Thursday, May 29, 2014

The entrance of God's words gives light!

Psalm 119:130 (NKJV): The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

God's Word is light, and the entrance His words gives light! And when the light comes, darkness flees! This light also gives understanding to the simple (i.e. those who do not know or understand).

Psalm 119:131 then says, 'I opened my mouth and panted, for I longed for Your commandments (Your words)'. So, how do you allow God's words to enter your life? By 'opening your mouth' and 'eating' His words! 

Recently, the Lord spoke these words to a congregation I was ministering to:
"Many of you are crossing the threshold, and many of you are entering a new season of breakthrough that you've been waiting far too long. But now is your time! Your time has come! This is also the time to eat of My Word! Eat, and keep eating, so you will be strong for the journey ahead!"

These words actually reminded me of Elijah when the angel of the Lord said to him, "Arise and eat!" (see 1 Kings 19:5-7) Indeed, for many of you, you need to 'eat' so you'll have the strength for the 'journey' ahead! This is not the time to 'lay down', and definitely not the time to 'throw a pity party'! The Bible says Elijah then went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God (see 1 Kings 19:8). By the way, 'forty' in Hebrew numeric simply means 'total rule, total dominion, or completed course.'

And how do you 'eat' of His Word? By meditating in His Word

Joshua 1:8 says, 'This Book of the Law (the Word) shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous and, and then you will have good success'.

It's time to go back to basics today!

“Oh! Don't tell me about this meditating thing! I have meditated a lot those days! I know the Word already!” Some might say.

Well, it’s just like saying, “Oh! I’ve eaten a lot of good, nutritious food those days! Many years ago! I don’t need to eat nowadays!” 

As a matter of fact, to continue to stay strong and healthy every day, you need to continue to eat good, nutritious food every day! The same it is with your 'spiritual food', i.e. the Word. This is definitely one 'food' that you should be taking in continuously (and consistently)! And of course, 'you are what you eat'! The entrance of good food brings good health; but on the other hand, the entrance of junk food brings junk health! So, you've got to know what you eat, and eat the right food! Because too much junk makes people sick!

In Joshua 1:8, the word 'meditate' here is 'hagah', from the alephbets 'hey-gimel-hey' (הָגָה) in Hebrew. 'Hey' (ה) speaks of God's grace (or God's supply, God's ability), whereas ‘Gimel’ (גָ) is a picture of ‘foot’, which speaks of ‘movement’. 

And you know what this means? As you meditate in His Word day and night, you'll also be moving from grace to grace! (i.e. growing from grace to grace, or grace upon grace)

People of God, do you want more of His grace, His supply (of every good thing from heaven) and His ability in your life? Then meditate in His Word day and night, and repeatedly again and again! Notice Joshua 1:8 says: 'it (the Word) shall not depart from your mouth'. See the word 'mouth' here? I used to wonder why the Bible never says 'it shall not depart from your heart', or 'it shall not depart from your mind', but the Bible says 'it shall not depart from your mouth'!

Let me explain.

Contrary to what many people think, 'meditation' in the context of Joshua 1:8 here isn't so much about 'silent contemplation' of the Word. Instead, it is about speaking out (or confessing aloud) with your mouth God's words day by day. Psalm 35:28 says, 'And my tongue shall speak ('hagah') of Your righteousness and of Your praise all the day long'. Psalm 71:24 says, 'My tongue also shall talk ('hagah') of Your righteousness all the day long'. Job 27:4 says, 'My lips will not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter ('hagah') deceit'. See 'hagah' (הָגָה) is translated as 'speak', 'talk', and 'utter' here? All these involve your voice, and not silence! As you 'hagah' (הָגָה), you'll also hear it. And faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God! (Romans 10:17) Also, your faith hardly comes when you hear junks!

You see, you don't need to hear 'world news' repeatedly over and over again. Have you noticed the news that you hear from your television set is often repetitive (shown over and over again) throughout the day? And with all those 'bad news' one hears nowadays, it's no surprise that one would feel even more 'terrible' upon hearing it! Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't keep abreast of what is happening in the world in that case, but the truth is hearing too much of 'bad news' will never help nourish your spirit or strengthen your soul! The Bible never says 'the entrance of the world gives light', but instead 'the entrance of the Word gives light'! 'World' and 'Word'! And one little 'L' makes a whole lot of difference!

The good news is there's always an answer in the Word to every situation or problem you face in this world! So, the more you meditate ('hagah') in the Word (for any particular area of your life) day by day, the more light enters that particular area of your life (whether in health, in providence, in your thought life, or in every other area of your life).

As you confess aloud God’s Word into your life day by day, this light of His Word also causes darkness in that area of your life to flee! So, use your eyes to see the Word, your mouth to speak the Word, and your ear to hear the Word! And as Joshua 1:8 says, you'll be right on your way to prosperity (in any area of your life), and you'll have good success. Amen!

Examples of Bible verses (personalized) that you can speak into your life over and over again:

In Christ, there is no darkness at all, for God is light and He lives in me (1 John 1:5)

In Christ, my light has come, and the glory of the Lord is seen upon me (Isaiah 60:1-2)

In Christ, my path is as the shining light, that shines brighter and brighter till the full light (Proverbs 4:18)

In Christ, I am empowered by the Holy Spirit, and I am established (2 Corinthians 1:21)

In Christ, I give thanks for He always leads me in triumph in Christ, and through me diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place (2 Corinthians 2:14)

Thursday, May 22, 2014

The Lord hasn't forgotten you

Isaiah 49:14-16 (NKJV): But Zion said, "The Lord has forsaken me, and my Lord has forgotten me." "Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me."

The word 'inscribed' here is 'chaqaq' (pronounced 'khaw-kak') in Hebrew, which means 'prescribed, appointed, imprinted, decreed, or written (your name)'. Therefore, the expression 'I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands' can mean 'He has written your name on the palms of His hands'. You can also say 'He holds your future (or your 'world') on the palms of His hands'.

Not only that, the Lord also assures continuous protection if you give your future (or your 'world') to Him and leave it on the palms of His hands. 'Walls' speaks of 'protection', and Isaiah 49:16 says 'your walls are continually before Me'.

During a prayer meeting on a recent Sunday morning, my wife Sharon received these reassuring words from the Lord as she was praying for the congregation: "In gentleness, I will touch My people." Indeed, His hands are gentle towards you, His children. He is both the Lion and the Lamb. He may be 'fierce' towards the 'enemy', but He is also gentle towards you, His own beloved children.

In cross reference, Mark 10:13-16 says, 'Then they brought little children to Him (Jesus), that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands (palms) on them and blessed them.

‘Children’ usually implies 'naivety'. According to the Oxford Dictionary, 'being naive' means 'showing lack of experience, wisdom or judgment; being too ready to believe what is being told'.

People of God, if you have made a mistake in life recently (and still feeling bad about it), condemn yourself no more. Look to Him, and return to Him. Come back to His safe and loving hands. He is here to receive you and touch you today, as He did the little children. Is there anyone who has never made a mistake in life before? No one. Simply because we are all just humans, and not God. 

A mistake may be a sin (or a wrongdoing) committed, or a wrong decision made (that leads to some repercussions). More often than not, mistakes happen when one does not heed Proverbs 3:5-8 that 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. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones." 

But God is saying to you today that He is not here to condemn you. Instead, He is here to restore you and give you another chance, if you would return to His way (see Psalm 51). David did exactly that (i.e. returning to His way) after Nathan the prophet came to him (see 2 Samuel 11 and 12). To repent is to change one's way back to God's way. Psalm 51:17 says, "A broken spirit and a contrite heart, these, O God, You will not despise." A contrite heart is a repentant heart (a sincere heart that returns to God's way when one realizes his/her wrong).

Repentance leads to restoration and even renewal. In Psalm 51:12, David prayed, "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation ('Yeshuwah'), and uphold me by Your generous (merciful) Spirit." No doubt he did face some immediate consequences due to the mistakes he had committed, but he was eventually restored and renewed in his walk with God.

And just as He saw David (literally meaning 'beloved') as His beloved, God sees you as His beloved too, in spite of your mistakes. He is indeed rich in His mercy towards us, and no matter what had happened, I believe it's never too late to return to Him and let Him become central in your life again.

Indeed, the palms of His hands have been nailed on the cross, so that you can be set free today. These very same gentle hands that touch you and bless you (as He did with the children those days) have also carried all your sins, your shame, your guilt, your condemnation, your bondages, even your addictions, when He died for you on the cross some 2,000 years ago.

Isaiah 49:17-18 then says, "Your sons (fruits, offspring) shall make haste; your destroyers and those who laid you waste shall go away from you. Lift up your eyes, look around and see; all these gather together and come to you. As I live, you shall surely clothe yourselves with them all as an ornament (of beauty), and bind them on you as a bride does." 

In returning and in rest (on the palms of His hands), the Lord promises that your fruits (and all that you put your hands on) shall grow, flourish, and be gathered unto you. You shall also be like a beautiful 'bride' who is clothed with the glory of the Lord as you continue to look to Him, till the day when you see the glorious coming of the Bridegroom. Amen.

Monday, May 5, 2014

God has not given you a spirit of fear!

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV): For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

The word 'fear' here is 'deilia' in Greek, from the word 'deilos', which means 'dread, timid ('bold-less'), faithless'. Obviously, Paul wasn't talking about the 'fear of God' (i.e. reverence, honor, respect, or a sense of awe towards God) here. But he was talking about the 'fear' that prevents one from walking in the will of God, keeps one 'small', and renders one useless in God's kingdom.

Recently, the Lord spoke these words during a time of worship and prayer:
"Whatever it is, fear not! For fear is not from Me. I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

The expression 'fear not' (or 'do not be afraid') has been mentioned all through the Bible about 180 times, and that's a whole lot! You see, the 'enemy' will always try to cause more 'fear', and even 'threats' against God's people, because he knows the more 'fear' we have, the more he will be able to keep us 'small' and useless!

"So, how exactly did 'fear' begin?"

There is a rule in Bible studies, and it is called 'The Law of First Mention'. This law can be defined as 'the first time a particular word is mentioned in the Bible, it is usually deemed to be significant in its meaning or even in its doctrine'. And the first time this word 'fear' (or 'afraid') being mentioned in the Bible is found in Genesis 3:10.

Let's now read Genesis 3:8-10: 'And they (Adam and Eve) heard the sound of the Lord walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?" So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked (lost the glory of the Lord due to sin/disobedience); and I hid myself."'

Romans 3:23 says, 'for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God'. Sin leads to punishment and rejection.

Notice 'fear' was never in man's 'dictionary' until man disobeyed or sinned! There in the garden, Adam hid himself because he feared punishment and rejection due to the very sin he had committed not long before that!

You see? Fear of punishment and fear of rejection! These are the very roots of all fears in every man! And according to a recent survey in a psychology class, the types of fear in man have since swelled up to a whopping 7,000 by our time, and still counting! Fear of future, fear of death, fear of accident, fear of what people say, fear of contracting a terminal disease, fear of pain, and the list goes on.

When one man failed, another Man made it right! Jesus is the answer to all our fears today, and it was at the cross that Jesus turned things around for you and me, taking upon Himself the very roots of all our fears:
He was beaten (punished) so that you are now blessed; &
He was rejected so that you are now accepted!

People of God, know that today God is not here to punish you, but He is here to bless you, protect you, provide for you, and prosper you. And because of what Jesus had done for you at the cross, know also that God is not here to reject you, but He is here to love you and accept you. Let Him carry all your fears.

Settle it in your hearts that His thoughts for you are always thoughts of peace ('shalom', literally meaning 'nothing broken, nothing missing; all is well, all made whole') and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11), and He is always here for you, not against you! Indeed, He is a God who loves to give you every good thing (Romans 8:31-32). Amen!

He will also always want to lead you in the right path, and lead you out of any trouble. The Bible says 'He is a lamp unto your feet, and a light unto your path' (Psalm 119:105).

Mark 4:35-41 says, 'On the same day, when evening had come, Jesus said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side." Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"'

Notice the words 'the other side' here? This speaks of 'your God-given destiny in life'. And notice the words 'they took Him along'? It is the same with us today. If you 'take Him along', you too will reach all your God-given destinies as well!

The good work God has begun in you, He will also bring it to full completion (Philippians 1:6). Whatever He has spoken to you (even in dreams, visions, or prophecies), believe that you too will see the fulfilment of it, even if it seems impossible right now. By His grace (ability and supply), you'll reach there! And whatever 'windstorm' you may be facing at the moment, or the 'waves' that beat into your 'boat', fear not, because if you have Him in your 'boat', you are in the safest place in this whole wide world. Amen!