Left Field Sessions - Juan Roux

What is it that you so desperately seek and desire?

Is there anything you have that could be worth more than the Lord?

Is there something you have that, if the Lord asks you for it, you would say, “No”?

Many of us instinctively would say no, but I urge you to take a moment and really think about it.

Should the Lord want your watch right now, would you give it away? Your car? House?

Think of this: “Oh, Lord, please don’t ask me to give…” and fill in the blank.

If there’s anything you can put into that slot, it is an idol, unfortunately.

Today, it’s time to realign your focus, your vision, wants, desires and needs.

It’s time to get your eyes focused completely on the Lord.

It’s time to let God teach our mouths how to speak and what to say at all times.

Ask the Lord today to show you what is standing in His way in your life, perhaps what is in your way as well.

He is our strength and our Redeemer.

Ask Him to help you take these things out of the way and then let go. You’ll be truly amazed at what happens.

Father, thank You for being my strength and Redeemer. I pray together with the psalmist today and ask that the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight. Show me what is in Your way in my life, break the hold it has on me and move it out of the way, please Father. Show me what to lay down and surrender. I want to please You in every area of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

What you see isn't always the truth of what God is doing. Don't let your circumstances talk you out of what God has already said.

I need to remind you today of who it is you should be working at pleasing every moment of your day.

Too often I used to get lost in pleasing men so that I may advance in position or have opportunities open up.

How often do we spend our time trying to please people so that we can have fair opportunities? We’re actually very bluffed by this thinking.

We cheer when we’re reminded that we only need God’s favor, we only need to please Him, that God is fighting for you in rooms that you’re not even in. But the very next moment, we just continue to pursue the favor of men.

Isn’t that silly? Or backwards? Skewed?

Let me quickly share a testimony of two recent opportunities where I had the privilege of being able to speak to men of God from a platform that’s been built over many years. I was one of four speakers selected from a group of about 25 people on a list that were considered, and from my perspective, I’m sure the credentials of the other men look like skyscrapers compared to me. But I know we don’t compare like that.

Men prayed and God spoke. It was God’s decision and God’s favor that presented me the opportunity.

The Bible teaches us that God values intimacy over action. Seek the Lord, seek His face.

The things the Lord gets done while we’re sitting in His presence are much more than we can do in a day’s work.

We need to learn to trust Him in this and don’t be afraid to be direct with the Lord. Don’t be arrogant about it, but remember that He is our Father and He loves you so very dearly.

Father, thank You for Your love for me. Thank You that I already have Your blessing and favor upon my life. Direct me to that place of intimacy that You desire with me and also teach me and show me how to please You rather than men. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

There are so many Scriptures that assure us of the faithfulness of the Lord.

Isn’t it funny how often we need to remind ourselves of God’s faithfulness? Even though He never changes? Even though He’s come through for you so many times? I want to say every time, but there are times where we think He didn’t, although we must still catch up to see where He did.

Why is it that we so often speak of and know that experience trumps words every single time, yet when it comes to God’s faithfulness, it seems we want to not allow experience of the past to win?

One of the secrets is we compare God to the people around us. People let us down all the time, and it’s not necessarily intentionally that they do so. In a conversation with a brother of mine recently, he reiterated so hard on how much I should never trust him.

Why? Because we as men can make promises, but God’s will is the one thing that will always come to pass.

I can’t promise you tomorrow. God can. So why not trust me? Because I promise you something tomorrow and then I die tonight. Now I can’t fulfill that promise. Untrustworthy.

I’m not saying don't work together, my friend.

The point is this: God is the source. God is your source, of everything!

Teach yourself to know He is the source, regardless of who He uses to fulfill your need. Keep your eyes on Him.

Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. I’m sorry for doubting it so often, especially when the deadline gets closer. Please help my mind and my heart to know that You are my source. You always have provided, and You always will. Help me to always know that You remain faithful. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Have you ever just woken up and started praising the Lord?

Ever do that while hitting the snooze button repeatedly?

Then get up and by some chance read Psalms?

I dunno about you, but it gives me this incredible, powerful boost to just want to run outside and shout the name of Jesus to the whole world.

When you start praising the Lord, even when you might not feel like it, it does something to your entire being.

When you force yourself to move your body and dance before the Lord, lift your hands up to Him, and keep doing it, this shift just gets more powerful and joyful.

Today I want to encourage you to get beyond what we call excuses or reasons to not do these things. God is your Father and He loves you so dearly. He loves you so much that He sent Jesus to be humiliated publicly and carry all of your burdens, sickness, disease, sin, and to die for you, pay the ultimate price for you, so that you may be free.

Remember, God takes us as we are and then shapes us into what we should’ve been all along. Remember Paul who wrote that God is strong in our weakness.

It doesn’t matter if it feels uncomfortable or looks silly. If you do it from your heart for the Lord, He loves it and celebrates with you.

What if the breakthrough you’ve been fighting for is on the other side of your praise to the Lord?

Let this be your motivator today. Love the Lord your God with all that you are.

Father, thank You for praise. I will praise You today and always with all that I am. I will tell everyone of all Your marvelous works. Help me move beyond the uncomfortable and please come and be strong in my weakness. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Some things don't need more striving—they need surrender. Give it to Jesus, trust Him with it, and watch what He does with what you couldn't fix yourself.

Paul had such affection toward this church in Philippi.

You pick it up as you read through the book.

Is there at least one person in your life that you feel this way toward? Are there many in your life?

Do you feel like this, or stronger, when you think of God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit?

It’s not really a heavy ask to say we should feel this way when we think of our brothers and sisters in the Lord, and even stronger when we think of our Father.

If you don’t feel this way, it just means there’s space where you need to let Jesus in and allow Him to come do some work.

Life is tough and people do things that can cause us hurt. There is a space to walk beyond the hurt, and where people can’t hurt us anymore. That space is only with Jesus, knowing that all things are from Him and all things are to Him.

I thank God for thinking of my brothers and sisters in Jesus. I also thank Him for those who haven’t made the decision for Him yet. I thank Him for those who I think don’t like me, and ask Him continually to help me love everyone the same.

Who are you thankful for today?
Who can you be thankful for today?

Celebrate at least one of those people today.

Father, thank You for those around us. I thank You for my siblings in Christ. Help me to love them like You love them. Help me to long for You like You long for me. Teach me gratitude in all things, always. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

You ever be in a place where you’re about to do something and you instantly get this feeling telling you to not do it?

Like it’s telling you it’s bad, what you’re about to do, or that even though this isn’t wrong, there’s something not right.

Sometimes we go ahead and do it anyway, and then every time I learn afterwards that I should’ve listened to that unction.

Because I was wise in my own eyes.

Submit to the Lord. Don’t lean on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will make your paths straight.

These words precede not being wise in your own eyes. They all come together, work together.

So often we focus on one thing and then drop the ball somewhere else for a moment. It’s not a train smash. Work with the Lord at bringing them all together, and they will come together.

Father, thank You that You’ve covered every angle, that You have the perfect answer and the perfect way to do everything that needs to get done. Help me and teach me to include You in everything I plan, every move I make. Help me to stay away from all forms of evil and remain in Your shadow. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

You don't have to force every change yourself. Surrender it to Jesus, and let Him do the work only He can do.