1 Corinthians 2:5-6 (NKJV): ... that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
The word 'age' here is 'aion' in Greek, which can mean 'world'. Here, the apostle Paul was saying that God's people's faith should not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power (or ability) of God. And as they hear from God, they shall also speak forth the wisdom that is of Him, and not of this world.
This is a crucial time for God's people to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. In fact, there are many secrets that He wants to reveal to His people these days. Recently, I heard these words from the Lord, "Continue to stir up your spirit man. Don't let your spirit to slumber. Keep your spirit alert for the glory days ahead!"
Let's now continue with 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 (NKJV). It says, 'But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages (world) for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age (world) knew...
The word 'mystery' here simply means 'that has been hidden from the world'. In other words, the apostle Paul was saying that God's people today can have access to the wisdom of God 'that has been hidden from this world'. Not only that, this wisdom has in fact been ordained (i.e. preconceived, planned beforehand) by God for your glory (i.e. for your benefit) even before the world began! Praise the Lord!
1 Corinthians 2:9-10 then 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 (i.e. the wisdom from God) to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God'.
The word 'revealed' here is 'apokalupto' in Greek, which means 'to take off the cover, unveil, disclose'.
"So, how does He reveal His secrets to you?" Through His Spirit! Now, that leaves us with the next question: "In what way does He reveal His secrets through His Spirit?" The answer can be found in 1 Corinthians 2 :12 and 1 Corinthians 2:13.
1 Corinthians 2:12 (NKJV) says, 'Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things (i.e. the secrets, wisdom of God) that have been freely given to us by God. I like the New American Standard Bible (NASB) version of 1 Corinthians 2:13. It says, '... which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words'.
In other words, one way God can speak to you is by placing intelligible (i.e. that can readily be understood) thoughts and words in your spirit. These are thoughts and words deeply imparted by the Holy Spirit into your spirit, and are not the product of your own mind or logics. Some Bible teachers call this as 'the voice of the Holy Spirit', i.e. the voice of the Holy Spirit spoken into your spirit.
Note: You can be familiar with His voice (and learn to recognize His voice) by soaking in Him and spending time with Him often (in worship, in the Word of God, and by praying in the spirit).
Here are two examples in the Bible when God's people heard the voice of the Holy Spirit:
1. Peter (see Acts 10:19-20, Acts 11:12).
2. The group of prophets and teachers in the church that was at Antioch (see Acts 13:1-3).
General characteristics of the voice of the Holy Spirit:
1. It comes as a spontaneous impartation, not premeditated by the hearer (see Matthew 10:19-20).
2. It comes with specific commands (see Acts 13:2).
3. It is distinctly divine, and the hearer knows it comes at the right timing when he/she needed it (see Acts 10:19-20).
4. It is effective in bringing things to pass, and it always accomplishes the will of God. It also prospers the hearer and bears good fruits to the hearer (see Isaiah 55:8-11).
Keys to hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit:
1. Leave your worries to the Lord and let Him take over (see Matthew 10:19-20). Here, Jesus says, "Do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak."
2. No need to premeditate (see Luke 21:14-15). Here, Jesus says, "Therefore settle it in your hearts not to premeditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist."
This day, my prayer is that the Lord will sensitize your spirit man as you listen to His voice. Allow Him, and may you prosper and bear much fruit in Him. Amen.
Point to note: Apart from the voice of the Holy Spirit, God can also communicate with you in many other ways, namely through your inner witness, promptings in your spirit, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, dreams, and visions.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Thursday, April 11, 2013
In a time of uncertainty, God is still your certainty!
Genesis 41:55 (NKJV): So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Then Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do."
The name 'Joseph' is 'Yowceph' in Hebrew, which literally means 'let him add'. This name actually speaks of Jesus Himself, who wants to 'add many good things to you'. In those days, when there was widespread famine and uncertainty (in providence), the king instructed the people to 'go to Joseph', because he knew Joseph had the 'answer' to their 'woes'. In fact, what happened then was in effect a prophetic 'picture' of what is happening today in this end-time.
Recently, I heard these words during prayer: "In a time of uncertainty, God is still your certainty." Later on, I heard further: "In a time of uncertainty, God is your only certainty!"
First, let me define the word 'certainty' here. It means 'the fact, quality, or state of being certain' or 'something that is clearly assured and established'. Like during the famine when people went to Joseph (a 'picture' of Jesus) those days, God also wants you to know today that He is still faithful to provide for you, and is still good to you (His beloved), no matter what happens in this world.
Let's go to the Word now. Genesis 41:56-57 says, 'The famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened the storehouses (i.e. supplies) and sold to the Egyptians (a 'picture' of the people living in the world). And the famine became severe in the land of Egypt (a 'picture' of this world). So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands'.
Now, notice the word 'all' in the two verses here. There was indeed a phenomenon of global 'uncertainty' (that involved all nations) then, as is happening now in this end-time. People were looking for 'answers' everywhere. And kings, governments, and economists those days were also looking for 'answers' too! That was when all of them found out that only Joseph had the 'answers' to all their uncertainties!
As you can see, what happened in Joseph's time was a 'shadow' of what is happening right before our eyes today. And if 'Joseph' is a 'picture' of Jesus, then the 'storehouses' that he opened is a 'picture' of 'heaven', or 'heavenly storehouse', i.e. 'the supply and providence that comes from heaven'. How about the 'grain' in Genesis 41:57? 'Grains' are generally used to make 'bread', the staple food then (and even now, in most parts of the world). This speaks of 'providence' from Jesus, who is the 'bread of life' to those who come to Him.
Note: This 'supply' can also come in the form of heavenly wisdom and knowledge, or even divine health and healing.
As a matter of fact, we are now living in a time when many have realized that 'in this world nowadays, nothing is totally secure'. It seems anything can happen in this tumultuous, disorderly, and confused world nowadays, amidst a widespread uncertainty and lack all over the world. That's how 'out of control' people are these days! Many governments in the world today are also in dire need for money and cash flow, and you may also have heard people asking questions like, "Can you ever find security in anything on earth nowadays? In the bank? In institutions or organizations? In some of those man-made structures? In the property market? In the stock market? In the money market? Well, nothing is certain anymore these days!"
Note: Please don't get me wrong. I'm not saying you should not invest in properties or in other legitimate forms of investment, or save your money in the bank. By all means, go ahead as you are led by the Lord. But I'm just saying you don't put your security on all these things. You instead put your security in God.
And just as in the days of Joseph then, the only One who is certain and still in control today is Him, and Him alone.
This is the time to look to Him and find your security in Him and Him alone, not in men, institutions, organizations, or any other man-made structures. Believe that those who call on Him shall not just be saved, but also healed and delivered (from any problem they are entangled with). God can open new ways for you. You see, many of us have been singing and proclaiming "Jesus is alive! Jesus is alive!" often during praise and worship on Sundays, but many times we live as if He is dead! The truth is He is still very much alive today, just as He was in Joseph's days.
Let me give you the proof that 'Joseph opening the storehouses' those days is a 'shadow' of 'Jesus opening the heavenly supply' to those who call on Him today. Genesis 41:48-49 says, 'So he (Joseph) gathered up all the food of the seven years (of abundance) which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities; he laid up in every city the food of the fields which surrounded them. Joseph gathered very much grain, as the sand of the sea, until he stopped counting, for it was immeasurable'.
You know what this verse means to you as a believer in the New Covenant today? It speaks of heaven's supply for you! And this supply is unmistakably infinite and immeasurable! Not just when you are in heaven one day, but even while you are still on earth today! The Bible says you are in the world, but you are not of the world (John 17:16). It means the Lord can still provide for you even if there's a widespread famine, lack, or uncertainty on the earth today! In other words, no matter what happens in the world, you are still blessed! Simply because you are living in a higher 'economy', the heavenly economy. As a believer, know that you too have access to this higher 'economy' that fails not, every time you look to Him and call on Him!
Let me continue a little further. Genesis 41:50-52 then says, 'And to Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine (uncertainty) came... Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: "For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house." And the name of the second he called Ephraim: "For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction."
The name 'Manasseh' (or 'Menashsheh' in Hebrew) means 'causing to forget', while the name 'Ephraim' (or 'Ephrayim' in Hebrew) means 'fruitfulness'. It means when you have Him (represented by 'Joseph' here), you'll also be set free from your past toils and burdens. Not only that, you'll also be walking in heavenly fruitfulness. Praise God! These are certainly going to happen as you continue to look to Jesus and behold all that He has done for you on the cross!
So, people of God, keep hearing the message of the cross today, and keep receiving all the goodness of God that flow from the supply of His hands. In Jesus' name. Amen!
The name 'Joseph' is 'Yowceph' in Hebrew, which literally means 'let him add'. This name actually speaks of Jesus Himself, who wants to 'add many good things to you'. In those days, when there was widespread famine and uncertainty (in providence), the king instructed the people to 'go to Joseph', because he knew Joseph had the 'answer' to their 'woes'. In fact, what happened then was in effect a prophetic 'picture' of what is happening today in this end-time.
Recently, I heard these words during prayer: "In a time of uncertainty, God is still your certainty." Later on, I heard further: "In a time of uncertainty, God is your only certainty!"
First, let me define the word 'certainty' here. It means 'the fact, quality, or state of being certain' or 'something that is clearly assured and established'. Like during the famine when people went to Joseph (a 'picture' of Jesus) those days, God also wants you to know today that He is still faithful to provide for you, and is still good to you (His beloved), no matter what happens in this world.
Let's go to the Word now. Genesis 41:56-57 says, 'The famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened the storehouses (i.e. supplies) and sold to the Egyptians (a 'picture' of the people living in the world). And the famine became severe in the land of Egypt (a 'picture' of this world). So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands'.
Now, notice the word 'all' in the two verses here. There was indeed a phenomenon of global 'uncertainty' (that involved all nations) then, as is happening now in this end-time. People were looking for 'answers' everywhere. And kings, governments, and economists those days were also looking for 'answers' too! That was when all of them found out that only Joseph had the 'answers' to all their uncertainties!
As you can see, what happened in Joseph's time was a 'shadow' of what is happening right before our eyes today. And if 'Joseph' is a 'picture' of Jesus, then the 'storehouses' that he opened is a 'picture' of 'heaven', or 'heavenly storehouse', i.e. 'the supply and providence that comes from heaven'. How about the 'grain' in Genesis 41:57? 'Grains' are generally used to make 'bread', the staple food then (and even now, in most parts of the world). This speaks of 'providence' from Jesus, who is the 'bread of life' to those who come to Him.
Note: This 'supply' can also come in the form of heavenly wisdom and knowledge, or even divine health and healing.
As a matter of fact, we are now living in a time when many have realized that 'in this world nowadays, nothing is totally secure'. It seems anything can happen in this tumultuous, disorderly, and confused world nowadays, amidst a widespread uncertainty and lack all over the world. That's how 'out of control' people are these days! Many governments in the world today are also in dire need for money and cash flow, and you may also have heard people asking questions like, "Can you ever find security in anything on earth nowadays? In the bank? In institutions or organizations? In some of those man-made structures? In the property market? In the stock market? In the money market? Well, nothing is certain anymore these days!"
Note: Please don't get me wrong. I'm not saying you should not invest in properties or in other legitimate forms of investment, or save your money in the bank. By all means, go ahead as you are led by the Lord. But I'm just saying you don't put your security on all these things. You instead put your security in God.
And just as in the days of Joseph then, the only One who is certain and still in control today is Him, and Him alone.
This is the time to look to Him and find your security in Him and Him alone, not in men, institutions, organizations, or any other man-made structures. Believe that those who call on Him shall not just be saved, but also healed and delivered (from any problem they are entangled with). God can open new ways for you. You see, many of us have been singing and proclaiming "Jesus is alive! Jesus is alive!" often during praise and worship on Sundays, but many times we live as if He is dead! The truth is He is still very much alive today, just as He was in Joseph's days.
Let me give you the proof that 'Joseph opening the storehouses' those days is a 'shadow' of 'Jesus opening the heavenly supply' to those who call on Him today. Genesis 41:48-49 says, 'So he (Joseph) gathered up all the food of the seven years (of abundance) which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities; he laid up in every city the food of the fields which surrounded them. Joseph gathered very much grain, as the sand of the sea, until he stopped counting, for it was immeasurable'.
You know what this verse means to you as a believer in the New Covenant today? It speaks of heaven's supply for you! And this supply is unmistakably infinite and immeasurable! Not just when you are in heaven one day, but even while you are still on earth today! The Bible says you are in the world, but you are not of the world (John 17:16). It means the Lord can still provide for you even if there's a widespread famine, lack, or uncertainty on the earth today! In other words, no matter what happens in the world, you are still blessed! Simply because you are living in a higher 'economy', the heavenly economy. As a believer, know that you too have access to this higher 'economy' that fails not, every time you look to Him and call on Him!
Let me continue a little further. Genesis 41:50-52 then says, 'And to Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine (uncertainty) came... Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: "For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house." And the name of the second he called Ephraim: "For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction."
The name 'Manasseh' (or 'Menashsheh' in Hebrew) means 'causing to forget', while the name 'Ephraim' (or 'Ephrayim' in Hebrew) means 'fruitfulness'. It means when you have Him (represented by 'Joseph' here), you'll also be set free from your past toils and burdens. Not only that, you'll also be walking in heavenly fruitfulness. Praise God! These are certainly going to happen as you continue to look to Jesus and behold all that He has done for you on the cross!
So, people of God, keep hearing the message of the cross today, and keep receiving all the goodness of God that flow from the supply of His hands. In Jesus' name. Amen!
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