Author: walter bright

Sprinkled for greater works

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The Reference 1 Samuel‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬ NLT “Now the LORD said to Samuel, “You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.” 1 John 2:27 NLT “But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie-just as it has taught you, abide in him.” The meaning The word “anoint” means to rub or sprinkle on; apply an unguent, ointment, or oily liquid to. Persons in the Old Testament were often literally anointed with oil. For example, priests were anointed for their special service to the LORD (Exodus 28:41). Literal oil would be applied, but as a sign of the Holy Spirit upon their lives and service. The oil on the head was only …

A prayer for clarity

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My Story It was December 28 2014 at about 8:15, just a week or so ago – I stood up in church and prayed a simple prayer: “Lord I need clarity and wisdom to deal with certain situations I have been dealing with. I am not asking for you to wet a fleece or dry it. I trust that you will speak in a way that I can understand. Thank you for showing me what to do, in Jesus’ name Amen!” I went home and didn’t think about it again until He spoke to me. The way he spoke was so clear I didn’t have struggle to understand what he was telling me to do. Every prayer offered in faith is answered by a faithful God. At this time of the year, all of us are faced with the challenge of decision making. Business decisions, Ministry decisions, family budgets, career change, is it the right time to buy a car or a house. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions! I would like to urge you quiet your soul, …

I will not offer the Lord anything that costs me nothing

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1 Chronicles 21:24 But King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will buy them for the full price. I will not take for the LORD what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” I have always heard this passage use in the context of a fundraiser. Where the preacher urges the congregation or his audience to reach deep within their pockets and give an extravagant financial gift. I love the simplicity and the power of this challenge, but too often my desire to give disappear because the challenge is coming from, well, another TV evangelist, who always seem to want my money. My somewhat skeptical feeling is somehow true – because half or none of what I am being asked to give, really goes toward that cause. I think, in many ways, we have lost the act of motivating others to make greater impact with their substance and the act of inspiring them at the same time because of so much abuse from the pulpit. People are longing to be moved, …

Sin is…

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The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion- to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. (Isaiah 61:1-3) Sin is… Bad news A heart breaker A captive taker A tyrannical oppressor A blinder A curse A death sentencer A bondage giver A joy stealer A separator A beauty eraser Jesus is… Good news Healer of the broken hearted Proclaimer of liberty to the captive Opener of prison doors Comforter Deliverer Joy …

Joy Is…

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Most of my reading and preaching this month has been about Joy. I just completed a three part Christmas Series on Joy at my Church. And you can discover how to increase your joy here. In this post, I want to, at least try to answer the question – “What is Joy?” I made a statement during one of my sermons about joy that left a lot of questions. I could hear the murmuring in the congregation while I tried to explained what I meant. Let me share it with you and you can leave a note about your feelings or thoughts about it: Joy is not affected by afflictions; it’s only affected by sin. Sin decreases joy; affliction increases it. I believe joy is … An indestructible Assurance in who God is and everything He promised. This includes the following: The assurance of his covenant relationship with each and everyone of us. The assurance that comes from the joy of His salvation within us. That he is able to save to the uttermost. That …

All of me for the King

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Have you ever had the experience of feeling closer to God than anybody could ever be, only to have that feeling changed by one verse from His Word? It hits you and you come to the realization that you’re still a fellow struggler and it’s only because of his grace that you stand. Matthew 1:19 will do just that for you. We read: “And Joseph was a just man.” Now, that may look like just a simple verse, but I assure you, there are layers of truths to uncover from that sentence alone. A closer look will bring you to your knees. The story unfolding here, tells of the love between a man named Joseph and a very young woman named Mary. Her dress was purchased and His tux tailor made. The date was set and the guests were invited. He was so excited that he walked the streets of his little town singing at the top of his lungs everyday. Just before they could come together, he finds out that she is with a …

This is my season

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Every time the Christmas season comes around, and when you read stories like that of Elizabeth’s, it invokes a sense of expectation. Like, this could be my time to bring forth what I’ve been praying for. Nine decades had pass. Old age had set in. The possibility of conceiving a child; the shot at giving birth to one or the hope that one day this could happen was no longer on her mind. Her best friends, some of whom she still prays for, as part of a priestly family, were now enjoying the laughter of grand babies, great grand babies but she was still without child. Anyone of us, even the strongest among us will begin to think that God has forgotten us. But God makes “everything beautiful in His time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 “Your times are in His hands.” Psalm 31:15 “God is not a man, that He should lie, neither, the son of man, that He should feel repentance. Has he said and shall he not do? Or has he spoken and shall he …

7 Reasons why God won’t use you

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Throughout time, God has, in His Sovereignty, chosen to use people to accomplish his purpose. When he needed a deliverer for his people in Egypt, he called Moses. When he needed to finally save men from sin and damnation, he chose Mary to bring Jesus into the world. He used a stick to part the Red Sea, a little boy’s lunch of fish and bread to feed thousands. He even spoke through a donkey at one time. So God is in the business of using people to accomplish his plan. But as much as God wants to use us, sometimes he cannot adequately use us because we get in His way. The following are 7 reasons God cannot adequately use you. 1. You steal His Glory I am the Lord ; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.  Isaiah 42:8 ESV Satan was banished for it Nebuchadnezzar regretted it Herod was killed for it. Simon was cursed for trying to buy for his glory Paul …

What does it mean to really love God?

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And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:17, 18 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome …