Receive the outpouring of God's love!

Season's greetings and happy holiday! Indeed this is a time to receive God's love and release God's love! This is a time for love in action! Amen!

Romans 5:5 says, 'Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.' 

So, this love of God, Jesus, came down! And He is love! And when this love is being poured out on you, you have every reason to hope! You know why? Because His love for you never fails, no matter what happens in this world or how 'hopeless' this world may be!

When His love is being poured out on you (and it's not just a trickle), not only you receive God's love, but you also release God's love to people around you! So, where there's God's love, there will be hope! 

In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NKJV), apostle Paul wrote, 'Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.' What Paul meant here was love is greater than all these mentioned here. 

In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (NKJV), Paul wrote further, 'Love suffers long and is kind, love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails...'  

And in 1 Corinthians 13:10 (NKJV), Paul also wrote, 'But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.' What is the 'perfect' here? God's perfect love! His love is prefect! It means when you receive God's perfect love in your life, whatever 'imperfection' in your life will just be a shadow, because you are so full of God's perfect love in your life! And this love never fails! That's why when you have this love, you have every reason to hope in your life!

In other words, God's perfect love is the solution to any problem, challenges, or situation in your life in this world! 

So, as you gather with your family and friends wherever you are, as you encourage one another with God's love, as you build and edify one another with God's love, as you worship God together, as you fellowship together, and even have foods and drinks together, let God's love be at the center of all your gatherings, that God's love be with you and fill you to the overflow!

As you've read just now in 1 Corinthians 13:4, notice that love's foremost fruits are patience and kindness. These are the first two characters in the list - 'patience or longsuffering towards one another', and 'kindness towards one another'! 

In Colossians 1:11-14 (NKJV), Paul wrote, '...strengthened with all might according to His glorious power for all patience and longsuffering with joy, giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.'

Let's look at the words 'patience' and 'longsuffering' here.

The word 'patience' here is 'hupomone' in Greek. It can mean 'cheerful (hopeful) endurance, constancy, patient continuance', and it comes from the word 'hupomeno' meaning 'to remain, to bear trials, to have fortitude, to persevere, to abide, or to endure (in spite of your circumstances around you).' 

There's a very thin line to draw between 'patience' and 'longsuffering', and that's why some teachers group these two as one same character.

The word 'longsuffering' here is 'makrothumia' in Greek. It can mean 'longanimity (not short-tempered), forbearance, fortitude, with long (enduring) temper, long spirited, long patience, patiently endure.' 

In short, if 'patience' is 'patience' per say, then 'longsuffering' is 'long patience or enduring patience'. That's basically the difference, a very slight difference actually.

You see, when you have God's love filling your life, whatever provocation against you or whatever that people try to 'trigger' you to react negatively, you will not buy that. Instead, you will respond with love, you will respond with patience and longsuffering, and you will respond with kindness. You will not render evil with evil, but you will return evil with good. And that's what happens when you are so full of God's love!

So, keep receiving God's love and keep releasing God's love! You can rely on His wisdom and the promptings (or the leading) of the Holy Spirit to lead you and guide you on how you can show His love to others. Just look out around you, let His love flow out of you, and you can be sure He will continue to fill you and overflow you with His love (and even His provision) super abundantly. Amen!

Prayer:

"O Lord God, we thank You for Your perfect love that never fails. We want to remember Your perfect love that never fails in our lives. We want to remember all that You have done for us on the cross some 2000 years ago. We want to continue to be the light that shine on others. As we receive more of Your love and Your light, this love will flow out to many around us, and this light will shine forth even in the darkest of places in this world. In the name of Jesus. Amen!"

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

How to be happy and shining for the Lord?

Hi, happy shining people! Why do I greet you happy shining people? Because as a beloved of God, as a believer of Christ, you should be the happiest person on earth, no matter what happens in this world! 

Happy are you, because you are blessed! Jesus has carried away all your curse, sorrows, hurts, and wounds, so that you are now blessed! 

And why are you shining? Because you are a light! And what is a light for? A light is for you to shine! 

Ephesians 5:8-10 (NKJV) says, 'For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.' 

Ephesians 5:8-10 (Amplified) says, 'For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of Light [live as those who are native-born to the Light] (for the fruit [the effect, the result] of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn [by experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [and letting your lifestyles be examples of what is most acceptable to Him - your behavior expressing gratitude to God for your salvation].' 

You see, you are not just in the Light (Jesus), but you are a light! As you receive His light, you become a light! And wherever you are in this world, you are a light that shines! That's what the Scripture says!

The Lord also spoke these words for this week: 

"Be alert and vigilant. Walk circumspectly. Guard your time. Don't let the enemy snatch your time away. Choose to spiritualize your time." 

Ephesians 5:15-17 (NKJV) says, 'See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.' 

The word 'circumspect' here is 'akribos' in Greek. In the context of this verse, it means 'to walk carefully, to walk diligently, and to walk honorably (before the Lord).'

How about 'redeeming the time'? It simply means 'making the most of your time (while you are on earth).' 

Not only the Lord wants you to walk carefully, diligently, and honorably before Him, He also wants you to make the most of your time while on earth! So, whether you are a youth, in your 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's, or a retiree, you can utilize your time for His glory, everyday of your life! 

How are the days evil? This expression doesn't mean time, calendar, or hours are evil. Rather, this expression "the days are evil" tells us that these days on earth are filled with evil, i.e. filled with sins and dominated by the powers of darkness. And if we are not careful, we can be swallowed up in it!

What then is 'spiritualize your time'? It means to make your life honorable before the Lord, to make your life spiritual before the Lord, instead of carnal. You see, being spiritual and being carnal, these are opposites and antagonistic to one another. Romans 8:6 says, 'For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.' 

If you do not choose to 'spiritualize your time', dedicating your time before the Lord, the enemy will always try to suck you into being carnal or being fleshly!

What are the examples of being carnal? Thinking lustful thoughts, thinking greedy thoughts, thinking prideful thoughts, pulling down others, backstabbing others, gossiping about others, etc. 

But as you dedicate yourself before the Lord, you are exchanging all these 'carnalities' with what is honorable and spiritual before the Lord. And that's how your life will be happier and more fruitful. And you will be a great testimony to many around you. People who see you will see Jesus in you! 

What are the examples of being spiritual? Being a light to others, bringing hope to others, strengthening others through your faith, strengthening others through the Word of God, encouraging others when they are down, etc. And of course being a giver. Not just giving material things or money to those in need, but giving encouragement, giving love, giving hope, caring for the uncared, loving the unloved, looking out for those who need help, etc. 

Instead of looking inward, you look outward. 

During the healing meetings in the 1970's those days, there's one great evangelist who actually told the people to forget about their own problems or sicknesses, but instead find someone worse off (or more sick) than them and pray for them. As these people began to forget about their own problems (or sicknesses) and began praying for those around them, you know what? Not only did they see miracles and healing happening in those around them, they themselves were healed! 

So, go ahead and be a light to others, especially in this time and season! Arise and shine, for the glory of the Lord is upon you! Your life will be happier as you shine on others!

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

How to prepare for inflation supernaturally?

Words from the Lord: 

"Fear not, My people, when you hear about inflation that's coming! Look to Me, and I will know how to lead you and guide you all the way. For I am declaring upon you that you are like the tree that continues to bear fruits and your leaves shall not wither. When I work, no one can reverse it." 

Further words from the Lord: 

"Look to Me even for the supernatural transfer of wealth that's coming upon you. For those who continuously seek Me and find refuge in Me, I will open the way, even in ways that cannot be imagined by those who are of this world." 

Remember this, people of God, you are in this world, but you are not of this world. You are of Christ, you are of God, the Most High God, the El Shaddai, the Almighty God, the God who knows how to provide, and provide real good for you! 

So, be rest assured even in a time like this, because as you continue to seek Him, put all your trust in Him, and find refuge in Him, He will know how to shield you and cover you, and He will know how to cause you to thrive and prosper! 

This is what Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NKJV) says, 'Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.' 

Isaiah 43:13 (NKJV) says, 'Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?' 

Here, the Lord says when He works in your life, no one or no evil can reverse it. All that the Lord works in your life, He will know how to accomplish it. Indeed, the good work that He has begun in you, He will know how to bring to full completion. Hallelujah! 

How to prepare for inflation supernaturally?

Before that, let's define what is 'inflation'. In economic terms, and in the most basic way of defining it, 'inflation' means 'a general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money'. You know it has come. For some places, to a greater extent; and for some places, to a lesser extent. And for different kinds of goods and services as well. 

But here's a question. Whatever the economic 'heat' or economic 'shaking', are you going to thrive, or are you going to suffer? I pray that you are going to thrive, no matter what happens. Why? Because the Lord has spoken today that you will be like a tree that is planted by the waters, and your leaves will not wither, and you will bear fruits continuously. You will not fear even when there's 'heat', economic 'heat', because you have the El Shaddai, the YHWH YIREH, the Lord God who knows how to protect you and provide for you! I declare this upon you, in Jesus' name. Amen! 

Speaking of 'inflation', does the Bible actually mention about 'inflation'? 

The answer is yes. 

Haggai 1:6-7 (NKJV) says, "You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes." 

Let not you be one of these people mentioned here. Why? Because you have put your trust in the Lord your God! 

And then in Revelation 6:5-6 (NKJV), John wrote, 'When He (the Lamb of God) opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come and see." So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine."' 

Of course the question here is, 'Has this seal been opened yet as of now?' The answer is no. But we are currently experiencing a 'foretaste' of what's written in these verses. 

Let me explain to you what it means by 'a pair of scales', 'a quart of wheat', and 'a denarius'.

'A pair of scales' here speaks of 'the need to measure and ration food carefully'. It is a 'picture' of scarcity of food or resources on earth. 

How about 'a quart of wheat for a denarius' and 'three quarts of barley for a denarius'? 

A quart is equivalent to 4 cups, whereas a denarius is equivalent to a day's wage for common people. 

In other words, 'a quart of wheat for a denarius' means a day's wage can only buy 4 cups of wheat! Okay, maybe barley is cheaper. But still, these prices mentioned here is about 10 to 12 times higher than normal! Simply put it in layman's terms, a loaf of bread can cost 10 to 12 times higher than now! 

But as the Lord has spoken just now, fear not! Because the Lord will know how to multiply your resources. And the Lord will know how to transfer wealth supernaturally to you, as long as you seek Him and obey His voice. Amen! 

And then it says 'do not harm the oil and the wine'. These are 'pictures' of nicer things. For the rich, they can afford all the nicer things, yet for the poor, they don't even have enough to eat day by day. Speaking of inequality in this world! 

But beloved of God, as far as you are concerned, even if a loaf of bread costs 10 to 12 times more than now, fear not! Because the Lord will still know how to provide for you, multiply your resources, and even prosper you! Now I want you to believe for this. Later, I'm going to share with you a verse that you can ask God to send you prosperity. 

You see, prosperity doesn't have to be evil. Yes, the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. But money in itself is just a medium of exchange. You can use money or whatever resources God has given to you to glorify God. How can you glorify God when you are begging people for food or begging people for even clothing? That doesn't bring glory to God! But you bring glory to God when you have more than enough, so much so you can bless others, and bless those who are in need! 

5 keys on how to prepare for inflation supernaturally:

Number 1: Seek the Lord faithfully

Isaiah 55:6-7 (NKJV) says, 'Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; And to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.' 

You and your household, the whole family, seek the Lord! He will give you ideas and guidance on how to manage your business, your career, your profession, your ministry, and even your portfolio of assets. He can show you how to diversify your assets - what percentage for this type of asset, and what percentage for that type of asset. For different people in different situation, God may speak to them differently. But your part is to seek Him, and He will know how to show you the way to hedge yourself and shield yourself from the effect of the 'heat' of inflation. Not just that, He will even show you the way to thrive and prosper even in a time of economic 'heat' or economic 'shaking'! 

Number 2: Find refuge in the Lord

Psalm 9:8-10 (NKJV) says, 'He shall judge the world in righteousness, and He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness. The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.' 

Enter the presence of the Lord. Invite Him into your household. Invite Him into your family. Let Him dwell in your household. And fear not, because the Lord has promised that He will be a refuge to you. Amen! 

Number 3: Draw near to God in humility and submission

James 4:6-8 (NKJV) says, 'But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.' 

In submission to Him, in humility before Him, and in your worship before Him, that's how God gives you grace (i.e. His ability and supply for you). And as you praise Him, He is enthroned, He is made King. When He is made King in your life and over your situation, whatever He does, no evil can reverse it, no systems of this world can reverse it, and no one in this world will be able to reverse it! 

Number 4: Ask and receive God's healing and miracles

This includes healing in your finance, especially for those of you who need such healing after the impact of the past one or two years of pandemic. Or you can ask for miracle in your finance, if you need a breakthrough and miracle in your finance. 

Psalm 118:23-26 (NKJV) says, 'This was the Lord's doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I pray, O Lord; O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.' 

You can ask God, "God, save me from being drowned in this fallen world!" 'Save' here is 'yasha' in Hebrew, and it can also mean 'deliver' or 'heal'. Ask God to heal and recover whatever that you have lost. 

You can ask God to send you prosperity. This verse says so. Of course, you can also ask God for the wisdom to multiply your resources as well. Yes, even if you are a retiree! 

Now this is interesting. The word 'prosperity' here is 'tsalach' in Hebrew. 

It can mean any of these: 

- to cause to prosper 

- to be profitable

- to come forth mightily 

- to push forward (or advance) 

- to break forth (or breakthrough)

You see, the Lord wants you to prosper, the Lord wants you to profit (as long as it is done in His way), the Lord wants you to come forth mightily, the Lord wants you to advance, and the Lord wants you to see your breakthrough. Because all these bring glory to the Lord! 

In fact, the Lord is preparing you for the supernatural transfer of wealth that's coming! Yes, even in ways that cannot be imagined by the people of this world, those who are in the Babylonian systems (i.e. the man-made ways) of this world. 

For the people in this world who do not walk with God, they may have good ideas on how to advance in their lives or prosper in their lives. But good ideas may not necessarily mean God's ideas. 

But as for you, you flow with God's ideas, because God's ideas are far greater than good ideas of man. 

God can give you the ideas, and as you receive and work on it, the Lord will know how to bless your hands, and the Lord will know how to cause you to thrive. In fact, the Lord will know how to cause you to be set free from whatever that the world tries to trap you or put a snare on you! 

Number 5: Ask and receive God's protection and covering

This is important, especially nowadays, as we see a lot of scams, conmen, cheats, or bogus people. In other words, a lot of traps and snares in this world. But fear not, because Psalm 91:3-6 (NKJV) says, 'Surely He (the Lord) shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.' 

As you look to the Lord, He will know how to shield you from scams, conmen, bogus people, thieves, burglars, and even witchcraft, whether day or night. His protection is all-surrounding. And He has sent His angels to you to be your 'bodyguards' as well. 

And of course, you can trust Him to give you the wisdom - to know what to do, and what not to do in your life; or how to go about, and how not to go about in certain areas. He will know how to lead you and guide you step by step. Indeed, the steps of a good man (or a good woman) are ordered, appointed, and established by the Lord! 

So that's why fear not! 

Prayer: "O Lord God, we thank You for Your words today. You have declared upon us that we are like the trees that continue to bear fruits and our leaves shall not wither. And when You work, no one can reverse it! You have spoken to us not to be afraid, but to continue to look to You, even for the supernatural transfer of wealth that's coming upon us. And for us who continuously seek You and find refuge in You, we thank You in advance that You will open the way, even in ways that cannot be imagined by those who are of this world. We are of You, O Lord God, and therefore we receive our resources and our provision from You. In the name of Jesus. Amen."

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

The benefits of thinking good thoughts

Words from the Lord: 

"Teach My people to think of good things. Whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, think of these things." 

Further words from the Lord: 

"Your thoughts determine the amount of light around you in the spiritual realm. The more you think good thoughts, the more light emanates in and around you." 

By the way, the word 'emanate' means 'to emit or to release and flow out (in and around you)'. So today, I'm going to show you the importance of your thought life, and how it correlates to the light in the spiritual realm around you. 

Of course whatever is being taught here, it has to be backed up with the Scripture. So, I'm going to show you and prove to you from the Scripture as well.

But before that, in Philippians 4:8-9, apostle Paul wrote, 'Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, this do and the God of peace will be with you.'

The word 'meditate' (or 'think' in King James Version) here is 'logizomai' in Greek. It can speak of any of these:

- the mental faculty of a person (i.e. the mind realm) 

- the reasoning with the mind of a person 

- the thought life of a person 

- making conclusion (that it is true about something) 

In other words, once you have concluded that that is the right thing to do, you begin to channel your thoughts, you begin to channel your mind, on that something or on that truth. And that's what 'meditate' is about. 

Now, why did apostle Paul emphasize so much on meditation life, on thought life, on thinking the right thoughts? 

Because in the spiritual realm, thoughts are so important. In the spiritual realm, thoughts will determine the light that emanates around you. In fact, in the spiritual realm, your thoughts will be known or 'caught' by others as well, unlike in the physical realm where you can hide your thoughts (i.e. you may think of something inside of you, but you can portray a different facade to other people).

You may be asking how do I know all these? The Lord caused me to see all these in the spiritual realm, and I have Bible verses to show you and prove to you.

Jesus Himself said in Luke 8:17 (NKJV), "For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light." 

It means nothing hidden that will not be revealed. 

Luke 8:17 (NIV) puts it this way, "For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open." 

Now this applies in the spiritual realm. Everything will be exposed. Our thoughts, whether good thoughts or bad thoughts will be exposed, will be known, unlike in this physical world where we can hide our thoughts. In the physical realm, we can say something that may not be what we actually think of. But in the spiritual realm, we cannot hide that. We cannot put up a facade. 

That's why, people of God, always think good thoughts. Don't always think bad thoughts about yourself or even about others, as this will only cause more harm to yourself. 

Just as in the physical realm, rubbish attract flies, and flowers attract butterflies; in the spiritual realm, bad thoughts attract the work of darkness, and good thoughts attract the work of light or the work of angels (who minister around you and for you).

In the spiritual realm, good thoughts attract more light, but bad thoughts cause your light to be dimmer in and around you. 

The same with different stars in the galaxy. Do you realize some stars shine brighter and some stars dimmer? Each of us in the spiritual realm is like a star. Some stars shine brighter and some stars dimmer. Why is that so? It has to do with one's thought life, i.e. what are the things that always fill one's mind? In other words, if you think good thoughts, you are like the star that shines brighter and brighter in the spiritual realm! 

That is why the Bible prepares us to think good thoughts and take care of our thought life even here on earth! Because you are not just living in the physical realm while on earth, but you are living in the spiritual realm here on earth too! 

Here are the examples of Bible verses about thought life:

Colossians 3:1-2 (NKJV) says, 'If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.'  

Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) says, 'You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.' 

Romans 8:5-6 (NKJV) says, 'For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.' 

In other words, if your mind is being renewed and you are spiritually minded, that's how you will have life and peace on earth. But if you always give in to your flesh, give in to your carnality, give in to lust, greed and pride, you think greedy thoughts, you think lustful thoughts, you think prideful thoughts, all these kinds of fleshly thoughts, it is going to lead you to death and it is going to bring you nowhere. 

Romans 12:2 (NKJV) says, 'And do not be conformed to this world (or to the pattern of this world), but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.'

2 Corinthians 10:5 (NKJV) says, 'Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.' 

In other words, if there's anything that contradicts God and the knowledge of God, you cast them down. Do not entertain all those arguments against God and the knowledge of God. But instead, bring every thought of yours to focus on Christ, the obedience of Christ, and on all that Christ has done for you on the cross. 

Also, it is important to guard your thoughts. If your heart is the door to the spiritual realm, then your mind or your thought is the window to the spiritual realm. It's just like if you live in a house, you guard not just your door from thieves or burglars, but you guard your window as well. Because thieves and burglars don't just try to enter through the door, but they may even try to enter through the window. So guard both your door (that's your heart) and your window (that's your mind or your thought). 

Now this is interesting. Jesus Himself said this in Matthew 6:22-23. I read from New King James Version (NKJV) first. "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!"

Now over here, Jesus tells us that either our eye is directed at heavenly things and therefore full of light, or it is directed at earthly or carnal (or fleshly things), therefore full of darkness. So there's a contrast here. One leads to 'full of light', and one leads to 'full of darkness'. It depends on the eye, whether the eye is good or the eye is bad.

By the way, the word 'eye' here is 'ophthalmos' in Greek, and it can be defined as 'the way you see something, the way you gaze into something, the way you understand something'. 

Now I read from King James Version (KJV) for the same verses. "The light of the body is the eye. If therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!" 

Now this is interesting. Why the word 'single' here? Why is it translated as 'eye be single' for 'eye be good' here? It means being single-minded on God! It means to focus your thoughts or your minds on good and godly things! Now that's what being single-minded means! It means to concentrate and to focus, concentrating only on one aim. And what is the aim here? On God's things! Do you see the correlation here? If the eye is good (single), then you will be full of light! It means you are single-minded, concentrating and focusing on God and God's things! And that's how you are full of light! You will also be happier and more content when you focus on the kingdom of God and His righteousness, knowing that all the good things, the material things, will be added unto you! (Matthew 6:33) 

But in contrast, when you are double-minded, it's as if your whole body is full of darkness. That's what Jesus meant here. In other words, when a person tries to live for two masters, serving or entertaining two masters - one is God, one is mammon - all at the same time, it puts a dark shadow over a person!

Proof? Just one verse later in Matthew 6:24, Jesus said this, "No one can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." 

By the way, 'mammon' here means the material things, money, or the riches of this world. Now, this doesn't mean that you cannot prosper. God's will is for you to prosper in your soul, in your health, and even in material things, so that you can use all these to glorify God. Nothing wrong with God prospering you. But what Jesus meant here is when you begin to love money more than God, when money has a hold on you, that's how you will be full of darkness. You see, the Bible says 'the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil' (1 Timothy 6:10). But that doesn't mean money is evil. Money is just a medium of exchange. So let's know the difference here.

In 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV), apostle Paul wrote, 'But I fear, lest somehow as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity (purity) that is in Christ.' 

Here, apostle Paul meant a person's mind can be corrupted by the devil or forces of darkness, if that person isn't careful or if that person begins to entertain (or open the mind to) wrong influences, just as what happened to Eve. 

So, let not your minds be corrupted or deceived by the things or lures of this world, by all that the forces of darkness, the devil try to brainwash you. But instead, you set your minds on the things of God, on the simplicity (purity) of who Christ is.

How about God's thoughts for you? 

Now, this is a very familiar verse. In Jeremiah 29:11, God says, "For I know the thoughts that I think towards you," says the Lord, "thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Hallelujah! 

As you align your thoughts with God's thoughts for you, that's how you are going to see your God-given destiny being fulfilled, and you are going to accomplish all that God has planned for you on this earth. Therefore, beloved of God, be set free from the thought that you are no good. Be set free from the thought that you are a failure. Be set free from the thought that you are forever not up to it, or not up to what God wants you to be. But instead, commit your life and your work to the Lord.

Proverbs 16:3 (NKJV) says, 'Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established (by the Lord).' 

The word 'commit' here is 'galal' in Hebrew. In this context, it means 'align your works to the Lord, dedicate your works to the Lord, entrust your works to the Lord, or roll it all unto the Lord'. So, even as you commit your life, you dedicate your life, you surrender, align, entrust your whole life to the Lord, your future to the Lord, and roll it all unto the Lord, He will know how to establish your thoughts and He will know how to teach you step by step. He will know how to put His thoughts into your thoughts. 

After all, His thoughts are always higher than our thoughts, and His ways are always higher than our ways. In Isaiah 55:8-9, the Lord says, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." 

Then in Isaiah 55:10-11, the Lord says, "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." 

See, as you align your thoughts to His thoughts regarding your life, you are going to walk in that prosperity that God has meant for you.

And in Isaiah 55:12-13, the Lord says, "For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace. The mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree. And it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off."

So you see, these are His promises for you, the results and the fruits of you aligning your thoughts to God's thoughts. Isn't that wonderful? Isn't that awesome? When you commit your thoughts before the Lord, commit your life before the Lord, aligning your thoughts to His thoughts, and surrender your thoughts to be renewed by Him, not only will you have the light emanating from you, not only will you attract the light, but you are also going to have the joy and peace of the Lord in your life, just as the Lord has said in Isaiah 55. Hallelujah!

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

Look up! There will be ingathering and reunion!

Words from the Lord: 

"Comfort one another as you keep looking to Me and fix your eyes on Me. Because I will never leave My people nor forsake My people, no matter what has become of this world. My promises for My people is not slack, and I am in the midst of preparing My bride for My glorious coming. There shall be a great ingathering and reunion of My people - for those who have fallen asleep together with those who are alive!" 

Hallelujah! The Lord says there will be a great ingathering and reunion of His people - those who have fallen asleep and those who are still alive - together!

So, will you meet your loved ones or good friends again up there in heaven? Yes! For all of us who are in Christ - Yes! There will be a reunion for all of us! 

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (NKJV), apostle Paul wrote, 'But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who sleep in Jesus.'

See? Sleep in Jesus! It's not just 'sleep', but 'sleep in Jesus.' The word 'asleep' here is 'koimao' in Greek. It literally means 'to fall asleep', and in the context of our study here, it can mean 'to cease', 'to cease from this earth', or in other words, 'deceased'. So, 'fall asleep' here means a person has been brought home into the arms of the Lord.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16 (NKJV), apostle Paul wrote, 'For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.'

In 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 (NKJV), apostle Paul wrote further, 'Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.' 

Notice the word 'together' here? 'Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them'. Now, the question here is who are these 'them' here? Those who have fallen asleep, but whom the Lord will resurrect! 

Let's go to The Amplified Bible for 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18, 'Then we who are alive and remain [on the earth] will simultaneously be caught up (raptured) together with them [the resurrected ones] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord! Therefore comfort and encourage one another with these words [concerning our reunion with believers who have died].' 

See the word 'reunion' here? Reunion with believers who have fallen asleep, i.e. those who have gone before us! Do you see that? Reunion! Ingathering for all those who have fallen asleep (who have gone before us) and those who are alive and remain! 

You know what this means? It means for those of you who have lost your loved ones or good friends who are in Christ, you are going to have a reunion with them, meeting the Lord together with them! Hallelujah! 

The word 'together' here is 'hama' in Greek. It means 'at the same time'. It means we, at the same time with those who have gone before us, will be meeting the Lord together! Another definition of 'hama' is 'closeness (in being together) with one another'. It means you will see and meet each other, together, even as you meet the Lord in the air, up there! 

Now I'm going to show you the words 'caught up' that you see in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. What is this 'caught up' here? In The Amplified Bible, there's a bracket that says 'raptured'. 

The word 'caught up' here is 'harpazo' in Greek. It can mean 'being pulled away, being seized away, being caught away, being taken away'. And in the context of 'being caught up' here in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, it means you are being pulled away by the Lord, seized away by the Lord, caught away by the Lord, or taken away by the Lord from this earth to meet Him face to face, to be in His presence, in His glory; to be in His arms, the Heavenly Father's arms. 

Now, that's how the word 'rapture' in English is derived from, i.e. from this word 'caught up'. The word 'caught up' here is 'raptura' in medieval Latin. By the way, 'medieval age' is a period between Roman empire and the Renaissance, and that's between the 5th century and the end of 15th century. And this word 'raptura' is where the English word 'rapture' comes from, which means 'an act of carrying away, carrying off, seizing away'. 

So, as you can see here, the word 'raptura' in medieval Latin has the same meaning as the word 'harpazo' in Greek. Both speaks of 'being carried away by the Lord'. It means the Lord carries you away from this earth to meet Him in the air! 

From our Bible study today, the Word of God says there will be an ingathering and reunion for those who have deceased and those who are still alive - together! It means you will be meeting your departed loved ones or good friends, even as you meet the Lord in the air! And that's good news, especially if you have lost a loved one or a good friend before (i.e. they have passed on). But if they are in Christ, you are going to meet them together! This is an assurance and comfort that the Lord wants you to receive today. And that's why the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4:18, 'Therefore comfort one another'. 

Another assurance you can have regarding those in Christ who have departed from this earth, is that they are merely sleeping, and are actually not dead! That's why apostle Paul wrote 'fallen asleep'. Now, the Bible says so. This is not a fantasy. This is not a make-believe. This is the reality in the spiritual realm. Those who are in Christ, who have received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord, when their spirit depart from their body, they are not dead, but they are just asleep! And you'll be meeting them again! 

Let me explain the word 'asleep' here in the context of what apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. We actually have a glimpse of eternity while we are on earth. Imagine you have been running around and you have been so busy the whole day. By the end of the day, you are so tired. And say, you sleep at 10pm. You're so exhausted, so tired, and the moment you lie down on the bed, you fall asleep. And the next thing you know is you wake up and it's already 6am! From 10pm to 6am, 8 hours passed by just like that! Now, you have just experienced a glimpse of what it is like in eternity. In the spiritual realm, in eternity, we are not time-bound anymore. Just with a twinkling of an eye, and just like that, 8 hours! 

Just as when you sleep while you are on earth, it is the same with those (your loved ones or your good friends) who have departed. They are now fallen asleep in Christ, and the moment they wake up, we shall all meet again! That's what the Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18!

Therefore, be comforted if your loved ones or good friends have gone home to be with the Lord. Recently even for me, a good friend and a fellow minister of God of mine has gone home to be with the Lord. God brought him home after he has fulfilled His purposes on earth. Surely I will miss him. But I can be comforted because it's actually not a permanent loss, because as the Scripture says, there will be a reunion one day!

Isn't this a deep comfort and assurance for all of us who are in Christ? Yes, we may have missed some of our loved ones or good friends who have departed, but that is just temporary. Now, this is not my idea. Check it out in the Bible yourself. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 says so!

That is why it is so urgent and important to share about Jesus to your loved ones, to those whom you care, to those whom you love. You want to see them in eternity together. So, this is the time to share the love of Jesus, pray for them, pray for their spiritual eyes to be open, so that they will see that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Let them see that Jesus is the Lord, and only Jesus, the Salvation, can save them from this fallen world! And that's how we all can be together in eternity! 

After all, the earth is only a temporary place. You know it very well. We are just sojourners or pilgrims on this earth. The Bible says so in 1 Peter 2:11. Our permanent place is up there, where we will see no more pain or suffering. And we will all be in the loving arms and embrace of the Lord. Indeed, once we have fulfilled our God-given purposes on this earth, He will bring us home. There will be a homecoming! 

So, take heart, be encouraged, and stay strong, no matter what happens in this world. Keep running this race of faith. Keep fulfilling all that God has purposed for you to be on this earth. Keep focusing on the Lord. Keep fixing your eyes on the Lord. Keep trusting the Lord. Keep putting your hope in the Lord.

In John 14:1-4, Jesus Himself said, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know." 

It is then written in John 14:5-7, 'Thomas (one of His disciples) said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him."'

It means Jesus was saying, "If you see Me, you would have seen My Father as well." Because Jesus and the Father are One! You see, God the Father was being revealed through Jesus who came!

Let us pray: 

"We thank You Lord God that You have reminded us of all these verses, that we will be together with those who have 'fallen asleep', to meet You in the air, according to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Therefore, we receive Your assurance, we receive Your comfort, as we keep looking to You and fix our eyes on You, till the day of Your glorious coming. We thank You Lord God that You have shown us there will be a great ingathering and reunion of Your beloved, for those who have 'fallen asleep' together with those who are alive and remain. In the name of Jesus. Amen." 

So there you have it, today's message is a message of comfort for you to keep running the race of faith and keep fulfilling all that God has purposed for you on this earth! 

Encourage one another, comfort one another, and continue to share about Jesus, about the love of Jesus. When everything else on this earth fails, the Lord's love, Jesus' love, never fails!

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

Are you ready to move to the next level?

The Lord says: "I am opening the spiritual eyes of My people to see in the Spirit. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see what I want them to see in the Spirit. They shall see My glory and they shall see My plans, purposes, visions for their lives." 

The Lord says further: "To be pure in heart so that you can see what I want you to see even regarding the future, My people must be ready to die to themselves. Die to your sins. Die to your pride. Die to your lust. Die to your greed. Die to your yearning for fame and name. Die to your fleshly, sinful desires. Just as the seed must die before it sprouts and grows good fruit, so shall My people be." 

Let me be clear here. When the Lord says 'die to yourself', it doesn't mean to kill yourself. No! But rather, die to anything in your life that hinders your walk with God, die to anything in your life that hinders the glory of the Lord from being shown in your life, or die to any area of your life that hinders God's plans, purposes, or visions for your life. That's what the Lord meant by 'die to yourself'. 

In Matthew 5:8, Jesus says, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." The word 'pure' here is 'katharos' in Greek, meaning 'clean, clear, pure'. In other words, 'Blessed are those who are clean, clear, pure in their heart'. Why? So that they shall see God! 

What does 'they shall see God' mean here? The word 'see' here is 'optanomai' in Greek, from the word 'optomai'. By the way, the word 'opto' means 'to see (with your eyes)', and it can also be your spiritual eyes. So, 'optanomai' here means 'have a vision (of God and what God sees)'. In other words, 'you see what God sees'. Not only you see the glory of God, the majesty of God, or the light of God, but you also see what God sees! So, over here, Jesus meant that to be pure in heart is so that you can see God - see His glory, see what He sees, or see whatever He wants you to see in the Spirit! And this includes seeing His plans, purposes, and visions for your life!

Now, in order for this to happen, the Lord has spoken today that we need to die to self. You see, many people want to know God's plans, purposes and visions for their lives, but they are not willing to die to self. 

Psalm 32:8 says, 'I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.' The word 'eye' here is 'ayin' in Hebrew. It speaks of God's sight for you, or God's vision for you. So here David wrote that God promised to instruct, teach and guide His people. Guide with what? Guide with His sight for you, or His vision for you! 

But for you to receive Psalm 32:8, David also wrote one verse later in Psalm 32:9, 'Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle...' Now that's the condition for you to see in the Spirit, or to see what God wants you to see. 

But why did David mention horse and mule? These are examples of animals that are not easily guided. In other words, they can be stubborn. They need the bit and bridle, and sometimes rigorous training from the master, before they can be of good use. Bit and bridle basically function together to give control of the horse's head, so that they can stay in the race, and not stray. 

I know today's message may not be popular, unlike messages on prosperity, wellness or wholeness. There's nothing wrong with these messages of course, because God wants us to live a good life, to prosper, and to have good health. But what I mean here is God also wants us to walk in purity before Him, and to die to self. In fact, God has spoken this is a very important time for us to die to self. 

In John 12:24, Jesus says, "Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." See the words 'if it dies'? Unless the seed dies, it cannot reproduce or produce many more seeds. So, the seed must die. When the seed dies, it will then sprout, grow, and bear good fruit. 

What are the areas in your life (that you know) you need to die to yourself? Each of us is answerable before the Lord. Indeed this is a time of soul-searching. You may want to ask Him, "O Lord, is there any area in my life that You want to change me, train me further, or uproot from me?" 

Galatians 2:20 says, 'I have been crucified with Christ; It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.' These are the words of apostle Paul. And you know that apostle Paul had to die to himself. You know that he was a Pharisee of Pharisees, well learned, and well trained by a great tutor Gamaliel. But after the Great Light experience that led to his conversion, he had to count all those in the past as rubbish (Philippians 3:8). He had to die to all those reputation, fame, and even being respected by the people those days. And that's when he wrote that it is no longer he who lives, but Christ lives in him. And mind you, that takes a lot of dying to self. And apostle Paul understood this. 

Indeed, whatever you are to become in Christ, whoever God wants you to be, and to walk in the fullness of His destiny for you on earth, this can only come about if you 'die to yourself' (in the areas that God wants you to die to yourself). 

You may have to die to your pride or ego. You may have to die to your stubbornness. You may have to die to your lust. You may have to die to your greed. Or even die to the expectations of men or the status quo. So, it's not just dying to your sins.

For some of you, it may be dying to the yearning for fame and name. For some of you ministers of God, will you still be ministering faithfully and give all your heart to serve even if there's no big stage? Even if it's just a small group of 2 or 3 persons that you minister to, and nobody else is watching? Even if there's no 'glamour' of big stage where hundreds or thousands of people are watching you? But I tell you what, God is watching your heart. This is the time God is testing many of His people. You know why? Because God is getting ready to promote many of His people and move them into the next level of anointing and authority in Him! 

Jesus Himself set this example of dying to self. In fact, not only He died to self, He gave up all His divine privileges. Now, look here in Philippians 2:5-8, 'You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges. He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross.' 

So you see, Jesus has set the example of dying to self. He could have saved Himself. And He could have come down from the cross by Himself. But He didn't. He went through it all. Why? For you and I. Now look here in Philippians 2:9-11, 'Therefore, God elevated Him (promoted Him) to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.' Hallelujah! 

Jesus did not withhold anything. He gave it all. He said, 'Not My will', but My Father's will be done'. Blessed are you, people, if today, you can come before the Lord and say to Him, "Not my will, but God, Your will be done. Whatever You want to do in my life going forward, here am I, use me." 

What are the other examples of dying to self? 

Die to your 'smart in your own eyes' plans or ambitions. Die to your certain fleshly or sinful pleasures. Die to selfish ambitions. Die to certain wrongful relationships. Or even die to a certain relationship that is detrimental to God's plans for your life. For example, a certain toxic relationship that God wants you to uproot and cut it off.

Let me show you the contrast to Jesus. It's about Lucifer. Isaiah 14:12-15 says, 'How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depth of the Pit.' 

Here, Lucifer became so impressed with his own beauty, his intelligence, his own power and position, that he began to desire for himself the honor and glory that belonged to God and God alone! This pride represents the actual beginning of sin entering the universe, and this precedes the fall of human, Adam. 

But what the fallen angel Lucifer had failed, Jesus did it right. Jesus reversed it. And you, in Christ, you can reverse it as well. By the blood of Jesus Christ, you are washed, cleansed, forgiven, and you can start afresh and anew. 

Right now, will you allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your conscience? Let Him speak in the inside of you. Let Him show you if there's any area in your life that you need to let go and change? Is there any area in your life that God wants you to uproot? Is there any area in your life that God wants you to die to self? Different people may be different. 

Now, this is not a condemning message. In Christ, there's now therefore no more condemnation (Romans 8:1). But what I'm saying here is God loves you and God wants you to walk in the fullest of all that God has for you on this earth, fulfilling His destiny for you on this earth. 

Heaven is rejoicing when you make that decision today. Blessed are you! And that's what Jesus meant in Matthew 5:8! 'Blessed are those who are pure in heart (clean, clear in heart), for they shall see God!' They shall see God's glory! That's how when you say, "Lord, show me Your glory!", the Lord is going to show up in many ways, the Lord is going to speak to you, the Lord is going to enlighten your spiritual understanding. Your life begins to be so clear, and you will know what direction to take in life. 

You see, there's no shortcut here. Many people want quick fix in this modern days. But there are certain principles of heaven, in the spiritual realm, there's no quick fix. You just have to die to yourself in those areas. I know it's not easy to die to yourself in some areas. But if the Lord says let go, you let go. You are blessed, because that's when God is going to promote you to the next level.

So, this is what the Lord has spoken in this time and season. This is not a message of condemnation. This is a message of restoration. Because God wants you to see what He wants you to see, and God wants you to see His plans, purposes, and visions for your life, going forward.

Prayer: "Father God, we want to thank You today, because You are opening our spiritual eyes to see in the Spirit. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see You, and they shall see what You want them to see. They shall see Your glory, they shall see Your plans, purposes, and visions for their lives. So we ask that You show us the areas that we need to die to ourselves. Because the seed must die, before it sprouts and grow good fruits. We know that You mean well for us. You want to restore us. You want us to walk in the fullness of Your destiny for us. Not to condemn us. But so that Your glory will be shown in our lives in greater measure. Teach us, train us, change us, and correct us, in any area of our lives. In the name of Jesus. Amen." 

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

5 keys to hearing in the Spirit

I heard the Lord say: "Learn to hear from Me, just as Samuel heard from Me. Ask for it, and you will receive. Let your spiritual ear be sensitized and ready to hear. For I am now awakening My people's ear to hear what I have to say. I am showing My people what they should do and what they should not do in this new season. I am refreshing My people from their weariness and purposelessness, so long as they would humble themselves to hear Me and heed Me." 

Many people ask this question: "How do you hear from God?" The Bible certainly has the answer. Of course the first person you can think of when it comes to hearing from God is none other than Samuel. In fact his name 'Samuel' has to do with hearing from God. It is 'Shemuw-El' in Hebrew, meaning 'Heard of God'; from the word 'Shama' meaning 'to hear attentively, to give ear, to hear carefully, to hear in order to obey', and 'El' meaning 'God'. 

I believe we are now in this time and season like Samuel, when many people in this world are spiritually blur and 'hit and miss', but you, beloved of God, are like the 'Samuels' of today. You are the people who will hear from the Lord. You will not be spiritually blur. You will continually hear from the Spirit of God, and you will know what to do in your life. I want to declare this upon you. Amen! 

1 Samuel 3:1-4 says, 'Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli (the high priest those days). And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow dim that he could not see, and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the Lord where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, that the Lord called Samuel. And he answered, "Here I am!"'

At that time, in Samuel's younger days, revelation from the Lord was scarce. Even the priest was blur in the Spirit. But the Lord began to speak to Samuel, even in times when many in his days were spiritually blur. Samuel was being trained by the Lord to be clear, to hear clearly from the Lord. 

Right now, the Lord is anointing your spiritual ear as well. Let the Lord touch your spiritual ear. Let the Lord open your spiritual ear and awaken your spiritual ear, so that you will hear what God has to say in this new time and season. Amen!

1 Samuel 3:5-6 says, 'So he (Samuel) ran to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." And he (Eli) said, "I did not call; lie down again." And he went and lay down. Then the Lord called yet again, "Samuel!" So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." Eli answered again, "I did not call, my son, lie down again."' 

As you can see here, the young Samuel was still learning how to hear from God, and how to differentiate between the voice of God and the voice of man. But you see, you've got to start somewhere, just like Samuel. Samuel has got to start somewhere too. You and I know that Samuel went on to become a great man of God, who would hear from the Lord to anoint David as king. 

1 Samuel 3:8-9 says, 'And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you did call me." Then Eli perceived that the Lord had called the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, 'Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place.'

See the word 'hear' here? 

1 Samuel 3:10-12 says, 'Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel answered, "Speak, for Your servant hears." Then the Lord said to Samuel: "Behold I will do something in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle (it means many will be awakened, and many will be shocked upon hearing it). In that day I will perform against Eli, all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end."' 

Now over here, God was about to judge Eli's household, because his sons were corrupt and Eli did not restrain the sons. 

And then 1 Samuel 3:18-19 says, 'Then Samuel told Eli everything that he heard from the Lord, and hid nothing from him. And Eli said, "It is the Lord. Let Him do what seems good to Him." So Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.'

You see over here, Eli still had some godliness in him, even though he was somewhat spiritually blur. So these words of Samuel spoke to Eli. Eli was awakened about it, and he acknowledged what's been said by the Lord. Eli knew the Lord has spoken to Samuel. 

Now, here lies the first key. What was the key of Samuel hearing from God, but not Eli, not Eli's sons? Samuel was innocent and pure before God. That's the difference. So that's key Number 1. Stay innocent and pure before the Lord, no matter how complex the world has become. Clear yourself from every form of deception, lies, or even corruption - in your spirit, soul, and even in everything that you put your hands on to do.

In John 10:27, Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." So, you are the sheep, and Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Hear Him. Pay attention to Him, to His voice. The word 'hear' is 'akouo' in Greek, meaning 'to give audience, to give ear to.' Just like Samuel was a good sheep to God, and he was obedient and faithful to what God has to say; so are you and so can you be. You will hear the voice of God, and you follow whatever He says. And that's how you are going to fulfill God's destiny for your life on this earth! 

In John 10:28, Jesus said, "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." Now, this is interesting. You know what this means? No one can snatch you away from Jesus, as long as you continue to hear His voice and follow Him! Therefore, hear Him and follow Him. Because when you hear and follow Him, His voice, His way, His will, and His words for you, no evil can snatch you away from Him; and no evil can snatch you away from His plans and purposes for your life on earth! So, key Number 2 here is to stay humble and yielded before the Lord, like the sheep towards the Good Shepherd. Hear Him and follow Him. And that takes humility on your part. That takes yieldedness on your part. That takes submission on your part. 

Isaiah 50:5 says, 'The Lord God has opened My ear; and I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away.' Here, Isaiah heard from the Spirit of God regarding Jesus the Messiah who was to come. This verse is actually talking about Jesus and how Jesus obeyed till the point of death, never turning away from His Father. But having said this, this verse also applies to Isaiah himself. After all, the name 'Isaiah' is 'Yesha Yah' in Hebrew. It means 'Yahweh is Salvation'. It's a typology, a 'type' of Jesus. In fact, the whole book of Isaiah is likened to a mini-Bible. 66 chapters in total represents 66 books in the Bible (39 - Old Testament, 27 - New Testament). You can see that God has spoken a lot of things to Isaiah - 66 chapters in the whole book of Isaiah! 

Many people would ask this question: "How do I identify God's voice from other voices?" It is true there are three major kinds of voices - voice of God, voice of your own flesh, and voice of the evil spirit. The answer is simple. Whatever you hear must be 'screened through' the Word of God, and cannot contradict the Word of God. 

Another way to be so sensitive to the voice of God is by getting yourself familiarized with the Holy Spirit. How? Pray in the Spirit often. Get yourself familiarized with the Holy Spirit. When you are so familiar with the Holy Spirit, you will know how to differentiate between His voice and the voice of your own flesh or the voice of the evil spirit. 

One more question people may ask, "When is the best time to hear from the Holy Spirit?" The answer is simple. Anytime is a good time! After all, God is 24/7. He is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Your part is this: As long as you get rid of all those 'noises' of this world, or even from social media for a while, and just spend time exclusively with Him, read the Word of God, pray in the Spirit, worship Him, lock yourself in your own room (or your prayer closet), and just enjoy being in the presence of God; you are actually positioning yourself to hear from God! 

So, the answer is anytime is a good time, as long as you make time for God. As far as I am concerned, practically speaking, I find between 4am and 6am is best. You know why? That's when I would wake up and feel refreshed. Now, when your spirit, soul and body - all 3 parts of you - are well rested and refreshed, you are more likely to hear from God. So sleep early and wake up early when it's still quiet, and when many people are not awake yet. First thing in the morning, come into His presence and hear Him. Now this is just my own practical advice. Different people may be different. Because some people are morning people, and some people are night people. Go with what suits you best.

Isaiah 50:4 says, 'The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning. He awakens My ear to hear as the learned.' You see here? 'He awakens Me morning by morning'! Early in the morning, when you are fresh! In fact, that's Jesus' lifestyle! Jesus woke up early and often withdrew Himself to hear from His Heavenly Father. As Jesus is, so are you! 

May the Lord awaken you to hear from Him, just as Isaiah 50:4 says! Though this is about Jesus, the same can apply for you, just as the same applied to prophet Isaiah himself. God can awaken your ear! So Isaiah tells us how he received his messages from God - in the morning - when he's most rested and refreshed, and most sensitive to the promptings and voice of God. That's when you too would receive many things and revelations from God! Yes, even saying refreshing words to the weary or the purposeless. Not only it refreshes others, but it also refreshes you!

So, prepare yourself, be refreshed and be well rested - spirit, soul and body - and you are more likely to hear from God. Now, Holy Spirit can speak to you in many ways, for example, in the inside of you, through your thoughts, through the Word of God that you read, or even in an audible voice!

Proverbs 6:22 says, 'When you roam, they (the Word of God) will lead you; When you sleep, they (the Word of God) will keep you; And when you awake, they (the Word of God) will speak with you.' You see here? When you awake from your sleep, the Word of God will speak with you!

5 keys to hearing in the Spirit:

Number 1: Stay pure and innocent before the Lord, no matter how complex this world has become. Keep yourself from deception, lies, and corruption. 

Number 2: Stay humble and yielded before the Lord. Like the sheep to the Good Shepherd, hear His voice and follow Him. To follow Him, you've got to humble yourself and say, "God, You are God, I am not. I will follow You because You know better than me." 

Number 3: Be refreshed - spirit, soul and body. This is the practical part. You are more likely to hear correctly and precisely from the Lord when you are well rested and fresh, after a good night's sleep. So wake up fresh and spend time with the Lord!

Number 4: Read the Word of God often. No shortcut here. The more you read, the more likely He will speak to you!

Number 5: Pray in the Spirit often. Again, no shortcut here. The more you spend time praying in the Spirit, the more likely He will speak to you!

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

How to make plans in the Spirit?

The Lord has spoken for this week: "Look to Me and seek Me, and I will show you My plans and purposes in your life. Be patient to wait on Me. My Spirit will lead you and guide you. My Spirit is teaching you to discern and differentiate what is My plan and what is mere man's plan." 

With these words from the Lord, I'm going to write on how to make plans in the Spirit (i.e. how to plan in the Spirit), or how to purpose in the Spirit. The Bible has something to say regarding this. 

But before that, I want to ask you, "Who are you actually?" You are a spirit being. You are a spirit who lives in a body (a physical body) and have a soul. So, first and foremost, you are a spirit being. 

In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, apostle Paul wrote, 'Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.' 

You see here, apostle Paul wrote there are three parts in a human being - spirit, soul (consists of your mind, will, and emotions), body (physical body). But out of these three parts, your spirit is who you really are. Your spirit is real. It is not just a bodily organ. Some people call it a heart, some people call it a belly. But it's not just a bodily organ. It's not an imagination. It's not an idea. But your spirit is real. It's your real self. You are first and foremost a spirit being, and I call it spirit-man. 

In fact, your spirit should dominate your whole being. People exercise their physical body and nourish themselves with good food and proper nutrition. Nothing wrong. People exercise their soul by training their mind, by receiving education. No problem. But you know what? Many people in this world neglect the most important part, the essential part, the real them - that is the spirit. Now, the way to strengthen or nourish your spirit is by none other than feeding yourselves with the Word of God and praying in the Spirit. See? Word of God and Spirit of God. Word and Spirit. In Matthew 4:4, Jesus says, '...Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' Jude 1:20 says, 'But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.' 

So today, I want to point you to your spirit being, because that is the most important part of your whole being, yet it's the most neglected part by the world. So how do you nourish yourself? How do you strengthen your spirit being? You've got to exercise your spirit. You've got to give it proper nutrition. You've got to feed it well. Feed with the Word of God. Pray in the Spirit to build yourself up on your most holy faith. See again? Word and Spirit. These are the two important pillars in your Christian life. 

I continue. In Romans 1:9, apostle Paul wrote, 'For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.' 

You see, Paul served God with his spirit. He never wrote 'with his soul or body', though of course these two parts (soul and body) will be involved too. Because we are a tripartite being. Three parts. But one person. But I tell you what, first and foremost, it is his spirit that serves God. The word 'serve' here is 'latreuo' in Greek. It simply means 'to minister unto God' or 'to worship God'. It means we minister unto God with our spirit. We worship God with our spirit. We worship God by doing what God says we do on earth, by obeying His callings, His plans and purposes for us on earth. And that's part of our worship before the Lord. To submit ourselves before Him. Because He is God, and we are not. 

The word 'spirit' here is 'pneuma' in Greek. It can mean the spirit of a man (or of course a woman), or the spirit-man. We humans are spirit beings, remember this. So, whatever we do on this earth, whether in our worship before the Lord, our ministering unto Him, in our walking with Him, in doing whatever God asks us to do, we are serving Him with our spirit. 

In John 4:23-24, Jesus says, 'But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit ('pneuma') and truth.' The word 'worship' here is 'proskuneo' in Greek. If you look at the definition in James Strong's Concordance, he defined 'proskuneo' here as 'to kiss'. It means to touch God, to be in close proximity to God. That's what 'to kiss' means. And interestingly, he put it this way: 'like a dog licking his master's hand'. So imagine your pet dog licking your hand, so excited to see you when you come home, so longing to want to spend time with you as the master. Now, that's how James Strong defined 'proskuneo'. Like the dog licking his master's hand, so it is the same with us as we worship the Lord. We 'proskuneo' before the Lord. We want more of Him. We long for Him. We will miss Him when we are far from Him. Of course, 'proskuneo' can also mean 'to prostrate before God', 'to submit or surrender to God'. You see, not necessarily with music and songs. You can worship of course with music and songs, but worship before the Lord is more than just music and songs, as you see from the definitions above.

With the right understanding of who you actually are (you are first and foremost a spirit being), now let's see what the Scriptures say about 'making plans in the Spirit'. Remember our topic here is 'How to make plans in the Spirit?' Because in order for you to make plans in the Spirit, you've got to know who you are first. You are a spirit being, and therefore whatever you do, you do it with your spirit. You serve God with your spirit, you worship God with your spirit, and now, like Paul, you can make plans in the Spirit. Look at this verse here in Acts 19:21: 'When these things were accomplished (in the context here, the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed in Ephesus), Paul purposed in the Spirit when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome."' You see, Paul was purposing in his spirit, making plans in his spirit, to go to Jerusalem, and after that, he wanted to go and see Rome. The word 'purpose' here is 'tithemi' in Greek. It can mean 'conceive, set forth, present, commit'. So Paul was conceiving in the Spirit his plan to go to Jerusalem and Rome. He was setting it forth before the Lord. He presented it before the Lord. He committed it before the Lord. Therefore, to make plans in the Spirit, or to purpose in the Spirit, is to present an idea or a thought before the Lord. You see, even in making plans, Paul was doing it in the Spirit first! 

So we are not talking about making mere man's plans. It's easy to make man's plans by just using your mind to plan for your life. But I tell you a better way, a way that will always lead you to your victory and to fulfill your God-given destiny. It's planning the way the Bible teaches us to plan, i.e. planning according to His will, His plans and His purposes in our lives.

Acts 17:27-28 says, '...so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each of us; For in Him we live and move and have our being...' See the word 'move' here? Not just in Him we live, not just in Him we have our being, but in Him we move! It means your moving here and there! You know what this means? Your direction in life!

Through the many years of me walking in the Spirit, and teaching people in serving with the spirit and moving in the Spirit, I've learned not to go ahead with any major decisions in life unless and until I have sought the Lord and get confirmation (or 'green light') from Him first. Now that's super important. Because a lot of people are just like 'punching in the air'. They never aim first. They shoot everywhere, but never aim. But when you receive a thought or an idea, present it before the Lord first, and then pray and seek the Lord. Even if the Lord leads you to fast (fast and pray), go ahead. Pray in the spirit. Read the Word of God. And wait on the Lord. Learn to be patient before the Lord. And the Lord will give you the confirmation, even more confirmation. And if it's not from the Lord, the Lord will give you 'counter-confirmation', saying no to it. But if it's from the Lord, the Lord will surely give you 2 or 3 more confirmations. So, pray, fast, seek the Lord, be patient, read the Word of God. Never mind if people call you 'slow poke', because they are so impatient, but you be like the eagle, do it right first time in catching the prey. You know, sometimes even 30 days, 60 days, or even many more months, God may still be silent regarding a certain matter that you present to Him. This is especially so if it is a major decision, like a new direction in your ministry, a new direction in business, moving from one location to another location, bigger kind of investment (e.g. buying properties), deciding your career path, etc. Ya, sometimes God can be silent for many days, even months. Just be patient. Don't give up praying. Don't give up waiting on the Lord. Keep seeking, keep praying in the spirit, till there is clear confirmation or answer (whether through dreams, through thoughts that are not premeditated, etc). And when you receive the confirmation, act accordingly, and there will be results! 

If you look at Acts 16:6-10, you would know that apostle Paul has been seeking the Lord regarding direction in his ministry (for him and his team), 'Now when they 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.' 

So you have this example in the Scripture, especially of apostle Paul. He never went ahead in his life and ministry before seeking the Lord first, and when he has received confirmation, only then would he go ahead. So, go directly to God is the best! That's what apostle Paul did. If other people say anything or give opinion (suggestion) what you should be doing, what you should not be doing, what they think is best for you, or what is the best decision that you should make, if other people, other than God, give you all kinds of opinions, you need to check with your spirit first. You need to check your inner witness, your inward witness. You need to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you first, a sense of whether there is peace or no peace. Ahhh... (if there's peace). Ugh Ugh Ugh... (if there's no peace). Check with your spirit first. You know why? Because many times I have heard people complaining this way: "I was taking this so and so's advice, but it turned out to be a bad decision." And you know what, some of these advices may even be so-called 'prophecies'. Of course no denying prophecies from the Lord (that's not premeditated by man), when man speaks as God speaks, can lead to great breakthroughs or into the right direction. Never despise prophecies from the Lord. But what I mean here is even prophecies need to be tested. KIV (keep in view) first, when you hear someone prophesy about you. Wait on the Lord further to sense peace or no peace. Does your spirit respond with 'a leap of joy'? Or repulsiveness? Or simply neutral? Wait on the Lord and seek the Lord, to see if there is confirmation or counter-confirmation (it means God refuting or rebuking that 'prophecy'). May the Lord sensitize your spirit-man. You know why I say this? Because some 'prophecies' may just be merely that 'prophesier' imposing his will or his idea on you. Or that person merely saying it from his mind, perception, or opinion regarding your situation. But it may not be from the Lord. In other words, to put words in God's mouth by saying, "I heard God says this...", "I heard God says that..." 

Now, be extra careful. Every prophecy needs to be tested. You can see that in 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21, 'Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things, hold fast what is good.' You see, test all things, including prophecies. 

Back to the Macedonian call to Paul and his team, and how God did not permit them to go certain direction. The fact here is there can be times the Lord does not permit us to go to a certain direction, or move to a certain direction. You know why? Because He sees further than us, and knows better than us, even if at times we ask, "Why not?" Or even if at times we just cannot understand why cannot? Why God does not permit it? But you know what, God is God. God sees the end from the beginning. So, your part is just flow with Him, flow with His direction, even His timing. Speaking about patience here. And as you flow with Him, His direction and His timing, you are going to see your destiny being fulfilled on earth. You know why? Because God always has your best interest in His mind, and He has the best plan for us. 

So, if you are in the midst of seeking the Lord to make a major decision in your life, be it in ministry, your career, your family's direction, your business, or whatever it may be, remember all that have been taught today. As you present before the Lord, learn to wait on Him. Be patient. The Lord will surely speak. And if you are not sure, you KIV (keep in view). Put yourself in 'neutral gear' before the Lord. Present it before the Lord further. That's how you make plans before the Lord. And let God speak to you in different ways that He wants to speak to you. And when you have confirmation, you go ahead, and you are going to see your results for sure! 

Let's pray: "O Lord God, we ask that You sensitize our spirit-man so that we'll be like that antenna, spiritual antenna, that will receive Your reception, spiritual reception. We want to flow with You, Your plans in our lives, Your direction in our lives, even Your timing in our lives. Be it in ministry, in personal life, in family plans, or in career or business plans. Teach us to be patient to wait on You. We thank You because You are teaching us to discern and to differentiate what is Your plan and what is mere man's plan, what is God's idea and what is mere man's idea. We want to walk in Your idea for us. We want to walk in Your plan and purposes for us. In the name of Jesus. Amen."

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel