Monthly Archives: April 2015
The Holy Spirit is God ( by Fenny West)
The Holy Spirit is God
The Holy Spirit is God
Come as your reward,
Come as your deposit,
Come to remove all limits.
The Holy Spirit is God,
Come as your Teacher,
Come as your Comforter,
Come as your Strengther.
The Holy Spirit of God
Come as your Guide
Come as your Guard,
Come as your Wisdom
To function in the kingdom.
The Holy Spirit is God
He is the Anointing Who removes
Burden and breaks yokes;
Enables you to leap over walls
And to run through troops.
The Holy Spirit is God
Come to give you advantage,
Come to remove every bondage;
Come to help you witness;
The Holy Spirit is God
Come to give you gifts.
That will give you a lift
Come to show you things to come;
Your purpose your vision
Come to show you your assignment.
The Holy Spirit is God
He has come to refine you
He has come to saturate you
He has come to indwell you
He has come to fill you to the full.
And even to the overflow.
The Holy Spirit is God
He has come to make you alive,
Quicken you, resurrect you.
Come to make you alive
Come to raise from the dead,
Come to bring about the miraculous.
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts1:8
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.John16:7
11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Rom8:11
From Dream to Deliverance (by Rick Warren)
“God … is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of — infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.” (Ephesians 3:20b TLB)If you want your faith to grow so you can claim God’s promise in Mark 9:23 — “Everything is possible for the person who has faith” (GNT) — then you must first understand that God takes you through six phases of faith.Phase 1: Dream What is the dream God has given you? If you don’t have a dream you’re working toward, you just exist. You need to start praying, “God, give me your dream.” You’re here on Earth for a purpose. When you discover that purpose, you’ll discover the dream God wants you to go after.“God … is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of — infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes” (Ephesians 3:20b TLB).Phase 2: Decision Maybe you have a dream from God, but you’ve not yet made a decision to go after it. God’s word for you in phase 2 is, “Go for it!” You may need to make the decision to give your life to Christ or be baptized or join a church or get involved in ministry.“If you are like that, unable to make up your mind and undecided in all you do, you must not think that you will receive anything from the Lord” (James 1:7-8 GNT).Phase 3: Delay When things don’t happen on our timetable, we tend to run ahead of God and create detours to make it happen. Do not detour! You may end up making the wrong decision. You’re in God’s waiting room. Wait for God to work his hand.God says in Habakkuk 2:3, “But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled” (TLB).Phase 4: Difficulty What difficulties have you faced waiting for your dream to be fulfilled? You’ll go through many tests in life, but God knows what you’re going through. He’s watching, and he hasn’t forgotten you.“Even though you are temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials and temptations. This is no accident — it happens to prove your faith, which is infinitely more valuable than gold” (1 Peter 1:6-7 Phillips).Phase 5: Dead End Some of you are at your dead end, and you’re ready to give up. But you’re right where God wants you! He is preparing you for deliverance. God’s word for you is, “Hang on! Don’t give up!”“At that time we were completely overwhelmed, the burden was more than we could bear, in fact we told ourselves that this was the end. Yet we now believe that we had this experience of coming to the end of our tether that we might learn to trust, not in ourselves, but in God who can raise the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:8-9).Phase 6: Deliverance Do you expect and trust God to deliver you? He will. But it doesn’t happen overnight. You have to go through all six stages before God brings you to deliverance.“I know that I will live to see the LORD’s goodness in this present life” (Psalm 27:13 GNT).PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick. Talk It Over
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Seeing Death through God’s Eyes (by C.H. Spurgeon)
Seeing Death through God’s Eyes
“That through death He might destroy him that had the power of death.”—Hebrews 2:14.
child of God, death hath lost its sting, because the devil’s power over it is destroyed. Then cease to fear dying. Ask grace from God the Holy Ghost, that by an intimate knowledge and a firm belief of thy Redeemer’s death, thou mayst be strengthened for that dread hour. Living near the cross of Calvary thou mayst think of death with pleasure, and welcome it when it comes with intense delight. It is sweet to die in the Lord: it is a covenant-blessing to sleep in Jesus. Death is no longer banishment, it is a return from exile, a going home to the many mansions where the loved ones already dwell. The distance between glorified spirits in heaven and militant saints on earth seems great; but it is not so. We are not far from home—a moment will bring us there. The sail is spread; the soul is launched upon the deep. How long will be its voyage? How many wearying winds must beat upon the sail ere it shall be reefed in the port of peace? How long shall that soul be tossed upon the waves before it comes to that sea which knows no storm? Listen to the answer, “Absent from the body, present with the Lord.” Yon ship has just departed, but it is already at its haven. It did but spread its sail and it was there. Like that ship of old, upon the Lake of Galilee, a storm had tossed it, but Jesus said, “Peace, be still,” and immediately it came to land. Think not that a long period intervenes between the instant of death and the eternity of glory. When the eyes close on earth they open in heaven. The horses of fire are not an instant on the road. Then, O child of God, what is there for thee to fear in death, seeing that through the death of thy Lord its curse and sting are destroyed? and now it is but a Jacob’s ladder whose foot is in the dark grave, but its top reaches to glory everlasting.
Ladders of Ascent ( by Fenny West)
Ladders of Ascent
Paul’s catalogues of woes were ladders of ascent.
His victories came through his valleys.
Similarly, your victory is in your valleys.
Those trying times can spell your triumph.
It depends on your perspective and your attitude.
David went through the valleys of the shadows of death to write sweet psalms that have enduring quality. We are able to identify with them through thick and thin after thousands of years. God wants to do the same through you, in your day.
Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Let’s see some of Paul’s woes.
Yes, he faced many woes and foes, but these became his ladders for ascent; ladders and conduit to write many best sellers of all time. This was because of his perspective. He saw himself as more than a conqueror. He knew that if God was for him, no one could be against him and all their evil schemes, intrigues and diabolical machinations will come to nothing. In fact, he knew all things will work together for his good because he loved the Lord and was the called according to purpose. He knew that God was through his difficulties, working in him to work through him; working in him both to will and do according to His good pleasure. And so he could fight the good fight of faith because when all is said and done, he would come out on top. When the dust has settled after the storm, he will keep standing.
Yes, when hard-pressed, Paul knew he would not be crushed. When perplexed, he knew he needed not be in despair. When persecuted, he knew he was not abandoned. He could hear the Spirit’s voice:
‘Lo, I am with you always. I will never leave you nor forsake you. Have I not command you? Fear not, neither be you dismayed. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. The battle is not yours but Mine. I will fight for you and you will hold your peace. Be not afraid of their faces. They will be bread to you. You are more than a conqueror. Greater is He in you that he who is in the world. There are more with you than are against you. Be strong in Me and in My mighty power. ’
Now if you think you going through hell and high water, read this and be comforted
23 Are they ministers of Christ? — I speak as a fool — I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness —28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
30 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.32 In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me;33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.
2Cor11:23-33
Yet amidst these woes Paul pressed on. You too can press on. Amidst these woes he wrote best sellers. You too can use your woes to write best sellers. You can obtain victories from your valleys.
In Philippi after casting out a demon from a girl who was used by his enemies, all hell broke loose against Paul and Silas. They were beaten, battered and broken and bled. And as if that was not enough, their hands and feet were chained and then thrown into the back of a dungeon of a prison.
But at midnight they decided to have a praise party. And they raised their voices and prayed and sang. It was the last thing you would expect from such prisoners. It was a ridiculous thing to do. It was a crazy move in the natural but we know what happened sooner than later. God rocked the foundations of the prison and their chains fell off. The jailor heard the cacophony and came running with his lamp. He thought they had all escaped, knowing that his life was on the line. He wanted to kill himself rather than fact the music but Paul stopped him: ‘We are all here. Do not harm yourself.’
He was so overwhelmed by their response that he was convicted and so moved to ask, ‘What must I do to be saved?’
Paul quickly seized the opportunity to lead him and his household to the Lord. They were all baptized and there was a great joy and celebration as he brought food and drink to commemorate that wonderful occasion.
And so it was from opposition and imprisonment to liberation, celebration and house-hold salvation. You see how valleys can spell victories; how woes can be ladders of ascent.(Acts16:18-34)
God is good all the time. If Paul can use his woes to write best-sellers, so can you. If he can use his valleys as ladders for rising higher in God. So can you. You can then count it all joy when you come to divers temptations because you know they are working for you; producing an exceedingly great treasure and weight of eternal glory.
Keep Your Dream Alive
How To Trust God for Your Big Dream ( Rick Warren)
Daily Hope
Dreams Purpose
How To Trust God for Your Big Dream
| By Rick Warren — Apr 19, 2015 | |||||||||
“Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more …. When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, ‘What is this dream you had?’” (Genesis 37:5, 10a NIV)If you want to make it in a career, you have to show audacity. Audacity is the courage to think big, to show initiative, and to take risks for a dream while facing the possibility of failure.In Genesis 37, we read the story of Joseph, who had a dream so incredible, so audacious that nobody in the world believed him. He dreamed that one day he would be a great leader and all his brothers would bow down to him.Was it the truth? Yes. Was the dream from God? Yes. Was it fulfilled? Yes. Was Joseph a little crazy to tell his brothers? Yes.Joseph had an audacious dream. When he shared it with his family, “they hated him all the more …. When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, ‘What is this dream you had?’” (Genesis 37:5b, 10a NIV)You’re going to have to step out in faith — even when it doesn’t make sense, even when people ridicule you, even when you’re afraid, even when the odds are against you. If God puts a dream in your heart, he will honor you when you step out in faith to do it.I have a letter from the publisher of Zondervan, saying that my book, “The Purpose Driven Life,” was terrible and that it would never sell. He went through the book and pointed out all the things he thought were wrong and why it wouldn’t sell: Nobody reads 40 chapters. It didn’t have enough stories in it. It had too much Scripture in it. It’s too choppy. I wrote him back and told him I believed this is the way I had been directed by God to do it, and he didn’t have to publish it.I basically held the line, and they said they still wanted to publish it. Don’t you think they’re glad they did? Sometimes you just have to go with a little bit of audacity because you believe in what God has told you to do.Joseph made one audacious decision after another in faith. As a result, he got the promotion of a lifetime — he eventually became a great leader and ruled over all of Egypt.Where do you need to be audacious? Where do you need to trust God? Where do you need to step out in faith? Where do you need to think big? Where do you need to take initiative? Where do you need to take risks?Click here to play today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick.Talk It Over
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The Lord is My Shepherd (by Fenny West)
The Lord is My Shepherd
This is a breadbasket, river of life, a balm in times of trouble, comfort in times of storms, light amidst darkness. In this psalm you will find security, prosperity, key to provision and protection, power of the Spirit and the presence of God and triumphs in trials. If the Shepherd presides He will provide. Again that He is your Shepherd does not mean you will not suffer. We are called to suffer with Him as to reign with Him. He trains us and prunes us so that we can give Him glory. Furthermore, if He is your Shepherd You must hear His voice because His sheep hear His voice.
From Breakthrough to Breakthrough (Fenny West)
From Breakthrough to Breakthrough
Through our God we can do valiantly, our trials can thrust us into triumph; our tests can bring testimony battles can birth miracles and burdens can translate into blessing. This message will revive you as you open your heart and let the truth of God permeate, saturate and set you free. 2Sam5:17-20
17 But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold.
18 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
19 And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim’
Pursue, Overtake and Recover All( by Fenny West)
Pursue, Overtake and Recover all
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2bL06AZOEg
When your back is on the ground, you can only look up. David was here in Ziklag. But he encouraged himself, sought God’s face and God gave him the Word: pursue, overtake and recover all. With this word David was emboldened to fight with his ferociously with his men and they recovered all. You too can recover all you have lost if you seek God’s face and receive a strategy from Him.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?36 As it is written:
” For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ro8:28-39
Pursuing Purpose ( by Fenny West)
Pursuing Purpose
God has a plan, a purpose, design for your life and my life and He intends for us to discover that purpose, pursue that purpose with singleness of mind until it is accomplished with finesse.
Jesus finished His purpose. Paul finished his purpose. Nehemiah finished his purpose. You too can.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
