Words for this month: "What is 'bitter' shall be turned to what is 'sweet'!"

Psalm 92:2 (NKJV) says, 'To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night.'

You may have been taught to be faithful to God. This is true, of course. But today, God also wants you to know that He is faithful to you! And His faithfulness towards you hasn't changed! 

You see, the Bible doesn't just say God is good to you. You can see that in Psalm 34:8 that says,  'Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him.' But the Bible also says 'God is faithful to you'. 

This word 'faithfulness' is 'emunah' in Hebrew. It literally means 'firmness, security, stability, trustworthy, unchanging'. In the context here, God is saying that He is firm and unchanging in always seeing the best in you and wanting the best for you! 

This word 'emunah' comes from the Hebrew root word 'aman', meaning 'to uphold, to support, to be faithful'. And this is exactly who God is to you! He always upholds you, supports you, and is faithful to you! 

There are times we are unfaithful to Him and have gone astray. There are times we have wandered off and have forgotten Him. But you know what? He still remembers us, and He still has our best interest in His mind. 

So, as we enter this brand new month, we want to remember who He is to us. He is faithful to us! 

The Lord also wants you to know that it has never been in His mind to suffer you or bring you sorrow. Where does the Bible say so? Proverbs 10:22 says, 'The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.' Now, 'rich' here may not necessarily just mean materially, but also rich in every sense of the word. Rich in blessings. Rich in wisdom. Rich in the goodness of God.

Beloved, if you are going through a difficult time in your life right now, be it in your health, your finance, your relationships, your career, or whatever it is, the Lord is saying to you to look to Him! Trust that He will know how to bring you out of your difficult situation, whatever your situation may be. Amen! 

Let's go all the way to Moses' days. Exodus 15:22-23 says, 'So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter...' 

So, what did the people do? Exodus 15:24-25 says, 'And the people complained against Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?" So Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he cast the tree into the waters, the waters were made sweet.' 

At that time, Moses had just led the people out of the bondage of Egypt. Great signs and wonders accompanied them. In fact, the Red Sea even opened up for them to cross over. But here they were, in the wilderness, and finding themselves three days without water to drink! Even after they have found water at Marah, it was useless, because the water was too bitter (too hard) for them to drink! 

The people were basically saying, "What now, Moses? What are we going to drink now? What are we going to do? Why are you bringing us here to die?" 

So, here Moses was, stuck in this difficult situation, in the middle of nowhere, with no water for the people to drink, and the people doubting him and complaining against him! And what did Moses do? 

Moses looked to God and cried out to God! Moses trusted that his God would not bring them out of a place in order to suffer them. And when others thought God is nowhere, Moses still believed God is now here! Now, the same it is for you. Your God is not nowhere, but your God is now here to uphold you, support you, and help you, whatever your difficult situation may be! 

Moses also believed that God's faithfulness towards the people hasn't changed. God is still a faithful God. If God could open the Red Sea when they were once at a dead end, God could now open the way for them one more time! True enough, God showed Moses a tree. When Moses cast the tree into the bitter water, the water became sweet and drinkable. Problem solved!

Today, this 'tree' is a 'picture' of the cross, and all that Jesus has done for you on the cross. It's here that God can turn whatever that is 'bitter' in your life and make it 'sweet' for you! It's also here that He has carried all your curse and infirmities, so that you can be made well and whole! But you've got to believe this. Believe in what the Scripture says. Believe in what Jesus has done for you on the cross some 2,000 years ago. 

So beloved, whatever you may be facing right now, and no matter how impossible it may be to see a solution, just like Moses, look to the Lord and put all your trust in the Lord. The God in Moses' days is the same God in your life right now, today! The Scripture says God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God hasn't changed. Your God is the same faithful God even in your life right now. Take heart, and be encouraged. 

This month, I want to declare by faith that God will show you a way! He will make a way for you! He will know how to lead you out of your trouble or difficult situation, whatever it may be! As long as you don't give up or walk out on Him. Amen!

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How to live victoriously in a time of instability and volatility?

The Lord says: 

"These are times of instability and volatility. Things are going to swing violently and unexpectedly in the coming months, and in ways that can confound and surprise even the smartest of brains. But as for you, My beloved, do not get overly carried away by emotions. Keep calm. Do not be anxious and do not panic, no matter what you see or what you hear in the world around you. Instead, be filled with My peace that surpasses all understanding." 

I also heard these words: "Play the long game!" Imagine a straight path ahead towards the horizon. Do not just look at the present or short term. Look at what's at the horizon. Look at the long term. Look to the Lord who is sovereign and in control. He sees the end from the beginning. Be patient. Trust that the Lord knows what He's doing in your life, and even in the world around you. That's what "play the long game" means. 

There's no doubt the world around us is changing, and changing fast. In fact, there's going to be acceleration of changes, and many things are going to happen suddenly. But fear not. Keep trusting in the Lord and keep looking to the Lord. Do not panic. Ask for the wisdom from God. Ask, and you shall receive. Ask for the leading, direction, and guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

How do you prepare in a time of instability and volatility? How do you live victoriously in such a time? First of all, receive the peace that comes only from God! 

Now, this peace from God is not just peace per se, as in the dictionary. This peace encompasses many aspects of your life. It is a big word. This peace is 'shalom' in Hebrew. Peace in every sense of the word 'peace'. It includes your safety, your wellness, your wholeness, your welfare, and even your health. So, it is not just a state of being safe and secure. But also, it is having the assurance that the Lord is still in control and the Lord is sovereign, and the Lord knows what He is doing in your life. 

In John 14:27, Jesus says, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." 

You see, nothing can take away this peace that's inside of you. This peace that comes only from the Lord. This peace that the world cannot give. This peace is greater than any turbulence outside of you in this world, or whatever disturbing news you hear in the world. 

Just one verse before that, in John 14:26, Jesus says, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things I said to you." 

Indeed, He has given us the Holy Spirit. And the Lord is saying to you that it's not too late yet, if you heed the Lord now. Obedience is the key. Change, when He asks you to change. Change how you see things. Change how you approach things. Move as He moves. Stop as He stops. When He says so, you say so. When He says no, you say no. Listen to the Holy Spirit that's inside of you. 

Listen to the "peace" or "un-peace" that's inside of you. Follow the peace of the Holy Spirit. And heed His warnings. And that's how you will never go wrong. Why? Because the Holy Spirit will never go wrong. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of all truth, and He is all-knowing. 

So you see, obedience is the key. Obedience to what? Obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Flow with the Holy Spirit. Not just listen to those who claim or seem to be knowledgeable. Now, there's a place, of course, for the professionals. But they are just humans. They can be wrong too. They can predict wrongly too. But the Holy Spirit in you will always speak the truth. That is the difference. 

Isaiah 26:3-4 says, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength." 

God can keep you in perfect peace when your mind is stayed on Him, and when you trust in Him. That's what the Scripture says here. So, no matter what happens outside of you in the world, you can still trust in the Lord who is your everlasting strength. He will keep you in perfect peace. He is your everlasting strength. The strength that cannot be shaken. 

The word 'peace' here (or 'shalom' in Hebrew) comes from this word 'shalam' in Hebrew. It literally means 'to be completely and unquestionably safe and secure'. Completely and unquestionably safe and secure in Him! 

Beloved of God, what are the 'storms' that you may be facing at the moment? It may be your health. It may be financially. It may be in any area of your life. But take heart, because whatever the 'storm' may be, if your mind is stayed on YAH, the LORD, this peace (or 'shalom') will rule and reign in you and in your situation. And I want to declare by faith that this peace inside of you will drown out all those "storms"! However big these "storms" seem to be! 

Is it a health storm? Is it a financial storm? Is it a storm in your relationship or in your family? Is it a storm in your business? Is it a storm in your city, your nation, or even in the world? But I tell you what, the Lord is greater. The Lord is greater than whatever that is in the world. The Lord is greater than whatever the enemy throws at you. And as you receive this peace, this shalom peace deep inside of you, there will be such calmness and assurance that only the Lord can give. Now that's what Isaiah 26:3-4 mean here. 

Remember, in the midst of the storm, Jesus said, "Peace, be still." And you know what? The storm was calmed. The violent waves ceased. And the boat He was in sailed safely to the destination. And that's what the Lord is saying to you as well. You will sail safely to your destination, and you will fulfill all of God's plans and purposes for your life, your destiny! Amen!

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How to live in an increasingly chaotic and uncertain world?

The Lord says: 

"Major shifts and major changes are coming this year! Even to the core and to the very foundation of things. This will happen more and more in the coming months. Whatever that can be shaken will be shaken. A sifting is taking place. A purifying is taking place. Even to the churches. Not just in the nations. But as for you, look to Me. Do not be afraid and do not be shaken, for I am with you, if you look to Me. Stay aligned with Me and My Word. Flow with My Spirit. Be led by My Spirit. There is safety in My presence. For where I am, there you shall be." 

The Lord says further: 

"Guard against any discouragement. Guard against any distraction. Guard against any immorality, sin, or temptation in life. Guard against any kind of pitfall set up by the enemy. I will expose the trickeries of the enemy, and I will show you My wisdom to rise above all these." 

Regarding God's plans for you: 

"Guard your calling in life. Guard what has been entrusted to you in this time and season. Continue to be faithful in what I have prepared and called you to be and to do in this season of your life. I will know how to order and establish your steps." 

Psalm 37:23 (NKJV) says, 'The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.'

The word 'ordered' here is 'kuwn' in Hebrew. It can mean 'properly erected, properly established, properly set up, properly prepared'. The Lord is doing exactly this for you this year! Yes, for you who submit to the Lord! He knows how to take it from here. He knows how to guide you step by step. He knows how to order or 'kuwn' your steps. 

Looking at the world nowadays, you can see there are a lot of uncertainties. The world has become increasingly chaotic. Many people are uncertain about their future. Many people live in anxiety and worry about what's to come. Many people are struggling. 

But as for you, beloved of God, the Lord has spoken. As long as you stay aligned with Him, you need not be afraid or need not be anxious. Take this into your heart that the Lord is ordering your steps. Step by step, every step of the way. Now, and the future. Amen! 

What's your part? Your part is to guard your heart! Guard your heart with all diligence. Guard your heart above all else. 

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) says, 'Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.' 

Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) says, 'Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.' 

The word 'guard' here is interesting. It is 'natsar' in Hebrew. This word can mean 'to protect, to maintain, to preserve (from discouragement, disorientation, condemnation, or evil)'. 

So, beloved of God, 'natsar' your heart. Protect your heart. Maintain your heart. Preserve your heart. Guard your heart at all costs. Bind all those discouragement! Bind all those condemnation sent by the enemy! Bind all those disorientation! 

What does 'guard your heart' actually mean? To answer this, we've got to look at the Hebrew word for 'heart' here first. The word 'heart' here is 'leb' in Hebrew, literally meaning 'the center of everything'. According to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, it not only speaks of your spirit, but also your soul. It means your mind, your will, and your emotion. Back to Proverbs 4:23 here, guard your spirit and soul. Guard your mind, will, and emotions.

Everything that happens in and around you depends on what's in your heart. Remember the word 'leb' here in Hebrew. If your heart is right, everything will start to fall into place for you. But when your heart is departed from the Lord, everything will also fall apart. Now, that's what Proverbs 4:23 actually means here.

The Lord says: 

"Do not let the enemy sow seeds of discouragement, disorientation, or condemnation in you. The enemy wants to keep you small. The enemy wants to keep you miserable. The enemy wants to keep you thinking that you are good for nothing. The enemy wants to stop you before your breakthrough comes. But this is when you choose to guard your heart above all else."

As you guard your heart, also be careful who you choose to align with (or associate with). In other words, guard against aligning or associating with the wrong people who may intentionally or unintentionally pull you down. 

Temptation (or the lure of this world) is everywhere, and many have fallen into it. But if you flow with the Holy Spirit, and are led by the Holy Spirit, and you are founded firmly in God's Word, there's nothing all these temptations can do to you. That's why it's so important to stay strong in the Word and in the Spirit. God's Word and God's Spirit! These are the two pillars that you need as you walk in this chaotic world!

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