Choose for yourselves this day!

Joshua 24:15 (NKJV): ... choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River (Euphrates), or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

The word 'serve' here is pronounced as 'awbad' in Hebrew, which means 'to follow, to execute, or to work on somebody's plan (in this case, God's plan, blueprint, destiny, or desires for you)'. 

What is a 'blueprint' then? One of its definition is 'a detailed plan of action'. Each of us is given a specific 'blueprint' in life (including our vocation or ministry) to follow. However, many never reach where they should be (i.e. God's destiny for their lives), because they quit following (or believing) God's blueprint for their lives. One common reason is impatience. Another reason is thinking they know better. In short, they want it quick fix, and they want it their way!

People of God, this is a time to align your own desires (or even expectation) with His desires for your life. When these two are aligned, it will result in many breakthroughs, and a life that bears much fruit (see John 15:4-5).

Let's look at the life of Joshua in the Bible now. He was definitely one of those great people in the Bible who had seen many breakthroughs, and a life that bore much fruit! So, what was the key to Joshua's success in fulfilling God's destiny in his life (i.e. leading his people to possess the land promised to them)? 

The answer is He kept following God's instruction till the end! He kept believing God's blueprint every step of the way! Of course, he did not quit believing and reaffirming all that God had spoken to him. Neither did He grow weary of following all that God had instructed him! Proverbs 13:13 (NIV) says, ‘He who scorns instruction (i.e. God’s blueprints) will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded’.

You see, he could really have chosen his own way (or even the worldly way) of conquest, but he did not. After the initial victories in Jericho and Ai, notice that he chose to reaffirm God's instruction and covenant instead. Joshua 8:30-33 says, 'Now Joshua built an altar to the Lord God of Israel in Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the children of Israel... And they offered on it burnt offerings to the Lord, and sacrificed peace offerings. And there in the presence of the children of Israel, he wrote on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he had written. Then all Israel, with their elders and officers and judges, stood on either side of the ark before the priests, the Levites, who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, the stranger as well as he who was born among them. Half of them were in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal...'

Interestingly, the name of this place between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal is called Shechem. In Hebrew, this word 'Shechem' actually means 'to incline (oneself), to lean towards, to move towards a direction, or to choose'. See the word 'to choose' here? And it’s also here that Joshua and all of Israel chose to reaffirm all that God had spoken to them before they moved on into further conquests! 

People of God, this is also your time to re-visit and reaffirm all that God has promised and spoken to you so far. Like what Joshua did in Shechem, may you also choose to keep following and believing.

Let's go all the way now to the last chapter in the book of Joshua. Joshua 24:1 says, 'Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and called for the elders of Israel, for their heads, for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God'. 

After the end of all his successful conquests, and towards the end of his life, notice that Joshua did come back to this very same place Shechem. And here, just as he did in the earlier days of his conquests, he gathered the people to reaffirm God's instruction and covenant again! You see, he never gave up following and believing till the very end! No wonder he also ended well in his life!

In Joshua 24:14, he said to all the people, "Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve ('awbad') Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River (Euphrates) and in Egypt. Serve ('awbad') the Lord!

Note: 'The other side of the River' speaks of 'the Babylonian system (literally meaning 'confused system') of mammon', and 'Egypt' speaks of 'the bondage, or being limited in the worldly way'.

In Joshua 25:15, he then said, "...choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve ('awbad')... But as for me and my house, we will serve ('awbad') the Lord." To paraphrase it, "...choose for yourselves this day whose plan, blueprint, destiny, or desires you will follow, execute, or work on... But as for me and my house, we will follow, execute, or work on the Lord's plan, blueprint, destiny, and desires for our lives."

By the way, Joshua ('Yehowshuwa') in Hebrew means 'YHWH saved', a 'type' of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. In Luke 22:42, He said, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." He humbled Himself, chose to lay down His own will (and expectation) and allowed His Father's will and desire be done instead. As a result, He was also exalted above all names! (Philippians 2:7-11)

Just as Joshua chose to ‘awbad’ God’s blueprint and plan for Israel, which in turn released tremendous blessing to the whole of Israel, Jesus chose to ‘awbad’ His Father’s blueprint and plan by laying down His life, which in turn released salvation and tremendous blessing to the whole of mankind!

Beloved of God, in the New Covenant, His grace (i.e. supply, ability) has already been released and poured out for you when He died on the cross some 2,000 years ago. Therefore, choose also this day to receive all that He has given you (even His specific strategies and plans for your life), and like Joshua, you too will make your way prosperous and will have good success (Joshua 1:8). Amen!

'Crossing over' from blessing to blessing

Isaiah 43:1-2 (NKJV): But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are mine. When you pass through the waters (i.e. 'cross over' the waters), I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you."

The Bible says we are to be fruitful and multiply! (see Genesis 1:28, Genesis 9:1) However, to increase and multiply, there are times we'll also need to leave the 'old' and move into the 'new'. Isaiah 43:18-19 (from the same Isaiah chapter 43) says, "Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Just an illustration here. If a plant in a small flowerpot keeps growing and you let it remain in that same small flowerpot, it will eventually outgrow the flowerpot. And what happens if you choose not to transplant it (i.e. uproot and re-plant the growing plant) into a bigger flowerpot? This plant will eventually wither and die prematurely! The same it is with us. The Bible says we are to grow from glory to glory, grace to grace, faith to faith, and blessing to blessing! But the moment we choose not to 'transplant' ourselves (say, from one season to another, as and when He leads us to), or move from blessing to blessing (one level of blessing to another level of blessing), we will also eventually 'go down'!

Abraham in the Bible is an epitome of a man who kept 'crossing over' from blessing to blessing! And of course, he did not 'go down'. One characteristic all through his life was that he's a man who always 'crossed over' whatever 'barrier' (again and again) into a new level of blessing. 

Genesis 11:31 was the beginning of Abram's many 'journeys' in his faith walk. It says, 'And Terah (Abram's father) took his son Abram and his grandson Lot, the son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, his son Abram's wife, and they went out with them from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan; and they came to Haran and dwelt there'. 

The whole entourage journeyed along the River Euphrates, and in order to reach Haran, they had to 'cross over' the Euphrates. Interestingly, the word 'Hebrew' is pronounced 'abar' or 'eber' in the language, which actually means 'cross over'! In other words, 'Hebrew' means 'cross over'! And who was the first Hebrew in history? Abram! In fact, this act of Abram's 'crossing over' the River Euphrates (and then, further 'crossing overs' all through his life) eventually defined his name and identity! In short, by continually 'crossing over', he later became known as 'Abraham', meaning 'the father of multitudes', or 'the father of many nations'!

Therefore, through his covenant with the Lord, Abraham's descendants (and all those grafted in) would also be a 'crossing over' people! That's you and me too, the believers today!

People of God, what are the areas the Lord has been speaking to you to ‘cross over’? For some, it may be a new business venture, and for another, it may be a career change, a ministry re-direction, or even a location change. Whatever it may be, a new level of anointing, blessing, and prosperity is awaiting you as you 'cross over', just as happened to Abraham!

Recently, the Lord released these words in Isaiah 43:1-2 to me personally, and I believe this is also for those of you who have received 'greenlight' or 'confirmation' from the Lord to move on to the next level, but somehow, for one reason or another, there seem to be some hesitations. He says, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are mine. When you pass through the waters (i.e. 'cross over' the waters), I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow (overwhelm, drown) you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you."

When a 'barrier' is overcome, you'll then begin to see God’s promise (or promises) spoken to you coming to pass! Isaiah 43:1-2 says 'He will be with you' as you ‘cross over’ any 'barrier'. So, fear not! And that's how you move from blessing to blessing! As a matter of fact, 'movement' is normally required in order for one to ‘cross over’ into a new season, and your inheritance as Abraham's descendants is to keep on moving in God's timing, like he did.

Prosperity will eventually come as you align yourself with God's timing and season. In other words, 'as He moves, you move', 'as He stops, you stop', and 'when He says so, you say so', 'when He says no, you say no'. 

This is also a time to meet with Him in His 'tabernacle' (shelter, tent, booth, hut, or 'sukkah' in Hebrew) and encounter His glory (see Nehemiah 8:14-17) like never before. New anointing is going to be released as you 'tabernacle' with Him.

When my daughter, Sophia was in her pre-school, one of our favourite pastimes was to build a tent together at home, and we would then dwell inside that little tent together and play. She loved it, and we would pretend we're really camping in the woods. We would eat our favourite snacks and drink our favourite drinks together. She especially loved being in the warm embrace of her daddy and mommy, especially on a cold, rainy day. There's just something 'warming' when you are in a tent together. You feel protected. You feel the 'togetherness'. You feel the 'oneness'. You feel loved. And you feel you are not alone. This helped me to understand the warm embrace of our Father God. The 'daddy and mommy' here speaks of ‘our Father in heaven’ and the ‘child’ here speaks of ‘you and I, the children of God’. And today, your Father in heaven wants to and enjoys 'tabernacling' with you (His children) too!

Also, as you move on and 'cross over', remind yourself to remain in His joy always. Nehemiah 8:10 says, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Receive this joy of the Lord today! 

Notice this joy doesn't come from the world, but comes directly from heaven. This joy will in turn be your strength. Never allow the devil (or anyone else) to take away this joy from you, no matter what 'bad news' you hear (say, from the media), or no matter what people may say against you. The enemy will do anything to rob you of this joy, because he knows if you lose your joy, you’ll also lose your strength. And if you lose your strength, it's never going to be easy to carry on and walk into the fullness of God’s plan and destiny for your life in the new season. But fear not! Because the Lord has promised in Isaiah 43:1-2 that 'He is with you', and 'through the rivers, they shall not overflow (overwhelm, drown) you'. Continue to look to Him and abide in Him (John 15:4-5). Amen.

A time of realignment and walking into His plan again

Hebrews 12:1-2a (NKJV): Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith...

The word 'weight' here in Greek is 'ogkos', which means 'burden, hindrance', whereas the word 'sin' here is 'hamartia' in Greek, literally meaning 'missing the mark' or 'out of alignment'. The writer of Hebrews wrote that as we run this 'race of faith', we are also to 'lay aside' all these, even as we keep looking unto Jesus, the beginner and 'completor' (the One who completes) of our faith.

Why did the writer of Hebrews say so? Because these weights and sins, if not laid aside, easily 'ensnare' us. This word 'ensnare' in Greek can also mean 'beset, trouble, discourage, thwart, oppose'. In other words, any burden and sin in life, if not let go, eventually besets, troubles, discourages, thwarts, or even opposes whatever God has called you to be or planned (destined) for you to be.

Recently, these words were released during one of our prophetic worship and prayer gathering:
"As the lid that has been hindering you is being removed and pushed away, it will also remove your disappointments. This coming year is a year your hope will not be in vain. This coming year is a year your hope will not be disappointed."

Yes, even as the lid (which represents the 'hindrances' in your life) is being removed and pushed away, your disappointments and discouragements will also be removed! Hebrews 12:12-13 confirms it, 'Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet (i.e. in alignment again). So that what is lame may not be dislocated (i.e. turned out of the way, made worse), but rather be healed (made whole).
Note: 'The hands which hang down, and the feeble knees' here speaks of one's disappointment and discouragement.

Notice also the word 'alignment' is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as 'placing/arranging thing(s) into a straight line or in line, or coming into agreement with somebody'. So, you can also say that 'to be out of alignment' with God is 'to be not in line, or not agreeable' with God and His plan for you. And that's what sin ('hamartia') is defined as in Hebrews 12:1!

People of God, this is a time of realignment and walking into His plan again! Don't get me wrong. Not that we don't align at other times, but just that this is His appointed time. There's a time and season in everything. Let us flow in His time. This is a time to be 'at-one' with Him (i.e. in agreement with Him) again. Notice that's where the word 'atonement' comes from.

Isaiah 44:21-22 says, 'Remember these, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are My servant; I have formed you, you are My servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me! I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions. And like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you'.

It's when you return to Him that you can be realigned with Him again. But it does take humility on your part. Let's humble ourselves before the Lord this day, knowing that He is God and we are not, and He knows better than us. The Bible says, 'With humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life' (Proverbs 22:4). 1 Peter 5:5-7 says, '... and be clothed with humility, for "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 (and that includes weight, burden, hindrance, sin, anxiety, or worry) upon Him, for He cares for you'.

What are the 'weights' and sins that may have 'ensnared' you in recent times? For some of us, it may be pride, for others, it may be uncontrolled lust, and still for some others, it may be a certain addiction to something. Whatever these may be, know that He is here to help you, because He loves you and cares for you. Let go and let Him carry them all. Just do not let anyone condemn you further. In Christ, know that you are now already washed, cleansed, forgiven, and sanctified because of His blood shed for you on the cross (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). 

As you let go of these 'weights' and sins to Him, there'll also be new hope. Receive this new hope. This hope will not be in vain, and will not disappoint (Romans 5:5). 

Also, if you haven't got your breakthrough or victory yet (even after waiting for some time), take heart and don't give up yet, even if you felt you have tried and exhausted all means, and you thought it's now over, hopeless, and in vain. 

The truth is you have not exhausted all means yet! You know why? Because you still have the Holy Spirit in you and with you! The Holy Spirit can never be exhausted! He will never get worn out, and He will never be running out of ideas! He is All-knowing, All-consuming fire, All-wise, and All-powerful, and therefore He can also open a way (out) for you. Ask, and you will receive (Matthew 7:7-8). Recently, the Lord said: "This is the time to ask the Holy Spirit to teach and lead you to pray prayers that lead to your breakthrough!"

Yes, ask of the Holy Spirit to teach and lead you this day! Hebrews 12:25 then says, 'See that you do not refuse Him who speaks...’, because His ways are always higher than yours, just as the heavens are over the earth! (see Isaiah 55:8-9) And because He is also the Spirit of love (Romans 5:5), He will also never lead you into trouble! In fact, on the contrary, His love never fails to bring you out of your trouble! (1 Corinthians 13:8)

People of God, as you return to Him and realign with Him again on this Day of At-one-ment (Isaiah 44:21-22), may Isaiah 44:23 also be upon you this next whole year: 'Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it! Shout, you lower parts of the earth; Break forth into singing, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and glorified Himself in Israel'. Amen.

The power of agreement

Matthew 18:19-20 (NKJV): "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."

The word 'agree' here is 'sumphoneo' in Greek, which means 'to accord/concur, to agree together, to agree with, sounding together (alike), or in harmony'. In other words, 'to agree' here also means 'amen' (‘surely’, ‘so be it’).

People of God, it’s very important what you agree on earth (or who you agree with on earth), because whatever you agree, you will also have it (i.e. ‘so be it’). So, if you agree with the Word of God, you will have what the Word of God says. On the other hand, if you agree with what the world says, you too will have what it says! For instance, if you agree with somebody who says, “This year is going to be a bad year. I think we are going to suffer pay cut, or worse still, get retrenched!”, then both you and that somebody will also have it, i.e. what you’ve agreed!

“But what does God say about our times?”

Isaiah 60:1-3 (NKJV) says, “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.”

So, despite all those negative outlook and forecasts you read in the media, and ‘the darkness covering the earth, and deep darkness over the people’, the Word of God has something else to say, ‘but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you’! Now, if you agree and believe what He has just said, you too will have what He says! This, my friend, is the power of agreement!

In 2 Corinthians 1:19-20, Paul wrote, "For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us - by me (Paul), Silvanus, and Timothy - was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

See the words ‘through us’? Though all the promises of God in Him are Yes and in Him Amen, it does take you to believe and say “Amen!” to whatever He has to say! And that’s how God’s name can be glorified through you too!

“What does 'Amen' means here?”

It simply means 'surely, so be it (unto me)'. In Hebrew, this word 'amen' is 'aman', and interestingly, the first time this word ‘aman’ appears in the Bible is in Genesis 15:5-6, which speaks of Abraham’s faith! It says, ‘Then the Lord brought Abram (later known as Abraham) outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them. So shall your descendants be.” And Abram believed (‘aman’) in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness’.

In Hebrew, this word 'aman' simply means "I believe what You say" or "I believe the message". And very interesting also, the word 'faith' in Hebrew is pronounced 'emunah', which actually comes from the same word 'aman'! By the way, ‘emunah’ can mean ‘faith, trust, firmness, established, believing heart’.

Today, these words spoken to Abraham in Genesis 15:5-6 have already come to pass, simply because Abram believed (‘aman’) in the Lord those days! Now, here’s another example of the power of agreement! It takes two to tango, so to speak!

People of God, do you know that you are so blessed because you are now in the New Covenant? Do you know that those days in the Old Covenant, the people could hardly say “Amen!” to the blessings? Look at Deuteronomy 27:14-26 and see for yourself, and compare these with Deuteronomy 28:2-14. Do you notice the people in Moses’ days could only say “Amen!” to the curses, but not to the blessings? You know why? Because Jesus had not come and died on the cross yet (to carry away all the curse of the law)!

But in the New Covenant, Galatians 3:13-14 says, ‘Christ has (already) redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith’.

Today, the good news is through His obedience (see Philippians 2:8-11), He has also carried all those curses pronounced in Deuteronomy 27:14-26, so that you (who are in Christ) can now say “Amen!" or "So be it (unto me)!" to all the blessings in Deuteronomy 28:2-14! In other words, Jesus is the very reason you and I can say “Amen!” to the blessing of Abraham today!

By the way, do you also know that Jesus Himself is called the Amen? Revelation 3:14 says, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God…’ Here, the apostle John referred to Jesus as the Amen! 

So, every time you say “Amen!”, know that you are also declaring “Jesus!”, “Salvation!”, “Rescuer!”, “Healer!”, “Deliverer!”, “Provider!”, proclaiming that all the promises of God for you are indeed “Yes and Amen” to the glory of God! Praise God! So be it! Amen!

People of God, will you also say "Amen!" to all that Jesus (the Word of God) offers you today? Blessed are you if you do.

Let us not be like the people in Jesus' own hometown (Nazareth) who did not say "Amen!" to Him when He declared, "Today this Scripture (in Isaiah 61:1-2) is fulfilled in your hearing." (see Luke 4:21). Not only that, they even tried to kill Him by throwing Him down over the cliff! (see Luke 4:29) He therefore had no choice but to go elsewhere - to where people will say "Amen!" to Him who is the Word.

Nothing shall by any means hurt you!

Luke 10:19 (NKJV): "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

These were some of Jesus' words to the disciples as He sent them out into every city and place (Luke 10:1). The word 'authority' (or 'power' in King James Version) here is 'exousia' in Greek, which actually means 'the right, privilege, mastery, force, or ability'. In other words, Jesus has given you (the believers) the right over all the power of the enemy! Notice the word 'all' here, and not just 'some'. Praise God!

And as you take this 'right' He has given you, He also assures you that 'nothing shall by any means hurt you'! In Greek, the words 'hurt you' here can also mean 'be unjust (toward you), do wrong (against you), injure you, or harm you'.

Isaiah 54:17 confirms it by saying, 'No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn'. You know what this means? When the 'enemy' forms his 'weapons' against you, they can never prosper (or succeed) and they can never hurt you! Why? Simply because you have a 'big brother' with you. In other words, you are in Christ! So, it's not about who you are, but whose you are! You are His! You belong to Him, and that makes a whole lot of difference!

In Acts 28, Luke wrote an account of how the the serpent (a picture of 'the devil') could not harm Paul. 'Now when they had escaped (from the tempest), they then found out that the island was called Malta. And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live." But Paul shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god' (Acts 28:1-6). Now of course Paul wasn't a god, but he had Someone whom those natives did not have at that time! Paul then went on to heal all those who had diseases on the island (see Acts 28:7-9).

In Mark 16:17-18, Jesus said, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name, they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
Note: Of course, you don't ask for the serpent to bite you, or to drink anything deadly to prove a point here, but Jesus meant 'if the serpent comes or if you drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt you'.

Notice the words 'those who believe' here? Jesus Himself said, "As you have believed, so let it be done for you" (see Matthew 8:13) and "According to your faith (i.e. as you have believed) let it be to you" (Matthew 9:29).

In a world that's full of 'fiery darts' every where, the same Paul had this to say, "...above all, taking the shield of faith (i.e. believing heart) with which you will be able to quench (extinguish, put out the fire) all the fiery darts of the wicked one' (see Ephesians 6:16).

You see, these 'fiery darts' can even come through people, e.g. "Well, I think you are never meant to prosper in life. Maybe you are fated to be poor!", or "Your grandparents had cancer, your parents had cancer, well, there's a high likelihood that you will have it too!" 

Take your authority and rebuke the 'fiery darts' in Jesus' name, because these are definitely not what the Word of God says about you! 3 John 2 says 'you shall prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers', and Galatians 3:13-14 says 'you are blessed with the blessing of Abraham because Jesus has become a curse for you on the tree (cross)'.

No wonder Paul wrote 'above all' (i.e. 'of foremost importance'), take the shield of faith! That's how important your faith (or believing heart) is! People of God, never allow the devil (or anyone) to pull down this 'shield of faith' that's yours! Because if this shield of faith is down, fear and doubt will most definitely creep in.

Psalm 91:3-6 says, 'Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler (small shield). You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday'. And Psalm 23:4 says, 'Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me'.

So, people of God, fear not because He is with you and He has also given you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions (Luke 10:19) in this end-time. As Paul put it, 'Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil' (Ephesians 6:10-11). Amen.