Embrace the 'new' and the good that God has for you!

The Lord says: 

"Taste and see My goodness in your life going forward. But you need to let go of the 'old' and what you have moved on from in your life, and embrace the 'new' that I have for you now. Let there be such a release in your spirit and your soul right now. For what I have in store ahead of you will be good!" 

The Lord says further: 

"Begin to cast down every word and every work sent by the enemy against you. Begin to cast down everything sent by the enemy to pull you back to the 'old' of your life. But this is your time to embrace all the good and the 'new' that I have for you ahead of you. This is your time to secure and receive all the good that I have for you, by faith." 

I heard the word 'embrace' two times here. I believe this is the key word for us now: 'Embrace'. To embrace what? To embrace all the 'new' and the good that God has for you!

This word 'embrace' can be traced back to two Latin words, 'in' and 'bracchium', literally meaning 'in the arms (of)'. 

This word 'embrace' can also mean 'to surround, to encircle, to hold closely (especially with great affection)'. 

This works both ways: You embracing the Lord, and the Lord embracing you! 

One way to describe the goodness of God in your life is to picture the Lord's arms wrapping around you, surrounding you, encircling you, and holding you closely and lovingly in His embrace! And in His embrace, you can rest secure!

Deuteronomy 33:12 (NIV) says, "Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders." 

This expression 'rests between His shoulders' can be understood as 'being in the embrace of God'. 

Deuteronomy 33:12 (The Message) puts it this way: "God's beloved; God's permanent residence. Encircled by God all day long, within whom God is at home." 

See the word 'encircled' here? Encircled by God all day long! Encircled by the goodness of God all day long! All the time! And the best news is whatever happens around you in the world, your God is always 'at home' in your life! Always present in your life! Always here for you! All the time! 

Psalm 34:8 (NKJV) says, 'Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!' 

Psalm 34:8 (Amplified) puts it this way: 'O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good; How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who takes refuge in Him.' 

The word 'good' here is 'towb' in Hebrew. It can mean 'good (in the widest sense)'. In other words, 'good in every way'. This word 'towb' can also mean 'beautiful, bountiful, sweet, gracious'. 

So, taste and see that the Lord is beautiful to you, the Lord is bountiful to you, the Lord is sweet to you, and the Lord is gracious to you! And let this goodness of God be poured into your life right now! 

Psalm 23:6 (Amplified) says, 'Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord.' 

Beloved of God, surely what's beautiful, what's bountiful, what's sweet, and what's gracious shall follow you all the days of your life! Make this declaration upon your life right now!

Psalm 31:19-20 (Amplified) says, 'How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who [reverently] fear You, which You have prepared for those who take refuge in You, before the sons of man! In the secret place of Your presence You hide them from the plots and conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues.' 

You see, the goodness of God in your life encompasses all aspects of your life. God even shows His goodness in your life by sheltering you from the plots and conspiracies of man, or even from the strife of tongues!

Psalm 107:8-9 (NKJV) says, 'Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.' 

This is another aspect of the goodness of God. He satisfies whatever that is lacking in your life. He fills what is empty in your life. He fills you with hope. He fills you with joy. And of course, He fills you with His unfailing love. When everything else in the world fails, the Lord's love for you never fails. And that is the assurance of the Lord for your life right now. 

Declare that the Lord is altogether good in your life! 

He knows how to work things out for good for you! 

He knows how to turn your sorrow into joy! 

He knows how to turn whatever that's bad in your life into something good! 

And whatever the enemy throws at you, the Lord will know how to turn things around for you! 

Amen!

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Words from the Lord: "Your life will never be the same again!"

I had a dream the other night about three persons whom I know, all of whom are God's beloved. 

One is a leader, and in the dream, one after another follower or disciple of his seemed to desert him or walk out on him. He was of course downcast and discouraged. The next person I saw in the dream was someone who seemed to have lost direction and purpose in life, not knowing what to do in life anymore. And the third person was someone who seemed to have some kind of marriage problem or relationship problem. 

When I woke up from this dream, I prayed for each of them. I know this kind of dream is given so that I will pray. I will pray for the good of these people. So I prayed for God to heal and restore whatever area that needs to be healed or restored in these lives. 

That's also when the Lord spoke these words: 

"Tell My beloved, whatever your hurt, pain, regret, or even trauma may be, this is the time for you to be set free! Surrender all these areas of your life to Me, for I am extending My hand to heal you and restore you. Receive by faith. My grace is sufficient for you. My power to heal and restore is at hand. I will make all things new for you. I will cut rivers in the desert for you." 

The Lord is saying to you that He is sending miraculous supplies of water to 'water' you. You see, 'water' can speak of 'refreshing, healing, restoration'. The Lord is also saying to you that He can make whatever that is barren or deserted in your life to turn into fruitfulness and wholeness again. Not just that. He also makes all things new in your life! 

Revelation 21:5 (NKJV) says, 'He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."' 

Indeed, the Lord is faithful to His words. This is His assurance of His renewal work in your life. Not just in His eternal plan for your life, but also currently, at present, in your life! 

The word 'new' here is 'kainos' in Greek. It speaks of 'freshness' or 'refreshing'. It speaks of 'renewal' or 'being made new again'. So, if it's a relationship trouble that you are facing at the moment, the Lord is refreshing it again! And the Lord is making all things new again! 

This word 'kainos' can also speak of 'being new in the inward, in the spirit, and in substance, not just in the outward'. In fact, it also speaks of 'being made entirely new again, as if the past has been erased away'. 

This word 'kainos' can also be found in 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) that says, 'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new ('kainos').' 

You see, only God can do this work of renewal in us and to set us free, that humans by themselves cannot. It is not just about a regeneration in your spirit, or your salvation. It is also about God doing a change in your life to the better. Not just physically, but also in your spirit and your soul. It is also about 'turning over a new leaf' in your life in ways that only God can do. 

One example in the Gospel about a substantial and real change, both in the inside and outside of a person, can be found in Luke chapter 5 about this paralyzed person being brought to Jesus. 

Luke 5:17 (NIV) says, 'One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick.' 

That's also when some men came carrying a paralyzed man on the mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When these men could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 

When Jesus saw their faith, He said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." 

You see, beloved, whatever your situation may be, Jesus will always have time for you, even in the midst of His "busy-ness", or in the midst of the multitudes of people looking for Him. In other words, He is never too busy for you, no matter how big or small your problem may be. 

The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven', or to say, 'Get up and walk'?" 

Now, the background here is that some of Jesus' audience were the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. These were the religious leaders at that time. In fact, some had come from afar. These Pharisees were zealous in their religious laws. But you know what? Many of them were only focused on outward obedience to the law. It means obedience for people to see, but not so much in the inside of them. Also, they believed God only loved them and those who did exactly what they did. So, they began to judge others who were not like them. 

So, here they were, sitting there with critical eyes and hearts against Jesus, waiting to twist and pounce on some words that Jesus said. And so, here Jesus was, looking at the men bringing the paralyzed man down from the rooftop. He saw their faith. He saw their determination to help their paralyzed friend. He also said that this man's sin has been forgiven.

And you know what? That's when the Pharisees pounced. They were trying to catch Jesus with His words. They began to accuse Jesus of blasphemy. They may be correct in believing that God can forgive sins, but they failed to see that Jesus is indeed the Son of God who has the authority to forgive sins. Their hearts were hardened. 

The Scripture says, 'The entrance of God's words brings light...' (Psalm 119:130). The Scripture also says, 'Jesus is the Word, and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory...' (John 1:14). But these Pharisees' hearts were not enlightened to see all this. 

Jesus then said, "But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." So Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Get up, take your mat, and go home." Immediately the paralyzed man stood up in front of them, and went home praising God. His life was changed - in the inside and in the outside, spiritually and physically. Everyone was filled with amazement and gave praise to God.

You see, Jesus did both - to forgive sins; and to heal, restore, and renew a person physically. To man, both real forgiveness and the power to heal are impossible. To man, the physical part in fact seems harder because it has to do with something visible, and you have to show proof to the physical eyes; whereas forgiveness is invisible. But to God, both are easy. Jesus was showing that if He had the power to restore that paralyzed man, He also had the authority to forgive his sins. It's like one is the confirmation of the other. 

Beloved of God, today is the same. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is the same God those days in Luke chapter 5, and He is the same God in your life right now, today! Maybe your situation or problem is physical, or maybe it is not physical. Whatever you have been "paralyzed" by recently, be it a certain lingering sin in your life that seems so hard to be set free from; or a hurt, a regret, or a trauma in your soul that seems so hard to be set free from, the Lord is here to meet you right now. Not just that. He's also here to forgive you and heal you, just as what you have seen in the Scripture here. 

This paralyzed man's life in Luke chapter 5 was never the same again! Not only did he receive forgiveness and renewal in his spirit, he also began to walk free physically. His life was never the same again! I declare the same it is with you, beloved. Your life will never be the same again! 

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Words from the Lord: "New ideas and strategies will flow this month!"

The Lord says: 

"This month is a month of breath of fresh air in the spirit for many of My people. There's a fresh revelation. There's a brand new purpose. There will be new ideas and new strategies that I am giving to you. A new chapter has begun. A new door has been opened. Walk in it. Receive it. Never mind if you have missed out in the past, but this is the time to begin to look forward to the new opening that I have for you."  

Joshua 1:1-2 (NKJV) says, 'After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying: "Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land I am giving to them..."'

In Joshua 1:9, the Lord said further, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you..." 

That's what the Lord spoke to Joshua. And the Lord is saying the same to you right now!

At this point of time in Joshua chapter 1, there was a significant and pivotal change in Joshua's life. What was that pivot? God gave him new strategies. God gave him new mission. God gave him new purposes. As God has spoken to Joshua, God is speaking the same to you too! Not just that. God released His revelation to Joshua on how to go about, as he looked forward. That time has come for Joshua, both spiritually and physically. 

By the way, what is 'pivotal'? It is defined as 'of crucial importance in relation to the development and success of something'. In other words, the time is coming when you shall see something of greater significance happening in your life. That is the prophetic word for you at the moment. And it will be good!

So, Joshua chapter 1 is the key here. It is happening both spiritually and physically. In the spiritual realm and in the physical realm. It means not just in the spirit, but something you can see with your physical eyes. 

The Lord is saying this to you right now: "Be strong and be of good courage. Do not be afraid. Do not be dismayed. Get yourself ready to face a greater future!" 

Will you by faith receive these words? And whatever happens in the spirit shall be manifested in the natural, in the physical realm, in ways that you can see. Do not let the devil rob that from you! Also, receive a renewed strength from the Lord. Not just that. Receive new ideas, revelation, and even strategies from the Lord, as God opens new doors and new horizons for you! 

And the Lord is saying: "A major shift is coming! From the old to the new! It has begun!" 

Very interestingly, do you know Joshua actually had a name change prior to that? Many people actually don't know about this. So, it's not just people like Jacob or Abram who had name change. You know that, from Jacob to Israel, from Abram to Abraham. Each of these name change brought with it a change of character, and in turn, a change of fortune as well. Now, I'm not saying we all should go to the registration office and change our name. But what I'm saying is there will be a change of character and change of fortune in the spirit for you. And this change is to the better!

You see, throughout the Scripture, a name change is very significant and pivotal. One major example that we all know is from Jacob to Israel. That change led to something greater. So, it's not just about character change. It's more than that. 

How about Joshua? Let me show you in the Scripture. Numbers 13:8 (NKJV) says, '...from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun...' Notice this name 'Hoshea'. And then, Numbers 13:16 (NKJV) says, 'These are the names of the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land (the Promised Land, the land flowing with milk and honey). And Moses called Hoshea, the son of Nun, Joshua.' 

See? From Hoshea to Joshua! And it was Moses himself who called Hoshea a new name, Joshua. Now, that was a preparation point for something of greater significance to happen in Joshua's life. For the record, Moses at that time was getting his people to spy out the land of Canaan, the land which the Lord was about to give them. But you see, everyone who went to spy came back with negative report. They were afraid to take the land. There were two exceptions: Joshua and Caleb. They had a different mindset. They came back with good report. They saw new horizons and new opportunities, instead of difficulties. And you know what? The rest is history for Joshua and Caleb. They went into the Promised Land and conquered the land. 

Have you ever wondered what is the meaning of the old name 'Hoshea' and the new name 'Joshua'? 'Hoshea', the old name, simply means 'salvation' or 'deliverance'. How about 'Joshua'? 'Joshua', the new name, or rather, 'Yehoshua' as written in the Hebrew Bible, means 'YHWH saves' or 'YHWH delivers'. Some people may not notice this. But you see, something greater has been added! Where is the difference between the old and the new, 'Hoshea' and 'Yehoshua'? That difference is the name of the Lord God Almighty, YHWH, has been added to his name! 

To a stranger, that may not mean anything much. Nothing to shout about. But God! To God, and in the spiritual realm, it was like a major shift! It was like a major earthquake in the spirit that was about to shake and change history. And change it did! It was pivotal. It was of great significance. A change that marked the beginning of a new destiny and new journey for Joshua. And beginning at that point, God was assuring him that He is with Joshua. God's with him. God's backing him up in this new destiny and new journey. Joshua is not alone in this. God paved the way for him. And most importantly, God's with him in all the battles going forward! 

Now, the same it is with you, like Joshua, whatever 'opening' that God has for you, going forward! 

In Greek, this name 'Yehoshua' ('Joshua' in our English Bible) is translated 'Iesous'. This is actually the same form as Jesus' name in the New Testament. So, as you can see here, 'Yehoshua' (or 'Joshua') is a typology or a 'type' of 'Yeshua' (or 'Jesus'). 

For Yeshua (or Jesus), it was also at Jordan River that was pivotal. What happened there? He was baptized by John the Baptist there. You know what happened then and there? Heaven opened! The Spirit of God descended upon Jesus like a dove. Now, mark this word 'descended', because I'm going to explain it to you later. Not only the Spirit of God descended upon Jesus, a voice from heaven declared, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." 

You know what's the pivot there? That marked the beginning of something new in Yeshua's time on earth. And now you see the same for Yehoshua (or Joshua) in Joshua chapter 1. The Lord was preparing him to lead the people to cross that same Jordan River into the Promised Land. And the Lord said to Joshua: "Be strong and be of good courage. Do not be afraid, for I, YHWH, am with you." 

What is the significance of this Jordan River? There's a similarity here both to Jesus and Joshua. This Jordan River was pivotal to both of them. The name 'Jordan' is 'Yarden' in Hebrew, which is derived from the word 'yarad', meaning 'to descend' or 'to flow down'. 

In other words, like river of water flowing down from the mountain. Like a waterfall falling upon you. The spiritual significance of this is just as the river of water flows down from top to bottom, God's revelation, God's power, and God's Spirit flows down from heaven to earth upon you! You know what this means? All the good that God has for you from above is now beginning to fall on you! Receive this by faith! This is the revelation today. And this includes new ideas from above, new strategies from above, and even new strength from above! 

No wonder Joshua never looked back ever since. Now, the same it is for you, beloved. Amen! 

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Words from the Lord: New doors are being opened for you!

The Lord says: 

"Many of My people are going to walk through open doors in the coming months. Never mind about the doors that have been closed in the recent months. Do not look back and rue over those doors that have been closed. Look to Me. Look forward. Look to the new. For I am beginning to cut rivers in the desert for you. I am beginning to open the doors for you that no man can shut." 

In Isaiah 43:18-19 (NKJV), the Lord says, "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." 

The expression 'Now it shall spring forth' which I've underlined here is interesting. You see, it is not in the future. It is now! See the word 'now' here? Now it shall spring forth! 

What is 'spring forth' here? In Hebrew, it is 'tsamach'. It can mean 'to grow again (after being left dormant or seemingly dead)'. It can mean 'to bring forth new sprout or bud'. It can also mean 'to bring forth new life and new hope'. 

The Lord is turning a new page in your life. It is a brand new chapter. It is a fresh new start. Prepare yourself for such a time. 

This word 'tsamach' can also be found in Isaiah 44. In Isaiah 44:3-4 (NKJV), the Lord 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 blessing on your offspring. They will spring up among the grass, like willows by the watercourses." 

The words 'spring up' here is 'tsamach' in Hebrew.

Let's look at New Living Translation (NLT) for the same verses: "For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. I will pour out My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your children. They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank." 

See the word 'thrive' here? For the new year ahead, I want to declare that you will thrive, no matter what happens in the world. You will not just be surviving, but you'll be thriving! 

What is the significance of 'willows' or 'willow trees' in the Scripture? What does it speak of? There can be different ways of seeing it. But if you look at it positively, and in the context of our Bible-study today, 'willow' can symbolize 'vitality'. 

Where is the proof? Where is the cross-reference? Ezekiel 17:5-6 (NLT) says, 'He also took a seedling from the land and planted it in fertile soil. He placed it beside a broad river, where it could grow like a willow tree. It took root there and grew... Its branches turned up toward the eagle, and its roots grew down into the ground. It produced strong branches and put out shoots.'

Here, the prophet Ezekiel said the eagle planted a seed and it grew into a strong tree, producing strong branches and putting out new shoots. By the way, 'eagle' in the Scripture usually symbolizes 'a conqueror'. Indeed, the Scripture says you are more than a conqueror through God who loves you! (Romans 8:37)

Let's go back to Isaiah now. In Isaiah 43:13 (NKJV), the Lord 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?" 

It means if the Lord is with you, and His hand is with you, no one can push it back and no one can stop it. And when He works in your life, no one can reverse it! 

In cross-reference, let's look at Revelation 3:8, which is God's message for the church in Philadelphia. "I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed My word and did not deny Me." 

Beloved, this is also God's message for you at this point of your life. He has seen what you've gone through, and He knows exactly what you've gone through. Even though at times you feel so helpless and you have too little strength to carry on, the Lord sees right into your heart. He sees all the things, the good things, that you have done in secret, that nobody recognizes. But the Lord recognizes all this. And the Lord says He will know how to reward you openly, especially in the year ahead. 

Because He sees that you have not denied Him. You may have a lot of questions. But you did not deny Him. He sees that you have not given up looking to Him. When some others fall away or give up, you hung on. You continued to abide in the Lord. And therefore, beloved, He will begin to open the doors for you that no one can shut. He will open the doors for new things in your life! And it will be good!

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Words for 2024: A Year of Resounding Victory!

The Lord says: 

"In spite of the odds, and in spite of all the chaos and shakings in the spiritual realm and physical realm on earth this year, for those who look to Me and put their hope in Me, they will see a year of resounding victory!"

The Lord says:

"There will be many shocks and surprises that the world cannot imagine yet for this year, both in the spiritual realm and physical realm, but fear not! For those who keep looking to Me, I will know how to be their hiding place, and I will know how to lead them to be at the right place at the right time!"

Indeed, this is a year of many surprises. There will be good ones. But there will also be bad ones. But for you who look to the Lord, He has promised you that He will be your refuge and your hiding place. So, fear not!

The Lord says further:

"This is the year of many new ventures and opportunities for you. This is a year you are going to see the unveiling of the new you! You are going to see a new you surfacing. You are going to see your hidden talents and giftings surfacing. You are going to see new opportunities in life that you have never imagined you can walk into. You are going to spring a surprise when no one expects it."

On a personal front, and as an individual, the Lord says this is a year of many pleasant surprises for you. Yes, even in ways that you've never expected it. Just do not limit the Lord. Your part is to keep looking to the Lord. And never let your eyes depart from His Word.

I therefore declare by faith that this is going to be a year of resounding victory for you! This is a year you're going to see the unveiling of the new you! This is a year you're going to see new opportunities and open doors like you've never thought possible! Receive by faith!

To back up this 'resounding victory' that the Lord has spoken, let's go all the way to Psalm 118. This psalm speaks of a very great victory and success for those who look to the Lord. This psalm teaches us that we can trust the Lord more than anyone else on earth. Only the Lord, and no one else, can bring deliverance and resounding victory to us, even against all odds, or despite success being very unlikely. To man, it may be impossible. But to God, all things are possible!

Psalm 118:14-17 (NKJV) says, 'The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation. The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous. The right hand of the Lord does valiantly. The right hand of the Lord is exalted. The right hand of the Lord does valiantly. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.'   

Right now, the Lord is releasing such anointing and strength upon you. There's a release of fresh anointing upon you to subdue and to walk in a greater victory. There's a release of fresh anointing upon you to walk into the many new things and new ventures in your life. The talents and giftings that you never knew you have, many of these shall begin to surface and be unveiled this year. If you think there's only so much you are good at so far in your life, you are going to be in for a surprise. Or if you think you are good at nothing, or you have been a 'flop' or failure before, you will also be in for a surprise. You will begin to see how much the Lord loves you and how much more He wants to do in your life. In short, it's not over yet! There's more to come in your life! So, take heart!

How do I prepare myself for year 2024? 

Solidify your relationship with the Lord! The word 'solidify' simply means 'to make stronger, to make solid'. In other words, go deeper, closer, and more intimate than ever before with the Lord. Deeper in the Word. Deeper in the Spirit. Deeper in worship. Deeper in prayer. Because there's more that the Lord wants to show you and reveal to you this year. 

I see 'scales' are dropping from the eyes of many people, and the Lord is enlightening the spiritual eyes of understanding of many of His people this year. The things that they couldn't see in the past, they will begin to see, and they will begin to see clearer and clearer. It's like the Lord is clearing the 'dark clouds' around His people this year.

Many people in the world may be busy coming up with resolutions. But you ask the Lord: "O Lord God, let Your Spirit of wisdom and revelation flow in me. Open my spiritual eyes and enlighten my spiritual eyes, so that I will begin to see more and more, deeper and deeper in Your realm. I will begin to see how You see. I will begin to see what You see. Amen." 

Prayer for this year 2024:

"O Lord God, we thank You for the words that You have spoken for the year 2024. We receive our deliverance by faith. We receive our victory by faith. We declare a resounding victory for us, even against all odds, and in spite of the odds that are stacked against us. We declare the unveiling of the many new things in our lives. We declare the unveiling of the many new opportunities and doors being opened for us. In Jesus' name. Amen."

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Prophetic words: A time to receive fresh anointing and new strength!

The Lord says: 

"The door that I've opened for you, no man can shut. The calling, vision and purpose that I've shown to you, no power of the enemy can take it away. So, fear not! Keep receiving My strength to run with My calling in your life! Keep looking to Me for My goodness and My victory in your life! Keep trusting in My name and My guidance for your life! The best is yet to come! You are entering a new season of breakthrough in your life! What I've spoken, no man or work of the enemy can reverse it!" 

The Lord says further: 

"This is the season I am releasing a fresh anointing and authority to you! There will be new assignments for you. There will be new surprises for you. There will be new doors of opportunity for you. Your part is to look to Me and receive by faith." 

Indeed, beloved of God, look not behind you, but look ahead of you. Look to the Lord. Because the Lord is about to show you His glory, His goodness, and His victory! This is your season for your breakthrough! Receive these words by faith!

Isaiah 43:18-19 (NKJV) says, '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.' 

You may have read these verses many times in your life. But this is that time and season! This is the time and season that He is doing a new thing in your life! Don't miss this time and season! And when He opens the door for you, no man can shut! But you've got to do one thing. You've got to not look behind you. You've got to look ahead and look forward in your life. Yes, look forward to the many new things that He has in store for your life!

Isaiah 43:18-19 (NLT) says, 'But forget all that - it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.' 

Forget about those "trophies" or those "acclaims" of your past. You can cherish them of course, but do not just remain there. Instead, keep looking forward and keep running with the Lord's new assignments for your life. Why? Because greater things are in store for you. The best is yet to come! 

This is also the time to receive new strength from the Lord! Yes, this is the time to rise up and run with this new strength that the Lord is giving you!

Exodus 23:25-27 (NKJV) says, 'So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land. I will fulfill the number of your days. I will send My fear before you, I will cause confusion among all the people to whom you come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you.'  

The Lord will ensure that you will not be barren. Your 'land' will be fertile and fruitful. You will be well provided for, and you will be well protected. Not only that, the Lord will give you long, full, and abundant life. That's what the Scripture says here. Believe for it! 

In fact, the enemy will be terrified, because the Lord is with you. They will flee from you, wherever the Lord leads you, and wherever the Lord puts you! As you walk hand in hand with the Lord, and as you obey His instructions every step of the way, the work of darkness will have to hands off you! This is the Lord's promise for you!

Exodus 23:28-30 (NKJV) says, 'And I will send hornets before you, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite from before you... Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land.' 

Indeed, the 'land' and the 'ground' that the Lord has given to you, the Lord also says you shall see your increase! Whatever the Lord has given to you, no one can take it away! You will triumph! You will see your victory! So, in spite of the current situation that you may be facing, whatever 'doom' or 'gloom' that you may be facing at the moment, or if you are surrounded by the power of the enemy against you, fear not! Because the Lord has promised that you shall see your increase, and your path is going to shine brighter and brighter! 

As He leads, you follow. You will not go wrong if you follow Him. But one thing that you need to do is to continue to humble yourself under the mighty hand of God. Humility is always the precondition before great things happen. This is consistent in the whole Scripture. Humility always comes first, and then honor comes. The opposite is also true. With pride is downfall. 

Proverbs 18:12 (NKJV) says, 'Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honor is humility.' 

The word 'humility' here is 'anawvaw' in Hebrew. It can mean 'a heart that is lowly and down-to-earth'. It can mean 'a heart that is not lifted up'. In the context of our lives before the Lord, 'a heart that is in full submission to the Lord'. It means when He says so, you say so; and when He says no, you say no. It means you walk in full obedience and submission to the Lord. This is humility before the Lord. And when there is humility, there will be honor.

Proverbs 29:23 (NKJV) says, 'A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.' 

Interestingly, this English word 'humble' comes from the Latin word 'humilis', which means 'lowly'. This word 'humilis' in turn comes from the word 'humus', which means 'ground'. In other words, 'to be humble' is 'to stay down-to-earth', or 'to stay grounded', no matter what. You may have heard the saying that goes 'honesty is the best policy'. Now of course, being honest is a good virtue. Keep it up. But I tell you what, in the spiritual world, in the spiritual realm, staying humble is an essential key to receiving honor. This is where Lucifer failed. So, it's not just 'honesty is the best policy', but 'humility is also the best policy', especially in the spiritual sense. Because with pride comes downfall. But with humility comes honor.

Let's get back to our prophetic words today. We go all the way to Joshua 1:1-3 now. These are familiar verses for many of us. But this is that time, this is that season for you to receive all that the Lord has spoken in Joshua 1! We've looked at what the Lord has spoken to Moses. But now, we shall look at what the Lord has spoken to Joshua. Indeed, after Moses, it's Joshua's time! And yes, your Joshua's time has come! It's a new beginning! I heard from the Lord that indeed many of God's people at this juncture of their lives, they are in this transition right now. They are in this transition from Moses' time to Joshua's time! 

Joshua 1:1-3 (NKJV) says, 'After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying: "Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them - the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses."' 

Joshua 1:5-7 (NKJV) says, 'No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.' 

Indeed, do not turn to the left or to the right, but turn to the Lord! The Lord is giving you a new vision. The Lord is giving you a new purpose. The Lord is giving you a new assignment that's going to catapult you and propel you to greater heights and greater victories, both in the spiritual realm and also in the physical realm. Receive this by faith! 

So, what is the time and season for you right now? It's your 'Joshua' time! Just don't look back, but look ahead of you. Receive a fresh anointing from the Lord right now! Receive a new strength from the Lord right now! Receive the victory and breakthrough for your life right now! And begin to experience the goodness of God in your life like never before. Amen!

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5 ways to overcome disappointment

We all have disappointment in life. This is part and parcel of life. We can get disappointed with life, we can get disappointed with people, we can get disappointed with our leaders, and if we are leaders, we can get disappointed with our followers or disciples. 

What is the definition of disappointment? 

We can define it as 'sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfillment of one's hopes or expectations'. 

It means something that you've hoped for, or something that you expect, whether in other people, or in any area of life, are not fulfilled. And that's how people get disappointed. Of course we can also cause disappointment to others. So, it can be two ways. We can get disappointed. But we also can disappoint others. 

We can cause disappointment to others in our decision on something. And who we are or what we do may disappoint some people who have certain expectation of who they want us to be or what they want us to do. If we are not who or what they have expected us to be or to do, they get disappointed with us. 

So you see, there are two ways - we can get disappointed, but we can also disappoint others. Our expectation of people, and people's expectation of us. 

However, we must remember that we do not live to please people or please people's expectation of us. We live to please God. We follow His instructions for us, even if some people are not happy with us or are disappointed with us. The most important thing is to stay true to who God wants us to be and what God wants us to do, and keep looking to God. We please God, and not man. 

But here's the good news. There are ways to deal with disappointment. There are ways to alleviate disappointment. There are ways to overcome disappointment. Here are 5 ways you can do so:

1. Learn to let go and forgive

1 Peter 5:6-7 says, 'Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.' 

Cast all your care upon the Lord. And this includes casting all your disappointments upon the Lord. And let Him begin the process of healing in your life, whatever may have disappointed you, or whoever may have disappointed you.

Ephesians 4:31-32 says, 'Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.' 

Just as God in Christ has forgiven you, therefore you forgive others. Forgive those who have disappointed you. Forgive those who have not met your expectation regarding who they are and what they do. You know why? Because if you allow disappointment inside of you to fester, it will lead to bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and even evil speaking. And this is definitely not good for health. It's only going to hurt you more. So, learn to let go and learn to forgive. And that's how your life will be happier, healthier, and more peaceful! 

Psalm 30:5b says, 'Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.' 

Whatever disappointment that causes sorrow to you, let the bygone be bygone, let the past be past. Today is a brand new day. You know what? This is the day that the Lord has made, and we will rejoice and be glad in it. Indeed, joy comes in the morning. It's a brand new day for you. So, look forward, look ahead, and look not behind you. 

2. Learn to release and bless

This is just as important as Point Number 1. Because without a release, your life will be held back. You cannot move forward the way that you should be. And without blessing, there will be no closure to the situation that you are disappointed with. So, learn to release and learn to bless. That's how you can move forward in your life, and that's how your life can be light and easy. 

Psalm 34:18 says, 'The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite heart.' 

Whatever sorrow or sadness due to your disappointment, whether at your life, at people, at the authority, at your leader, or even at your follower, release them and bless them. Bless, and not curse. The Lord is near to you. The Lord understands your situation. And the psalmist wrote the Lord is near to those who have a broken heart. Indeed, He is here to set you free. He is here to help you to overcome. He is here to heal you and restore you. 

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

Sometimes, a certain disappointment in your life can be turned around into a great new appointment. God will know how to work things out for good for you. After leaving one phase of your life, the Lord will know how to move you on to the new phase of your life. And sometimes the Lord allows certain things to happen that causes you to be disappointed, so that you can be released to walk into the new, the brand new appointment that the Lord has for you. 

So, take heart, beloved of God. The Lord knows what He is doing in your life. You keep looking to Him. You keep loving Him. You keep allowing His unfailing love to fill you. And He will know how to lead you from here. 

3. Look to God, not to man

Man can bound to disappoint you, but God will not disappoint you. If you flow with Him, if you align with Him, if you humble yourself before Him, and if you live a yielded life to Him, He will not disappoint you. He will always show you a way. And He will always guide every step of your way. 

Colossians 3:23-24 says, 'And whatever you do, do it heartily (with an abounding heart, from the heart), as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.'

1 Corinthians 15:58 says, 'Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.' 

Man may overlook the good that you have done, but the Lord will not. Therefore, look to God, and not to man. 

The Lord is a great Rewarder. The Lord knows exactly how to reward you for every thing that you do as unto the Lord, even those things that you think are trivial or minor.

Romans 5:5 says, 'Now hope does not disappoint. Because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.'

Because the Lord your God loves you so much, He gives you hope. And this hope that He gives to you will not disappoint, when you look to Him and put all your trust in Him. 

4. Put your trust in God, not on the world

The world can bound to disappoint you. The people in this world can bound to disappoint you. Remember, you are living in a fallen world. You are living in an imperfect world with imperfect people around you. Whether these are your family members, your relatives, your neighbors, your boss, your leaders, your colleagues, or even your followers, your subordinates, or your staff, all these people may disappoint you. That's why it is so important to learn to put your trust in God who is your solid Rock, who cannot be shaken. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.' 

Trust in the Lord, and lean not on your own understanding. Because the Lord sees further than us. Because the Lord knows better than us. Because the Lord knows what is ahead of us, when no one else in this world can. 

Psalm 27:14 says, 'Wait on the Lord. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!' 

The word 'wait' here can also be translated as 'hope'. So, as you put your hope on the Lord, He will know how to strengthen you. And you can therefore mount up again with wings as of eagle. You will run and not be weary. You will walk and not faint. 

5. Readjust your expectation on people

Readjust your expectation on certain so and so. It can be a family member, a friend, a leader, or a follower. 

Maybe we have too high hopes or too high expectation on somebody. And if that somebody does not meet what we expect of them, we get disappointed.

Psalm 73:23-26 says, 'Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.' 

It is so reassuring what the psalmist wrote here. Indeed, sometimes our flesh and our heart may fail. But the Lord our God is the strength of our hearts. The Lord our God will forever be the strength of our lives, if we do not give up looking to Him and putting our trust in Him. That's why this psalmist wrote in verse 23, 'Nevertheless I am continually with You'. See the word 'continually' here? 

Beloved of God, this is your time to be set free! Be set free from whatever disappointment that you have, whether it's due to people's wrong, or due to your own expectation and hopes are too high on certain so and so, or on a certain circumstance or situation. 

I declare by faith that you will come forth victorious, come forth happier, and full of the shalom peace of the Lord, ready for what's ahead of you, and ready for what He has in store for you. The best is yet to come! Amen!

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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.

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Receive the dunamis power to break the 'shell'!

I heard these words from the Lord recently:
"There's an anointing being released right now! There's dunamis power being released right now to break the shell that hinders My people from advancing!"

And I heard further:
"There is a newness in the spiritual realm! For I am setting My people free from their shells, because the time has come for My greater works in their lives! Take it! Receive it! New territories! New expansions! New outreaches! Greater authority! Greater influence! Get ready to enlarge your tents!"

In Isaiah 54:2-4, the Lord says, "Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations, and make desolate cities inhabited. Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; For you will forget the shame of your youth, and will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore."

Yes, indeed, this is a time to advance! Whatever 'shell' or 'limitation' that the world (or the enemy) has put over you, this is a time to receive the dunamis power of God to set you free! For many of God's people, you've 'outlived' your 'shells'! The Lord gave me a funny impression the other day. It's a picture of a 'hermit crab'. And He said, "Tell My people don't be like a hermit crab, always hiding inside, and staying 'small' inside the shell!"

Admittedly, it isn't easy to break away (or break free) from something you are so used to. But break away you must! Because the time has come for His greater works in your life! Proclaim this loud and clear: "The time has come for God's greater works in my life!" And fear not, because you will not be put to shame! This is His promise for you, as you let Him set you free! Free from the bondage and the limitation that has kept you 'small'!

Let's look at an example in the Scripture now. In Paul's third missionary journey, there was a time he was speaking, reasoning and persuading concerning the kingdom of God in the synagogue at Ephesus. But when some were hardened and did not believe, and even spoke evil of the Way, he departed from them, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus instead. This was a private school run by someone named Tyrannus, and Paul rented (or was granted) a classroom in the afternoon hours (the hours when the school was unused), and he did this faithfully for two years (see Acts 19:8-10).

But there came a time God wanted to do a greater work through Paul! And He was about to expand His influence and outreaches in the whole city of Ephesus beyond the classroom that Paul used! A time of 'greater expansion' and 'enlarging the tent' was at hand! Notice what Acts 19:11-12 say, 'Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them'. The very word 'unusual' here implies Paul had not been accustomed to work such miracles before! In other words, it was unprecedented to Paul!

Now, what if Paul didn't believe the 'dunamis' power of God could flow through those handkerchiefs or aprons? And what if he refused to let God do beyond what he knew to do at that time, thus confining himself to just teaching and reasoning inside the classroom? The advancement of God's kingdom and the breakthrough in the city of Ephesus wouldn't have happened, such that the Word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed! (Acts 19:20)

People of God, will you also allow the Lord to break the 'shells' that limit and confine you? This is your time to be set free! This is your time to begin walking in your God-given destiny! This is your time to begin fulfilling your God-given potentials! Take it! Receive it! The anointing is here for you to receive! And proclaim this loud and clear again: "The time has come for God's greater works in my life!" To God be all the glory!

A breath of fresh air coming upon God's people right now!

I had a dream from the Lord the other day. In the dream, I saw someone who is a beloved of God and whom I know, and we were worshiping together in a gathering. This person was initially wondering why certain people he hoped to see in the gathering did not appear, and what he wished for did not materialize. But not long after, against all odds, the many things that he had hoped or wished for began to happen, one after another. It was a happy ending to the dream.

I asked the Lord for the interpretation of this dream, and that's when I heard these words:
"Do not allow yourself to be discouraged, no matter what had happened recently. Keep worshiping Him, trusting Him, and looking to Him. Things are going to get better, and your situation is going to improve!"

I did my part to text that particular person to encourage him with these words, and he acknowledged that he has been going through exactly what I have mentioned above.

People of God, if you have been discouraged recently, these words are for you too. The Lord wants you to know He can turn things around for you, even against all odds. I pray and declare in Jesus' name for you, that "Things are going to get better, and your situation is going to improve!" Your part is to keep worshiping Him, trusting Him, and looking to Him.

The Lord then spoke these words to me:
"There is a breath of fresh air coming upon My people who have been discouraged. Breathe it in! For I am breathing into you My Spirit, and I am breathing into you My life!"

Receive this 'breath of fresh air' from the Lord right now! In John 6:63, Jesus says, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."

Someone wrote these words to me via email the other day:
"Incidentally the past few weeks have been somewhat disappointing because I still long to do something different in my life, but I know in reality that won't happen, or at least not at the moment. When I was worshiping the day before you released these words on Sunday, I actually saw something like a plaque - the word was "breathe" and I saw flowers twirling around the corners like a vine. Now thinking back, it sounds like what you have shared on the breath of fresh air coming and to breathe it in."

I thanked her for writing in, and to me, this is a confirmation to what the Lord is saying to His people at the moment. Looking at the vision of 'flowers twirling around the corners like a vine', it does give me the impression that the flowers are 'happy' and therefore free to twirl around!

Indeed, there's a sense of liberty in the air right now. 2 Corinthians 3:17 says, 'Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty'! Declare this verse over and over again, and notice the word 'Now'!

People of God, the Lord is about to do a new thing in your life this year, and it is going to be a good thing! There's a breath of fresh air coming upon you right now. Take time to breathe it in! Yes, a long, deep breath! And I am excited for you! I pray this breath of fresh air you receive will lead you into greater liberty in your life, and you shall be set free to be who the Lord wants you to be this year. In Jesus' name. Amen!

New wine into new wineskins

I heard and released these words from the Lord recently:
"New wine has been released! But My people need to have a new wineskin, lest the old wineskin bursts! The new wineskin is the new mindset! Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may allow what is that good, acceptable and perfect will of God!"

In Matthew 9:17, Jesus says, "Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."

People use wineskins to contain wine, and to drink from them. Wineskins are made of leather (animal skin), e.g. goatskin, sheepskin, or cowskin. As the wineskins get older, they would eventually get 'stretched to the limit' and become brittle (i.e. hard, easily breakable). Using old wineskins therefore risk bursting them! New wineskins, on the other hand, won't burst, because they are soft and tender!

If 'new wineskin' speaks of 'new mindset', then 'new wine' speaks of 'the new thing that God has for you'! This may be 'a new idea' or 'a new way of doing things' in a new time and season. In cross-reference, Isaiah 43:18-19 says, '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'.

In order to walk into the new thing that God has for you, there needs a renewal of the mind. It is like a new vision being given to a nation moving forward, but if the nation does not seek to revamp an outdated education system to facilitate the new vision, it just won't work! The 'old wineskin' bursts! And the new wine spills! And it will only lead to frustration all round!

Romans 12:2 says, 'And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed (changed) by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God'. The word 'prove' here is 'dokimazo' in Greek, and it also means 'allow'. In other words, it is only when your mind is renewed (to see what God wants you to see) that you will allow what is that 'good and acceptable and perfect will of God' to happen in your life!

As a matter of fact, people generally resist change. The reason is simple. Because change is never comfortable. People tend to fall back on the things (even systems or structures) they are familiar with, even though God has moved on to the new. After the people in Moses' generation were set free from Egypt (which is a 'picture' of 'bondage' and 'slavery'), they still had 'slave' mentality in them. They were still bound in their old mindsets (i.e. 'old wineskins'). The Lord had already started to do a new thing (i.e. 'new wine'), but they didn't have the new mindsets (i.e. 'new wineskins') to 'contain' it!

When Moses sent men to spy out the land promised to them, instead of a good report, they brought back a bad report! They didn't believe they could take the land, even though they did see the land was indeed flowing with milk and honey! Here's what they said, "The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. There we saw giants; and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight." (Numbers 13:32-33) The words 'in our own sight' here means 'in our own way of seeing things' or 'in our own mindsets'. But that's not how the Lord had wanted them to see it!

The people then complained against Moses, and they said, "If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in the wilderness! Why has the Lord brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?" (Numbers 14:2-3)

No! They were wrong! The Lord did not take them out from Egypt to destroy them! Why would He do that? These people were destroyed due to their own old mindsets! When the Lord was doing a new thing, they just couldn't see it! They'd rather fall back on the 'slave' mindset (mentality) that they knew. They failed to see that they were now 'sons', not 'slaves'! They failed to see that as 'sons', they were now 'heirs', and the land had been given to them as their inheritance! They failed to see that the Lord would be with them, even if they were to face the giants! In the end, they had what they said and wished: "...if only we had died in the wilderness!" How tragic!

But God! In the midst of it all, there was a man named Caleb, and he had a different spirit. He was one of those spies sent by Moses to survey the land. In Numbers 14:24, the Lord said, "But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it." The word 'different spirit' here comes from the Hebrew word 'aw-khar', and it speaks of 'having a different way of seeing things from others'.

Indeed, Caleb saw something that others could not see. Instead of agreeing with the bad report, he brought back a good report. Now, here's what he said, "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it." (Numbers 13:30) Caleb saw what the Lord had wanted the people to see! In other words, he had a 'new wineskin' to contain the 'new wine'! In the end, he successfully walked into all that the Lord had promised him!

People of God, in a time of change and transition into the new, be careful what you allow in your mind (see Philippians 4:8). Take authority over the spirit of discouragement and the spirit of self-destruction (i.e. speaking damning words to yourself). Instead of allowing the bad report to infiltrate your mind, fill your mind with thoughts of good report! Think what God thinks, and say what God says! Leave no vacancy for negative thoughts to have any place in your mind! And just as Caleb was, you too will be well on your way to the good things that await you in this new time and season. Amen!

A time to clear what needs to clear!

I heard and released these words from the Lord the other day:

"A time to clear what needs to clear! Allow Me to clear away every form of 'smoke' that blurs your spiritual eyes! There's a release of water from My well-spring to wash away the 'smoke' that the enemy has put against you! There's a free flow of forgiveness today! Allow Me to wash you clean, so I can begin to lead you into greater victories!"

In view of the above words for this time and season, I would like to bring your attention to Mark 8:22-26. Here, the Scripture says, 'Then He (Jesus) came to Bethsaida, and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. And he looked up and said, "I see men like trees, walking." Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. Then He sent him away to his house, saying, "Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town."

There are two questions one may ask about this passage:

1. Why did it take two times for Jesus to heal this blind man?

2. Why did Jesus lead this blind man out of the town, and then told him not to go back to that town?

Here are the answers. 

From 'seeing nothing' (i.e. blindness) to 'seeing shadows' and finally 'seeing clearly', this speaks of one's spiritual eyes being enlightened to see more and more from one stage to another. As you can see here, this passage in Mark 8:22-26 is more than just about physical healing. It speaks of one's spiritual blindness, and how one's spiritual eyes can be enlightened more and more to see what God wants His people to see! Check the few verses just before Mark 8:22-26, and you'd know Jesus was indeed talking about spiritual blindness.

The word 'Bethsaida' in Hebrew means 'house of huntsmen (or hunters)'. It speaks of those who 'keep hunting after your past darkness (or past sins)', or those who 'keep trying to dig your past darkness (or past sins)'. When Jesus told the man (who had been healed from his blindness) 'not to go back to the town', it speaks of 'God's people are to keep looking ahead, and not look back'! In cross-reference, 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'. 

Interestingly, the word 'blind' here is 'tuphlos' in Greek, which means 'smoke (in and around the eyes)', from the word 'tuphoo' meaning 'to envelop with smoke'. In other words, a spiritual blindness is likened to the smoke that envelops one's sight! Have you experienced 'smoke getting in your eyes' before? For example, smoke that comes from the burning of rubbish? Not only your vision becomes blurred, but it also causes sore eyes or irritation to your eyes!

How do you clear the smoke? You pour water on it! And that's exactly what Jesus did to that blind man! The act of 'spitting' on the man's eyes here is symbolic of 'water from the mouth of Jesus (i.e. the Word of God) that washes and cleanses every form of smoke in His people'! In cross-reference, Ephesians 5:26-27 says, '...that He might sanctify and cleanse her (i.e. the church) with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her (i.e. the church) to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish'.

People of God, this is a time to let Him wash you afresh and anew, and let every 'smoke' that the enemy had put against you be cleared in Jesus' name! Remember this is 'a time to clear what needs to clear', so that the Lord can begin to lead you into even greater victories in the coming months! 

If you read Joshua chapters 7 and 8, you'd know that was also a time when God's people needed to 'clear what needs to clear'. At that time, Joshua and the people of God had already crossed the River Jordan, and they had even conquered the city of Jericho by then. In other words, they should be walking in great victories after victories from then on! But the next thing they knew, they were defeated by the people of Ai (who were lesser than them), simply because someone by the name of Achan (meaning 'trouble') kept an accursed thing in their midst. But once cleared, Israel began to walk in victory again!

It is the same with all of us, the people of God today. Clear what needs to clear! Because the Lord is getting you ready to walk into greater victories from now on. Mark my words. As a matter of fact, sin blocks victory, as you can see in Joshua chapter 7. This is a crucial time to return to Him and His ways. Allow Him to wash you clean today by the water of His Word. Allow Him to renew your mind from any form of impurities. He will help you and He will heal you. With men, it may be impossible; but with God all things are possible. He can set you free (even from any deep-seated sin, addiction, etc) today!

Heaven is open now, and the Lord is releasing water from His well-spring to wash you and clear you of any 'smoke' that the enemy has put against you. No matter what had happened in your past (or whatever mistake you've made in your past), there is a free flow of forgiveness for you today. Keep receiving and keep drinking from it. Just do not allow anyone (or the devil) to keep 'hunting after your past' any further! Because you have already been forgiven (Ephesians 1:7), and He remembers your sins no more (Hebrews 10:17).

Knowing that you are already forgiven, flee from those past darkness (or past sins), as the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:22, and look to Jesus instead! He is your righteousness, faith, love, and shalom peace! You can be so full of Jesus that there's no more desire to sin in that area ever again!

Another practical guide is to clear away anything (or any materials) that may remind you (or tempt you) to fall right back into that past (or sin) again. Delete them all! Remember this is a time to 'clear what needs to clear'! Out of sight, out of mind! Just as the prophet Elisha told Joash the king of Israel in 2 Kings 13:15-19 those days, it is the same for God's people today, i.e. to utterly destroy any residue of the enemy's work in your life, leaving no room for the enemy to make a comeback. And you'll be well on your way to greater and greater victories in the months to come. In Jesus' name. Amen.

'Forgetting those things which are behind' - A call to walk in the holiness of God

Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV): Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, 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.

The word 'apprehended' here is 'katalambano' in Greek, which means 'to get hold of, to attain, to comprehend, to understand why'. Here, the apostle Paul wrote that there may be things we cannot understand why (or why certain things happened in our past), but one thing we can do now is 'forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead'. 

I released these words to the congregation last Sunday:

"Look not to the past, or how things used to be done or have been done in your past! In this changing of season, I will teach you a new way, and I will show you how. Look to Me! This is also a time to let go of your Sodom and Gomorrah, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead!"

The word ‘Sodom’ in Hebrew means 'to scorch, to burn (like volcanic activities)', which speaks of 'the sins that burn you', whereas the word ‘Gomorrah’ in Hebrew means 'a ruined heap', from the word ‘aw-mar’, i.e. 'to heap up (ruins), to pile up (misery), to keep on chastising oneself'. 

As you can see from the definition of the words 'Sodom' and 'Gomorrah' above, the context of our Bible-study today is not so much about 'leaving a place, a city, or a country', but instead 'leaving your sins. ruins, or misery behind'! 

In cross-reference, Hebrews 12:1-2 says, 'Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight (burden), and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has (now) sat down at the right hand of the throne of God'. 

Indeed, let go of your 'Sodom' and 'Gomorrah', and look to the beauty and holiness of Jesus instead! Just as 'you are what you eat', it is also true that 'you become what you behold'. Therefore, as you keep looking to Jesus (and His Word), that's when you can be changed (transformed and renewed) to be more and more like Him! In other words, the more you look at the beauty and holiness of Jesus, the more beautiful and holy your life will be! 

2 Corinthians 3:18 says, 'But we all, with unveiled face (i.e. putting away our facade, putting away our masks), 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'. 

Let's go all the way back to the book of Genesis now, where the words 'Sodom' and 'Gomorrah' were first mentioned. Genesis 19:15-17 says, 'When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, "Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city." And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city (of Sodom). So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, "Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed."'

By the way, the name 'Lot' in Hebrew simply means 'covering'. This speaks of 'the Lord's mercy and covering over you in spite of your weaknesses as a human'. 

Notice these statements:

'Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain'.

The word 'plain' here is 'kikkar' in Hebrew, which means 'a circle'. 

This speaks of 'going round and round in the circle of sins'.

'Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed'.

The word 'mountains' here is 'harar' in Hebrew, which means 'exaltation'. 

This speaks of 'the Lord God who is highly exalted above all else'.

People of God, will you respond to His call to run away from the 'plain', and run to the 'mountains' today? The apostle Paul wrote, 'Flee youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart' (2 Timothy 2:22).

Well, it pays to live a life of holiness (i.e. to walk in the holiness of God), because everything becomes so much clearer in your life, and you will also be able to make clearer decisions in life. As a matter of fact, a person who is bound in a circle of sin, bondage, or addiction cannot make clear decisions in life!

The apostle Paul also wrote, 'If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus, that you put off concerning your former conduct, the old man, which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness' (Ephesians 4:21-24).

Genesis 19:24-26 then says, 'Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah (speaks of 'the judgement on sins'), from the Lord out of the heavens. So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But his (Lot's) wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt'.

Notice here the 'fire of judgement' fell on 'Sodom' and 'Gomorrah' (i.e. your 'sins', your 'ruined heap'), not you (who are His sons and daughters). Today, let this same 'fire' burn away the 'sins' that have been ensnaring (besetting) you, and the 'misery' that have been heaping up against you!

And of course, never look back!

Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt! Why 'pillar of salt'? The answer can be found from the word ‘salt’ in Hebrew itself, which is 'melach', meaning 'something easily dissolved, like powder'. This is the nature of salt. Once you add water, it’s gone! You see it no more! True enough, Lot’s wife also ‘melach’, so much so the Bible never even bothered to mention her name, but calls her "Lot's wife", even though she actually has a name! That’s what happens when a person keeps lingering in the past and dwelling in the past (i.e. holding on to those 'sins' and 'ruined heaps' of the past), instead of looking forward to what God has in the present or future!

Therefore, people of God, never look back! And never allow the devil or anyone to bring you back to those past (or the ruined past) of yours! Instead, as the apostle Paul put it aptly, 'I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus' (Philippians 3:14). Behold, He makes all things new (Revelation 21:5) even for your life! 

May the light of God enlighten your eyes of understanding, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in your life, His saints, who are the redeemed of the Lord (Ephesians 1:17-18). In Jesus' name. Amen.