Senin, 24 Juli 2017

The Kingdoms of Our Lord

The Kingdoms of Our Lord
“The kingdoms of this world have become
the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and
He shall reign forever and ever!”
REVELATION 11:15

God will establish an Irresistible Kingdom on the earth. This Kingdom does not rise up from the earth, but it comes down from heaven. This Kingdom will break to pieces and consume all the other kingdoms. And this Kingdom will increase from a single Stone into a great mountain that fills the entire earth (Daniel 2:35). It is an Irresistible Kingdom!


Not only can this Kingdom not be stopped, but when people see the King for Who He really is, they no longer desire to resist Him. This is why the Irresistible Kingdom continues to grow and expand, so that eventually the King and His Kingdom “fill all things.”


Source: "The Irresistible Kingdom" by Chip Brogden
http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/the-irresistible-kingdom
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Chip Brogden 

It's Time To Step Out


It's Time To Step Out

Walk with boldness on the road set before you child, for I am your shield and the horn of your salvation. I am your rear guard. For you struggle so often to know the right road to take, but don't you know that I direct your paths?
Is it hard for you to imagine that if you take the wrong road, that I can simply redirect your path? So begin walking with all boldness and then I will direct you. I will give you the way to go and I will show you what you need to do as you walk. However, if you continue to stand still and do nothing, then how can I lead you to where you need to go?
So take a step of faith! Indeed, take that leap of faith and trust me to catch you. Trust me to lead you. Trust that even though you might miss it or take the wrong turn, that I am well able to catch you and set you right again. However, you cannot continue to cower in the corner or to stand still. Rather you need to move.
Rather you need to take the land that is before you. So take that step today and I will indeed direct your path, says the Lord.

Fear No Evil

Fear No Evil
“I do not ask that you take them out of the world,
but that you keep them from the evil one.”
John 17:15 ESV

This prayer of Jesus is answered when we embrace the Cross. The Cross renders us dead to the world so that we can bring Life to others who are in the world and not worry that we may become contaminated or polluted by the things we encounter. Jesus was not afraid of being around sinners. He affected them for good, and they were powerless to affect Him for evil. This same Jesus lives within us, and He is greater than anything we may encounter in the world.

So if we are to follow His example then we must be as dead to the things of the world as He was. How is this accomplished? God’s solution is for us to embrace the Cross so that we can be truly “dead” to the world’s temptations and “alive” to Him. God desires a crucified people who can represent Him in the earth and be faithful to Him even in the midst of a dark, rebellious world.


Source: "Embrace the Cross" by Chip Brogden
http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/embrace-the-cross

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Chip Brogden 

How to Get Blessings to Flow

How to Get Blessings to Flow
“Noah… did all that God commanded him.”
-GENESIS 6:22 ESV

I spent many years creating and executing my own plans, asking the Lord to bless them. One day I understood that instead of always trying to get the Lord to bless what I wanted to do, it was much simpler to find out what the Lord wanted to bless, and simply do THAT. Instead of trying to get God to come down to my level and do what I wanted, it was far better to come onto the Lord’s ground and do what He wanted.

Great synergy and blessing is released when we simply cooperate with what God has already purposed to do. Heaven backs us up with tremendous power and authority. Instead of trying to make something happen, I simply flow in a current that already exists. The Lord will deny no request that is in agreement with what He Himself has originated.

Source: "The Church in the Wilderness" by Chip Brogden
http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/the-church-in-the-wilderness

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Chip Brogden 

What Does God Want?

What Does God Want?
“I am the Way.”
JOHN 14:6

What is God after? What does He seek from us? What does He want? First and foremost, He desires a people who will be conformed to the image of His Son, that they may demonstrate the preeminence of Christ in all things. But how does He gain such a people for Himself? The first step is to reveal His Son to us. This is the narrow gate. We cannot begin to walk the narrow path until we have entered the narrow gate.

Upon entering the narrow gate He begins to change us from the inside out so that it is Christ expressing Himself through us. “Not I, but Christ.” This is the narrow path. This narrow path we call discipleship. It leads us somewhere. A path is not for standing still. It has a destination. Where does the path lead? What is the End? Christ as All in All. That is the End. All things work together according to this supreme purpose, His Purpose.

Source: "Embrace the Cross" by Chip Brogden
http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/embrace-the-cross


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Stir Up the Life

Stir Up the Life
“Our sufficiency is from God.”
2 CORINTHIANS 3:5

How will He do it? How will He demonstrate the sufficiency of His Life to do everything in your stead? Why, the next time you feel your temper getting out of control, or the person you resent is bothering you, or things are not going right, or you are tempted to quit, decide that instead of reacting the way you always do, you will trust in His Life, then stand back and just see what happens.

If you are a Christian the Life is there, it just has to be stirred up into activity. The things we call temptations, testings, and trials are the very means through which God desires to activate the Life He has placed within you! How else would we be able to rejoice in our afflictions? How else would we be able to count it all joy when we fall into many temptations and trials of faith? Humanly speaking this is impossible! But what is impossible with man is possible with God, and easily achievable when we trust in His Life to do what we cannot do.

Source: "Lord of All" by Chip Brogden
​​​​​​​http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/lord-of-all


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Come to Me


Come to Me

My child, it is so tempting to look at the road that everyone beside you is walking and to compare yourself to others. You see them succeeding or failing and wonder if you are succeeding or failing based on a comparison to them and to their journey.
However, I have given you a call that is different from everyone else. I have given you a task and a responsibility that is not the same as your peers. So do not look to your left and right, comparing yourself to others to see if you are doing well or not.
The only way you will know whether you are doing well or not is to simply come and ask me. I am the one that will say, "Well done" or "Try again". I am the one that knows the road that I want you specifically to walk and can let you know how you are doing.
So come to me today, my child, and let me tell you exactly what I want and desire from you. Let me express to you the words and direction that you need, says the Lord.

Selasa, 11 Juli 2017

True Fellowship

True Fellowship
“If we walk in the light, as He is
in the light, we have fellowship with one another.”
1 JOHN 1:7

True fellowship is grounded in Jesus first of all. Fellowship with others on THAT basis is neither forced, nor orchestrated; it is effortless, spontaneous, and full of Life. Fellowship naturally occurs because we have all seen and heard the same thing from the Lord – we are walking in the same Path towards Christ as All in all. We are in one accord not because we all look, think, and act just the same, but because we all, in spite of our differences, have God’s End in mind.


Source: "The Chuch in the Wilderness" by Chip Brogden
http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/the-church-in-the-wilderness

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Chip Brogden 

Seeing is Changing

Seeing is Changing
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the
only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
JOHN 1:14

Moment by moment, hour by hour, we are being changed. This transfiguration is subtle, but powerful. How is it effected? How does God change us? When we put on the Lord Jesus then we become what we have put on. When we see the glory of the Son of God then we are changed thereby. We become what we have seen.


When we see Him as He in fact is, when we behold His glory, we will be smitten to the ground. If what we have seen thus far of the Lord has not struck us dumb and blind then we have not yet touched upon His glory. Our vision is too small. May God illuminate our hearts and grant us further revelation into His Son, that we may be transfigured.


Source: "Lord of All" by Chip Brogden
http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/lord-of-all

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Chip Brogden 

It's All About Your Attitude

It's All About Your Attitude (Writer's Opinion)

By Carol Round, Special to ASSIST News Service (Writer’s Opinion)
GROVE, OK (ANS – July 9, 2017) -- “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” -- Psalm 118:24 (ESV).
AttitudeWhen I saw the following post on a friend’s Facebook page, I had to share it with my readers:
A famous writer was in his study and compiled the following list:
1. Last year, my gallbladder was removed. I was in bed for a long time.
2. The same year I reached the age of 60 and had to leave my favorite job. I spent 30 years with this publishing company.
3. The same year my father died.
4. The same year my son failed his medical exam because he had a car accident. He was hospitalized with a cast on his leg for several days. The destruction of the car was a second loss.
His concluding statement: “Alas! It was a bad year!”
When the writer’s wife entered the room, she found her husband looking dejected and sad. She read what he had written, left the room, and came back with another piece of paper. The husband read her version of his account of the year’s events:
1. Last year I finally got rid of my gallbladder which had given me many years of pain.
2. I turned 60 with sound health and retired from my job. Now I can utilize my time to write with more focus and peace.
3. The same year my father died at the age of 95 without depending on anyone, without any critical conditions, and met his Creator.
4. The same year, God blessed my son with life. My car was destroyed, but my son was alive and without permanent disability.
She concluded: This year was an immense blessing.
The moral? It’s not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy. There is always, always something for which to be thankful. Our attitude is everything and the one thing we can control.
In a recent “Our Daily Bread” devotional, the author shared the story of Dr. Virginia Connally. In 1940, at the age of 27, she braved opposition and criticism to become the first female physician in Abilene, Texas. A few months before her 100th birthday in 2012, the Texas Medical Association presented her with its Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor a Texas physician can receive. Between 1940 and 2012, Dr. Connally embraced a passion for sharing the gospel message globally. During her many medical mission trips, she lived a life of service to God and to others—one day at a time.
Her pastor, Phil Christopher, said, “Every day for her is a gift.”
In a letter to her pastor, Dr. Connally wrote, “Every tour, trip, effort, I wonder if this will be my last and ultimate? Only God knows. And this is enough.”
What if we quit focusing on yesterday’s disappointments and tomorrow’s uncertainties and focused on God’s unmatchable gift of today? Wouldn’t our attitudes change?
When we embrace each day as a gift from God, we can’t help but have a positive attitude.
Photo captions: 1) Embrace each day as a gift from God. (https://www.linkedin.com). 2) Carol Round.
Carol Round very smallNote: I always love hearing from my readers. Please feel free to e-mail me at carol@carolaround.com with your thoughts, or visit my blog for more inspiration at www.carolaround.com. If you need a speaker or workshop leader, you can contact me at the above e-mail or website. I'd be delighted to hear from you.
** You may republish this and any of our ANS stories with attribution to the ASSIST News Service (www.assistnews.net). Please also tell your friends and colleagues that they can receive a complimentary subscription to our news service by going to the ANS website (see above) and signing up there.

Ascending Prayer

Ascending Prayer
“Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.’” – MATTHEW 6:9 ESV

At once we are lifted up from the earthly situation and are made to focus upon a heavenly Father, a heavenly Kingdom, and a heavenly Will. I believe it is so important for us to see this. Prayer does not begin on the earth, it begins in the heavens. It does not begin with man, it begins with the Father. It does not begin with man’s need, but with God’s will.


Our praying is ineffectual because we pray as earthly men with an earthly perspective concerning earthly things. See how far and above this manner of praying is when compared to the hypocrite, praying in public to be seen of men! Prayer ought to bring us up into the heavenlies, not bring us down deeper into the earth. It ought to focus our vision on the Father, not on man, or the problems of man. Spiritual prayer begins in the Spirit; heavenly prayer begins in the heavenlies.

Source: "The Irresistible Kingdom" by Chip Brogden
http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/the-irresistible-kingdom


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Chip Brogden 

Sabtu, 01 Juli 2017

Fighting FROM Victory


Fighting FROM Victory
“Thanks be to God, who gives us
the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 CORINTHIANS 15:57

Those who embrace the Cross have inherited the victory of Christ over all the works of the devil. This is the spiritual principle. The practical expression of this principle is seen when I demonstrate this victory in the battles of everyday life. If what God says about us is true, then we are not fighting FOR victory, we are fighting FROM victory – and actually, we are not fighting at all; we are merely standing in a victory that was given to us in Christ: “Stand therefore” (Ephesians 6:14).

Source: “Embrace the Cross" by Chip Brogden
http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/embrace-the-cross


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http://www.chipbrogden.com/june28


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Chip Brogden 

Christ Fully-Formed in You


Christ Fully-Formed in You
“Him we preach… that we
may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”
COLOSSIANS 1:28

The word perfect there means spiritually mature, having reached the full measure of the purpose for which a person is created. This, in essence, is the purpose of all ministry, whether it is the ministry of an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher. It is to preach Christ, and to bring all men into a spiritually mature relationship with Him.

Paul wrote to the Galatians and said they were “my little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). Christ was in them already, but He was not fully-formed in them yet: they were still children. Maturity in Jesus is what ministry is supposed to lead to. Christ is at the heart of everything; He is at the center of all activity; we begin with Him and we end with Him.


Source: "Lord of All" by Chip Brogden
http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/lord-of-all


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Chip Brogden 

I Am Pleased With You


I Am Pleased With You

As the sun rises, it chases away the shadows and comes with a promise of something new. In the same way, I arise upon you today my child. My glory shines upon you. My favor rests upon you.
It does not matter what man will say or think about you. It does not matter what circumstances come against you. It does not matter what the enemy throws at you - for you are favored of me and you walk in my blessing and in my covering. So rejoice as you look forward and see the sun rising in your life!
Look forward with great expectation to see things revealed that have been hidden before. For while it was night, you could not see my goodness. You could not see my perfect plan. But look! The night has passed and day has come and I am reminding you of your inheritance in me.
I am reminding you of what you mean to me. I am reminding you of your position in me. So put your faith in me and not in yourself or in what you see. Incline your ear to my testimony and not to the words of others that would tear you down. For I am here to lift you up. I am here to give you rest. I am here to give you the strength to take the land I have prepared for you.
So hear my words and let them sink deep into your spirit. You are favored of me and I am well pleased with you says the Lord. Amen

Give it Time


Give it Time

My child, if you are finding it hard to get going and to get your ministry off the ground, then do not despair. Remember, I am the one who has called you, and I am also the one who will fulfill it.
Have you ever seen a gardener plant a garden today and tomorrow you see the full glory of every flower, every plant, and every tree He put there? Give my spirit time to work on what I have told you to plant. Allow me to water the seeds I have given you.
Allow maturity to come and growth to take place. Do not strive or push your own way, says the Lord. I am the originator of the vision you run with. I am the beginning and the end. So now, rest in me. Trust in me. I know what I am doing and I know where to take you.
Incline your ear against my chest and allow me to lead and guide you on the path you should go, says the Lord. Allow me to show you each day what I want you to do. Allow me to direct you, and then, just take each step in obedience and lean on my power and anointing, says the Lord.
Rest in me. Let go of any frustration and just press on forward in submission to my mighty hand. Amen.