Don't buy the lies of the enemy!

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV): Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

The word 'steadfast' here comes from the Greek word 'hezomai', meaning 'to be resolutely firm and unwavering, no matter what'. Notice this verse comes right after 1 Corinthians 15:57 that says, 'But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ'. In other words, it is on the very foundation of Christ's victory that you can now be 'steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord', no matter what the devil throws at you!

I heard and released these words from the Lord recently:

"This is a time to stay steadfast and immovable on the Rock. For I am the Lord, your Rock. Do not be shaken, whatever the enemy throws at you, for he is the father of lies. Keep looking to Me, and you'll see your victory for sure!"

Your enemy, the devil, is the father of lies (John 8:44), and just as a serpent spits poison at the prey, the devil spews lies about you all the same! At every opportune time, he would spew lies after lies about you - that your God doesn't care, that you will never be forgiven of your past sins, that you will succumb to ill-health, that you will suffer financial lack, that you have reached your 'ceiling' in life, that you cannot advance any further, and whole load more! But these are all lies! Because the truth is God's will is that 'you should prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers'! (3 John 2) 

Your enemy, the devil, is an 'opportunist', 'walking about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour' (1 Peter 5:8). And if the devil cannot get you to sin, then he'll try to make you feel down and discouraged. And his modus operandi? To spread lies about you!

For some of you, the devil wants you to believe that you are living on borrowed time. That's a lie! Because the truth is, as a beloved of God, you are on time! You are now living in the victory that Christ has already given you! (1 Corinthians 15:57) In other words, it's your victory time! Not borrowed time! It is the devil who is living on borrowed time! Why do I say so? Because he has already been long defeated some 2,000 years ago!

For some others, the devil wants you to believe that you are too weak for him, and you are at his mercy. That's a lie too! Because the truth is you have already been given 'the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and to overcome all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall be able to harm you'! (Luke 10:19) It is the devil who is too weak for you, and it is him who is at your mercy!

Do you see now how the 'father of lies' works? A truth is being twisted into a lie, and a lie is being twisted into a truth. And his aim has always been the same - to steal, kill, and destroy your life! (John 10:10) Don't buy his lies!

Your part, as God's people, is to wield 'the sword of the Spirit' (Ephesians 6:17), i.e. to say what God says in the Word! Because the Word of God is truth, and this truth shall set you free! (John 8:32) Yes, free indeed from even the lies that the enemy wants you to believe! Amen!

Be overlaid with the oil of the Holy Spirit, and with prayer!

I heard and released these words from the Lord recently:
"I am calling you to persevere in prayer! I am calling you to endure in prayer! There is a call for such right now! Just as Solomon's temple was overlaid with gold, you are the temple of the Holy Spirit! And the time has come for you to be overlaid with the oil of the Holy Spirit, and with prayer!"

'Solomon's temple being overlaid with gold' here speaks of 'you (the temple of the Holy Spirit) being overlaid with the oil of the Holy Spirit, and with prayer'. Why do I say that? Because in Hebrew, the word 'gold' is 'zawhawb', and this word is described as 'something gold-colored, as oil'. As you can see here, 'gold' is synonymous with 'oil'. 'Gold' also speaks of 'the glory of the Lord', and just as the temple those days was filled with the glory of the Lord, so are you today, the temple of the Holy Spirit! (1 Corinthians 6:19)

Let's go to Exodus 17:8-11 now, 'Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said to Joshua, "Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand." So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed'. 

What is the meaning of 'held up his hand' here? Let Scripture interpret Scripture. In 1 Timothy 2:8, the apostle Paul wrote, 'I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting'. See the word 'pray' here? And see the words 'lifting up holy hands' here? So, obviously, the Lord is speaking to us about prayer here! 

Interestingly, the word 'Amalek' comes from the word 'amel' in Hebrew, which means 'toiling, suffering, laboring with much sorrow', and these are exactly what the enemy want to see happening in God's people! But thanks be to God who has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! And the key to receive that victory is through prayer!

Do not give up praying!

Let's go to Exodus 17:12-13 now, 'But Moses' hands became heavy (i.e. weary/tired of being held up); so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword'. 

How do you interpret the above verses? Is there any help for you who have grown weary in praying? The good news is yes, help is at hand! And who is this help? Let Scripture interpret Scripture again, and we shall go to Romans 8:26 now, 'Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered'.

You see? The answer is the Spirit Himself! The Holy Spirit, who is your Helper! (John 16:7, John 16:13)

And as you pray in the Spirit, things will begin to work out! Romans 8:27-28 then says, 'Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints (that's you and I!) according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose'.

So, people of God, if you have grown weary in praying in the language you know (you have even exhausted all the words that you know, and you're not seeing much results), let go of your own limited ways, and let God! He is unlimited and infinite in all His ways! And that's when God takes what is in His mind, and put it into yours! And as you declare it out with your mouth (though your mind cannot understand what you say), things will soon begin to happen! And that's how the will of God is being done in your life!

And what is the will of God for you? 3 John 2 says, 'Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers'. And that's exactly what happened to Moses and Joshua those days! Exodus 17:14-15 continues, 'Then the Lord said to Moses, "Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek (i.e. toiling, suffering, laboring with much sorrow) from under heaven." And Moses built an altar and called its name, 'The-Lord-Is-My-Banner' (YHWH Nissi)'. Hallelujah!

Today, the Lord has also become your Banner, your Victory, your YHWH Nissi; just as in Moses and Joshua's days! This is a time to be overlaid with the oil of the Holy Spirit, and with prayer, and you shall begin to walk in greater and greater victories! Receive this oil from heaven right now, and let it overflow in every area of your life! Amen!

He is a God of justice and compassion

I released these words from the Lord as we crossed into the 2nd half of year 2017:

"This is a year of freedom, but you are entering months of freedom like no other! For I am setting free those who are being oppressed, and I am setting free those who are victims of injustice! The time and season for such has begun! You will begin to see justice being done in very real ways, and you will begin to see how I turn things around for those who are weak, bullied, and downcast. For such a time has begun in the spiritual realm, in the house of God, and you shall see this reflected in the physical realm, in the nations of the world."

I then saw a vision of 'hands being washed under the flow of clear water'. This speaks of 'washing hands' from any form of iniquities and hypocrisy. This, of course, has to begin with the shepherds and leaders in the house of God (i.e. the body of Christ). Psalm 24:3-4 says, 'Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully'.

And the Lord spoke further:

"And I say the word for the now is 'purify'. For I am showing My faithfulness and justice to those who are willing to 'wash their hands'. This is a time to let Me change you, and wash you clean! For those who let Me, blessed are you, because your time of promotion and deliverance is coming!"

The Lord then directed me to a key chapter in this time and season, which is Ezekiel 34. This chapter begins with the Lord's very strong words against 'the shepherds/leaders who feed only themselves, but oppress the weak' (Ezekiel 34:1-4). Though these words were spoken specifically against 'the shepherds of Israel', these also apply to all the shepherds/leaders, both in the house of God, and even in the nations today. The Scripture says as the consequence of such oppression and injustice, the 'sheep' were scattered, and became 'food' for all the 'beasts' (Ezekiel 34:5-6).

But thanks be to God, because all is not lost yet! In Ezekiel 34:11-12, the Lord then says, "Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day."

People of God, if you too have been 'oppressed', or became 'victims of injustice', there's hope for you. This is a time to watch Him turn things around for you. Look to Him and cry out to Him. Put all your trust in Him. Because He is your Good Shepherd (Psalm 23:1-6), and He has great compassion for those who are weak, bullied, and downcast.

In Ezekiel 34:20-23, the Lord says further, "Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat and the lean sheep. Because you have pushed with side and shoulder, butted all the weak ones with your horns, and scattered them abroad, therefore I will save My flock and they shall no longer be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them - My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd."

Fat sheep and lean sheep? Let me explain. Within a sheepfold, there can be competition. The stronger (fatter) sheep are those who bully the weaker (thinner) sheep. They would fight for the best grass, and the best positions to eat in the pasture. The stronger (fatter) ones will fight for access to the best feeding ground, whereas the weaker (thinner) ones are being abused, dominated, played out, excluded, ostracized, and pushed out (in a power play). What happens in a sheepfold is very much like what happens to us human beings. In every social environment, there is competition for dominance (and the fleshly desire to pull down others in order to reach the top).

But take heart, because God is on the side of those who are humble and meek (Matthew 5:5). He is a God of justice and compassion. For some of you out there, you have tasted and seen His goodness and His faithfulness before in times past. Today, He wants you to know that He will be ever more faithful to you, even now and in the future. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Never let anyone take this truth away from you. Your time of promotion and deliverance is coming! Amen.