Acts 1:8 (NKJV): But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
The Holy Spirit brings along with Him the anointing (i.e. power). The word 'power' here is 'dunamis' in Greek, from the word 'dunamai', meaning 'to be made able (i.e. to be enabled), or to be of power (i.e. to be empowered)'. This 'power' speaks of the anointing of the Holy Spirit (i.e. enabling/empowering of the Holy Spirit) that has been released to the church on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).
Recently, I heard these words, and I'm releasing it to you prophetically:
"The Lord is going to remove and break the 'lid' that has been covering you for some time, and He is releasing you into a new level of prosperity, revelation, and boldness, by the anointing of the Holy Spirit."
Receive this by faith as you enter into your new season. This is also a time to 'forget (let go of) the things behind you, and reach (look) forward to the things ahead of you' (Philippians 3:13).
There are also some of you who felt that you have reached the 'optimum' or 'maximum' in your life, and you're afraid that you're beginning to go 'downhill' from now on. If you are reading this (& I believe you are reading this by His divine appointment), the Lord is also saying, "I'm not done with you yet." So, do not believe this lie that you're already 'over the hill'! In fact, this is only the beginning of greater anointing and greater grace being poured out upon you! And mind you, He is not looking at your age, your background, or even your past mistakes! Peter thought God's already done with him the moment Jesus died on the cross, but little did he know then that greater things (even things so great he couldn't imagine) were about to happen to him just in a matter of weeks!
There are definitely more to come, and I declare that greater and better things are ahead of you. Amen!
This is also a time for 'taking off' for many of you, and as you begin to 'soar', the Lord will also give you the authority to move in a 'higher plane'. There's an anointing for you to move into new ventures. If you are one of those who are about to move (or moving) into a new venture, receive this also by faith.
To receive 'power' is to be enabled or empowered to fulfil God's calling in your life and to do the work of His kingdom. Jesus began His ministry after the anointing had come upon Him (Luke 4:18-19). Likewise, Peter's ministry also really began when this same anointing came upon him on the Day of Pentecost. Receive it for yourself as well!
Luke 4:18-19 (NKJV) reads:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me ...
a) To preach the gospel to the poor (i.e. salvation),
b) He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted (i.e. restoration),
c) To proclaim liberty to the captives (i.e. renewal),
d) And recovery of sight to the blind (i.e. healing),
e) To set at liberty those who are oppressed (i.e. deliverance),
f) To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord (i.e. prosperity).
This same anointing also flowed and worked in Peter and through Peter upon the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Read Acts chapters 1 to 4.
a) Salvation (see Acts 2:37-41) - where about 3,000 souls saved in Peter's one impromptu preaching,
b) Restoration (see Acts 3:19-21) - healing of the soul, that brings times of refreshing,
c) Renewal (see Acts 2:42) - through his teachings (i.e. the apostles' doctrine),
d) Healing (see Acts 3:6-7) - when a notable miracle of healing happened to the man born lame,
e) Deliverance (see Acts 2:43) - with many signs and wonders in his ministry,
f) Prosperity (see Acts 4:34) - where no one lacked.
Note: 'Signs and wonders' = 'anything beyond the logics, and beyond scientific/medical explanation that God works/demonstrates'.
Have you noticed that this very same Peter was a greatly-changed man upon receiving the anointing? Well, we are talking about the same man who was so easily shaken and then cried out to Jesus for help in the midst of storm, who denied Jesus three times, and the first who hid (by plunging into the sea) when the resurrected Jesus appeared!
However, the 'lid' over Peter was being removed and broken when the anointing of the Holy Spirit came upon him on the Day of Pentecost, and he was a different man since then! In fact, he began to move in even greater manifestation of God's anointing and grace from that point onwards, i.e. in a 'higher plane'! Notice this anointing also came with great authority, and even the authority in the land those days (i.e. rulers, elders, scribes, and the priests) marvelled at this new authority and boldness in him! (Acts 4:13)
Matthew 16:18-19 (NKJV) says, "And I also say to you that you are Peter ('Petrus', meaning 'a piece of rock', speaking of the believers today), and on this rock ('Petra', meaning 'mass of rock', speaking of the revelation of who Jesus is) I will build My church (i.e. My people), and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." This prophecy was being fulfilled from Acts 2 onwards (i.e. the beginning of church age), and it will still be even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20).
People of God, today, and in this end-time, He is also in the midst of raising up many who'll walk in this anointing that's upon Peter. This is the time to let go of the old, and start walking in the new, as Peter did! Fear not, because great grace is also upon you, not just great anointing. And as He has said, He will be with you till the very end. Receive in Jesus' name. Amen.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
A time of 're-aligning' & 're-gathering'
Isaiah 40:4 (NKJV): Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight, and the rough places (shall be made) smooth.
The word 'straight' here is 'miyshor' in Hebrew, which means 'concord (i.e. in agreement, in harmony), made straight, in alignment'.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, 'to align' is 'to arrange things in straight line (in line with something), to put into correct position, to join somebody as ally, or to come into agreement with somebody'.
So, 'to align with God' means:
(a) to arrange things in line with God's ways,
(b) to put into correct position with God,
(c) to join God as ally, or
(d) to come into agreement with God (& His ways).
When a person is 'out of alignment' with God, it means he is 'not walking in line' with God's ways any more. He, therefore, needs to be re-aligned again.
'To be re-aligned' is 'to be made straight again with God'.
This is a time of re-alignment for God's people! Meditate on the whole of Isaiah 40. I heard this instruction from the Lord recently. This chapter begins with 'alignment' with God (Isaiah 40:1-4), and ends with 'gathering & collecting' from God (Isaiah 40:31). In between these verses is a description of how great God is, in all His wisdom, His understanding, His strength, and His ways (see Isaiah 40:12-14, Isaiah 40:18-23, Isaiah 40:25-29).
Let me explain how 'alignment with God' leads to 'gathering & collecting' from God. Isaiah 40:31 then says, 'But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint'. The word 'wait' here in Hebrew is 'qavah', and interestingly, it does not just mean 'to wait patiently, or to look to Him expectantly', but it also means 'to collect (together), or to gather (together)'.
People of God, as you re-align yourself with Him (& His ways), this is also the time to 're-collect and re-gather' from Him, not just His strength, but also His wisdom, His understanding (i.e. receiving the understanding of His ways, instead of your own ways or men's ways), and even His direction to move on from here. As Paul wrote, 'forgetting the things behind you, and reaching (looking) forward to the things ahead of you' (Philippians 3:13). As you receive the new things He has in store for you, you'll move on with fresh new vigor! And that's exactly why 'qavah' is so important right now. Not only will you be replenished, but you'll also soar again with the accuracy of the eagle's. Amen!
In Acts 1 & 2, the same happened. Acts 1:4 says, 'being assembled together with them, He (Jesus) commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father..." Notice the word 'wait' again? That was also a time of 'waiting' for God's people (in that case, to receive the power that comes from on high, i.e. the Holy Spirit). As the people waited upon the Lord, great things began to happen (Acts 2:1-4). However, notice also that out of so many thousands who knew Jesus those days, only about 120 were willing to 'align' and 'wait'. But these 120 were also the ones experiencing great things and saw the manifestation of God's glory! (Acts 2:1-47)
So, people of God, it's time to get back into alignment, and therefore, collecting (gathering) from Him again. There's a clarion call for such right now! He's now in the midst of calling His people to 'get ready', the way He used to do in Acts 1. This time, greater things, even many unprecedented things are in store for those who heed this call. The Lord promises that His people shall see an even greater manifestation of His glory in days to come.
When you 'qavah', you'll also receive His plan (His blueprint) for your life. Be willing to respond even to His reminder or correction, not just His direction. Remember, He may sometimes correct you, but never will He condemn you (Romans 8:1). All things will work out for good for you, and He knows better. It's also time to know who God wants you to be (or originally intended for you to be). Take some time to 'qavah'. Never bow down to the pressure of trying to be somebody else! This is normally the problem with people who are 'out of alignment' with God. They tend to try very hard to 'compete & compare' with others, and to 'impress others' with their 'performance', pleasing people & fearing people, instead of God.
Be greatly blessed as you 're-align' and 're-gather'. Amen!
The word 'straight' here is 'miyshor' in Hebrew, which means 'concord (i.e. in agreement, in harmony), made straight, in alignment'.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, 'to align' is 'to arrange things in straight line (in line with something), to put into correct position, to join somebody as ally, or to come into agreement with somebody'.
So, 'to align with God' means:
(a) to arrange things in line with God's ways,
(b) to put into correct position with God,
(c) to join God as ally, or
(d) to come into agreement with God (& His ways).
When a person is 'out of alignment' with God, it means he is 'not walking in line' with God's ways any more. He, therefore, needs to be re-aligned again.
'To be re-aligned' is 'to be made straight again with God'.
This is a time of re-alignment for God's people! Meditate on the whole of Isaiah 40. I heard this instruction from the Lord recently. This chapter begins with 'alignment' with God (Isaiah 40:1-4), and ends with 'gathering & collecting' from God (Isaiah 40:31). In between these verses is a description of how great God is, in all His wisdom, His understanding, His strength, and His ways (see Isaiah 40:12-14, Isaiah 40:18-23, Isaiah 40:25-29).
Let me explain how 'alignment with God' leads to 'gathering & collecting' from God. Isaiah 40:31 then says, 'But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint'. The word 'wait' here in Hebrew is 'qavah', and interestingly, it does not just mean 'to wait patiently, or to look to Him expectantly', but it also means 'to collect (together), or to gather (together)'.
People of God, as you re-align yourself with Him (& His ways), this is also the time to 're-collect and re-gather' from Him, not just His strength, but also His wisdom, His understanding (i.e. receiving the understanding of His ways, instead of your own ways or men's ways), and even His direction to move on from here. As Paul wrote, 'forgetting the things behind you, and reaching (looking) forward to the things ahead of you' (Philippians 3:13). As you receive the new things He has in store for you, you'll move on with fresh new vigor! And that's exactly why 'qavah' is so important right now. Not only will you be replenished, but you'll also soar again with the accuracy of the eagle's. Amen!
In Acts 1 & 2, the same happened. Acts 1:4 says, 'being assembled together with them, He (Jesus) commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father..." Notice the word 'wait' again? That was also a time of 'waiting' for God's people (in that case, to receive the power that comes from on high, i.e. the Holy Spirit). As the people waited upon the Lord, great things began to happen (Acts 2:1-4). However, notice also that out of so many thousands who knew Jesus those days, only about 120 were willing to 'align' and 'wait'. But these 120 were also the ones experiencing great things and saw the manifestation of God's glory! (Acts 2:1-47)
So, people of God, it's time to get back into alignment, and therefore, collecting (gathering) from Him again. There's a clarion call for such right now! He's now in the midst of calling His people to 'get ready', the way He used to do in Acts 1. This time, greater things, even many unprecedented things are in store for those who heed this call. The Lord promises that His people shall see an even greater manifestation of His glory in days to come.
When you 'qavah', you'll also receive His plan (His blueprint) for your life. Be willing to respond even to His reminder or correction, not just His direction. Remember, He may sometimes correct you, but never will He condemn you (Romans 8:1). All things will work out for good for you, and He knows better. It's also time to know who God wants you to be (or originally intended for you to be). Take some time to 'qavah'. Never bow down to the pressure of trying to be somebody else! This is normally the problem with people who are 'out of alignment' with God. They tend to try very hard to 'compete & compare' with others, and to 'impress others' with their 'performance', pleasing people & fearing people, instead of God.
Be greatly blessed as you 're-align' and 're-gather'. Amen!
Monday, May 14, 2012
Jesus can breathe 'life' into your current situation!
2 Kings 4:34 (NKJV): And Elisha went up and lay on the child (Shunammite woman's son), and put his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands; and he stretched himself out on the child, and the flesh of the child became warm.
Jesus can breathe 'life' into your current situation (no matter how 'dead' or 'stagnant' it may be), the way Elisha put life back into the Shunammite woman's son (see 2 Kings 4:34-35).
In fact, when I read this verse, it reminds me of our modern 'Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation' (CPR), or 'mouth-to-mouth resuscitation', though the exact technique may differ from what Elisha did in 2 Kings 4:34.
The word 'resuscitation' means 'to bring back to life, or to bring back to consciousness'. CPR is normally performed on a victim, say, a person who's unable to breathe due to drowning. This is done so that oxygen can be released through the flow of blood to the cells (and therefore the vital organs) in the victim's body. All cells in a human body need oxygen to survive. Just give some minutes without oxygen, and these cells would be dead!
Let's look at the background of 2 Kings 4:34 now. The whole account can be found in 2 Kings 4:8-37. This Shunammite woman was a person of great hospitality to God's prophet, Elisha (2 Kings 4:8-10). She also prepared a place in her home for him to lodge, whenever he passed by her town. In short, she's a woman who honoured God and His anointed servant. And in return for her kindness and care, Elisha then prophesied that she would have a son (2 Kings 4:16-17). This prophecy came to pass about a year later, but not long after, that very son died (2 Kings 4:20).
Upon laying the dead son on Elisha's bed, she then hurried to look for him at Mount Carmel (2 Kings 4:22-25), some distance away (about 30-40km) from her hometown in Shunem. When she arrived and was asked if all is well, amazingly she answered "It is well" (2 Kings 4:26), even though Elisha did sense that 'her soul was in deep distress' (2 Kings 4:27), and something must have gone wrong.
Beloved, whenever you are stuck in any situation, run to God first ('Elisha' here represents God) and keep looking to Him, instead of running to man or methods. When you run to Him, He will run to you! And in fact, that was exactly what Elisha did upon knowing that the woman's son had died! (2 Kings 4:29-33)
By the way, the word 'Shunammite' in Hebrew is from the word 'shuwnem' or 'shuwniy', which means 'quiet, rest'. This woman is a 'picture' of someone who has learned to rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, and whose trust in the Lord remains 'unwavered', no matter what had happened.
How about the name 'Elisha'? Interestingly, this name in Hebrew means 'God of supplication or riches'. Your God is indeed rich in supply! No, I'm not just talking about the area of finance here. He is also rich in His supply of life to any 'dead' situation of yours! 'Elisha' also means 'My God is help' or 'My God is salvation'. Praise God! He is your very present help in times of need (Psalm 46:1-3), and He is here for you today!
So, if 'Elisha' in this context speaks of Jesus Christ who is in you, then the 'Shunammite woman' speaks of you (His beloved), and the 'son' here speaks of 'God's promises for you'.
Is there any area of your life that is currently 'stagnant' or 'dead'? For some of you, it may be your marriage, and for others, it may be your family relationships, career, or even ministry. Whatever it may be, take heart, for your 'Elisha' ('My God is help') is here. The Lord who resuscitated the Shunammite woman's son is also with you and in you today. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
So, right now, receive a breath of His life in Jesus' name, and also over your situation! (whatever it is) Your miracle is also in your mouth. As you believe that "It is well" with you, speak it also over your current situation now, saying: "It is well with my ............... (e.g. marriage, career, business, ministry, etc)" Never underestimate the power of your words (Proverbs 18:21).
And as you receive from Him today, believe that (as in 2 Kings 4:34)...
a) His mouth is also upon your mouth, i.e. His life and breath is resuscitating any 'stagnant' or 'dead' area of your life right now, so that it flourishes again.
b) His eyes are also upon your eyes, i.e. His vision and revelation is being restored to you right now, so that you'll begin to see what He sees again.
c) His hands are also upon your hands, i.e. His hands are upon all that you put your hands to do right now, so that whatever you do shall prosper again.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
Jesus can breathe 'life' into your current situation (no matter how 'dead' or 'stagnant' it may be), the way Elisha put life back into the Shunammite woman's son (see 2 Kings 4:34-35).
In fact, when I read this verse, it reminds me of our modern 'Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation' (CPR), or 'mouth-to-mouth resuscitation', though the exact technique may differ from what Elisha did in 2 Kings 4:34.
The word 'resuscitation' means 'to bring back to life, or to bring back to consciousness'. CPR is normally performed on a victim, say, a person who's unable to breathe due to drowning. This is done so that oxygen can be released through the flow of blood to the cells (and therefore the vital organs) in the victim's body. All cells in a human body need oxygen to survive. Just give some minutes without oxygen, and these cells would be dead!
Let's look at the background of 2 Kings 4:34 now. The whole account can be found in 2 Kings 4:8-37. This Shunammite woman was a person of great hospitality to God's prophet, Elisha (2 Kings 4:8-10). She also prepared a place in her home for him to lodge, whenever he passed by her town. In short, she's a woman who honoured God and His anointed servant. And in return for her kindness and care, Elisha then prophesied that she would have a son (2 Kings 4:16-17). This prophecy came to pass about a year later, but not long after, that very son died (2 Kings 4:20).
Upon laying the dead son on Elisha's bed, she then hurried to look for him at Mount Carmel (2 Kings 4:22-25), some distance away (about 30-40km) from her hometown in Shunem. When she arrived and was asked if all is well, amazingly she answered "It is well" (2 Kings 4:26), even though Elisha did sense that 'her soul was in deep distress' (2 Kings 4:27), and something must have gone wrong.
Beloved, whenever you are stuck in any situation, run to God first ('Elisha' here represents God) and keep looking to Him, instead of running to man or methods. When you run to Him, He will run to you! And in fact, that was exactly what Elisha did upon knowing that the woman's son had died! (2 Kings 4:29-33)
By the way, the word 'Shunammite' in Hebrew is from the word 'shuwnem' or 'shuwniy', which means 'quiet, rest'. This woman is a 'picture' of someone who has learned to rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, and whose trust in the Lord remains 'unwavered', no matter what had happened.
How about the name 'Elisha'? Interestingly, this name in Hebrew means 'God of supplication or riches'. Your God is indeed rich in supply! No, I'm not just talking about the area of finance here. He is also rich in His supply of life to any 'dead' situation of yours! 'Elisha' also means 'My God is help' or 'My God is salvation'. Praise God! He is your very present help in times of need (Psalm 46:1-3), and He is here for you today!
So, if 'Elisha' in this context speaks of Jesus Christ who is in you, then the 'Shunammite woman' speaks of you (His beloved), and the 'son' here speaks of 'God's promises for you'.
Is there any area of your life that is currently 'stagnant' or 'dead'? For some of you, it may be your marriage, and for others, it may be your family relationships, career, or even ministry. Whatever it may be, take heart, for your 'Elisha' ('My God is help') is here. The Lord who resuscitated the Shunammite woman's son is also with you and in you today. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
So, right now, receive a breath of His life in Jesus' name, and also over your situation! (whatever it is) Your miracle is also in your mouth. As you believe that "It is well" with you, speak it also over your current situation now, saying: "It is well with my ............... (e.g. marriage, career, business, ministry, etc)" Never underestimate the power of your words (Proverbs 18:21).
And as you receive from Him today, believe that (as in 2 Kings 4:34)...
a) His mouth is also upon your mouth, i.e. His life and breath is resuscitating any 'stagnant' or 'dead' area of your life right now, so that it flourishes again.
b) His eyes are also upon your eyes, i.e. His vision and revelation is being restored to you right now, so that you'll begin to see what He sees again.
c) His hands are also upon your hands, i.e. His hands are upon all that you put your hands to do right now, so that whatever you do shall prosper again.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
How to be led by the Holy Spirit?
2 Corinthians 13:14 (NKJV): The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
I've had many people asking me such questions:
"How to hear from God on a consistent basis, and at all times?"
"I desire to move when He moves, stop when He stops, to stay when He wants me to stay,... basically to be led and directed by Him. How?"
To the above questions, I would say the key will always be communion with the Holy Spirit. To commune with Him is to communicate with Him and being in union with Him (see also 1 Corinthians 6:17).
Spending time with Him in the Word (i.e. time in fellowship with Jesus who is the Word) and praying in the spirit (i.e. praying in tongues) on a consistent basis every day will lead to one knowing (you know the expression: "I know that I know that I know"?) when He speaks and how He speaks. The Bible says, 'the sheep knows the Shepherd's voice' (John 10:27), and that comes by no other way but by spending time with one another in intimacy. That's how His sheep will know which 'door' is from Him and which 'door' is not from Him (see John 10:7-9), i.e. able to discern what's God and what's not. This applies to every single aspect of life, not just in ministering to others.
I also suggest praying in tongues at least one hour every day, not just some minutes. This is especially so for those who are ministers of God. Practice makes perfect too. Every great prophet of the Lord will admit they've made mistakes in hearing before, especially in younger days. So, do give room for mistakes. It's from here that one learns.
There's this prophet/pastor (the late Pa Agong Bangau) who was a key figure in ushering down the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit during the Ba' Kelalan Revival in East Malaysia in the 1980's. After attending Bible College and then becoming a pastor in a bigger town, he then spent some ten years 'honing' (fine-tuning, sharpening) his spiritual skills in hearing in the Spirit back in his home village in Ba' Kelalan. Now, I'm not saying in that case, we are to live a 'hermit' life. That's not my point here. But as he learned to 'simplify' his life and 'hone' his spiritual skills in hearing God (and practice makes perfect), amazing things happened, not just in his prophetic and 'signs & wonders' ministry but also in his daily natural chores. For example, many times even his fellow villagers were amazed how he just knew which direction to go in the thick jungle during hunting trips those days. When asked how he 'hit the bulls-eye' every time, his answer was simple: "The Holy Spirit led me". This, of course, also truly put to shame those visiting 'big-city' pastors in his days, the so-called "much more sophisticated and knowledgeable in theological matters, holding-many-degrees" pastors! Now, please, I'm not mocking at 'big-city' pastors here, because I myself grew up in a big city too!
But the above understanding and realization of course, was a turning point in my own ministry life as well.
My point here is one can be too much surrounded (or crowded) by 'noises' or 'pressing matters' (that compete for one's attention) every day, so much so one has no time to 'be still and know that He is God' (Psalm 46:10), and therefore to hear from Him. The truth is He still wants to speak to you today as much as He did Moses, Elijah, and David those days! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
There's a call to 'simplify your life' for God's end-time people today. This is a generation full of 'noises' and 'distractions' all over, yet all the more this is also the time God's end-time people need to hear accurately from the Lord if they are to triumph in Christ, every day, and in every area of their life (2 Corinthians 2:14). How can one be led by Him if one doesn't hear from Him? And how can one hear from Him if one doesn't have time for Him, i.e.'being still and know that He is God'? Again, John 10:27 says, 'the sheep knows His voice', and it's from here that the sheep knows which 'door' is from Him and which 'door' is not from Him!
People of God, it's possible to 'simplify' one's life even when one lives in big cities. It's a matter of re-prioritizing. For example, when one gives say, the first 10% of his day to the Lord, he'll find that the rest of his day (the other 90%) is going to be truly blessed and sanctified! Watch and see. Try it if you don't believe! I can testify to this time and again, and I've seen how His hand has been guiding without fail! Glory be to God! Now, the same applies also to your tithing/giving to Him. If you give your first 10% to Him, you'll find that your the other 90% is going to be truly blessed and sanctified as well! Romans 11:16 is very clear on this. It says, 'for if the firstfruit is holy (say, your first 10%), the lump is also holy (sanctified); and if the root is holy, so are the branches (& the fruits thereon)'.
There'll also be grace to complete the work God has begun in you, if you follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. "When the Lord says so, you say so, and when the Lord says no, you say no." Life becomes so much more restful, yet fruitful. Amen! The apostle Paul was a great example. He's a man who knew what it means to be led by the Spirit (he wrote Romans 8:14), and he also lived by the revelation of the Holy Spirit (see 2 Corinthians 12:1). In other words, he moved and made decisions by the revelation of the Holy Spirit, not by mere human logics, intelligence, persuasion, or self-effort.
One thing I've observed is this: If one makes decisions based on the revelation of the Holy Spirit, the fruits (i.e. results) thereon will be long-lasting. But if it's by mere human logics, intelligence, persuasion, or self-effort, the work will fade away after some time. We are all now thanking the apostle Paul for his ministry and works. Why? Just take away all his writings from the New Testament, and the New Testament will really look rather empty! See? We are still enjoying the 'fruits' of his ministry even until today! In other words, his works have been long-lasting even to our generation. The reason, of course, is simple: Paul has learned to be led by the Spirit, moving and making decisions based on the revelation of the Holy Spirit.
I've had many people asking me such questions:
"How to hear from God on a consistent basis, and at all times?"
"I desire to move when He moves, stop when He stops, to stay when He wants me to stay,... basically to be led and directed by Him. How?"
To the above questions, I would say the key will always be communion with the Holy Spirit. To commune with Him is to communicate with Him and being in union with Him (see also 1 Corinthians 6:17).
Spending time with Him in the Word (i.e. time in fellowship with Jesus who is the Word) and praying in the spirit (i.e. praying in tongues) on a consistent basis every day will lead to one knowing (you know the expression: "I know that I know that I know"?) when He speaks and how He speaks. The Bible says, 'the sheep knows the Shepherd's voice' (John 10:27), and that comes by no other way but by spending time with one another in intimacy. That's how His sheep will know which 'door' is from Him and which 'door' is not from Him (see John 10:7-9), i.e. able to discern what's God and what's not. This applies to every single aspect of life, not just in ministering to others.
I also suggest praying in tongues at least one hour every day, not just some minutes. This is especially so for those who are ministers of God. Practice makes perfect too. Every great prophet of the Lord will admit they've made mistakes in hearing before, especially in younger days. So, do give room for mistakes. It's from here that one learns.
There's this prophet/pastor (the late Pa Agong Bangau) who was a key figure in ushering down the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit during the Ba' Kelalan Revival in East Malaysia in the 1980's. After attending Bible College and then becoming a pastor in a bigger town, he then spent some ten years 'honing' (fine-tuning, sharpening) his spiritual skills in hearing in the Spirit back in his home village in Ba' Kelalan. Now, I'm not saying in that case, we are to live a 'hermit' life. That's not my point here. But as he learned to 'simplify' his life and 'hone' his spiritual skills in hearing God (and practice makes perfect), amazing things happened, not just in his prophetic and 'signs & wonders' ministry but also in his daily natural chores. For example, many times even his fellow villagers were amazed how he just knew which direction to go in the thick jungle during hunting trips those days. When asked how he 'hit the bulls-eye' every time, his answer was simple: "The Holy Spirit led me". This, of course, also truly put to shame those visiting 'big-city' pastors in his days, the so-called "much more sophisticated and knowledgeable in theological matters, holding-many-degrees" pastors! Now, please, I'm not mocking at 'big-city' pastors here, because I myself grew up in a big city too!
But the above understanding and realization of course, was a turning point in my own ministry life as well.
My point here is one can be too much surrounded (or crowded) by 'noises' or 'pressing matters' (that compete for one's attention) every day, so much so one has no time to 'be still and know that He is God' (Psalm 46:10), and therefore to hear from Him. The truth is He still wants to speak to you today as much as He did Moses, Elijah, and David those days! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
There's a call to 'simplify your life' for God's end-time people today. This is a generation full of 'noises' and 'distractions' all over, yet all the more this is also the time God's end-time people need to hear accurately from the Lord if they are to triumph in Christ, every day, and in every area of their life (2 Corinthians 2:14). How can one be led by Him if one doesn't hear from Him? And how can one hear from Him if one doesn't have time for Him, i.e.'being still and know that He is God'? Again, John 10:27 says, 'the sheep knows His voice', and it's from here that the sheep knows which 'door' is from Him and which 'door' is not from Him!
People of God, it's possible to 'simplify' one's life even when one lives in big cities. It's a matter of re-prioritizing. For example, when one gives say, the first 10% of his day to the Lord, he'll find that the rest of his day (the other 90%) is going to be truly blessed and sanctified! Watch and see. Try it if you don't believe! I can testify to this time and again, and I've seen how His hand has been guiding without fail! Glory be to God! Now, the same applies also to your tithing/giving to Him. If you give your first 10% to Him, you'll find that your the other 90% is going to be truly blessed and sanctified as well! Romans 11:16 is very clear on this. It says, 'for if the firstfruit is holy (say, your first 10%), the lump is also holy (sanctified); and if the root is holy, so are the branches (& the fruits thereon)'.
There'll also be grace to complete the work God has begun in you, if you follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. "When the Lord says so, you say so, and when the Lord says no, you say no." Life becomes so much more restful, yet fruitful. Amen! The apostle Paul was a great example. He's a man who knew what it means to be led by the Spirit (he wrote Romans 8:14), and he also lived by the revelation of the Holy Spirit (see 2 Corinthians 12:1). In other words, he moved and made decisions by the revelation of the Holy Spirit, not by mere human logics, intelligence, persuasion, or self-effort.
One thing I've observed is this: If one makes decisions based on the revelation of the Holy Spirit, the fruits (i.e. results) thereon will be long-lasting. But if it's by mere human logics, intelligence, persuasion, or self-effort, the work will fade away after some time. We are all now thanking the apostle Paul for his ministry and works. Why? Just take away all his writings from the New Testament, and the New Testament will really look rather empty! See? We are still enjoying the 'fruits' of his ministry even until today! In other words, his works have been long-lasting even to our generation. The reason, of course, is simple: Paul has learned to be led by the Spirit, moving and making decisions based on the revelation of the Holy Spirit.
Forgiveness & the Holy Spirit
Colossians 2:13 (NKJV): And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses.
I can personalize the above verse this way: In Christ, I have been forgiven of all trespasses and now made alive together with Him.
The word 'forgive' here is 'charizomai' in Greek (from the word 'charis', which means 'grace, gift, joy liberality'). According to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, this word 'forgive' can mean 'to freely give ('charis') and let go (of that person/situation) with liberality, or to grant favor and kindness (to that person)'. In short, to forgive is to give grace.
The words 'made alive together' here is 'suzoopoieo' in Greek, which actually means 'to be made alive by being in union with Him, i.e. communion with Him'. It means your communication with God is no more dead, but is made alive!
Remember, God is not dead! He is still very much alive today, and will always be! And He still very much wants to communicate with you today, as He did Moses, Elijah, or David. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). So, 'to be made alive together' here means you are not dead or numb spiritually so much so until you can't 'catch' what God wants to say to you! Many believers today miss out on what God has in store for them simply because they are spiritually too 'numb' to hear from Him!
See the co-relation between 'forgiveness' and 'being led by the Holy Spirit'?
Forgiveness leads to you being made alive together with God (i.e. alive in your communion with Him). And when you are communing with Him, you'll hear His direction and guidance, for sure. He is the One leading you, like a senior partner leading a junior partner in a partnership! (2 Corinthians 2:14)
Note: 'To commune with Him' is 'to communicate with Him (2 Corinthians 13:14) and being in union with Him (1 Corinthians 6:17)'.
Forgiveness leads to you hearing correctly (and objectively), not just in ministering to others, but also in hearing "what's God and what's not" in your own everyday life!
Beloved of God, receive forgiveness (for your own guilt, wrongs or sins) from Him (Colossians 2:13), and then let this 'river' of forgiveness flow out as you forgive others (i.e. to give grace, and to let go with liberality). Romans 5:8 says, 'God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us'. You see, forgiveness takes a big heart, and God has indeed shown us the example (see Romans 5:8). As He is, so should we be in this world! So, freely you receive His forgiveness, freely you also release forgiveness to others.
Forgiveness opens the channel for you to hear from God correctly, and that's how you'll always be in the right place, at the right time, doing the right things (instead of ending up in the wrong place, at the wrong time, all the time!). When there's forgiveness, the flow of the Spirit through you will not be hindered any more! No more 'rubbish' (e.g. hurts, bitterness, grudges, etc) in the 'river'! Now, this, my friend, is the key to hearing from God correctly, be it for your own life, or as you minister to others.
When you allow Him to lead you this way and live a 'let go' life, your life will also be restful. In fact, there's no better way to live your life than by 'letting go' and flowing with the 'river' of His Spirit. Romans 8:14 says, 'for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are called sons of God'.
I heard these words during a prayer gathering recently, and I want to share it with you today:
"As you let go of the old ways, and as you let go of the people of your past (especially those who have hurt you), My grace is sufficient for you to receive My new ways and My new things. There'll be renewed and fresh impartation I'm giving you. You'll meet new people and experience new things... better things... and even things that eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things that I have already prepared for you."
In Jesus' name. Amen.
I can personalize the above verse this way: In Christ, I have been forgiven of all trespasses and now made alive together with Him.
The word 'forgive' here is 'charizomai' in Greek (from the word 'charis', which means 'grace, gift, joy liberality'). According to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, this word 'forgive' can mean 'to freely give ('charis') and let go (of that person/situation) with liberality, or to grant favor and kindness (to that person)'. In short, to forgive is to give grace.
The words 'made alive together' here is 'suzoopoieo' in Greek, which actually means 'to be made alive by being in union with Him, i.e. communion with Him'. It means your communication with God is no more dead, but is made alive!
Remember, God is not dead! He is still very much alive today, and will always be! And He still very much wants to communicate with you today, as He did Moses, Elijah, or David. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). So, 'to be made alive together' here means you are not dead or numb spiritually so much so until you can't 'catch' what God wants to say to you! Many believers today miss out on what God has in store for them simply because they are spiritually too 'numb' to hear from Him!
See the co-relation between 'forgiveness' and 'being led by the Holy Spirit'?
Forgiveness leads to you being made alive together with God (i.e. alive in your communion with Him). And when you are communing with Him, you'll hear His direction and guidance, for sure. He is the One leading you, like a senior partner leading a junior partner in a partnership! (2 Corinthians 2:14)
Note: 'To commune with Him' is 'to communicate with Him (2 Corinthians 13:14) and being in union with Him (1 Corinthians 6:17)'.
Forgiveness leads to you hearing correctly (and objectively), not just in ministering to others, but also in hearing "what's God and what's not" in your own everyday life!
Beloved of God, receive forgiveness (for your own guilt, wrongs or sins) from Him (Colossians 2:13), and then let this 'river' of forgiveness flow out as you forgive others (i.e. to give grace, and to let go with liberality). Romans 5:8 says, 'God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us'. You see, forgiveness takes a big heart, and God has indeed shown us the example (see Romans 5:8). As He is, so should we be in this world! So, freely you receive His forgiveness, freely you also release forgiveness to others.
Forgiveness opens the channel for you to hear from God correctly, and that's how you'll always be in the right place, at the right time, doing the right things (instead of ending up in the wrong place, at the wrong time, all the time!). When there's forgiveness, the flow of the Spirit through you will not be hindered any more! No more 'rubbish' (e.g. hurts, bitterness, grudges, etc) in the 'river'! Now, this, my friend, is the key to hearing from God correctly, be it for your own life, or as you minister to others.
When you allow Him to lead you this way and live a 'let go' life, your life will also be restful. In fact, there's no better way to live your life than by 'letting go' and flowing with the 'river' of His Spirit. Romans 8:14 says, 'for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are called sons of God'.
I heard these words during a prayer gathering recently, and I want to share it with you today:
"As you let go of the old ways, and as you let go of the people of your past (especially those who have hurt you), My grace is sufficient for you to receive My new ways and My new things. There'll be renewed and fresh impartation I'm giving you. You'll meet new people and experience new things... better things... and even things that eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things that I have already prepared for you."
In Jesus' name. Amen.
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