Focused Faith Gets Results (part 2 )

ARE YOU USING YOUR GOD-GIVEN SPIRITUAL BINOCULARS?

Focused faith gets results!  Focus on God’s promises adjusts your spiritual binoculars to see the promises that are for you so that you can experience success, joy and fulfillment in your daily life!

You might be thinking, I did not even realize I have spiritual binoculars to use.  Well, you do!  We are not talking about just any faith, which is vital for success, but faith that focuses on God’s promises.

Faith originated with Jesus.  Hebrews 12:2 refers to Jesus as the Author and Finisher of our faith. “It says that for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross despising the shame, and is sat down at the right hand of the Throne of God!”

His faith was focused on “the end result”—the vision.

Proverbs 29:18 is such a profound Scripture because it describes the results of not having a vision concerning God’s plans and direction in our lives in clear focus.  It says: “Where there is no vision (no redemptive revelation of God) the people perish, but he who keeps the law [the Word] of God, (which includes that of man) is blessed, happy, fortunate and enviable.” Amplified

The actual meaning of vision is to mentally perceive, to contemplate with pleasure and to constantly anticipate something great is going to happen.  Basically, a vision is faith in your mind’s eye like an architect would draw up a blueprint.  He sees the finished product before it is even started!

Hebrews 11:1 refers to faith as something you start with, with a picture or definite focus in mind. “NOW FAITH, is the assurance (the title deed) of the things [we] hope for,

being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].” Amplified

The Bible says your faith, your vision, your dream is like a title deed…a title deed is proof that you own something.

God showed a man in the Old Testament, just like you and me, how important it was for him to focus his attention on the vast number of stars in the sky so that He could show him how focused faith works.

Since the Old Testament is written in the Hebrew language, it will help us understand better the depth of what focus means because it is based on word pictures.  So, the definition of focus is as follows: to concentrate, to think hard and, to adjust like a camera or binoculars, and to get a clear picture!

I particularly like the part where it describes focus as adjusting like a camera or binoculars so that a clearer picture comes up.  Don’t we all need our thought processes and mind imaging adjusted to see a clear path? By getting a clear focused picture with our God-given spiritual binoculars, there is potential to change circumstances, to be more creative and productive.  Just like with binoculars or a camera, we adjust the lens which causes objects that are far away to seem closer enabling us to see a clearer picture of the objects we want to see. 

Focused Faith Gets Results (part 1)

Hebrews 11:1 refers to faith as something you start with, with a picture or definite focus in mind. “NOW FAITH, is the assurance (the title deed) of the things [we] hope for,

being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].” Amplified

The Bible says your faith, your vision, your dream is like a title deed…a title deed is proof that you own something.

God showed a man in the Old Testament, just like you and me, how important it was for him to focus his attention on the vast number of stars in the sky so that He could show him how focused faith works.

Since the Old Testament is written in the Hebrew language, it will help us understand better the depth of what focus means because it is based on word pictures.  So, the definition of focus is as follows: to concentrate, to think hard and, to adjust like a camera or binoculars, and to get a clear picture!

I particularly like the part where it describes focus as adjusting like a camera or binoculars so that a clearer picture comes up.  Don’t we all need our thought processes and mind imaging adjusted to see a clear path? By getting a clear focused picture with our God-given spiritual binoculars, there is potential to change circumstances, to be more creative and productive.  Just like with binoculars or a camera, we adjust the lens which causes objects that are far away to seem closer enabling us to see a clearer picture of the objects we want to see.

What Are You Talking About? Does It Matter?

POWER THOUGHT: What Are You Talking About? It Does Matter! Scripture: Psalms 35:27 & 28 “Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause; and let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant. And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness and of Your praise all the day long.” In the Book of Judges, Chapter 6, there is a powerful story of a man named Gideon. His life and that of his family, and even broader than that, the children of Israel are about to be changed. But first God had to change this man’s very poor self- image so that His will could be performed. Gideon had to be willing. Here was a man threshing wheat by the winepress, trying to survive, while hiding from his enemies. Gideon's experiences had taught him that every time he would sow something and produce crops, his enemies would come and steal from him. But, when his people began to cry out to God for answers, something wonderful happened. In essence, the Lord said that He had brought them up from Egypt and out of the house of bondage. He told them He had delivered them out of the hands of all who oppressed them and, not only that, but He gave them their land. He also told them, I am the Lord, your God. (God is interested in you as an individual!) Do not fear their gods in whose land you dwell, but you have not obeyed my voice. What was God saying? I had a great plan for you . . . but you forgot and chose another direction. In verse 12, it says, “And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!” Gideon, in shock that someone thought that highly of him said, "0h my Lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles, which our Fathers told us about saying, did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? But now He has forsaken us and delivered us into their hands.” Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites, have I not sent you?” So Gideon said to the Lord, “How can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh and I am the least in my Father's house.” Can you relate to some of the questions that Gideon asked God? Let’s look at some powerful truths: 1. God brought the children of Israel out of bondage to bring them into something great. When they took their eyes off of God-and quit talking about His greatness and all that He had done for them and was planning to do, they began to fear and fell captive to their enemies. Fear leads to a feeling of despair that then leads to questioning the faithfulness of God. God had to get Gideon to see himself in the light of who He was and what His purposes were for him. That is why God addressed him as "a mighty man of valor" when, in essence, Gideon, at that time, was anything but a man of valor. He was literally hiding himself from his enemies. He was living in fear. Gideon basically said to God, “Do you realize who you are talking to? Don't you know, God, there is not anyone who has any respect for our family. We are the least in the city?” In verse 24, after God had convinced Gideon he was a mighty man of valor, it says that Gideon built an altar and called it, “The Lord is Peace.” He then became what God declared him to be when he accepted and declared who God was to him. 4. The exciting principle here for everyone who puts their faith and trust in God is that peace and prosperity are God's ideas. The literal meaning in Hebrew for these two words, peace and prosperity, both in the Old Testament and New Testament, is Shalom. Take this to heart today - Shalom means the following: To be made safe in mind, body or estate To be complete To make restitution and restoration To fare well - to be prosperous and whole! As our leading scripture so clearly affirms, if you will favor God's righteous cause, which has so much to do with your conversation, the Lord will be magnified. As you go about the Father’s business growing in the knowledge of His intentions that He has established in His Word, prosperity and peace will be the outworking of this lifestyle which gives the Father much pleasure! That is how you (Let) the Lord be magnified. He is a God of restoration of that which has been lost. 5. Gideon had to destroy the altars of Baal that his family had set up before God could give him victory. Did you know that one of the big mindsets today that can hinder you fulfilling your dream is unbelief? Doubting the goodness of God is unbelief. Everyone believes in something or someone. Check out who or what your confidence is in. Words like, "My family never has had anything. It won't change now or, where I live there are no opportunities or, no one believes in God like that, and I don’t suppose I can expect a promotion this year?” etc. etc. Are all self-inflicting words that bring defeat, despair and open the door for lack to come into your life. Gideon had a choice to stay with the “same old image” or go with God’s image. The same choice is yours. Apply that truth to your situations in life and watch out! Realize that if “what you have been talking about” is not what God has to say about you or your situations, now is the time to begin speaking of His righteousness and all He has planned for you through faith in His Word! And it shall come to pass! Decide today to become a mighty man or woman of valor. This means to become a person of virtue, a person of strength, of might, of power, riches and substance. Decide to agree with God! Start today. That is God’s plan for you!

New 37 Week Series, Power Thoughts to bring power into your daily life , each week you will receive a new teaching.

POWER THOUGHT: Power Thoughts for Triumphant Living is a compilation of words of encouragement given by the Holy Spirit through prayer, study and seeking His wisdom. Early in my Christian walk, I accepted the truth about what the Bible says in Hebrews 12:2 “That we are to look to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” It is Jesus who said, “Take no thought by saying, what shall we eat, what shall we drink, what shall we wear? In other words, do not give power to your thoughts by saying statements that question God’s ability or desire to provide, because these are the very issues that send individuals into a tailspin and scrambling in their daily life. He also said, “Take care what you listen to and how you listen,” because words are so very important! Power Thoughts for Triumphant Living has been written to encourage the reader to take the Lord Jesus Christ at His Word and to put their confident trust in Him. The way to do this is to accept and declare His promises because the words spoken become seeds planted that will spring up to new life, a good life! James, Jesus’ brother, says our tongue can set the course of hell in our lives, or guide us as a rudder is used to guide a big ship to its destination. We make the choice by how we use our tongue! It is of utmost important for individuals to realize also that there is a cycle of time from the planting of a seed until the harvest. The space of time between the Yes, I agree with your promises (seed) and the Amen, the answer is here, is a span of time where circumstances, relationships, life itself are conforming to the power of the spoken word that originated with our thoughts. Power Thoughts for Triumphant Living is also based on the fact that what you think you will ultimately become. In order for your life to become triumphant, you have been given the choice to exchange negative thoughts for positive thoughts. My experiences have been that the Word of God is a life giving force based on the life of the author of our faith, Jesus Christ, who said the words I speak are spirit and life. Again, in this truth, the “law of opposites” must be considered that the words you speak are both spirit and life or spirit and death. My prayer is that as you read and consider the power thoughts in these weekly teachings, you will experience in a greater way than ever before the abundant life Jesus promised!

RENEWING OUR MIND DAILY – IS IT IMPORTANT?

Scripture:  Romans 12:1 & 2. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

And DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD but BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND THAT YOU MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT WILL OF GOD.

Have you ever wondered why God, through a man, the Apostle Paul, would have taken the time to literally beg, appeal to, beseech, implore, literally request earnestly, that we re-new (one translation say “restart” our minds to think like God would have us to think instead of relying on what has been passed on to us through the world system?  God here is begging!  Think about that!  Does He want to strongly get our attention?  Is there any question about that?  But, it is, of course, for a vital purpose that He desires His will for our lives which this scripture says is:  Good---Acceptable—Perfect!

If something needs to be renewed, it obviously is in need of change, not in the best condition or otherwise there would be no need for change. When you refurbish a beautiful piece of furniture, the basic components and character of the piece remain the same but because of often years of neglect, abuse or simply environmental effects in order to get that furniture to become useful and often beautiful again, the old needs to be removed and, with a master’s touch, new applied!  Then it is good and acceptable and perfect again.

The Bible states in Hosea 4:6 that My People are destroyed because of lack of knowledge…not because of God’s unwillingness or lack of power or ability to make things new or give breakthroughs in individuals lives, but through not having renewed minds to recognize that when something comes on the scene contrary to what God has spoken to be good and acceptable, it must be challenged and resisted with the wisdom God gives us.  Then instead of perishing or being destroyed, we become more than conquerors and triumphant!

So, transformation literally means – metamorphosis – change of form.  It is symbolic of the caterpillar in a cocoon which presses, and splits open the walls of confinement to become an extraordinary beautiful butterfly which soars to heights never reached before.  That is what God’s wisdom will do for YOU.

What are some of God’s desires for You:

1.      That you might have life and have it more abundantly, overflowing.  Jesus said it!

2.       That you might know that Jesus came to destroy the “works of the devil” of which some of these are confusion, strife, divisions, lack, poverty, depression, oppression.  Jesus bore all these works on the cross so that You could walk in peace and victory and as the Bible says: (You) Submit yourself to God, resist the devil and he will flee (run) in terror.  So, this is a vital reason for you not to be conformed to this world because Satan is the “god of this world (system) and we belong to the “Word” System who is Jesus and transformation of our minds as to all that Jesus did brings us into the victory God had planned for each and every person before the foundation of the world!

3.      Jeremiah 29:11 says:  I know the thoughts I have for you…plans to do you good and not evil…to give you an expected end!  Do you believe that God is saying that to You as an individual or has life dealt so many blows that your expectancy is for where the next trouble or frustration or debt etc. is going to show up? 

Then it is time to be transformed!  The great British Minister of the Gospel, Smith Wigglesworth, is quoted as saying:  God said it.  I believe it.  That settles it!  Do you believe what God has said about you?  Then settle it and declare it in the face of opposition and opportunities and see what will happen.  That is what “not being conformed but being transformed” is all about.  Get a spirit of expectancy that God is on your side and no weapon formed against you shall prosper.  Get rid of the lies. 

4.      Realize that just as Satan challenged God’s Word, Truth and Integrity to Eve, he will seek to do the same in your life.  Daily – seek Truth from God’s Word.  When you are challenged with a lie or circumstance that is contrary to that Truth, hold on until you see the tide turn.  It shall come to pass!

5.  Jesus said: “My Peace I give unto You.”  Receive it in a fresh way today.  Do you realize  

     that in that one statement Jesus offered to you and me everything that Peace is: Hebrew 

     for Shalom—Prosperity, continuous well-being in all areas of life, completeness.  It   

     is Jesus saying to You:  Be Healthy.  Be in Peace.  Be Prosperous!

Today realize that You are God’s handiwork created in Christ Jesus unto Good Works.  You are very special in His sight. 

Ask God to show you specific areas in your life that you have become “conformed” to what the world has to say about you.  If you have been rejected, spoken untruthfully about, failed in business or job, maybe you are in a family turmoil, or have financial troubles, transformation is yours already when you realize that God has already made plans for the turnaround in your life.  He is saying:  BEHOLD I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK.  IF ANYONE (THAT INCLUDES YOU!) HEARS MY VOICE AND OPENS THE DOOR, I WILL COME IN TO HIM AND DINE WITH HIM, AND HE WITH ME! REVELATIONS 3:20. 

Will you accept His invitation?  Spend time in His Word and Listen in prayer for wisdom and direction and in prayer ask Him to show you His truth about your life.

It does not take God a long time to do something big.  His desire is to release you from your past and pain and fulfil His purposes for your life.  Release your faith in Him today.

Remember – He sent the Apostle Paul to BEG you to listen to what He has to say about His plans for your life!  Our prayer is that you will hear His voice and experience breakthroughs in your life where You need them the most!!!

What an Amazing Gift!

We all realize when someone gives or "gifts" us with "something" whether it is a material present or a kind word, compliment or wisdom about a situation, we each have the choice of accepting the "gift" or rejecting it.  It is much the same with gifts from the Holy Spirit. It says in 1 Corinthians 2:16 We have been given the mind of Christ!  Unless we acknowledge and focus our attention on this truth and fact, it will not be fully activated to bring about change and breakthroughs in our lives. 

I know there have been more times than I like to think about when I

have given people gifts and it seemed that they were neither appreciated or utilized.

If you think about it, what you give whether time, money, opportunities, material gifts, etc. these represent a part of who you are what your life represents.

In the above Scripture in Corinthians, we have the confident truth that we have been gifted with the mind of Christ! As believers, it is important to engage and access this truth by faith so that we make mindful decisions based on who lives in us and acknowledge what is available in our decision-making process every single day. 

The actual meaning of Mind in the Hebrew language is to conceive, a thing framed and imagined.  Just think, you have been gifted with the imagination of Christ. Stop and "conceive" that!

Power Confession:  I acknowledge that I have been given the amazing gift of the Mind of Christ.

I accept it. Thank you Lord.

Speak In Faith Over Yourself!

From the Desk of Diana Sykes.

Title: SPEAK IN FAITH OVER YOURSELF

Speak your desires over yourself.  Jeremiah 1 says, even before you were born I had plans for you.  Jeremiah could not believe he was called.  God told him to say not you cannot do this because of who you are now or what your circumstances are!  He had to change what he said.  Negative words can keep you from God’s very best.

Every morning call yourself and your circumstances what you desire in faith.  Faith is substance.  It is a title deed to what you say.  Do you want what you are saying?

Say what you desire.  I have a happy blessed home.  I feel good.  I look good.  I am a blessing.  I am favored by God and man.  Blessings are chasing me down today. Every where I go people are interested in what I have to say.  I am somebody’s blessing today.

Make positive declarations over your life. The Bible says that Daniel prayed for 21 days and during that time it seemed like nothing was happening but Daniel 10: 12 says from the moment Daniel decided he wanted to understand a situation and prayed about it an angel was released to bring the answer to his prayers, but there was war in the heavenlies tryng to keep the prayer from being answered.  Daniel did not see what was going on in the Spirit, but he held on and saw the results of his perseverance.  Declare it until you see it manifest.  

Refuse to speak defeat, discouragement over yourself.  There are three D’s you must stay away from:

Discouragement leads to a feeling of despair, despair leads to depression.

Say:  I am encouraged because I am who God says I am.  I can do what God says I can do.  I am happy and blessed because Ps. 1 says Happy is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly.  I refuse negative words, thoughts or impressions from others in Jesus Name.

the communication of my faith becomes effectual by acknowledging every good thing that is in me in Christ Jesus.  Philemon

I acknowledge every good thing deposited in me.  there is no discouragement in Jesus, so I refuse to be discouraged.  I release all discouragement from my life.  I give it to Jesus because he asked me to.  say to yourself, I am that I am lives big in me today, so we are going to enjoy this day that I am has made!

I break this habit pattern of thinking things are hopeless.  the bible says those that come to Jesus will never be disappointed.  god cannot lie so I choose to believe if I put my hope in what he said, I will not be disappointed.  if I look to what I see I will always have the opportunity to feel discouragement therefore I look with earnest expectation to my best friend, Jesus, and communicate my faith that with man it may seem impossible, but with god (us working as a team) nothing or no thing is impossible.

David encouraged himself when he found himself in the middle of family and friends that mocked him and made fun of his desires to follow god.  when he had no one else to turn to he encouraged himself.  He said, with the help of God I killed a lion that was trying to steal from me, I killed a bear that was trying to steal from me and now, this uncircumcised Philistine that is trying to taunt the armies of the living God is going to get it because God is backing me up.

Faith is something you speak out.  It creates within you the ability to do what you desire.

If David had to encourage himself to get results and he did, why not follow in his pattern and rehearse the victories you have experienced and tell yourself…If He has done it before, He can do it again.  See the situations as an adventure to create the life God has in store.

Take time everyday to release all tension, all emotions of hopelessness, defeat, depression.  Just as we take out the garbage in our house so that it will not accumulate and start smelling and cause bacteria to develop, we must do the same with our mind on a regular basis otherwise we get stinking thinking.  Do this and keep sowing truth, hope, health, happiness and you will begin to enjoy your journey. Decide that if those around you are unhappy, you will have enough joy and happiness around you to change your environment.  Your overflow will flow over to them instead of theirs overflowing to you which would cause you to sink down.  Rise and be healed. Isa 60:1. Amplified “Arise (from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to a new life)!  Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.       

2018
The Power of Your Words!
Make 2018 the best year ever, start by watching this 4 min video
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