Daily Devotional – 5/29/12 “Are your memories worth remembering?”

With the Memorial Day Holiday on yesterday, it caused a lot of memories to be brought back of loved ones who are no longer here and even thoughts of servicemen and women who have served this country wholeheartedly and paid the ultimate sacrifice with their life. Some people visited cemeteries to pay their respect by leaving flowers, some enjoyed family time with members who were visiting from out of town and some even spent the much needed vacation at home doing nothing but it didn’t take away from the holiday. Many folks weren’t bothered by the 100 degree heat index to visit the grave-sites of those loved ones and they endured it all because their memory was worth every bead of sweat that formed on every part of their body. Now, my question to you is what memories will you leave behind? Will your memory be worth folks rising early in the morning to endure the heat to add flowers to your grave or will you be a passing thought as the family sits around after eating? Yea, I know you think because you’re young you got time to get it together and to get it right but the bible says in Matthew 24:36, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father,” so your eyes aren’t guaranteed to open on tomorrow no more than those of my 84 year old grandfather, so I ask again, what memories are you leaving? See, I’ve learned through the years that it really doesn’t matter about your date of birth or even your date of death because the dash in between the 2 is what speaks the most. Will you leave a memory of being someone who used to be that person no one wanted to see coming or the person that no one could go a day without coming to see? Will you be a person who allowed the world to change them or a person who changed the world to fit them? Will that dash be justified in the story that it tells about the life that you lived? If you have to worry about what folks are saying about you when you leave a room, your memories may be affected when you leave this earth. Are you willing to stand around and listen to what folks have to say about you because you know that even though you made some mistakes, in your life, you learned from them and became the person that God designed you to be or will you be too ashamed to hear people call you a liar, backstabber, gossiper, ditch digger and unfriendly? The bible tells us in Genesis 1:27, “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” God didn’t create us to be anything other than a righteous person who strives to be like him. No, he didn’t say we wouldn’t make mistakes because he promised us trouble and with trouble come bad choices/mistakes, but he expects us to repent and learn from the mistakes we’ve made and will make so that we don’t make them again. Will you be perfect, no but this is why Psalm 34:19 says, “A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all,” so, there isn’t an excuse for not making your dash count. So I ask again, will your memories be worth remembering?

You have to realize that although you don’t care what folks think now, those same folk have to eulogize you when you’re gone and I don’t want anyone standing over my casket lying about how much they loved me when they couldn’t stand the sight of me living. Even if you don’t love me, like me enough to tell me when I need to get it together and when I’m wrong. I want my memory to be worth remembering, don’t you? Yea, some of our dashes will be longer than others, depending on the years that we are given by God, but it doesn’t mean we work any less to make it count for something. Just because you think you’re all that and a bag of chips, it doesn’t mean the world does so stop walking around acting like your head only points upward because when it points down, you may not have anyone there willing to help you. Stop acting like your hand can’t reach out to help folks because when you become the one reaching out for help, you won’t find any. And if you think you won’t need anybody or that you’ll never fall, keep living. Ecclesiastes 7:20 says, “Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins.” See, those same folks whose shoulders you stood on to lift you up will be the same ones helping you back down when you fall. Those folks whose backs you walked over to cross the valley will be the same ones on their stomach pulling you back up when you fall down into your valley. And you will one day be in the valley because Job 5:7 says, “People are born for trouble as readily as sparks fly up from a fire.” However, folks will only talk about your time in the valley if you never try to get out of it. Oh, but if you come out rejoicing from the valley because it made you stronger, then they’ll remember you as being a fighter against the trials of this world. When you come out of your storm wet and clothes disheveled but not your spirit, folks will remember that. When you come out the fire with your clothes burned, not your spirit and with ashes on your face but not your faith, folks will remember this and this will be the memory they hold and not of you giving up and throwing in the towel when it became too much.

See, somebody can stand and say, “My dash will represent the new me because even though I used to be a drug addict, alcoholic or whoremonger; I committed myself back to God and he dipped my broken body in his blood and I came out clean and whole.” (2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”) Someone can stand and say, “My dash will represent the new me because even though I used to lie, cheat and steal, God came into my life when I invited him and now I lie with him during the good and the bad and I only steal away when I need to pray.” (Revelation 3:20, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”) Somebody can say, “My dash will say even though I’ve made mistakes, God forgave me and he still forgives me for them over and over, if I ask. (1 John 1:9, “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”) Someone can say, “I was once afraid to acknowledge God before folks that I knew but when I realized the power that he can place over my life, how he can bring me through storms, comfort me when friends are gone, heal me when sickness comes and send rest when I toss and turn at night, so I proudly proclaim to be a child of the king, no matter who is listening! (Luke 12:8, “I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God.) Your memories should be those bad things that you’ve made good and the good things you’ve made better. Your memories should be worth remembering to all those who come in contact with you even if only for a moment.

Will you always be perfect, no but no one is but that doesn’t mean you have to be the best at being the worst. Yea, sure you’ll have days that make you feel like throwing in the towel but that won’t be remembered if you take that same towel to wipe the sweat and keep on going. Will you always have days that make you smile, no, but those won’t be remembered if you don’t take your attitude out on others. When we mess up, God (the potter), take us (the clay), places us back on the wheel in order for him to smooth out the bumps that have formed in us. Then we are molded back into the shape that God wants us to be, placed back into the heat and its then we are able to withstand the heat, a little bit more. See, every time we ask for forgiveness and every time we go in the fire, we come out strong enough to handle being dropped and thrown around without breaking, that’s God remolding us which gives us time to make our dash count. Every time we fall and he allows us to get up or he heals our bodies, he is giving us a chance to make our dash count. Don’t allow your living to be in vain. Just because you’ve made a mistake or committed a sin on yesterday, repent for it, be forgiven and learn from it. Just because you feel the best you have in years, doesn’t mean today won’t be your last day because even on your well days, you are sick enough to die. Don’t wait until tomorrow to talk to God; don’t wait until Monday to start cleaning your life up, don’t wait until Sunday to talk to God and don’t wait until you’re lying on your death bed to confess your wrongs, start today. Forgive those who have hurt you, forget those who have walked away and haven’t looked back, love those that are in your life, help those who hands are out asking, pray for those who need it even if they never ask and tell all about the love of God. Your life has a meaning; the kind of meaning that it has, well that depends on you. Make it count! Make your memories be worth remembering by those you’ll leave behind!

Daily Devotional – 5/25/12 “Friday’s Favor”

Yea, you got favor so stop thinking you don’t. Stop saying that you’re broke because you’re speaking that into existence, simply restate it by saying, “I’m temporarily out of funds.” Stop saying you’re sick because you’re also speaking that into existence, when you should be saying, “I’m just not feeling well.” You are aware by know that the tongue has the power to speak life AND death, right? That’s what the bible says in Proverbs 18:21; yet we still speak things over our own lives and wonder why stuff is always happening. If you keep speaking harm on your son because he’s in the streets, then harm will find him when you should be speaking God’s protection. I’ve learned that most times it’s not because we have been so good that keeps allowing us to live but it’s because of the favor of someone who is praying for us. See, my grandma is the Favor that holds our family together and if you ask anybody else, they’ll tell you the same. Grandma has that type of favor that allows her to whisper a prayer and everything feels different. Our family is and has been extremely blessed but it’s not because we’ve always done what we are supposed to do but it’s because she’s being covered by the favor from God that no man can understand. Yea, she has that favor but we all do because favor is defined as a friendly regard shown toward another especially by a superior. Now, that alone should be enough for you to know that you have favor that will fill you when you feel like falling but if you still need a little bit more, let me give it to you.

  1. You woke up this morning when it could have been the other way and a family member found your body cold with the blood no longer running warm through your veins and your heart not pumping but they didn’t.
  2. After you sat up, you found yourself in your right mind because you remembered where you were instead of somebody having to tell you.
  3. You had the activity of all your limbs and strength because you were able to get out of bed by yourself, bathe and dress yourself and even feed yourself because it could have been the nurse at the nursing home.
  4. You can come and go as you please because you make your own decisions when it could have been the deputy at the prison.
  5. You got a place to stay instead of sleeping outside or in a homeless shelter where you could be fighting with someone over the scraps somebody else threw in the garbage can or begging for money on the corner but you’re not.

If you don’t believe you have favor, look at the person who has their week filled with dialysis or chemo when your week is hanging out with friends or being lazy at home. Look at the many coworkers you have who has experienced death in their family over the last month, when you haven’t. So what if your boyfriend left, spend a few minutes crying and then get over it. Ok, your girlfriend turned out to be somebody other than who you thought, get over it. Your job laid you off, ok, man up and find another one to feed your family. Your car wouldn’t start this morning, ok, call someone or take the bus; the fresh air will do you good. You got a little pain in your body, ok, at least you’re able to feel it. Yea, you may be gifted at what you do but you can’t seem to get where you want to be, so what? This simply means it’s not your time. The bible says in Proverbs 18:16, “A man’s gift makes room for him And brings him before great men.” See, just because you have a gift it doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to open up doors but you have to allow the gift that God has given you to do it. If you’re using the gift that God has given you, for the good, then it’ll go ahead of you and speak on your behalf. Your resume, boss, coworker, spouse or family member can’t speak for you like your gift can. And when you’ve been blessed with a gift, God gives you the favor you need to keep it.

See, it’s like adding flavor to a pot that is cooking on the stove. Once you add the flavor, the smell goes throughout the house and it’ll bring people to the stove wondering what it is that is cooking in that pot smelling that good. It’s the same way with your gift. When you have the gift that God has given and you’re using it to make it fruitful, God will add favor to it and once the favor has been added, it’ll reach folk you had no idea it could. When God adds favor to your life because you’re living right, folk can wish death on you but they can’t kill you. When God adds favor to your living, folk can wish badly on it but they can’t take your joy. When God adds favor to your giving, folk can steal from you but they won’t break you. When God adds favor to your pay, folk can demote you but they won’t decrease your earnings. Oh, when God adds favor to your walk, folk can add obstacles but they won’t stop you from reaching your destination. When God adds favor to your goals, folk can add hurdles but they won’t stop you from reaching them. When God gives you favor, folk can even try to block your blessings but they won’t stop you from receiving them.

You have favor but you need to understand and realize it. If God didn’t give you favor, then why would he keep using you? Stop worrying about what other folks got because they could be great at making stuff look good. Just like an experienced baker can take a cake and add icing and you’d never know it was falling apart. You may be experiencing some rain, heartache, pain, difficulties and confusion in your life now but it’s not the end. Stop acting like God has placed a stop sign at the end of your road when it’s simply a yield sign. This yield sign isn’t there to stop you from moving ahead permanently, it’s simply giving time for the mess to be cleaned from the street. So take this moment and relax. When it’s your time to move, the sign will show GO and when you move this time, you won’t have any potholes or bumps. Besides, the only reason you faced a bumpy ride before is for you to appreciate the smooth sailing from here on out. So stop complaining and start enjoying the scenery because God has given you the favor to do so. Favor means God has faith in you to fulfill the purpose in which he has given you so stop fretting and being fearful and fellowship amongst folk who stands on God’s foundation.”

Daily Devotional – 5/24/12 “Where is you flame resistant barrier?”

When the enemy comes, and he will come, he brings with him a fire that can singe the hairs on the back of your neck. This fire is hot enough to turn your cheeks red just by looking at it and the closer he gets to us, the hotter the fire gets. See, this fire is temptation and the enemy surrounds us with it daily to throw us off the path that God has placed us on but 1 Peter 4:12 says, “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.” I know you’re asking why shouldn’t I be surprised but it is because you should already know the devil and the schemes he uses to tempt us away from God’s side and into his. You know how you leave the house after having an argument with your spouse and as soon as you get to work, here comes your coworker in that nice suit or short skirt, smelling all good saying I just stopped by to speak. Or when you’re not getting satisfied, sexually, at home the right way (we are all grown, right?) and just when you’re at your breaking point, you get an email from someone you knew a long time ago. Yea, I know; you’re looking but not touching but if you move close enough to the fire without the right flame resistant barrier, you will get burned. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” Now, please know that although God provides the way out from the fire (temptation), you have to be looking to see it and if you’re smiling in the face of the temptation, then you will miss the open door God placed as your way out.

Yea, you make think that you’ll never do this or do that but the bible says in Mark 14:38, “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” It may only be texting now but eventually you’ll give in to the pressures of the temptation and the only way to be sure you won’t is to take the way out that God is giving. Just because your friend has always been your friend, it doesn’t mean he or she hasn’t thought about what it would be like to get with you, so instead of calling them when you have an argument with your significant other, stay home and work it out. When folks are angry or upset, they tend to do things they wouldn’t normally do or say things they wouldn’t normally say; which is why if you argue, take a time out and regroup and then talk it out. When you leave a situation in a fit of rage, you may do something you can’t take back. You know how you get in the car, mad and the first thing that pops in your head is the voice of that “friend” that says; call me if you ever need to talk. Now, you’re headed to their place to talk and before you know it, they are saying all the things you want to hear and now you’ve slipped on top of each other. Yea, right! You put yourself in that position. Don’t be acting like God is testing you, like he did Job because the bible says in James 1:13, “And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.” Why, because temptations are evil and from evil and they don’t become a reality until we allow them too. James 1:14-16 says, “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.” Yea, he said call him but you didn’t have too. She sent you that picture but she couldn’t have if she didn’t have your number. You made a mistake and slept with him/her because you were drinking but had you not been in a position, alone with them, you wouldn’t have gotten drunk and; well you know! Simply put, don’t allow yourself to get close enough to the fire to get burned.

Will you be tempted by things that can cause you to sin, yes, because that’s the way the devil works. Haven’t you realized that when you start your diet, all the cravings for the things you no longer want are stronger or when you’re trying to quit or overcome an addiction, you want it more than ever before? This is temptation. The day you decide to quick smoking, every commercial on TV is about cigarettes. The day you decide you no longer want to commit adultery is the day they call 50 times, when you hadn’t heard from them in weeks. Turn off the TV, change your phone number, block their email address and put on your flame resistant barrier. See, if the devil can tempt you and you fall for it, he places a checkmark in his win column for the day. This is why you have to have your flame resistant barrier that keeps you from getting too close to the fire. Yea, this flame resistant barrier will allow you to see the fire, but it won’t burn you. This flame resistant barrier keeps your clothes and hair from smelling like smoke, it keeps your feet from getting from getting burned from standing on hot coals and it keeps your lungs and eyes working even when the room is filling with smoke. This is why Ephesians 6:11 says, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” You will face temptations because the devil does all he can to get those that are on God’s side but you can overcome them. If you’ve made a mistake in the past, leave it there and don’t go back to get it. If there is a number in your phone that may cause you to slip, delete it. If there is a friend on Facebook that keeps giving you hints, block them. You can help yourself from getting burned by the fire if you stop wearing gasoline pants into the fire. Stop allowing yourself to be in a position to make a temptation a reality. If someone gives you their number and you know they have a hidden agenda, trash it. If someone invites you somewhere and you know they have their own reasons why, don’t go. Temptations are of the devil but he is only filling the secret desires we have. If your home is in disarray, fix it or at least try too before giving up. If your coworker is over stepping their boundaries, draw the lines with darker ink and make it plain. God gives us what we need to endure and resist temptations but you won’t see it if you aren’t looking. Don’t allow Thursday’s Temptation to send you into Friday’s Fire but seek God and then put on your flame resistant barrier and walk on!

Daily Devotional – 5/23/12 “Why settle when you haven’t negotiated?”

Most times when you settle something you usually negotiate the terms of the settlement before you accept it, right? Then why are you settling for just anything in your Christian life? You settle for the first man/woman who comes along when they could be standing in front of the blessing God sent. You settle for the first loan the car salesman brings when you should be negotiating the terms for the price and payment you want. You settle for the first job that calls because the benefits sound good when your career was calling on the other line. You settle for the second dress that’s in the store when you should have told them to order the one you really want. Stop settling for a Big Mac when you got a taste for Quarter Pounder, make them cook it while you wait. Why are you settling for less when God has given you the means to have so much more? God blessed you with a gift for writing so do not settle for a math degree. God blessed you with the ability to be a great husband/wife, so don’t settle for being someone’s mister or mistress. God gave you the ability to speak life into your dead places so don’t accept when folks say you can’t make it. God has given you favor so don’t accept failure. God has given you love so don’t accept lust. God has given you salvation so don’t accept suicide as a way out. God has given you praise so don’t accept pain. God has given you a life to live so don’t let it pass you by because you choose to settle. You are worthy of so much more. If the person you’re with can’t appreciate what you offer (if you’re offering your absolute best) then you don’t need to spend another day being unappreciated. If the job you currently have can’t appreciate the talent you bring, find one that does. If the kids can appreciate the sacrifices you make to give them all they need and want, then stop giving. You don’t have to settle before you negotiate the terms.

Women, don’t you know that you are worth more than the cubic zirconia type love/support that you’re receiving? Proverbs 31:10 says, “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” A ruby is considered a precious stone and its worth is determined by the brightness of its color which can range from $100 to $15000 per carat. Now, my question to you is, “Is your light worth more than what you’re getting?” Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” See, your light shines when you have God on the inside and when it’s bright, men of God will see it and will be attracted to it and those who are of the world will stay away. When your light is bright is blinds those who are not used to looking into and it keeps away worldly mess. Haven’t you heard the saying, “Place your heart into God so that a man would have to go through God to get it?” Well, why are you settling for just anybody? You think just because he was the star of the football team in high school and played during college, that he would make a great husband who could provide but does he know God, does he fear God, does he know how to provide for his family, will he hold on through the storm, take care of you when you’re sick, pick you up when you’re down, pull you back from falling off the ledge, pray with you through the good and the bad, admit when he’s wrong, apologize when it’s needed and treat you like his wife and not his child? If the answer is no, then why are you settling? You don’t have to settle for a man who finds joy in your pain and laughter in the tears you cry. You don’t have to settle for being second best when you should be the starter but you have to want more for yourself. Negotiate the terms of your settlement before you sign on the dotted line because breaking a contract is a lot harder than it looks.

Men, don’t you know that God wants the best for you? Why, because you are the head of your household who represents God before anyone else. Ephesians 5:23 says, “For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.” See, God put you in front so that you’re the first one the world sees and if you’re an outstanding example of what a Godly man is then your family will be too. So, why would you settle for the first girl who batted her fake lashes at you? You do know that if she can’t be real around her husband then she isn’t who she says she is, right? A wife should be your helpmate, somebody who lifts you up and not bring you down, she should have your back when everyone else is against you, she should encourage you when you can’t encourage yourself, pull you up when the world has knocked you down, be there to help you when you’re sick, able to step in if you’re unable to provide, pray with you, ride out the wave when the water gets a little hard to bare, eat noodles when the budget calls for it, not complain when there’s no extra money left for shopping and allow you to cry in front of her without being less than a man. You shouldn’t have to settle for someone whose only concern is the amount of money in your bank account, the type of car you drive, if you wear brand name clothes/shoes and how good you are in bed. You are worthy of being the head because, Genesis 1:26 says, “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” Yea, God made you in His image which means you are worthy of being the head and not the tail. Stop settling for being a doormat for a woman who is not worthy of the rib that God removed from man to make her. Reach around the mess and get the blessing that God has for you. You, also, have to negotiate the terms of your settlement before you sign on the dotted line because getting out of a contract is a lot harder than it looks.

Being men and women who accept anything and settle for everything causes children to be raised not knowing they are worthy of so much more. Teach young women that they are better than having sex just to hold on to a boy whose not worthy of her heart. Teach young men that they are worthy of more than a girl who only calls when he gets paid from his part time job. Teach young men and women how to carry themselves in a way that is pleasing to God so that he can be pleasing to them. Teach the children how to value their self-worth before accepting the blue book value. We, as adults, have to set a better example for the younger generations who are watching us. We can’t just settle for anything because it looks good at the moment when something much more valuable is within reach. When we settle for anything we sacrifice the salvation that God sends because we lower the standards of who we should be. Oh, but when we negotiate the terms of our settlement we satisfy the Savior by shining our light bright enough to secure somebody who is spiritual enough to meet the standards of God’s plan by standing steadfast during storms and situations, who keeps their mind stayed on God in order to strengthen themselves to succeed during times of suffering and who is sufficient enough to sustain when settling just won’t do. No, we don’t have to settle because settling leads to suffering and why suffer with the wrong one when the right one is a negotiation, (that’s a blessing), away?

Daily Devotional – 5/22/12 “Focus!”

Don’t you know that if you spent more time focused on yourself, you wouldn’t have time to dabble into other folk’s business? You wondering why you can’t move 2 spaces ahead when you keep turning around looking at what others are doing and you’re missing your turn. It’s like being in traffic and you not paying attention of when the traffic moves, now the car in the other lane has jumped in front of you. Now, had this been a line of blessings, that person would have received what was meant for you. So, focus on what you’re doing and stop dipping in everybody else’s Kool-Aid. I know their flavor maybe the flavor you like but you got what you’re supposed to have, so dip in your own. Yea, had you not been looking out the window trying to see what the neighbor is doing, you wouldn’t have burnt dinner but you just had to be nosey because you’re the neighborhood gossip. Child, you need to focus on what’s going on in your own yard because you can’t fix what’s happening in theirs but you can do something about your own. If you took more time to focus on your own child instead of trying to tell your sister/brother how to raise theirs, you’d be able to see the change that is happening in them. You are so busy calling your friend to tell her what her daughter posted on Facebook; you don’t realize that your daughter has you blocked. Yea, your focus is on the wrong thing. While you are constantly focusing on getting your friend through her break-up, you don’t realize that your own spouse is feeling left out. Now, don’t get me wrong, there isn’t anything wrong with helping a friend in need but you can’t keep running to them every time they cry because they hear a song that reminds them of the person that left. Girl, you’d better sit your tail down and focus on your own relationship.

I know that sometimes looking back feels like the right thing to do but if it’s behind you, then that means you left it in the past and past things are unreachable but present things are within your reach. The bible says in Proverbs 4:25, “Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.” Yea, looking at things ahead can sometimes look blurry but if you look at it long enough, your eyes will soon focus and you’ll begin to see things clearer. Haven’t you been to the eye doctor and they ask you to read from the chart that seems like it is 200 feet away? Well, if you keep looking at it, the letters will soon begin to become clear enough to read because your focus didn’t change. Sometimes, you have to stare at a situation or circumstance just to see it clearly before you make a decision you might regret. You’re looking at a text message from someone and when you read it the first time, you get mad and before reading it again you send a response back that blows the entire situation into something that was not meant. Then when you get a response saying I didn’t mean it that way, you read it again but this time, you’re focusing on just that text message and not everything else that is going on around you and you see it totally different. Isn’t it amazing how we can make things difficult for ourselves simply because we didn’t focus? I would imagine that a tight rope walker would fall if they didn’t have their mind focused on the task at hand. Take for an example an email you’ve probably received asking you to look at the page of dots to see the picture behind it. If you focused on just that picture, your eyes would soon focus enough to make it out but if you keep allowing your focus to be off, you will never see it. This is the same way with God’s plan for your life. He keeps trying to get you to focus on starting the business you’ve been praying to him for but you keep allowing your focus to be disturbed by folks who need you every minute of the day. If you keep letting things and people interrupt your focus, you’ll never see the plan clearly and the first thing you’ll cry is God isn’t answering my prayer. No baby, it isn’t God but it’s your ability to focus.

When Jesus called Peter out of the boat to walk to him, he obeyed and was able to walk on top of the water but as soon as his focus was not on Jesus, he began to sink. It wasn’t because Jesus moved or he couldn’t do what he said he would but the bible says in Matthew 14:30, “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” See, when you aren’t focused on the right thing or right somebody, you make bad choices. We are so focused on the mess that your friend called you with that you miss the opportunity of inviting them to church for the message. We are so focused on making folks laugh by forwarding a chain text of Talking Tom that we don’t realize a scripture might be all a co-worker needs to know that things won’t always be so hard. If you would have focused more on the tone of your friend’s voice rather than the movie on TV, you would have heard her cry for help before she attempted suicide. Focusing is a mindset and something that we have to choose to want to do. You know you should have been focused on school instead of socializing and now you’re failing or you should have been focusing on your marriage but now you’re in divorce court or you should have been focusing on what the car salesman said instead of being focused on the car, now you’ve signed the papers and paying 2 times more than what the car is worth. The ability to focus isn’t hard we just have to make it up in our mind to do it. If you focus on a problem that seems to hard, you’ll soon realize the mistake you’ve been making in order to get the right answer. Focusing allows you to face problems without failing because when you’re focused and faithful to God, he favors you and with his favor you won’t follow behind foolish things but you’ll find a firm foundation that allows you to forgive when it hurts, be first when you thought you’d be last, find what you thought you’d lost, fill what should be empty and fearless when you should be scared. Focus on what matters and let everything else go because if it was meant to be for you, it’ll be in your line of sight.