Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you. Proverbs 4:25 AMPC

I don’t know about you, but I have a very difficult time focusing on one thing. I get sidetracked so often by anything at all, that there are times I feel very unproductive. It’s not unusual for me to have 4 or 5 open projects on my desk at one time. Granted, I wear a lot of hats at work, but there are times I just stop and tell myself, “Focus, Sandy! Finish one thing and get it off your desk!”

A number of years ago, I heard the Lord say, “Focus on Me!” It was so clear, almost audible, and my reaction was a smile. Walt’s been trying to get me to focus for years! But I’m just trying to understand what that would look like. Dictionary.com shows several definitions, but this is what my eyes landed on;

1. the clear and sharply defined condition of an image.
2. the position of a viewed object or the adjustment of an optical device necessary to produce a clear image

To focus on Him simply means that our spirits must be tuned in, our spirit eyes focused in on Him. That His voice must be heard and obeyed. His directions followed. Our hearts to know Him, more then an imagination, but a deep understanding of who He is and that we are a small part in His intrical plan in this world. To run the race with eyes set on the prize, knowing our reward awaits us.

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. Psalm 34:15 NKJV

God has a clear and sharp image of us, He wants us to have the same sharp image as well. There’s not a moment He forgets us or loses sight of us. He listens intently for our voice, not just when we need His help or desperate for answers, but when we seek to love on Him and truly give Him our complete focus.

Oh Father, I wait on You and as I wait, I sing of Your great love and tender mercies. They are indeed new each morning. Your lovingkindness is greater than life. My lips will praise You and I will bless You as I lift up my hands to You. I ask that You will give me a greater ability to focus on You and Your unchanging Word. No compromise! It’s not about me, it’s only about You. You gave all for me and it’s my turn to give all to You. In the name of Your beloved Son Jesus, Amen.

“He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of His hand He hid me; He made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in His quiver.” (Isa. 49:2) The Good News Translation says; “He made my words as sharp as a sword. With his own hand he protected me. He made me like an arrow, sharp and ready for use.”

Words can be used for good or evil, but either way, your words have power. It’s how God created us, in His image and likeness, speaking spirits to do His bidding and speak His Word. Even Jesus’ response to the devil in the wilderness was, “It is written…” God gave each of us the same weapons of warfare; our mouth and His Word.

Today, let’s be purposeful with our words. Let’s build each other up instead of tearing each other down. Let’s not be like the world that repeats the ‘cute’ saying of others, but let us be speakers of truth, bringing the message of love to a hateful and hurting world. You don’t have to agree with people to show love. Love covers a multitude of sin.

Let us hit the mark with the words we speak, having the Word as our measuring line. Know the Word of God so that you can tell the difference. Ephesians 5:15-16 says; “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.”

Look around you. We are indeed living in the end times and Jesus is coming soon. Let’s not forget why we are on the earth and the great commission that Jesus gave to us that we must go into all the world, our communities, our jobs, our cities and proclaim the Kingdom. Signs, wonders and miracles will follow us, not for us, but for unbelievers so they will believe.

Father, again I thank You for the blood of Your son, shed for my sins and for all who will believe. Help me to be sensitive to Your Holy Spirit that I may never miss an opportunity to spread Your love and touch people where they are. May I not be afraid to grab a hand and pray Your Word over their bodies, their finances and their soul. It’s always for Your glory, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

In all my life, I’ve never heard of a perfect plan. Seems there’s a flaw in just about any plan that man can derive. Just when you think you have a great plan, there’s someone who comes along with their voice of logic and show you just where the flaw is. But guess what? God has a plan and His plans are perfect even when you think they’re not. He has a plan for your life that is perfect, based on His ways of being and doing. You may not be able to figure it all out, but oh my, just you wait and see.

Instead of trying to figure it out, let’s position ourselves to be used of God. We may be a very small piece in a very large puzzle, but we’re still a piece and God has purpose for that piece. It completes a bigger picture. There’s no box to look at to see what it will become, but when you look into the Fathers eyes, you can see a small reflection of the final product-a beautiful bride.

“Give thanks to the Lord. Call on his name. Make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him. Make music to praise him. Meditate on all the miracles he has done. Brag about his holy name. Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Search for the Lord and his strength. Always seek his presence.” I Chronicles 16:8-11 GW

Wow! That is it in a nutshell isn’t it, Lord. This is how our mornings should begin and our evenings should end. We thank you Lord for the great things You have done in our past and our future. What a delight it is to seek Your face, to soak in Your presence, to sing songs to You in the morning. We will remember all the great things You have done. It is an honor to be called Your child. You are our strength for this day. You give us our daily bread, we feast on Your Word and are satisfied. Wrap us tightly in Your arms of grace and protect us from all evil.  We declare your Kingdom come and Your perfect will be done on the earth as it is in heaven. We look forward to Your perfectly ordered plan for us today. It’s so sweet to trust in You. I will not be ashamed, you will not let my enemies triumph over me. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

The greatest fear is fear of the unknown. I don’t know who said it, but it’s so true! Our minds can conjure up a number of scenarios at any given moment. Don’t believe me? Walk into a cave without a light! Walk into a doctors office for a report. Walk into hell without the blood of Jesus!

I felt the Lord distinctly say this morning that there are many people walking in fear today. I don’t know what YOUR scenario is, but I do know this; God is greater! Not only is He greater, but there is nothing hidden from Him, He knows it all! You can walk into that dark cave because Jesus is the light of the world, in Him there is no darkness. You can walk into that doctors office for your report knowing that Jesus Himself took all your sickness. You can know that ALL of your steps are ordered by the Lord and He’s excited for what’s in store for you.

His plans are good! His plans are good! His plans are good! Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” says the Lord, “thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

That’s right! Read it again. God has good plans for YOU! You can find so much hope to replace the fear in you if you only read His promises to you. Go read Psalm 91 and insert your name to make it personal. We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we know who holds our tomorrow. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Father, as I walk out what You’ve asked me to do, I purposely place one foot in front of the other. I won’t look too far ahead, because the light you place on my path only goes so far. I will focus on You and tune into Your voice. When the light stops, so will I. Until You show me which door to take, I will wait on You. I won’t cast away my confidence. My eyes remain steadfastly on You because You are my hope and I trust in You. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. “What a huge harvest!” he said to his disciples. “How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!” Matthew 9:35-38 Message

This could have been our town. These people could have been us. Hearts broken, oppressed, living in fear, diseased, confused and wandering aimlessly, no peace of mind or hope. And the thought of the massive harvest of souls, ripe and ready for the picking. Still the same cry, “How few workers! Pray for harvesters!”

Today I see the church with a mandate to pick up their sickle and harvest. I hear the call of God to heal the sick, raise the dead, preach the good news, but all I hear is whiners, complainers, doomsday preachers. I see few with faith, who trust in God. Rather I see those who trust in doctors, wealth and fame. Who has the compassion of Jesus? Who is moved to heal the sick? Where are those who offer hope to the hopeless. No longer is the Kingdom of Heaven near, it’s in us. When will we the body of Christ finally take this mandate seriously and do our part?

Rise up, you women who are at ease, hear my voice; you complacent daughters, give ear to my speech. Isaiah 32:9

We have our marching orders. Let’s arm ourselves with the Word and go take this harvest. Let’s radically trust in the ability of our God. For truly He has given us this city! He accompanies those who trust in Him.

Father, we call forth harvesters from the north, the south, the east and the west. We see that souls are ready, ripe to see the power and demonstration of You, our God. May we not just talk about it, but may we walk it out in our neighborhoods, our jobs, our market places, our hospitals and anywhere where people gather. May we be Your ambassadors in the earth. May we hear You say to the angels, “Look, there they go! Accompany them! Listen to their words and make it so!” For Jesus and His glory, Amen.

Jeremiah 1:12 NKJ “Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word.”

Thats the verse that was on my mind this morning. The lesson in this chapter was God teaching Jeremiah to speak what he saw in a vision. It’s also a prophetic call on the body of Christ to begin speaking what we see in revelation, not what we see with our physical eyes. Jesus even said in Mark 11:23 NLT, “I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.”

I don’t know about you, but I’m getting pretty tired of the enemy running off with my stuff simply because I fail to allow the Word of God to be louder than the things I see around me. I used to be so careless with my words that I would just spew out anything. I was whining one day to the Lord about all the bad things that were happening to me and he very clearly and lovingly pointed out to me that he was only paying attention to my words. Nothing like having your life on rewind while the Lord replays what you’ve been saying. What a wakeup call!

Galatians 6:7 NKJ, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”

We all have a garden of words. Some of us eat richly, some of us are malnourished. Don’t be surprised at what grows; you planted it, remember? Or perhaps you don’t pay close attention to what you say to even notice. Yes, the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy. Satan tries what he can to deceive us into believing that it will never happen, we’ll never get our healing, never get our blessing, but if you resist him long enough, he MUST flee (James 4:7). You say, “How long? I’ve been doing it for years!” What do you see? Keep speaking it until it manifests. See it, say it, have it.

Philippians 4:6-7; Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Father, put a watch guard on my mouth that I may refrain from speaking my feelings! My sincere desire is to see like You see, say what You say and have what You promised. I now know that for me to possess the promise, I must see the promise. Give me eyes to see and a heart to obey. May Your praise continually be in my mouth. It’s for Your glory. In Jesus mighty name, Amen.

Seasons change, plans change, friendships change, jobs change, but changing habits creates big changes in us. Psalm 106:26 says; They will perish, but You will endure; Yes, they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will change them, and they will be changed.

Why is it that some personalities thrive on change while others love stability? And who thought it was a good idea to combine the two together in holy matrimony?  So many couples fight to keep their individuality within their marriage, but lately I’ve discovered something. When you yield to one another, you become one in a greater sense then you ever knew.

So it is with our relationship with God. Yielding to His voice and His will, brings us so much closer and deeper then we ever thought possible. But when we insist on our way because we want relationship on our terms, we create a wedge which keeps us from our desired end.

Are you seeking to know God or know about God? Knowledge of God is a good thing, but relationship with God is better. If all you know is ‘about’ God, chances are you don’t really know God. You can explain Him to anyone, know every chapter and verse, believe in Him, but if it’s not personal, that needs to change. You can be raised in a Christian home and know God through your parents, but until it becomes a personal experience of love and trust, it’s just knowledge.

When you allow the Holy Spirit to show you the attributes of God and you actually experience His deep abiding love, He changes you. Getting up each morning, connecting with Him, allowing His voice to be the only one you hear, leading, directing and watching over your path, that’s the change that takes you somewhere you’ve never been.

Father, I love Your presence! You bring me everything I need for this day and I’m so thankful. You knew me before I was a human being. My spirit came from You and here we are connected again. When I’m weak, You’re strong. When I lack, You provide. You’re my healer, protector, strength and director. I am nothing in and of myself, but You change me from glory to glory. I’m complete in You.