Thursday, March 31, 2016
THANK GOD FOR E-BOOK SALES!
I want to thank God for today I just received a payment from lulu.com. It was for my two ebook sales. This is my first payment since I published the ebooks a year ago. Even though the amount isn't big, I still thank God because Zechariah 4:10 says do not despise the day of small beginnings. Things have been moving a little slowly for the past few months so I take this as an encouraging sign from God that He is moving things. I also want to thank you all who bought my ebooks. Thanks for supporting this ministry.
Monday, March 28, 2016
GOD HAS HEARD THE CRY OF YOUR HEART
This is the post by June Sheltrown Reinke on 25 March. It ministered to me very much because I have felt overwhelmed for the past two weeks and I have been crying out to the Lord for help.
I have heard the cry of your heart, seen and collected your tears and know the anguish your soul. I have heard your prayers and know your desperation. I will answer, on time. I will not delay. I will fight for you, for the battle is always Mine, because you belong to Me.
Did you think that you would be left out in the open to be vulnerable to the forces of darkness and assaults of the enemy? You are not to fend for yourself. I AM with you, as the unconquerable and the undefeatable, uncontestable ONE.
Can you see that in Me you cannot be overcome or overwhelmed? You cannot be overrun and you are always a victor in Me, says the LORD. I AM always on your side and the one called alongside to help you! I will not depart from you. I AM always with you! With Me, you can run through a troop and leap over a wall. I will empower you to conquer and overcome.
Wag your head at the enemy. Go ahead. For you are the uncontested one in ME. You are never a victim, but the victor. Go ahead and laugh at the enemy that is puffed up against you.
Poke fun at him before you strike with the sword of My SPIRIT. He is not able to fulfill his lies and threats and his diabolical weapons are not big enough to conquer Me that is with you and in you. They cannot reach you because I will shield you from every one of them!
The power of My weapons that I have given you are unsurpassed and you will not have to strike a second time to defeat the works of the enemy that I have come to destroy as I partner with you to do the same. As I Am in heaven, I have called you to be on earth, to enforce My Kingdom as you defeat the enemy and put out darkness with My marvelous light that is within you, says the LORD.
I have heard the cry of your heart, seen and collected your tears and know the anguish your soul. I have heard your prayers and know your desperation. I will answer, on time. I will not delay. I will fight for you, for the battle is always Mine, because you belong to Me.
Did you think that you would be left out in the open to be vulnerable to the forces of darkness and assaults of the enemy? You are not to fend for yourself. I AM with you, as the unconquerable and the undefeatable, uncontestable ONE.
Can you see that in Me you cannot be overcome or overwhelmed? You cannot be overrun and you are always a victor in Me, says the LORD. I AM always on your side and the one called alongside to help you! I will not depart from you. I AM always with you! With Me, you can run through a troop and leap over a wall. I will empower you to conquer and overcome.
Wag your head at the enemy. Go ahead. For you are the uncontested one in ME. You are never a victim, but the victor. Go ahead and laugh at the enemy that is puffed up against you.
Poke fun at him before you strike with the sword of My SPIRIT. He is not able to fulfill his lies and threats and his diabolical weapons are not big enough to conquer Me that is with you and in you. They cannot reach you because I will shield you from every one of them!
The power of My weapons that I have given you are unsurpassed and you will not have to strike a second time to defeat the works of the enemy that I have come to destroy as I partner with you to do the same. As I Am in heaven, I have called you to be on earth, to enforce My Kingdom as you defeat the enemy and put out darkness with My marvelous light that is within you, says the LORD.
Friday, March 18, 2016
THE MOMENT OF BREAKTHROUGH
I just read an article by Derek Prince Ministries on 12 Mar and it was talking about breakthrough. I was very encouraged by it and I hope it will speak to you too.
Do you need a breakthrough in your life? Are you facing a stubborn situation that simply won’t yield, no matter how much you push or pray? Have you reached the point of being tempted to give up and call it quits?
If your answer to these questions is an emphatic “Yes,” this letter may encourage you. Every person I have ever known has faced at least one circumstance in life that has caused that kind of frustration. Everything else may be going fairly well — but there is that one sticky issue that defies resolution, making you want to throw up your hands and say, “I’m done! I give up!” If you fit this description, and you are desperate for a breakthrough, please read on.
Working All Night Long
Two very different incidents from the life of Jesus illustrate His potential to bring a turnaround in seemingly hopeless situations. The first one was not too serious: Peter’s frustrating night without catching a fish. The other was a very desperate matter: the death of the daughter of Jairus.
The first incident took place just after Jesus had preached to the multitudes from Peter’s boat. Instead of going ashore, the Master suggested a fishing expedition to the brawny fisherman: “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4).
Peter (the professional fisherman) apprised Jesus (the carpenter/preacher) regarding the reality of the proposed fishing venture: “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net” (v. 5).
The Perfect Preparation
Truthfully, this skeptical fisherman was tired and discouraged. Essentially, his reply to the Lord was, “Okay, Jesus, but don’t get Your hopes up. This probably won’t work . I’m a professional — and I’ve done everything I know to do to get some results. Chances are slim.” Peter had no idea that his moment of breakthrough was just about to happen — a stunning miracle that would change his life forever.
“We have toiled all night.” Can you relate? Maybe the frustrating issue you have battled week after week has completely exhausted you. Even after applying every potential solution, you see no sign of improvement or resolution. You may not want to hear what I am about to tell you. But actually, the failure and frustration you are experiencing is the perfect setting for a breakthrough.
Think of it. What might have been Peter’s answer to Jesus had he been successful the night before? “No thanks, Jesus. There’s no need for us to go fishing — the boys and I had a great catch last night. Plenty of fish here in the bottom of the boat.” Instead, frustration and failure had become the Lord’s perfect backdrop for Peter’s moment of breakthrough. And the same may be true for you.
A Spark of Hope
The second incident that required a breakthrough was much more serious. In Luke 8, we read that Jairus, a leader in the synagogue, had humbled himself to approach Jesus. He was desperate. His only daughter was dying, and he needed a miracle — the ultimate breakthrough.
Apparently, Jesus had agreed to pray for the girl, and they were well on their way to Jairus’ home when their trip was suddenly interrupted. A woman with a serious physical malady reached out and touched Jesus — and everything came to a stop for her healing.
Right then, the servants arrived from Jairus’ house to break the news to him: “Your daughter has died; do not trouble the Teacher anymore” (v. 49, NASB). Grief-stricken at this news, Jairus would never have imagined that a turnaround was about to take place.
Nevertheless, a spark of hope must have flickered within Jairus when Jesus said to him: “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well” (v. 50). A moment of breakthrough was just around the corner.
Listening to His Voice
Like this story in Luke 8, the dilemma you face may seem too far gone — possibly even dead and irretrievable. You may be struggling against discouraging thoughts similar to what Jairus heard: “Don’t trouble the Master about it any longer. It’s over and done with —hopeless and too far gone. There’s nothing more to be done. It’s time to give up.”
But what if you were to ignore those voices? What if instead you listened to what Jesus is saying to you? “Do not be gripped with fear. Just believe in Me. I’ve got this. Watch Me step in and turn this thing around.”
It may be that, like Peter’s situation, it will require one more throw of the net; one more step of dogged obedience — just because the Lord says so. Or, as with Jairus, it may involve believing Jesus’ words beyond the stark reality you face — holding on to His spark of hope in the midst of your dark moment. It may require one more journey through the Valley of Achor [trouble] before you see the door of hope open up (see Hosea 2:15). But one truth is clear: with Jesus, there is always the possibility — even when all seems hopeless — of that moment of breakthrough.
The Door of Hope
In a teaching from the Hebrew Series for which he was so well known, Derek Prince touched upon this theme: the breakthrough to hope. In the latter part of his message, “Hebrews 8:7–9:5,” Derek cited our need to wait for the Lord to “show up,” commenting that “…when you realize it won’t work if God doesn’t turn up, He usually turns up.”
This statement followed an earlier insight Derek shared about the Hosea 2:15, with reference to the Valley of Achor. In chapter 2 [of Hosea], there comes the promise of a new and eternal covenant, found in verse 16. We need to note that in the two previous verses, verses 14 and 15, the Lord has indicated how He intends to deal with Israel to bring them back into a relationship with Himself. He says He will allure them and bring them into the wilderness. The word allure is a word that suggests the possibility of a very intimate relationship.
Then He says He will give them the valley of Achor for a door of hope. Achor is “trouble.” The phrase “a door of hope” in modern Hebrew is pethach tiqvah, which is the name of a major suburb of Tel Aviv. The Jewish people have seen their return to the land as the door of hope which God promised to open to them.
This is one of the ways God deals with people — not just Israel. He allures us; He entices us. Then we find ourselves in the valley of trouble and we say, “Lord, how did I get here and why have You brought me here?” Then the Lord says, “But I’ll open for you out of the valley of trouble a door of hope.” That’s a principle of God’s dealings. We ended up in the valley of trouble and said, “What’s happened?” Then it turns out the Lord had a secret door that we didn’t know about called the door of hope.
Holding On to God’s Promise
Are you desperate to see the Lord open up this secret door of hope for you? Clearly, Jesus is able to bring the breakthrough you and I need. That is not to imply that He owes it to us. But if we learn to bank on God's faithfulness and rest on His covenant keeping ability, then Jesus will show Himself strong on our behalf. Our part is just to trust Him and move ahead through the Valley of Achor to get to the door of hope.
Would you like to take this opportunity to tell the Lord you trust Him? To willingly place the hopeless, vexing situation you face in His hands for the breakthrough you need?
If that is your sincere desire, let’s talk to Him together:
To be honest, Lord, I feel like I could say with Peter: “I’ve toiled all night and caught nothing.” The struggle I face has not yielded to my best efforts to pray, to work and to trust. But I hear You saying, “Let down your nets for a catch.” Here is my response: “Because You say so, I’ll do it. At Your word, I’ll give it another shot.”
Lord Jesus, I place this stubborn situation in Your hands, and I proclaim my trust in You. I believe You can bring forth a miracle. I believe You can produce a moment of breakthrough. I choose to listen to Your voice rather than the nagging thoughts that drag me down. I hear You saying, “Don’t be afraid; believe in Me.” Lord, I will not be gripped by fear any longer. I believe in You and Your power to bring life and victory out of this present circumstance.
Even though it seems too far gone for any hope of repair by human standards, You can touch it with Your miraculous power and bring forth life. I give it to you now — trusting You for the breakthrough I need. Amen.
Do you need a breakthrough in your life? Are you facing a stubborn situation that simply won’t yield, no matter how much you push or pray? Have you reached the point of being tempted to give up and call it quits?
If your answer to these questions is an emphatic “Yes,” this letter may encourage you. Every person I have ever known has faced at least one circumstance in life that has caused that kind of frustration. Everything else may be going fairly well — but there is that one sticky issue that defies resolution, making you want to throw up your hands and say, “I’m done! I give up!” If you fit this description, and you are desperate for a breakthrough, please read on.
Working All Night Long
Two very different incidents from the life of Jesus illustrate His potential to bring a turnaround in seemingly hopeless situations. The first one was not too serious: Peter’s frustrating night without catching a fish. The other was a very desperate matter: the death of the daughter of Jairus.
The first incident took place just after Jesus had preached to the multitudes from Peter’s boat. Instead of going ashore, the Master suggested a fishing expedition to the brawny fisherman: “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4).
Peter (the professional fisherman) apprised Jesus (the carpenter/preacher) regarding the reality of the proposed fishing venture: “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net” (v. 5).
The Perfect Preparation
Truthfully, this skeptical fisherman was tired and discouraged. Essentially, his reply to the Lord was, “Okay, Jesus, but don’t get Your hopes up. This probably won’t work . I’m a professional — and I’ve done everything I know to do to get some results. Chances are slim.” Peter had no idea that his moment of breakthrough was just about to happen — a stunning miracle that would change his life forever.
“We have toiled all night.” Can you relate? Maybe the frustrating issue you have battled week after week has completely exhausted you. Even after applying every potential solution, you see no sign of improvement or resolution. You may not want to hear what I am about to tell you. But actually, the failure and frustration you are experiencing is the perfect setting for a breakthrough.
Think of it. What might have been Peter’s answer to Jesus had he been successful the night before? “No thanks, Jesus. There’s no need for us to go fishing — the boys and I had a great catch last night. Plenty of fish here in the bottom of the boat.” Instead, frustration and failure had become the Lord’s perfect backdrop for Peter’s moment of breakthrough. And the same may be true for you.
A Spark of Hope
The second incident that required a breakthrough was much more serious. In Luke 8, we read that Jairus, a leader in the synagogue, had humbled himself to approach Jesus. He was desperate. His only daughter was dying, and he needed a miracle — the ultimate breakthrough.
Apparently, Jesus had agreed to pray for the girl, and they were well on their way to Jairus’ home when their trip was suddenly interrupted. A woman with a serious physical malady reached out and touched Jesus — and everything came to a stop for her healing.
Right then, the servants arrived from Jairus’ house to break the news to him: “Your daughter has died; do not trouble the Teacher anymore” (v. 49, NASB). Grief-stricken at this news, Jairus would never have imagined that a turnaround was about to take place.
Nevertheless, a spark of hope must have flickered within Jairus when Jesus said to him: “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well” (v. 50). A moment of breakthrough was just around the corner.
Listening to His Voice
Like this story in Luke 8, the dilemma you face may seem too far gone — possibly even dead and irretrievable. You may be struggling against discouraging thoughts similar to what Jairus heard: “Don’t trouble the Master about it any longer. It’s over and done with —hopeless and too far gone. There’s nothing more to be done. It’s time to give up.”
But what if you were to ignore those voices? What if instead you listened to what Jesus is saying to you? “Do not be gripped with fear. Just believe in Me. I’ve got this. Watch Me step in and turn this thing around.”
It may be that, like Peter’s situation, it will require one more throw of the net; one more step of dogged obedience — just because the Lord says so. Or, as with Jairus, it may involve believing Jesus’ words beyond the stark reality you face — holding on to His spark of hope in the midst of your dark moment. It may require one more journey through the Valley of Achor [trouble] before you see the door of hope open up (see Hosea 2:15). But one truth is clear: with Jesus, there is always the possibility — even when all seems hopeless — of that moment of breakthrough.
The Door of Hope
In a teaching from the Hebrew Series for which he was so well known, Derek Prince touched upon this theme: the breakthrough to hope. In the latter part of his message, “Hebrews 8:7–9:5,” Derek cited our need to wait for the Lord to “show up,” commenting that “…when you realize it won’t work if God doesn’t turn up, He usually turns up.”
This statement followed an earlier insight Derek shared about the Hosea 2:15, with reference to the Valley of Achor. In chapter 2 [of Hosea], there comes the promise of a new and eternal covenant, found in verse 16. We need to note that in the two previous verses, verses 14 and 15, the Lord has indicated how He intends to deal with Israel to bring them back into a relationship with Himself. He says He will allure them and bring them into the wilderness. The word allure is a word that suggests the possibility of a very intimate relationship.
Then He says He will give them the valley of Achor for a door of hope. Achor is “trouble.” The phrase “a door of hope” in modern Hebrew is pethach tiqvah, which is the name of a major suburb of Tel Aviv. The Jewish people have seen their return to the land as the door of hope which God promised to open to them.
This is one of the ways God deals with people — not just Israel. He allures us; He entices us. Then we find ourselves in the valley of trouble and we say, “Lord, how did I get here and why have You brought me here?” Then the Lord says, “But I’ll open for you out of the valley of trouble a door of hope.” That’s a principle of God’s dealings. We ended up in the valley of trouble and said, “What’s happened?” Then it turns out the Lord had a secret door that we didn’t know about called the door of hope.
Holding On to God’s Promise
Are you desperate to see the Lord open up this secret door of hope for you? Clearly, Jesus is able to bring the breakthrough you and I need. That is not to imply that He owes it to us. But if we learn to bank on God's faithfulness and rest on His covenant keeping ability, then Jesus will show Himself strong on our behalf. Our part is just to trust Him and move ahead through the Valley of Achor to get to the door of hope.
Would you like to take this opportunity to tell the Lord you trust Him? To willingly place the hopeless, vexing situation you face in His hands for the breakthrough you need?
If that is your sincere desire, let’s talk to Him together:
To be honest, Lord, I feel like I could say with Peter: “I’ve toiled all night and caught nothing.” The struggle I face has not yielded to my best efforts to pray, to work and to trust. But I hear You saying, “Let down your nets for a catch.” Here is my response: “Because You say so, I’ll do it. At Your word, I’ll give it another shot.”
Lord Jesus, I place this stubborn situation in Your hands, and I proclaim my trust in You. I believe You can bring forth a miracle. I believe You can produce a moment of breakthrough. I choose to listen to Your voice rather than the nagging thoughts that drag me down. I hear You saying, “Don’t be afraid; believe in Me.” Lord, I will not be gripped by fear any longer. I believe in You and Your power to bring life and victory out of this present circumstance.
Even though it seems too far gone for any hope of repair by human standards, You can touch it with Your miraculous power and bring forth life. I give it to you now — trusting You for the breakthrough I need. Amen.
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
BABY IS CROWNING!
I read this post by Jo Ellen Stevens on 2 March and I was very excited when I read this part.
Time to Pray in the Spirit, the Baby is Crowning
I hear God say that, “This is a time when My people who know how to pray in the spirit must pray, because they can not possibly birth this baby on their own but it will come through allowing the Holy Spirit to birth this thing through you right now, because the baby is crowning!”
Many have felt like they were in the press to the point of death but God says,“If you will press through this and not look at the results in the natural that there will be a great birthing of a great nation again, only you must press past all that you are seeing and feeling in the natural realm and see from My perspective! It doesn’t always happen as men perceive.”
And then she quoted Isaiah 66:7-8.
Before she was in labor, she gave birth.
Before her pangs came upon her, she delivered a boy.
Whoever heard of such a thing?
Whoever saw such things as these?
Can a land come to birth in one day?
Can a nation be born all at once?
Yet as soon as birth pangs came,
Zion bore her children,”
I googled about what happens when the baby is crowning. Birth crowning, which is when your baby's head starts to emerge bit by bit during each contraction, occurs during the second stage of labour. (A contraction is when the uterine muscle tightens and relaxes to help your baby pass from the uterus into the birth canal.) As you push, your baby's head may appear, but after the contraction is over, it will withdraw from view once again. Once you can see the head and it doesn't slip back in, that's crowning. Once crowning occurs, your baby's arrival is imminent.
You may have been discouraged because you thought you are making progress but then the previous condition relapsed, making you think that you are back to square one. Just like the baby's head may slip back after the contraction is over, the whole point is each time you push, the baby's head goes further down the birth canal and that is progress. It is only a matter of time that the head doesn't slip back in, which is the birth crowning stage. I am here to encourage you to press on, for you might be just that one final push before your 'baby' head crowns!
Labor has multiple stages, the first of which is marked by the onset of contractions and ends with transition. The first stage is the shortest but often the most intense stage of labor. This is followed by active labor, when the cervix dilates more rapidly and contractions are longer, closer together and more intense. This second stage is often referred to as the "pushing" phase, and coincides with the full dilation of your cervix. This is also the stage of labor when birth crowning occurs.
During this second stage of labor, you will push to help your baby finish the descent through your pelvis and into your birth canal. Although every instinct will be urging you to keep pushing, it's best to follow your doctor's direction on exactly when and how to push. After birth crowning, the rest of your baby's head will emerge, followed by your baby's body. Now, you're almost done: All that's left is for you to deliver the placenta, which is the third and final stage of labor.
Time to Pray in the Spirit, the Baby is Crowning
I hear God say that, “This is a time when My people who know how to pray in the spirit must pray, because they can not possibly birth this baby on their own but it will come through allowing the Holy Spirit to birth this thing through you right now, because the baby is crowning!”
Many have felt like they were in the press to the point of death but God says,“If you will press through this and not look at the results in the natural that there will be a great birthing of a great nation again, only you must press past all that you are seeing and feeling in the natural realm and see from My perspective! It doesn’t always happen as men perceive.”
And then she quoted Isaiah 66:7-8.
Before she was in labor, she gave birth.
Before her pangs came upon her, she delivered a boy.
Whoever heard of such a thing?
Whoever saw such things as these?
Can a land come to birth in one day?
Can a nation be born all at once?
Yet as soon as birth pangs came,
Zion bore her children,”
I googled about what happens when the baby is crowning. Birth crowning, which is when your baby's head starts to emerge bit by bit during each contraction, occurs during the second stage of labour. (A contraction is when the uterine muscle tightens and relaxes to help your baby pass from the uterus into the birth canal.) As you push, your baby's head may appear, but after the contraction is over, it will withdraw from view once again. Once you can see the head and it doesn't slip back in, that's crowning. Once crowning occurs, your baby's arrival is imminent.
You may have been discouraged because you thought you are making progress but then the previous condition relapsed, making you think that you are back to square one. Just like the baby's head may slip back after the contraction is over, the whole point is each time you push, the baby's head goes further down the birth canal and that is progress. It is only a matter of time that the head doesn't slip back in, which is the birth crowning stage. I am here to encourage you to press on, for you might be just that one final push before your 'baby' head crowns!
Labor has multiple stages, the first of which is marked by the onset of contractions and ends with transition. The first stage is the shortest but often the most intense stage of labor. This is followed by active labor, when the cervix dilates more rapidly and contractions are longer, closer together and more intense. This second stage is often referred to as the "pushing" phase, and coincides with the full dilation of your cervix. This is also the stage of labor when birth crowning occurs.
During this second stage of labor, you will push to help your baby finish the descent through your pelvis and into your birth canal. Although every instinct will be urging you to keep pushing, it's best to follow your doctor's direction on exactly when and how to push. After birth crowning, the rest of your baby's head will emerge, followed by your baby's body. Now, you're almost done: All that's left is for you to deliver the placenta, which is the third and final stage of labor.
Friday, March 4, 2016
TIME TO ADVANCE!
Doug Addison just posted this on 25 Feb, titled 'March Forward: Get Ready to Advance!' When we entered into March, the expectation is heightened up because it seemed like we have entered into another time zone. The set time zone, the time for action zone. The spiritual atmosphere also seemed to have changed in this month. He said in his earlier post that March is a time of breakthrough. We have pressed past the times of pruning, alignment, increased resistance and attacks in January, February and we have finally made it into March! Praise the Lord! This is a highlight of his recent post.
This year, the month of March is going to be a turning point spiritually. On the last Yom Kippur, (September 23, 2015) I heard God say that 24 weeks from that day there would be a big shifting happen. You can read more about it in my 2016 Prophetic Forecast. We are currently in a time of pruning and preparation.
So often it is common for things to look the opposite from what we thought would happen. We should not expect or make room for this in our lives, instead we need to take authority and battle it. There is a fight of faith involved. But the battle belongs to the Lord. Over the past few weeks, several demons and attacks assigned to harass us were revealed. We continue to break these things as they are being exposed.
I have been asked, “How is it possible for the enemy to attack us when we are under the Blood of Jesus?” This is a great question. There are a few reasons. I sometimes get attacked even though I battle daily over myself and others. We are in a time that evil is increasing and we as Christians need to be advancing in the anointing to overcome these things. Most Christians are operating in older ways of doing spiritual warfare that worked 10 years ago, but they need to be updated to survive what is happening right now.
Yes, we have the Word of God, the word of our testimony, the Name and the Blood of Jesus. And they are all powerful to destroy the attacks of Satan. But if you are seeing a continual attack on your finances, chronic sickness or anything contrary to God’s Word, then you need a strategy from Heaven to overcome.
Recently as I was listening to the sermons, Pastor Prince was also talking about spiritual warfare. Pastor said to resist the devil and he will flee from us. How do we resist the devil? By standing in the faith that we are justified by Jesus' blood. The devil has no power over us. He is a defeated foe. That's why he is seeking those whom he can devour. Those with a guilty conscience or fear in their hearts. He cannot take us down, if not why would he be roaring like a lion? God has put a hedge around us and the devil cannot take our lives. He is not almighty and powerful. All he can do is to deceive us into giving up our authority and power, get us into condemnation and fear.
Pastor also said that the testing or trials or challenges is only for a season, a short while. There is one evil day compared to many good days. We are told to stand on the evil day. An evil day could be more than 24 hours. A time of testing for a week or a month but don't give up because victory already belongs to us. We don't even have to fight for God is fighting our battles. We just need to stand until the battle is over. The devil can only try to deceive you by putting symptoms on your body to make you think you are sick. But put on the whole armour of God and use the sword of the spirit against him. Pray in tongues, speak the word of God.
And thank God that the trial is only for a season because there is an end date. God will not allow the enemy to attack us indefinitely. There is a time limit to his attacks. Because he does not have the resources to sustain an attack. We don't have to fight him, all we have to do is to outlast him by standing in the faith. He will try to wear us down with those recurring symptoms but don't be fooled by him. Don't surrender to his attacks no matter how fierce the battlefield seems. You already have the victory in Christ and you know there is a time limit to his attempts. Sooner or later he will have to back off.
Yesterday when I saw Pastor Joel's devotional, I felt like God is showing us another strategy. In the Bible, when God’s people were going into battle, many times they sent the worshipers out in front of the warriors. When you choose to be thankful and bless the Lord in the midst of your battle, you are making a way for Him to move in your life. Start today by thanking Him for His goodness. Magnify your God; don't magnify your problems. Give Him thanks and make the way for victory!
This year, the month of March is going to be a turning point spiritually. On the last Yom Kippur, (September 23, 2015) I heard God say that 24 weeks from that day there would be a big shifting happen. You can read more about it in my 2016 Prophetic Forecast. We are currently in a time of pruning and preparation.
So often it is common for things to look the opposite from what we thought would happen. We should not expect or make room for this in our lives, instead we need to take authority and battle it. There is a fight of faith involved. But the battle belongs to the Lord. Over the past few weeks, several demons and attacks assigned to harass us were revealed. We continue to break these things as they are being exposed.
I have been asked, “How is it possible for the enemy to attack us when we are under the Blood of Jesus?” This is a great question. There are a few reasons. I sometimes get attacked even though I battle daily over myself and others. We are in a time that evil is increasing and we as Christians need to be advancing in the anointing to overcome these things. Most Christians are operating in older ways of doing spiritual warfare that worked 10 years ago, but they need to be updated to survive what is happening right now.
Yes, we have the Word of God, the word of our testimony, the Name and the Blood of Jesus. And they are all powerful to destroy the attacks of Satan. But if you are seeing a continual attack on your finances, chronic sickness or anything contrary to God’s Word, then you need a strategy from Heaven to overcome.
Recently as I was listening to the sermons, Pastor Prince was also talking about spiritual warfare. Pastor said to resist the devil and he will flee from us. How do we resist the devil? By standing in the faith that we are justified by Jesus' blood. The devil has no power over us. He is a defeated foe. That's why he is seeking those whom he can devour. Those with a guilty conscience or fear in their hearts. He cannot take us down, if not why would he be roaring like a lion? God has put a hedge around us and the devil cannot take our lives. He is not almighty and powerful. All he can do is to deceive us into giving up our authority and power, get us into condemnation and fear.
Pastor also said that the testing or trials or challenges is only for a season, a short while. There is one evil day compared to many good days. We are told to stand on the evil day. An evil day could be more than 24 hours. A time of testing for a week or a month but don't give up because victory already belongs to us. We don't even have to fight for God is fighting our battles. We just need to stand until the battle is over. The devil can only try to deceive you by putting symptoms on your body to make you think you are sick. But put on the whole armour of God and use the sword of the spirit against him. Pray in tongues, speak the word of God.
And thank God that the trial is only for a season because there is an end date. God will not allow the enemy to attack us indefinitely. There is a time limit to his attacks. Because he does not have the resources to sustain an attack. We don't have to fight him, all we have to do is to outlast him by standing in the faith. He will try to wear us down with those recurring symptoms but don't be fooled by him. Don't surrender to his attacks no matter how fierce the battlefield seems. You already have the victory in Christ and you know there is a time limit to his attempts. Sooner or later he will have to back off.
Yesterday when I saw Pastor Joel's devotional, I felt like God is showing us another strategy. In the Bible, when God’s people were going into battle, many times they sent the worshipers out in front of the warriors. When you choose to be thankful and bless the Lord in the midst of your battle, you are making a way for Him to move in your life. Start today by thanking Him for His goodness. Magnify your God; don't magnify your problems. Give Him thanks and make the way for victory!
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
RIGHTEOUSNESS IN CHRIST
Yesterday I woke up with this verse in mind. Romans 5:17 'For if by the transgression of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.' Those words abundance of grace and gift of righteousness left a deep impression in my heart.
I felt that I got to keep hearing the word of grace preached by Pastor Prince, in order to fight the good fight of faith and reign in life. And so I binged on his sermons and the more I heard the word of grace, the more hungry I was for this word. It was like times of refreshing and I found rest hearing the word. In fact, hearing the word being preached, just like receiving, is probably the most passive thing one can ever do. It's unlike praying in tongues or taking communion or declaring the promises of God.
Yet, it is the will of God that through the foolishness of preaching that we receive from Him. Many a times, it is when we are doing nothing about our situation, just by listening to the word of grace that God works in our situation. Miraculously, without us knowing at times. When we hear the word of God, our bodies and lives are being sozoed by the power of God. When we rest, God goes to work on our behalf. When we work, God rests.
The effect of hearing the word is like water washing my dusty feet. Oftentimes we feel that we have no need to keep hearing the word on Jesus' finished work, our righteousness in Christ because we have heard it so many times. We think we know it all. But Pastor always says law is natural, grace is supernatural. You can listen to ten sermons about grace and one about the law, and you are back to relying on your own flesh. That's why we have to keep hearing the word because faith comes by hearing the word of grace.
I was reminded of fundamental truths about righteousness. It was like God taking me higher in the paths of righteousness. My conscience is satisfied because someone paid the price on my behalf. Jesus has taken the full brunt of God's wrath at the cross. He has become the payment for my sins and hence I can receive His righteousness as mine. God no longer judges me or imputes sin to me, not that I no longer sin but when I fail, I know that the payment has been made by Jesus.
I can have no more fearful expectation of God's judgement, of bad things happening to me because Jesus took all the bad things on Himself and gave me all the blessings He deserved. So now I can have a confident expectation of good things because Jesus paid it all for me. I am the righteousness of God in Christ. I am His beloved, a pearl of great price. If God did not withhold His only beloved Son, how would He not along with Jesus freely give us all things?
So often it is usually the case for things to look the opposite from what we thought would happen. When God releases a certain word in our lives, the enemy will always try to create circumstances contrary to that word. That's why there is a fight of faith. We should not expect or make room for such adverse situations, instead we need to take authority over it. If not, we will have a fearful expectation of what attacks are coming up next and how we should brace ourselves for impact. The key to overcoming these storms is to keep our eyes on Jesus and His finished work. Have a fresh revelation of what Christ has done for us on the cross and you will exclaim: how can I not walk in God's favour and blessings after what Christ has done!
Sometimes we disqualify ourselves by how we see ourselves. God sees us through Jesus, spotless and without blemish. And if God doesn't see and impute sin to me, why should I be conscious of my sins? Am I saying that the blood of Jesus is not effective or powerful enough to take away all my sins once and for all? Self-righteousness isn't just about pride but also about guilt and condemnation. We are often harder on ourselves than we think. The reason why we get disappointed is that we still place confidence on our own flesh, so when we fail, we feel guilty for not trusting God.
That's why the Holy Spirit was given to convict believers of our righteousness in Christ. It is during times like when we have failed, that we look to Jesus and say 'I am the righteousness of God in Christ.' No matter what it is, tell yourself that God has forgiven me and forgotten so this sin is no more and God still sees me righteous in Christ. Then forgive yourself and let it go, move on.
I felt that I got to keep hearing the word of grace preached by Pastor Prince, in order to fight the good fight of faith and reign in life. And so I binged on his sermons and the more I heard the word of grace, the more hungry I was for this word. It was like times of refreshing and I found rest hearing the word. In fact, hearing the word being preached, just like receiving, is probably the most passive thing one can ever do. It's unlike praying in tongues or taking communion or declaring the promises of God.
Yet, it is the will of God that through the foolishness of preaching that we receive from Him. Many a times, it is when we are doing nothing about our situation, just by listening to the word of grace that God works in our situation. Miraculously, without us knowing at times. When we hear the word of God, our bodies and lives are being sozoed by the power of God. When we rest, God goes to work on our behalf. When we work, God rests.
The effect of hearing the word is like water washing my dusty feet. Oftentimes we feel that we have no need to keep hearing the word on Jesus' finished work, our righteousness in Christ because we have heard it so many times. We think we know it all. But Pastor always says law is natural, grace is supernatural. You can listen to ten sermons about grace and one about the law, and you are back to relying on your own flesh. That's why we have to keep hearing the word because faith comes by hearing the word of grace.
I was reminded of fundamental truths about righteousness. It was like God taking me higher in the paths of righteousness. My conscience is satisfied because someone paid the price on my behalf. Jesus has taken the full brunt of God's wrath at the cross. He has become the payment for my sins and hence I can receive His righteousness as mine. God no longer judges me or imputes sin to me, not that I no longer sin but when I fail, I know that the payment has been made by Jesus.
I can have no more fearful expectation of God's judgement, of bad things happening to me because Jesus took all the bad things on Himself and gave me all the blessings He deserved. So now I can have a confident expectation of good things because Jesus paid it all for me. I am the righteousness of God in Christ. I am His beloved, a pearl of great price. If God did not withhold His only beloved Son, how would He not along with Jesus freely give us all things?
So often it is usually the case for things to look the opposite from what we thought would happen. When God releases a certain word in our lives, the enemy will always try to create circumstances contrary to that word. That's why there is a fight of faith. We should not expect or make room for such adverse situations, instead we need to take authority over it. If not, we will have a fearful expectation of what attacks are coming up next and how we should brace ourselves for impact. The key to overcoming these storms is to keep our eyes on Jesus and His finished work. Have a fresh revelation of what Christ has done for us on the cross and you will exclaim: how can I not walk in God's favour and blessings after what Christ has done!
Sometimes we disqualify ourselves by how we see ourselves. God sees us through Jesus, spotless and without blemish. And if God doesn't see and impute sin to me, why should I be conscious of my sins? Am I saying that the blood of Jesus is not effective or powerful enough to take away all my sins once and for all? Self-righteousness isn't just about pride but also about guilt and condemnation. We are often harder on ourselves than we think. The reason why we get disappointed is that we still place confidence on our own flesh, so when we fail, we feel guilty for not trusting God.
That's why the Holy Spirit was given to convict believers of our righteousness in Christ. It is during times like when we have failed, that we look to Jesus and say 'I am the righteousness of God in Christ.' No matter what it is, tell yourself that God has forgiven me and forgotten so this sin is no more and God still sees me righteous in Christ. Then forgive yourself and let it go, move on.
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
OUT OF THE COCOON
I read this word by Lonnie Mackley posted on 25 Feb and I felt it totally described what I had been through for the past few years. I believe this too will bless those who have been through a season of wilderness like me.
Being in the wilderness can sometimes be hard because you have to spend a lot of time disconnected from most of the rest of the world. You may feel like your life is going nowhere, and that everyone else is passing you by in their lives by having kids, buying homes, going forward with their careers, paying taxes, and all the other normal trappings of the world. You may wonder if you are just wasting your time, or just kidding yourself about what is happening in your life.
But remember this, that what you are doing right now is the most important job in the whole world. You are letting God grow you up so that He can flow through you with His power for healing and casting out of evil spirits. Very soon, this world is going to need God's power more than ever, and God just needs some mature and safe people to flow through; namely "You". What could you do in the world which is more important than that?
You are not the only one in history that has gone through this arduous process. There are many others who did their tours of duty in the University of the Holy Spirit to get prepared for God's great call on their lives, including Moses, Joseph, Paul, Jacob, and David. And they all did great things for God that helped and saved many people. This is the last great harvest of souls in the earth, with so many lost, needy, and fearful people that need God’s help through you. God needs safe and solid field workers to send out to help them.
Like the caterpillar that has to go into a cocoon for a while to be transformed, so you are going through this spiritual transformation to be ready for this last great harvest of souls in the earth. Especially as these perilous times come upon us, people will be looking for the real God, and for real answers to their problems. Who is God supposed to use, if not you? All the patriarchs were just normal people like you, yep just like you, no different.
Someday soon, you will be let out of your cocoon and you will be transformed like the butterfly, and God will show you off as His beautiful work of transformation. He will flow through you in power because He can trust you now. You will be joined to the other wilderness Christians who are coming out of their wilderness time. You are not alone my friend, there are many others going through what you are, you just don't see them right now.
So, as your spirit groans to be free from this lonely existence, just remember that God is doing a complete work in you, and like the butterfly, you can only be let out of your cocoon when your transformation is complete so that you are fully formed and healthy. What harmful habits are safe to take out of the wilderness with you? The answer is none. Don't worry; like Job, all that you have lost or sacrificed will be returned manifold, and you will forever be God's trophy of transformation and grace. So hang in there, because the Lord is still with you!
Being in the wilderness can sometimes be hard because you have to spend a lot of time disconnected from most of the rest of the world. You may feel like your life is going nowhere, and that everyone else is passing you by in their lives by having kids, buying homes, going forward with their careers, paying taxes, and all the other normal trappings of the world. You may wonder if you are just wasting your time, or just kidding yourself about what is happening in your life.
But remember this, that what you are doing right now is the most important job in the whole world. You are letting God grow you up so that He can flow through you with His power for healing and casting out of evil spirits. Very soon, this world is going to need God's power more than ever, and God just needs some mature and safe people to flow through; namely "You". What could you do in the world which is more important than that?
You are not the only one in history that has gone through this arduous process. There are many others who did their tours of duty in the University of the Holy Spirit to get prepared for God's great call on their lives, including Moses, Joseph, Paul, Jacob, and David. And they all did great things for God that helped and saved many people. This is the last great harvest of souls in the earth, with so many lost, needy, and fearful people that need God’s help through you. God needs safe and solid field workers to send out to help them.
Like the caterpillar that has to go into a cocoon for a while to be transformed, so you are going through this spiritual transformation to be ready for this last great harvest of souls in the earth. Especially as these perilous times come upon us, people will be looking for the real God, and for real answers to their problems. Who is God supposed to use, if not you? All the patriarchs were just normal people like you, yep just like you, no different.
Someday soon, you will be let out of your cocoon and you will be transformed like the butterfly, and God will show you off as His beautiful work of transformation. He will flow through you in power because He can trust you now. You will be joined to the other wilderness Christians who are coming out of their wilderness time. You are not alone my friend, there are many others going through what you are, you just don't see them right now.
So, as your spirit groans to be free from this lonely existence, just remember that God is doing a complete work in you, and like the butterfly, you can only be let out of your cocoon when your transformation is complete so that you are fully formed and healthy. What harmful habits are safe to take out of the wilderness with you? The answer is none. Don't worry; like Job, all that you have lost or sacrificed will be returned manifold, and you will forever be God's trophy of transformation and grace. So hang in there, because the Lord is still with you!
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