No reason to fear!

John 14:27 (NKJV): "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

John 14:27 is to be understood in the context of reading John 14:26 first. As a believer, the Holy Spirit in you teaches you in all things (i.e. in all areas of your life) and brings to your remembrance what He has spoken to you (or promised you). This is His assurance for you today. He hasn't forgotten what He has spoken to you (or promised you), and He will also continue to teach (and guide) you in all things. So, take heart. Aren't you glad you have a God who teaches (and guides) you continuously in all things, and a God who keeps His promises?

John 14:27 then follows. The word 'peace' here is 'eirene' in Greek, which means 'peace, quietness, rest, in one again, i.e. in harmony again'.  When you receive this peace that comes only from Him, you have no reason to be troubled or to be afraid! The word 'afraid' in this verse means 'being intimidated, or losing faith/trust', while the word 'troubled' here can mean 'being disturbed, panic, or anxious'.

Not only that, the Bible also says 'His perfect love casts out fear' (1 John 4:18). Just as a light never fails to light up a dark room (i.e. chases the darkness away), His love (for you) never fails to cast out fear (in you)! 1 John 4:18 also says, 'But he who fears has not been made perfect in love'. Just as peace is opposite to fear, love is also opposite to fear. You are made perfect in love not by 'trying hard to achieve love by your own strength', but simply by receiving His love! Romans 5:5 says, 'because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us'. When He pours out, you receive! And as you receive, this love is going to flow out from you to touch any situation (or love others).

Let's now look at Jesus, your great Lover in the book of Song of Songs. It is a beautiful book of romance (i.e. love of a man and a woman) written by Solomon. It also pictures God's love for you, His beloved. There are three main entities in this book: 
The king (speaks of God Himself);
The bride, i.e. the Shulamite woman (speaks of you); and 
The chorus, i.e. the daughters of Jerusalem (speaks of the whole citizen of heaven).
Note: 'Chorus' means 'things sung, applauded, or shouted by many people together'.

The Shulamite woman said, "For your love is better than wine" (Song of Songs 1:2). 'Wine' speaks of 'the enjoyable things on earth, or the pleasures of this world', but the Word of God says God's love is even better than all these.

Jesus is also your rose of Sharon and lily of the valleys (Song of Songs 2:1).

Rose of Sharon
'Rose' speaks of 'sweetness, or sweet-smelling', and 'Sharon' (pronounced 'Shaw-rone' in Hebrew) is condensed from the Hebrew word 'yashar', which means 'to make straight, to make a way, to make right/pleasant/prosperous'. Jesus is the Sweetness that makes straight your way.
Note: 'Sharon' is a place of blossoming, fruitfulness, bountiful, and prosperity, and the inhabitants of Sharon those days (i.e. the Sharonites) were warriors/worshipers to 'make straight the way'.

Lily of the valleys
'Lily' is 'Shuwshan' (pronounced 'Shoo-shan') in Hebrew, which means 'flower, to be bright, cheerful, joyful', and 'valleys' (notice it's plural, i.e. more than one 'valley') speaks of 'depression, or deep trouble'. Jesus brings joy in times of sorrow, and He turns your sorrow into joy.

And this is how sweet a Lover He is to you (His 'bride'). He is the 'rose of Sharon' and the 'lily of the valleys' to you! The Shulamite woman later responded, "His mouth is most sweet. Yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend..." (Song of Songs 5:16). Proverbs 16:24 says, 'Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul, and health to the bones'. His Word is sweet, not flatteringly sweet, but sweet to the soul, which leads to health to your body. 'Honeycomb' is 'the wax structure holding bee's honey (speaks of 'sweetness and strength') and eggs (speaks of 'new life')'. So, His Word brings you sweetness, strength, and life. Receive!

So, have no worry, not allowing yourself to fear, whether you are in the midst of a job application, family trouble, or in any form of pressure. His love for you fails not (1 Corinthians 13:8). This is not the time to allow your heart to faint, but this is the time to keep receiving His love, joy, and peace. Yes, like a river! He is your Source of love, joy, and peace. In fact, these are also the first three 'fruit' of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).

Receive His love (Romans 5:5) which is being poured out in you.
Receive His peace (John 14:27) which He leaves with you and gives to you.
Receive His joy (Nehemiah 8:10) as you 'eat the fat and drink the sweet' (i.e. take in His portion).
Note: 'Fat' is God's portion. Leviticus 3:16 says, "all the fat is the Lord's". So, eating the 'fat' and drinking the 'sweet' speaks of receiving/taking in God's portion! Indeed, there's something about eating the 'fat' and drinking the 'sweet' that makes one happy!

Notice all the words above point towards you receiving, taking in, being 'poured on', and when Someone gives, someone is going to receive, and that person is you!

Isaiah 55:1 (NKJV) says, "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine (speaks of 'joy') and milk (speaks of 'love' and 'peace') without money and without price."

Jesus has already paid the full price when He died for you on the cross some 2,000 years ago! So, come freely to Him, and receive His love, joy, and peace! True love, joy, and peace are not something you strive to get (or strive to achieve), or even try to buy with money, but it's for you to receive directly from Him! And as you receive, the Bible says, 'you shall then go out with joy, and be led out with peace' (Isaiah 55:12). 
Note: Just like the infilling of the Holy Spirit happens first, then only you'll bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).

People of God, I declare that the worst is over! In Jesus' name. Things shall begin to look brighter and brighter for you from now on! Believe, and you'll receive. The joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Just as in Nehemiah's days, the worst was over in his project of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem (in the face of opposition, mockery, and threats from Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, etc), and that's when God ordered His people to 'eat the fat and drink the sweet'. Hallelujah & Amen!

God's throne room

Revelation 4:1-2 (NKJV): 'After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne'.

Revelation 4:3 then says, ‘And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald’.

Do you see Jesus here?

‘Jasper’ speaks of ‘a transparent gem’. The Hebrew meaning of this word ‘jasper’ simply means ‘being polished till it is transparent’. So, ‘jasper’ speaks of ‘the transparency of Jesus’. It means He is who He is! He is a transparent God, and He never ‘beats about the bush’.

‘Sardius’ (or ‘sardine’ in KJV) is 'red' in color. It speaks of ‘the redemption of Jesus’. It’s by His blood that He has saved you and cleansed you from your sins.

‘Rainbow’ is a picture of God’s promises, and it speaks of ‘the covenant that He has made with you’, in appearance like an ‘emerald’. ‘Emerald’ is 'bright green' in color. It speaks of Jesus being an ‘evergreen’ God, always fresh, bright, ageless and never gets old. That’s why in His presence, the weary will always be refreshed!

Revelation 4:4 says, ‘Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads’.

This verse speaks of you, the citizen of heaven, a people redeemed and saved. The ‘white robes’ here speaks of you being pure (i.e. washed by the blood of Jesus) and righteous in Christ, and the ‘crowns of gold’ speaks of His glory over you. The word ‘elder’ in Greek is ‘presbuteros’, which means ‘matured person’, and the number ‘twenty-four’ speaks of you as 'the covenant people of God'.

Revelation 4:6a says, ‘Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal’. In His presence, there’s no more storm, no more waves, and no more ripples, i.e. no more troubles. In fact, the psalmist David had a glimpse of heaven long before John saw it. Psalm 23:2 says, ‘He makes me to lie down in green pastures (i.e. emerald); He leads me beside the still waters (i.e. sea of glass)’.

People of God, you can have a taste of all the above even right now on earth, as you look to Him and behold Him (2 Corinthians 3:18). His kingdom come, and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).

And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back (Revelation 4:6b). These four living creatures represent ‘the good news of Jesus Christ’ (i.e. the four gospels of Jesus Christ). In His presence is the fullness of His good news.

‘Lion’ represents ‘The Gospel according to Matthew’, which speaks of Jesus Christ as the Lion of Judah, the King of Jews.

‘Calf/Ox’ represents ‘The Gospel according to Mark’, which speaks of Jesus Christ as the Servant, coming not to be served, but to serve (see Mark 10:45).

‘A face like a man’ represents ‘The Gospel according to Luke’, which speaks of Jesus Christ as Man, yet sinless.

‘A flying eagle’ represents ‘The Gospel according to John’, which speaks of Jesus Christ as God.

And these four living creatures were focused on Him day and night (Revelation 4:8), saying:

“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!"
His name is Lord God Almighty: 
YHWH (The Redeemer God) 
ELOHIM (The Creator God) 
SHADDAI (The Almighty God).

Some people see God as only the Creator, while some others see God as the Almighty, but as a believer, you are blessed because your God is all THREE to you, and you have indeed known the One complete God. Amen.

The Breakthrough God is in you!

1 Chronicles 14:11 (NKJV): So they went up to Baal Perazim and David defeated them (the enemies) there. Then David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim.

Every name, place, or object in Hebrew has a meaning. The word ‘Baal’ in Hebrew simply means ‘master, lord, or possessor’, and the word ‘Perazim’ in Hebrew is the plural of the word ‘Perez’, which means ‘breaking forth, breach, make a gap, or break out’. Therefore, putting these two words together, ‘Baal Perazim’ means ‘Master/Lord/Possessor of many breakthroughs’! You see the plural 'Perazim'? It's not singular, which means more than one breakthrough! Praise God! Our God is a God of many breakthroughs!

David also said this anointing for breakthrough is like a breakthrough of water. Now imagine this: As you punch a hole in a big tank of water, all of a sudden, water just gush out and washes away everything that comes its way. And that’s exactly how God’s anointing also breaks through every barrier or hindrance that comes your way!

Let’s look now at the background leading to David’s triumph over the enemies in 1 Chronicles 14. It all began with David thinking of bringing back the ‘ark’ (1 Chronicles 13:1-3), after having conquered Jerusalem in the first place (see also 2 Samuel 5:1-10). In fact, upon being anointed as king, these were the two main priorities he had in his mind! This speaks volume of David’s heart (a man after God’s heart). What’s most important to God was also most important to him. No wonder he was so blessed, and God called him His 'beloved'. The ‘ark’ here speaks of Jesus Christ Himself. It can also mean ‘God’s Promise’, or ‘God’s leadership in a battle’. Today, as a believer in the New Covenant, likewise, as you bring back the ‘ark’ (i.e. Jesus Christ) and put Him back to His rightful place in your life, His anointing shall also flow through you!

Have there been areas in your life you needed a breakthrough recently? You may also have given up hope for that one miracle you've been believing Him for! For some of you, it may be for healing in certain areas of your body, and for some, it may be in your family, career, business, or even in ministry. Whatever it may be, don't lose heart, because I have a good news for you. The Bible says Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). You know what? He hasn't changed! The same anointing for breakthrough that worked in David (1 Chronicles 14:11) was the same that came on Jesus in Luke 4:18 as He began His earthly ministry, and this very same anointing is also in you right now. As a believer, Christ lives in you (Colossians 1:27), and because He lives in you, you have every reason to hope! The word ‘Christ’ simply means ‘Anointed’, or ‘rubbing with oil’. The 'Anointed' lives in you, and He is indeed the Source of anointing that breaks every yoke and bondage! Notice in Luke 4:18, this anointing covers every aspect of your life, and there’s really nothing too hard for Him, whatever breakthrough you are trusting God for at the moment!

1 Chronicles 14:9 says ‘the enemies went and made a raid on the Valley of Rephaim’. This word ‘Rephaim’ comes from the word ‘rapha’, meaning ‘repair, mend, heal’. You see, ‘rapha’ is supposed to be yours, but somehow your adversary may have ‘raided’ (or ravaged) your ‘rapha’, and got a ‘foothold’ on your ‘health’ (whether physical health, financial health, relational health, etc) causing ‘disrepair, sickness, delays, or problems’. But take heart, people of God, because just as God was with David then (1 Chronicles 14:11), He is also with you today! The same anointing for breakthrough that worked in David is also working in you today!

What happens if the adversary comes 'raiding' again? In 1 Chronicles 14:13, the Bible says the enemies once again made a raid on the very same valley (of Rephaim). This time, as David inquired of the Lord again, God gave him a new strategy that would eventually 'cut off' the enemies for good! (1 Chronicles 14:14-15). Today, this same anointing in you will also show you the way to your complete breakthrough! (1 John 2:20)

1 Chronicles 14:16 then says, ‘So David did as God commanded him, and they drove back the army of the Philistines from Gibeon as far as Gezer. ‘Gibeon’ in Hebrew means ‘hilly (i.e. having many hills/blockages), hindrance, or barrier’, while ‘Gezer’ means ‘something cut off’. Do you see something here? ‘God driving the enemies from Gibeon as far as Gezer’ speaks of ‘God driving away every hindrance until they are totally cut off from you’! Even mountains can be removed and be cast into the sea, if you believe and not allow yourself to doubt (see Mark 11:23-24). Let's take God at His Word!

People of God, remember your 'ark'! Your breakthrough begins when you bring the 'ark' back to its rightful place in your life. Today, you are the 'temple' where the 'ark' should reside in, and when the ‘ark’ is in you, you have every reason for rejoicing! David knew this very well. What Saul had ignored, David made it right. This was in fact the key to David's success and fame.You know why? When the 'ark' ('picture' of the Anointed One) is in you, His anointing for breakthrough will also surely flow, and it shall then break through every barrier that comes your way!

As you let go of the things behind you, and look forward to the things ahead (Philippians 3:13), this anointing for breakthrough will also go with you. See your 'path' opening up right now, because God has broken through for you! Believing, you'll receive. Amen!

Jesus is your Perfect Offering

1 Peter 2:5 (NKJV): You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

The word 'offer' is a verb, and it means 'to give freely as a gift or as a sacrifice'. Jesus' sacrifice for you on the cross was a perfect sacrifice and a perfect gift for you, done once for all (see Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 7:27-28).

What then is an 'offering'? It is a noun. This word 'offering' simply means 'a gift, or a present'. Biblical offerings in the Old Testament include animals, birds, land produce, or incense. A nation or individual those days made offerings in order to have right relationship with God. However, in Old Testament days, this practice was also a never-ending 'cycle', i.e. whenever someone sinned, he had to offer up another offering! How about you in the New Covenant today? The Bible says by Jesus' one offering, He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified (Hebrews 10:14). As a believer, all your sins have been removed permanently because of Jesus' complete, perfect, and finished work on the cross for you. And He did it once for all!

The Old Testament is the 'shadow' of the things to come. So, if the 5 types of offering (see Leviticus chapters 1 to 5) is the 'shadow', then Jesus' work on the cross some 2,000 years ago is the 'substance'.

Today, as a believer, know that Jesus has become your perfect offering, and indeed He has fulfilled perfectly all the 5 types of offering mentioned in Leviticus 1-5.

Leviticus 1:2-3 says, 'When any one of you (i.e. 'offeror') brings an offering to the Lord, you shall bring your offering of the livestock - of the herd and of the flock. If his offering is a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish; he shall offer it of his own free will at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the Lord'.

The 5 types of offering:

Burnt Offering (Leviticus 1)
This speaks of Jesus' entire dedication to God when He died for you on the cross, and He did it willingly for you. This was an offering made by fire, a burnt sacrifice, and the sweet aroma of this burnt offering then delighted and pleased God the Father, who accepted this offering.
Today, Jesus' acceptance before God the Father is being transferred to you as a believer. The Bible says, 'as He is, so are you' (1 John 4:17). God therefore accepts you the same way as He accepts His Son, and He is also well-pleased with you, because you are in Christ.
Note: 
In the Old Testament days, the animal (sacrifice) was killed by gripping its nose and mouth (i.e. muzzle it), held tight, and then a knife was plunged into its throat. With every heartbeat, the dying animal would then pump out its own blood. It was a slow but sure death. The animal was then skinned and cut ('picture' of Jesus being wounded, striped, and pierced), and put on the wood to be burned (speaks of 'judgement' at the wooden cross).
Sounds cruel? But somebody had to die because of our sin and unrighteousness. The Bible says, 'for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord' (Romans 6:23).

Grain Offering (Leviticus 2)
This speaks of the Person of Jesus Christ, who also has become the Bread of life for you (John 6:33-35).
Note: 
It's a bloodless offering, i.e. no animal sacrifice, unlike the other 4 types of offering. 
'Fine flour' used for this offering speaks of Jesus' perfection, whereas 'oil' speaks of the Holy Spirit, i.e. the Spirit indwelling Him.
'Frankincense' was one of the best and costliest perfumes then, and it concerns 'priesthood'. This speaks of Jesus being your High Priest. 
'Salt' used for this offering speaks of 'covenant'. Jesus has provided a covenant for you when He came to die for you. 
The 'bread' then went into the oven (or pan), and this speaks of Jesus experiencing God's fire of judgment on your behalf.

Peace Offering (Leviticus 3)
The fact that a peace offering is needed implies something has gone wrong in regard to man's relationship with God. Since Adam's fall, man by nature has become 'unfit' to fellowship with God. So, this offering implies that peace needed to be made between the 'Sinless' and the 'sinner', and this peace was made when Jesus died for you on the cross!
Today, you have peace (and quietness) because you know Jesus has become the full satisfaction of God's wrath and punishment against sin. Real peace in one's life therefore rests not on one's feelings, but on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Sin Offering & Trespass Offering (Leviticus 4 & 5)
The difference between sin offering and trespass offering is a very thin line, but basically sin offering is for sins done ignorantly (or because of one's sin nature), whereas trespass offering is for sins done knowingly (or outward act of sin).
The priest laying hands on the animal's (i.e sacrifice's) head those days is a 'picture' of your sins being transferred to Jesus Christ. He has indeed become your perfect sacrifice, sinless and unblemished, on the cross. The Bible says, 'Jesus who knew no sin became sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God (i.e. in right standing with God) in Him' (2 Corinthians 5:21).
The priest would then dip his finger in the sacrifice's blood and sprinkle some of the blood seven times before the Lord, in front of the veil of the sanctuary (Leviticus 4:6). The number 'seven' means 'perfect', representing the perfect work of Jesus on the cross.
When His work was finished, the veil of the temple that separated the 'Holy of Holies' from the 'Holy Place' was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:50-51). This speaks of you (in the New Covenant) having access to His very presence, because someone had opened the way for you. Today, as a believer, there's no animosity between God and you anymore, and you can now therefore come boldly to the throne of His grace (Hebrews 4:16).
Note:
Here's an amazing fact about the veil of the temple: It's about 60 feet in height, 32 feet in width, 4 inches thick, and very tightly woven. Rabbinical records have shown that even two teams of oxen pulling the veil in opposite directions couldn't tear it apart. Yet when Jesus died on the cross, the veil was miraculously torn from top to bottom!