Finding Focus

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 NIV

Are you focusing on circumstances? Have you become a caretaker of your own life problem? What about how your time is spent? Your priorities in life? Your daily schedule? Your health? Your time alone with God? Your involvement at church? Your friendships? Has your value system been compromised? Is your life out of balance? When we are trapped in a life-controlling problem, we can be drawn into focusing all our attention and energy on that problem. But today's scripture has the answer to the danger of codependency: fix our eyes--focus--on Jesus. When our focus is on Christ, all the other areas of our life will come into balance--including our relationships with those we care about. Where is your focus?

 

DEVOTION

Don’t Underestimate What You Have 

Today’s Word With Harold Mawela – Don’t Underestimate What You Have

 

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin… – Zechariah 4:10, NLT.

 

When David faced Goliath, in the natural, all he had was a slingshot and five smooth stones. It looked insignificant and ordinary, nothing special. But God breathed on it, and he defeated Goliath and became the king of Israel. Samson was surrounded by a huge army. Everywhere he looked there were horses, chariots and weapons. All he had was the jawbone of a donkey. No weapon. No armor. Nobody backing him up. But he picked up that jawbone, God breathed on it, and he defeated 1,000 men; the whole army. All Moses had was on ordinary stick, something he found on the ground. Yet, when he picked it up and held that rod in the air, the Red Sea supernaturally parted.

Today, don’t underestimate what you have. It may look small and insignificant. Compared to what you’re facing, it seems impossible; but when God breathes on your life, the odds dramatically change! Stay open, keep expecting, stay close to Him and watch Him do something extraordinary in your life!

PRAYER

Father, today I bless You and glorify You. Thank You for taking what I have in my hand and breathing Your life into it. Today, I expect the extraordinary. I expect to see You move on my behalf as I give You the praise and glory in all things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Get Back In The Game 

Today’s Word With Harold Mawela – Get Back In The Game

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. – Isaiah 60:1, NIV.

Are you going through a tough time today? Are you sitting on the sidelines of life? God is saying, “Arise and get back in the game.” If a friend betrayed you, don’t go through life lonely. Go out and find some new friends. The right people are in your future. If you lost your job, don’t sit around complaining. Go out and find another job. When one door closes, God will always open another door. If you’re facing a health issue, fighting that sickness, don’t give up on life and start planning your funeral. Arise from that discouragement!

When God sees you do your part, He will do His part. He will give you a new life. That means He will restore your health, give you new opportunities, new relationships. He will give you a new perspective. You will see that even though it’s painful, it is not the end. Even though it was unfair, it is not over. There is still life after the sickness, life after the divorce, life after the bad break. A full life is still in front of you. Today, arise and let God’s glory shine all over you!

PRAYER

Father, thank You for Your grace and mercy on my life. I choose to rise and put my trust in You. I choose to get back in the game. Thank You, Lord, for accomplishing Your purposes in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

After This 

Today’s Word With Harold Mawela – After This

And after this it came to pass that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them… – 2 Samuel 8:1, KJV.

Your life is not over because you had a setback. God has an “after this” in your future. He has another victory planned. He wants to take you further than you ever dreamed possible!

When you go through tough times, don’t be surprised if the enemy whispers in your ear, “You’ll never be as happy as you used to be. You’ve seen your best days. This setback is the end of you.” No, let that go in one ear and out the other. God is saying to you, “After the bad break, after the disappointment, after the pain, there is still a full life.”

Know today that you have not danced your best dance. You have not laughed your best laugh. You have not dreamed your best dream. If you will stay in faith and not get bitter, God has an “after this” in your future. He’s not only going to bring you out, He is going to bring you out better than you were before!

PRAYER

Father, thank You for victory in store for my future. Thank you that “after this,” I’m rising higher. I’m coming out stronger. I’m more prepared for my future. I’m better equipped and empowered to fulfill the destiny You have prepared for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Fix Your Mind 

Today’s Word With Harold Mawela – Fix Your Mind

Whatever is true, whatever is honest, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is kind, if there is any virtue, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things. – Philippians 4:8, NIV.

What you think about determines the quality and direction of your life. Naturally, people who think positive, uplifting thoughts have happier, healthier, longer lives. They are less stressed, more vibrant and enjoy better sleep. That’s why the scripture encourages us to think on good things—things that are true, noble and lovely. Some translations say to “fix your mind” on them. When you fix your mind on noble things, you close the door to the negative voices and open your heart to allow God to work in your life.

Choose today to fix your mind on good things. Do whatever you need to in order to keep those good thoughts before you. Write them on note cards and put them in a place where you can see them. Confess God’s promises over your life and declare His blessing on a daily basis. As you fix your mind on the goodness of God, you will rise higher in every area of your life. You will be filled with His peace and victory, and you’ll see every dream and desire in your heart come to pass.

PRAYER

Father in heaven, I choose to fix my mind on noble things. I choose thoughts of peace and victory. Fill my heart with Your goodness that I may glorify You in everything I do in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Get The Capstone 

Today’s Word With Harold Mawela – Get The Capstone

Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’ – Zechariah 4:7, NKJV.

In scripture, when Zerubabbel wanted to rebuild the temple, he laid the foundation, but people came against him and forced him to stop. For ten years, no work could be done. Zachariah, the prophet, came by and told him to do something interesting. He said, “Go get the capstone.” The capstone was the stone that was reserved as the final piece of stone for the building. It was symbolic. It represented the finished product. Why was it important that he keep the capstone in front of him? Because every time he looked at it, it would remind him that God would finish what he started. When Zerubabbel was tempted to get tired and discouraged, he would go look at that capstone. That was God saying to him, “I’m still on the throne. I’m going to do what I promised. Just stay in faith.”

Today, do you have your capstone in front of you? Do you have something that represents the final piece to your dreams? Keep that vision in front of you. Keep focused on where you are headed. Get the capstone and thank God for His faithfulness to complete the work in you.

PRAYER

Father, thank You for the work You are doing in my life. Help me to keep the vision in front of me. Show me where to place my focus. Confirm Your Word with signs following as I stay on the course You have set for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Vision For Increase 

Today’s Word With Harold Mawela – Vision For Increase

Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction. – Proverbs 29:18, NIV.

God wants His people to be the most blessed! He wants His people to constantly increase so they can live as an example of His goodness. But in order to partake of everything He has in store for us, we have to be open to what He wants to do in our lives. We have to have a vision for increase. If you’re not expecting favor, or if you are just satisfied with where you are, then you will live below your privileges. But if you will get a vision for increase, a vision for who you are as a child of the Most High God and what He wants to do in your life, you’ll see supernatural opportunities, favor and increase in your life. When you look for what God is doing, when you follow His commands, you won’t just be “average” or “good enough.” No, as a child of the Most High, you are the most blessed.

Today, take time to focus your heart and mind on God and His promises. Meditate on His Word and ask Him to increase your capacity to receive His blessings. Get a vision for increase, embrace His promises, and boldly move forward in the good things God has in store for you.

PRAYER

Father, today I choose to set my mind and focus on You. I choose to look for what You want to do in and through me. I let go of any wrong thinking, attitudes or actions that would hold me back from You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Dream Boldly 

Today’s Word With Harold Mawela – Dream Boldly

 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go – Joshua 1:9, NIV.

When you look out into your future, what do you see? What are the dreams and desires that you hold close to your heart?

So many people start with bold dreams, but then opposition comes. Life doesn’t turn out the way they planned. They lose a loved one or encounter difficulty they didn’t anticipate. Today, if that’s you, I want to remind you that the Creator of the universe designed you with specific gifts and talents that no one else has. He has you on this planet for a specific purpose. When you commit your life to Him, He promises to be with you wherever you go. Even though some things in life may have caught you by surprise, they didn’t catch God by surprise. His good plan for your life remains. You can trust Him because He loves you with an everlasting love, and He doesn’t want to see you settling for anything less than His very best.

I want to encourage you to be bold, be strong and be courageous. Put aside the past and lift up your eyes to Jesus. He is the Author and Finisher of your faith. Live boldly and dream boldly so you can embrace the good things He has in store for you!

PRAYER

Father God, today I come boldly to You. I open my heart and mind to Your Word. Fill me with Your strength today; fill me with Your hope, and keep me close to You always as I put You first in everything I do in Jesus’ name. Amen.

It Is Finished 

Today’s Word With Harold Mawela

It Is Finished”.

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30, NIV

We all have things that are trying to hold us back, whether it’s guilt from past mistakes, temptations that we can’t seem to overcome, or a dysfunction that’s been passed down to us. When Jesus hung on the cross, before He took His final breath, He said, “It is finished.” He wasn’t just talking about His life and how He had finished His purpose. He was putting an end to all the negative things that could keep us from our destiny. He was saying, in effect, “The guilt is finished. The depression is finished. The low self-esteem is finished. The mediocrity is finished. It is all finished.”

Are there things you’re living with to which you need to say, “It is finished”? Whatever that negative thing is, announce to it, “It is finished. The price has been paid. I am free,” and in the unseen realm, strongholds are broken, chains are loosed, and favor is released.

PRAYER 

“Father, thank You that when Jesus declared “It is finished” on the cross, it included all the negative things that are holding me back from becoming all that You want me to be. I believe that the price has been paid, I am free, and I am Your child. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Unshakable Confidence 

Today’s Word With Harold Mawela – Unshakable Confidence

 

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. – Hebrews 10:35, NIV.

 

When God places a promise in your heart, you have to come to the place where you believe it’s going to happen so strongly that nothing can talk you out of it. It may seem impossible. All the circumstances may tell you that it’s not going to happen, but deep down you have to have this confidence, this knowing, that God is still on the throne. He is bigger than any obstacle. He already has a way, and at the exact time, what He promised will come to pass. You have this unshakeable confidence. You know that God is fighting your battles, arranging things in your favor, making a way even when you don’t see a way.

Instead of being discouraged, you get up in the morning thanking God that the answer is on the way. Instead of talking about how big the problem is, you go through the day talking about how big your God is. Your mind is set in one direction: victory, favor, healing, restoration. It may be taking a long time, but God didn’t bring you this far to leave you. You’ve seen Him do it in the past, and you know He will do it again in the future. You are fully persuaded because when you know your God, you have unshakeable confidence!

PRAYER

Father, today I profess that my hope and confidence is in You! I choose to believe Your Word which says You are faithful and Your Word is forever settled in heaven. Show me Your love as I keep my heart and mind stayed on You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Unshakable Confidence 

Today’s Word With Harold Mawela – Unshakable Confidence

 

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. – Hebrews 10:35, NIV.

 

When God places a promise in your heart, you have to come to the place where you believe it’s going to happen so strongly that nothing can talk you out of it. It may seem impossible. All the circumstances may tell you that it’s not going to happen, but deep down you have to have this confidence, this knowing, that God is still on the throne. He is bigger than any obstacle. He already has a way, and at the exact time, what He promised will come to pass. You have this unshakeable confidence. You know that God is fighting your battles, arranging things in your favor, making a way even when you don’t see a way.

Instead of being discouraged, you get up in the morning thanking God that the answer is on the way. Instead of talking about how big the problem is, you go through the day talking about how big your God is. Your mind is set in one direction: victory, favor, healing, restoration. It may be taking a long time, but God didn’t bring you this far to leave you. You’ve seen Him do it in the past, and you know He will do it again in the future. You are fully persuaded because when you know your God, you have unshakeable confidence!

PRAYER

Father, today I profess that my hope and confidence is in You! I choose to believe Your Word which says You are faithful and Your Word is forever settled in heaven. Show me Your love as I keep my heart and mind stayed on You in Jesus’ name. Amen.