In spite of the many predictions of doom and gloom that you hear in the year 2019 (e.g. the coming economic recession, the coming political turbulence, or increasing natural disasters), I heard the Lord speak these words for His people: "This is a year of recovery and greater blessings for God's people."
Let's begin with the definition of this word 'recovery'. It can mean 'the action or process of regaining possession of something stolen (or lost)'. Yes, be it in your health, finance, relationships, ministry, or career (vocation). In the context of your personal walk with God, it can mean a return to what the Lord has planned and purposed for your life.
Like Joseph in the book of Genesis, after being thrown into a pit, sold as a slave, being falsely accused by the wife of Potiphar, being thrown into prison, and being forgotten after doing a good deed for the chief butler, the time for his recovery finally came! And this recovery led to greater blessings in his life (and through his life)! Joseph never looked back since then.
People of God, get ready for such recovery in the year 2019! Your time has come! Like Joseph who had a change of clothing - from wearing a prisoner's clothing to wearing a provider's clothing, so shall you be! Genesis 41:14-15 says, 'Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it."'
You know what? The moment of breakthrough came for Joseph - after years in the doldrums! Indeed, Joseph turned from a prisoner to a provider! He used his gift (of interpreting dreams) to the fullest effect, and turned provider of wisdom to the king! Not only that, when famine finally arrived, he turned provider of physical food that brought much hope to the land (and even to the lands afar off)! So much so his own brothers (who had sold him as slave) came looking to him, not knowing this provider was their own brother!
People of God, what are your spiritual gifts and talents (that you have long forgotten through the years)? How about the plans and purposes of God in your life? By faith, declare that 2019 is a year of your recovery and breakthrough! And after a time of recovery, comes greater blessings! Joseph got back on track (at that juncture of his life), and he went on to fulfill all that God had spoken to him till the very end. Let it be so in your life too - as you cross into the year 2019. Hallelujah!
Sunday, December 30, 2018
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
The Lord knows how to open a way for you!
The Lord spoke these words:
"For whatever setback that you have experienced recently, this is your time to receive a new strength and a fresh hope from Me. Look to Me, because I am setting you free for the new things ahead of you, even things that you have not seen or done before. For every opportunity that you have missed out this year, watch how I am going to open a way for you in the year ahead. Just don't limit how I am going to do it."
We all have setbacks at one time or another. It may be:
- an issue that hurts us;
- a relapse in something we work on;
- a disappointment that we did not foresee;
- an unfortunate interruption in progress.
People of God, whatever your setback may be in recent times, be it in relationships, in career, in ministry, in business, or in any other area of life, the Lord is offering you a fresh hope today. Look to Him, and trust in His infinite wisdom to make a way and open a way for you.
Isaiah 43:19 (ESV) says, 'Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert'. Indeed, if He can make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, He can do the same in your life, whatever your 'wilderness' or 'desert' may be.
Interestingly, there's actually someone in the Scripture whose name means 'The Lord opens a way'. His name is Jephthah ('Yiphtach' in Hebrew), coming from two words, 'Yah' (meaning 'the Lord') and 'pathach' (meaning 'open a way'). Notice that he's had his setbacks initially, but in spite of those setbacks, he ended up being listed among the heroes of faith in the book of Hebrews, alongside the likes of Gideon, Samuel and David, among others (see Hebrews 11:32).
Let's look at his background now. Reading from Judges 11:1-3, Jephthah was born to Gilead (his father), but his mother was a prostitute. As Gilead's wife also bore him sons, these sons drove Jephthah away from their home, because he was a 'son of another woman'. "You are not going to get any inheritance in our family," they said, "because you are the son of another woman." Speaking of being born at the wrong place, and into the wrong family! You can imagine all those years staying together with his brothers, he was being mocked, ridiculed, and even called names like "Hey, son of the whore!" or "Hey, son of the prostitute!" It hurts. It really hurts.
Now, having been dumped by his own family, Jephthah had no choice but to settle elsewhere. But the Lord was good to him, and he ended up in the land of Tob, where a group of 'homeless and worthless people' would gather around him and follow him as their leader. There, he gained a reputation as a mighty warrior, so much so when the nation of Israel came under attack by the enemy, those same brothers (who drove him away) had to turn to him and ask him to be their commander! (Judges 11:4-8)
Interestingly, of all lands, he ended up in the land of Tob! And you know what 'Tob' means in Hebrew? There are no insignificant details in the Bible. This word 'Tob' literally means 'good' in Hebrew. You see, even though Jephthah was 'kicked out' by his brothers, he eventually ended up in the good hands of the Lord! And in spite of his broken past and broken background, the Lord could still use him greatly - to bring deliverance for the nation of Israel (who was crying out to the Lord for help at that time)!
People of God, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Whatever your setback may be in recent times, let it go and don't look back. Receive a new strength and a fresh hope from the Lord today. The best is yet to come. Like Jephthah, you too are now in the good hands of the Lord! Hallelujah!
"For whatever setback that you have experienced recently, this is your time to receive a new strength and a fresh hope from Me. Look to Me, because I am setting you free for the new things ahead of you, even things that you have not seen or done before. For every opportunity that you have missed out this year, watch how I am going to open a way for you in the year ahead. Just don't limit how I am going to do it."
We all have setbacks at one time or another. It may be:
- an issue that hurts us;
- a relapse in something we work on;
- a disappointment that we did not foresee;
- an unfortunate interruption in progress.
People of God, whatever your setback may be in recent times, be it in relationships, in career, in ministry, in business, or in any other area of life, the Lord is offering you a fresh hope today. Look to Him, and trust in His infinite wisdom to make a way and open a way for you.
Isaiah 43:19 (ESV) says, 'Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert'. Indeed, if He can make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, He can do the same in your life, whatever your 'wilderness' or 'desert' may be.
Interestingly, there's actually someone in the Scripture whose name means 'The Lord opens a way'. His name is Jephthah ('Yiphtach' in Hebrew), coming from two words, 'Yah' (meaning 'the Lord') and 'pathach' (meaning 'open a way'). Notice that he's had his setbacks initially, but in spite of those setbacks, he ended up being listed among the heroes of faith in the book of Hebrews, alongside the likes of Gideon, Samuel and David, among others (see Hebrews 11:32).
Let's look at his background now. Reading from Judges 11:1-3, Jephthah was born to Gilead (his father), but his mother was a prostitute. As Gilead's wife also bore him sons, these sons drove Jephthah away from their home, because he was a 'son of another woman'. "You are not going to get any inheritance in our family," they said, "because you are the son of another woman." Speaking of being born at the wrong place, and into the wrong family! You can imagine all those years staying together with his brothers, he was being mocked, ridiculed, and even called names like "Hey, son of the whore!" or "Hey, son of the prostitute!" It hurts. It really hurts.
Now, having been dumped by his own family, Jephthah had no choice but to settle elsewhere. But the Lord was good to him, and he ended up in the land of Tob, where a group of 'homeless and worthless people' would gather around him and follow him as their leader. There, he gained a reputation as a mighty warrior, so much so when the nation of Israel came under attack by the enemy, those same brothers (who drove him away) had to turn to him and ask him to be their commander! (Judges 11:4-8)
Interestingly, of all lands, he ended up in the land of Tob! And you know what 'Tob' means in Hebrew? There are no insignificant details in the Bible. This word 'Tob' literally means 'good' in Hebrew. You see, even though Jephthah was 'kicked out' by his brothers, he eventually ended up in the good hands of the Lord! And in spite of his broken past and broken background, the Lord could still use him greatly - to bring deliverance for the nation of Israel (who was crying out to the Lord for help at that time)!
People of God, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Whatever your setback may be in recent times, let it go and don't look back. Receive a new strength and a fresh hope from the Lord today. The best is yet to come. Like Jephthah, you too are now in the good hands of the Lord! Hallelujah!
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Let His thunder and lightning clear the 'pollution'!
Job 36:32-33a (NKJV): He covers His hands with lightning, and commands it to strike. His thunder declares it...
The word 'strike' here is 'paga' ('paw-gah') in Hebrew, meaning:
- to come upon, to fall upon, to light upon, to strike on, to hit the mark;
- to encounter, to make contact with, as in 'heaven meets the earth';
- to intercede, to intervene.
Job 37:1-6 (NKJV) then says, 'At this also my heart trembles, and leaps from its place. Hear attentively the thunder of His voice, and the rumbling that comes from His mouth. He sends it forth under the whole heaven, His lightning to the ends of the earth. After it a voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice, and He does not restrain them when His voice is heard. God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend. For He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth'; Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength'.
In the above verses, it is clear that the Lord is the One who directs and rules over even the thunder and lightning. Indeed, nothing happens without the knowledge of the Lord our God!
In the physical realm, when thunder and lightning makes contact between the sky and the earth, mind you, no one can withstand it! And those who've had a 'close call' or 'near miss' with thunder and lightning strikes would certainly agree with me. They'd say, "You'd better hide, and avoid it at all costs!" That is how awesome thunder and lightning can be, as depicted in Job 37:1-6 above!
This phenomenon of thunder and lightning actually is a 'picture' of the reality in the spiritual realm. Indeed, when His spiritual 'thunder' and 'lightning' makes contact between the heaven and the earth, nothing can withstand it, and that includes the power of darkness, or the spiritual forces of darkness!
This phenomenon of thunder and lightning actually is a 'picture' of the reality in the spiritual realm. Indeed, when His spiritual 'thunder' and 'lightning' makes contact between the heaven and the earth, nothing can withstand it, and that includes the power of darkness, or the spiritual forces of darkness!
Now, back to the physical realm. Do you realize after the occurrence of thunderstorm, the air in the atmosphere seems cleaner and fresher? Why? There are of course many reasons. Logically-speaking, the rainfall that comes together with thunder and lightning washes the polluted and dusty air, resulting in clearer air. The strong wind gusts also play a role in clearing the air. But scientifically-speaking, during the occurrence of thunder and lightning, ionization happens, when the electrons and positive ions in the air become separated (further apart) than they were before. The strong electric field causes the surrounding air to 'break down', and this clears the overcast (or dullness), bringing clarity to the atmosphere!
This again reflects what actually happens in the spiritual realm! The truth is 'paga' ('paw-gah') as described in Job 36:32-33a happens when the Lord sends His spiritual 'thunder' and 'lightning'! And this 'paga' ('paw-gah') clears every form of 'pollution' that overcast (or dull) the spirit and mind!
By the way, who are the ones sending every form of 'pollution', so much so God's people become overcast (or dull), and therefore cannot see what God sees? None other but the power of darkness, or the spiritual forces of darkness!
By the way, who are the ones sending every form of 'pollution', so much so God's people become overcast (or dull), and therefore cannot see what God sees? None other but the power of darkness, or the spiritual forces of darkness!
I heard the Lord speak these words recently:
"If I can direct the thunder and lightning, nothing is impossible to Me. Don't be afraid to ask Me and look to Me for divine intervention, whatever your situation or problem may be at the moment. For I ever live to make intercession for you, and I am able to save and rescue you to the uttermost."
The basic meaning of 'intervention' or 'intercession' is 'to step in'. In other words, the Lord says don't be afraid to ask Him to 'step in', whatever your situation or problem may be at the moment. Because He lives, He rules, and He continues forever! And because He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present; therefore able to save and rescue you to the uttermost!
Hebrews 7:24-26 (NKJV) says, 'But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens'.
The word 'save' here is 'sozo' in Greek, and it can mean any of these: 'save, heal, deliver, protect, aid, rescue, make well, make whole'. And the Scripture says He is able to 'sozo' you to the uttermost (or utmost), far beyond what human can do!
The Scripture also says He always lives to make intercession for those who come to Him! Interestingly, this word 'intercession' (from the word 'tugchano' in Greek) carries the meaning 'to make it happen, or to effect upon'.
The Scripture also says He always lives to make intercession for those who come to Him! Interestingly, this word 'intercession' (from the word 'tugchano' in Greek) carries the meaning 'to make it happen, or to effect upon'.
Indeed, people of God, whatever your situation or problem may be at the moment, there is hope for 'sozo', because the One who is higher than the heavens can 'make it happen', when everything else on earth fails! Just never limit how He is going to do it!
Your part is to look to Him, and declare that His 'paga' ('paw-gah') time has come for your life! In Jesus' name. Amen!
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