Monday, December 19, 2016

The Lord will never abandon you!

I was praying the other day when the Lord spoke these words:
"I will not abandon you. I will not abandon My plans and purposes in your life."

Indeed, these are His words of assurance for you too. The word 'abandon' is defined in Oxford Dictionary as 'to go away from a person/thing/place not intending to return', or 'to leave somebody/something to be taken away'.

Good parents will never abandon their children. And even in extremely difficult situations (e.g. war time), when parents have no choice but to 'abandon' their children, it breaks the hearts of the parents to leave their children with someone else.

But your Abba Father in heaven will never abandon you, and will never abandon His plans and purposes He has started in your life! Philippians 1:6 says, 'Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ'.

Let's see what the Lord had spoken to Jacob as he embarked on his journey to the east, the land of his mother's father (Genesis 28:1-2). When he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it (Genesis 28:11-12). The Lord stood above it and said: "I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants." (Genesis 28:13) The Lord then spoke further: "Behold, I am with you and will keep (protect) you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you." (Genesis 28:15)

See the words "I will not leave you" here? The word 'leave' here is 'aw-zab' in Hebrew, meaning 'fail, leave, forsake'. In other words, the Lord was saying to Jacob that 'He will not fail him'.

Let's now see what Moses said to all Israel and Joshua, just before they began their conquest of the land the Lord had given them. Deuteronomy 31:1-8 (NKJV) says, 'Then Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel, "I am one hundred and twenty years old today. I can no longer go out and come in. Also the Lord has said to me, 'You shall not cross over this Jordan,' The Lord your God Himself crosses over before you; He will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua himself crosses over before you, just as the Lord has said... Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed."'

The word 'leave' here is 'raw-faw' in Hebrew, meaning 'to slacken, to cease, to faint'. Indeed He is the Lord who never slackens, ceases, and faints in your life!

Interestingly, the word 'forsake' here is 'aw-zab' in Hebrew (exactly the same Hebrew word for 'leave' in Genesis 28:15 when the Lord spoke that He would not leave Jacob). As you can see here, these words 'leave' and 'forsake' have been used interchangeably, and both can be translated as 'aw-zab', meaning 'fail, leave, forsake'. In fact, in King James Version (KJV), it is written this way: 'He will not fail thee nor forsake thee'.
Note: The sentence above is a 'double negative' statement, and it puts a strong emphasis that the Lord 'will never ever, not by any means' fail you nor forsake you!

So, take heart, people of God, because the Lord is saying the same to you that He 'will never ever, not by any means' fail you nor forsake you. Keep looking to Him, and keep trusting in Him. Be strong and of good courage, whatever you may be facing at the moment. I pray the Lord shall grant you the strength that you need, and I pray for your breakthrough as well.

For some of you who have been abandoned before, be it by your own parents, your spouse (for another man or woman), your family, or even those friends whom you used to trust so much, this article is especially dedicated for you. The Lord is opening His arms to embrace you today. Receive His love and embrace that only He can give. Take heart also that He knows how to turn things around for good to you.

Job experienced the same. He was abandoned by his spouse (Job 2:9) and his pitiless friends (Job 16:20) at one time or another. But do you know that the Lord had never abandoned Job? It was the people around him who abandoned him! In fact, the Lord had already in view of Job being restored and blessed! When Job began to turn away from his own self-righteousness and began acknowledging who the Lord God is, the Lord restored Job's losses and gave him twice as much as he had before, and the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning (Job 42:10, Job 42:12). And you know what? Job then went on to live another one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations! (Job 42:16) Speaking of happy ending!

The parable of the prodigal son: "Who abandoned who?" (Luke 15:11-32)
Jesus told of a parable where the younger son took the portions of goods given by his father, journeyed to a country far away, and there wasted all his possessions with prodigal (wasteful, wild) living. But when he had lost everything, and came back to senses, he returned to his father, ready even to be made like one of his father's hired servants. But when the father saw him from afar off, he had compassion, ran and fell on his neck, and kissed him. The father then said to his servants, "Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry, for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."
The 'father' here speaks of 'our Abba Father in heaven', and the 'son' here speaks of 'someone who abandoned Him'. But the moment the son returned to the father, the father was so glad that he celebrated his return with a banquet, and with music and dancing!

People of God, this is the heart of your Abba Father in heaven, who will never abandon you, nor will He abandon His plans and purposes in your life. Will you receive His love and embrace afresh and anew today? He promised Jacob (who later became Israel) and Joshua that He would never leave them, and that He would bless them. Both went on to do great exploits for the Lord in amazing ways. And He is saying the same for you today. As you look forward to a brand new year, I pray that you too will experience the goodness, the power, and the lovingkindness of your Abba Father in many more amazing ways. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

A lifestyle of worship

I heard and released these words from the Lord on December 4, 2016:
"This is a month to dedicate yourselves to Me in worship. A lifestyle of worship! A lifestyle of worship! In all that you are, and in all that you do, worship Me!"

Don’t get me wrong. Not that at other times, you don’t worship. But this is a key month to dedicate yourselves to Him again in worship.

In John 4:23-24, Jesus says, "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." 

The word 'worship' here is 'proskuneo' in Greek, and according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, it means 'to kiss (like a dog licking his master's hand)'. Other definitions of this word 'proskuneo' are 'to prostrate with a kiss' and 'to prostrate oneself in reverence and adoration'.
By the way, 'to prostrate' can be defined as 'to lay oneself flat on the ground face downward, especially in reverence and submission'.

Two times the Lord said, "A lifestyle of worship!", and I knew He had wanted me to write about this today. And so here am I, O Lord, at Your service!

I am fascinated by this particular definition of 'proskuneo': 'to kiss (like a dog licking his master's hand)'. If you have a pet dog, you'd know what this means. To the dog, you are like the world to him! To the dog, you are 'the leader of the pack', 'the master', someone whom he would look to and put his fullest trust!

With this illustration above, we can now understand better the very essence of what 'worship' ('proskuneo') is, in the context of your relationship with the Lord your God: Like a dog licking the master's hand, you look to Him (your Master) and put your fullest trust in Him (your Master) in all that you are, and in all that you do! 

Contrary to what many people think, worship isn't just in songs and melodies. Worship is a lifestyle! For those in worship ministry, your lifestyle reflects your ministry, and not just in your singing of songs, or playing of musical instruments. As someone who has been involved in worship ministry, I must admit that no doubt musical skills are important, but without a heart and lifestyle of worship, all these skills will become nothing before God. People may be impressed by your musical skills/talents, but God isn't.
Note: The Oxford Dictionary defines 'lifestyle' as 'way of life of an individual or group'; and Dictionary.com defines it as 'a way of life or style of living that reflects the attitudes and values of a person or group'.

Today, I want to introduce two words for 'worship' that you can find in the New Testament. First, 'proskuneo' (which I have explained above), and second, 'latreuo'. The second word is found in Philippians 3:3 written by the apostle Paul: 'For we are the circumcision, who worship ('latreuo') God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh'. The word 'latreuo' here in Greek means 'to minister (unto God), to serve God, to render service (unto God)'.

The apostle Paul then continued writing: '...If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eight day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith...' (Philippians 3:4-9, NKJV)

In the context of the verses above, 'latreuo' can therefore be defined as 'to minister (unto God), to serve God, to render service (unto God), without putting confidence in the flesh'. In other words, not by one's own ability, but God's ability!

The apostle Paul (who was entrusted by the Lord to write half of the whole New Testament) understood what true 'worship' is! He was living a lifestyle of worship through and through! The Bible never mentioned him playing musical instruments! But that doesn't mean he wasn't a worshiper of the Lord! Singing songs? Okay, the Bible mentioned that before! Not in a worship conference, or on stage in a worship service, but you know where? Inside the jail, together with Silas, and in the midnight hour! (Acts 16:25-26) Instead of wallowing in self-pity, he sang hymns to God! It just came naturally to him, even in the 'darkest' of hours! He was living a lifestyle of worship from the inside-out! Not a facade, not for show, but a 'proskuneo' and 'latreuo' before the Lord!

You see, you don't have to be in worship team/ministry to be a worshiper! But if you are in worship team/ministry, all the more you are to live a lifestyle of worship! Not just in songs and music, but in every facet (aspect) of your everyday life!

In all that you are, worship Him!
'Proskuneo': Looking to Him and putting all your trust in Him.
'Latreuo': Ministering unto Him and rendering service unto Him, putting no confidence in your own flesh.
For instance, my writing ministry is a form of worship unto the Lord. I did it upon the instructions (blueprints) given by the Lord, and just wanted to bless the Body of Christ unconditionally. I have never expected people to start writing to me and ask if they can use my materials. But many did!
People of God, in all that you are (i.e. 'called to be'), 'proskuneo' and 'latreuo' Him!

In all that you do, worship Him!
'Proskuneo': Looking to Him and putting all your trust in Him.
'Latreuo': Ministering unto Him and rendering service unto Him, putting no confidence in your own flesh.
The same it is with those many years of sowing seeds of God's love and kindness among the youths/college students in our (my wife and I) earlier years in full-time ministry. We did it upon the instructions (blueprints) given by the Lord, and just wanted to avail ourselves to care for these young people unconditionally. It was done as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23). We have never expected anything in return, and we have never expected these young people to remember us later in their lives. But some did!
People of God, in all that you do (i.e. 'called to do'), 'proskuneo' and 'latreuo' Him!

The Lord knows how to reward you! 
Yes, even if you have not expected it, and you just wanted to render your unconditional service unto Him as a sweet aroma of worship (Philippians 4:18), be it in your time, your energy, your giving of finance, etc. Because He is a good God, and He loves to give you every good thing (Romans 8:32, Psalm 34:10), even in ways you have not imagined, or even if you never realize it. Colossians 3:23-24 says, 'And whatever you do, do it heartily (with an abounding heart), as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ'. Ephesians 3:20 says, 'Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us'. 

And just as the Lord had spoken to Abram those days in Genesis 15:1, He is also saying these words to you who 'proskuneo' and 'latreuo' Him: "Do not be afraid, ... I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward." Let it be so! Hallelujah!

Monday, November 28, 2016

Prospering in the end time

I heard the Lord say these words recently:
"Prepare for a time of prospering! Do not look at the world, but look to Me! And I will show you the way to prosperity! Prepare for a time of wealth transferring to My people, for My kingdom's sake and for My kingdom's expansion! Some have begun to see it happening. But more will begin to see it. This is a time to receive this anointing and enabling from Me!"

People of God, when the world is striving, that's when the Lord is thriving! Many in the world will not know what to do (and how to go about) in their lives anymore, especially in these challenging and perilous times. Not even the foremost of politicians or economists. And that's when many will begin to look to the Lord God for help. This is a time of great awakening! This is a time of great revival in our land!

Isaiah 60:1-3 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'. And Isaiah 60:5 says, 'Then you shall see and become radiant, and your heart shall swell with joy; Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you. The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you'.

Notice 'darkness shall cover the earth', but not God's kingdom on earth; and 'deep darkness the people', but not God's people! Contrary to what some people think, the above verses in Isaiah 60 are not just for Israel (or the Jews), but ALSO for those who are in Christ. In Him, you and I (the believers in the New Covenant) have been 'grafted in' (see Romans 11:16-18), as written by the apostle Paul.

What is true prosperity in the Lord?
The Bible says in Proverbs 10:22, 'The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it'. Walking in true prosperity in the Lord is not like the world's way of seeing prosperity. The world measures 'prosperity' solely by the amount of money/assets/properties/lands/luxuries one possesses. But the Bible says true prosperity in the Lord has no sorrow attached to it! No sorrow, no worry, no fear (because your conscience is clear), no anxiety, no feud, no strife, no sleepless nights! What's the point of having loads of money (or material things) but one comes back home only to see feud, strife, sorrows, and infighting? Or being surrounded by people who are only after one's money?

True prosperity is not attained by selfish means/gains, or sinful means (e.g. cheating, conning, gambling), but upon the instructions (blueprints) given by the Lord for those who seek Him! And that's when you'll also be rightly positioned to receive prosperity from the Lord

When the Lord prospers you in this end time, the Lord meant it primarily for the expansion of His kingdom, and not for a person to own more and more luxuries (houses, cars, yachts, etc) on earth, or to indulge in the flesh (e.g. parties, parties, and more parties).

Does God want you to prosper?
YES! As good parents, do you wish your grown-up children to prosper or to suffer (lack, poverty)? Of course to prosper! No parents in the right mind will want otherwise! How much more your Abba Daddy in heaven want to see you, His beloved children prosper
3 John 2 says, 'Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers'. See the words 'in all things' here? And the word 'prosper' here in Greek literally means 'to succeed in reaching (something), to succeed in business affairs'. 
Luke 4:18-19 says, 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me (Christ), because He has anointed Me to.... proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord'. The word 'acceptable' here in Greek comes from the word 'dechomai', meaning 'to receive (providence)'.
2 Corinthians 8:9 says, 'For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich'. The word 'rich' here is 'plouteo' in Greek, and it means 'to be wealthy, to increase with goods'. You see, this verse isn't just talking about being rich in your soul, but also being rich with goods

As a matter of fact, when you prosper in the Lord, He gets the glory! But when you live in lack and poverty, He doesn't get the glory! Notice Isaiah 60:6-7 says, 'Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord. All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to you, the rams of Nebaioth shall serve you; they shall ascend with acceptance on My altar, and I will glorify the house of My glory'. 

The ways to prosperity is by sowing seeds
Not just financial seeds, but seeds of love and kindness! The seeds that you plant will in turn germinate and grow into trees with many fruits. Your sowing of seeds unconditionally will eventually grow into reaping of many fruits. The Lord is looking at your heart, and He will know how to reward you, even in ways you can never imagine possible. 2 Corinthians 9:6 says, 'But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully'. 

As for financial seeds, sow to ministry/ministries that feed you spiritual food (i.e. the Word) and to ministry/ministries that have blessed you. Is there any biblical support for what I have written here? Yes. Genesis 14:18-20 says, 'Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine (speaks of 'spiritual food and drink'); he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him (Abram) and said: "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand." And he (Abram) gave him a tithe (one-tenth) of all'. 'Melchizedek' (who was the priest of God Most High) here is a 'picture' of  'ministry/ministries that represent Jesus Christ who is the King of all kings'.

There is no scarcity in heavenly economy!
There is a big difference between 'walking in divine providence' and 'walking in worldly providence'.
'Divine providence'
In heavenly economy, there is no scarcity of resources, i.e. 'If you have more, I can have more too'. It means one is walking in the (unlimited) supernatural realm.
'Worldly providence':
In worldly economy, there is scarcity of resources, i.e. 'If you have more, it means I have less'. It means one is walking in the (limited) natural realm

The apostle Paul understood this, and he wrote it very aptly in Philippians 4:19, 'And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus'. Notice the words 'in glory' here? It means 'in the (unlimited) heavenly realm'! In other words, 'And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in the (unlimited) heavenly realm by Christ Jesus'! Not according to the (limited) worldly standards!

People of God, this is a time to receive the anointing and enabling to walk in divine providence of the Lord, because you don't belong to this fallen world that operates under the Babylonian system/structure. You may be in the world, but you are not of the world (John 17:16). The way of the world is always 'confusion', and that's what the name Babylon means. But the way of the Lord is perfect, His Word is proven, a shield to all who trust in Him (Psalm 18:30). The Lord will show you how, and He will lead you every step of the way. Ask, and you will receive. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Monday, November 14, 2016

Walking in the favor of God

Luke 2:52 (NKJV): And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

The word 'favor' here in the New Testament is 'charis' in Greek, which can mean:
- divine influence upon your life
- divine acceptance upon your life
- divine benefit upon your life
- divine pleasure upon your life
- divine gift upon your life

This word 'charis' is from the word 'cha-i-ro', meaning 'be well-off, be well, be cheerful, be joyful, be happy, be glad, God speed'.

As Jesus is, so are you in this world! (1 John 4:17) And just as Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men, so should you be in this world!

Notice what Luke wrote in Acts 2:46-47 regarding the church (i.e. the people of God): 'So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved'.

See the word 'favor' here? It is the same word 'charis'. In other words, the people of God were enjoying the divine influence, divine acceptance, divine benefit, divine pleasure, and divine gift of the Lord upon their lives! And when the favor of God was with them, they couldn't help but be 'attractive' to those around them, even the unbelievers! And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved! See? Favor of God and favor of men!

How about the likes of Joseph and David? You can see the same word 'favor' written by Luke in the Book of Acts. Acts 7:9-10 (NKJV) says, 'And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor ('charis') and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house'. Acts 7:45-46 (NKJV) says, '... David, who found favor ('charis') before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob'.

Let me 'qualify' what I write about 'favor' here. I am not saying when the favor of God is with you, you will never have to face any opposition, or even persecution (particularly from those who may be envious or feeling threatened by what the Lord is doing in your life). What I am saying is when the favor of God is with you, He will know how to prosper you (in all that He has called you to do), and He will raise up the right people to favor you! And that's exactly what happened to the people of God in the early days!

"How do you apply the above verses in this end-time?"

No doubt the world is not getting any better, with more and more wars and rumors of war, earthquakes occurring in various places, pestilences, etc. You don't need a prophet to tell you this. Even the people who are unbelievers can tell you the same. You can see this everywhere, and in the news channels. Isaiah 60:2 (Holman Christian Standard Bible) confirms it, 'For look, darkness covers the earth, and total darkness the peoples...' But Isaiah 60:2 then continues with these very encouraging words, '... but the Lord will shine over you, and His glory will appear over you'.

People of God, the second part of Isaiah 60:2 is yours to receive! Therefore, no matter how 'unfavorable' the conditions around you may be, as a people who are in Christ, you can still (and should still) be walking in the favor of God and favor of men! The expression 'but the Lord will shine over you' here in the Old Testament parallels with 'the favor of God' (i.e. 'charis' of God) in the New Testament.

In cross-reference, the priestly blessing mentioned in Numbers 6:24-26 says,
"The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace."

See? 'The Lord make His face shine upon you'! Now, that's 'the favor of God' upon you! Just as in the physical realm, you can feel it when the physical sun shines upon you (i.e. the ray of light, the warmth), the same it is when God's face shines upon you! You can feel it when 'His divine influence, divine acceptance, divine benefit, divine pleasure, and divine gift' is upon you!

Now, look at what Jesus cried out when He was about to give up His Spirit at the cross. Matthew 27:45-46 says, 'Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachtani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"' In other words, God the Father turned His face away from His Son Jesus (who carried all the filthiness of our sins), so that His face can now shine upon you!

"But why are some believers seem to walk in favor (or greater evidence of favor) more than other believers?"

Remember the word 'favor' is 'charis'. It is a gift of God to you (who are in Christ)! In Christ, you actually already have it! Simply because of what Jesus has already done for you on the cross. It is not something you can buy or earn with your own self-effort. So, why then some believers seem to walk in favor more than some others?

To answer the above question, let's go to Luke 1:26-38:
'... the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you... For with God nothing will be impossible." Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her'.

Can you imagine what if Mary had rejected all that the angel Gabriel had conveyed? What if Mary had said 'nay' instead of 'aye'? What if Mary had said, "No, that's not for me. Who am I to be chosen for such?" Mary would have missed out the privilege of bringing forth the Son of the Living God!

But look now at Luke 1:38: "Behold (here am I) the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." People of God, this is the key to seeing the favor of God HAPPENING in your life! A heart that is willing and yielded, and a heart that is fully surrendered to all that the Lord had wanted to do in your life! Like Mary!

And soon you too will bring forth the many good things that God had already intended for you! Amen!

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Living by the power of God

I heard and released these words from the Lord on Sunday, November 6, 2016:
"A new spiritual era has been opened for My people! This is a time to walk into the new era by faith! I will give you the anointing that you need! I will give you the enabling that you need! Receive! A new era of walking in the Spirit and walking in My power, even in ways that the world has not seen before!"

Then, I heard and released these further words from the Lord:
"And I will cause you to rise above the status quo, and you shall fear no man, but fear God. And you shall not bow down to man-made traditions, but you shall live by the power of God, just as Peter and John were in the book of Acts."

In the book of Acts 1:8, Jesus says, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." After He had spoken these words, while the disciples were watching, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of sight (Acts 1:9). Notice Acts 1:8 were the last words of Jesus before He was taken up! Last words are important words! And here, it has to do with receiving the power of God!

The word 'power' here is 'dunamis' in Greek, meaning 'miraculous power (or ability), abundance of power (or miracle), mighty (wonderful) work', from the word 'dunamai' meaning 'to be able, to be possible'. In Matthew 19:26, Jesus said, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

In 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, the apostle Paul wrote, 'And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith will not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God'. Notice 'the power of God' here?

Living by the power of God
1 Corinthians 4:20 (NKJV) says, 'For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power'.
1 Corinthians 4:20 (NIV) says, 'For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power'.
1 Corinthians 4:20 (NLT) says, 'For the kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God's power'. Oh, I love the New Living Translation (NLT) for this verse! It says, 'living by God's power'!

By whose power the lame walk?
Not long after receiving the power of God from on high, Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And they saw a certain man lame from his mother's womb asking for alms at the gate of the temple. Peter then said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." And immediately this man's feet and ankle bones received strength! (see Acts 3:1-7) That's the power of God working!

Interestingly, it was also in the ninth hour (i.e. 3pm) that Jesus gave up His Spirit on the cross! (see Luke 23:44-46) Indeed, He gave it all up on the cross, so you (like Peter and John) can now receive His Spirit and His power!

And 'Peter and John' here speaks of 'you and I, the believers today'! Why do I say that? 'Peter' ('Petrus' in Greek) means 'a piece of rock (or stone)', and 'John' ('Ioannes' in Greek) means 'grace and favor of God'. As believers today, 1 Peter 2:5 says we are 'the living stones, being built up a spiritual house', and Romans 6:14 says we are 'not under law but under grace', i.e. we are now living in the New Covenant, the covenant of the grace of God.

A time to pray in the spirit like never before!
Do you know why the apostle Paul emphasized so much on praying in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:18) and walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16)? Because to pray in the Spirit is to pray in the power of God! And to walk in the Spirit is to walk in the power of God! Even the power of God to overcome sin! In Galatians 5:16, the apostle Paul wrote, 'Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh'. It means you'll be so full of the Spirit and power (i.e. yielding to the Spirit and the power of God) that you have no desire to walk in sin!

In Ephesians 6:10-11, he wrote, 'Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, (so) that you may be able to stand against the wiles (schemings) of the devil...' And he wrapped it up with Ephesians 6:18-19 that says, '...praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance...' See the word 'always' here when he wrote about praying in the Spirit?

In 1 Corinthians 14:4, he wrote, 'He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself...' The word 'edifies' here is 'oikodomeo' in Greek, meaning 'to embolden, to activate, to build up (power)'. So, people of God, when you pray in the Spirit (i.e. pray in tongues), know that you are activating the power of God to work in (and through) your life! That's the 'dunamis' power of God working for you! Let it be so! Hallelujah!

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Walking into a new spiritual era

I heard these words from the Lord recently:
"Tell My people this is a time to declare a new spiritual era being opened up in their lives! Tell them not to miss this time and season to boldly walk into a new era of My divine power, wisdom, and prosperity! Let Me anoint them with oil, and let Me open a new spiritual era in their lives! This is a time of My divine power, wisdom, and prosperity being manifested! Only believe!"

In obedience to what the Lord has spoken, I conducted an anointing service at church last Sunday, especially for those who had wanted to start anew in life. It was an awesome time in the presence of the Lord! Healing and miracles took place, and testimonies are still coming in. I was told someone was healed from cancer, certified by her doctor! All glory to Jesus!

People of God, the above words from the Lord are for you too, especially if you have wanted to start anew in life. The key Bible verses in this time and season are Luke 8:40-56, about Jairus' twelve-year-old daughter being restored to life, and a woman having a flow of blood for twelve years being healed. Notice the number 'twelve' here, which I will explain the significance later. Both experienced the divine power of God manifested, and both began walking into a new era in their respective lives!

Note: The word 'era' is defined in Oxford Dictionary as 'period in history starting from a particular time or event; period in history marked by an important event or development'.

Luke 8:40-56 - 'a new spiritual era' replacing 'a seemingly hopeless situation' 
What are those 'seemingly hopeless situations' in your life at the moment? Your health? Your finance? Your marriage? Your children? Your career? Your ministry? Your business?
In Luke 8:50, Jesus says, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well." 
People of God, Jesus is saying the same to you right now, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and your situation will be made well." He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is the same Jesus who did great miracles those days, as He is in your life today. To men, it may be impossible, but to God, all things are possible (Luke 18:27).

Luke 8:40-42 (NKJV) says, 'So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitudes welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him. And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus' feet and begged Him to come into his house, for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him.

The name 'Jairus' here is from the Hebrew word 'yaiyr', meaning 'enlightened'. Indeed, his spiritual eyes were opened and enlightened to see hope in Jesus who is the Light. In John 8:12, Jesus says, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." Jairus then fell down at Jesus' feet and begged Him to come to his home, believing that He is the only hope for his dying daughter

Luke 8:43-48 (NKJV) says, 'Now a woman, having a flow of blood (i.e. bleeding) for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. And Jesus said, "Who touched Me?" When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, "Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'" But Jesus said, "Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me." Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. And He said to her, "Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace."

Why the number 'twelve', and what is the significance of the number 'twelve' here? The girl was about twelve years of age when she was dying, and the woman had a flow of blood (i.e. bleeding) for twelve years! There is no insignificant details in the Bible. There's a reason for everything written in the Scripture. For the record, the number 'twelve' in Hebrew doesn't just mean 'divine government' or 'New Jerusalem', but it can also mean 'divine power of God'. As you can see here, both the girl and the woman were about to experience the divine power of God being manifested in their lives! It was a turning point in their lives. It was a new era in their lives, having experienced the divine power of God so real!

Luke 8:49-56 (NKJV) says, 'While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, "Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher." But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well." When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, "Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping." And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Little girl, arise." Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened'.

If you read this chapter in Luke 8, it looks like Jesus had missed His time and opportunity to heal Jairus' daughter! Notice Luke 8:42 says, 'she was dying', but Luke 8:53 later says, 'she was dead'! So, at first, it does look like Jesus was 'distracted' along the way (by the woman having a flow of blood for twelve years). To the minds of men, it was time lost, a 'procrastination', and a missed opportunity to do a great miracle! But God! He is never late! He is always on time! Today, He also wants you to know that He is always on time for you

People of God, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Know that the same Jesus who was 'on time', and who was 'never late', is also the same Jesus to you today! His divine power is also unchanging. He stays the same. He never changes. The same Jesus who did great miracles those days is also the same Jesus to you, even now!

In Jesus' name, I therefore pray a new spiritual era being opened up for you as well, a new era of His divine power, wisdom, and prosperity being manifested in your life! Only believe, and you will receive. Amen!

Monday, October 24, 2016

"My Church is to be full of My Spirit!"

I woke up the other day hearing these words from the Lord:
"My Church is to be full of My Spirit!"

Then, I heard further:
"My Church is to be full of My Spirit! Tell My people My Church cannot be crippled, and My Church cannot be weakened! Learn from the mistakes of Samson!"

Why Samson? And what does Samson have to do with the Church?
Here's a little background on Samson. Judges 13:1-5 says, 'Again the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord delivered them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years. Now there was a certain man from Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren and had no children. And the Angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, "Indeed now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and bear a son. Now therefore, please be careful not to drink wine or similar drink, and not to eat anything unclean. For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines."'

The name 'Samson' is 'Shimshown' in Hebrew, literally meaning 'sunlight', from the word 'shemesh' which means 'sun, light (or ray) of the sun', and the word 'Nazirite' is 'Naziyr' in Hebrew, meaning 'consecrated, set apart', from the word 'nazar', which means 'to separate (from impurities)'.

And here's the prophetic meaning of 'Samson' and 'Nazirite' relating to the Church in this end-time: 'Samson' and 'Nazirite' speak of 'the Church today', called as 'the light to the world' (Matthew 5:14-16), and 'consecrated, set apart' from the ways of this world! (1 Peter 2:9-10)

The Church (i.e. the people of God) doing great exploits!
Regarding the Church, Jesus says, "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock (i.e. the confession and revelation of who Jesus is), I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:18-19)

Now, you can see the similarities with Samson, who moved with great power and strength of the Lord, and did great exploits for the Lord as well. Judges 14:6 says, 'And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat...', and Judges 15:14-15 says, 'Then the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him; and the ropes that were on his arms became like flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds broke loose from his hands. He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and killed a thousand men with it'.
Note: Of course in the New Covenant today, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, the rulers of darkness of this age, and the spiritual hosts of wickedness (Ephesians 6:12).

See the words 'the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him' here? Similarly, the Church in the New Covenant have also been endued with the power from on high to do great exploits for the Lord! Acts 1:8 says, 'But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth'.

Learning from the mistakes of Samson
Judges 16:1 says, 'Now Samson went to Gaza and saw a harlot there, and went in to her'.
Judges 16:4-5 says, 'Afterward it happened that he loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. And the lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, "Entice him, and find out where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and every one of us will give you eleven hundred pieces of silver."'
Judges 16:16-17 says, 'And it came to pass, when she (Delilah) pestered him daily with her words and pressed him, so that his soul was drained (distressed, vexed) to death, that he told her all his heart, and said to her, "No razor has ever come upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother's womb. If I am shaven, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man."'
And Judges 16:19 says, 'Then she (Delilah) lulled him to sleep on her knees, and called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. Then she began to torment him, and his strength left him'.

In Bible-study, we can learn both from the victories and mistakes of those who have gone before us. Here are the lessons that the Church in the end time should learn from, so that we will not be crippled and weakened like Samson:
1. The importance of walking in the holiness of the Lord (see 1 Corinthians 6:15-20)
2. Never give in to the pestering or pressures of the people (or things) of this world!

What do the seven locks represent?
Have you ever wondered why there were seven locks on Samson's head? I mean, why not a pony tail, two locks, three locks, six locks, or nine locks? Why seven locks? There is no insignificant details in the Bible. Before I answer this question, let's read Numbers 6:5, 'All the days of the vow of a Nazirite's separation, no razor shall come upon his head... Then he shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow'.

The Old Testament is the 'shadow', and the New Testament is the 'substance'. Let Scripture interpret Scripture now. Revelation 4:5 says, 'And from the throne (of God) proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God'.

These 'seven locks' are therefore 'symbolic' and a 'picture' of the 'seven Spirits (or seven fold Spirits) of the Lord' mentioned in Revelation 4:5!

In other words, if these 'seven' are being 'cut away' from the Body of Christ (i.e. the Church), the Church is crippled and weakened, just as happened to Samson!

What are these 'seven Spirits'?
Let Scripture interpret Scripture again. These seven Spirits can be found in Isaiah 11:1-2 that spoke about Jesus Himself, 'There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord'.

By the way, 'seven' is the number in Hebrew for 'perfection, purification, consecration, and sovereignty (i.e. supreme power)', and it is also the number for 'the Holy Spirit'.

Seven aspects of the One Spirit (according to Isaiah 11:2):
1. The Spirit of the Lord (YHWH, Self-Existent, Eternal)
2. The Spirit of wisdom ('chokmah' = wisdom)
3. The Spirit of understanding ('biynah' = discerning)
4. The Spirit of counsel ('etsah' = advice, purpose)
5. The Spirit of might ('gibbor' = power, strength)
6. The Spirit of knowledge ('dahath' = knowledge)
7. The Spirit of the fear of the Lord ('yirah' = reverence)

People of God, receive all these in your life and in your church today! And that explains why the Lord has spoken so vividly the other day: "My Church is to be full of My Spirit!" Let it be so! Amen!

Thursday, October 13, 2016

A time to stay steadfast and immovable in the Lord!

While praying in the spirit the other day, I saw a vision of a man standing on a big rock and in another vision, a sword piercing upwards from the earth through dark clouds, dispersing those dark clouds

I asked the Lord what these visions meant, and that's when the Lord said:
"This is a time to stay steadfast and stand on the Rock that I have given you! Fear not, for I am your Rock, and in Me, you cannot be shaken and will not be shaken, even in this time of shifting sands that's happening in the world at the moment!"

'Shifting sands' = situations/things that change frequently and unpredictably, like the surface and appearance of the desert being changed every time there is a sandstorm.

And the Lord said further:
"For I have also given you My sword! Use it! Wield it! Don't be afraid to use it and wield it, for this sword will break through even the darkest clouds that the enemy has cast against you!"

'Sword' here is symbolic of 'the Word of God' (see Hebrews 4:12, Ephesians 6:17, Revelation 1:16).

Stand on the Rock!
In Matthew 7:24-25, Jesus says, "Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock." In Matthew 7:26-27, Jesus then says the contrast, "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."

Who is this 'Rock' that Jesus has mentioned? 
Let Scripture interpret Scripture. In cross-reference, 1 Corinthians 10:4 says, '...For they drank of that Spiritual Rock... and that Rock was Christ'. 
Note: The word 'rock' here in both Matthew 7:24-25 and 1 Corinthians 10:4 is 'petra' in Greek, meaning 'the mass of rock', a 'picture' of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Stay steadfast and immovable in the Lord!
In 1 Corinthians 15:57-58, the apostle Paul wrote, 'But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. THEREFORE, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord'.

Notice just before 1 Corinthians 15:58 is 1 Corinthians 15:57 that says, 'But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ'! You know what this means? Because you already have the victory through the Lord Jesus Christ (and what He has done for you on the cross), THEREFORE you can now be steadfast and immovable in Him, no matter what happens in the world around you! See the word 'THEREFORE' here?
By the way, the word 'steadfast' here is from the word 'hezomai' in Greek, meaning 'settled, steady, solid, unwavering', and the word 'immovable' here can mean 'refuse to be moved when the rest of the crowd is running away'.

Is there anywhere in the Bible that proves the above?
The answer is yes! Let's go to the Old Testament now, and look at 2 Samuel 23:11-12 (NKJV). These verses say, '...The Philistines had gathered into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. So the people fled from the Philistines. BUT SHAMMAH STATIONED HIMSELF in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory'. 
The word 'stationed' (or 'stood' in KJV) here is 'yatsab' in Hebrew, literally meaning 'stand firm, stand your ground, remain unwavered'. And because of what he did (when every one else ran for their lives), Shammah (one of David's mighty men) saw the manifestation of the Lord's great victory!

How to wield the Sword of the Lord?
Revelation 1:12-18 (NKJV) says, 'Then I (John) turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band, His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I AM the First and the Last. I AM He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death."'

Who the apostle John described here is none other but our Lord Jesus Christ Himself! He is the I AM, He was dead, but now He lives forevermore! And because He lives forevermore, 'death' (and every 'dead situation' in your life) has been swallowed up in His victory! (1 Corinthians 15:54-55)

Notice 'out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword'? Hebrews 4:12 says, 'For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart', and Ephesians 6:17 says, 'And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God'.

We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, the rulers of darkness of this age, and the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the spiritual realm (Ephesians 6:12). The one offensive weapon that the Lord has taught us to use and wield is that two-edged sword (i.e. the Word of God)! As He uses His mouth to speak forth the Word, so should you be today! (1 John 4:17)

Use your mouth to declare these words: 
"I declare this 'dead situation' of mine .....(mention that situation, whatever it may be)..... has been swallowed up in Christ's victory! I believe and receive my breakthrough and victory today! In the name of Jesus Christ my Lord! Hallelujah!"

Therefore, beloved of God, stay steadfast and immovable in the Lord your God! Speak what the Word of God says, not what man says! And you'll be on your way to see your manifested victory too! Amen!

Monday, October 3, 2016

Prophetic words for the Hebrew year 5777

Here are the prophetic words for the Hebrew year 5777 (released at Triumph in Christ on Sunday, October 2, 2016):
"This is a key year to take back what you have lost. For I will give you My sword, and I will give you a new zeal! This is a year of My Church arising! Let My Church arise! Let My Church arise! This is a year My Church will begin to arise in ways that the world has never seen or thought possible!"

'My sword' = revelation in the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12, Revelation 12:11).
'New zeal' = a new zeal for His house (John 2:13-17).

"This is a year to gain new territories and walk into the new territories. The enemy will try to make you think otherwise, but I will send you My supplies, and I will send you My ammunitions, even in ways that you have never expected it to happen."

'My supplies' speaks of 'support'.
'My ammunitions' speaks of 'weapons'.

'New territories' speaks of:
- areas you have never been before;
- things you have never done before.

Instructions from the Lord as you cross over the Hebrew year 5777:
"Keep sowing seeds of My love and My kindness, no matter how turbulent this world has become! Keep sowing seeds of My Word! For whatever a man sows, he will also reap! Do not grow weary while doing good, for in due season, you will surely reap, if you do not lose heart."

Galatians 6:7-10 says, 'Do not be deceived. God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith'.

In Matthew 25:31-40, Jesus says, "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'"

As I was asking the Lord what the 'ammunitions' mean in the prophetic words for the year 5777, the Lord then gave a key chapter for this coming year: 1 Corinthians 13.
Not missiles, bombs, 'lone wolves', or suicide squads, and contrary to what many people think, the answer is God's love and kindness.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 says, 'Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing'.

'love' = 'agapê' in Greek = benevolence (love + kindness).

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 then says, 'Love suffers long (is patient) and love is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away'.

'kind' here is from the word 'chrestos' in Greek, meaning 'goodness, and gracious' (not just in words, but in action).

The love and compassion of Jesus
Matthew 9:35-38 says, 'Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."'

People of God, as we usher in the new Hebrew year 5777 (leading us into the secular year 2017), receive the love of God from on high. This love is God's heavenly love. This love will not fail, when everything else on earth fails. This love is the love of Christ. Romans 5:5 says, 'Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us'.

As you receive this love that never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8) and be filled with His love, let this love overflow to others. Amen.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

A Church founded on the Rock!

Someone asked this question, "What is the best way to structure a church?"

I answered, "If you desire to preach and teach the unadulterated Word of God, then your church should also be structured or patterned according to the unadulterated Word of God!"
Note: The word 'adulterated' literally means 'a foreign substance added to the original, and causes the original to lose its quality'.

In other words, we are to pattern the church according to what the Word of God says a church should be, not what man says a church should be! Only then will the church be able to stand strong in the midst of the perilous times we are living in, and be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ! (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

In Matthew 24:35, Jesus says, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." So, people of God, let's go straight to the Word of God now, and see what the Word of God says about church.

In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus says, "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."

The word 'house' here is 'oikia' in Greek, from the word 'oikos' meaning 'a dwelling place, a family, a home, a household, or a temple'. Evidently, this 'house' can also mean 'the house of God', i.e. the church! How about the word 'rock' here? It is 'petra' in Greek, literally meaning 'the mass of rock'.

Let Scripture interpret Scripture. In cross-reference, Matthew 16:13-19 says,
'When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi,
He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"
So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter ('petros'), and on this rock ('petra') I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."'

In Greek, the word 'petros' 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 likened to the 'chief cornerstone' (i.e. the uttermost of all rocks), i.e. Jesus Christ Himself (see Ephesians 2:20).

So, when Jesus said "on this rock ('petra') I will build My church", He meant "on this confession and revelation that I am the Christ, the Son of the living God, I will build My church"! And you know what? This is the first time the word 'church' is mentioned in the Bible!

A church founded and built on 'the mass of rock' ('petra') is a church that is patterned after the Word of God! Because He is the Rock, and He is the Word! John 1:14 says, 'And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth'.

You see? That explains what I have written earlier, that we are to structure the church according to what the Word of God says a church should be, not what man says a church should be! God's idea of a church, not man's idea of a church! God's blueprint for a church, not man's blueprint for a church!

Our confidence is not in ourselves, or our own intelligence and wisdom. Our confidence is in the Word of God! And whatever the Word of God says a church should be, let the church be!

For details on what a church is according to the Word of God, click: You and I are the 'church'!

The pattern of the church according to the Word of God
1 Corinthians 12:28 says, 'And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues'.
Apostles ('apostolos' in Greek) = 'he that is sent'.
Prophets ('prophetes' in Greek) = 'he that is inspired'.
Teachers ('didaskalos' in Greek) = 'he that instructs/teaches'. To correlate with the five-fold gifts in Ephesians 4:11-13, evangelists and pastors are included under this category, because they also communicate the Word of God.
Miracles ('dunamis' in Greek) = 'ability, power, strength, mighty, wonderful (work of God)'.
Healings ('iama' in Greek) = 'healing, wholeness, wellness (both physically and in the soul)'.
Helps ('antilepsis' in Greek) = 'support, relief, help, deacons'.
Administrations ('kubernesis' in Greek) = 'administrations, management'.
Varieties of tongues ('glossa' in Greek) = 'intercession, prayer'.

For example, in a local church:
The apostle receives a genuine vision from the Lord (with confirmations, not assumptions), and is therefore sent (commissioned) by the Lord to break new ground and start the new work.
The prophet seeks the will (and directions) of the Lord, being inspired by the Holy Spirit to speak to the church, like a compass, so that the church will not go off-track.
The teacher ensures the Word of God is being instructed and taught correctly, with sound doctrines, so that the church will not fall into heresy or error.

By the way, the whole of 1 Corinthians 12 begins with, 'Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant'. The apostle Paul was writing to the church not to be ignorant of the spiritual gifts, i.e. the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the church. Obviously, this whole chapter still applies for the end-time church today, because the chapter that follows, 1 Corinthians 13 speaks about 'love' and 'love in action' (for without love, all these spiritual gifts mentioned in the whole of 1 Corinthians 12 would be useless).

How about orderliness in the church?
The Holy Spirit keeps everything in order. The Holy Spirit is our Teacher and Comforter. It is the Holy Spirit who guides us (John 16:13) in all areas of our lives, and that includes the church. It is the Holy Spirit who fills us, empowers us, and blesses us with spiritual gifts. Our part is to yield to Him, not our own intelligence and wisdom. A Spirit-filled church should also be a Spirit-led church. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God (Romans 8:14).

Ephesians 2:19-22 says, 'Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit'.

Ephesians 4:11-13 says, 'And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping (i.e. training) of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying (i.e. strengthening) of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ'.

In conclusion, a church that is patterned after the Word of God operates around the spiritual gifts (i.e. the gifts of the Holy Spirit), and not according to the structures created by man. The Word of God says so.

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

But the Word of God says!

Deuteronomy 7:1-2 (NKJV): "When the Lord your God brings you into the land which you go to possess, and has cast out many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than you, and when the Lord your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them."

The Hebrew title for the book of Deuteronomy is 'Haddebharim'; 'ha' meaning 'the', and 'dabar' meaning 'Word', taken from the opening phrase in Deuteronomy 1:1 that says, 'These are the words...', addressed to the new generation destined to possess the Promised Land (i.e. those who survived the forty years of wandering in the wilderness). This book is therefore God's words ('dabar') for the new generation of people, a 'picture' of you and I in the New Covenant today!

The 'land' (i.e. the Promised Land) mentioned in Deuteronomy 7:1-2 speaks of 'God's inheritance and promises for your life'. Notice it is the Lord your God who 'brings you into the land' and 'has cast out many nations before you'.

The 'seven nations' mentioned here are 'symbolic' of 'the enemies illegally occupying your 'land' (i.e. your life, family, ministry, or vocation)', just like sicknesses (and viruses) illegally occupying your body! You see, these 'nations' were not supposed to be there in the Promised Land! They are the 'illegal occupants', and they have not been given the permission from the Lord to occupy the land!

Genesis 15:18-21 says, '...the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates - the Kenites, the Kenezzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites."'

Notice the word 'covenant' here? It means an agreement or a promise that cannot be broken! Notice 'To your descendants' here? Abraham's descendants! Are you Abraham's descendants? YesGalatians 3:29 says, 'And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed (i.e. offspring, descendants), and heirs according to the promise'!

Let's study some Hebrew words now to find out the symbolic meanings of each of these 'seven nations', and how 'you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them' (see Deuteronomy 7:2 again) - by the Word of God!

Hittites
'Khittee' in Hebrew, from the word 'khayth', meaning 'fear, terror, dread'.
The first weapon the enemy usually comes against you is by causing fear, terror or dread.
But the Word of God says:
'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. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked' (Psalm 91:5-8)
'For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind' (2 Timothy 1:7)

Girgashites
'Girgashiy' in Hebrew, from the word 'garah', meaning 'strive, contention'.
The enemy likes it when you strive and struggle, instead of relying on God's grace (ability, supply) and being at rest in the Lord.
But the Word of God says:
'Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you' (2 Chronicles 20:15, 2 Chronicles 20:17)
'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge' (Psalm 46:10-11)

Amorites
'Emoriy' in Hebrew, from the word 'amar', meaning 'challenge, boasting'.
The enemy likes to boast against you, and taunt you into giving up, like what Goliath did to Israel.
But the Word of God says:
'You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied' (1 Samuel 17:45)
'Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear, for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hands' (1 Samuel 17:47)

Canaanites
'Kenaaniy' in Hebrew, from the word 'kenaan', meaning 'humiliation, shame'.
The enemy likes to humiliate you and shame you, reminding you of those dark past, sins and mistakes of yours.
But the Word of God says:
'Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore. For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is His name; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth' (Isaiah 54:4-5)
'There is therefore now no (never, not at all, not even one) condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit' (Romans 8:1)

Perrizites
'Perizziy' in Hebrew, from the word 'paraz', meaning 'separation, nakedness'.
The enemy wants to separate you from God, just as he did to Adam and Eve (they saw their own nakedness and began to hide from God).
But the Word of God says:
'Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us' (Romans 8:35, Romans 8:37)
'For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord' (Romans 8:38-39)

Hivites
'Khivvee' in Hebrew, from the word 'khavvaw', meaning 'smallness, self-pity'.
The enemy wants to make you feel 'small', miserable and discouraged, like a snake (a python that 'constricts the victim') squeezes life and energy out of you.
But the Word of God says:
'What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies' (Romans 8:31-33)
'You are of God, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4)

Jebusites
'Yebuwciy' in Hebrew, from the word 'yebuwc', meaning 'trample, oppression'.
The enemy wants to trample you (put you down), making you oppressed and depressed, so you will not fulfill all that the Lord wants you to fulfill.
But the Word of God says:
'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' (Luke 10:19)
'All (any, every, the whole, whatsoever) authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen' (Matthew 28:18-20)

People of God, whatever the 'illegal occupants' may be in your life at the moment, speak and declare the Word of God aloud, so that your ears will hear! Romans 10:17 says, 'So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God'! You may even want to 'personalize' these words of the Lord for yourself! Go ahead! And this is how you overcome! By the Word of God that you speak and declare aloud! 1 John 5:4 says, 'For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith'!

Hallelujah! Amen!

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

No weapon formed against you shall prosper!

I heard these words from the Lord recently:
"This is a month I will teach you and lead you to triumph in your spiritual warfare! Whatever your spiritual warfare may be at the moment, no weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment, you shall condemn! By the Blood and by the Word! So, fear not! Victory has already been won for you! Claim it! Receive it!"

Revelation 12:7-9 (NKJV) says, 'And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the devil and satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him'.

Revelation 12:10-12 (NKJV) continues, 'Then I (John) heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation (Yeshuwah), and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the BLOOD of the Lamb and by the WORD of their testimony..."'

By the Blood (of Christ) and by the Word (of Christ)! That's exactly how John saw the people of the Lord overcome the devil! That's all they needed! And the same it is for you and I today!

Let's do a simple checklist.
Has the Blood (of Christ) been shed for you? Yes! Some 2,000 years ago! (see Ephesians 1:7)
Has the Word (of Christ) been given to you? Yes! When He came on earth! (see John 1:14)

And there you are! The truth is you ALREADY have everything you need to triumph in warfare today! Victory has already been won for you on the cross!

Ephesians 1:3 (NKJV) says, 'Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ'.

See the words 'who has blessed us' here? Notice it is not written 'who will soon bless us', but written 'who has blessed us'! It means as a believer in Christ Jesus, you are not 'trying to get it' (trying to earn it or achieve it), but you ALREADY have it!

Now watch the word 'every' in this verse. It is translated in King James Version (KJV) as 'all'. In Greek, it is even better! It can mean 'all, any, every, the whole of, whatsoever'! Wow! In other words, our Abba Father in heaven has blessed us with 'all, any, every, the whole of, whatsoever' spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ!

Some may ask, "But why are there so many Christians not living in victory?" Because they do not know! They do not know they have ALREADY been given everything they need in order to live in victory! The Bible says, 'My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge...' (Hosea 4:6) And this knowledge is not just head knowledge, but revelation knowledge!

"Now that I know, what should I do now?"

Ephesians 6:10-11 says, '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 (schemings) of the devil'. Ephesians 6:13 then says, 'Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand'.
And finally, Ephesians 6:14 says, 'Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness...'

See the word 'stand' mentioned three times here? The number 'three' in Hebrew numeric can mean 'perfect testimony, invincibility'. Let Scripture interpret Scripture, and we shall go all the way to 2 Chronicles 20 now. Here, it happened that a great multitude (the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir) came to battle against Judah, and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah began to seek the Lord for help (2 Chronicles 20:1-4). The Spirit of the Lord then came upon Jahaziel, and he said, "Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: 'Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's... You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation (Yeshuwah) of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.'" (2 Chronicles 20:15-17)

Notice the word 'stand' here? In Hebrew, this word is 'aw-mad', and it can mean 'to present self'. See? Your part is to present yourself (and not absent yourself!) and watch the Salvation (Yeshuwah) of the Lord, who is with you! As for Jehoshaphat, he appointed those who should sing praises to the Lord, and when they began singing praises to the Lord, the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir were so confused that they began to destroy one another! (see 2 Chronicles 20:19-30)

People of God, just as for Jehoshaphat, the Lord your God will also give you the strategies for victory, when you seek Him and ask of Him!

What is the 'warfare' you are facing now?
Against: Spirit of death? Spirit of infirmities? Spirit of lack? Spirit of fear? Spirit of discouragement? The list goes on.
Symptoms: You have tried everything you know how in the natural, but it still comes attacking you!
Then you know this 'war' is invisible, and it is spiritual.
The fact is the devil hates you, and will throw 'darts' at you whenever there's an opportunity! But fear not! Because He (the Lord) who is in you is greater than he (the devil) who is in the world! (1 John 4:4)

Not convinced? Here's the difference between the Lord your God and the devil:
1. The Lord your God is omniscient (all-knowing). But the devil does not know everything.
Otherwise he wouldn't have put Jesus on the cross, and got himself 'checkmated'! (see Hebrews 10:12-14)
2. The Lord your God is omnipotent (all-powerful). But the devil is not all-powerful. Otherwise he wouldn't have begged Jesus to leave him alone and not to torment him! (see Luke 8:28)
3. The Lord your God is omnipresent (all-present). But the devil is not everywhere all the time. Otherwise the Bible wouldn't have mentioned that he was cast out! (see Revelation 12:7-9)

And because the devil knows he isn't as great as what he wants men (and women) make him out to be, his one tactic is to make you think you don't have what you ALREADY have! That's why he is called a liar! (John 8:44)

People of God, the truth is you ALREADY have everything when you have Jesus!
He is in you the YHWH Shalom. He is not just giving you shalom peace, but HE IS your shalom peace!
He is in you the YHWH Rapha. He is not just giving you healing, but HE IS your healing!
He is in you the YHWH Yireh. He is not just giving you providence, but HE IS your providence!
He is in you the YHWH Tsidkenu. He is not just giving you righteousness, but HE IS your righteousness!
He is in you the YHWH Nissi. He is not just giving you the banner and the victory, but HE IS your banner and your victory!

Therefore, no weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment, you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me, says the Lord (Isaiah 54:17). Amen and Amen!