I saw lightning and thunder striking shadowy figures!

While praying, I saw a prophetic vision. I saw a spectacular show of lightning and thunder in the sky. Then, I saw shadows. Many shadows. Something like dark and shadowy figures. At first, the feeling was rather eerie. But then, as the lightning and thunder began to strike these shadows away, the atmosphere all around became clear again! Well, I could literally smell the fresher air and cleaner air in the spiritual atmosphere, even while I was praying! 

Then, I heard the Lord speak these words: 

"The enemy has become bolder and bolder. The enemy has become more and more hostile to 'assault' My people openly. But fear not! Look to Me and ask of Me for divine intervention, whatever your situation or problem may be, and whatever you see happening in the world right now. Like the lightning and thunder in the physical realm, so shall I send My lightning and thunder to clear the enemy's work that comes against you!" 

Of course, remember, we are not fighting flesh and blood, but against the principalities and powers of darkness that try to steal, kill, and destroy. 

So beloved, whatever your situation, problem, or trouble may be at the moment, take heart. The Lord is at hand! The Lord is here to intervene, if you look to Him and if you ask of Him!

The key words for today are 'lightning and thunder'. But I also want to point to you 'divine intervention', and 'how the Lord makes intercession for you'. Yes, you've read it right. The Lord is making intercession for you! I will show you from the Scripture to back this statement up. 

But before that, where does the Scripture mention about 'lightning and thunder'? 

Job 36:29-33 says, 'Indeed, can anyone understand the spreading of clouds, the thunder from His canopy? Look, He scatters His light upon it, and covers the depths of the sea... He covers His hands with lightning, and commands it to strike. His thunder declares it...' 

The word 'strike' here is 'paga' in Hebrew. It can mean 'to come upon, to fall upon, to light upon, to strike on, to hit the mark, to make contact with (like 'heaven meets the earth'), to encounter, to intercede, to intervene'. 

Job 37:1-4 says, 'At this also my heart trembles, and leaps from its place. Hear attentively the thunder of His voice, and the rumbling that comes from His mouth. He sends it forth under the whole heaven, His lightning to the ends of the earth. After it a voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice, and He does not restrain them when His voice is heard.' 

Job 37:5-6 says, 'God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend. For He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth'; Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength.' 

From all the Scripture verses that we've read so far, it is clear that the Lord is the One who directs and rules over the whole earth and the whole spiritual atmosphere! Yes, He also rules over the lightning and the thunder! Indeed, nothing happens without the knowledge of the Lord our God! 

Let's look at 'lightning and thunder' in the physical realm first. After that, we shall look at its significance in the spiritual realm. 

In the physical realm, you know it, when 'lightning and thunder' makes contact between the sky and the earth, mind you, no one can withstand it! It's awesome! It's powerful! 

This phenomenon of 'lightning and thunder' is actually a 'picture' of what happens in the spiritual realm. When His 'lightning and thunder' makes contact between the heaven and the earth, nothing can withstand it! And that includes any power of darkness or spiritual force of darkness! 

In the physical realm, do you realize that after the 'lightning and thunder', and after the rain, the air in the atmosphere seems cleaner and fresher? There can be many reasons. The rainfall in itself washes away the dust in the air, resulting in cleaner and clearer air. Of course, the strong wind plays a role in clearing the air too. Scientifically speaking, during 'lightning and thunder', this process called 'ionization' happens. This causes the air to 'break down', and this clears the 'dullness' in the air, thus bringing clarity to the atmosphere. 

This again reflects what actually happens in the spiritual realm. Remember 'paga' just now? It means 'to strike'. This 'paga' happens when the Lord sends His spiritual 'lightning and thunder'. And this 'paga' clears every form of dullness that overcast our spirit and mind, and even the atmosphere around us. 

By the way, who are the ones sending these overcast or dullness in the spiritual realm that cause people to be so blur and dull? And when people's spirit becomes blur and dull, they cannot see what God wants them to see. So, who are the ones sending this overcast or dullness into God's people? No other but the power of darkness or the spiritual force of darkness! 

The basic meaning of 'intervention' or 'intercession' is 'to step in'. In other words, the Lord says don't be afraid to ask of Him to 'step in', whatever your situation, your problem, or your trouble may be at the moment. When you ask the Lord to intervene, and when you ask the Lord to intercede for you, you are effectively asking Him to 'step in' in your situation! 

Hebrews 7:24-26 says, 'But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For such a High Priest (that's Jesus) was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens.' 

Notice these words 'save' and 'intercession'. 

The word 'save' here is 'sozo' in Greek. It can mean any of these: 'save, heal, deliver, protect, aid, rescue, make well, make whole'. The Scripture says here: He is able to 'sozo' you to the uttermost (to the utmost), far beyond what any human can do for you! 

So beloved, whatever situation or problem you may be facing right now, be it in your health, in your career, in the ministry, in the business, in your family, or in any area of your life, ask of the Lord for His divine intervention. Ask Him to step in. Amen! 

Looking back at Hebrews 7:24-26, I read here: 'Since He always lives to make intercession for them...' It means 'for you and I'. See there? Not sometimes. Not only at certain times. But He always! He is ever ready. 24/7. He always lives to make intercession for you! 

Interestingly, this word 'intercession' comes from the word 'tugchano' in Greek, and it carries the meaning 'to make it happen' or 'to effect upon'. This is very much like the word 'paga' in Hebrew that we've learned just now. Remember, 'paga' means 'to come upon, to fall upon, to light upon, to strike on, to hit the mark, to make contact with (like 'heaven meets the earth'), to encounter, to intercede, to intervene'. So, Scripture interprets Scripture.

So, be of good cheer. Take heart. Take courage. Because as you look to Him and ask of Him for His divine intervention, He is going to 'paga' in your situation. He is going to come right into your situation, your problem, or your trouble; and He is going to set you free from all that! He is the One who is higher than the heavens! He can make it happen! Even when everything else on earth fails! 

Beloved, there is hope for 'sozo' for you. Just don't limit how He's going to do it. So, what's your part? Your part is to look to Him. Your part is to declare that this 'paga', this 'lightning and thunder', is going to come and strike all those power of darkness that try to come against you or try to assault you! And you are going to see yourself walking in greater and greater victory, greater and greater triumph. Amen! 

Prayer: 

"O Lord God, in a time like this, we look to You and ask of You for Your divine intervention. Whatever work of darkness that comes against us, we declare that Your 'paga' time has come! Your Word says You always live to make intercession for those who come to You. Your Word also says You are able to save us (to 'sozo' us) to the uttermost, far beyond what humans can do. We declare that You live, You rule, and You continue forever. And because You are all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present, therefore You are able to save and rescue us, where no one else can. Nothing in this world can withstand Your awesome power. Nothing in the spiritual realm can withstand Your awesome power. We thank You for Your Word today. We receive all this by faith. In Jesus' name. Amen."

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Receive the never ending supply of His goodness

I have a funny and interesting dream the other day. It's so vivid that I literally woke up smiling. In the dream, me together with my wife Sharon were seated at a table together with two other family members. We were being served round after round of different foods. It's like a never ending flow and supply of foods. What's interesting is that some of these foods I've never seen, heard, or tasted before in my life. The shapes and the tastes were out of the world! 

As I was praying about the dream, and as I was asking the Lord if there's any meaning to the dream, the Lord spoke: "Receive the never ending supply of My goodness!" 

He then said to share this message. So here am I, sharing this message to you! 

I believe 'food' here in this dream is just symbolic of 'the goodness of God' flowing in our lives. So, it's not just about food per se, but in every other area of our lives. 

Right now, I want to declare upon you that there's a never ending flow and supply of the goodness of God in your life! 

What is the key to receiving this never ending supply from heaven? How can we walk in this supernatural realm of never ending supply from above? 

The answer is simple: Whatever He says, you do! I repeat: Whatever He says, you do! Yes, even if you initially don't understand why He says what He says. And even if it sounds funny, absurd, or illogical to your mind, or never been done by others before!

Some may ask, "Where is the Scriptural proof?" 

Let's look at what happened during a wedding banquet in Jesus' days while He was on earth. Let's go all the way to John chapter 2. 

John 2:1-3 says, 'On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine."'

Beloved, whatever situation you may be facing right now, be it in the ministry, in your career, in your business, or in any area of your life, your God is not dead. He is very much alive in your situation. Invite Him into your situation. Just as the host here invited Jesus to the wedding, you can invite Him too. 

Let's go further. Look now what Mary (Jesus' earthly mother) said to the servants in the wedding banquet. This is our key verse for today. John 2:5 says, 'His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it."' I repeat: "Whatever He says to you, do it." 

Whatever predicament you may be facing right now, and whatever difficult situation or challenges you may be facing right now, whatever He says, you do it! There's just no way that He doesn't know what to do, or have no idea how to help you, whatever your situation may be. After all, He is all-knowing. He is an omniscient God. Nothing, no matter how small a matter is, can escape His attention. He will tell you what to do and show you a way, where there seems to be no way. So, take heart, and be encouraged.

John 2:6-8 says, 'Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece....' For your info, the six waterpots were used for the Jewish ceremonial washing. These were waterpots used for washing. 'Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. And Jesus said to them, "Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast." And they took it.' 

You see? Whatever Jesus said, they did! Yes, even if it's unconventional. As far as I am concerned, in the ministry and in the journey of my life, there are many things that the Lord told me that's unconventional. I followed, and I see the hand of the Lord. I see myself prospering. I tasted the goodness of God time and time again. So, I have no doubts in sharing what I've shared today.

Jesus was showing the "blueprint" and the "how to" in the situation at the wedding banquet. Now, every situation is unique. And for this specific situation in John chapter 2, the Lord also gave a very unique "blueprint". What we can learn here is that we are to seek God for His specific blueprint for our unique situation as well. No two persons or situations are exactly the same. That's how God made us. We are unique. We are special. 

John 2:9-10 says, 'When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!"' 

You see? Water turned to wine! It's a miracle! Now, 'wine' speaks of 'the good things in life, the goodness of God'. How about 'water'? 'Water' speaks of 'the Spirit of God'! What does this symbolize? As you receive from the Spirit of God, it is the Spirit of God that leads you to good things! I repeat: It is the Spirit of God that leads you to good things! Just as what you've seen here in John chapter 2! 

Taste and see that He is good! He is a good provider! Not just in one area of your life, but in every area of your life! Not just materially, but in every aspect of your life, even in the area of wisdom, in the area of favor, and in many other areas of your life! 

So, ask, and you shall receive. Seek Him, and you will find the answer. Whatever 'delay' you may be facing at the moment, or whatever area that you are 'stuck' at the moment, take heart. Seek Him. You will find your "blueprint". If you have not seen much headway or breakthrough in your life, don't be disheartened. Keep looking to the Lord. Keep seeking Him. There's no way He will not tell you, if you earnestly seek Him. 

How to receive from Him? Shut off for a while from the hustle and bustle, and the noise of this world. Spend time exclusively with Him. Just you and Him. Spend time digging in the Word. Spend time praying in the spirit. I recommend at least one hour non-stop at one time. Many things will become clearer. You shall receive His blueprint as to what to do next in your life, and what decision you should be making going forward. 

John 2:11 says, 'This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory...' I repeat: Manifested His glory! 

Yes, He is the same - yesterday, today, and forever! He manifested His glory in that situation in John chapter 2. Even now, He is the same God! He can manifest and show you His glory - in His unique way, and in the unique situation that you are facing at the moment! 

So, take heart. Believe in Him. Believe that He is a good God. Believe in the goodness of God in your life. Like the waterpots used for washing, your part is to allow Him to cleanse your life, and wash you white as snow. Clear your life before Him. Wash your hands. Wash your hearts. Stay innocent in Him. Stay pure before Him. Be found in obedience to Him, His instructions, and His words. And you shall hear Him! He will show you His glory! He will show you what is to come! He will show you where you should be headed for! He will show you the right decisions to make! He will show you the way you should be going! That's for sure! It works every time in my life. And I want to believe the same for you. 

In cross-reference about 'the goodness of God', which is our topic today, and 'to taste and see that He is good', one of my all-time favorite psalms that I meditate on a lot is Psalm 34, a psalm of David. Let's read Psalm 34:1-2, 'I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad.' 

Yes, bless the Lord! Not just in good times, but also in challenging times! Bless the Lord at all times! And praise Him continually at all times, whether in a time of celebration, or whether in a time when you face challenges in your life! This is the secret of David. There's no question about his life as a worshiper of the Lord. And not just that, his soul did not boast about himself, his own strength, or his own ability; but his soul made its boast in the Lord! 

'The humble shall hear of it and be glad.' Indeed, those who humble themselves under the mighty hand of God, God will give grace. It means He will know how to supply you with His goodness. He will come and help you. Not by your own strength and ability, but by His strength and ability. And those who live their lives this way, they shall be glad! That's what David wrote here in Psalm 34!

Psalm 34:4-6 says, 'I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.'

This was a psalm of David when he himself was going through a difficult situation at that time in his life. He was escaping from the pursuit of King Saul who was after his life. He was seemingly 'stuck' at that time, with seemingly no headway in his life at that time. But instead of being discouraged, and instead of complaining, he looked to the Lord. He sought the Lord. 

So beloved, if you are in the same situation, like you are 'stuck' now, and you are still waiting for what's next in your life, this message is for you. Take heart. There will be an answer. If you keep seeking the Lord, like David sought the Lord, the Lord will hear you. The Lord will show you the answer. 

No matter what you may be facing right now, no matter how 'stuck' you feel at the moment, and no matter what breakthrough you've been seeking, there's an answer coming! Just do not limit how God is going to do it for you. Continue to seek Him. Continue to praise Him. Continue to bless His name at all times! 

Psalm 34:7-10 says, 'The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want (or lack) to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.' 

The word 'good' here is 'towb' in Hebrew. It can mean 'good in the widest sense, good things (in every sense of the word), pleasant, favor, bountiful, beautiful, cheerful, wellness, sweetness, goodness, gladness.' As you can see here, this word 'towb' has a wide meaning, and it speaks of every good that comes from the Lord. Not just good things, but all the goodness of God in every sense - tangible and intangible, seen and unseen, spiritually and physically. Hallelujah!

I want to declare upon you right now: The goodness of God be upon you! I say it one more time: The goodness of God be upon you! 

Believe, and you shall receive! I also want to declare upon you that all things are going to work out for good to you, even though at the moment, you may be feeling 'stuck'. Yes, He will turn things around for you. He will know how to turn the adverse situation you are facing into a favorable situation for you. Just don't try to figure out how He's going to do it. Because He is an unlimited God. And He works in ways we can never fully understand with our limited minds. Just like how Jesus turned water into wine using the waterpots! 

Beloved, continue to put all your trust in Him. He will know how to manifest His glory. He will know how to show you His glory. Amen! 

Let us pray: 

"O Lord God, we thank You for Your goodness in our lives. We declare Your goodness in our lives. No matter what adversity in life we may be facing at the moment, we choose to look to You and seek You. You have spoken that there is no lack for those who fear You. If you can turn water into wine, You can turn things around for our situation too. You are a miracle-working God, and there is no one like You. We trust You and we bless Your name at all times, just as David Your beloved had done. In Jesus' name. Amen."

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Words from the Lord: The cleansing time has begun!

The Lord says: 

"Blessed are those who are washed from the inside out. Blessed are those who have the beauty from the inside out. What's in the inside will in turn be reflected on the outside, and the world shall see. This time and season is a time of cleansing for My church. I am preparing My church pure, holy, and unblemished; just as being written in My Word. I have begun My restoration works for My church." 

It looks like we are still in this series of God speaking to His church in this time and season. I believe when the Lord mentioned about His church here, He meant His church as a whole, i.e. His body, the Body of Christ. In other words, He is talking to His people as a whole, wherever they are on earth. 

Indeed, wherever we are on earth, we are members of His body, and He is the Head of the body, the Body of Christ. 

Now, don't get me wrong here. From the very beginning of the church age some 2,000 years ago, the Lord has always been working. It means cleansing has always been ongoing all these years and centuries. Not only now. However, the Lord has spoken this is an extremely crucial time of cleansing for His people, both as individuals and for His church as a whole. He's talking about inner cleansing here. He's talking about deep cleansing from the inside out. 

Why is this so crucial at this time? Here's the answer: In order to prepare His people, His church, for what is to come! He's doing a cleansing from the inside out, because without this, we will not be able to withstand the onslaught of the powers of this world and the powers of devil in this end-time! 

But of course, fear not! This is not a doom and gloom message. But we are saying in spite of whatever doom and gloom that's happening in this world, and in spite of the challenging time that's coming to the world (ecologically, politically, geopolitically), yet at the same time, His glory (the glory of the Lord) is also going to shine the brightest like you've never seen before! 

And remember, even in the most challenging of times, the Lord is still the same - yesterday, today, and forever to you! He is your very present help, and He is your refuge. Amen! 

In Isaiah 60:1-2, the Scripture says, 'Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.'

Yes, upon you! Upon His people! Upon His church! Now, 'church' is 'a people'. For your info, the word 'church' was mentioned about 115 times in King James Version. And interestingly, all these 115 times point towards 'church' being 'a people'; not a building, not an area, not a land, not an institution, not an organization. For the record, in Greek, the word 'church' is 'ekklesia'. The word 'ek' means 'of, from'; and the word 'klesia' comes from the word 'kaleo', which means 'a call'. So, 'ekklesia', or 'church', simply means 'a gathering of the called ones', or 'a gathering of God's people'. 

Indeed, 1 Peter 2:9-10 says as believers (i.e. as 'a people of God'), we have been called out from the darkness into God's marvelous light. That's you and I! We are the church! A people of God! And Jesus Christ is the Head of all of us, the people of God, His body, the Body of Christ! 

Interestingly, in cross-reference, the word 'called' here in 1 Peter chapter 2 is also the same word 'kaleo'.

In Isaiah 60:5, the Scripture says, 'Then you shall see and become radiant, and your heart shall swell with joy; Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.'

Now, it's for all these reasons mentioned in Isaiah chapter 60 that the Lord is currently doing His deep cleansing for His people, His church! What is He preparing for? He is preparing for the coming of His glory! When His glory and His light shines, no work of the enemy and no work of the evil one in this world can withstand it! 

But you know what? Before the glory of the Lord comes such as we've never seen before, He is preparing us first, His people, His church! This is not a message to judge anyone. Rather, this is a message for self-reflection, whether we are leaders, or in whatever way the Lord is using us right now, both in the ministry or in the marketplace. When I share this message, I'm speaking to myself too. So, let us all humble ourselves under His mighty hand, and let us be changed by Him from the inside out. 

Let's look at what the Scripture say about 'cleansing'. In Ephesians 5:26-27, in the words of Apostle Paul, '...that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.' 

'He' here speaks of 'Jesus Christ'; and 'Her' here speaks of 'the church as a whole; and we are the members of His body, the Body of Christ'. The context here is like the relationship between a husband and a wife; how the husband loves the wife, and how the husband gives himself for her. By the same token, how Jesus loves the church and gives Himself for the church. 

So, with this understanding, let's read again: '...that Jesus might sanctify and cleanse the church with the washing of water by the word; that Jesus might present the church to Himself a glorious church (not a defeated church, not a weakened church; but a glorious church, full of His glory and light), not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.' 

This is exactly what the Lord is doing right now! He is in the midst of cleansing His people, His church! 

The word 'cleanse' here is 'katharizo' in Greek, from the word 'katharos' meaning 'to cleanse (whether to cleanse spiritually, or literally - inward and outward)'. It means 'to cleanse (inside of us, and outside of us)'. It can also mean 'to make clean, to purify, to purge, to be unstained'. 

Let's look now at Ephesians 5:25, just one verse before that, 'Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her...' 

If you look at the context of the relationship between a husband and wife here, just like Christ and the church, 1 Peter 3:3-4 also says this regarding the wife (therefore, this can also apply for the church too), 'Do not let your adornment be merely outward - arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel - rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.' 

In other words, not just outward, but the inward is so crucially important. True beauty is beauty from the inside out; whether it is literally about wives, or about His church. The Lord doesn't want us to put up an outward show only. But He wants to see in the inside of us. He wants us to be changed from the inside out. 

Let's look at what Jesus said now. Even though He was speaking about the Pharisees and the scribes those days, this can also apply to us as believers and leaders. Let's look at Matthew 23:25-26, '...For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence... first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.' 

This may cut to the hearts. But this is necessary. This is part of His cleansing work for His church, and the leaders He has raised up for this end-time. Notice the word 'cleanse' here. It is the same word 'katharizo' in Greek, from the word 'katharos' that I've explained earlier. I'm showing you this as a cross-reference about the cleansing of the church; beginning from the leaders and how we do things, and flowing down to every believer in the Body of Christ. 

Well, of course, some may say this applies only to the Pharisees and the scribes, and this has nothing to do with the current church leaders and current believers in the Body of Christ. But the background of Matthew 23 on why Jesus said what He said, and the gist of His message here is that He wants to address the inside of us. In other words, He's saying that true beauty (true righteousness) starts from the inside. He's saying the religious leaders those days, namely the Pharisees and the scribes, were greatly concerned and focused on their outward show, and how they carry themselves outward; but they were full of sins, corruption, greed, self-seeking, self-glorifying, and even self-indulgences in the inside of them. 

This message may be uncomfortable for some people to hear, but this is what the Lord has spoken for this time and season.

God can never be fooled by what we show on the outside, i.e. on how holy and righteous we show on the outside. Rather, God sees what we actually are in the inside, and not what we appear to be to other people on the outside. This is the gist of Matthew 23. This is what Jesus meant to say. 

The Lord is looking at our hearts, i.e. our real self in the inside of us. And He's saying, "Blessed are those who are clean in the inside, who are washed from the inside, who have the beauty in the inside." This is true beauty. This is how the Lord sees beauty, i.e. the beauty that begins from the inside of us. 

This is what the Lord is looking for in His people (for His end-time move). And no power of darkness, no power of this world, and no power of the devil can withstand the holiness, purity, and innocence in the inside of each of us. This is the key to victory! This is the key to triumph! This is the key to the glory of the Lord coming and shining in this world through us! 

So you see, this is a time for self-reflection. This is a time to come before the Lord just as we are, and let Him cleanse us with the water of His Word and His Spirit. This is a time to ask Him to show us what are the areas in our lives that we need to change. Of course, this involves humility on our part. Yes, I'm also saying this to myself. This message is for me too. So, let us humble ourselves before Him; and let us be changed and be transformed from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 

Prayer: 

"O Lord God, in a time like this, we come before You just as we are. Cleanse us with the water of Your Word and Your Spirit. Show us the areas that we need to be changed (whatever and wherever You have positioned us in this world). We humble ourselves before You. We want to be changed from the inside out. We look to You. We want to be found innocent, pure, holy, and unblemished before You - both in the inside and on the outside. We thank You for the forgiveness of sins through the blood that You've shed for us on the cross. We thank You for Your restoration and renewal works in our lives, and yes, in our church. Amen." 

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Words from the Lord: Don't be tricked by the enemy's delusion!

In a vision, I saw a land with many buildings in it. It looks very much like a town or city. In the atmospheric realm above the land, there were many corners and dimensions. On each of these corners above the land, I saw some mysterious figures in the form of men spewing out cobwebs from their mouths. These cobwebs then covered the whole atmospheric realm of the land. 

Then I saw God's people in the land. However, many of these people began to have delusion. Many of these people began to be intruded and influenced in their minds. Their spiritual visions became blurred. 

Interpretation: 

Instead of patterning after God's ways, many in the end-time began to pattern after these delusions. They began to pattern after the ways of the principalities and powers of the air that have intruded the land where they are. 

Words from the Lord: 

"It's time to be awakened from these delusions! It's time to wake up from these spiritual slumber! I am anointing the spiritual eyes of many. Many will suddenly 'see' the many things that have caused them to be deluded. The anointing has been released to break the delusions that the enemy has caused. Rise above and not come under! Rise above and stand strong in My Word! I have given you the authority to rise above the atmospheric realm! Fear not! Do not be conformed to these patterns and ways, but be transformed by My Spirit!" 

What is the definition of this word 'delusion'? 

It can mean 'a false illusion (i.e. something that appears real, but actually it isn't)'. It can also mean 'something that is believed to be true, but it is actually false'. 

Now, 'delusion' can imply 'the inability to distinguish between what is real and what only seems to be real'. You see, there's a difference here - what is real and what only seems to be real. This can happen due to some external and unseen forces that intrude into one's mind, and in turn, causing such delusion in one's spirit and soul. 

What does the Scripture has to say about this? 

Romans 12:1-2, in the words of Apostle Paul: 'I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to 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.' 

There's a contrast here between these two words: 'conformed' and 'transformed'. 

The word 'conformed' here in Greek is 'suschematizo'. It can mean 'to fashion self according to certain outward pattern (in this context, the pattern or way of this fallen world)'. This is the context of what Apostle Paul meant here. 

The word 'transformed' here in Greek is 'metamorphoo'. It can mean 'to be changed and awakened from the inside out (in this context, by the Spirit of God)'. 

So, there's a clash here between 'conforming to the ways of the world' and 'being transformed by the Spirit of God'. 

Back to Romans 12:1-2 now. The Lord is calling us to surrender our lives before Him again. The Lord is calling us to present our bodies a living sacrifice to Him again, and not to be conformed by the pattern of this fallen world, but be transformed by the Spirit of the Lord. 

Let the Spirit of God renew our minds. 

Delusion can happen in many ways. Delusion can happen in our day-to-day lives. Sometimes we don't even know about it. Sometimes we don't even realize about it. Yes, even the way many of God's people (of course, not everyone) see churches. As someone who has ministered to believers from many different churches and backgrounds, I have to admit this is true. Of course the truth hurts. But the truth is the truth. The commercialization and competition in and among many churches have gone overboard. Not me who says this, but God who says this. The chasing of fame, the greed, the building of name for own selves have become overboard. Again, not me who says this, but God who says this. 

I say this without prejudice. I say this with a broken heart. Now, because of all the above, many believers get deluded as well, and start to compare among themselves and their churches. This happens especially within a city or town they are in. It's almost like implying, for example, "My church is better than your church", "My church is bigger than your church", "We are the best in town", "I am right, you are wrong". 

In other words, the ways and patterns of this fallen world have crept into the Body of Christ. All these only make the real enemy, the devil, laugh! Laugh at who? Laugh at us! 

Believers and church leaders pulling down one another, stepping on one another in order to get more "membership" to their church, leaders feeling insecure with one another, thus weakening the whole Body of Christ further. Now, not everyone is like that, of course. 

Well, this isn't new at all. Look at what Apostle Paul wrote in his days. Let's go to the Scripture now. In 1 Corinthians 3:1-4, he wrote. 'And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal?' 

This is what the Scripture says. Of course, the good news is the Lord still loves all of us. He still remembers His church as a whole, His kingdom, His whole body, the Body of Christ. And I tell you what, there is hope for the Body of Christ, because there's this great awakening right now. 

In 1 Corinthians 3:18-21, Apostle Paul wrote further, 'Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness"; and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." Therefore let no one boast in men...' 

This is what the Scripture says further. This is what Apostle Paul wrote. As he traveled from place to place, from church to church, he saw all this happening right before his eyes. He was heartbroken. The Spirit of the Lord spoke to him, and he wrote all this. Now, it would be a great time, yes, it would be a great time in this time of awakening that God's people revisit 1 Corinthians, especially 1 Corinthians chapters 1 to 5. The Lord is speaking through these verses in this time and season. 

In Colossians 1:15-18, Apostle Paul wrote, 'He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. He is the head of the body, the church, (He) who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.' 

See who Jesus is here? He is the Head of His body, the church. By the way, 'preeminence' means 'surpassing all others, superior over all others'. He is the King of kings, the Lord of lords. He is above all. 

So, this is a time of reflection for all of us as believers of Christ as a whole. This is a time of reflection for leaders as a whole. This is a time to look at the Scripture again, and to see what God wants to say to us in this time and season. 

The Lord still remembers His body. The Lord still remembers His church as a whole. Let us look to the Lord. Let us look back at the Scripture. And let us come before the Lord and say, "Yes, O Lord God, we repent. We humble ourselves. And we want to follow what You have spoken in Your Word." 

Prayer: 

"O Lord God, we humble ourselves before You, and we want to look at the 'big picture' the way You want us to according to Your Word. You are the Head of the body, and we are all members of Your whole body. We are not to be conformed to the ways and the patterns of this world. But we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we will prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. The enemy will do whatever to cause Your body as a whole to implode and to be weak. But right now, we want to declare that You are the Lord and the Head of Your body, the church; and You have preeminence over all things, both on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name. Amen." 

So, let this anointing of the Holy Spirit be released upon all of us, so that we are set free from whatever bondage, delusion or deception that the enemy has subtly invaded us. Let us be set free! Let there be a great awakening! Let the Church of the Lord be strong and mighty in this end-time, till we meet Jesus, till He returns for His body, His church! As the Bride, we want to be ready for the coming of the Bridegroom! 

Each of us has a part to play in this end-time move of God. Each of us has a part to play in this kingdom of God. We humble ourselves before the Lord. We want to give preference to one another. We forgive one another. We embrace one another. We love one another as brothers and sisters in the family of God. We pray for unity. We bind every division. 

This is what the Lord wants to speak to us for this time. I just want to be faithful to release what the Lord has put in my heart to release, and what the Lord has shared with me in the vision and in the prophetic words. God bless you! Have a wonderful day!

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