Break free from your bondage and traps!

The Lord says: 

"This is the time to break free! Many shall be set free from their past. Many shall be set free from their bondages. Many shall be set free from their past practices and man-made traditions that have bound them. There is a breaking free in the spirit. For I am doing a new thing in the midst of My people. Spiritual eyes are being enlightened and opened. Do not be bound by the old that holds you back and limits you. But receive My power to break free and walk into the greater things that I have for you." 

What is the definition of 'break free'? You can define it as 'to be set free from whatever that limits you', or 'to be set free from your bondage, chains and traps'.

What are the areas in your life that you know it's time to break free? Or what are the areas in your life that you know the Lord has told you to move on and embrace the new?

For some, it may be a certain friendship or association that has become toxic. For others, it may be certain people who have been taking advantage of you continuously, and the Lord is saying to you, "It's time for you to break free!" Yet for some others, it may be certain people who have been manipulative against you or have 'enslaved' you.

So, different people different situation. But the Lord will specifically speak to you. May your spiritual ears be sensitized to hear and receive from Him.

The Lord says further: 

"A change of direction is happening to many of My people in this time and season. Do not be afraid to embrace the change. It is a change to the better. My hand is with you, and I will be with you. I will begin to show you your new 'blueprint' going forward, if you look to Me."

That's exactly what happened to Moses when he led God's people to break free from the stranglehold of the Pharaoh those days. You see, they've had enough of the bondage and slavery in Egypt. As they cried out to the Lord, the Lord began to show them a 'blueprint' and a plan to move on from that bondage and slavery. 

In Exodus 6:5-6, the Lord spoke to Moses, "I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered My covenant. Therefore say to the children of Israel: 'I am the Lord; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.'" 

Henceforth, the process of breaking free began. To cut the whole story short, after the tenth plague in Egypt, the time had come for God's people to finally break free. By the leading and the hand of the Lord, they left Egypt. 

However, the Egyptians continued to pursue them. They would not give up so easily. They were not willing to let them go just like that. They wanted to pull them back into the bondage and slavery. 

By the way, the word 'Egypt' has also been mentioned as 'Mizraim' in Hebrew, and this word comes from the word 'matsuwr', which means 'to limit, to besiege, to surround in order to capture it'. 

That's exactly what happened to God's people prior to them breaking free. They have been held bondage. They have been limited. They have been stifled. They have been enslaved. In fact, day after day, their burdens became heavier and heavier. So they cried out to the Lord, and the Lord answered them. 

You see, the Lord your God is not dead. He is The Great I Am. He is great, and He is greatly to be praised. With signs and wonders, and miracles, He made a way of escape for God's people those days, even in ways unimaginable to human minds. 

As God's people reached the Red Sea, they didn't know what to do next. They thought they were going to be recaptured and put into bondage again. But Moses said to them: "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you."

Beloved of God, just as in Moses' days, you too can be set free from your bondage and traps, whatever it may be! The Lord is releasing upon you the power and the anointing to break free right now! Receive by faith! Receive also the wisdom, direction, and guidance from the Lord, every step of the way. New things are coming in your life! Better things are coming in your life! Hallelujah!

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This will liberate you!

The Lord says: 

"When many others choose to harbor unforgiveness, you choose to forgive and let go. There is power in forgiving and letting go. When you choose to forgive and let go, I will know how to take over and stand up for you. Receive therefore the grace to forgive. Release those who have spoken ill against you or done harm against you. I will come to your rescue and I will come to your defence." 

Matthew 18:21-22 (NKJV) says, 'Then Peter came to Him (Jesus) and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."'

Before I explain these verses, let's look at the definition of the word 'forgive'. The word 'forgive' here is 'aphiemi' in Greek. It can mean 'to lay aside, to leave it, to let go (a matter or a person)'. 

'To forgive' can also be defined as 'to stop feeling resentment or angry towards someone for an offense, flaw, or mistake.' 

But what does it mean by 'up to seven times' and 'up to seventy times seven'? What is the difference?

When you look at the meaning of '7' and '70' in Hebrew numeric, you will see something. 

'7' in Hebrew numeric can mean 'perfect, perfection, in a perfect way, complete in every way'. Therefore, to forgive 'up to seven times' means 'to forgive perfectly'. 

But you may say, "I find it very difficult to forgive perfectly!" 

That leads us to the number '70'. What is the number '70' in Hebrew numeric? It speaks of God's Spirit! Therefore, to forgive 'up to seventy times seven' means 'to forgive perfectly with the help of the Holy Spirit'. 

In other words, by yourself, you may find it hard to forgive, and sometimes even impossible to forgive. But with the help of God's Spirit, that is the Holy Spirit, it is possible and it is so much easier. So, that is the difference between 'seven times' and 'seventy times seven'. 

'Seven times' can mean 'depending on your own self to forgive', whereas 'seventy times seven' can mean 'depending on the Holy Spirit to work in you to forgive'. 

This is possible, if you are willing to give the Holy Spirit a chance, and if you are willing to give yourself a chance. It is liberating. It is healing. It sets you free. That's why forgiveness is so powerful. 

By the way, do you know on what occasion the word 'forgive' was first mentioned in the Scripture? Speaking of The Law of First Mention. The answer is Genesis 50. And that's about Joseph forgiving his brothers for what they have done against him - throwing him into a pit and selling him off to be a slave in a foreign country. 

Let's look at Genesis 50:15-17. When Joseph's brothers saw their father (Jacob) was dead, they said, "Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil we did to him." So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, "Before your father died he commanded, saying, 'Thus you shall say to Joseph: "I beg you, please forgive the trespasses of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you."' Now, please, forgive the trespasses of the servants of the God of your father."

Let's look further in Genesis 50:19-21. Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. 

You see, Joseph could have exacted revenge on the brothers now that the father's dead. But he had a big heart. He chose to forgive. He chose to forgive his brothers for whatever harm done against him in the past. As a result, God's name is glorified. There's reconciliation and unity again among the sons of Jacob (or the sons of Israel). 

Now, all this happened simply because Joseph chose to forgive. May you choose to forgive as well. And may the Lord grant you the peace to forgive. 

Let's continue with Genesis 50:22-23. So Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he and his father's household. And Joseph lived one hundred and ten years. Joseph saw Ephraim's children to the third generation. 

In other words, Joseph lived to see his great-grandchildren. That's the third generation. This is indeed a blessing! The blessing of a long life and the blessing of living to see not just his grandchildren, but his great-grandchildren. Amen!

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

Words from the Lord: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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) 

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See the good hand of the Lord in your life!

The Lord says: "This is the time to see My good hand in your life! My hand will guide you. My hand will lead you. My hand will make a way for you. My hand will build you. My hand will rebuild you. My hand will restore you. Whatever your past brokenness and shame may be, or whatever in your life that has been shattered, watch My good hand mend and heal you in this time and season." 

See the good hand of the Lord in your life! 

When the Lord spoke about His good hand, it reminded me of the book of Ezra, because in this book, one can see numerous times it's been mentioned 'the good hand of the Lord'! 

Ezra 7:9 says, 'On the first day of the first month he began his journey from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.' 

You see? The good hand of the Lord was upon Ezra. Who is this Ezra? He's a scribe, and many scholars believe Ezra wrote this book of Ezra, which is a story of the return of God's people from captivity (in Babylon) back to their own land (in Judah and Jerusalem).

By the way, what does the name 'Ezra' mean? 'Ezra' actually means 'Yahweh helps'. This name comes from the Hebrew word 'Ezer' meaning 'to help, to protect, to aid, to surround'. It speaks of the hand of the Lord helping you, protecting you, aiding you, and surrounding you! 

And that was exactly what happened in the book of Ezra! The Lord was helping His people to return from their captivity (in Babylon) back to Jerusalem! The Lord was helping His people in the rebuilding of the destroyed temple in Jerusalem! 

And this is very interesting. In Ezra 1:2-3, the Lord actually moved and stirred the heart of King Cyrus (the Persian king) to make a proclamation for God's people to return to their own land and to rebuild the destroyed temple in Jerusalem! 

In fact, Cyrus even acknowledged Yahweh as the God of heaven. He was saying, "All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me..." If you look at the Hebrew translation here, 'the Lord God' here is 'Yahweh'. Therefore, he was actually proclaiming, "All the kingdoms of the earth Yahweh has given me." So, he was acknowledging the God of Israel, Yahweh, as the God of heaven and earth! 

And Cyrus was saying, "Yes, you people of the Lord, you can go back to your land. Build the house of the Lord. Build the house of Yahweh." 

And these words came from a pagan king!

Hallelujah!

How does this apply to you right now? This speaks of a time to be set free from captivity has come! This speaks of a time to declare liberty in your life has come! Free from your bondage! Free from whatever yoke that has held you back! Free from whatever past brokenness or shame! And you are being released to be (and to do) all that the Lord has purposed for you in this new time and season!

Beloved of God, see yourself like God's people in the book of Ezra right now! That's why this book is so important in this time and season. It's such an encouragement, especially if your life has been shattered, or if your life has been broken (or shamed) in the past. 

Look to the Lord right now. He will know how to restore you. He will know how to heal you. He will know how to build you. He will even know how to do the rebuilding in your life. 

Do you see Jesus in the book of Ezra here? Jesus is in the Old Testament concealed, and Jesus is in the New Testament revealed. So over here, see Jesus as the Restorer, Builder, and even Rebuilder of your life! 

And yes, no matter what had happened in your past, like God's people those days, there is hope! And you too will see a greater future, going forward! Hallelujah!

Prayer: "O Lord God, we thank You for Your good hand moving in our lives. Your hand shall help us. Your hand shall guide us and lead us. Your hand shall make a way for us. Your hand shall build or rebuild for us. Your hand shall restore and heal us, no matter what our past brokenness and shame may be. Like Ezra, we receive all that You have spoken today. In Jesus' name. Amen."

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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!

Stand fast in the liberty!

Galatians 5:1 (NKJV): Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

The word ‘liberty' here is ‘eleutheria’ in Greek (also meaning ‘freedom’), from the word ‘eleutheros’, which means ‘unrestrained, not a slave, or exempt (from obligation/liability/debt)’. 'To stand fast' here is 'to continue, to insist, to take a firm stand'. In other words, the apostle Paul meant, 'once you are set free (from a certain bondage), never go back to that bondage again'! 

The word ‘yoke’ in this verse means 'burden or obligation', and when I say 'obligation', I mean 'something that is imposed which causes a person (or a society) to be bound, stifled or restricted'. 

Someone asked, "Pastor, how do I know if I am in a bondage?" 

You know you are in a bondage when you are stifled (i.e. suffocated, suppressed, or restrained), and you can't express yourself (or your gifts/talents) as who you are any more! By the way, this word ‘bondage’ simply means 'slavery'. One example in the Bible is when the Israelites were under the control of the Pharaoh in Egypt (before God sent Moses to set them free).

Note: In the context of Paul's writing here in Galatians 5:1, he was contrasting between 'being under law' and 'being under grace'. He stated that 'law' binds us, whereas 'grace' sets us free. He then also wrote 'having been called to liberty (freedom), only do not use liberty (freedom) as an opportunity for the flesh (i.e. taking advantage of one another), but through love serve one another' (see Galatians 5:13). In other words, liberty (freedom) in Christ is never a license to 'take advantage of one another' or to 'sin further', but one that always produces the fruits of righteousness.

This truth above can also be applied in every other area of your life as well. Say, if you are already 'set free' from a financial debt, don’t go back to the 'bondage' of borrowing again! Instead, start 'living within your means', and start allowing God to lead you (and guide you) into prosperity thereon. 

During the trying period of recession (even depression) in Europe in recent years, I've always wanted to find out why the nation of Germany survived in the midst of a troubled European economy (of course, I also can't deny the fact that even a 'big ship' may still 'sink' in the midst of a 'prolonged storm'). Now, I am not promoting Germany here. But there are definitely many things we can learn from one another if we humble ourselves. According to a BBC business news report recently, I then found out one good quality the Germans have is they don’t have a culture of ‘borrowing' unnecessarily. In German language, the word ‘borrow’ shares the same word as ‘guilt’. Yes, the same word! Therefore, they don’t like to ‘borrow’. To them, ‘borrowing’ is something ‘guilty’! Put it this way: They don’t like to be in a 'bondage' (slavery). As a matter of fact, the borrower is in effect a ‘slave’ to the lender! 

Each country is unique and has its own underlying culture/way of living in everyday life. I also notice that, generally, the culture of 'not borrowing' (and 'living within your means', instead of the practice of mortgage and re-mortgage) has been inculcated in many Germans since young. Multiply this many times, and this is then reflected as the character of the whole nation (which in turn influences the nation's decision-making). 

Note: Of course the above is not the only reason. There are many other reasons as well, e.g. an efficient vocational training for their youth (like a 'conveyor belt' that keeps producing highly-skilled workers into the industry), among others.

Now, notice what the Bible says about the blessing of Abraham. One part of this blessing goes like this: 'And the Lord will grant you plenty of goods, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your ground, in the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give you. The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow' (Deuteronomy 28:11-12). Take these two verses and proclaim it over your life! Believing, and you'll have it. Amen!

Galatians 3:13-14 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'. 

People of God, it is for freedom that Christ has set you free! He has already broken every yoke of yours on the cross! So, stand fast in this freedom, and never allow the devil (or anyone) to bring you back to that place of 'bondage'! This is a time to move on and into the new things. Don’t look back! Say, if you have been set free from sorrows, stand fast therefore, and keep receiving the joy of the Lord as you move on! 

In Philippians 3:13-15, Paul wrote, 'Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you'. See the word 'mature' here? In other words, Paul was saying those who are spiritually mature are those who will look forward till God's destiny is fulfilled in them! 

Don’t be like Lot’s wife who looked back at Sodom and Gomorrah and became a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26). 'Salt' here implies 'something easily dissolved, or something disappearing as dust' in Hebrew. That's what happened to Lot's wife. She literally 'was dissolved', and 'disappeared' in history. Have you noticed the Bible didn't even bother to mention Lot's wife's name? The Bible only says "Lot's wife", but not her actual name! There's also always a tendency for human to stay in the 'old'. Even for Lot himself, the Bible says 'he lingered' and didn't really move, even after the messengers had urged him to hurry! (see Genesis 19:15-16) But God was indeed merciful to him, and the messengers then took hold of him (and his family) and brought him (and his family) out of Sodom and Gomorrah! These two words have meanings. Sodom means ‘to be scorched, to be burnt’, and Gomorrah means ‘a ruined heap, a chastisement’. All these speak of the 'bondage' of our past, and that God wants us to 'burn the bridge behind us' and move on.

Also, the moment the people in Moses’ days looked back and yearned for Egypt (‘Mizraim’ in Hebrew, meaning ‘a place of distress, besieged, bondage’), they soon also became history (see Numbers 14:1-4, Numbers 14:35-37). The lesson learnt here is not to go back to the 'place' of the old 'bondage', but instead give thanks for the new-found freedom that God has given us.

People of God, the devil will want you to remain (or get stuck) in your old way (or old cycle/old season), but His grace and His power is more than enough for you today to move into the new. 

Receive this anointing now and be set free, so that you can get on with what the Lord has called you to be. Yes, God will also surely open a way for you, and when you seek Him, you'll definitely find the answer. Better days are indeed ahead of you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

NOW is your Jubilee!

Leviticus 25:9-10 (NKJV): Then you shall cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall make the trumpet to sound throughout all your land. And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year; and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family.

The word 'Jubilee' in Leviticus 25:9 is 'teruwah' in Hebrew, which means 'acclamation of joy (with trumpets), loud noise, shout of joy, shout of triumph, and jubilation'. In Leviticus 25:10, the word 'Jubilee' is 'yowbel' in Hebrew, which means "the blast of a ram's horn (trumpet)". This word comes from the word 'yabal', which means 'to lead forth, to bring forth (with pomp, splendor, magnificence - like a triumphant procession)'. And the Lord spoke to Moses regarding this fiftieth year, the year of Jubilee (see Leviticus 25:10-14), i.e. the year liberty was to be proclaimed throughout the land.

How does 'Jubilee' relate to you in the New Covenant? And when is your 'Jubilee' year?
The answer can be found in Luke 4:18-19.

When Jesus was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah in the synagogue on the Sabbath day, He read out Isaiah 61:1-2: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." Note: The word 'to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord' in Luke 4:19 also means "to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." 

Then, Jesus closed the book (Luke 4:20), and said, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

Jesus has fulfilled this Scripture (Luke 4:21). 'To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord' is 'to proclaim a year of Jubilee'. 'Jubilee' is when 'one is being restored to his/her inheritance and possessions', and the blowing of trumpet signifies 'a new beginning', to set at liberty, i.e. forgetting the old & entering the new.

Today, Jesus has become your Jubilee, and this Jubilee is in you! So, you too are now set free from every bondage and slavery. Victory has been won for you at the cross! In fact, when Jesus shouted "It is finished!" (John 19:30), it was in effect a shout of triumph, declaring the beginning of Jubilee for you and me! As a believer, you are therefore 'accepted' in God's Beloved! (Ephesians 1:6) At that time (ninth hour, i.e. 3pm), the veil of the temple was torn, the graves were opened, and the captives were set free (Matthew 27:50-52). And because the ninth hour was also 'the hour of prayer' (see Acts 3:1), i.e. the evening sacrifice, the ram's horn (trumpet) was also sounded at the temple! And 'Jubilee' (or 'yowbel' in Hebrew) also means 'the blast of a ram's horn (trumpet)'.

By the way, to have a ram's horn, the ram has to be killed first. Jesus has become the fullness of sacrifice, once for all, for you (Hebrews 7:27), so that you can be 'at-one' (reconciled) with God. Leviticus 25:9 says, 'on the Day of At-one-ment, you shall make the trumpet to sound'.

People of God, Jesus has therefore proclaimed a Jubilee for you! So, you have been set at liberty! This is the day of your salvation! This is the day of your restoration! This is the day of your renewal! This is the day of your healing! This is the day of your deliverance! This is the day of God's favor & blessing on you! And the time is NOW! Claim back what should be yours! Claim back all your rightful 'inheritance'! Take back what the devil has stolen from you! And wait no longer. Take it NOW! Shout it out NOW! Say: "This is my day of salvation. This is my day of restoration. This is my day of renewal. This is my day of healing. This is my day of deliverance. This is my day of God's favor & blessing." Enforce it by faith. Declare it by faith. Believing, and you shall receive. And all these in Jesus' mighty name. Amen!