Those who are in Christ have also His Life!

Luke 24:1-3 (NKJV): Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they (the women who came from Galilee) and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

And as the women were still greatly perplexed, two men stood by them in shining garments and said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” (see Luke 24:4-5)

JESUS IS ALIVE!

People of God, know that He can 'resurrect' any ‘dead’ area of your life as well! Maybe it's a ‘lost’ dream, or a ‘dead’ dream, a dream you 'used to believe' (or have received). Or maybe it's something you have long given up hope of, even though you knew it was God who has begun it, given it, or spoken to you about it. 

Take heart, my friend. In Christ, there's always hope! Because He is alive, everything 'dead’ in your life can be made 'alive' again through Him. You see, He is not just the way, and the truth, but He is also the LIFE! (see John 14:6) In John 11:25-26, Jesus Himself said, “I AM the resurrection and the life”, and He went on to say, “Whoever lives and believes in Me (i.e. in Christ) shall never die.” Will you take Him at His Word? The Bible says heaven and earth will pass away, but His Word will still remain (Matthew 24:35). In John 11:25-26, Jesus was actually responding to Martha, Lazarus' sister. Lazarus was already dead 4 days by then, his body rotting, and there was already a stench. But even in the most impossible situation, and just as everyone has already 'given up hope' of seeing Lazarus alive again, Jesus did the 'unthinkable' and called out, “Lazarus, come forth!” 

And then in 1 Samuel chapters 1 & 2, Hannah’s ‘dead’ womb was ‘resurrected’ & ‘made alive’ again when she cried out to the Lord. The Lord did hear her cry, 'touched' her womb, and later on, Samuel was born! In fact, the name ‘Samuel’ means ‘Heard by God'. Hannah has indeed found grace in God! The name ‘Hannah’ in Hebrew actually means ‘find grace’ or ‘find favor’. The Bible then says Hannah 'rejoiced in God’s salvation’ (1 Samuel 2:1) because her 'dead' (womb) has become 'alive' and borne 'fruit'! The word ‘salvation’ here is translated in Hebrew as ‘Yeshuwah’, which means ‘Jesus’. Praise the Lord! Everything Jesus touched became 'alive' again, because HE IS the LIFE! And not only that, Hannah went on to give birth to 5 more children after that! Glory be to God! Jesus truly is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think of (Ephesians 3:20). Amen!

Friends, do you see it now? Everything Jesus touched became ‘alive’ again! In the Old and in the New Testament alike. And those who are in Christ have also HIS LIFE! It's the same for you today! He is indeed the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Believing, you'll receive.

Stay rested in the 'ark'!

Genesis 6:18 says, "...go into the ark..." That's what God spoke to Noah before the 'great flood'. And then in Genesis 7:1, the Lord also said this, "Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation."

Today, as the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), the Lord is calling you to get in & remain in His 'ark' as well!

Let's look at the name Noah first. It's called 'Nuwach' in Hebrew, which means 'to rest, being quiet, settled down, comforted'. In short, 'Noah' means 'to rest'. In fact, his name 'Noah' was given prophetically by his father Lamech after he was born, saying, "This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the Lord has cursed." (see Genesis 5:29)

How about the word 'ark'? 'Ark' is 'tebah' in Hebrew which means 'box', and the Lord asked Noah to build it with 'gopherwood' (like cypress wood) that's normally used to build house. So, this is a 'picture' of 'God's house', and we also know that the 'ark of the covenant' in the Old Testament is also a 'picture' of Jesus Himself, the King of Glory.

'Noah' is a 'picture' of you, and the 'ark' is a 'picture' of Christ.

So, when the Lord asked Noah to get into the 'ark', it's like today, God is calling you to 'find rest' in Christ, your 'ark'. And when you are in Christ, you are safe, even if the world around you is full of 'storms'! This happened to Noah too during his time! He just needed to 'rest' or get settled down in the 'ark', no matter what happened outside (i.e. the 'tsunamis', 'torrential rain', 'earthquakes', 'thunderstorms', 'troubles' or 'judgments' outside the 'ark').

"Pastor, you ask me to 'live in a box'? That's too small and narrow a thing!" My friend, this 'one' is no ordinary 'box'! This 'box' is in fact larger than 'heaven and earth put together'! Genesis 14:19 says He is the Possessor of heaven and earth, the Most High God! That's who Christ is! He is also omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient! So, if you end up in Mars, He's there! If you go to Jupiter, He's also there! And if there's a technology that flies you to the sun, He's there as well! That's how great He is!

People of God, like Noah in his time, remain rested in the 'ark' (i.e. in Christ), no matter what happens in this end-time. The Bible says Noah 'found grace in the eyes of the Lord' (Genesis 6:8). Today, you have also found grace (because of what Christ has already done for you on the cross). And when you are in Him, whatever 'waves' or 'storms' cannot 'touch' you! And even if you 'fall down' (due to the 'raging seas' outside you), you fall down inside the 'ark'! Praise God, you can stand up again because you are still in Him! Know also that He will not get you 'thrown out'! (unless you choose to 'throw yourself out') I've checked the Scripture, and there was no mention of Noah suffering any 'lack' or 'trouble' whilst 'in the ark'! In fact, Genesis 7:23 says 'only Noah and those in the ark' remained 'alive'! People of God, ONLY IN CHRIST, you are truly 'safe' and 'alive'! There's nowhere else! (John 14:6)

Beloved, as a believer, always know and remind yourself that 'you are in the ark'. Bring every aspect of your life (i.e. marriage, health, finance, business, ministry, career, etc) into this 'ark' as well! And the moment you know you are in the 'ark' (i.e. in Christ), know that there's no more 'pain', no more 'sorrow', and no more 'death'. Know that old things have passed away and all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17, Revelation 21:4-6), and don't wait till heaven! You can experience His goodness and blessing even right now on earth! Yes, you can, because you are already in Christ!

I end with this: If anyone IS (present tense) in Christ, he IS (now) a new creation. Old things have passed away, and all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

And by the time the door of the 'ark' was opened, what Noah saw was a (beautiful) 'rainbow' (Genesis 9:13). Beloved of God, stay in the 'ark' too, till you see your 'rainbow', and that's when you meet Him at His throne (Revelation 4:3).

Washing of water by the Word

John 13:5 (NKJV): After that, Jesus poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

This verse speaks of Jesus washing your 'feet' (i.e. your daily walk) with the ‘water’ of His Word. The word ‘water’ here represents ‘His Word that sanctifies & washes you clean’. In cross reference, Ephesians 5:26 says, ‘that He might sanctify and cleanse her (i.e. His people/church) with the washing of water by the Word'.

The word ‘towel’ here is ‘lention’ in Greek, which means ‘linen cloth’, and ‘linen’ represents ‘righteousness’ (see Revelation 19:8). Isaiah 61:10 says ‘you are clothed with the robe of righteousness’. So, as Jesus wiped the disciples' feet with this ‘linen cloth’, it is a ‘picture’ of Jesus’ righteousness 'rubbing' on them.

‘Feet’ here speaks of your 'daily walk', and often, our feet can get ‘dusty’ or dirty as we walk in the 'streets'. This applies to your ‘spiritual walk’ as well. ‘Dust’ speaks of ‘stains’ or 'sins' in your daily walk, and the Bible says 'dust' attracts the ‘serpent’ (see Genesis 3:14). And as the ‘stains’ gather on your ‘feet’, the devil (represented by the 'serpent') would find every opportunity to ‘bite you’ & ‘knock you off’ (i.e. accusing, condemning, and heaping all kinds of guilt in you). And you know what? The devil wants you down & out, and he wants you to know how 'rotten' a Christian you are, and at the end of the day, he wants you defeated, 'stolen, killed, destroyed' of your God-given destiny!

People of God, never let the devil 'wreak havoc' in your life any longer! 

Now is your time to keep feeding on His Word, and let Him wash you with the ‘water of His Word’ every day. You are never too 'filthy' for Him to wash you again. Keep holding on to His Word. Listen to preachings that are full of Jesus & His perfect work on the cross! Let His Word continue to speak to you every day! Remind yourself always of who you are in Christ! And if the Word says in Christ, you are already forgiven & made righteous, blessed, healed, prosperous, and redeemed from every curse, then take Him at His Word, believe and receive! And that's how the devil is defeated right before your eyes, and victory has become yours again!

No wonder In John 13:8, Jesus said this, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” In other words, He's saying this: “If you want to walk with Me victoriously as My disciple & partner (& have a part in My kingdom plan), let me ‘wash your feet’ first.” Amen!