Walter Bright

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The Secret to More

Published by walter bright

The secret to more in your life is your ability to release what you have. It’s your ability to live open handed and not tight fisted.

Somebody once said , “In the Kingdom of God you only get to keep what you give away.”

The principle is simple:
“Bless Us – So we can be a blessing.” Freely received, freely give – for with the measure you use it will be used unto you.

Getting all the good things in life and keeping them only for oneself is not only stupid, but also the perfect way to shut close the doors from where they came.

When we try to keep for ourselves His ever flowing stream of grace, we create a life of stagnacity. The more we give away, the more we get to keep.

Everything is worth sharing.

The dead sea is a great example: Life flows into it – but nothing lives in it. Why? Because nothing flows out of it.

If you want more Anointing look for opportunities to release it.

If you want more grace, look for opportunities to release it.

If you want forgiveness, look for every opportunity to release it.

If you want favor, look for opportunities to release favor.

If you want Prayer, look for opportunities to release prayers.

Must I include Money and financial wellbeing?

Jesus said in ” Matthew 16:25

“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. “For whoever wills to save his life will lose it andwhoever will lose his life for me will find it.” Those who want to save their lives will lose them.”

A life completely Surrendered is a life set up for more.
More life
More joy
More Adventure
More freedom
More fulfillment

J. K. Rowling said “self sacrificing love is the greatest power in the universe.”

John 15:13; Hebrew 12:2
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends… And He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

As we celebrate Easter this year, let us learn from the example of Jesus and remember that A life completely void of self is a force to reckon with.
It gives hope
It lights up darkness
It spoils the power of principalities
It robs the grave
It keeps doors eternally opened to the master’s ever flowing grace.
It Paves the way to higher heights and deeper depths.

This is the secret to more!

DownLoad a Free Song from Hillsong

Published by walter bright

Do want to be captivated again by the wonder of Easter? You can start today by downloading and singing along to a new Easter Single.

The song is written by Marty Sampson and it “tells a timeless story” If you want to remember anew or reflect on old gospel themes in a different way, than “O praise Him” will help you captivate the wonder of the Easter story.

It’s the story of the Cross
It’s the story of His resurrection
It’s the story of His Love

In my estimation – the greatest love story ever told.

Download it here for free…
http://hillsong.com/worship

OR
Listen to it below

Lyrics:

I cast my mind to Calvary
Where Jesus bled and died for me
I see His wounds, His hands His feet
My Saviour on that cursed tree

His body bound and drenched in tears
They laid Him down in Joseph’s tomb
The entrance sealed by heavy stone
Messiah still and all alone

Then on the third at break of dawn
The Son of Heaven rose again
O trampled death, where is your sting?
The angels roar for Christ the King

O praise the Name of the Lord our God
O praise His Name forevermore
For endless days we will sing Your praise
Oh Lord, Oh Lord Our God

He shall return in robes of white
The blazing sun shall pierce the night
And I will rise among the saints
My gaze transfixed on Jesus’ face

7 Things To Do With Your Plans

Published by walter bright

A few weeks ago I came under fire from one of my critics for telling him that I had planned several months ahead of what I felt the Lord was leading me to share with our congregation. This individual took my words and twisted them, and began to spread in the community that I had no place for the leadership of the Holy Spirit in the ministry of the Word of God in our Church.

If you’ve read “My Beautiful Tension,” you can see how ridiculous it is for any pastor to plan sermons without the help of the Holy Spirit or even do ministry for that matter. Even though I have addressed the subject here, I feel the need to talk about it again.

There is school of thought in certain circles about the subject of planning that I believe is out of sync with scripture. A lot of well meaning people believe that planning is of the devil. I am not one of those. I do not believe planning is of the devil. It surely is a great thing to plan for life. People who don’t, and criticize others for planning, are only projecting their confusion about what the bible actually says about the subject.

As far as I can see, The Bible is clear on the subject:

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.
Proverbs 6:6-8

But he who is noble plans noble things, and on noble things he stands. Isaiah 32:8

For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.
Luke 14:28-30

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”- yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15

I believe plans should be made with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and counsel of wise advisers. We must include the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in our planning. We must also be humble enough to seek out wise counsel from others.

As far as I can see, the bible is also clear on that subject

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. Proverbs 19:21

Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverb 15:22

The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14

One must also be willing and ready to adjust and or change course at any time when directed by the Holy Spirit or guided by wise counsel. These principles should be the foundation for every planing in life, family or ministry. To ignore it is a recipe for disaster.

The Bible is also very clear on this subject:

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Acts 13:2

And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Acts 16:6-10

I know too many well meaning people who missed God’s perfect will because they didn’t seek His guidance or the guidance of trusted counselors. Or, they were not willing to change coarse after hearing from God or trusted counselors.

Here are 7 things to do with your plans:

Plan diligently
The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. Proverbs 21:5

Commit your plans to the Lord
Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3

Trust in His ability and not yours
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5, 6

Make God your delight
Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4

Get some sleep, don’t stress over it
Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Psalms 127:1, 2

Be anxious for nothing; pray for everything
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

Understand that failure does not mean denial (try again)
Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.
Hebrews 10:35-36

Zig Ziglar once said – “If you aim (plan) for nothing, you will hit it every time. How true is that statement? The only way to achieve your dreams and goals in life is by careful, purposeful and deliberate planning. God is not against planning. He wants for you to plan. Involve him in the process.

According to Dr. Graeme Edwards, “It is not the plan that is important, it’s the planning.” So begin taking the necessary steps today. Alan Lakein said, “Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.” Don’t leave things to chance. Plan well, plan with God. He has great things in store for you.

My Beautiful Tension

Published by walter bright

Every Sunday morning before I take the pulpit to speak, I wrestle with what I am about to deliver:
Is this of God?
Is this what the Spirit wants me to share today?
Have I study enough, prepared enough?
Many mornings I am led to preach something other than I prepared.
Other times I walk to the pulpit, heart pounding, not knowing what I am going to say.
I would love to say I am spot on every time, but that wouldn’t be true.
I miss him sometimes – but when I do hear Him and obey Him, it’s glorious.

Every afternoon I take sometime to reflect upon the message preached.
I celebrate what God did during service.
I praise him for the response of His people to His word.
Sometimes I second guess what I shared, even though, I know He was in my preparation.
Did I miss God?
Was I obedient to His voice?
I thank God for testimonies heard
I weep sometimes – especially when I don’t see Him move
Than again he reminds me that He is more interested in what he is doing in me than what He is doing through me.

This is my beautiful tension. This is my story. This is my joy. This is my labor. I am humbled by it. I am honor by it. I am changed and challenged by it. And no one can take it away from me.

I will study to show myself approved, a workman who rightly divides the Word of truth. But I will stay humble and obedient to the voice of the Holy Spirit for He makes all things beautiful – even my Sunday Morning and Sunday Afternoon Tension.

Isaiah 50:4-5 NIV

The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious, I have not turned away.

10 Reasons I would never forgive

Published by walter bright

I hope to capture in a few phrases, the power of forgiveness, the absolute necessity of it and the reasons why forgiving others should be a lifestyle of the believer.

If forgiving others were not a righteous requirement for receiving God’s forgiveness – I would never forgive others.

If forgiveness others were not the soil in which I could grow in holiness and become a bit more like Jesus – I would never forgive others.

If forgiving others were not the right attitude for maintaining my sanity (mental and emotional) – I would never forgive others.

If forgiving others were not the springboard from which a life of momentum, zeal and endurance ensue – I would never forgive others.

If forgiving others were not a testimony, a declaration and a demonstration to the world of how much I’ve been forgiven – I would never forgive others.

If forgiving others didn’t have a positive effect on my physical health – I would never forgive others.

If forgiving others didn’t allow God to bring justice and avenge my cause, in his own time and in his own way – I would never forgive others.

If forgiving others were not an occasion or an opportunity for God to use the evil intended, for good – I would never forgive others.

If forgiving others were not the anointing that breaks the yoke of bitterness – I would never forgive others.

If forgiving others were not the coals burning upon the head of my hatters or the fire burning upon their hearts, drawing them to repentance – I would never forgive others.

So, for all you married people looking for opportunities to get a better spouse, maybe what you really need is to get a little more Jesus, study his life and become a bit more like Him.

For all you church folk hopping from one church to another, looking for the perfect one – hypocrisy free, maybe it’s about time someone told you – “it doesn’t exist.” But Jesus does – so look to him.

Finally, for all of you, who have underestimated the power of forgiveness, it is a force to reckon with. It’s the cry from the cross – “Father forgive them, they know not what they do.” It is a charge for which we fight the good fight. It is a gift freely received and freely returned.

As you can see, there are zero reasons not to forgive!

Are Afflictions Wordless Prayers?

Published by walter bright

“Tears are words that need to be written.” — Paulo Coelho

And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction. Genesis‬ ‭16‬:‭11‬ KJV)

This is one of the strangest verses I have ever seen in the Bible. On a human level, we cannot hear affliction. We can feel it and other times see it. To hear affliction is unthinkable, at least in my finite mind.

We usually hear about how God saw the afflictions or heard the cries of his people in their afflictions. But we almost never read about him hearing our afflictions. This must be a thing that God alone can do.

Could it be that all our afflictions are wordless prayers that God hears? Could it be that our afflictions are supposed to be louder than our voices lifted up in prayer during times of affliction?

I want to believe that an affliction is a reflection of a need. A need is a wordless prayer that God hears and responds to.

In Genesis 16:11 Haggar is completely overwhelmed by afflictions. It doesn’t say anything about her saying a prayer. It simply says That God heard her affliction and responded with a promise.

In John 4, Jesus had to go through Samaria. I believe he was moved by the need of a very conflicted, afflicted woman. She could not have offered any prayers because she simply didn’t pray. Yet, Jesus was moved by her need.

We spend too much time asking God to help us and get us out of our afflictions. But could it be that all our loud prayers are probably not necessary because he already heard our affliction?

Writing the above paragraph was very hard, it almost sounds like a heresy. The reason, I think, is because we are accustomed to the idea of crying out to the Lord. We are conditioned to the custom of asking, seeking and knocking, even though we know he knows what’s on our mind before we even ask.

The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
Psalms 34:15-19

The Lord loves to hear the cries of the righteous, He is always near the broken hearted. But I also believe that the afflictions of His children are wordless prayers that draw the heart of a loving God to act on their behalf.

Whatever your afflictions are today, you have a double assurance. He won’t only hear your cries in the middle of your affection; he already heard your wordless prayer and is coming to your rescue.

Are you an Altar Junkie?

Published by walter bright

In most churches there is a time for congregants to gather at the altar for a time of prayer. Usually in response to a message people will voluntarily come forward to receive a blessing, a touch from God or simply to consecrate themselves either for the first time as a new believer or for some a deeper walk with the Lord.

An altar junkie would be a person who ceases every opportunity to spend time with the Lord at the altar. They are like the Sparrow who finds a home; the Swallow who builds a nest at the altar of the Lord and raises its young right there. Like those who dwell in His house ever singing his praise. They are like doorkeepers/gatekeepers in the house of the Lord. They understand that “better is one day at the altar than a thousand elsewhere.”

Unfortunately, there is a misconception among many believers about spending time at the alter. In some places, altar time in is widely and only seen as a place for sinners to come for forgiveness. Their attitude to any invitation is standoff-ish, dismissive, either because, they don’t want others to think less of us.

A father asked his young daughter if she would like to go up to the altar with him for prayer and the little 5 years old blotted out, “but dad I’ve been a good girl all week, I don’t want to go to the altar.” In many ways, our attitude about altar time reflects that of this little 5 year old girl – and it needs to change.

Now, I am not advocating that God only moves or can only touch you at an altar or during an altar call. I am neither making a doctrinal argument about Altars. For me, a great place to start would be our hearts, our bodies, our lives – a place where we offer ourselves unto God as living Living sacrifices, holy and pleasing.

My point is, if we like the idea of an altar time, we must develop a proper attitude about. Stop seeing it as only a place for sinful people. See it as a place to meet with God for whatever reason.
To worship.
To go deeper.
To intercede for others.
To rest.

I feel bad to put the blame on Church leaders, but in many ways we’ve contributed to the problem. Too many of our altar calls usually come after a blistering message about sin. Of Course there is a place for that.

The gospel is not for sinners alone. It’s for dead people; many of whom are saints.

It really shouldn’t matter what a person is going for, what matters is that they are drawing near to God. What really matters is that they are hungry for more of God. What really matters is that they are chasing after Him.

So, next time you there is an opportunity to respond to an altar call, step out and go seek God – sin or no sin. Be an altar junkie!

Comfort Foods

Published by walter bright

Comfort, comfort, comfort!
Who doesn’t like to be comforted? The problem is we often seek it in all the wrong places.

For me, finding comfort in food is my drug of choice when I am seeking comfort in difficult times.

For some, it might be alcohol, drugs, or some kind of temporary fix to cause you to forget your pain.

Still for others, it is an escape into a world of fantasy, entertainment, the adrenaline of a fast life or a lustful, soulful, sexual experience.

In any case, we usually, if not always come away more empty than we went in.

But it’s time for you to see and taste of the “sweetest of love, where your heart becomes free and your shame is undone. “

We find those in the comfort that comes only from the Father of all comforts. If you are tempted in any way today, to go looking for comfort in all the wrong places, know that you will never be satisfied. But if you choose to look upon the face of Jesus, you will find satisfaction for your soul.

Check out 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

2 Corinthians 1:3-11 NLT

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us. We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.

___________
Quotation:
A few lines The song “Holy Spirit”
I have tasted and seen of the sweetest of love
When my heart becomes free and my shame is undone.

The Strongman is just and Old Man

Published by walter bright

We are all afraid of something.When it come to dealing with the enemy if our soul, that ancient serpant. We sometimes think he is stronger, bigger and badder.

How much of a game changer would it be to understand that the strongman is just an old man. What difference will it make in your approach to dealing with him, if you had an insider’s understanding about what he thinks about you? What matters most in spiritual warfare, is not what you think about your enemy, it’s what your enemy thinks about you.

Here is a story that does just that

God appeared to him and called him “a mighty man of valor.” In the same chapter, just a few verses between each other,mother Lord commissioned him to “go and deliver Israel in this might that is yours.” God also insisted that “I will be with you.” The Lord established a covenant with him. Yet Gideon did not believe and asked God on two separate occasions to either wet or dry a fleece.

Even after the fleece experiences, Gideon is still afraid. At this God spoke the following to him:

But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant. And you shall hear what they say, and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp.” Then he went down with Purah his servant to the outposts of the armed men who were in the camp. (‭Judges‬ ‭7‬:‭10-11‬ ESV)

When Gideon came, behold, a man was telling a dream to his comrade. And he said, “Behold, I dreamed a dream, and behold, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian and came to the tent and struck it so that it fell and turned it upside down, so that the tent lay flat.” And his comrade answered, “This is no other than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; God has given into his hand Midian and all the camp.” (‭Judges‬ ‭7‬:‭10-11, 13-14‬ ESV)

As soon as Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped. And he returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Arise, for the Lord has given the host of Midian into your hand.” And he divided the 300 men into three companies and put trumpets into the hands of all of them and empty jars, with torches inside the jars. And he said to them, “Look at me, and do likewise. When I come to the outskirts of the camp, do as I do. When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then blow the trumpets also on every side of all the camp and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon.’” So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, when they had just set the watch. And they blew the trumpets and smashed the jars that were in their hands. Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars. They held in their left hands the torches, and in their right hands the trumpets to blow. And they cried out, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” Every man stood in his place around the camp, and all the army ran. They cried out and fled. (‭Judges‬ ‭7‬:‭15-21‬ ESV)

This time he doesn’t bring out the fleece, he charges right into battle.

Sometimes, all it takes is an inside scope of what your enemy things about you to get you fired up, hopeful, and ready for battle. All it takes is one word of who they think you are and most importantly whom you serve to give you that oomph.

Your enemy knows you well. He knows your weaknesses- but he also knows your strengths. Do you know who you are?

Interestingly, we need to understand that it was God all along who was trying to get the head of this broken, desperate man out of the dirt. His stinking thinking about who he was had crippled him from seeing the greatness God had put in them.

God told him numerous times in Judges 6 and 7 that he was a mighty man of valor, but Gideon still felt weak and small, lacking the courage to lead. It was God who lead him to the edge of the camp of his enemies. It was God who give the dream and the interpretation for Gideon to hear. It was God who, all along was trying to build his faith, help him to see that he was a champion with God by his side.

Gideon finally got it, when he heard what they were saying about him. He finally, found courage to break out of his fear. He stormed out into battle and his enemies ran in fear. I can almost see God, in my mind’s eyes… Rolling his eyes and saying “duh! That is exactly what I’ve been telling you all along. You are a champion, you are a winner. I told you that you could take them out.

These are the things your enemy know about you. And it frightens him.
Friends, it is important to believe what God says about us. It gives us a paradigm shift on how we see ourselves and the world around us. Most importantly, it gives us perspective and insight on how you to deal with the circumstances of life.

What things God has said about you that you find the most difficult to believe? Do you, like me, allow circumstances to blur your vision? Share your thoughts!

7 Days without Prayer makes 1 weak

Published by walter bright

Just a thought
Fasting and praying is not for the faint hearted. It takes a tenacious person, one who is willing to go the distance, deeper, farther than necessary. That’s when you find God in all His glory.

The edge of the desert
Moses was taking care of the flock for his father-in-law Jethro, Midian’s priest. He led his flock out to the edge of the desert, and he came to God’s mountain called Horeb. The Lord’s messenger appeared to him in a flame of fire in the middle of a bush. Moses saw that the bush was in flames, but it didn’t burn up. Then Moses said to himself, Let me check out this amazing sight and find out why the bush isn’t burning up. When the Lord saw that he was coming to look, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” Moses said, “I’m here.” Then the Lord said, “Don’t come any closer! Take off your sandals, because you are standing on holy ground.” He continued, “I am the God of your father, Abraham’s God, Isaac’s God, and Jacob’s God.” Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God. (‭Exodus‬ ‭3‬:‭1-6‬ CEB)

What others say about it
The TLV says, he led his flock to the farthest end
The NLT say, he led his flock far into
The NIV says, he led his flock to the far side
The Message says, he led his flock to west end
The Amplified says, he led his flock to the back of
Darby says, he led his flock behind the wilderness

Going deeper
Now, Moses didn’t have to go that far just to take care of another man’s flock. I believe something was drawing him. He had no clue he was about to bump into glory.

Feel the wooing
A lot of you are taking this first part of the year to fast and pray. Some of you feel the wooing in your Spirit, something drawing, but you haven’t stepped up yet. I urge you, to jump in, and press in, for you are about to step into a new season.

God is drawing you to the edge; he’s calling you deeper; he’s taking you to a “whole nother level.”

Are you going to go the distance?

Draw Inspiration
Here are a few places you can draw some inspiration to go the distance:
Give God no rest until… Isaiah 62:7
The walk, the shout, walls fall… Joshua 6
Strike the ground… 2 Kings 13:18, 19
This type comes out only by fasting and praying… Matthew 17:21
I will not leave you until you bless me… Genesis 32:24-30
Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:57-62
“Seven days without prayer makes one weak.” – Allen E. Vartlett
Don’t be satisfied with where you’ve been, cry out for more, press in, hunger for more.

See you at the edge!