Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy!

Psalm 126:5-6 (NKJV): Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

While I was praying for someone the other day, I saw a vision of a hand pulling a piece of tissue out of a golden tissue box, wiping the tears from that someone's eyes. And then I heard these words, 'Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy'.

I would interpret the 'gold' color in the 'golden tissue box' as 'the divine touch of God', coming from the very throne of God directly to those who need it.

Let's go back to Psalm 126:5-6 now. The background of these two verses is about 'being set free' from bondage and captivity, as God's people began to see their weeping being turned into rejoicing. Here's what Psalm 126:1-4 (the verses prior to Psalm 126:5-6) says, 'When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed (i.e. dream came true). Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations (Gentiles), "The Lord has done great things for them." The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the South (Negev)'.

Indeed, this is a time of reaping and rejoicing for many of you who have been 'sowing in tears'!

Last Sunday morning, I heard and released these prophetic words to the congregation regarding the current time and season they are in:
"There's a new strategy that I am releasing to My people in this time and season! A strategy for My people's breakthrough and victory! And I am releasing a new way, a new approach, even a new formation! The wind from heaven is blowing to bring forth such in the physical realm. The old is gone, and the new has come! This is a day to declare your reaping time has come! For those who sow in tears shall reap in joy!"

And then I heard and released further:
"And I am releasing a new sound, a new rhythm into your life and spirit today. A new sound, a new rhythm for a new season! Allow Me, and watch how I am going to bring you into the next level you have been asking for!"

The word 'reap' in Psalm 126:5 is 'qatsar' in Hebrew, meaning 'to harvest (grains)', from the same Hebrew root as 'qatsats', meaning 'to cut off, to chop off'. As a matter of fact, when you use the sickle to 'cut' ('qatsar') in the harvest field, you are effectively separating the 'useful' from the 'useless'. The grains (i.e. the useful parts) would then be used to make bread (i.e. food) to feed (bless) many, while the useless parts would be burned. So, 'separating' here is a 'picture' of your 'consecration before the Lord', or 'being set apart for His works'. In other words, a harvest time (or reaping time) would always come together with a time of consecration before the Lord, or being separated (set apart) unto God!

People of God, if you ask me what is the time and season at the moment in the spiritual realm, I would say we are in the time and season of crossing the 'threshold'. A 'threshold' is 'a piece of wood or stone forming the bottom of a doorway', and is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as 'point of entering or beginning something'.

Get ready therefore! And get yourself consecrated before the Lord! For the Lord will begin to do great things for you too, just as it is written in Psalm 126:1-4!

In this new season of the Lord, there's also a new sound and a new rhythm that the Lord is breathing into you. Receive by faith! Flow with this new sound and new rhythm from Him, and you will see there's no struggle in everything you do. Why? Because it is the Lord who sets it! Interestingly, right after Psalm 126:5-6 comes this verse in Psalm 127:1 that says, 'Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it...' The word 'build' here is 'banah' in Hebrew, meaning 'to appoint, to set (things) up'. In other words, 'unless the Lord is the One who appoints (it), or sets (things) up, God's people will labor in vain'!

Your part is to flow with His plan and in His direction, and you will begin to see your breakthrough and victory!

Some old 'set up' and old 'strategies' that used to work in the old season may not work anymore. In this season of 'change' and 'crossing the threshold', there's going to be a new way, a new approach, even a new formation being released from heaven. In fact, for some of you, there's even going to be some re-positioning. Be willing to adjust, and allow Him to change you. To put it simply, be willing to embrace the change He has for you!

Bear in mind the Lord doesn't change things for no reason. He changes things for you (at certain junctures of your life) so that you will always be at the cutting edge, effective in all that He has called you to be (or do)!

This is also a time He is releasing many new strategies for His people! Take time to listen for His voice as you read the Word and pray in the spirit. By the way, 'a strategy' can be defined as 'a plan and direction in a war, a battle, or an operation'.

For some of you who have been feeling 'overwhelmed' by the 'tasks' that you have in your hands, take heart, because the battle in this end-time is not yours, but the Lord's, just as in the days of Jehoshaphat (read 2 Chronicles 20:15). Meditate on 2 Chronicles chapter 20:1-30, and allow the Lord to re-assure and encourage you.

Last but not least, I would like to bring to your attention Isaiah 6:1-8, a key and crucial 'threshold' for Isaiah's life and ministry. These verses describe how the Lord brought Isaiah into his new season, and from that time on, he (Isaiah) never looked back, and went on to become a great prophet of the Lord. Again, it all began with a time of consecration before the Lord!

Isaiah 6:4-7 says, 'So I (Isaiah) said: "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts." Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal... And he touched my mouth with it, and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged."'

People of God, likewise, allow the Lord to burn away the 'useless' as you prepare yourself for His new appointments in your life!

Isaiah 6:8 then says, 'Also I (Isaiah) heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I (Isaiah) said, "Here am I! Send me."' Interestingly, the word 'send' here is 'shalach' in Hebrew, which actually means 'to appoint, to use, to bring (on the way), to shoot forth'.

May you also say the same to the Lord today: "Here am I, appoint me, use me, bring me (on the way), and shoot me forth (to where you want me to be, and what you want me to do)!" In Jesus' name. Amen.

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

The Lord notices and cares for you

1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV): Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

The word 'cares' in 'He cares for you' here is 'melo' in Greek, which means 'to be of interest, to concern, to take notice, to take care'. This word is different from the word 'care' in 'casting all your care upon Him', which is 'merimna' in Greek, meaning 'anxieties, distraught, feeling troubled in mind'.

People of God, whatever care ('merimna') you may have at the moment (in your life, your family, ministry, business, or career), the good news is Jesus takes notice and He is interested to take over all those cares. That's what the Word of God says He is! Jesus Himself says in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

At the time of writing, I also feel there are a number of you out there who are going through a time of loneliness, or worse still, the feeling that no one cares. In fact, some of you have even become rather tired of this, and you are already on the verge of giving it all up. But take heart if you are reading this, because the Lord has a message for you today.

I heard these words from the Lord, and I want to release them to you by faith:
"There are people in the midst who feel they have been forgotten, but tell them I have not forgotten them. Tell them that they are not insignificant, even if they think they are. I have a plan for them, and I have noticed them. I will do a great work for them, and I will bless them, the way I did for Leah."

Now, who is Leah? Hardly anyone talks about Leah! It's as if she has been forgotten, because people tend to talk more about the grand love story of Jacob and Rachel (Leah's sister). In short, Leah was someone who has been 'overshadowed' by her more illustrious (i.e. famous, distinguished, showing remarkable qualities) sister!

By the way, the name 'Leah' in Hebrew means 'weary', from the word 'laah' meaning 'to tire, to be weary, to grieve'. Maybe some of you are also feeling wearied, because you have recently been 'sidelined' by others, ignored, forgotten, unloved, uncared for, unwanted, abandoned, or even been unfairly treated. Or maybe you feel you are 'good for nothing', unimportant, or insignificant in this world.

Beloved of God, you are not alone in this. The Lord wants you to know that He has taken notice and He has a plan to bless you, just as He has done for Leah those days. Will you be willing to surrender and cast all those 'merimna' to Him? Because He does care for you. And He backs it up with His words in 1 Peter 5:7.

Now let's look at Leah herself in Genesis 29. She was the forgotten one, the ignored one, and the unloved one at that time. Genesis 29:16-18 says, 'Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah's eyes were faint (i.e. unlikely to have much effect, lacking attractiveness), but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance. Now Jacob loved Rachel (instead of Leah)...' And the story went on that Jacob was even willing to serve Laban (Leah's and Rachel's father) seven years just to marry Rachel!

Genesis 29:20-25 then says, 'So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her. Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled..." And Laban gathered together all the men of the place and made a feast. Now it came to pass in the evening (of the feast), that Laban took Leah his daughter and brought her to Jacob, and he went in to her. So it came to pass in the morning, that behold, it was Leah. And Jacob said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?"'

Imagine how Leah felt at that time! That rotten feeling of being shunned, unwanted, unloved, and being compared to her more 'popular' sister! Was it her fault that this had to happen? No, not at all! It wasn't her fault that her dad (Laban) did this to her! And it couldn't be her fault that Jacob loved Rachel more than her!

If you have been going through a situation like Leah, I want to write to you and encourage you that the Lord indeed has great compassion for the Leahs of today. He hasn't forgotten you, and He hears and takes notice of every heart cry of yours. Your breakthrough will come if you don't give up on Him.

Genesis 29:31 says, 'When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb...' The phrase 'He opened her womb' here actually means 'He enabled her womb'. In other words, when the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He enabled her womb. 'Womb' here is a 'picture' of 'the ability to produce, the ability to be fruitful, or the ability for a breakthrough'. And the word 'enabled' here speaks of God's grace, because God's grace is 'His ability (same root word as 'enabled') to do for you what you cannot do for yourself'.

As you can see above, there is tremendous hope for the Leahs of today! And of course, God's grace is more than enough for the Leahs of today!

For the record, Leah then went on to move from breakthrough to breakthrough, and great indeed was her fruitfulness! She eventually gave Jacob six out of his twelve sons! That's 50%! The rest of Jacob's sons were through Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah put together.

Here is the list of the fruits of Leah's womb:
1. Reuben (Genesis 29:32)
2. Simeon (Genesis 29:33)
3. Levi (Genesis 29:34)
4. Judah (Genesis 29:35)
5. Issachar (Genesis 30:17-18)
6. Zebulun (Genesis 30:19-20)
7. Dinah, the daughter (Genesis 30:21)

'Womb' speaks of 'fruitfulness'. The Lord heard Leah's heart cry and He blessed her womb greatly, so much so one of her sons was Judah, and it's from Judah's lineage (out of all the sons of Jacob) came forth Jesus!

Matthew 1:1-2 says, 'The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, Jacob begot Judah and his brothers...' See the name Judah here? And no other names among Jacob's sons were mentioned! It surely goes to show that the Lord hears Leah's heart cry and the Lord surely remembers Leah and the fruit of her womb! And I believe He will do so to you likewise, whatever your situation may be at the moment.

"It's easy for you to say, but how would you be able to understand what I've been going through?"

I may not be able to understand your situation fully, but I know I have a God who does. Why? Because I know He is a faithful God, and His faithfulness is great. I have gone through many 'Leah situation' myself, yet I have always been in awe of how faithful He can be whenever I look to Him and cry out to Him. And I am writing this from the very bottom of my heart.

Lamentations 3:22-24 (NKJV) says, 'Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul. Therefore I hope in Him'.

The word 'compassions' here is 'raw-kham' in Hebrew, literally meaning 'to show love'. And out of so many other books in the Bible, the above verses have to be found in a book called Lamentations (meaning 'an expression of sorrow, grieving, weeping, and regret'). The Lord wants to show you that in the midst of your sorrow, grieving, weeping, and regret, know that His compassions for you fail not! And He will surely show up if you look to Him and cry out to Him.

So, take heart, beloved of God, because if He takes notice and is interested even in the number of hair on your head (Matthew 10:30), you can be sure He will also take notice of every other area of your life.

Receive His great love and grace for your life today, and watch how He is going to turn your weeping into a time of rejoicing. Amen!

Friday, February 5, 2016

Knowing your time and season

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV): To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.

Notice the words 'under heaven' in this verse? Indeed, there is a time and season for everything here on earth. The author of this book then wrote, 'He has made everything beautiful in its time...' (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

As a matter of fact, Jesus knew His time (and timing) while on earth. In John 2:4, He said, "My hour (timing) has not yet come" when a wedding banquet ran out of wine. Later on, in the right timing, He then performed His first miracle by turning water to wine. In Luke 4:29-30, when those in the synagogue wanted to kill Him by throwing Him down over the cliff, He somehow managed to free Himself, because His time (to die) was not yet.

In the natural (physical) realm, animals too are created with the ability to sense and cope with seasonal changes. Winter can be harsh. In the wild, there is less food available in winter time. These animals need to learn to prepare enough food and enough warmth as winter draws near. If they miss the time, chances are they will not survive. Some would collect (gather) food in the hole or underground. Some would grow thicker coat of fur so they can retain heat. Some others would avoid the difficulties of winter by reducing their metabolic rate, going into a time of hibernating (when the body temperature drops and the heartbeat reduces). They look dormant, almost like dead, but they are actually still alive.

So, how do you know you are in time, out of time, or behind time? How do you know if you are walking in the perfect timing of the Lord? How do you know the time and season in your life (and in every aspect of your life)? And how not to miss your time?

In 1 Chronicles 12:32, the Bible says, '...of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do...' 

The name 'Issachar' here is 'Yissakar' in Hebrew, from two words, i.e. 'nasa' ('naw-sar') meaning 'to lift, to rise (higher than others)', and 'sakar' meaning 'to benefit, to reward'. Interestingly, the Hebrew word for 'eagle' is 'nesher', which comes from this same root word 'nasa'. Isaiah 40:31 says, '...those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles ('nesher'), they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint'. The word 'wait' here is 'qavah' in Hebrew, which means 'to gather, to collect, to bind (together) like twisting the cord'. In other words, a time of waiting on the Lord is also a time of building (and strengthening) one's relationship with the Lord. It is only then that something new is conceived and birthed forth!

Putting the two words ('nasa' and 'sakar') together, the meaning of this name 'Issachar' becomes clear, i.e. when you know the time and season of the Lord in your life (and walk in it), you too will see your reward ('sakar')! 

The word 'times' here in 1 Chronicles 12:32 is 'paam' in Hebrew, which speaks of 'the movement in the spiritual realm'. Ask the Holy Spirit to sensitize your spirit man, so that you too will know the 'movement' in the spiritual realm around you. The key here is to be 'hooked' ('connected') to the Holy Spirit (who is all-knowing). It is when you are in tune with the Holy Spirit that you will 'catch' the 'frequency' and 'transmission' of the Holy Spirit in your life! And that's how you will move with such precision like that of an eagle ('nesher').

So, what time are you in now? 
Just as there is winter time and there is summer time in the natural (physical) realm, there is also preparation time and harvest time in the spiritual realm. 

Are you in a 'winter time' when nothing seems to be happening at the moment? Take heart, because your spring time and summer time will come, if you do not give up looking to Him and putting your hope in Him! Indeed, you will mount up with wings like eagles again (Isaiah 40:29-31).

Kronos (chronos) time:
A time to keep building, building, building... and a time to keep preparing, preparing, preparing...
Like a planter who keeps tending the plants, yet no fruits to be harvested yet. Or like a tree growing its fruits, but not ripe for the picking yet. As you can see here, a waiting time is not a wasted time.
This Greek word 'kronos' ('chronos') is where the English words 'chronicles' or 'chronology' come from. It means 'a time implying a fixed time (duration), a waiting (lingering, delayed) time, a time that can be measured (by the physical clock)'. In short, it means 'to take time'. You can find this word 'kronos' ('chronos') in 1 Thessalonians 5:1, when the Bible talks about preparing for the Lord's coming.

Kairos time:
A time when the 'fruit' is ripe for the picking (harvesting). In 1 Chronicles 12:32 (Greek Old Testament), the word 'times' ('paam' in Hebrew) here is translated as 'kairos'. It means 'a time (occasion) implying a set time, an opportune time (when a thing should be done), an appointed time (to accomplish a God-given task)'. In short, it means 'the right moment'. Interestingly, the next few chapters following 1 Chronicles 12:32 are about the right time (timing) to bring the ark of the covenant (which speaks of 'the presence of the Lord' or 'the glory of the Lord') back to the city of God! (see 1 Chronicles chapters 13, 14, 15) 

Other examples of the word 'kairos' in the Bible:
Mark 1:15 (NKJV): "The time ('kairos') is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel".
Acts 3:19 (NKJV): "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times ('kairos') of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord".
Luke 12:56 (NKJV): "You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth (rain, or hot weather), but how is it you do not discern this time ('kairos')?"

Atomos time (our final victory):
A time of our final victory as the believers of the Lord Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 15:52, the Bible says, '...in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed'. The word 'moment' here is 'atomos' in Greek, which actually means 'uncut, indivisible', where the English words 'atom' or 'atomic' come from. You see, even 'one second' can be further 'divided' into, say, 'half a second', 'a quarter of a second', 'a hundredth of a second', or even 'a thousandth of a second', but an 'atomos' is 'a unit that cannot be further divided'. And in such 'atomos' time (in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye) some day, Jesus will return! And that's when we shall all be in eternity (not time-bound, not limited by time, ageless). 1 Corinthians 15:53-54 says it aptly, 'For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."' Amen.