1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (AMP)

Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].

It is quite clear from these passages of scripture that Love is not of this world. Love has no darkness in it at all. Love is spirit and truth. There is not one ounce of worldly resemblance in Love. Love is pure and undefiled by sin or self. It is not hard to distinguish human love from the love of God, there is no comparison.

The scriptures above declare that love is ever ready to believe the best, how awesome and supernatural. It says love believes. Love never fears or doubts that which is of God. Love is a believer of the plans and purposes of God. Love is a believer of the righteousness of God. Love is a believer in the power of God. Love is a believer in miracles, signs and wonders. Love is a believer in the power of the blood of Jesus. Love believes in mercy. Love believes in the regenerating power of the Holy Ghost in the life of a sinner. Love believes that by Jesus stripes we are healed. Love believes in the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. Love believes the Word of God. Love believes when we pray according to God will He hears us and grant the petitions that we desire. Love believes in the 1st and 2nd resurrection. Love believes that Jesus is coming back for His church just like He said He would. Love believes! Love believes! Love believes!

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This is the day that my Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it! God has made me to be the head and not the tail, above only and not beneath. I am more than a conqueror and can do all things through Christ that strengthens me and gives me rest and victory from every test and trouble. I recognize that my past was filled with sins against God, against His will. However, today I can truly say I have been forgiven by grace through faith in Jesus the Christ. I know and understand that yesterday is gone and I am in position to move on and fulfill my Divine Destiny with God. I choose to forget those things which are behind me and to look to the future that God has prepared and made ready before me. Leaving behind the disgrace that comes with the sinner’s race that’s filled with death and destruction. I have a new life in Christ because He paid the price – His life for my freedom. I press toward my goal given to me in Christ. My victory and success in life is sure because I believe in the pure unadulterated truth of God’s Word. I am being changed by the renewing of my mind and I choose not to commit the crime of allowing negative thoughts to bring me into captivity this time. The Word of God is my choice therefore, I give voice to its authority in my life. Today I confess that I am dressed for battle and will triumph over the enemy Today, I win because Jesus gave me victory over sin and placed His love within my heart. I am growing into a mature believer in Christ because I choose to pay the price and surrender my life and not follow human advice but to hear and obey God’s Word. Truly this is a good day, a blessed day, a day filled with new mercies from God my Heavenly Father! Amen.

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Get Your Focus Back (continued)

I remember during that time of seeking the Lord the urgency and deep desire I felt to want to know what God wanted me to do with my life. I wanted to know specific things like; was I on the right track and if not I was desperately wanting to make adjustments so that I could begin to do the will of God. I had read where God told Jeremiah specific things about his life and calling and now I wanted to know about my life as well.

In the book of Romans chapter 12:4- 8, the writer speaks concerning the entire body of Christ. Please read the following:

4. Just as in one [physical] body we have many parts, and these parts do not all have the same function or special use,
5. So we, who are many, are [nevertheless just] one body in Christ, and individually [we are] parts one of another [mutually dependent on each other].
6. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them accordingly: if [someone has the gift of] prophecy, [let him speak a new message from God to His people] in proportion to the faith possessed;
7. If service, in the act of serving; or he who teaches, in the act of teaching;
8. Or he who encourages, in the act of encouragement; he who gives, with generosity; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy [in caring for others], with cheerfulness

He speaks here of us having different gifts according to the grace of God given to us and that we should use them accordingly. Well, I wanted to know what God had given me and then what I was supposed to do with it. I believe that God gives us gifts to compliment our calling. Paul prayed for the church at Ephesus that God would grant them a spirit of wisdom and revelation and that their eyes (spiritual eyes) would be flooded with light so that they could know and understand the hope for which God had called them (Ephesians 1:17-18 Amplified Bible). When we pray in faith according to God’s will He hears us and grants us the request we ask of Him(1John 5:14-15). It is God’s will for us to know His plan for our lives.

God is always faithful to His Word and I can say that he truly revealed to me some of the things I am currently still doing to this day. Also, as I continue to seek and inquire of the Lord He continues to reveal things to me so that I can continue to follow His plan for my life.

Jesus said,

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Luke 11:9-10

It is the will of God that we know His general and specific plans and purposes but we must continue to seek Him and then once we receive direction, instruction, and insight we must stay focused.

Listen to the following scripture with your spiritual ears and receive what the Apostle Peter had to say about focus.

The end and culmination of all things is near. Therefore, be sound-minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer [staying balanced and focused on the things of God so that your communication will be clear, reasonable, specific and pleasing to Him.] 1 Peter 4:7

As we focus on the thoughts, plans and purposes of God our Father our thoughts will remain unspotted/untainted by the world. This will keep us clean from the filthy suggestions and advice of the wicked and our minds will stay uncluttered and clear.

And this is how we know [daily, by experience] that we have come to know Him [to understand Him and be more deeply acquainted with Him]: if we habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings).

Whoever says, “I have come to know Him,” but does not habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings), is a liar, and the truth [of the divine word] is not in him. 1 John 2:3-4

Hearing from God should be a normal occurrence for every Christian. God doesn’t just reveal His will to certain members of the body of Christ and then just leave others to figure things out on their own. The bible says that the Holy Spirit, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26)

But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth – giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message (on His own authority); but He will tell whatsoever He hears (from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him), and He will announce and declare to you things that are to come (that will happen in the future).

(John 16:13 Amplified Bible)

So, I encourage you today to seek after the full complete will of God for your life and then be obedient to plan and stay focused – you’ll not regret the journey.

For the [true] love of God is this: that we habitually keep His commandments and remain focused on His precepts. And His commandments and His precepts are not difficult [to obey]. 1 John 5:3

Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. Colossians 3:2

Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2

Now, the scriptures instruct us, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding but in all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy path. Proverbs 3:5-6

In order for us to fully trust God we must spend time with Him and get to know Him. This takes deliberate acts of focusing, this takes discipline. The Apostle Paul said, “For my determined purpose is that I may know Him…”

The word determined means: having made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it. This kind of attitude is what helps to regulate our focus. When we determine to seek the Lord and His will then this becomes our focus. Colossians 3:1-3 says, keep seeking, this denotes continued efforts, not every now and then.  The Apostle Paul also said,

For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], Philippians 2:10

Now, you may ask, how can I know what God’s plans are for my life so that I can follow them? You may have noticed in the scriptures above that we are told to – set our minds and keep them habitually focused on the things above – this involves giving devoted attention and time to God’s Word. Spending time reading and meditating in God’s Word will keep us focused on God’s thoughts, plans and purposes. Taking the time to fellowship (building a relationship) with God through His Word gives us the opportunity to get to know Him in a deeper and more intimate way. Relationships don’t just happen, you build and develop them through spending time with one another, through communication and established trust.

God specifically tells us in His Word to ask Him for wisdom if we need it (James 1:5). Well if you want to ask someone for something then that means you need to be with them and talking to them. God says in Jeremiah 33:3, “Call unto me and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

From time to time in talking with different people I ask them what their particular gift from God is, and/ or what they believe their purpose in life is. Their answer to the question many times causes me to wonder if people really believe and/or understand how significant their life and God given gifting(s) are in this life.

I remember back in the early 1990’s I set out to seek God so that I could find out some specific details about my life and purpose. Prior to this I had set aside times throughout my day to study the Word of God and learn more about the Lord, His thoughts, ways and acts. I believe this time spent in the Word of God created a desire in me to want to know my purpose and calling in life.

Psalms 37: 4-5 declares,

Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.

For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

I wanted to know God’s plan and purpose for my life so desperately I sought Him diligently. No, I don’t mean that I had to beg God to reveal His plan to me, He was more than happy to tell me so that I could accomplish His will. However, I had to prepare myself in the Word of God so that I could receive faith in order to receive His plans and purpose. The bible tells us that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). Anything we receive from God must come by faith.  We are sometimes so accustom to being the captain of our own lives that we forget to humble ourselves under the Mighty Hand of God. (1 Peter 5:6)

The Kingdom of God requires that we have faith to receive.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6 

Many times we ask God for things before we receive faith from His Word to actually believe and receive what we desire.

(Get Your Focus Back continued in next blog) Talk To You Soon!

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Hello and welcome to my blog.

May the peace and presence of God be with you always.

Thank you for taking the time to invest in your future by ingesting some vital nutrients from the Word of God. My prayer for you is that as you read and meditate on what God is saying to you through these scriptures you will be enlightened by the Holy Spirit and receive strength for your journey.

God the Father says to us, Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (Isaiah 41:10)

So be encouraged, you are chosen and loved of God – He will not fail you!

Now my friend, today I would like to talk to you about getting your focus back. It is so very vital that you understand God’s plan and purpose for your life. Your life is valuable to God and to those in whom He has entrusted to you to cross their paths in this life. However, what you choose to focus your attention on from day to day can determine how your life will turn out even though God has a specific plan, just for you. A vision without focus is generally an accident waiting to happen.

Focus defined:

• The center of interest or activity
• An act of concentrating interest or activity on something

As you can see from the above definition, focus is what captures (imprisons) your attention. It is the center piece of the table of your life. No matter what angle you look at your life this interest, thing, person, place, thoughts, imaginations, affection etc. has become the center of your concentration.

So let me ask you a few questions:

1. What have you been concentrating on in your life?
2. Has it caused you to drift away from God’s original instructions for your life?
3. How often do you think and/or meditate on it?
4. The things that currently have the majority of your attention and affection are they causing you to draw nearer to God or is it stealing time from your relationship with God?

Focus can be powerfully life changing. Focus can cause you to succeed or fail.

The bible teaches us to focus our attention on specific things, this does not mean you won’t be able to glance at other things as you travel life’s journey. However focus is a more deliberate, intense, single-mindedness kind of approach to something rather than just merely glancing at something from time to time. The bible instructs us;

Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3

From these scriptures we see that focus is something we must practice. Continued practice eventually makes habits, good or bad. Habits help establish how we conduct our everyday lives. Habits are the things we do on a regular basis, sometimes without even thinking about it. We don’t just happen to focus on something or someone, it becomes intentional. Focus is trained behavior, purposeful activity.

We must deliberately direct our thoughts and affections toward God’s plans, it doesn’t just happen by mere coincidence.

(Get Your Focus Back continued tomorrow) Talk To You Soon!

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Jeremiah 29:11 (AMP)

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

Plans are made with earnest expectation to be fulfilled. The plan can be for good or for evil.

Plan defined:

• A method of doing something that is worked out in advance.

A plan is most generally something that has been thought out. Even when people plot to do harm to others, it is conceived from something they have been meditating on. People make plans to cheat, steal, commit adultery, kill and perform various kinds of ill will. On the other hand, people make plans to help, protect, build, encourage and cultivate bringing blessing and increase to many.

The scripture above reveals to us that God has a plan for our lives and that He has been thinking or meditating on them. God never haphazardly does anything, He is very focused and direct in His operations. The plans that God has for your life were not just something He thought of on the spur of the moment. God knows every detail and specific part of His plan for you. God’s plans are good and not evil…they are for peace.

So make every effort to press in and pursue with passion the plans and purposes God has for you. You will never regret the final outcome!

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Ephesians 6:10-11

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].

Paul gives us a very important key here concerning battle victory. He said “be strong in the Lord”, meaning, NOT in your own strength, but in the strength of the Almighty. Our strength is null compared to God’s strength. Human strength does little to nothing when it comes to spiritual things. Human strength is fragile and limited. It is so far below the true power and strength available to believers through Christ.

Be strong in the Lord. This strength gives believers an advantage over every foe and natural weaknesses. We must draw this strength from God. It is available and ready 24/7, but we must draw it out, like water from an unending reservoir.

Reservoir defined:

• A substantial reserve supply of something intangible

Go ahead tap into the limitless strength of God, it belongs to you! So drink up and let Him fill your cup with His glorious strength and might.

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Hebrews 12:2-4

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

The next time you think that your problems and situations in life are unfair and unbearable, consider Jesus.

Such a wonderful example of true love and endurance. Every time I remember His sacrifice and what He did for us, it brings great joy, humility and an abundance of thankfulness.

Let us honor Him this passover by forgetting our troubles and rejoicing in His triumph!

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Ecclesiastes 10:8

He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

Hedge defined:

• a close-set row of bushes, usually with their branches intermingled, forming a barrier or boundary in a garden, lawn, or field

• a means of protection against something

The scripture declares that when a hedge is broken, a serpent will bite. This implies that the only way the serpent can bite is that the hedge or our means of protection is broken. The serpent in scripture most often speaks of things belonging to the kingdom of darkness, a.k.a. Satan and his demonic host.

As Christians, we must stay alert if we don’t want to be bitten by the serpent. The bite itself will initially cause localized swelling and pain, but this does not compare to the poison that was injected underneath the skin. This poison is deadly if left untreated without an antidote.

When we leave a breech in our spiritual hedge through offenses, neglect of personal time with God, not reading and meditating on His Word, and carnal attitudes and thoughts, we become vulnerable and easy prey for the enemy.

Let us keep our hedges solid and well maintained so we can live a life free of poison from the serpents bite.

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John 4:3-4
He left Judea and departed again into Galilee. And he must needs go through Samaria.

The word “destination” is from the root word “destiny”. Destinies are composed of a series of predetermined events that bring a person to a specific place, season, or time in their life. A person’s destination is highly connected to purpose. A destination is the place to which somebody or something is going or must go.

According to John 4:3-4, Jesus journeyed to 3 particular cities: Judea, Galilee and Samaria. Neither of these places was His final destination, but only a part of His journey. Each place had its specific purpose in the fulfilling of His entire course. Jesus’ final destination called for active participation, not just mere day dreaming.

Many times we rejoice in proclaiming the vision and dreams God has revealed to our spirit through the Holy Spirit, but then we sometimes forget to actively participate in what we’ve seen. God is not revealing specific things concerning your destiny just for you to daydream about them, He wants participation. We sometimes sit idle, viewing our future as if it were on a movie screen, seeing in our spirit pictures of God given assignments and snap shots of the things God wants us to do and places He wants us to go.

The scriptures tell us it was necessary that Jesus go to Samaria. What if He would have just preached and shouted about the revelation of the deliverance that should come to Samaria, but never took an active part in the fulfillment of what he saw in His spirit?

God is calling for active participation for us to fulfill our God given destinies. So stop day dreaming, get up from that lounge chair, and start taking steps toward the things He has revealed to you concerning your destiny.

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