Whole Armour of God Part 3

Whole Armour of God Part 3

The whole armour of God is meant for offense if we understand what the armour entails of. The third part of the armour is extremely powerful, because it is NOT about how ready and prepared you are.

'Having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace.' - Eph 6:15

The word 'shod' is to 'put on'. You simply put on something by the act of putting it on. You cannot work for it. You cannot earn it.

The word 'preparation' in the Greek in this context is 'the promptitude and alacrity which the Gospel produces'. In other words, this piece of armour is not about how ready and how prepared you are. It is about how ready and how prepared the Gospel is.

When you know the power and readiness of the Gospel, you are ready and prepared. It doesn't matter how long you have been a believer. The moment you know the truth in the Gospel, you are ready to attack the enemy, even if you are just born again yesterday.

The word 'peace' in the Greek simply means 'wholeness'. It is God's gift of wholeness in every area (spirit, soul and body). This is what the Gospel does ----- wholeness in every realm. We crush the enemy by delivering wholeness into every realm.

The word 'feet' is a sign of victory over the defeated foes. The oriental practice was to put your feet over the neck of the vanquished (Joshua 10:24).

When Christ died and rose from the dead, everything is placed under His feet (1 Cor 15:27; Eph 1:22; Ps 110:1) in the spirit realm. Since we are His body and His feet is below His body, all things have been placed under our feet in Christ.

This is why we are told that the God of peace will crush the devil under our feet (Rom 16:20). This is a fulfilled prophecy after the Fall of Adam. Speaking to satan, God said, "He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." (Gen 3:15)

In other words, we must put on this armour and take dominion over the enemy, representing Christ to put the enemy under His feet on earth. 

We are not waiting for Jesus to do something. Ever since He rose from the dead, Jesus is waiting for us at the right hand of the Father (Heb 10:13). He is waiting for us to take dominion and crush the enemy, before He returns to destroy death (1 Cor 15:26).

Whole Armour of God Part 2

Whole Armour of God Part 2

The Whole Armour of God includes 'putting on the breastplate of righteousness' (Eph 6:14)

1 Thes 5:8 says 'the breastplate of faith and love'. Is there a difference?

The same author understood that righteousness comes by love (grace) through faith (Rom 1:17; 3:22-25). So when you put on faith, you are putting on righteousness.

The word 'put on' in the Greek is like 'sinking into a garment'. You clothe yourself with Christ (Rom 13:14) and hide yourself in Him (Col 3:3). The more you cannot be seen, the more Christ is seen. We want the enemy to see Christ, not us. Otherwise, we become his target board.

The word 'breastplate' in the Greek is 'what protects the heart and its emotions (desires) as they bear on our decisions'. When we clothe ourselves with Christ, we intentionally make decisions that reflect His (according to His Word). We have been crucified with Him. It is no longer us who live but He lives in and through us (Gal 2:20). In other words, we act like Him.

The word 'righteousness' is simply God's approval. When God sees us, He sees Christ, since we are clothed with Him. God's approval is on Christ. As Christ is approved, so are we in this world.

With the breastplate of righteousness in place, we can advance and attack the enemy. Even when he tries to disarm us, saying, "Who are you, sinner who has bad behaviours and isn't perfect?", you reply, "Who are you talking to? Christ is here. Righteousness is standing here. So you are now the target board."

Whole Armour of God Part 1

Whole Armour of God Part 1

To withstand against the schemes (deceit or method used by organised evil-doing) of the enemy, we are told to put on the WHOLE armour of God and to stand firm.

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth... - Eph 6:14

In a more accurate English translation, it says, "having girded the loins of you with truth..."

The word 'girded' in this context means 'to equip oneself with knowledge of the truth.'

The word 'loins' is 'the reproductive (creative) capacity of the renewed mind' where the seat of generative power is.

In other words, the more we equip ourselves with the truth of His Word, the more our mind produces the renewed thoughts so that we think like Him.

Since the renewed mind is the seat of generative power, the more we think like Him, the more His power flows through us. Our thoughts become the Word manifested in power (Eph 3:20), fulfilling the will of God.

Truth is not merely knowledge. It becomes manifested power through the renewed mind.

This also means that the whole armour of God is meant for offense.

The Old Has Gone

The Old Has Gone

I feel like the first pan-there-meek in our days is over. And it's time to move on from the vekseen thingy, and to be ready for the next one.

There is enough truth revealed about the lies of the vekseen. There are enough severe adverse effects, cardiac arrest and deaths all over the world, which is caused by the vekseen. 

Those who see it have seen it. Those who choose not to see it will not see it. Those who have taken it have taken it. Those who have not will not be taking. There is no point debating and seeking for an answer anymore. The time is over. The old has gone.

This pan-there-meek has further separated the Kingdom and the churchianity. It has also separated some relationships, at least for me. 

This is needed, not because it is intentional, but because the lump that is not leavened will become divided from the lump that is leavened. The two just cannot be mixed together in depth.

When we live against the culture of the world, we become discerning and quick to recognise and connect with those who are of the Kingdom.

The new is here...

True Empowerment

True Empowerment

The word 'empower' comes from the word 'en' (impart) and 'power' (dunamis aka God's miraculous ability/power).

Since 'dunamis' only comes when you receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), 'to empower' doesn't mean that you impart God's power to other people, because that will make you become the Holy Spirit.

On the contrary, 'to empower' means that you impart (make able) truth to others such that they realise that the Holy Spirit is in them, for He is the One who gives dunamis --- God's miraculous power.

True empowerment points people AWAY from you and UNTO the Holy Spirit, for it is the Christ in them that is the Hope of Glory.

P.S: If anyone practises gift/power impartation (apart from the laying on of hands for the baptism of the Holy Spirit), he cancels true empowerment and points people to himself. No matter how much he preaches on empowering others, his work cancels his words.

Be Filled With The Spirit

Be Filled With The Spirit

What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit?

We were taught that a believer needs to be filled with the Spirit over and over again. You need to keep receiving prayer & impartation to be filled more and more in the Spirit.

This is often equated with power.

Nothing is further from the truth, because this is not in the Word.

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Eph 5:18-20

Scriptures interpret Scriptures. Let's look at the following.

Let 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. - Col 3:16-17

To be filled with the Spirit is the same as to be filled with the Word aka 'let the Word of Christ dwell in you'. The word 'dwell' is to reside, to abide (John 15:7).

In other words, when we let the Word of Christ dwell (abide) in us, we are surrendered to the Spirit aka 'filled with the Spirit'. We are under the influence of the Spirit (instead of the influence of the wine; Eph 5:18).

To be filled with the Spirit is the SAME as to live in the Word. It is not flaky, spontaneous or mystical. It is according to the written Word. 

The result of 'filled with the Spirit' is not power, but with a heart that continually praises and thank God, as well as lifting one another up (Eph 5:18-20; Col 3:16-17). 

No one can pray and impart this to you. This is why Paul instructed the church to do it as a command.

The Purpose Of Dominion Power

The Purpose Of Dominion Power

Since the beginning of time, dominion has been given to mankind. It is the consistent theme in the Bible. Even when Adam lost the authority, God still empowered Israel to take dominion (Exo 23:29-30).

Christianity without dominion is merely a religion that is void of the power of the Holy Spirit. Staying in the four walls doing our own thing, filling up the seats, making the place crowded and packed with events and programme is a form of religion.

...what is the surpassing greatness of 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 toward us who believe. These are 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 the working of the 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 of His 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places. - Eph 1:19-20

The power that raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him in the heavenly places is the SAME POWER that works in us.

The word 'might' is 'dominion' aka 'exerted power'. 

The word 'strength' is 'power over external things (to overcome immediate resistance).'

The word 'power' is 'miraculous power through God's ability'.

The power that raised Jesus from the dead and lifted Him to heaven is the SAME POWER that is in us. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝/𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝 (might) 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 (strength).

There are many external resistance in our world today. Our fight is not against flesh and blood. We need to walk in dominion power more than ever before. It is not just for overcoming sicknesses, diseases and demons. But also what you are seeing in the world today.

Appreciating The Different Functions In The Body

Appreciating The Different Functions In The Body

I used to think that we should all be zealous about going after power evangelism. That should be the way. We should all be out there doing it. It is the commandment from Christ anyway.

However, such zeal can prevent us from appreciating other functions in the Body.

But 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐬 according to the measure of Christ's gift... And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 for the work of ministry... the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐲, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. - Eph 4:7, 11-12, 16

The purpose of the four-fold ministerial offices (Christ's gift) is to empower the believers to work together in correct order aka to work together properly.

The word 'equip' in Greek is 'katartismos', which means 'exact adjustment to enable the individual parts to 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫'.

Because when each part of the Body (the Church) is working properly, the Body will grow (Eph 4:16).

Equipping in this case doesn't mean that "I empower you to do what I do." No, that's not this context of equipping (which isn't really a good English translation).

Equipping is "𝐈 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐛𝐲 𝐆𝐨𝐝". Because everyone is assigned to different functions in the Body. Only by empowering them to do what they are supposed to do will fulfill 'each part is working properly' and causes the Body to grow.

There are so many functions in the Body, and we need to learn to appreciate their work, even if their work is drastically different from yours.

Instead of trying to impart our passion and vision to others to do what we do, try praying and asking God how He wants others to be empowered into their God-assignment and appreciate the differences.

Being Pastoral Or Becoming Like Him

Being Pastoral Or Becoming Like Him

There are many truths in the Word which can be pretty offensive to those who are not ready to receive, whether it's due to past hurts, bad experiences, denials, disappointments, etc.

We want to ensure that we don't bruise them further. Yet on the other hand, Jesus did not call us to be pastoral. He called us to be like Him. Becoming like Him embraces every aspect of Him which includes Grace & Truth.

To compromise a little on truths so that grace can be extended is not Jesus. It's humanity. To compromise a little on grace so that truths can enforced is not Jesus. It's religion.

Jesus lived in the fullness of Grace and Truth. The words He spoke were often double-edged. Sometimes, they cut and offended. Sometimes, they healed and imparted life. His message was not the variables. The people were. The recipients were.

In the midst of trying to be pastoral, we have compromised truths in the name of grace & love. This is unhealthy. Because when we try to pacify one group, we actually hurt the other group who is ready to receive truths and appropriate the grace of God in tangible realities.

Jesus scattered the seeds regardless of His audience, because He knew that not every ground was ready to bear fruit. In fact, only 25% would be ready to receive His message.

Perhaps we need to take our focus away from the recipients and put it back unto Him. Only by beholding Him can we become like Him, who is neither pastoral or religious, but full of grace and truth.

For a hearer who cannot receive truth, impart grace.

For a hearer who cannot receive grace, impart truth.

Nonetheless, do NOT compromise any of them.

Christians Are Harder To Get Healed? Part 3

Christians Are Harder To Get Healed? Part 3

As mentioned in the previous post, every Christian has the same delegated authority from Christ. You get to decide HOW you use the authority, whether it is for good or bad.

Since death and life are in the power of the tongue and you shall eat its fruit (Prov 18:21), what you say and do will determine the kind of fruit that is produced in you.

There is no hindrance for healing (the power of God) to flow into a Christian's body from a minister (the one who ministers healing) except the unbelief of the minister (Matthew 17:20).

Very often, a Christian has received healing into his body when someone laid hands or ministered to him. Instant healing is a miracle and we always expect that. Yet sometimes, healing is sudden (happens suddenly on another day/time) OR progressive (the principle of the cursed fig tree).

I have shared about how identity allows a Christian to stay healed when the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy (Jn 10:10). But this post is not for that.

If the recipient of healing, particularly a Christian, does not understand his delegated authority, he can unknowingly use it to reverse the healing that has been released into his body by a minister.

God is not a liar. He said that you shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover (Mark 16:17-18). In other words, when the minister releases healing to the Christian's body, life flows from the Spirit into the Christian's body and healing has begun.

If the healing is not fast enough (depends on the power of God through faith), the Christian might not feel any change in his body yet. The fig tree had no immediate change though it's roots were drying up.

Should the Christian then say, "Nothing is changing... I'm not healed", he is speaking with the delegated authority, whether he knows or not. And he shall eat the fruit of what comes out of his tongue.

This can possibly reverse and stop the healing which he has received from the minister. We have seen this experientially a number of times, where believers got better, before the symptoms worsen.

As ministers (someone who ministers healing), we need to expect complete wholeness and take responsibility for someone's healing, instead of being quick to blame others. This will ensure our growth and remove every excuse of seeing others healed.  

Authority plays a part in keeping the healing that a Christian has received, because with authority comes responsibility.

This is why I think that every time when the topic of healing is taught in equipping sessions, identity and authority must also be taught together. Otherwise, a Christian can be activated in healing but soon be discouraged/disappointed because he does not know how to stand.

Good Tidings Always Draw People

Good Tidings Always Draw People

For the first 20-25 minutes, there was no one. People just walked past as they saw the sign "Free Spiritual Reading."

Two ladies eventually came. After releasing WOK, prophecies and healings on them, they began to call their friends to come over. More people were ministered to.

Curious passers-by began to speak to them as they shared their testimonies.

Soon there was a long queue formed horizontally as people waited eagerly for their turns to receive "spiritual reading".

Those who seek spiritual matters is close to the Kingdom. It does not matter even if they go to the wrong source, because they will eventually be found by Him as long as they keep seeking.

We saw about 95% instant healings except one who didn't feel any change. It doesn't mean that she isn't healed because healing can be sudden or progressive.

A confident lady was in tears when her heart was exposed to the Father who is seeking her. A man wanted our address to seek us out. Another wanted to give donation. A lady bought some drinks. Another wanted contact details. One asked, "Why are you guys doing it for free when everyone else is charging?"

The simplicity of the demonstration of the Gospel is what left people amazed by His goodness.

The Father's love is often the central theme in reaching the lost because everyone is looking for love and affirmation. We were created for that. Only through Him and in Him can love and affirmation be satisfied.

Christmas is not just a time to remember His goodness, but also an opportunity to demonstrate His goodness. Jesus is not just the reason for this season, He is the reason for every season, because every season is ready for harvest.

We have received the good tidings. It's time to bring them to others.

Christians Are Harder To Get Healed? Part 2

Christians Are Harder To Get Healed? Part 2

As shared in the previous post, it is interesting to see how non-believers get healed more easily than Christians (in fact, there is a particular group where I'm seeing almost 100%). 

But to come out with any reason outside the Word will reduce the power of God to our mere experiences. Getting rid of all hindrances allows the raw power of God to flow into people's bodies for healing.

When Jesus was on earth, His success rate was 100%. Everyone He healed was a non-believer though. But that does not imply anything. No unbelief could stop Him from healing the sick, because the power of God through Him had no limitation.

The only hindrance that prevents someone from getting healed is the unbelief of the minister (His disciples --- Matt 17:20), not the unbelief of the recipient (Mark 9:24). I explained this in details with Scriptures in a book.

Ministering healing to Christians is the same as ministering healing to non-believers, since the Bible does not separate them. In other words, there is still no hindrance for healing to flow into Christians' bodies.

However, we need to understand that Christians have the same authority as the ones ministering healing. The same delegated authority from Christ.

God gave us the privilege to use His authority. But He does not control HOW we use it. Authority can be used for good or for bad, depending on the fruit (nature) of the person using it.

Elisha used the authority to curse some youths, resulting in their deaths. The Bible does not say that God was the one who killed them.

Peter used the authority to judge Ananias and Sapphira, resulting in their deaths. The Bible does not say that God was the one who killed them.

Paul used the authority on Elymas, causing him to be blind for a period. The Bible does not say that God was the one who blinded him.

No one represented God perfectly except His Son (Jn 1:18; Heb 1:3; Col 1:15). Jesus demonstrated God's authority clearly and He only demonstrated life (with the authority) because He is the Life.

Since death and life are in the power of the tongue and you eat its fruit, a Christian chooses HOW he uses the delegated authority.

In the next part, we will see how it affects healing and the possible reason why Christians seem "harder" to get healed.

Christians Are Harder To Get Healed? Part 1

I have listened to a teaching that talks about Christians being harder to get healed, because there is a stronger resistance from the enemy. In other words, there is a spiritual warfare going on.

You can't find this in the Bible, though it made some sense. On the other hand, if we really want things to make sense, the enemy should resist even stronger for non-believers, because once they get healed, they are more likely to be born again.

After seeing thousands of people healed individually (not in healing meetings where you first preach the Word), I do agree that I have seen more non-believers healed than Christians. And some Christians seem to receive healing way faster than others. It used to baffle me because the stripes of Jesus paid for ALL with no favouritism.

We cannot afford to come out with a reason that is not in the Word. Because any reason will become a hindrance to see people healed.

Having said that, there are some vital principles in the Bible on identity and authority that apply to all aspects including healing. This is why we see Christians get healed and become sick again with the same issue because of a lack of understanding on identity and authority.

Identity is the key factor for staying healed after being healed.

Authority is the key factor for keeping the healing that has been received (or started by others who ministered to you).

I have shared many posts about identity and how to stay healed after being healed. So in the next post, I will share about the authority that Christians have, which has an impact on their healing.

P.S: Most of the spiritual warfare are fought in the mind (2 Cor 10:4-5). The mind is the true battlefield for the enemy.

The Importance of Integrity In Our Words Part 2

The Importance of Integrity In Our Words Part 2

The effectiveness of our words relies on the integrity of our words. One cannot be lying all the time and expect his words to produce fruit at the same time.

God is 100% effective because He cannot lie (Heb 6:18) ---- He kept the integrity of His Word. Every Word spoken by Him shall not return to Him void, but it shall accomplish what He has said (Isa 55:11).

Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (Jn 14:6). Everything that came out of His mouth when He was on earth is Truth. He bore the effectiveness of His words because He only spoke Truth.

For there to be integrity in our words, as shared in Part 1, it must flow from our spirit. For the spirit only agrees with the Word.

The more we tell lies (including white lies) in our daily lives, the more we renewed our mind to the wrong realm.

Neuroscience research shows that when a lie leaves your lips, your body releases cortisol into your brain. The brain has to work harder. Next, your memory goes into overdrive trying to remember both the lie and the truth. Decision making becomes more difficult.

The next time when you speak the truth (of God's Word), you subconsciously do not believe in what you said, because your brain has gotten used to accept lies as truths. There is no purity in the words.

Researchers added that the amygdala in your brain shows up less and less, as we lie more and more. Essentially, our guilt feelings tend to weaken and shrink. In the Bible, we call it 'the searing of conscience.'

1) If you shipwreck your conscience, you shipwreck your faith (1 Tim 1:19)

2) If you renew your mind to the wrong realm (Rom 12:2) by lying, you won't be able to manifest the perfect will of God.

If we want to see consistent results and effectiveness of God's Word through our mouths, then we need to realise the importance of integrity in the words spoken through our mouths.

 

Our daily lives matter. If you think that you can lie your way through in businesses, in your work and in the way you handle things in general, and yet you want to manifest the will of God through the Word, you might want to think twice. If your life has no integrity, you cannot uphold the integrity of His Word and you won't see the consistency of His Word in and through your life.

Sudden Revelation on Healing for Christians

Today, I have a sudden revelation on why Christians seem 'harder' to be healed. 

We have seen some cases of Christians healed but the sickness came back again quickly. Non-Christians, however, get healed and stay healed.

Here is what I've got:

When we minister healing to Christians, they might have received it and are thus healed.

But since they are in Christ, they have the same authority as we have. So they can use the authority for good or for bad. Peter in the book of Acts, used the authority (seemingly wrongly) and caused Ananias and Sapphira to die. Paul used the authority and caused Elymas to be blind.

Christians can use the authority with their words by speaking, "Maybe I'm not healed yet; Maybe the symptoms are not really gone; I'm not sure if I'm healed, etc."

As a result, they cancel off the healing which they have received by the authority of their own words.

This could possibly to the reason why it seems 'harder' to get Christians healed.