You have the power inside of you!

The Lord says: 

"Flow in My river! The river of My Spirit! Do not resist this river that is flowing in your life. Let go of all your burdens, struggles and worries to Me, and let Me bring you wherever My river flows. For I am bringing you deeper. Deeper than you've ever experienced before! And I am causing you to see many new things that you've never seen before! You'll begin to even see with your spiritual eyes in new ways! You'll begin to see My power working in your life like you've never seen before! You'll begin to see My glory as I begin to show you more of My glory! Look to Me and drink from Me, beloved. For I am revitalizing you and I am reviving you!"

Today, as you flow with the river of the Holy Spirit, let the Holy Spirit impart life upon you! 

John 6:63 (NKJV) 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." 

Not just everlasting life, but the Holy Spirit causes everything and every aspect of your life to become alive again! So, whatever that's dead or dormant in your life, let the Holy Spirit, the river of the Spirit refresh you, revive you, flow in you, and turn it alive again! 

The Holy Spirit has the nature and the characteristics like a river. As you flow with this river of the Holy Spirit, every good thing in your life shall flow too! 

Psalm 63:1-2 (NKJV) says, 'O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory.' 

As you receive and drink of the Holy Spirit more and more in your life, and flow with the Holy Spirit more and more in your life, what shall you see? You shall see more of His power and His glory! Why? Because the Spirit of God is the Spirit of power and the Spirit of glory too! 

Just like the river current, there is power. Nothing can resist it along the way. And this river of God has no limit and no boundary. This river of God is wider than any physical river that you can find on earth. In fact, if you look at the physical world, river water can even be turned into electricity. Hydroelectric power. Electricity being generated by the use of the force of the moving water of the river. 

It is the same in the spiritual realm. The Spirit of God is the Spirit of power. That's why praying in the spirit is a powerful weapon that God has given you. Because you are entering the realm of God's power. This power will blow all the works of the enemy away! 

You see, a walk with God is a walk with the Spirit of God. It is a very personal walk. It is between you and Him. No one in between. A deep communion and fellowship with the Lord. Deeper than any other relationship on earth. Deep calls unto deep. Today, the Lord is bringing you deeper. You shall see many things that you've not been able to see before. You will understand many things that you couldn't understand before. And if you have the Holy Spirit working inside of you, you will have no fear of whatever the power of darkness throws at you. You will have the power of God to overcome!

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) says, 'For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.' 

The word 'power' here is 'dunamis' in Greek, and in our context, it can mean 'miraculous power, mighty work, abundance (that comes from God), the ability of God, the strength of God, the force of God, the miracle of God'. This 'dunamis' works in you and through you!

Philippians 2:13 (NKJV) says, 'For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.' 

This phrase 'works in you' is a present participle tense, and it can mean 'always working actively in you'. So, I can say, 'For it is God who always working actively in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.' Just like the river that never stops flowing in you and through you! 

So, let Him, beloved. Let Him flow and work in you always, actively, in you! You will know what to do in your life, in every season of your life! You will know how to go about your life, in every season of your life! You will never end up stuck or at a dead-end. Because the Holy Spirit will always have a way out for you. There will always be a solution for you. And that's what the Holy Spirit does in your life!

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Be renewed and refreshed, and receive the fullness of His joy!

The Lord says for this time: 

"Rejoice and be glad, for I am your God and I have loved you with an everlasting love! This is your time to receive the joy that comes from Me! Be set free from all your griefs and sorrows, and look to Me! I am now breaking every yoke and burden in your life! I am now destroying every curse and unwholesome word that has been spoken against you! I am setting you free right now! I am renewing and refreshing you, as you return to Me and receive from Me!" 

The Israelites are observing Feast of Tabernacles (or Sukkot) at this time of my writing. 

What is 'Sukkot'? What is the significance to the believers of Christ under the New Covenant? 

Before that, let's look at the word 'Sukkot'. The Hebrew word 'sukkot' is the plural of 'sukkah', which means 'booth' or 'tabernacle'. That's why this festival is also called 'Feast of Booths'. 

What does this Feast commemorate? It commemorates the forty years the Israelites wandered in the desert after escaping slavery in Egypt. They were living in temporary shelters, i.e. 'sukkot'. It also commemorates God's miraculous provision for them all those years. 

The word 'sukkah' in turn is derived from the word 'sakak' in Hebrew. This speaks of 'to be covered (by the Lord)' or 'to join together (with the Lord)', as the Israelites dwell in booths or 'sukkot'. 

Deuteronomy 16:15 (NKJV) says, 'Seven days you shall keep a sacred feast to the Lord your God in the place which the Lord chooses, because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you surely rejoice.' 

See the words 'you surely rejoice' here? Surely rejoice! In New International Version (NIV), this is translated as 'your joy will be complete'. 

Flowing with this season of the Lord, as believers under the New Covenant, this is also a time for you to rejoice and receive the fullness of joy that comes from the Lord, and your joy shall be made complete! 

This is also a time of renewing your fellowship with the Lord, and coming and returning into His presence. Maybe earthly things have made you dry. Maybe many matters of this world have encumbered and burdened you, and you need a renewal and refreshing in your spirit and your soul. This is your time to receive such renewal and refreshing from the Lord!

In fact, this is also a time for you to give thanks to the Lord, and celebrate His goodness, His provision, and His blessing in your life. Yes, even in advance, for what is ahead of you! 

You see, where His presence is, there's fullness of joy! The joy that money cannot buy, and that the world cannot give. Because this joy comes directly from the Lord! Now, as a believer under the New Covenant, you can look to Jesus who is the Source of joy! 

Jesus is in the Old Testament concealed, and in the New Testament revealed. It means the Jesus whom you know in the New Testament was present all throughout the Old Testament through prophecies, typology, and as a foreshadow of what is to come in the New Testament time that we are living in today. 

Isaiah 53:4 (NKJV) says, 'Surely He (Jesus) has borne your griefs and carried your sorrows...' So that you can have His joy! This happened when He died for you on the cross some 2,000 years ago. 

Beloved of God, whatever grief or sorrow, bitterness or pain, hurt or brokenness that you may have suffered recently, let go all these to the Lord. In exchange, open your heart to the Lord again, and receive the outpouring of His joy from heaven into your life! Yes, let it flow right now! Heaven is open right now. Let the joy of the Lord flow unto you. Yes, you! 

God's Spirit is also the Spirit of joy! And when His joy comes, sorrow has to flee! 

Maybe recently you have suffered a loss. Maybe a loss of a loved one. Maybe you have suffered a certain heartbreak or betrayal. Maybe a loss of certain opportunity or job. Or maybe some people have said something about your life that has greatly disturbed you or affected you. 

Whatever it is that had happened, the Lord understands your situation. The Lord understands all those griefs and sorrows of yours. Today, the Lord says to look to Him and look ahead of you. The Lord wants to refresh you today with the refreshing that comes from Him, like a waterfall! The Lord wants to set you free from your griefs and sorrows, and release the joy that comes directly from Him. Receive all this by faith! 

Isaiah 61:3 (NKJV) says, 'To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness...' 

Receive this oil of joy! This oil of joy destroys every grief, sorrow, yoke, burden, or bondage in your life! Be set free from your heaviness and captivity, and receive the fullness of His joy! And this joy of the Lord shall be your strength to carry on and look ahead in your life. Amen! 

Prayer: 

"O Lord God, we thank You for Your presence and for Your covering over our lives. We surrender to You all our griefs, sorrows, burdens, and heaviness, and in exchange, we receive Your oil of joy. Let Your Spirit of joy overflow in our lives right now. Let Your refreshing fall upon us like the waterfall, renewing and reviving us right now. We acknowledge there have been times the earthly things and earthly matters have made us dry, and even diverted us from You. But we now return to You and receive from You. We return to our first love that is You. We return to our fellowship with You. And let our spirit be filled with the fullness of Your joy right now. Right here! Today! In Jesus' name. Amen!" 

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A change is coming!

The Lord says: 

"My beloved, a change is coming. Change for the better. So, do not lose heart. Keep looking to Me and waiting on Me. Those who wait on Me shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. Many of My people are entering a time of transition. This is a transition to the better. This is the time to receive My anointing afresh and anew. This is the time to receive a new strength that comes from Me. You shall run and not be weary. You shall walk and not faint." 

Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV) says, '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.' 

We shall study these two words 'wait' and 'renew' in Hebrew today. 

The word 'wait' here is 'qavah' in Hebrew. It can mean 'to collect, to gather (together), to expect, to hope, to look to, to bind together'. Picture this as 'being intertwined together with the Lord', like ropes twining together. This word 'qavah' can also be defined as 'to be joined together (with the Lord)'. 

Let's look at the word 'renew' now. It is 'khawlaf' in Hebrew, and it can mean 'to change, to exchange, to spring up, to move forward, to sprout afresh'. 

This is also a time for exchange!

Exchange your infirmities (or whatever health problem) that you have with His divine health. Exchange your lack with His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Exchange your sorrow with His joy. Exchange your dead-end with His breakthrough and open doors. Exchange your hurts, pains, disappointments and shame with His wholeness and restoration. 

This is your time for 'khawlaf'! This is a time of renewal and refreshing for you! Yes, this is also a time of restoration, repair and recovery for you! 

Job 14:7-9 (NKJV) says, 'For there is hope for a tree; If it is cut down, that it will sprout again. And that its tender shoots will not cease. Though its root may grow old in the earth, and its stump may die in the ground, yet at the scent of water it will bud and bring forth branches like a plant.' 

In cross-reference to Isaiah 40:31, this word 'sprout' is the same word 'khawlaf' in Hebrew, the same as the word 'renew' in Isaiah 40:31. 

Beloved, whatever area in your life that has become hopeless, you are going to see yourself 'khawlaf' again! You will sprout again! You will spring up again! You are going to move forward again!

Job 14:14 (NKJV) says, '...All the days of my hard service I will wait, till my change comes.' 

This does not necessarily mean waiting to change from mortal body to immortal body, even though this is our ultimate destiny. But you know what? This change can also happen while you are still on earth! In other words, a change for the better in your life, a change for the better in your health, a change for the better in your career or your vocation, a change for the better in the ministry that you put your hands on. Yes, a change for the better in any area of your life while you are on earth! 

By the way, 'hard service' here can mean 'your current struggles, your current warfare, your current challenging situation, or a difficult time that you are in'. 

See the cross-reference with Isaiah 40:31 again? Those who wait on the Lord, those who hope on the Lord, those who collect and gather from the Lord, those who are joined together with the Lord, those who keep looking patiently unto the Lord; and for these people, the Lord is saying: "A change is coming! A change for the better is coming!" 

Very interestingly, the word 'change' here in Job 14:14 is 'khawlaf' again in Hebrew. So, earlier, you saw 'renew', and you saw 'sprout'; and now you see the word 'change'. These are all the same word 'khawlaf'' in Hebrew. 

Right now, surrender all your struggles in life to the Lord. Let the Lord 'khawlaf' you. Let the Lord renew you. Let the Lord cause you to sprout again. Let the Lord change your situation and circumstances. 

In God's eyes, despite Job's miserable situation with his health and physical condition, and all the problems that he had encountered, there's hope for a change of circumstances! Even if Job didn't think so at that time! Job felt like there's no more hope, Job felt like it's over, and Job felt like his days were numbered. But God! 

The truth is God has never forgotten or forsaken Job. God has never abandoned Job. As a matter of fact, God still remembered Job. God still has a beautiful plan for Job. Now it is the same with you and your situation. And you know what? When Job acknowledged who God is, God began to intervene in his life. It was a divine intervention. Job began to look at the Lord in a fresh new way. As a result, a renewal happened to Job. A 'khawlaf' happened to Job. A change happened to Job. Change for the better. Job saw his breakthrough. And he never looked back ever since. Job was restored. Not only that. God blessed Job double, twice as much as he had before. 

So beloved, this is that same time. This is that time of transition. This is a time for your 'khawlaf'. Remember this word 'khawlaf'. 

Maybe you too are in a challenging situation right now, and everything seems to be hopeless. Maybe it's your health. Maybe it's your career. Maybe it's your business. Maybe it's even in the ministry. Take heart, beloved. Just as the Lord intervened in Job's situation, God can do the same for your life. And the Lord is saying to you right now again: "Change is coming! Your renewal is coming! Your revival is coming! Your breakthrough is coming!"

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Words from the Lord: "The fire is spreading!"

Ever since the Lord has spoken: "Let the fire fall!", and we have released this obediently two weeks ago just as the Lord has spoken, this fire has been spreading! I see in the Spirit that this fire from the throne of God is spreading to cities, towns, villages everywhere; crossing continents and crossing many countries. This fire is not going to be quenched by the enemy. This fire is going to spread and spread and spread! 

What is this fire? This is the fire of God's holiness. We need this in this time and season, before a great victory can happen in our lives. So, make no mistake about this. The fire of God is spreading across the nations and across the continents. Many will start to catch this fire!

Now, this is a time for alignment with God's will. Wash your hands, wash your eyes, whether it's spiritual or physical. There is Spirit of repentance all around. Turn away from sins. Confess your sins to the Lord. Return to His ways. 

Whatever your past may have been, or whatever you've been going through recently, surrender your situation to the Lord. Surrender your life before the Lord (in worship and surrender). Wash your hands and wash your eyes. Because this is the time God is calling us to return to the very heart of Him, to the intimacy with Him, to the very first love! 

So, clear what needs to be clear in your life! Don't miss this time and season. Because a great victory and breakthrough is coming your way! Now, in a time like this, the enemy will try to stop you and even attack your mind, attack your calling, attack your ministry, or attack whatever good that you do. The enemy will even put a lot of negativity into your mind to try to discourage you. And the enemy can use humans to do that. But you know what? Take authority and bind it, in Jesus' name! Fill your mind with the Word of God! Fill your mind with what God has promised you in the Word! 

As you receive this fire that purifies and makes you holy, you know what? The enemy cannot touch what is pure and holy before the Lord! So, receive this fire from heaven! Receive this upon your life! Let this fire burn away not just all your hurts, your sicknesses, or your pains, but burn away all the sins and burn away all those that are not in the will of God, so that you can be re-aligned. 

Just like a car being sent for alignment, our lives need alignment too. Why? So that our journey (our journey of faith) will not be bumpy, but it will be smooth. Whether it's a car or it's a human being, it is the same. We need to get in alignment!

Two weeks ago, I've released some Bible verses regarding fire, that fire doesn't have to be bad. Fire can be from heaven. It's the fire from the throne of God. And today, I'm going to continue with Bible verses. And this time, I go to 1 Kings 18 in the days of Elijah. 

1 Kings 18:17 says, 'Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, "Is that you, O troubler of Israel?" And Elijah answered, "I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father's house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and have followed the Baals."' 

Now, 'Baals' here in the context of our study today speaks about 'the masters of this world', or that we have given in to whatever that is worldly. And these have become masters of our lives, instead of YHWH the Lord, who is the Master, THE Master of our lives. 

In 1 Kings 18:19, Elijah said, "Now therefore, send and gather all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table." 

By the way, Jezebel is the wife of King Ahab. So, right now, whatever spirit of Jezebel that tries to control you, that tries to oppress you, that tries to cause you to be stuck in that small box, little box; you take authority and bind it, in Jesus' name! You are set free! This fire of holiness is burning all the spirit of Jezebel, all forms of controlling spirit that come against you! You are now set free! Walk in your freedom, the freedom and the liberty that Christ has given to you!

1 Kings 18:20 says, 'So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel. And Elijah came to all the people, and said, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people answered him not a word.' 

Indeed, this is the time to 'choose ye this day who you are going to serve'. Are you going to serve the Lord? Are you going to give yourself before the Lord? Are you going to worship the Lord? Or are you going to bow down to the masters of this world (that have influenced so many Christians all over the world)? 

In 1 Kings 18:23, Elijah said, "Therefore let them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it." 

So, two bulls here. One for Elijah, and one for all these prophets, the false prophets of course.

In 1 Kings 18:24, Elijah said further, "Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord. And the God who answers by fire, He is God." 

Look at the word 'fire' here. 

In 1 Kings 18:25, Elijah said to the false prophets, "Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first, for you are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it." 

So they took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even till noon, saying, "O Baal, hear us!" These false prophets prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice. But there was no voice, no one answered, no one paid attention. In fact, all these false prophets, they were even cutting themselves with knives, trying to gain the attention of their false god. But you know what? Nothing happened. 

In 1 Kings 18:30, Elijah then said to all the people, "Come near to me." 

So all the people came near to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. 

Do you see that? This is that time and season, people of God, for the Lord to repair us. Whatever that has been damaged by the enemy, whatever that has gone astray, whatever that has been broken in our lives, the Lord is repairing it and the Lord is restoring it. Yes, the Lord even restores your first love, if you allow yourself to. 

Elijah then put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood, and said, "Fill four water pots with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice and on the wood." Then Elijah said, "Do it a second time", and they did it a second time. And Elijah said, "Do it a third time", and they did it a third time. So, the water ran all around the altar. And he also filled the trench with water. 

And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, "Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that these people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again." 

And you know what? The fire really came! And many who saw it, many who witnessed it, their first love returned. Their first love to whom? Their first love to the Lord their God! 

Now, it is the same with us. Maybe we have gone astray from the Lord. This is a time for us to return. This is a time we return to our first love, and return to that intimacy with the Lord. Yes, clear away what is not of the Lord, and receive a fresh new touch of the Lord! There is a refreshing touch right now. There is a release of God's refreshing right now. Receive this! 

1 Kings 18:38 says, 'Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench, the trench around the altar. And now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces, and they said, "The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!"' 

I pray right now that this fire from heaven is also being released upon your life, upon your home, upon all that you put your hands to do, and upon all that He has spoken for you to be and to do. Amen! 

And let's look at 1 Kings 18:40 now. 'And Elijah said to them (the people of the Lord), "Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let one of them escape!" So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Brook Kishon and executed them there.' 

Now, all these prophets of Baal, the false prophets, these are symbolic of all the wrong influences in our lives, of all the work of darkness that have infiltrated into our lives, even damaged our lives, and of course controlled our lives. Be set free! The fire has come! This fire is destroying all those works of darkness that have infiltrated you all these while. You are now a new person! You are now a fresh person! There is a fresh new start for you! And you are going to make clear decisions from now on! 

You see, when there's holiness, when there's purity - in your spirit, soul, even in your body - you are going to make clear decisions! You know why? Because your mind is going to be super clear! And that's when you are going to make clear decisions for a greater future for your life! You will know what steps to take in your life. You will know what steps to avoid in your life. You will know when to move forward in something. And you will also know when you should be letting go of something, releasing it. 

So, my prayer today is that as you receive this fire that purifies, you are going to be so clear in your mind, you are going to be so clear in your spirit, and you are going to make right decisions. You are going to make right decisions in your life, for your family, in your career, and in the ministry, so that you are going to see greater and greater victory, going forward. Amen! 

Let us pray. "O Lord God, let the fire fall upon Your people! Let this fire spread like wild fire everywhere! It is a time to wash our hands and receive this fire of holiness in our lives. It is a time to return to You, and return to our first love, Jesus. It is a time You are touching many more lives through this fire that has been released from heaven. The enemy has to retreat and be defeated. Just like in the days of Elijah those days, a time of great awakening and a time of great outpouring is starting for Your people! Indeed, a time of cleansing has come! And a time of great victory has come! Just like what we have read in the Scripture today. In the name of Jesus. Amen." 

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Year 2022: Be refreshed and revived!

I saw a vision while I was praying in the spirit the other day. In that vision, I saw an almost dead (but not fully dead) plant being refreshed and revived. It's being watered and being refreshed again, after a long drought. I saw droplets of water being released from heaven like rain, watering and refreshing the plant, and the plant became full of life again. It's like the Spirit of refreshing is being released upon the plant. 

I asked the Lord what this vision means, and the Lord said: "Those who have been wearied and discouraged last year will find freshness this year. A breath of fresh air from heaven is being released to those who look to Me and seek Me. There will be some good surprises and new open doors for those who walk faithfully and remember My covenant." 

The Lord then said: "If you have been worried, wearied, exhausted, listless, hopeless, or even 'dead and buried', know that I am breathing a fresh air from heaven for you this year. Expect a welcome change in your life this year!" 

The Lord said further: "There'll be new open doors and new openings for you, and I will open it wide for you, if you keep remembering My covenant and walking in My covenant with you." 

Upon hearing what the Lord has said, I asked Him for Scripture verses, and He reminded me of Psalm 116.

Psalm 116:8-9 (NKJV) says, 'For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.' 

Thank the Lord for His refreshing and deliverance this year. Thank the Lord for the good that is to come this year. Thank the Lord that He has kept you from falling last year, and you are now ready for the many good things ahead of you this year!

Psalm 116:12-13 (NKJV) says, 'What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.' 

As a believer in the New Covenant, always remember all that Jesus has done for you on the cross. He died for you on the cross to set you free. So, no matter what happens in the world this year, continue to call upon the name of the Lord, look to Him and seek Him. He will know how to lead you and guide you to safety and blessings. The world may be getting darker and darker, but as you remember your covenant with the Lord, you are going to be different. Not only do you receive refreshing and deliverance from the Lord, you will also see the light and the glory of the Lord. Indeed, this is the time for you to arise and shine!

Back to the beginning of Psalm 116. Psalm 116:1-4 (NKJV) says, 'I love the Lord, because He has heard My voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live. The pains of death surrounded me, and the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow. Then I called upon the name of the Lord: "O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul!"' 

Though the context of these verses is about Jesus regarding the time of His crucifixion, this can apply for you too, especially if you have been "dead and buried" last year. The good news is the Lord is here for you right now, refreshing and delivering you, and preparing you for the good that's coming this year! 

Psalm 116:5-7 (NKJV) says, 'Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful. The Lord preserves the simple. I was brought low, and He saved me. Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.' 

In spite of the many 'shakings' in the world this year, be at rest. Continue to look to Him and seek Him, and He will know how to deal bountifully with you and bless you, even in ways unimaginable to you. 

Psalm 116:16-17 (NKJV) says, 'O Lord, truly I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.' 

Give thanks because the Lord has 'loosed your bonds', and you are now set free. Give thanks in advance for the good that's coming to your life this year. Give thanks in advance for the open doors and new openings that the Lord has prepared for you this year!

The Lord also reminded me of 'dry bones being revived' in the book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel 37:10-11 (NKJV) says, 'So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel." They indeed say, "Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!"' 

Though these verses are in the context of Israel, this can apply for you too in the context of what had happened in the past one to two years - "Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!" But the time has come for the Lord to breathe new life and new hope in your life! Hallelujah!

Ezekiel 37:12-14 (NKJV) says, 'Therefore prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it," says the Lord.' 

Again, though these verses are in the context of Israel, this can apply for you too, in that the Lord is releasing His Spirit in you afresh and anew. The Lord will know how to place you in the right places this year. There will be open doors for you. And whatever 'grave' situation you have experienced in the past years, the Lord is causing you to come out from it. He is bringing you into 'a land of blessing' in order to prosper you!

Ezekiel 36:29-30 (NKJV) says, 'I will deliver you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations.' 

No matter what 'drought' you see in the world this year, you will not suffer 'famine'. Instead, you will be fruitful and see increase in all that you do. Impossible as it may seem to man, but the Lord your God is a God who does great miracles, signs and wonders. There is no one like Him. Therefore, declare fruitfulness and increase for your life this year. Believe and receive. In Jesus' name. Amen!

Click here for the full message in TiC YouTube Channel

Receive the breath of God and you shall be full of life!

Words of the Lord for this coming month: 

"Whatever the enemy has taken advantage of you or has disrupted you, this is your time to receive a fresh new life and fresh new opening! Whatever that has been 'dry' or 'in the valley' in any area of your life, this is your time to receive the breath of God that brings life!"

Ezekiel 37 is the key chapter to read as you look ahead and look afresh in this coming month.

Ezekiel 37:1-2 (NKJV) says, 'The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry'.

The word 'valley' here is 'biqah' in Hebrew, from the word 'baqa' meaning 'being broken, being ripped, being torn'. 

You see, these dry bones that Ezekiel saw were not only dead, but they were long dead. For something that has been long dead, people would usually give up hope that it will ever live again. Such was the condition or situation described by Ezekiel during one of the darkest times in the history of Judah and Israel. The people of God at that time have been taken captive in Babylon and the city of Jerusalem have been plundered, crushed and destroyed. Therefore, not only the condition or situation of the people of God at that time was broken, ripped or torn, it was also hopeless and disgraced.

People of God, maybe you too have gone through such 'crushing' time recently. Maybe it is in your career, business, marriage, ministry, health, or even finance. Or maybe you've not been able to see any 'light at the end of the tunnel' no matter what you try or how you try, and you are now on the verge of giving it all up. 

But hang on there! Let's see what God spoke to Ezekiel regarding such hopeless situation those days.

Ezekiel 37:3-4 (NKJV) says, 'And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" So I answered, "O Lord God, You know." Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!'"'

Ezekiel 37:5-6 (NKJV) then says, 'Thus says the Lord God to these bones: "Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord."'

Even at a time when the people of God those days were totally broken, ripped, torn, hopeless, disgraced, and with no human ways of being revived or restored in sight, the Lord spoke these words to Ezekiel! 

Ezekiel, by the way, is Yekhezqe'l in Hebrew, meaning 'God will strengthen, God strengthens, Strengthened by God'. Indeed, Ezekiel was strengthened by the Lord to bring life and purpose again to the people of God (in spite of whatever that had happened), and they were therefore strengthened and received a renewed hope and life!

It is the same today. Whatever area or areas of your life that have been 'crushed' by the enemy recently, the Lord is now breathing His Spirit and His life into those areas right now! Receive this breath of God by faith! Look to Him and receive from Him! To man, it may be impossible; but to God, all things are possible! If those 'very dry' and 'long dead' bones in the Death Valley could be revived those days, there is absolutely nothing that God cannot revive and restore in your life, going forward.

My prayer for you is that you are going to see things beginning to look up and up, no matter what happens around you in this world. In Jesus' name. Amen!

Click here to watch the full video of this preaching in TiC YouTube Channel

Depend on God's power to breathe life in you!

I heard these words from the Lord recently:
"This is a time I am breathing life in the valley of dry bones! For I am causing the 'dead' to be turned into 'life'! And I am causing the 'hopeless' to be turned into 'hope'! Let Me breathe upon you the breath of life! And let Me blow upon you the wind of My Spirit! Receive and be revived!"

Ezekiel 37:1-3 (NKJV) says, 'The hand of the Lord came upon me (Ezekiel) and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" So I answered, "O Lord God, You know."'

Humanly and scientifically speaking, nothing on earth can restore the bones back to life. You can't just throw a dry bone into water and expect it to come back to life again! These 'dry bones' therefore represent 'people/situation without any hope, whatsoever'. And the fact that they were 'very dry' symbolizes 'people/situation that look completely hopeless and dead'. If there's anyone who can bring these 'dry bones' back to life, it has to be the Lord!

You see, 'bones' are different from 'seeds'. Not long ago, some archaeologists found lily seeds from an ancient civilization in England. These were thousands of years old seeds. They watered it and put fertilizer as they planted the seeds. Guess what? The seeds sprouted and produced a very ancient type of lily plant! Life somehow was preserved in those seeds and the flower could live again! But not so for 'dry bones'!

The word 'valley' here speaks of 'hopeless, driest situation in one's life'. Geographically, this valley mentioned in Ezekiel 37:1-3 was near the Dead Sea, more than 1300 feet below sea level. Being one of the lowest, driest spots on earth, this valley was also called 'Death Valley'. Those days, when an army was defeated in a battle, the victorious soldiers would strip the valuables from the slain army, and leave those dead bodies unburied. Skeletons sometimes remained for years. Bones were scattered everywhere by wild animals and left to be bleached by the scorching sun.

These 'dry bones' mentioned in Ezekiel 37:1-3 were the very state (condition) of the people of God at that time. It was during one of the darkest days of Judah's history, i.e. the seventy-year period of Babylonian captivity. They were dispersed abroad, destitute of life (both spiritual and national), and have lost their identity. Take Ezekiel for example. From the time of his youth, he had been educated and trained to be a priest in the kingdom of Judah. But his hopes and dreams were dashed when King Nebuchadnezzar invaded Jerusalem and took him (and other young Jews) into captivity in Babylon. He was now far and separated from where he was meant to be, totally hopeless and with no way out.

And it was in this background that the Lord spoke to Ezekiel, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: "Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord."'" (Ezekiel 37:4-6)

Ezekiel 37:7-8 then says, 'So I (Ezekiel) prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over...'

Notice the words 'prophesied as I was commanded'? The word 'prophesied' here is 'naba' in Hebrew, and it means 'to speak (or sing) by the inspiration of the divine' (in this case, by the Spirit of the Lord). You see, it is the Spirit who revives and brings back life! 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." 

So, people of God, whatever hopelessness you may be facing at the moment, take heart that the Lord is breathing life in the valley of (your) dry bones. Your part (like Ezekiel's part) is to speak as the Holy Spirit puts in you to speak. 

Indeed, this is a time to speak life and declare life over your situation, no matter how 'dried up' or 'hopeless' it seems to be! Prophesy to those 'dry bones'! Be it your family matters, your career, your ministry, your business, your finance, even your health! And watch how the Lord do the rest! He can do a miracle for you today. Believe, receive and be revived!

Revived in His glory!

Exodus 33:18 (NIV): Then Moses said, "Now show me Your glory."

Have you ever wondered why did Moses ask God to show him His glory (Exodus 33:18) at that juncture of his life? I did, and one day, God answered me with two words: 'down' & 'out'. As I was studying Exodus chapters 32, 33 & 34 again, I found it to be very true. Indeed, Moses was 'down' at that time, and his people was 'out'!

Let's go straight to Exodus 32 now. When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of God's writing (Exodus 32:16), his heart 'broke' and 'was shattered' when he saw how his own people bowed down and worshiped the gold calf they've recently made. He was also angered that these people had forgotten their very God (who miraculously brought them out of Egypt with great signs not long ago). Obviously he couldn't control his emotion, and he broke the tablets (Exodus 32:19-20). And that's not it yet! He then had to see how three thousand of his own people die by the sword, brothers killing brothers (Exodus 32:27-28). For a man with a shepherd's heart as he was, that was indeed a real big blow! He must have felt terrible, and he must have felt how much a failure he was (in leading God's people). It was definitely a time of 'spiritual low' in his life. Imagine just not too long ago, these dead were some of those who shouted and praised God with songs of victory after the incredible Red Sea crossing! In short, morale was at a low, the leader was 'down', and the people 'out'.

The Bible says at that juncture, Moses just wanted to be alone (Exodus 33:7-9) and away from his people.

Maybe you are now in a similar situation when 'nothing seems to be happening' in your life. Worse still, you have so far been disappointed, and your dreams never seem to come true. Or maybe you are feeling like a failure, thinking that you amount to nothing good. Or you are going through a 'spiritual low' and 'stagnancy' when nothing seems to be 'moving'.

Beloved, take heart. He has not forgotten you. In fact, if you would believe, He's going to 'show up' like you've never seen before.

Let's get back to Moses now. Exodus 33:12-16 says he was already at the 'end' of himself, not knowing what to do anymore. And if God would still not 'go with him', he'd rather not continue! That was indeed the turning point, and it was then that God said Moses had found favor (grace) in His sight. When you've reached a point when you can't by your own, that's when He can! It was then that God assured him: "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest" (Exodus 33:14). He wanted Moses to know He hasn't forgotten him, and in fact, He was going to do something unprecedented for him. When Moses asked God to show him His glory, that was indeed a difficult request (as no man, sinful man as he is, can see God and still live; for in Him there's no sin, and the wages of sin is death). However, God in all His love and grace never said 'no' to Moses. He did open a 'way'. Today, you have this 'way' too! (see John 14:6) He then asked Moses to stand on the 'rock' (a 'picture' of Jesus), and as His glory ('kabowd' in Hebrew, meaning 'splendor, weight in a good sense, richness, His very presence') passed by, He'd put him in the cleft ('naqar' in Hebrew, meaning 'crack, pierce, thrust') of the rock and cover him (Exodus 33:21). This is a 'picture' of Jesus' body being broken & pierced on the cross, just for you. Moses saw ('raah' in Hebrew, meaning 'behold, enjoy, have experience of) God's glory! And you know what? Everything changed after that for him! Hallelujah!

Because of Jesus & what He's done for you on the cross, you'll always have hope!

He's reviving you now. He's resurrecting your lost dreams. He's breaking your 'stagnancy'. He's lifting you up from your 'doldrums'. He's breaking every curse that hinders you. And yes, He's bringing you 'life' again! Will you allow Him, the King of Glory (see Psalm 24) in? In spite of whatever wrong you've done in the past, and no matter how you've failed, you can still find grace (like Moses did), and yes, only in Christ your 'rock'. Will you look to Him again? He's a God of 'second chance' & He's opening a way for you again!

Now, as I end this writing, let's see what happened to Moses after that. After the 'glory encounter' at the 'rock', God did ask Moses to go up to Mount Sinai again, and with new tablets in his hands (Exodus 34:4). This time, as he came down from the mountain, things were completely different! Praise the Lord! The Bible says the skin of his face shone (Exodus 34:29-30), radiant & glorious. Nobody's bowing down to gold calf this time, nobody's lost in ungodly revelry, and of course, no anger and no breaking of tablets! A big change indeed, the people were ready, and God's words were released successfully!

Today, as a believer in the New Covenant, the glory of the Lord (& Jesus is the King of Glory) shall be released (& manifested) through you again, touching many more lives, just as in the Old Covenant, the law (which Jesus has already fulfilled perfectly some 2,000 years ago) was released through Moses in his day (Exodus 34:31-32).

Revival in the midst of bondage

Ezra 9:8b: That our God may enlighten our eyes and give us a measure of revival in our bondage.

The key verses here are in Ezra 9:8-9. Meditate on these verses. There's hope for you to be set free from any 'bondage' (Ezra 10:2) and be revived (Ezra 9:9). 

It's time to let God revive you again. Let God revive you to His very original 'blueprint' for your life. I believe your ‘land’, your family, your ministry, your career, your business, your finance, or even your health will be revived. 'To be revived' here means 'to be brought back to life, to be brought back to what/where you should be, or to be brought back to God's very original blueprint/plan/purpose for your life'.

If you are 'stuck' in a certain 'bondage' or 'trap' in life, or if there seems to be no 'headway' in your life, or no breakthrough in what you do, there's hope for you. God has not forgotten you. Just as in Ezra’s time, there’s a way out for you, and you can be set free and revived today!

Let's look at Ezra now. He was a man who knew God, and he would never compromise with pagans' ways (unbelievers' ways or worldly ways). He did not 'go under' the status quo, norm, or bondage in his days. He stayed connected to the Lord (instead of worldly ways). So, when Ezra found out that his people (who have just returned to Jerusalem & Judah from their captivity in Babylon) were inter-marrying the pagans, instead of being 'set apart' for the Lord, he wept and bowed before the Lord (on behalf of his people) for trespassing God's covenant (Ezra 10:1-2). He pleaded for God's mercy and asked God to revive his people to His original 'blueprint' for their lives. As a result, the people did put their pagan wives away (Ezra 10:11) and then offered 'trespass offering' to the Lord (Ezra 10:19). Eventually, God revived them again.

In our days, 'inter-marrying the pagans' is a 'picture' of Christians 'inter-mingling into worldly ways/lifestyles' (instead of being 'set apart' for God), and thus falling into the bondage of worldliness. 'To fall into a bondage' is to 'go under’ the prevailing spiritual atmosphere of the land, the paganistic ways (the unbelievers’ ways/culture/lifestyles). As believers, one should be 'above' the bondage, not 'under' the bondage. Ephesians 2:6 says 'we are sitting with Christ in the heavenly places', above every form of bondage on earth. Only from this position (in Christ) can you declare change over your 'land', bondages be broken, and people are set free.

It's time to meditate again on all the dreams, visions, and prophecies that ‘you know that you know that you know’ is from the Lord for your life. Let Him revive His blueprint for your life again. When you are revived to His original plan, you’ll see shalom peace & prosperity in your life again. You’ll be strong and you'll 'eat the good of the land' again (Ezra 9:12). That was exactly what happened in Ezra's time.

Beloved, Christ has indeed become your 'trespass offering' on the cross, and you can be connected back to Christ again (John 15:5). He is the vine, and you are the branch, and you'll bear much fruit again!