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