Words from the Lord: "Your future is not bleak, but bright!"

The Lord says: 

"When many people say what's ahead is bleak, I'm saying what's ahead for you is bright and well taken care of. Exciting times are ahead! But you've got to believe and receive by faith, in spite of what others say. When one season ends, a new season begins. Don't linger in the former, even former glory, but look ahead to Me. For I'm doing a new thing in your life. Let your spiritual eyes be opened to see the new that I have for you." 

The Lord says further:

"Sing a new song to Me therefore. For I'm giving you a new vision, a fresh anointing, and a fresh new grace for what's ahead of you. Put off the old, and put on the new that I'm giving to you. Forgive what's past, and embrace the new that I'm giving to you. For I have many more things that I want to show you and do in your life. I will give you visions and dreams. I will give you fresh revelations. I will give you a new hope. I will give you a new purpose. I will show you My glory." 

Isaiah 43:18-19 (NKJV) says, 'Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.' 

The Lord also says: 

"Let My Spirit work in you to renew you. Let My Spirit open your spiritual eyes and enlighten your spiritual eyes, so that you can see all the things, the new things, that I am doing in your life and about to do in your life." 

It's so important to know your time and season. Not according to man's eyes, but according to God's eyes. You can seek the Lord for His 'specifics' and timing for you. You can seek the Lord for His blueprints for you. With the help of the Holy Spirit, you can. 

Different people different. Different people may have different 'specifics' and timing in God's eyes. But one thing for sure is the Lord your God will never leave you hanging! He will never leave you without help, and you will never be out of God's sight and God's care!

One interesting example is the Levites and the priests those days in the Old Testament. Numbers 8:24-26 (NKJV) says, 'This is what pertains to the Levites: From twenty-five years old and above one may enter to perform service in the work of the tabernacle of meeting; and at the age of fifty years, they must cease performing this work, and shall work no more. They may minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of meeting, to attend to needs, but they themselves shall do no work...' 

These Levites and priests were supposed to enter 'retirement' at age fifty. Of course, this may not make sense to many people in our generation, as age fifty may be too early for 'retirement', especially with higher life expectancy in our modern era. Many people (including ministers of God) are still just as active in their profession beyond fifty. But here, I just want you to imagine the Levites and the priests at that time, and as they reach their 'retirement' age of fifty. It's definitely an ending of one season and the beginning of a new season for them. 

Question: Did their usefulness also end by that age? Absolutely not! It's just a change in the nature of how they serve the Lord!

Why did the Lord instruct the Levites and the priests to cease heavy labor at age fifty?

These are some of the reasons:

1. Heavy manual labor. At that time, the work of the Levites involved setting up, taking down, and carrying many heavy parts of the tabernacle. As for the priests, they would need lots of strength in slaughtering and skinning animals for the sacrifice.

2. Prevention of injury and desecration. Intense physical work increases the risk of fatigue-related accidents. Also, mishandling or dropping holy objects could result in breaking ritual laws or cause ceremonial uncleanness. 

3. Prevention of health hazard and sensory limits. Detailed tasks (e.g., inspecting skin diseases from close range) became more difficult as their natural senses and eyesight deteriorate with age.

But that doesn't mean it's the end of their life of serving God and moving into a boring life! They didn't stop serving God. They moved into, for example, offering counseling, advice, or wisdom to the younger ones.

It's the same with any profession. For example, sportsmen. They cannot keep on and on. But that doesn't mean it's the end. They can move into a new season. I'm not saying it's easy for them, especially after being in the 'limelight' and having lots of fans applauding them in their younger days. But it's definitely not the end. They can move into, for example, coaching, advisory work, commentating, etc. There are so many things they can do. 

Beloved of God, whatever your age, rejoice and be glad, because the Lord your God is about to do new and exciting things in your life! Never limit what He can do in your life, going forward. He can do many things that you have not imagined yet. Good things, of course!

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Dream: "Attack from the air!"

The Lord gave me a dream the other day. I saw myself together with some people inside a tall building in a city. While we were having a meeting in a conference room inside that tall building, I suddenly saw a wave of drones that looked like planes moving towards the building. They began to shoot at the building that I was in. As I looked outside from the window of the building, there was another wave of drones flying nearer and nearer, and this time, the drones looked like helicopters. These drones were shooting towards us in the building. 

Remarkably, these laser-like shots didn't penetrate the window of our building. In fact, we who were inside suddenly found ourselves holding some kind of laser gun, and we shot back, pushing those laser-like shots back! 

The whole dream did look like a science fiction movie, even though I haven't been watching any movie for a long time. But one thing for sure is the dream was so real. I woke up from the dream and began to pray in the spirit. It was an intense dream. Of course, in the dream, we who were inside the building successfully defended ourselves. We successfully pushed back. 

I asked the Lord, "Why this dream?" and "What's the meaning of this dream?" There must be a meaning to this dream. The Lord then said this 'attack from the air' speaks of the battle that's happening in the spiritual realm at the moment. 

The fact that it comes from the air speaks of it coming from what the Bible calls as 'prince of the power of the air', also known as 'devil'. The enemy (the devil) is targeting God's people really hard. The enemy (the devil) is trying to put down many of God's people, especially those who are leaders in their community or family. 

Ephesians 2:2 (NKJV) says, '...according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience...' 

The 'prince of the power of the air' here refers to the 'devil'. He is referred to as 'prince' here because he has a certain degree of influence over this fallen world. 

The 'air' here speaks of 'the invisible atmosphere in the spiritual realm where the devil operates'. 

The 'sons of disobedience' here refers to 'the people who have been influenced and ruled by the devil to live a life of rebellion against God, God's Word, and God's will'. 

However, if you look at Ephesians 2:4-6, there's a good news for you. It says, 'But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ, and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus...' 

Notice this is in past tense. It means this has already happened! Already given to you! This speaks of your authority in Christ right now! You have a higher authority to thwart whatever the devil tries to conjure up! You have a higher authority to triumph over whatever the devil throws at you! This is God's assurance and promise for you who walk with Him. 

The Lord is saying to His people: "I have given you this authority and power. Because you have Me, and you are in Me, the devil's authority and power is never equal. You have the higher authority and power! You already have what you need to triumph over whatever the devil throws at you!" 

The Lord is also saying to His people: "Do not give place to the devil. Protect yourselves in the spirit. Guard your hearts, leaving no room for the devil to take hold of who you are or what you do. As long as you are led by My Spirit and you walk in the Spirit, the enemy the devil will not be able to have a foothold." 

"Do not give place to the devil" here means "Refusing to give the devil any spiritual ground or opportunity to influence your life". 

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

The word 'guard' here is 'natsar' in Hebrew. It can mean 'protect, preserve, maintain, watch over (in order to prevent evil)'. The 'heart' here speaks of 'your inner self (your deepest self)'. 

Why 'guard your heart'? 

An unguarded heart (e.g. what you watch, what you listen to, what you think about) will lead to fleshly or sinful desires (e.g. lust, greed, pride). 

Therefore, make it a point to avoid any situation that will lead to fleshly or sinful desires. 

How to 'guard your heart'? 

- Be led and be guided by the Holy Spirit, and walk in the Spirit! 

- Pay attention to what you read, watch, or listen to! 

- Fill your mind with the things of God and the Word of God! 

In other words, a heart that is not distracted by the lures and temptations of this world! 

And especially so in such a time! But today, the Lord has spoken that as long as you walk with Him, you are on the victorious side! You have the upper hand! And the devil has no say! 

Prayer:

"O Lord God, we thank You for Your authority and power in You. We thank You that You have given us everything we need to thwart the enemy and triumph over the enemy. We thank You that You have raised us up together with Christ Jesus, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, reigning and ruling in the spiritual realm. Teach us also to guard our hearts and walk in Your will and Your way. Let us be people who are always led by your Spirit and guided by your Spirit. Let our paths be made straight, and let our ways be established. In Jesus' name. Amen!"

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Words from the Lord: "See your future with a new lens!"

During a time of prayer, I saw a vision of the Lord's hand taking away His people's old lens and giving them a new lens. That's when I heard the Lord saying, "My people are going to see their lives and their future with this new lens." 

I also heard the Lord saying to His people:

"You are entering a new season of new perspectives, new vision, and new strength. This is a time of rejoicing and fresh new hope. My presence brings joy and fresh new hope. See Me taking away all your sorrows and tears of the yesteryears. See Me taking away all those troubles and pains of the yesteryears. Begin to see Me in a new light. Begin to see Me with this new lens. This lens that I'm giving to you will cause you to see that 'all the lines have fallen to you in pleasant places', and that I've given you a good inheritance, going forward." 

This brings us to Psalm 16:6-8 (NKJV) that says, 'The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance. I bless the Lord who has given me counsel... I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.' 

In Psalm 16:9-11 (NKJV), David wrote, 'Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices... You will show me the path of life; In your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.' Notice the word 'therefore' here.

What does 'the lines have fallen to me in pleasant places' mean? 

This refers to 'using the measuring lines or ropes those days to divide the land among the tribes (in the Promised Land)'. This represents God giving and assigning each person a specific portion and inheritance. Here, God says that He has the pleasure of choosing a good and favorable place (or situation) for you, and that you have a good inheritance! 

Today, the Lord is saying the same to you that 'the lines have fallen to you in pleasant places'! He has chosen a good and favorable place (or situation) for you, and He has given you a good inheritance!

Another Psalm of David. Psalm 28:6-7 (NKJV) says, 'Blessed be the Lord, because He has heard the voice of my supplications! The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.' Notice the word 'therefore' again.

So, why rejoice and be glad in the Lord? Because the Lord has given you a good inheritance! Because the Lord has promised to surround you and help you! Because the Lord has promised nothing can hurt you or shake you! Because the Lord has shown you the path of life and hope! Because the Lord has given you new perspective, vision, and strength! 

You see, you have so many reasons to rejoice and be glad! In fact, there are many more reasons! 

Whatever your past may be, or whatever your background may be, choose to see God in a new light and with this new lens! In fact, see your future with this new lens! I declare things are going to be so much better for you, going forward. Amen! 

Prayer:

"O Lord God, we thank You for Your words today. We thank You because 'the lines have fallen to us in pleasant places' and we have a good inheritance from You. We thank You for surrounding us with Your presence, Your protection, and Your help. We thank You for showing us the path of life and hope. We thank You for leading and guiding us every step of the way. We thank You for Your good counsel and plans for us. Your plans for us are always good. There are so many reasons to give You thanks and to rejoice for what You've spoken and done for us. We declare aloud that You are altogether good, and You are our Mighty God, and there is no other. In Jesus' name. Amen!"

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