LAST DAY OF 2015

Today is the last day of 2015 and also the New Year's Eve. Oh how time flies! It seems only like yesterday that we celebrated New Year's Eve for 2014. I still remembered Heng's prayer about how God has gone into the months of the year and prepared the way for us.

I thank God that 2015 has been a very good year for us, especially for me. God prepared surprises, fulfilled desires, answered prayers, restoration and blessings for me almost every month of the year. Some of these blessings were of the mega type. In fact, I really didn't imagine that so many good things could be coming out in harvest, in my due season.

Of course, this is not to say that I didn't have challenges or giants to overcome. There were still attacks and resistance. I still felt discouraged, weary and about to give up at times. I think this year I felt like a woman experiencing birth pains more so than other years. I came to a point that I crossed over from I can to I must give birth to this long-awaited dream! However I still thank God for building up my character.

My prayer is that this will be your best year yet as you become closer to the Lord than ever before and be flooded with His manifest love.  Far more important than what we accomplish or desires that God fulfil for us is what we become. What we have within us cannot be taken away by the devil and will always be a part of us.

I am gleaning more encouragement from prophetic words for 2016. One of them is titled 'The other side of the door - 2016'. In a vision, I saw a door starting to open in the spirit with 2016 engraved on it.  As this door was opening, I saw a throng of people moving towards the door. They were God’s Remnant people, His end-time army advancing forward.

There were people running, sprinting; I saw others limping towards this door; still others were on their knees and they were crawling, desperate to make it through. Some of these, chosen of God, were pressing forward with hope, with a glint in their eye that on the other side of the door, they would find destiny. 

They were clinging to a vision of times past, a promise that had been written on their heart.  Others were striding confidently, believing that as they crossed the threshold it would be a year of smooth sailing for them. Many moved with purpose, confident that on the other side of the door, a great breakthrough awaited them.

I heard The Lord say: Yes, My beloved, a season of change awaits you as you cross over the threshold, for truly you will see the fulfillment of many promises I have given.  Breakthrough and acceleration belong to those who have been faithful and true to Me, My Word and their calling. 

What a great encouragement to me! I believe this will give you the hope you need for crossing over to the new year, another new beginning. The old has passed, the new has come. Remember the old things no more for God is doing a new thing in your life! Here's wishing you a most blessed new year ahead and thank you all for supporting my blog all this while! God bless you with a smooth-sailing year! :-)

THE YEAR OF ACCELERATION AND ABUNDANCE

During the thanksgiving service last Sunday, Pastor Prince mentioned that God has already given him the theme for next year. He was quite excited about it and couldn't wait to share with us during this coming Sunday, called the Vision Sunday. I have no idea what it could be but for me, this was what the Lord revealed for next year. 2016 would be a year of acceleration and abundance. I have received certain themes from the Lord in previous years but I have not been bold enough to post them in my blog.

But since 2011, after I stayed home, I realised that whatever themes the Lord told me was declared as our church theme either in the next year or within two years' time. That was when I realised that the Lord wanted to share with me things in advance so that I could declare them and see them come to pass. Recently I felt prompted to even post it on my blog so that others could be encouraged by this prophetic word.

I was impressed on this theme since Oct but I wasn't sure until I read the prophetic words of other well-respected prophets recently. I began to get excited when I saw that what they received from the Lord confirmed what I saw too. I found that the sharing by this writer Lana Vawser to be very much in line with what I was impressed upon. She said the Lord showed her that 2016 is the year of the divine upstream. This is a highlight of what she wrote.

I believe in 2016 there is an invitation into a divine ‘slipstream’.  The wind of the Spirit moving in great acceleration but the Lord calling us to a ‘positioning’ of greater rest.  It seems completely opposite and ‘illogical’ in the natural, but many things the Lord is going to ask His people to do or not do in 2016 will be a great surprise, but MORE is going to come out of divine rest in whatever form that looks like for you in 2016.

I felt the Lord say that 2016 would be a year THE GREATEST demonstration of DIVINE REST of heart, mind, soul and body for many, but also THE GREATEST demonstration of ACCELERATION that they have ever seen. A place of shaking off the shackles of driving and seeing Him break off and bring deeper healing to any parts of the soul that would cause a ‘pushing forward’.

This invitation will require a greater trust in the Lord and His timing and ways. These “slipstreams” are going to go in different directions in some ways to how many have anticipated He is going to move and ‘when’, but as the people of God allow the wind of the Spirit to carry them in this slipstream, there is going to be greater ground taken, greater manifestations of His power and Spirit, greater fruit for less effort.

This “divine slipstream” is going to see many get a “rest” from the hard “toiling” of 2015, where things will begin to “FLOW” in 2016, as the MANIFESTED  winds of grace land in lives in greater ways. Abundance, provision, and manifested blessing are going to breakthrough in 2016 in exponential ways.

In this slipstream, great acceleration will come into the lives of God’s people, but it’s coming from a deeper rest in the Lord’s timing and ways.  There are divine surprises that are going to come in the slipstream, there are dreams that will be awakened in the slipstream, there will be giftings that will be activated in the slipstream, there will be new horizons to see and mantles to receive.

Because of the acceleration and harvest season we have entered into and are entering deeper into, there will be a temptation in 2016 to move out of the slipstream and begin to run ahead.  I felt the Lord specifically encouraging His people in 2016 to “stay in pace” with Him, and be intentional in seeking the Lord on doors and opportunities that are placed before you. 

For not all doors and opportunities will be a “YES” but the doors that He is leading His people to and through (Isaiah 22:22) are going to produce greater fruit, greater territory taken, greater favour displayed and greater harvest received with less effort and huge demonstrations of His grace.

In the acceleration of 2016, the enemy is going to attempt to get the people of God “busy”, but “busy” doing things that the Lord isn’t breathing on.  They are “good things” but not necessarily the things God is breathing on.  Where as the people of God move through the divine doors HE is breathing on, they will get busy doing greater levels of the Father’s work as Jesus did in Luke 2:49, and with great ease and joy.

I saw mighty rushing winds coming into the body of Christ in 2016.  His winds that are going to begin to bring the people of God “UP and OUT” of places where they have felt stuck, weighed down and no forward motion.  Areas where the enemy has hit the people of God so hard and troubles and trials have surrounded the Lord is going to bring greater deliverance and moving into the divine slipstream of rested flow.

Where many have felt like they are facing onslaught after onslaught, hit after hit, trial after trial, and never seeming to get “their head above water” are going to see radical demonstrations of deliverance, divine ‘payback’, restoration and retribution.  The Lord began to release this in the latter half of 2015, but they are about to go to an accelerated level in 2016. “Get your baskets ready, it’s harvest time.  Not only will I restore to you tenfold what the enemy has stolen, broken and destroyed, I will add to you with greater increase, acceleration, and ABUNDANT restitution.”

THANKSGIVING FOR 2015

I was prompted to do a review of the year so that I can give thanks to God and take stock of the events in this year. As I went through the events of this year, I have to agree that 2015 is really a year of His restoration. It is also a due season year. Overall, I have to say that it is a very good year, perhaps the best that we had so far. It can be compared to the likes of the harvest years of 2005 and 2010. Those years when we saw major breakthroughs like God leading Heng out of his first company after working there for 9 years, my promotion in my last company, conception of Joshua in 2005 and mega blessings in 2010 like purchase of this condo, God bringing me out of my workplace after feeling stuck there for three years. Those were years of great financial blessings too.

2012 was somewhat comparable to this year in that the fruits started to manifest in our lives. The publishing of my first book was a major milestone in my ministry that year, like a first fruits. This year, I was more prolific in writing as I published two ebooks and one more book waiting to be released. My blog turned five in Oct this year which was a major milestone in my writing ministry. I was also more regular in posting new articles in my blog this year. God also blessed me with increase in traffic to my blog.

I thank God that this year is so much better compared to last year. Last year was filled with perilous events and things that weighed heavily on my heart. Indeed it was considered a miracle to have made it through 2014 unscathed. It had to be the mercy and protection of God, considering the record number of deaths that year. It was a year filled with bad things and a lot of fear. But I thank God He turned it around for us in the last month of the year and packed it with many good things, as a sign that 2015 would be a much better year. A year of fulfilment, due season, harvest, good things coming to the surface.

Indeed after being through the fire and the water, God brought me to a broad place this year. I had so much struggle and confusion in the year of transition, from ministry work to focus at home. I was mistaken by others and was tempted to be bitter. But thank God I saw all these as part of His bigger plan. Only then could I let this go. Well, this year I was refreshed and recharged by spending time with the Lord. My soul was restored and all my emotional hurts and heartaches healed by Him. I was no longer burnt out or shaken by the senseless things I saw in 2014. My faith was restored too, as the Lord slowly pulled me out of ministry work this year.

Not only that, the Lord gave so much joy to my heart with all the sweet surprises He prepared for me. It was like an extension of last Dec, when I felt so pampered and so loved by Him. This year I didn't do much in ministry. I spent lots of time on my own needs and my family. It was really very good. I didn't feel guilty or selfish because the Lord told me to go ahead and focus on myself and my family in this season. I have a long list of thanksgiving and here it goes...

Completions and milestones:
- handed over baton nicely to the new CG leader, smooth transition for CG and him
- completed my last ministry assignment then exited the ministry
- blog turned five years old

Surprises:
- bouquets of flowers on wedding anniversary and Mothers' Day
- Heng bought new handphone for me
- Joshua nominated for 'Creative Innovator' award in term 3
- Joshua receiving the Edusave Merit Award
- Bought another luxury bag
- Heng bought a Pandora bracelet as my Christmas present

Restoration:
- restoration of relationship with my mum
- reconciliation with family members
- restoration of foregone bonus benefits in my previous company had I stayed on
- restoration of finance portfolio to Heng
- restoration of my soul, healing for my heart is complete, joy now abides

Mega blessings:
- bonus shares and dividends from Heng's company
- God bringing to pass the divine appointment of a dear sister-in-Christ
- bought our dream car, BMW
- Joshua selected for Gifted Programme round 2

New things or fruits:
- published two ebooks, with one more waiting to be released
- more regular in blogging, more articles
- started attending mothers' fellowship group

Breakthroughs:
- prophetic word given about the now time of a long waited promise
- Joshua becoming more vocal and animated
- healing manifested much more speedily than in the past
- grew stronger in the Lord, more stable, less emotional yo-yo
- able to hear His voice more clearly and step out on His word
- overcame many giants like fear of not able to know His timing, fear of comparison, self-consciousness, bitterness etc
- much more revelations received this year and things started to make sense

Other blessings:
- wonderful Club Med and Royal Caribbean holidays
- nice staycations in hotels and first family camping trip
- blessed marriage and family
- healthy bodies to enjoy life
- able to be a blessing to others

THE GREAT UNLEASHING

As I was meditating on the recent messages, it really seemed to me that the tide has turned for all those who have been bruised and oppressed by the devil, those faithful ones who had been holding on to God's promises though it was very tough. These are believers who know and understand the work of God and have been patiently waiting for Him to act on their behalf. They know the enemy doesn't have the last say, God has won the war. This is really good news.

There will be a great unleashing of God's fury and wrath against the enemy and his fallen angels. Oh how fearful is God's wrath! If God's mercy for His people could be so great, I really cannot imagine His wrath for those who keep coming against His people. The forces and principalities against His people. It was like the children of Israel who suffered for 400 years under the Egyptian taskmasters. When they cried out to Him, He heard their cries and sent Moses to deliver them from this fiery furnace.

I was called to mind about how God hardened Pharaoh's heart, for I believe just one plague from God could cause the release of His people. After all nothing is impossible for God. But it seemed to me that those plagues were really unleashed to repay Pharaoh and Egypt for all the wrong they inflicted on the children of Israel. And yet what the nine plagues couldn't do, the last one about the blood did. That was the worst and deadliest blow on Pharaoh for it cost him the life of his dear son.

After the Passover supper, the Lord caused the Israelites to plunder the Egyptians and they came out with gold and silver. It was a repayment for their wages all these 400 years. God did not shortchange them. He turned them into instant millionaires overnight. It was really a picture of grace for they did nothing to deserve it. The parallel to me now is that God is going to unleash all His pent-up blessings to us starting next year. And oh how great those blessings are!

God may have allowed us to go through all those trials, attacks and disappointments for a season but the storm has a timeline. It has ceased as of now. God has allowed us to suffer damage for the last season but now He is saying 'enough is enough!' And there is an urgency to cross over and possess our promised land for the times are accelerating. He cannot allow any more delay to keep us from possessing our inheritance. He will do all that is needed should delay try to win the day. Himself will deal with our enemy and crush him completely.

It really seemed to me that the day of miracles, signs and wonders, instant healing, financial outpour, deliverance from demonic oppression, even resurrection of the dead  is coming very soon. I have been preempted of this day years ago. I have been waiting and looking out for it. God is faithful, for I have been discouraged of heart many times but He kept me all this while. The day which we see His greatest glory unleashed upon the earth is finally here! And it's time for His people to arise and shine!

THE GIFT WITH YOUR NAME ON IT

I just watched John Gray's sermon titled 'The Gift'. It was a reminder that in the midst of buying presents and giving, that Jesus is the reason for the season. When I wrote my previous post, I didn't know that John Gray was going to mention about this: Jesus is the reason for the season. His mum told him to always expect a miracle during Christmas. At the end of his sermon, he declared that this Christmas, the spirit of depression will be broken. That this Christmas, instead of the loss, we will feel the joy of Christmas. God will show His manifest love on us and create a sense of excitement and expectancy that will propel us into our destiny next year. He prayed for the gift with your name on it to be given to you during this Christmas, the miracle you have been waiting for.

I felt so touched when I heard this because it was my own prayer too. I pray for all those people with secret hurts and pains, feeling the loss of what could have been and those putting on a strong front during such festive seasons. Indeed things can never satisfy the void in our hearts. Only Jesus can. Only God's love can. And with Jesus in your heart, you can always have hope for the future. Hope that one day God will turn all these unfair situations around. Hope does not disappoint us for God has poured us His love into us through His Spirit.

When Joshua heard about the gift with your name written on it, he said he has received such a present this year. I was wondering what he was talking about then he said it was the Nutella bottle with his name printed on it. It was such a visual way of God's message. From the start of the year, I have been hearing promises of how the blessings with your name on it is coming to you this year...and I have seen some of these blessings come to pass. Yet I was encouraged to see this word in visual form.

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of Christmas, one can be easily caught up with the festivities. Busy shopping for presents, preparing for family gatherings, decorating our homes etc. I was mindful to keep my focus on the reason for the season, the greatest gift of all: Jesus Christ. He is the best Christmas present anyone can receive. Even though I thank God for He has blessed me with great joy this Christmas season, I remember there were past Christmases that weren't as joyous for me. I was going through tough times then. And I can tell you the worst time to be going through challenges had to be Christmas.

Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year where people all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus. Yet I am mindful that everywhere I go, there are people who are in need. They may be smiling on the outside, but on the inside, they're hurting. All around us, people are dealing with family issues, health problems, rejection, broken dreams and low self-esteem. And I read somewhere that said the highest cases of suicide occur during these festive seasons.

It can be very depressing to see others so happy when one is at his lowest point. In fact, there are some people who are estranged or separated from their families and couldn't celebrate Christmas with their loved ones. May God send them friends and angels to bring them joy and lift their spirits up. May they feel the manifest presence and love of God through Jesus Christ. May God bring them the miracle they needed so much.

I was reading Cindy Jacobs' prophetic word on 22 Dec. She declared that 2016 is the year the tide turns. She quoted from Isaiah 59:19, "When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Lord will raise up a standard." Many people have been discouraged, especially in the holiday season; people feel lonely, people feel overwhelmed. She is gonna give us some good news—this coming year, the tide will turn for you.

She wanted to encourage you, some of you right now are going through a challenging time, but she promised that God is working on your behalf. The enemy may be coming in trying to overwhelm you, trying to make you feel like you are flooded by problems and adversities. But don't pray complaining prayers; pray faith-filled prayers, saying that you trust the Lord, that He is going to cause you to triumph, He's going to cause you to overcome. The tide will turn.

Besides for some of us who are still waiting on God for that miracle, that desire, that dream to be fulfilled in our lives, be encouraged that the year is not over yet. Doug Addison's prophetic word on 20 Dec said: Expect a last-minute miracle and a good ending! God is still able to bring that promise to pass before the year ends. Nothing is impossible for God. Continue to be expectant and be hopeful because Jesus had already paid the price for our victory and breakthrough! 

Don't be afraid to cross over to the new year because you still have an unfulfilled promise for this year. You can have hope that the Lord will give you your heart's desire so that you can be confident to face the new year. Next year will be a much better year. Whatever has happened in the past, let it go and continue to press on to the future. God is doing a new thing in your life. Focusing on that will bring you joy and enable you to enjoy the festive season. 

THE STORM IS THE ANSWER

I was pondering upon this nugget of truth which I just heard in John Gray's sermon 'The Crossover'. He said that the storm is the answer not the test. I was quite intrigued by this notion and I believe there is more to it. I believe God is trying to teach me something through it. He was telling me that the storm I went through was necessary in order to cross over to the other side. As much as I dreaded it, I had to face my giants and go through it in order to receive my miracle waiting on the other side.

The storm was not designed to destroy me. It was to remove all the chaff and impurities from my character, as well as strengthening my foundation in Christ. I would come out of the storm a much better and more resilient person. How true! I noticed during the cruise that I have somewhat changed. I am no longer as conscious about other family profile as I did before. It just didn't bother me anymore. We all have our own races to run.

It felt so much more liberating when I wasn't so conscious of myself and I was better able to enjoy more. Indeed when the Son sets you free, you are free indeed. Oh how precious is that freedom! Now I am finally free to run my own race and focus on my own life, without looking at how others are doing. It felt like I was a horse with my blinders on, so that I could only look straight. Now I could focus better on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith and other things didn't matter as much. I was setting my face like flint on the finish line, for the joy set before me.

No wonder the eagles loved flying in a storm. It came to my attention a few times recently that whenever I saw an eagle flying, it was around a storm. There were dark clouds above but the eagle was circling that area. It didn't seem to bother the eagle that the storm was coming. In fact, I think they loved it. Perhaps there was something about the storm that attracted them. Maybe it was the draft, the wind power. They knew they could fly much higher in a storm than they could on a normal day. To other birds, they might be thinking that the eagles are crazy. But the eagle knew exactly what it was made of. They wouldn't be struck down in the stormy weather; on the contrary they will soar higher.

I often wondered why God has allowed these giants to surface in my life for the last few months. I totally hated it and I was confused for I thought I already faced them last July when I crossed over my Jordan river. Weren't I supposed to be possessing my promised land now? Why was I facing the same giants again? It kind of discouraged me, thinking that I might not have overcome those giants last year so they came again this year. I thought the recent storm was another test for me, but I had already been through so many tests. Which one is the final one?

Then I realised from John Gray's sermon that the storm was not the test but the answer. I was puzzled. How could the storm be the answer? I didn't pray for a storm to come. I prayed for my dream to be answered. I prayed for God to let me cross over to the other side for I had been in transition for a long time. And just when I thought every giant in my life had been dealt with in this July, the last I expected was that I had to face my fiercest giants in Nov. I totally wasn't prepared.

On hindsight I think God had somewhat preempted me in July when He showed me those verses on valley of shadow of death. I was so scared when I saw those verses, wondering if something bad was going to happen to me. But it wasn't that. God was allowing those fears to resurface again so that I could overcome them this time. Like Heng said, He was allowing the marauding armies of Egypt to come into the Red Sea so that He could totally destroy them. Then just as I crossed over to the other side, He would close up the Red Sea and all my enemies of the last season would die.

No wonder God was telling me that He made manifest the works of the enemy so that they could be destroyed in my life. John Gray said the opposition shows the enemy's position. Then I thought about the drama series 'The Last Ship' again. The Russian enemy was careful not to let the Americans discover their position. They had to keep themselves hidden from the radar. The reason was that they would be targeted and destroyed by a missile if the Americans found out their location. Secondly, it would be easier to sneak an attack on the Americans if they were in the dark.

It then occurred to me that this was a battle strategy used by God to force the enemy to show hands. If God hadn't allowed those giants to come, the storm to come, then I would probably be still in the dark about the enemy's ploys. I would always be attacked without knowing and suffer damage. But once the enemy showed his last card, there was absolutely no other way he can sneak up an attack on me for I would have recognised his ploys. When the light of Christ shone onto those dark areas of my life, the strongholds cannot stand.

CROSS OVER

I just managed to watch John Gray's sermon on 'The Crossover'. He preached it on 9 Dec but I only got to watch it on Friday. Again it was a confirmation to what God was telling me. The sermon was preached on the day when I was crying out to God about why there was still no change in my situation. Doug Addison's prophetic word on 8 Dec also talked about getting ready to cross over to a new season. Then a sister forwarded me an email that talked about how real change was coming soon for you like it came for the Israelites when they crossed their river of change.

I was so encouraged to hear John Gray say that God is still not finished with us for the year yet. He still has three weeks left to complete what He started this year. Do you believe He can do it? God has promised us some things and we are beginning to see those things manifest but God is not finished with the year. He is setting us up for 2016. This is the crossover. Your crossover is right now. The next few weeks are critical because it is harvest season and the time for the fruition of seeds. In the next few weeks, you will see supernatural breakthroughs and miracles.

Keep your eye on Jesus in the midst of the storm for our miracle awaits us on the other side. Jesus said 'Let us cross over to the other side.' After He gave the word, the storm arose. The opposition shows the enemy's position. The reason God allowed certain things to happen because there are some holes to be filled in your life. He has to address these weaknesses so that you will be able to occupy the position you are created for after the cross over. You cannot cross over without a storm proportionate to your destiny.

The storm cannot last, it has a time limit, just like every season will come to an end. Things are about to shift for you cannot endure a storm for the entirety of your life. The storm always comes when you least expect it. It comes to shape you, for what you are going through are for the people around you. After the storm, your miracle comes and you will have a testimony the devil cannot steal. The wind storm comes to remove all that is not needed. The storm is about perseverance and position, to solidify your foundation. It removes surface things and develops character. The storm is the answer, not the test.

I was puzzled when he said the storm is not the test, it is the answer. Just like how the three Hebrew guys had to go through the fiery furnace for their ropes to be burnt away. Yet they came out without the smell of smoke on their bodies. Now I gained a better understanding of what happened in the past few months. The Lord was dealing with those weaknesses in my life through the storm. He was not testing me but giving me the answer to my prayer through the storm. He was showing me and the enemy how I have become stronger and obtained victory over the storm. It was something I had to go through somehow in order to cross over to the other side. I was about to cross over to a new day of my destiny, hence the strong opposition. And this cross over wasn't just about my desire but it has to do with my calling.

God was turning something good out of the storm and it is about my liberation, the burning away of my bondages. I was reminded of the drama series called 'The Last Ship'. The last episode I watched was about the captain being captured by the enemy ship. It was a bad thing but still better than him dying in the open sea. His crew came to save him and things turned around for them. They not only bombed parts of the enemy ship, dealt damage to the enemy, but they managed to save the captured wife and daughter of a scientist. It wasn't such a bad thing after all. In fact it was a very good thing. How else could they go on to the enemy's ship to rescue the captives if the captain wasn't taken hostage in the first place?

And how true it was when he said the storm always come when you least expect it. I started crossing over the Jordan last July and has been in battle ever since. I thought the battles were coming to an end in Nov but actually they intensified last month. It came at a time when I was most weary like those four men carrying the paralytic man to the home where Jesus was. They were already tired from the walking and didn't expect the greatest challenge to be lowering the man from the roof. But thank God the breakthrough and miracle came shortly after that.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE

Praise the Lord for our family is going on a 6D5N cruise tomorrow! We went on the same cruise last Nov...so you can imagine it was so enjoyable that we had to go back again. This time round, we will be disembarking at two ports of call: Penang and Phuket. We have booked the land tours to visit these places. The last time we disembarked at Langkawi but we didn't book the land tour so it was quite a challenge to find the right cab driver. But really thank God for leading us to a good one!

Royal Caribbean is slightly more expensive than other cruises but we find it value for money. We loved the fact that the food is really good on board the ship, especially the fine dining. And you can also order room service for free! If you are too lazy to go out for breakfast, you can order in and enjoy your food in the luxury of your cabin. Not to mention the fabulous sea view of the balcony class cabins.

There are also many activities on board like ice skating, arcade, rock climbing, Swimming, Basketball, mini golf, gym etc. Not forgetting the nightly entertainment shows which are performed by professional artistes. It will be a good time of family bonding and also a time of relaxation because there will not be Internet access. Hence practically no communication with the outside world once in high seas.

On one of the nights, which they call it the Captain's Night, guests are encouraged to dress up formally for the dinner at the fine dining restaurant. Sounds like I am doing free publicity for the Royal Caribbean cruise! The only drawback is you will tend to overeat there so when you come back, you have to exercise to shed the extra pounds!

FEAR TURNS INTO LAUGHTER; DARKNESS INTO LIGHT

Chanukah began on 6 Dec sundown. It is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, from 6 Dec to 12 Dec. It is also known as the Festival of Lights and the Feast of Dedication. The Maccabees successfully rebelled against Antiochus IV Epiphanes. According to the Talmud, the Temple was purified and the wicks of the menorah miraculously burned for eight days, even though there was only enough sacred oil for one day's lighting. 

Maybe this is the reason why the month of Dec is full of wonders, signs and miracles. After all it is a good month when light broke out of the darkness. To me, it signified a turnaround, a change in the spiritual atmosphere. Things are getting brighter and better from now onwards. After this festival, the next one would be Purim on 24 Mar 2016, which is in the month of Adar. I researched about Adar and found this.

Adar is the twelfth month of the Jewish calendar. The word Adar is cognate to the Hebrew “strength”. Adar is the month of good fortune for the Jewish people. The sages say of Adar: “Its mazal [fortune] is strong.” Purim, the holiday of Adar, commemorates the “metamorphosis” of the Jews’ apparent bad fortune (as it appeared to Haman) to good. “When Adar enters we augment with joy.” The festival of Purim marks the high point in the joy of the entire year. The Jewish year begins with the joy of the redemption of Pesach and concludes with the joy of the redemption of Purim. “Joy breaks through all barriers.”

The joy of Adar is what makes the month of Adar the”pregnant” month of the year (i.e., seven of the nineteen years in the cycle of the Jewish calender are “leap years,” “pregnant” with an additional month of Adar). When there are two Adars, Purim is celebrated in the second Adar, in order to link the redemption of Purim to the redemption of passover. Thus, we see that the secret of Adar and Purim is “the end is wedged in the beginning.” There are two Adars next year because it is a Jewish leap year.

Laughter is the expression of unbounded joy, the joy which results from witnessing light issue from darkness–“the advantage of light from darkness”–as is the case with regard to the miracle of Purim. The epitome of laughter in the Torah is that of Sarah at the birth of Isaac whose name derives from the word for laughter: "God made me laugh, whoever hears shall laugh with me." Giving birth at the age of 90 (and Abraham at the age of 100), after being barren and physically unable to have children, is witnessing Divine light and miracle emerging from total darkness.

The word in Hebrew for “barren” is composed of the same letters (in the same order) as the word for “darkness.” Purim comes from the word meaning “be fruitful [and multiply]”. Of Isaac, the archetype personification of laughter in the Torah, it is said “the fear [source of awe, i.e. God] of Isaac.” This phrase can also be read as: “fear shall laugh”–the essence of fear shall metamorphize into the essence of laughter. In relation to Purim, the fear of (the decree of) Haman transforms into the exuberant laughter of the festival of Purim.

LOVE, JOY AND HOPE RELEASED NOW!

I was reading Doug Addison's latest post on 7 Dec and my spirit got all excited again. It is titled 'Love, Hope and Joy being released now!' Well, this is really good news and when I read the prophetic word, it was again a confirmation of what God has been telling me recently. Things like getting ready to cross over into a new time in which things will not go the way they did in the past. Doesn't this sound like what Aslan said to Lucy: Things will not happen the same way twice. I took it to mean that all these years I have seen thorn bushes come up instead of myrtle trees. But this year, instead of the thorn bushes, myrtle trees will come up. Fruitfulness and fulfilment will come to the surface instead of barrenness and disappointment.

Get ready to cross over into a new time in which things will not go the way they did in the past. December is going to be a time of surprises and the release of new gifts and revelation. It is going to look strange at times as we are in the midst of a major transition. Unexpected blessings and deeper insight and revelation are coming. This is a time to pull back and not get too busy. Take time to listen and write down what God is speaking right now. Expect to hear God’s voice and to have prophetic dreams between Christmas and the New Year.

Unexpected blessings and deeper insights are coming. The spiritual atmosphere is full of expectation right now. Things are pregnant and ready for the birth of something new. But there is a moment of silence just before the birth happens. You will need to pause from busyness to capture all that is happening as sometimes it might not be all that dramatic. We know that even creation is also groaning with birth pains for the sons of God to be manifested.

This moment of silence reminded me of the transition stage in the process of giving birth. It ends labor - the suffering stops finally. The only time to do nothing but wait - it seems like nothing is happening. You must not push - you must not try to do anything. Because right after this is the birth. The most pleasant part - things get better finally. It requires no effort - happens naturally. You do not need to do much of anything. It just happens...and when you are holding that baby in your arms, you will forget about all the pain you have gone through. It will be all worth it.

Quite often God will speak to us or release something and it takes time to germinate and form. It is similar to the way a baby comes nine months after conception. Nine months ago, in March 2015, spiritual invitations went out and the wounded warriors and hidden ones began to awaken. Look back to what started to happen last March but may not have fully taken shape yet in your life. 

The next nine months, between December 2015 and September 2016, will be a strategic time of birthing the destiny of many who are called to the next level. Like childbirth, it is often painful and messy and you will be stretched in your understanding of what is possible. It will be important for us all to keep in mind that as we cross into this new season we will need to “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” Isaiah 43:18.

THE FINAL PUSH

I was feeling a little discouraged over the weekend, wondering whether I have really reached the end of the journey. Will I ever reach the end of this waiting? I guess I was weary because another unexpected event came up like another wave of birth pang. Actually I would have been ok if not for all the increased resistance in Nov and looking out intensely for a prophetic word to come to pass. Those attacks left me wondering whatever was the resistance about? Why had the giants suddenly come up to block me from? Where was I crossing over to?

Well, there was really no point asking those questions for that would hold me back. God has specifically told me not to cry out to Him, but to go forward. Just move forward, press on, press through. I did not know how long more to go and I did not even want to think about going through another month of enduring again. I was too tired to face another month of resistance. But something tells me that Dec will be different from Nov. I will not have to go through all those attacks again. It will be a month of great joy, relaxation and ease.

Shortly after I asked that question, I saw an email titled 'The Final Push' by Lonnie Mackley. I was so touched reading it that I cried. It was like God directly answering me. I really didn't expect Him to reply me this soon. It was like open heavens. He didn't hide His face from me but spoke to me plainly. I was really so encouraged by this message and I felt I had the strength to move forward, perhaps just a little while more.

While in prayer I saw a vision of a woman in a hospital desperately struggling to give birth to a baby. She had been in labor for many long hours, and she looked so tired and weary with her hair soaked in sweat. With each contraction she would brace herself and push with all her might, but you could tell that she was starting to run out of strength and in immense pain as she cried out in great agony. Although she did not say it, I could hear in her heart that she felt that she could not go on any longer if this difficult ordeal did not end soon.

Then I saw Jesus appear at her side grasping her hand and looking deeply into her eyes. I could also see in the background that there were angels lined up in the room that had been praying. As the next birth pangs came Jesus urged her to look at Him alone and to hold on tight to get through the next wave, so she did and with His strength she finally gave birth to a beautiful baby. There was great joy in the room and the angels were all greatly rejoicing.

Many of you have been going through a very long period of spiritual pregnancy, and now you have entered the labor phase where you have been getting some severe warfare “contractions” that are even harder than you’ve been used to. Although you feel like you just cannot take another difficult episode, Jesus wants you to hang on right now and to keep seeking Him and interceding no matter what extreme attacks may come to try to distract and discourage you.

This is the time to stay very close to the Lord and to pray in the Spirit constantly as you get closer and closer to the final delivery of what God has been birthing in you all of your life. It has been Jesus Himself that has been leading you; and although you have felt so weary and alone lately, there are angels by your side that have been ministering to you and helping you. Soon you will give birth to the mighty outpouring of God’s Spirit that will save many thousands, so do not give up and hang on to Jesus during this final push.

Isaiah 66:9 Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?" says the LORD. "Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?" says your God. This was the exact verse I needed to hear right now. I felt like this labour was so prolonged and I already couldn't take another labour pain. I felt like if God didn't intervene to deliver this dream, then I really don't know if I could give birth.

I have journeyed so long that I don't know if I will ever reach the end. I don't want to be like this, I want to be full of faith and hope but I just couldn't find it anywhere. So God had to come and tell me again that He will not bring me to the moment of birth and not deliver. Truly I am at the point of delivery, no doubt about that. Hence very soon I will give birth with His strength. So I can rejoice now!

FEAR AND INTIMIDATION

Thank God I read this article from Lana Vawser 'Standing in His peace in a New Day of Destiny' on 25 Nov and gained another perspective of why I faced those intense and frequent attacks in November. This was a highlight of what she shared.

In a vision I saw many of the people of God met with "suddenlies" but these suddenlies were GIANTS. As I looked at these giants I saw the word, "INTIMIDATION" written across their chest. These giants had suddenly risen before many of the people of God and they were bringing intimidation. I knew suddenly that these giants represented circumstances from waiting for the breakthrough, to unexpected curveballs, to demonic attacks, to accusations, to hopelessness.

The common denominator of these giants, whether the circumstances before the people of God were hard, discouraging and trying, or the breakthrough has begun and the change seems overwhelming – the purpose of these giants arising was to bring intimidation and to stop the people of God from moving forward.

The intimidation was screaming lies at the people of God about who God is and who they are. Their main assignment was to bring the people of God to a place where they would RETREAT. When SUDDENLY, I saw the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and He ROARED. As He roared, I saw the words fly out of His mouth "PEACE BRINGS DEFEAT."

I then saw whirlwinds of glorious love being released from the heart of the Father, and swirling in the midst of these whirlwinds was the Scripture, Song of Songs 2:13: "Arise, my love, my beautiful companion, and run with me to the higher place. For now is the time to arise and come away with me."

As the people of God positioned themselves under these whirlwinds of love they were taken UP to a higher place. I was taken into the whirlwind and I could see the atmosphere like liquid honey. Such richness. His words, as He spoke to them, were dripping like honey and healing was taking place in areas of the heart and soul that the people of God didn't even know were there. This higher place was higher and deeper all at once. It was a place of deeper intimacy and higher clarity.

In their "positioning" before Him, in the secret place, in the place of deeper intimacy, I saw them stepping into Philippians 4:6-7: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

The hearts of God's people were being intertwined with His heart in the area that the giant was screaming in, as they spoke with the Lord about all things concerning them. In the heart of the whirlwind was such a sacred, deep place of intimacy; a connection with the heart of the Father was being established in a DEEP way.

As they communed, the supernatural peace that is already theirs in Christ was becoming a TANGIBLE MANIFESTATION in their hearts and lives. Where in the "natural" their circumstances would usually lead them into tailspins of fear and intimidation, they were standing in CONFIDENCE and PEACE in Him. They had not only stepped "back into peace" but deeper into peace than ever before, because they had stepped DEEPER into His heart.

As the people of God were being lowered out of these whirlwinds, not only were they "coming out" stronger but they knew His peace like they had never known before. They stepped out and faced their giants, and as they opened their mouths they all spoke the same thing, "I KNOW who my God is. His name is FAITHFUL and the One who IS WITH ME AND GOES BEFORE ME." Suddenly, these giants fell backwards onto their backs and the people of God stepped onto the bodies of these giants and walked over them to get to the other side. There was a ROAR of applause from the heavens and then I saw the angels joining in with the great cloud of witnesses.

"Can you not discern, this new day of destiny breaking forth around you? The early signs of My purposes and plans are bursting forth and the budding vines of new life are now blooming everywhere. The fragrance of flowers whispers, 'There is change in the air.' The VERY GIANTS of intimidation that had risen out of nowhere were blocking something VERY KEY: "A NEW DAY OF DESTINY". On the other side of the giants you are facing is your new day of destiny.

Press in, go deeper, go lower, let your requests be made known to God and trust Him, for the TANGIBLE PEACE OF GOD that surpasses all understanding is about to make MORE SENSE to you than it EVER has. That peace of knowing who HE IS and who YOU ARE in Him, is about to see those giants slayed and you move into a new day of destiny. 

ABUNDANCE AND ACCELERATION

The Lord has been impressing me about two things: Abundance and acceleration. It just occurred to me that He could be revealing to me themes about next year. It is around this time in year end that He starts talking to me about next year. Abundance especially in the area of wealth. Get ready for a transfer of wealth, for abundant provision to be poured out into our lives.

I was reminded of verses that speak of abundance in the bible. Isaiah 60:5 says 'Then you shall see and become radiant, and your heart shall swell with joy; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.' Psalms 65:11 says 'You crown my year with goodness, my paths drip with abundance.'

I also read about this in Journals of the Heart. Lack shall not dominate your life in any area, from the small to the great. God is abundance and when you have Him, you have abundance. Therefore, you cannot lack if you have Him. How can you teach others about abundance if you do not know or understand it yourself? How can you show others about abundance when you have not experienced it? Contentment and abundance go together.

This is the year of His Restoration. Although the restoration work of God will continue next year, what happens after restoration is acceleration. A time of the outpouring of the Spirit as in Joel 2:28. The next season is a season of celebration and acceleration. Sometimes we got lost in the routines of life. God will interrupt your routine so as to bring destiny. He will do it suddenly. God has to start unlocking doors because it is still the year of Jubilee. God will send one word that will change your life. You won't see it coming at first but God has already set everything in motion.

Even though God has been speaking to me about abundance next year, all the circumstances around me seem to indicate otherwise. In fact, to the world, it could be a year of famine or drought. But because we are like trees planted by the rivers of water, we draw from the river of life in Christ, so we will not fear when heat comes or will we fail to produce fruit. On the contrary, God caused Isaac to sow in the land of famine and reap a hundredfold. The path of the righteous gets brighter and brighter indeed!

Then I read today in an article by Lana Vawser about 'A 2016 Word for Your Family'. God shared with her how He is doing a deep work in families right now and it is going to hit a point of acceleration and increase next year. Next year will be a year of greater restoration of family! One of the waves of revival to be poured out across the earth is going to be released in unprecedented ways through the testimony of the restoration of the family units. Joy will return to many homes again. Laughter and honor are being restored. The time for unprecedented miracles in families has arrived! Isn't it such good news? So get ready for abundance and acceleration!

http://www.elijahlist.com/words/display_word.html?ID=15389

SEEING GOD'S HEART

Pastor Prince's devotional today talks about how God numbers the very hairs on your head. God knows you intimately. He knows every small problem you are worried about and every single burden you have. And when you approach Him for help, He has all the time for you as if no one else exists. That is how valuable you are to Him and how absorbed He is in you!

This made me think about God's heart for us. Sometimes when I was so disappointed and angry at God, I couldn't see His heart for me. I was so focused and fixated on seeing things happen the way I wanted that I failed to understand why God allowed these to happen. I was like a spoilt child who just wanted my way or I would be sulking the whole day.

But in recent years, even when I was very disappointed or disillusioned at times, I still couldn't help but see His heart, His mercies for me. I remembered there was once when I was so down and Heng brought me out for shopping just to get me out of the house. We were shopping at Takashimaya and God led me to a very good deal. It was this rice dispenser that I had been eyeing since Feb. The one I saw cost $99.90 then but this one I saw was only at $20! Of course I bought it! We also bought other kitchen stuff and my spirit was lifted up with all these good buys.

Another time was when I was feeling so bored with my mundane life, not seeing anything new happening. I told God I was sick and tired of seeing the same old things and I badly needed a change. After I cried out to Him, He quickly moved things and then I received notice of the Mothers' Fellowship meeting in mid Oct. I really appreciated that He heard my cries and answered me so quickly. I have learnt to see how God loves me by moving on my behalf, causing the haps to happen and making me happy.

I really don't think God loves to disappoint us. He wants to see us happy. Like an earthly father, He loves to give us good things. But at times He has to allow things to happen that could disappoint us in the process of growing us spiritually. In times like those, He even allowed Himself to be mistaken as a hard and callous God who didn't care. The truth is He does care so much. I remember reading in Cindy Jaocbs' word from the Lord about this. 

God would say: there are things delayed in your life but I say no more delay. There are things that are long term harassments. Things that you have said: 'Lord, if You would do just this one thing, I would feel so loved.' Well, I am able to do that one thing, so do not let fear rise up in you. Don't let anxiety rule your life. For I have heard your prayers. 

I heard your cry, I recorded it down. When you petition Me, I listen to you. I am always available to you. There are things in your life that have become very, very knotted, very tied to other things. So sometimes when you do not see me answer that one thing, I am in the process of untying other things that are in attachment to that one thing. But I am working, still working actively behind the scenes to bring that one thing to pass. 

When I read this word, I cried, I was so touched by His love. It never occurred to me that God is not able to show me everything He is doing in my life at once. I may not be able to take it. It would be too much for me. But whatever He can show me, He definitely will, to encourage me. But He will never tell me how long I have to wait or how far is the journey because I will give up at the start if I know. Hence He has to reveal to me step by step, little by little. But once I crossed a milestone or made progress, He would have me look back and celebrate those milestones. He never failed to tell me how far I have come when I asked Him how long more I have to go. 

And in the meantime, whenever He can, He will release blessings along the way, be it big or small. It's just His way of encouraging me to press on, that I am on the right track. Those blessings never failed to bring joy and give strength to my weary soul. To know that He sees my pain and struggle, that He is doing something about it gives great comfort to my soul. I may not see the answer yet but at least I know He has not forgotten about it. He remembers and He is still working on it, to bring it to pass. I know there will come a day and I will look around and say 'I can't believe it happened. I can't believe it turned around.' Even bad things He will turn around for our good because this is who He is. A God whose heart is fullness of goodness. 

WONDERFUL DECEMBER

Thank God for today is the 1st day of December! It has been an intense and eventful November for me so I am really grateful that we have stepped into December. Somehow the mood all round becomes lighter as we approach the end of the year, with the anticipation of Christmas. There is a festive joy in the air with beautiful Christmas trees, Christmas decorations and lightings. Not forgetting the Christmas parties and celebrations. I was just reading the prophetic word given by Johnny Enlow for the month of December, which he called it a wonders-filled month. I just like to share with you all so that you will be blessed by this encouraging word.

In my Four Winds of W word for 2015, I spoke of 4 winds of the Spirit coming in 2015. They were Worship, Wisdom, Wealth and Wonder. The Winds of Wonder were specifically about the Lord turning around impossible and improbable situations, especially relational ones. The first two winds of Worship and Wisdom were a big focus to pay attention to in the first two thirds of the year, and now the winds of Wealth and Wonder are huge. These words all have a lot of overlap as they should. They are called "winds" because they come from the Holy Spirit Himself.

Worship is that which allows us into the elevated stronghold of God Himself where we can see things from His vantage point and our seeing is healed. Our spirits become calmed and experience joy even before our answers come in. From this place we access the Wisdom for moving forward and Wisdom for building. Once we have His blueprints for moving forward we anticipate the winds of Wealth coming in to provide for that which He has given vision for. Practically, provision is pro vision – that which comes in for the vision to be advanced. Many will find sudden and unexpected manifestations of this. So many of these "wonders" will begin in the very months many have been projecting doom and disaster. 

This all leads to the 4th wind, which is where He does exceedingly, abundantly above what we ask or think. This is what we will begin to experience more and more in December. Our spirits will get it that the lion, the bear and Goliath have been dealt with and we will feel the roar arise that we want to give into. Many will have already connected to that roar earlier, but by December as you are yielding to the Holy Spirit and connecting to His narrative, you should feel the same roar swell in you that the children of Israel did as David held up the head of the intimidating loud mouth called Goliath.

This will be an exuberant and jubilant roar of victory. This is a roar that connects you to the mighty man, superhero and "greater is He that is in you" that is inside of you. You will no longer be pushed around by fears and threats of devastation and collapse, but you will now join in chasing out the Philistines of general "fear of the unknown". You will become so secured in the presentness and bigness of your God, that you will now go forward as bold as a lion and plunder the fleeing Philistines. 

God is going to do exceedingly, abundantly above what we can ask or think because it is His Show Time. He is not going to be efficient in what He does; He is going to be magnificent. He is going to be over-the-top; He is going to be awe inspiring. As we see this the roars will keep coming from us. Roars come from a deep place where there is so much faith and hope that it can't be contained. It is a vengeance against fear that stirs from the deepest place. Praise the Lord! 

As you do this it will begin to affect all kinds of things around you. As you yourself cease to be a mini-voice of gloom and despair, it will create a spiritual whirlwind around you that is going to attract the wonder working power of God. I see so many testimonies and miracles happening in December including many improbable relational restorations. As the stronghold of fear gets pummeled, you are able to now step into the Jubilee joys that this year was supposed to bring in. 

SYNCHONIZED CHILDBEARING PATTERNS OF LIONESS

I read in 'Lioness Arising' by Lisa Bevere some time ago about how lioness tended to give birth to their cubs around the same time. This was strategic because as a pack, the cubs would have a greater chance of survival than if there were fewer of them. Somehow they would form a support system for themselves in future. This is an excerpt of what she wrote.

Lioness are fiercely protective of all their pride's young. A lioness will not endanger another lioness' cub any more than her own. Lioness don't merely hunt together, they mother together. Likewise, we should be concerned about other believers' children, other than our own. In lioness, this drive to protect is so strong that they have the cubs' protection even before conception. They have the abilities to synchronise their reproductive cycle. This allows them to conceive and give birth together.

Lioness realise that cubs of the similar age have a greater chance of survival due to equal access to food and training. There is great advantage in growing up alongside brothers and sisters of similar experience and size. There are similar rhythms in the patterns of sparring, feeding, resting and playing that ultimately translate to complementary skill levels, which helps the survival of not only the cubs but also the future pride. Lioness train their young by modelling what is correct. If skills sets are not transferred, the survival of cubs is endangered and the legacy compromised.

After I read this, my perspective changed. For a long while I have been focusing on nurturing my own child. There's nothing wrong with that but my approach must change. With a promotion in spiritual maturity, my influence has gone up another level and so must my perspective. Like the lioness, the Lord is changing my mind to think strategic about bringing up the next generation. Lioness don't merely hunt together, they mother together. Likewise, I should be concerned about other believers' children, other than my own.

Maybe God was waiting for me to catch His enlarged vision about motherhood before He releases me into my new season of ministering to mothers. Now I understand why He has led me to the mothers' group. Why only now. In the past I was too conscious of self and too competitive. I didn't like to connect with other mothers because I have a tendency to compare my child with theirs and I would feel lousy if my son lost out. Or I would compare how many kids they have and focus on my lack. That's how the enemy kept me away from interacting with mothers all these years.

Now I see things differently. We are not here to compete with one another. We are here to help one another 'mother' better. The wellbeing of their kids will eventually affect my own children. It's a win win situation as we learn to do this as a pride, instead of struggling individually. It's no longer about self but the preservation and legacy of the godly heritage. Not just my own heritage but other godly heritage as well. When I help other mothers, other kids, I am helping myself and my own children in turn. God will not be a debtor to one who does good to His sheep. He will cause other people to do good to my children, which is the best thing a mother can hope for.

MINISTRY OF MOTHERHOOD

I was just challenged with this notion today. What makes me think that staying home to bring my children up in the Lord is not a ministry? People tend to think of ministry as working full time in church or in mission field or planting churches etc. But who is the one to define which is ministry work and which is not? Yes, when you are in full time ministry, the fruits you harvest are clearly for the kingdom of God. But what makes you think that bringing up your children is not an assignment from God? Bringing up champions is part of preparing the army for the kingdom of God too! Though it might seem less noble or even glamorous compared to full time.

Some people don't see the association, they feel that staying home for your kids is more for your own family needs, not quite part of kingdom purposes. In that way, it might sound selfish that I should give up serving the Lord in church for a season just to focus on my kids, my family. Quite the contrary though. In fact, it was the Lord who corrected this erroneous thinking of mine. Nope, He said, it isn't selfish of you to stay home for your kids. It is a part of His purpose for the next season.

He pointed out so many examples from the bible: people who loved the Lord and served the Lord wholeheartedly without passing on the legacy to the next generation. As a result, the future generation grew up not being close to the Lord. How sad! I cannot imagine my children growing up not knowing God as intimately as I did. In fact, I would expect them to surpass me in this intimacy with Him and do greater exploits! Hence if God doesn't judge me, then who can pass judgement on me? Not those people who couldn't understand my calling or purpose or anointing!

Recently I was impressed upon the term archery. It was first mentioned by a sister about the men of Benjamin being good in bow and arrow. Then she also talked about Lydians being good archers, who handle and bend the bow. And the tribe of Benjamin was associated with devouring his enemies and plundering the spoils, as Benjamin was like a ravenous wolf (Genesis 49:27). I am reminded of Matthew 11:12, about how the kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the forceful lay hold of it. Those who are called to the battlefield are not the faint-hearted but those who are bold and courageous, even violent. They will not flinch or bat an eye and wouldn't stop until they got what they wanted, until victory is theirs.

This is very sobering for me because by nature I am more gentle and certainly far from violent. But through the years I have learnt that I cannot be soft with the enemy. I cannot go soft with sickness and disease and allow them to take root. I cannot be 'compassionate' with the principalities or the powers of darkness for Satan has never been soft with us or relented in his schemes. He doesn't even care and his goal is to destroy us. So spare them no mercy! I believe God is raising up a whole new generation who are good spiritual archers. They will hit the mark every time and every word they said will come to pass. They will also be bold and courageous and violent when it comes to taking grounds for the kingdom sake. What a privilege to be partnering the Lord in bringing up this new generation!

POWER OF PRAISE AND JOY

For the past few weeks, I have experienced what the prophetic words said about November. About how God is dealing with the taproot of fear and how the enemy tries so hard to steal our peace and joy. God has been rearranging my confusion, for I have not been able to see the joy in the midst of the chaos around me. This has been a time that He draws out the joy that is in me. He has placed me in that chaos that is around me to produce joy. If I will release the joy that He has developed within me, the chaos will subside and I will see the order around me.

Since the start of this month, there has been so many distractions, more than I have ever encountered in any month. So many times I have felt so vulnerable like a woman about to give birth. God kept telling me to press through the birth pains. It was a time that my faith was really tested, where the rubber meets the road. It was easy to have faith when you just had a visitation from God or received a powerful revelation from the Lord. But when you are in the midst of a chaotic situation or when you feel like the heat has been turned on, it's really tough to rejoice, praise and worship the Lord.

Like Pastor Lian said during her Sunday sermon, praise is the last thing you feel like doing. Yet praise and rejoicing is so crucial to see your situation change. During those times, I have to deliberately sing praises, worship and rejoice in the Lord. In the midst of the resistance, I had to continue to keep my eyes of the Lord. I sang songs of joy, I worshiped the Lord. I even danced around my living room, clapping my hands etc. I sang worship songs while bathing and I made a decision to rejoice in the Lord. Yet I know it wasn't me but His Spirit working in me.

That was absolutely the last thing I wanted to do, especially when the enemy threw fearful thoughts in my mind. Totally irrational and weird thoughts. But as I worshipped the Lord, I found joy arising in my heart and the spiritual atmosphere changing. Though things may not have changed in the natural, I sensed that God has given me the victory so I can celebrate in advance. The atmosphere turned from fearful to victorious. The turnaround was really very sudden and very fast. It was nothing short of a miracle. I felt that God was working behind the scenes on my behalf and sending angels to help me too.

The Lord came to give us life more abundantly but the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy. One of the tactics the enemy uses is roaring like a lion. Notice he is not the true lion but an imposter. Only our Lord Jesus is the true Lion of Judah. The devil roars so as to strike fear into our hearts. This roar is essentially a deception. The lion uses it to delay his victim's reactions, compromising the prey's ability to escape the attack. When the devil roars, God tells us to humble ourselves before Him, to seek refuge under His wings. From the place of protection, we can resist the devil and he will be forced to leave.

Jesus has already purchased and covered us with His precious blood. He has also given us the authority to speak in His name and use His word as the sword in every situation. It is God's will for us to triumph over the attacks of the enemy and live a victorious life. In fact, the enemy is already a defeated foe for Jesus has won the war. Therefore we can rest in the finished work of the cross by faith, receiving all the blessings that Jesus has bought for us.

The enemy is a defeated foe and his fate is sealed. But between now and the date of his final demise, he will continue to try to undermine your life. He is the 'accuser of our brethren'. He accuses you by pointing to your failures, weakness and lack. He also stirs up fear in your heart by telling you that your efforts will amount to nothing. I find that his most used taunt is telling you that things will never change. You are stuck there forever. The captivity is going to last forever and you will be in depression. You will never get out of the pit. Things are not going to turn for the better. You will never get to your destination or cross over to the other side.

Reject these thoughts! Take them captive and tell the accuser 'You are a liar and the father of all lies.' Choose to focus on Jesus and the finished work. Set your face like flint on the joy set before you and press on to cross the finish line. And thank God that we will overcome, we will triumph for Christ has given us the victory. Thank God that His word is active and alive and working for us this moment. Thank God for the new season is coming. Thank God that when the enemy comes in like a flood, God will raise up a standard. This season we have been in is going to turn. It's a turnaround moment. It's a suddenly moment. It will happen suddenly and then we will see God's blessings manifest and what He has been doing behind the scenes. Again we will break out in thanksgivings and praise!

CAPTIVITY IS OVER!

Recently I was impressed upon this notion that my captivity is over. Then I happened to receive an email which confirmed this. We visited the National Museum on 9 Nov and I saw that the Japanese occupation ended on 15 Aug 1945! It has been 70 years since! 70 is a significant number in the bible. The Jewish people were in captivity in Babylon for 70 years, after which they returned to Israel to rebuild the temple. I am set free from waiting and this dream is going to be be delivered soon! Praise rhe Lord!

In early June, Pastor Prince preached about Daniel praying for God to bring the Israelites back from captivity after 70 years though he knew this prophecy was coming to pass as spoken by Jeremiah. Jeremiah 25:12 says 'But when the seventy years are fulfilled, I will punish the king of Babylon and his nation, the land of the Babylonians, for their guilt, declares the LORD, and will make it desolate forever.' Pastor said God wants us to pray for our soul's prosperity in all areas even though we are already prospering in most areas.

I was also reminded about Jeremiah 29:11. This verse came after God prophesied about the 70 years of captivity in Babylon and how He will bring them back after 70 years were over. I didn't know then that God was already preempting me about the end of my captivity with this verse since last July. God wants me to pray for the manifestation to come forth now. He wants me to speak forth what was already done. This promise is already given in the spirit realm but I am not calling it forth in the physical realm.

Interestingly we just also celebrated my father-in-law's birthday on 13 Nov. It was his 70th birthday. He was born after World War II ended in 1945, after the Japanese occupation. Once again I was reminded of the fact that the war ended. I was also reminded that World War I ended on 11 Nov 1918. And this message about how the captivity was over for the Israelites also bore witness to my spirit that my captivity in waiting for this promise has also ended! Praise the Lord!

Today I read about Cindy Jacob's prophetic word given on 4 Nov. For the Lord says 'I am preparing an assault against the enemy that is going to release your captivity. For the enemy has come to take you captive, capture your emotions, your finances, to take away the things that I want for blessing and try to rob and steal from you.' But the Lord would say 'Get ready for a wave of blessings. For I am releasing blessing your way. I have prepared for you existing new events. I am doing a new thing, something that you would say: How could this turn out like this? How could it turn around so quickly?'

And the Lord would say 'When the enemy comes in like a flood, I will raise up a banner. I have angelic hosts that have gone forth as my standard bearer, that are now being sent forth on your behalf. My promises are yes and amen. My word is active. I am actively fighting on your behalf. I am working actively to answer your prayers. So know this, there will come a moment when your captivity will be reversed. It will happen suddenly, in a way that will delight you and you will see the ways of blessing coming behind it upon you.'

PRAISE OPENS THE DOOR TO HIS GRACE

Yesterday Pastor Lian preached about King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:15. This King faced serious trouble as a great multitude was coming against the nation and he was in great fear. But he didn't go to the Lord for help as the last resort. He sought the Lord and petitioned to His goodness and mercy. The Lord told him the battle belonged to the Lord but the victory belonged to him. God told the King to praise and worship the Lord. And when they did that, God caused their enemies to kill each other. All they needed to do was to stand still and see the deliverance of the Lord. They didn't even have to lift a finger to fight their enemies. Yet the outcome was an abundance of spoils that it took the Israelites three days to fully collect all of them. They named the place Valley of Berachah or blessings. 

Pastor Lian said it was so important to praise the Lord in times of danger or difficulties because praise and worship changes our spiritual atmosphere. When we praise the Lord, we turn our focus away from ourselves and our situations, and we look to the Lord. We look to His ability not ours and when we cry out to Him for help, He always answers. He is always well able to deliver us from any situation. And the result is always much better than what we have thought or imagined. Pastor Lian showed us the Hebrew word for yadah or praise. From this Hebrew word we can see that praise is the hand of God that opens the door to grace. 

In Feb 2014, I had a dream and when I woke up, the word Yadah was on my mind. I looked up the meaning of this Hebrew word and it said 'to worship with extended hand'. It also denotes songs of praise, lifting the voice in thanksgiving, confessing the Lord's greatness. Over the past year, I kept getting this prompt to praise Him, worship Him and thank Him in advance for the wonderful thing He has done for me. Praise is the birth position. This promise is about to be birthed. I realize that God is getting me ready to give birth to this promise. I have finally come to the fullness of time!

Recently I have been reminded again to praise the Lord, to look to the Lord for help in times of need and to worship Him. Because I was facing birth pangs, I felt vulnerable and more in need of His help. I came to this point many times. If God didn't intervene, if He didn't give me strength, if He didn't send help, there was nothing I could do too. I came to the end of myself many times and knew that other than God no one can deliver me from this situation. 

I told God I was stuck and hit a plateau. If He didn't shift me or promote me, then I might stagnate. Yet I knew it was a good place to be in because He has brought me too far to leave me in limbo. I knew it would be no benefit to Him if I got stuck at this level or if I regressed. Just then I saw a sister's email about my book display in a bookstore, telling me it has been shifted to the top shelf along the main aisle. And she saw that I have been promoted to another level of spiritual maturity! Praise the Lord!

NARNIA

Now that I am on the trail of movies, have you watched the movie series 'Narnia''? I simply loved this story by CS Lewis. I loved the depiction of Jesus as Aslan in Narnia. I loved the close connection between Lucy and Aslan. There was a part when Aslan told Lucy in the sequel to the first movie that things will not happen the same way twice. For years I have wondered why God told me that in waiting for this promise to come to pass, things will never happen the same way twice. I received this word on 16 Aug 2008. At that time I thought God was referring to just the promise of another child. But yesterday I saw the second part of it.

I started reading this book 'Lioness Arising' by Lisa Bevere some years ago but recently I was prompted to finish it. In one of the chapters, Lisa said that God doesn't change his directives just because humans disagree with Him. He also doesn't play the blame game. He waits and listens until we have moved from accusation to honesty. The posture of humility empowers us to arise and walk with Him into the wild. CS Lewis captured this profound truth so well in the following interaction with Lucy.

Lucy realised that she should have followed Aslan even if the rest didn't join her. Aslan gives her another chance to tell her siblings that she has seen him and it's time to follow. 'But they won't believe me!' said Lucy. 'It doesn't matter,' said Aslan. 'Oh dear, oh dear,' said Lucy. 'And I was so pleased to find you again...And I thought you'd come roaring in and frighten the enemies away, like last time. And now everything is going to be horrid.' 'It is hard for you, little one,' said Aslan. 'But things never happen the same way twice.' God sets us up for an adventure and we imagine it will be a 'horrid' failure. Lucy goes from hopeful to hiding.

Lucy buried her head in his mane to hide from his face. But there must have been magic in his mane. She could feel lion strength going into her. Quite suddenly she sat up. 'I'm sorry, Aslan,' she said. 'I am ready now.' 'Now you are a lioness,' said Aslan. 'And now all of Narnia will be renewed.' When Lisa read the declaration, she was overcome. 'Now you are a lioness...'

God wants us to make this declaration over each of His daughters as we sit up, stop crying and make ourselves ready. Then God can proclaim, 'Now you are courageous. Now you have My perspective. You realise your strengths. You are fit for battle.' Remember you are part of an army engaged in an all-out battle. I believe this was the second part withheld from me in 2008 until now. More than 7 years later, God revealed this part to me.

I was so touched when I saw this. I was waiting for God to come roaring in and frighten my enemies away. But God was waiting for me to sit up, wipe my tears away and arise. He was waiting for me to be ready. Then when I finally am, He comes saying to me 'Now you are a lioness. Now you are courageous, you have My perspective. You realise your strengths. Now you do the roaring to scare your enemies away.'

For so long I have been sedated, immobilised by fear, distracted by things going on around me and blinded to the hidden potential within me. That was what the enemy has been trying to do. He didn't want me to wake up to the potential God has put in me. But it's too late now. My eyes are finally opened. God has awakened a lioness in me. Now it's time for me to roar.

Lisa also said that the God-whispers of yesterday will be elevated to shouts of tomorrow. She is not sure if we even understand the possible magnitude of this but we are now leaning in and listening. There is a rustling in our spirit, a stirring within. We are often alone when we hear the whisper. But we are far from being the only ones who hear. God is willing to speak to all who are quiet enough to hear. It's just a matter of pausing long enough to hear the Holy Spirit with clarity and then capture His words in strength.

Seasons of being alone, quiet listening can be uncomfortable but it is a process we must go through if we are to find ourselves reconnected to God. For years, she felt as though she had been alone, speaking words in a confined space. She could see but couldn't get out until someone suddenly threw open the doors and invited her to a large, open space filled with light and laughter. In that moment, she realised that she was included and would join the ranks of others to work together to change the world. Being connected to others who had heard the same whispers was empowering, amazing and liberating.

I too felt the same as her. Those years of silence, when I yearned to belong, to be connected but could find no one who could hear God's whispers like I did. But I knew I shouldn't be the only one. There should be others out there. It's a matter of waiting for the Lord to bring the divine appointments. As I thought about how God brought one anointed sister to me, I realised that I was watched for and welcomed by all others who bear His whispers within. I was included not by my own merits but because I belonged to a company of men and women who are arising upon the earth. God wants a family of sons and daughters. And now it is time to break the silence and start roaring.

INTERSTELLAR PART III

I was touched by the connection between Cooper and his daughter. It was love that caused Murphy to understand what her dad was talking about, be it morse codes or binary codes. Though it didn't make sense to her as a girl, she wasn't afraid of that 'ghost'. She was just bewildered wondering what that 'ghost' was trying to tell her. She couldn't understand it then but one day, when she came of age, she would see the big picture. And she really did.

The other thing that touched me was Cooper's promise to Murphy before he left, that one day he would come back to her, though he didn't know when it would be. In fact, more than 70 years had elapsed because of the time dilation. Eventually Cooper was found by a ranger and he came back to Murphy. She was already a very old lady but she waited till her dad came back. All these decades, when others have given up hope, she didn't. She had faith that her dad would come back one day because he promised her. He didn't abandon.

This reminded me of my Daddy God's promise to me. That even though a long time has elapsed and others have given up hope, His promise still holds true. He didn't not forget me, nor His promise to me. He didn't not abandon me or leave me to my own. He was always there for me, whether I knew it or not. Just like Murphy said when she finally realised it was her dad trying to reach out to her all this while. Imagine her joy when she came to the moment of epiphany and cried out: 'It was him all this while. It was him.'

Sometimes we are like Murphy. We may not necessarily know it was our Abba Father who was trying to communicate with us. After some time later, as we looked back, then we realised it was God all the while. He was always there when we thought we were alone, trying to reach out to us in our distress. Imagine our joy and tears when we realised it! Love is the connection that transcends time and space. Bible says God has loved is with an everlasting love. How true!

To me, God is like the fifth dimensional being. He is not confined by time and space. He has access to infinite time and space but sometimes He couldn't communicate with people in the world. In fact, He built a 3 dimensional space within His 5 dimensional space so that we can better understand Him. Gravity in this context would be likened to the word of God, who is embodied in the person of Jesus Christ. Christ has to enter our world so that God can get through to us. God uses the bible to communicate His plans, His secrets and mysteries. It is like the morse code or binary code, hiding secret messages for us. The bible is like a portal that brings us to another dimension, the spiritual dimension where God dwells. It has withstood the tests of time and space. It has crossed dimensions in a way.

God is not limited by time or space but He knows we are confined to these. Hence He works within our timeline or space. It was interesting to note that time became a precious resource out on the planets where time dilation could be a serious threat. The astronauts didn't grow old but they couldn't risk the clock ticking as people on earth had a limited timespan and the earth was dying. Sometimes we feel like time is slipping away from us, and that is why bible teaches us to number our days, to live wisely. Time can stretch and bend but we cannot go back in time. Hence time is like a resource but once we entered into the 'fifth' dimension, the God dimension, something happens to our time. God can restore the years the locusts had eaten.

INTERSTELLAR PART II

Murphy, now an adult, has been assisting Dr. Brand with his research. On his deathbed, he admits to her that he solved the equation long before and deemed Plan A impossible, and that he lied to everyone, pinning his hopes on Plan B. Murphy notifies Amelia of her father's death, then accuses her and Cooper of abandoning Earth. She continues the research, believing Plan A might work if they could get more data regarding Gargantua's singularity.

With limited fuel, Cooper decides to go to Mann's planet, rather than Edmunds', as Mann has been transmitting. After being revived from cryosleep, Mann assures the crew that while the frozen planet has an ammonia-laden atmosphere, the planetary surface is fit for human survival. However, when they are alone, Mann attempts to kill Cooper, revealing that he falsified the data so he would be rescued. Mann then flees, intending to take the Endurance. Meanwhile, Romilly is killed by a booby trap Mann had set inside his own robot.

Amelia rescues Cooper, and they race to the Endurance, where Mann is attempting to dock. Mann defies Cooper's order not to open the airlock, which fails catastrophically. Mann is killed and the Endurance is severely damaged. Cooper manages to use the landing craft to stabilize the ship. Using Gargantua's gravity as a slingshot, they set the ship on course to Edmunds' planet; but being close to a black hole, 51 years would pass on Earth.

To shed weight, Cooper jettisons himself and TARS into the black hole, so that Amelia and CASE can complete the journey. Cooper and TARS plunge into the black hole, but emerge in a tesseract, which appears as a stream of bookshelves; with portals that look out into Murphy's bedroom at different times in her life. Cooper realizes that the tesseract and wormhole were created by fifth dimensional beings (human beings) from the future to enable him to communicate with Murphy through gravitational waves, and that he is her "ghost". They built a 3 dimensional space within their 5 dimensional space so that he can better understand it. These beings have access to infinite time and space but they couldn't communicate with people in the world.

The only scientific thing that can cross dimensions like time and space is gravity. You can exert a force across time and space, use gravity to send a message. Gravity can cross dimensions including time. But there is another thing. Love. It can transcend time and space. Time can stretch and bend but it cannot go backwards. But within this 5 dimensional space, Cooper was brought back in time when Murphy was still a little girl.

He relays quantum data that TARS collected from the black hole in Morse code by manipulating the second hand of a watch he gave to Murphy before he left. But it was a big risk because Cooper was only able to reach out to Murphy when she was a 10-year old girl. And she wouldn't know it was him from the future, from space. Even if she did, the significance of what he was communicating to her wouldn't be apparent to her until many years later.

However, Cooper knew that she would come back to get the watch, that one day she would finally understand that the 'ghost' was her father. His connection with Murphy was love and love transcends space and time. Murphy was so happy to know her dad didn't leave her to die on earth. That it was him, all this time, it was him trying to get to her. Murphy then uses the quantum data to solve the remaining gravitational equation regarding Plan A, and saved the world from impending doom as a result.

INTERSTELLAR PART I

I am a big fan of science fiction movies and dramas. I loved watching movies like 'Back to the Future' and 'Inception'. Not forgetting sci-fi dramas like 'Fringe' and 'Continuum'. I am intrigued by concepts like time and space travel, teleportation etc. I often wondered how life would be like out in space and marvel at how tiny humans are, compared to the vastness of the universe. Imagine that the Milky Way where our solar system is situated in is just one of the many galaxies God has made. There is no way for us to know how big the universe is but scientists tell us that the universe is still expanding. I loved the fact that outer space and the great unknown out there stretches my imagination like nothing else could.

One of the more outstanding sci-fi movies I have watched was 'Interstellar'. This movie left such an impression on me that I had to watch it again. But before I could fully understand what the movie was talking about, I had to acquaint myself with a few time-space concepts. Let me mention just a few. A wormhole is like a portal that allows one to travel from one place to another, cutting down travelling time tremendously. A wormhole, in theory, might be able to connect extremely far distances such as a billion light years or more, different universes, and different points in time. A wormhole is much like a tunnel with two ends, each at separate points in space time.

In contrast, a black hole happens when a star collapses on itself, sucking everything around it in promixity. There is nothing but darkness within the black hole, hence the term. There is huge gravitational pull around the black hole. That brings me to another concept of time dilation. Time dilation is a difference of elapsed time between two events as measured by observers either moving relative to each other or differently situated from a gravitational mass. Time dilation explains why two working clocks will report different times after different accelerations. For example, astronauts return from missions having aged slightly less than they would have been if they had remained on Earth.

This is a sypnosis of the movie, copied from Wikipedia for easy reference. Widespread catastrophic crop blight on Earth has made farming increasingly difficult and threatens the existence of humanity. Joe Cooper, a widowed former NASA pilot, runs a farm with his father-in-law Donald, son Tom, and daughter Murphy. Murphy believes her bedroom is haunted by a poltergeist. When the "ghost" creates a pattern of dust on the floor, Cooper realizes an unknown intelligence is using gravity to communicate, and interprets the pattern as geographic coordinates, which Cooper and Murphy follow to a secret NASA facility.

There, they meet Dr. Brand, a college professor of Cooper's. Brand reveals that a wormhole, apparently created by an alien intelligence, appeared near Saturn 48 years before and leads to a distant galaxy, 10 billion lightyears from Earth and the Milky Way, with numerous potentially habitable planets. Twelve volunteers have gone through it, knowing they were unlikely to be able to return, each to assess a different planet's suitability as a new home for humanity. Three – Miller, Edmunds and Mann – have sent encouraging data from planets near Gargantua, a supermassive black hole.

Brand recruits Cooper to pilot the spacecraft Endurance to evaluate as many of the planets as possible, while he works on "Plan A", a theory to harness gravity for propulsion, which would allow humanity to leave Earth. However, should his efforts fail, the Endurance also carries 5,000 frozen embryos as "Plan B", to provide for humanity's survival. Cooper agrees to the plan, angering Murphy.

Cooper's crew consists of three scientists – Romilly, Doyle, and Brand's daughter Amelia – and robots TARS and CASE. Traversing the wormhole, they first head to Miller's planet, an ocean world where time is severely dilated due to the proximity to Gargantua; for each hour there, seven years pass on Earth. While Romilly and TARS stay on the Endurance, the rest take a lander to the surface, where they find wreckage of Miller's lander but not its black box. Brand and Doyle venture out further, attempting to find more data. Cooper realizes that the land in front is not mountains but a single, giant, wave. The tidal wave strikes, killing Doyle and waterlogging the lander's engines. By the time Cooper, Amelia, and CASE return to Endurance, 23 years have elapsed back on Earth.

BIRTH PAINS DURING TRANSITION

I was just thinking about how I felt like a heavily pregnant woman waiting to deliver this long overdue dream. How restless, how uncomfortable, how vulnerable I have been feeling lately! How I wish I could just get this 'baby' out as soon as possible. I reached a stage where I was so exhausted. I had focused all my energies on this birth. I wasn't interested in anything else and I couldn't be involved in starting anything new unless this 'baby' is birthed. In other words, I was stuck. Everything seemed to predicate on the manifestation. It was that intense.

And I couldn't turn my attention to another thing to keep myself meaningfully occupied while waiting. It's different from earlier. There isn't any other assignments the Lord would give, for the moment. He is relentless on settling this issue for me. I sense His resolve. And He doesn't want me to be distracted from the birth. He wants me to set my face like flint, focusing on the joy before me. I felt like I was holding my breath waiting for this promise to manifest. And I have been doing this for a long while so I was running out of breath.

Then I happened to chance upon this article. The writer said: I believe 2015 is a year of new beginnings and that means birthings. Last fall, Ken Malone had a prophetic vision that shook him and the Lord impressed upon him that we are in a season of giving birth.

"I saw and heard the radical remnant of the Lord pregnant with the dreams and visions of the Lord. They were pregnant with the purposes of God in the earth. Many are pregnant with awakening revival for their nation, cities and families. Others are pregnant with a harvest of souls. Still others are pregnant with signs, wonders and miracles. Then there are those who are pregnant with His presence, intercession and gifts of the Holy Spirit,"

"The radical remnant I saw and am seeing is beyond full term. Something is keeping them from delivering God's purpose. The remnant is not able to deliver. Groaning and travail as with a woman in pain of childbirth is on the remnant. But no one can deliver. Suddenly, I began to see why we could not deliver. The accuser of the brethren was standing there making accusation against the remnant. Dreams and visions from the Lord are being held hostage in the womb of the sons and daughters of the Lord by this accuser."

The writer then heard the Lord say, "I am shutting the mouth of the destroyer, and I will establish a throne of righteousness and worship in the land." A release of joy came to her spirit as she heard the Lord release the vengeance of our God against the accuser of the brethren (Isaiah 61:2). The accuser is warring over your harvest. But it is your season to travail to prevail but Jesus has given us the victory. We must enter into the place of Isaiah 54:1-3: "Sing, O barren, You who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud". It is important to enter into a season of worship in this season.

She encouraged all of us to get ready for the birthing that will bring the new beginnings. 2015 is a year of new beginnings. That means some of you are going to birth some things. That means you may be a little uncomfortable in 2015. It means you will face some transition. It means you may enter into travail. Transitions are difficult. This is the place where people tend to grow weary and faint. The moments right before you give birth to that new thing—before you enter that new beginning—are the hardest of all. You will face the accuser of the brethren and engage in spiritual warfare at new levels. But you will win! It will be worth it!

What you are birthing may seem scary to you or overwhelming to you. We can take a lesson from Mary. It's time to face your fears—fear of the unknown, fear of failing, fear of rejection, fear of transition. When the angel came to Mary and told her she would birth the Son of God, she ultimately responded: "I am the servant of the Lord. May it be unto me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).

You know, I have come to the place where I have passed the point of feeling scared, overwhelmed by this birth. I am past caring what would happen after the manifestation, what kind of adjustments to my life etc. I have faced all my fears - fear of the unknown, fear of failing, fear of transition, even fear of childbirth. It was like when I was heavily pregnant with Joshua, I was way beyond the fear of giving birth.

In fact I was more afraid that I couldn't give birth when the time came. What an irrational fear but it was so real to me then. God gave me this verse to assure me. Isaiah 66:9 'Shall I bring to the time of birth and not cause delivery? Shall I who cause delivery shut up the womb?' The answer is no. He will surely cause me to deliver this baby. And I really did soon after. Praise the Lord!