Esther 2:17 (NKJV): The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.
In Hebrew, the word 'grace' here is pronounced 'khane', while the word 'favor' here is pronounced 'khehsed', which can also mean 'beauty, grace (unearned favor), goodness'.
Let's now cross-refer the words 'khane' (grace) and 'khehsed' (favor) in the Bible:
Proverbs 22:1 says, 'A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving 'khane' rather than silver and gold'.
Psalm 63:3 says, 'Because Your 'khehsed' is better than life, my lips shall praise You.'
In NKJV, the word 'khane' here in Proverbs 22:1 was translated 'favor', i.e. 'loving favor rather than silver and gold', while the word 'khehsed' in Psalm 63:3 was translated 'lovingkindness', i.e. Your lovingkindness is better than life (Note: 'life' here is pronounced 'khah-ee' in Hebrew, which means 'earthly life')...'
The Bible says God's 'khane' and 'khehsed' (i.e. grace and favor) is even better than the best the earthly life can offer! Yes, even better than a 7-star stay in the best of hotels, or being surrounded by gold and silver all the time! Now, having written these, it doesn't mean you cannot enjoy a good life or have gold and silver. When God put Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden (literally means 'pleasure, delight'), He wants them to enjoy it too! In fact, as a believer, you are supposed to be so blessed, enjoying all His goodness and blessings! Now that's what the Bible calls 'the blessing of Abraham'! (see Galatians 3:13-14) Some people put their 'faith' on money. But as a believer, you put your 'faith' (trust) on God and His goodness! When you have His grace and favor, you'll have all the good things in life! Every good thing will follow suit! Yes, money included. God loves to give to you. Never think He is stingy. In fact, astronomers have just discovered a planet that's made of diamonds! Imagine walking on diamonds everywhere, like you walk on rocks and stones on earth! And the streets in heaven are made of gold! That's how rich He is, the Most High God, the possessor of heaven and earth (see Genesis 14:19), and He is the God (YHWH) you worship!
Be conscious of God's 'khane' and 'khehsed' in your life always. 'Flowers' attract butterflies. 'Rubbish' attract flies. Good things happen ('outside' of you) when your 'inside' is filled with the revelation of God's goodness and lovingkindness. Just as what happens in the spiritual realm is reflected in the physical realm, what is in your 'inside' will also be reflected in your 'outside'. Say, if you have 'fear' in the 'inside', it will then manifest in the 'outside'. But if you have the revelation of God's goodness and lovingkindness in your 'inside', you'll also see it happening in your 'outside' (i.e. you can see and experience it in the physical realm).
Let's look at Esther now. She had this revelation of 'khane' and 'khehsed'. She also knew she was born and raised 'for such a time as this' (to save her people from being annihilated by the enemy), and she even said "If I die, I die!" (see Esther 4:14-16). With this revelation 'inside' of her, she was willing to 'take the risk'! You see, there's every 'risk' of her incurring the king's wrath and ended up like Vashti (the previous queen who became 'out of favor'), and in turn, losing everything! (Read the book of Esther in the Bible for the details)
But for Esther, she chose to walk in the fullness of God's destiny in her life, and to her, God's lovingkindness (to Israel) is better than her own life as a queen itself, i.e. with the arrays of gold and silver, the best earthly food, the best earthly clothes (that wears out anyway), etc.
Some people say: 'Get what you can, can what you get, and then sit on the can'. Most other 'queen' would have done this (i.e. to protect their own interests & position at all costs, but in earthly and carnal ways), but not Esther. Instead, she chose to walk in God's destiny.
So, did she (Esther) suffer in the end? No! Because of God's 'khane' and 'khehsed' in her life, she eventually became an even more powerful queen! The king even gave her the right to write her own law as she pleased! (see Esther 8:8)
A lot of people in the world now are struggling and striving in life, only to find themselves losing their 'soul' (& destiny). Imagine whales struggling and getting stranded at the beach (when they are supposed to be enjoying themselves in the ocean).
Esther was originally named 'Hadassah' in Hebrew, which comes from the word 'hadas' meaning 'myrtle tree' ( a tree with good-smelling leaves and white flowers - a 'picture' of sweet-smelling aroma and purity). Isaiah 55:13 says, 'instead of briers (a kind of thorny shrub), shall come up myrtle tree. So, myrtle is a choice plant in Israel, a 'picture' of God's promised blessing. So, instead of 'curse' (represented by 'thorns'), God has promised Esther 'blessings'!
God wants you to be the 'Esthers' of today. And just as Esther was, when you have God's 'khane' and 'khehsed', 'fear not, for what can man do to you?' (see Hebrews 13:6). The Bible also says, "whoever desires to save his 'life' will lose it, but whoever loses his 'life' for My sake (by walking in His destiny) will find it!" (see Matthew 16:25). God loves to give good things to you, and God will open a way for you, as He did to Esther. Receive.
What are you conscious of in your 'inside' (i.e. in your heart and mind) now? Is it God's lovingkindness for you, or is it the earthly, selfish cares and worries of life? 'Flowers' (like 'Esther', the myrtle flower) attract butterflies. 'Rubbish' attract flies. So, what are you 'attracting' today? Focus on His 'khane' and 'khehsed', and you'll have every good thing in 'life'. Focus on the earthly, selfish (self-conscious) life, and you'll be drowned in the cares, concerns, and struggles of life.
Therefore, look to God, and trust Him for His 'khane' and 'khehsed' in your life, and you'll have 'life', and 'life' even more abundantly! Amen.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
"So, just how much does God love me?"
1 John 4:18 (NKJV) says, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear..."
This verse says God's perfect love (for you) casts out (every) fear (of yours). The word 'perfect' in Greek here is 'teleios', which means 'complete, fullness'. It can also mean 'accomplished, finished, fulfilled, perfected'. And, who casts out fear? You, or Him? This verse says it's His perfect love that casts out fear!
So, whatever circumstance you may be facing at the moment, fear not, because there's no fear in His love and embrace. And when everything else seems to fail, know that His love (for you) never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8). The Bible also says His love has been 'poured out' on you! (Romans 5:5) The Bible doesn't say God 'sprinkles' His love on you! The Bible says He pours out His love on you! He is a generous and abundant God! Imagine yourself 'drenched' under a refreshing waterfall. What you need to do is just receive, and He will take care of the rest!
You may ask, "So, just how much does God love me?"
God so loved you He did not even withhold His only begotten Son (John 3:16).
Let's now look at Matthew 27:45-46. About the ninth hour, Jesus cried aloud, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachtani?", which means, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" It was a cry of distress. 'Sabachtani' literally means 'thou hast left me', and the word 'shebak' here in Hebrew means 'quit, leave'. In other words, Jesus was crying out, "My God, My God, why do you quit Me?"
Jesus was left 'forsaken' at the cross, so God can now say to you, 'I'll never leave you nor forsake you'.
2 Corinthians 5:21 says, 'For God made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God (in right standing with God) through Him (Jesus)'. It means Jesus carried all your sins, curse, and 'filth' on the cross. He became 'sin' for you. He became 'curse' for you (Galatians 3:13). And because of this, He became too 'filthy' for His Father to embrace! A sin is a sin, and a sin has to be judged! As a consequence, Jesus even lost His Father-Son relationship (from the sixth hour till the ninth hour) at the cross! For once, the unimaginable happened, because they have always been ONE (John 17:22). What happened in the spiritual realm in the heavenlies was also reflected in the physical realm during that three hours! Matthew 27:45 says 'there was darkness over all the land'. You know what? The physical 'sun' also lost its light (glory) at the same time! Imagine the 'sun' without its light? As a matter of fact, the 'sun' without its 'light' is no 'sun' at all! So, the 'sun' here reflects God the Father, and the 'light' here reflects God the Son (Jesus, the Word).
Note: The Lord has in fact given you a 'sign' (i.e. the sun) to understand who He is!
In Matthew 27:46, notice also Jesus called God 'Eli', instead of calling Him 'Father'. That was the only time Jesus called out to God as 'Eli'! In fact, in John 11:41-42, when Jesus raised Lazarus back to life, not only Jesus called God as 'Father', He also said, "You always hear Me" (i.e. His prayers have always been answered).
Jesus' prayer went unanswered ("Eli, Eli, lama sabachtani?") at the cross, so you can now have your prayers answered!
At the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus also said, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done." (Luke 22:42) Why did He say this? Was He afraid of the physical scourging and suffering on the cross? No, He IS the Jehovah Rapha, the HEALER Himself. He wasn't afraid of those 'beatings' at all! He said this because He knew He'd have to separate from His Father!
Jesus lost His 'Sonship' at the cross, so you can now become sons (& daughters) of God, and call Him 'Our Father in heaven' (Matthew 6:9).
Notice only 'sons and daughters of God' call Him 'Father', but 'servants' (or unbelievers) call God as 'Eli' (or God). See the difference? This is the difference between you (believers) and others. What happened at the cross has truly made all the difference!
And God did all the above with you in mind.
This verse says God's perfect love (for you) casts out (every) fear (of yours). The word 'perfect' in Greek here is 'teleios', which means 'complete, fullness'. It can also mean 'accomplished, finished, fulfilled, perfected'. And, who casts out fear? You, or Him? This verse says it's His perfect love that casts out fear!
So, whatever circumstance you may be facing at the moment, fear not, because there's no fear in His love and embrace. And when everything else seems to fail, know that His love (for you) never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8). The Bible also says His love has been 'poured out' on you! (Romans 5:5) The Bible doesn't say God 'sprinkles' His love on you! The Bible says He pours out His love on you! He is a generous and abundant God! Imagine yourself 'drenched' under a refreshing waterfall. What you need to do is just receive, and He will take care of the rest!
You may ask, "So, just how much does God love me?"
God so loved you He did not even withhold His only begotten Son (John 3:16).
Let's now look at Matthew 27:45-46. About the ninth hour, Jesus cried aloud, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachtani?", which means, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" It was a cry of distress. 'Sabachtani' literally means 'thou hast left me', and the word 'shebak' here in Hebrew means 'quit, leave'. In other words, Jesus was crying out, "My God, My God, why do you quit Me?"
Jesus was left 'forsaken' at the cross, so God can now say to you, 'I'll never leave you nor forsake you'.
2 Corinthians 5:21 says, 'For God made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God (in right standing with God) through Him (Jesus)'. It means Jesus carried all your sins, curse, and 'filth' on the cross. He became 'sin' for you. He became 'curse' for you (Galatians 3:13). And because of this, He became too 'filthy' for His Father to embrace! A sin is a sin, and a sin has to be judged! As a consequence, Jesus even lost His Father-Son relationship (from the sixth hour till the ninth hour) at the cross! For once, the unimaginable happened, because they have always been ONE (John 17:22). What happened in the spiritual realm in the heavenlies was also reflected in the physical realm during that three hours! Matthew 27:45 says 'there was darkness over all the land'. You know what? The physical 'sun' also lost its light (glory) at the same time! Imagine the 'sun' without its light? As a matter of fact, the 'sun' without its 'light' is no 'sun' at all! So, the 'sun' here reflects God the Father, and the 'light' here reflects God the Son (Jesus, the Word).
Note: The Lord has in fact given you a 'sign' (i.e. the sun) to understand who He is!
In Matthew 27:46, notice also Jesus called God 'Eli', instead of calling Him 'Father'. That was the only time Jesus called out to God as 'Eli'! In fact, in John 11:41-42, when Jesus raised Lazarus back to life, not only Jesus called God as 'Father', He also said, "You always hear Me" (i.e. His prayers have always been answered).
Jesus' prayer went unanswered ("Eli, Eli, lama sabachtani?") at the cross, so you can now have your prayers answered!
At the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus also said, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done." (Luke 22:42) Why did He say this? Was He afraid of the physical scourging and suffering on the cross? No, He IS the Jehovah Rapha, the HEALER Himself. He wasn't afraid of those 'beatings' at all! He said this because He knew He'd have to separate from His Father!
Jesus lost His 'Sonship' at the cross, so you can now become sons (& daughters) of God, and call Him 'Our Father in heaven' (Matthew 6:9).
Notice only 'sons and daughters of God' call Him 'Father', but 'servants' (or unbelievers) call God as 'Eli' (or God). See the difference? This is the difference between you (believers) and others. What happened at the cross has truly made all the difference!
And God did all the above with you in mind.
Friday, August 12, 2011
NOW is your Jubilee!
Leviticus 25:9-10 (NKJV): Then you shall cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall make the trumpet to sound throughout all your land. And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year; and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family.
The word 'Jubilee' in Leviticus 25:9 is 'teruwah' in Hebrew, which means 'acclamation of joy (with trumpets), loud noise, shout of joy, shout of triumph, and jubilation'. In Leviticus 25:10, the word 'Jubilee' is 'yowbel' in Hebrew, which means "the blast of a ram's horn (trumpet)". This word comes from the word 'yabal', which means 'to lead forth, to bring forth (with pomp, splendor, magnificence - like a triumphant procession)'. And the Lord spoke to Moses regarding this fiftieth year, the year of Jubilee (see Leviticus 25:10-14), i.e. the year liberty was to be proclaimed throughout the land.
How does 'Jubilee' relate to you in the New Covenant? And when is your 'Jubilee' year?
The answer can be found in Luke 4:18-19.
When Jesus was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah in the synagogue on the Sabbath day, He read out Isaiah 61:1-2: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." Note: The word 'to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord' in Luke 4:19 also means "to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
Then, Jesus closed the book (Luke 4:20), and said, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
Jesus has fulfilled this Scripture (Luke 4:21). 'To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord' is 'to proclaim a year of Jubilee'. 'Jubilee' is when 'one is being restored to his/her inheritance and possessions', and the blowing of trumpet signifies 'a new beginning', to set at liberty, i.e. forgetting the old & entering the new.
Today, Jesus has become your Jubilee, and this Jubilee is in you! So, you too are now set free from every bondage and slavery. Victory has been won for you at the cross! In fact, when Jesus shouted "It is finished!" (John 19:30), it was in effect a shout of triumph, declaring the beginning of Jubilee for you and me! As a believer, you are therefore 'accepted' in God's Beloved! (Ephesians 1:6) At that time (ninth hour, i.e. 3pm), the veil of the temple was torn, the graves were opened, and the captives were set free (Matthew 27:50-52). And because the ninth hour was also 'the hour of prayer' (see Acts 3:1), i.e. the evening sacrifice, the ram's horn (trumpet) was also sounded at the temple! And 'Jubilee' (or 'yowbel' in Hebrew) also means 'the blast of a ram's horn (trumpet)'.
By the way, to have a ram's horn, the ram has to be killed first. Jesus has become the fullness of sacrifice, once for all, for you (Hebrews 7:27), so that you can be 'at-one' (reconciled) with God. Leviticus 25:9 says, 'on the Day of At-one-ment, you shall make the trumpet to sound'.
People of God, Jesus has therefore proclaimed a Jubilee for you! So, you have been set at liberty! This is the day of your salvation! This is the day of your restoration! This is the day of your renewal! This is the day of your healing! This is the day of your deliverance! This is the day of God's favor & blessing on you! And the time is NOW! Claim back what should be yours! Claim back all your rightful 'inheritance'! Take back what the devil has stolen from you! And wait no longer. Take it NOW! Shout it out NOW! Say: "This is my day of salvation. This is my day of restoration. This is my day of renewal. This is my day of healing. This is my day of deliverance. This is my day of God's favor & blessing." Enforce it by faith. Declare it by faith. Believing, and you shall receive. And all these in Jesus' mighty name. Amen!
The word 'Jubilee' in Leviticus 25:9 is 'teruwah' in Hebrew, which means 'acclamation of joy (with trumpets), loud noise, shout of joy, shout of triumph, and jubilation'. In Leviticus 25:10, the word 'Jubilee' is 'yowbel' in Hebrew, which means "the blast of a ram's horn (trumpet)". This word comes from the word 'yabal', which means 'to lead forth, to bring forth (with pomp, splendor, magnificence - like a triumphant procession)'. And the Lord spoke to Moses regarding this fiftieth year, the year of Jubilee (see Leviticus 25:10-14), i.e. the year liberty was to be proclaimed throughout the land.
How does 'Jubilee' relate to you in the New Covenant? And when is your 'Jubilee' year?
The answer can be found in Luke 4:18-19.
When Jesus was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah in the synagogue on the Sabbath day, He read out Isaiah 61:1-2: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." Note: The word 'to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord' in Luke 4:19 also means "to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
Then, Jesus closed the book (Luke 4:20), and said, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
Jesus has fulfilled this Scripture (Luke 4:21). 'To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord' is 'to proclaim a year of Jubilee'. 'Jubilee' is when 'one is being restored to his/her inheritance and possessions', and the blowing of trumpet signifies 'a new beginning', to set at liberty, i.e. forgetting the old & entering the new.
Today, Jesus has become your Jubilee, and this Jubilee is in you! So, you too are now set free from every bondage and slavery. Victory has been won for you at the cross! In fact, when Jesus shouted "It is finished!" (John 19:30), it was in effect a shout of triumph, declaring the beginning of Jubilee for you and me! As a believer, you are therefore 'accepted' in God's Beloved! (Ephesians 1:6) At that time (ninth hour, i.e. 3pm), the veil of the temple was torn, the graves were opened, and the captives were set free (Matthew 27:50-52). And because the ninth hour was also 'the hour of prayer' (see Acts 3:1), i.e. the evening sacrifice, the ram's horn (trumpet) was also sounded at the temple! And 'Jubilee' (or 'yowbel' in Hebrew) also means 'the blast of a ram's horn (trumpet)'.
By the way, to have a ram's horn, the ram has to be killed first. Jesus has become the fullness of sacrifice, once for all, for you (Hebrews 7:27), so that you can be 'at-one' (reconciled) with God. Leviticus 25:9 says, 'on the Day of At-one-ment, you shall make the trumpet to sound'.
People of God, Jesus has therefore proclaimed a Jubilee for you! So, you have been set at liberty! This is the day of your salvation! This is the day of your restoration! This is the day of your renewal! This is the day of your healing! This is the day of your deliverance! This is the day of God's favor & blessing on you! And the time is NOW! Claim back what should be yours! Claim back all your rightful 'inheritance'! Take back what the devil has stolen from you! And wait no longer. Take it NOW! Shout it out NOW! Say: "This is my day of salvation. This is my day of restoration. This is my day of renewal. This is my day of healing. This is my day of deliverance. This is my day of God's favor & blessing." Enforce it by faith. Declare it by faith. Believing, and you shall receive. And all these in Jesus' mighty name. Amen!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
The 'tree' brings healing and recovery
Galatians 3:13 (NKJV): Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree").
It was at a tree that curse began (see Genesis 3). But the good news is Galatians 3:13 says Christ has redeemed you from that curse, having Himself become a curse for you! In Deuteronomy 21:23, notice that under the law given to Moses, anyone who hangs on a tree is accursed.
All things went wrong at one tree (in Adam & Eve's time), but Jesus made all things right at another tree (in Calvary). He came for this very reason - redemption! And it was at this 'tree' (picture of the 'cross') in Calvary that He has redeemed you! So, because of that, as a believer, you have been set free! No more curse, whatever curse it may be! Only blessings. Blessings of Abraham (Galatians 3:14). Health. Wholeness. Recovery. Restoration. Breakthrough. These are yours to receive! Victory has already been won for you at the cross. So, take it. Walk in it. Run and soar with it!
Have you been struggling in the area of health recently? Or maybe you are stuck in a debt that seems rather impossible to clear? Or you're wondering if you'll ever recover from a loss opportunity?
Whatever situation you may be facing, or no matter how impossible it seems at the moment, Jesus can. He can set you free. In fact, He came for this very reason - setting you free (see Luke 4:18-19). He is also supernatural. He is the Most High God, the possessor of heaven and earth (Genesis 14:19). And because He loves you, He is also willing. Not only will He set you free, He'll also recover you. I believe. Because His Word says so. And for many years now, I've learned to really take Him at His Word, and it has ALWAYS worked! Somehow, someway. I know it will also work for you. Believing, you'll receive. He can open the way for you, supernaturally! He can give you the breakthrough you needed, supernaturally! Yes, He can. He has done it before in Moses' time. He has also done it in Elisha's time. So, He can do it for you too, because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). People of God, expect nothing less than the supernatural from your supernatural God!
Let's look at Moses and Elisha now.
In Exodus 15:22-26, Moses was stuck in a situation when he (and his people) went three days in the wilderness but found no water. And even when they've found water (in Marah, meaning 'bitter'), it was too bitter to drink. Not only that, Moses also had to deal with the complaints and demands of his own people then. So, in the middle of the desert, and for three days without drinkable water, all hopes seemed lost. And that's when Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a 'tree'. When he cast the 'tree' into the waters, something supernatural happened. The waters were made sweet, and of course, good for drinking! You see, the answer is at the 'tree' (a 'picture' of the cross). When Jesus died for you on the 'tree' (cross), He has carried all those 'bitterness' away! So, yours have been made sweet as well! Amen! And it was at that very same place, God also said, "For I AM the Lord who heals you (Jehovah Rapha)."
In 2 Kings 6:1-7, Elisha and his servants were about to build a bigger place to dwell (because the one they've been dwelling in was too small for them by then). As they came to Jordan to cut down trees to build, a servant's iron ax head fell into the water! And when Elisha was told about it, he asked the servant where it fell. That's where the supernatural happened! Elisha cut off a 'stick', and threw it into the water where the iron ax head fell. And you know what? Instead of the 'stick' floating, it was the iron ax head that floated! Elisha then asked the servant to pick it up. I don't know about you, but to me, that's a miracle! What a retrieve! What a recovery! Wow! And this is definitely supernatural! Friend, do you believe your restoration and recovery is also at hand? Yes, expect the supernatural from your supernatural God! He is more than enough in any situation you face. Now, how did the iron ax head float? It floated when the 'stick' was thrown in! The word 'stick' here in Hebrew is 'ets', which literally means 'tree'! And again, because of what Jesus has done for you on the 'tree' (cross), you too are on the way to your full recovery! Debts cancelled! Losses restored! Wealth recovered! And all these for His glory! Take it. Believe & receive it. In Jesus' name. Amen!
It was at a tree that curse began (see Genesis 3). But the good news is Galatians 3:13 says Christ has redeemed you from that curse, having Himself become a curse for you! In Deuteronomy 21:23, notice that under the law given to Moses, anyone who hangs on a tree is accursed.
All things went wrong at one tree (in Adam & Eve's time), but Jesus made all things right at another tree (in Calvary). He came for this very reason - redemption! And it was at this 'tree' (picture of the 'cross') in Calvary that He has redeemed you! So, because of that, as a believer, you have been set free! No more curse, whatever curse it may be! Only blessings. Blessings of Abraham (Galatians 3:14). Health. Wholeness. Recovery. Restoration. Breakthrough. These are yours to receive! Victory has already been won for you at the cross. So, take it. Walk in it. Run and soar with it!
Have you been struggling in the area of health recently? Or maybe you are stuck in a debt that seems rather impossible to clear? Or you're wondering if you'll ever recover from a loss opportunity?
Whatever situation you may be facing, or no matter how impossible it seems at the moment, Jesus can. He can set you free. In fact, He came for this very reason - setting you free (see Luke 4:18-19). He is also supernatural. He is the Most High God, the possessor of heaven and earth (Genesis 14:19). And because He loves you, He is also willing. Not only will He set you free, He'll also recover you. I believe. Because His Word says so. And for many years now, I've learned to really take Him at His Word, and it has ALWAYS worked! Somehow, someway. I know it will also work for you. Believing, you'll receive. He can open the way for you, supernaturally! He can give you the breakthrough you needed, supernaturally! Yes, He can. He has done it before in Moses' time. He has also done it in Elisha's time. So, He can do it for you too, because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). People of God, expect nothing less than the supernatural from your supernatural God!
Let's look at Moses and Elisha now.
In Exodus 15:22-26, Moses was stuck in a situation when he (and his people) went three days in the wilderness but found no water. And even when they've found water (in Marah, meaning 'bitter'), it was too bitter to drink. Not only that, Moses also had to deal with the complaints and demands of his own people then. So, in the middle of the desert, and for three days without drinkable water, all hopes seemed lost. And that's when Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a 'tree'. When he cast the 'tree' into the waters, something supernatural happened. The waters were made sweet, and of course, good for drinking! You see, the answer is at the 'tree' (a 'picture' of the cross). When Jesus died for you on the 'tree' (cross), He has carried all those 'bitterness' away! So, yours have been made sweet as well! Amen! And it was at that very same place, God also said, "For I AM the Lord who heals you (Jehovah Rapha)."
In 2 Kings 6:1-7, Elisha and his servants were about to build a bigger place to dwell (because the one they've been dwelling in was too small for them by then). As they came to Jordan to cut down trees to build, a servant's iron ax head fell into the water! And when Elisha was told about it, he asked the servant where it fell. That's where the supernatural happened! Elisha cut off a 'stick', and threw it into the water where the iron ax head fell. And you know what? Instead of the 'stick' floating, it was the iron ax head that floated! Elisha then asked the servant to pick it up. I don't know about you, but to me, that's a miracle! What a retrieve! What a recovery! Wow! And this is definitely supernatural! Friend, do you believe your restoration and recovery is also at hand? Yes, expect the supernatural from your supernatural God! He is more than enough in any situation you face. Now, how did the iron ax head float? It floated when the 'stick' was thrown in! The word 'stick' here in Hebrew is 'ets', which literally means 'tree'! And again, because of what Jesus has done for you on the 'tree' (cross), you too are on the way to your full recovery! Debts cancelled! Losses restored! Wealth recovered! And all these for His glory! Take it. Believe & receive it. In Jesus' name. Amen!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Curse began at a tree, and curse had to end at another tree!
Galatians 3:13 says, "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree")."
Have you ever wondered why was it necessary for Jesus to die on a 'tree' (i.e. cross)? Was it needful for Him to die on the cross? It seemed the capital punishment (i.e. punishment by death) then was more 'popularly' by 'stoning' (for example, the stoning of Stephen consented by Saul). So, why didn't Jesus just get 'stoned' instead? His blood would have been shed, and His body would have been broken anyway.
Here's the answer: Curse began at a tree (in Adam's time in Genesis 3), and therefore curse had to end at (another) tree (at the cross in Calvary).
Jesus had to die on a tree because it was at a tree (see Genesis 3) that the curse began! He went back to where 'it' all started, so that you and I can be redeemed! Let's now look at Deuteronomy 21:22-23. One of the laws given to Moses sounds like this: "If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain overnight on a tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God." See? Dying on the tree - they were not just criminals, they were accursed! And Jesus became exactly that for you!
Note: The law also stated that the dead body 'shall not remain overnight on a tree'. That's why Jesus' body at Mount Calvary had to be taken down right after He 'gave up His spirit' (see John 19:30-31).
After 6 hours on the cross, He 'gathered' all that He had left, and gave a final shout, "It is finished!" (see John 19:30 & cross-references in Matthew 27:50-54, Mark 15:37-39, Luke 23:46-47), With this, He fulfilled the law once for all (see Hebrews 10:10-14). The curse was broken, and liberty was proclaimed! (refer Luke 4:18-19). The Bible also says in 2 Corinthians 5:21, "He who knew no sin became sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God (in right standing with God) through Him (Christ)."
And at that very stroke of time, the veil of the temple was torn, the earth quaked, the rocks split (Matthew 27:51), the graves were opened, & the captives were set free! (Matthew 27:52) Hallelujah! And you know what? Right then, in the ninth hour (i.e. 3pm), it also happened that the ram's horn (trumpet) was blown from the temple! Because it was supposedly the hour of prayer (see Acts 3:1), i.e. the evening sacrifice! Any Hebrew scholar would tell you the ram's horn would be blown at the beginning of the evening sacrifice!
So, in short, Jesus was 'taken up' the cross in the third hour (i.e. 9 am), the morning sacrifice & 'taken down' the cross in the ninth hour (i.e. 3pm), the evening sacrifice. Jesus has become the fullness of sacrifice for you!
Did all these happen by coincidence? No, all these happened because you were on His mind!
So, what does the blowing of ram's horn (trumpet or shofar) mean here? It signifies a new beginning! It's a proclamation of liberty! (see Leviticus 25:9-10) It's a forgetting of the past and beginning of the new! Paul also wrote, "stand fast therefore in this liberty that Christ has set you free!" (Galatians 5:1)
And finally, John 19:30 says Jesus' head bowed as He gave up His spirit. 'Bowing the head' here is a picture of 'rest'. Jesus has already done it all for you at the cross. The victory has already been won for you, and so He rested. As believers in the New Covenant, the Bible says we are also to enter His rest (Hebrews 4:9-10).
People of God, Christ without the cross is really no Christ at all! Most unbelievers do not reject Jesus Christ as a good man, a good prophet, a good teacher, etc, but they reject (or deny) His work at the cross. But you see, Christ's work at the cross is the 'centerpoint' of humankind's redemption! Without the cross, there's no redemption!
The devil (who's already been defeated at the cross) is very afraid of what had happened at the cross. So, he'd try to negate, undermine, or downplay Jesus' work at the cross. He'd also try to divert people's attention away from the cross. And that's when as God's beloved, we 'stand fast' & keep looking to the cross! Never lose sight of the cross! And whenever you preach (or teach) the Word, preach (or teach) messages full of the cross! Because that's where your victory was won! That's where you were set free from curse! And this is what the 'good news' is about! This is the gospel of Jesus Christ! And everyone's got to hear it, for it is the power of God to salvation (Romans 1:16), and there's no other name by which one can be saved, except by the name of Jesus (Acts 4:12). Amen!
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