Hi everyone, I was doing some sound check with our new video camera singing this song. The voice, sound and light is not perfect – and neither am I, but I love the Lord with all my heart. May He bring you assurance today and may He cause you to feel His protection and love as I sing this over you!
There is a phrase I love to use every moment I get the chance. It is not just a slogan or a catchy phrase for me – it’s a deeply theological truth that I believe with all my heart. ‘God is Good’ The bible says, “You are good and do good.” Psalm 119:68 ESV I believe this with every bone within me. God is Good! It is from this vintage point that I try to convince people who struggle with pain and suffering in this life. Too often we blame God for our misfortune, and accuse him of cruel indifference. But scripture is clear: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15 ESV I am so glad that God suffers with me in my confusion of pain and suffering. I am so glad that God suffers with me in my struggle against sin. I am so glad that God suffers with me …
What does it mean to be whole and healed? To the best of my knowledge, I think the concept can be summarized in one word: “Full.” The Greek word for “full” – perissos, “has a mathematical meaning and generally denotes a surplus.” This is the kind of life God intended for us: A surplus of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control. This “full life” is a cup overflowing, a good measure, pressed down, running over. Spurgeon called the “Full Life” – “a matter of degrees.” He said, “Some have life, but it flickers like a dying candle, and is indistinct as the fire in the smoking flax; others are full of life, and are bright and vehement.” Those who have it, know the secret to it. Allow me to share a few secrets: 1. Whole and healed people make it a common practice: To pursue purpose. “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10 NLT. First and foremost the secret …
The story of Esther is a story about seizing the moment, stepping , saving the day. It is a story about courage at its best. A story where reluctance meets courage. It’s the moment you realize that sitting on the sidelines is not where you want to be. It’s a story about a young wife who becomes a heroine by a timely act of courage. Speaking about heroes, Donald Miller said in Scary Close, at the beginning of every story, “heroes are almost always screw ups.” He insists that the strongest character in a story isn’t the hero, but the guide. Esther and Mordechai both bring this to light. Mordechai is not the hero, nevertheless he’s a strong character. Esther, on the other hand, is kind of green, unaware, unassuming, reluctant, cowardly, to a certain degree and most definitely afraid. But something is awakened in her after she learns that a plot is in play to completely wipe out her entire race. Somebody once said, “both the hero and the coward are afraid, but only one …
We’ve all been touched and moved by the words of others: A speech by our favorite political icon A sermon by our favorite preacher A lecture by our favorite professor Or, the charisma of our favorite actor. Their words captured our imagination, transported us to another world. Their words made us feel like we could change the world, even if it meant laying down our very lives. My personal favorite is Mel Gibson in Braveheart: They can take our lives, but they will never take our freedom. Similarly, when we look at scriptures, we find some incredibly moving rally cries. Defining moments that moved a generation. Here are my personal favorites. I hope you find them compelling as I do. Elijah Generation “Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent… Elijah the prophet walked up to the altar and prayed, “O LORD, prove …
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding. He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound]. [II Cor. 12:9.] Even youths shall faint and be tired. Young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted. But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.” [Heb. 12:1-3.] Isaiah 40:28-31 AMP Have you ever been disappointed? Ever suffered a setback or fallen short of a goal? That can be a devastating kind of experience. And sometimes, no matter how sympathetic others are toward you, it seems …
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Tim. 2:1 When it comes to our attitude about those in authority, only three things are required: Supplication Prayers Thanksgiving When our protest is louder than our prayers, our influence is reduced significantly. When it comes to how God feels about our supplication, prayers, and thanksgiving for those in authority, three things are evident: It is good It is pleasing It is desired Our disobedience to pray for those in authority is not only a mockery to him, but it also robs Him of a good and desirable pleasure. When it comes to the purpose for urging us to pray and his desired …
So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 2 Corinthians 5:9 ESV I prayer for the traveling Evangelist, the Key Note Speaker, the Motivational Speaker, the christian business man! and the missionary on furlough. Every man and woman of God, either on a plane, driving the highway, resting at a hotel or a motel. For those on the frontlines advancing the kingdom, Lord I pray for a divine covering over their lives. If they are married, Lord keep their families safe. Father, I prayer for your favor and provision to rest upon their lives. Lord, destroy every plot and plan of the evil one over their live. Help each one of them to resist the devil, and fight every temptation. Draw each one of them to yourself. Help each one of them to be vigilant, prayerful, watchful. Bless the work of their hands and may your Kingdom come and your will be done in and through their lives – In Jesus’ Name. Amen!
Psalm 18:16-19 But me he caught—reached all the way from sky to sea; he pulled me out Of that ocean of hate, that enemy chaos, the void in which I was drowning. They hit me when I was down, but GOD stuck by me. He stood me up on a wide-open field; I stood there saved—surprised to be loved! I recently created a new playlist on my Spotify account. I named the playlist “Worthy.” Worthy is one of my current favorite songs. In this song Anthony Brown highlights the following three thoughts: He thought I was worth saving, so he came and changed my life. He thought I was worth keeping, so he cleaned me up inside. He thought I was to die for, so he sacrificed his life, so I can be free, so I be whole, so I can tell everyone I know. I think these thoughts expresses the mood of this passage in Psalm 18. If you’re like me, I don’t always see myself as being worthy. I don’t always see …
I took my girls to youth camp at Glad Tidings Church in San Francisco last Sunday and picked them up today. I serve that congregation for about 3 and a half year. Since I left, I’ve brought my kids back every year for youth camp. Here are three pictures you might like.
Walter Bright 
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