Where’s your Focus?
What’s up beautiful people and others? I have a brief word for you on today that is going to require reflection. Our topic today is “Where is your Focus?”
There are so many things going on in the world today and even amongst those called to be watchers or watchmen for the body of Christ. Some of you may have jumped into the drama of these situations and some of you may have sidestepped the mess. To those of you who have chosen to side step the drama that takes some maturity and you should be proud of yourself. It’s very easy to get into the drama that takes place consistently almost as if the distractions are intentional. Whether you are aware or not our intentions matter a great deal. Meaning we have to be extra mindful of them. Where our mind goes the body follows.
As children of God our focus is to be on the Father. I myself as a child of God have to be very mindful and at times I simply have accepted that I just am not always. Honest. Yet, the extra effort is required to make sure I do my best to be more intentional about what I allow my spirit to digest. Just as our bellies can be sensitive to certain foods our spirits are indeed the same. Hebrews 12:1-2 states “Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith….” (NIV)
We perfect our faith by keeping our eyes on the one who perfects it. When we get so entangled in the drama of others we are digesting and entangling ourselves in the mess of the people we watch. Our job is to finish our race. As believers we all have personal access to Christ directly. Ephesians 2:18 tells us “For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (NIV) Oftentimes some people have loyalty to a person and forget that the one that has established or created that individual is where the true power lies. Regardless of what’s happening around us our focus has to stay on Christ.
I’m not sure if any of you are familiar with track but it’s important that you stay in your lane when running your race. Every step counts. Turning to look back, being too concerned with the person running next to you, or not properly breathing can all jam you up in the race. You have to stay focused on the finish line. As believers are walk with Christ is the same. There is nothing going on in this world today that God didn’t already have set in stone. The drama, the gossip, the hate crimes, loving your neighbor, etc etc. However, if we get to wrapped up in some of these things it could distort our perception of the race we are to be running.
Sometimes what someone else is called to won’t make sense to you but you have to keep running. Sometimes, the race might seem rigged in the oppositions favor but we serve a God that doesn’t lose. Only when we spend quality time with the father can we know his voice. Can we know his ways. The more we do so the more the father naturally humbles us, the more we are easily able to discern the wolves from the sheep. What are you focused on? I hope you can say that it’s the father. I hope you can say that you are still committed to the race. Stay focused on the finish line.
Till next time good people and others.
Love ya,
later.
Elevation Requires a “NO”
What’s goodie Good People and others?! We have made it to the second half of the year & I’m grateful for it. I know it’s been a while since you’ve heard from me. I happen to take little mini sabbaticals. Don’t charge it to my heart. However, it is a cost you have to pay sometimes when you want to stay oily. Let me further explain using a parable from the word.
When we look at Matthew 25:1-13, we see how there are 10 virgins waiting for the return of the bridegroom. 5 of them were considered foolish and the other 5 were considered wise. The 5 foolish virgins were the ones who had lamps but lacked oil for the lamps. The 5 wise virgins were the ones who had their lamps and oil ready for them. When the bridegroom returns the 5 foolish virgins request oil from the 5 wise virgins. Can you imagine the response that was given to the 5 foolish virgins? (Good thing is you don’t have to.)
In verse 9 of Matthew 25, the 5 wise virgins respond with “No, they replied, there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.”
Did you catch the “No”?
See, there are people out in the world today who will know you have the oil and think that just because you have it that they are entitled to your oil! Requesting of you to give what you have causing a possible deficit for you. It cost to carry oil. What I love about the response that the 5 wise virgins gave is that it is simple, firm and states a clear boundary. Could you imagine if the 5 wise virgins shared their oil with the foolish ones and the bridegroom in turn rejected their entrance to the wedding banquet?
As believers of Christ who desire to go higher, we have to protect our oil. Yes, sometimes it is good to help, but it’s better to stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. The 5 foolish virgins had to run to the market to buy oil because they were not fully prepared when the bridegroom returned & they missed their opportunity to enter the wedding banquet (vs 10). All because they were not fully prepared for his return. We as believers need to know when the time has come for us to keep the oil to ourselves, so we don’t miss our opportunity to attend the banquet. This parable is a prime example of how you have to be willing and able to tell others “NO” so you won’t miss your opportunity.
For me, that was once a hard thing to do. It has gotten easier to do because I have learned the importance of NO. I have learned the hard way that people will milk you until you are dry and empty if you let them all because they don’t want to pay the price to obtain their own oil. The oil cost. It can’t be produced from thin air you have to spend something on it. You have to give to get and if you desire to go higher you have to give out No’s to protect your oil. Sometimes that could look like taking a moment to yourself. In the word we see often where Jesus would give a word to the crowds that followed him and then he would retreat off for a few days to himself. He had to ensure that he could replenish the oil that he carried. Others can be draining.
I’m not saying that we as believers are not called to help others. What I am saying is sometimes the season might require you to direct someone where they can purchase their own oil while guarding the oil that you have. Making sure we have an intimate relationship with the father individually is one of the best things we can do to stay oily. If you want to know one way to stay oily check out my YouTube video “Will Jesus find you Oily on His Return?
Elevation requires a “No”. Know when to use it.
Love ya,
Later.
The Praises of men will cost you something!
What’s going on beautiful people?! Good people and others. I pray all has been well with you.
In today’s blog I want to highlight how the “Praises of men are going to cost you something!”
We live in a world today where people worship the “praises” they receive from man over striving to receive the praises from our Master, Jesus Christ. In John 12:42 we see how the Pharisees, the “leaders”, at that time had ordered the people not to have anything to do with anyone who had faith in Jesus. Isn’t it amazing how the very people we worship, our leaders, have the power to influence us detrimentally? Oftentimes we miss the plot (trap) because we are so consumed with how we will be perceived by those we have given detrimental influence in our lives.
When we are willing to submit to man’s rule over our lives more than we submit to the rule of Jesus Christ in our life it cost us something. In the scriptures prior to John 12:42 we see where Isaiah had previously prophesied that people would not be willing to have faith in Jesus (John 12:36-38). The cost associated with not having faith in Jesus resulted in the people having blinded eyes, stubborn hearts, and missed opportunities to be healed (John 12:39-40). The people were just “following” after the orders given by the Pharisees. Those who despised the work Jesus Christ was doing in the world. Yet, it cost them so much.
In 2024, so many of us are “following” Pharisees who have no intention to direct you to Jesus Christ. We have become so fixated on receiving the praises of man that we are willing to risk our own sight, understanding and healing to be approved by man who cannot grant us access into heaven. Only Jesus Christ, our master, can tell us “Well Done.” (Matthew 25:23) Do not take this as me saying that man can not acknowledge the blessing that your presence or influence has had on them because that is not what I’m saying. What I Am saying is that man’s “Well Done” of your life has no impact on whether or not you get into heaven.
God is the one who knows our ending from our beginning (Isaiah 46:10).
Our world today has become more craftier in the ways we are influenced to our detriment. The “leaders” man chose are showing you that they do not have any real care in the world for your current condition. Struggling financially, barely able to provide a meal for your family, no security with open borders, and the list goes on. Yet, there are still so many people concerned about their image to man. It cost you to follow a “leader” whose sole (soul) intention is to keep you away from the very thing, the very person, that can heal you & give you a restful eternal life.
When our focus is on doing the work that God has intended for our lives, the smoke we receive from man means nothing. The praises we receive from man will hold no weight to make or break us. Good or bad we will be able to press on towards the mark. Scripture states in Philippians 3:14, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ.” The high calling of God!
What can man do unto you? (Psalms 118:6) God, Jesus Christ, is the only person you should be striving to receive praises from. I pray you don’t allow man’s praises to detrimentally impact you to miss out on the things that God would like to do in your life. Healing can be your portion. Faith is required. Faith in Jesus Christ. Do not fear what man can do to you. Fear the life you could miss out on by choosing not to have faith in Jesus Christ.
Love ya Later.
The Smoke is just Proof the Oil is Burning !
Hello, hello, Hello, beautiful people and others. I hope all has been very well for you. It’s been quite some time since I have written a blog. How has everything been going with you? How is school going for your kiddos?
Life for me has been well, interesting and challenging at times. However, all in all it has been a true pleasure to live out. In this blog, I would like to elaborate on how the “smoke” is just proof the oil is burning!
Yes, this message is laced with dual meaning. In the culture, smoke signifies beef! Smoke signifies conflict, challenges, aggression from the opposition. Yet, in the word (Bible), smoke was seen in a few unique instances. Let’s dive in!
On my YouTube channel @Ls2Elevation I spoke on the topic “Will Jesus find you Oily on his return?” In the video I highlight how Jesus’ name is oily, how he was called the “Annointed One”, how the anointing is oily! The word anointing literally means to pour oil upon. Stay with me. It’s going to heat up.
When we look at Isaiah 6:4 the scripture highlights how God’s presence showed up in smoke. See sometimes people are bringing you smoke because of the smoke that surrounds your life spiritually. Let that soak in. Sometimes people have qualms and beef with you because they are upset with the presence of God that surrounds your life. It’s not necessarily you they are upset at. It’s the smoke!
When we look at Isaiah 34:8-10 we see how God’s vengeance is exemplified in smoke. Isaiah 34:8-10 highlights how the defense of Zion from God will result in the whole country going up in flames. Scripture states “It will burn night and day and never stop smoking.” We see in this chunk of scripture that “The Anointed One” speaks of being so heated (angry) that he literally will burn down an entire country to defend Zion. Can you imagine God being so angry at you that he plans to burn your country night and day with never ending smoke included? See some of the smoke you are enduring right now is because of the never-ending torment that is tied to the vengeance that God is taking up on your behalf against your enemies.
When we look at Revelations 14:8-11 we see how even Babylon ended in a never-ending smoke. Scripture states “If you worship the beast and the idol and accept the mark of it’s name, you will be tortured day and night. The smoke from your torture will go up forever and ever, and you will never be able to rest.” See when you are dealing with smoke from the opposition, whether it be work, family, friends, the world; their main strategy is to come at you so intensely (whatever they believe intense to be) that you are worn out by the smoke they have brought to your life. Ironically enough, Christ applies that same pressure to those who have decided to worship the beast, idols and that take the mark of the beast. Some smoke never ends well.
When we look at Genesis 19:28 we see how Destruction is exemplified in smoke. This chunk of scripture speaks about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Two cities plagued with perverse practices and wickedness. You know, often times when we look at cultural smoke or opposition we receive from others, we could also say, it comes from a perverse heart or wickedness within the opposition. When we have allowed ourselves to behave in ways that oppose God’s natural way for us, we often find that we are on a path of destruction. Most times we ignore the signs and warnings sent to us; but they were there.
When we miss the warnings God sends, we stir his anger, fueling his wrath, fanning the smoke we are bound to be tortured with.
The smoke we endure in the natural is just proof that the Oil is burning! That God’s presence surrounding us disturbs those who want smoke with us without a cause. The smoke we endure in the natural is just proof that the Oil is burning! That God’s vengeance has activated against our enemies. The smoke we endure in the natural is just proof that the Oil is burning! See God has given you rest in the midst of your storms. While those who partake in worshipping the beast and the idol come to an end without rest. The smoke we endure in the natural is just proof that the Oil is burning! Destruction is the portion for those who practice things that go against God’s natural ways. Some of our opposition is so focused on “us” they have blinded themselves to the error of their own ways that God has warned them about.
The smoke that is sent in the spiritual realm is just proof that the Oil is burning! God’s oil has been tested so much that it has ignited the consuming fire that God is. The smoke was the warning you ignored. The smoke is also the thing used to torture you.
For those of you enduring smoke in the natural stand fast and endure to the end. I leave you with Isaiah 51:7 “Hearken unto me; ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.”