I heard these words from the Lord recently:
"Tell My people I have given them the key to walk through open doors in the coming months. The doors that I have opened, no one can shut; and the doors that I have shut, no one can open. Humble yourselves therefore, and watch how I will turn things around for you!"
Indeed, people of God, the (good) doors that God has opened for you, no one can shut; and the (bad) doors that God has shut for you, no one can open! Many times, we sulk when things don't happen according to our own plans or ideals. We blame those who pray for us, and even blame God for not granting our own plans or ideals!
But little do we know that God has always been actively preventing evil from happening to us! Even right now, He is in the midst of shutting the (bad) doors for you - the doors that could have 'crushed' you, if you walk through them! He sees farther than us, and His ways are always higher than ours! (Isaiah 55:8-9) Your part is to humble yourselves, and let God be God!
For some of you who are going through a difficult time at the moment, take heart knowing that your God is not dead, but He is still very much alive in your situation. He knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10), and He can turn things around for you! The psalmist David wrote, 'I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles' (Psalm 34:4-6).
Let's go to the book of Isaiah now. In the days of King Hezekiah, there were two 'contrasting' personalities - Eliakim, a 'picture' of humility and fear of the Lord; and Shebna, a 'picture' of pride and self-glorifying. Shebna was initially the king's chief steward, having a high and honorable position. But he used it to glorify himself, and for selfish ambitions. Due to this, the Lord pulled down Shebna, and lifted Eliakim instead. Not only that, Eliakim was also given the key of the house of David, and he became the one to decide who could enter the king's chamber, and for whom the king's treasury was to be opened!
Isaiah 22:20-22 (NKJV) says, 'Then it shall be in that day, that I will call My servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah; I will clothe him with your (Shebna's) robe and strengthen him with your (Shebna's) belt. I will commit your (Shebna's) responsibility into his hand. He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; So he shall open, and no one shall shut; and he shall shut, and no one shall open'.
You may ask, "Why was the key laid on Eliakim's shoulder?" Those days, key was worn on the shoulder of those who possess official authority and power. And 'shoulder' speaks of one's position and responsibility. As cross-reference for 'shoulder', Isaiah 9:6 says, 'For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder...'
The name 'Eliakim' ('Elya-qiym' in Hebrew) is a very interesting name. This name consists of two words - 'El' meaning 'God'; and 'Quwm' meaning 'to rise up, to lift up'. As Eliakim continued to be submitted and yielded to the Lord, serving humbly before the Lord, and having the fear of the Lord, the time eventually came when the Lord opened the door for him, and turned things around for him!
People of God, the Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and He is still in the midst of lifting up and raising up the 'Eliakims' of today! He is looking high and low for those who are willing to acknowledge His lordship in their lives! Not just some areas of their lives, but all areas of their lives!
You can see the same pattern during Jesus' days on earth! Matthew 16:13-17 says, 'When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven."
In Matthew 16:18-19, Jesus then said to Simon Peter, "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock (i.e. 'on this revelation and confession that Jesus is the Lord'), I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth, will be loosed in heaven."
In other words, Peter was given the keys, i.e. the access (or opening) to operate in the kingdom of heaven; and whatever he 'locks' in the earthly realm will be 'locked' in the spiritual realm, and whatever he 'unlocks' in the earthly realm will be 'unlocked' in the spiritual realm! Such was the authority given to Peter!
You see, it all started when Peter began to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Son of the living God! Peter was blessed, because he gave Jesus the full say in his life, and the lordship over all areas of his life! And you know what? All that the Lord had spoken into his life eventually came to pass! Hallelujah!
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Thursday, July 12, 2018
Holiness is a strength
I heard these words from the Lord recently:
"A fresh wind is blowing, and a fresh wave is coming upon My people! It is a wind and wave of My holiness! Tap into it and receive it! Because holiness is your strength, and holiness is your power! And I will cause My people to move ahead with the strength and the power that they've never seen before!"
I then heard further:
"This is the time I am imparting My holiness upon My people, and they shall be holy, just as I am holy! And this holiness shall be a strength to them, and it shall be a power to them!"
In Ezekiel 36:23, the Lord says, "I will show the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations... Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes." In Ezekiel 36:25-27, the Lord says further, "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees..."
The Holy Spirit is a HOLY Spirit. As you can see in the Scripture above, the Holy Spirit imparts holiness upon God's people! See? Holiness isn't just your work. Holiness is by the ability of the Lord working in you! The Lord says, 'I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees...' Who moves who? The Lord is the One who moves you! Your part, people of God, is to let Him and do not resist Him.
Living in this world full of sinful (fleshly) pleasures and compromising lifestyles, it sounds 'un-cool' to walk in holiness of the Lord. But the truth is holiness is a strength!
As you receive His Spirit of holiness afresh and anew this new season, the Lord says you'll be moving ahead with the strength and the power that you've never seen before!
Look at Samson in the Scripture. As long as he kept himself 'holy' before the Lord, he had strength and power! That's where His true strength lies - 'keeping himself holy'!
What then is to be 'holy'? Contrary to what many people think, to be 'holy' doesn't just mean 'not sinning'. To be 'holy' is about 'being set apart, consecrated' for the Lord to work through you! Samson was a Nazirite (Judges 13:5). This word 'Nazirite' is from the word 'nazar' in Hebrew, simply meaning 'set apart'. As a Nazirite, he was not to touch a dead body, and was not to have a haircut! (see Numbers 6:1-8)
'Not touching dead body' is a 'picture' of 'not touching (or doing) unclean things', whereas 'no haircut' is a 'picture' of 'staying true to what God has started or given to us'. In other words, not letting ourselves be influenced (or adulterated) by the things (or the ways) of this world!
People of God, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are all in actual fact called to be 'set apart', i.e. to stay true to what God has started or given to us! We are not to let the world influence (or adulterate) us with its ways (or ideas)! It should be the other way round! Because we are made the 'head', and not the 'tail'! (Deuteronomy 28:13) By the way, to 'adulterate' means 'anything foreign added to the original, and causes the original to lose its quality'.
You see? As long as Samson stayed true to who God had wanted him to be, there's strength and power! In truth, his true strength lies in him staying true to his God-given calling! As long as he continued to do so, he would do great exploits for the Lord! But the moment he 'compromised', he lost it! (Judges 16:4-5, Judges 16:15-17)
People of God, as you look ahead to this next half of year 2018, the key to your great exploits for the Lord is also likewise - staying true to all that God has spoken to you! We can learn not just from the victories (and success) of those who have gone before us, but also from their mistakes. But the good news is it isn't too late yet. You can start now. Samson's hair re-grew (Judges 16:22). This speaks of a 'second chance' God had given him!
So, even if you think you 'blew it' in the first half of this year, will you believe the Lord can do a greater work in you for the second half of this year? This is your time to receive a new strength from the Lord, not look back, and begin walking in a greater manifestation of His Spirit and His power, going forward. In Jesus' name. Amen!
"A fresh wind is blowing, and a fresh wave is coming upon My people! It is a wind and wave of My holiness! Tap into it and receive it! Because holiness is your strength, and holiness is your power! And I will cause My people to move ahead with the strength and the power that they've never seen before!"
I then heard further:
"This is the time I am imparting My holiness upon My people, and they shall be holy, just as I am holy! And this holiness shall be a strength to them, and it shall be a power to them!"
In Ezekiel 36:23, the Lord says, "I will show the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations... Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes." In Ezekiel 36:25-27, the Lord says further, "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees..."
The Holy Spirit is a HOLY Spirit. As you can see in the Scripture above, the Holy Spirit imparts holiness upon God's people! See? Holiness isn't just your work. Holiness is by the ability of the Lord working in you! The Lord says, 'I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees...' Who moves who? The Lord is the One who moves you! Your part, people of God, is to let Him and do not resist Him.
Living in this world full of sinful (fleshly) pleasures and compromising lifestyles, it sounds 'un-cool' to walk in holiness of the Lord. But the truth is holiness is a strength!
As you receive His Spirit of holiness afresh and anew this new season, the Lord says you'll be moving ahead with the strength and the power that you've never seen before!
Look at Samson in the Scripture. As long as he kept himself 'holy' before the Lord, he had strength and power! That's where His true strength lies - 'keeping himself holy'!
What then is to be 'holy'? Contrary to what many people think, to be 'holy' doesn't just mean 'not sinning'. To be 'holy' is about 'being set apart, consecrated' for the Lord to work through you! Samson was a Nazirite (Judges 13:5). This word 'Nazirite' is from the word 'nazar' in Hebrew, simply meaning 'set apart'. As a Nazirite, he was not to touch a dead body, and was not to have a haircut! (see Numbers 6:1-8)
'Not touching dead body' is a 'picture' of 'not touching (or doing) unclean things', whereas 'no haircut' is a 'picture' of 'staying true to what God has started or given to us'. In other words, not letting ourselves be influenced (or adulterated) by the things (or the ways) of this world!
People of God, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are all in actual fact called to be 'set apart', i.e. to stay true to what God has started or given to us! We are not to let the world influence (or adulterate) us with its ways (or ideas)! It should be the other way round! Because we are made the 'head', and not the 'tail'! (Deuteronomy 28:13) By the way, to 'adulterate' means 'anything foreign added to the original, and causes the original to lose its quality'.
You see? As long as Samson stayed true to who God had wanted him to be, there's strength and power! In truth, his true strength lies in him staying true to his God-given calling! As long as he continued to do so, he would do great exploits for the Lord! But the moment he 'compromised', he lost it! (Judges 16:4-5, Judges 16:15-17)
People of God, as you look ahead to this next half of year 2018, the key to your great exploits for the Lord is also likewise - staying true to all that God has spoken to you! We can learn not just from the victories (and success) of those who have gone before us, but also from their mistakes. But the good news is it isn't too late yet. You can start now. Samson's hair re-grew (Judges 16:22). This speaks of a 'second chance' God had given him!
So, even if you think you 'blew it' in the first half of this year, will you believe the Lord can do a greater work in you for the second half of this year? This is your time to receive a new strength from the Lord, not look back, and begin walking in a greater manifestation of His Spirit and His power, going forward. In Jesus' name. Amen!
Saturday, June 23, 2018
Keep building what the Lord has called you to build!
I heard the Lord say these words recently:
"Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Keep building what I've called you to build! Keep doing what I've called you to do! For those who sow in tears shall reap with songs of joy!"
Psalm 127:1 says, 'Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it...' This word 'build' is 'banah' in Hebrew, literally meaning 'begin (to build) something, set up something'. Indeed, what the Lord has begun (to build) in you and through you, no one can take it away. But it is important to build only what He builds, lest you labor in vain.
Let Scripture interpret Scripture. In Philippians 1:6, apostle Paul wrote, 'Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ'. See the word 'begun' here? Apostle Paul, a spiritual father and mentor to many in his days, knew the importance of building what the Lord builds! In Philippians 2:13-16, he wrote further, 'For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain'.
You see? It is God who works in you both to will and to do. And as you 'hold fast' to what He has spoken for you to do, whatever you build (or do) will not be in vain. This word 'works' is 'energeo' in Greek, literally meaning 'to actively work, to effectively work, to mightily work, to powerfully work, to fervently work'. And you guess it right! This word 'energeo' is where the English word 'energy' comes from!
And if He is the One who starts it, He is also the One who sees to it that it is completed! Your part is simply to allow and let Him work His work in you! Keep blessing people! Keep ministering to people! Keep praying for people! Keep building lives (whoever the Lord has sent to you)! In short, be faithful in all that He has called you to do!
And do not grow weary while doing good, for in due season, you will reap if you do not lose heart (Galatians 6:9). Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him (Psalm 126:5).
Even when you are faced with critics or 'naysayers', do not lose heart! Keep building what the Lord builds! Keep doing what He has spoken for you to do! Look at Jesus in the Scripture. He was severely criticized by the 'religious establishment' during His days on earth. But He never reacted. He never fought back. Neither did He strike back. Instead, Acts 10:38 says He simply went about doing good, and continued doing the will of His Father!
The way to silence your critics is not by arguing with them or striking back! But to continue doing the good works the Lord has called you to do! Any proof in the Bible to back this up? Yes! 1 Peter 2:15 says, 'For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men'. In 2 Timothy 3:14-15, apostle Paul wrote these to his spiritual son Timothy, 'But you must CONTINUE in the things which you have learned and been assured of... and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus'.
The enemy's main purpose for your life is to steal, kill, and destroy! (John 10:10) The enemy wants to make you fail (ineffective) for God's kingdom! And one way is by getting you so 'wrapped up' in criticism! Don't fall into this trap! Ignore him! The enemy wants to distract you, and 'get your mind off' whatever the Lord wants you to do. His modus operandi is through 'nasty words' that 'bear down on you'. Why? Because the enemy wants you to quit!
But in Christ, you are no quitter! In Christ, you are made more than conquerors! People of God, keep building what the Lord has called you to build, and keep doing what the Lord has called you to do! It will be a matter of time before those critics fade away, and you'll still be standing strong in the end! Hallelujah!
"Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Keep building what I've called you to build! Keep doing what I've called you to do! For those who sow in tears shall reap with songs of joy!"
Psalm 127:1 says, 'Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it...' This word 'build' is 'banah' in Hebrew, literally meaning 'begin (to build) something, set up something'. Indeed, what the Lord has begun (to build) in you and through you, no one can take it away. But it is important to build only what He builds, lest you labor in vain.
Let Scripture interpret Scripture. In Philippians 1:6, apostle Paul wrote, 'Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ'. See the word 'begun' here? Apostle Paul, a spiritual father and mentor to many in his days, knew the importance of building what the Lord builds! In Philippians 2:13-16, he wrote further, 'For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain'.
You see? It is God who works in you both to will and to do. And as you 'hold fast' to what He has spoken for you to do, whatever you build (or do) will not be in vain. This word 'works' is 'energeo' in Greek, literally meaning 'to actively work, to effectively work, to mightily work, to powerfully work, to fervently work'. And you guess it right! This word 'energeo' is where the English word 'energy' comes from!
And if He is the One who starts it, He is also the One who sees to it that it is completed! Your part is simply to allow and let Him work His work in you! Keep blessing people! Keep ministering to people! Keep praying for people! Keep building lives (whoever the Lord has sent to you)! In short, be faithful in all that He has called you to do!
And do not grow weary while doing good, for in due season, you will reap if you do not lose heart (Galatians 6:9). Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him (Psalm 126:5).
Even when you are faced with critics or 'naysayers', do not lose heart! Keep building what the Lord builds! Keep doing what He has spoken for you to do! Look at Jesus in the Scripture. He was severely criticized by the 'religious establishment' during His days on earth. But He never reacted. He never fought back. Neither did He strike back. Instead, Acts 10:38 says He simply went about doing good, and continued doing the will of His Father!
The way to silence your critics is not by arguing with them or striking back! But to continue doing the good works the Lord has called you to do! Any proof in the Bible to back this up? Yes! 1 Peter 2:15 says, 'For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men'. In 2 Timothy 3:14-15, apostle Paul wrote these to his spiritual son Timothy, 'But you must CONTINUE in the things which you have learned and been assured of... and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus'.
The enemy's main purpose for your life is to steal, kill, and destroy! (John 10:10) The enemy wants to make you fail (ineffective) for God's kingdom! And one way is by getting you so 'wrapped up' in criticism! Don't fall into this trap! Ignore him! The enemy wants to distract you, and 'get your mind off' whatever the Lord wants you to do. His modus operandi is through 'nasty words' that 'bear down on you'. Why? Because the enemy wants you to quit!
But in Christ, you are no quitter! In Christ, you are made more than conquerors! People of God, keep building what the Lord has called you to build, and keep doing what the Lord has called you to do! It will be a matter of time before those critics fade away, and you'll still be standing strong in the end! Hallelujah!
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