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Enjoy the Fireworks!

Filed under: Focus, Have You Thought About?, Searching For Purpose?, Uncategorized — 8 Comments

December 31, 2013

by DJ Martin (SingleFocus Ministry®)

I hurried to try to make it, before the celebration was over, to hear a great gospel singer. However, when I got there, the singing was over and the fireworks was about to begin. So even though I missed her singing, I stayed around to enjoy the fireworks.

After finding ourselves in an untimely circumstance that appears to not work out the way we had planned, unfortunately we seem to have a habit of abruptly giving up and deciding that help is none existence or this is not the correct path. So we stop our journey and turn around to go home. Even when we are timely and there are no signs that help or the man of significance is not in front of our eyes, we end our pursuit and turn around to go home.

Sometimes it’s because we really don’t know what they look like or how they will be dressed or what stage they are on. Sometimes we aren’t in sync with their timing.

The wicked, however, will pursue their devious plans or the defeat of the righteous no matter how late they are. They most likely will say “We just missed them therefore let’s run faster.” But the religious tend to give up or even deny the existence of hope and victory or even deny the Author of hope and victory.

Just because you didn’t see Him, doesn’t mean that God wasn’t there. He’s omnipresent! We (the religious) will stay around to watch fireworks faster than we will stay around to see how God will come through. But, you won’t know if you stop your journey and turn around . If you decide not to stay around, you’ll miss the evidence of His Power and Glory performed!

Judas was one man who didn’t stick around. I don’t know if he expected Him to break chains and call down warring angels, but Judas was obviously disappointed about the defenseless state of Jesus Christ and His humility in the face of tremendous opposition. It didn’t work out the way Judas had planned. But, those who hung around and held tightly His Words to their bosoms; they saw His power and His Glory; they saw His triumphant and victory!

Whether we hang around or not, whether we decide to not believe in Him and walk away from Him, it will not change the fact that Jesus Christ was crucified for our transgressions and did rise from the grave, and is now sitting on the right hand of God the Father having all power in His Hand, making intercession for us; and soon one day, will come again to receive us to Himself and every knee will bow and every tongue (believers and non-believers) will confess, “Jesus Christ, Lord of Lords and King of Kings!”

I pray that this New Year,

I will not be too quick to give up on the merciful and powerful intervention of God.
I will be more diligent to take the time to actively pursue seeing His power and His glory in every situation to victory.
I will vigorously pursue righteousness and seek a stronger relationship with Jesus Christ.
I will chase a thousand and seek God’s kingdom agenda.

I pray that this New Year, all who I come in contact with will have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; and in our walk and our talk we will be quick to confess that Jesus Christ is real and indeed Lord of Lords and King of Kings!

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. (KJV)” Psalm 27:14

That’s Today’s Single Focus…

Photo credits:

English: Fireworks on the first day of Summerfest, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Evening Prayer 12.29.13: First Sunday after Christmas (dailyoffice.org)
Who is YOUR Jesus Christ? (pipermac5.wordpress.com)
Jesus Christ! (kristiann1.com)

Tags: angels, army, arose, Born again (Christianity), Christianity, created, cried, cross, died, evening, faith, fire, Gentile, God, God the Father, His word, Jesu, Jesus Christ, King of Kings, Kings, LIFE, Lord, Luke, Matthew, morning, New Year, night, power, priests, resurrection, risen, sacrifice, servant, shout, Today's Single Focus, trumpet, voice

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THE FIRST CHRISTMAS

Filed under: Focus, Gift Ideas, Have You Thought About?, Searching For Purpose?, True Story, Uncategorized — 5 Comments

December 23, 2013

by DJ Martin (SingleFocus Ministry®)

“…Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” LUKE 2:11 (KJV)

LUKE 2:1-20

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar
Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first
made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she
should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!”

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the
shepherds said one to another, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.”

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. ISAIAH 9:6

I pray that Christ is indeed born in your heart and is your Lord and Savior.

Celebrate His birth like the Shepherds did: spread the Good News, glorifying and praising God, for Christ the Savior is born!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” JOHN 3:16

That’s Today’s Single Focus…

Photo Credit

Angels Announcing the Birth of Christ to the Shepherds (Wikipedia)

Jesus Is Truly the Reason for the Season!!!!!! (simmonecook.wordpress.com)
A Son Was Given (lauriecoombs.org)
Keeping Christ in Christmas – A Devotion (lthomason.wordpress.com)
(2013) T4:W10 Separate – Story of Christmas (northsydneyiscf.wordpress.com)
The Birth of Christ. Luke 2 (dawnmarie20.wordpress.com)
Christmas, Jesus is the reason for the season (makingchristknownireland.com)

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I’m Talking About Power!

Filed under: Focus, Have You Thought About?, Searching For Purpose?, Uncategorized — 6 Comments

November 5, 2013

by DJ Martin (SingleFocus Ministry®)

In the beginning the earth was a garbage dump; void and dark (Genesis 1:2). It was chaos having no substance and no life. God said, “Let there be…;” and it was (Genesis 1:3). What astounding power! With His word darkness disappeared and light surrounded the earth. At His word waters separated into the heavens and the earth. Not only that, but at His word, the waters separated and contained themselves in the clouds in the heavens and in the crevices in the earth. God merely spoke and whatever He said, “Let there be…” came into fruition (Genesis 1). And get this; He has preserved the earth from destruction (Nehemiah 9:6). The sky has not fallen, birds still fly and flowers still bloom. The moon has not fallen; neither has the sun. No one can compare to such power!

God said “Let there be…” and the sun and the moon still hang in the sky without wires. No man has to groom the sun or the moon; no man has to devise a plan to keep them from falling or getting too close. Man uses the power from the sun, but no man can contain the power thereof. Man has been to the moon, but no human being has preceded its existence. There is no power like the Word of God.

I’m talking about power!

Elijah went to the temple mount and challenged the priest of Baal. He said, “If the LORD be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him.” So they took two bulls; one for them and one for Elijah; and laid them on wood, but did not put fire under them. The priests called on the name of Baal, their god, from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, hear us!” But there was no voice, nor any that answered. So they leaped upon the altar and cried loudly, and cut themselves. Into the evening of the day, they did this, but there was neither voice, nor anyone that answered, nor any fire from their god (1 Kings 18:26).

Then Elijah built an altar in the name of the LORD. He had four barrels, filled with water, poured two and three times on the bull, and on the wood. The water ran all around the altar. Then he filled a trench around it with water; and said, “LORD God, let it be known this day that you are God and that I have done all these things at Your word (1 Kings 18:36).” Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and even licked up the water that was in the trench. When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, “The LORD, He is the God; the LORD, He is the God.” Elijah did not cut himself; neither did he have to shout as if God was hard of hearing, asleep or made of stone. He merely spoke as His servant and the power of God was manifested.

I’m talking about power!

God took Ezekiel to a valley full of dry bones and said, “…Can these bones live (Ezekiel 37:3)?” Ezekiel replied, “O Lord GOD, You know.” So God told him to speak to the bones and tell them the words God had given him to say. As Ezekiel spoke the words of God, there was a noise, then a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. Then he saw the sinews and the flesh cover the bones, but they had no life, until God told him to speak to the wind. So Ezekiel spoke to the wind the words that God had said and when the power of God had moved; before his very eyes there stood a great army where once were dead men bones (Ezekiel 37:10).

I’m talking about power!

A Roman centurion, a Gentile, sought after Christ to heal his servant. Jesus said “I will go see your servant.” But the centurion said, “I’m an officer, I just send my word and it gets done. Just send Your word (Luke 7:7-8).” Christ praised his faith and sent His word. Then they found the servant alive and well where he had been sick and dying. This man of earthly power understood and had faith in the extraordinary power of the Lord and His Word.

I’m talking about power!

In the middle of the night, they took the Lord Jesus Christ from courtroom to courtroom. They paraded Him before the people, bruised and beaten beyond recognition (Isaiah 53). Then they hung Him on the cross (John 19:16-19), where He died. They placed Him in a borrowed tomb (Matthew 27:60) and the guards rolled a stone over its entrance. “At last,” thought the self-righteous Pharisees, Sadducees and Romans; “Their nuisance was defeated and would trouble them no more.” But when two women came to His burying-place, they found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. As they were perplexed, they saw two angels who said, “Why do you seek the living among the dead (Luke 24:5)? He has risen just as He said He would!”

I’m talking about power!

Before Christ ascended into heaven upon a cloud, He was seen by over 500 people (some even sat down and ate with Him (Luke 24:43), and He reiterated the fact that; “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth (Matthew 28:18).”

He has all power in His Hands (Matthew 28:18).

I could go on and on… There really are no earthly words to adequately describe the astounding power of our God! There have been countless times, experienced and written about where if it had not been for the power of God…! One day, it won’t be long; God will command the angel to blow a trumpet. Then the dead in Christ will rise and those who remain will be changed in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye and (1 Corinthians 15:52) caught up in the clouds (1 Thessalonians 4:16), to meet the Lord in the air…

I’m talking about power!

Have you a personal experience that you can share of the power of God intervening in your life?

“God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. (KJV)” Psalms 62:11

That’s Today’s Single Focus…

Photo credits:

Creation of Adam (Wikipedia)

Rembrandt_Resurection_Christ_1639 (ErgSap)

1 Kings 18; 1 Thessalonians 1; Ezekiel 48; Psalms 104 (66books.wordpress.com)
Impossible Answers Can Only Come To Impossible Situations (deeredeemed.wordpress.com)
What a Difference a Day Makes – 1 Kings 19 (gsnow96.wordpress.com)
Elijah, The Spiritual Giant (adisaadeministries.wordpress.com)
Elijah Chronicles – Chapter Two: “Fire Fall” (presbymusings.com)
Complacency, Faith That Limps – I Kings 18:20-40 (stevesbiblemeditations.com)
Ezekiel 37 (humbledheartblog.wordpress.com)

Tags: air, altar, angels, army, arose, asleep, Baal, bull, clouds, courtroom, created, cried, cross, cut themselves, dead men bones, died, evening, Ezekiel, faith, fire, garbage dump, Genesis, Gentile, Gospel of Matthew, hard of hearing, His word, Kings, LIFE, Luke, Matthew, moon, morning, night, noise, noon, power, priests, resurrection, risen, sacrifice, seen by over 500, servant, shaking, shout, sinews, soldiers, stone, sun, the beginning, Today's Single Focus, trumpet, twinkling of an eye, voice, wind

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Good Guys Wore White Hats

Filed under: Have You Thought About?, Searching For Purpose?, Uncategorized — 3 Comments

May 29, 2013

Randolph Scott (1898-1987) (Photo credit: Gonmi)

by DJ Martin (SingleFocus Ministry®)

While watching old black and white Westerns on the Classic Movie TV Channel, I noticed an interesting constant. To be undoubtedly clear about the difference between right and wrong, throughout the entire movie, the good guys always wore white hats and the bad guys always wore black.

Whatever happened to the days when the good guys wore white hats and the bad guys wore black? Those noble heroes adorned their heads in white hats and never said a disparaging word. They were always encouraging and bold in their speech; declaring that the wicked shall obey laws of righteousness and will be defeated. They were champions of honor, honesty, and righteousness. They were men of character and integrity. They were the heroes that both the wicked and righteous women desired and young boys emulated. Their stand for truth and justice and their fight for the downtrodden, abused and deceived made them seem 6 feet tall and handsome though physically they might not be at all. They were not wearing costumes or capes; the white hat was all that was needed to identify them as the good guys. They didn’t believe that it was another person’s job to fight the wicked, though they knew it could cost their life if they failed. They were champions without rings or streets named after them. They were not like ordinary other men, because they were optimistic, hopeful and trusted in God. They expected to be and were always victorious though no man would go with them. They read their Bible and prayed to God.

On the other hand, you always knew the wicked guys, because they always wore black. Their heart was as black as the clothes they wore. They might be 6 feet tall and handsome in appearance, but deep inside their bulging chests lodged appallingly ugly hearts, and somehow the evil therein seeped through their pores. It was not so much what they said, but how they said it. Their tongue was always contorted; speaking lies camouflaged with flattering words and cleverly crafted verse accented with a perfect smile and timely pitch. They crept in the night covered by darkness or in the day sheltered by the shadows; to carry out their sinister plans. They falsely accused the good guy while plotting to rob an entire town ‘blind’ and snickered at them huddled in their Church. The cunning words and cleaver façade always made it difficult for their ‘mark’ to discern their evil intentions until they had been swindled or tied up and robbed. They know how to woo the hero’s lady and make it seem as if the good guy is the bad guy, but we, the observers, always knew the difference, because the good guy wore the white hat and the bad guys wore black.

Nowadays it’s difficult, even for the observers, to discern the good guys from the bad. Good guys are wearing black hats because curiously the dress of the wicked often becomes the latest fad. The bad guys are successfully infiltrating good situations and blending in with the good; always saying the right thing at the right time, going to Sunday School and to Church. It is way too late when they have been discovered as cons and frauds who had merely painted their black hat white. They leave the victims of their deceit bruised and broken, stripped of their dignity and feeling quite stupid. Then, having conquered the foolish, the wicked verbally abuse them and freely oppress them.

Now, I’ve only seen it in the old black and white films made before my time, but I wonder what happened to the days when the good guys were imitated and men took offense if anything derogatory was said about their mom or their lady. What happened to the days when good guys always married good women who were pure inward and outwardly; and they stayed with them (her) through sickness and in health; always protecting their (her) reputation and dignity? Now we hear even the “Sunday go to meeting” worshipers humming the lyrics of a womanizing, verbally degrading rappers’ hit song. Didn’t it used to be a time when men and women loved each other pure and chaste from afar until they said: “I do”? I think that’s what my grand momma said. In those old black & white Westerns, someone would inevitably say, “My word is my bond.” However, today, even the marriage covenant is treated like sweet-tasting chewing gum: discarded as soon as the flavor is gone.

Whatever happened to the time when men dressed for success and held their pants up with a secure belt, always mindful to keep their underwear a private affair? Oddly enough, unfortunately, even the good guys so blend their lives with the lifestyle of the bad, that the good guys are silenced and accept ridicule hoping that they would find favor with the bad guys. Even the good guys seem to only be willing to be our heroes if the price is right. Nowadays, their integrity, character and stand for righteousness seem to be merely an echo; as honesty and bravery are no longer fashionable.

What’s going on? There seems to be no more obvious Martin Luthers, Martin Luther Kings, Tank Mans/Men or Chai Lings. There’s no discerning population and no unwavering men and women of principle are heard above a whisper (perhaps because every day they are being silenced in the halls of infanticide or the scourge of political correctness). Immorality is lauded as ‘a right’ and righteousness is bullied into silence by leaders who dress in the white of integrity, but walk on a fence ready to sway whichever way the wind blows. Maybe the only way we can bring back those days when good guys wore white hats and the bad guys wore black is that deep, inside each of us; we make sure that our inner man wears a white hat. If each individual exhibits the godly character of a hero, from the inside out, pretty soon they will impact someone else and before you know it; a whole town will be full of good guys who wear white hats and my children’s children imitate. Do I dare dream…?

I used to think that it was the way they dressed; or the way they wore their hair; or the way they showed up for Church every Sunday morning that made them the good guys: champions of righteousness, honesty, and integrity. One day, alone in my apartment, suddenly I understood that anyone can act righteously to accomplish their selfish desires. It’s the ones who have transformed hearts and minds (Romans 12:2); they’re the ones that eat and breathe courage and integrity: true men and women of principle and character. Now I understand that except the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14, Act 4:31) comes over them, they don’t stand strong and fearlessly exhibit godliness. Actually, they don’t look like Randolph Scott at all nor do they ride a white horse like the Lone Ranger, but they always seem to show up to encourage, pray, rescue and save at just the right time. Even if the good guys wore white hats and were heroic and courageous, unless Christ is their Savior, they will never know true victory. You see, it starts from the heart totally yielded to the ultimate champion, Jesus Christ.

The ‘born again’ (1 Peter 1:23) follower of Jesus Christ becomes more than an observer, but a Spirit-filled participator in the fight for truth and justice. Filled with the Holy Spirit (Act 2:4), they will leap tall buildings, penetrate steel walls, rescue the captive and give insight to the blind faster than a speeding bullet when they pray. They might not wear white hats, but they are covered by the blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:14, Revelation 1:5) and cloaked in righteousness, honesty, integrity, and unwavering truth and character.

Perhaps we don’t recognize the good guys, because we’re looking too high up. Actually, the good guys tend to be in the trenches, not in comfortable hilltop mansions. They’re the ones who back you up when you’re troubled. They are the passersby who run into a burning building to rescue you from the flames. They’re the ones who pray for you when you’re struggling. They’re the ones who empty their pockets so that you are fed though you’re a stranger. They are humble and unassuming men and women who comfort and encourage. Though they don’t even know your name, they mercifully hold your hand or wipe the tears from your eyes when, in your life, tragedy has struck. When you stumble, rather than condemn or judge you, they extend their hand of mercy to help you up. Amazingly when there is a need, they are always showing up in the nick of time and do not require payment from you; not one dime. The good guys don’t always look strong and courageous. They might wear uniforms, but most times not. The good guys could be your neighbor or yourself who speed to rescue without hesitation; all because someone needs help. They stand at the ready to show captives the path to freedom and break the chains that bind. They sound the alarm when you draw near to danger and they don’t stand around waiting for you to show some kind of gratitude. They may not wear white hats, but they are up close and personal champions; men and women of character and integrity who wear invisible helmets of salvation (Ephesians 6:17) and breastplates of righteousness (Isaiah 59:17).

I noticed another thing that was common in those movies. In the moment of truth, the good guy always had to fight the battle by himself, because the people who needed to be rescued were intimidated by the wicked and believed deceiving words which rendered them helplessly shackled by the spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). They thought that it was best to try to make the wicked happy and then they would be left alone (“evil prevails when good men do nothing”). It speaks to a truth of life: real heroes are discerning and are a rare commodity specially designed and providentially dispatched by God. Though the wicked is cunning and cleverly disguised, somehow the surrendered soul totally yielded to Jesus Christ, rightly discerns the righteous from the wicked, whether or not the bad or the good guys wore white hats.

Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not…” (NKJV) Malachi 3:18

That’s Today’s Single Focus…

Slideshow: FBI releases new pictures of Boston Marathon bombing suspects (kdvr.com)
My Heroes Will Always Be . . . (writingsluts.wordpress.com)
Roy Rogers: Movie Host (WOR TV-9, 1980) (neovideohunter.wordpress.com)

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Liar, Thief and Killer!

Filed under: Focus, Have You Thought About?, Hope for a struggling Marriage, Searching For Purpose?, Staying Together, Uncategorized — 4 Comments

March 17, 2013

by DJ Martin (SingleFocus Ministry®)

The murderer rising with the light killeth the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief. Job 24:14

These are the days of frequent reports of: uncovered terrorist plots; drug cartel killings; nations warring and killing one another; and government methodically stealing citizens’ rights through unjust laws. There isn’t a neighborhood without some kind of security measure: burglar bars, security systems, security/police patrol or security dogs to protect against thieves who strike at any time day or night. We’ve got deadly domestic violence; endemic divorces; billion dollar baby killing (infanticide) industries; and deadly addictions that put young people behind bars or 6 feet deep, destroying parents’ hope of a great future for their children. That’s the national statistics of ‘steal, kill and destroy’, but there is a more up-close and personal battle that is waging. If we win this battle then hopefully the national statistics should change for the better.

“If the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” 1 Corinthians 14:8

Jesus described the adversary (the devil) as a liar, thief, killer and destroyer (John 8:44, John 10:10). The fact is that we are in a personal battle; a spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12); and we need to be equipped for the battle. We also need to know the weapons and battle strategy of our enemy (Ephesians 6:11-17). In order to fight the good fight, we must be able to recognize him when he appears as a “wolf in sheep clothing (Matthew 7:15).”

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. John 8:44

One of the devil’s tactics was first displayed in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-7). That is the tactic of altering focus from the commitment to obey God. Also, he changes focus from the grace of God’s manifold blessings to the focus on the one thing that we do not possess, but we think we want. Adam and Eve were conned with deceiving words and the same tactic will be tried on the body of Christ, both individually and collectively.

You’ve heard the expression; “all that glitters ain’t gold.” Just because it looks good, doesn’t mean that it is good. Have you ever had a Lexus driver try to sell you a Pacer? Has a stallion rider ever tried to sell you a donkey? If these things are so good then why isn’t the seller investing in it himself? It’s like the President trying to sell you an economy car and He rides in a limousine or a jet plane every day. If it’s all that great, then why is the seller not an owner too? We must be careful to remember that our lifestyle is a faith walk not an emotional walk. Get back in focus! Don’t let the adversary’s lies steal your joy and destroy your confidence in God’s faithfulness to supply all your needs and not deny you any good thing. Focus on the abundance God has already given you. Delight yourself in Him (Psalm 37:4) and He will give you the desires of your heart and more!

Don’t be deceived! Colossians 2:8

The deceiving spirit will use tactics such as trouble on your job: the boss treating you unfairly; co-workers lying and/or spying on you; etc. You begin to focus on the unfairness of it all: how you should have gotten that promotion or how you can get even; how you can quit… “Danger, Danger!” The deceiver will speak cunning and enticing words to get your concentration on one closed-door while they steal all that you possess in your many open doors. Your focus is being destroyed. You have lost focus on the fact that God supplies all your needs and that you are an ambassador for Christ whose goal is to cause others to seek Christ as their personal Savior.

Don’t lose focus!! (Philippians 3:14)

You may be happy at your job: coworkers are praising you, enticing you; and you are making a lot of money, and the more overtime you work, the more money you can make. Now you are too tired to go to Midweek Bible Study and Prayer Meeting or even too tired to go to Sunday Morning Worship. You are never home in time for family breakfast or dinner; and you don’t make PTA meeting, etc. “Danger, Danger!” Your focus is being destroyed! You have lost focus on the fact that you wanted a good job to provide for your family the way God would have you do in the way God would have you to. Your job is your resource to provide for your family as you do the work God has called you to.

Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41

Divorce is rampant. The adversary is killing the family network which eventually leads to ultimate destruction of a nation. Like shooting ducks at an amusement park, men are succumbing to temptation and walking away from wife and children. In Tyler Perry’s movie ‘Why Did I Get Married Too?’ the marriage counselor announced that she and her husband were divorcing. As they talked with their divorce lawyers, she kept saying over and over “It’s going to be okay. We love each other.” Huh! Isn’t that an oxymoron? There’s got to be a lie in there somewhere! Their close friend commented; “14 years you’ve been with this woman, there’s gotta be something in them 14 years’ that’s worth fighting for!” It’s baffling how we reconcile our differences in order to stay on a job for 30 years despite the difficult issues: awful boss; low wages; and backstabbing co-workers; etc. We refuse to allow the devil to steal our job, but we give up and allow him to deceive, steal, kill and destroy a family we’ve invested in and committed to for so many years…

God reconciled with us who were wretched sinners unworthy of anyone’s mercy, don’t you think that He can help reconcile differences with your family? Perhaps your focus has been so deceptively altered that you are willingly “throwing the fight.”

There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the ends thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 14:12

This is indeed an adulterous generation (Mark 8:38). Recently it was reported that 48% of first births are outside of marriage. Sometimes the parents live together without making wedding vows, but eventually sever the relationship. I worked with a single lady who constantly complained that her physical clock was running out. She was focused on world standards and not the awesome ability and sovereignty of God. The Christian life is not based on earthly varying ‘politically-correct’ absolutes, but on God’s immutable truth, omniscience and ability to do exceedingly more than we can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

Get back to the basics of Bible Study and Prayer so that you are equipped for the battle. Search the scriptures and see how the adversary consistently attacks and tempts the saints. Be on guard. Pray, and again I say, “PRAY (1 Timothy 5:17)!” Study and pray so that you can discern both good and evil. Remind yourself often of what your focus should be. Remind yourself of the will and work of God (John 4:34). Let God help you fight. Let God exalt you. God is the source of your victory: physically, financially and relational.

Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body … Matthew 10:28

Life is a ‘spiritual battle’ that gets physical. The enemy is so cunning and cleverly deceptive, how can we win this heated battle???

God already made preparation for His own to win. In a Garden, late in the night, while He wept and anguished (sweat like blood upon His brow), they plotted the betrayal, capture and killing of Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. As the hour grew near, He momentarily wished that the ‘bitter cup’ be removed (Mark 14:36), but His whole being was about the ‘will of the Father’. He also knew that if He did not go the distance, we would be defeated and we would be perpetually killed and destroyed as the adversary would have stolen our right to receive eternal life and right relationship with the Father and deny us victory. They stole Him away from the Garden and took Him secretly from court to court, falsely accusing Him, and then they stripped Him, ridiculed Him and beat Him, destroying His priestly appearance (Isaiah 53:2). Then they unjustly led Him, bruised and bleeding, up to Golgotha Hill, nailed Him to a cross and killed Him. After He died, they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a borrowed tomb. No one is buried in a borrowed tomb, but Jesus Christ was not ordinary, because on the third day angels set upon the stone, which had covered the tomb, and reported to the women disciples that Jesus Christ had risen from the dead. Over 500 witnesses saw Him before He ascended into Heaven on a cloud. Now He is seated on the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf and ‘ALL’ things are under His feet (Ephesians 1:22). Jesus Christ has the victory waiting to give it to all who would receive it!

Thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

Surely Christ would not willingly go through all that agony only to allow us to be defeated and destroyed! There isn’t a sin that He cannot forgive. There isn’t a theft that He cannot recover. There isn’t a death that He cannot resurrect. There isn’t a battle that He cannot win. Whatever you’re going through, Jesus Christ will equip you to win. If you make Him LORD of your life, He will even fight your battle. Read His word. You will find that someone in the Bible has already walked a path like yours and God gave them the victory. He will give you victory also, if you are willing. Trust in God (John 14). As Apostle Paul said, “Put on your armor and then STAND…” (Ephesians 6:13-14).

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Jesus Christ (John 10:10)

That’s Today’s Single Focus…

Satan’s Plan to Destroy America… The Rest of the Story (vineoflife.net)
Prophecy: The Serpent (someonewholovesjesus.wordpress.com)
Engaging in Warfare~~Are You Ready for Battle? (reflectionsofgracehome.wordpress.com)
“Stop A Thief!” (wordforlifesays.com)
Discerning the Devil’s Voice: Who is Satan? (rebeccaaarup.com)

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Can True Love Wait?

Filed under: Have You Thought About?, Uncategorized — 8 Comments

February 20, 2013

by DJ Martin (SingleFocus Ministry®)

Late one night I made the mistake of going to a popular Drug Store on the eve of Valentine’s Day. When I got there I decided that there must be a great sale going on because, the parking lot was unusually packed. I had done my Valentine shopping earlier in the month; therefore, it didn’t dawn on me until I got into the store and saw the long lines; “Valentine’s Day!” The crowd was there to buy Valentine gifts and cards. These were the ‘True Love’ procrastinators. I turned around and walked out, because it was obvious that I should wait and make my purchase on another day.

Can ‘True Love wait’? Think about it. How thespian it is to see God’s creation running even sprinting to ‘Love’; desperately clinging with emotional tongs to someone (anyone) while musing, “Could this be True Love?” They are not sure, but they will not let go. They will do whatever it requires to keep this ‘True Love’ in their grasp. The problem is, however, that they don’t resemble the ‘Love’ that movies are made of. Like ‘nickel plated silver’, the ‘Love’ begins to expose its deficiency. The sparkle begins to fizzle. They begin to wonder, how this can be ‘True Love’ when there is no Disney magic; there is very little “happy ever…” Is this the ‘True Love’ that movies are made of? Who is directing; who wrote the script? Is it improvised? Has your ‘True Love’ story turned into a nightmarish comedy; absent of humor?

In order to make a beautiful compelling ‘True Love’ movie, you’ve got to have outstanding actors. The problem is that ‘True Love’ is not a movie, but too many desperate idealists have subconsciously blurred the lines between realism and fiction. Therefore they cling to the illusion that they saw the actors perform in the movies. When they face reality they discover that life is not a movie and the ones sticking to the script are really actors who are ‘True Loves’ only until the credits begin to roll. Then they go on to the next movie set. You are simply one of the stars that they were in a movie with.

Can ‘True Love’ wait? Are you tired of waiting? Perhaps that’s why you are clinging to anyone who is needed to complete your fantasy. Are you so anxious for ‘True Love’ that you have settled; anybody breathing will do? Are you like that ‘State Farm Commercial’ where the woman picked a boyfriend from the internet who claims to be a Parisian model, but obviously is neither French nor a model? If you’re at that stage, perhaps’ True Love’ can wait.

With divorce at epidemic levels; ‘shacking’ as an expected norm; teenage promiscuity spurring the surge of transmitted diseases; infanticide (abortion) as a billion dollar business; and domestic violence alarming frequency; it is evident that there needs to be a curriculum course, at all education levels, on ‘True Love’. However, mankind has so ‘devolved’ that they refuse to teach ‘True Love’ in the public schools. As a matter of fact government actively tries to discourage its very mention in any public arena and the psychologist, divorce lawyers and undertakers are reaping the benefits. Oh, they will teach about sex education; how to use condoms; and how to tolerate perversion (governmentally sponsored). That’s because educators and government officials are intellectually deficient on the knowledge of what ‘True Love’ really is.

‘True Love’ is when you have disobeyed the One who created you, but that Creator has mercy on you and sacrifices another of His created being to cover you. Adam and Eve didn’t follow the script, but their Author loved them in their weakness. They didn’t measure up to His standards, but He loved them anyway.

‘True Love’ is when you were given a promise, but though you could not wait and decided to make your own fulfillment of the promise, God loves you anyway. Though your “promise come true” was artificial or fake, God loves you and gives you the promise anyway.

‘True Love’ is when you’ve been an adulterer and/or an idolater, but God loves you so much that He sacrificed His only begotten Son to pay the bond for your crimes; for the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

‘True Love’ is when you’ve been willingly imprisoned by deadly habits like substance abuse and sexual immorality, but Christ loves you enough to come and break your chains and set you free.

‘True Love’ is when you’ve made bad choices and your sins are like crimson, Christ willingly comes down off His throne to take your sins upon Himself and is beaten, mocked, and crucified to cover you and your sins; past, present and future (“love covers a multitude of sins” (James 5:20).

‘True Love’ is though you reject Him and deny Him; Christ is willing to forgive you and sit down to eat with you. He still stands at the door of your heart and invites you to come unto Him and walk with Him (Revelation 3:20).

‘True Love’ is God relentlessly seeking your good and seeking to assure you of eternal life thru Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 1:16).

‘True Love’ is not a movie nor is it a fairy tale. ‘True Love’ is real and not based upon a man-made script.

‘True Love’ is written by the Holy Spirit on the hearts of all who are willing.

‘True Love’ can be experienced by all who are willing to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

You may not be married or you may have been married 50 plus years, but until you’ve met Jesus Christ; until you have accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, you will never know ‘True Love’.

‘True Love’ waits for you…

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us… (NIV)” 1 John 3:16

“For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

“God is love.” 1 John 4:8

That’s Today’s Single Focus…

No Greater Love! (aviesplace.wordpress.com)
A True Friend Loves (michaelvalley.wordpress.com)
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church. (calvinistview.com)

Tags: Adam, Can True Love Wait?, Christ, cross, Day Valentine, eternal life, forgive, God, hates divorce, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, love, marriage, Sin, State Farm, substance abuse, Today's Single Focus, Valentine

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IMAGE

Filed under: Focus, Have You Thought About?, Searching For Purpose?, Uncategorized — 7 Comments

February 1, 2013

by DJ Martin (SingleFocus Ministry®)

At an appointed time, King Herod put on his royal apparel, sat on his throne, and made a stirring and eloquent speech. The people gave him a great ovation and would not stop shouting, “It’s the voice of a god, not of a man!” And immediately the angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died. Meanwhile, the word of God continued to spread, and there were many new believers in Jesus Christ (Act 12:21-24).

This world is so tricky and cunning. As soon as you’re born, your self-worth, value and purpose is challenged. Suddenly you see the light of day and just as suddenly you are surrounded by mercenaries of the ‘adversary’ trying to shape and mold you into the image of the world value system. When you were born, you were cute and sweet, lovable and precious. You were fine just like you were. As you begin to mature you begin to be bombarded with: “If you don’t dress like this, you are not fashion literate and that’s not good”; “If you don’t get your hair done at that shop you’re not in tune with what’s happening”; “If you don’t drive that car you’re killing the planet”; “Everyone has an iPod, you should too”; “If you’re not politically correct you’re a bigot”; “If you don’t drink, smoke, get high or be promiscuous or immoral, you can’t be a friend or achieve success, because everyone who is somebody drinks, smokes, gets high and is a whoremonger.” Unfortunately some of the very talented and gifted people fall in line with that peer pressure and their lives are a total mess! You know, Apostle Paul made a very simple statement, but when you observe the Corinthian life style of the rich and famous, you realize that it is a very profound and prophetic statement; “Don’t give place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27).” Let’s say you are an aspiring actor or actress and you meet with an agent or a talent scout, but you don’t drink hard liquor. Your agent says, “We will meet in a bar, have a few drinks and discuss the movie project they want you to be a part of.” You go there with the intention of having ginger ale, but your agent tells you that you will have to start drinking hard liquor. Now you’re faced with deciding if getting somewhere in the industry is worth compromising your principles. You say it’s just one drink, but you have just given “place to the devil.” As the years go by, you wake up with a successful acting career, but you’ve so compromised your principles and value system that your life is a mess and the whole world feeds off your moral degradation. All this because one compromise led to more and more demands and compromising your value system…

I’ve got a question for you; did that agent, or director or talent scout or boss give you the talent that you have? Think about it. All they have done is mold you into the image of the world, telling you that “you have to do this in order to get the world to see your talent.” It seriously sounds like prostituting your talent or gift. Really! Note that God declares that He knew you when you were in your mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5). God gave you your gift; but He gave it to you for His good purpose (Ephesians 1:11) and not to be another notch on the world’s belt. If you have observed: notches on a wall or a belt just look like notches… nothing special. However, it looks like graffiti to God (a sinful mess all over your soul). You can act like everything is okay, but you have sold yourself and worth for “30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15).” A struggling street musician has more self-worth then you do because every time he gets applauses, every time he sees someone put money into the hat, he gets encouraged and assesses his growing value, and not one of his audiences asks him or compels him to compromise his principles.

Well, that is the sad state of affairs. So how do you get joy and freedom? I suggest that you step back and take a serious look at the trappings and maneuver your way through the entangled worldly maze. I like the way Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 13:12) and Michael Jackson put it, “Take a look at the man in the mirror”. If you look, you will see the reflection of how the world has molded you; but if you look at the reflection in the Bible, you will see how God made you. He formed you as a man or woman and He said it was good (Genesis 1:27-31 ) He stitched into your essence a gift or a talent and placed on your heart a charge to use that gift to sustain your provisions and to impact others for His glory. Your image, your moral instincts and discernment between right and wrong were God infused into the fabric of your soul, but now your vision is impaired and cloudy; your image is sinfully stained. Because of His love, grace and mercy, you can be rescued…you can be saved! You can be delivered in a crowded room or in the privacy of your home. All you have to do is confess to God that you have sinned against Him, invite Christ into your heart and confess Jesus Christ, who died on the cross then rose again on the third day, as your LORD and Savior. Then you shall be “changed, freed and delivered.” After this, when you look into the mirror, God will show you just how much He treasures you and how you can use your talent and walk in His purpose without compromise. You think your talent is seen now, just wait until God becomes your agent. The world “ain’t seen nothing yet!”

Those people who have made you a disciple of the world with promises of wealth and fame… Don’t you know that God can take them out faster than a blink of an eye? We really dwell too much on how we appear to man who is subject to God (whether they know it or not). It’s not just the publically immoral, but it’s the average Jane Doe and John Smith (whether they go to church or not) that spend too much time being anxious about how they appear to other people. The One who created heaven and earth with a Word; the One who already declared that He will make a new heaven and earth whenever He pleases; the One who decides whether you live or die; the One who has already promised eternal death for the wicked; that’s the One who you should be concerned about pleasing.

Caution! Don’t be as the rich man who asked what more can he do to assure himself of eternal life. Christ replied, “Sell all you have and give to the poor and follow Me.” The man bowed his head and went away sorrowfully (Matthew 19:21-22). I don’t know how great your acquaintances are, I don’t know your economic status or your influential position, but it is not greater than what God can give or take away. All those ‘things’ will become ashes. The disciples asked Christ, “then who can be saved?” Christ replied, “Anyone who gives up anything to follow Me will get it back a hundred times more.” (Matthew 19:25-29)

I have placed before you a plan of deliverance. Right now, you are a Spiritual ‘Zombie’: dead in your trespasses; and the world you are in is shoveling sand on your body every day. The media has already written your obituary! Christ is giving you a choice: Life or death. You don’t need a scriptwriter or a talent agent to be set FREE. The Holy Spirit breathed the Holy Bible thousands of years ago. Jesus Christ has already given the perfect sacrificial ‘performance of a lifetime’. He gave up position, status and wealth just to write your life story with His own blood, sweat and tears. He was your ‘stand-in’. Jesus Christ died on a cross so that your life story would have a happy ending!

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known (NIV). 1 Corinthians 13:12

That’s Today’s Single Focus.

Ephesians 2:1-10 (kswptim.wordpress.com)

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New Year’s Resolve: Day 12!

Filed under: Focus, Have You Thought About?, Searching For Purpose?, Uncategorized — Leave a comment

January 13, 2013

by DJ Martin (SingleFocus Ministry®)

I believe that this is God’s resolve for us. I will let Him speak in His own Words…

‘I have said to you, “You shall inherit their land, and I will give it to you to possess, a land flowing with milk and honey.” I am the LORD your God, who has separated you from the peoples. Leviticus 20:24

And if you [be] Christ‘s, then are you Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:29

He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, Romans 4:20

And being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. Romans 4:21

For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise. Hebrews 10:36

And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That you be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:11-12

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17

God’s promise of entering His rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. Hebrews 4:1

For all the promises of God in Him [are] yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 2 Corinthians 1:20

Imagine yourself, told by your dad, that he has prepared a good and marvelous gift for you, but you will have to rise early prepared to go with him to get it. You and your dad get up early the next morning, but he receives a telephone call just before you get into the car. Therefore, your trip to pick up the gift gets delayed. Then when you and your dad finally leave, a thunderstorm starts and your dad has to drive thru the storm to get to your gift. As you ride with him, you marvel at your dad , because he remains calm driving thru the storm even as it begins to hail and he passes thru traffic and accidents along the way.

When you get there, your dad pulls out a giant umbrella, carries you in his arms, and walks under a long awning into the building, which contains the gift. When you get inside, you see that you and your dad are dry. As you walk towards the door, behind which is your gift, there stands a man who looks like a giant and like your past nightmare. Therefore you turn to your dad and say, “That’s okay dad, I don’t need the gift,” because you fear that the people behind the door might be as frightening as the doorkeeper appears. No matter how much your dad softly encourages you, you cry hysterically and refuse to go in. He even shows you a picture of the gift though he wanted it to be a surprise. However, you remain steadfast. You will not go in. You will not accept the gift!

That is what happened at the River Jordan in the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy. God persuades Pharaoh to release His people. Not only does he let them go, but also they are loaded down with riches. Moses leads them to the edge of the promise land and at the command of God, Moses sends out spies to report the depth of the riches of the land, which God was giving them. After God brought them across the Red Sea on dry land and then overflowed their enemies with that same Red Sea, the people acknowledged the richness of the land, but refused to go in for fear of the giants they had seen in Jericho. They reported that it was a great land, but refused the gift! Everyone who refused to go in died in the wilderness. Joshua however, led the new generation into the promise land. They received so much land that it took several chapters to record it all. The elder children of God refused to take Jericho and died in the wilderness, but their children did not die in the wilderness and received Jericho plus much much more.

This New Year let us be careful not to refuse the promises of God. I don’t know what He has promised you or what He has desired to give you, but don’t be foolish; take it! Let Him express His love for you in His own perfect way! All through the Bible and testimony of the saints and throughout life, God has demonstrated that its He who gives victory over adversaries, no matter how giant or fierce they seem to be. Remember that they stand there, like the walls of Jericho, to keep us from taking what God has given us.

That house, car or position you feared to be too much of a challenge for you, pray about it before you refuse it. Whatever it may be, let the Jordan experience be an example. We should not be hasty to fear the giants more than God and His promises. May we resolve to prayerfully accept the promises and/ or gifts of God and be careful to give Him glory in our testimony.

Have a blessed and victorious New Year! Let the love, favor, grace and mercy of God be experienced each day!

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above” James 1:17

That’s Today’s Single Focus…

5 strategies to possessing God’s promise for you (possesshispromises.com)
Joshua leads the nation – Joshua 1:1-18 (2live4him.com)
Rahab the Prostitute: A Trophy of God’s Grace (2cherish2commend.wordpress.com)
Where Is Your Promised Land (highvoltagehealth.com)
Looking at “Promise Land” from Mt. Nebo, Jordan (journeyaroundtheglobe.com)
Crossing over (experiencethewilderness.wordpress.com)

Tags: Bible, Christ, God, good gift, Jericho, Jordan River, Joshua, Moses, New Year, Promised Land, Red Sea

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New Year’s Resolve: Day 11!

Filed under: Focus, Have You Thought About?, Searching For Purpose? — 4 Comments

January 11, 2013

by DJ Martin (SingleFocus Ministry®)

I believe that this is God’s resolve for us. I will let Him speak in His own Words…

And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of LIFE; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was LIFE; and the life was the light of men. John 1:1-4

You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13

I will praise You; for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made: marvelous [are] Your works; and [that] my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14

Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and He that formed thee from the womb, “I [am] the LORD that makes all [things]; that stretches forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by Myself.” Isaiah 44:24

Thou shalt not kill Deuteronomy 5:17

“Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.” Isaiah 49:15

Shall I bring to the time of birth, and not cause delivery?” says the LORD. “Shall I who cause delivery shut up the womb?” says your God. Isaiah 66:9

Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, “Before I formed you in the belly I knew you.” Jeremiah 1:4-5

The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me LIFE. Job 33:4

“For the LIFE of the flesh [is] in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it [is] the blood [that] makes an atonement for the soul.” Leviticus 17:11

“That you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your LIFE and the length of your days; Deuteronomy 30:20

For it [is] not a vain thing for you; because it [is] your LIFE Deuteronomy 32:47

Moreover, ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which [is] guilty of death…” Numbers 35:31

Who is the man who desires LIFE, and loves many days, that he may see good? Psalm 34:12

Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Psalm 34:13

Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:14

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of LIFE, to turn one away from the snares of death. Proverbs 14:27

He who follows righteousness and mercy finds LIFE, righteousness, and honor. Proverbs 21:21

True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long LIFE. Pro 22:4

Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I set before you the way of LIFE and the way of death. Jeremiah 21:8

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, [that] I have set before you LIFE and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose LIFE, that both thou and thy seed may live: Deuteronomy 30:19

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your LIFE, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Matthew 6:25

The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His LIFE a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting LIFE. John 3:16

“He who believes in the Son has everlasting LIFE; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting LIFE, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto LIFE. John 5:24

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of LIFE. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. John 6:35

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting LIFE. John 6:47

I am that bread of LIFE. John 6:48

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have LIFE, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10

I give unto them eternal LIFE; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of My hand. John 10:28

Jesus said unto her, “I am the resurrection, and the LIFE: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” John 11:25

Jesus said unto him, “I am the way, the truth, and the LIFE: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. John 14:6

And this is LIFE eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent. John 17:3

He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s LIFE does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Luke 12:15

For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal LIFE through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to LIFE and peace. Romans 8:6

You know not what [shall be] on tomorrow. For what [is] your LIFE? It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. James 4:14

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one (Adam), much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in LIFE through the One, Jesus Christ.) Romans 5:17

For the law of the Spirit of LIFE in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the LIFE which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal LIFE 1 Timothy 6:12

He that hath the Son hath LIFE; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not LIFE. 1 John 5:12

The fear of the LORD [is] a fountain of LIFE, to depart from the snares of death. Proverbs 14:27

There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death. Proverbs 14:12

O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul; You have redeemed my LIFE. Lamentations 3:58

[Seek him] that makes the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and makes the day dark with night: that called for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD [is] His name: Amos 5:8

“But the cowardly, unbelieving,* abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires let him take the water of LIFE freely. Revelation 22:17

Jesus came to a well filled with water. He who turned water into wine, set there without a scoop or a bucket to get the water out of the well to drink. There came, at the same hour, one woman with a bucket to fetch the water to drink, but who could not make the water quench her thirst. She had all that she needed to get water, but she had no favor with other women of the town. She had more in her hands than could be seen in the hand of Christ, yet she had no good reputation and no one who truly loved her. She was dressed well and her countenance was not hard on your eyes, however, she spent most of her time at home alone and depressed. She thought a lot about worshipping God, but never went to the temple. This woman knew the protocol: where to get the water; who to speak to; and whom to socialize with; but her only relationships were secret and immoral. She heard about the coming Messiah, but did not recognize Him though she stood face to face with Him. She was at the well because she always fetched water about this time, but she had no one to share just how thirsty: spiritually and emotionally, she really was. She was an ordinary woman who knew where to go when she was thirsty, but when talking with Jesus she revealed that she really was not all that wise or secure.

Unfortunately, every Sabbath, we sit beside a fellow parishioner who has all the appearance that they have LIFE and they know what to do when empty. They dress the part, they talk the talk, they have the tools, but if the truth be told, they have not yet had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. I don’t know if we expect Him to come in an astronaut suit or only appear surrounded by a host of angels. I don’t know what we expect. Maybe we expect Him to speak only to prophets and pastors, therefore we just live like ordinary people. We hide in the shadows of the world and live like the world Monday thru Saturday, and change our façade on Sunday.

If you’re thirsty (I mean really thirsty): spiritually, emotionally, mentally, etc.: the world says; “get a good job, climb the corporate ladder, marry the best looking guy or girl, have 2.5 kids, and go to church every Sabbath and network.” However, until you have a personal relationship with Christ, you will always be thirsty; just like the woman at the well. If you are thirsty, you need to drink. If you are in the desert; if the plumbing is broke, the water is off, or you can’t pay the bill or buy the water, you will remain thirsty.

Depressed, though you have all that the world says that you need; relationships are always falling apart; and with all that you have, things, wealthy acquaintances, all the power and prestige that anyone could dream of; all the alcohol and/or drugs you can handle; are you still empty? You thirst. The body cannot live long without water. Actually the longer you go without water, the more you might as well start writing your will.

Beloved, there is a fountain, which never runs dry. There is a fountain filled with living water, which will supply whatever you need to quench your thirst eternally; a fountain that has what you need to Live and not die. ‘There is a way that seems right to a man, but the way of which is death.’ You choose.

When the woman realized that she was talking to the Christ, who had living water, which would eternally quench her thirst; she jumped for joy, came out of hiding, and went running to spread the news. Upon giving her testimony an entire town came alive and was saved; all because, she chose LIFE.

You know the story about how Adam sinned and caused death to be our destiny (“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23”). But God so loved us; that He sacrificed His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to die on a cross so that we might have eternal LIFE. Are you faking it or have you truly accepted Christ as your LORD and Savior? Have you chosen Life or have you chosen death?

Let us resolve, this New Year to repent, turn from our wicked ways, which is choosing death. When given every opportunity to choose between Life and death, I pray that we will choose LIFE.

May God give us LIFE and ‘LIFE more abundant,’ because we choose LIFE

“Choose LIFE…” Deuteronomy 30:19

That’s Todays’ Single Focus…

Tags: atonement, cross, Jesus Christ, LIFE, New Year, redeemed, sacrifice, saved, scoop, thirsty, well

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New Year’s Resolve: Day 10!

Filed under: Focus, Hope for a struggling Marriage, Searching For Purpose?, Staying Together — 4 Comments

I believe that this is God’s resolve for us. I will let Him speak in His own Words…

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, or give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”* says the Lord. Romans 12:19

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots. Luke 23:34

from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD; I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” Jeremiah 31:34

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.” Matthew 6:14

But, if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. Matthew 6:12

when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” Mark 11:25

“But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:26

“Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. Luke 17:3

“And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” Luke 17:4

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:10

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Psalm 32:1

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; Romans 4:7

Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.” Romans 4:8

And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ‘s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

And you, being dead in your trespasses and the un-circumcision of your flesh (your sinful nature was not yet cut away), God has made alive together with Christ, having forgiven you all trespasses Colossians 2:13

I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. 1 John 2:12

Have you ever had the occasion to sit down and try to think of ways to get back at someone who offended you? Maybe you’ve had sleepless nights, because all you can think of is how they have hurt you; embarrassed you; offended you; or, as Christ would put it, sinned against you? Have you gone as far as looked for a lawyer so that you can take them for every penny they have? Every time you look at them, do you just want to smack them upside their head? Don’t you just love their gall to grin in your face after stabbing you in the back? It was mean and spiteful, and they think it is funny! They were wrong and that’s the truth! However, God says, “you must forgive them!’

Seriously…? Yes, seriously! You see, when Christ died for your sin, He died for their sins too. Look at what He said in 1 John 1:10; ‘If you say you haven’t sinned, you’re lying (which makes you a sinner).’ The point is that married couples will live with one another long enough to offend one another at some time. Some couples hold a grudge right into divorce court and accuse each other of being at fault. Okay, one started it and said the wrong thing or did the wrong thing; then the other retaliated in a way that offended the other; and now it has escalated to “irreconcilable differences.” The fact of the matter is both sinned against each other. Christ teaches us that, if one repents and one forgives, differences can be reconcilable.

You have sleepless nights; you may even have an upset stomach every time you think of or see those who have offended you. That’s really showing them… You’re sick and tired while they merrily go on their way healthy and well rested. Let me let you in on a little secret: they say that ‘you can’t beat God giving’; you can’t ‘beat God avenging’ either! So if you really want to get back at them, forgive them and let God take care of your enemies! Take my word for it: you’ll have the last laugh” You’ll get healthy and some sleep too!

Unfortunately, the prisons, hospitals, and graveyards are overflowing with people who were bitter and wanted revenge. Un-forgiveness will imprison you or kill you!

It’s a New Year! Don’t let bitterness and anger divide, imprison or hospitalize you! It’s time to move on. It’s time to focus on God’s grace and His will to forgive you of your sins. It’s time to stop focusing on enemies and their evil devices so that you can diligently succeed in reaching your goal and fulfilling your dreams! It’s time to be grateful for the forgiving mercy of God towards you. Let us give God thanks and resolve to enlist the help of the Holy Spirit to help us forgive…

May this New Year bring us peace of mind and vibrant health, because when we pray, we are careful to forgive others and receive the forgiveness of God.

“Forgive, and you shall be forgiven” Luke 6:37

That’s Todays’ Single Focus…

Thankful Heart: Day 20 – Forgiveness (ourcrowdedheart.wordpress.com)
Confused about being Forgiven (stealthchristian.wordpress.com)
God Wants to Forgive You (kingteamdad.wordpress.com)
Forgiveness: Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (joequatronejr.wordpress.com)

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New Year’s Resolve: Day 9!

Filed under: Focus, Have You Thought About?, Searching For Purpose?, Uncategorized — 4 Comments

January 10, 2013

by DJ Martin (SingleFocus Ministry®)

I believe that this is God’s resolve for us. I will let Him speak in His own Words…

He said unto them, Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith? Mark 4:40

They feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” Mark 4:41

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

O LORD my God, in You do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me. Psalm 7:1

Trust in Him at all times; [ye] people, pour out your heart before Him: God [is] a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8

In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Psalm 56:11

I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. Psalm 91:2

We should not trust in ourselves, but in God, which raises the dead: 2 Corinthians 1:9

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17

Trust in the LORD, and do good; [so] shalt you dwell in the land, and verily you shall be fed. Psalm 37:3

Delight yourself also in the LORD; And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

“Don’t put your confidence in powerful people, in mortal men; there is no help for you there. When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them. Psalm 146:3-4

Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God, He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever; Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners. Psalm 146:5-7

The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous. Psalm 146:8

The LORD watches over the strangers; He cares for the orphans and widows, but He frustrates the plans of the wicked. Psalm 146:9

The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower. Psalm 18:2

I will call upon the LORD, [who is worthy] to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. Psalm 18:3

He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them, which hated me: for they were too strong for me Psalm 18:17

He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man. Psalm 18:48

Commit your way to the LORD; Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5

Jesus answering said unto them, “Have faith in God.” Mark 11:22

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:24

Truly, I know that it doesn’t look like there is any reasonable hope, but there is hope in God. You can approach the doorkeeper who clearly has the keys in his hand; and though he is a good friend of a friend; he cannot open the door. I know this, because it has happened to me. People tell you that it is not what you know but whom you know, but unless God says so, whom you know does not help you get a fingernail into the door. People tell you, “I got your back,” but when the time of reckoning comes, there is only air at your back. Let’s face it; human beings have the best of intentions, but from time to time, they will let you down. The only certainty is God! He never changes and He is able to do exceeding abundantly more than we can ask or think!

Are there those who have come against you and jealously actively pursue your defeat? God is our advocate and He can make our enemies our footstool. All the money in the world can’t guarantee our health or happiness. Let us not be so quick to devise our own plans without first seeking the counsel of God. In all we do and encounter, we should never fail to trust God! It is easier said than done, therefore, we have to consistently pray, read His Word and remind ourselves that He is a present and faithful help in time of trouble.

May we resolve to stop hoping in ineffective friends or perishable things. They can only help, if God allows and /or compels them to. Let us resolve to not panic and lose focus for fear of man and negative circumstances, but put our faith in God. Some say, “ if I had ‘X’ amount of money; “if I had a spouse”; “if we had a child”; “if I had those clothes”; or “if I only knew those people…” All those things can disappear at an instant. Government, people, riches, etc. will let you down.

Let us resolve, this New Year, to not trust in things or people for hope, health, freedom and victory, but Trust in God first instead of after trying all others who failed to help. May we experience the grace, favor, power and mercy of God victoriously moving on our lives as a result of our faith in Him.

“Hope in the LORD from now on and forever..” Psalm 131:3

That’s Today’s Single Focus…

Fret Not Yourself! (simplyjuliana.com)
Psalm 91- The Lord protects me (prepareforthelamb.wordpress.com)
God Our Ever-Present Strength (everydayawe.com)
Notes on Psalms 25 (marthalkruger.wordpress.com)

Tags: Christianity, enemies, faith, faithful, God, help, Jesu, New Year, O LORD, Psalm, Religion & Spirituality, Second Epistle to the Corinthians, Testamentary trust, The Holy Spirit will help, trouble, trust in the LORD

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New Year’s Resolve: Day 8!

Filed under: Focus, Searching For Purpose?, Uncategorized — 1 Comment

January 9, 2013

by DJ Martin (SingleFocus Ministry®)

I believe that this is God’s resolve for us. I will let Him speak in His own Words…

“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. Malachi 3:8

You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. Malachi 3:9

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:10

“And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the LORD of hosts.” Malachi 3:11

Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying, “Is it time for you to live in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts; “Consider your ways! You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes! Thus, says the LORD of hosts; “Consider your ways!” Haggai 1:4-7

“Take from among you an offering to the LORD. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as an offering to the LORD: gold, silver, and bronze.” Exodus 35:5

“Well, then,” He said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” Matthew 22:21

Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” Matthew 19:21

But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Matthew 19:22

“Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38

“I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Act 20:35

“This [I say], “he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6

“You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And do not give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

“And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” 2 Corinthians 9:8

“Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.” Ecclesiastes 11:4

“In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good.” Ecclesiastes 11:6

“Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.” Ephesians 4:28

“She, poor as she is, has given everything she had…” Mark 12:44

At a time when unemployment is high and there is an over abundance of empty houses and standing room only homeless shelters; frequent calls are from bill collectors; the cost of energy and healthcare is rising; and government is taking more in taxes, God has called us to be givers. I know that it seems like an enigma that one who is in need is asked by God to give, but he is. Think about it. If you were a farmer desiring potatoes, you would plant potatoes. However, you can’t stand over the dry ground and pray “Lord give me potatoes!” That’s not faith; that’s a magician’s dream. Faith is when you put some seeds in the ground and pray. By the same token if you need finances, you have to plant money.

Some of you might laugh at this resolve or even get angry, but it’s the law of reaping and sowing. If you don’t sow, you don’t reap. I’ve been in a period where I had no money and no job. I went on interviews after interviews. One day I was challenged to make a vow to be a giver not a blamer. This is what a blamer says; “the preacher is a crook and I’m not going to give him my money”; “I don’t have a job”; “I have bills that I must pay”; “I don’t have a dime”;etc. I was going to a church where the pastor was a crook. I did have bills and I didn’t have a job. Nevertheless, God chose this time to teach me about the law of sowing and reaping. Because I valued my relationship with God, I decided that I would make the vow according to my means. I started giving a quarter and doubling the quarter when I could. Eventually my giving increased, because God began to provide me a resource of income. As a matter of fact, instead of my thumbing thru the ‘want ads’, the jobs started chasing me. It would take a book to tell you my experience of giving my way out of financial deficiency. Believe me, it is more blessed to give than to receive! God can bless you beyond measure.

Pardon me, but I’ve got to shout right now: Hallelujah!

You won’t understand it until you try it. Because of the uncertainties and the economic collapse, I must confess that I have frequently been a blamer, but God by His grace has once again confronted me. Therefore I have repented and promised to remember my vows. I learned that the money is God’s and He decides if, when and how He will give the increase. I vow what the Holy Spirit tells me to give.

Some may be experiencing what Haggai spoke of: eating but still hungry; drinking but still thirsty; putting on clothes but still cold; and working but your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes! You might want to “Consider your ways!” Do you give? That is the bottom line. Do you even give to God what is due Him? Do you tithe? Now, some say that since we are New Testament Christians, tithing is not necessary. Okay, by that logic then God is not obligated to give to you… That is a theological argument that those who are financially deprived don’t need to have now. The question is ‘are you willing to accept God’s challenge?’ You have tried everything else. You have tried ‘get rich’ schemes and fads, and lotteries. You probably sent your money to TV evangelists and you are discouraged. How about this, give some time to God in prayer and Bible study, you will reap wisdom and direction. How about giving yourself to Jesus Christ, you will reap an immeasurable relationship.

May we resolve to be givers who give as The LORD instructs. Remember it is not just about money, though the Bible talks a lot about money; it is about what you value and your willingness to sacrifice whatever you treasure. It is about a mindset, relationship, and honoring God with our obedience. In Matthew 25, Christ talked about the people who will depart from His presence, because they did not give. He embraced and rewarded the ones who gave a drink of water; gave the time to visit the sick and imprisoned; gave food to the hungry and clothes to the naked. He talked about this after He told the parables of the talent. God gave the talent so that you could prosper and be able to give to the needy. However, if you do not sow, you cannot be a giver. If you do not use what God has given you, you cannot prosper and be a blessing to others.

Remembering that obedience is better than sacrifice, let us resolve this New Year, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to be obedient to God and His Word and practice giving more than receiving.

“God loves a cheerful giver.” 2Corinthians 9:7

That’s Todays’ Single Focus…

2 Corinthians 9. The importance of giving cheerfully (bummyla.wordpress.com)

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