The Church Grew During Peace, Not Persecution

The Church Grew During Peace, Not Persecution

I was under the impression that the early church multiplied because of persecution. Today, I read one verse in Acts, that caused me to go back and re-look at what I thought I knew.

So the CHURCH throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had PEACE and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it MULTIPLIED - Acts 9:31 (emphasis added)

The Church points to unity ---- one Body, despite different locations (Judea, Galilee & Samaria). They had PEACE, instead of persecution. Result: Multiplication.

Look at Acts 2 and 5 and you will find the same thing.

So continuing daily with ONE ACCORD in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord ADDED to the church daily those who were being saved. - Acts 2:46-47 (emphasis added)

Again we see unity here ---- one Accord. This was before any persecution. It was peace time. Result: Growth.

And they were all with ONE ACCORD in Solomon’s Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were INCREASINGLY ADDED to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, - Acts 5:12-14 (emphasis added)

Again we see unity here ---- one Accord. This was before the great persecution arose in Acts 8.

Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples MULTIPLIED greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. - Acts 6:7 (emphasis added)

The church continued to multiply greatly as they served together (Acts 6:1-7).

During the great persecution in Acts 8, the disciples were scattered. It was difficult to multiply greatly.

While persecutions strengthened the early church, it was unity and peace that resulted in multiplication. There is power in community and togetherness!

Rejection & Selection

Business VS Gospel Part 2

Acts 1:3 - ...being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things PERTAINING TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

After Jesus rose from the dead, He taught His disciples about the kingdom of God. In other words, the clarity and significance of what the Kingdom of God is, was revealed after His resurrection and appearance to His disciples.

The disciples were still thinking about Jesus restoring the kingdom of earth (Acts 1:6), but Jesus' reply was about bringing the kingdom of God on earth and it had to do with the Gospel (Acts 1:8).

This was confirmed by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John after Jesus' resurrection. While the Scriptures didn't record the full kingdom teaching by Jesus during that 40 days, what was recorded must be essential. I submit to you that the primary message of the Kingdom of God has to do with the Great Commission. Matt 28:18-20; Luke 24:46-48; Mark 16:15-18; John 20:21-23.

Some time ago, I had shared from the Scriptures that preaching the Gospel and making disciples are ONE message. The disciples understood that. You cannot separate the two. You cannot just do one without the other. And since the main message of the kingdom of God has to do with the Great Commission, it has nothing to do with penetrating the so-called 7 spheres of society with your talents and skills. It is not about how upwardly mobile you are in a particular sphere in order to influence people for Christ. It is about presenting and representing the authenticity of the Gospel, which itself is the power of God for salvation (Rom 1:16). The early church didn't go around trying to get to the best position in their secular jobs in order to bring in the kingdom. They focused on the Great Commission and shook the whole earth upside down.

Don't get me wrong. We should all have the spirit of excellence in whatever job we are holding. But you need not be 'UP THERE' to 'conquer' that sphere of society. You can't find that in the Bible. It is not about 'Christ IN Culture'. It is about Christ breaking culture. He didn't come to blend in. He came to REIGN.

Disclaimer: If you are in a top leadership position for a particular arena, that is a great place to impact people for Christ. But you don't have to strive to reach that position, thinking that it is the way to establish the kingdom in that sphere of society.

The Gospel itself is ABLE to transcend every sphere and every culture. To add stuff to the Gospel is to say that Jesus' works are not complete enough. The Gospel (aka the Great Commission) is more than enough.

With this in mind, I would like to be able to focus on the Gospel, while developing my own source of income to fund what I would be doing, so that the Gospel and finances can be kept separated. I shared in my earlier post that I have embarked on a new journey, on top of my real estate work. Eventually, I hope that this digital business will enable me to focus on missions work. In fact, I believe that many itinerant speakers are able to do the same, by both preaching the Gospel and working to earn their own source income. Unfortunately, not many think the same way. Yet I believe that we need more tentmakers today than ever, so that by His grace, we can keep the Gospel the Gospel.

After much deliberation and countless of late nights working, learning and planning, The Coffeespiration (thecoffeespiration.com) is launched. I'm still learning because learning should be a constant in life.

This main coffee business will remain intentionally secular because I don't want to mix it with the Gospel. While the main target audience is not Singapore, it would be great to have your support by simply LIKING and SHARING the Page on Facebook and Instagram, especially to your friends who drink coffee.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecoffeespiration

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecoffeespiration

Web: thecoffeespiration.com

Together, in our own unique capacity, we can certainly advance the kingdom of God.

Business VS Gospel Part 1

Some time ago, I shared a personal revelation on Deut 8:18. The word ‘power’ in Septuagint is the exact same word used in Acts 1:8 - “But you shall receive POWER when the Holy Spirit has come upon you...” (emphasis added)

In other words, it is God who gives us the POWER to produce wealth. And He has given us that POWER through the Holy Spirit. As believers, we are not waiting for wealth to drop from heaven. We are given the wisdom and power to produce wealth.

Personally, I prefer to separate wealth (money & providence) from the Gospel. This keeps the Gospel pure and clean.

Apostle Paul was a tentmaker. He often separated money from the Gospel, which is why he had the authority to write in 1 Cor 9:12 - Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things LEST we HINDER the gospel of Christ.

What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ WITHOUT CHARGE, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel. - 1 Cor 9:18 (emphasis added)

The word ‘without charge’ means ‘without expense, requiring no outlay.’

Now, don’t get me wrong. Paul did say that the preachers of the Gospel deserve their wages from the Gospel (1 Cor 9:11, 14). I have friends who earn their income by traveling and preaching the Gospel. I have nothing against that. 

But personally, I am convicted to avoid that model. I’m zealous to see the Gospel preached in purity, especially in today’s world where there are so many abuses —- preachers earning a lot of money by preaching the Gospel; preachers choosing their audience (size of crowd, offering amount, honorarium requirement, etc.); preachers who are just lazy to work by tentmaking, etc. The line between money and the Gospel is just way too thin.

For some itinerant speakers, some have a lot of free time, while others have pockets of free time. I believe that they can work to earn some income, instead of asking for money. In fact, in many third world countries, many preachers actually labour and work after preaching the Gospel —- some do construction works; some run restaurants; etc.

‘If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.’ (2 Thes 3:10; Prov 18:9)

Can you imagine if everybody just becomes an itinerant speaker and preaches the Gospel for a living? Who is going to provide for whoever?

I have a passion to present the Gospel, and to travel doing missions. But my heart is also burning to apply Deut 8:18 as a tentmaker. For God has given us the POWER to produce wealth. He has given us the wisdom and POWER to provide for what we need to preach the Gospel.

It is with this and another revelation that I embarked on a new journey —— entrepreneurship as a digital nomad.

Yes I’m still working in the real estate industry. While many say that being in real estate industry is equivalent to being in business, I think otherwise. It is not really business per se. Because we are bound by many limitations where an entrepreneur doesn’t face.

Furthermore, it doesn’t free me up to travel and do missions. If I want to earn more from real estate industry, it also means that I will be busier than ever. Unless I have the financial capacity to employ staff or runners to do presentations and viewings... which I don’t. Besides, which licensed agent will want to be employed by another agent when the former could possibly get a better income on his own. On side note, I believe and sense that the upcoming Web 4.0 and newer technologies will be able to provide one-stop service that removes the need for many property agents. We are already seeing a glimpse on that in the present.

In heaven, there is no season. On earth, there are different seasons. The new wave is coming in very quickly. We can ride on that, with God’s wisdom and power, to produce what is needed for the Gospel to advance. I believe that we need more tentmakers than ever before. We need to represent and re-present the Gospel with purity and separation from money.

Can you imagine the liberty of preaching the Gospel anywhere and anytime, without limitations, without the need to get an income from offering and/or honorarium? You and I can make a difference.

Recognising His Voice

But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” - John 21:4-5

Jesus had been with the disciples for 3.5 years. Surely they would recognise His voice if it remained the same. However, they only recognise after Jesus did a miracle (John 21:7).

It was highly probable that Jesus came in a different form (Luke 24:15-16; Mark 16:12). To see Jesus in the Word is more important than to see Jesus in His form. Similarly, to hear Jesus in the Word is more important than to hear Jesus in His voice. The Word is the main foundation for recognising His voice.

Why is that so? To recognise His voice, one needs to first recognise His heart.

Israel knew God's works, but Moses knew His way (Ps 103:7). Because Moses knew His way, he knew His heart and recognised His voice.

Today, we have the privilege to have The Way (Jesus) in us. We can know His heart because we have The Way and thus, we can know His Way.

But there will be times when we don't seem to grasp hold of His voice, either because He speaks in a 'different form' (for God speaks in so many ways) or we simply get so stuck with our circumstances that we miss His voice.

The key to recognise His voice in such case is then, to look for His works. Because His works always reveal His way, and His way leads to His heart.

John, the disciple who understood Jesus' love and His heart, was the ONLY ONE who recognised His voice after seeing His works (John 21:7). This tells us something... the foundation for recognising His voice lies in knowing His love grounded in the Word of truth. God, in His grace, has given us so much to hear from Him. It is hard to miss Him. 

Because He is a good Father who longs to speak to His sons and daughters. Because He is a good Shepherd whose sheep hear His voice. Because He is the Lion of Judah who has overcome every other voice of distraction.

Live Chat - Customer Service

This has happened a number of times but it is always beautiful how God transcends all mediums in reaching the lost.

Usually, customer service officers (whether on phone or live chat) will need to remain professional because the conversations are recorded / documented. And we should try to be as respectful as we can when reaching them. 

(Not in time to snapshot the whole conversation as she ended the chat).

This one was a tougher one as she remained very professional. Yet I gently persisted to let her know who Christ is. It is important that we give and show someone Christ, than to forcefully or misleadingly lead them to Christ. God is not into you clocking numbers. He is into you loving people.

You don't need an outreach booth, a platform or an event to reach someone. Every day is an opportunity as you go about your daily routine and handle your real need. Your platform to preach is not the pulpit, a healing meeting or a service. If you need a pulpit, then it's better that you close your armpit and go to the sand pit (pun intended). You can preach to the waves and the sea creatures there.

Your platform is people. Whoever crosses your path is the platform for Christ to reveal Himself. More often, it is what you do when nobody sees that represents your heart for the lost.

Many people like to show off. But few people simply show up when nobody does. God likes to show Christ off when we simply show up when nobody is watching. #dailyhealings #collectingpayment #everydayChristianity

The Way To The Father

The Way To The Father

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” - John 14:2-4

More often than not, we think that Jesus was referring to mansions and bungalows in heaven in future. But context is always the key. Read the previous chapter and you will know that Jesus was talking about His coming death.

The Father's house is none other than the dwelling place among believers (John 14:19-23; 1 Cor 3:16). Why are there many mansions? Because there are many people. Before Jesus' resurrection, the dwelling place was not possible because the Holy Spirit could not abide in us. Jesus was not yet glorified (John 7:39; John 12:27).

Jesus said, "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." He prophesied that again in John 14:19-21.

The Holy Spirit, which was given after the resurrection of Christ, gives us co-union with Christ so that "we are seated with Christ in the heavenly places" (Eph 2:6). We are One with Him. We are the dwelling places, the mansions of the Father. Therefore, where Christ is, there we are also.

Heaven is not the destination. The Father is. This is why it's not about how big your future mansion is. It's about you being the mansion of the Father. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Jesus is not the Way to heaven. The Bible doesn't say that. He is the Way to the Father. Knowing who you are is more important than where you are going. #identity

Financial Prosperity

Financial Prosperity

Financial prosperity is often a grey area.

For the non-believers, it’s about trusting in self and methods to produce wealth. Often, the end result is broken families, health implications and lost relationships at the expense of great wealth.

For some believers, it’s about trusting in Him passively —— waiting for finances to drop from heaven, or a sudden offer to have a high-paying job.

The Bible says that it is Him who gave us the power to produce wealth (Deut 8:18). The power (same root word used in Deut 8:18) was given on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 1:8). In other words, there is a partnership required between Him and us —- to produce wealth.

We can depend on His wisdom in and through us to produce wealth through various sources of income.

With tent-making, I believe we can preach a pure Gospel without money exploitation.

Testimony from Kingdom War Part 3

As shared in part 1 and 2, our fight is not against FLESH and blood... Flesh not only includes others, it also includes ourselves. The kingdom war is never against people. Neither is it personal. It is always between the Kingdom of Light and the kingdom of darkness. The enemy aims to take your feet off the ground so that you forget to stand firm in your identity. Ephesians 6 teaches us to put on the full armour of who we are in Christ (identity), so that the enemy cannot disqualify us from the race.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, AND THEY DID NOT LOVE THEIR LIVES TO THE DEATH. - Revelation 12:11 (emphasis added)

The way to overcome the enemy isn’t just by the blood and the testimonies, but also to love not your life to the death. If the enemy touches you and realises that you care about your life, he has a hold on you. Until you have a hold on surrendering your life, the enemy has the hold on you. (Luke 9:24)

After a series of incident which I shared in earlier posts, I grew even more ‘aggressive’ in the kingdom. I refused to be moved. On the day I picked up my luggage and left, the enemy probably gave up. 

But he is always a loser, a sore one especially. The moment when I reached the airport, I received a text from my wife. She was breaking out in cold sweat, feeling giddy and couldn’t stand up to move.

What’s new? But he was born to lose anyway.

I was in Shibuya, Tokyo for less than 3 days with the missionary team. A church invited me to equip and empower their team as they had difficulty reaching the Japanese. They wanted to plant a local church there. I would not dare to assume that what we did in SG would work there. So we did a couple of trials and errors before we finally embarked on a momentum to reach them. It’s a whole different ball game compared to reaching Singaporeans.

In the first two days of outreach, we saw 8 salvations (with exchange of contact for follow-up and discipleship). It’s not easy to get the Japanese to exchange contact with you, especially when all of us are foreigners, strangers and hardly speak any Japanese. At the beginning of third day’s outreach, we quickly saw two salvations within an hour, and I had to rush back to the airport. We broke through the barriers in order to minister healings, prophetic and word of knowledge in cafe, streets, etc.

My role in this trip wasn’t to do the work of ministry but to equip them to do the work, so that after I have left, they could keep it going. And I’m elated to hear that the team are now all moving in word of knowledge and getting many contacts with the Japanese. Jesus!

It’s my passion to empower others to manifest the kingdom in the marketplace and through day-to-day living. Most of us don’t minister in church services, crusades and meetings. In fact, most unbelievers won’t go there too. For us to be effective in advancing the Gospel, we must reach the public square and marketplace, especially for first world nations. Personal & lifestyle evangelism, therefore, is an important area where many believers are not equipped to do. Don’t just bring people to crusades, meetings and booths for a Jesus-encounter. Instead, be the Jesus-encounter for people wherever you go.

I believe the momentum created in this trip will continue and the harvest will be reaped in Japan - salvation & discipleship. For the Gospel is not a hit-and-run but the way of life. Jesus!

P.S: I experienced a supernatural prevention of weight loss in this extended fast. It was the first time I prayed in a fast, “Father, I thank You for supernatural prevention of weight loss in this fast.” My wife said, “Surprisingly... you didn’t lose much weight this round.” Having said that, I also experienced great hunger in the cold weather. 😂😂

Note: Despite encountering a series of event, I believe that divine protection is available for every believer such that we can be free from such attack. However, IF it comes, the way to overcome is to disregard it as personal and love not our lives.

Testimony from Kingdom War Part 2

As shared in part 1, our fight is not against FLESH and blood... Flesh not only includes other people, it also includes ourselves. In other words, kingdom war is never against people. Neither is it personal. It is always between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. This revelation is the key to overcome what the enemy throws at you.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, AND THEY DID NOT LOVE THEIR LIVES TO THE DEATH. - Revelation 12:11 (emphasis added)

We often quote the blood of Jesus and the testimonies without quoting the last part. The Bible says ‘AND’... Surrendering our lives and not taking circumstances in a personal way is the power to overcome the enemy.

Before my trip to Japan, I was on an extended period of fast. I usually don’t advocate fasting because we are in the New Covenant. Many believers, in my opinion, fast for wrong reasons. I have had written many posts on why it is not necessary to fast, and why we are not obligated to fast in the New Covenant. It is more important to live a fasted life (Gal 2:20) than a life of fasting.

Disclaimer: I’m not against fasting. Personally, I’m just not for many of the reasons why we fast. And this post is not about fasting anyway.

I wasn’t fasting because I had to go for missions. This trip just happened to fall within my fast. I felt a need to remind myself that I am dead in Christ and realigned my dependence on Him.

Halfway through the extended fast, after I recovered from the bad fever, I was suddenly down with strange sore eyes (yes, both sides!). The eye pus and discharge were so bad that I couldn’t open my eyes when I woke up in the morning and I continued to have blurred vision throughout the whole day. I knew this is yet another scheme from the enemy. So I simply rested in Him and stood firm on my identity and the finished works. This went on for a few days.

One night, I got up from bed during wee hours to go to the bathroom. I tried hard to open my eyes and before I knew it, heaviness and giddiness came upon me. There was no way for me to stand on my feet. I fell backwards onto the floor, lying there unconscious. Thank God for protection, because the back of my head missed the toilet bowl by a few cm. My wife was awakened by the loud bang and she came hastily to my rescue. Unknown to me, she recognised that my body was in a shock mode due to my eyeballs, because she was trained in AED. It took 1-2 minutes before I regained my consciousness. In a nutshell, she was worried to death.

Now I have been on a lifestyle of fasting since 2009. Never once had I experience any form of giddiness or discomfort. What happened next was more challenging than what I thought would be.

My wife said, “Dar, you have to break your fast. Or I won’t let you go Japan. You have to choose one.”

Now I fully understood why my wife said that. Because she loves me deeply. She cares for me way more than I care for myself. I believe that any wife will say the same thing. Before this incident, she was so supportive of my trip.

But we were told to put on the whole armour of God, so that we can withstand the crafty wiles of the enemy (Eph 6:11). One of the schemes of the enemy is to use your loved ones to stop you. I recognised it, hence, I did not explain any further at that juncture to my wife.

Within the next three days, my loving wife persistently and relentlessly reiterated that I had to choose between the two options. She added, “Jeshua is still young and he needs you alive. You cannot be irresponsible.” That was pretty challenging.

I considered, evaluated and communed with the Father. The fast wasn’t a legalistic thing. I could have broken my fast anytime and there wouldn’t be any issue between the Father and me. He’s not into the act of fasting anyway.

But faith arose in my heart and I perceived the works of the enemy. The Holy Spirit reminded me, “AND they did not love their lives to the death.” I meditated on this verse and I had determined in my heart to surrender my life to Him. If I were to shrink back, the enemy would be happy. Instead, I laughed and said, “Father, I thank You that You loved me and You have given me Jesus. Your life for my life and now my life is Yours. I thank You that You have made me more than a conqueror. I am not moved by my circumstances. I am moved by how good You are.”

I just smiled to my wife each time she brought up the issue, without arguing or explaining, for I knew that she was overwhelmed by the incident and would not be ready to listen. On the following day, the strange sore eyes cleared up.

On the night before the trip, she softened her stance and said, “Dear, can you sit down and let’s talk?” She still didn’t feel safe for me to travel alone as I continued my fast, knowing that the weather was very cold in Japan (down to 6-7 degrees as it was windy). I reassured her that I would be kept safe under His protection.

The way to overcome the enemy isn’t just by the blood and the testimonies, but also to love not your life to the death. At one point, I thought in my heart, “If I go, I go. But I know I won’t. Because my assignment is not yet completed on earth.”

Disclaimer: What I did is not a method to be followed. Do not put God to the test. Understand the heart behind and the revelation of the kingdom war.

Some may think it’s foolishness. But if you know what the enemy is confronting against, you will understand where I am coming from. I did not take it personal because the war was between two kingdoms - LIGHT and darkness.

In part 3, I will share more, as well as the fruit that came out of this.

Testimony from Kingdom War Part 1

Our fight is not against flesh & blood, but against the principalities and powers of the dark world...

Facing resistance when you are advancing the kingdom is part and parcel of our privileged life as sons and daughters. What I am going to share is a fuller picture prior to my missions trip to Japan to equip the missionaries for reaching the Japanese ---- one of the tougher groups to reach. 

Japan was the first country God put in my heart when I became a believer. I picked up elementary Japanese language as a newborn believer to prepare myself for missions in Japan when I was convicted by Matt 28:18-20 one day. Little did know that it took 13 years before I was sent there by His grace. If I were to be there many years earlier, it would not have been effective.

(Thanks to the workers who have laboured and plowed the land for many years in Japan!)

My desire is to reach the first world nations (Japan, Singapore and Australia) so that the rich can prosper the poor in third world nations. Jesus said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (Luke 18:25). Why? Self-dependence, which is pride in nature. 

In third world nations, it is easy for one to embrace the Gospel because they are desperate for help. We see signs and wonders, and scores of souls coming to Christ in developing countries. The challenge in these countries is not reaching them with the Gospel. It is empowering them to have life skills so that they get providence. On top of that, discipleship is also necessary for them to live a transformed life. 

Often, we miss the point when we just presumptuously think that we are doing a great job by preaching the Gospel to them. Take a look at Africa --- they have more than 50% Christians. But look at the transformation of their society and you will know that just getting someone saved is not the answer ---- some of them just keep getting saved over and over again, if you know what I mean. In certain parts of Indonesia, there are plenty of Christians. They have encountered massive signs and wonders. But having been there a few times and having consulted a popular local evangelist and pastor who travels extensively and regularly throughout different regions of Indonesia, the problem that most local churches face is still DISCIPLESHIP and PROVIDENCE.

The Gospel is not a hit-and-run. So often, we get exhilarated preaching in crusades, holding services and meetings in third world nations, with testimonies after testimonies of how people encounter the Lord in miracles, signs and wonders. After we leave, it's back to zero. Because there is no change in the lives of the people ----- due to the lack of discipleship and providence. Without providence or life skills to produce providence, nobody is keen to focus on discipleship. When basic needs are not even met, it is tough for the head of a household to pursue the kingdom and be fully committed.

It is with this in mind that we need more people to reach the first world nations ---- the affluent ones. It is definitely not as easy to get someone saved as compared to developing nations; it is definitely not as common to see tremendous miracles, signs and wonders as consistently as developing countries, BUT it is something worth pursuing. Because they can be sent out to be a blessing for the third world natives.

The rich are educated to equip them with life skills.

The rich are blessed to be a blessing for them.

The rich can improve the living conditions of the poor.

Disclaimer: There is nothing wrong reaching the third world. It is a good and necessary thing. We just need to send out workers to reach the first world too.

Going to Japan has renewed my perspective on the Gospel of the Kingdom. Japan has a long history for her culture. It is complacent to think that what works in the Western world (and even Singapore) will work in this self-preserving nation. I love their rich heritage. And I love how they preserve the culture even till today.

Before I headed there, I encountered a series of event that reinforced my understanding and belief on the kingdom. And yes, what the enemy intended for evil, God has used it to strengthen me even further. So thanks to you, mr s.a. tan for indirectly empowering me.

The kingdom war is real. But it is NEVER about you. Once we allow it to become personal, we lose the power to walk in victory. 'Our fight is not against FLESH and blood' ----- we usually say that it is not against people. But the word 'flesh' also refers to OURSELVES, because we are in the flesh (body) too.

I shared that I was down with a bad fever before the trip, which took me by surprise, because I had walked in divine health for a few years. Little did I realise that more stuff would happen before the trip. And I'll share in the next part.

Note: As mentioned before, we can walk FREE from such physical attack because we have divine protection. I am still growing in that. But God is sovereign and He used the attack and turned it for my good.

FREE

No Offense

Never Stumble Ever

There is a place where we can walk in, such that we never fall or stumble. The original image of God was not created to stumble. He was created to take dominion on earth.

When Christ died and rose, He breathed into us the Spirit of Life that redeemed us and restored us back to the original image. Our spirit is perfected (Col 2:10; Heb 10:14), but our soul is still catching up with the true identity of who we are.

For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. - Rom 6:14

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. - Rom 5:17

Whoever has been born of God DOES NOT sin, for His seed remains in him; and he CANNOT sin, because he has been born of God. - 1 John 3:9 (emphasis added)

The Spirit in us does not and cannot sin. This is why we are called to walk in the Spirit and be led by the Spirit (Rom 8:4, 13-14).

However, the Scriptures reveal the KEY to walk in such dominion over sin.

For he who lacks THESE THINGS is SHORTSIGHTED, even to blindness, and has FORGOTTEN that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you DO THESE THINGS you will NEVER STUMBLE; - 2 Peter 1:9-10 (emphasis added)

These things refer to faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love (2 Peter 1:5-7). If we 'DO THESE THINGS', the Bible says that we will NEVER STUMBLE. In the Greek, it means 'never fall, never stumble EVER!'

But it says that if we lack these things, it's because we are SHORTSIGHTED and has FORGOTTEN that we were cleansed from our old sins.

What's the point? We need to establish and remind ourselves WHO WE REALLY ARE ----- we need to SEE CLEARLY our true identity in Christ. We need to remember that we have been forgiven and made the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God. If we are firmly rooted in this without a shadow of doubt, it produces faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love ------- and the result is... we will NEVER STUMBLE EVER. Jesus! 

Let's all grow into this. #identity #revelation

Posted This 3 Years Ago

Posted this three years ago...

“The way we receive healing is the same way we receive salvation. By grace through faith. Just as we don't feel anything when we receive salvation, we don't need to feel anything when we receive healing. What is visible should not overwhelm what is invisible. If we see the invisible, we will see the visible. The feeling of present pain should not overwhelm the truth that I am healed. When we come to that place, we will see our body aligned to the truth.

Few years ago, I was struggling with an autoimmune disease. Doctors said that there is no cure for this. My inflammation marker was so high that I could hardly walk. On some days, I had to be bedridden. One day, I saw in a passage what faith is about. Faith is about a loving Father who loves you and who only wants to do good to you. Faith is about living in the invisible realm where the loving Father has given ALL things to us. When I realised that, I stopped striving to be healed. I gathered as many Scriptures on healing as possible. I started meditating daily. The pain was still real. But I no longer let the visible affect what I have in the invisible. It is easy to become so adjusted to the pain that we let the pain become a norm in our lives. When that happens, we have let the visible reign in our lives. I refused to succumb to that. I told my body daily to subject to the truth, even though I was feeling the pain.

From that time onwards, each time when I went for a medical review, my inflammation marker kept dropping. Finally, the doctor asked, "What did you do to your body?" A patient with my sickness would not be able to bend many areas of his body. But I could bend more than an average person. Doctor said, "Your blood is now like a normal person." 

I have been off medication for years. What the doctor could not do, doctor Jesus WILL and CAN. I'm convinced that Jesus is our Jehovah Rapha, the Lord our Healer!” #focusontheinvisible #salvationincludeshealing