“Billy, stop,” Grandma said as she raced to catch the two-year-old. He turned his head to look at her but continued full steam toward the end table. Bam! Glass figures crashed onto the surface of the table. Billy giggled with excitement. A few figures were chipped, but to Grandma’s relief Billy remained intact. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you (Proverbs 4:25).

Toddlers are not the only ones who are distractible. We each run our spiritual race on a track marked out for us, but it is easy to go off-road and wander in the woods, far from our goal. We each need to be on guard for shiny distractions that draw our gaze away from God. When we choose to make God our focus and goal, all the distractions and troubles of life become less important.

Paul advised that for the duration of our life’s race we should run “fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 1:2). God created us with free will. We can follow amusement, worries, and other diversions, or we can choose to keep our eyes forward and stay the course. Challenge for Today: List at least three things that distract you from focusing on God.

View this enlightening testimony from Pastor James McClain from Church of all Nations. An elder, former Pastor and all around great guy, Pastor Mac gives some sound biblical advice regarding tithing. Behind every great man is a great woman and Joan his lovely wife was the inspiration for Pastor McClain to begin tithing early in their marriage. You will enjoy the stories of faithfulness of a God who is always on time. Put God first with your finances and watch your bottom line begin to grow whether financially or otherwise.

Church of all Nations musician Wagonor Bertolino shares a beautiful testimony on finances. In this economy this is a common thread among believers and unbelievers alike. Wagonor puts a different spin on his testimony one to surely get your attention and understand God is in control no matter the bottom line in our bank accounts. Watch this video and put your trust in god’s economy the only one that is recession proof!

Join Legacy Boca Youth pastor Salomon Duran as he brings a brief yet powerful word for the believers of Jesus Christ. Pastor Salomon speaks of encouraging others in action not words when it is in our power to do so. We must be Christ extended and to do the work he has given to each one of us. Watch this clip and come away with a fresh perspective on feeding His people.

Has your Christian walk become too predictable? Maybe even a bit boring by your own standards? Well that is not what the King of Kings has in mind for your life. Listen to this brief devotional by Church of All Nations Pastor Fred Louis and begin to operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit and watch your life become transformed, vibrant and useful in the kingdom of God.

Read Judges 4:1 through 5:31

Village life in Israel ceased, ceased until I, Deborah, arose, arose a mother in Israel (Judges 5:7).

In the chaotic time following the death of Joshua, Israel had no shortage of strong men or important men or intimidating men. Conventional wisdom held that when threats arose, such men would heroically rise to the occasion. Instead, they cowered. But salvation arrived, just the same, from two surprising sources: Deborah and Jael. These two women courageously stood when the customary heroes shrank back in fear.

God specializes in using unlikely heroes, choosing ordinary people to do extraordinary things. The story line is repeated throughout history, with a shepherd defeating a giant and a peasant girl giving birth to the Son of God. While scoffers mocked, God saved the Israelites in ways they never could have imagined.

When we see hopelessness our Father sees potential. Pray that God will help you see the possible in an impossible situation. Then trust God to provide a miracle in an unexpected way.

Thought for Today: God’s imagination is infinitely larger than our biases.

Quicklook: Judges 5:1–9

Join COAN Pastor Fred Louis as he shares a brief yet powerful message from the book of Genesis. Speaking of labels we as believers may have been tagged with on this earth, we have a new name ready to be given to us by our heavenly Father. Don’t allow the things of this world rob you of you eternal destiny in Jesus Christ.

On the first day of the seventh month hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. It is a day for you to sound the trumpets (Numbers 29:1).

The Lord appointed many spiritual holidays for Israel to observe. The Feast of Trumpets was one of three great holidays to be celebrated in the seventh month of their calendar. The Lord created these spiritual holidays to provide His people with opportunities to refresh their bodies and minds and to renew their commitment to Him. The holidays required the people to stop work, cease their regular routines, and gather in a “sacred assembly” to celebrate and offer burnt offerings that were “a pleasing aroma” to God.

We offer a pleasing aroma to God when we gather to celebrate the Lord and what He has done for us, and to offer ourselves in commitment to Him. In the fast-paced society in which we live, taking time to be quiet and to rest can be hard. But, like the ancient Israelites, we need to incorporate rest into our worship.

Challenge for Today: Take time today to rest your mind, body, and soul in the presence of the Lord as a mini-holiday.

Quicklook: Numbers 29:1–6

Join Church of all Nations Pastor Fred Louis as he shares from the book of Exodus with a message entitled, “Gods Glory Over Mans Comfort”. Pastor Fred brings a quick glimpse into the life of every believer who is going through a valley experience sharing how God will allow discomfort into our lives for a greater purpose to be revealed.

The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out (Leviticus 6:13).

To the Israelites, the altar was the center of worship. It was where they brought their offerings of thanks to God and sacrifices to atone for their sins. When you consider the multitude of people who came daily to the altar, it is not difficult to see that it was no small task to keep the fire burning. It required an enormous amount of fuel to make a roaring blaze to consume the sacrifices completely as God commanded.

While we, as believers, are no longer required to bring our offerings of praise and thanksgiving to be burned on an altar, it is still important for us to keep the fire of the Holy Spirit burning continually in our hearts. It can be a momentous task that requires us to be diligent in our study of God’s Word and devoted to the Lord in prayer, but it is as necessary to us as the fire on the altar was to the Israelites. What are you doing to keep the fire of God alive in your life?

Prayer for Today: Lord, help me be diligent to keep the fire of the Holy Spirit burning in my heart.

Quicklook: Leviticus 6:8–13
Read Leviticus 1:1 through 7:38