Perilous times? The Lord already has the solution!

How to prepare for perilous times and perilous men? 

To start off with, what does 'perilous' mean? It can simply mean 'very dangerous' or 'hazardous'. 

As a matter of fact, we are now living in a time that is very dangerous and hazardous. Economic shaking, political shaking, war and rumors of war,... all these are happening in many places on this earth. Even the weather has gone berserk, has gone crazy, in many places, whether in the east, west, north, or south of this whole earth. 

Man-made systems, or the Babylonian systems of this world is indeed shaking.

But I want to tell you something. Fear not! Because the Lord always has a solution for you, if you look to the Lord. There's nothing in this world that the Lord has no solution for. So, fear not, in spite of all the happenings in these perilous times. And you have Jesus who has overcome the world. Stay close to Jesus. Abide in Him, and He will abide in you. He will lead you through this time, and you will come forth victorious, triumphant in Christ. Amen! 

We are going to focus on the 2nd epistle of Apostle Paul to Timothy, his spiritual son. 

Let's start off with 2 Timothy 3:1-4 (NKJV), 'But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God...'

All these are indeed happening right before our eyes nowadays.

Before we go further, 2 Timothy is a very relevant book in the Bible for this time, the end of the end time. Here, you can find some of the keys on how to prepare for such times, on how to prepare for perilous times, and even perilous people. For the record, 2 Timothy was the last epistle written by Apostle Paul. It was written to his spiritual son Timothy as he was reflecting on his life. Through this epistle, he encouraged Timothy to stand firm and keep fighting the good fight. 

Let's continue with 2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV), 'Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.' 

To explain this verse, let's go to King James Version (KJV). 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) says, 'Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.' 

In the original Greek, the word 'study' here in King James Version (KJV) is 'spoudazo', which can mean 'to make haste, to speed, to be diligent, to be earnest, to be zealous'; and it comes from the word 'spoude', meaning 'speed or eagerness'. 

This speaks of promptness, responsiveness, eagerness and quickness towards something. In the context here, to carry out a matter with speed, with eagerness, with enthusiasm; in contrast to apathy, laziness and slothfulness. 

So, to apply back to 2 Timothy 2:15, 'Study to shew thyself approved unto God', it can mean 'to make haste, to speed, to be diligent, to be earnest, to be zealous; or to be quick and prompt to be at God's side, to stick to God, to stick with God; no matter what happens around you in this world. 

As you can see here, this verse is not just about 'studying the Word', but it's about 'to make haste, or to be quick to stay close to God, to God's Word, and to God's way'. Because His way is higher than this earthly way. You know it, that no one knows exactly how to solve the earthly problems anymore, whether it's a problem with the political systems of this world or economic systems of this world.

But I tell you what, the Lord has the solution. The Lord has the solution for you, if you stick close to Him, and if you make haste and be quick to stick to Him and His Word!

How about this expression 'rightly dividing the word of truth'? 

It can mean 'putting the Word of God in the right context'. It means knowing what applies to the Old Covenant and knowing what applies to the New Covenant, and not get it all mixed up. Because what applied in the Old Covenant may not apply to the New Covenant anymore. And mind you, you are living in the New Covenant, as a believer of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

So, 'rightly dividing the word of truth' is knowing where you are in God's time (you are in the New Covenant) and knowing what applies to you as a believer in the New Covenant; in contrast to what used to apply to the people those days in the Old Covenant. So, that's one of the ways to interpret 'rightly dividing the word of truth'. 

Another definition of 'rightly dividing the word of truth' is 'correctly analyzing'. Now, the Holy Spirit is your best Teacher. Thank God for some good Bible teachers and good Bible commentators. But nothing beats the Holy Spirit who can teach you personally, directly, from the inside-out. So, when you read the Word of God, be open in your mind and be open in your spirit for the Holy Spirit to teach you as you read the Word. The Holy Spirit in you will guide you and even reveal to you the many secrets in the Word of God. 

Another way to define 'rightly dividing the word of truth' is 'accurately dividing'. It means accurately dividing what is specific for you and what is generally for everyone. It's the same here. Let the Holy Spirit teach you, guide you, and show you which part of the Scripture that the Lord wants to speak to you specifically; and which part is in general for every believer. 

Last but not least, another definition of 'rightly dividing the word of truth' is 'rightly handling the word of truth'. It means knowing how to apply the Word of God into your situation. You know what, it's just like a warrior knowing how to handle the sword. The Word of God is like the sword, the sword of the Spirit. So, just like a warrior who knows how to handle the sword and to wield the sword effectively and efficiently, so the Holy Spirit can teach you how to apply each of the verses that God has spoken to you in your everyday life and in your practical life. 

2 Timothy 1:13-14 (NKJV) says, 'Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me (Apostle Paul wrote), in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.' 

You see? 'Hold fast the pattern of sound words'. In your context here, hold fast to what the Word of God says to you, and all the good things which was committed to you and promised to you, as written in the Word of God.

And you see? 'Keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us'. It means let the Holy Spirit guide you, teach you, and lead you on how you can apply the Word of God into your life, and in every situation that you face.

By the way, 'hold fast' can mean 'hold on, stay true, remain in, continue to believe'. In this context, hold on, stay true, remain in, and continue to believe in what God says about you and what God says to you, especially those words that you know (that you know that you know) the Lord has spoken to you specifically for your situation. 

So people of God, hold fast to the Word of God, and let the Word of God continue to fill your life. And as you allow the Holy Spirit to lead you, teach you, and guide you, you are going to be prepared for whatever that is to come, or whatever trouble that is to come in the future ahead of us. 

But fear not, as I've written earlier, because the Lord always has a solution for you. He has a way out for you, and He knows how to make that way for you. 

Let's continue.

2 Timothy 2:20-22 (NKJV) says, 'But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work...' 

This is also a time of cleansing. 

The Lord allows a lot of shaking that's happening in the world right now, not because the Lord is cruel, but because He is preparing His Bride for the coming of the Bridegroom. The Bride has to be pure, unblemished. When exactly the Bridegroom will come, no one knows, because Jesus Himself said, 'No one knows the hour and the day'. But as far as you are concerned, make haste, as has been taught in 2 Timothy 2:15. 

So, this is a time of cleansing. And this is a time of preparing. 

2 Timothy 2:23-26 (NKJV) says, 'But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will (to do the devil's will).' 

And that's why the Lord allows shaking - so that our eyes will be opened, that we may be set free, we will come to our senses, and escape the snare (or the trap) of the devil. 

2 Timothy 4:2-4 (NKJV) says, 'Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside to fables.' 

But as for you beloved, because you have made haste to the Word of God, you will not be so easily deceived and be turned away from the truth; when everywhere around you, people have itching ears, people are being deceived by sensationalism, and they will hear only what they want to hear and not hear what they don't want to hear, even though that's the truth. 

And again, as for you beloved, you are firm, you are strong in the Word, and you will not be so easily turned aside to fables or even to some sensational quote-unquote "prophecies"; but you will stand on the truth and nothing but the truth. Amen! 

So all these are the keys for you to withstand these perilous times. As I've written just now, fear not! This is not a doom and gloom message. But this is saying that in spite of all that you see, i.e. the perilous times and the perilous people around you, you stand strong on the Word and you flow in the Spirit. Word and Spirit. And you are going to overcome. 

To conclude, Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:17-18 (NKJV), 'But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen.' 

So beloved, for you too, the Lord can deliver you from every evil work and from every deception; and the Lord will know how to preserve you for His heavenly kingdom, as long as you look to Him, as long as you make haste towards Him, as long as you allow Him to cleanse you and sanctify you. 

So you see, you are different. You are a holy nation. You are a royal priesthood. Yes, you are a peculiar people. The world will look at you peculiar. But you are God's people who have been taken out from darkness into His marvelous light. And therefore you will overcome, because Jesus in you has overcome. Amen!

Let's pray: 

"O Lord, in spite of the shaking that's happening in the world right now, You have a solution for us. Therefore, we fear not. Because when we look to You, You will stand with us, You will strengthen us, You will deliver us out of the mouth of the lion, You will deliver us from every evil work, and You will know how to preserve us for Your heavenly kingdom. Therefore, we give thanks to You. We will not be so easily deceived by the words of men, by sensationalism, or by the words that entice our senses. But we will stay true and we will hold fast to the foundation of God's Word. And we are led by the Holy Spirit. That's how we are well prepared for what is to come. We will fear not, because Jesus who is in us is greater than whatever that is in this world. In Jesus' name. Amen."

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

Prospering in a time of uncertainty

Let's begin with a familiar and basic Bible verse that we must all grasp and know. 

3 John 1:2 (NKJV) says, 'Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.' 

Here, John prayed that his reader (and this includes you) may prosper. Prosper in what? Prosper in all things! Not just in some things. Not just in a few things. But in all things! It means in all aspects of your life! 

Look at this statement now: '...that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.' Now, what does this imply? It means just as your soul prospers, i.e. the inside of you prospers, therefore you shall also prosper in the outside of you, i.e. in the physical realm, in your physical body, in the material world! 

You see, God wants you to prosper! God wants the best for you! Prospering in your inside (i.e. your spirit, your soul) and also prospering in your outside (i.e. your physical body, in the material world)! Because when you prosper, you glorify God! As a matter of fact, God doesn't get the glory if you always suffer lack, and if you always have to beg other people to give you things! 

The word 'prosper' here, according to Oxford Dictionary, can mean 'succeed, flourish, grow strong and healthy'. You see, it is not necessarily just in monetary form. It is more than that. In the context of our study here, you prosper both in the inside of you (i.e. spiritually, emotionally, mentally) and also in the outside of you (i.e. in the physical body, the material world). 

So beloved of God, you can see that prosperity begins from the inside of you (i.e. in your spirit and in your soul). When you prosper in the inside of you, and when you see yourself prospering in the inside of you, it will be reflected in the outside of you (i.e. in the physical world)! 

Let's continue with another familiar verse. 

Philippians 4:19 (NKJV) says, 'And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.' 

See here? All your need! Not some of your needs. Not a few of your needs. But all your need! And 'all' means 'all'! And according to what? According to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus! 

What does it mean by 'according to His riches in glory'? It means 'according to the unlimited and infinite riches in His glory realm, in the spiritual realm'. You see, the Lord our God owns the whole universe. He is the Creator of the whole universe and all the galaxies. Even scientists cannot fathom in any measurement how wide and how deep the whole universe is. So, according to this riches in glory, i.e. in the glory realm of God; and not according to the limited, finite, and scarce resources of this fallen world! 

You see, in this finite and fallen world, when there is a competition or when there is a race, there's only one winner, but many losers. But I want to encourage you to see yourself in the glory realm, in the spiritual realm; even though you are walking on this earth, in the physical realm. In this glory realm, no one loses. Everyone is a winner. When you look to the Lord and walk according to His plans and purposes for your life, you never lose, but you are always a winner! 

You see, in this finite and fallen world, there can only be one winner or one gold medalist, but many others are losers. But when you know how to walk in His glory realm, you are no loser. You win. You triumph in Christ!

And why is that so? The answer is easy. Because you are blessed! Galatians 3:13-14 (NKJV) says, 'Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.'

As a believer in the Lord, you are blessed, because Christ has redeemed you from the curse. In fact, Christ has become a curse for you! And you know this happened some 2,000 years ago at Calvary. He died for you on the cross and carried away all your sins and curse, so that this blessing of Abraham can come upon you! You can cross-refer to Deuteronomy 28 on the blessing of Abraham (the whole list of it). 

Back to Galatians 3:13-14. What does it say here? That you might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. It means through your believing heart. Believing, you shall receive it. Now, believing begins from the inside of you. You see? Just like what 3 John 1:2 says, 'just as your soul prospers'. 

Believing begins in the inside of you; and receiving also begins in the inside of you. 

What is in the inside of you will lead to what is in the outside of you. And that's how the spiritual realm works. What is in the spiritual realm will surely be reflected in the physical realm. This is a very important truth that every believer must grasp and know!

Speaking of the blessing of Abraham, and speaking of Abraham, let's move on to Genesis 14:18-20a (NKJV), 'Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand."' 

'Melchizedek', the priest of God Most High here is a 'picture' of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. After all, Jesus is the Prince of Peace. 'Salem' is from the word 'Shalom', meaning 'peace'. And 'Melchizedek' means 'King of Righteousness'. 'Melchi' means 'King'; and 'Zedek' means 'Righteousness'.

How about 'bread and wine'? These are 'pictures' of Jesus' body and Jesus' blood. His body was broken for you on the cross, and His blood was shed for you on the cross. He has carried all your curse on the cross, so that you can now be blessed! And this blessing has come upon you who are the righteousness of God through Christ (i.e. through your faith in Christ). That's why, beloved of God, you are blessed! Not only are you blessed, the Lord has also delivered you from all the works of the enemy against you! 

Let's move on to Psalm 118:24-25 (NKJV) that says, '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.' 

This is a good prayer that you can pray in this time of uncertainty.

The word 'prosperity' here is 'tsawlakh' in Hebrew. 

It can mean any of these: 

- 'to go forward (in your life)'. You see, prosperity doesn't just have to be in monetary form. It can also mean you go forward in your life, or you move on to greater things in your life.

- 'to be profitable'. You see, the Lord will not shortchange you. People around you (people in this fallen world) may shortchange you, may take advantage of you, may cheat you, may deceive you, or may scam you; but the Lord your God will not. The Lord your God will instead ensure that whatever you do; as long as you follow His way; you shall prosper, you shall profit, you shall be blessed, and you shall have favor! 

- 'to see good things'.

- 'to see good days'. 

- 'to break out mightily (in a good way)'. Indeed, there's an anointing being released upon you right now to set you free from your 'box', and to take away the 'lid' from above you, so that you can break out mightily, i.e. you can see your breakthrough! 

- 'to go over a barrier'. It means you cross over a barrier and enter into that breakthrough realm or the prosperity realm!

So beloved of God, you see that 'tsawlakh' can have many meanings!

Let's continue now with Psalm 34:9-10 (NKJV), 'Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.'

It means you have more than enough for every good thing. It means you have no lack. And you don't have to beg people, but you are well provided for.

For those who seek the Lord, He is giving you the wisdom, the favor, and the anointing for you to be set free from any form of lack. And He is giving you the grace (i.e. His supply and His ability that works in your life) to see your openings and to see your open doors into the realm of breakthrough or prosperity!

This is awesome! Let's see what Psalm 1:1-3 (NKJV) says, 'Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord (i.e. 'the Word of God' in our context), and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.' 

This word 'prosper' here is the same word 'tsawlakh'. 

In other words, whatever the blessed man (or woman) does shall 'tsawlakh'! 

So today, let's learn and remember this key word 'tsawlakh'. And throughout this time of economic uncertainty that you see in the world, keep receiving your 'tsawlakh'! 

Let's continue now with Genesis 39:2-3 (NKJV), and this time it's about Joseph, 'The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand.' 

You see, as a blessed man (or woman), people around you can see and sense that the Lord is with you, and the Lord is prospering you (in spite of whatever external circumstance you may be facing). For the record, Joseph was a slave at that time. But his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. 

The word 'prosper' here in Hebrew, yes, you guess it right, is the same word 'tsawlakh'. In other words, the Lord made all he did to move ahead, to move forward, to break out, to cross over whatever barrier, to be profitable, to see good days, and to see good things! Now, all these actually happened to Joseph, if you study the life of Joseph in the book of Genesis!

So, it doesn't matter what people say about the doom and the gloom of this world, or about the economic shakings, and all that. Of course we don't deny this reality. We are living in reality. But in spite of all these doom and gloom, the truth is the Lord can still prosper you! Yes, you! The Lord can still 'tsawlakh' you! Hallelujah! This is the truth that the Lord wants you to know today!

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

Why declaring God's Word is so powerful?

Words from the Lord for this time: 

"Never give up speaking the Word over your situation! Never give up declaring the Word over your situation! For the Word of God is like a sword, like a hammer, and like fire! Like a sword, it cuts and separates between what is of God and what is not. Like a hammer, it smashes and demolishes the power of the enemy. Like fire, it burns, cleanses and purges what is not of God. And that's when you'll begin to see with greater clarity what is of God and what God wants to do in your life!" 

Let's go all the way to the Book of Judges. It's a dramatic time in the history of Israel. But we can also learn so much from this book. We shall now zero in on what happened during the days of Deborah.

Judges 4:1-5 (NKJV) says, 'When Ehud was dead, the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord. So the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. And the commander of his army was Sisera, who dwelt in Harosheth Hagoyim. And the children of Israel cried out to the Lord; for Jabin had nine hundred chariots of iron, and for twenty years he had harshly oppressed the children of Israel. Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time. And she would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountains of Ephraim. And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.' 

Here, you see that Deborah was used by the Lord to judge what is of God and what is not of God; to judge what is right and what is wrong. And the people of Israel those days would come up to her for such judgment. Interestingly, this name 'Deborah' comes from the word 'Dabar' in Hebrew, and it means 'to speak, to declare, to proclaim'. In other words, she was to speak, to declare, and to proclaim what the Lord has spoken for her to speak, to declare, and to proclaim (over each situation the people of Israel faced at that time).

Judges 4:6-9 (NKJV) says, 'Then Deborah sent and called for Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, "Has not the Lord God of Israel commanded, 'Go and deploy troops at Mount Tabor; take with you ten thousand men of the sons of Naphtali and of the sons of Zebulun; and against you I will deploy Sisera the commander of Jabin's army with his chariots and his multitude at the River Kishon, and I will deliver him into your hand.'" And Barak said to Deborah, "If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!" So Deborah said, "I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman." Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.'

The Lord was getting ready a confrontation between His man (Barak) and the enemy's man (Sisera), and He has even promised He will deliver Sisera into Barak's hand. However, Barak lacked the courage and belief, and he probably felt he wasn't ready to go for it alone without Deborah going together with him. As you can see here, Deborah the prophetess was actually the figure behind Barak's victory.

Judges 4:14 (NKJV) says, 'Then Deborah said to Barak, "Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the Lord gone out before you?" So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him.' 

Speaking of 'Dabar' (which means 'to speak, to declare, to proclaim'), when Deborah said to Barak, "Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the Lord gone out before you?", that was in actual fact a declaration and a proclamation made by Deborah (as she heard from the Lord)! Barak then did accordingly, and that's how the enemy was defeated, just as the Lord has promised!

You see? The power of God's words! As the Lord has spoken to you about something, you obey, you walk in it, and you too shall see the results! 

Judges 4:15-16 (NKJV) then says, 'And the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army with the edge of the sword before Barak; and Sisera alighted from his chariot and fled away on foot. But Barak pursued the chariots and the army as far as Harosheth Hagoyim, and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not a man was left.'

See 'the edge of the sword' here? Of course under the New Covenant, we do not fight flesh and blood. But what does 'the edge of the sword' symbolize here? It symbolizes the Word of God! 

Judges 4:17 (NKJV) says, 'However, Sisera had fled away on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite; for there was peace between Jabin king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.' 

For the record, Jabin and Heber had made a prior agreement to help one another and to live in peace with one another. And that was why Sisera escaped to the house of this man Heber, because he believed he could find safety there. 

Judges 4:18 (NKJV) says, 'And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said to him, "Turn aside, my lord, turn aside to me. Do not fear." And when he had turned aside with her into the tent, she covered him with a blanket.' 

It seemed that Sisera was kept safe. Or so he thought. 

Judges 4:19-20 (NKJV) then says, 'Then Sisera said to Jael the wife of Heber, "Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty." So she opened a jug of milk, gave him a drink, and covered him. And he said to her, "Stand at the door of the tent, and if any man comes and inquires of you, and says, 'Is there any man here?', you shall say 'No.'"' 

That was the instruction given by Sisera to Jael. 

But look what happened next. Because Jael had a different idea.

Judges 4:21 (NKJV) says, 'Then Jael, Heber's wife, took a tent peg and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple (the side of his forehead), and it went down into the ground; for he was fast asleep and weary; so he died.' 

Now, please, this is not to promote violence. As mentioned just now, under the New Covenant, we are not fighting flesh and blood. But this 'hammer' is symbolic. It's actually a 'picture' of the Word of God! So, not only 'the sword' speaks of the Word of God, 'the hammer' speaks of the Word of God too! 

And wow! Jael! A woman used by the Lord to do great exploits! It certainly took a lot of courage and belief in her to do something like that! And what more Sisera was a strong man and a commander of a great army! 

In a very patriarchal society in Israel those days, somehow the Lord raised up Deborah to judge Israel and to deliver Israel. And here you see the Lord used Jael to eliminate the commander of the enemy's army! Who says the Lord cannot use a woman greatly? Now, what more in this modern society today? The Lord is indeed raising up many women of God who will do great exploits for His glory in this end time! 

So, whether you are a man or a woman, young or old, when the Lord wants to use you, just avail yourself, and never limit what He can do through your life! 

Back to Judges chapter 4 now. 

With Sisera the commander of Jabin's army dead and gone, the Lord then subdued Jabin king of Canaan in the presence of the children of Israel. The hand of the children of Israel grew stronger and stronger against Jabin king of Canaan, until they had finally destroyed Jabin king of Canaan. And that's how the Lord turned things around for the children of Israel and gave them victory. Hallelujah! 

The Word of God is like a sword! 

Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) says, 'For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.'

See that? The Word that you speak is living and powerful! And when the Lord has spoken for you to speak it out over your situation (whatever your situation may be), it will work for you!

The Word of God is sharp and two-edged in how it works. In other words, separating the things of the flesh and the things of the Spirit, so that you can move with the things of the Spirit!

The Word of God is like a hammer!

Jeremiah 23:29 (NKJV) says, "Is not My word like a fire?" says the Lord, "And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?" 

No matter how hard or stubborn the enemy is, the Word of God is like a hammer that breaks it into pieces! 

The Word of God works like a hammer, and it smashes and demolishes the work of the enemy! 

The Word of God is like fire!

Jeremiah 23:29 (NKJV) says, "Is not My word like a fire?" says the Lord, "And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?" 

The Word of God is also like a fire. It burns, cleanses, and purges whatever that is contrary to God. And that's when you will be so clear about who you are, and what God wants to do in your life!

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

Be set free and walk in liberty!

The Lord says for this time: "Learn to let go of your past. Forgive yourself and forgive others. My grace is enough for you. The devil will try to remind you of your dark past, sins or wrongdoings. The devil will do anything to condemn you. Do not allow him. Instead, this is your time to receive the river of My healing and restoration. You shall look forward with a fresh outlook. You are set free. For where My Spirit is, there is liberty!" 

Somebody shout Hallelujah! Indeed, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty! Freedom! Free in Christ! And this is what the Lord wants to show us and teach us today. 

2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (NKJV) says, '...when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.' 

It means the more you turn to the Lord and look to the Lord, just like you look at a mirror, so to speak, the more you are going to reflect the glory of the Lord. And because the Spirit of the Lord is a Spirit of liberty, therefore you too are free indeed!  

What is this word 'liberty' here? It is 'eleutheria' in Greek. You know what it means? It simply means 'freedom from slavery'. 

Have you been a slave to a certain sin? 

Have you been a slave to your past? 

Have you been a slave to a certain addiction? 

Have you been a slave to a certain regret in life? 

Have you been 'imprisoned' by a certain happening in your past, and you still can't forgive yourself or forgive those who hurt (or abuse) you? 

Beloved, whatever your situation may be, there is hope for you. You shall know this truth that the Lord is teaching you today, and this truth shall set you free! (John 8:31-32)

So, whatever your bondage, whatever your slavery, or whatever that has 'imprisoned' you, be set free in Jesus' name! You see, no one and nothing in this world can take away this freedom and liberty from you. If you have this revelation, nothing in this world and nothing in your past can bound you, enslave you, or 'imprison' you anymore. 

Let's go to the Scripture now. 

Judges 3:7 (NKJV) says, 'So the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord. They forgot the Lord their God, and served the Baals and Asherahs.' 

'Baals' simply means 'master of this world', in contrast to you looking to the Lord God Almighty, YHWH, as your Master and your God. And 'Asherah' is the name of a Canaanite goddess. 

The children of Israel, instead of worshiping the Lord their God, they served these idols, i.e. the Baals and Asherahs. In other words, they fell into idolatry. In the context of our study today, yes indeed, even in our modern days, not necessarily idolatry as in bowing down to idols. But there can be all sorts of idolatry that humans can fall into. For example, money, fame, position or power. 

Judges 3:8 (NKJV) says, 'Therefore the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and He sold them into the hand of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia; and the children of Israel served Cushan-Rishathaim eight years.' 

It means the children of Israel were enslaved by Cushan-Rishathaim. Now, no denying that this slavery to Cushan-Rishathaim was due to the Israelites' own doing. They themselves turned away from the Lord their God. And you know that God cannot stand idolatry. So, admittedly, sometimes we do experience the consequences of our own wrongdoing. Sometimes our 'fingers can be burned'. 

But today, the Lord wants you to know whatever your past wrongdoing, whatever your past mistake, or whatever you have done in your past that you regret, condemn yourself no more. Romans 8:1 says, 'There's now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.' 

So, beloved, let the Lord heal you today. Let the Lord restore you today. His grace is more than enough for you. Look not behind you. But look to the Lord. Open your heart and receive His river of healing and restoration that flows in you right now.

Now, what does 'Cushan-Rishathaim' mean? This is very interesting. It means 'double wickedness, or double fault'. See the word 'double' here? So, it's not just wickedness, but double wickedness. In other words, a heavier burden than usual, or twice the amount of trouble or condemnation that the devil (or the enemy) inflict on you. Or you can say it this way, 'double whammy', i.e. a twofold blow or setback in your life.

But I want to encourage you, beloved, that whatever past is past. Whatever mistake that you have done in the past, that's in the past. Let the bygones be bygones. Whatever 'double wickedness' or 'double fault' that you may be experiencing now, let the Lord release to you double healing and double restoration. Amen! 

Judges 3:9 (NKJV) says, 'When the children of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for the children of Israel, who delivered them. And his name is Othniel, the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.' 

What does this name 'Othniel' mean in Hebrew? Interestingly, it means 'lion of God, or force of God'. 

Here, the Lord came to the rescue for the children of Israel. The same it is for you, if you look to the Lord. He is coming to your rescue right now! He is setting you free from your past! He is setting you free from your bondage! He is setting you free from your slavery! He is setting you free from your 'prison'! 

The Lord your God, Jesus Christ, He is the Lion of Judah! The Lion of Judah is now in you to turn things around for you! He also pushes away whatever your 'Cushan-Rishathaim' may be, or whatever 'double wickedness' that comes against you!

Judges 3:10-11 (NKJV) says, 'The Spirit of the Lord came upon him (Othniel), and he judged Israel. So, he (Othniel) went out to war, and the Lord delivered Cushan-Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his (Othniel's) hand; and his (Othniel's) hand prevailed over Cushan-Rishathaim...' 

In other words, the Lion of Judah, the force of the Lord, prevailed over the 'double wickedness', the 'double fault' that is being sent by the enemy, or that is being inflicted by the enemy against you!

So beloved, you can have this hope today, because your 'Othniel' is here right now, and this 'Othniel' is a 'picture' of the Lion of Judah, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself! He is here for you, and He is here to deliver you, heal you, save you, and rescue you! And if He is for you, who can be against you? (Romans 8:31) 

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

How to meditate on God's love?

How to meditate on God's love? What are the ways you can meditate on God's love? We are going to tackle these questions today. It is not limited to just one way, but there are a number of ways how you can meditate on God's love. 

Why is it so important to meditate on God's love? When you have the revelation how much God loves you, you can be sure nothing in this world can affect you, no matter what happens around you or what circumstance you face in this world. You can be sure even when everything else in this world fails, God's love for you never fails. And He knows how to lead you, guide you, and make a way for you, even in the most tumultuous of times.

To begin with, Joshua 1:8 (NKJV) says, 'This Book of the Law (in our context, the Scripture, the Word of God) shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.' 

This word 'meditate' here is 'hagah' in Hebrew, and it can have many meanings. In other words, this word 'hagah' is quite wide in its scope. According to James Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, it can mean any of these: 'to ponder, to imagine, to mutter, to roar (i.e. to speak aloud, to declare), to speak, to study, to talk, to utter'. 

As you can see here, there are a number of ways to meditate on the Word of God. For example, there is a place to silently ponder or contemplate on a Bible verse that the Lord has spoken to you. Yet there is a place to speak it out aloud for your ears to hear.

Also, there is a place to mutter it, i.e. to speak under your breath. To mutter, according to Oxford Dictionary, can be defined as 'to speak or say something in a quiet voice that is difficult to hear (i.e. only you can hear, but people around you may not be able to hear). It can also be defined as 'words that you speak very quietly to yourself'. Therefore, to mutter is to speak to yourself and not for other people to hear.

Back to the word 'meditate' or 'hagah'. You can see there are eight main definitions of this word, i.e. to ponder, to imagine (these are silent), to mutter (i.e. to speak under your breath to yourself and not for other people to hear), to roar (i.e. to declare it out aloud), to speak, to talk, to utter, and of course, to study the Word of God. So, to meditate is also to study what God says about you. 

We can meditate on different aspects of God's characteristics. But for today, we will just focus on God's love. I will show you 12 points on God's love from the Bible as an example, using New King James Version as the basis, but personalized for you. You can ponder or contemplate on each of these Bible verses. Or you can mutter it or utter it, speaking it over and over again to yourself. 

1. I love God's name. God looks upon me and is merciful to me, and He will direct my steps with His Word (Psalm 119:132-133)  

2. I am precious in God's sight and He loves me and honors me (Isaiah 43:4)

3. Nothing in this world can separate me from the love of God (Romans 8:35)

4. In all things, I am made more than conquerors through God who loves me (Romans 8:37)

5. I have the love of God, and God's love for me never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8) 

6. My Lord Jesus Christ and God my Father, who has loved me and given me everlasting consolation and good hope, comforts my heart and establishes me in every good word and work (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

7. I love Jesus and rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8)

8. I have no fear in love, because perfect love casts out fear. I love Him because He first loved me (1 John 4:18-19) 

9. God is love. I am born of God and I belong to God. I receive the love of God now and I can love one another (1 John 4:7-8)

10. God abides in me and His love has been perfected in me (1 John 4:12)

11. The life which I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God who loves me and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20)

12. I have hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in my heart by the Holy Spirit who was given to me (Romans 5:5) 

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel