Why It Is Difficult To Have The Lord's Supper In Church Services

Why It Is Difficult To Have The Lord's Supper In Church Services

From Jesus' time to the early church, the Lord's Supper was not just bread and wine (or elements of that). It was a communal meal (aka a full meal).

Now 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples... - Matthew 26:26 (See also Mark 14:22).

Note: For those who say that we must literally follow the Bible without understanding the principles of truth, you should only use wine instead of grape juice. For some of us, we prefer Ribena.

Believers gathered, not just for sustenance, but also for fellowship (koinonia), which means the '𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧' in this eternal life in Christ. Read 1 Cor 11:17-34. It's not for the purpose of socializing with friends. That's not fellowship.

In the early church, the communal meal was also known as the Agape feast (Jude 12). Holy Communion was done in the context of Agape feast (1 Cor 11:17-34). At the feast, each individual brings his food to the table (like a modern potluck). It's shared participation. The rich will bring more while the poor may bring less, but everyone gets a share equally.

The Agape feast and the Eucharist (Holy Communion) were always held together until around 3rd century when it became separated.

Today, this is seldom practised as it is difficult to have the Lord's Supper during church services. People may have communion with Christ, but 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.

Though the early disciples met regularly in the temple courts, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 (Acts 2:46). Because Agape feast & Eucharist can be better done in a home setting, so that believers can have 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.

While the Lord's Supper signifies the past (what Christ did), the present (His actual presence) and the future (His return), it also encompasses koinonia because communion with Him must lead to communion with one another, since His Body was broken so that we become the Body of Christ to serve one another.

By participating in Holy Communion on the church pews, it has diluted and missed the original purpose of the Lord's Supper. Perhaps it's time to return to its significance. #homechurching

P.S: The abuse in the Corinthian church did not stop the Agape Feast & Eucharist from taking place, but was simply rebuked and corrected by Paul. Today, we avoid this by instituting man-made ordinances that are simply traditions. There is no issue with having tradition as long as it does not prevent us from following the Word. Sadly, the tradition for Holy Communion prevents some from biblical participation.

P.P.S: In Agape feast, we will also discover who is generous and sacrificial, and who is self-centred, NOT by the amount of food we bring (for some are richer), but 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐭.

Three Phases of 40 Years

Three Phases of 40 Years

A generation generally refers to 40 years in the Bible (Num 32:13). To see our grandchildren's generation, it will be the third generation.

If we break down our lives into three generations of 40 years:

First 40 years will be the time of exploration:

- We explore and venture into all that we desire. We take risks to step into new things and keep testing variants. We want to give the youth years to discover our assignment on earth.

Second 40 years will be the time of consolidation:

- We narrow down and prioritise our lives to fulfill our assignment. We put away every unnecessary and seemingly good stuff so that we can focus on the God-stuff. We continue to take risks (since faith is spelt 'risk') but focused-risks in targeted areas. We run with the goal of our heavenly call and no longer swerve to the left or the right.

Third 40 years will be the time of impartation:

- We teach our children's children to go after God and His Kingdom. We impart whatever principles, lessons and experiences that we have learnt to them. We continue to take risks to build deeper into our assignment and complete it (there is no retirement and "in the sweet by and by" in the Kingdom by the way). Finally, we bless our children and our children's children before we commit our spirit to the Lord.

Just something that came to my mind as I was in the Theta brainwave frequency before hitting the sack.

Disclaimer: I'm not saying that this is the fixed way it should be but something to ponder about as I'm approaching the second phase.

P.S: Oh yes, it shouldn't be surprising to live till 120.

The Power Of The Mind Part 2

Came back from a swim and looked into the mirror. Soon... I'll be 40. The reality of Beholding is as real as Becoming. Your age does not have to determine your life, energy and health.

And what I am going to share is a living testimony of the power of your mind that God has created.

People often say, “Mind over body.” This is actually supposed to be literal. Your mind has the power to control every part of your body, including cells (as mentioned in Part 1).

People put in a lot of efforts in dieting and exercising. I have nothing against that. It is, in fact, good, because that is self-discipline. But there is a problem with that. It can become a form of addiction. Stop your diet or exercise regime for one week and see how you respond. If you get uncomfortable, you are likely addicted to it. In other words, your trust is not in Jesus but your ability to exercise and follow a diet. I used to go to the gym regularly in the past. So I understood about this form of addiction. The last I went was in 2007, about more than 13 years ago, until I was devastated when I was diagnosed with an incurable autoimmune disease (now healed by God). I learnt never ever to trust in diet and exercise again.

Disclaimer: I’m not saying that observing diet and exercise is no good. It’s good if you are free from being addicted to it. It’s good if you do not over rely on them. You will know if you have become dependent if you have “withdrawal” symptoms/feelings when you stop for a while.

I’m sharing something more superior than observing diet and exercise. The former only reaches the “body” realm. But the mind is more superior than the body, because the mind is in the “soul” realm. If we allow the Spirit to function correctly, He will move through the soul (mind) before touching the body.

By meditating and beholding who Jesus is, your mind has the power to control your body cells (including weight loss and muscle development). I’m not kidding. That’s why I have to put the photo as a proof. People who didn’t meet me for some time kept thinking that I must have gone to the gym to beef up. They refused to believe that I merely went for swimming.

Here are the keys to what I did to produce the outcome:

Gym: Last I went was 2007. More than 13 years ago.

Weight-lifting: By no means. I’m short enough.

Jogging: Last I went was 2018.

Cross-fit: Zero time. Never ever pay to be tortured, since the Cross already paid for you to be free from torture. 

Diet: Three normal meals per day as a normal person does. Never observe any diet.

Coffee: Twice a day

Swim: The only exercise I do is swimming. Three times a week, 10 laps per time. Period.

Special diet: Potato chips often around mid-night. Frequency: Regularly.

Health supplements: Word of God. Not just once a day. But regularly throughout the day.

I know this might be unbelievable to some, especially for those who really put in a lot of efforts for diet & exercise, of whom I honour them for the discipline, which is important.

But this is meant to point to the possibility of God’s kingdom reality for your physical body through the power of your mind in Christ. Not many people preach about this, but the Kingdom is meant to flow through our spirit, soul and body. Life and health are imparted through the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus.

If the kingdom of God can flow through our spirit to destroy sickness in our body, the kingdom of God can also flow to sustain strength, life and power in our body.

I’m pretty radical when it comes to certain beliefs in Christ. In fact, many believers think I’m crazy when I share the things that I believe in. But I rather believe God to the extreme, than to look back and have a faith that sits on the fence.

This post is pushing the limit to challenge us to see beyond what is humanly possible so that we can trust Him for the impossible. There are already lots of supernatural weight-loss miracles, so why can’t we believe in supernatural health and body? Christ IN you includes spirit, soul and BODY. Jesus!

Disclaimer: I’m not asking you to drop what you are doing in your diet and exercise, nor to eat junk, but challenging you to behold the Word, meditate and use the power of the God-given mind to produce cells in your body.

P.S: Jesus must be really buff on earth as a carpenter. No joke. He's not some limp-wristed pantywaist.

Delay In Raising Lazarus From The Dead

The following explains why Jesus had to delay in raising Lazarus from the dead.

1) Why did John write the Gospel of John? The main idea/purpose of this book will reveal why he only documented certain works of Christ.

2) What did the Jews believe in regarding the Messiah and the resurrection of the dead?

3) Were there prophecies in the Old Testament pointing to the Messiah raising the dead or regarding the resurrection of the dead?

Additional Background information about the Jewish law:

Those who don’t believe in resurrection “have no share in the world to come.” - Mishnah Sanhedrin 10:1

“The very height of mourning is not till the third day. For three days the spirit wanders about the tomb, wondering if it may return into the body... then it hovers no more, but leaves the body to itself.” - Genesis Rabbah 100 [64a]

“During the first three days. Experts return to the cemetery and examine the dead to determine whether they are really dead...” (Semachot 8:1)

The Power Of The Mind Part 1

The Power Of The Mind Part 1

There are truths in the Word that are now confirmed by Science. Science does not prove God. It confirms God by discovery.

The human brain operates in five different waves, namely: alpha, beta, delta, theta and gamma. Each of them has different ranges of frequency.

Adults usually function in the beta brainwaves when we are awake. However, young children function in the theta brainwaves (4-8 Hz), which is also known as the dreamy/drifty state of mind. It is associated with creativity and intuition.

As adults, there is a period where we operate in the theta brain frequencies ----- just before we sleep and just after we are awake; at that subconscious state of mind. This was also the times when King David meditated on God (Ps 63:1, 6) ----- before he slept and early when he awoke. Personally, I received revelation on marriage covenant few years back in that subconscious (theta) state of mind.

Our mind, at theta frequencies, is capable of deep and profound learning, intuition (aka spiritual revelations), creativity, memories, healing and growth.

This theta state of mind is also achievable during deep relaxation, inner peace and meditation (including speaking in tongues).

The Bible teaches in so many ways about the importance of mind renewal through meditation, prayer and tongues.

For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. - Prov 4:22

God already knew the power of our mind when He created us, and He taught us how to operate correctly so that we receive intuition, learning, health, etc.

The New Age spirituality and the Tibetans understand Theta Healing (brain frequencies) more than Christians, because we tend to reject anything supernatural. We always forget that there are only counterfeits when there is an original. God is the Creator of our mind. He is the Creator of brainwaves and frequencies.

There have been studies that showed that theta frequencies can kill tumours in the body. Those in New Age who practise Theta Healing (through a different medium) have gotten cancer patients healed, limbs regrown, etc.

We, who are in Christ, have been given the original Tool, the Word of God, to renew our mind and by will, operate in the frequencies to destroy every disease in our bodies. 

There is much more to our mind than you think you have. And before you relegate everything to the New Age and the demonic, go back to the Word and study again.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬, and then you will have good success. - Joshua 1:8

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡, just as your soul prospers. - 3 John 2

The way for us to prosper in health (and beyond health) is to meditate on the Word and get our mind renewed (with the theta state of mind).

Disclaimer: There are plenty of resources you can look at with regards to the human brainwaves. The resources are not supposed to change the truths in the Word. They are supposed to confirm it.

Stretching Your Faith

Stretching Your Faith

How did Jesus walk without unbelief when He had to be feeding five thousands with five loaves and two fish for the first time in His life? How did He walk without unbelief when He had to raise the dead for the first time on earth? 

I find that pretty intriguing.

"Most assuredly, I am saying to you, the Son is not able to be doing by Himself anything except that which He is seeing the Father doing; for whatever things that One is doing, these things also the Son in like manner is doing. For the Father is fond of the Son and is constantly showing Him all things which He Himself is doing. And greater works than these will He show Him in order that you may be marvelling." - John 5:19-20 (WUESTNT)

Some charismatic circles teach that Jesus saw what the Father was literally doing, and He followed likewise. For example, the Father spat on the ground... and Jesus did the same in order to heal the blind man (John 9:6). If this is true, then Jesus probably had to check out if the Father started walking with His left leg or right leg before He followed suit.

Some say, "Well... that's common sense. Don't need to see what God is doing when it comes to walking." Well, what is common sense to you doesn't mean it is common sense to Him. If you want to stick to one principle, you have to be consistent and stick to all. You can't pick and choose what you want to suit your own theology.

Let me submit to you that what Jesus saw in John 5:19 is the will and the heart of the Father. He knew that the Father would always heal and always provide. So He did likewise.

Verse 20 says that the Father would show Him greater works. In other words, Jesus had to stretch His faith beyond what He already saw in the "lesser" works of God.

What Jesus saw and did prepared Him to do the "greater" works. This is the same principle as 1 Samuel 17:37 - "And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

Jesus had to lean on the healing and miracles He saw and stretched His faith for the feeding of five thousands and the raising of Lazarus from the dead.

The God Who Was with me is the God Who Is with me. Therefore, I can stretch further. Greater works require greater stretching. We need to go beyond our comfort level. This applies to all areas: healing, prophecy, word of knowledge, relationship, finances, etc.

If you are comfortable at getting a word of knowledge for ailment, then stretch for names, vocation, address, contact number, etc.

If you are comfortable at giving 5-10% away, then stretch for 20% first, and watch how God supplies extra to you.

If you are comfortable at your job (because of stable income), then quit your job and go after what God is already telling you to do.

We can't see the "greater" if we are not willing to stretch further. Every time when we stretch a little more, we destroy unbelief a little more.

Divine Intelligence

Divine Intelligence

Since Artificial Intelligence (AI) is used in machines to think like humans and mimic our actions, Human Intelligence is of a higher level, because we created AI.

But there is still a more supreme level than Human Intelligence. That is Divine Intelligence. The Corinthian church, who was carnally-minded, immature and prideful, actually moved in gift of word of wisdom (the Greek word 'sophia' means Divine Intelligence).

They operated in such wisdom from time to time because of the gift. However, we are not meant to move from gift to gift ----- that is meant for infants aka carnally-minded believers. We are meant to move in identity according to the image of Christ who walked in fullness of God's wisdom and power.

Jesus walked in God's fullness so that the operation of Divine Intelligence is always constant and consistent. Since Jesus now lives in us, Divine Intelligence is now in us (1 Cor 1:24, 30). For we have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16).

Our mind in Christ is superior to Human Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence. Science (cf. Dr Caroline Leaf) has discovered that our mind has the ability to literally produce good cells (at our will) and change our bodies, actions and lives.

This is why the Bible teaches that we are to 'meditate on the Word', 'set our mind on things above', 'be renewed in the spirit of our mind', etc.

We can walk in such Divine Intelligence that encompasses all that Christ walked in on earth and beyond (John 14:12). That includes divine health, divine wealth (not necessarily money), and foretelling, etc.

I would like to say that New Age spirituality and some other powers (which I have personally witnessed and confronted) are counterfeit, because the enemy wants to lure people to them. 

However, just because there is a counterfeit does not mean that we should be fearful of walking in the Original Divine Intelligence. For if you don't do so, you are walking less than you were created to be; you are not giving Christ the full glory of what He sacrificed for on the Cross; and you are giving the enemy the opportunity to keep deceiving others because you fail to rise up and walk in the mind of Christ.

P.S: I don't subscribe to the prosperity gospel.

Progressive Christianity

Nicer building and greater use of digital technology do not mean necessarily mean progressive Christianity. It just means that we are progressing with times and the world, but at the same time, we are also diluting Christianity.

If we need to put a lot of effort to entertain and engage people, by the same token, we need to do likewise in order to keep them from leaving.

That’s not the Gospel.

The Gospel of the Kingdom is so relevant and timeless that it can reach everyone’s spirit, soul and body such that they realise that without it, they cannot live this life on earth.

The Kingdom doesn’t play catch-up. The Kingdom is the government realm of God that is to be established on earth as it is in heaven.

Systematic Theology

Systematic Theology

Since no man is perfect in theology, all man-made approaches to bible interpretations have their flaws.

The simplest and clearest approach to systematic theology, however, is not what we learn from men, but from Jesus Himself ------ Jesus exegeted God by the way (John 1:18). The method is actually given in the Bible, instead of some theological textbooks (of which I have also studied).

If anyone's 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 is to do God's will, he will know whether the 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. - John 7:17

The word 'teaching' means 'doctrine', where the Greek word 'didaskalía' is derived from. 'Didaskalía' is where the word '𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲' comes from.

True Christian theology leads to life applications. The head knowledge must translate to the hands in action. Because Jesus emphasizes on doing the will of God.

How does one know if the doctrine/teaching is of God? The answer is simple ------ 𝐢𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞'𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥.

The word 'will' means 'desire; intend'. If we desire to do God's will when studying His Word, the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truths (John 16:13; 1 John 2:20). Because spiritual truths from God must be spiritually discerned (1 Cor 2:10-16). Otherwise, non-believers can simply apply human methods to interpret the Bible. If spiritual truths can be interpreted that way, then you don't need the Spirit of God.

But the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in Him. - 1 John 2:27

This passage is to guard the Ephesians against deception and false teachings by the way.

In a nutshell, if we study the Word for the sake of more knowledge, we open ourselves more to deception and false teachings than someone who studies the Word so that he can obey and do God's will.

Disclaimer: This is not an excuse not to study the Word diligently (2 Tim 2:15).

P.S: The disciples of Christ were unschooled, ordinary men (Acts 4:13) who did great exploits. They didn’t go to the School of Great Bible Studies. Today, those who are scholars remain as scholars, but those who study and obey the Word literally do great exploits.

Breaking The Religious Mind

A number of people asked, "How do I know which job God wants me to take?"

This question has its root founded on the religious mind, which has been widely taught in many Christian circles. As a result, believers genuinely struggle to find out God's will concerning the job they should go for. They are waiting for God to speak to them and lead them to a particular job, or rather, the 'so called' God's best for them.

Well, you will realise that Jesus and Paul didn't talk about how you should wait upon God to get a job. Because that's not the main priority in the Kingdom. I know this is going against the normal flow of 'Spirit-led' decision. But the term 'Spirit-led' has been so spiritualised that we misunderstood it.

The main priority of a believer is to fulfill the Great Commission. In other words, you can choose any job if it supports the main work. Otherwise, if the job prevents you from fulfilling the Great Commission, quit that job because it's not God.

When we delight ourselves in Him, He puts His desires in us, since we are one with Him (John 15:5; Ps 37:4; 1 Cor 6:17). For it is God who works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Phil 2:13).

We are still thinking of religion where God is separated from us. Christianity doesn't have a God who is far away from us. In fact, He lives in and through us (Acts 17:28; Gal 2:20).

My son often likes to ask me, "Papa, what should I do?" And I'll reply, "What do you like to do?" When he shares his desires and passion, I'll say, "Do it!"

If you delight yourself in God, and share your desires and passion with Him, He will say, "Do it!" 

Your desires and passion will direct you to choose a job. God usually doesn't say, "This is the job for you. You can't do any other job." No. He is your FATHER! He empowers you to CHOOSE the job because He lives in and through you.

We are so afraid to take a step of faith and make the decision that we often cripple ourselves into thinking, "If God doesn't say anything, I don't do anything." That's not sonship. That's not the New Covenant. That's a slave's mentality.

When I was going to leave my previous salaried job, a Pastor-friend said to me, “Are you sure? Now you have a family, you know? You cannot just make a decision like that.” I was pretty surprised to hear that coming from a faith-filled person.

We are more concerned with making a mistake than stretching in faith because we have a wrong view of God where He appears to be smaller than who He says He is in Romans 8:28.

P.S: There is no God's best for getting a spouse either. Sorry to burst your spiritual, holy & religious bubble.

Complete In Christ

You have been made complete in Christ. - Col 2:10

The word ‘complete’ also means ‘made full’ and ‘filled’. It’s root word comes from ‘pletho’, meaning ‘full in quantity’, which is also used on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit filled (pletho) the disciples.

There is no “higher level” you can attain in Christ or “more anointing” you can hunger after. You have been made complete in Christ.

Christianity begins complete because Christ completed His works on the Cross. If you don’t start, continue and live from where Christ had finished, you are finished.

The Kingdom is upside down from the world (and often the church). If you think there is a higher level of attainment, you have not been crucified with Christ. That’s not humility. That’s actually pride, for you think that you can go higher and others are therefore, “lower” than you.

This immobilises believers because they think that they always need “more” in order to serve Him and do His works.

The day you see yourself complete in Christ is the day you cease to strive for identity and recognition. It will be the day you step out in faith to do what He wants you to do.

Filled With The Spirit

John 3:34. How filled (influenced, controlled, led) we are by the Spirit is directly measured by what comes out of our tongue.

Death of Herod

Death of Herod

The death of Herod in the book of Acts was widely believed to be attributed to God. Unlike Ananias & Sapphira’s incident, this is a tough passage to handle.

Having said that, it takes much more to argue that God killed Herod, than to say that He didn’t. There are way too many Scriptures to show that God (in His nature and character represented by Christ) wasn’t the One.

I have heard many interpretations, even from the New Covenant teachings. But none seems to explain the consistent nature of God who changes not. Some even said that God had to kill him (soul and body, but not spirit) in order to save more lives, i.e. to protect the Gospel and the Church. Well, if God does it to one, He has no reason not to do it to another. If Jesus is not the true exegesis of who God is, then we are no different from any non-believer.

And immediately, because he had not given the glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. - Acts 12:23

The word ‘angel’ in Greek can refer to ‘a superhuman being’, which is an angel. Or it can also refer to a ‘human messenger.’ There are many cross-references for these.

Hence, it is possible that a human messenger struck Herod. But in Josephus’ account, there was severe stomach pain from Herod’s internal, which seemed to point to something beyond natural. Furthermore, Luke wrote that Herod was eaten by worms, although he didn’t specify the timeline when it took place. It could have taken several days (in Josephus’ account) for the worms to eat him up.

Another possible reason is that an angel of God indeed struck Herod. Since angels have freewill (Jude 6; nowhere in the Bible says that angels don’t have freewill), they could have done something that God didn’t necessarily approve (just as Peter did in the case of Ananias & Sapphira).

A third reason could be that Luke didn’t have a full understanding of the New Covenant and thus, simply attributed everything supernatural to God. Just like Peter and the OT saints didn’t have complete understanding in their days. Don’t forget that Acts is a historical book and the Temple had yet to be desecrated. In Josephus’ account, Herod himself believed that he would certainly die if he saw the sign of an owl for a second time, which he did after he was publicly glorified by men. Negative faith is still faith that works according to your belief. The devil can easily steal, kill and destroy, and push the blame to God. This is the same today when believers attributed disasters and deaths to God. 

I’m more inclined to believe in the second reason where the angel acted on its own accord. Ultimately, it is not as vital to know who killed Herod, as long as we know that it is not God. Yes, there is a judgment that is to come, but it is not now and I have many Scriptures spoken from Christ Himself regarding judgment.

If God were to take away one’s life to save another, then Christ died in vain and He didn’t do a complete and perfect work on the Cross.

P.S: Since this is a radical view in the eyes of mainstream believers, I’ll like to suggest that you dig deeper before commenting, as I won’t be replying if the intention is simply to argue.

Medical Skeptics

It took several years of unchanging conviction in the face of trials before my wife began to agree more and more with me, when it comes to divine health and healing.

As a woman and a mother, she naturally inclined towards what the doctors say, for they are supposed to be professionals. However, after seeing, encountering and witnessing how consistent conviction brought about health, healing and results, she is now skeptical towards doctors (just as I am).

Disclaimer: I’m not here to put down any doctor. For those doctors who genuinely desire to serve, we are all in the same healing department. But there are also many who simply want your $$$ without good conscience, and often doing much guesswork. My trust cannot be in medical researches and medical science. It has to be in Jesus. If you know how I went through so many different medical departments in the past, you will know why my trust can never be in doctors.

I realised something very important as husbands (head of the household). Our beliefs will shape the beliefs of the whole household. As long as we stand firm, and remain unwavering and consistent in what we believe, we will convince the whole family to walk in complete alignment.

As head of the household, we need to be unshaken by shakeable circumstances and opinions (even from the same household).

Difficult Passages On Death

There are a few deaths and an incident of blindness in the historical book of Acts that most believers have credited to God.

Ananias and Sapphira - Death (Acts 5)

Elymas - Blindness (Acts 13)

Herod - Death (Acts 12)

I think we shouldn't avoid the difficult passages, but rather, go deeper with them. Out of these three passages, only Herod's one is more challenging, because Luke attributed it to God; whereas the other two passages were NOT attributed to God. Nowhere in Acts 5 and Acts 13 said that God did it or approved it. It was simply men who used the authority and the power they had been given to do it.

A policeman represents the local government. He has been given authority (police badge) and power (weapon). He can use them whether the government approves his action or not.

Next, we come to Herod.

And immediately, because he had not given the glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. - Acts 12:23

This is pretty difficult, and it's one that I'm still learning.

According to Josephus, the Jewish historian, who wrote an account of Herod's death in Antiquities 19.8.2 343-361, he said, 

"But he shortly afterward looked up and saw an owl sitting on a certain rope over his head, and immediately understood that this bird was the messenger of ill tidings, just as it had once been the messenger of good tidings to him; and fell into the deepest sorrow. A severe pain arose in his belly, striking with a most violent intensity. He therefore looked upon his friends, and said, "I, whom you call a god, am commanded presently to depart this life; while Providence thus reproves the lying words you just now said to me; and I, who was by you called immortal, am immediately to be hurried away by death. But I am bound to accept what Providence allots, as it pleases God; for we have by no means lived ill, but in a splendid and happy manner." When he had said this, his pain became violent. Accordingly he was carried into the palace, and the rumor went abroad everywhere that he would certainly die soon."

While this seems to give us more clue that God isn't the one who brought the death, it doesn't give us an explicit understanding either.

If you happen to have more resources, please share with us.

Fear Is An Indicator

Fear shows you where you are at. Love leads you where you should be.

Fear is learnt. A baby is born into this world without fear, unless he learns it in the womb and the circumstances around him. When the child interacts with his world, he begins to learn fear from his experiences and his associations.

Love, on the other hand, is created, since we are created in the image of God who is Love (1 John 4:8). We are born by love and to love.

Love gives us boldness (1 John 4:17) and faith (Gal 5:6) that frees us from fear. Since perfect love [imparts boldness] to cast out fear [except the fear of God] (1 John 4:18), anytime when we are fearful in an area, it is an indicator of where we are at.

When we are fearful in that area, it reveals that love is not perfected in that area. In other words, we need to know the love of God for us in that area more, until fear is cast out.

For example, if you are fearful of lack when your bank account balance is reaching zero, what you really lack is not money; what you really lack is knowing the love of God for you in the area of providence. 

Perfect love will empower us to see beyond the visible into the invisible so that we can appropriate the inheritance we have in Christ. Grace has already provided for us everything we need in this world. We just need to receive by faith through His love.

When we know His love, we position ourselves to be led to where we should be ----- maturity as the manifested sons of God.

The Power of The Word

The Power of The Word

The mind is in the soul realm. The brain & the body cells are in the body realm. The spirit is in the spirit realm.

Mind renewal (Rom 12:2) based on the Word of His power takes place in the soul realm, thus allowing the Spirit of Life to flow into our body realm (Rom 8:11).

The soul realm (mind) is the doorway for the Life to flow into the body realm. This is why mind renewal is the only way to true, lasting freedom (John 8:32).

The proof of mind renewal doesn’t lie with what you say; it lies with your body and your actions. When your body and your actions are in line with the will of God, it proves that your mind is renewed.

Since our brain controls our body and our actions, our brain must be healthy and functioning correctly. If our mind can re-wire our brain, then we need to be serious and diligent in renewing our mind according to the Word (2 Cor 10:4-5)

When I think about how God has already provided His Word for us to renew our mind, it drives me to worship Him. Every tool that is necessary for life transformation (including freedom from sin and sickness) has been GIVEN to us. 

The problem doesn’t lie with God. It lies with men not taking the tools seriously and use them for His glory. They blame God (whether directly or indirectly) for what happened to them. They get disappointed with God for appearing passive towards them.

We need to cut all these out and start taking responsibility for the privilege and the power that God has already provided for us.

Tenacity

Tenacity

The whole book of Revelation taught us one central theme: Patience Endurance.

Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. - Rev 2:10

Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. - Rev 3:10

Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. - Rev 14:12

The enemy will find opportune time to wear you down. It is either you wear him down, or allow him to wear you down.

Grace doesn't mean that you can simply rest and do nothing. Grace means that you are empowered with Christ to overcome every fiery dart that the enemy throws at you. And it takes tenacity in us to win the war, even though the battle is already won by Christ.

The only way to grow in tenacity is by the renewing of mind (Rom 12:2) to the truths in God's Word (Jn 8:32). You cannot build tenacity by a prophecy given to you. Your mind must remain unshakeable, unchangeable, unwavering, steadfast and immovable when it comes to the truths of God's Word.

Your life experiences may change; your circumstances may change; but the truths change not, for God changes not. Until our mind is renewed to that reality, we don't have the tenacity to stand firm in the truths for an extended period of time (of not seeing the desired results). The moment we get worn out by the enemy, we miss the privilege to receive the promises of God.

Tenacity is undervalued in the life of a believer. In order to win the war, there is a need for patient endurance.

P.S: This applies to healing for those with chronic diseases.

Scattered To Pour Out

On the Day of Pentecost, the disciples gathered in one accord at the Upper Room for the Holy Spirit to pour into them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, so that they could be His witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8).

It took a persecution to scatter the disciples (Acts 8:4), so that they could pour out the Holy Spirit beyond Jerusalem. They no longer kept gathering and waiting for God to pour in. They scattered for God to pour out through them, for Christ in them is the Hope of glory.

Covid is a tiny glimpse of “persecution”, though it isn’t really persecution.

Two days ago, I saw a vision of a gigantic bottle. Multitudes were waiting inside the bottle for one pebble to drop. However, the pebble couldn’t get through the opening. Then I saw the bottle turned upside down and the multitudes were being poured out into many different bowls and each bowl had that pebble.

What’s the point of this vision? I didn’t get any understanding until today.

The time has come where the “opening” has become tighter and shall be even more in the days to come. This is the time for the believers to stop gathering and waiting for the Holy Spirit to pour in. It is time for the believers to scatter for the Holy Spirit to pour out, because He is present (pebble) wherever we go ——- in every sphere of life.

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. - Matt 24:14

The True Exegesis

The True Exegesis

No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, 𝐇𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐦. - John 1:18

The word 'has declared Him' in Greek is eksēgéomai, where the English term is '𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬'.

Exegesis is the legitimate interpretation which "reads out of' the biblical text what the original author meant to convey.

In other words, 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐆𝐨𝐝 in the Scriptures.

No matter how strong your exegesis is; no matter how much you have studied about exegesis; no matter what your title is in the Kingdom of God... if your explanation/interpretation of who God is differs from Jesus' words and actions, your exegesis is wrong. Period.

For Jesus is the True Exegesis.

The Promises Are In You

The Promises Are In You

This morning, I saw a vision of a rainbow chasing after me. Whichever direction I head to, the rainbow keeps following me. Then the rainbow turns into words ------ "God's promises".

God's promises follow me wherever I go. Whichever direction I head to, His promises follow me. 

I said to Him, "Scriptures, please."

The Holy Spirit said, "2 Cor 1:20".

2 Cor 1:20 - For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory.

God's promises are Yes in Christ. Since Christ lives in you and me (Col 1:27), all of God's promises live in us. In other words, we don't have to pray for God's promises to come to pass in our lives. They are already given through Christ into our lives.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐬 with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭. - Eph 1:3

As His divine power 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐬 all things that pertain to life and godliness... - 2 Peter 1:3

Your tongue releases milk and honey, for I find the 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮. - Song of Solomon 4:11

Since the Promised Land (flowing with milk and honey aka all the promises of God) is now the Promised Spirit in the New Covenant (Gal 3:14), all of God's promises are 𝐈𝐍 us because of the perfect and finished works of Christ.

As Christ lives in us, His promises follow us wherever we go. If you don't see His promises, it has nothing to do with God, 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐀𝐋𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐘 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧. Since God cannot lie (Heb 6:18), and He changes not (Mal 3:6), the problem lies with us 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 by grace through faith.

For let not that man suppose that 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. - James 1:7-8

All of God's promises are in the 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 tense ---- already given to us. We need to learn to receive in the 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓 (NOW) and see the 𝐅𝐔𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 changed because of the manifestation of the promises (Mark 11:24).

In a nutshell, "𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐕𝐄".

The Power Of Testifying

The Power Of Testifying

And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡. - Rev 12:11

Most of the time, we will hear teachers of the Word talking about overcoming the enemy (in the area of healing) by His blood and our testimonies. But they almost never talk about the most crucial key to overcome the enemy ----- that is, to love not our lives even unto death.

When we are self-focused, we are earthly-minded. Only when we are Christ-focused do we become heavenly-minded (Col 3:1-3). 

To testify for the purpose of self-benefit is to be self-focused. In that way, you won't overcome the enemy.

To testify for the purpose of exalting Him is to be Christ-focused. That destroys both the nature and the works of the devil.

On the other hand, there is another school of thoughts when it comes to healing testimonies. Some told me this, "Wilson, even though all my symptoms have left me, I am not going to testify or write about it. Medically, there is no cure. The medical review can be good but I can't be sure that the symptoms won't come back. I don't want to testify first, and end up tarnishing the name of God when I am not really healed in the end."

Well, in true honesty, they are afraid of tarnishing their own reputation, not God. God is way more secure than that. The self-absorbed mindset prevents them from testifying and walking in faith. Because they love their lives and stop the power of testimony, they will not overcome the enemy. He will come and steal, kill and destroy.

Out of the ten lepers, only one returned to testify and glorify God. Only he was made whole (having all missing limbs re-created). There is power when you testify what He did for you ---- even if you haven't seen the full manifestation of wholeness.

When you testify the works of God, you nullify the works of the enemy.

God is most glorified when you are most satisfied in Him.

The Cross

Remain Hidden

Remain Hidden

For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. - Col 3:3

Very often, we forget that we have died with Christ on the Cross (Gal 2:20; Rom 6:11). When we try to think of ourselves, we are setting our mind on things on earth (Col 3:2); we no longer intentionally remain hidden in Christ.

This is when we walk out of His protection.

Psalm 91:1 says that He who dwells in the 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 of the Most High shall abide under the 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰 of the Almighty.

'Shadow' speaks of His protection. However, in order to hide under His protection, we need to dwell in the secret place of the Most High. The Hebrew word for 'secret place' is also 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠.

The secret place of the Most High or the 'covering' is where King David understood to be a literal place of communion. 

You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐭, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel. - Exo 25:21-22

The Hebrew word for 'mercy seat' is 'propitiatory'. It's root meaning is '𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫'. So the mercy seat is a covering over the Ark of the Covenant in the tabernacle, in the Holy of Holies (or the Most Holy Place).

In the 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 of His tabernacle He shall hide me... - Ps 27:5

He who dwells in the secret place (covering or mercy seat) will hide under God's protection. In the New Covenant, the mercy seat is no longer a literal place in the tabernacle.

...being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐬, whom God set forth as a 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness... - Rom 3:24-25

The word 'propitiation' in the Greek means '𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐭'. See also Hebrews 9:5 (Scriptures interpret Scriptures).

Since Christ is our propitiation (1 John 2:2), He is also our mercy seat. Today, when we 𝐝𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭, we are dwelling in the secret place of the Most High.

For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. - Col 3:3

Since Christ is our covering, we must be intentional to remain hidden in Him. The shield of faith which extinguishes 𝐀𝐋𝐋 the flaming arrows of the evil ones (Eph 6:16) is to acknowledge and agree that the life which we now live is in and through the Son of God (Gal 2:20).

As long as we remain hidden (not thinking 'us'), but Him, we can walk under God's protection where the enemy cannot hit us.

P.S: Since Christ is our covering, no man of God can be your covering.

Health For Your Body

For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. - Prov 4:22

The Word of God is health to ALL our flesh. The Jubilee Bible translation says that it is 'medicine' to all our flesh. The word 'health' in Hebrew can also literally refer to 'medicine'.

People are diligent to take their supplements and vitamins every single day in order to stay healthy. If some are sick, they would religiously take their medicine according to what the doctors have prescribed. Others would exercise regimentally and regularly to keep themselves healthy.

But the most important key to divine health is none of the above. It is found in the Word of God. The Word of God is HEALTH and MEDICINE to every part of our body!

How often do we consume the Word every single day? If we can literally take vitamin pills and/or medicine 3 times a day, why don't we take the Word of God as chief vitamins and medicine 3 times a day?

Why do we trust doctors, dieticians and fitness instructors more than the God of all flesh? Why do we place our faith in what is fallible instead of what is infallible?

People asked me why I would eat potato chips at wee hours. Some think that I am putting God to the test. Well, I am not. God doesn't need to be tested. He has perfect integrity and His Word does not return to Him void. It is us who need to be tested. Who do we trust? In Him or in ourselves?

I have seen many personal healings by consuming potato chips. Because my focus is not on what goes into my body, but what comes out of it. It is not what you eat that defiles you, but what comes out of your mouth (Mark 7:15). This is why Joshua 1:8 says that the Word of God should not depart from your mouth; in other words, what comes out of your mouth should be an overflow of your belief system (Matt 12:34).

My mind is thinking about Scriptures in relation to health and healing when I consume my potato chips (and enjoying them). You can take all the vitamins and supplements, and exercise all you want, but if your belief system is not filled with God's prescription, all your works are in vain and that is not the key to divine health.

In this world, nothing that enters your mouth is not fallen. Every single edible thing has fallen since the Fall. So if your trust is not in the invisible Redemption, it will not produce life and health in your body.

The Word is certain, sure and faithful. It says that the Word of God is HEALTH to all your flesh (every part of your body). It is either you believe and start taking the Word as your food, or you can choose to place your confidence elsewhere according to the world's method.

Choosing LIFE means choosing the Word.

Discerning of spirits

The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

In the same way, He bears witness with our spirit when someone is operating from a different manner of spirit.

Since we are to regard no one according to the flesh (2 Cor 5:16), discerning of spirits is needed to see beyond the appearance, attitude, position, behaviours and words of a person.

Demonic manifestation is a low level darkness. Angels of light are of higher level darkness (Eph 5:8; 2 Cor 11:14-15) because they look like one of us in the same arena.

The simplest way to grow in discerning of spirits is to know the Spirit of Truth, who happens to be the Spirit of liberty. For only Truth will set one free (John 8:32). If you don’t know the Word of Truth, you don’t know the Spirit of Truth, and your discernment will be affected.

Today, the angels of light are working hard to keep believers in the four walls of the church in the name of wisdom, which is fear in disguise; in the name of peace, which is status quo in disguise; in the name of righteousness, which is works of the law & bondage in disguise.

Inner Healing

Inner Healing

Apostle Paul, after spending an unknown number of years alone with Jesus in the desert after an encounter on the road to Damacus, came back with the New Covenant revelation of Christ (Gal 1:11-12, 15-17).

Even Christ's first disciples didn't have that revelation (John 12:16; 16:12-14), because they didn't have the Holy Spirit at that point when Jesus was still walking with them on earth. Without the Holy Spirit, one cannot comprehend spiritual truths.

Paul was taught by no one but Christ Himself (1 John 2:27) and he came back correcting the first disciples on the New Covenant (Gal 2:11-21). Those who walked with Christ personally on earth failed to know Him intimately as compared to Paul who only had the Holy Spirit. 

Here's the thing: Don't think that you cannot know Him more than the disciples.

Despite writing a big part of the New Testament and most of the epistles, and despite performing extraordinary miracles and undergoing severe persecution, Paul actually revealed that he hadn't reached the place of absolute spiritual maturity and that he wanted to know Christ more.

He taught us what inner healing is so that we can grow unto perfection unto Christ.

Brethren, as for myself, as I look back upon my life and calmly draw a conclusion, I am not counting myself yet as one who has in an absolute and complete way 𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 [𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐬]; but one thing: I, in fact, am forgetting completely the things that are behind, and am 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭. - Phil 3:13 (WUESTNT)

Christ has completed the perfect works for us and in us. The image of God has been restored unto us. But we need to lay hold of all that Christ has done for/to us. 

The key to inner healing is not to go back to any past (including memories/traumas/incidents of the past). It is to keep going after who Christ is (Phil 3:14) ---- for who He is, is who we are.

When your 'stretching forward' is faster than your 'looking backward', you are all ready to grow unto maturity.

P.S: To look back to your past is self-centredness in nature. For you are called to be Christ-centred. We have to start from Christ, progress in Christ and finish in Christ.

Led By The Spirit

People sometimes think that being led by the Spirit has to do with something flaky or spontaneous due to the voice of God.

Nothing is further from the truth. Being led by the Spirit is the same as doing His Word. They are not in contradiction. 

Since walking in the Spirit is the same as walking in faith, and walking in faith is the same as acting upon His Word, then whenever you choose to walk in love and truth, you are led by the Spirit.

For God is love and the Spirit is truth. To be led by the Spirit is the same as walking in love and truth. You can be naturally supernaturally without being flaky and spontaneous.

Garden

Garden

As I was soaking in His presence, He took me to the garden. Everything was beautiful. There was such an abundance in the garden ---- animals, rainbow, fountains, butterflies, trees, flowers, etc.

I saw Jesus kneeling and putting each stalk of flowers, one by one, into the ground. The ground appeared smooth and lovely, in excellent condition. Each stalk of the flower is ruined and dying, but when He put them into the ground, they started growing and flourishing. I asked Him, "What are You doing?"

He said, "If anyone abides in My Word, and I in Him, he will bear much fruit." He continued, "Put them back into the Word and they will grow; they will be restored." I replied, "Well, show me Scriptures." He answered, "Read the Parable of the Sower."

I read it again and thought, "Isn't this kind of different from the Parable of the Sower? I thought the ground referred to the heart, not the Word. If the heart is no good, the Word won't go in."

And He showed me Matt 7:24-27.

“Therefore whoever 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 these sayings of Mine, and 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. “But everyone who 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 these sayings of Mine, and 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

Reading in context, doing the Word is doing the will of God, for His will is found in His Word (Matt 7:21).

The difference between the wise and the foolish doesn't lie in hearing the Word, but in 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭. For 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 = 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠.

But he who received seed on the good ground is he who 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐭, who indeed bears fruit... - Matt 13:23

Good ground is the outcome of those who hear the Word and DO it.

It is pointless to listen to sermons, attend conferences, etc until you are willing to go into the Word (Bible) to find out His will and do it. To help people to grow, it's to put them back to the ground ----- bring them back to the Word for them to hear and do it.

There is no real growth until one is eager to go into the Word directly by himself, for himself, to obey and do it, so that he gets true understanding. This is the personal relationship with God that no one can produce for you.

P.S: Growth doesn't happen because of community or crisis. If it does, you don't need Jesus. Growth happens because of Christ alone. Community or crisis is there not to grow you, but to prove your growth (Matt 7:24-27).

The Simplest Way To Stay Grounded In The Word

The Simplest Way To Stay Grounded In The Word

...until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐝, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭, 𝐬𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 we may 𝐧𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 be children, 𝐭𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. - Eph 4:13-15

Having spoken to so many in the area of healing and the nature of God, I realise that alot of people do not know how God is like, because of various doctrines and interpretation of the Word.

The simplest way to stay grounded in the Word, and not be tossed by every wind of doctrine, is to have the knowledge of the Son of God, who is Jesus Christ.

Since Jesus Christ is the exact representation (Heb 1:3) and the image of the invisible God (Col 1:15), the nature of God must be found in Jesus Christ.

Apostle Paul was determined to know Christ and Him crucified, and the power of His resurrection (1 Cor 2:2; Phil 3:10). After encountering Christ (Acts 9:5), Paul spent 14 years (Church history; Gal 1:17) receiving the revelation of who Christ is as well as doing some ministry. The epistles that Paul wrote came out of the revelation of who Christ is ----- the New Covenant. Even the Twelve disciples didn't have that revelation (John 16:12).

If Paul said that the knowledge of the Son of God keeps us grounded in doctrines (Eph 4:13-15), then the simplest way to stay grounded in the Word is to know what the Word says about who Christ is. For He is GOD. #simple

Power of the Holy Spirit

Faith in Christ -> Receive the Power of the Holy Spirit -> Know His Love -> Unbelief is removed & Fear is removed -> Boldness & Confidence > Walk in the fullness of God

Faith in Christ leads to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is the power of God to know His love (Rom 5:5; Eph 3:16-19).

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Knowing His love casts out fear and unbelief, leading to boldness and confidence, which enables us to walk in the fullness of God (Eph 3:19) and manifest what Christ manifested.

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We have been given the POWER to know the love of Christ!

Removing Unbelief

Removing Unbelief

If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can speak to the mountain and it will move. (Luke 17:6; Matt 17:20)

𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐮𝐧𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. - Matt 17:20

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐭, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.’ - Matt 21:21

Using Scriptures to interpret Scriptures, Matt 21:21 interprets Matt 17:20.

𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐮𝐧𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟 = 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐭. 

For if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, mountain can be moved.

On the other hand, if the mountain (such as sickness) doesn’t move in your life, it has nothing to do with your faith (since you only need tiny mustard seed). It has to do with unbelief aka doubt (Matt 17:20; Heb 3:19; James 1:6; Matt 21:21; Rom 4:20). To have unbelief = doubt = wavering.

How do we remove unbelief? 

Since faith works through love (Gal 5:6), and faith is hindered by 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 unbelief (IMPT: It’s not other people’s unbelief), then we need to renew our mind (Rom 12:2) to see the Father’s love.

The more we see His love, the more unbelief gets out. And the more we see mountains moved.

We don’t need mountain-moving faith. There is only one faith (Eph 4:5). We need faith to work through His love without our personal unbelief. Jesus!

I Am Sovereign - The Father

I Am Sovereign - The Father

According to Cambridge dictionary, the word 'sovereign' means 'having the highest power or being completely independent.' The word 'sovereignty' means 'the power to control it's own government.'

The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all. - Ps 103:19

The word 'sovereignty' in Hebrew means 'royal power and dominion.'

He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. - 1 Tim 6:15

The word 'sovereign' here in Greek means 'ruler'.

𝐆𝐨𝐝'𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧.

But many believers' idea of God's sovereignty points to Him doing whatever He wants ---- even if it appears fickle-minded or inconsistent with what He already said in the Word.

They love to quote, "God does whatever pleases Him." - Psalm 115:3

Without looking into the nature of our Father, this verse can easily be misused to justify the wrong idea of His sovereignty.

God's Word is above His name. Psalm 138:2

God has given the earth to men to take dominion. Psalm 115:16

All authority has been given to Jesus, who granted us the privilege to use it so that we can take dominion. Matt 28:18

Since God cannot lie (Heb 6:18), and the word used in this particular verse is 'unable, powerless, incapable', there are things that God CANNOT do because of His nature and His Word, since He exalts His Word above His name (nature). 

We must not have the idea that the word 'cannot' cannot be used for God. Yes, He can do anything, but He cannot go against His nature (His Word), else it would 'de-throne' Him as it would make Him unrighteous and without integrity.

Since the universe is held by the word of His power, if He were to go against His Word in the name of the so-called false idea of 'sovereignty', the whole universe will break apart, including the world and everything in it. It is a serious thing that we cannot take lightly.

God CANNOT go against His Word (His nature). Whatever He has said in the Word, He will NOT change His mind. He is CONSISTENT. He is the SAME yesterday, today and forever. His Sovereignty is His way of dominion according to His Kingdom and He has made known to us in His Word through His Son, not something mysterious/mystical.

If your idea of God's sovereignty means that He can do anything He wants apart from His written word, then perhaps you and I worship a different God.

Because Of Unbelief

Because Of Unbelief

Recently, I have been training J to think, "If you believe, it will be done."

A number of incidents took place and I kept saying to him, "If you believe, it will be done."

It came to a point where he kept saying it regardless of the situation. It reached a place where he had more faith to believe in a situation than me.

And I learnt something from him.

Faith has nothing to do with an amount. Faith is not the issue. It is not the problem when the mountain doesn't move. Since the Bible doesn't talk about the amount of faith, it's not about how much faith you grow into.

Jesus only said, "Oh you of little faith" to the Jews. But He said, "Great faith" to the Gentiles. The former is about lacking trust in Him by people who were supposed to be in a relationship with Him. The latter is about having trust in Him by people who were alienated from Him. Read also Matt 8:26 (to Jewish readers) VS Mark 4:40 (to Gentile readers), which differentiates what Jesus said to people who were in covenant with Him VS not in covenant with Him.

Both cases do not apply to us, since we are a new creation and the epistles do not talk about little or great faith.

The moment when we are in Christ, we have been dealt with a measure of faith (Rom 12:3). The word 'measure' can also mean 'standard'. Since God is impartial, He gives each one a standard of faith. For the Bible doesn't say that He gives each one DIFFERENT amount of faith.

Since faith as small as the mustard seed can move mountains, and that we have been given a standard of faith, every believer has enough faith to move mountains.

My son didn't have to GROW in faith. He already has. He surpassed me quickly when it comes to the principle "If you believe, it is done."

WHY? Because as a child, he has LESS unbelief than me. Unbelief is learnt. It is not what you are born with. Life, in general, has taught us unbelief.

This is why Jesus told His disciples, "Because of your unbelief" (Matt 17:20). See also Matt 21:21, James 1:6-7 and Romans 4:20. We don't have to work on GROWING our faith. We already have.

We need to work on REMOVING unbelief. That’s what mind renewal is for (Romans 12:2). Unbelief comes from wrong belief (life experiences and wrong teachings). The more we get unbelief out of the way, the more God can have His Way through us. #revelation #unbelief #Jtaughtmetruths

Prophecy - Old VS New Part 1

Prophecy - Old VS New Part 1

Have you ever wondered why the Old Covenant (OC) prophecies were so accurate? In fact, the OC prophets could only be precise or they would die.

And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him. 20 But the prophet who 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐬 to speak a word 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐲 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞, which I have not commanded him to speak, 𝐨𝐫 who speaks 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐨𝐝𝐬, that prophet 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐞.’ 21 And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?’— 22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲; you shall not be afraid of him. - Deut 18:19-22 (emphasis added)

Some writers argue from this passage that if the OC prophet releases an inaccurate prophetic word, he has only spoken presumptuously (v22) and doesn't have to die.

But we must always read the Word in context, or it becomes a pretext for a proof text.

The OC prophet is to be put to death under two clear clauses:

1) If he presumes to speak a word in God's name (v20)

2) If he speaks in the name of other gods (v20)

If a prophet speaks 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐨𝐝𝐬, it is easy to recognise and that prophet will be put to death. However, if the prophet speaks presumptuously 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐝, it is not easy to recognise. Hence, God taught Israel how to test the prophet in v22. 

"When a prophet speaks 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐝, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲; you shall not be afraid of him." - Deut 18:22

If the prophecy does not come to pass, the prophet has spoken it presumptuously (root word in Hebrew is 'zud', which is exactly the same word used in v20). Israel did not need to be afraid of him, and reading in full context of the passage from v19-22, this prophet must be put to death (v20).

Whether it is a false prophet or an inaccurate prophet, both have to die in the Old Covenant.

Was God being difficult? By no means! Because it wasn't difficult to prophesy accurately in the Old Covenant. They were not born again. They didn't have the Spirit IN them. The voice of God came to them from OUTSIDE in. 

What the OC prophets hear, they simply speak. It is plain and easy. Whatever God speaks, they simply hear from outside in and repeat the words accordingly. There is no need for interpretation.

In the New Covenant, we are born again. We have the Spirit IN us. God now speaks from INSIDE out, not outside in. God speaks from within our spirit. Before we speak it out, the revelation needs to go through our soul (mind, emotions and will) and to our body (mouth). There is a place of interpretation which needs to take place in our soul (mind).

How we interpret correctly depends on how renewed our mind is (Romans 12:2). We will touch on this in the next part.

Discover What You Already Have

It is better to show you what you already have, then to give you what you think you do not have.

The former points you to Christ so that you don't need me. The latter points you to me so that Christ is not enough.

The former makes me dispensable in your life. The latter makes me indispensable.

The former empowers you. The latter feeds you in order to exalt me.

The line between the former and the latter can be so subtle that if you don't read the Word diligently and thoroughly, you will be convinced (and even convicted) that you need the latter.

Oh how far we have departed from the early church in the Bible. If a minister stays needed by people permanently, he has not empowered them to grow.

Your faith is not grown by what the preachers give to you. It is grown by knowing who you really are and acknowledging what is already in you through Christ's finished works.

That the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. - Philemon 6

Everything Is Given

Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐥𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 upon us as a love gift from our wonderful heavenly Father. - Eph 1:3 (TPT)

Alot of the charismatics are still waiting and praying for God and the men of God to impart gifts to them, when the Bible has already made it clear.

The word 'every' means 'each, all, each part(s) of a totality, every kind of.' The word 'spiritual' means 'things belonging to the Divine Spirit.'

Everything first comes from the Spirit, before it is manifested into the physical. 

His divine power has granted to us 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐨𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, through 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐢𝐦 who called us to his own glory and excellence, - 2 Peter 1:3

The knowledge of Him empowers you to walk in what you already have ----- every spiritual blessing (gifts, all things that pertain to life and godliness).

The problem with us not having them has nothing to do with God. He already gave all through Christ's finished works. The problem lies with wrong believing, resulting in us not receiving.

Get more anointing?

Get more gifts?

By no means! It's better to get back to know who God really is and what Christ has already done and given us.

Focus On That One Thing

Focus On That One Thing

It is important to focus on that ONE thing ---- the ONE assignment that God has called us to do. We cannot fulfill every need that demands our attention. People will always want you to meet their needs. Don't let guilt trap you to meet theirs.

Be firm to decline in helping others, if it distracts you from going after your assignment. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨. If everyone focuses on their assignments, every need will be met.

𝐁𝐔𝐓 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐭 meet all those needs and demands. When you decline to help, you will face accusations. People will say that you are not loving and they try to guilt-trip you. You cannot please everyone since you are only supposed to please God (Ahem... and your wife lol).

𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐆𝐨𝐝-𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 even if you are NOT helping others because it takes away your time from going after your assignment. When we fail to walk out the fullness of our assignment, we FAIL to love people in that capacity.

When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” But He said to them, “𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐮𝐬 𝐠𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬, that I may preach there also, because 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡.” - Mark 1:37-38

Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭.” - Luke 4:42-43

There were so many needs among the crowd. People needed Jesus' help. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬. 𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐢𝐦. He was focused with that ONE thing. Jesus set His face to go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). He wasn't distracted by the needs around Him, because there would be endless needs to meet.

Martha tried to guilt-trip both Jesus and Mary. She wanted Mary to help her. She also reckoned that Jesus did not care for her.

Yet Jesus said, "𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." - Luke 10:42

Let's learn to say NO to others and 𝐘𝐄𝐒 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠.

How You Receive Healing Is How You Continue

How You Receive Healing Is How You Continue

In the kingdom, everything is by grace through faith. How you receive salvation is how you walk out salvation. The moment when you try to walk it out differently, you are operating outside the kingdom.

Analogous to the salvation of the spirit, healing is also by grace through faith, since it is part of the kingdom. How you receive healing is how you walk in divine health.

Many believers are still waiting for the next healing or miracle service, when Jesus has already served them healing. How? By His stripes. There is no special anointed time for healing unless you think there is. According to your belief, it is done unto you (Matt 9:29).

Disclaimer: Healing service is more for non-believers than for believers. We must empower believers and not feed them.

My bible tells me that He took our sickness and bore our diseases 2000 years ago, so that by His stripes, we were healed (Isa 53:4-5; 1 Peter 2:24). 𝐈𝐟 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐬, 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞.

If you need a man to lay hand on you for healing, by the same token, you need a man to lay hand on you to stay healed. While there is a place to be ministered by others, we must not stay there as infants. We are to grow up unto Him.

In other words, there is a place for us to wrestle through the sickness or pain without going after a shortcut to get healing. Shortcuts in life never do you good. Bodybuilders know this, "No pain, no gain!"

I learnt that if you don't fight the enemy with your identity, he will search out the gaps to crush you. Jesus stood unshakeable, unchanging and unwavering. He remained steadfast and immovable because His eyes were always fixed on the Father. He often 'lifted His eyes to heaven', because He knew that if He could get His answers and perspectives straight from heaven, the devil has no chance to cause Him to stumble.

If you give up, you won't grow up.

Every Believer Can Walk In The 4-Fold Ministry Part 2

Every Believer Can Walk In The 4-Fold Ministry Part 2

As mentioned in part 1, every believer can walk out the 4-fold ministry in Eph 4:11.

The 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 no longer talks about gifts because he embodies a Person: 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐲 (Col 1:27). Jesus didn't walk in giftings. He walked in identity ----- as a Son of God. The creation is waiting for sons of God to be manifested (Rom 8:19), not people who merely move in gifts.

Reminder: The Corinthians were immature and Paul had to feed them with milk (not solid food) and talked to them about gifts.

But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞. - 1 John 2:20

The word 'knowledge' is not a good English translation. In the Greek, it says, "𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐬".

But the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮. But as His anointing 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, 𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐦. - 1 John 2:27

Because we are anointed as sons, the Holy Spirit came upon us (Gal 4:6; Lk 4:18; Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit teaches every believer ALL things (Jn 14:26).

In other words, a believer 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 anyone to teach him concerning the Word of truth, 𝐈𝐅 𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐝 (1 Jn 2:27; Jn 15:5; Jn 7:17), because he has the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16).

If we don't need anyone to teach us the Word of truth, is there a place for the 4-fold ministers? Of course!

We will look at that in Part 3.

Dream

I had a dream. In the dream, I saw myself preaching in a church that I used to work in.

When I went up to the pulpit and started preaching, many people left immediately. Only two familiar faces and some youths remained in their seats. They were hungry for truths.

God spoke to me, “Go after truths. Preach them regardlessly, because you won’t get a crowd for preaching truths. Only those who seek truths will listen to you.”

Every Believer Can Walk In The 4-Fold Ministry Part 1

Every Believer Can Walk In The 4-Fold Ministry Part 1

One may wonder why I say 4-fold instead of the usual 5-fold ministerial offices that we normally talk about.

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭. - Eph 4:11-13

In the Greek, it says "some indeed apostles, some now prophets, some now evangelists, some now 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬." Apparently, 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞. Because a shepherd's responsibility is to tend and care for his flocks, he must also be able to teach (Acts 20:28-29; John 10:7-11; 1 Peter 5:2; 1 Tim 3:1-3). Otherwise, his sheep will not be able to discern between truths and lies, right and wrong doctrines.

We see Jesus' example as a Shepherd who teaches truths.

When He went ashore He saw a great crowd, and He had compassion on them, because they were like 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐝. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 them many things. - Mark 6:34

A shepherd, thus, must be able to teach. You can't separate the office into a shepherd (pastor) OR a teacher. It's not either or. It's one.

Eph 4:11-13 says that the purpose of the 4-fold ministerial offices is to equip the Body of Christ (normal believers) to do the work of ministry, eventually reaching 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝: 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭.

Christ Himself walked out the 4-fold ministerial offices. He is the Apostle (Heb 3:1). He is the Prophet (Acts 3:22). He is the Evangelist (Matt 9:38). He is the Shepherd and Teacher (John 10:11; John 13:13).

The 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 no longer talks about gifts because he embodies a Person: 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐲 (Col 1:27). We will talk about it more in Part 2.

P.S: Apostle Paul taught the Corinthians about gifts and manifestation. But they were immature and carnal believers. They were NOT given solid food. Paul said that he gave them MILK (1 Cor 3:2). Ephesians are the mature ones that we should focus on (Rev 2:2-3).

The Kingdom Is Now And Not Yet

The kingdom is both NOW and not yet.

For many, it means that sometimes, healing and certain promises of God are not on this side of the world because the kingdom is not yet fully established until the return of Christ. As such, it is believed that we can experience a glimpse of that kingdom now, but not always. This is how people reason out their responsibility to grow in faith when things don’t happen.

I beg to differ. In the fully established kingdom, you don’t need any healing or promises of God because faith is no longer needed. It becomes a reality which you don’t need any faith for. You no longer live by faith in that kingdom. You can throw faith out.

Faith is always NOW. It is for the NOW. The kingdom that is not yet can become the kingdom NOW simply by faith. Without faith, you will never experience His kingdom on this side of the world. You will only experience it in heaven. You can live a normal life without any growth if you are simply waiting for the future to come.

The Kingdom is NOW if you live by faith.

The Kingdom is not yet if you live without.

Eventually you will still experience the kingdom on the other side of the world when it becomes everyone’s reality.

The Kingdom's Reality

The Kingdom's Reality

On earth, you access the kingdom by faith.

In heaven, you access the kingdom by reality.

Faith is what brings heaven's reality on earth. You don't need faith when you are in heaven. You need it on earth.

Therefore, you can access the redemption of soul and body (divine health and divine protection) by faith (1 Thes 5:23; Eph 1:7, 11, 14).

How you enter the kingdom is how you access and live in the kingdom ---- by faith.

The kingdom is NOW (by faith) and not yet (by reality). But faith is what brings reality on earth. If you are simply waiting for the sweet by and by to experience reality on earth, you are not living by faith and fail to understand righteousness. For the  righteous shall live by faith (Gal 3:11).

𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐈𝐍 𝐘𝐨𝐮 -— Knows All Things

𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐈𝐍 𝐘𝐨𝐮 -— Knows All Things

If the Spirit who knows all things lives in us (1 Cor 2:10-16; Col 1:27), we know all things (1 John 2:20, 27).

We have not even tapped into the fullness of Christ who is the Power and the Wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:24).

Many believers are still waiting for the next impartation when they already have the incarnation (the Spirit of Christ) - Gal 2:20.

They are waiting for the next level of anointing when they already have the Anointed One who has the fullness of anointing (2 Cor 1:21; 1 John 2:20).

They are waiting for God to give them another spiritual gift when they already have THE Gift of the Holy Spirit who has ALL the gifts (manifestation) - 1 Cor 12:4.

They are waiting for another outpouring of the Holy Spirit when the promise of the Holy Spirit was already fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 1:8).

They are waiting for God to do the next move when He already made His move (Gal 4:4) so that He can move through us.

They are waiting for more authority and power when God has already given us His fullness (Col 2:9; Luke 10:19; Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18; Acts 1:8).

𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐈𝐍 𝐘𝐨𝐮 is not a theory to appreciate. It’s 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞. It’s not what you say you believe. It’s what you do to prove your belief.

If all things are possible with faith (Matt 17:20), and that the acknowledgement of Christ IN You makes faith effective (Philemon 6), then according to the proportion of faith (Rom 12:6), we need to draw out all the knowledge of God within us by grace through faith (Eph 2:8), since we have all been given a measure of faith (Rom 12:3).

This is the same for prophecy and word of knowledge/wisdom. We are not waiting for God to give us a word —- that’s old covenant. If we believe in Christ IN You —— the new covenant, then all things are already IN us (2 Peter 1:3; Eph 1:3). Each time we step out in faith, the law of the Spirit of Life releases the knowledge of all things that are already IN us.

Haven’t shared testimonies for a long time as I noticed that they failed to point people to the God of Man. But for the principle of Christ IN You, I’m sharing this.

The cleaning company sent two cleaners to my client’s house earlier. I said within myself, “Okay. It’s time to bless them since Christ is IN me.”

So BY FAITH, I pointed to his left knee and said, “You have an old injury here?” He said, “Yes. You practise Reiki ah?” I replied, “No. Much more powerful than Reiki.”

While ministering healing, I said within myself, “Okay. Time to get a name and bless him.”

So BY FAITH, I said, “You know someone by the name of A-z-a something?” He replied, “Azan? Yes. Very close to me.” If I stop there, the Spirit will have nothing more to release.

So BY FAITH, I said, “Well I see him struggling with finances. But a door is opening soon. Maybe he’s looking for a job and it will open for him so that he’s financially provided for.”

He smiled and replied, “You practise astrology ah? Azan just lost $1 million dollars due to stocks.”

What’s the point of this testimony? 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐈𝐍 𝐲𝐨𝐮 —— every believer. The Spirit of Christ who has and knows all things is IN you and you can let Him out simply by faith.

“We are awakening to that marvelous truth, that Christ is not in the heavens only, nor the atmosphere only, but 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮.” - John G Lake