Words from the Lord: "I will make things clear for you!"

The Lord says: 

"If you are in a state of confusion or chaos at the moment, seek Me and you will find Me. For I am not a God of confusion or chaos. I will show you the way forward. I will show you the clear path ahead. Things will become clearer and clearer, as you seek Me and look to Me. Let go of whatever past that holds you back, and get hold of Me. You will begin to see clearer and clearer along the way. You will begin to see and understand how I see and what I see for your life and your future." 

This applies whether in your career, in the ministry, in your business, or in any area of your life. So, take heart, beloved, if you have many "questions" about your life that are unanswered at the moment, or if you don't know what to do or how to go about in your life, at this juncture of your life. 

Just look at David when he ended up in the cave of Adullam. It was a chaotic situation prior to that. And he even had to pretend madness. 

Look here at 1 Samuel 21:10-12. That was the time when David was being "hunted" or pursued relentlessly by King Saul who was jealous of him. 'Then David arose and fled that day from before Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. And the servants of Achish said to him, "Is this not David the king of the land? Did they not sing of him to one another in dances, saying: 'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands'?" Now David took these words to heart, and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath.' 

So, what did David do? 1 Samuel 21:13-14 says, 'So David changed his behavior before them, pretended madness in their hands, scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva fall down on his beard. Then Achish said to his servants, "Look, you see that man is insane. Why have you brought him to me?"' 

King Achish obviously didn't think that was the David the servants were talking about. Now, you might say, "What happened?" That was a far cry from the time when he slain the ten thousands! 

Or maybe in your situation, you too may be asking, "What happened to the dreams and prophecies regarding myself and my future?" 

Maybe you are struggling with life at the moment. Maybe you are in a state of confusion at the moment. Maybe you do not know what to do anymore, going forward. Now, that was probably how David felt at that time as well. You see, you are not alone.  

If you rewind back to 1 Samuel 16, just about five chapters back, David was at that time anointed to be king by prophet Samuel, and supposedly having a great destiny and future. He was the rising star in his land, so to speak. But what happened now? Has God forgotten His promises and words to David? This was likely in David's mind at that time when he pretended madness. He must be wondering how did he reach such a low point in his life? Wasn't his destiny supposed to be great? Wasn't his destiny was to be king, as spoken by prophet Samuel? It's like the whole world came crashing down on David. He was running for his life. He was escaping from King Saul. He even had to pretend madness, just to conceal his identity! 

See what happened next. 1 Samuel 22:1 says, 'David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down there to him.' Now, 'cave' here speaks of 'darkness, fear, out in the cold'. Indeed, it was a 'cave' experience for David at that time. He was fleeing from King Saul, and he had nowhere to go. So he hid in the cave. 

Maybe you too are feeling the same at the moment regarding your career, your ministry, or in any area of your life. Maybe you don't know what to do and how to go about at this juncture anymore. Maybe you are at a 'crossroad' and you don't know which way to go. Maybe you don't see much hope in your future.

1 Samuel 22:2 says, 'And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to David.' In other words, the outcasts, the overlooked, and the misfits in the society at that time. And some of them were there with David. These were the people bitter in their souls. The broken people. 

Instead of being surrounded by dignitaries or the powerful people in the palace, David at that time saw himself surrounded by these broken people. And the Scripture says, 'So David became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him.' Yes, in the cave. Having the same 'cave' experience. And even at the time when David himself was broken, God could still use him to touch the other broken people in the cave and raise them up.

To cut the whole story short, these broken people eventually became some of David's most faithful and powerful men (when David became king later in his life). In the darkness of the cave of Adullam, David became like a 'light' to these people. As time went by, these same people were renewed. Their hope rekindled. They were changed. They were transformed. Hallelujah!

You see, of all places, it was in that cave that God began to make clear David's path, the path that eventually led to him becoming the king in Israel. 

I believe one thing David had inside of him that made the difference is he's a worshiper of the Lord. Deep inside him, he has this deep relationship with the Lord. He has this deep faith and assurance in the Lord that the Lord isn't dead, and the Lord hasn't forgotten him. Deep inside him, he trusted in the Lord, and knew it's not over yet for him. He knew the Lord still remembers His promises and destiny for him. 

This 'cave' experience became like a base where David rose up again. In fact, stronger than ever before. You see, at that time, David could have crumbled and given up everything. He could have regressed into a lonely man, or turned into a miserable man. But, no. He didn't. With the Lord in him and with him; and by the grace of God, he rose up. And it was here that he became the leader of this group of seemingly 'useless' people in the eyes of the society. Not just that. They even turned into mighty warriors of the Lord! 

In 2 Samuel 23, the time nearing the end of David's life, you can see the summary of the great things done by some of these mighty men who served with David. And some of them were actually among the four hundred in the cave of Adullam! 

Cross-reference to Psalm 142:3. David prayed this when he was in the cave of Adullam. 'When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then You knew my path...' Yes, the Lord knew his path. And beloved, the Lord knows your path too. Now, the word 'overwhelmed' here is 'ataph' in Hebrew. Interestingly, this word can mean 'in darkness, in chaos, in confusion'. Exactly like what the Lord has spoken today!

You see, the Lord will know how to show you the path forward, if you look to Him and seek Him. He always sees the 'big picture'. He always sees the end from the beginning, even when you can't. Your part is to be patient. Keep focusing on the Lord, not on your own situation or your own doubts. Everything will become clearer and clearer when you look to the Lord. 

So beloved, whatever 'cave' experience that you are going through at the moment, take heart. Keep looking to the Lord and trusting in the Lord. Do you know that God does great things in the cave? Let me show you the proof. Elijah was in the cave when God spoke to him further about the details of what's to come, and about what he should be doing, going forward. In fact, Jesus Himself was in the cave where His tomb was (yes, that was a kind of cave), before He resurrected! 

You see? Your 'cave' experience; seemingly in the dark, and seemingly not knowing what comes next; can be where God begins a new dawn in your life, where God begins a new work in your life, and where God prepares you for something great in the future! 

Like David in the cave! 

Like Elijah in the cave! 

Like Jesus Himself in the cave! 

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

Indeed, things are going to become clearer and clearer, as you seek the Lord, as you surrender yourself before the Lord, and as you continue to put your trust in the Lord. 

He will know how to direct your paths. He will know how to show you the way. He will know how to lead you into His destiny for your life. Amen! 

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Words from the Lord: Don't be tricked by the enemy's delusion!

In a vision, I saw a land with many buildings in it. It looks very much like a town or city. In the atmospheric realm above the land, there were many corners and dimensions. On each of these corners above the land, I saw some mysterious figures in the form of men spewing out cobwebs from their mouths. These cobwebs then covered the whole atmospheric realm of the land. 

Then I saw God's people in the land. However, many of these people began to have delusion. Many of these people began to be intruded and influenced in their minds. Their spiritual visions became blurred. 

Interpretation: 

Instead of patterning after God's ways, many in the end-time began to pattern after these delusions. They began to pattern after the ways of the principalities and powers of the air that have intruded the land where they are. 

Words from the Lord: 

"It's time to be awakened from these delusions! It's time to wake up from these spiritual slumber! I am anointing the spiritual eyes of many. Many will suddenly 'see' the many things that have caused them to be deluded. The anointing has been released to break the delusions that the enemy has caused. Rise above and not come under! Rise above and stand strong in My Word! I have given you the authority to rise above the atmospheric realm! Fear not! Do not be conformed to these patterns and ways, but be transformed by My Spirit!" 

What is the definition of this word 'delusion'? 

It can mean 'a false illusion (i.e. something that appears real, but actually it isn't)'. It can also mean 'something that is believed to be true, but it is actually false'. 

Now, 'delusion' can imply 'the inability to distinguish between what is real and what only seems to be real'. You see, there's a difference here - what is real and what only seems to be real. This can happen due to some external and unseen forces that intrude into one's mind, and in turn, causing such delusion in one's spirit and soul. 

What does the Scripture has to say about this? 

Romans 12:1-2, in the words of Apostle Paul: 'I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.' 

There's a contrast here between these two words: 'conformed' and 'transformed'. 

The word 'conformed' here in Greek is 'suschematizo'. It can mean 'to fashion self according to certain outward pattern (in this context, the pattern or way of this fallen world)'. This is the context of what Apostle Paul meant here. 

The word 'transformed' here in Greek is 'metamorphoo'. It can mean 'to be changed and awakened from the inside out (in this context, by the Spirit of God)'. 

So, there's a clash here between 'conforming to the ways of the world' and 'being transformed by the Spirit of God'. 

Back to Romans 12:1-2 now. The Lord is calling us to surrender our lives before Him again. The Lord is calling us to present our bodies a living sacrifice to Him again, and not to be conformed by the pattern of this fallen world, but be transformed by the Spirit of the Lord. 

Let the Spirit of God renew our minds. 

Delusion can happen in many ways. Delusion can happen in our day-to-day lives. Sometimes we don't even know about it. Sometimes we don't even realize about it. Yes, even the way many of God's people (of course, not everyone) see churches. As someone who has ministered to believers from many different churches and backgrounds, I have to admit this is true. Of course the truth hurts. But the truth is the truth. The commercialization and competition in and among many churches have gone overboard. Not me who says this, but God who says this. The chasing of fame, the greed, the building of name for own selves have become overboard. Again, not me who says this, but God who says this. 

I say this without prejudice. I say this with a broken heart. Now, because of all the above, many believers get deluded as well, and start to compare among themselves and their churches. This happens especially within a city or town they are in. It's almost like implying, for example, "My church is better than your church", "My church is bigger than your church", "We are the best in town", "I am right, you are wrong". 

In other words, the ways and patterns of this fallen world have crept into the Body of Christ. All these only make the real enemy, the devil, laugh! Laugh at who? Laugh at us! 

Believers and church leaders pulling down one another, stepping on one another in order to get more "membership" to their church, leaders feeling insecure with one another, thus weakening the whole Body of Christ further. Now, not everyone is like that, of course. 

Well, this isn't new at all. Look at what Apostle Paul wrote in his days. Let's go to the Scripture now. In 1 Corinthians 3:1-4, he wrote. 'And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal?' 

This is what the Scripture says. Of course, the good news is the Lord still loves all of us. He still remembers His church as a whole, His kingdom, His whole body, the Body of Christ. And I tell you what, there is hope for the Body of Christ, because there's this great awakening right now. 

In 1 Corinthians 3:18-21, Apostle Paul wrote further, 'Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness"; and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." Therefore let no one boast in men...' 

This is what the Scripture says further. This is what Apostle Paul wrote. As he traveled from place to place, from church to church, he saw all this happening right before his eyes. He was heartbroken. The Spirit of the Lord spoke to him, and he wrote all this. Now, it would be a great time, yes, it would be a great time in this time of awakening that God's people revisit 1 Corinthians, especially 1 Corinthians chapters 1 to 5. The Lord is speaking through these verses in this time and season. 

In Colossians 1:15-18, Apostle Paul wrote, 'He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. He is the head of the body, the church, (He) who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.' 

See who Jesus is here? He is the Head of His body, the church. By the way, 'preeminence' means 'surpassing all others, superior over all others'. He is the King of kings, the Lord of lords. He is above all. 

So, this is a time of reflection for all of us as believers of Christ as a whole. This is a time of reflection for leaders as a whole. This is a time to look at the Scripture again, and to see what God wants to say to us in this time and season. 

The Lord still remembers His body. The Lord still remembers His church as a whole. Let us look to the Lord. Let us look back at the Scripture. And let us come before the Lord and say, "Yes, O Lord God, we repent. We humble ourselves. And we want to follow what You have spoken in Your Word." 

Prayer: 

"O Lord God, we humble ourselves before You, and we want to look at the 'big picture' the way You want us to according to Your Word. You are the Head of the body, and we are all members of Your whole body. We are not to be conformed to the ways and the patterns of this world. But we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we will prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. The enemy will do whatever to cause Your body as a whole to implode and to be weak. But right now, we want to declare that You are the Lord and the Head of Your body, the church; and You have preeminence over all things, both on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name. Amen." 

So, let this anointing of the Holy Spirit be released upon all of us, so that we are set free from whatever bondage, delusion or deception that the enemy has subtly invaded us. Let us be set free! Let there be a great awakening! Let the Church of the Lord be strong and mighty in this end-time, till we meet Jesus, till He returns for His body, His church! As the Bride, we want to be ready for the coming of the Bridegroom! 

Each of us has a part to play in this end-time move of God. Each of us has a part to play in this kingdom of God. We humble ourselves before the Lord. We want to give preference to one another. We forgive one another. We embrace one another. We love one another as brothers and sisters in the family of God. We pray for unity. We bind every division. 

This is what the Lord wants to speak to us for this time. I just want to be faithful to release what the Lord has put in my heart to release, and what the Lord has shared with me in the vision and in the prophetic words. God bless you! Have a wonderful day!

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If you need a miracle, watch this!

What does the Lord say for this week? He simply says: "My ways are higher!"

Indeed, His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts! 

You see, many times, His ways and His thoughts don't even make sense to our human minds. Because our human minds are limited. But you know what? He always sees farther, and He always knows better. After all, He is God and we are not. 

That's why it's so important to have a personal relationship and personal walk with the Lord. Because without this personal relationship and personal walk with the Lord, we will not be able to see the many things that He wants us to see. And if we can't see how He sees, or think how He thinks, we will miss out a lot on what He wants to show us or tell us. 

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 Scripture has many examples of miracles. One example is the miraculous healing of Naaman. 

So, we are going right into this story of Naaman, and how the Lord (through prophet Elisha) was so 'unconventional' in His ways of healing Naaman from his leprosy.

If you read 2 Kings chapter 5, you would know that Naaman was a successful man. But alas, he was a leper. For the record, in that era, leprosy was a dreaded and incurable disease that would eventually result in death. So, no matter how successful Naaman was as the commander of the army of the king of Syria, he had this devastating situation: He was a leper. 

Naaman then found out from a servant girl that there's a prophet in Israel who could heal him of his leprosy. Out of his desperation, he departed for Israel to seek his healing. 

As Naaman stood at the door of Elisha's house, Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean." 

But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, "Indeed, I said to myself, 'He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.'" 

Now, that's what Naaman thought with his own limited mind! 

Naaman was expecting Elisha to come out and greet him and just wave his hand over the place and heal his leprosy, just like that! But you know what? Elisha didn't even come out! Instead Elisha sent a messenger to him with this instruction: "Go and wash in the Jordan River seven times." 

This instruction didn't make sense to Naaman at all! Not only that, Naaman felt indignant too. Why? Because he was supposed to be the 'VIP', and he expected Elisha to come out and greet him, and to do according to what he had expected! 

But Elisha didn't. Elisha only sent a messenger. Elisha didn't 'perform the miracle' according to how Naaman had expected or wanted it to be!

Naaman then said further, "Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?" 

So, Naaman turned and went away in a rage. He just couldn't see the 'logic' in what Elisha had said and instructed for him to do. 

But you know what? Elisha was just hearing from the Lord, and was just saying exactly what the Lord has spoken. You see, a true prophet will only say as the Lord says!

Back to Naaman now. 

After considering an advice from his servant, Naaman finally heeded this instruction from Elisha to go and dip seven times in the Jordan. And you know what? The result was for all to see! The Scripture says Naaman's flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. In other words, he was healed of his leprosy! Clean and clear! Total, complete healing and restoration to his body!

You see, the Lord our God is a God who is above our human logic. He is not just natural. He is supernatural. He is not a God who only sees the way this world sees. His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). 

So, let us be set free in our minds! 

This is the time to ask Him to set us free from our limited minds! 

This is the time to ask Him to let us see in the ways that He sees! 

Never limit Him on what He can do and how He does it!

And you too will see your miracles and breakthroughs as well! 

Hallelujah!

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Lost your way and direction in life? There's hope for you!

I was praying the other day and the Lord released these words:

"For many of My people, the enemy has been trying to cause them to lose their way and lose their direction in life. But I am telling you this is a lie of the enemy. I am still your Good Shepherd and I am still your Guiding Light in times of need. I hold the keys to your doors and I hold the keys to your breakthroughs. Look to Me, hear My voice and follow Me, and I will show you the way to your open doors and breakthroughs."

This is going to be a very pastoral message, a message that's going to minister to some of you, especially if you have lost your way in life, lost your purpose in life, or even lost your direction in life during this prolonged time of pandemic. 

Luke 15:1-4 (NKJV) says, 'Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them." So He spoke this parable to them, saying: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?"'

Here, Jesus was explaining to the Pharisees and scribes why He chose to associate with "sinners and tax collectors". So, He told them this parable of the lost sheep where He identified Himself as a 'shepherd', and the people as 'a flock of sheep'. The 'ninety-nine sheep' here represent 'the righteous', whereas the single 'lost sheep' (in the context here, a lost sheep of Israel) represents 'the secularized and godless among the people' those days. 

Even though the main context of Luke 15:1-4 is about the 'lost sheep of Israel', this parable can apply to all of us too. Maybe you aren't lost in sins, but you feel lost in life, in your purpose in life, or even in your direction in life. In fact for some of you, you don't even know who you are anymore! I know of some people, especially during this time of prolonged pandemic (or prolonged lockdown in some places) who are actually feeling this way. 

Beloved, if you are one of these, take heart and be encouraged. The Lord your God hasn't forgotten you nor forsaken you. He is still the same yesterday, today, and forever. And He is still your Good Shepherd (John 10:14) and your Guiding Light (John 8:12).

In John 10:11-14 (NKJV), Jesus says, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the Good Shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own."

Before that, in John 10:1-4 (NKJV), Jesus says, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice."

Do you see that? He calls you by name! The truth is He is a personal God, and in every situation (or any unique situation) you are going through, He cares for you. No one may fully understand what you are going through at the moment, but He understands. 

You see, the world may dump you or sideline you when you are deemed to be useless. Your employer may retrench you when you are not as useful anymore. Your customers may dump you when they find another better source. This is unfortunate, but this is a fact we all face in this fallen world. 

But Jesus your Good Shepherd will never dump you or sideline you. Why? Because He loves you and cares for you like none other, like no one else on earth. He is not a hireling. When danger comes, the hireling will flee and run away. But He the Good Shepherd will never flee or run away. He is still with you and He is still for you, even in times like these. And know this: He doesn't treat you like an impersonal robot or machine to be dumped when you become useless or incapable. No way!

Not only is He your Good Shepherd, He is also your Guiding Light. 

In John 8:12 (NKJV). Jesus says, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

His light expresses His great love for you. His light, "the light of the world", guides you from the gloom of sin, and makes a way out for you. And whatever the gloominess may be in this world at the moment, be assured He knows how to make a way out for you. 

Therefore, look to Him and walk in His light no matter what happens around you, and you'll be sure to find the bright path to your open doors and breakthroughs. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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The Lord knows how to open a way for you!

The Lord spoke these words:
"For whatever setback that you have experienced recently, this is your time to receive a new strength and a fresh hope from Me. Look to Me, because I am setting you free for the new things ahead of you, even things that you have not seen or done before. For every opportunity that you have missed out this year, watch how I am going to open a way for you in the year ahead. Just don't limit how I am going to do it."

We all have setbacks at one time or another. It may be:
- an issue that hurts us;
- a relapse in something we work on;
- a disappointment that we did not foresee;
- an unfortunate interruption in progress.

People of God, whatever your setback may be in recent times, be it in relationships, in career, in ministry, in business, or in any other area of life, the Lord is offering you a fresh hope today. Look to Him, and trust in His infinite wisdom to make a way and open a way for you.

Isaiah 43:19 (ESV) says, 'Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert'. Indeed, if He can make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, He can do the same in your life, whatever your 'wilderness' or 'desert' may be.

Interestingly, there's actually someone in the Scripture whose name means 'The Lord opens a way'. His name is Jephthah ('Yiphtach' in Hebrew), coming from two words, 'Yah' (meaning 'the Lord') and 'pathach' (meaning 'open a way'). Notice that he's had his setbacks initially, but in spite of those setbacks, he ended up being listed among the heroes of faith in the book of Hebrews, alongside the likes of Gideon, Samuel and David, among others (see Hebrews 11:32).

Let's look at his background now. Reading from Judges 11:1-3, Jephthah was born to Gilead (his father), but his mother was a prostitute. As Gilead's wife also bore him sons, these sons drove Jephthah away from their home, because he was a 'son of another woman'. "You are not going to get any inheritance in our family," they said, "because you are the son of another woman." Speaking of being born at the wrong place, and into the wrong family! You can imagine all those years staying together with his brothers, he was being mocked, ridiculed, and even called names like "Hey, son of the whore!" or "Hey, son of the prostitute!" It hurts. It really hurts.

Now, having been dumped by his own family, Jephthah had no choice but to settle elsewhere. But the Lord was good to him, and he ended up in the land of Tob, where a group of 'homeless and worthless people' would gather around him and follow him as their leader. There, he gained a reputation as a mighty warrior, so much so when the nation of Israel came under attack by the enemy, those same brothers (who drove him away) had to turn to him and ask him to be their commander! (Judges 11:4-8)

Interestingly, of all lands, he ended up in the land of Tob! And you know what 'Tob' means in Hebrew? There are no insignificant details in the Bible. This word 'Tob' literally means 'good' in Hebrew. You see, even though Jephthah was 'kicked out' by his brothers, he eventually ended up in the good hands of the Lord! And in spite of his broken past and broken background, the Lord could still use him greatly - to bring deliverance for the nation of Israel (who was crying out to the Lord for help at that time)!

People of God, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Whatever your setback may be in recent times, let it go and don't look back. Receive a new strength and a fresh hope from the Lord today. The best is yet to come. Like Jephthah, you too are now in the good hands of the Lord! Hallelujah!

A call to get 'connected' to the Lord and receive His heavenly rain!

I heard these words from the Lord recently:
"The key to walking in your God-given destiny is how connected you are to Me. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me!"

In John 15:4-5, Jesus says, 'Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing'. The word 'abide' here is 'meno' in Greek, and it can mean 'to dwell, to stay, to remain, to continue, to be connected to'.

I had a dream the other day that pointed to the importance of looking to the Lord and being connected to the Lord. There were three scenes in the dream. In the first scene, I was in a situation when man-made water supply ran dry in hot weather. No water supply meant no water to drink, bathe, or do any washing. In the second scene, I was among the many people who went into a lake. We were all floating in the lake. The lake was congested with many people, and it became contaminated with human activities. Finally, the Lord brought me to the third scene, the final scene. I saw myself coming out of the lake, and rain started falling from the sky. It was refreshing, and I saw myself drinking fresh water from the sky, and being washed with clean water from the sky! It was definitely a good change, after having endured the man-made tap running dry and the contaminated lake!

I asked the Lord what this dream meant. And that's when I heard these words:
"Many of My people have been looking to the wrong sources and relying on the wrong sources for the advancements in their lives! They seek man, but not Me! They seek man's ideas, but not My ideas! They seek man's comfort, but not My comfort! They seek man's solace, but not My solace!"

By the way, the 'man-made tap running dry' speaks of 'man-made systems or structures', whereas the 'congested, contaminated lake' speaks of 'man-made ideas'. But the 'rain' comes directly from the Lord!

I then heard further:
"Seek Me while I am found, and call upon Me while I am near! Return to Me, and I will show you My way, My heavenly rain!"

The words above brought to my remembrance Isaiah 55, which I believe is the key chapter in this time and season. In Isaiah 55:1-2, to begin with, the Lord says, "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good. And let your soul delight itself in abundance."

'Without money and without price' because Jesus has paid the price when He died for you on the cross! As for wine and milk, 'wine' here speaks of 'joy', and 'milk' here speaks of 'peace'. Unfortunately, many in the world these days go around looking for joy and peace in all the wrong places and through the wrong sources. For instance, going around 'connecting' to the wrong man, wrong woman, fortune-tellers, horoscopes, idols, or whatever they can buy in this world using their money! Yet, true (lasting) joy and peace still seem elusive to them!

For the church as a whole, let us keep looking to God and keep seeking God for His ways, instead of looking to man and man-made systems (i.e. Babylonian systems) for the advancements in our godly entities! As a matter of fact, good ideas (of man) may not necessarily translate to God's ideas!

Now, look at what the Word of God say in Isaiah 55. Isaiah 55:6-7 says, "Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; And to our God, for He will abundantly pardon."

And 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."

In Isaiah 55:10-11, the Lord says further, "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

Notice the word 'rain' here? And the words 'water the earth'? This speaks of His word that falls on the 'earth'! And 'who' are the 'earth' here? The Bible says you and I are the 'earthen vessels'! (see 2 Corinthians 4:7) People of God, will you let this heavenly rain of the Lord fall on you right now? Blessed are you if you do, because this water from the Lord will cause you to 'bring forth' and 'bud'!

And that's how true (lasting) joy and peace comes, because you never run out of His spoken word in your life! In Isaiah 55:12-13, the Lord then concludes, "For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; and it shall be to the Lord for a name (for the Lord's renown), for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off."

Amen!

The Lord goes before you and makes your crooked places straight!

Isaiah 45:2 (NKJV): 'I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron'.

Every term in the Bible has a meaning, such as names, numbers, colours, places, and even metals! For example, the metal 'gold' symbolizes 'God Himself, His kingship, or His kingdom glory', whereas the metal 'silver' symbolizes 'redemption, or the price of a soul'.

How about 'bronze' and 'iron' then?

In Hebrew understanding, 'bronze' symbolizes 'judgement on sin, judgement on man, disobedience of man, or even human (fleshly) works/methods'. So, 'bronze' here in Isaiah 45:2 speaks of man's way, fleshly way, sinful way, or worldly methods.

'Iron' meanwhile symbolizes 'prison, bondage, stronghold, or inflexible rule', and therefore speaks of 'spiritual strongholds (or blockages) put by the enemy to hinder one's progress in life'.

Recently, the Lord released these words during a time of worship and prayer: 
"This is a time to re-visit the prophecies you have received from Me. This is also a time to refresh and remind yourself of the visions, dreams or words spoken to you in the recent years."

People of God, as you cross the 'threshold' into a new season in your life, the Lord has also promised you with Isaiah 45:2, that 'He is going before you and makes the crooked places straight before you'. Not only that, He will also break in pieces the 'gates of bronze' and cut the 'bars of iron' as He opens the way for you! This promise is especially for those who have not had much breakthrough in the past 6 months. But God is telling you today that He is breaking every work of flesh and cutting every spiritual stronghold that had hindered you in the past months!

And then, I heard further from the Lord as I was praying:
"This is a breakthrough time! The holy anointing oil that breaks every yoke is pouring out in the spiritual realm right now! Never miss this time and season! This is not the time to ask for a trickle, but this is the time to ask for an outpouring of My Spirit!"

Isaiah 59:19 says, 'So shall they (the enemy) fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him'. The word 'flood' here is 'nahar' in Hebrew, which can mean 'to sparkle, to be cheerful (or be of good cheer)'! Now, not all 'floods' in the Bible are bad. Contrary to some interpretations on Isaiah 59:19, this 'flood' mentioned in this verse speaks of the flood that comes from the Lord (like an outpouring of the Holy Spirit) that destroys, devastates, and uproots every stronghold of the enemy! And nothing, whatsoever, and no power (or work) of darkness can withstand this mighty rushing waters that comes from the Lord!

Jesus Himself promised in John 16:33, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me, you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, (for) I have overcome the world."

Now, here's another example of the flood that comes from the Lord! In Isaiah 44:3, the Lord says, "For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring." Amen!

Have you had a sudden sense of being purposeless recently? Or you were tempted to give up everything, maybe even life itself? Or you felt like there seemed to be no more meaning in your life.

You know the 'enemy' is after you (especially your mind or your thought) when whatever you do in life seems purposeless, and you are even tempted to end it all (or end your life). The reasons for all these are more often spiritual. In other words, an 'attack' in the mind (or the thought) is more often than not a spiritual issue, and spiritual issue is to be dealt with spiritually!

Beloved, take heart, because your answer is at the cross. Secular or worldly methods will never point you to the cross, and will never involve the power of the Holy Spirit. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (secular, worldly, fleshly) but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds (see 2 Corinthians 10:4-5). Jesus has carried all these 'attacks' when He died for you on the cross. He wore the crown of thorns (which speaks of the 'attack on His mind'), so that you can now wear the crown of (His) glory. Look up (Psalm 24:7-10), and look to all that Jesus has done for you at the cross all over again! He cannot and will not fail you, because His love (for you) never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8).

Believe and receive the promise in Isaiah 45:2 this day (and even in your next 6 months), because that's how God is going to lead you from this juncture (or crossroad). Believe, and you'll have it. You don't belong to the falling away, but you belong to the Great Outpouring. In Jesus' mighty name. Amen.

"Show me now Your way!"

Exodus 33:13 (NKJV): "Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight ..."

Exodus 33 is to be read and understood from the background of Exodus 32. Here, Moses was at a crucial point in his life and ministry, and in fact, he had come to the point where he didn't know how to go about any more!

So, what actually happened that led to Moses asking "Show me now Your way..."?

Let's now go back to Exodus 32. When the people saw that their leader Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, they gathered together to Aaron and said to him, "Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." (Exodus 32:1). Aaron gave in, and there a molded calf was made (Exodus 32:4).

Then, the Lord said to Moses, "Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molded calf, and worshipped it and sacrificed to it, and said, 'This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!'" (Exodus 32:7-8)

Later on, having seen how his own people were plagued because of what they did with the calf (Exodus 32:35) despite his attempt to intervene, he must have felt rather terrible. And it was at this point of heart-brokenness and helplessness that Moses took his tent and pitched it outside the camp, far away from the people, calling it the tabernacle of meeting (Exodus 33:7), to talk with God.

Moses then said, "See, You say to me, 'Bring up this people.' But You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, 'I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.' Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people." (Exodus 33:12-13)

And that's when the Lord answered him, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." (Exodus 33:14)

I used to wonder what does 'His way' have to do with 'His Presence'? Why did the Lord respond with "My Presence will go with you" when Moses asked for 'His way'? I then found the answer in the Hebrew word for 'Presence' itself, pronounced as 'Paniym', which means 'face, countenance, forefront'. The Lord was actually telling Moses, "From now on, no more your face, but My face; no more your countenance (radiance), but My countenance (radiance) as you go on from here; and from now on, no more are you at the forefront, but I AM now your forefront that leads you on from here!"

Today, as a believer, know that the Lord has also shown you His Presence through His Son, Jesus Christ. In Him, you find your rest (Matthew 11:28), and in Him also, you find your Way, your Truth, and your Life! (John 14:6) As you rest in His Presence, that's when He'll also show you the way!

Moses then said, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here." (Exodus 33:15)

People of God, His Presence in your life is the primary thing. Everything else comes second. When you have His Presence, you have everything, and that includes His way, His power, His wisdom, His favor, His peace, His joy, and the list goes on. As a believer, even though you know that He is already in you, it helps to be conscious of His Presence, to practice His Presence, and to linger (and stay) in His Presence moment by moment, day by day. Amen.