Words from the Lord: "Prepare yourself to hear from Me!"

The Lord says for this time: 

"Many of My people are going to make crucial and key decisions in the coming months. Prepare yourselves to hear from Me, for there are many secrets and revelations that I want to show to My people who hear from Me. Great shall be the blessings for those who walk in My instructions." 

The Lord says further: 

"For this is the time I'm going to fix your life back to what it should be from the inside out. You will see yourself restored, renewed, repaired and healed in any area that has been broken. For I am teaching you to make the right choices going forward. Hear Me." 

In life, there are many decisions to make. From the biggest to the smallest day-to-day decisions. But as a beloved of God, you need not be worried or anxious. Because you have the Holy Spirit in you, leading you and guiding you, even giving you the confirmation you need regarding a matter. Confirmation can come in dreams and visions from the Lord, while you are praying, while you are reading or listening to the Word of God, or even still small voice. 

In my life, I've had many decisions to make too, in every season of my life. Some are crucial decisions, and some are difficult decisions. For example, relocating from one place to another, or moving from one season in ministry to another season in ministry. Pastor Sharon and I, as husband and wife, when one of us receives a dream or vision from the Lord, or receives a certain instruction of the Lord on something, we would seek the Lord together, and we would ask the Lord for at least two or three confirmation. We would wait on the Lord together. We would pray about it together. We would pray until "we know that we know" it is the right move. Beloved of God, you too can ask God for prayer partners who are sincere and willing to tell things as it is. May the Lord send you such people. 

Pastor Sharon and I, as husband and wife, we would write down whatever we have received from the Lord; be it a vision from the Lord, a dream from the Lord, or in any way the Lord speaks. Just as written in Habakkuk 2:1-2 (NKJV) that says, 'I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me... Then the Lord answered me and said: "Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it."' 

Once you are sure it is from the Lord, and with at least two or three confirmation from the Lord regarding a matter, then you can take the step of faith and act on it. 

How did Elijah know when it's the right time to move on from one place to another? The key is simple. A life of worship and surrender to the Lord. A life fully submitted and yielded to the Lord. A heart that is soft enough to obey God's voice and instructions, instead of being wise in his own eyes. 

From one place to another, and from one season to another, Elijah was guided by the Lord. Because the Lord knows better and sees farther. Some were to prevent certain danger from happening to him. Some seemed to be "Are you out of your mind?" kind of decision. Some, of course, were to move him to the next level of his prophetic ministry.

In cross-reference, Psalm 95:6-7 (NKJV) says, 'Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice...' Mark these words. Now, 'to worship and bow down' here means 'to humbly surrender to the Lord'. Not just in songs, but more importantly, in our hearts. A heart of worship and surrender. A heart of submission to Him. A heart that is fully yielded to Him. A heart that is soft before Him. That's what the Lord is looking for. And there, He will speak and show many things. 

Psalm 95:8-9 goes on to talk about 'not hardening our hearts', thinking that we know better; as in the days when God's people were in the wilderness; and for forty years, God was grieved with that generation. Because they did not know God's ways. 

Back to Elijah now. Elijah never hardened his heart before God. He listened to God's voice and instructions, every step of the way. His heart was yielded to the Lord. We all can learn from Elijah here. Because these are the keys. 

Examples of Elijah's relocations (or moving from one season to another):

1. The Brook of Cherith. The Lord instructed him to hide there, where ravens would feed him. 

2: Zarephath. The Lord instructed him to stay in a widow's house.

3. Mount Carmel. The Lord instructed him to confront the prophets of Baal. 

4. Mount Horeb. He journeyed to the mountain of God to commune with the Lord, and heard further instructions for the next step in his prophetic ministry.

For each of these, Elijah only acted upon receiving instructions from the Lord. Never once he acted without God or God's angel giving him instructions. 

We all need the Lord. Because He knows better. And because He has our best interests in His mind. He knows the end from the beginning. He knows us from the inside out. Each and every one of us!

Prayer:

"O Lord God, I want to pray for Your people here to be so in tune with Your Spirit, and be positioned to receive Your revelations and secrets that You want to tell them. Sensitize each of their spirit man to hear and receive from You. For great shall be the blessings if they receive from You and walk according to Your instructions for them. I bless each of God's beloved here with blessings and increase, as they make the right choices in life going forward, according to Your leading and guidance. In Jesus' name. Amen!"

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Words from the Lord: "A new sword and purpose have been given to you!"

In a time of prayer, I saw in the spirit many of God's people have been given a new sword. This is not to fight flesh and blood. But it's symbolic of a fresh start and a new beginning. 

'Sword' is symbolic of 'Word of God'. You will have fresh revelation in the Word of God. Many things that you couldn't 'see' or understand before, you will begin to 'see' and understand, with the help of the Holy Spirit. 

'Sword' is also symbolic of 'your authority in the spirit'. You will receive a new authority and power to walk in His divine purpose for you. 

I also heard from the Lord: 

"This is the time to prepare to dedicate and re-dedicate your life afresh and anew to Me."

"Just as in Psalm 30, the psalmist wrote about dedicating the temple of the Lord, you are the temple of the Holy Spirit where I dwell." 

Psalm 30:5 (NKJV) says, 'For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.' 

This joy of the Lord is being released inside of you right now! 

Psalm 30:11 (NKJV) says, 'You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.' 

Beloved of God, God is taking away your "sackcloth", so to speak, and in replacement, clothing you with gladness!

What does 'sackcloth' speak of here? 'Sackcloth' speaks of 'grief, mourning, distress, or rough times'. The fabric texture of sackcloth is rough and tough. This is symbolic of rough and tough times. But now, by faith, receive a new clothing! And this new clothing in your life is called 'gladness'! 

Psalm 23:5 (NKJV) says, 'You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.' 

God is preparing a table for you! It means God is preparing a spiritual feast for you! Not just that, God also anoints your head with oil. When God anoints your head with oil, this speaks of God refreshing you, renewing you, and giving you a new strength! So, walk in this new strength, this new authority, and this new power that He has given you in this new time and season!

Choose to trust God and hope in God for what's ahead of you! Jeremiah 17:7 (NKJV) says, 'Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.' 

The Lord says further: 

"For those who need to turn a new page in your life and have a fresh start, or you know you need to be set free from certain bondage or limitation in your life, My grace is more than enough for you. Step out of the old by faith, and step into the new. For I shall walk with you and guide you, every step of the way. Fear not, and be bold." 

As you prepare yourself to walk in the new, let the Lord cleanse you, wash you, and purify you, so that you will be 'white as snow', and ready for an even greater manifestation of His glory and power in your life, going forward. Amen! 

Prayer:

"O Lord God, we receive our renewal and refreshing right now. We receive our restoration and healing right now. You anoint our heads with Your oil. There is a divine refreshing today. Cleanse our hearts and our minds as well. We receive Your anointing to set us free from whatever that has been holding us back. We receive Your anointing to step out of the old, and step into the new. We receive Your anointing to walk in that new purpose that You have given us. In Jesus' name. Amen!"

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Words from the Lord: "God is turning things around from crisis to clarity!"

God wants to tell you this:

"This is the month I am turning your confusion to clarity, and your crisis to breakthrough! What is 'gloomy' and 'grey' shall be turned to 'blue skies'! Do not lose heart therefore, for I, the Lord, am still working behind the scenes, and even in ways that you know not of yet." 

God says further:

"Look to Me and keep trusting in My plans and destiny for you. Do not look at those crises and confusion, but look to Me who is Sovereign and Almighty. For I am the Lord your God, and there is no other." 

In Isaiah 45:22, the Lord says, "Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other." 

The word 'saved' here is 'yasha' in Hebrew. This word has a broad meaning. It can mean 'delivered, rescued, helped, preserved, defended, avenged, set free'. 

Beloved of God, as you look to Him, He will know how to deliver you, rescue you, help you, preserve you, defend you, avenge for you, and set you free! 

The word 'crisis' can mean 'an unstable, dangerous, difficult, or crucial situation that one is facing'. 'Crisis' can also mean 'a dramatic emotional or circumstantial upheaval in one's life'. 

Maybe you too are facing a crisis at the moment, or maybe you are in a state of confusion about a situation, not knowing what is happening and not knowing what to do. Take heart. The Lord your God is not dead. He is still very much alive in your situation. He is saying to you that He is visiting you right now. He will know how to bring clarity to you. Many things will become much clearer. And He will know how to give you the breakthrough that you need.

Your part is to keep trusting Him and keep looking to Him, and have patience. Endure. Persevere. Do not give up. 

The word 'clarity' can have three major meanings: 

1. Being free from any form of confusion or ambiguity.

2. Clearness as to the understanding or perception of certain matters. 

3. The state of being clear in one's spiritual eyes of understanding.

Ephesians 1:17-19 (NKJV) says, 'That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.' 

Let this power of God fill you right now. Let this power of God set you free from whatever crisis, confusion, or limitation that the devil (or the enemy) puts against you!

One example in the Scripture is in the life of Joseph in the book of Genesis.

In Genesis 39, Joseph was sold by his own brothers, and he was taken to Egypt to become a slave. Potiphar, an officer of the Pharaoh, bought Joseph from the Ishmaelites. Joseph was then falsely accused of seducing Potiphar's wife, and was thrown into the prison!

In other words, it was a crisis for Joseph. He was also probably in a state of confusion as to why all this happened to him. 

Maybe you too are in a situation where there's just no breakthrough in sight. You just cannot see any form of breakthrough in your life at the moment. You feel bound. You feel limited. It's like as if there's a 'lid' over your head. You cannot break that 'ceiling'. You are bound by the limitations that people around you (or the enemy) put against you, and you are now feeling trapped. 

Whatever it may be, be encouraged, because your help is at hand. The Lord is here. The Lord is here to 'yasha' you. To save you. To deliver you. To rescue you. Yes, even to avenge for you. As long as your heart draws near to the Lord who is Almighty and All-knowing, you need not fear. 

In Genesis 40, in spite of all the external 'darkness' in the prison that Joseph experienced, Joseph continued to walk with God. Even though in the physical realm, he was imprisoned, but in the spiritual realm, God was doing something in his life. God was working behind the scenes. God was preparing Joseph for something greater!

One day, when Pharaoh's butler and baker had dreams that bothered them greatly, Joseph was able to interpret their dreams. You see, God can open doors for you in ways that you cannot imagine yet. And that's what happened to Joseph! 

Fast forward two years later, when Pharaoh himself had a dream and a subsequent dream, and no one could interpret those dreams, that same butler remembered Joseph. The butler told Pharaoh about Joseph, and Joseph successfully interpreted Pharaoh's dreams. 

You see, Joseph had a spiritual understanding and perception that no one else in Egypt had. Not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord!

Genesis 41:37-39 (NKJV) says, 'So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?" Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you."' 

Joseph knew it's not him. It's God. It's God who worked in him. It's by the Spirit of the Lord. Pharaoh then promoted Joseph to be second only to himself over all of Egypt. The unthinkable happened! From a slave to become a prime minister! From crisis to breakthrough! From confusion to clarity!

The same it is for you. God's plan be accomplished for you! God's purpose be accomplished for you! God's destiny be accomplished for you! God's will be done for you! 

Declare by faith that you are set free! Lift up your hands towards God, and declare that your 'yasha' is at hand! You are being set free! You are being delivered! The Lord's help has come! You are free from any 'limitation' or 'bondage' set by the enemy against you! You are free from any form of confusion or crisis that the enemy has caused you to be in! You are free to be who God wants you to be! You are free to walk into your breakthrough and victory, going forward! Hallelujah!

I declare by faith that God has taken away all those 'gloominess' around you! God has given you the clarity! God's light has come, and this light is now shining upon you! Amen! 

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Words from the Lord: "There is more!"

The Lord says:

"If you think you are 'over the hill', there is more! If you think you are finished, there is more! If you think you are done, there is more! If you think it's over, there is more! There is more that I want to show you going forward! There is more that I want to do in your life going forward! So, take heart and be encouraged!" 

What is the definition of 'over the hill'? It means 'past a person's prime', like a climber of mountain who has reached the mountaintop, and is now descending. This term is used for people who think they are going downhill in their lives. 

I'm going to cite two examples: Elijah and Moses. Both of them went through this. Both of them thought they were going downhill in their lives. But God! The Lord instead told them: "It's not over yet. There is more coming in your life!" 

Let's go all the way to Elijah now. In 1 Kings 19, after the great exploits, signs and wonders done by the Lord through Elijah, King Ahab told his wife Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how Elijah had executed all the prophets of Baal. Jezebel then sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them (the prophets of Baal) by tomorrow about this time." Jezebel gave this threat against Elijah and wanted to kill Elijah. That's when Elijah arose and ran for his life. 

Elijah then prayed that he might die, and said, "It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!" 

You see, Elijah wanted to give up. He thought that's all the Lord had for him. He thought he's finished. He thought he's done. He thought it's over. But God! That's when the Lord showed up to Elijah through an angel. This angel touched him and said to him, "Arise and eat." Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank. But he laid down again.

The angel then came back another time, touched him again, and said to him, "Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you." So he ate and drank again, and this time, he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God. There, he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place. The Lord then said to Elijah, and He meant, "Why are you lying down there? I have more things in store for you. There is more!" 

You know what? The rest is history. Elijah was reinvigorated, and he never looked back ever since. The Lord gave him further instructions from then on, and he continued to walk in the calling the Lord had for him, and he moved on to do many more great exploits!

Beloved of God, if you are in the same situation like Elijah those days, and you want to give up, or you think you are finished, the Lord your God has these words for you: "There is more! There is more coming in your life! There is more good things coming in your life!" 

Let's move on to Moses now. In Exodus 3, after he had run away from the land of Egypt into the wilderness, from being a 'somebody' in Egypt to being a 'nobody' in the desert, and while he was tending the flock of his father-in-law (Jethro), the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. When Moses turned aside to look, the Lord then called to him, "Moses, Moses!" The Lord also said, "Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh, that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt." 

But Moses said to the Lord, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" 

Fast forward to Exodus 4, Moses also said, "But suppose they (the Israelites) will not believe me or listen to my voice. Suppose they say, 'The Lord has not appeared to you.'" 

The Lord said to him, "What is that in your hand?" In other words, the Lord was asking him, "What is it that you are holding now?" Moses answered, "Oh, just an old shepherd's rod."

The Lord then said, "Cast it on the ground." So Moses cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses fled from it. The Lord said further, "Reach out your hand and take it by the tail" (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand), "that they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you." 

You see, over here, Moses wasn't convinced if his own people, the Israelites, would even listen to him! But the Lord was there to assure him. 

And again, the rest is history. Moses didn't look back ever since. Moses went on to be greatly used by the Lord to set the Israelites free!

You see, both Elijah and Moses had gone through a time when they thought they're finished. They thought it's over. They thought the Lord's done with them. They thought the Lord had bypassed them. 

But God! The Lord had another idea. The Lord had a new purpose for them. The Lord even had greater things in store for them. They didn't look back ever since!

One similarity between the two of them (Elijah and Moses) is that they were on the verge of giving up their calling in their lives, but only for the Lord to say, "There is more!" 

Beloved of God, whatever situation you may be facing now, I believe this is what the Lord is saying to you as well: "There is more! There is more that I want to show you! There is more that I want to do in your life! Hang on there! Hang on strong! Look to Me, and I will show you many more things that you know not of yet!"

Receive these words by faith in your life.

Hallelujah!

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How to make plans in the Spirit?

The Lord has spoken for this week: "Look to Me and seek Me, and I will show you My plans and purposes in your life. Be patient to wait on Me. My Spirit will lead you and guide you. My Spirit is teaching you to discern and differentiate what is My plan and what is mere man's plan." 

With these words from the Lord, I'm going to write on how to make plans in the Spirit (i.e. how to plan in the Spirit), or how to purpose in the Spirit. The Bible has something to say regarding this. 

But before that, I want to ask you, "Who are you actually?" You are a spirit being. You are a spirit who lives in a body (a physical body) and have a soul. So, first and foremost, you are a spirit being. 

In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, apostle Paul wrote, 'Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.' 

You see here, apostle Paul wrote there are three parts in a human being - spirit, soul (consists of your mind, will, and emotions), body (physical body). But out of these three parts, your spirit is who you really are. Your spirit is real. It is not just a bodily organ. Some people call it a heart, some people call it a belly. But it's not just a bodily organ. It's not an imagination. It's not an idea. But your spirit is real. It's your real self. You are first and foremost a spirit being, and I call it spirit-man. 

In fact, your spirit should dominate your whole being. People exercise their physical body and nourish themselves with good food and proper nutrition. Nothing wrong. People exercise their soul by training their mind, by receiving education. No problem. But you know what? Many people in this world neglect the most important part, the essential part, the real them - that is the spirit. Now, the way to strengthen or nourish your spirit is by none other than feeding yourselves with the Word of God and praying in the Spirit. See? Word of God and Spirit of God. Word and Spirit. In Matthew 4:4, Jesus says, '...Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' Jude 1:20 says, 'But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.' 

So today, I want to point you to your spirit being, because that is the most important part of your whole being, yet it's the most neglected part by the world. So how do you nourish yourself? How do you strengthen your spirit being? You've got to exercise your spirit. You've got to give it proper nutrition. You've got to feed it well. Feed with the Word of God. Pray in the Spirit to build yourself up on your most holy faith. See again? Word and Spirit. These are the two important pillars in your Christian life. 

I continue. In Romans 1:9, apostle Paul wrote, 'For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.' 

You see, Paul served God with his spirit. He never wrote 'with his soul or body', though of course these two parts (soul and body) will be involved too. Because we are a tripartite being. Three parts. But one person. But I tell you what, first and foremost, it is his spirit that serves God. The word 'serve' here is 'latreuo' in Greek. It simply means 'to minister unto God' or 'to worship God'. It means we minister unto God with our spirit. We worship God with our spirit. We worship God by doing what God says we do on earth, by obeying His callings, His plans and purposes for us on earth. And that's part of our worship before the Lord. To submit ourselves before Him. Because He is God, and we are not. 

The word 'spirit' here is 'pneuma' in Greek. It can mean the spirit of a man (or of course a woman), or the spirit-man. We humans are spirit beings, remember this. So, whatever we do on this earth, whether in our worship before the Lord, our ministering unto Him, in our walking with Him, in doing whatever God asks us to do, we are serving Him with our spirit. 

In John 4:23-24, Jesus says, 'But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit ('pneuma') and truth.' The word 'worship' here is 'proskuneo' in Greek. If you look at the definition in James Strong's Concordance, he defined 'proskuneo' here as 'to kiss'. It means to touch God, to be in close proximity to God. That's what 'to kiss' means. And interestingly, he put it this way: 'like a dog licking his master's hand'. So imagine your pet dog licking your hand, so excited to see you when you come home, so longing to want to spend time with you as the master. Now, that's how James Strong defined 'proskuneo'. Like the dog licking his master's hand, so it is the same with us as we worship the Lord. We 'proskuneo' before the Lord. We want more of Him. We long for Him. We will miss Him when we are far from Him. Of course, 'proskuneo' can also mean 'to prostrate before God', 'to submit or surrender to God'. You see, not necessarily with music and songs. You can worship of course with music and songs, but worship before the Lord is more than just music and songs, as you see from the definitions above.

With the right understanding of who you actually are (you are first and foremost a spirit being), now let's see what the Scriptures say about 'making plans in the Spirit'. Remember our topic here is 'How to make plans in the Spirit?' Because in order for you to make plans in the Spirit, you've got to know who you are first. You are a spirit being, and therefore whatever you do, you do it with your spirit. You serve God with your spirit, you worship God with your spirit, and now, like Paul, you can make plans in the Spirit. Look at this verse here in Acts 19:21: 'When these things were accomplished (in the context here, the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed in Ephesus), Paul purposed in the Spirit when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome."' You see, Paul was purposing in his spirit, making plans in his spirit, to go to Jerusalem, and after that, he wanted to go and see Rome. The word 'purpose' here is 'tithemi' in Greek. It can mean 'conceive, set forth, present, commit'. So Paul was conceiving in the Spirit his plan to go to Jerusalem and Rome. He was setting it forth before the Lord. He presented it before the Lord. He committed it before the Lord. Therefore, to make plans in the Spirit, or to purpose in the Spirit, is to present an idea or a thought before the Lord. You see, even in making plans, Paul was doing it in the Spirit first! 

So we are not talking about making mere man's plans. It's easy to make man's plans by just using your mind to plan for your life. But I tell you a better way, a way that will always lead you to your victory and to fulfill your God-given destiny. It's planning the way the Bible teaches us to plan, i.e. planning according to His will, His plans and His purposes in our lives.

Acts 17:27-28 says, '...so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each of us; For in Him we live and move and have our being...' See the word 'move' here? Not just in Him we live, not just in Him we have our being, but in Him we move! It means your moving here and there! You know what this means? Your direction in life!

Through the many years of me walking in the Spirit, and teaching people in serving with the spirit and moving in the Spirit, I've learned not to go ahead with any major decisions in life unless and until I have sought the Lord and get confirmation (or 'green light') from Him first. Now that's super important. Because a lot of people are just like 'punching in the air'. They never aim first. They shoot everywhere, but never aim. But when you receive a thought or an idea, present it before the Lord first, and then pray and seek the Lord. Even if the Lord leads you to fast (fast and pray), go ahead. Pray in the spirit. Read the Word of God. And wait on the Lord. Learn to be patient before the Lord. And the Lord will give you the confirmation, even more confirmation. And if it's not from the Lord, the Lord will give you 'counter-confirmation', saying no to it. But if it's from the Lord, the Lord will surely give you 2 or 3 more confirmations. So, pray, fast, seek the Lord, be patient, read the Word of God. Never mind if people call you 'slow poke', because they are so impatient, but you be like the eagle, do it right first time in catching the prey. You know, sometimes even 30 days, 60 days, or even many more months, God may still be silent regarding a certain matter that you present to Him. This is especially so if it is a major decision, like a new direction in your ministry, a new direction in business, moving from one location to another location, bigger kind of investment (e.g. buying properties), deciding your career path, etc. Ya, sometimes God can be silent for many days, even months. Just be patient. Don't give up praying. Don't give up waiting on the Lord. Keep seeking, keep praying in the spirit, till there is clear confirmation or answer (whether through dreams, through thoughts that are not premeditated, etc). And when you receive the confirmation, act accordingly, and there will be results! 

If you look at Acts 16:6-10, you would know that apostle Paul has been seeking the Lord regarding direction in his ministry (for him and his team), 'Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.' 

So you have this example in the Scripture, especially of apostle Paul. He never went ahead in his life and ministry before seeking the Lord first, and when he has received confirmation, only then would he go ahead. So, go directly to God is the best! That's what apostle Paul did. If other people say anything or give opinion (suggestion) what you should be doing, what you should not be doing, what they think is best for you, or what is the best decision that you should make, if other people, other than God, give you all kinds of opinions, you need to check with your spirit first. You need to check your inner witness, your inward witness. You need to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you first, a sense of whether there is peace or no peace. Ahhh... (if there's peace). Ugh Ugh Ugh... (if there's no peace). Check with your spirit first. You know why? Because many times I have heard people complaining this way: "I was taking this so and so's advice, but it turned out to be a bad decision." And you know what, some of these advices may even be so-called 'prophecies'. Of course no denying prophecies from the Lord (that's not premeditated by man), when man speaks as God speaks, can lead to great breakthroughs or into the right direction. Never despise prophecies from the Lord. But what I mean here is even prophecies need to be tested. KIV (keep in view) first, when you hear someone prophesy about you. Wait on the Lord further to sense peace or no peace. Does your spirit respond with 'a leap of joy'? Or repulsiveness? Or simply neutral? Wait on the Lord and seek the Lord, to see if there is confirmation or counter-confirmation (it means God refuting or rebuking that 'prophecy'). May the Lord sensitize your spirit-man. You know why I say this? Because some 'prophecies' may just be merely that 'prophesier' imposing his will or his idea on you. Or that person merely saying it from his mind, perception, or opinion regarding your situation. But it may not be from the Lord. In other words, to put words in God's mouth by saying, "I heard God says this...", "I heard God says that..." 

Now, be extra careful. Every prophecy needs to be tested. You can see that in 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21, 'Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things, hold fast what is good.' You see, test all things, including prophecies. 

Back to the Macedonian call to Paul and his team, and how God did not permit them to go certain direction. The fact here is there can be times the Lord does not permit us to go to a certain direction, or move to a certain direction. You know why? Because He sees further than us, and knows better than us, even if at times we ask, "Why not?" Or even if at times we just cannot understand why cannot? Why God does not permit it? But you know what, God is God. God sees the end from the beginning. So, your part is just flow with Him, flow with His direction, even His timing. Speaking about patience here. And as you flow with Him, His direction and His timing, you are going to see your destiny being fulfilled on earth. You know why? Because God always has your best interest in His mind, and He has the best plan for us. 

So, if you are in the midst of seeking the Lord to make a major decision in your life, be it in ministry, your career, your family's direction, your business, or whatever it may be, remember all that have been taught today. As you present before the Lord, learn to wait on Him. Be patient. The Lord will surely speak. And if you are not sure, you KIV (keep in view). Put yourself in 'neutral gear' before the Lord. Present it before the Lord further. That's how you make plans before the Lord. And let God speak to you in different ways that He wants to speak to you. And when you have confirmation, you go ahead, and you are going to see your results for sure! 

Let's pray: "O Lord God, we ask that You sensitize our spirit-man so that we'll be like that antenna, spiritual antenna, that will receive Your reception, spiritual reception. We want to flow with You, Your plans in our lives, Your direction in our lives, even Your timing in our lives. Be it in ministry, in personal life, in family plans, or in career or business plans. Teach us to be patient to wait on You. We thank You because You are teaching us to discern and to differentiate what is Your plan and what is mere man's plan, what is God's idea and what is mere man's idea. We want to walk in Your idea for us. We want to walk in Your plan and purposes for us. In the name of Jesus. Amen."

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

Don't compare yourself with others!

Galatians 6:4-5 (Easy-To-Read Version) says, 'Don’t compare yourself with others. Just look at your own work to see if you have done anything to be proud of. You must each accept the responsibilities that are yours'. 

Galatians 6:4-5 (NLT) says, 'Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct'.

One fastest way of discouraging yourself and getting trapped in jealousy is when you start comparing yourself with others. Whether it's comparing one person with another person, one family with another family, one career with another career, or even one ministry with another ministry, no two persons, families, careers (either path or timing), or ministries (either path or timing) are exactly the same!

You see, God has a specific plan for each of us, and God has a specific timing for each of us! You won’t fulfill that specific plan or timing of God by looking at others! 

Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) says, 'You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You'.

The word 'stayed' here is 'samak' in Hebrew, meaning 'to rest oneself, to set oneself, to stand fast, to be sustained on'. That is to say your mind is rested on Him, your mind is set on Him, your mind stands fast on His plans/purposes for you, and your mind is sustained on all that He has spoken for you to be (and to do)!

The word 'trusts' here is 'bawtakh' in Hebrew, meaning 'to put confidence, to be secure, to be sure, to be care-less'. That is to say when your confidence, security, and surety (i.e. the state of being sure) is in the LORD, it doesn't matter what other people say or think about you, as long as you know you are doing what the LORD says! In fact, you couldn't care less (i.e. not 'concerned' or 'affected' at all) whatever other people may want to say or think about you! Why? Because your security is not in man, but your security is in the LORD!

And that is how you are kept in perfect peace of the LORD! Shalom Shalom! Perfect Shalom!

Comparing yourself with others is also a joy-stealer, joy-killer, and joy-destroyer! Steal, kill, destroy! It robs you from living your own life, and living it more abundantly!

John 10:10 (NKJV) says, 'The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly'.

The words 'more abundantly' here is 'perissos' in Greek, and it means 'exceedingly abundantly above all that you ask or think of'. In other words, beyond measure!

Nehemiah 8:10 says, 'for the joy of the Lord is your strength'! Therefore, don't let anyone (or the devil) steal, kill or destroy your joy! Because if you lose your joy, you lose your strength to carry on in life! 

For the full preaching of this message, listen in TiC YouTube Channel

For more information about this ministry, visit https://www.triumphinchrist.today/

His thoughts and His ways are higher!

The Lord says,

"This is a time of reflecting and returning. This is a time of introspection and realignment. This is a time of restoration and renewal. Yes, I am in the midst of renewing you, even in the way you understand things and see things. Be still, and know that I am the Lord. Seek Me, and you will find My higher plans and purposes for your life like you've never seen before. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and My ways are not your ways."

People of God, this is the best time for us to self-reflect and return back to be still and know that He is the Lord. Our minds can be restless in this busy, busy world; but in a time of 'lock down' in many parts of the world like this, this is your best time to be in the mode of receiving, restoring, and renewal.

In a time like this, the Lord is going to reveal to you His thoughts and His ways which are infinitely higher than yours. Take heed. In Isaiah 55:8-9, the Lord says, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."

The word 'thoughts' here is 'machashabah' in Hebrew, and it means 'purpose, plan, imagination'. See this? Not only His purposes and plans are higher than yours, but His imagination for your life is also higher than yours! In other words, His imagination for you is higher than all that you could imagine yourself to be! He knows you from the end, and He knows you from the very beginning!

How about the word 'ways' here? It is 'derek' in Hebrew, from the word 'darak' meaning 'the road ahead, the journey ahead'. You know what? He sees the road ahead of you, and He sees the journey ahead of you! So, if you take time to receive from Him, to heed Him and His ways for you, there's no way that you'll fail or get lost along the way!

Your part now is to nestle before you begin to soar like an eagle again! Yes, even higher than ever before! For some of you, this is also the time to sharpen yourself, sharpen your spiritual skills, and even your natural skills! Don't miss this time and season! There will be a new beginning for many of God's people! There will be many new ventures and new ideas coming your way! When many in the world are badly affected by the coming economic storms and recession, you will be like the eagle that soars higher than all these storms. Amen!

For the full preaching video, click to watch

You have a God-given destiny, and He hasn't forgotten it!

I had a dream recently. In the dream, I was in a troop (looking like a military unit), and I belonged to that particular troop. We were facing and warring against another troop, which belonged to the enemy. There were times we did some experiments in our laboratory, made mistakes, 'bombed', and as a consequence, our own laboratory and belongings were burned. It really did look foolish on our part. We were suffering losses, and were actually heading for a defeat. However, in the end, somehow we prevailed and had our victory. How we won, I didn't know. The dream ended there.

As I woke up from the dream, I was encouraged by the fact that in spite of the weaknesses (and foolishness) we had, we somehow prevailed and had our victory in the end!

And that's when I heard the Lord speak:

"Tell and remind My people that they are a people of destiny! They may have 'bombed' it at times, they may have stumbled, and even fallen down at times; but I will teach them to complete the race till the end! I am a God who has the final say!"

I then heard further:

"This is a time to receive a new strength to walk and keep walking in your God-given destiny!"

People of God, we are living in the end of days, and the spiritual war in these last days are real. The enemy is all-out to steal, kill and destroy God's destiny, calling, and vision for your life. And his aim is to rob you of your inheritance in God. But the truth is he will never prevail against you, if you don't give in. 

In Philippians 1:6, the apostle Paul wrote, 'Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ'. Just as 'when God opens a door, no man can shut', and 'if a promotion comes from the Lord, no one can take it away'; it is the same with God's destiny for your life! If God has started it, no one can stop it!

What, then, is the meaning of 'destiny'? It simply means 'the future (or events) of a person that has been planned and purposed by the Lord'. Psalm 139:16 (NCV) says, '...All the days planned for me were written in Your book before I was one day old'. And Psalm 139:17-18 (NKJV) says, 'How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You'. You know what? You are precious, and special in God's eyes! And your life isn't an accident! You have a destiny, one that only you can walk in it!

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) says, 'For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago'. You see? You are not just a face in the crowd, or a number among the billions on earth! You are God's masterpiece, made anew in Christ Jesus, so that you will fulfill all that God has planned for your life!

Psalm 37:18-19 (NKJV) says, 'The Lord knows the days of the upright, and their inheritance shall be forever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time, and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied'. The expression 'the days' here are 'yowm' in Hebrew, which can mean 'chronicles (a record of the events in one's life); the destiny in one's life'! I can therefore say the Lord knows the destiny of His righteous, and you (the righteous) shall never be ashamed in these last days!

Now that you know He has a destiny for you, some of you may ask, "How do I begin walking in my God-given destiny?"

Psalm 37:3-4 (NKJV) says, 'Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart'. 

The word 'delight' here is 'awnag' in Hebrew, and it can mean 'to be happy with; to be soft (to be pliable, or easily bent)'. At the time of writing this psalm, David had seen life long enough (Psalm 37:25), and he concluded that no matter what had happened (in and around your life), keep putting your trust in the Lord and learn to 'be happy with' the Lord!

Have you ever asked what is the opposite of the word 'delight' in this verse? I did! I have sought the Lord, and I shall give you the answer now. The answer is 'blame'! In other words, blaming self, blaming God, or blaming others, for whatever that had happened to you! What then is the opposite of the word 'soft'? The answer, of course, is 'hard'! In other words, being hard on self, hard on God, or hard on others! 

When you learn to stop the 'blame', and stop 'being hard', that's when you'll also see how good the Lord is, and how much He wants to give you the desires of your heart! You can't worship Him and trust Him with a blaming, hardened heart, can you? But when you delight yourself in the Lord and soften your heart before Him in worship, that's when you'll also see God's destiny and your heart's desires meet!

So, beloved of God, whatever had happened in your past, let not your heart be discouraged, and never compare with others. All is not lost, and it's never too late yet! He can redeem your lost time! To Him, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day! What man can achieve in a thousand years, God can accomplish it within a day! If you have 'stumbled', 'fallen', 'bombed', made mistakes in life, or even missed an opportunity along the way, the Lord wants you to know that He hasn't forgotten you! Psalm 37:24 (NKJV) says, 'Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand'. I am not encouraging you to make foolish mistakes (or to sin), but if somehow you have fallen into it (and you feel real bad about it), stop condemning yourself any further, turn over a new leaf, and let the Lord lift you up again! 

Don't dwell in that self-pity or 'blame-game' any longer! This is YOUR time! There's an anointing being released to you right now! Take it! Receive it! Old things have passed away, and all things have become new! This is your time to receive a new strength to start walking in your God-given destiny! This is your time to declare that 'you will rise up stronger'! Yes, stronger than ever before! With God, you can! In Jesus' name! Amen!

Purposing in the spirit

To 'purpose in the spirit' is to 'make plans in the spirit' (Acts 19:21-22 KJV/NKJV). The apostle Paul at that time 'purposed in the spirit' to go to Jerusalem & Rome. So, what did Luke, the writer of the book of Acts meant by 'purposing in the spirit' here? The word ‘purpose’ in this verse is ‘tithemi’ in Greek. It actually means ‘to place a plan before the Lord (in a passive & horizontal posture)’. It can also mean ‘to commit a plan before the Lord (for an approval)’, or ‘to lay a plan before God, or to put forth a plan before God’.

Decision-making involves making choices. Are you in a time when you needed to make a choice (in spiritual ministry, a career move, a business decision, in relationships, in a family, in investments, a career change, a new venture, or even in buying a property)? Or have you reached a point of stagnancy, and you've been asking yourself "What now?" or "So, what's next for me?", or everything seems to be within your 'fingertips' at the moment and you felt there's 'more than this' in life? Beloved, whatever it may be, God is definitely interested in your life & in your future, and He's here to help you.

From my own experience, I'd like to share with you some general guidelines in a decision-making process:

1.       1. Keep doing what you are doing now (Acts 19:21-22) while 'waiting'. Paul, in purposing in his spirit to go to Jerusalem & then Rome, stayed on in Asia (where he was) 'for a time' (Acts 19:22), while waiting for his ‘in due time’.

2.       2. Put yourself on ‘neutral’ gear (Acts 19:21-22). This is what the word 'tithemi' means. Avoid any presumption, or ‘shooting first before you aim’. 

3.       3. Seek further sign or confirmation (Matthew 1:18-20). Joseph was deciding what to do with Mary upon finding out that she’s pregnant 'before they came together'. At that time, Mary was only betrothed (engaged, but not yet married) to Joseph. An angel then appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit".

4.      4. Wait for approval (from the Lord). 'Timing' is very important. Learn to wait on the Lord (Acts 1:4, Acts 1:8, Acts 1:13-14, Acts 2:1). Don’t be hasty (or 'plunge' into something before time). It's important to wait for the right timing, and not 'before' or 'after'. In fact, waiting time is never a waste of time. It’s a preparation time, a time of 'building in the spirit' before the time comes. Peter and the other apostles waited until the right time. And when the time came (the Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost), Peter preached a sermon and 3,000 souls were saved (Acts 2:41) then & there! 

Pa   May every decision you make bring with it much joy & favor!