God's thoughts toward you are thoughts of peace

Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV): For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

The above verse can be personalized this way: God's thoughts toward me are thoughts of peace that give me a future and a hope.

The word 'peace' here is 'shalom' in Hebrew, which can mean 'wellness, happy, friendly, friendship, welfare, health, prosperity, peace, rest, safety, wholesome, favor'. You know what? God's thoughts for you are not just thoughts of peace, but His thoughts for you are also thoughts of wellness. Not only that, He has happy thoughts for you, and He thinks favorably of you. His thoughts for you are thoughts of friendship. He also has your welfare, health, prosperity, rest, and safety in His mind. And His thoughts for you are wholesome thoughts! The above are some examples of what He thinks about you, and this is how good He is to you!

God has 'shalom' thoughts (i.e. good thoughts) for you. What you need to do is receive, and let His 'shalom' thoughts flow in you and through you. Open your 'gates' to His 'floodgates'. Just as God has good thoughts for you, He also wants you to have good thoughts as well. Choose to think as He thinks.

Interestingly, the word 'thoughts' in this verse is 'machashabah' in Hebrew, which can mean 'imagination or invention'. Wow! 'Thoughts' here means 'inventions'! So, when God has 'shalom' thoughts for you, it means He also invents peace, wellness, happiness, friendship, prosperity, wholeness, favor, etc in you. And this is exactly who you are as a believer, i.e. His shalom 'invention'! Shalom is yours. And shalom is your birthright!

God is definitely the greatest 'inventor' of all time. In fact, He has been in this 'inventing' business since the very beginning. For example, when He thought of 'light', He then said "Let there be light", and there was light! (Genesis 1:3) As a matter of fact, every great invention on earth (e.g. light bulb, motorcar, etc) that benefits all of humankind also began with a thought. That's how powerful thoughts can be!

Thoughts lead to actions (or words being spoken). Good thoughts lead to good actions, while bad thoughts lead to bad actions (e.g. a suicidal thought leads to a suicidal action).

So, what have you been thinking lately? Good thoughts or not so good thoughts? Or have you been too engrossed with thinking about what other people think of you? Too busy thinking about what other people think of you sometimes causes you to forget what God thinks about you!

A good thought is likened to the fragrance of nice, pleasant perfume diffusing and filling a room. Pleasant smell attracts, while foul smell distracts. Likewise, a good thought attracts, while a bad thought distracts. Thoughts are also very much like magnet. Thoughts either attract or 'push away'. The same it is with thoughts about other people. Good thoughts attract them to you, but bad thoughts cause them to stay away from you.

"But, pastor, how can I have good thoughts for that someone who has been bad-mouthing me behind my back?"

You can still choose to have good thoughts for that person. You may pray this way: "Lord, Your grace is more than enough for me, and I thank You for helping me. I choose to forgive _______ and I choose to have good thoughts for _______ in spite of what he/she has spoken against me."

As long as you are on this earth, there'll also be people who may criticize, complain, gossip, or murmur against you (or misunderstand you), but as long as you know God is with you, and you know you are just following His direction, what other people think about you really doesn't matter anymore! Continue to set your mind on Him. Continue to set your mind on what He has spoken for you to do. He'll surely back you up and defend you. Trust Him. This is how you are going to advance in life and fulfill your God-given destiny.

So, choose to think God's thoughts and good thoughts (see Colossians 3:2 and Philippians 4:8) no matter what. I conclude with Isaiah 26:3 (personalized): "God keeps me in perfect peace (shalom) because my mind is stayed on Him and I trust Him." Amen.

Triumphal Procession in Christ

2 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV): Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

The word ‘triumph’ here is 'thriambeuo' in Greek, which means ‘to conquer, to be victorious, to rise above, or to shout aloud joyfully in a triumphal procession, with songs of praise, celebration and jubilation.’ In other words, to 'triumph' means to 'celebrate and rejoice with victory and jubilation'.

In the words of the apostle Chuck Pierce (Glory of Zion International): 'Triumph' indicates that an advantage has been gained over the enemy. Success has been granted through a supernatural grace that has been released.

In New International Version (NIV), 2 Corinthians 2:14 is written this way: Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ, and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.

Jesus’ triumphal entry to Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11) was a procession, an entrance of the glory of God, with shouts of 'Hosanna', which means 'Lord, help, save us, we pray!' The original Hebrew word here is 'Yesha-na' which carries the same meaning. It's also 'an exclamation of adoration' to the Lord, our Savior.

Likewise, in the days of David when the ‘ark of the covenant’ was brought to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:1-29), there was also a jubilant procession of praise unto God, with singers accompanied by instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, raising their voices with resounding joy, i.e. voices of triumph (see 1 Chronicles 15:16).

Today, the procession of the ‘ark of the covenant’ has begun again. The ‘ark of the covenant’ here symbolizes the glory of God, and Jesus Christ is the King of glory. It also represents God's promise, reminding His people of His leadership in a battle. So, this 'ark' (in the Old Covenant) is actually a 'picture' (or 'shadow') of Jesus Christ and His leadership in you as believers in the New Covenant today.

People of God, there is a sound coming. Do you hear this sound? It's a sound of triumph! Read Psalm 47. We are in this time and season now! Like the sons of Issachar who understood the times, knowing what Israel ought to do (1 Chronicles 12:32), so is this generation today!

This is your time to receive the new 'beak' and new 'feathers', like that of an eagle. The 'old' is dropping off, and the 'new' is coming. The wind of His Spirit is blowing, and soon, His rain will start falling. Get ready for the rain. Take this time to listen. Let your spiritual ears be opened. There'll be specific instructions for specific situations. There's also a fresh injection in the Spirit. There'll be new thoughts and new ways of doing things. Receive the anointing to break free from the 'status quo' that used to work, but not anymore. This is your time to allow Him to 'break out mightily' in fresh new ways through your life! The Lord will give you the boldness. Receive this boldness that you need now!

This is also a time to advance! The sound of the trumpet (shofar) is at hand (Psalm 47:5). It's the sound of triumph! This generation has arisen, a triumphant people whom God has preserved, but now He is using to subdue and take the nations in great measure (Psalm 47:3). Remember He is always the Leader. Move as He moves, and stop as He stops.

In 1 Chronicles 15:1, the Bible says 'David prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it'. Just as David was then, it's also your time to prepare a place for this 'ark' right now. In the New Covenant, you are now the 'temple' (1 Corinthians 3:16), the dwelling place of this 'ark'. So, let this 'ark' be brought back to its rightful place, and let His glory fill you all over again! Be open to receive. Where the 'ark' is, there is glory! And where the 'ark' is, there is also triumph! Wherever He leads you, the 'ark' is also with you, going with you! And that's how you are going to subdue!

And just as Israel was so greatly blessed when the 'ark' was brought into the tabernacle, you too are also greatly blessed, because the 'ark' is also now in you today (1 Chronicles 16:1-2). Amen!

Forgiveness releases God's power through your life!

Luke 23:34a (NKJV): 'Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."

At the time of this verse, Jesus was already up at the cross, having been scourged, mocked, and humiliated, even though He did no wrong, and even after Pontius Pilate found no wrong in Him (Luke 23:4).

But because He forgave, this led to God's power and resurrection being released, so much so that even death could not hold Him! You see, He released forgiveness just before He died, and He then reaped the 'benefit' of resurrection (on the 3rd day). Such is the power of forgiveness!

In Acts 7:54-60, as Stephen was being stoned to death, he cried out, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And you know what? Jesus actually stood up and took notice!

Note: Also, not long after the stoning of Stephen, Saul (the person behind Stephen's death) was so dramatically changed by God's power (i.e. through a great light experience) that he eventually became a man greatly used by the Lord! (see Acts 9:1-9)

People of God, when you make the choice to forgive, God will also stand up (for you) and take notice!

There's a co-relation between 'forgiveness' and 'God's power being released'. In other words, forgiveness releases God's power to flow through your life! This power is His very own power, His resurrection power. And as you forgive, you'll see His resurrection power flowing (in & through you) in any area of your life that has been 'powerless' or 'dead'. This may be in your family relationships, health, career, business, ministry, or in any other areas.

Imagine the pipe of your wash-basin (or sink) getting clogged up. More often than not, this doesn't just happen overnight! Little by little, here and there, the tiny bits of grains or fragments would accumulate, and eventually become a huge 'blockage' that causes 'flooding' and 'clogging'! When this happens, the running water cannot flow as freely as it should anymore. Now, the same it is in life! Those tiny bits of grains or fragments are like those little hurts and unforgiveness (here and there) that clog up your 'passage'!

Have you been 'running out' of God's power recently? Or it seems many prayers of yours also went unanswered nowadays. People of God, it's time to allow God to 'purge' your 'passage' again!

You see, God doesn't just want you to know you are forgiven of all your trespasses (Colossians 2:13), He also wants you to receive His grace to forgive others (see Matthew 18:21-35).

When Peter asked Jesus, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" (Matthew 18:21) Then, Jesus answered, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:22)

The word 'forgive' here is 'aphiemi' (pronounced 'af-ee-ay-mee') in Greek, which means 'to lay aside (a situation or issue), to let go (of a situation or person)', while the expression 'seventy times seven' simply means 'to forgive perfectly, or to forgive all the time'.

"Wow, pastor, that's no easy feat at all. It's easier said than done!"

You see, just as no one is able to keep the law (The Ten Commandments) perfectly (not even Moses himself), likewise, no one in his or her own self-effort is able to 'forgive perfectly' and in every situation, all the time. All have fallen short of God's 'standard' (Romans 3:23). Only Jesus can keep the law perfectly (i.e. fulfill the law perfectly). And that's exactly why we need His grace (see 2 Corinthians 12:9). It's when you cannot, that's when He can! And one definition of  'grace' is 'God's ability to do for you what you cannot do for yourself'. True forgiveness is therefore supernatural. It's by receiving His grace to forgive.

'To forgive' a person is 'to let go (of him or her) from the prison of your mind or emotion'. As you let go, your burden and stress will also be lifted away. Any medical doctor will agree that burden or stress in the soul can in turn lead to many forms of physical sicknesses (e.g. high-blood pressure, hypertension, etc).

Is there anyone you've been keeping in the 'prison of your mind or emotion'? Or has there been any hurt, offense, strife, or unforgiveness you have not let go of? How about any 'unfair treatment' you've been receiving?

'Forgiveness' is about 'letting go' the person (or issue) into God's care and blessing, even to the point of wishing that person well. 'Unforgiveness', on the other hand, is about 'keeping the person (or issue) in the prison of your mind or emotion, which in turn causes unnecessary burden or stress to your own life'.

"But, pastor, it isn't fair at all!" I used to say this too, and that's when I heard, "Was it fair for Jesus to die on the cross?" And yet, He forgave. Yes, even when He was in such great pain.

So, it really doesn't matter who's more right or more wrong here. The irony is that many times, that other person may not even know you have been 'keeping' him or her in your emotional 'prison'. See, you got so stressed up and burdened by 'keeping' (or 'servicing') him or her in your emotional 'prison', while he or she may currently be having a jolly good time somewhere on earth! I don't know about you, but I think it's not worth it at all!

So, make the choice to 'let go' now, and God will take over and help you. Allow Him. His grace is more than enough for you, and He's here with you. He'll stand up and take notice the moment you make this choice! That's how powerful forgiveness is! As you 'release', His 'river' ('running water') is going to flow through you again! This 'river' is His very own resurrection power! Not only that, you'll also see many areas that have been 'dead' be revived again by this 'river'. And the good news is you'll also start to see your prayers being answered easily from now on! You'll begin to walk in favor after favor, not failure after failure!

Notice there's also a co-relation between 'forgiveness' and 'prayers answered'. Read Mark 11:23-26 as a whole, and you'll know what I mean. Notice the word 'forgive' in the midst of Jesus talking about 'whenever you stand praying' (see Mark 11:25). See? Not only 'unforgiveness' blocks God's power, it also blocks your prayers from being answered! The Bible says so.

People of God, as you receive His forgiveness, He also wants you to receive His supernatural ability to forgive others! The choice is yours. Make the choice now, and you'll begin to see His grace flowing like never before. Amen!

Set free from words that bound!

1 Kings 19:7 (NKJV): And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him (Elijah), and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.”

Someone used to say, “The person who dominates your thoughts actually controls you.” Not only that, the words that dominate you (i.e. occupy your thoughts most of the time) can also control you! Words can either put a person in bondage, or sets a person free. That’s how powerful words can be! Today, you’ll see how fleshly or demonic words bound, but the Word of Christ sets you free! (see John 8:31-32)

After a great victory over the prophets of Baal (see 1 Kings 18:38-40), this same man Elijah was so affected by Jezebel’s words (see 1 Kings 19:2) that he ran for his life! Jezebel had said that in a day’s time, he would also end up like the prophets of Baal, i.e. death! By the way, ‘Jezebel’ here is a picture of ‘controlling words that bound, a bondage, a deception’. So, upon hearing those ‘curse’ words, Elijah escaped, went a day’s journey into the wilderness, expecting to die! He finally and somehow came to a broom tree (‘juniper tree’ in KJV), and there, he prayed that he might die (1 Kings 19:4).

But did Elijah die? No! Instead, and exactly in a day’s time (as spoken by Jezebel), an angel of the Lord came to him and touched him while he was lying down at the tree, saying, “Arise and eat.” (see 1 Kings 19:5-6) The ‘broom tree’ here is a ‘picture’ of the cross. In fact, this tree has a pole-like stem, very much like a cross. The Bible says, ‘Cursed is anyone who hangs on the tree’ (Galatians 3:13). Jesus has carried the curse (for Elijah) on the cross! The ‘bread and water’ Elijah was asked to ‘eat and drink’ therefore represented the ‘body and blood’ of Jesus Christ, broken and shed on the cross some 2,000 years ago. Now, here’s a beautiful ‘picture’ of Christ’s perfect work that sets you free from every curse! Do you see Jesus in the Old Testament? Indeed He is in the Old Testament concealed, and He is in the New Testament revealed! There was indeed a great exchange at the cross. He came down, so you can go up! He died, so you can live! And He carried your curse, so you can be set free!

Have there been words spoken against you that kept you in bondage? Maybe curse words? Or words that kept you ‘small’? Or even words from the demonic realm? Someone may also have said, “You amount to nothing good!”, and you are unknowingly bound by those words. But I have good news for you today. Your answer is at the cross. Come to Jesus and His perfect work at the cross! Here, your curse is broken, and your restoration begins! Not only that, as you keep feeding from the ‘bread and water’ (i.e. His Word), you’ll also receive His strength and His revelation to move ahead and do greater exploits, just as Elijah was. Notice that with the strength of this ‘spiritual food and drink’, Elijah then went forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God (see 1 Kings 19:8). By the way, number ‘40’ in Hebrew means ‘total rule’. Praise the Lord! You’ll also therefore begin to rule and reign in life from now on!

People of God, arise therefore; eat the bread, and drink the cup, for your journey is going to be great as well!

Also, upon your setting free, let your ‘ears’ be opened to hear God’s further revelation, instruction, and guidance for your life.  Be open and allow Him to speak to you. Elijah did so (see 1 Kings 19:12-16), and at God’s word, he went on to be greatly used by the Lord as a prophet in his days, and in the process, anointed Elisha as prophet in his place. Just for the record, Jezebel’s curse words against Elijah never came to pass, ever! These words have already gone down in history as mere empty threats by then. On the other hand, as for Elijah, his ending was great. In fact, he never ever had to die! Upon fulfilling his God-given destiny on earth, a chariot of fire came down and took him up in glory! (see 2 Kings 2:11) What an honorable ‘graduation’ for him. And indeed, he passed with flying colors. Amen!