Galatians 3:5-6 (NKJV): Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? - just as Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."
The word 'supplies' here (or 'ministereth' in KJV) is from the Greek word 'choregeo', meaning 'to fully supply, to constantly supply, to lavish, to supply in bountiful measure'. And the apostle Paul wrote this 'supply' is to be received by faith (i.e. a believing heart), and not by the works of the law.
Another time this word 'choregeo' appears in the Bible is found in 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 that says, 'Now may He who supplies (or 'ministereth' in KJV) seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God'.
The other day, in a time of prayer, the Lord spoke these words:
"Watch Me supply for you this year! Don't be afraid to receive My supply, and don't be shy to receive My supply!"
People of God, whatever you have been lacking in 'supply', whether in health, in wisdom, in providence, or in any other area of life, I want to believe these words for you as well.
In Philippians 4:19 (NKJV), the apostle Paul wrote, 'And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus'. See the word 'all' here? 'All' your need! And according to His riches in glory, not according to the 'scarcity of resources' in this world! The word 'supply' here is from the word 'pleroo' in Greek, meaning 'to furnish, to satisfy, to complete, to accomplish, to fulfil'. I can now therefore personalize and declare Philippians 4:19 this way: "And my God shall furnish, satisfy, complete, accomplish, and fulfil all my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Amen!
Some of you might say, "But I don't think I deserve such supply from God, after all those mistakes I've made in life, and after all those sins I've committed!"
Well, look at Jacob in the Bible then! He deserved nothing, but he got everything! And you know why? Simply because of the grace of God! And I believe if God could help him, God can help you and deliver you too, whatever 'struggle' (or 'mess', and even 'repercussions') you may be facing at the moment. Indeed, God's heart is very near His people this year, if they return to Him (and His ways).
The name 'Jacob' is 'Yaaqob' in Hebrew, meaning 'heel-catcher, supplanter', from the word 'aqab' which literally means 'to seize by the heel, to take by the heel, to restrain (as in holding by the heel)'. As you can see, even from the time of his birth, his life was about supplanting others! Genesis 25:24-26 says, 'So when her (Rebekah) days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name Esau. Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau's heel; so his name was called Jacob...'
As long as his name remained Jacob, from beginning till the end (before God changed his name to Israel), his life was filled with fleshly struggles and much self-effort (to obtain things). First, struggling with men (see Genesis 25:29-34, Genesis 27:41-45, Genesis 29:18-27), and finally, just before his 'name change', struggling with God (see Genesis 32:24-25).
And not until he met God face to face did his destiny actually change! That's how important an encounter with God is! Allow God to visit you this year!
Genesis 32:24-30 says, 'Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!" So He said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob." And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed." Then Jacob asked, saying, "Tell me Your name, I pray." And He said, "Why is it that you ask about My name?" And He blessed him there. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel (i.e. 'face of God'); "For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved."'
In Genesis 35:10-12, God then affirmed and said to him, "Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name." So He called his name Israel. Also God said to him: "I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body. The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land."
A name change always brings with it a character change.
'Jacob' speaks of fleshly struggles and much self-effort.
'Israel' speaks of God's grace (God's supply, God's ability).
You see, no more struggles, but walking in His grace (His supply, His ability). In other words, it's supernatural! It's about walking in the supply of God, not man; and the ability of God, not man!
A few weeks ago, a friend who moves in the prophetic gift said this to me: "This year, many will have no choice but to walk in the supernatural!" I agree and resonate with these words. The time has come when many cannot just rely on their own strength, knowledge, intelligence, and logics any further, but to look to God and totally rely on Him (even for His wisdom).
By the way, this new name Israel, or 'Yisra El' in Hebrew means 'he will rule ('Yisra') with God ('El')'. This word 'Yisra' shares the same root word as 'Sarah' (from the Hebrew alphabets 'Shin' and 'Rosh') which means 'to rule, to reign, to have power (as a prince)'. Hence, 'Yisra El' can also be translated 'prince with God'.
As believers in the New Covenant, know that you are the spiritual 'Israels' (princes with God) of today (see Ephesians 2:11-13, Hebrews 8:7-13). Romans 5:17 says, 'For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ'.
Today, God can turn you from Jacob to Israel too. It's like there's a 'name change' for God's people in this time and season, if they look to Him, return to Him, and seek Him. He is here to meet you face to face, and He can turn things around for you too. In short, no more shall you be a 'supplanter' (i.e. struggling in this 'dog-eat-dog' world), but you are ruling and reigning with Him as heirs according to the promise, supernaturally.
Galatians 3:26-29 says, 'For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise'. Believing, you will receive. In Jesus' name. Amen.
