All posts tagged: joy

More than Conquerors

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I had the privilege of being a part of a missionary work in the West African nation of Ivory Coast, correctly know known as – La Cote D’Ivoire between 1990 and 1994. By the time I signed on, they had planted about 6 or more Churches around Abidjan – capital city. Those days were special: knocking on doors, walking the neighborhoods, holding All Night Prayer meetings and community gathering for fasting and praying. A revival was happening all around us – young and old coming to know Jesus and being filled with the Holy Ghost. These are some of the best days of my life and ministry. The people we ministered to were just like me. They were refugees, displaced, cut off from family, scattered in this foreign land and living among people with a strange tongue. They were often abused, and un-welcomed and mocked in the public square. You would think their pain and sorrow would define them, break them and leave them in despair. You would think their loneliness, loss, and inability to …

Rivers of Living Waters

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In May of 1989 my family and I woke up to the sound of mortar blasts, and rocket launchers in our back yard. It was a great spot for the government soldiers because of the cliff overlooking the other side of the city, where rebel soldiers occupied. When we left our home that day, we came across many displaced people who had been without food and water for many weeks. The fighting was intense and life as we knew it, came to a stop. We had no idea what life would look like the next few weeks with less food and no source of safe drinking water. By the time we hit the second week on the run, we began to realize how important water is. Vital organs began to shut down because of dehydration. Skin began to get clammy. Coherent thoughts began to vanish. As we struggle to find safe drinking water, our mouths became dry; our heads ached and our Knees became weak. Sadly, many others fell by the roadside for lack of water. …

Joy is strength: How can I Increase it?

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The joy of The Lord is my strength. Neh. 8:10. What is joy?   Webster’s Dictionary defines joy as “a feelings of great happiness” but there is something much richer and deeper from God’s word about the word. This is because joy is more of an “elevated and spiritual kind.” Joy is of God  “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17 God is our source of joy.  He doesn’t only possess joy, he spreads it abroad. When he releases his joy in us, it moves like the working of his mighty power. A lot of people think that God is this angry, grumpy, always in a bad mood father. Quite frankly, it wouldn’t be a stretch to equate God to a “Happy God.” A few bible interpretors see the word “blessed” in 1 Timothy 1:11 as speaking of a cheerful and delightful God. Joy is God’s will  But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in …

Can you feel it? It’s in the Air tonight

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O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth Long lay the world in sin and error pining ‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn Fall on your knees O hear the angel voices O night divine! O night when Christ was born O night divine! O night, O night divine! [Choir:] Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains He shall break, for the slave is our brother. And in His name, all oppression shall cease Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we Let all within us praise His holy name Christ is the Lord! Their name forever praise we Noel, Noel O night, O night divine Noel, Noel O night, O night divine Noel, Noel O night, O holy night

Rivers in the desert: Feel it rushing to and through you…

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Enjoy a few powerful seconds from last night’s meeting at church. His presence was truly in the house. This is what I crave every time we meet. Revelation 22:1, 2 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Prophetic Prayer: May his river of life, healing, and joy flow in and through you today. May his river of gladness fill up every dry and barren place in your life. May all the fruits of the Spirit be birthed in you, and may you be productive in every good work as you yield to His ever flowing stream. May it be that through you healing and blessings might come to those all around you. That He may restore unto you the years …

What My Soul Needs is God

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Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. This is one of my most favored Psalms of all-time. It has a humble and longing posture that is most important to anyone who truly wants to know and experience God. The idea of running after or seeking after God is exciting and adventurous. To me, His ways are past finding out, and you might be surprise about what you might discover about Him as you attempt to seek more of Him. Therefore, for the soul to truly live and thrive, and experience God in meaningful ways, one must understand the things that keep the soul alive and thriving and fight the things that try to hinder it. Because the soul is easily cast down. It easily loses hope and is easily troubled. So here are a few things to consider: A sustained hunger and thirst for God through shouts of worship and praise (verse 1 and …

Discover the Seven-fold activity of God in Psalm 23

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God is perfect and everything he does is perfect. Take a fresh look a this timeless psalm again today… It’s the seven-fold perfection of God in our imperfect lives. he satisfies our hunger… There is a promised reward for all those who hunger after God and His righteousness – They shall be filled. he leads us by the still waters; There is a promised reward for those who would allow God to take them to still waters – They shall find rest he restores us when we have fallen away There is a promised reward for those who repent and turn from their wicked ways – They shall be restored. he guides us in the way of righteousness There is a promised reward for those who would look to God and His word for what they want to do – They shall find guidance. he abides `with us’ even through death There is a promised reward for who do not fear when life is hard, dangerous and even tragic – They will never be alone in …

He has turned my mourning into dancing

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You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent… He has turned my mourning into dancing Have you ever experienced any of the following? deliverance from the attacks of your enemies answered prayer in desperate circumstances rescue from impending death Has God been good to you in any way? What does it do inside of you when you see how good he is? How does it make you feel? Does it move you? If yes, than you have reasons to sing, shout and dance! You have reasons to praise the Lord. This Psalm is jam-packed with the wonderful blessing of the Lord in the life of the Psalmist. And these wonderful acts of God leaves the psalmist singing, shouting and dancing. In fact, the bible actually says, “he breaks out in dancing.” I don’t know what this psalmist was into back in those days. I doubt he was familiar with Zouk, Conga, Charleston, Kolo, Cha-Cha, Lindy Hop or the …

Rejoice San Francisco

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Rejoice San Francisco. Rejoice in what the Lord is doing now in your city! I know it does  not feel like much; and your streets may paint a different picture – but your time is coming and your time is now when salvation and rejoicing will fill your streets. For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations. Isaiah 61:11 Special Shout Out to Glad Tidings Church/gtsf.org God is doing great things here! Taken sometime in 2012 WalterBright

Happy New Year

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Allow me to say a few words of prophetic significance. I feel it strongly going into 2013: Your latter will be greater than your past You will be blessed more than you could ask Despite all that has been done The best is yet to come Your latter will be greater than your past Have a very Happy and Prosperous New Year Everyone!