Receiving your Light for a brand new year

Isaiah 60:1 (NKJV): Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.

The word 'light' here is 'owr' in Hebrew, which can mean 'illumination, bright, clear, morning sun, lightning, happiness, break of day, glory, shine, set on fire'. As you can see, this word 'owr' has a wide range of meaning in Hebrew.

Isaiah 60:2-3 then says, 'For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light ('owr'), and kings to the brightness of your rising'.

People of God, even though the world may be getting 'darker and darker' (in every sense) in this end-time, 'but the Lord will arise over you'. The Word of God says so. The word 'arise' here is rather interesting. It is pronounced 'zarach' in Hebrew, which actually means 'to shoot forth beams of light, to appear on you like the sunrise'. Let me paraphrase the verse above now: Even though the world may be getting 'darker and darker', but as for you (the believers), the Lord will 'shoot forth beams of light' over you and 'appear on you like the sunrise'! Hallelujah! Take it, believe for it, and receive it. Amen!

Now, who is this 'light'? John 1:6-10 says, 'There was a man sent from God, whose name was John (the Baptist). This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He (John) was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.

Notice the words 'true Light' here? Indeed, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), and this truth sets us free (John 8:32). And when this true Light comes, all darkness (even false lights) will have to flee. 1 John 2:8 says, 'Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true Light is already shining'.

People of God, to be 'in this Light' is to be 'in Christ'! Jesus is your Light!

1 John 1:5-7 says, 'This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all... if we walk in the light (i.e. in Him) as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin'.

The word 'light' here in Greek is 'phos', which means 'to shine, to make manifest (to show up, to reveal)'. The Word of God says Jesus Christ is God manifested (showed up, revealed) and dwelt among us (John 1:14).

Just as Jesus Christ (the true Light) reveals God the Father, the light that shines (from the physical sun) also reveals the physical sun. In other words, without the light, you wouldn't know there's a sun!
Note: The Lord God Almighty forbid that we worship the physical sun, but He shows us the physical sun as a sure 'sign' that points us to Him and His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ (see John 1:1-18). If the 'physical sun' reflects God the Father, then the 'light' has got to reflect God the Son! The 'physical sun' and its 'light' cannot be separated. They are 'one'. If the 'light' is taken away from the 'physical sun', it is not called the 'sun' any more. May the eyes of our understanding be enlightened. Amen.

Isaiah 60:19-20 says, 'The (physical) sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you; but the Lord will be to you an everlasting light, and your God your glory. Your sun shall no longer go down, nor shall your moon withdraw itself; for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning shall be ended'.

Today, know that Jesus Christ is to you an 'everlasting light'!

So, friends, if you are currently going through a time of 'darkness' (in family, in relationship, in business, in career, in health, in finance, or in any other area of your life), and it seems your hope has also gone dimmer and dimmer, this is your time to receive the 'Light'. This 'Light' will also bring with Him a renewed hope for you. Amen. The Word of God says 'Christ in you, the hope of glory' (Colossians 1:27).

Know also that Jesus Christ Himself has already carried all your 'darkness' when He died for you on the cross, and in exchange, you can now receive the 'light'. The Word of God says, 'Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit." Having said this, He breathed His last. So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, "Certainly this was a righteous Man!" (Luke 23:44-47)

And because He gave you this 'light', you can now therefore 'proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy' (1 Peter 2:9-10). Have a year full of His light and the praises of the Lord. Amen!

Receiving God's grace to overcome and start anew

Judges 3:9 (NKJV): When the children of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for the children of Israel, who delivered them: Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.

The word 'deliverer' here in Hebrew is 'yasha, yesha, or yeshayah (Yah, the Savior and Deliverer)', and the name 'Othniel' means 'force, strength of God', from the words 'Othniy' (meaning 'force, strength') and 'El' (the name of God Almighty). Indeed, Jesus is our Overcomer God, strong and mighty!

This deliverance came about at a time when the Israelites were brought back to the 'land' of their past. 

When the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and Asherahs (i.e. the gods and goddesses, or masters of this world), the anger of the Lord was hot against them. They were then sold into the hand of King Cushan-Rishathaim, the king of Mesopotamia and served this king for eight years (Judges 3:7-8).

What does 'Cushan-Rishathaim' mean here? It means 'double wickedness, or repeating wickedness of guilt and curse'. This speaks of your past 'guilt' and 'curse', or some recurring thoughts of your past 'trying to make a comeback' and 'attacking you over and over again'. 

Notice that 'Cushan' is from the word 'Cush', the son of Ham (Genesis 9:22-23), which speaks of 'guilt and curse', because Ham uncovered and exposed his father (Noah's) nakedness. 'Rishathaim' means 'double wickedness, or repeating wickedness', from the words 'rishah' (meaning 'condemnation, fault, wickedness'), and 'ayim' (speaks of 'double, plural, repeat').

How about 'Mesopotamia' then? What does it mean to the Israelites? It speaks of Israel's past, because it was here that the Lord spoke to Abraham: "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing." (Genesis 12:1-2) Abraham did not look back to Mesopotamia (speaks of his 'past') since.

People of God, have you been having nightmares or thoughts recently that bring you all the way back to certain past failures, mistakes, or shame of yours? And all of a sudden, all those past memories you've always wanted to forget begin to 'creep into mind' and 'haunt' you again! Or have you been feeling 'down' recently and memories of the past kept coming back as a recurring thought? For some, even certain faces or places may evoke (bring back to mind) past bad memories all over again!

You see, the devil will always try to pull you back to your past, or bring you back to the remembrance of your past failures, mistakes, sins, shame, disappointment, and defeat. In fact, he's good at that! The Bible says he (the accuser of our brethren) accuses us day and night (Revelation 12:10). But thanks be to God, because in Christ, we have overcome him by the Blood of the Lamb (Jesus) and by the Word of our testimony! (Revelation 12:11)

Now there's a big difference between the Holy Spirit and the devil. The Holy Spirit will always remind you of your right standing in Christ, i.e. you are now forgiven, and righteous in Christ (John 16:10, Romans 8:1, Hebrews 10:17), but the devil will always remind you of your past guilt, failures, mistakes, shame, i.e. your dark past (Revelation 12:10). In short, the devil wants you to stay in that past, and he knows that as long as you stay in that past and get yourself stuck in it, he will always have the upper hand over you!

Not just that, the devil also wants 'history to repeat itself' in your life, and he wants you to 'relapse into your old cycle of pain again'. That's also exactly what Cushan-Rishathaim the king of Mesopotamia did to Israel those days! But thanks be to God because Jesus came and carried this curse when He died for you on the cross once for all some 2,000 years ago! (Hebrews 7:27) You see, God didn't allow history (of His suffering and shame) to repeat itself at the cross! And just as He did not have to die on the cross the second time, 'history' also need not have to repeat itself for you neither! 

So, just because you've been hurt in a business, relationship, or even in ministry before doesn't mean history must repeat itself! 

Judges 3:10-11a (NKJV) says, 'The Spirit of the Lord came upon him (Othniel), and he judged (i.e. ruled, delivered, saved) Israel. He went out to war, and the Lord delivered Cushan-Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed over Cushan-Rishathaim. So the land had rest for forty years." Praise God! 

Do you see Jesus in the Old Testament here? He is in the Old Testament concealed, and in the New Testament revealed. 'Othniel' here is a 'typology' (the 'shadow' of things to come) of Jesus Christ today, your Deliverer. In cross-reference, notice in Luke 4:18-19, the Bible also says 'the Spirit of the Lord was upon Jesus', as He began His ministry on earth.

People of God, as you let go of your past and look forward to a brand-new year ahead, God's grace (supply, ability) to start anew is also very rich for you this coming year. Everyone has a past. It's a matter of to what extent (whether greater or lesser). So, no matter what your past may be, receive now a fresh release of His river of life (that brings life) and healing today. Receive also a fresh new grace for you to move forward. 

As you keep receiving this refreshing from the Lord, you know you have overcome your past and are ready to move on (by His grace) when you can smile and give thanks for who you are in Christ today and what He has done for you thus far (i.e. how He had worked in you till you are what you are today).

BUT NOW thanks be to God who always leads you in triumph in Christ, and through you diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place (2 Corinthians 2:14). NOW is your time to move on and  triumph again! Amen!

God is still with you even in your darkest hours

2 Kings 6:16 (NKJV): So he (Elisha) answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

If there's any 'trademark' set of words that Jesus said (over and over again) in his earthly ministry, I would say it is "Fear not!" For instance, in Luke 8:49-50, when news came that Jairus' daughter was dead, Jesus simply answered, "Fear not; only believe, and she will be made well."

And in John 14:26-27, Jesus said, "But the Helper (Comforter), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 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." Here, Jesus was actually saying when He goes up, His Spirit (the Holy Spirit) will be with you, so fear not! His Spirit is His presence. In other words, He promised that His presence will always be with you, so fear not!

Let's look now at an Old Testament example. In 2 Kings chapter 6, the king of Syria was planning to war against Israel, and he consulted his servants, saying, "My camp will be in such and such a place." Within his inner circle, he was indeed planning a secret strategy of war against Israel (2 Kings 6:8), but somehow Elisha (the prophet and the man of God) 'caught it in his spirit' and warned the king of Israel beforehand, saying, "Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there." (2 Kings 6:9)

Upon knowing that the Israelites had somehow found out their secret plans of war, the king of Syria was greatly troubled, and called his servants and said to them, "Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?" (2 Kings 6:11) He was wondering who was the betrayer among them. And one of the servants then said, "None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom." (2 Kings 6:12)

And so it was, from then on, Elisha became a marked man, a target of the enemy! In other words, he was deemed to be dangerous to the enemy, and he had to be annihilated! The king of Syria then said, "Go and see where he (Elisha) is, that I may send and get him." (2 Kings 6:13)  And it was told him, saying, "Surely he is in Dothan." Therefore, the king of Syria sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city (2 Kings 6:14).

So there was Elisha, and the whole army of the enemy went after this one servant of God! A whole lot versus one man! And he didn't even do anything wrong in God's eyes! In fact, he did the right thing by warning the king of Israel of the impending attack! Nevertheless, he did 'ruffle some feathers', and this did not go well with the enemy.

People of God, are you also going through a long night like Elisha was? And in the midst of the darkness that surrounds you, you also feel so lonely and no one seems to understand. Maybe, you have just embarked on something that God has called you to do, and all of a sudden, you find yourself a target of attack by the enemy and his cohorts?

If you are, take heart, because the Lord is here to assure you that even in the darkest of hours, He is still with you and His presence is still with you.

By the way, the name 'Elisha' ('Eliysha/Eliyshuwa' in Hebrew) means 'God of supplication, God who supplies, God who is rich in His supply'. Interestingly, the word 'Syria' actually means 'highland, elevated, citadel (fortress on a high land)' which speaks of 'the haughty, the lofty, the proud of this world'.

People of God, in the midst of the attacks and the darkness that may have surrounded you, God is saying to you that He is still the same God to you as in Elisha's time, a God who supplies, and a God who is rich in His supply (of His help, His wisdom, His favor, and His protection).

Look now how Elisha responded when his servant said, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" (2 Kings 6:15) And he answered, "Fear not, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." (2 Kings 6:16) He then prayed for the Lord to open his servant's eyes, and lo and behold, the servant saw 'the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha'! (2 Kings 6:17)

You see, Elisha chose not to see the enemy's entire army and get himself panicky. He really could have done that! In fact, many people would have done that! But instead, he saw God! People of God, for you too, if only you could see the chariots of fire all around you as well right now! If only you could see that you are never alone! Never alone even a second! If only you could see that His horses and chariots of fire always outnumber the enemy's! The Word of God says, "I will never (by any means) leave you nor forsake you." And if He is for you, who can be against you? (Romans 8:31)

The truth is when Jesus died for you on the cross, He has already also carried your loneliness all by Himself up at the cross, so now you'll never have to be alone. And His Spirit (His presence) is now always with you, never leaving you nor forsaking you.

And He has even carried all your darkest of hours on the cross (there was darkness about the sixth hour until the ninth hour when he was up at the cross alone - see Luke 23:44), so that now you have His light, and will always be in His light, no matter how dark the world outside may be!

Victory is therefore already yours for the taking. He has already won it for you, as He did for Elisha those days (2 Kings 6:8-23). Receive it now by faith. In Jesus' name. Amen!

God is releasing His balm to soothe and heal you today!

Jeremiah 8:22a (NKJV): Is there no balm in Gilead, is there no physician there?

'Balm' is defined as 'sweet-smelling oil, soothing (comforting, calming) ointment derived from trees as medicine for healing'.

What is 'balm of Gilead' then? It is the balm that comes from Gilead (pronounced 'ghil-awd' in Hebrew), a wooded and hilly area east of River Jordan, known for its medicinal balm and as a refuge for fugitives (people escaping and running away from war or problems).

Recently, during a time of personal worship and prayer at home, I heard these words from the Lord, and immediately an elderly lady whom I know came to mind. I then phoned her and faithfully released these words to her:
"Holy Spirit, the sweet Spirit of Jesus, fall upon (the name of the lady) like a balm that soothes and heals the many years of pain and hurt in this life. In Jesus' name. Amen."

As this 'balm' was being released, I knew this life was miraculously healed and set free in Jesus' name then and there, from the many years of pain and hurt in her soul. She couldn't hold back her joy neither, and she cried (and cried) with such joy that made me cry as well! There was indeed a real, tangible presence and the anointing of the Holy Spirit hovering and embracing her even when I was ministering to her on the phone that day.

Later on, I also heard from this same lady how her doctor was so surprised and amazed at the rate of her recovery from her lingering (and dimming) eyesight problems, and the doctor indeed acknowledged that "This must be God!" Praise God, and all glory to God!

Beloved of God, I also pray for a release of His balm upon you right now, in Jesus' wonderful name. I believe distance is never a problem in the spiritual realm, and so, wherever you may be right now, you too can receive His healing and be set free, just as this elderly lady had received on the telephone the other day!

When Jesus died on the cross for you, know that He had already carried upon Himself all your wounds, hurts, and the many years of pain (whether in your soul or in your body). Isaiah 53:4-5 says, "Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed."

Just as the 'balm' (the sweet-smelling oil) is being derived from trees, the anointing oil that heals all your griefs and sorrows when Jesus died for you on a tree (Galatians 3:13-14) has also been released today to set you free even from all those years of 'captivity'. Indeed, just as the 'balm of Gilead', He is not just to you a medicine for healing, but He is also to you today a refuge in times of need. Amen.