*How important is your physical focus when walking or driving or even watching TV?
*How important is your spiritual focus when walking with God and seeking to live for Him?
*What do you think it means to walk with God? See 1 John 1:6-7; Ephesians 4:1-3; Micah 6:8.
*As we walk with God, how critical is it for our focus to be clear? Ephesians 5:15 (NASB); Ephesians 5:2 (NASB); Galatians 5:16 (NASB); 1 John 1:6-7
*What difference do you think focus made in Enoch’s walk in Genesis 5:21-24?. In Noah’s walk in Genesis 6:8-18 and 7:23? In Abraham’s walk in Genesis 18:16-19? (Use your imagination based on the circumstances surrounding each of these three characters.)
*Apply each of the above situations to your own focus as you walk with God and the difference it makes.
*What is required in order to be spiritually focused? 2 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 11:6
*Describe the One on whom we are to focus from John 6:48; 8:12; 10:9; 10:14; 11:25; 14:6; 15:5; John 1:1-5, 15; Hebrews 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-20
*How does the hope of seeing Jesus sharpen your focus according to 1 John 3:3? Romans 14:11-12? 1 Corinthians 13:12?
As you begin 2024, what are some practical things you need to do to adjust and/or sharpen your focus so that your walk is pleasing to Him?
* Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are based on ‘78 NIV.
This Bible study was prepared especially for the Winter 2024 Newsletter.
Some time ago, while sitting on the porch of a beach house, I was enjoying watching people walk by. I began to be curious as four people approached because I noticed that the two guys were dressed exactly alike, and the two women walking with them were dressed exactly alike! Not only that, the four of them were walking with two dogs that were exactly alike! As I watched, I thought this can’t be! So I closed one eye, and sure enough…there was only one couple walking one dog! When I opened my other eye, I saw four people and two dogs. That’s the first indication I had of double vision.
Double vision is exhausting because everything looks confusing. Straining to constantly focus is wearying. I can’t see clearly unless I wear glasses, or close one eye…does the pastor and/or worship leader in church think I’m winking at him?
While physical double vision is exhausting, spiritual double vision is more so. Life can become confusing, a wise decision can turn into multiple choice, our goals can become divided, our reason and purpose for living can become ambiguous, and weariness takes over.
In Matthew 6:22-23, Jesus said: The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! Put another way, He is saying that your focus determines the direction of your life. If your focus is healthy, your whole life will be full of light. But if your focus is off…if you have spiritual double vision…you will become confused, susceptible to deception, and end up lost on the road going nowhere with a life that is wasted.
Spiritual double vision produces an erratic, inconsistent walk. Some days you read your Bible—some days you don’t. Some days you pray—some days you don’t. Some things you surrender to the Lord—some things you hold on to. Some time and money you give Him…some time and money you spend the way you want. It’s exhausting.
I remember when I first surrendered everything to the Lord. I did so because I was tired. Tired of the multiple decisions I made every day, “Do I do this His way? In obedience to His Word? In accordance to His will? Or do I do things my way, according to what I want?” Finally, it just seemed easier and less exhausting to let Him have everything and give me back what He wanted me to have. So I did. I surrendered all. Immediately I felt a release. A sweet peace. My life, my decisions, my goals that included family and ministry, were in His hands. And my focus was clear. I would live for Him alone. For His pleasure. For His glory.
Over the years, God has taken me deeper in that surrender as I have been challenged in new ways: to surrender my children…and my grandchildren…their decisions and well-being; to surrender the future of the ministry He has entrusted to me; to surrender my time and the way I use it as I seem to get busier and busier; to surrender my health, or lack of it; to surrender my reputation as I come under assault; and the list goes on.
The blessing has been not only peace and spiritual “rest” from the striving, but also a clearer focus on my supreme goal of pursuing Him…of knowing Him, loving Him, pleasing Him, serving Him, glorifying Him until I see Him face to face.
So at the beginning of this New Year 2024, check your focus. What consumes your time? Your thoughts? What are your goals? Your priorities? Do you lack deep inner peace because without realizing it, you have gradually developed double vision? If so, it’s time to surrender all. Make the words of this classic hymn by Judson Van DeVenter not just your New Year’s resolution but your prayer for life:
All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.
All to Jesus I surrender,
Humbly at His feet I bow;
Worldly pleasures all forsaken,
Take me, Jesus, take me now.
All to Jesus I surrender,
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.
All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.
All to Jesus I surrender,
Now I feel the sacred flame;
Oh, the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory, to His name!
I surrender all,
I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior
I surrender all.
For His Glory,
Click here for the Bible Study especially developed for this newsletter.
Rachel-Ruth has overcome daunting, life-threatening health issues not just somehow, but triumphantly, as she has kept her eyes fixed on Jesus. Her life, as well as her message, impacted the hundreds of Intercessors for America who gathered in Washington, DC as she shared the platform with Michele Bachmann, Richard Blackaby and Eric Metaxas.
The King’s personal Christmas gift to me this year was the opportunity to speak at a women’s event at Cornerstone Church in Leesburg, VA, as a substitute for Rachel-Ruth whose doctor did not want her to fly. Two thousand women were seated before me and 3500 were watching by live stream, as I challenged them to surrender their hearts to The King for His birthday. I’m excited to welcome Cornerstone’s pastor, Gary Hamrick, as a teacher at my Cove seminar this November 1-3.
Dino Kartsonakis and his beautiful wife, Cheryl, led worship for my Cove seminar in November. The Cove training center was filled to capacity, with 1500 watching on live stream, as Dino thrilled us with his music. He will be back to lead worship at my Cove seminar November 1-3. The seminar was truly a mountaintop experience as we were all challenged to get ready to meet Jesus—He’s coming!
Thanksgiving was a small celebration in our beloved NC mountains near my father’s house. My spirit was refreshed as I walked around the town I grew up in with my youngest granddaughter, Riggin, and my Golden Retriever, Churchill.
As the world keeps getting darker morally and spiritually, as rumors of wars increase, as nations rise against nations, as anger boils over in homes and on the streets, as our culture has gone so woke it denies the basic science of gender identity…and the list goes on…followers of Jesus are on high alert. The signs of His imminent return are more and more obvious. It’s time to get ready to meet Him face to face!
These messages were recorded at The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove and are more timely today than they were even then. Dino Kartsonakis has graciously given us his permission to include his Cove seminar concert as a bonus track.
Getting up early in the morning to fix your eyes on Jesus through prayer and reading His Word is like setting your spiritual compass. Because no matter what faces you during the day, or how “lost” and confused you can become…He invariably leads you on the right path.
Our prayer is that the devotions in this updated deluxe edition will help you fix your eyes on Jesus every day, so that you, too, can set your spiritual compass.
If you would like to receive AnGeL Ministries’ full newsletter by email or postal delivery, click here to sign up for our free resources!
*How many times does the universe raise a hallelujah in Revelation 19:1-9? Give verses.
*Who is the focus of the thunderous, universal praise? Give verses.
*What are some of the stated reasons for raising these hallelujahs? Put them in your own words, with the verses.
*What are four reasons for the last hallelujah? 19:7-9
*Is there any doubt that one day the Bride will be ready as she enjoys the wedding feast with the Bridegroom? Give the phrase and the verse
*What further insight do you gain from Matthew 24:42-44? Matthew 25:1-13? Ephesians 5:25-27, 32?
*Are you ready to meet the Bridegroom? Five minutes before you do meet Him, what will you wish you had done differently?
*As you daily live out the difference with the expectancy of seeing Him face to face, list as
many reasons as you can for raising a hallelujah now. Then don’t stop…
This Bible study was prepared especially for the Fall 2023 Newsletter.
Take a moment to close your eyes. Can you visualize the clouds of glory? Can you hear the universe reverberating with the praise of millions of angels singing “Worthy is the Lamb”? As you are drawn into the presence of the One who is clothed in splendor and light… who stands in the center of the throne…who is worshipped by everything that has breath in the entire universe…the One who is the beloved only Son of the Father and who inherits all things…the One who is the most powerful, most important, most successful, wealthiest man in the universe…do you see His eyes searching the throngs of adoring angels until they rest on you? What does He see? What will He see?
Praise God! That moment has not yet come. There is still time to prepare. Still time to move your faith from salvation to transformation. Don’t settle for just squeaking through the door of your heavenly Home. Instead, commit to living your life from this moment forward so that five minutes before you see Him you have no regrets because you have made yourself ready, because you are a bride who confirms the Father’s wisdom in choosing you, because you are worthy of His Son, the Bridegroom.
Lover of my soul,
While my heart aches with longing to see You, the thought of the moment when I do see You puts this present moment in perspective. I am so humbly grateful that You have not come for me yet. There is still time to prepare. Please bring to my mind anything that is not pleasing to You. As I confess it, cleanse me of all my sin and imperfections. Clothe me in Your own spotless garments of righteousness. Use me to help others prepare for that heart-stopping, irreversible moment. With all my heart, on that day, I want to be beautiful in Your eyes. For the sake of You, my Bridegroom, And in Your name—Jesus, Amen.
For His Glory,
Adapted from Preparing to Meet Jesus, 2023, pages 177-178.
Click here for the Bible Study especially developed for this newsletter.
Left: Our late summer and fall have been filled with media promotion for Preparing to Meet Jesus. The effort has been very fruitful as this small devotional book has been at the top of two major best seller lists, Amazon and Publishers Weekly. One significant opportunity was to appear on The 700 Club, which was bittersweet as the founder, Pat Robertson, has moved to Heaven.
Right: This is the behind the scenes look from a producer’s viewpoint as Rachel-Ruth and I were interviewed on The 700 Club.
Rachel-Ruth and I traveled to Dallas to be on Life Today with James and Betty Robison, which is always a blessing. Susie Larson, who has interviewed me multiple times on her radio program but whom I had never met in person, was also present with her husband. We were richly blessed as she shared her testimony. And James was so taken with Rachel-Ruth that he has already run the televised interview twice!
Kathy Ireland is a former supermodel who is now a very successful entrepreneur who founded her own licensing company, kiWW. She is also one of Rachel-Ruth’s beloved prayer partners. She was so enthralled with Preparing to Meet Jesus that she offered to record a brief video promo, which we were excited to post.
This summer and fall were not completely taken up with book promotion. One privilege I had was to speak three times to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Southeast Staff Summit. It was held about 200 yards from where I had met Danny Lotz fifty-eight years ago! After the first message, one of the attendees took this picture of a rainbow coming down over where our meeting had just taken place, giving all of us a visual of God’s blessing and favor on what we were about.
Two thousand years ago, an angel appeared to the shepherds and announced: I bring you good news of great joy…a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. The angel was joined by a host of other angels, proclaiming: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace… The shepherds then hurried off to find the baby lying in a manger. The Bible says, When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. This Christmas, let’s spread the word to the family and friends we love! In these troubled times, join with the angels in sharing the good news that Jesus has come to offer peace. (Luke 2:10,11, 14, 17)
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My oldest granddaughter just got married in my backyard! The detail of preparation was intense, but so worth it when the moment came for the “first look”. Our Bridegroom, Jesus, is coming! What are you doing to prepare for the first look? While no one knows the day or the hour of His return, Jesus Himself instructed His disciples repeatedly to be ready….
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and Matthew 25:1-13
I. BY BEING FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE
*In your own words describe the event Paul is referring to in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
*Do you think this event is symbolic, spiritual, or a literal event that will take place in human history? Give Biblical reasons for your answer.
*What additional information about this future event do you learn from 1 Corinthians 15:51-57? Matthew 24:36-42? Matthew 25:1-13?
*How are we encouraged to use this information? 1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11; John 14:1-3.
*If Jesus returns tomorrow what will you wish you had done differently today?
II. BY BEING FAITHFUL IN THE PRESENT
*How should our focus on the future impact the way we live today? 1 John 2:28-3:3.
*According to the following verses in what other ways are we to be faithful in the present? Matthew 24:42-44; 25:13.
*What do you think it means practically to “watch”?
*Why do we need to be intentional about watching? 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4; 2 Peter 3:10; Luke 12:38-40; Revelation 16:15.
*What are some of the consequences of not watching? Matthew 24:48-51; 25:1-13.
*What is another way we can be faithful at present? Matthew 24:45-47; John 9:4; Luke 12:35-38.
*If Jesus returns tomorrow, what will you be glad you did today?
III. BY BEING FILLED EVERY MOMENT
*Read Matthew 25:1-13.
*What did all 10 of the virgins have in common?
*How are all 10 virgins representative of the organized, church today?
*What was the primary difference between the two groups of five?
*What do you think the oil represents?
*How does this difference also exist in the church today?
*In light of 1 Thessalonians 4:16, what do you think the midnight cry represents?
*What was the reason the bridegroom didn’t let the foolish virgins into the wedding banquet?
*Relate this to Matthew 7:21-23; John 3:5-6; Romans 8:9; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22.
*Give one action item from each pair of verses that, taken together, insure you are one of the wise virgins: Romans 3:23 with 1 John 1:9; Acts 2:38 with Acts 3:19; John 3:16 with Romans 10:9-10; Revelation 3:20 with John 1:12; John 14:16-17 with Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 5:15-18 with 2 Peter 3:14.
*If Jesus returns at midnight, are you ready?
If you are ready, what will you do to help others get ready? And if you are not ready, what will you do to get ready yourself? Do it now.
This Bible study was prepared especially for the Summer 2023 Newsletter.
