Casual Visits or Abiding

by Neville Johnson

John 15:4 - Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 - I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
7 - If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Most Christians have walk with the Lord that is at its best casual. They come to the Lord maybe once or twice a day to pray or to ask Him for something, and that is about the extent of their walk with the lord. Most find it difficult to maintain an awareness of the Lord. The bible makes very clear the importance of abiding in the Lord.

Only when we are in the presence of the Lord can we truly understand. God looks at things very different to us; we look at things from the perspective of the natural mind which the bible tells us is an enemy of living and seeing as God sees.

Romans 8:7 - Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

The word enmity in this verse means; echthra, ekh'-thrah; ; hostility; by impl. a reason for opposition:--enmity, hatred.

The natural mind is our enemy when it comes to walking with God

It is only when we are in the presence of the Lord that we see clearly. The manifest presence of the Lord overshadows the natural mind. Now we need to understand that when I use the phrase the “the manifest presence of the Lord” I mean a presence that can be discerned and felt. When we are in the manifest presence of the Lord there is a feel that witnesses to this.

The Lord is always with us

He said that He would never leave us, and never means never.

Psalms 139:8 - If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9 - If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 - Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

The problem is not in getting the Lord to come to us, it is getting us to come to Him. We are distinctly told that we are to come to Him.

James 4:8 - Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.
Hebrews 4:16 - Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

The Lord is always with us, however most of the time we are not aware of Him simply because we don’t draw near to Him. If we want to hear the voice of the Lord we have to be in His presence, we have to draw near to him. When Peter took his eyes of the Lord, he lost the reality of the Lords presence and began to sink. Most Christians take their eyes of the Lord for most of their day. To come to the Lord only when we need something is quite insulting. If you only spoke to your friend when you wanted something, that friendship is not going to last. The manifest presence of the Lord can become addictive however I learnt that when I tried to maintain the feeling of the presence I lost it. The reason was that I was seeking the feeling and not the reason for it which is the Lord Himself.

Living in His presence requires discipline

We must include the Lord in whatever we are doing, talk to Him about what you are doing, He is interested in everything we do. I love talking to the Lord about cars; I was in a shopping center recently where there was the latest Jaguar car on display and we had a great conversation about it, about the engineering and style etc. The Lord is interested in everything we get up to and loves to talk about those things with us. Include the Lord in your day; don’t shut Him out of your day. He is with you all day, so talk to Him.

The more you turn to the Lord the more real He will become to you

A Man by the name of brother Lawrence who lived in the middle ages wrote a book called. The Practice of the presence of God, if you have not read it you need to get the book. (Available from Amazon .com.)

Use the eyes of your heart

The Apostle Paul told us to look at things which are invisible.

2 Corinthians 4:18 - While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Colossians 3:1 - If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 - Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

We need to use the eyes of our heart to cross over to the realm in which the Lord dwells.

Ephesians 1:18 - The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

The word eyes, in this verse, is the Greek word dianoia, which means; deep thought, the faculty of the mind in its exercise of imagination,

As we set our heart and mind upon the Lord we enter this invisible realm and the more we turn to the Lord in this way the more real He will become. If we start to live by what we see with the eyes of our heart, which are the windows into the realm where the Lord dwells, He will become more real to us and we can come to His throne of grace at any time. The more you come to the Lord the more real He will become. This discipline of not shutting the Lord out of your day is vital to your walk with Him. To abide in Him means you must turn to Him constantly, include Him in everything you do, talk to him as you would to a close friend. When your motive is to know the Lord, and to become like Him He promises this to you.

Matthew 7:9 - Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 - Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 - If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Learning to abide in the Lord must become a quest where we seek those things which are above where the Lord dwells learning to walk with Him in obedience and love

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In Christ alone my hope is found

God has often ministered to me through songs. There was a season more than a year ago which I could recall the Spirit spoke to me His words of guidance through the lyrics of songs and there was particularly a unique experience when He spoke to me through a secular song, "Wind of Change" by Scorpion :)

I stepped into a Christian bookstore not too long ago and not long after hanging around in the bookstore, the song "In Christ alone, my hope is found" was played. Instantly, my spirit somehow picked up that God was speaking to me even though it was the first time I heard the song. After searching for the lyrics from the Internet, it was interesting to note that the lyrics was penned by Newsboys, a Christian band I used to listen during my teen years.



In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Brought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

Whilst pondering on the lyrics and allowing the Spirit of God to minister to me through this song, my mind was brought to remember another occasion when God ministered to me very strongly through a Vineyard song (lyrics below) in a church service many years ago and I noted the similar message of God being our only hope.

Faithful One, so unchanging
Ageless One, You're my Rock of Peace
Lord of all I depend on You
I call out to You, again and again
I call out to You, again and again

You are my Rock in times of trouble
You lift me up when I fall down
All through the storm
Your love is, the anchor
My hope is in You alone

Be blessed and encouraged by the lyrics of the songs above. Amen.

Scripture for meditation
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the LORD upholds him with His hand.
(Psalm 37:23-24)

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Dawn of a new season

It has been over 20 days since we have stepped into a new decade (and could it be the last decade before the return of our Bridegroom?). Well, I believe it's not just a new decade in the natural sense but I believe a new season for all Christ's followers alike. In fact, at sundown on September 18, 2009 we have entered the New Year of 5770 on the Jewish calendar: a Season of AYIN (His eye will guide).



Just as Ecclesiastes 3 tells us there is a time for everything, there is a (kairos) time and season for the things of God in our lives and the world we live in. In Proverbs 25:2, we are told that, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter." It is a privilege to come before God at the end of every calendar year (or the Jewish calendar if the Lord leads you) and to seek His direction and purpose for the new year. It is a time of reflection, repentance and renewal before the Presence of the Almighty God. Recently, I heard an encouraging testimony of a servant of God who would empty his bank account (by giving to missions) every year (a practice for many years since entering ministry) and start the new year afresh with "nil" in the bank account, trusting in the goodness of the Lord to provide. How refreshing indeed!

What does this new season hold for us as His bride?
God has been kind to speak to me personal words of comfort, words of direction and words of rebuke as I enter this new season (not just the new year). I strongly believe that God's plan and purposes are not just limited to a period of one calendar year but a spiritual season which could extend to years beyond the initial calendar year.

I would like to share briefly on what I received from the quiet reflections before Him. I believe our God is speaking to His bride that we are entering into a season of increase. Yes, a season of INCREASE! An increase in every sense of the word. Firstly, there will be an increase of darkness in the world system we live in. And at the same time, there is also an increase of His light and glory. Many would hope that the economic climate would turn for the better in this coming year. And people everywhere are crying out for peace and more peace in this tumultuous world. In the parable of wheat and tares that Jesus spoke in Matthew 13:24-30 that the owner of the field declared, "Let both (the wheat and the tares) grow together until the harvest!". The increase of the works of darkness will increase in the coming days in all shapes and forms. And all glory to God! The Kingdom of our God shall also increase in our midst in the coming days!

How do I position myself in this new season?
On a personal level, we should rightly position ourselves to experience the increase of His glory in our lives. May our loving Saviour speak to our hearts as we meditate on the following quickened verses for this new season. Amen.

1. 2 Chronicles 16:9a - For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.

Meditation: - God is weighing the hearts of His people for He looks into the heart of His people and He acts accordingly. In the days of Noah, it was recorded that "every intent of the thoughts of man's heart was only evil continually.." (Genesis 6:5) which led to the destruction of man and his surroundings. In this period of His grace, may we continue to allow His holy fire to cleanse and purge our hearts. Repentance and forsaking our former ways will allow the Holy Spirit to mold us into people after the heart of God.

2. John 15:5 - I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (Read John 15:1-17)

Meditation: - Increase and fruitfulness comes only from our abiding in the Vine and He abiding in us. Unbroken communion and fellowship day and night will lead into divine encounters with God. May we cry out to our God that His bride would appropriate the inheritance of walking in intimacy with her Bridegroom daily.

3. Isaiah 40:31 - But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Meditation: - This shall be the pattern of our lives for this new season. It will be cycles of waiting on God and receiving strength and direction for each successive phase. This will be the protection from stepping out from His perfect will and ending up in unnecessary hazards of disobedience, sin, rebellion and burnouts.

The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace in this new season.



Links to other Prophetic Words 2010: -
2010 Prophetic Words Compilation 1

2010 Prophetic Words Compilation 2

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The Power of Thanksgiving

I remember once being asked to share the word of God in a prayer meeting many years ago and I was led to the scriptures in Phil 4:6-7. As I was meditating upon the verses, understanding began to flow into my mind.

Philippians 4:6-7 (New King James Version)

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

As flesh and blood (including God's righteous people), we always encounter different kinds of problems in this life. (Psalm 34:19 - Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.) The way we respond when we are faced with afflictions is the measuring yardstick of our spiritual growth from the spirit realm's perspective. Man may judge from the externals but God searches the depths of our hearts.

There are 2 opposing forces at work and we have a choice to align ourselves to either force: light or darkness. When we spend our time, effort and energy on things that produce anxiety, we become entangled and burdened with unnecessary "weight" as a result. Living and walking in the spirit - is "light" living. But, succumbing to the cares and pleasures of the world would cause us to be "weight-ened down". Hebrews 12:1 tells us to "lay aside every weight". Hence, we can choose to increase in our spiritual activities of prayer and supplication, etc. resulting in keeping ourselves in the flow of the Spirit or alternatively, we can choose to increase in the fleshly activities of worry, lust, complaints, backbiting, etc. resulting in being bogged down with guilt, shame, strife and loss of direction in life.

And the little powerful key that will unlock the breakthrough in times when we do not know what to do is the phrase "with thanksgiving". Thanksgiving will give the extra boost in our spiritual momentum as we seek to find our breakthrough in the Lord.

Many at times, we become blinded by the many circumstances that we fail to see the goodness of God. And we question what can we give thanks for? As we begin to give thanks for the "small" things in our lives, God will begin to work on behalf of us on the "bigger" things.

I came across the following short article which speaks powerfully on the power of thanksgiving. Be blessed.

THE KEY TO BREAKTHROUGH - by JONATHAN WELTON

Jesus said that "from the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks (Mt 12:34)." As I have been listening to believers all over the country, I have heard hearts overflowing with words of fear, stress, and anxiety. Many believers have been hit hard by the change in the American economy. I have been asking the Lord about it and He has been emphasizing one word to me, "thanksgiving." Not the holiday, but the attitude of the heart.

Much of the talk from believers contradicts our name. We are called "believers," not "complainers". Complaining fills the void of prayer. We do not complain about what we are praying about. For example, if I am praying for my spouse for an hour a day, when I step out of my prayer closet I am not going to begin to complain about my spouse. If you are complaining about something, chances are good that you are not praying about it.

I saw a vision of a Christian being squeezed by a vise and the Lord said, "When life squeezes us like a grape, Jesus should pour out of us because we are meant to abide in Him." God is calling us to release thanksgiving when we are squeezed!

Complaining is the exact opposite of thanksgiving. The Bible tells us to "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess 5:18). Notice that it says, "in" not "for" all circumstances. We are not to give thanks "for" all circumstances because not everything is from God. If you are sick, don't give thanks for your sickness, because it is not from God, but thanksgiving in (or in spite of) your sickness. In Ephesians 5:20, God does instruct us to give thanks "for" all things, but the greek word Huper is the root of the word "for" in this passage, which means "above," "beyond" or "over." We are meant to give thanks above, beyond, and over our circumstances.

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, (John 11:41) or multiplied the loaves (John 6:11), He didn't give thanks for His situation, He gave thanks in His situation. You don't have to be thankful for your situation, but you do need to be thankful in it. This will release the anointing of God to overcome your situation.

The prophet Daniel was known for giving thanks to the Lord three times a day

(Daniel 6:10). What we learn from his life is that when you operate in thanksgiving, the lions of the enemy don't have the right to chomp on you. Or who can forget Jonah? When he complained about his assignment to prophesy over Nineveh and ran from God, he was swallowed by a giant fish. If you look at what Jonah did inside of the fish, it says in Jonah 2:9 that he sang a song of thanksgiving. In the very next verse, the fish spit Jonah out on the dry land. The principle is this: if complaining got you into the situation, thanksgiving is the key to get you out.

We need to be a people of prayer so that when life squeezes us, a heart of thanksgiving will pour out. According to James 4:2, "we have not, because we ask not." If we need the Lord to move in our life, it is time to return to a heart of prayer with thanksgiving.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:6-7).

If you desire to see spiritual breakthrough in your family, finances, physical body, relationships, or any other area, it is time to begin applying thanksgiving in your prayers. Thanksgiving is a powerful force in the spirit realm, and it is a season where God is emphasizing the release of this force in the earth.

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What a friend we have in Jesus

What precious and timeless truth the author expounded in this beautiful hymn. Indeed, it is a revelation of how we can experience heaven on earth - through the garden of prayer.

In the garden of prayer, where I can pour out my heart before the One who loves me like no other. A heart to heart talk with my Saviour. For there's no burden too heavy He cannot bear and there's no sin too great He cannot pardon.

He's the Almighty Creator who created all creation yet He comes to me with His undivided attention when I whisper a prayer to Him.

My Jesus, how could I be so slow to hear You? When the noise of this world subsides within me, I hear You beckoning me to the garden of prayer amidst a harsh surrounding of thorns and briers. Little did I realize these thorns and briers carry your sweet voice of love wooing me to my Saviour's arms of love.

Delay no more, O my soul,
Into His garden we will go,
Many secrets will He unfold,
As we commune on paths laden with gold.

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.

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The parable of the five tropical fish

A few weeks ago, I bought a small fish tank for my daughter together with five red-coloured tropical fish, as chosen by her from the shop.



We were all excited with the newfound activities of feeding the fish, replacing the water and cleaning the mini-aquarium. One fine day, my wife noticed one of the fish was floating motionless in the mini aquarium. Dead. Hmm, we guessed that the fish must have found it too great a challenge to adapt to the new environment.

A few days passed by, and my wife began to see a pattern. There seemed to be a "predator fish" inside the mini-aquarium. This "predator fish" would be going after the other fish in the mini-aquarium and attacked the fish. Soon, another fish was dead followed by the other remaining two fish until no other fish was left except for the "predator fish". We could all see that the "predator fish" would then be swimming around the mini-aquarium with much freedom and pride. However, unknown to the "predator fish", we were not pleased at all to see just a fish swimming in an empty aquarium. We began to lose interest in replacing the water and cleaning the aquarium. The aquarium was then taken out from the room where we placed it and we just left it at the drying area near the washing machine. The poor "predator fish" could still be seen swimming with much pleasure and pride in the empty aquarium not realizing that it has lost the owners' favour. Not long after that, the "predator fish" was dead.

Oftentimes, we would fall to the temptation of our flesh to disregard every other person's interest around us just to protect or promote our own interest. Along the journey of life, when we are too engulfed in our personal ambitions, selfish desires and all we could think and speak of is ourselves, we begin to act like the "predator fish" and trample on other people around us. And for a period of time, things may seem fine and perfect as we begin to see our dreams becoming reality and not knowing that we begin to lose the favour of our God. When we allow the enemy to use our mouths to backbite, gossip and speak evil of our own brethren instead of lifting, comforting and encouraging one another, we begin to act like the "predator fish".

Love is a powerful force for God is love. When we allow ourselves to be immersed in the unconditional love of God, our fleshly nature would lose its hold on our lives and we begin to take on the divine nature of God. We can love Him because He first loved us. We can love others because His love fills and overflows our heart. It is no coincidence that God's commandments were only summed up into two simple truths. Love God, love others. Period.

Ah, should we be tempted the next time, may the parable of the five tropical fish be quickened in our hearts :)

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Engaging the Supernatural Realm of Heaven

by Jeff Jansen

(source: Destiny Image Newsletter: click here)

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From the beginning of time man was born with the unquenchable desire to know God and to be known by God. This awareness is not learned or taught, but is an instinctive hunger deeply-seated by God within the heart of man. A veil has been placed over the hearts and minds of humanity and it is crucial that we wrestle past it by the blood of Jesus in order to encounter the living God.

It's not good enough for your pastor to have the word of the Lord. It's not good enough for God's prophets to partner with the angels. It's not good enough for only revivalists to live in the continual presence of God. It's absolutely essential that you personally get to know God, experientially, by whatever means possible including visions, dreams, angelic encounters, His still small voice, third-heaven experiences, and more. These are all ways God revealed Himself to His people in the Bible--these are all ways God is revealing Himself today.

Hearing, recognizing, and discerning God's voice is an everyday motion for a Spirit filled son of God. It may be awkward at first, sifting through voices and feelings, exercising the discerning organ of your spirit-man, but after a while it becomes natural, like breathing. Living and walking in the Spirit should be normal for any Christian; supernatural happenings should be common among the followers of Jesus (see the Gospels and Acts).

In the earth today there is a Rising Glory Generation, on whom the favor and hand of God rests, because--above all things--they have a heart to know Him and do great exploits. God is beckoning this royal priesthood to go up the mountain of the Lord to meet with Him face to face. Supernatural experiences with the living Christ expose His character and nature. This is one of the ways we get to know God and grow in intimacy with Him. Jesus taught us to pray, "...on earth as it is in heaven" (Matt. 6:10). It's our job to learn how to live and move in heavenly places so we can effectively bring the characteristics of the eternal realm into the realm of now. As we increase in manifesting the Kingdom of God, the earth will bear the image and characteristics of heaven. No more sickness, disease, depression, poverty, addiction, or demonic oppression of any type, but overwhelming joy, peace, and love, healing, wholeness, deliverance, and financial blessings! When you learn to partner with heaven's agenda, you have all of heaven's resources at your disposal. Your gifts will be activated--miracles will follow your spoken word--nations will come to the brightness of your rising!

We know that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us (see James 4:17), but it is imperative that we seek Him with faith: "...without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him" (Heb. 11:6). How do we encounter God? "By faith Enoch was taken up..." (Heb. 11:5). Supernatural experiences are activated by faith. Hungering and thirsting is also essential: "For I will pour out water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring and My blessing on your descendants" (Isa. 44:3). The Kingdom heaven advances on the earth by those who are forceful, violent, and passionate about advancing it (see Matt. 11:12).

In summation: "As spiritual beings, we live our lives in a supernatural dimension on a stage before angels and demons and the Lord of the universe." It's time we cast off every restraint that holds us back, and live our lives to the fullest in God's Kingdom of Power and Glory.

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A Sign of His Love

by Mary Trask

(source: Destiny Image Newsletter: click here)

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I have always been drawn to the great beauty found in God's creation around us; however, I don't think I truly appreciated the stones of the earth until I began studying the gemstone wall of Revelation 21. My four-year odyssey began solely in discovering what the Word of God had to say through these stones. Two years into this investigation, my husband and I became occasional recipients of heavenly gemstones.

At first, it became an obsession to begin looking for gemstones everywhere I went and then the Holy Spirit cautioned me. Was I seeking more after these gifts than the Giver Himself? Though the beauty of His gifts was dazzling, my heart needed to return to my first love: the pursuit of the Lord and my knowledge of Him.

Only about a month ago, another gemstone appeared in front of a jeweler in the mall just as I had been ministering to him about the meaning of the Bible's gemstones described in my book, The 12 Gemstones of Revelation. He was shocked and I was thrilled. The Lord was obviously confirming the preaching of His word with an accompanying sign (Mark 16:20).The gemstone was simply a demonstration of His love.

So why are heavenly gemstones appearing in some places and not in others? Let me respond by asking why some people have the manifestation of "gold dust" all over them at times? Why do some see angels on a regular basis? Why gifts of healing? Why are some permitted to visit heaven prior to their death?

One solid answer is found in 1 Corinthians 12:6 where we are told "There are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all." It is God who decides how and when He moves, not us. Any manifestation of His love, whether it is a gemstone, or a rhema word spoken to our hearts, is designed specifically by a God who loves us deeply.

In examining a possible purpose of these gemstones, I found that in the Bible stones have been used as a reminder of an encounter between God and man (See Joshua 4:20-24). In noting an increase in the heavenly gemstone phenomenon, I believe the Father is reminding the church of an upcoming event that He desires us to prepare for...the wedding feast of the Lamb.

The gemstones found in Revelation 21 are adorning the bride, New Jerusalem, so in the same manner, the Lord is calling the church to begin adorning herself with true riches...His spiritual gifts that cause us to radiate with the glory of His Presence. The message of the stones is a call for the bride of Christ to grow up spiritually so she can truly become a transparent carrier of His glory to a lost world. It is my belief that the gemstones simply remind us to die daily so in maturity we reflect only the Father's love and truly become the glorious bride He desires.

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Viewing opposition from the Throne Room perspective

At different seasons of our lives, we experience opposition of varying forms and intensity. When our lives are smooth sailing we would be bubbling with confidence, "Come what may, with Christ in the vessel we can smile at the storm.." But, with the slightest feeling of some kind of opposition, we would be joining the loud choruses of the disciples on the boat, "Wake up, Jesus! Don't you care? Why are you sleeping?"

A deep conviction that the God we believe in is a big, great and wonderful God is of utmost value in our Christian walk. Knowing that He is in control despite the circumstances in our lives that are beyond our control is a sign of maturity in our relationship with God. Mere intellectual knowing is insufficient. It has to be the work of the Holy Spirit birthing such "spiritual confidence" in the One who is worthy of our trust through different experiences in our lives.

At the same time, our response is crucial when we experience storms or opposition in our lives. Our soulish response would not only aggravate the situation but sometimes it may result in injuring ourselves along the way. Sometimes, unknowingly we fell into the traps of the enemy and find ourselves in bondages of fear, pain and unforgiveness through our fleshly response during such times. The power to bless or to curse is ours for the choosing. And it is a whole world of difference in the way we choose to respond.

Recently, I came across a wonderful testimony by Graham Cooke on the youtube. In the short video clip below, Graham shared about how three guys tried to discredit his School of Prophecy in the UK. Then, in the manner which God always speak to Graham, he found himself in the Throne Room and he was shown what was really happening. It is a powerful revelation and would completely change the way we think and we view opposition in our lives.

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Who is the God of fire?

God uses signs and wonders and the manifestation of the supernatural realm to reveal Himself and His nature.

Many people do not understand the need nor the importance of the manifestation of the supernatural realm. Since the logic of man could not easily explain the supernatural or the manifestations of signs and wonders, it would be far easier to shove them aside or to discredit them.

Let me relate two examples of the manner God uses signs, wonders and miracles to reveal His nature.
(1) When miracles of “gold teeth” happened in France many years ago, a minister shared what was happening to an old Jewish lady. When she heard the account of how God would fill the mouths of the believers with “gold teeth”, tears began flowing down her cheeks. She said that when the Jews were tortured by the Germans in the past, they would be pulling out and removing the teeth of the Jews. This miracle of “gold teeth” is a sign that God knew what happened then and it was a sign of His restoration and His love.

(2) In the great revival of Argentina, there were abundant miracles of God filling the mouths of His people with teeth to the extent that there will be live telecast of preacher praying for a particular person and upon declaring the Name of Jesus, right before the video’s lenses, teeth would appear in the mouth of the person prayed for. There were accounts where the teeth would sometimes take the forms of a dove or a cross and when tested in laboratories, at times they could not determine what were these teeth made of and could only conclude that they must be heavenly substance. One may ask why did God do such denture miracles (or could even argue that there’s no biblical basis for God to perform such denture miracles)? He was actually revealing His love and care for the Argentines where most of them were poor and couldn’t afford dental care.

So, we can see from the above examples God shows His nature and attribute by manifestation of the supernatural, in miracles, signs and wonders.

Who is this God of Fire?
We have experienced the effects and manifestations of the fire of God in meetings where the fire anointing is strong. And the fire of God can bring deliverance, healing and accomplish numerous wonderful fruits in our lives if we open our hearts to embrace it.

At the same time, have we ever wondered who this God of Fire is? It is not enough for us to experience the fire of God. If our hearts are hungry for a closer walk with Him, we cannot be just satisfied with what God has done (not denying the fact that His works are to be greatly praised and treasured). We must press in to know the Person behind the works. We want to know Him. We desire to know this God of Fire in a more intimate way.

Abraham (Abram) had an encounter with the God of fire and may God also reveal Himself to us as we look at the account of this encounter in Genesis 15.

Background - The Promised Land
Genesis 15:7
7 Then He said to him, “I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it.”

Besides promising a son to Abram, Jehovah God also promised the patriarch a land as an inheritance. (A piece of land that remains so controversial to this day). We do not always remember this promise God gave to Abram but it was an important promise. It was initiated by God. Abram did not ask for a piece of land. He has obeyed the leading of God to leave his homeland and to go wherever God has directed him and here God confirmed His leading of Abram out of his own country to give him a land as an inheritance.

Our God has also given many promises to His children. Many personal prophecies, prophetic promises and rhema word of God have been released from the throne room of God. Some of us were given promises of conquering certain lands or countries as spiritual inheritance. More often than not, these promises were released at the initiative of God when we first obeyed His leading.

Abram’s Response - The Legitimate “How” and the “When” Questions
Genesis 15:8
8 And he said, “Lord GOD, how shall I know that I will inherit it?”

We can learn from Abraham in the way he responded to the Almighty God after receiving God’s promise. No, he did not immediately try to make things happen by trying to “help God” fulfill the word (like most of us are tempted to do most of the time).

Wisely, he asked how could he be sure of what he has just heard (paraphrased). God did not rebuke him for being doubtful or not having sufficient faith. It was a legitimate question. Many times, we asked God “When, Lord?” quietly within our hearts, fearing that people would think we did not have the faith to believe. Out of frustrations and impatience, our natural inclination is to ask God when will His Word come to pass in our lives. God looks at our hearts and He answers beyond the questions we asked.

God’s Reply
Genesis 15:9-11
9 So He said to him, “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. 11 And when the vultures came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.

Here, instead of giving Abram an answer that most of us would expect or prefer, God began to give instructions to Abram to enable Him to orchestrate a supernatural encounter that will reveal His nature to Him. God, looking into the heart of Abram, knew the perfect answer to Abram’s question where words would not suffice. This is why understanding the language God speaks is so important. The language of the spirit realm is beyond words.

Firstly, God asked Abram to bring five types of animals to Him. The number “five” speaks of the grace of God. In other words, God’s commandment and His instructions are not burdensome. He has first provided for what He would be asking. We can only give to Him what He has first provided to us or what He has first accomplished in us. Isn’t He wonderful? God’s grace is sufficient for us in all circumstances that He has led us to. Amen.

Secondly, these animals that were cut in two also speak of sacrifice and yielding to God. Often times, God’s requirement of us is only to yield ourselves fully to Him and surrender our all to Him. It was demonstrated in the life of Jesus (Philippians 2:5-11). This also involves the sacrificing of the “smaller animals” in our lives right up to the “bigger animals”. He may first ask for our time, our energy or our money. For certain people, He may ask us to let go of certain mindsets, certain way of thinking which we have been accustomed to. Certain likes and dislikes. The big “I” in our lives has to go. More of Him and less of Me.

The Wait
Genesis 15:12
12 Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him.

We do not know how long did Abram wait but wait he did until the sun went down. Waiting is not a welcomed vocabulary amongst Christians today. The worldly culture and environment have caused us to have a distorted view about God’s timing. We want everything to be instant but time is not a concern in the spirit realm.

The Revelation
Genesis 15:17-20
17 And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. 18 On the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying:
“To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates— 19 the Kenites, the Kenezzites, the Kadmonites, 20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, 21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.”

It is imperative that we understand the background and the backdrop of this supernatural encounter to fully appreciate the revelation of God to Abram. As a start, we know that Abram was a Chaldean for seventy-five years prior to the time he entered the land of Canaan. The covenants of Abram's day, in that part of the civilized world (including Chaldea) were made by dividing an animal into two pieces and then the two parties making the covenant walked between the divided portions of the animal. In this way, each party to the covenant was saying to the other, "If you breach the contract (in today’s language), may this very thing happen to you", i.e. it would cost the failing party blood; the failing party would be cut in two just like the animals were.

Following the Chaldeans' practice, Abram cut the three animals in two and stood the two halves against the walls of a trench he had earlier dug. He did not cut the birds in two. The animals' blood flowing down the trench formed a blood-path the two parties would walk down to confirm the covenant.

Amazingly, the God of fire as signified by the fire pot and flaming torch, chose to be the parties responsible in the covenant. If Abram had to walk down the blood-path, it would have cost his descendants blood if they violated the covenant. But with God being both parties, it would cost His Son's blood (i.e., life) if Abram's descendants failed to keep the covenant. Thus God passed through the divided sacrifice by Himself and, in this way, it became a unilateral covenant so that the fulfilling of the promise made to Abram to inhabit the land was not made dependent on Abram fulfilling his responsibility to the covenant.

Oh, what a wonderful prophetic revelation! We asked, who is this God of fire? The God of fire is the covenant-keeping God. He is the King of Love. It was a revelation of the coming of Yeshua Hamashiach and His sacrificial death on the cross. The greatest sign and wonder He ever did was His death on the cross and His resurrection three days thereafter. And therein lies the power of God – the cross! The hope of mankind, lost in slavery of sin and death. Hallelujah! When we catch a glimpse of this revelation, we would echo the words, “Is there anything too hard for Him?” He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32). This is the guarantee of all the promises He has made to us. May God burn this revelation of Himself and His love deep into our hearts so that our hearts will never be moved come what may as we walk with Him and serve Him with all our hearts. Amen.

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Note: The above is an expanded version of a message shared in a meeting on 6th September 2009.

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Cleansing the house (part 2)

Sometimes, when discussing issues like cleansing the house and stuffs like that, it can become very controversial. Not everyone will agree with throwing away items from the house that seem so harmless. One may end up being labelled as a "freak" or being an "extremist". I remember hearing an Indian minister addressing his congregation to throw away all the photos taken during their Hindu wedding ceremony and to give up many of the cultural practices which have been practiced by them for all their lives. It was a struggle for most of the Indian believers. In fact, persecutions await them once they decide to take a public stand for Christ, valuing Him above everything else.

Limited understanding due to imbalanced teachings, different doctrinal upbringing or insensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit may cause one not to understand certain spiritual principles. The natural realm is very different from the spirit realm. The Word of God teaches us the value of things unseen and the invisible dimension of life. If one is unsure about whether to remove some objects or items from their house - the main principle is to obey the leading of the Holy Spirit at whatever cost. We may not fully understand the prompting of the Spirit of God but once we obey, His revelation will come. The following references/examples would shed some light in understanding the principles behind the acts of removing items or objects that attract/allow the operation of the powers of darkness in our lives and homes: -

(1) Ridding Your Home of Spiritual Darkness by Chuck D. Pierce and Rebecca Wagner Sytsema is a good book to read to understand more about doing house cleansing.

(2) Sis Victoria's blog posting on Demonic realm can affect natural realm is an excellent example of how the demonic realm "uses" natural object or item.

(3) Bro Thomas shared with me that he was also led to get rid of all the Hello Kitty dolls from his home. He was reluctant to do so initially until his spiritual eyes were opened to see the "demonic face" of the dolls. And on another ocassion, it was quickened within him to remove the reflective stickers from his room when he woke up from his sleep. Again, his spiritual eyes were also opened to see the "demonic eyes" on those stickers.

Following from my earlier post on house cleansing, a timely word from Marsha Burns on Sept 4, 2009 confirmed the workings and leadings of God for my family: -

SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns -- Sept. 4, 2009:
In a dream I was preparing for a new job, which seemed like a promotion. As I was cleaning out my desk and going through my files I found that most of what I had saved or valued from the past was useless nonsense, and there was nothing worth taking with me to my new position. I believe that this dream represents an elevation in the realm of the Spirit where we can be positioned to establish ourselves in God's plan and purposes and to fulfill our destiny. But, we will have to leave the past behind complete with things that we once thought to be important to make room for things that constitute spiritual value in the kingdom.
Isaiah 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts

Getting rid of things that do not please God is sometimes a way God uses to prepare us for new levels of spiritual dimensions in our relationship with Him. Even though on one hand, doing house cleansing can close all the gateways of the enemy into our homes and lives, it is also a preparatory work to allow the King of Glory to visit our homes and lives. In the Old Testament, we read of accounts where after a period of time when the people of God have gone astray and later when the books of law (revelation) were rediscovered and read before the people, the kings would summon for solemn assembly and ordered for the removal and destruction of every idolatory objects from the land and the people of God would experience a measure of revival and renewal in their midst.

It's amazing the manner God speaks and leads His people. Little did I know that God was not done with our initial co-operation with Him to get rid of spiritual darkness from our home. Last Friday morning (4th Sept), after praying for a while I took a nap as I was feeling a little sleepy. In the middle of my nap, my spirit somehow "came out" of my body and it was like my spirit stepped into the spirit realm where there is no limitation of time. During the brief period of time, my spirit saw a few scenes in my house that explained certain attacks of the enemy in my family. It was a little bizarre but after receiving the understanding, I shared with my wife and that led to a massive removal of items from our house, as led by the Spirit of God. All glory to God for what He has done and what He is doing. He is definitely preparing us for greater things ahead and greater intimacy with Him.

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary
Pure and holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving, I'll be a living
Sanctuary for You

It is you, Lord
Who came to save
The heart and soul
Of every man
It is you Lord
who knows my weakness
Who gives me strength,
With thine own hand.

Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary
Pure and Holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving I'll be a living
Sanctuary for you

Lead Me on Lord
From temptation
Purify me
From within
Fill my heart with
You holy spirit
Take away all my sin

Lord prepare me to ba sanctuary
Pure and holy, tried and ture
With thanksgiving, I'll be a living
Sanctuary for You

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Cleansing the house (part 1)

In the past, due to my limited understanding, I did not see the need to cleanse the house (or temple). By cleansing the house, I am generally referring to getting rid of things, items or objects that do not please God from the house that could be due to idolatary images or objects being an open door for the demonic realm to enter. Due to an incident two days ago (which will be elaborated below), I would like to share some experiences of cleansing the house that took place in the recent months (which I could still remember): -

(1) On one Sunday service meeting, a well-intentioned sister from the church my family used to attend brought a bag of toys for my daughter. They are mostly used toys but they were all in good condition. The variety of toys included soft toys and a Barbie doll. Shortly after, my wife informed me that she began to have unpleasant dreams. We prayed about it and repented of any sins but the dreams kept coming. Then, one night my wife received a revelation that most of the toys in the bag should be thrown away. We prayed and concurred that the source of the evil dreams are somewhat related to and can be traced to those toys. So, we rebuked and bound the demonic spirit and removed those toys and items from our house.

(2) On another ocassion, my wife was attacked by unclean dreams again in her sleep for a few nights. This really puzzled us as we prayed and repented should there be anything in our lives that caused the enemy to launch it's attack but the dreams continued. Then, out of the blue, God spoke to my wife, telling her to get rid of a set of clothings that was given to her by a sister (who has worn those clothings before) due to the presence of unclean spirits in the sister's life. After my wife obeyed, the unclean dreams stopped.

The incident that actually initiated further house cleansing activities two days ago was when my wife and myself overheard my daughter's (2 years 9 months) baby talk. She was playing with a new pair of sandals which we have just purchased for her. Out of the blue, she uttered "I don't want to follow Jesus. I want to follow me." We were shocked! My wife asked her, "Who said that?" She pointed to the "hello Kitty" character painted on the sandals. Immediately, we rebuked and bound the evil spirit to leave in Jesus' mighty Name and threw away the new pair of sandals together with two other hello Kitty dolls and a hello Kitty balloon.

We felt that God wanted us to continue some house cleansing activities. On the same day, we did the following, as led by the Spirit of God: -

(a) We tore and threw away some of our honeymoon photos, especially all of those taken in the famed Grand Palace, Bangkok as we found there were many figurines of idols in those photos. A few months ago, my wife said she was prompted to throw those photos but I said proudly, there's no such need (as I was unwilling to part with those photos taken during such memorable times). I repented and as we threw away those photos, we bound the demonic spirits in Jesus' Name and rebuked them to leave.

(b)Then, we were led to get rid of some books. Interestingly, all these books appeared harmless per se but with the leading of the Holy Spirit, we threw away (1) my daughter's storybook titled "Puss in the boots"; (2) a thick Christian book which contained a few pages of images of idols, etc. (3) a few cooking books (in Chinese) which contained a lot of images of Thai-inspired images.

In short, the 2 simple lessons learnt: -
(1) not to simply accept items from people (despite the good intentions of people); and
(2) not to simply purchase things without asking God.

Hallelujah! God is so kind to reveal these things to us. This is in line with His heart's desire to have a Bride that is pure, spotless and without wrinkle. Not only is cleansing the house a prophetic act, God is setting forth His standards of holiness amongst His people. Let's be sensitive to His leading and obey His promptings.

(to be continued)

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The Supernatural caught on camera

I was first introduced to the possibility of the supernatural being caught on camera many years ago when I heard about the many signs and wonders of the Ba Kelalan revival that were being captured in photos. I managed to get hold of the book on the account of Ba Kelalan revival where there were (black and white) photos of angelic lights, fire in the sky, etc. Undoubtedly, there's a growing interest in the supernatural in the recent years and with the advent of internet technology we can easily access photos of the supernatural realm caught in various Christian meetings.

Appearances of Angelic Orbs
More and more people are beginning to capture shots of (angelic) orbs in their cameras and there are all kinds of debates as to what these orbs are. I didn't pay much attention to these things until I was reminded of photos I took when I was in Singapore last year. I noticed a group photo taken in a church where there was an "orb" near me in the photo. But, what amazed me the most is that, there were many orbs captured in a series of photos taken when my family visited the Underwater World Singapore, especially at the section where the travelator is. In fact, there were a few orbs which appeared in each of the photos taken at the oceanarium. Could there be many spiritual activities there? Or that many of the visitors on that day were believers? It still remains a mystery to me.

There are two interesting articles concerning the appearances of these orbs which I found helpful to expand our understanding. Firstly, in Sis Victoria's post here , she explained how do angelic orbs find their way to the camera lenses as revealed by God to her. Another short article can be found here , i.e. the prophetic revelation of these orbs as explained by Rev Collin Gordon.

Amazing photos of the supernatural caught on camera
There are many photos where the supernatural realm was caught on cameras. But, when I stumbled on the two photos below, it's just so amazing! These are not orbs or angelic appearances but they show how humans (flesh and blood) were somewhat transported in the spirit realm and these events were captured by cameras! Wow, our God is great indeed!











Note: In this first unedited photo (taken from Still Waters International Ministries website) the photo captured the phenomenon when Dr Bruce Allen was praying in a meeting and was transported to another country.














Note: This second photo (taken from Son of Thunder website) was taken of a woman dancing with a gold flag in a meeting where Ian Clayton was ministering in South Africa. The woman herself has dissapeared and all that remains is what you can see.

More of the Supernatural?
I believe that the supernatural realm is the birth right of every disciple of Christ. The very basis of this statement is that we are all spirit beings and that the spirit (supernatural) realm is of greater reality than our natural, physical realm. By the grace of God, many scriptural teachings have gone forth in the body of Christ regarding the spirit realm.

There's a whole new generation of the army of God that will move in mighty signs and wonders. Why signs and wonders? Should we not pursue God? Yes, our pursuit is after God but at the same time, mighty signs and wonders will be following us. In fact, these signs and wonders point to the reality of our wonderful Lord and Saviour in this unbelieving world. And on the other hand, these signs and wonders will stir the hearts of the bride of Christ to greater intimacy with the Bridegroom. And with the knowledge of Him, downloaded from the supernatural realm, the bride of Christ shall do great exploits in these end-times.

Come to think of it, if the supernatural can be caught on camera, our (physical) lives should also be living and manifesting the supernatural. Amen!

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What Does It Mean to Seek the Lord?

(By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org )

Seeking the Lord means seeking his presence. “Presence” is a common translation of the Hebrew word “face.” Literally, we are to seek his “face.” But this is the Hebraic way of having access to God. To be before his face is to be in his presence.

But aren't his children always in his presence? Yes and no. Yes in two senses: First, in the sense that God is omnipresent and therefore always near everything and everyone. He holds everything in being. His power is ever-present in sustaining and governing all things.

And second, yes, he is always present with his children in the sense of his covenant commitment to always stand by us and work for us and turn everything for our good. “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

But there is a sense in which God’s presence is not with us always. For this reason, the Bible repeatedly calls us to “seek the Lord...seek his presence continually.” God’s manifest, conscious, trusted presence is not our constant experience. There are seasons when we become neglectful of the Lord and give him no thought and do not put trust in him and we find him “unmanifested”—that is, unperceived as great and beautiful and valuable by the eyes of our hearts.

His face—the brightness of his personal character—is hidden behind the curtain of our carnal desires. This condition is always ready to overtake us. That is why we are told to “seek his presence continually.” God calls us to enjoy continual consciousness of his supreme greatness and beauty and worth.

This happens through “seeking.” Continual seeking. But what does that mean practically? Both the Old and New Testaments say it is a “setting of the mind and heart” on God. It is the conscious fixing or focusing of our mind’s attention and our heart’s affection on God.

“Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God.” (1 Chronicles 22:19)

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2)

This setting of the mind is the opposite of mental coasting. It is a conscious choice to direct the heart toward God. This is what Paul prays for the church: “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ” (2 Thessalonians 3:5). It is a conscious effort on our part. But that effort to seek God is a gift from God.

We do not make this mental and emotional effort to seek God because he is lost. That’s why we would seek a coin or a sheep. But God is not lost. Nevertheless, there is always something through which or around which we must go to meet him consciously. This going through or around is what seeking is. He is often hidden. Veiled. We must go through mediators and around obstacles.

The heavens are telling the glory of God. So we can seek him through that. He reveals himself in his word. So we can seek him through that. He shows himself to us in the evidences of grace in other people. So we can seek him through that. The seeking is the conscious effort to get through the natural means to God himself—to constantly set our minds toward God in all our experiences, to direct our minds and hearts toward him through the means of his revelation. This is what seeking God means.

And there are endless obstacles that we must get around in order to see him clearly, and so that we can be in the light of his presence. We must flee every spiritually dulling activity. We must run from it and get around it. It is blocking our way.

We know what makes us vitally sensitive to God’s appearances in the world and in the word. And we know what dulls us and blinds us and makes us not even want to seek him. These things we must move away from and go around if we would see God. That is what seeking God involves.

And as we direct our minds and hearts Godward in all our experiences, we cry out to him. This too is what seeking him means.

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near.” (Isaiah 55:6)

“If you will seek God and plead with the Almighty for mercy...” (Job 8:5)

Seeking involves calling and pleading. O Lord, open my eyes. O Lord, pull back the curtain of my own blindness. Lord, have mercy and reveal yourself. I long to see your face.

The great obstacle to seeking the Lord is pride. “In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him” (Psalm 10:4). Therefore, humility is essential to seeking the Lord.

The great promise to those who seek the Lord is that he will be found. “If you seek him, he will be found by you” (1 Chronicles 28:9). And when he is found, there is great reward. “Whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). God himself is our greatest reward. And when we have him, we have everything. Therefore, “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”

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You desire truth in the inward parts

King David understood the heart of God when he penned the words, "You desire truth in the inward parts..." in his penitent Psalm 51. Often times, we literally "throw" up words from our mouths to God when praying without really weighing how much do we mean in our hearts what we say with our mouths. God in His great mercies do not answer all our prayers, albeit how eloquent they sound.

As a teen, I used to be and still is very touched and amazed by a particular prayer of saint Francis even though I did not know much about who saint Francis was.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.

I would ponder in my heart, wondering who would have such pure hearts seeking to console than to be consoled, to understand thant to be understood, etc. It is definitely a prayer of one who clearly identifies with the death of Christ and could easily echo along with Paul, "It is no longer I that live but Christ that lives in me..."

When I go through circumstances which really reduce me to nothing, I would cringe and be upset. But, I hear the gentle whisper of the Spirit saying, "have you not prayed to decrease and Jesus to increase in your life?"

How funny, isn't it? Many at times, we were so sincere when consecrating ourselves before God and making prayers like "I decrease and You increase". How does God answer such prayers but to allow circumstances where our self and flesh would experience the crucifying pain of death? Sometimes, God answers our prayers by arranging circumstances that cause or seem to cause our reputation to be worthless or causing us to be unnoticed and ignored by people around us. Would we welcome such circumstances in our lives and say "Yes, Lord. I die this momoent. And I die daily. It's not about me, it's all about You."

He desires truth in the inward parts
Sometimes, we do not know our own hearts until God reveals it to us through trying circumstances in life. We would claim to be sincere and truthful but it would only be so until we have truly undergone His tests in this life.

It was not until Abrahim was in the act of nearly stabbing Isaac to death that God intervened and said that now it's clear that Abraham feared God and would obey Jehovah God to the point of sacrificing his one and only son.

Our God is a holy God. He is true and righteous. And He longs for His Bride and His children to share in His divine nature. No, He is not like the Liar who would take advantage of such circumstances in life to condemn us. Not only is our God holy, He is also a compassionate, loving High Priest who understands our nature. He reveals our hearts not to condemn us but to draw us to Himself. There is no need to despair when we come under the glorious Light of God. We can always run to the Strong Tower who is our Refuge and in Him, when we are weak then we are strong.

God is raising a new company of His end-time army. Doubtless to say, this army will be very powerful and equipped with His precious anointing, with signs and wonders following. However, these carriers of God's presence and power can qualify to be a part of this company when their lives are so transparent before Him that there is not even a tiny blot of darkness within. Rather, this company of God's army will allow the love, light and holiness of the Lord of Hosts to shine through their lives. Can you see the rising of this company? Can you see this glorious Bride of Christ? The golden light of God shine through them and dispell the powers of darkness wherever their feet would tread. Hallelujah! Come forth army of God!!

Prayer
Father God, as you are preparing and birthing forth this glorious Bride, this company of end-time warriors, let me yield myself to you and allow you to complete your works of grace in my life for I long to be a part of Your glorious destiny. Let my prayer still be "let me decrease and You increase". Amen.

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I asked for more of Him...

In the recent weeks, I have been asking for more of God in my prayers. This is not about complaining or doubting the all-sufficiency of Christ in our lives. Those who have tasted that the Lord is good would agree with the phrase coined by Wade Taylor as having a "dissatisfied satisfaction". Having tasted the goodness and the delight of our lovely Saviour, we just long for more of Him. Having drunk the sweet wine of the Spirit from the wells of salvation, we just come back for more...

Surrender
Two weeks ago, I began to sense the Spirit of God speaking in my heart.
"Surrender"
Then, I argued "Surrender? Lord, you have spoken to me about surrendering myself before and I have responded to your call to surrender. What else is there to surrender?"

"To have more, you have to give more"
Slowly, I began to understand what He meant. If I want more of Him, do I have the capacity to contain more of Him? Is there room for more of Him in my heart? Or is my heart full of other things that shut the Lord away? I felt ashamed of my earlier argument. Even though I have responded to His call to surrender to Him, there are still areas in my heart that are cluttered with things that somewhat shoved Him away and made Him unwelcome in my heart.

"Surrender your time and energy"
Now, it's getting more specific. How do I spend my time and energy? Are they spent in pursuing worthless things? Or are they surrendered to God in the pursuit of Him (in line with my prayer for more of Him). Could I sacrifice my sleeping hours to spend time basking in His glorious presence? Do I spend my energy during my waking hours doing things as a devotion of love to Him?

No, these were not condemning thoughts that entered my mind. Neither were they legalistic demands imposed by the Master. Deep within me, I know that this is an invitation from the King. In my prayer for more of Him, He has graciously extend His invitation to me, "Come up hither..." Hallelujah!

Prayer:
Father God, turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,and revive me in Your way. (Psalm 119:37)

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

(to be continued...)

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A Call to Surrender

I heard our loving God spoke to me about surrendering to Him in the past weeks. About two weeks ago, somehow my spirit received God's (rhema) Word when I heard a preacher mentioned, "to surrender to Him everything including His call and giftings for us since we are nothing without Him (paraphrased)".

This word "surrender" has caused an 'uneasiness' within me in the beginning because I have yet to grasp the full meaning and intent of the Spirit of God when He quickened this word to me. There's definitely a lot of chewing (pondering and meditating) to be done.

As the Holy Spirit begins to enlighten my understanding on what He's saying to me concerning surrendering to God, I begin to receive more of His life and love. There's just such a longing for Him.

Firstly, I begin to understand that a call to surrender is an echo of His love. For a call to surrender is the prelude to His manifest blessings in our lives. The key to the fulfillment of His promises in our lives is summed in one word: surrender. Oftentimes, we grow weary of waiting for the fulfillment of His word. But the period of waiting is so necessary in the divine plan and purpose of the Almighty Creator. It is through the waiting period, we learn to surrender. When Jesus lived on this earth, little was mentioned about the first thirty years of His life. His silent (surrendered) years culminated in the obedient act of baptism before the launch of his public ministry.

A surrendered life also means the death of our "self" lives. The apostle Paul shared his secret of powerful life and ministry in Galatians 2:20 (which shed more light into the understanding of living a surrendered life) - "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me". When we yield and surrender our lives to Him, we tap on a higher surrendered life - His zoe life, the "Amen" life of Jesus. And what greater motivation for us to respond to this call to surrender than His love. As His love floods our souls and melts our hearts, we are just compelled by His love to yield our hopes, plans and ambitions for His good and perfect will.

Here's a song that aptly expresses a lovely response to God's call to surrender: -

Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.

All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands.
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands.

For it's only in Your will that I am free,
For it's only in Your will that I am free,
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.


Scriptures for meditation:
1. I am dead and my life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)
2. He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again (2 Corinthians 5:15)

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