place of temptation and trials. Things happen that test our faith and our strength. God will not allow us to be overtaken that is not the point of the wilderness.

It is a place we learn to trust, lean, and rely on God. It is a place we must through to the other side. We will be ready for the next level of glory and responsibility.  Things looked bad for Moses in Egypt, he fled to the wilderness to escape punishment in Egypt. While in the wilderness he learned skills he needed to be an effective leader.  He also learned survival skills and his way around the desert.

Then one day he had an intimate encounter with God. The creator of heaven and earth spoke to him from a burning bush. That experience changed him. In the process of the plagues, Moses learned to lean on God more and more. He learned how to survive in the wilderness from spending time as a shepherd tending his father in law’s flock.

God won’t stick us out in the wilderness without provision. He gave the Israelites whatever they needed. Manna, water, their clothing never wore out. Think about that, they travelled for forty years and their shoes and clothes never wore out.

The wilderness is a place of testing. Jesus was in the wilderness and was tempted of the devil after a long fast. We must trust God’s plan. Yes, the enemy may come on strong, but we can combat him the same way Jesus did and quote the word to him.

The wilderness is also a place of preparation. It was after Jesus was in the wilderness that he started his ministry. He began walking into the fullness of what God needed for him to accomplish on the earth.

The wilderness can be a place of refuge from a famine. God sent Elijah into the wilderness. There he sent ravens to feed him. Showing that God will take care of his people, even in the wilderness of life.

Elijah also fled from Jezabel after the miracle of him calling fire down from heaven to prove God to the Jewish people. It was in that wilderness that he found a cave and God provided him food and drink to strengthen him. Once he was stronger God showed him that he could also come in the form of a still small voice.

God sent Elijah to anoint Hazael as king over Syria or Aram. He sent him to mentor Elisha to be a prophet in his place.

We should not dread our time in the wilderness. Because, God is getting ready to show us something wonderful on the other side of our time in the wilderness.

Our time in the wilderness is a time that God strips us of our human arrogant complacency and self-righteousness. He humbles us to better rely on him. He always reveals himself in a new way to us. If we can get past our pity party and listen for his voice. We don’t like the wilderness because it is uncomfortable. Human beings are very much creatures of comfort.

Deut 8:15-16 Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; 16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;

Notice the last part of verse sixteen, that he might humble thee and that he might prove thee to do thee good at the latter end. God just wanted them to learn to love and trust him. Being in the wilderness is all about trusting in the Lord and resisting the trappings of the enemy.

If we can learn to do those two things in the wilderness, we will have a stronger faith walk. We will be a better light to the lost and broken. Instead of dreading the wilderness, we should try to embrace the lessons, God is trying to teach us.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP518 OUT OF THE WILDERNESS

GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING EP518 OUT OF THE WILDERNESS

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO VERSION: https://rumble.com/v77a2ok-god-focus-this-morning-ep518-out-of-the-wilderness.html

WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE:  OUT OF THE WILDERNESS

The place we find ourselves is often referred to as the wilderness. Many things happen while in such a place. Trials happen and growth also happens in the wilderness. There are different reasons we end up in the wilderness. Sometimes it is because of our disobedience. Other times it is a place God allows to grow us.

If you find yourself in a wilderness, ask yourself why you are there. If you cannot think of a reason of disobedience. Then God has allowed it to grow you. Embrace the wilderness and watch vigilantly for the enemy to attack.

Matt 4:1-4 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Notice, he was led into the wilderness by the spirit. He had to overcome the enemy in that quiet place away from prying eyes. If he had not overcome the enemy there, he would not have had the power to resist turning his back on the assignment of the cross. Because the crushing of the time leading to the cross was even greater than the temptations, he faced with satan in the wilderness.

The Spirit of God leads us and guides us where we need to be, even if we feel alone and isolated.

Matt 4:5-7 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Satan took Jesus up to a high pinnacle, trying to tempt him into jumping off. He was trying to destroy him. Hoping that those angels would not show up and he would die. When he couldn’t take Jesus out by suicide he tried to play to his ego by offering him great power.

 Matt 4:8-10 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

How many people have set aside the calling of God on their life for power and a short cut? How many people have sold their souls to the devil for fame and wealth? They have a false sense of power. Jesus knew anything that the enemy offered in the wilderness was not going to get him where he needed to go.

People today need to realize that the things of this life are temporary. We must live our lives to the fullest and make sure that we are listening to God and not the enemy.

Once Jesus came out of the wilderness he started his ministry. Everyone’s wilderness looks different, because God has allowed your wilderness to propel you forward to your calling. My wilderness would look different because my calling is different. Every day, if we yield our lives to Christ, we will be one step closer to stepping into what God has for us.

Notice when Jesus resisted the enemy fled. The word says if we resist the devil he will flee. Which means he has no power to make us do anything we don’t want to do. Remember that there are good things on the other side of the wilderness. Just embrace your alone time with God and find peace and rest. One day you will come out of the wilderness, changed by the experience. When we kneel in prayer, we will find our purpose and will not need the shortcut of the enemy. Stand strong, resist the devil and embrace the lessons of the wilderness.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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