John 1: 1 – 2 IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. (2) He was present originally with God. (3) All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. (AMP C)
Not only is God Himself the source of The Living Word but The Living Word IS God Himself. God and His Word are One. You cannot separate God from His Word.
Hebrews 11: 3 By faith we understand that the worlds [during the successive ages] were framed (fashioned, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose) by the word of God, so that what we see was not made out of things which are visible. (AMP C)
Colossians 2: 3 In Him all the treasures of [divine] wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God) and [all the riches of spiritual] knowledge and enlightenment are stored up and lie hidden. (AMP C)
Colossians 2: 9 – 10 For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form [giving complete expression of the divine nature]. (10) And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead–Father, Son and Holy Spirit–and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power]. (AMP C)
Proverbs 4: 20 – 27 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.
(V. 20 Amplified Classic: consent and submit)
(21) Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; (22) For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. (23) Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
(V. 23 Amplified Classic: Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard)
(24) Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. (25) Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you. (26) Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. (27) Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil. (NKJV)
Just in case you have not noticed there is trouble in this world. In this season we are living in we all, in one way or another, are concerned by what is taking place in the world around us. Whether it be in our own personal lives or the world around us.
Trouble is not something new to this world it has been around since the fall of Adam. If you are alive there are times of difficulty that come your way. The troubles and storms of life very seldom just affect us. What we do during these times of trouble and storms will also affect others around us.
John 16: 33I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] (Amplified Classic)
What we do in the midst of the troubles and storms of life will determine the amount of effect they have on us. It will also determine how long they last, when, and if we come out of them.
We choose whether we walk in peace in our lives or fear and worry.
God is not keeping us from walking in peace!
The Word of God brings peace and confidence. Peace will cause us to stand firm on the solid rock. Fear stands on sand. When the pressure is on, fear runs and cannot stand. When the pressure is on, Peace will remain firm, and we will be able to stand therefore.
Our choices direct the path of our life for good and bad. Sometimes the choices that we make place us in circumstances that appear to be hopeless. One of Satan’s greatest deceptions is to tempt us into believing that we have no choice. No way out. But there is always a way out. We may not know what the choice is or how to find out but there is always a choice.
1st Corinthians 10: 13 For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it. (AMP C )
James 1: 4 (Amplified Bible)But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.
Patience is a major key to our future. We all would like to be perfect and wanting nothing as stated in James 1: 4 above. Patience is a fruit of the presence of the Holy Spirit as listed in Galatians 5: 22 – 23 (Amplified Bible) But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].
Note the word let in James 1: 4 above. As a fruit of the presence of the Holy Spirit these fruits including patient are already present in everyone that has received Jesus as their Lord and Savior. As stated in 2nd Peter 1: 4 – 7 (Amplified Bible) Patience must be exercised in order to be developed in our lives. Exercising and developing patient and the other fruit of the Spirit in our lives will unlock the blessings of God in our lives.
Are you in need of a refreshing? Are you weary in your body, mind, and spirit? Are you being beat up by the circumstances of life? Do you need a change? Do you know that God Himself has already prepared the place of rest, refreshing, and revival for us? He has already given us the keys to enter that place. It is God’s desire for us to be in a continuous state of refreshing before and even during the storms of life that come our way.
Act 3:19 So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord; (Amplified Classic)
Jeremiah 6:16 Thus says the Lord: Stand by the roads and look; and ask for the eternal paths, where the good, old way is; then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk in it! (Amplified Classic)
Ephesians 6:10 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]. (Amplified Classic)
John 14:26 – 27 But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. (27) Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.] (Amplified Classic)
We all face problems, troubles, and mountains in our lives from time to time. Some are larger than others. Some last longer than others. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that we will not have trouble in this life. No one is immune. Problems, trials, and trouble are just part of life in this fallen world.
If we focus on the circumstances, the problems, and the troubles more than the Word, the circumstances that we are facing will conqueror us and come to pass.
If we focus on and believe in the Word more than the circumstances, the Word will come to pass. The choice is ours.
Jesus said we would have tribulation in this world.
John 16: 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (NKJV)
Jesus said to be of good cheer. In other words, do not focus on the tribulations and problems but focus on the answer to them. Focus on what the Word says. Focus and act on that, not the problems, trials, and troubles. Let the Word determine how you respond.
When we are going through problems, trials, and trouble in this life we need to know and be persuaded that we are in Christ Jesus, That God Himself is for me, and that He has already made me more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ.
Romans 8: 31 – 32 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?(32) He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?(NKJV)
Romans 8: 37 – 39Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.(38) For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, (39) nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NKJV)
1st Corinthians 15: 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJV)
In Christ Jesus – We Are More Than Conquerors!
2nd Corinthians 5: 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (NKJV)
We are no longer separated or disconnected from God. We are now Sons and Daughters of God. We are in Christ.
1st John 3: 1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! (NKJV)
Galatians 3: 26 – 28For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.(27) For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.(28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (NKJV)
As believers, it is essential that we know and understand God’s Love and Mercy. That we develop trust in His Love and Mercy. This is the message that God so deeply desires for the world to know. It is our message to a dark and hurting world.
If we are to have faith and confidence in God, we must trust in His mercy. We must Develop Faith in the Mercy of God. God is faithful to His mercy.
Deuteronomy 7: 9 Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; (NKJV)
2nd Thessalonians 3: 3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. (NKJV)
The entire Word of God emphasizes God’s Love, Mercy, and Goodness. We can trust in His Mercy. His Mercy endures forever.
Psalm 145: 9 The LORD is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works. (NKJV)
Psalm 106: 1 Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
Psalm 103: 8The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
Psalm 25: 10All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. (steps, ways, purposes)
Psalm 103: 17 But the mercy and loving-kindness of the Lord are from everlasting to everlasting upon those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, and His righteousness is to children’s children (Amplified Classic)
In our personal walk with God, we will develop faith in His mercy by:
(1) Making the decision to live the life of the love of God. Set your Love upon Him.
(2) Putting the Word first place, not how you feel.
(3) Acting on the Word. Base your conduct on God’s Love and mercy, not on the condemnation of past mistakes and sins.
(4) Meditating God’s mercy. Do not dwell on your failures. Set your mind on God’s Love, mercy, and forgiveness.
We place our trust in our families, friends, people we know, our government and leaders, Police, Fire Dept. Doctors, our jobs, money, the vehicle we drive, the chair we set in, etc. Trust is involved in every area of life.
We need to remember that while we are placing our trust in family, friends, and all the other areas of life, they are placing their trust in us. Are we trustworthy? Are we? Can they put their trust in us? If so, we must be people of integrity. “Relationships have to be built on trust.”
In the dark times that we are living in today we may find that some if not all of what we have put our trust in is now failing us. We may be at the place where we do not trust anyone or anything.
The one major question that we all must ask ourselves is do we really trust God and His Living Word? Do we? This is a moment-by-moment decision. Most of us would say yes, we Trust God and His Living Word. But our words and actions do not agree with that.
To properly understand trust, we must understand that Trust cannot be earned it must be granted. A person can position themselves to be trustworthy, but they cannot earn trust. No matter what a person does to become trustworthy that trust must be granted it cannot be earned.
When we truly trust God, we trust His Living Word. God cannot lie. God and His Word are One. God’s Living Word is ABSOLUTE TRUTH. It is ABSOLUTELY Trustworthy. Our trust in God and His Living Word must be on a higher level than our trust in anyone or anything else. Do you really trust the Lord? Do You?
Proverbs 3: 5 – 6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; (6) In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (NKJV)
David knew this and declared his trust in God. We must have the attitude that David had.
Psalm 25: 1 – 2a UNTO YOU, O Lord, do I bring my life. (2) O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on, and am confident in You. (Amplified Classic)
We must trust God no matter what takes place or what we may think or feel.
Psalm 37: 39 – 40 But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble. (40) And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him.(NKJV)
Our focus must be on God and His Living Word, not on the circumstances. We must make a quality decision to always trust in the Lord no matter what the circumstances are.
Psalm 56: 3 – 4 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. (4) In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me? (NKJV)
We are walking in a very dark world. It has always been dark in this World since the fall of Adam of Eve. But Darkness was not God’s plan for this world. God Is Light. Darkness was allowed to reign in the World where it was not supposed to reign. God placed Adam and Eve in Dominion over this World, not Satan and Darkness. Adam was supposed to take dominion over Satan and cast him out, but he did not. Instead of casting Satan out Adam yielded to Satan’s deception disobeying God. Adam, with the encouragement of Eve, ate fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, disobeying God, yielding to Satan’s deception. Ever since that moment darkness has been allowed to reign in this World.
But God – so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. John 3: 16 Amplified Classi
Praise the Lord – The True Light, Jesus, has come.
John 12: 46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. (NKJV)
John 8: 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (NKJV)
Because of the Blood of Jesus Christ, Satan and all the demons of hell put together cannot keep you from coming into the True Light Jesus Christ.
No matter who you are or where you are,
No matter what you have done or think you may have done,
No matter how far away from God you are or think you are,
No matter how deep in darkness you are or think you are,
You can still choose Jesus. You can move from darkness to the True Light.
God Himself gave all mankind the right to choose. God will not reject the one that comes to Him
John 6: 37 All whom My Father gives (entrusts) to Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, no never, reject one of them who comes to Me]. (Amplified Classic)
Your debt no matter what it is or how great it is has already been paid in full by the Blood of Jesus. Come to the One Who Loves You. Come into the Light.
The Heart Cry of God to all mankind, past, present, and future is “Come to Me”.That heart cry from the depths of God’s Loving Heart has been a continuous heart cry for thousands of years and will continue until Jesus’ final return at the end of the age.
Can you hear that Heart Cry from God’s Heart?
Please Come unto ME!!
Do you hear God calling you by name?
Our Loving Heavenly Father deeply desires for all of us to come to Him in every area of life no matter how big or small the problem may be. He deeply desires to walk and fellowship with us.
Can you hear the heart Cry of God? Are you answering that Heart Cry?
Matthew 11: 28 – 30Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.](29) Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.(30) For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good–not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne. (Amplified Classic)
The Living Word must abide in our hearts in order for it to bring forth the manifestation or harvest. The Living Word must abide in the heart or there can be no harvest.
The only way that satan can prevent the Living Word from bringing forth harvest is to get the believer to move away from the Living Word. Satan must prevent the Living Word from abiding in the heart of the believer otherwise The Living Word will come to harvest. He cannot prevent it from bringing forth harvest unless he can deceive the believer into moving away and letting go of the Abiding Living Word.
That is why it is so vital that we understand the Abiding Word and that we Guard Our Hearts above all that we guard.
Proverbs 4: 23 Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. (Amplified Classic)
If we do not guard our hearts the Living Word will not be able to come to harvest or manifestation. It is our job to guard our hearts not God’s.
Ephesians 6: 10 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]. (Amplified Classic)
Ephesians 3: 16 May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. (Amplified Classic)
1st Corinthians 15: 57 – 58 But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.(58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose]. (Amplified Classic)
2nd Corinthians 4: 16 – 18 Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day. (17) For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!] (18) Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting. (Amplified Classic)
Philippians 4: 12 – 13I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want. (13) I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].(Amplified Classic)
2nd Timothy 1: 6 – 7 That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination]. (7) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.(Amplified Classic)
Jude 20 – 21 But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit;(21) Guard and keep yourselves in the love of God; expect and patiently wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)–[which will bring you] unto life eternal. (Amplified Classic)
Proverbs 4: 23 Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. (Amplified Classic)
What do we need to do to guard our hearts so that the Word will abide?
Proverbs 4: 24 – 27 Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you. (25) Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you.(26) Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright. (27) Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil. (Amplified Classic)
Proverbs 4: 20 – 27 is in the context of a commandment
Attend or give attention to – This means that there is an action required on our part. Not just listen to them but to do what they say, apply them.
In order for the Word to bring forth the life and health we must do the following:
1- Attend to His Word (Amplified = consent and submit)
2- Let them not depart from our sight
3- Keep them in the center of our heart
4- Keep and guard our heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard for out of it flow the springs of life
5- Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you
6- Let your eyes look right on with fixed purpose, and let your gaze be straight before you
7- Consider well the path of your feet
8- Let all your ways be established and ordered aright.
John 1: 1 IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. (Amplified Classic)
Not only is God Himself the source of The Living Word but The Living Word IS God Himself. God and His Word are One.
God IS Love! The Being Love. Absolute Love.
1st John 4: 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (NKJV)
1st John 4: 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. (NKJV)
Because God IS Love, The Being, and God and His Word are One then God’s Word IS Love.
Because God Is absolute Life and God and His Word are One then God’s Word Is Alive, absolute Life.
Because God and His Living Word are One and God cannot lie God’s Living Word Is Absolute Truth.
God’s Living Word Is Absolute Truth. His Word is His bond.
Just as God never changes God’s Nature or Ways do not change; neither does His Word.
Hebrews 13: 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (NKJV)
God’s Living Word has Absolute Integrity. God’s Living Word is Absolute Truth.
Psalm 111: 7 – 8 The works of His hands are [absolute] truth and justice [faithful and right]; and all His decrees and precepts are sure (fixed, established, and trustworthy). (8) They stand fast and are established forever and ever and are done in [absolute] truth and uprightness. (Amplified Classic)
God Himself has invited each of us into the secret place of His rest. We are the ones who must choose to enter the place of His rest.
Part of God’s own Rest is His Communion with Man. This is one of God’s Greatest Desires.
It was and still is God’s intention that all His people would dwell in the secret place of His rest. But we must choose to enter that place of rest.
Hebrews 4: 10 – 11 For he who has once entered [God’s] rest also has ceased from [the weariness and pain] of human labors, just as God rested from those labors peculiarly His own. (11)Let us therefore be zealous and exert ourselves and strive diligently to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves], that no one may fall or perish by the same kind of unbelief and disobedience [into which those in the wilderness fell]. (Amplified Classic)
Psalm 91: 1 – 2 HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. (2) I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust! (Amplified Classic)
In order to enter His Rest we must first come to Him, We must bring our lives just as they are! We must be born again. He will then qualify us to enter His Rest.
John 3: 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”(NKJV)
John 3: 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (NKJV)
If we have not received Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we cannot enter the Secret Place of God’s Rest.
Anyone who is Born Again can enter into The Secret Place of God’s Rest but We must walk the Love Walk and be Spiritually Minded
Romans 8: 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (NKJV)
The Word says that we are to dwell, live, and abide continuously in The Secret Place of God’s Rest.In Order to dwell, live, and abide in The Secret Place of God’s Rest, The Word must live and abide in our hearts. The Word must be first place and final authority in every area of our lives.
***If you have made Jesus Your Lord and Savior you are never alone and without hope.
Hope or Hopelessness? Our focus in life determines which we will walk in.
Hopelessness can slip up on us if we are focusing on the wrong thing.
If we are continuously focusing on the problem, we will be building the problem and be on our way to hopelessness.
What we focus on the most becomes who we are.
No matter what the problems in life are, they are temporary. Your eternity is not temporary. It is eternal without end. You decide where your focus should be.
We need to change our focus in life to see our lives and the lives of others through the eyes of Love and God’s Living Word.
The Lord’s focus is upon us.
Place your focus in life on God and His Word and watch the circumstances in your life change.
No matter what the problem is the Lord already knows the answer. He will guide us if we set our love and hope on Him.
1 To adjust your eye, a lens, a TV, or similar item to produce a clearer image.
2 To fix or settle on one thing; to concentrate
3 To focus one’s attention on a specific subject or question.
One of the main tactics that the enemy uses is to try and keep our focus on the wrong thing. He works hard at drawing our focus away from God and His Living Word.
Throughout Scripture we see people who had their Faith and Life focus on God and His Living Word.
In order for their Faith to work they had to be Focused on Love, the Word, and Faith. Faith works by Love. Faith is applied to the Word.
They corrected themselves, their emotions, and the way they responded to the circumstances of life based on God and His Word.
Their life focus was their relationship with God.The same should be true of every Christian.
Psalm 25: 1 – 2 UNTO YOU, O Lord, do I bring my life. (2a) O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on, and am confident in You. (Amplified Classic)
Psalm 27: 1 THE LORD is my Light and my Salvation–whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life–of whom shall I be afraid? (Amplified Classic)
What in your life do you focus on the most? What is Your Life Focus? What we focus on the most becomes who we are.
To be successful in any area of life we must be focused in that area. If we are not focused, we will not be successful.
We must decide where our focus should be. What we focus on goes farther than just being successful in this life. Our life focus will determine our destiny in this life and our eternity that follows.
God gave man the right to choose. He will back our choice. The choices we make determines our focus.
Romans 8: 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (NKJV)
Matthew 6: 33 – 34 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. (34) So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble. (Amplified Classic)
Our Life Focus must be on God’s Living Word first of all.
Colossians 3: 1 – 3 IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (2) And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. (3) For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. (Amplified Classic)
Colossians 3: 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (NKJV)
We find examples of fretting and envy throughout scripture.
Genesis 4 Cain envied Abel and killed him.
Genesis 26 we find the Philistines envied Abraham because of the great number of the flocks of sheep, herds of cattle, servants and other possessions that he had.
Genesis 37 Joseph’s brothers envied him selling him to the Egyptians.
Matthew 27: 18 and Mark 15: 10 we find that Pilate knew that the Jews had handed Jesus over to be crucified because of envy.
Psalm 37: 1 – 8 (Amplified Classic) FRET NOT yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness (that which is not upright or in right standing with God). (2) For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. (3) Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed. (4) Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. (5) 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. (6) And He will make your uprightness and right standing with God go forth as the light, and your justice and right as [the shining sun of] the noonday. (7) Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him; fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass. (8) Cease from anger and forsake wrath; fret not yourself–it tends only to evildoing.
James 3: 13 – 18 (NKJV) Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. (14) But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. (15) This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. (16) For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. (17) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. (18) Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James 3: 16 (Amplified Classic)For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices.
In order to properly understand what it means to trust in the Lord we must understand that Trust cannot be earned it must be granted. A person can position themselves to be trustworthy but cannot earn trust. No matter what a person does to become trustworthy that trust must be granted it cannot be earned.
Our trust in God and His Living Word must be on a higher level than our trust in anyone or anything else. God and His Living Word are ABSOLUTE TRUTH.
The Amplified Bible says to believe in God is to adhere to, trust in, and rely on God.
When I truly set my love upon God and habitually walk the Love Walk as a lifestyle, I will trust God no matter what takes place in my life.
When we trust God, we position ourselves for Him to accomplish His Will in our lives.
Psalm 31: 19 Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear, revere, and worship You, goodness which You have wrought for those who trust and take refuge in You before the sons of men! (Amplified Classic)
I cannot truly Trust the Lord without setting my Love upon Him. Setting my Love upon Him opens the door for God to pour out His Blessings upon us.
Psalm 91: 14 – 16 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness–trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never]. (15) He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. (16) With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation. (Amplified Classic)
God has already determined the path that He desires for our life. Our job is to discover and align ourselves with that plan, not create our own. When we truly trust God, we align ourselves with His Way not ours. He is our life, our shield, and our refuge.
Psalm 18: 30 As for God, His way is perfect! The word of the Lord is tested and tried; He is a shield to all those who take refuge and put their trust in Him. (Amplified Classic)
We must trust God no matter what takes place or what we may think or feel.
The biggest enemy to the love of God is love of self. You must get rid of selfishness in order to walk in the love of God.
You must be willing to put God’s will above your own desires and above everything else in your life. That is what it really means to love God.
What do you have on the throne of your heart as a priority?
What keeps you from your time with the Lord or doing what you already know to do?
What are you so tied to that it effects your time with the Lord?
Many people tie themselves to money, houses, other people, and pleasures instead of God. However, you cannot get so tied to those things that you forget God.
Matthew 6: 33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. (34) So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble. (Amplified Classic)
Loving God, setting your love upon Him, requires that you tie yourself to Him and Him alone. He should be your number one priority.
Restoration Ministries 