Rise above the spiritual atmosphere in your land!

The Lord says: 

"This is the time to make the choice to rise above the spiritual atmosphere in your land. Do not allow yourself to come under or succumb under the work of the enemy. The enemy has been causing My people to feel down, defeated, or discouraged. But rise above all these! Lift up your hands in praise and worship! Declare My Word! Pray in the spirit! Take authority in My name! For no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every word that rises against you in judgment, you shall condemn! This is your heritage as My servant and My beloved. For I am your Righteousness, and I am your Victory!" 

Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV) says, "No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment, you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me." 

In the Expanded Bible, it's written this way: "So no weapon that is used [forged] against you will defeat you [succeed]. You will show that those who speak against you are wrong [refute every accusation against you, refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment]. These are the good things [heritage] My servants receive. Their victory [vindication; righteousness] comes from Me." 

Indeed, whenever the enemy throws and hurls his words or works against you, or throws accusation against you, you rise above it! You condemn it! You refute it! Yes, never give in to the enemy! If the enemy says you are defeated, or if the enemy tries to discourage you or cause you to feel down, what do you do? You declare into the spiritual realm, you declare into the air, you declare upon yourself, that you already have your victory, because Jesus is your Victory! 

Always remember, just as Jesus has spoken: "It is written...", "It is written...", "It is written..." It is written in the Word of God! Therefore, use the Word of God! The Word of God is your weapon against the weapon of the enemy! 

Let us define the word 'weapon' in the context of the enemy's words or works. This word 'weapon' in Isaiah 54:17 is 'kel-ee' in Hebrew. In the context of the enemy's words or works against you, it can be defined as 'something prepared, whether spiritual or physical, that is used by the enemy to inflict harm or damage to you, or to gain advantage over you.' 

But fear not! Because you have been given the antidote to the enemy's weapon! 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NKJV) says, 'For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 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 the Expanded Bible, it's written this way: 'We fight with weapons that are different from those the world uses [not merely human weapons; not of the flesh]. Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy's strong places [strongholds; fortresses]. We destroy people's arguments [human reasoning] and every proud thing [pretension; exalted opinion; high thing] that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We capture every thought and make it obey Christ.' 

The word 'weapons' here is 'hoplon' in Greek, from the primary word 'hepo'. Very interestingly, the word 'hepo' actually means 'to be involved in, to be engaged in, to be busily occupied with'. Wow! You know what this means? It means the Lord your God has assured you that He is fully involved in, fully engaged in, and busily occupied together with you as you face whatever the enemy is throwing at you! In other words, you are not alone! He is fighting for you!

Now, just by having this revelation that 'If the Lord is for you, who can be against you?', you have already won! Romans 8:31 (NKJV) says, 'What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?' 

You see, the enemy will always try to find ways or opportunities to 'devour' you. But if you do not give in, and if you do not give him the opportunity, he can never 'devour' you! Therefore, be spiritually vigilant. Spend time reading the Word. Spend time praying in the spirit. Your spirit is being built up when you pray in the spirit. Lift up your hands in praise and in worship! Take authority in Jesus' name! Rise above, and not go below! You already have your God-given weapons to overcome all of the enemy's words or works that come against you! 

You see, the Lord your God cares to fight for you. He cares to win it for you. He cares to ward off all the words or works of the enemy that come against you. Remember, He is never absent, but always present with you! He is here with you, and fully involved together with you! And He is the One who breaks through for you. By your own self, you cannot. But with Him, you can. He is your breakthrough God. You just need to follow Him!

Philippians 2:8-11 (NKJV) says, 'And being found in appearance as a man, Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, of those in heaven, of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.' 

Indeed, He is exalted, and He is the name above every name - of those in heaven, of those on earth, and of those under the earth! And because you are in Him, therefore you too are exalted over and above all that the enemy throws at you! Hallelujah!

Click here for the full message in TiC YouTube Channel 

Walking in the greater blessings of the Lord!

The Lord says: 

"Unexpected blessings are coming your way, as you look forward in this new season! Exciting things are coming your way! Receive by faith! The enemy may try to discourage you or stop you from moving forward into a greater season of blessings. The enemy may try to cause you to stay 'in the box' and stay in your old cycle. The enemy may even try to cause you all kinds of irritation and nuisance just to discourage you. But take authority and bind all these, in My name! Slam the door against all these works of the enemy! Because I have spoken today this is your time to walk in the greater blessings that I have for you!" 

Indeed, this is your time to walk in the greater blessings that the Lord, your Good Father, has in store for you! 

Recently, have you experienced all kinds of irritation and nuisance here and there? And you know these are sent by the enemy against you to discourage you or to stop you from moving forward. 

You are not alone! 

Or recently, have you experienced situations when you thought you've missed your time, or you've missed a good opportunity? And the enemy would compound it by saying, "Aha! There you see! Your God has forgotten you! Your God has bypassed you! Your God has moved on from you!" 

Now, reject all these lies! Bind all these, in Jesus' name! Because I tell you what, you have not missed your time and season! Yes, you may have made some mistakes in your past. But the Lord will work all things for good according to His purpose in your life. So, look ahead! Let go of those regrets! Forgive yourself! Because you are now headed for the new that the Lord has for you! Greater blessings are coming your way! 

So, don't allow those so-called "missed timing, missed chances, missed opportunities" to hamper you or discourage you from receiving greater future blessings! You see, sometimes God does allow you to miss certain things, certain timing, certain chance, or certain opportunity in life; but that doesn't mean He has forgotten you. In fact, that simply means He has even greater things in store for you, and even greater opportunities in store for you, going forward! 

God sees further. He knows exactly what you are going through. He knows exactly what is ahead. When He allows certain 'missed opportunity' or 'missed timing', or so you thought, it's so that you will have a greater opportunity in the new season! In fact, sometimes He allows the so-called 'missed opportunity' or 'missed timing' in order to prevent certain trouble or danger from happening to you!

If you've been walking with the Lord, and if you've been walking in the Spirit; sometimes the Holy Spirit can restrain you from going ahead on certain things. Maybe you have wanted to do this. Maybe you have wanted to do that. Maybe you have wanted to go here. Maybe you have wanted to go there. But somehow the Holy Spirit never gives you that peace to go ahead. In other words, the Holy Spirit is restraining you. Now, there is always a reason when the Holy Spirit restrains you from moving ahead in a certain area of your life, and at a certain time in your life. He sees further ahead. He sees further than you. When He restrains, it is because He wants to prevent certain evil or certain danger from happening in your life. So, flow with Him. Flow with His timing. Do not rue those 'missed chances' or 'missed timing'. Do not allow yourself to feel sad about those 'missed chances' or 'missed opportunities'. 

Romans 8:28 says, 'And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.' 

Your God is a Good Father. We sometimes don't understand why certain things happened in our life. You know what, it's like an artist drawing on a blank piece of paper. We do not understand, and we cannot even figure out what he's drawing at that time. But in the end, as you look, you begin to see the full picture, the whole picture. Indeed, God is in the midst of drawing a wonderful masterpiece. It is the same in your life. God is in the midst of drawing a masterpiece in you. He knows exactly what He's doing in your life. He always sees the whole picture. He always sees the end from the beginning. He knows what's best for you. After all, He knows you inside out. He is your Creator! 

So, take heart, my friend. He is a Good Father to you, and He is still a Good Father in your life. Keep looking to Him and putting your trust in Him. 

Isaiah 64:8 says, 'But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our Potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.' 

God identifies Himself as a Father to you. He is a Good Father. He is the Perfect Father. He is perfect in all His ways, unlike human fathers, because no human is perfect. But He is perfect, and He loves you. That's how He as your Heavenly Father sees you. That's how He as your Heavenly Father feels for you. He wants you to know today that there's no one else who loves you more than He does. Because of this very reason, you can place all your trust in Him. You can trust that He is always seeking your good. He has never meant to harm you. His thoughts for you are always thoughts of peace, that brings a future and a hope in your life. 

Jeremiah 29:11-13 says, 'For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.' 

You see, this is His promise for you, that you will find Him. When you find Him, you will find your purpose, and you will find your destiny in your life!

So, it doesn't matter what those 'missed chances', 'missed opportunities', or 'missed timing' in your life may be. Let go of those. Look to the Lord instead. Receive from Him afresh. Receive His peace. Receive His hope. And you'll be sure you're going to walk into the greater blessings that He has promised you. Amen!

Click here for the full message in TiC YouTube Channel

Words from the Lord: This is your time to be set free!

Words from the Lord: 

"My people are entering a time of setting free. Be set free from your bodily infirmities! Be set free from your bondage, trap and slavery! Be set free from the rat-race that you're not supposed to be in! Be set free from all those striving and struggling! Be set free from the harm and abuse that has been inflicted upon you! This is the time I am setting you free! Free to be who I have meant for you to be!" 

This is your time to be set free! Whatever your 'slavery' may be, you are declared free! For some, it may be your struggles with bodily infirmities. For some, it may be a certain 'rat-race' that you are not supposed to be part of. For some others, it may be a certain striving and struggling in life. Yet for others, it may be a certain shame, trauma, or nightmare of the past. It may be during your childhood years. It may be during your adolescent years. It may be during your young adult years. It may be in a certain organization. It may be a certain bad experience with certain people in your life. Whatever it may be, I have a good news for you. This is your time to be set free! 

So, in the name of Jesus, let us proclaim liberty! Let us proclaim that we are being set free! Let us proclaim even a year of the favor of the Lord is upon us! 

Let's look at the definition of 'slavery' now. What is 'slavery'? It can be defined as 'a condition in which a person is being 'owned' or abused by another person or by a certain system (particularly a man-made system), and that person is being deprived of the life usually held by a free person'. 

What are the areas in your life that you know you should be set free? Now, different people different. But whatever your 'slavery' may be, the good news today is the Lord is setting you free! 

Let me explain further regarding freedom and liberty according to the Scripture. This brings us to the word 'Jubilee' as found in the Scripture. 

What is 'Jubilee' according to the Scripture? It came every fiftieth year. It was a year of release from debts. It was a year of release from slavery. It was a year of rest and returning to families and loved ones. And it was a year to prepare to look forward with a clean slate. In short, it was a year to rest from all those labor, and at the same time, to prepare to embrace a new season. And this is exactly what the Lord is saying to you right now. He wants you to be set free from those past, and to learn to embrace what is ahead of you. Indeed, greater things are ahead of you, and good days are coming ahead of you. Amen! 

Let's go all the way to Leviticus 25:1-4. 'While Moses was on Mount Sinai, the Lord said to him, "Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. When you have entered the land I am giving you, the land itself must observe a Sabbath rest before the Lord every seventh year. For six years you may plant your fields and prune your vineyards and harvest your crops, but during the seventh year the land must have a Sabbath year of complete rest. It is the Lord's Sabbath...' 

By the way, the word 'Sabbath' simply means 'rest', i.e. 'to rest in the presence and provision of the Lord'. Just as in creation, God created the whole earth and all things that are in it in six days, and on the seventh day, He rested. Now, He has set for us a beautiful cycle and a beautiful example of 'six days you work, one day you rest'. And here in the context of Moses' days those days, 'six years you work, one year you rest'. 

Let's continue with Leviticus 25:8-11. 'In addition, you must count off seven Sabbath years, seven sets of seven years, adding up to forty-nine years in all. Then on the Day of Atonement in the fiftieth year, blow the ram's horn loud and long throughout the land. Set this year apart as holy, a time to proclaim freedom throughout the land for all who live there. It will be a Jubilee year for you, when each of you may return to the land that belonged to your ancestors and return to your own clan. This fiftieth year will be a Jubilee for you...' 

You may want to read the whole of Leviticus chapter 25 to have further understanding of Jubilee. But today, I want to point you to Jubilee in relation to what Jesus has done for you on the cross and who Jesus is. 

'Jubilee' is a 'foreshadow' of Jesus' death and resurrection. The word 'foreshadow' means 'something that prepares us for a certain future event'. In this case, Jubilee was actually a 'foreshadow' of Jesus' finished work on the cross to set us free! Through Jesus' death and resurrection, He has relieved us from all our spiritual slavery and spiritual debts; and therefore we are now set free! This is what 'Jubilee' is in relation to us as believers under the New Covenant. 

How does 'Jubilee' apply to us as modern-day Christians? First, you must know Jubilee is fulfilled through Jesus' finished work on the cross. Through what Jesus has done on the cross, you are now forgiven of your spiritual debts. Therefore, your relationship with God is now fully restored. That's what Jesus came for. He came to set you free from your sins. He came to restore your relationship with God the Father. And not just that. He came so that you can enter a time of rest in Him. Jesus is your rest. Jesus is your Sabbath. 

Luke 6:5 says, 'And Jesus added, "The Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath."' Matthew 11:28 says, 'Then Jesus said, "Come to Me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."' These verses are proofs that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Sabbath. He is both the Lord of the Sabbath (as you can see in Luke 6:5), and He Himself is also your Sabbath rest (as you can see in Matthew 11:28). He says, "I will give you rest." 

So beloved of God, come to Him right now. Whatever weariness or heavy burden that you may have, or whatever yoke or bondage that you may have, let it go to the Lord. Let Jesus take over. Yes, even your shame, your trauma, your disappointment, or even those bad experiences that you've had in your past. Surrender all these to the Lord. The Lord loves you. The Lord is here to embrace you. The Lord is here to give you rest. Remember, He has promised you this rest. 

Let's continue with Hebrews 4:9-10. 'So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God's rest have rested from their labors...' 

'Labors' here is in the context of striving and struggling in life. Now, don't get the Scripture wrong here. There's nothing wrong with working hard. It is a good virtue. The Scripture is not saying that you are to live a lifestyle of laziness and just waiting for things to drop down from the sky. Instead, it means you can truly enter the rest that God has provided for you, and it means you can cease your striving and struggling. You are no longer slaves to work. You are no longer slaves to whatever people impose on you. You are no longer slaves to being abused by others. You are no longer slaves to sin. You rely on the supply of God. You rely on the grace of God. You rely on the ability that God puts in you. You are no longer in bondage of the systems of this world (i.e. the man-made systems of this world), but you are free to be who God has meant for you to be, and to do what God has meant for you to do. This rest from God is refreshing. It brings renewal. It is a breath of fresh air. You are restful, yet you are fruitful in the Lord. You are led by the Holy Spirit. You are guided by the Holy Spirit. You do not follow your own flesh. But you follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. That's when you are restful, and yet you are fruitful as well. Hallelujah! 

You see, 'Jubilee' is a beautiful 'picture' of the New Testament theme of redemption and forgiveness. Jesus is your Redeemer, and this Redeemer came to set you free from being slaves and prisoners to whatever bondage that the world puts on you. Jesus has paid it all on the cross. He died on your behalf. And you are now set free and restored to this liberty that God has meant for you. You are set free from whatever that has entangled you. You are set free from whatever that has bound you. You are set free from whatever that has put you in a box! 

Let's go to Luke 4:14-19 now. 'Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit's power. Reports about Him spread quickly through the whole region. He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When He came to the village of Nazareth, His boyhood home, He went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, for He has anointed Me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord's favor has come."' 

Jesus is the fulfillment of this prophecy written in the book of Isaiah. He is that Anointed One. He brings His kingdom on earth. He brings the Good News on earth. He set the captives free. He healed the sick. He healed those who have infirmities. He came to set free those who are oppressed. And not just that. He came to bring the favor of the Lord upon you. That's what the Scripture says here! 

Watch now what Luke 4:20-21 say. 'He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at Him intently. Then He began to speak to them. "The Scripture you've just heard has been fulfilled this very day!"' 

Beloved of God, this verse holds true even right now in your life today. The Scripture you've just heard has been fulfilled this very day in your life! Believe and receive it, in the name of Jesus! Jesus has fulfilled all! Jesus has set you free! You are now free to embrace the new season ahead of you. This is the time for you to proclaim your liberty! This is the time for you to walk in what God has meant for you to be, and do what God has meant for you to do, going forward. Hallelujah!

Click here for the full message in TiC YouTube Channel

God is turning things around for you!

Words from the Lord: 

"A time of turnaround is at hand! This is the time and season that My people are entering a time of turnaround! Whatever attack, oppression, mockery, or ridicule that the enemy has caused against you in recent times, look to Me and put all your trust in Me, for I will begin to turn things around for you!"

This is the time to declare that things are turning around to your favor! This is the time to declare that things are not going from bad to worse in your situation, but things are going to turn to the better, and even better! 

Whatever situation or issue you may be facing at the moment, look to the Lord and put all your trust in the Lord. Different people may be facing different situation. No matter what your situation may be, receive these words from the Lord today!

Let's look at the definition of the word 'turnaround' in the context of what the Lord has spoken today. I know there can be other meanings of this word 'turnaround', especially in the business or workplace context. But we are not looking at that definition. We are looking at what the Lord has spoken today. We are looking at the fact that change is about to come in your life! 

The definition of 'turnaround' in the context of what the Lord has spoken today can be: 

- A complete change from a bad situation to a good situation. 

- A change in a situation that causes things to turn to your favor. 

Have you been attacked, bullied, oppressed, mocked, or ridiculed by others recently? It may be physically, or it may be in the social media. I tell you what, the Lord is here to encourage you today! 

We are going to look at this life called Hannah in the Scripture. Now, your situation may be different from Hannah's situation. But whatever your situation may be, trust in the Lord that He will know how to give you the specific solution, and He will know how to turn things around for you to the better! 

Here's the background in 1 Samuel chapter 1. There was this man named Elkanah who lived in Ramah. And he had two wives - Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children (at that time). Elkanah would travel to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord every year. Each year, Peninnah would provoke Hannah and make fun of her because she did not have children. Each time, Hannah would be reduced to tears and would not even eat.

That was what happened in the family of Elkanah those days. Polygamy was a fact of life in the ancient world those days. But you can see that there's strife and conflict in this polygamous family. There was an intense, competitive relationship between his two wives.

Here's a point to note. Originally, God had intended marriage to be one Adam and one Eve. One husband and one wife. But in this polygamous situation, Elkanah truly had a headache! He had to deal with the strife, conflict, and competitiveness between his two wives! 

One day, in deep anguish and sorrow, Hannah prayed to the Lord and told the Lord that if He would give her a child, this child would be dedicated to the Lord. 

Some of you may be asking this question: Why was Peninnah (who seemed to have a bad character) blessed with children, whereas Hannah (who seemed to have a good character) barren? 

Sometimes, we don't understand God's ways until He completes His whole plan. You see, there's always a purpose and reason behind everything. No doubt Hannah was going through a trial at that time, but the Lord used this trial and barrenness to accomplish something even greater in her life!

The story in 1 Samuel continues with the Lord remembering Hannah's prayer. And in due time, Hannah gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, "I asked the Lord for him." This Samuel eventually became one of the most influential figures in the history of Israel.

So, take heart, beloved. Because the Lord is still in charge in your life and in your situation, whatever you are facing at the moment. He knows how to take over and even turn things around for you! 

By the way, very interestingly, in spite of the trial and barrenness that Hannah had faced initially, the name 'Hannah' is 'Khannaw' in Hebrew, and it can mean 'Favored of God' or 'Grace of God'. For you too beloved, now is the time to declare that the Lord's favor and grace is also upon you! And just like Hannah, you too shall see better days ahead. In Jesus' name. Amen!

Click here for the full message in TiC YouTube Channel