Time to walk free!

The Lord says: 

"Your chains are broken! Time to walk free now! For My hand has set you free! Free from suppression. Free from oppression. Free from depression. Free to be who I want you to be. Free to walk in My purposes and plans for your life in this time and season." 

Yes indeed, it's time for you to be set free and to walk free! 

Let's look at Peter and how God set him free. 

Acts 12:1-3 (NKJV) says, 'Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church... And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter...' 

Acts 12:4-5 (NKJV) says, 'So when Herod had arrested Peter, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.' 

Acts 12:6-7 (NKJV) says, 'And when Herod was about to bring Peter out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers, and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone into the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands.' 

The angel then said to Peter, "Gird yourself and tie on your sandals". So Peter did. The angel also said to Peter, "Put on your garment and follow me." So Peter went out and followed the angel. 

You see, Peter didn't know what was done by the angel was real. Peter thought he was seeing a vision. Because this seemed surreal to him. It's like a dream. But mind you, it's real. Nothing is impossible to God! 

Beloved of God, God can do the same for you too, whatever your predicament may be at the moment. Just don't limit how God's going to do it.  

Let's get back to Peter now. Acts 12:10 (NKJV) says, 'When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord...' Hallelujah! Somehow the gate flung open! Of course, nothing is too hard for God. And thanks to the constant prayer of the people who prayed for Peter as well.

You see, when a 'door' is shut and locked on you, what do you do? You pray! Pray like the people prayed those days. Because when you pray, even though the door is shut by men, God's heaven's door will be opened! And when heaven's door is open, His light will shine into your situation! 

The words 'constant prayer' in Acts 12:5 is very interesting. The word 'constant' here is 'ektenos' in Greek. It can mean 'without ceasing'. It can also mean 'earnest'. In other words, 'sincere, intense, from the heart'. So, it's not just a 'lip service'. It's not just 'on the surface' kind of prayer. It's not 'just for show' kind of prayer. 

This word 'ektenos' is related to the word 'ektenes'. What is 'ektenes' in Greek? It literally means 'stretching out a muscle to its limits'. It can also be defined as 'stretching out all you can for something'. So, when you pray, you stretch out all you can to the Lord. Amen! 

Let's move on to Acts 12:11. When Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod." And you know what? Peter then went to see the people who were praying for him. He met the people there. Of course, all these people were astonished when they saw him. They couldn't believe their eyes. But after Peter told them what happened and how he was set free from the prison, they believed.

Beloved of God, just as for Peter, the Lord knows how to turn things around for you too. So, fear not! Keep walking in obedience to the Lord. Keep living a life of worshiping the Lord. Keep drawing near to the Lord. 

Even though Acts 12 here is talking about Peter's unique situation, this can apply in whatever situation you may be facing at the moment. Your God is still the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is still your miracle-working God. He can and He will do a miracle for you too! Yes, even in ways you've never imagined possible. Amen!

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Receive the key to "pray heaven down"!

In the midst of what seems to be "hell on earth" in many places nowadays, the Lord has a good news for you. He has given you the power to "pray heaven down"! 

Yes, "pray heaven down" upon your life, your career, your business, your health, your household, or in any area of your life! Never underestimate the power of your prayer. Because God can do mighty things and great miracles through you!

Let's go to the Scripture now. James 5:16-18 says, '...The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.' 

Yes, receive the anointing like that of Elijah's! Receive this anointing for such a time as this! Whatever you pray, as long as you pray according to His will and His leading, it shall come to pass, and you shall see it happening! 

What is the key to receive this anointing? 

Matthew 16:13-16 says, 'When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."' 

Matthew 16:17 says, 'Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven."' 

Here, you see that Simon Peter had the revelation of who Jesus is, that He is not like any prophet or teacher that have walked on this earth. He is more than that! He is the Son of the living God! He is God became flesh! 

In Matthew 16:19, Jesus said further, "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." 

What does this Scripture verse mean? 

Whatever you 'lock', it shall be 'locked'! Whatever you 'unlock', it shall be 'unlocked'! Whatever you 'stop', it shall be 'stopped'! Whatever you 'release', it shall be 'released'! 

So, people of God, if you declare a stop to a certain problem, it shall be stopped in the spirit, and in turn, be reflected in the physical realm on earth! 

That's how you can "pray heaven down"! 

It means you pray on earth in His name, and it happens in the spiritual realm, and in turn, it will be seen and reflected in the physical realm! In other words, heaven comes down! And the good news is this can happen in any area of your life! 

You see, that's how powerful you are, if you have the revelation of who Jesus is in your life! He is not just a man, or a human prophet, or a human teacher. But He is God who came on earth in the flesh! He is the Son of the living God! Without Him, nothing was made that was made! 

John 1:1-4 says, 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.' 

John 1:12-14 says, 'But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.' 

As you declare that He is the Son of the living God, He is the Word of God became flesh, He came and dwelt among us, and we behold His glory, you know what? This glory falls on us! This glory comes with it the anointing and the power of His Spirit! And as you receive Him by faith, He has given you this right to become His children. That's how you're entering into the realm of the supernatural! And that's when whatever you bind on earth, it shall be bound! And whatever you release on earth, it shall be released! 

So, as you declare the release of "heaven on earth", bringing hope in this hopeless world, and bringing truth to this world full of lies, you are "praying heaven down"! You are praying God's kingdom come, and God's will be done! 

In addition to your own life and your own situation, on the macro level, pray for God's kingdom come, and God's will be done even upon the nation (or the nations) that God has put in your heart to pray for. Yes, pray for the Lord to intervene and prevent certain evil from happening to the nation (or the nations) that you are praying for. 

If you know that the Lord has put in your heart to pray for a certain nation in this world, just obey Him. Pray according to what He has put in your heart to pray. There is a very intense spiritual battle for the nations in the world right now. This is a crucial time to pray. This is a crucial time to receive the anointing and the power to pray and to declare God's words into the spiritual realm. As you declare into the spiritual realm, it shall be reflected in the physical realm. It shall come to pass. You shall see this happening. Because you are praying in the name of Jesus, the mighty name of Jesus, the Son of the living God, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords! 

Ezekiel 22:30 says, 'So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land...' 

What's the background of this Bible verse? At that time, there was no one willing to 'stand in the gap'. But may you be one of those who would 'stand in the gap'! 

How do you 'stand in the gap'? You 'stand in the gap' through your prayers! In other words, you can "pray heaven down" or pray the perfect will of God upon the nation (or the nations) that God has put in your heart to pray for. Pray for His will be done. Pray for His light to shine. Pray for His glory to fall. When light comes, darkness has to flee! You can declare all this in the spirit! 

What other areas can you also pray for the nation (or the nations)? Pray for the right people to be raised up by the Lord for such a time as this! Pray for the "Samuels" of today. Pray for the "Esthers" of today. Pray for the "Davids" of today. Amen! 

Apostle Paul wrote this in 1 Timothy 2:1-4, 'Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.'

The word 'intercessions' here is 'enteuxis' in Greek, from the word 'entugchano'. This word can mean 'to visit, to fall upon, to effect upon, to make it happen'. 

So, as you do your part through your prayers, God is going to visit! God is going to effect His power upon! God is going to make it happen! His kingdom come, and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven! 

What if you do not have the exact words to pray? Just pray in the spirit. Because praying in the spirit is praying in the perfect will of God! 

Right now, let heaven be open! Let there be a release of God's anointing upon you! Let there be a release of God's power upon you! Let God's hands touch your hands! Lift up your hands, and let His power fall on you! Like the rain that falls on earth! Receive by faith. Hallelujah! 

Prayer: 

"O Lord God, we "pray heaven down". We pray for all the goodness of heaven be upon us. We pray for Your light to shine in the midst of the darkness. We pray for Your perfect will be done in each of our lives, and even for the nation and the nations You have put in our hearts to pray for. Let Your wisdom and revelation flow. Let Your glory fall. Let Your power be seen. In Jesus' name. Amen." 

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Why is it important to 'watch and pray'?

The Lord says He is in the midst of raising up many watchmen in this time and season. These are spiritual watchmen who would hear from Him and release His words to prepare the people for what's going to happen. They would even give early warning for any impending danger or potential trouble, so as to prevent certain evil or danger from happening to the people.

By the way, when it is mentioned 'watchmen' here, it can also be women. Indeed the Lord is raising up many such men and women for such a time as this. 

There are many references in the Scripture about 'watchmen'. For example, in 2 Kings 9:17, it is written, 'The watchman on the tower of Jezreel saw Jehu and his company approaching, so he shouted to Joram, "I see a company of troops coming!" King Joram then ordered, "Send out a rider to ask if they are coming in peace."'. 

Here, you can see that one function of watchmen is to keep watch against any physical threat or danger to a particular city. Those days, in cities, especially important cities, watchmen would be positioned on the high walls or at watchtowers, so that they can see far ahead into the distance, in order to keep watch against potential threat or danger against the city.

Today, we will look at the definition of this word 'watchman' according to the Scripture, and the functions of 'watchman', especially in the context of our New Testament times. 

The word 'watchman' here is from the word 'tsawfaw' in Hebrew, and it can mean any of these: 

- to peer into the distance;

- to lean forward and watch over;

- to be alert and be on the look out;

- to keep watch and observe;

- to sound the alarm and give a warning. 

Of course, watchmen can be physical watchmen, but it can also be spiritual watchmen, which is our topic of interest today. 

Why 'watchmen'? 

In the Scripture, 'watchmen' are like the guards who are given the task of protecting cities, towns, farms, and even fields. They are tasked with protecting all these from surprise enemy attacks or other potential dangers. They would keep watch and warn the people in the city of any potential threat or attack from outsiders. Not just that, watchmen are also tasked as 'scouts' to be on the look out for approaching visitors into the city, whether friends or enemies, as you can see just now in 2 Kings 9:17, when King Joram was inquiring if the visitors were coming in peace or not. Of course, what you see here in this verse was 'watchman' in the physical sense. But 'watchman' can also be in the context of spiritual and prophetic sense. 

You see, generally, everyone should be watching and praying. Jesus Himself said to His disciples to watch and pray (Mark 14:38). So, generally, everyone should watch and pray! However, some are appointed by the Lord for specific purposes as spiritual watchmen. And usually, they will have the prophetic dimension with them. Some are appointed by the Lord to be watchmen for a certain ministry, for a certain entity, for a certain family, for the nation (or nations), and some are watchmen for the Body of Christ. 

What do they do? 

They would be interceding. They would be 'standing in the gap' to ask the Lord to intervene, for example, for the future of a particular nation, or for what is happening in the Body of Christ. This is crucial especially in a challenging time like now. 

So you see, the Lord does appoint spiritual watchmen in preparing His people in this end-time. And He is preparing His people for what's coming in each time and season, and even sounding the alarm for what's coming. Why? In order to prevent His people from falling into trap, pitfalls, or temptation. 

But of course watchmen's task can sometimes be very challenging in its nature. Because not everyone would accept what they say. You can see that in Hosea 9:8, 'The prophet is a watchman over Israel for my God, yet traps are laid for him wherever he goes. He faces hostility even in the house of God.' 

Watchmen may face hostility from outside the Body of Christ, but watchmen may also face hostility from within, even among the believers. You see, there can be a situation when genuine prophetic voices are not heeded by the people, and these watchmen are even persecuted by their own people. Because many people tend to only want to hear what they want to hear, and reject what they don't want to hear. This is the 'price to pay' if one is called as one of those spiritual watchmen of the Lord. 

But if you are a spiritual watchman for the Lord, and you know you are one of those whom the Lord has appointed especially in this challenging, perilous time, I want to encourage you. Blessed are you! Because even though you may be persecuted in different ways, the Lord is with you! 

In Matthew 5:10-12, Jesus Himself said: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Hallelujah! It means the kingdom of heaven is upon you, working in you, and working through you. And you are the expression of the kingdom of heaven on earth. His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen! Jesus continued: "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." This is the cross-reference to Hosea 9:8 that we read just now. 

So watchmen, keep being faithful before the Lord, and keep speaking as His mouthpiece. Let Him put His words in your mouth. As you speak and declare, and as you do as He tells you to do, things are going to change according to His will. He is not dead. He is still very much alive. And He is still intervening. If there are times you don't know what to pray specifically, pray in the spirit, because praying in the spirit is praying in the perfect will of God. You are calling heavens down. You are calling the perfect will of God down on this earth. Amen! 

I want to pray for all the spiritual watchmen in our midst today. I pray for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to rest on you. I pray that your spiritual eyes will continue to be enlightened, to see and gaze into the many things in the spiritual realm. You are going to see many more things in the spiritual realm that the Lord wants to show to you. The Lord has appointed you for such a time as this, and not man. I want to release this anointing upon you. Grace upon grace be with you, and you will grow in this ministry, from faith to faith, from grace to grace, from glory to glory. Amen! Hallelujah! 

Prayer: "O Lord God, we thank You for Your words today that You are in the midst of raising up many spiritual watchmen. We bless Your holy name. We want to be faithful to be who You have appointed us to be. Teach us to be vigilant and alert to Your revelations. Teach us to function in more effective ways for Your name's sake and for Your glory. We humble ourselves before You, and we allow You to use us as You wish. In the name of Jesus. Amen." 

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