Sensing and hearing from God

The Lord says:

"This is a crucial time for My people to hear My voice. In fact, there are many secrets that I want to reveal to you in this time and season. Continue to live a life of holiness. Continue to live a life of submission. Continue to live a life of humility. Wash your hands. Wash your hearts. Let it be clean. Continue to stir up your spirit man. Don't let your spirit to slumber. Keep your spirit alert and ready for what's coming ahead and the glory days ahead!" 

Colossians 2:8 (NKJV) says, 'Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.'

Colossians 2:8 (Expanded) says, 'Be sure [Be careful; Watch; See] that no one leads you away [takes you captive] with false [deceptive] and empty [worthless] teaching that is only human [according to human traditions], which comes from the ruling spirits of this world, and not from Christ.'

It's for this reason in Colossians 2:8 that it's so important to be able to sense and hear correctly from the right spirit (i.e. the Holy Spirit), and not from other spirit or spirits of this world. 

In fact, some of these human philosophies or human traditions have even sometimes crept into the church, and contaminated or adulterated the church and what Christ has meant the church to be. 

Also, nowadays, there are so many 'predictions' or 'prophecies' being spoken around, that even some Christians are taking it without checking and sensing if these are really from the Holy Spirit, or if these are merely from the minds of men. So, that's why Paul wrote in Colossians 2:8 to be careful. Every prediction or every prophecy has to be tested. The Scripture says so. 

What are the keys to sensing and hearing in the spirit correctly? 

1. A life of humility, submission and surrender

There's no other way around it. Without humility, submission and surrender to God and God's Spirit, we cannot be effective in sensing and hearing from Him. 

2. A life of holiness

It is like a radio antenna that receives reception. If you clean it, the antenna can receive better and function better. If you remove any dirt, dust, or other contaminants that might interfere with the reception, the antenna can receive better and function better. It is the same with your spirit, if you want to receive more clearly from the Holy Spirit. Therefore, allow the Holy Spirit to clear anything that hinders your walk with God. 

3. A life of worship

This simply means a life of surrender to God. Because to worship God is to surrender to God. Worship is not just in songs and singing. 

In Hebrew, the very word 'worship' is translated as 'shachah', which literally means 'to bow down, to kneel, to prostrate oneself (before God)'. So, worship, in the truest sense of the word, is about the heart. It is about a heart and a life of surrender and submission to God. It is about lowering ourselves and humbling ourselves before God. It is not so much about the outward performance or outward show, but 'shachah' or 'worship' is essentially lowering ourselves in our hearts before the Lord. 

One example of this word 'shachah' or 'worship' in the Scripture is found in Genesis 22:5. That's when Abraham told his servants that he and Isaac (his son) will 'shachah' on the mountain, which is translated as 'worship' on the mountain.

Let's move on to 1 Corinthians 2:12 (NKJV) that says, 'Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.'

What are the things that have been freely given to us by God? One is His wisdom. Another is His revelation as to what you should do or what you should avoid, and even what's to come in the future!

Just a few verses before that, 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (NKJV) says, 'But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.' In The Expanded Bible, it is translated as 'the deep secrets of God'. 

That leaves us with the next question. In what way does God reveal His deep things through His Spirit? The answer can be found in 1 Corinthians 2:13 (NASB) that says, 'We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.' 

See the words 'spiritual thoughts' and 'spiritual words' here? In other words, one way God can speak to you is by placing intelligible thoughts and words in your spirit. It means thoughts and words that can be readily understood by you. These thoughts and words are deeply imparted by the Holy Spirit inside of you, and these are not the product of one's own mind or one's own logic. Some Bible teachers call this 'the voice of the Holy Spirit'. It means the voice of the Holy Spirit spoken into your spirit. 

What are the general characteristics of the voice of the Holy Spirit? 

1. It comes as a spontaneous impartation, not premeditated by the hearer (Matthew 10:19-20)

2. It comes with specific commands or instructions (Acts 13:2)

3. It is distinctly divine, and the hearer knows it comes at the right timing when he/she needs it (Acts 10:19-20)

4. It is always aligned with the Word of God and the will of God, and not contradict it (Isaiah 55:8-11)

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

A life of submission and surrender

The Lord says:

"Whatever situation you are facing at the moment, do not be wise in your own eyes and do not put your confidence in your own strength, but let Me take over. Let Me bring you from here. Let Me carry you through from here. For I am the Lord who cares for you. Do not allow yourself to hang on to the past, but let it go to Me. For I am beginning to do a new thing in your life. I will show you the necessary directions and instructions that you need. I will make the path straight for you. Humble yourself therefore, and live a life of submission and surrender."

Psalm 146:8 (NKJV) says, 'The Lord raises those who are bowed down.' 

The words 'bowed down' here is 'kaphaph' in Hebrew. In the context of this verse, it can mean 'to stoop (lower down) humbly in emptiness (before God)'. In other words, emptying ourselves from pride, emptying ourselves from wrongful thought, and emptying ourselves from thinking that we know better. And for those who 'kaphaph', the Lord raises them! 

Proverbs 22:4 (NKJV) says, 'By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.' 

The word 'humility' here is 'anavah' in Hebrew. In the context of this verse, it can mean 'lowering oneself in meekness (before God)'. Here, lowering oneself isn't just an outward show for people to see. Instead, more importantly, it is first and foremost done inside of you or in your heart. So, it is not so much about bowing down or lowering down one's head, but rather, bowing down or lowering down one's heart before the Lord. 

James 4:6-7 (NKJV) says, 'But He gives more grace. Therefore He says, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Therefore, submit to God...' 

The word 'submit' here is 'hupotasso' in Greek. In the context of our study today, it can mean 'to subordinate oneself (to God), to be obedient (to God), to be subjected (to God)'. 

Don't get God wrong. He is not like a taskmaster. He doesn't look at us like a slave being bound. But when we allow ourselves to be subordinated to Him, to be obedient to Him, or to be subjected to Him, many evil or danger can be prevented. Why? Because He sees farther than us. He knows what are our pitfalls. He knows what are the 'landmines' or 'traps' ahead of us. So, when we humble ourselves before Him, we are effectively allowing ourselves to be led and guided by the Holy Spirit. 

The devil will always want to try to influence us, whether through humans or through thoughts, or even through human ideologies or human philosophies. And that's how people get influenced and swayed away. But when you are subjected to God, you will not be subjected to any of these influences. You will not be deceived. You will not be so easily taken advantage of by the devil. You see, the devil can use humans to do that. You will not be lured by how the devil thinks or how the devil wants you to think. 

That's why the Scripture says, 'Resist the devil, and the devil will flee from you.' (James 4:7) That's why the Lord is calling us to live a life of submission to Him. It is not to enslave us. It is to make the way straight for our future. 

1 Peter 5:5-7 (NKJV) says, '"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.'

The word 'humble' here is 'tapeinoo' in Greek. It can mean 'to lower oneself', and in the context today, 'to lower oneself before God'. Again, you see 'to lower oneself before God' here, as we have explained earlier. It is a life of submission before God. It is a life of surrender before God. It is a life where you have the mindset of needing Him more than anything else or anyone else on earth. Now, that is the essence of what 'humility before God' is. It is about laying down your hearts before God, instead of being haughty and proud in your own eyes or in your own ways. 

And that's why Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) says, 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.' In other words, 'make smooth or make straight your paths'. 

You see, all the Bible verses that we've read today tie up together. And that's what the Lord wants to tell us in this message today. 

Proverbs 11:2 (NKJV) says, 'When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.'

How do we receive wisdom from God? By humbling ourselves before God. How do we see our paths smooth and straight ahead of us? By humbling ourselves before God.

In 1 Peter 5:5-7 just now, notice that Peter didn't stop at saying, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble", but he continued by saying, "Casting all your care to Him, because He cares for you". 

To take things into your own hands instead of casting all your care to the Lord is like saying, "I can do it myself. I don't need God." But one aspect of humbling ourselves before God is to 'cast all our care to the Lord'. 

In life, there will always be things that we cannot fully comprehend or understand as to why certain things happened. But beloved of God, whatever has happened in and around you, or no matter what has happened, the Lord wants to assure you today that He knows what He is doing in your life, and He sees the end from the beginning. Your part is to let it go to the Lord, and live a life of submission and surrender before Him. There will come a day you will begin to understand the many things that you cannot understand now. So, the Lord is calling you to be patient. Yet, the Lord is saying to you He is still in control. The jigsaw puzzle will eventually be solved, so to speak. But one thing for sure is the Lord always and will always have your best interests in His mind. Amen! 

Click here for the full message in TiC YouTube Channel

Vision from the Lord: A wall of fire!

As I was seeking the Lord for the second half of this year 2025, the Lord gave Isaiah 41:17-20 that says: 

'The poor and needy seek water, but there is none, their tongues fail for thirst. I, the Lord, will hear them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will open rivers in desolate heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree, the myrtle and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the cypress tree and the pine and the box tree together, that they may see and know, and consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it.' 

Notice these underlined statements: "I will open rivers", "I will plant in the wilderness", and "The hand of the Lord has done this". These are God's assurances of His help for you in the second half of this year. Receive by faith!

What does "I will open rivers" mean? 

Here you see God sent His miraculous supply of water to those who are thirsty or those who need it. Now, this is an assurance that the Lord your God has never and will never run out of supply or resources for you! 

What are the supplies that you need from God at this point of your life? Is it divine health? Is it divine wisdom? Is it divine revelation? Is it divine guidance (as to what He wants you to do ahead of you)? You name it! 

You see, He opens rivers where there is no river! In other words, He opens doors where there seems to be no door for you! So, take heart, beloved, and keep looking to the Lord! The Lord your God will see to it that you will not run dry! 

Not just that. He also plants trees in the wilderness! What does this mean? It means He makes any barren places or barren aspects of your life to be fruitful again! You see, He can turn the most barren of places and turn it into a fertile ground! Full of trees that bear fruits! The same it is for your life! He can do that for you! And you shall see that the hand of the Lord is doing this for you in the second half of this year! 

So beloved of God, whatever you have gone through in the first half of the year 2025, be it disappointment, or pain, or victory, or success, let God take it from here. Believe and receive that the second half of the year will be better (or much better) than the first half of the year. 

What's your part? Your part now is to re-dedicate yourself and every aspect of your life afresh and anew to the Lord!

In Isaiah 41:10-11, the Lord says, "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Behold, all those who were incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing..." 

And then, in Isaiah 41:13, the Lord says, "For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you'." 

The word 'help' here is 'azar' in Hebrew. It can mean  'to surround, to protect, to aid'. So, whatever you are going through at the moment or have gone through in the past months, fear not, because the Lord is here to 'azar' you. In other words, the Lord is here to surround you, to protect you, and to come to your aid! 

When you know that the Lord is the One who surrounds you, there's nothing, absolutely nothing, that the devil can do against you! You are assured of the Lord's roundabout protection and help!

This confirms a vision I saw the other day of 'a wall of fire' surrounding those whom I pray for. And that's when I also heard these words: "Roundabout protection". 

What does 'roundabout protection' mean? In our context, it simply means 'divine protection' over you in every aspect of your life, like 'a wall of fire' surrounding you, where no harm can touch you! 

In cross-reference to this 'roundabout protection', we shall see Psalm 34:7 (NKJV) that says, 'The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them'. It means 'delivers them from all the works of darkness, or danger, or trouble'. Notice the words 'encamps all around' here. 

Let's look at New Living Translation now. Psalm 34:7 (NLT) puts it this way, 'The angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear Him'. You see the word 'surrounds' here? 

The word 'surround' here is interesting. It is 'chanah' in Hebrew. It can mean any of these: 'to incline to (you), to abide and dwell (with you), to give you rest (from all the troubles), to pitch a tent (over you), to camp (with you)'. 

You can see it this way. Imagine you are now in an army camp or a military camp, and no outsider or intruder can get near you. Why? There are guards to guard the camp. What do these guards do? They are responsible for the security of the camp that you are in. They also prevent unauthorized access or intruders into the camp. These guards act as a first line defense to protect you who are inside the camp. And that's what 'chanah' means! 

Another cross-reference to this 'roundabout protection', which is like 'a wall of fire' over you, can be found in Zechariah 2:5. Here, the Lord says: "For I will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst." 

Even though this verse specifically refers to Jerusalem, this can also apply to you in your context as God's beloved. 

So, as you enter the second half of the year 2025, watch these key words: "I will open rivers for you", "I will plant trees in the wilderness for you", "My hand is with you", and "My roundabout protection is with you". Receive all this by faith. In Jesus' name. Amen!

Click here to watch the video in TiC YouTube Channel