No 'plague' shall be on you to destroy you!

Exodus 12:13 (NKJV) says, "...when I (the Lord) see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you..."

This blood is a 'picture' of Jesus' blood shed for you on the cross, and the word 'plague' here in Hebrew is 'negeph', which means 'infliction (of disease), hurt, strike, hit, beat, put to worse.'

It seems there's really no safe place on earth anymore nowadays (even in some of the safest of nations to live in), and with the increase in natural disasters, uncertain weather conditions, political turmoils, economic woes, terrorism, new viruses, etc, the only safe place is to come under the covering of the blood of Jesus.

The blood of Jesus not only saves, but protects you.

When the Lord spoke to Moses to take a census of the children of Israel, He told him that 'every man shall give a ransom for himself to the Lord', so that there may be no plague among them. See Exodus 30:11-16. The word 'ransom' here in Hebrew is 'kopher', which means 'cover, redemption price, atonement, reconciliation'. The Israelites still celebrate Yom Kippur (means 'Day of At-one-ment') even till today, and this word 'kippur' comes from the same word 'kopher' here. It is 'the money or price paid for the redemption of a prisoner/slave' (for their release from bondage/captivity).

The Bible says Jesus came to give His life a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45).

In Moses' days, it was also an obligation for everyone (20 years old and upwards) to give half a shekel as offering to the Lord. Whether rich or poor, they were to give the same amount, no more and no less, i.e. a fixed sum (see Exodus 30:14-15). This offering was binding on all those who were numbered (i.e. counted as part of God's people). You only 'count' what you 'own'. For example, when you own a business, only then will you have the right to do the counting of your business' assets (or tell your accountant to do the counting for you). Likewise, today, as a believer in the New Covenant, you too are 'counted' as His own, His redeemed people, righteously forgiven, i.e. not only you are forgiven, you are also made righteous through Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:21).

This half a shekel, the fixed sum, actually speaks of Jesus' blood. Whatever your background or past, He paid the same price for you on the cross. And He paid it in full, with His own life. Money (i.e. the ransom money) here speaks of 'buying and selling'. For God demonstrated His love for you, that while you were still sinners, He died for you (Romans 5:8). He paid it with a price, His own life. That's how precious you are to Him, and that's how much He loves you. He gave up all in order to 'buy' you back! Yes, with His blood! The Bible says you have been 'purchased' with His blood! (Acts 20:28)

In 2 Samuel 24, David's own mistake (of calling for a census for his nation) led to the death of 70,000 of his men (see 2 Samuel 24:14-15). This was an example of a 'plague' that came by one's own doing, and David was very sorry for his people, and a shepherd's heart David was, he did sincerely try to mediate for his people (2 Samuel 24:17). One would wonder why David in such a matured and advanced age by then (and having seen so many battles won by the Lord) still made a mistake that affected so many lives. Well, just as David, we are all human, and who has never made a mistake before? But God in all His mercy saw his heart, and that's when He spoke to him through the seer, Gad, to 'erect an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah'.

What is a 'threshing floor'? That is where the 'beating of sheaves (with the rod)' takes place. This speaks of Jesus as well. Some 2,000 years ago, He was 'beaten' at the Mount of Calvary for you and me, and He paid it all in full, so that the 'beatings' on you would stop (and in this case, for David and the nation of Israel). Jesus also became the 'burnt offering' and the 'peace offering' (see 2 Samuel 24:25), so that all the anger of the Lord against sin was fully satisfied through Him (Jesus). And by the way, 'Araunah' in Hebrew means 'strength'. The Bible says Jesus is your strength and shield (Psalm 28:7). In times of plague ('beatings'), David came to Araunah. Today, Jesus is also inviting you to come to Him as well, no matter what happened, because He is your strength and song, and in Him (Yeshua) you'll trust and not be afraid (Isaiah 12:2).

And just as in David's situation, the 'beating' stops when you begin to look to Jesus, your burnt offering and your peace offering. The Bible says He will not leave His righteous forsaken (or deserted). He calls you His own, He has paid the price in full for you on the cross, and He has given His life a ransom for you. So, take heart, and because He calls you His beloved, He will also surely recover you. Amen!

You & I are the 'church'!

Matthew 16:18 says, "And I (Jesus) also say to you that you are Peter (petros), and on this rock (petra), I will build My church, and the gates of hades (hell) shall not prevail against it."

In Greek, the word 'petros' here speaks of 'a piece of rock', whereas the word 'petra' speaks of 'the mass of rock' (like the one at the core of the earth). This 'mass of rock' is the 'chief cornerstone' (i.e. the uttermost of all rocks), i.e. Jesus Christ Himself. So, when Jesus said this to Peter, He meant "on this confession and revelation that Jesus Christ is the Lord (see also Matthew 16:13-17), He will build His church." And you know what? This is the first time the word 'church' is mentioned in the Bible!

So, what exactly is a 'church'?

The words 'church' or 'churches' are mentioned about 115 times in the King James Version, and interestingly, all these 115 times point towards 'church' being a 'people', not a building (or an area or land). And as a matter of fact, not even once does the Bible speak of 'church' as a 'building'! Check the Bible for yourself.

In Greek, the word 'church' is 'ekklesia'. The word 'ek' means 'of/from'. The word 'klesia' comes from the word 'kaleo', which means 'a call'. So, 'ekklesia' simply means 'a gathering of the called ones (i.e. God's people)'. 1 Peter 2:9-10 says as believers, you are 'a people', called out from the darkness into God's marvelous light.

So, as believers, and as a 'people of God', you and I are the 'church'!

1 Peter 2:5 says you (believers) are 'living stones' (not 'dead stones'). It also says you (believers) are being built up a 'spiritual house' (not stone buildings). And the person who wrote this is none other than Peter himself (whom the Lord has first introduced the word 'church' in Matthew 16:18).

I've also checked and read all 115 mentions of the words 'church' or 'churches' in the Bible, and I found out nowhere in these 115 times did anyone (whether Paul, Luke, John, or of course, Peter) speak of church as a 'building'. Everyone pointed to 'church' as 'a people'!

These are some examples:

The book of Acts written by Luke (a physician who's very specific in his usage of words in all his writings):

(a) Acts 8:1 - great persecution arose against the church (i.e. people), and they (the people) were scattered.

(b) Acts 11:26 - Barnabas & Paul assembled with the church (i.e. people), not in the church (building).

(c) Acts 16:5 - church (i.e. people) being strengthened in faith. A 'building' cannot be strengthened in faith!

(d) Acts 20:28 - church (i.e. people) purchased with Jesus' blood. A 'building' cannot be purchased this way!

The 'church' is Christ's body (i.e. the body of Christ). Christ is the head of the 'body' (i.e. people), and the 'body' is filled with the fullness of Him who fills all in all. See Ephesians 1:22-23.

The 'church' is built on the spiritual foundation of apostles and prophets (not a natural building built on the foundation of physical, earthly stones). See Ephesians 2:20-22.

Paul also illustrated the relationship between 'Christ' and the 'church' (i.e. God's people) with that of a husband and wife. See Ephesians 5:23-32.

In Matthew 18:20, Jesus also said, "where two (the smallest plurality) or three are gathered in My name, I AM there in the midst of them!" Yes, anywhere, and everywhere in the world, He IS there! A gathering of the 'called ones'! This, my friend, is also an 'ekklesia'! 

And I believe that's why Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 that 'the gates of hell cannot prevail against His church'. Because 'church' is never meant to be a 'building'. 'Church' is 'a people'. The 'enemy' may be able to destroy or burn a 'building', but they can never destroy the 'church'. Because the 'church' is a 'people of God' gathered in His name.

So, when Saul persecuted the 'church' (see Acts 8:1), they (i.e. the 'church') were scattered everywhere, and you know what? The 'church' grew all the more (see Acts 8:4), wherever the people were scattered! And the best thing was the persecutor (Saul) himself was later touched and changed by the Lord to be a preacher of Christ! Hallelujah!

Jesus IS your 'door'!

John 10:7 (NKJV): ..."I (Jesus) am the door of the sheep."

The I AM WHO I AM is the door of the sheep! You see, the Bible never says He is 'like a door'. The Bible says He IS the door!

The word 'door' here is 'thura' in Greek, which means 'opening, entrance way, gate, portal'. If you look at Exodus 12:23, the lamb's (a 'picture' of Jesus) blood was sprinkled on the door during the first Passover, covering and protecting God's people from harm. Today, this 'door' of yours is also a 'blood-sprinkled door'! Remember, He IS the door, and He paid it with His life! His blood was shed for you on the cross!

Jesus is not just your Shepherd (John 10:11, Psalm 23), but He is also your 'door'! In Jesus' days, there were actually no physical 'doors' at the entrance to the sheepfold. So, a shepherd would normally BE the 'door' instead, holding his shepherd's stick at the 'entrance', guarding and protecting the sheep from whatever harm or predators. So, as His beloved 'sheep' today, you can now freely enjoy all the goodness of His 'green pastures', knowing that your Good Shepherd IS always 'the' door!

Whatever 'door' you've been trusting God for, whether in finding life-partner, in ministry, in preaching the gospel, in business, in career, in job-openings, even in investments, look to Jesus, your 'door'! In fact, He is the 'open door'! When Jesus died for you at the cross, His arms were stretched out and opened. Yes, He is more than willing to open His arms for you today! HE IS the 'OPEN DOOR'! And He has already overcome the power of darkness (that steals, kills, & destroys) for you at the cross! And the best thing is 'the door He has opened, no man can shut' (Revelation 3:8). Paul himself in 2 Corinthians 2:12 acknowledged that the 'door' he walked through was 'opened by the Lord'.

You may ask, "Pastor, I've been waiting for my 'door'! How much longer should I wait?"

If your 'open door' hasn't come yet, or being delayed, don't lose heart. Keep looking to Jesus your 'door', even in the most impossible of situations. He will neither leave you forsaken nor forgotten. This is His promise and assurance for you (Hebrews 13:5). Acts 16:26 is an example. Paul and Silas were facing a 'dead-end' road at that time. Destiny seemed to be shut on them. They ended up in a prison instead of their 'destiny'. Read Acts 16:16-40 for the whole story. But God did somehow open a way. Suddenly, there was an earthquake, and the prison 'doors' were opened, miraculously! By the way, this word 'door' in Acts 16:26 is the same word 'thura' as in John 10:7 and Revelation 3:8.

Instead of looking to man, organization, or institution, look to Jesus, your true 'door'. He will put you in the 'rightful place', and even if you thought you have reached a 'dead-end' road, He will still open a new way for you!

Now, the 'door' from Him may not be what you thought it should be. But God's ways are always higher than your ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). God's 'door' is always the best. He knows and has the real 'door' for you. And of course, His timing is also the best! What seems best to man may not be God's best for you. He doesn't see the way human sees. As a beloved of God, know that He has reserved the 'best' for you! He will even (pleasantly) surprise you in ways you've never thought of! I've experienced this myself time and again! Keep beholding Him!

In fact, you don't have to strive hard or struggle hard for your 'doors' (or try to 'prise' hard, or make things happen by your own human strength). When God opens a 'door', it's restful and easy. Because it's not you, but God who opens the 'door'. All you need is to 'walk through it'!

Continue to rest and trust in Him, your 'door'. Amen!

A 'discerning' heart

Ecclesiastes 8:5b (NKJV): "And a wise man's heart discerns both time and judgment."

The word 'discern' here is 'yada' in Hebrew, which means 'to separate/distinguish thoroughly'. Just as God gave Solomon a discerning heart (see 1 Kings 3:5-9), He wants you to have a discerning heart as well! This verse says you discern with your heart. Just as you serve God with your heart (Romans 1:9), you also hear God and discern with your heart! So, it's your heart that discerns, not your mind or emotions. And God can cause you to discern both time and judgment. 'Time' here means 'the timing and season for something', and 'judgment' here means 'a verdict, i.e. is it favorable or not favorable; what to do and what not to do; is this from the Lord or is this not from the Lord'.

In life, we are faced with so many 'choices' and 'options', e.g who to partner in business, who to associate with, which job to take, what investment decisions to make, which property to buy, and the list goes on. That's when a discerning heart comes in. Many Christians are wondering if a particular 'open-door' is from the Lord or not from the Lord. They may ask, "Will I end up being conned? Will I end up short-changed?" Many are in such real 'dilemma' of what to do and what not. What more we are living in a world where fraud cases are common, and 'conmen' are lurking everywhere! You definitely wouldn't want to fall into any pits or traps of the cheats! That's why a discerning heart is crucial in this end-time!

And the good news is the Holy Spirit is readily working in you and through you! Not only that, He is also working for you! Praise God for the Holy Spirit! He always leads you and guides you, never leaving you nor forsaking you! In fact, one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is 'discerning of spirits' (1 Corinthians 12:7-10). Allow the Holy Spirit (who is all-knowing) to impress upon you, prompt you, and even caution you. Be open to His promptings and leading always. Some may move in this gift of 'discerning of spirits' more frequently than others, but this doesn't change the fact that He can move in every believer! And as a believer, you are definitely in!

The word 'discerning' in 1 Corinthians 12:10 also means 'to separate/distinguish thoroughly', similar to the one in Ecclesiastes 8:5b. Notice also the word 'spirits', 's' in small letter. It means any 'spirit'. Holy Spirit helps you to discern, i.e. 'to separate/distinguish thoroughly' what is from the Holy Spirit, and what is not, i.e. from other 'spirits' (e.g. demonic spirit, fleshly spirit, etc). In fact, the Holy Spirit can even help you to discern a 'lying spirit'! (see Acts 5:3)

By the way, this gift of 'discerning of spirits' is not meant for you to judge or condemn others, but to profit others (1 Corinthians 12:7).

Hebrews 5:14 speaks of your spiritual senses being exercised (trained) to 'discern'. The word 'discern' here is the same ('diakrisis' in Greek) as the one in 1 Corinthians 12:10. You know what? The Holy Spirit is in the midst of training you. So, if in the past, you have discerned wrongly before or have made mistakes (even major ones) before, condemn yourself no more. Take heart. He will cause you to recover. He will cause you to rise again. Even the foremost prophets who are greatly used by the Lord have made mistakes before! This is part of His training for His people. But His promises remain. He will surely nurture you. He will surely raise you up. He will surely train you. Your part is to allow Him!

Recently, I heard these words while praying and singing in the spirit during a prayer gathering:

"For I, the Lord, am in the midst of nurturing, raising, and training My people to be My 'spiritual sharpshooters' in this end-time!"

Hallelujah! Receive these words for your new season. Now thanks be to God who always leads you in triumph in Christ, and through you diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place (2 Corinthians 2:14). Amen!

A 'hearing' heart

1 Samuel 3:10 (NKJV): Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel answered, "Speak, for Your servant hears (shema)."

The word 'hear' in this verse is 'shema' in Hebrew, which means 'to hear attentively, to hear carefully, to hear in view of obeying'. 'Hearing in view of obeying' means 'hearing in view of acting on it'. James 1:22 says, 'be not just hearers, but doers', i.e. 'acting on the words you've heard in the Spirit'. Jesus in his own town Nazareth (where He grew up) couldn't perform many great miracles because the people did not 'shema' Him (see Luke 4:28-29). They saw Jesus as merely a man in the neighborhood. "Hey, isn't he the one we used to play with at the playground those days?" But, in other towns, e.g Capernaum, Jesus could perform many great miracles because the people 'shema' Him (see Luke 4:36-37). They saw Jesus as who He was! See the big difference?

A hearing heart (a 'shema' heart) is the key to your victory in this end-time. Word and Spirit. Spirit and Word. They go together, hand-in-hand, as you 'shema'. And just as God has trained Samuel to 'shema', allow Him to train you also. In 1 Samuel 3, you'd see Samuel was still learning to 'hear in the Spirit' (with his spirit). It was then that he learned to differentiate between the voice of man (Eli) and the voice of God. And from thereon, he continued to grow from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord (see 2 Corinthians 3:18), even in the area of 'hearing with his spirit'! Praise God! 'Grow' he did! And by 1 Samuel 16, the day arrived when his 'hearing' was about to either make or break a nation! The Lord saw him as a ready 'vessel'! He was called by the Lord to 'shema' who was to be made the next king, among the sons of Jesse! And because Samuel had learned to 'shema', he heard correctly and accurately when it mattered most. That's how David was anointed, and later, Israel became so blessed because of this king! You see? A 'hearing heart' leads to many blessings for Israel!

Say (from your heart) as Samuel had said, "Speak, for Your son/daughter hears (shema)". This will lead to many blessings, victories, and breakthroughs in your 'Israel' (i.e. your 'ground', your business, your ministry, your family, your career, your investments, etc). In 'seeing the way God sees', Samuel chose the right king (Note: God told Samuel 'not to look at outward appearance, but look at the heart'). People of God, this is crucial in this end-time.

By the way, every believer can and should hear ('shema') from the Lord, not just certain anointed prophets, apostles, pastors, etc. This is the New Covenant. In the Old, only selected and anointed people can, but in the New, everyone (who's purchased by the blood of Jesus) can. Jesus has already done it for you on the cross! He has opened the way for you! The 'veil' has been torn! The Bible says as a believer, you are now called 'royal priesthood' (1 Peter 2:9). You know what? He has made you king and priest! Royal priesthood! (Revelation1:5-6) So, you don't have to be like a high priest in the Old Covenant who enters the Holy of Holies once a year to 'hear', or specially anointed prophet like Samuel to 'hear'!

As Paul said in Romans 1:9, 'he serves God with his spirit'. As you serve Him with your spirit, it's also essential to hear ('shema') Him with your spirit. Accurate 'hearing' leads to accurate 'serving', whatever vocation God has called you for! 'The Holy Spirit bearing witness in your spirit' is the foundation to every other forms of hearing with your spirit, e.g. in dreams, visions, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, discerning of spirits, etc.

By the way, hearing with accuracy is not for you to 'pull down' your brothers and sisters in Christ (for they are God's beloved), but to edify (build up) one another. It's also for you to 'triumph in Christ', pulling down the work of darkness, and walking in victory everyday, and in every area of your life!

Beloved of God, be open to hear ('shema'). Quiet yourself down. There's sometimes just too much 'noise' around (e.g. tv, people talking everywhere, etc). It's time to have a 'hearing heart' like Samuel, for He will surely speak to you. Receive in Jesus' name. Amen!