Words from the Lord: New opportunities are coming your way!

The Lord says: 

"New opportunities are coming your way! If you've been struggling and seeing no hope in your current situation, be it in ministry, career, business, or in any area of life, do not lose heart. As you look ahead in your life, you are entering a time of many new opportunities and divine appointments. Look to Me, and you shall begin to see many favors and good surprises."

As I was seeking the Lord the other day, the Lord reminded me of the book of Ruth. Now, your situation may not be exactly like Ruth's situation in the area of relationships or marriage. Your situation may be in the context of your ministry, your career, your business, or in any other area of your life. Whatever your situation may be, the Lord has a good news for you today! 

Let's go to the book of Ruth now.

Ruth 1:1-2 says, 'In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him. The man's name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. And when they reached Moab, they settled there.' 

Here's the background. Elimelech had to leave his homeland because of famine. By the way, Bethlehem was a rich agricultural land. That's why the city 'Bethlehem' means 'House of Bread'. But times were tough at that time. There was a famine. So, he went looking for a greener pasture. He went to the land of Moab. Of course, he left for the land of Moab with the intention of returning to Bethlehem one day. But before he managed to do that, he died. 

Ruth 1:3-5 says, 'Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons. The two sons married Moabite women (the women in that foreign land). One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later, both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone without her two sons or her husband.' 

And indeed, that was a huge tragedy for Naomi. You see, in that society those days, for a woman to be a childless widow or to lose her husband, that was a huge tragedy. There was no one to support her. There was no one to help her. It was a desperate situation. Not just that. Naomi had no family in that foreign land of Moab. 

Ruth 1:6 says, 'Then Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had blessed His people in Judah by giving them good crops again. So Naomi and her daughters-in-law got ready to leave Moab to return to her homeland.' 

Ruth 1:8-9 says, 'But on the way, Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go back to your mothers' homes. And may the Lord reward you for your kindness to your husbands and to me. May the Lord bless you with the security of another marriage." Then she kissed them good-bye, and they all broke down and wept.' 

Ruth 1:14-16 says, 'And again they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi. "Look," Naomi said to her, "your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. You should do the same." But Ruth replied, "Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God..."' 

Ruth 1:22 says, 'So Naomi returned from Moab, accompanied by her daughter-in-law Ruth, the young Moabite woman. They arrived in Bethlehem in late spring, at the beginning of the barley harvest.' 

Yes, just on time for the harvest time! 

Ruth 2:1-2 says, 'Now there was a wealthy and influential man in Bethlehem named Boaz, and this Boaz was a relative of Naomi's husband, Elimelech. One day Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, "Let me go out into the harvest fields to pick up the stalks of grain left behind by anyone who is kind enough to let me do it."' 

For your info, the farmers in Israel those days were commanded to not completely harvest their fields. They were to leave some bundle of grains behind. This was a form of social assistance to the poor and the needy those days, so they could come and glean the remains of those grains. This would give the opportunity for the poor and the needy to be active and to be able to work for their food. In other words, this was a way to provide for them. 

So over here, Ruth, on her own initiative, set out to glean in the fields in order to support herself and her mother-in-law Naomi. She would not allow herself to sit back at home and just wait for food to come. 

Ruth 2:15-17 says, 'When Ruth went back to work again, Boaz ordered his young men, "Let her gather grain right among the sheaves without stopping her. And pull out some heads of barley from the bundles and drop them on purpose for her. Let her pick them up, and don't give her a hard time!"' 

By that time, Boaz had already found out who Ruth was. Boaz knew that she's the daughter-in-law of someone close to him. Boaz gave her favor. You see, as a foreigner, Ruth would have had a very hard time in someone else's harvest field. But because Ruth was in Boaz's harvest field, she received such favor. Speaking of being at the right place, at the right time! Her steps were indeed ordered by the Lord! 

Beloved, no matter what struggle you may be facing at the moment, or no matter what hopelessness it may seem in your life at the moment, keep looking to the Lord. The Lord has a good news for you today. The Lord is about to give you new opportunities and divine appointments. The Lord's face will begin to shine upon you, if you cling to the Lord, just as Ruth clung to Naomi. I'm going to show you later what is the significance of the name 'Naomi' and 'Ruth' in the context of us today. 

But before that, let's continue with Ruth chapter 3 now. 

Ruth 3:1-5 says, 'One day Naomi said to Ruth, "My daughter, it's time that I found a permanent home for you, so that you will be provided for. Boaz is a close relative of ours, and he's been very kind by letting you gather grain with his young women. Tonight he will be winnowing barley at the threshing floor. Now do as I tell you - take a bath and put on perfume and dress in your nicest clothes. Then go to the threshing floor, but don't let Boaz see you until he has finished eating and drinking. Be sure to notice where he lies down; then go and uncover his feet and lie down there. He will tell you what to do." And Ruth replied, "I will do everything you say."' 

And you know what? As the saying goes, the rest is history.

Ruth 4:13a says, 'So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife.' 

Ruth 4:14 says, 'Then the women of the town said to Naomi, "Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family!"' 

To cut the whole story short, Ruth then bore a son. 

Ruth 4:17 says, 'The neighbor women said, "Now at last Naomi has a son again!" And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David.' 

Now, why is this story so important? Because it has to do with the genealogy of David, whose father is Jesse, and whose grandfather is Obed, the son of Ruth and the grandson of Naomi. Because of the faithfulness and obedience of Ruth, Obed was born. And Obed begot Jesse. Jesse begot David. And why is David so important? Because David had a descendant named Jesus! 

You see, God's hand is all over history. God always works out His purpose from generation to generation. God always sees farther. There is always a purpose when God allows something to happen. All things will work together for good to those who love the Lord. Amen! 

Very interestingly, the name 'Naomi' means 'delight' in Hebrew. It can also mean 'pleasantness'. But for the purpose of our study today, let's focus on this word 'delight'. How about 'Ruth'? The name 'Ruth' means 'friendship' in Hebrew. 

Now, Ruth clung on to Naomi. Ruth could have stayed in her own land and find a new husband among her people in Moab. But Ruth chose to cling on to Naomi. This is a 'picture' of you clinging on to the Lord and delighting yourself in the Lord. This is a 'picture' of you being a friend of God. And as you've seen in the story of Ruth just now, God showed her many good surprises and great favor, even beyond what she could imagine. 

Beloved, it is the same with you, whatever situation you may be facing at the moment. God can show you many good surprises and great favor. God can set up divine appointments for you. God knows how to open a way for you, going forward!

Let's cross-reference to Psalm 37:4-5. This is a psalm of David. And yes, David was the great grandson of Ruth. David wrote, 'Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.' 

In other words, He shall bring His purpose in your life to pass, and He shall bring His destiny in your life to pass. Hallelujah! 

The word 'delight' here in this context can be defined in these three ways:

- A heart that finds delight in the Lord. 

- A heart that finds pleasure in the Lord. 

- A heart that is soft and pliable before the Lord. 

It means you allow the Lord to turn you, like the Lord turns the river. You desire to flow with the Lord. And that's how your life is going to be restful, yet fruitful. Amen!

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Your opportune time will come!

The Lord says: "For many of My people, your opportune time will come! Keep looking to Me and hang on strong in your faith, and watch how I will set up divine appointments for you, even in ways you have never expected it is possible!" 

Hallelujah! 

So today, I want to declare that your opportune time will come! Your 'kairos' time will come! The opportunity will strike for you, as you look to Him and seek Him! 

Ecclesiastes 9:11 (Expanded) says, 'I also saw something else here on earth: The fastest runner does not always win the race, the strongest soldier does not always win the battle, the wisest does not always have food, the smartest does not always become wealthy, and the talented [intelligent] one does not always receive praise [favor]. Time and chance happen to everyone.' 

Now you've got to understand the gist of what King Solomon was trying to write here. He's not talking about fatalism. He's not talking about being negative. But time and chance can happen to anyone.

So beloved of God, if you think your IQ is not as high as somebody else, if you think you do not have a good family background, if you think your past is not good, or if you think you are not the smartest in your class or in school, I have a good news for you. There is hope for you! Because the Lord can cause opportunity to be opened up for you, even if you think you are not the wisest or the smartest on earth in human eyes! In other words, the Lord can set up divine opportunities for you and cause you to walk in favor and breakthrough!

No matter what you have gone through in your past, no matter how much a failure you have been in the past, the Lord God is refreshing and renewing you this year. He is opening up a new horizon for you this year, and He is setting up divine appointment for you this year!

Ecclesiastes 9:11 (NLT) puts it this way, 'I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn't always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn't always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don't always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.'

See 'by being in the right place at the right time' here?

King Solomon was the wisest man on earth. At the time of writing Ecclesiastes, he had seen life enough and had observed life enough. Of course he also concluded the whole of Ecclesiastes with "Fear the Lord, and obey His commands. For this is man's all." But over here in Ecclesiastes 9:11, he meant 'opportunities can happen to you if you are in the right place at the right time'! 

So beloved of God, I pray that you will be led by the Spirit of God to be in the right place at the right time this year! And the Lord your God will know how to open the doors of opportunity for you, and the doors for your breakthrough! And He knows how to make it happen!

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (Expanded) says, 'There is a time [season] for everything, and everything [every activity] on earth [under heaven] has its special season [time].'

I want to declare that your special season has arrived! Your special season has come! Your 'kairos' time has come! Your special season to walk in the favor of the Lord has come! Receive this by faith, be it in your ministry, in your career, in your business, or in any area of your life, and yes, even in finding life partner, if you are looking for a life partner!

What is this 'opportune time'? It is your 'kairos' time! The word 'kairos' here actually is a Greek word that refers to 'an opportune time' or 'when opportunity strikes', or 'a special moment' or 'a special season' for you to position yourself and to act on what the Lord has spoken. And that's when you are going to see your breakthrough, open doors, and good success!

Never mind if you have been a failure in your past. Never mind if you have been short changed or taken advantage of by some people in your past. Never mind if people looked down on you in your past. Never mind if you have failed in certain things that you do in the past. All these are past. Today, the Lord wants you to turn a new leaf in your life. He is drawing something very fresh and new in your life.

And He will know how to release His favor upon you, because you are entering a time and season of great opportunities in your life. There will be some pleasant surprises for you. There will be new opportunities being opened up, even in ways that you've never imagined can happen to you. 

Just do not allow yourself to doubt. But stay firm and hang on strong in Him. Keep looking to Jesus your King. He loves you. He knows how to make things happen for you. He knows how to set up divine appointments for you - for your breakthrough, and for that big break that you need!

Now, I want to bring you to one example found in Genesis chapter 24. The background here is Abraham (the father of Isaac) was old by then. And he asked his eldest servant to look for a bride for Isaac, his son. But there's one condition: Not to take for Isaac a wife from among the Canaanites, but instead go to Abraham's own country to look for a bride for Isaac. So this servant took the master's camels and departed for Mesopotamia, and he positioned himself at the time when women would go out to draw water from the wells.

Genesis 24:12-13 (NKJV) says, 'Then he (the servant of Abraham) said, "O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham. Behold, here I stand by the well of water (so he was positioning himself there), and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water."'

As you can see here, this servant of Abraham was positioning himself there, and he was asking and praying for good success. This word 'success' here is 'good speed' in King James Version. In Hebrew, it is 'qarah', which can mean 'to light upon, to bring about, to be (divinely) appointed for something'.

This servant was doing what his master Abraham told him to do, i.e. to find a bride for Isaac. And he was praying, "Lord God, give me 'qarah' this day." In other words, "Light upon this situation, bring about success in this situation, bring about divine appointment for this mission that my master Abraham has asked me to do."

Genesis 24:14 (NKJV) says, "Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, 'Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,' and she says, 'Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink' - let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master."

And you know what? To cut the whole story short, the rest is history. Rebekah showed up! And Rebekah eventually became Isaac's bride.

Notice this passage in Genesis 24 isn't just about finding a bride for Isaac, or how Isaac and Rebekah met. It's more than that. The Lord showed me it's also about the servant whom Abraham had entrusted. So, if 'Abraham' is a 'picture' of our 'Abba Father in heaven', then you and I are that 'servant', who are entrusted to do what He says on earth! Our mandate on earth, our mission on earth, our God-given task on earth - be it in ministry, in career, in business, or in anything that He has called us to be and to do on earth!

So beloved of God, whatever your mandate on earth, whatever your mission on earth, whatever that God has called you to be and to do, my prayer is may the Lord grant you good success, may the Lord grant you 'qarah', may the Lord give you the breakthrough that you need, may the Lord open the door for you, and may the Lord set up divine appointment for you - just as what happened to this servant of Abraham. Amen!

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

Receive grace and favor to overturn the works of the enemy!

Words from the Lord in this time and season:

"What the enemy tries to work against you, this is your time to receive the grace and favor to overturn its works! Like for Esther and Mordecai in the days of old, I will know how to overturn the works of the enemy and I will know how to turn things around for your advancement!"

People of God, in recent times, if you have been hindered by the enemy, or if you have been attacked by the enemy, fear not, because the Lord is saying to you, "Receive not only My wisdom, but receive My grace and favor to overcome! Look to Me, and I will know how to overturn the works of the enemy against you!"

Let's go to the book of Esther now. The background of Esther is that Mordecai (the cousin of Esther) raised her up and took care of her, because Esther didn't have father and mother since early on. 

Here in this book, King Ahasuerus (the king of Persia at that time) was looking for a new queen because he was offended by the previous queen, Queen Vashti. 

Esther 2:17 says, 'The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti'.

Notice the words 'grace and favor' here. In Hebrew, it's 'khane' and 'khehsed'. So, Esther obtained grace and favor in the king's sight more than all the virgins, and she was crowned the new queen. 

By the way, what is 'grace'? 'Grace' is God's ability and God's supply in your life. It means 'God's ability to do for you what you cannot do for yourself', and 'God's supply for you what you cannot supply for yourself'.

You see, people of God, not only do we need wisdom in life, but we need God's grace and God's favor in our lives too! 'Khane' and 'khehsed'! And no matter what challenges or predicament you may be facing right now, by God's grace and favor ('khane' and 'khehsed'), you will overcome and you will overturn the works of the enemy! God will reverse it for you - for your advancement and for your victory!

Let's study a little about Mordecai now. Even though this book is called the book of Esther, but Mordecai was just as prominent in this book. Proof? Look at chapter 10, the last chapter of this book, and you'll see the whole book of Esther is wrapped up with Mordecai's advancement. So, it's also a book about Mordecai!

Who was Mordecai? This man Mordecai was someone who love God, and who would not bow down to the ways of man that's against God. But because Mordecai did not bow down and pay homage to Haman (Esther 3:1-3), Haman then plotted to kill him. Not only did Haman wanted to kill Mordecai, Haman also plotted to destroy and wipe out the people of Mordecai (i.e. the Jews) entirely! (Esther 3:6-8)

Mordecai then told Esther about Haman's wicked plans. And that's when Esther took a big risk to meet the king, because anyone who entered the inner court of the king without being called to do so, that person would be put to death! (Esther 4:11-16) However, Esther found favor in the sight of the king (Esther 5:1-3). 

Esther then devised a plan to organize a banquet for the king, Haman, and herself - just three of them (Esther 5:4). Do you see that? Instead of telling it all to the king then and there about Haman's wicked plans, somehow Esther had the wisdom to organize a banquet first. Now, how did Esther have that wisdom? I believe it's because she feared the Lord. Proverbs 9:10 says, 'The fear of the Lord (reverence of the Lord) is the beginning of wisdom (knowing what to do, how to go about in life)'.

During the banquet, when the king asked Esther what's her request, Esther then requested for her life and her people's lives be preserved from the plan to annihilate and wipe them out (Esther 7:1-4). The king then asked who would dare to do such a wicked thing to annihilate her people (Esther 7:5), and Esther answered, "The adversary and the enemy is this wicked Haman!" (Esther 7:6) Can you imagine how terrified Haman was at that time? The king became very angry with Haman, and Haman was later executed on the very gallows that he had set up for Mordecai! (Esther 7:10) Things have been turned around!

People of God, fear not therefore if you have been a victim of plots, conspiracies, attacks, character assassinations, or even office politics against you. Continue to fear the Lord, because that's when He will give you the wisdom you need to turn things around (Proverbs 9:10). And continue to humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, because that's when God will give you grace (1 Peter 5:5-6).

Indeed, you have an All-knowing, All-powerful, and All-present God, and He will know how to turn things around for those who fear Him, humble themselves before Him, and look to Him! Hallelujah!

Prayer:

"O Lord God, in times like these, we look to You and we receive not just Your wisdom, but also Your grace and favor ('khane' and 'khehsed') to overturn whatever the enemy is trying to work against us. Just as in the days of Esther and Mordecai, You are the same yesterday, today and forever. You are the same All-knowing, All-powerful, and All-present God who knows exactly the plots, conspiracies and plans of the enemy against Your people. And You know how to turn things around for our victory and for our advancement. Anything that has been hindered or seemingly dead-end in our lives, O Lord, we pray for Your divine wisdom, grace and favor to be released upon us this day. In the mighty name of Jesus. Amen."

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

Walking in the favor of God

Luke 2:52 (NKJV): And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

The word 'favor' here in the New Testament is 'charis' in Greek, which can mean:
- divine influence upon your life
- divine acceptance upon your life
- divine benefit upon your life
- divine pleasure upon your life
- divine gift upon your life

This word 'charis' is from the word 'cha-i-ro', meaning 'be well-off, be well, be cheerful, be joyful, be happy, be glad, God speed'.

As Jesus is, so are you in this world! (1 John 4:17) And just as Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men, so should you be in this world!

Notice what Luke wrote in Acts 2:46-47 regarding the church (i.e. the people of God): 'So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved'.

See the word 'favor' here? It is the same word 'charis'. In other words, the people of God were enjoying the divine influence, divine acceptance, divine benefit, divine pleasure, and divine gift of the Lord upon their lives! And when the favor of God was with them, they couldn't help but be 'attractive' to those around them, even the unbelievers! And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved! See? Favor of God and favor of men!

How about the likes of Joseph and David? You can see the same word 'favor' written by Luke in the Book of Acts. Acts 7:9-10 (NKJV) says, 'And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor ('charis') and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house'. Acts 7:45-46 (NKJV) says, '... David, who found favor ('charis') before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob'.

Let me 'qualify' what I write about 'favor' here. I am not saying when the favor of God is with you, you will never have to face any opposition, or even persecution (particularly from those who may be envious or feeling threatened by what the Lord is doing in your life). What I am saying is when the favor of God is with you, He will know how to prosper you (in all that He has called you to do), and He will raise up the right people to favor you! And that's exactly what happened to the people of God in the early days!

"How do you apply the above verses in this end-time?"

No doubt the world is not getting any better, with more and more wars and rumors of war, earthquakes occurring in various places, pestilences, etc. You don't need a prophet to tell you this. Even the people who are unbelievers can tell you the same. You can see this everywhere, and in the news channels. Isaiah 60:2 (Holman Christian Standard Bible) confirms it, 'For look, darkness covers the earth, and total darkness the peoples...' But Isaiah 60:2 then continues with these very encouraging words, '... but the Lord will shine over you, and His glory will appear over you'.

People of God, the second part of Isaiah 60:2 is yours to receive! Therefore, no matter how 'unfavorable' the conditions around you may be, as a people who are in Christ, you can still (and should still) be walking in the favor of God and favor of men! The expression 'but the Lord will shine over you' here in the Old Testament parallels with 'the favor of God' (i.e. 'charis' of God) in the New Testament.

In cross-reference, the priestly blessing mentioned in Numbers 6:24-26 says,
"The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace."

See? 'The Lord make His face shine upon you'! Now, that's 'the favor of God' upon you! Just as in the physical realm, you can feel it when the physical sun shines upon you (i.e. the ray of light, the warmth), the same it is when God's face shines upon you! You can feel it when 'His divine influence, divine acceptance, divine benefit, divine pleasure, and divine gift' is upon you!

Now, look at what Jesus cried out when He was about to give up His Spirit at the cross. Matthew 27:45-46 says, 'Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachtani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"' In other words, God the Father turned His face away from His Son Jesus (who carried all the filthiness of our sins), so that His face can now shine upon you!

"But why are some believers seem to walk in favor (or greater evidence of favor) more than other believers?"

Remember the word 'favor' is 'charis'. It is a gift of God to you (who are in Christ)! In Christ, you actually already have it! Simply because of what Jesus has already done for you on the cross. It is not something you can buy or earn with your own self-effort. So, why then some believers seem to walk in favor more than some others?

To answer the above question, let's go to Luke 1:26-38:
'... the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you... For with God nothing will be impossible." Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her'.

Can you imagine what if Mary had rejected all that the angel Gabriel had conveyed? What if Mary had said 'nay' instead of 'aye'? What if Mary had said, "No, that's not for me. Who am I to be chosen for such?" Mary would have missed out the privilege of bringing forth the Son of the Living God!

But look now at Luke 1:38: "Behold (here am I) the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." People of God, this is the key to seeing the favor of God HAPPENING in your life! A heart that is willing and yielded, and a heart that is fully surrendered to all that the Lord had wanted to do in your life! Like Mary!

And soon you too will bring forth the many good things that God had already intended for you! Amen!

Growing in wisdom, stature and favor

Luke 2:52 (NKJV): And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

The word 'increase' here can mean 'advance, grow, or proceed'. Just as the kingdom of God (kingdom of heaven) is always increasing and expanding (instead of diminishing), Jesus also continued to increase while He was on earth!

In cross reference, Proverbs 4:18 says, 'The path of the righteous is as the shining light, that shines (increasingly) more and more till the full light'. Praise God! And because you are the righteousness of God through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), you too are meant to be increasing as well, whether in wisdom and stature, or in favor with God and men! 

Note: The word ‘stature’ here is ‘helikia’ in Greek, which can mean 'maturity (not just physically, but also spiritually, mentally, or emotionally)'.

From the Bible, there are 2 keys to increasing in wisdom, stature and favor: 

1. Walking in the Spirit (read Galatians 5:16-26). 

2. Taking His instruction as it is (read 1 Samuel 15, learning from King Saul's mistakes).

1. Walking in the Spirit (read Galatians 5:16-26)

The word 'Spirit' here is in capital 'S', i.e. 'walking in His Spirit'. To 'walk in the Spirit' is to have the consciousness of heaven over you, upon you, on you, and in you. In other words, 'walking in the Spirit' is 'walking in the heavenly realm'. When you are 'walking in the Spirit', you are walking in heaven while you are still on earth!

As you 'walk in the Spirit', you are walking in His heavenly wisdom and favor. Not just that, you are also walking in His power and protection (where no evil can touch you). That's why the apostle Paul wrote, "Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh (i.e. of the earthly realm)." The Spirit and the flesh (i.e. of the earthly realm) are antagonistic against one another (Galatians 5:17). By walking in the Spirit, you are indeed connected to and having access to the heavenly realm and heavenly resources (instead of the earthly realm and earthly resources). So, be filled with His Spirit, and pray in spirit often, moment by moment, day by day, knowing that when you pray in spirit, you are praying heaven(s) down!

2. Taking His instruction as it is (read 1 Samuel 15) 

Let's learn from King Saul’s mistakes here. He (King Saul) could have increased greatly in wisdom, stature and favor had he not tried to be a 'smart aleck'. Forgive me for saying this, but that's true. His idea sounded brilliant according to earthly logic and human reasoning (by sparing King Agag and some of the best sheep and oxen), when God actually said 'to utterly destroy all' (1 Samuel 15:1-3). In other words, Saul never took God’s instruction as it is (i.e. word for word). This eventually cost him even his kingship (see 1 Samuel 16:1). 

In contrast, let's look at our Lord Jesus Christ now. 

2 Corinthians 10:5 says, '... casting down arguments and every high thing (i.e. earthly thing) that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ'. Notice the words 'obedience of Christ' here? This speaks of His obedience to His Father's instruction and will. In The Garden of Gethsemane, He said to His Father, "... not My will, but Yours, be done" (see Luke 22:42). 

Philippians 2:8-11 then says, 'And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name (i.e. stature) which is above every name (i.e. stature), that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, ... and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father'. Notice the word 'obedient' again here? 

People of God, as you walk in these 2 keys mentioned above, as Jesus was, so will you be in this world (1 John 4:17), increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. So be it! Amen!

Forgetting the former things, and looking forward to the new things

Isaiah 43:18-19 (NKJV): Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Notice the words 'now it shall spring forth' here? The time is now to 'get rid of the old, and welcome the new'! In Philippians 3:13, the apostle Paul wrote, "... But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead." 

  

Isaiah 44:3 (NKJV) says, 'For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessings on your offspring'.

This is also a time His Spirit and His blessings are being poured out upon you. As you 'get rid of the old, and welcome the new', heaven is also 'opening its door' for you, pouring out His rain (water) and blessings upon you (in any area of your life that you allow Him to). With men, things may be impossible, but with God, all things are possible (Luke 18:27). If He can make a road in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, He can make all things possible for you.

Isaiah 43:13 (NKJV) says, 'Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?'

He is the Great I Am, and when He works, no one can reverse. Just like when winter ends, and spring comes, no one can stop God! The Bible says 'there is no one who can deliver out of His hand'. In cross-reference, Revelation 3:8 (NIV) says, '… See. I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut'.

People of God, God can open the door for you even in the most unexpected of times! God can even set 'good things' up for you even in the midst of your 'routine' work! For example, Peter (while He was washing his fishing nets after a whole night of toiling) and David (while He was bringing breakfast to his brothers).

God opened the door for new things in Peter’s life 

Unexpectedly, at a time when Peter was rather down and exhausted (after having toiled much and with no results), Jesus came into his boat and changed his life forever. See Luke 5:3-6, Luke 5:8-11.

God opened the door for new things in David’s life

Unexpectedly, at a time when David was doing a seemingly mundane job (of bringing breakfast for his brothers who were at the army camp), God set up an appointment for him that changed his life forever. See 1 Samuel 17:17-20, 1 Samuel 17:22-23, 1 Samuel 17:32.

See? Unexpected divinely-arranged appointments set up by none other but the Great I Am! Call it a 'pleasant surprise' if you may! Praise God! 

In the morning, Peter was struggling to catch even one fish, but later on that same day, he became the partner and co-worker of the One who owns all the fishes in the world!

In the morning, David was just humbly doing a menial task of serving breakfast to his brothers, but later on that same day, he was exalted by God to be a national hero, having single-handedly defeated Goliath, the champion of the Philistines!

All happened on the same day for each of them! 

And just as happened to Peter and David in those days, it can also come in the most unexpected way (and suddenly) for you these days. God hasn't changed in the way He works. He is indeed the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Of course, God saw them ready, even though they didn't even know they were ready! God's timing is always the best!

People of God, this is a time of 'open doors' and God's favor upon His people (even if others may say or report otherwise). The Bible says so, and that's what matters most. Those who sow in tears will reap in joy, and those who are humble will be exalted, yes, often times even in the most unexpected manner. Amen.

'Khane' & 'Khehsed'

Esther 2:17 (NKJV): The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.

In Hebrew, the word 'grace' here is pronounced 'khane', while the word 'favor' here is pronounced 'khehsed', which can also mean 'beauty, grace (unearned favor), goodness'.

Let's now cross-refer the words 'khane' (grace) and 'khehsed' (favor) in the Bible:
Proverbs 22:1 says, 'A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving 'khane' rather than silver and gold'.
Psalm 63:3 says, 'Because Your 'khehsed' is better than life, my lips shall praise You.'

In NKJV, the word 'khane' here in Proverbs 22:1 was translated 'favor', i.e. 'loving favor rather than silver and gold', while the word 'khehsed' in Psalm 63:3 was translated 'lovingkindness', i.e. Your lovingkindness is better than life (Note: 'life' here is pronounced 'khah-ee' in Hebrew, which means 'earthly life')...'

The Bible says God's 'khane' and 'khehsed' (i.e. grace and favor) is even better than the best the earthly life can offer! Yes, even better than a 7-star stay in the best of hotels, or being surrounded by gold and silver all the time! Now, having written these, it doesn't mean you cannot enjoy a good life or have gold and silver. When God put Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden (literally means 'pleasure, delight'), He wants them to enjoy it too! In fact, as a believer, you are supposed to be so blessed, enjoying all His goodness and blessings! Now that's what the Bible calls 'the blessing of Abraham'! (see Galatians 3:13-14) Some people put their 'faith' on money. But as a believer, you put your 'faith' (trust) on God and His goodness! When you have His grace and favor, you'll have all the good things in life! Every good thing will follow suit! Yes, money included. God loves to give to you. Never think He is stingy. In fact, astronomers have just discovered a planet that's made of diamonds! Imagine walking on diamonds everywhere, like you walk on rocks and stones on earth! And the streets in heaven are made of gold! That's how rich He is, the Most High God, the possessor of heaven and earth (see Genesis 14:19), and He is the God (YHWH) you worship!

Be conscious of God's 'khane' and 'khehsed' in your life always. 'Flowers' attract butterflies. 'Rubbish' attract flies. Good things happen ('outside' of you) when your 'inside' is filled with the revelation of God's goodness and lovingkindness. Just as what happens in the spiritual realm is reflected in the physical realm, what is in your 'inside' will also be reflected in your 'outside'. Say, if you have 'fear' in the 'inside', it will then manifest in the 'outside'. But if you have the revelation of God's goodness and lovingkindness in your 'inside', you'll also see it happening in your 'outside' (i.e. you can see and experience it in the physical realm).

Let's look at Esther now. She had this revelation of 'khane' and 'khehsed'. She also knew she was born and raised 'for such a time as this' (to save her people from being annihilated by the enemy), and she even said "If I die, I die!" (see Esther 4:14-16). With this revelation 'inside' of her, she was willing to 'take the risk'! You see, there's every 'risk' of her incurring the king's wrath and ended up like Vashti (the previous queen who became 'out of favor'), and in turn, losing everything! (Read the book of Esther in the Bible for the details)

But for Esther, she chose to walk in the fullness of God's destiny in her life, and to her, God's lovingkindness (to Israel) is better than her own life as a queen itself, i.e. with the arrays of gold and silver, the best earthly food, the best earthly clothes (that wears out anyway), etc.

Some people say: 'Get what you can, can what you get, and then sit on the can'. Most other 'queen' would have done this (i.e. to protect their own interests & position at all costs, but in earthly and carnal ways), but not Esther. Instead, she chose to walk in God's destiny.

So, did she (Esther) suffer in the end? No! Because of God's 'khane' and 'khehsed' in her life, she eventually became an even more powerful queen! The king even gave her the right to write her own law as she pleased! (see Esther 8:8)

A lot of people in the world now are struggling and striving in life, only to find themselves losing their 'soul' (& destiny). Imagine whales struggling and getting stranded at the beach (when they are supposed to be enjoying themselves in the ocean).

Esther was originally named 'Hadassah' in Hebrew, which comes from the word 'hadas' meaning 'myrtle tree' ( a tree with good-smelling leaves and white flowers - a 'picture' of sweet-smelling aroma and purity). Isaiah 55:13 says, 'instead of briers (a kind of thorny shrub), shall come up myrtle tree. So, myrtle is a choice plant in Israel, a 'picture' of God's promised blessing. So, instead of 'curse' (represented by 'thorns'), God has promised Esther 'blessings'!

God wants you to be the 'Esthers' of today. And just as Esther was, when you have God's 'khane' and 'khehsed', 'fear not, for what can man do to you?' (see Hebrews 13:6). The Bible also says, "whoever desires to save his 'life' will lose it, but whoever loses his 'life' for My sake (by walking in His destiny) will find it!" (see Matthew 16:25). God loves to give good things to you, and God will open a way for you, as He did to Esther. Receive.

What are you conscious of in your 'inside' (i.e. in your heart and mind) now? Is it God's lovingkindness for you, or is it the earthly, selfish cares and worries of life? 'Flowers' (like 'Esther', the myrtle flower) attract butterflies. 'Rubbish' attract flies. So, what are you 'attracting' today? Focus on His 'khane' and 'khehsed', and you'll have every good thing in 'life'. Focus on the earthly, selfish (self-conscious) life, and you'll be drowned in the cares, concerns, and struggles of life.

Therefore, look to God, and trust Him for His 'khane' and 'khehsed' in your life, and you'll have 'life', and 'life' even more abundantly! Amen.