MGD: Focus on God - 2

Shalom beloved. It's a beautiful Wednesday morning and we thank

God for the blessing of life. The Bible makes us

understand that God loads us with benefit daily and so

we can be rest assured of his benefits for us today.

Even as we listen to the word of God, Won't

open up your heart and receive His word with meekness

in the mighty name of Jesus. This is Pastor and Mrs.

Bruce Smith facilitating this morning's devotion. Let's kindly share a

word of prayer. Everlasting Father, we thank you for the

privilege and the honor to sit at your feet and

to hear your words. Your words, oh God, impart life.

They strengthen and they quicken us. We thank you, oh God,

that your words do not return to you void, but

they accomplish every assignment, every purpose for which you sent

it forth. Thank you, Father, for your words that you

are sending forth into our lives this morning. Let it

accomplish the purpose and the assignment for which you have

sent it, all to the praise and glory of your

holy name. We thank you for hearing us in Jesus'

mighty name. Amen. Let us kindly take our confession together.

Joshua chapter 1 verse 8 This book of the law

Joshua 1:8

shall not depart out of my mouth. But I shall

meditate in it day and night, that I may observe

to do according to all that is written in it.

For then I will make my way prosperous, and then

I will have good success.

Amen.

Amen. God richly bless you. Our theme for this morning

is Focus on God. We'll be concluding on what we

started yesterday. and want to take a scripture reading from

Daniel chapter 1 verses 8 to 17. Daniel chapter 1

Daniel 1:8–17 Daniel 1 · chapter mention

from verse 8 to verse number 17. I will be

reading from the King James Version. Daniel chapter 1 verse

Daniel 1:8–17

8 to 17. But Daniel purposed in his heart that

he would not defile himself with a portion of the

king's meat nor with the wine which he drank. Therefore

he requested of the prince of the Enoch that he

might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into

favour and tender love with the prince of the Enoch.

And the prince of the Enoch said unto Daniel, I

fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat

and your drink. For why should he see your faces

worse likened than that children which are of your sort?

Then shall he make me endanger my head to the king.

Then Daniel said to Melzer, whom the prince of the

Enoch had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Prove

thy servants I beseech thee ten days. And let them

give us pearls to eat and water to drink. Then

let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the

countenance of the children that eat of the portion of

the king's meat. And as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

So he consented to them in this matter, and proved

them ten days. And at the end of ten days

their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all

the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.

Thus Melzer took away the portion of their meat and

the wine that they should drink and gave them pause.

Verse 17 As for these four children, God gave them

knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, and Daniel

had understanding in all visions and dreams. Beloved, this is

the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God. Focus on God. We learned yesterday

to keep our focus on Jesus in the midst of

all the distractions, storms and hardships in life. Beloved, staying

focused can be very difficult sometimes. But one way to

help us stay focused is to consciously make the effort

to get rid of distractions. How do we do this?

Sometimes it requires us to move to a quiet place

or an area. TURNING OF NOTIFICATION Closing out on programs

and applications. Setting timers for ourselves. Setting goals. Being more

mindful of things. Making a to-do list and running some routines.

You realize that when you commit to these things, it

gradually becomes a habit. It is not easy at the

start but keeping it simple and building upon it gradually helps.

You need to remind yourself each day so that we

can be consistent with it. Remember Philippians chapter 3 verse

Philippians 3:13–14

13 to 14 says, Amen. As we conclude on our

theme today, we would highlight some benefits associated with focusing

on God. Isaiah 57 verse 5 says, The high and

Isaiah 57:5

exalted one who inhabits eternity and whose name is holy says,

he dwells on the high and holy place. but also

with the contrite and lowly in spirit, in order to

revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the

hearts of the contrite. Amen. Beloved, when we focus on

God by fasting, praying, studying of the Word, living right,

He revives and stirs us up. Your hearts begin to

cry out like the psalmist in Psalm 63 verse 1

Psalms 63:1–8

to 8 says, You, God, are my God. Earnestly I

seek you. I test for you. My whole being longs

for you in the dry and parched land where there

is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary

and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love

is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I

will praise you as long as I live, and in

your name I will lift up my hands. I will

be fully satisfied as with the riches of food. With

singing lips, my mouth will praise you. On my bed

I remember you. I think of you through the watches

of the night because you are my help. I sing

in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you.

Your right hand upholds me. One will ask what revival is.

Revival is an improvement in condition, strength or fortune of

someone or something. It can also mean restoration, rejuvenation or

renewal of interest after spiritual neglect. More of like a

return to God and His commandment. We attain unquenchable hunger

and thirst for God, which triggers blessings in our lives

as revealed in the book of Matthew 5. It says,

Blessed are you... Beloved, we cannot do the Christian work

without God. Hence, our need to draw closer to Him.

Let us also take a look at what happened to

Daniel and his friends when they decided to focus on God.

They looked healthier and were more nourished. When we focus

on God, our souls are fed and are energized. We

realign ourselves with God's timing, leading and direction. It shifts

load off our shoulders and onto God. We strengthen our

relationship with Him and gradually become like Him. God also

gave them knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature

and learning. He gave Daniel the gift to interpretate dreams.

God fills us with His Spirit, transforms us, renews us,

empowers us, teaches us and endows us with His gifts,

so we can conform to the likeness of His Son

and to fulfill our mandate. Beloved, God is calling us

to a life of seeking Him with all our heart, souls, minds.

and strength. It's my prayer that the God of our

Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give us the

spirit of wisdom and revelation so that we may know

Him better in Jesus' name. Amen. Let us pray. Thank you, Lord,

for your word that has come to us this morning.

We pray that let your word transform us. May we

draw closer to you by your word. Grant us grace

to build a stronger relationship with you. In Jesus' name,

have we prayed with thanksgiving. Amen. Amen. Let us take

our memory verse from Psalm 14. 19 verse 7 Psalm

Psalms 19:7

19 verse 7 and I'm reading from the NLT The

instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The

decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

God bless you. Amen.

God richly bless you for coming along this morning's devotion.

Let us stay focused on God to draw from the

wealth of His riches and be a blessing to our generation. Amen.

Shalom and have a fruitful day. Do not change your dial.

Keep tuned to Radio HCI today and do not forget

to share with a friend and a loved one. In

Jesus' name.

Amen.