Entering the realm of miracles

Genesis 1:2-3 (NKJV): The earth was without form and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.’

The word ‘hovering’ here is ‘rachaph’ (pronounced 'raw-khaf’) in Hebrew, which means 'remaining in the air in one place' or ‘to relax on, or to brood (like a bird sitting on eggs in order to hatch them)’. ‘To hatch’ here simply means ‘to bring forth results or breakthrough’, and in this context, a miracle happened as it was being spoken, when God said, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3).

Genesis 1:4 (NKJV) then says, 'And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness'. ‘Light’ here speaks of 'your miracle, healing, or breakthrough' that is being 'hatched', when it used to be 'darkness on the face of the deep' (i.e. 'pitch dark', or 'with no light at all') in that situation.

People of God, this is a year of glory. Many miracles have begun to happen in our midst, and will continue to happen. Praise God! Supernatural opening of doors in career or ministry, miraculous providence of finance, signs and wonders, and even creative miracles! And I believe this is only the beginning of His glory manifesting in a very significant way (where even the angels will attest to that), and in the years ahead, this glory will continue to increase more and more. Those who see 'no light at all' in any situation will begin to see the 'light', be it in finance, in health, in family relationships, in career, or in ministry. The next seven years will also see a supernatural transfer of wealth for the expansion of His kingdom like never been seen before. In other words, 'your light has (already) come', and He can do a miracle in your life and in your family too! Only believe, and do not doubt.

His glory always comes with the exceeding riches of His grace ('His grace' here speaks of 'His supply from heaven', or 'His supernatural ability'). Ephesians 2:6-7 (NKJV) says, '...and (He) raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus'.

Know also that you don't have to wait till you reach heaven to see 'the exceeding riches of His grace', but the Bible says 'you (already) are in the heavenly places'! When? When you are in Christ Jesus! (see Ephesians 1:3)

How to tap into this realm of miracles? 

The key is to connect with Him. It's when you are connected, that's when you'll also start to hear from the Spirit. This is a time to praise and worship like never before, 'dig' into the Word of God like never before, and pray in the spirit often. He's in the midst of revealing many secrets for His people to 'carry out'.

Habakkuk 2:14 (NKJV) says, 'For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea'. To be filled with 'the knowledge of the glory of the Lord' is to have 'the knowledge on how to operate in His glory realm', and not just merely having 'the experience of His glory'. You see, the people in Moses' time had 'the experience of His glory' (e.g. the Red Sea opened), but today, God wants you to enter even deeper in His realm, i.e. to 'sit together with Him' in the heavenly places, and to 'be in the thick of action' in His glory realm!
Note: 'To operate' here means 'to carry out something, or to be in the thick of action (not missing in action!)'.

Another key is to be conscious of His Spirit hovering over you always. Imagine an 'eagle' (picture of 'His Spirit') hovering over you and landing on your head right now. It's when you know that His Spirit is always hovering over you (i.e. His glory/light has come on you) that you'll also receive His vision, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, faith, etc, and whatever you receive, spontaneously release it through your spoken words (e.g. when God said, "Let there be light"). Why do I say so? Because it's the glory of the Lord that leads to creativity (i.e. the creation of 'light' in any area that used to be 'in the darkness') manifesting in the physical realm, as evident in Genesis 1:2-3.

The next key is obedience. Whatever Moses had been commanded by the Lord (or whatever Moses heard from the Lord), he’d speak and declare it to the children of Israel (Exodus 34:34). So, whatever He says, you say! This in turn releases you into the realm of miracles, signs and wonders to manifest in and through your life. You’ll never go wrong here, because ‘when He orders, He’ll also pay’, i.e. He’ll see to it that He'll back up what He says.

Similarly, in the New Testament, before Jesus Himself saw miracles, signs and wonders manifesting through His life while on earth, He Himself set the example by 'connecting with His Father'. He fasted 40 days 40 nights (Matthew 4:1-2). 'Fasting and prayer' here simply speaks of ‘connecting with God’ and ‘shutting our ears away from the worldly ways’.
Note: In the New Covenant, we 'fast and pray' not to try to earn God's favor or merit, but instead for the reasons mentioned above.

It's only then that Matthew 4:16 comes in to say 'the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light (speaks of ‘His glory’), and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death, light (speaks of 'His glory') has dawned'. Amen!

When the glory of the Lord is upon you (just as had come upon Jesus), there'll also be:
1. Wisdom (even to 'ward off' the devil, e.g. “It is written…”) - Matthew 4:3-11.
2.  Authority (e.g. when He called the disciples to follow Him, they followed) - Matthew 4:18-19.
3. Miracles, signs, wonders, healing, deliverance (Jesus healed all kinds of disease) - Matthew 4:23-25.

That’s why it’s so important to be conscious of His glory (Jesus Himself is the King of glory - Psalm 24), before you can see 'the exceeding riches of His grace' manifesting in and through your life! Well, some of the things you receive (from His Spirit) may not be logical or possible to your mind, but never limit Him. He is always a God who is above natural (i.e. super natural). As you hear, declare and release it in faith, and your miracles will be at hand. Amen!

The secret to walking in heaven on earth

Genesis 1:1 (NKJV): In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

'The heavens' here in this verse is 'ha shamayim' in Hebrew. 

The letters in Hebrew are as below (reading from right to left):

'Hey' meaning 'the'; 

'Shin', a picture of 'God' (the El Shaddai); 

'Mem', a picture of  'water or wave'; and

'Yud', a picture of 'hand or arm (of God)'.

Notice also that the last two letters in the word 'heavens' here are 'Yud' and 'Mem'. When we have 'Yud' and 'Mem' at the end of a Hebrew word, it forms a suffix 'eem' (which turns the subject into plural). In other words, 'eem' would be like 's' ending in English translation 'heavens'. So, if the singular (for the word 'heaven') is 'shama', then the plural (for the word 'heavens') is 'shamayeem'.

Interestingly, the word 'mayim' ('mem', 'yud', 'mem'), taking the letter 'shin' out, means 'water' in Hebrew. For instance, this word 'mayim' can be found in Isaiah 12:3 (NKJV) that says 'Therefore with joy you will draw water ('mayim') from the wells of salvation (Yeshuwah)'. 

And so, if 'shin' speaks of 'God', and 'mayim' means 'water', then 'the heavens' ('ha shamayim') can also mean 'the waters of God'!

Also, two 'mem' (picture of 'water or wave') here speaks of two 'waters'. Now, what does 'water' speaks of in the New Testament? Let's do some cross-references now: 

(a) Water of the Word: '... that He might sanctify and cleanse her (the church) with the washing of water by the word' (Ephesians 5:26) 

(b) Water of the Spirit: '... Jesus saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."' (John 7:37-38)

I call this the twin-pillar of 'waters' of God, i.e. the Word and the Spirit.

From the above, you'll see that 'heaven' is therefore full of the ministry of Word and Spirit (represented by the two 'mem', i.e. 'waters')! Of course, heaven is full of worship too!

The water of the Word and the water of the Spirit! Let me give you an illustration of the importance of God's waters in our lives. Say, if you are like a fish, heaven (i.e. God’s waters) then is like ‘water’ to the fish, without which the fish cannot survive, function or live!

The above is also the key to every spiritual blessing you can ever receive from Him! Ephesians 1:3 (NKJV) says, 'Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ'. Notice the words 'heavenly places' here? Wow! Long before us, Paul already had the revelation of how to walk in heaven while on earth!  

So, if you want to walk in heaven ('ha shamayim') on earth, and whatever you touch (or do) be 'heavenly' on earth, be then filled and soaked in His waters right now!

You want ‘heaven’ in your church? Then focus on the heavenly ministry of His Word and His Spirit, instead of coming out with all kinds of programs of men!

The ministry of Word and Spirit on earth is a reflection of the heavenly ministry, without which a church is not a church! So, church is not about tradition of men or programs of men (for these are only secondary), but a church is primarily a ministry of Word and Spirit! That's what a church is for on earth, a channel to bring heavens ('God's waters') down on earth! 

Every church (which is founded in Him) on earth represents 'heaven' on earth, and therefore should focus on these two 'waters', instead of focusing on more and more programs. After a program has ended (no matter how good it may be organized), the excitement will also die down. Just temporary! Nothing is permanent on this fallen earth anyway! But on the other hand, the ministry of Word and Spirit is permanent, because it is made in heaven, and it lasts forever! Now, don't get me wrong. I am not writing against programs of men (for there's a place for such too), but let's major on the majors, and not get distracted with too many programs of men that may take the place of the original ministry of a church!

People of God, let His hand ('yud') release the waters ('mem') of heaven to you right now! And you shall then be like a tree planted by the rivers of water ('mayim'), that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf shall not wither; and whatever you do shall prosper! (Psalm 1:3) Draw directly from these rivers of divine life!

Heaven is full of life! Nothing's dead there! And His 'mayim' brings life too! The Bible calls it 'living water'! (see John 7:38) Water! Life! Hallelujah! I pray in Jesus' name that His life falls on you right now! Receive this life from above, and let even the 'dry bones' in any area of your life be revived and be renewed today (Ezekiel 37:1-14). Amen!

His 'mayim' also cleanses! Ezekiel 36:25 says, 'Then I will sprinkle clean water ('mayim') on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols'. That's why Jesus Himself says, "You are already clean, because of the word which I have spoken to you." (John 15:3) Allow His waters to cleanse (or bathe) you today, and be refreshed in the name of Jesus!

Not only that, His 'mayim' brings new hope (see Job 14:7-9) and new joy too (see Isaiah 55:1 leading to Isaiah 55:12).

Recently, in a prophetic gathering, my wife Sharon spoke these words during high praise and worship: 

"Revive Lord! We speak life! Revive! Revival! We speak Your life, Lord! Fill this place with Your life! Whatever that's been dead, be revived to new life, Lord! Life in Christ! Your life comes! Your life comes, Lord! Upon every cell, Lord! Everything will be activated again! Remove whatever is dead, like those dead skin cells! In heaven is life! Nothing dead! Your life fall on us! Dry bones revived! Pour Your water on us! We receive Your living waters!"

Later on, in the same prophetic gathering, Sharon went on to prophesy:

"This new season comes with new joy. The joy of the Lord is our strength. New joy brings new hope, creativity, idea. We shall live with joy, dance with joy, soak in Your joy like never before. Rejoice! Many will see hope, many will find You. Receive the joy from above! The sun shines, the sun arises! The sun speaks of hope. Sing a new song! Sing a new song! Give us new song that’s louder than what’s in the atmosphere, a new song of breakthrough, a new song that’s above the atmosphere, louder than any other in the atmosphere. A new song of joy. Song of hope! Sing a new song! A song of victory! A song of triumph! A new song of victory! A new song of triumph over the power of darkness, over the atmosphere, over and above the atmosphere of this land. A new sound, a new sound over the atmosphere! A new sound, a new sound of victory and triumph over the atmosphere and darkness. We thank You for a new sound and new song!"

People of God, these prophetic words are for you too in this time and season, wherever you may be, or in whichever land you may be residing at the moment. Amen.

May you also always be hungry and thirsty for more of His Word and His Spirit, and by His grace, never running out and never getting dried up of His Word (the bread) and His Spirit (the water) throughout your life and ministry. In Jesus' name. Amen.

A time for deliverance and setting free

Matthew 3:10 (NKJV): And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

The word 'ax' here is pronounced 'ax-ee-nay' in Greek, from the word 'agnumi', which means 'to break'. People of God, this is a time for breaking free! During a time of worship and prayer recently, I also  heard the Lord say, "This is a time for deliverance and setting free from the old and the past!"

The Lord has also been speaking much about 'trees' and 'uprooting of trees' recently. In fact, something unprecedented happened in my land not many weeks ago, when within an hour, so many trees were uprooted (all over the land) like this land has never seen before! My wife even captured the sight of the marauding clouds (like a giant tsunami wave over the sea) on camera just moments before it happened, and bang! The wind came, the storm came, and the rain came, and there went all those trees!

In the spiritual realm, I believe the Lord is currently in the midst of uprooting many old things (old ways, old structures, old mindsets, old patterns, etc), bringing with Him renewal all over. And yes, even in the way His people do things!

Let's go back now to Matthew 3:10. 'Ax' (according to the Oxford Dictionary) is a 'cutting edge' or a 'cutting instrument', and from the biblical point of view, it functions like the Word of God (see Hebrews 4:12) that cuts away the root of a tree, and breaks the work of that particular root. Therefore, the 'ax' here speaks of the Word of God.

During the windstorm in my land recently, I also noticed that most of the trees being uprooted were the old ones. In fact, some of the trees uprooted on that day were as old as hundred over years!

People of God, this is a time to allow Him to lay the ax to the root of the 'old structures' that do not work anymore in this new season! I know it's never easy to let go of the old (whether it's a system, a pattern, or anything else) or something you hold dear (or are familiar with), but this is a time to move on so that the new things can come!

Even on a personal scale, allow Him also to lay the ax to the root of some of the prevalent problems within your family tree. For example, just because your grandparent had cancer, and then your parent had cancer, it doesn't mean you will soon have it too! And even if medical studies may have proven that there can be certain genetic tendencies and link (say, cancer) running in a family tree, you don't have to agree with it, because you already have the Word of God in you (to agree with), the 'ax' that cuts to the 'root' and breaks the work of its 'root'!

You may want to pray this prayer for deliverance and setting free right now:
"Lord Jesus Christ, like the ax in Matthew 3:10, your Word cuts to the root and breaks the work of this root of _________________ (name the prevalent problem) in my family tree. Right now, I claim and receive my deliverance and freedom from this problem/curse, and allow you to uproot this generation problem/curse in my life forever. Thank you for Your deliverance and for setting me free today. In Your mighty name. Amen!"

Having been set free, now is your time to also draw directly from His living water (speaks of His Word and His Spirit) as you look forward to a new future (and destiny). Psalm 1:3 (paraphrase) says, 'for you shall be like a tree transplanted (being removed with its roots and being replanted elsewhere) by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever you do shall prosper'.

In cross-reference, Job 14:7-9 (NKJV) says, "For there is hope for a tree. If it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its tender shoots will not cease. Though its root may grow old in the earth, and its stump may die in the ground, yet at the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth branches like a plant."

Here, the Bible says there's hope for a tree (speaks of 'you and me, i.e. His people') even at the scent of water ('mayim' in Hebrew). This 'water' speaks of His living water, and indeed, it is now being poured out for His people!

So, receive now His water ('mayim' in Hebrew) that flows for the new things to come, and for the beginning of new sprouts and new shoots to grow! Receive it for your life, your family, your ministry, your vocation, your business, and even your investments!

And the best part is as you receive this 'living water' that comes from Him (and not from the world), you'll also be assured of a destiny-change (from the 'old'). A new destiny now beckons, a God-given one! Praise God! Walk in it now. In Jesus' name. Amen.

The key to His leading is your hearing!

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.

Notice the word 'always' here? According to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, this word in Greek means 'every when, at all times, ever (more)'. See the words 'at all times' here? Let me rephrase 2 Corinthians 2:14 now: 'Now thanks be to God who 'every when, at all times, ever more' leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place'! I like the words 'at all times' here. Praise God! You see, the Word of God never says 'sometimes' leads us, or even 'often' leads us, but the Word of God says 'at all times' leads us!

When someone leads, someone else is to follow! So, by the same token, when He leads, somebody is to follow too! And that's you, His people!

And how do we follow if we don't hear from Him first?

Therefore, the key to His leading is your hearing!

People of God, this is a time and season for new beginnings! Our God is always a God of new things. And the key to the new things (that He's going to bring forth) is in hearing Him. This is a time to hear His strategy. Ask Him for His strategy, and you'll receive (Matthew 7:7-8). Listen to His instructions as well. This is a time to be like Mary who said, "Be it unto me according to your word" (Luke 1:38) when angel Gabriel came to her with God's heavenly strategies and instructions.

And that's how God's will and God's destiny for your life will come to pass (and come to full completion) in this new season of yours, just as happened to Mary!

As you would have known, Mary eventually gave birth to Immanuel (literally meaning 'With us is God'). So, as you hear Him and walk in His plans and strategies for you, you too will also 'give birth' to 'whatever you do, with you is God'! In other words, His hands will be upon you in all that you do from now on!

Let us also not be like Simon who did not take God's words (or instructions) as it is. Let's go to Luke 5:1-11 (NKJV) now. When Jesus said to him (Simon), "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch" (Luke 5:4), he (Simon) then answered, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." (Luke 5:5)

Notice Jesus mentioned 'nets' but Simon answered 'net' here? Notice one is plural, and the other is singular? Well, Simon probably had thought (with his own logics and from his own experience as a fisherman) that it'd be rather impossible to get a big catch at that time of the day! Consequently, he had to 'scramble' for another net (from another boat) because his own net was breaking and his boat was sinking! (see Luke 5:6-7) You see, he would have been spared all those 'anxieties' had he listened and acted exactly on what Jesus had just said! In the end, God's words will still accomplish and will never return back to Him void! (Isaiah 55:11)

I know it's never easy to let go of the old (i.e. a pattern, a system, a way, or even a structure) or something you hold dear (or are familiar with), but this is the time to move on for the new things to come (so that new things can come)!

Many times, we tend to close the door that God has opened for us, and more often than not, this 'closed door' is all in the mind (i.e. our old mindset or old way of seeing things), as Simon was. But will you allow Him to 'lay the ax on those old mindsets' that may not work anymore in the new season? Matthew 3:10 says, 'And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire'. Blessed are you if you allow Him, because this is a time and season of renewal, and for new sprouts and shoots to grow! (see Job 14:7-9)

For some of you, this is also a time to ask God for His strategy to be debt-free and stay debt-free. The Bible says 'owe no one anything, except to love one another' (Romans 13:8). When you are debt-free, you can then be who and what God intends for you to be in full measure! In other words, freedom from debt allows God to use you in the fullest measure, and for you to be who and what He wants you to be. Trust me, I've been in severe debt before many years ago, and I know what I'm talking about here!

So, people of God, wherever you are in the world right now, and if you are still in any form of financial debt, I pray in Jesus' mighty name that you'll be set free from debt, and that you'll only 'lend, but not borrow'. Amen! Believe for it, and I pray you'll also receive even His specific strategy to be set free, especially in the next seven years (see Genesis 41:47-57). This is also a time for transfer of wealth (see Isaiah 60:11-12) for the expansion of His kingdom. Let Him also lead you in triumph in Christ even in any of your investments these seven years. In Jesus' name. Amen!