A time to reclaim your rightful place!

The Lord says: 

"In a time like this, stay focused on what I've spoken for you to be and to do. Stay faithful in Me and My covenant with you. Keep your eyes and your ears on Me and My Word. The enemy will try to do anything to upset My purposes and plans for your life. Do not allow yourself to get out of focus. Do not allow yourself to get distracted. Shut your ears from those who try to distract you and upset you. Shut your ears from those who don't understand what I am currently doing in your life in this time and season." 

How does the enemy 'upset' God's works or plans for your life? 

1. By sowing the seed of discouragement against you. 

2. By sowing the seed of accusations against you. 

3. By using people to gossip or character-assassinate against you. 

4. By attacking your health and your well-being. 

Let's go straight to the book of Haggai. At that time, God's people had forgotten their priority and purposes. They gave up building what God had spoken for them to build. 

But through this prophet Haggai, the Lord conveyed these messages to the people: 

1. A call to remain faithful and remember His plans. 

2. A call to not get distracted from building what God is building. 

3. A call for His people to rise up from the humiliation of their 'Babylonian exile'. 

4. A call for His people to reclaim their rightful place and shine for Him. 

To apply this in your situation, whatever the enemy tries to 'upset' you or discourage you, don't give in. Don't buy what the enemy is trying to say to you. The enemy is the father of lies. Instead, focus on the Lord. Stay faithful in the Lord. Don't get distracted. Keep remembering your covenant with the Lord. Claim back your inheritance. Claim back your rightful place in the Lord. Yes, that's how you are going to shine for the Lord in this time and season! 

Prophet Haggai's prophecy came at a time when God's people were extremely vulnerable and discouraged. They had been humbled by their seventy-year exile in Babylon. They were also so discouraged by the opposition against them in rebuilding God's temple, that they quit. 

But God! You know what? God used Haggai to encourage them to complete what the Lord had started. Beloved, this is the Lord's message for you too. The good work that the Lord has begun in you, He is going to bring it to full completion. Amen!

In Haggai 2:2-5, the Lord spoke through Haggai: "Say this to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of God's people there in the land: 'Does anyone remember this house - this Temple - in its former splendor? How, in comparison, does it look to you now? It must seem like nothing at all! But now the Lord says: Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the Lord of Heaven's Armies. My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid.'" 

See? Three times the Lord said: "Be strong. Be strong. Be strong." The Lord is saying the same to you right now. Be strong. Do not be discouraged. Do not be afraid. Do not get distracted. Stay focused on your God-given calling and purposes in life. Each of us has a specific God-given calling or 'blueprint' in life. No two persons are exactly the same. Each of us has been endowed with spiritual gifts and talents for us to use for His glory. Don't compare with others. Walk the path that God has for you, and keep your focus on that path. 

Here in the book of Haggai, the message to rebuild God's temple was simple and straightforward. Of course, your current purpose or calling may not be building a physical temple like in those days. But whatever the Lord has spoken for you to be and to do, stay focused on what He has spoken, and He will know how to honor you! 

In Haggai 2:21-23, the Lord spoke: "Tell Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, that I am about to shake the heavens and the earth. I will overthrow royal thrones and destroy the power of foreign kingdoms. I will overturn their chariots and riders. The horses will fall, and their riders will kill each other. But when this happens, says the Lord of Heaven's Armies, I will honor you. I will make you like a signet ring on My finger, says the Lord, for I have chosen you. I, the Lord of Heaven's Armies, have spoken!"

By the way, 'signet ring' here is 'khothawm' in Hebrew, and it can mean 'signature', which speaks of you having the authority in the Lord to 'sign' something, and whatever you 'sign' in the Spirit becomes a decree! 

What is a 'decree' then? In the context of our study today, an authority! It is an authority (from the Lord) given to you, or an order (from the Lord) to cause things to happen. 

Beloved, your time for such has come too! This is that time! Greater things are coming your way! A new start! A new strength! A new passion! A new mandate! A new outlook! Yes, a new authority has been given to you! And no power of darkness can overturn it! Believe and receive by faith!

Click here for the full message in TiC YouTube Channel

See the good hand of the Lord in your life!

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

See the good hand of the Lord in your life! 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And these words came from a pagan king!

Hallelujah!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

Receive the anointing to be rebuilt and renewed

Isaiah 61:4 (NIV): They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

The word 'rebuild' here (from the word 'banah' in Hebrew) is defined as 'to set up (again), or to obtain children/offspring (again)'. It speaks of one's life (or any area of one's life) being re-built, i.e. 'to be built from ruins again', or 'to be set up from ruins again'. 

Though Isaiah 61:4 is about 'broken or ruined cities', I believe this verse also speaks of 'the souls of men'. A broken soul is very much like a city that has been broken down and with no walls (of protection), or like a house in ruins.

The word 'renew' here is 'chadash' in Hebrew, which means 'to be new, to be fresh'. This word speaks of 'a new beginning', as you 'look not behind you, but look ahead' for a much better new year. It is from this word 'chadash' that 'Rosh Chodesh' (meaning 'Head of the Month') comes from. 
Note: 'Rosh Chodesh' is a joyful celebration to the Lord, held on the first day of every Hebrew month. It is a time to gather together to seek the Lord (and His direction) for the month ahead. This celebration is also called New Moon Festival - a new, fresh month (to look forward to).

The other day, I heard these words from the Lord in a time of prayer:
"This is a time to be rebuilt and renewed for many of My people!"

People of God, if you have gone through a difficult time (even a crisis or tragedy) in the previous year, God wants you to know that His heart is very near you this year, and He is here to rebuild and renew you in any area that you may have suffered 'devastation'. 

He is able (no matter what you've gone through), and His anointing is here.

One key chapter you can meditate on as you cross the threshold of year 2015 is Isaiah 61. This chapter begins with these first two verses: 'The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord...'

This anointing (or enabling/empowering) opens the way to a time of rebuilding and renewing, as written in Isaiah 61:4, and is now here for you to receive.

By the way, the word 'renew' ('chadash') here is also translated as 'repair' (in NKJV). See the words 'Re - pair' here? In other words, 'to have a new pair of wings (again)' or 'to give you a new pair of wings (again)'! And that's what He is going to do for you this month, if you look to Him! It's a new start! A new beginning, so that the 'eagle' can soar again, renewed and refreshed for the many months ahead!

People of God, are there areas in your life that need a 'Re -pair' at the moment? How about your health, stamina, or strength? Or maybe in your career, business, or ministry life?

This is your time for the Lord to 'Re -pair' and mend your broken 'wings', and make them 'new, fresh again'. As a matter of fact, you need a pair of wings to fly! One wing won't make it! And this is the time and season for 'Re - pair' for many of you in the Body of Christ!

Isaiah 40:29-31 (NKJV) says, 'He gives power (now, that's the anointing!) to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint'.

Mount up (and soar), then run, and finally walk. Do you see a 'cycle' here! And if the 'eagle' never gets replenished, it will eventually faint! 

As believers, you too are like the 'eagles' who (by His grace) are able to rise above and over every storm that the enemy conjures up against you!

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says there is a time (i.e. due season) for everything (every purpose), and I believe for many of you, this is a time to wait on the Lord and be renewed in your strength.

By the way, the word 'wait' here in Isaiah 40:31 is never 'passive', but is the word 'qavah' in Hebrew, which can mean 'to collect, to gather, to look patiently to'. In this context, I can phrase it this way: 'Those who collect from the Lord, gather from the Lord, and look patiently to the Lord shall renew their strength'. How? Worship the Lord, dig into (and meditate on) the Word, and of course, pray in the spirit as often as you can this month!

And as you 'qavah' on the Lord, I believe you'll begin to see 'your evening is past, and your morning has come'. It's like you feel so rejuvenated in the morning after a good night’s sleep! Lamentations 3:22-24 says, 'Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They (the Lord's mercies) are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion", says my soul, therefore I hope in Him'. Amen.