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

You have been given the authority!

In Luke 10:19, Jesus said, "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

The word 'authority' here is 'exousia' in Greek, and it can mean 'power to act, authority to act'; from the word 'exesti', which means 'permission (legal right) to do something'. 

Therefore, people of God, whatever work of darkness, word of darkness, charm, witchcraft, black magic, or any unwholesome words that come against you, fear not! Because Jesus has given you His power and authority to trample on all these! 

In fact, Jesus has given you the permission (legal right in the spiritual realm) to use His name! You can therefore exert this authority in His name, which is the name above all names - that every knee should bow, and every tongue should confess, that Jesus Christ is the Lord - in heaven, on earth, and under the earth! (Philippians 2:10-11)

What does 'serpents and scorpions' signify here? These signify 'anything or anyone that seek to harm you'. So right now, in the precious name of Jesus, you can hold the blood of Jesus against all those work of darkness that try to suppress you, oppress you, or even penetrate you. Amen!

Let's go back to two verses before Luke 10:19. Here's what the Scripture says in Luke 10:17-18, 'Then the seventy (disciples) returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." And Jesus said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven."'

You know what this means? You have the superior power of God over Satan and all his powers on earth! Because Satan has fallen, and because you can use the name of Jesus, just like the disciples that returned with joy, you too have this privilege and authority that has been given to you! 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever! The same Jesus those days is the same Jesus who lives in you today! And therefore if you are in Christ, there's nothing in this world that you should be afraid of. In fact, they should be afraid of you!

Therefore, rejoice and be glad, because Jesus has given you this 'exousia', just as He has spoken in the Word, and because Jesus who is in you is greater than he that is in the world! (1 John 4:4) 

Hallelujah!

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

God has a rescue plan for you!

The Lord says,

"My people, I have a rescue plan for you! My hand will rescue you! Look to Me, whatever your situation may be at the moment, and I will know how to turn things around for you. If I can turn the hearts of kings, and if I can turn the direction of rivers, I can turn anything around for you!"

The meaning of the word 'rescue' can be:
- to save someone from a dangerous/distressing/depressing situation;
- to set free someone from a danger, evil, trap, bondage, or siege.

People of God, God's hand will rescue you! He has a rescue plan for you, no matter what you're going through at the moment!

Nowadays, you see lots of 'rescue plan' (or economic stimulus packages) being drafted and implemented by many governments in the world - due to the current economic downturn, loss of jobs, loss of source of income, etc. It's a rather depressing and anxious time for many people in the world. But I tell you what, nothing beats God's very own rescue plan for you! His hand is stronger than anyone else's, or any government on earth! After all, He is the Creator of heaven and earth!

So, whatever area in your life that you need Him to rescue you, look to Him! Be it in health, finance, marriage, career, business, ministry, or even malicious words (false accusations) that come against you! God's hand is stronger than anyone else's on earth! And if He can turn the hearts of kings, and if He can turn the direction of rivers, nothing is impossible to Him! Hallelujah!

Let's go to the Scripture now. Proverbs 21:1 (NKJV) says, 'The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes'.

You see, if the Lord can turn the heart of someone as powerful as a king, He can turn anything around for you! And if the Lord can turn the direction of rivers just like that, He can turn anything around for you! Today, know that He can turn anything around to your favor!

Therefore, take heart and be encouraged, no matter what your 'trouble' may be at the moment. The Lord your God is not dead, but He is very much alive in your situation. He has a way out for you, and He will know how to bring you to a place of safety!

So, where in the Bible that says about God's rescue? 

On what occasion God has a rescue plan for His beloved?

Let's go to the Scripture for some examples.

Psalm 43:1-3 (NLT) says, 'Declare me innocent, O God! Defend me against these ungodly people. Rescue me from these unjust liars. For you are God, my only safe haven... Send out your light and your truth; Let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live'. The word 'rescue' here is 'pawlat' in Hebrew, meaning 'to carry away safely, to make a way to safety'.

Here, the psalmist was going through a time when he faced injustice against him. And he looked to Lord for His rescue, and the Lord did! Maybe you too are going through a time when you have been shortchanged, taken advantage of, falsely accused of something, or being treated unjustly by some people. Now, this psalmist has an answer for you! Look to the Lord to rescue you! Yeah, to 'pawlat' you! To carry you away into safety! To make a way out for you! Amen!

Psalm 60:4-5 (NLT) says, 'But You have raised a banner for those who fear You - a rallying point in the face of attack. Now rescue Your beloved people. Answer and save us by Your power'. The word 'rescue' here is 'khawlats' in Hebrew, meaning 'to draw you out (from trouble), to pull you out (from danger)'.

Here, the psalmist was going through a time when he faced an attack from the enemy. And he looked to the Lord who would raise a banner against the attack of the enemy, and the Lord did! After all, the Lord is YHWH Nissi, i.e. the Lord our banner, the Lord our victory! In the end, the psalmist (who's none other but David himself) saw victory, and the enemy eventually came to make peace with him!

Therefore, people of God, whatever 'trouble' you are facing at the moment, I have a good news for you! The Lord has a rescue plan (or rescue package) for you! Look To Him, and He will know how to 'pawlat' and 'khawlats' you. Hallelujah!

For details of this message, click to watch.

A time to uproot and be set free!

The Lord says,

"This is a time to uproot and be set free from your past, and even from bondage, curse, or soul ties from your past! Do not miss this time and season! There's a window of opportunity in every time and season. This is your time to be set free from the old, and from whatever that has 'tied you up' all these years! For I am giving you a new heart and a new mind! And I am giving you a new strength and a new wisdom for what's ahead of you!"

Indeed, people of God, this is a time to uproot and be set free from whatever that has bound you in the past! The Lord is in the midst of coming right into those areas of your past, pulling up those 'roots', and setting you free! Let Him! And like a bird being released from the cage, so will you be! Don't miss this time and season! In fact, this is your window of opportunity for a reset! Be it in the spirit realm, soul realm, or even physical realm!

If you've been seeking the Lord for what's ahead, don't be surprised if the Lord will even give you dreams (or revelations) to bring you back to a certain time in your past (e.g. childhood years, teenage years, college years, early adulthood, past relationships, past working places, etc). But fear not! It is meant to set you free and to set you up for a new future! He is in the midst of completely uprooting you from any negative soul ties (or emotional ties) that had bound you all these years! Yeah, even from any controlling (or manipulative) people in your life! Or even from any residue of generation curse!

So, I would like to congratulate you for a new future ahead of you! I declare that every bondage, curse, or negative soul ties in your life is broken right now, in Jesus' name! Hallelujah! Your mourning is turning into dancing, and your ashes is turning into beauty! It sounds impossible to men, but nothing is impossible to the Lord your God! He can cut rivers in the desert, and turn the desert (or wilderness) of your life into a garden (or orchard)!

What's in your past, or what's been done by your ancestors in the past WILL NOT RUB ON YOU! Ezekiel 18:1-3 says, 'The word of the LORD came to me again, saying, "What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'? "As I live," says the Lord God, "you shall no longer use this proverb in Israel"'. The expression 'teeth are set on edge' here means 'to be greatly irritated, to be greatly annoyed, to have great discomfort, or to be greatly affected'.

For the record, the Israelites those days used a lot of proverbs to convey their messages. And this proverb was actually a proverb of complaint! They were complaining that the present generation was being unjustly punished for what their forefathers did (for example, idolatry)! Instead of the forefathers (who ate sour grapes) being the ones tasting the sour taste, it was them (the descendants) who have the sour taste now! And the LORD meant, "NO WAY! NO WAY that what's past will rub on you!"

Now, that's good news! Indeed, we give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, and His mercy endures forever! (Psalm 136:1) Thank God for what Jesus has done for us on the cross! (Isaiah 53:3-5) Every curse (or generation curse) is broken, and you are now set free! And you can have a new start today!

"Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord God. "Therefore turn and live!" (Ezekiel 18:31-32)

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God." (Ezekiel 36:26-28)

Prayer to uproot and be set free:
"O LORD, I give thanks to You and I turn to You, because You are good, and Your mercy endures forever. I present before You all these bondage, curse, or negative soul ties .......... I declare all these are broken when JESUS died for me on the cross. I am now set free, and I am now released for the new works that You are doing in my life. In Jesus' name. Amen!"

After this prayer, forgive and let go of that past situation/incident. Look ahead, and look to Him for His divine wisdom and guidance. The LORD will be with you. Amen.

For the preaching video, click to watch

Be set free to enter a time of greater fruits!

As you prepare for the 2nd half of the year 2019, the Lord says,
"Get yourself ready, for there will be new seeds planted, and there will be new sprouts coming forth in your life! For I have willed for you to bear greater fruits. But let Me cut those bondages and sorrows at the root first!"

The expression 'to cut it at the root' carries the meaning 'to cut it off before it has chance to grow further, or to put an end to something negative'. Matthew 3:10 (NKJV) says, "And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

What does this 'ax' symbolize here?
This ax, or in other words, the cutting edge, is none other than the Word of God! Hebrews 4:12-13 (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. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account'. The word 'creature' here, by the way, can mean more than just a living thing. In Greek, it is 'ktisis', meaning 'formation, creation, invention, fabrication (even deception), possession'. It can therefore mean whatever 'formation, creation, invention, fabrication (even deception), or possession' that have been conjured up by the enemy against you will not be hidden from God's sight! And that's good news! This is the time to declare you are set free from such 'ktisis' - by the Word of God, and by all that Jesus has done for you on the cross!

Let Him carry your curse!
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'. What does 'the curse of the law' mean here? For the record, there were over 600 laws that the Jews had to keep to be right in God's eyes, and breaking even one would put a person under condemnation and curse (see Deuteronomy 27 and 28). But thank God for His redemption work that sets us free!

What are the areas in your life that needs setting free?

A. Inherited negative family traits
- Gambling addiction
- Alcohol addiction
- Drug/chemical addiction
- History of emotional disorder
- History of insanity
- History of accidents
- Tendency to lust
- Tendency to bad temper
- Tendency to jealousy
- Tendency to worry/anxiety
- Failure in life (frequent 'so near yet so far' situations)

B. Inherited health problems

- Root of cancer
- Root of heart condition
- Root of blood issues
- Root of some strokes
- Root of mental/psychiatric issues
- Defective genetic tendencies in your family tree

Whatever your situation (or condition) of bondages or sorrows may be, the time has come to lay the ax at the roots of these problems! The Lord has made a way for you! This is your time of setting free! This is your time of supernatural breakthrough! This is the time He is planting new seeds in your life, and new sprouts are going to come forth! This is the time He is getting you ready for greater fruits in life! The best is still to come! Believe and receive. In Jesus' name. Amen!

Prayer to be set free for a time of greater fruits:
"Lord Jesus Christ, I thank You for becoming a curse for me and redeeming me! I thank You for setting me free for a time of greater fruits in my life. Your Word is the ax, the cutting edge, and I therefore lay the ax to the root of my (and my family's) problem ......(name the problem)...... I claim and receive my freedom now, even freedom from any curse that has been passed down from the previous generation. I believe and receive my setting free now. Amen."

Receive God's promises of deliverance and greater blessings

Psalm 91:15 (NKJV): He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.

The word 'deliver' here is 'khawlats' in Hebrew, and it actually means 'to fight for you'. Psalm 91 is indeed a powerful psalm. Throughout the history of the Jews, the Jewish rabbis would ask those who are sick (or those who are in trouble) to recite this psalm. They believe reciting this psalm is likened to a sword (or 'zayin' in Hebrew) that would cut away curses (or whatever evil/danger) that come by day or by night. 

As you can see above, this psalm is not only a 'protective gear' for God's people, but it is also a 'warfare psalm'. Some people even call it a soldier's psalm. And here in Psalm 91:15, the Lord has promised to 'fight for you' and 'honor' you when you call upon Him!

The Lord spoke these words recently:

"This is your time of deliverance! This is your time of setting free! Free from the curses against you, and free from the works of the enemy against you! Receive your authority to overcome, and receive your authority to reverse those curses! For this is the time I am bringing you to enter greater blessings. Do not settle for anything lesser!"

People of God, know that your time of deliverance is now! And your time of setting free is now! Don’t miss this time and season! Tap into such anointing to set you free, whatever your trouble may be in recent times! Receive a new authority from on high to overcome and to reverse those works of darkness against you, be it against your health, your family, or your vocation! Do not settle for anything lesser!

Having received your deliverance, do not stop there. Because the Lord is also bringing you to enter greater blessings! Psalm 36:7-8 (KJV) says, 'How excellent is Thy lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house; and Thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy pleasures'.

The word 'fatness' here is 'deshen' in Hebrew, and it can mean 'the best part' or 'the choice part'. In other words, the Lord has promised to give you 'the best part' or 'the choice part' in His house, because you have looked to Him and put your trust under the shadow of His wings. Of course, this word 'deshen' can also mean 'abundance, fertility, richness, or goodness'. 

In Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV), the Scripture says, 'Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength'. The expressions 'choice food' and 'sweet drinks' here are 'pictures' today of 'the best part' or 'the choice part' for you to receive and partake, just as mentioned in Psalm 36:7-8!

So, again, people of God, do not settle for anything lesser! Believe and receive by faith! These promises are meant for you this year! Look not at the 'storm' around you in this world, but look to Him, and Him alone! He will bring you to safety, and He will fight for you! Greater blessings are coming your way this year! And it is supernatural! Enter therefore into the realm of supernatural wisdom, supernatural favor, supernatural providence, supernatural health, and supernatural victory. In Jesus' name. Amen!

He is a God of justice and compassion

I released these words from the Lord as we crossed into the 2nd half of year 2017:

"This is a year of freedom, but you are entering months of freedom like no other! For I am setting free those who are being oppressed, and I am setting free those who are victims of injustice! The time and season for such has begun! You will begin to see justice being done in very real ways, and you will begin to see how I turn things around for those who are weak, bullied, and downcast. For such a time has begun in the spiritual realm, in the house of God, and you shall see this reflected in the physical realm, in the nations of the world."

I then saw a vision of 'hands being washed under the flow of clear water'. This speaks of 'washing hands' from any form of iniquities and hypocrisy. This, of course, has to begin with the shepherds and leaders in the house of God (i.e. the body of Christ). Psalm 24:3-4 says, 'Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully'.

And the Lord spoke further:

"And I say the word for the now is 'purify'. For I am showing My faithfulness and justice to those who are willing to 'wash their hands'. This is a time to let Me change you, and wash you clean! For those who let Me, blessed are you, because your time of promotion and deliverance is coming!"

The Lord then directed me to a key chapter in this time and season, which is Ezekiel 34. This chapter begins with the Lord's very strong words against 'the shepherds/leaders who feed only themselves, but oppress the weak' (Ezekiel 34:1-4). Though these words were spoken specifically against 'the shepherds of Israel', these also apply to all the shepherds/leaders, both in the house of God, and even in the nations today. The Scripture says as the consequence of such oppression and injustice, the 'sheep' were scattered, and became 'food' for all the 'beasts' (Ezekiel 34:5-6).

But thanks be to God, because all is not lost yet! In Ezekiel 34:11-12, the Lord then says, "Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day."

People of God, if you too have been 'oppressed', or became 'victims of injustice', there's hope for you. This is a time to watch Him turn things around for you. Look to Him and cry out to Him. Put all your trust in Him. Because He is your Good Shepherd (Psalm 23:1-6), and He has great compassion for those who are weak, bullied, and downcast.

In Ezekiel 34:20-23, the Lord says further, "Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat and the lean sheep. Because you have pushed with side and shoulder, butted all the weak ones with your horns, and scattered them abroad, therefore I will save My flock and they shall no longer be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them - My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd."

Fat sheep and lean sheep? Let me explain. Within a sheepfold, there can be competition. The stronger (fatter) sheep are those who bully the weaker (thinner) sheep. They would fight for the best grass, and the best positions to eat in the pasture. The stronger (fatter) ones will fight for access to the best feeding ground, whereas the weaker (thinner) ones are being abused, dominated, played out, excluded, ostracized, and pushed out (in a power play). What happens in a sheepfold is very much like what happens to us human beings. In every social environment, there is competition for dominance (and the fleshly desire to pull down others in order to reach the top).

But take heart, because God is on the side of those who are humble and meek (Matthew 5:5). He is a God of justice and compassion. For some of you out there, you have tasted and seen His goodness and His faithfulness before in times past. Today, He wants you to know that He will be ever more faithful to you, even now and in the future. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Never let anyone take this truth away from you. Your time of promotion and deliverance is coming! Amen.

Prophetic words for the year 2017: A year of great outpouring and a year to be set free!

I heard these words from the Lord for the year 2017:
"This is a year of great outpouring from heaven! A year of many signs and wonders! This is a year of the Church on fire! The glorious fire! This fire is the fire of the Holy Spirit! This fire shall light up the Church and overcome the darkness that surrounds it. Humble yourselves therefore, and you shall see a brand new authority being given to you and a fresh anointing being poured out on you."

I then heard further:
"This is also a year of great deliverance for those who look to Me! For I will deliver you out of the hand of the 'Pharaoh' in your life, and I will set you free, just as I have done for Israel through My servant Moses."

Some of you might ask, "What are the 'Pharaohs' in my life?"

'Pharaoh' is 'paroh' in Hebrew, and it comes from the root word 'para', meaning 'to refuse'. It speaks of 'anyone/anything that refuses you (or tries to stop you) from walking in the will of God'. But the good news is the Lord is setting free many of His people this year, to be who (and what) God has meant for them to be!

Let's look at the name 'Moses' now, and see what this name means in our context. It is 'Mosheh' in Hebrew, literally meaning 'drawing out (of the water)', and it comes from the word 'mashah' meaning 'to pull out (from danger), to rescue'. Indeed, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are all like Moses, being rescued from 'drowning' in this world filled with sin and curse!

And for those of you who have been in 'wilderness' (like Moses had), this is a year for you to receive a brand new authority to do great exploits for the Lord! You will be set free from the 'lid' or 'limitation' that has been put against you all these while. For some of you, a God-given calling that has been 'suppressed' and 'stifled' (by people or circumstances in the past) will surface again. For some others, a talent that has been 'hidden' or 'refused' will emerge again. But this time, there's going to be a fresh anointing upon you, even in ways you have never imagined possible!

Let's go to the Scripture now.

Exodus 3:1-8 (NKJV) says, 'Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. Then Moses said, "I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn." So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." Then He said, "Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground." Moreover He said, "I am the God of your father - the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God. And the Lord said, "I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land. to a land flowing with milk and honey..."'

By the way, the word 'Egypt' here is 'Mitsrayim' in Hebrew, and it can mean 'besieged, in bondage, being limited'.

As you can see here, a time of great deliverance was at hand, and God saw Moses ready this time around. A God-given calling had indeed surfaced again, but now with a brand new authority and a fresh anointing!

Notice in Exodus 4:1-5, Moses answered the Lord and said, "But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, 'The Lord has not appeared to you'". And that's when the Lord asked, "What is that in your hand?" And Moses said, "A rod." The Lord then asked him to cast the rod on the ground, and then reach out his hand to take it again. 

The word 'rod' here in Hebrew is 'matteh', which speaks of 'a rod for walking and ruling purposes'. It speaks of 'guidance (as you walk with the Lord), and authority (as you do great exploits for the Lord)'. A rod can also be used to chase away the 'enemies'.

Notice in Exodus 4:20, the Lord actually called 'the rod of Moses' as 'the rod of God'! See? 'The rod of Moses' became 'the rod of God'!

You know what this means? The Lord can use what is yours (e.g. talents, giftings, etc) and turn it into a great instrument for His glory! And as Moses stretched out this 'rod', signs and wonders happened, and even the Red Sea opened up!

People of God, as you look ahead to this new year 2017, fear not, because the Lord will be with you and go with you. Believe and receive this assurance by faith. Let the Lord also use what is in your hand, and bring tremendous blessing to you, through you, and to the lives around you this year. In Jesus' name. Amen!

Set free from generation curse!

I heard the Lord say the other day:
"Tell My people don't settle for the second best, or the third best. Tell them to get ready for the very best that I have prepared for them!"

People of God, this is a time to break free from any generation curse, so that you will be ready for the very best that the Lord God has for you!

Does generation curse exist?
Exodus 34:6-7 (NKJV) says, 'And the Lord passed before him (Moses) and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation."'

From the above verses, if you ask if there's such thing called 'generation curse' running in a family, the answer is obviously yes. In fact, Exodus 34:7 says such curse is due to the iniquity (e.g. sins, idolatry, wickedness, etc) of the previous generation (or generations). For some families, this curse may be reflected in tragedy after tragedy that keeps happening along the family line; or it may be frequent occurrence of accidents, premature deaths, murders, and even certain diseases.

But fear not! There's a piece of good news for you today! Because this curse has to stop from you onwards! As a believer in the New Covenant, know that you are already set free from such curse! In John 8:32, Jesus says, 'And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free'. You see, the truth is already there. John 1:17 says, '...grace and truth came through Jesus'. Jesus has already come, and He has already died for all your sins and curse on the cross! But many believers are still 'limping around' and walking in fear of generation curse, because they do not know the truth!

By the way, the word 'know' here is 'ginosko' in Greek, and it can be defined as 'to know for sure, to be sure, to understand'.

Notice Jesus never just say, '... the truth shall set you free', but He says, '... you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free'. In other words, knowing the truth sets you free! Hosea 4:6 says, 'My people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge'!

You might ask, "But Exodus 34:7 says 'the Lord will by no means clear the guilty'! How do you explain that?"

It is true that Exodus 34:7 says 'the Lord will by no means clear the guilty'. He is a God of holiness and righteousness, and He cannot condone sin. A sin is a sin, and a sin has to be judged. He is still Judge, and He hasn't changed. The only thing that changed is the covenant - from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. So, you need to know which covenant you are in now. Someone will have to pay the price for the sin committed. As a believer in the New Covenant, know that Jesus has fully paid the price when He died for you on the cross, and know also that the sins of the generation (or generations) before you cannot 'rub off on you'!

"Where's the evidence in the Bible that Jesus has redeemed us from generation curse?"

Jeremiah 31:29-30 (NKJV) says, 'In those days, they shall say no more: 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'. But every one shall die for his own iniquity; every man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge'.

In cross-reference, Ezekiel 18:2 (NKJV) says, 'The word of the Lord came to me again, saying, "What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'?" "As I live", says the Lord, "you shall no longer use this proverb in Israel."'

How many of you here have tasted 'sour grapes' before? How about 'sour wine' or 'vinegar'? Not diluted, but concentrated ones. Those who have tried it would know it causes your teeth to be set on edge, i.e. it causes irritation to your teeth! There's an English idiom that goes like this, 'set someone's teeth on edge', and it means 'to annoy (that someone), or to cause irritation or disturbance (to that someone)'.

So, what does it mean by 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'? It means to say 'the present generation is punished for the sins (and idolatry) committed by their forefathers'. To put it simply, the father (earlier generation) did it (i.e. ate the 'sour grapes'), but the children (later generation) suffer!

But God! 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, 'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new'. Let Scripture interpret Scripture. Watch now what comes right after Jeremiah 31:29-30! Jeremiah 31:31-34 says, 'Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah - not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more'.

You see, Jesus has already redeemed you from every generation curse! Notice these words 'they shall say no more' and 'you shall no longer use this proverb in Israel' in Jeremiah 31:29-30 and Ezekiel 18:2 respectively! In fact, Jesus has taken the sour grapes (or sour wine) on the cross, so that you don't have to! Here's what John 19:28-30 says, 'After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!" Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit'.

Was Jesus thirsty physically at that time? No, that's not the real reason Jesus said, "I thirst!". He actually thirsted for the righteousness of God! Why? Because He gave up His righteousness when He became sin for us on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21). Of course the Roman soldiers thought He thirsted for water! And instead of giving Him drinking water, they mockingly gave Him sour wine! When you are thirsty, you drink water! You don't drink sour wine!

By the way, sour wine here is in actual fact vinegar (a kind of acid)! Imagine the extreme burning and pain on the already open wounds in Jesus' lips and mouth, and then right through His dry throat and into His lung! Isaiah 53:4-5 says, 'Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed'.

After He had said, "It is finished!", He then bowed His head, and gave up His spirit. The word 'bow' here is 'klino' in Greek, which means 'to recline (i.e. to put/lay one's head/arm in a position of rest), to rest'. It means He has finally found rest in redeeming you and saving you (from every form of curse)! This word 'klino' is also found in Luke 9:58 when Jesus said, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay ('klino') His head." At that time, He hasn't found rest in redeeming you and saving you yet! But at the cross, He did!

Today, people of God, once and for all, and beyond a shadow of doubt, know that you have ALREADY been set free from every curse, and from every form of generation curse! This is your time to walk in the freedom that Christ has set you free! And this is your time to walk right into the very best that the Lord has prepared for you! You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free! (John 8:32)

Let's also remind ourselves of the promises of God in Galatians 3:13-14 that 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'.

Believe and receive. In Jesus' name. Amen!

Receiving God's grace to overcome and start anew

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

The word 'deliverer' here in Hebrew is 'yasha, yesha, or yeshayah (Yah, the Savior and Deliverer)', and the name 'Othniel' means 'force, strength of God', from the words 'Othniy' (meaning 'force, strength') and 'El' (the name of God Almighty). Indeed, Jesus is our Overcomer God, strong and mighty!

This deliverance came about at a time when the Israelites were brought back to the 'land' of their past. 

When the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and Asherahs (i.e. the gods and goddesses, or masters of this world), the anger of the Lord was hot against them. They were then sold into the hand of King Cushan-Rishathaim, the king of Mesopotamia and served this king for eight years (Judges 3:7-8).

What does 'Cushan-Rishathaim' mean here? It means 'double wickedness, or repeating wickedness of guilt and curse'. This speaks of your past 'guilt' and 'curse', or some recurring thoughts of your past 'trying to make a comeback' and 'attacking you over and over again'. 

Notice that 'Cushan' is from the word 'Cush', the son of Ham (Genesis 9:22-23), which speaks of 'guilt and curse', because Ham uncovered and exposed his father (Noah's) nakedness. 'Rishathaim' means 'double wickedness, or repeating wickedness', from the words 'rishah' (meaning 'condemnation, fault, wickedness'), and 'ayim' (speaks of 'double, plural, repeat').

How about 'Mesopotamia' then? What does it mean to the Israelites? It speaks of Israel's past, because it was here that the Lord spoke to Abraham: "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing." (Genesis 12:1-2) Abraham did not look back to Mesopotamia (speaks of his 'past') since.

People of God, have you been having nightmares or thoughts recently that bring you all the way back to certain past failures, mistakes, or shame of yours? And all of a sudden, all those past memories you've always wanted to forget begin to 'creep into mind' and 'haunt' you again! Or have you been feeling 'down' recently and memories of the past kept coming back as a recurring thought? For some, even certain faces or places may evoke (bring back to mind) past bad memories all over again!

You see, the devil will always try to pull you back to your past, or bring you back to the remembrance of your past failures, mistakes, sins, shame, disappointment, and defeat. In fact, he's good at that! The Bible says he (the accuser of our brethren) accuses us day and night (Revelation 12:10). But thanks be to God, because in Christ, we have overcome him by the Blood of the Lamb (Jesus) and by the Word of our testimony! (Revelation 12:11)

Now there's a big difference between the Holy Spirit and the devil. The Holy Spirit will always remind you of your right standing in Christ, i.e. you are now forgiven, and righteous in Christ (John 16:10, Romans 8:1, Hebrews 10:17), but the devil will always remind you of your past guilt, failures, mistakes, shame, i.e. your dark past (Revelation 12:10). In short, the devil wants you to stay in that past, and he knows that as long as you stay in that past and get yourself stuck in it, he will always have the upper hand over you!

Not just that, the devil also wants 'history to repeat itself' in your life, and he wants you to 'relapse into your old cycle of pain again'. That's also exactly what Cushan-Rishathaim the king of Mesopotamia did to Israel those days! But thanks be to God because Jesus came and carried this curse when He died for you on the cross once for all some 2,000 years ago! (Hebrews 7:27) You see, God didn't allow history (of His suffering and shame) to repeat itself at the cross! And just as He did not have to die on the cross the second time, 'history' also need not have to repeat itself for you neither! 

So, just because you've been hurt in a business, relationship, or even in ministry before doesn't mean history must repeat itself! 

Judges 3:10-11a (NKJV) says, 'The Spirit of the Lord came upon him (Othniel), and he judged (i.e. ruled, delivered, saved) Israel. He went out to war, and the Lord delivered Cushan-Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed over Cushan-Rishathaim. So the land had rest for forty years." Praise God! 

Do you see Jesus in the Old Testament here? He is in the Old Testament concealed, and in the New Testament revealed. 'Othniel' here is a 'typology' (the 'shadow' of things to come) of Jesus Christ today, your Deliverer. In cross-reference, notice in Luke 4:18-19, the Bible also says 'the Spirit of the Lord was upon Jesus', as He began His ministry on earth.

People of God, as you let go of your past and look forward to a brand-new year ahead, God's grace (supply, ability) to start anew is also very rich for you this coming year. Everyone has a past. It's a matter of to what extent (whether greater or lesser). So, no matter what your past may be, receive now a fresh release of His river of life (that brings life) and healing today. Receive also a fresh new grace for you to move forward. 

As you keep receiving this refreshing from the Lord, you know you have overcome your past and are ready to move on (by His grace) when you can smile and give thanks for who you are in Christ today and what He has done for you thus far (i.e. how He had worked in you till you are what you are today).

BUT NOW thanks be to God who always leads you in triumph in Christ, and through you diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place (2 Corinthians 2:14). NOW is your time to move on and  triumph again! Amen!

A time for deliverance and setting free

Matthew 3:10 (NKJV): And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

The word 'ax' here is pronounced 'ax-ee-nay' in Greek, from the word 'agnumi', which means 'to break'. People of God, this is a time for breaking free! During a time of worship and prayer recently, I also  heard the Lord say, "This is a time for deliverance and setting free from the old and the past!"

The Lord has also been speaking much about 'trees' and 'uprooting of trees' recently. In fact, something unprecedented happened in my land not many weeks ago, when within an hour, so many trees were uprooted (all over the land) like this land has never seen before! My wife even captured the sight of the marauding clouds (like a giant tsunami wave over the sea) on camera just moments before it happened, and bang! The wind came, the storm came, and the rain came, and there went all those trees!

In the spiritual realm, I believe the Lord is currently in the midst of uprooting many old things (old ways, old structures, old mindsets, old patterns, etc), bringing with Him renewal all over. And yes, even in the way His people do things!

Let's go back now to Matthew 3:10. 'Ax' (according to the Oxford Dictionary) is a 'cutting edge' or a 'cutting instrument', and from the biblical point of view, it functions like the Word of God (see Hebrews 4:12) that cuts away the root of a tree, and breaks the work of that particular root. Therefore, the 'ax' here speaks of the Word of God.

During the windstorm in my land recently, I also noticed that most of the trees being uprooted were the old ones. In fact, some of the trees uprooted on that day were as old as hundred over years!

People of God, this is a time to allow Him to lay the ax to the root of the 'old structures' that do not work anymore in this new season! I know it's never easy to let go of the old (whether it's a system, a pattern, or anything else) or something you hold dear (or are familiar with), but this is a time to move on so that the new things can come!

Even on a personal scale, allow Him also to lay the ax to the root of some of the prevalent problems within your family tree. For example, just because your grandparent had cancer, and then your parent had cancer, it doesn't mean you will soon have it too! And even if medical studies may have proven that there can be certain genetic tendencies and link (say, cancer) running in a family tree, you don't have to agree with it, because you already have the Word of God in you (to agree with), the 'ax' that cuts to the 'root' and breaks the work of its 'root'!

You may want to pray this prayer for deliverance and setting free right now:
"Lord Jesus Christ, like the ax in Matthew 3:10, your Word cuts to the root and breaks the work of this root of _________________ (name the prevalent problem) in my family tree. Right now, I claim and receive my deliverance and freedom from this problem/curse, and allow you to uproot this generation problem/curse in my life forever. Thank you for Your deliverance and for setting me free today. In Your mighty name. Amen!"

Having been set free, now is your time to also draw directly from His living water (speaks of His Word and His Spirit) as you look forward to a new future (and destiny). Psalm 1:3 (paraphrase) says, 'for you shall be like a tree transplanted (being removed with its roots and being replanted elsewhere) by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever you do shall prosper'.

In cross-reference, Job 14:7-9 (NKJV) says, "For there is hope for a tree. If it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its tender shoots will not cease. Though its root may grow old in the earth, and its stump may die in the ground, yet at the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth branches like a plant."

Here, the Bible says there's hope for a tree (speaks of 'you and me, i.e. His people') even at the scent of water ('mayim' in Hebrew). This 'water' speaks of His living water, and indeed, it is now being poured out for His people!

So, receive now His water ('mayim' in Hebrew) that flows for the new things to come, and for the beginning of new sprouts and new shoots to grow! Receive it for your life, your family, your ministry, your vocation, your business, and even your investments!

And the best part is as you receive this 'living water' that comes from Him (and not from the world), you'll also be assured of a destiny-change (from the 'old'). A new destiny now beckons, a God-given one! Praise God! Walk in it now. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Looking to Jesus for your answer - The Hezekiah story

2 Kings 19:6-7 (NKJV): And Isaiah said to them, “Thus you shall say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Do not be afraid of the words which you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. Surely I will send a spirit upon him, and he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.”’”

Notice the words ‘I will cause him to fall’ here? It is the Lord who does the work to root out or to pull down, and to build or to plant (see also Jeremiah 1:10). 

Man does his part, but God does all the rest. Man lays hands, but God heals. Moses raised up the rod, but God opened the Red Sea. Likewise, Hezekiah came to God, but God did it by bringing deliverance to his nation. 

Even now, God is raising up the Hezekiahs of today, a people who know how to look to Him and trust Him in spite of the threats or lies thrown by the enemy. By the way, the name 'Hezekiah' in Hebrew means 'strengthened of Yahweh' or 'Yahweh has strengthened'. You too, people of God, receive the strength of the Lord, no matter what challenge you may be facing at the moment. Just as happened to Hezekiah those days, He can also deliver you this day!

Let's look at the background of Hezekiah now. 2 Kings 18:1 says, 'Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea the son of Elah, king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign'. 2 Kings 18:3 then says, 'And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father David had done'. 2 Kings 18:5 continues, 'He trusted in the Lord God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor who were before him. For he held fast to the Lord and did not depart from following Him...'

Let's move on to 2 Kings 18:13 now. It says, 'And in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and took them'. The Bible also says Sennacherib even boasted against the Lord (see 2 Kings 18:19-20), and then ridiculed Hezekiah (see 2 Kings 18:28-30). 

Note: 'Sennacherib' here speaks of 'the enemy, or the forces of darkness that comes against you'. 

So, how did Hezekiah respond to Sennacherib's threats, lies, and ridicule?

2 Kings 19:1-2 has this to say, 'And so it was, when Hezekiah heard all these words of Sennacherib, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the Lord (speaks of 'going into God's presence'). Then he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, to Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz'. 

Note: 'Isaiah' here is a 'picture' of 'Jesus Himself'. The name 'Isaiah' in Hebrew is 'Yesha Yah', which means 'Yahweh is salvation' or 'Yah has saved'.

And that's when Isaiah answered in 2 Kings 19:6-7, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Do not be afraid of the words which you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. Surely I will send a spirit upon him, and he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land."' 

You know what? All these words spoken by Isaiah eventually came to pass, and the Lord indeed triumphed over all the words and works of Sennacherib (see 2 Kings 19:20-37).

People of God, likewise, how do you respond to the enemy's threats, lies, and ridicule today? And what do you do when the enemy even blasphemes (i.e. rejects) God's vision (God's spoken words) for your life and your ministry? 

Just as in the days of Hezekiah, you too need not take things into your own hands. Instead, go into His presence in worship and prayer, as Hezekiah did. The truth is Jesus already has the answer for you. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), and He is still the same God who caused the enemy to 'return to his own land and fall by the sword in his own land'! 

So, fear not. He will do it for you as you begin looking to Him and all that He has already done for you on the cross. In other words, He has already won the victory for you. Believing, you'll receive.

And the same Isaiah who spoke 2 Kings 19:6-7 is also the one who declared: 'No weapon formed against you shall prosper' (Isaiah 54:17), and 'When the enemy comes in, like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him' (Isaiah 59:19). Declare these verses for your life as well. In Jesus' name. Amen!

He delivers you because He delights in you!

Psalm 18:19b (NKJV): He delivered me because He delighted in me.

In New International Version (NIV), the word 'deliver' here is written as 'rescue'. God rescues you because He delights in you!

The word ‘delight’ in this verse in Hebrew is ‘chaphets’ (pronounced as ‘khawfates’). It means ‘favors, likes, bends towards, pleased with, or has pleasure in’. God delivers you because He favors you, likes you, bends towards you, is pleased with you, or has pleasure in you! He really is that good to you! He's definitely not out to get you or punish you. In fact, He loves you so much that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to die for you on the cross! Jesus has indeed carried all the punishment for your sins. As a believer, you can now therefore stand righteous before God, because you have been reconciled to God, through what Jesus Christ has done on the cross. For God made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). To become 'the righteousness of God' means to be 'in right standing with God'. It means God is not angry with you anymore! In fact, the Bible says He delights in you! That's how good He is to you, my friend. But you need to 'allow' Him. Nothing will ever happen if you do not 'allow' Him.

At one point, Simon Peter was going through a hard time, and he was also in lack. Even after a whole night of toiling, he still couldn't catch any fish (Luke 5:5), and that means no 'income' for his family that day! However, he did one right thing. He allowed Jesus to come into his boat (Luke 5:3). I mean he could have turned Jesus down when Jesus stepped into his boat (to teach and speak to the multitudes). But he allowed, and that was the beginning of a turning point in his life. From catching nothing, he then caught a great number of fish (Luke 5:6) so much so that his fishing net was about to break! He definitely had more than enough, and he even had to ask his partners from the other boat to come and help!

Beloved, would you allow Jesus to come into your 'boat' now? Is there any area you want Him to deliver you or set you free? Whatever your situation or problem may be, whether it's a bondage of sin, a curse, a failure, a sickness, or a financial lack, Jesus can come into your 'boat' now and turn things around for you. Believe He's here to deliver you, He's good to you, and He delights in you.