Keys to making the right decisions in life

In every season of our lives, we need to make decisions. Big decisions. Small decisions. And some decisions are so crucial these would either lead us to greater things, or cause us to stagnate in life! Even right now, some of you may be asking, "Am I going to turn to the left, to the right, go straight, or stay put?"

The Lord spoke these words to me recently:
"Many of My people are entering a season of key decision-making time. Many are in such junctures and crossroads. But I will teach My people to make key decisions based on My revelation! Not of men, but of Me! Just as Paul received a vision in the night at Troas, and he proceeded to go over to Macedonia."

At Troas - the crossroads
In Acts 16:6-10, the Scripture says, 'Now when they (Paul and his team) had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them'.
At that juncture of Paul's second missionary journey, not once, but twice did the Holy Spirit not permit Paul and his team when they tried to go to certain places (or direction). While wondering what to do next, the Lord gave Paul a vision in the night. Heeding this vision, they then proceeded to go to Macedonia. It turned out to be a good decision, and many more people heard and received the gospel of Jesus Christ during that journey! Put it simply, right decisions always lead you to greater things!

At Corinth - the mission field
In Acts 18:9-11, the Scripture says, 'Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city." And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them'.
As Paul continued his second missionary journey and was in the city of Corinth, the Lord spoke to him in a vision once again. This time, the Lord encouraged him to keep speaking and teaching the word of God, and not be afraid even in the face of resistance and opposition. The Lord also assured him that He is with him, and He is raising up many people in the city to receive his words. Heeding these words from the Lord, he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them!

Paul made decisions based on revelations and instructions of the Lord
From the two examples above, you can see Paul was a man who had learned to make decisions based on revelations and instructions of the Lord, and not of man. In 2 Corinthians 12:1, he wrote, 'It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord'. Paul went on to complete all that the Lord had called him to do while on earth, and in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, he wrote, 'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day...' The Lord had indeed honored him for his humility and obedience; and as evident as it gets, not only did the Lord lead him through all his missionary journeys successfully, the Lord also used him to write half of the entire New Testament!

Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) says, 'Where there is no vision, the people perish...' The word 'vision' here is 'chazown' (pronounced 'khaw-zone') in Hebrew, which means 'a prophetic dream, vision, oracle, or revelation from the Lord'. This 'chazown' is a form of supernatural manifestation at certain 'junctures' or 'crossroads' in one's life (just as happened to Paul).

What was it in Paul that we can learn from?
Everybody wants to make right decisions in life. Even those in the world! But what was it in Paul that we can learn from? There are keys, i.e. the underlying principles, of course. To want to make right decisions often, but not having these underlying principles in life is like 'wanting to make pasta, but you have no wheat', or 'wanting to make pastries, but you have no flour'!

The answer can be found in Proverbs 22:4 that says, 'By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life'. That is to say, 'By humility and the fear of the Lord, you will make decisions that will lead you to riches, honor and life'! Yes, humility and the fear of the Lord! These are keys! When you have these two underlying 'ingredients' in your life, you know the Lord will surely honor you and help you in your decision-making! And I believe that was the secret of Paul!

What does 'By humility and the fear of the Lord' mean?
To humble before Him is to submit and yield to Him (His words or His instructions) in total surrender, instead of being a 'smart aleck', thinking we know better.
To fear Him is to have deep reverence and respect toward Him and what He says.

Proverbs 3:5-7 says, 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil'.

Proverbs 9:10-11 says, 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you'.

How do you correlate 'wisdom', 'knowledge', and 'understanding'?
To begin with, let's look at each of these words first.
'Wisdom' is 'knowing what to do and how to go about in life, even in making the right decisions'. 'Knowledge' is 'having intimate and personal knowledge of God, instead of mere intellectual and head knowledge'.
'Understanding' is 'the ability to discern, separate and distinguish what is of God and what is not of God'.

The expression 'the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding' can be read as 'the knowledge of the Holy One leads you to understanding'. It means the more you know God intimately, the more you will know and understand yourself, or God's will (and plans) for your life!

In other words, having knowledge of God causes you to have understanding 'what is of God and what is not of God', and that's when you'll have the wisdom to make the right decisions that eventually lead you to greater things in life!

People of God, as you look to Him afresh and anew this year, and as you let go of the past (even past mistakes or regrets), allow the Lord to teach you and lead you from here. And I declare your best is sure to come! In Jesus' name. Amen!

A breath of fresh air coming upon God's people right now!

I had a dream from the Lord the other day. In the dream, I saw someone who is a beloved of God and whom I know, and we were worshiping together in a gathering. This person was initially wondering why certain people he hoped to see in the gathering did not appear, and what he wished for did not materialize. But not long after, against all odds, the many things that he had hoped or wished for began to happen, one after another. It was a happy ending to the dream.

I asked the Lord for the interpretation of this dream, and that's when I heard these words:
"Do not allow yourself to be discouraged, no matter what had happened recently. Keep worshiping Him, trusting Him, and looking to Him. Things are going to get better, and your situation is going to improve!"

I did my part to text that particular person to encourage him with these words, and he acknowledged that he has been going through exactly what I have mentioned above.

People of God, if you have been discouraged recently, these words are for you too. The Lord wants you to know He can turn things around for you, even against all odds. I pray and declare in Jesus' name for you, that "Things are going to get better, and your situation is going to improve!" Your part is to keep worshiping Him, trusting Him, and looking to Him.

The Lord then spoke these words to me:
"There is a breath of fresh air coming upon My people who have been discouraged. Breathe it in! For I am breathing into you My Spirit, and I am breathing into you My life!"

Receive this 'breath of fresh air' from the Lord right now! In John 6:63, Jesus says, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."

Someone wrote these words to me via email the other day:
"Incidentally the past few weeks have been somewhat disappointing because I still long to do something different in my life, but I know in reality that won't happen, or at least not at the moment. When I was worshiping the day before you released these words on Sunday, I actually saw something like a plaque - the word was "breathe" and I saw flowers twirling around the corners like a vine. Now thinking back, it sounds like what you have shared on the breath of fresh air coming and to breathe it in."

I thanked her for writing in, and to me, this is a confirmation to what the Lord is saying to His people at the moment. Looking at the vision of 'flowers twirling around the corners like a vine', it does give me the impression that the flowers are 'happy' and therefore free to twirl around!

Indeed, there's a sense of liberty in the air right now. 2 Corinthians 3:17 says, 'Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty'! Declare this verse over and over again, and notice the word 'Now'!

People of God, the Lord is about to do a new thing in your life this year, and it is going to be a good thing! There's a breath of fresh air coming upon you right now. Take time to breathe it in! Yes, a long, deep breath! And I am excited for you! I pray this breath of fresh air you receive will lead you into greater liberty in your life, and you shall be set free to be who the Lord wants you to be this year. In Jesus' name. Amen!

Angelic activities are on the increase!

As I was worshiping the Lord recently, the Lord spoke these words clearly:
"When supernatural activities are on the increase, angelic activities will also be on the increase!"

The Book of Acts (the recommended book to read as you start the year 2018) is a book full of supernatural events, manifestations, and healings. And as written in this book, angels were definitely at work in the early days of the Church! Lots of it!

Examples of angelic activities in the Book of Acts:
Acts 5:19 (angel opened prison doors to release the apostles)
Acts 8:26 (Philip sent by angel to witness to a man of Ethiopia)
Acts 10:3 (angel instructed Cornelius to send for Peter)
Acts 12:7 (angel rescued Peter from the prison at night)
Acts 12:23 (angel struck the violent and cruel king Herod)

Just looking at the first twelve chapters of the Book of Acts, you would already have seen how angelic activities were so frequent and common in the early Church days! People of God, get ready for such increase of angelic activities in the year 2018!

To begin with, let's understand who are the angels. The word 'angels' in Hebrew is 'malak', which means 'a messenger, an agent', whereas the word 'angels' in Greek is 'angelos', which also means 'a messenger'. In effect, these are 'messengers' of God's protection, deliverance, tidings, and even healings to you! Hebrews 1:14 says, 'Are they (angels) not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?' Now, who are those who 'inherit salvation'? You and I! The beloved children of God!

Angels are created beings
Psalm 148:1-5 says, 'Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light! Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created'.
Angels are not to be worshiped, because they too were created by the Lord. The only one who wished to be worshiped is Lucifer, the fallen angel, but now known as Satan! (see Isaiah 14:12-15, Luke 10:18)

Angels are spirit beings
Psalm 104:1-4 says, 'Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great; You are clothed with honor and majesty, Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain. He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters, Who makes the clouds His chariots, Who walks on the wings of the wind, Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers (servants) a flame of fire'.
Angels are spirit beings, and they are servants of the Most High God. The 'flame of fire' here is the symbol of 'divine holiness' that is upon them.

Angels can sometimes assume human forms
Genesis 18:1-3 says, 'Then the Lord appeared to Abraham by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, and said, "My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant."' Genesis 18:8 then says, 'So Abraham took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate'.
Even though as spirit beings, angels are invisible, there can be times they are visible to human eyes, as seen here.

Examples of holy angels
1. 'Michael' ('Miyka El' in Hebrew), meaning 'Who is like God', a fearless warrior, strong hand, guardian of the Hebrew nation. Daniel 12:1 says, 'At that time (end-time) Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people - everyone whose name is found written in the book (of life) will be delivered'.

2. 'Gabriel' ('Gabriy El' in Hebrew), meaning 'Strong and powerful is God', who explains meanings, or brings good tidings from God. Daniel 8:15-17 says, 'As I, Daniel, was trying to understand the meaning of this vision, someone who looked like a man stood in front of me. And I heard a human voice calling out from the Ulai River, "Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of his vision." As Gabriel approached the place where I was standing, I became so terrified that I fell with my face to the ground. "Son of man," he said, "you must understand that the events you have seen in your vision relate to the time of the end."'

3. 'Raphael' ('Rapha El' in Hebrew), meaning 'Medicine of God, Healing of God', who brings wholeness, wellness, and healings from God. John 5:2-4 says, 'Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called Bethesda (House of Mercy)... In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had'.
Though the Gospel of John does not mention the name of this angel, it is well-understood that this angel is called Raphael.

These are some of the arch-angels (chief angels) of the Lord, and they have a company of angels who minister with them. So, people of God, whether you are doing the work of an apostle, a prophet, a teacher, an evangelist, or a pastor (Ephesians 4:11-13), or whatever spiritual gifts that you are operating in (Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11) for the kingdom of God, know that you are not alone here, because angels are with you, and they are now ministering for you! For the greater glory of God! Amen!

Prophetic words for the year 2018: A year of the supernatural and unexpected blessings!

These are the prophetic words that I heard from the Lord for the year 2018:
"This is a year of many supernatural events, manifestations and healings. It is a year of many unexpected happenings and unexpected blessings, even against all odds. Like Saul, whom no one would expect to experience the great light and be turned into Paul, so will there be many unexpected happenings in 2018! This is a year of many 'suddenlies', but fear not, for as long as you fix your eyes on Me, you shall see My purposes in your life come to pass, even in ways you have never thought possible."

People of God, this is also a year of many new beginnings, because the Lord is doing a resetting and giving you a headstart this year! Look not at what happened in your past, and watch Him restore His purposes in your life this year, especially in the areas you have been under attack, delayed, or it seemed impossible to 'launch' in the past. There is a breath of fresh air that He is releasing to His people this year. A new strength is being released. A new hope is being released. It is a time of launching into the deep, like in Luke 5:4 when Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch." Moments before that, Simon Peter and the other fishermen had toiled all night, but caught nothing. It had been a demoralizing experience for them. But this time, as they heeded Jesus' words, the unexpected happened, and they caught a great number of fish, way beyond what they thought possible, and their net was breaking, so much so they had to signal the others to come and help them! (Luke 5:5-6)

The word 'reset' is an interesting word. It can be defined as 'to set things (afresh and anew) again'. It is like you resetting your password. Why do people reset their password? People do so to enhance security, or if they have forgotten their old password, or simply because they wanted a 'fresh start'. In the context of what the Lord is saying here, He is helping you to 're-strategize' for the greater things ahead of you, and so that the enemy cannot 'touch' you or 'compromise' you. This is also a year of many 'headstarts' for God's people. In the context here, it means 'to gain a certain advantage (or favor) that others don't have'. The 'advantage' here comes by heeding the words of the Lord that He is speaking specifically to each of you.

The key book in the Bible to start the year off right is the book of Acts.

Reading from the book of Acts, after the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-39), the church grew in ways not possible by works of men alone. It was the work of the Holy Spirit. Miracles, signs and wonders accompanied the preaching of the good news of Jesus Christ, and through the hands of the apostles, many were healed and set free from unclean spirits. The church was flourishing, and the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:40-47).

But then came the persecution. And there also arose a man named Saul, who was consenting to the believers' death, and he made havoc of the church, entering every house and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison (Acts 8:1-3). Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way (Jesus), he might bring them bound to Jerusalem (Acts 9:1-2).

But God! Acts 9:3-5 then says, 'As he (Saul) journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads."' Saul trembled before the Almighty, and was so overwhelmed by the 'great light' that he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank (Acts 9:6-9). He was then converted (Acts 9:10-19), and began preaching Christ in the synagogues, much to the amazement of those who heard him (Acts 9:20-22).

You see, Saul's life was being reset through the 'great light experience', and it happened at a time when the purposes of the Lord for the church seemed to be hindered. It was indeed a supernatural event, and an unexpected blessing to the church when Saul became a changed man (he was later named Paul). And that was how the church had a fresh impetus, a 'headstart', and the good news of Jesus Christ eventually spread throughout the whole world! 2 Corinthians 4:6 says, 'For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ'. If 'Saul' speaks of your 'old self', then 'Paul' speaks of your 'new self'. It was a total turnaround for him, and it has to be God who's at work!

The one supernatural event that stood out as I was reading this passage in the book of Acts is in Acts 9:17-18, when Ananias (a certain disciple of the Lord at Damascus) came into the house where Saul was, and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared  to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately there fell from Saul's eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. Saul (who was later named Paul) never looked back since then, and he went on to become an apostle who was greatly used by the Lord, and one who wrote about half of the entire New Testament! Speaking of 'spiritual insights' and 'revelation' of the Lord!

People of God, the year 2018 is also a year God is releasing 'spiritual insights' to you like you have never seen before in your life. The word 'insight' simply means 'the capacity to gain an accurate and deep understanding of something'. As you look ahead in this new year 2018, may you also walk in such deep 'spiritual insight', just as 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 says, 'But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God'. Amen.