How to walk in God's perfect love?

The Lord spoke these words to His people:

"My people, My people, My people, don’t be carried away by hatred and unforgiveness in this world. Don’t be carried away by envy and bitterness in this world. Receive My love instead, and learn to love with compassion and pity."

And the Lord spoke further:

"Let there be a flow of My love like a river in you and through you! For My love has been poured out upon you through the Holy Spirit. When everything else in this world fails, My love for you never fails. So, receive My love from heaven and let it flow, and yes, you’ll even be able to love your enemies, just as I have spoken to you before in the Word!"

Romans 5:5 (NKJV) 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'.

Romans 5:5 (Expanded Bible) puts it this way, 'And this hope will never disappoint us [let us down; or put us to shame; dishonor us], because God has poured out His love to fill our hearts [or flooded our hearts with His love]. He gave us His love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us'.

There is too much hatred, unforgiveness, envy and bitterness happening in the world right now. As the beloved of God, it is important that we do not get distracted and get carried away by all these. Instead, the Lord wants you to look to Him and receive His love, just as Romans 5:5 says. 

This love doesn't come like a trickle, but this love has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. As you receive His love and choose to love, this love is going to flow like a river in you and through you.

1 John 4:7-9 (NKJV) says, 'Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him'.

The word 'love' here is 'agape' in Greek, and it means 'love, or benevolence (i.e. an act of kindness or the inclination to be kind)'. 

You see, not only do we love in word or in tongue, but we also love in deed and in truth (1 John 3:16-19), because 'agape' can also mean 'an act of kindness or the inclination to be kind'.

In fact, here's what the Lord Jesus Himself said in Matthew 5:43-47, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?"

So, who are your enemies?

Generally speaking, enemies are those who are against you or oppose you because you are doing what God says for you to do. Yet Jesus Himself says 'love your enemies'. It means you are to forgive and not return evil with evil. Instead, return evil with good (Romans 12:21). Jesus Himself prayed this when He was crucified, "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do." (Luke 23:34)

Sometimes an enemy is an enemy only for a time. God is great, and He can change an enemy in His perfect timing and perfect way. Therefore, don't hate them. Instead, pray for them. Ask God to give you the patience in times of persecution against you. And ask God to give you the grace to see these enemies from the eyes of God's love and compassion.

But... Who are your real enemies?

Matthew 5:43-47 must be read together with Ephesians 6:12 that says, 'For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places'.

Reading the Bible verses above, you can therefore deduce there are actually 2 types of enemies:

1. Invisible (demonic forces) - these are the real enemies.

2. Visible (human beings) - these are not real enemies.

The real enemies are the demonic forces (Ephesians 6:12) that work against God and against you (for doing what God says).

Therefore, Jesus' command to 'love your enemies' (Matthew 5:43-47) only applies to the 2nd group, i.e. fellow human beings (flesh and blood). For this 2nd group, don't hate them, but pray for them and have compassion and pity for them. God will know how to turn things around for you, in due time.

Principles in 'dealing with enemies':

1. Your real enemies are in the spirit, and not flesh and blood.

2. Your real battles are in the spirit, and not against flesh and blood.

3. You can take authority and bind these demonic forces, in Jesus' name.

4. In the end, all these enemies will die off because God has the ultimate victory (over satan and his cohorts).

5. As long as you see 'flesh and blood' as the enemies, you will not be able to have compassion or pity for them. That is why Jesus commanded to 'love your enemies'.

6. These 'flesh and blood' are only being used by the devil to fulfill his purposes, and their eyes have been blinded or darkened by the devil (or the spirits of this world).

7. But you can pray, "In Jesus' name, I command you devil (or foul spirit) to stop your work behind this person."

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

God is turning the tide for you!

Words from the Lord:

"I am turning things around for you! I am turning the tide for you! Whatever others have meant evil or harm against you, I will turn it around for your good. Look to Me, and watch how I will bring this to pass."

"For I am your treasure. For I am more than enough for you. And I am looking at the hearts, to see if anyone would put Me at the centre of their lives, and to see if anyone would seek Me first above all else. For these are the people I am going to manifest Myself to and these are the people I am going to turn things around for them." 

The definition of 'turning the tide' is 'to reverse an unfortunate situation into something good'. 

Therefore, no matter what the enemy or anyone had meant evil or harm against you, this is the time to look to the Lord, because He will know how to turn things around for your good.

In Genesis 50:20, Joseph said these to his brothers who had sold him as slave many years earlier, "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive." 

At that time, there was a severe famine all over the lands, and Joseph's brothers had to come to Egypt to buy food, as there was not enough food in Canaan where they were residing.

Look at these series of events that eventually led to Joseph being reconciled with his brothers in Egypt:

- If Joseph was never sold as slave by his brothers to the Midianites, he would never have ended up in Egypt (Genesis 37:28)

- If Joseph never ended up in Egypt, he would never have been sold to Potiphar, an officer of the Pharaoh (Genesis 39:1)

- If Joseph was never sold to Potiphar, Potiphar’s wife would never have falsely accused him of rape (Genesis 39:17)

- If Joseph was not falsely accused of rape, he would never have been put in prison (Genesis 39:20)

- If Joseph was never put in prison, he would never have interpreted the butler and baker’s dreams (Genesis 40:8)

- If Joseph never interpreted the butler and baker’s dreams, he would never have interpreted the Pharaoh’s dream (Genesis 41:15)

- If Joseph never interpreted the Pharaoh’s dream, he would never have become prime minister, second in Egypt only to the Pharaoh (Genesis 41:40)

- If Joseph never became prime minister, he would never have wisely prepared for the severe famine to come (Genesis 41:48)

- If Joseph never wisely prepared for the severe famine, then his father and brothers in Canaan would never have come to Egypt and would have died in the severe famine (Genesis 41:57)

People of God, for each of us, we too have our unique situation on earth, and not necessarily be exactly like what Joseph had gone through. But whatever your unique situation may be, take heart in this message from the Lord today that He isn't dead, and He knows exactly how to turn things around for you, if you look to Him. Amen.

Prayer for you today:

"O Lord God, You are turning things around for Your beloved. You are turning the tide for Your beloved, no matter what they have gone through recently. Whatever man or the enemy meant evil or harm against Your beloved, You can turn it around for their good. 

Therefore right now, we look to You as our treasure. You are more than enough for us. We put You at the centre of our lives, and we put You first above all else. We draw near to You, and You will draw near to us. We know there's so much more that You want to show to us, as we look to You and put all our trust in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen."

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

Let your eyes of understanding be enlightened!

Words from the Lord:

"Be set free from confusion! Be set free from anxiety! Be set free from discouragement! For many of My people, the enemy has been trying to cause confusion, anxiety and discouragement. The enemy has been trying to contaminate My vision and My plan for each of My people."

"This is your time to receive My power to set you free and to break free! Break free from those strongholds of the enemy! Break free from those deceptions of the enemy! Look to Me! For I am enlightening the spiritual eyes of many of My people! My vision in your life is going to be made clear! My plan for your life is going to be made clear!"

If you have been going through a time of confusion regarding your life, or you have been confused about what you are to do in life, this message is for you. 

1 Corinthians 14:33 (NKJV) says, 'For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace...'

John 16:13 (NKJV) says, '...when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.'

John 14:26 (NKJV) says, 'But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.'

Take heart, because the Lord is setting you free from the spirit of confusion, and uprooting the seed of confusion that the enemy has been planting in your life. Remember, the Holy Spirit in you will know how to guide you into all truth and teach you all things, going forward. 

If you have been going through a time of anxiety, and even for no reason you have been feeling rather anxious about your life or your future, this message is for you too. 

Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) says, 'Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.'

Psalm 94:18-19 (NKJV) says, 'If I say, "My foot slips," Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.'

Take heart, because the Lord is setting you free from any form of anxiety right now. Receive the shalom peace of the Lord, and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and mind. Amen!

If you have been feeling rather discouraged recently, and you just couldn't seem to get out of discouragement no matter how you try, this message is for you as well.

Joshua 1:9 (NLT) says, 'This is my command - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.'

Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT) says, 'Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you.'

John 16:33 (NKJV) says, 'These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.'

Take heart, because the Lord is in the midst of uprooting every seed of discouragement in your life. Be open to Him. He is releasing His divine encouragement upon you right now. Receive by faith. 

Beloved of God, whatever vision and plan of the Lord in your life cannot and should not be 'hijacked' or 'contaminated' by the enemy. Therefore, this is an important time to ask the Lord to enlighten your spiritual eyes - to see what He sees and how He sees.

Ephesians 1:17-20 (NKJV) says, '...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places...'

You will not see what the enemy wants you to see regarding your life and situation at the moment. Instead, you will see what God sees and how God sees. God wants you to see His vision and plan for your life is now made clear! God wants you to see His mighty power which He worked in Christ is now setting you free from every lie and deception of the enemy! God wants you to see in Him, you will have what it takes to rise above and triumph, no matter what the enemy throws at you! God wants you to see how rich you are and how rich is your inheritance in Him! God wants you to see His wisdom and revelation is continuously flowing in your life! 

Claim all these promises of God for your life as written in Ephesians 1:17-20, and you will begin to see God turning the tide for you and turning things around for your good. In Jesus' name. Amen!

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

You have this life in Him - the resurrection life!

The stone has been rolled away! And Jesus is risen! Hallelujah!

Luke 24:1-3 (NKJV) says, 'Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus'.

Luke 24:4-7 (NKJV) says, 'And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'"

Beloved of God, because you are in Christ, therefore the 'stone' ('stone' here speaks of 'any bondage or hindrance in your life') has been removed too, and you are now made alive together with Him! This is the time to look to Him and receive this resurrection power of God!

Colossians 2:13-15 (NKJV) says, 'And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it'.

The words 'made alive together (with Him)' or 'quickened together (with Him)' in King James Version (KJV) is 'suzoopoieo' in Greek; from the word 'sun' (pronounced 'soon') meaning 'together', and the word 'zoopoieo' meaning 'make alive, give life, vitalize'.

How about 'the handwriting of requirements' in Colossians 2:14? What is that?

It is basically a list of our wrongs or 'debts' before God, that none of us (imperfect as we are) is able to pay completely. It can only be taken out of the way (paid completely) by Jesus Christ Himself, who is the perfect man and perfect God. 

This term 'the handwriting of requirements' is like a handwritten document:

- in legal sense, it is a list of criminal charges against a prisoner. 

- in financial sense, it is like a ledger sheet that shows a person is bankrupt.

Either way, it means this document represents 'a person is doomed and condemned'. 

Indeed, without Christ, we are like prisoners (i.e. prisoners of sin) and debtors who can never fully pay off our debts. It is only through Christ Jesus that all these 'criminal charges' and 'debts' can be taken out of the way when He died on the cross for us!

Beloved of God, what are the areas in your life that seem 'dead' or 'doomed' at the moment? 

Maybe it's your personal life or spiritual life. Maybe it's your health. Maybe it's your finance. Or maybe it's your family's situation, your career, your business, or even your ministry. Whatever it may be, my prayer for you is that every 'stone' that keeps you in bondage be removed, and every 'dead' or 'doomed' situation be made alive. In Jesus' name. Amen! 

There's always hope if you look to Jesus. This is not a cliche or a slogan. But this is the reality in the spiritual realm. After all, He is the King of kings, and Lord of lords. He is the omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent God. In other words, All-powerful, All-knowing, and All-present God. See Psalm 139. 

And if He can rise from the dead, there's nothing in this world that He cannot do. To man, it seems impossible; but to Him, nothing is impossible. So, take heart. This is your time to declare your breakthrough and victory by faith! This is your time to receive the 'zoe' life that comes from heaven! And that's how you can 'suzoopoieo' and be made alive together with Him! See the word 'together' here? You know what this means? You aren't alone! He is now here together with you, going through your challenges together with you, triumphing over the enemy and making a way for you (even where there seems to be no way)!

Hallelujah!

Click here for the full teaching in TiC's YouTube Channel