New Life The Fort: Recent Episodes
New Life The Fort
Welcome to New Life the Fort's weekly audio podcast of weekend services. Lead Pastors Alvin and Michelle dela Peña pastor a rapidly growing church where God's love and grace are taught right in the heart of Metro Manila. 2023 is the Season of Sonship
In the days that we live in, we need wisdom from heaven to help us see whatis of God and what isn't, so that, when an opportunity arises, we will be able to discernwhether to step in or not, step out or stay. If we are conscious that God has preparedopportunities for us, then we need to make the most of them and not let them slip us by.Join us today as we take a look at "An Opportune Time”.
Why is it important to understand that our souls need prospering? Because there is a direct correlation between our souls prospering and seeing it manifest in every other area of our lives. How? You may ask. Well, that’s why we are here today. Let’s continue to discover that through the Word, as we unpack, JUST AS MY SOUL PROSPERS.
What's in a name? It speaks about who you are, where you are from, what you do. A name identifies. Some names cause you to smile, others strike fear in your heart. Names hold a certain power to them. Some are more powerful than others. But, there is one name above them all. JESUS. His is the name above all others. It is so powerful that every knee will bow and tongue will proclaim His lordship, whether it is now or later. Join us today as we take a look at the Power in His Name.
In a world where it is all about “me and what I can get out of something”, we find in our life in Christ some thing contrary to this belief - submission to a higher authority, and a surrender to His will and not your own. It’s in this surrender that you can be entrusted with greater influence and authority because you have learned that it is not for selfish gain but for the benefit of others in His Kingdom. Join us today as we learn what it means to be In The Service of the King.
In a world where it is all about “me and what I can get out of something”, we find in our life in Christ some thing contrary to this belief - submission to a higher authority, and a surrender to His will and not your own. It’s in this surrender that you can be entrusted with greater influence and authority because you have learned that it is not for selfish gain but for the benefit of others in His Kingdom. Join us today as we learn what it means to be In The Service of the King.
Our victory has been prepared by Christ’s surrender on the cross. And we apportion that victory for ourselves by surrendering at the foot of the cross.
We all have pasts, challenges we have been through, victories we have won. Every one of us has a story to tell. What you experienced first hand is powerful. It’s a testimony of what Jesus has done for you. Yes, YOU - what He has done and continues to do personally. Join us today as we recount our stories, releasing the power within them as we see Jesus for who He is through them.
To be mature is to be basic. Growing and maturing in the spirit should be the priority of every believer. Build yourself up to maturity with the basics according to God’s word.
To be mature is to be basic. Christ! no more, no less. Let us take a look through Luke 15 symbolism and how it is significant to the foundations of our maturity in Christ.
Today let's revisit one of the most known and beloved stories Jesus told His followers and the people around Him, The Prodigal Son. Let's look at it with fresh eyes and see what God shows us in this familiar parable. As we grow and learn what it means to be a mature "son", may we glean new insight that will help guide us navigate life well and live it to the fullest.
Intimacy with God is not a one-time thing. It is not only when you come to Jesus to get saved but to have continuous fellowship with Him. That means making Him a part of your every moment in life.
We might all know the story of Christmas but it is always good to be reminded that without Christ, it wouldn’t be Christmas. Let’s go over that story again and allow it to penetrate deeper into our hearts. Because as it does, Christmas’s true meaning will overflow out of our lives, and He will be clearly seen. Merry Christmas, New Life The Fort!
What do you see when you look in the mirror? Are you reminded of all your failures or fallings? Inadequacies or shortcomings? Are you trying to measure yourself up against an impossible standard of beauty or conform yourself to the world’s mold? Who is that man or woman in the mirror? Join us today as we set ourselves to look at ourselves through the looking glass of His word to uncover more of who we are in Christ.
As we continue to realize that we are made in His image & likeness, it is going to be inevitable for us to reflect His glory into the world. So church, it's time to shine!
What does it mean to be made in God’s image? Most likely we don’t think about it too often because it’s either too daunting and intimidating or too highfalutin theologically that we set it aside and go about our daily business and hope everything goes well.This Sunday though, let’s revisit that phrase and hopefully gain a bit of understanding what’s it’s all about. After all there must be a reason why it was foremost in God’s thought when He created man and woman, creating us in HIs image and likeness.
In his message today Ps. Jocel Evangelista gives a powerful reminder that we are the people who bring heaven on earth through the testimony of our lives and actions.
We’ve been talking about walking the last couple of weeks. You might ask, “Why should I care about my walk?” Because your walk is important.
We have been first and foremost called to walk alongside Jesus in friendship and partnership. Then as we walk with Him and in Him, it testifies to others about what we believe about Him. You see, there is a particular way in which He would like us to walk. If you’d like to find out what that looks like, then join us today as we respond to Him to Walk This Way.
When God invites us to journey with Him, we tend to expect the spectacular at every turn. Sometimes, our walk with Him feels ordinary. But, walking is both underrated and underestimated. It’s simple and yet quite powerful when done consistently.
Walking is designed to bring you from one place to another, yet as you do that, you are growing stronger and building endurance.
The Bible tells us that “race is not to the swift”, but by putting one foot in front of the other and not giving up, we get to where we need to go. Today, let’s continue taking a look at some characteristics of walking that will help us walk well.
We have been talking these past Sundays about Arise and Build. Of course that pertains to the Building Project we are currently engaged in as a church but more importantly, that is a charge we want to remind you about for your personal growth.
We are all building something whether we are aware of it or not. But first we must of course arise. Another wrinkle we want to add today is the importance of your walk. Several times in scripture we read a man or woman walking with God. We see Jesus walking with His disciples. In the same way we are also invited to walk with God. Join us today as we embark on this journey. God bless you.
In the days we live in, it is easy to just give up, lay down, and surrender to what happening around us.
But, we are not easily swayed by our circumstances. We live by a different system and are not of the world. We are God’s children, brought into His family by the blood of Jesus.
So, sons and daughters of God, it’s time to arise and build! It’s time to take your place and impact every sphere of influence by being there and being present. There is a plan, and we have a purpose. Let’s get to it.
Have you ever wondered how it is like to be partners with God? Think about the possibilities and the limitless potential when you tap into His anointing. And the key to tap into His anointing is simply to understand His heart and allow Him to move through you. When you have His heart, you have His hand.
Pastor Paul Chase is back and he encourages us to endeavor to make our life on earth count, in his message “Living with a Purpose”
Traditionally we understand that this phrase means that one’s mind has the power or ability to influence, change or even manipulate matter or events.
The fascination about such things is clearly evident in what people obsess about in movies these days. Who wouldn’t dream about being like Neo in the Matrix or a superhero with superpowers that can do what is impossible naturally?
The question is, is there room in the Christian faith for this way of thinking? What does scripture have to say about this? Let’s look into these things and find out how the Believer can live as an overcomer in this world.
This is a continuation of the message last week. The Bible says that faith comes by hearing and hearing, and so with that, we should not get tired or familiar when it comes the hearing about the grace of God.
Failure to grasp the centrality of this message can lead many astray about the true character of God, which in turn causes much tossing and shaking in their believing.
What you believe will eventually show up in how you live. Let us live well by being grounded, established and strengthened by the grace of God.
We all know the story of the parable of the sower. He scattered seed on different types of ground with varying results but only 1 type actually yielded fruit. That’s the good ground.
We all want that good ground. We all want to be that good ground. Then we go through all sorts of spiritual contortions if not religious and legalistic ones just trying so hard to be the ground that produces a hundred-fold. That’s how we were taught and that’s how we saw others did it. But perhaps there is another way to look at it.
The Word of God For [it is] good that the heart be established by grace. The Message Bible actually puts it this way: The grace of Christ is the only good ground for life. Let’s hear about this good ground today and expect good from God.
If we look at the world around us, we can all agree that things can be much better. At certain places and at certain times things can get really bad. We all want change.
God has mandated the Believer to do just that. Be the instrument and conduit to bring His will in heaven on earth. It begins in the renewing of our mind by having the Mind of Christ become our constant reality. In today’s message, let’s have a glimpse at the things unseen and see things from the perspective of the throne of grace.
Traditionally we understand that this phrase means that one’s mind has the power or ability to influence, change or even manipulate matter or events.
The fascination about such things is clearly evident in what people obsess about in movies these days. Who wouldn’t dream about being like Neo in the Matrix or a superhero with superpowers that can do what is impossible naturally?
The question is, is there room in the Christian faith for this way of thinking? What does scripture have to say about this?
Let’s look into these things and find out how the Believer can live as an overcomer in this world.
Ever just felt icky, sticky and dirty? Well, that doesn’t just apply to how we are outwardly.
Sometimes, our thoughts take us down a path where we feel lost and confused, thinking, “How did I even get here?” You are not alone. A lot of people feel that way.
But, there is a remedy to all of it. Join us today as we bathe in His presence and allow His word to cleanse our hearts and minds so that we can walk out the fullness of life.
Somewhere in the world today, there is a war being waged. And although it is thousands of km away, we are feeling the ripple effects of this said war.
In other words the decisions and actions of others affect not only them but beyond their immediate vicinity. Be that as it may, there is another war being waged, more subtle perhaps, more ancient for sure, but more dangerous and destructive. It is not fought in any particular nation or location traceable by Google Maps. It happens in ones mind. It’s a battle that does not just happen every so often but potentially daily.
The difference between a Believer and everyone else in the world is that the Believer is fully equipped to not merely fight it but to actually enforce the victory already won for us by Christ Jesus. Let’s reacquaint ourselves with this reality and be battle ready in the days ahead.
Somewhere in the world today, there is a war being waged. And although it is thousands of km away, we are feeling the ripple effects of this said war.
In other words the decisions and actions of others affect not only them but beyond their immediate vicinity. Be that as it may, there is another war being waged, more subtle perhaps, more ancient for sure, but more dangerous and destructive. It is not fought in any particular nation or location traceable by Google Maps. It happens in ones mind. It’s a battle that does not just happen every so often but potentially daily.
The difference between a Believer and everyone else in the world is that the Believer is fully equipped to not merely fight it but to actually enforce the victory already won for us by Christ Jesus. Let’s reacquaint ourselves with this reality and be battle ready in the days ahead.
Somewhere in the world today, there is a war being waged. And although it is thousands of km away, we are feeling the ripple effects of this said war.
In other words the decisions and actions of others affect not only them but beyond their immediate vicinity. Be that as it may, there is another war being waged, more subtle perhaps, more ancient for sure, but more dangerous and destructive. It is not fought in any particular nation or location traceable by Google Maps. It happens in ones mind. It’s a battle that does not just happen every so often but potentially daily.
The difference between a Believer and everyone else in the world is that the Believer is fully equipped to not merely fight it but to actually enforce the victory already won for us by Christ Jesus. Let’s reacquaint ourselves with this reality and be battle ready in the days ahead.
Continuing along the lines of freedom, let’s take a look at what it means to be free.
Entangling ourselves in the affairs of life can cause us to be in bondage to a number of things. Sometimes, it feels like there is no way out. But, Jesus! He came not to just get us out but to make us free.
In the midst of everything, chains can be broken, captives released, prison doors flung open, and people made free. So, ready, get set… time to Be Free!
Today in the Philippines, we remember our Independence Day.
We celebrate our liberation from tyranny and bondage from a foreign power. This liberation came at a price, paid in blood and sacrifice of countless men and women, some known, many unknown. But all were willing to give their lives for a dream.
How does one build a life? Discover how far God will take you when you allow Him to build yours.
As a church, we have a mandate from the Lord to build in new territory. The Word was released, now we are ready to build.
Politics is inescapable only because the powers that be in the government live and breathe politics on a daily basis.
And the decisions they make affects us all. The question is, how should we as Believers get involved? Should we get involved? Or should we just stay "above" all of that, after all it is "of this world", temporal, messy and very divisive.
In the next Sunday or two, let’s look at what Scripture says and see how Jesus and some of the Apostles responded to the politics and those who hold the reigns of governmental powers of their generation. Be blessed and enjoy!
The whole of Christendom remembers one thing today; The Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our aim as believers is not just to make sure that we commemorate but to meditate and celebrate.
Meditate because we need to individually find out what His resurrection means to us and how it affects our daily lives. Celebrate because we express ourselves within the context of a greater community around us that shares what we value, believe, and pursue.
One’s story becomes part and parcel of the Body’s story. A story authored, powered, maintained, and more importantly finished by Jesus. A story about life. About triumph. His triumph becomes ours as He leads us in our journey. Celebrate with us today.
Happy Resurrection Sunday to all.
What is your name? That's the first important question we ask someone we want to get to know. It's a problem if we don't know who we are. It's not just about our name of course, because the question of identity is much deeper than that. Our parents or guardians give us our name. Later society can give us other names. We can even legally change or names. But the name that matters most is the one that shapes our destiny. Fulfilling our destiny can be a wrestling match with family and friends, with other people around us. With conditions we are in. With ourselves. Maybe the fulfillment of that is not in the struggle but in the surrender to the one who designed our destiny. Let's listen to todays message for more.
As we identify with Jesus instead of situations and circumstances, we get to walk in the fullness of who He is in our lives, and then, bring Him into our spheres of influence. Your identity is found in Him not in who others say you are but who He says you are. He is yours and you are His.
We often identify ourselves with the broken-hearted, the sick, the bound, the blind… but what if we were to change that? What if we started to see ourselves just like Jesus? What limitations would you breakthrough? Whose lives would you touch knowing that Jesus is alive within you? Let’s get into the word together today as we learn to identify with Him and not the world.
The anointing breaks yokes. That's what we cane to understand over the past few weeks. Jesus Christ Himself is the very personification of the anointing. And being in Him, He gave us access to not only who He us but also what He came to do. As we continue our series on The Breaker, today we'll take a closer look at Luke 4:18-19 and see what Jesus came to do according to what is prophetically spoken in Scripture.
As we continue this series of Jesus - The Breaker, today we will explore the role of the anointing in the breaking and why ultimately the Breaker allowed Himself to be broken so we can be set free every bondage that was limiting us and making us fall short of the glory of God. Hope you not only enjoy today's message but it also empowers you to breakthrough and break free.
We know Jesus in many ways. He is Redeemer, friend, Savior, healer, teacher, Master, provider, Advocate, Comforter, Faithful and True. The Word. He is Grace personified. He is Love. In other words, everything we need Him to be and more, He is. But another thing He is that we don't really hear about is that He is The Breaker. Kinda hard to imagine our gentle Shepherd also known as The Lamb of God to be something violent right? Let's find out why in today's preaching.
These past weeks, we have been allowing God to do surgery on our hearts as well as reshape our perspectives so that we are healthy and prepared for what He has up ahead. Going back to what was declared for this year of Break Ground, we believe that there is a heart cry for some to be taken out of the dark. Join us today as we are strengthened to do just that.
When a heart is broken, hopes seems lost, the future looks bleak, it feels like there is no point to life. But, we were not left hopeless, futureless or even lifeless. Jesus came to undo all the brokenness and make us whole in every way. He broke through the darkness to shine the light in, so that we can clearly see Him and what is ahead of us. Join us today as we take a healing walk through the Word and allow God to unbreak our hearts.
Often people wait for situations to become bleak before asking for help or crying out to God. There is no doubt that God is both able and willing to take us out of any hard situation, but sometime we miss His means of doing so because it comes in a form that does not look like what we need at the moment. It comes in seed form. Let’s get reminded that that no ground is too hard that God’s seed cannot break. One of the first things we can do to break ground is to break with seed.
Often people wait for situations to become bleak before asking for help or crying out to God. There is no doubt that God is both able and willing to take us out of any hard situation, but sometime we miss His means of doing so because it comes in a form that does not look like what we need at the moment. It comes in seed form. Let’s get reminded that that no ground is too hard that God’s seed cannot break. One of the first things we can do to break ground is to break with seed.
In breaking ground, preparation is always involved. You can’t just start something without a goal or the end in mind. When we prepare, it enables us to cover as many bases as we possibly can and get other people involved in the plan. This Sunday, let’s take a look at how to Be Prepared.
As a follow up to the releasing of the Vision for this year, let’s delve into that it means for us to break ground. Are we talking about literal ground or is this just a play of words? Join us today as we find out together.
The Father brings us into a family with purpose because we are stronger together than apart. While He sees us individually, He concerns Himself with the whole family because everyone matters. Everyone has a part. Every joint supplies. That’s why, even as He pursues individuals, The Father desires to save your entire household. Join us today as we learn more about God’s heart for His family.
It's never wasted time to meditate on the faithfulness of God. Today we’ll discover it as we go through Psalm 61. When we think that the world around us is crumbling and we feel so detached from everyone else, know that our only salvation is Him who will never fail and ever faithful.
God’s faithfulness is around us every single day. Made available by His mercy and loving kindness. No matter what the situation or circumstance, it won’t change that His IS faithful. And, it’s in an intimate relationship with Him that we get to experience how great He truly is towards us. Join us as we discover how Great is His Faithfulness.
Often, when people think about God, they’re thinking about all the things they need to do to reach Him. Or, overwhelmed by the burden of their own failings, they give in to the hopelessness of their state. The truth is, God always takes the initiative. He is the one who made the way. He is the one who came near first. He is the one who paid the price. It was Him who died for us. So that we can be where we always wanted to be. In His Presence. Not just near but close. Close enough to see, that you are the apple of His eye. in the Old Testament this is not possible. But In Christ… not Facebook nor Face Time, but face to face with Grace.
Living by faith is hard when you’re trying to live life apart from God’s grace. As people who have been justified - declared right and made right - faith is the way we live. Faith in Jesus - who is the initiator and finisher of our faith. Join us as we delve a little deeper into what living by faith looks like for us.
There is a link between receiving His grace and living by faith. Two sides of the same of coin. But, we need to understand how they relate to each other as well as how God empowers us to walk it out. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 2:8-9 that, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” It doesn’t mean that works don’t have a place. They do, but it is always in relation to His grace in our lives. Join us today as we explore this connection.
We know that life can get really complicated, really fast. At present, we can say that things are quite complicated for everyone. If we focus on the daily news, all the more we can easily lose sight of the hope that we have. But, we focus on the Good News, and we can look forward to the Daily Bread He faithfully supplies. The question is, how do we keep our attention on Him in these increasingly complicated times? The answer is simple. God designed, that the way we live out our life in Christ is to not veer away from how we received Him the first place.
oday, we have a dear friend of the house, Benjamin Lim, coming to give the word. He is a businessman, an educator, was a youth and young adults pastor for 20 years, former general manager to his local church, and he continues to minister the word to different churches around the world. We believe that his message is timely and will encourage you as we live through these challenging times.
he Bible says that God speaks the end from the beginning. Just like our Father in Heaven, we also have been given the gift to shape with our words not only the world around us but the future ahead of us. Now is the time to be a voice in our generation. To echo the advice of Mordecai to Esther, do not be silent at this time, for who knows that we have come to our royal position for such a time as this.
Everybody in the world wants something to happen now. Whether it's something to do with their relationships, with their finances, health or a thousand other pressing matters that need attention now. The Bible shows us that God speaks things into being as He did in Genesis. What we miss is that, that, includes time itself. Let's look into how the Father wants us, as His children, to also frame our tomorrows with His promises.
There really is no time like the present. Your past has been lived out and your future is still ahead of you. So, the only moment you really have to live is NOW. What can change your past and future? Your now. What you determine to live by and from begins here and now. Don’t let your present slip you by. Step fully into it. Join us today as we discover some things that can help us step into the NOW.
Many times we are waiting for everything to be perfect before we step out. But where is faith if everything is perfect? Are you waiting for the stars to align or for no distractions or no personal issues? Then you’ll be waiting forever. Yet, let me ask you, why wait? What if the opportunity is right in front of you now even in the middle of what seems to your greatest challenge?
Today we have the privilege of hearing Ptr. Albert Isaac of World Harvest Church in Malaysia. Keeping in mind our watch word for the year, Take Ground, pay close attention to what the Lord has in store for us all this day so as to bring forth what God spoke into reality. Enjoy and be blessed.
Last week, we began to delve into the meaning of “Blessed are the peacemakers” but, we barely scratched the surface. Today, join us as we study it a little further so that as we understand our roles as peacemakers who are sons of God, we can take ground, expanding His kingdom by reigning in life through the One, Jesus Christ..
The famous phrase “blessed are the peacemakers” can be found in the beatitudes that Jesus preached. Often we read it or gloss over it and not really delve into some of the deeper things it implies. We miss out on the treasures and wealth of applicable revelations it can impart. Today lets take time to look past the surface and see what the Word of God tells us about being peacemakers that is essential for us if we are to truly take ground and reign in life through Jesus our Lord and King.
Reigning is part of the “shalom” package that Jesus paid for. Let’s go pack and put together some of the things we’ve been talking about over the past few months and discover how crucial for our reigning to manifest first in the unseen dimension before we see it in the natural.
To understand God’s design for reigning in life, we need to know who He has made us to be so that we can take our place and do exactly what He wants us to do. Join us today as we find out more about who we are as Kings and Priests.
It is frustrating to live in a cycle of defeat. It makes one want to give up all hope. This is the only thing the world has to offer. But for those who put their trust in Christ, there is more. Not merely an escape from this cycle but a way to overcome and stay above it. God wants us to reign in life. Today and over the next few weeks, let's dive into what that means for us and it's effect to the people and the world around us.
Every waking moment we are so aware of our natural, materialistic reality, that often we forget that we no longer regard things according to the flesh as the scriptures say. To truly experience the wholeness God made available for us, we have to change our perspective as our position in Christ dictates, from merely natural to spiritual. After all, the real you is spirit.
We all want to take ground. We want to fulfill our purpose and walk into our destiny. But we can’t walk into something without walking away from something else.
Today, we’ll talk about The Power to Walk Away and find out what areas in our lives we have to walk away from so that we will no longer have to be stuck in a place and continue to be hindered from that which God wants us to live out and experience.
Last Sunday's message from Pastor Mylene was beyond incredible. She reminded us that WE- the Church can take its place and its authority only because it has taken its place first on the solid ground in which Jesus has paid the cost for- our intimacy and relationship with The Father.
There's got to be a boldness that you and I have to step into where Jesus is, because He's given us the opportunity to do so.
We are living in days where the phrase “new normal” is thrown around like everyone actually understand what that really means. In other words, these are uncertain times. Should the child of God be as lost as those of the world? Let’s get a glimpse how God leads us in times and places we’ve never been before.
God's goodness is written in His Word. And as the Bible says, heaven and earth may fail, but His Word will never pass away. Be assured today that God is good and He wants nothing but for us to experience His goodness always and in all ways.
Faith that moves mountains and the hope that does not disappoint would not be possible if not for love. Faith, hope and love are the three that will last forever but, the greatest is love. Join us today at New Life The Fort as we unpack why love is the greatest.
We often think about having more faith so we can move our mountains. But today let’s talk about faith being a place you can be in and rediscover the awesome reality of what God has done, so we can become the overcomers He made us to be. climbing shoes on.
There are mountains God wants us to move out of the way but there are mountains that God wants you to climb because He wants to meet with you. Join us today at New Life The Fort as we look at some of these mountains that we may be at the foot of. Let’s get our climbing shoes on.
What does hope look like in the midst of the most trying of situations and circumstances? Hope IS the joyful and confident expectation of good. Join us at New Life The Fort as we unpack the hope alive in us.