Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." (Jn.8:58)

Here, God revealed Himself as the Great I AM. Knowing your God and knowing who you are in Him determines your victory. This revelation is crucial for your transformation. Spiritual children are excited to know their sins are forgiven. Young men in the spirit are happy to know their overcoming life, but fathers in the spirit exult to know the One who is from the beginning (1.Jn.2:12-14).

In Christ, you have the greatest privilege of knowing your Father and growing into fatherhood (Jn.14:9; Lk.10:22).

Know your I am-God:

The greatest knowledge is to know the Great I AM. This knowledge of God facilitated the very life work of Moses. It is high time the church stops specializing in knowing how big is the enemy, how strong are the Egyptians, and how cruel are their bondages. Rise up to know your God.

The I AM-God revelation speaks of His eternity and dependability, consistency and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. It includes all time, past, present, and future. It literally means, not only I AM what I AM at present, but I AM what I have been, I AM what I shall be, and I shall be what I AM. He is always the same. You can depend on Him every second of your life. How comforting to know the most dependable God, the Great Rock of Ages, in this time of instability and unfaithfulness (Mt.7:24-27)!

God of the Forefathers:

God gladly introduced Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and said, "By this Name I will be remembered from generation to generation" (Ex.3:15). This shows that what He was to Abraham, He is to you in Christ. What He did to Isaac, He will do it to you in Christ. What He meant to Jacob, He means to you in Christ. Everything He ever was for His saints, He is to you today. If you read your Bible with this revelation, you will experience every Bible miracle in your life.

God of Concern:

While revealing Himself with this Name, He said, "I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you…" (Ex.3:16-17). When you see Him as the Great I AM, you get the revelation of His care, watchfulness, concern and compassion for your present troubles and afflictions. His compassions for you have not decreased even a bit! Let this stir up your spirit today (Ex.2:23-25; 3:7-10; 16; 6:2-5)! In Christ, all the love and total attention of God is upon you today.

God of Covenant:

As God Almighty, El Shaddai, He made a covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Ge.15:1; Ex.6:2). As the Great I AM, Jehovah, He came to keep and fulfill His covenant with their generations. He is not only a covenant-making God, He is also a covenant-keeping God (Dt.7:9; 1.Ki.8:23; Da.9:4). In Christ, He has made His eternal covenant with you, and He will keep it till the end. Even when you are unfaithful, He always remains faithful to His covenant (2.Ti.2:13).

God of faithfulness :

God was faithful to His covenant even when His covenant partners were dead and gone. All Israel and even Moses had forgotten Him, yet God was still the same. He is always faithful and dependable. Your God remembers all His promises and committed Himself to fulfill every one of them in your life. Trust His faithfulness!

Beloved, this Great I AM-God revealed Himself in His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself said, "Before Abraham was, I AM" (Jn.8:58). You live and move and have your being in this Great I AM (Ac.17:28)!

He is your ever-present help in trouble (Ps.46:1)! No matter how shaky you are now -the storms of life, heavy waves, cruel winds and torrential rains cannot shake you a bit! You have become part of the Great dependable God! You cannot fall as long as you grow in the revelation of who you are in Christ, and act on it!

Thank You, Lord, You are Who You Are. You are the same yesterday and today and forever. You are the Alpha and the Omega, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. You keep your covenant and mercy with me who loves You because I am in Christ.
Ex.3:14; Heb.13:8; Rev.1:8; Neh.1:5

Prophetic anointing is essential to lead a Victorious life. Today's church has not realized the importance of prophetic anointing and that is the reason for her to face defeat.

The role of the prophets was indispensable in all the wars in the Bible. I would like to remind you of what Jehoshaphat said to the Israelites in the battle field, "Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God and you shall be established; Believe in His prophets and you shall prosper." - 2 Chr 20:20 He said so when his army was going to face the enemy. Even today it is good for us to keep these words in our minds before we enter the battlefield. When we believe the prophets we prosper.

This truth is very clearly seen in the time of the Judges. The Israelites did evil as soon as Ehud died. The Lord delivered them into the hands of the Canaanites. Jabin was the king of Canaan and his commander was Sisera who was a great warrior. They had 9-chariots of iron. They oppressed the Israelites with an iron hand for 20 years. The Israelites cried out to the Lord and the Lord raised up Prophetess Deborah.

The Power of Prophesy

Powerful prophetic anointing is indispensable to overthrow powerful enemies. That is why the Lord raised up a prophetess to thwart the power of the great nation Canaan, her powerful ruler Jabin and the mighty commander Sisera.

In those days, only great, powerful nations had iron chariots; Judah could not drive out the inhabitants of the lowlands because they had chariots of iron. (Jud1: 19) 900 chariots of iron is no small matter. As countries shudder at the nuclear powered countries now, in those days countries that boasted of chariots of iron made other nations tremble, to deliver this people from the most powerful enemy, the Lord did not raise a priest or a warrior but a woman who had the anointing of the prophet. Meditate on this for a while.

To deliver the Israelites from Pharoah, He raised up Moses who was a prophet. When the spirit of Jezebel and the power of magicians were on the increase, the Lord raised the prophet Elijah. To stand against the spirit of Herod, the Lord raised up the prophet John the Baptist. The prophets anointing is much more powerful that what we can imagine. This is an anointing that can turn mountains to dust.

Though Barak, the commander of the troops waged war., a prophetic anointing was required to support him. It was a very trying period for the Israelites. The highways of Israel were in ruins and the people walked along the narrow paths. Not being able to suppress the bandits along the main roads, they took to the by lanes. Barak, not knowing what to do, stood dumbfounded. Day by day, the villages dilapidated; Israel could not find the shield and spear.

Barak hailed from a humble Naphtali household. They were trembling at the weaponry of the enemies. It was at this crucial time that the Lord raised up Prophetess Deborah as a mother. She received the Word of God. She called for Barak and commanded him to boldly enter the battlefield. He also believed the prophecy and complied. Sisera's army that was thrice as powerful as Barak's army was completely destroyed. Barak's obedience to the prophetic ministry brought about this victory.

See what Barak had to say when Deborah commanded Barak to go to war. "If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go." He believed not only the prophecy but also the anointing and the presence of a prophet would bring about victory. Likewise he saw the victory. This is the power of the prophetic ministry.

Prophetic leading:

The prophetic ministry did not just call Barak and send him away with encouraging words. Prophetess Deborah chalked out minor details like who is to go to the battlefield, how many soldiers should go, where should they meet and when to start. Today we need prophets to lead us. In our churches we should crave and cry for the prophetic leading. Whenever they were disappointed in the war front, they looked for the prophets. In the early church, they embraced the prophetic anointing and they were able to suppress all struggles and progress with victory.

Is your family, private life or church attacked by satan? Has your strength dwindled? Does your enemy's strength appear to be many times more than your own? Are you wondering how to overcome the battlefield? If it is so, then invite lovingly the spirit of prophecy. Look for men of God who have received this anointing to lead you. It does not mean only reputed prophets should meet your need. Believe that even a humble believer can receive the anointing and give you the Word of God. Wait for prophetic revelations to come to you. Open up for the gifts to manifest in your church. Then, however great the struggle, you will be able to overcome it easily.

Prophetic Words:

We really need prophesy during dire times. When our hearts and hands become weak in the battle field, we need these words to wax out drooping spirits. Aaron and Hur supported the hands of Moses and the Israelites won. Similarly, prophetic words have the power to hold our tired hands high. The warrior who thinks he cannot do anything will be strengthened by the encouraging words of the prophets who reaffirm that there is nothing that he cannot do.

Prophetess Deborah did the same thing then. She uttered the word of God. "The Lord your God commands you "Go take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulon and lead the way to Mount Tabor. I will lure Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and gave him into your hands." Jud 4: 6- 7 The Lord may have commanded Napthali but instead of rushing forward they stagnated. Now, God's word came out with the prophetic anointing and he jumped immediately into the battlefield. He went against a great 16000 strong army. The two armies stood up and against in the valley of Kishor. Then Deborah looked at Barak and said again, "Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has delivered Sisera into your hands. Has not the Lord gone out before you? As she had said, the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army with the edge of the sword before Barak and Sisera alighted from his chariot and fled away on foot.

This is the extraordinary power of the prophetic words. When we accept the prophetic words we accept God. Prophetic words and God's words are the same. We cannot compare the prophetic words with the Scriptures but when the prophetic words come from the Spirit, they come with the power comparable to the scriptures.

As soon as Barak obeyed the prophetic words, those words started to operate within him. It was not the strength of his army that brought victory that day, but the strength of the word of the prophetess. That battle was not of the earth but from the heavens. " They fought from the heavens; the stars from their courses fought against Sisera, " thus said Deborah " From the heavens the stars fought, from their courses they fought against Sisera, Jud 5:20. The enemies who shone without comparison fell at the feet of an ordinary woman. Even that is the glory of the prophetic word. That God will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman also came to pass. Even today the Lord has delivered your enemies into your hands. The power of the prophetic word is to reflect this revelation in your spirit man. Let your heart long for this prophetic word even now.

Moses

That day Moses prophesied to the Israelites. "The Lord your God… will destroy them." Yes today's prophetic message is that our Lord goes as a consuming fire before us and devours our enemies.

David

This is the secret of David's victory. He always inquired of the Lord before going to war and in the battle field. The Lord also revealed His prophetic words in many ways. At one time when the Philistines attacked, he received the Word of God to advance quickly the moment he hears the sound of marching at the top of the mulberry trees. For then the Lord will go out before him to strike the camp of the Philistines. (2 Sam 5:23 - 27).

Another time David and his men lost all and stood pitifully. The Amalekites had taken their wives, elders, children as captives and their city was burnt. David and his people who were with him wept until they had no more power to weep. David was greatly distressed, for the people wanted to kill him as their souls were grieved. At that time David enquired of the Lord, "Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them? " God answered him immediately, " Pursue, for you shall certainly overtake them and without fail recover all." I Sam 30: 6-8. It came to pass as was promised.

Yes dearly beloved, have you realized how important it is to hear the Word of God when enemies attack? Troops, chariots of iron and the enemies' powerful weapons that appear to be like mountains in front of you will melt like wax in fire before the prophetic words.

Have you done all what I had told you and still not overcome your struggles? If that is so, then wait humbly for the prophetic word of God. Ask the Lord for His word in your prayers and meditations. The Lord will reveal either through the Holy Spirit to you, or through other servants of God or through the chosen prophet. When His Word comes you will taste victory.

The children of Joseph came to Joshua and told him that the mountain country apportioned to them was not enough and requested for the land of the valley as well. Joshua asked them to go up tot eh forest country and clear a place for them in the land of the Perizzites. To this they answered that it as impossible as all that Cannanites who dwell in the land of the valley had chariots of iron.

At this juncture, Joshua stood as a prophet and gave the Word of God that they are a great people with great power and they shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots and are strong. So they shall cut down the mountain country.

Pray that God will raise up prophets to encourage the people of God. Give your wholehearted support to the prophetic ministry.

Prophetic song of Praise:

When you hear the prophetic word and obey it. Our enemies will scatter before us. As soon as they get scattered, we must raise the sound of praise immediately. That is why Deborah and Barak praised the Lord with songs as soon as their enemies were defeated. They did seek rest after waging the war. They praised the Lord loud. We who have won many victories in the battlefield have not praised the Lord.

After every victory, increase your heap of praise. Even before going to the battlefront, children of God must praise like Judah. After winning the battle build the tower of praise. Then the victory that God has given us will be permanent. That is what Deborah teaches us through her song in Judges Chapter 5. Get used to praising God after every victory. Sing to the God who has given you the victory. Jud 5:3. Thank the Lord for each and everyone who supported you in the battle front (Jud 5:3, 9, 18, 24-27). Make it known to people even victory over minor matters. Jud 5:10-11. Remember the wretched state from where the Lord had lifted you up and sing praises. Jud 5:6-7. Sing with joy stating that though the enemy came in so powerfully the Lord gave you greater power to overcome him Jud 5:13. Praise Him as high as you can Jud 5:20. Sing poetically how the Lord subdued the enemy in Calvary. Bear testimony to the many times that diseases, demons, fatal struggles, financial crisis, human opposition came against you and God broke them to pieces. Jud 5:27-31

After every victory, if you learn to praise the Lord you will rejoice at seeing the double portion of victory that comes with our struggles and humiliations. The Israelites were oppressed for 20 years during the time of Deborah but due to prophetic messages, anointing and prophetic songs they enjoyed peace for 40 years. Have you realized the importance of the prophetic ministry at least now? You need prophetic anointing before the victory and to perpetuate that victory you also need prophetic anointing. May the Lord open your eyes to this truth.

Prophetic Heirs

The Lord who raised his prophets to bring victory during the times of battle is not silent today. The church is not warring against the Canaanites and the Amalekites but against the strong forces of the spirit world. The church is wrestling against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. One Deborah is not enough for this time. We need a thousand Deborahs. One Elijah, one Elisha, one Samuel cannot lead God's people to victory. There is an imminent need for thousands of prophets to rise up.

Knowing that he has only a short time, the enemy with his cunning craft is attacking us in all ways with exceeding anger. If this is true, will the commander of our army Jesus Christ be quiet? Doesn't he have plans victory? Definitely he has. The Lord who in the days of Elijah had hidden 7000, who had not bowed down to Baal, is raising up people with the prophetic anointing.

Oh, that all the Lord's people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them" was the cry of our Lord through Moses and He is pouring out immeasurably His Spirit upon us. In these last days, the Lord is pouring out His Spirit on all flesh an dour sons and daughters will prophesy. Though His apostle Paul, the Lord said that He is eager that all should prophesy.

Whenever the prophetic anointing is made welcome God's people are strengthened in their victory in the battle field. They are able to face all storms. In the midst of Satan's numerous attacks they are able to move forward with divine comfort. This is the unique quality of prophetic anointing (1 Cor. 14:3-5)

Did not the early church face dangers, opposition, spiritual struggles, and sinful temptation? Yes they did, but they did not bother those but increased a thousand fold. What is the reason for that? They knew the power of praise. They sought the power of the Holy Spirit and found victory. They transformed His Word to a double edged sword and saw victory. They did not stop with that. They believed and embraced the prophetic anointing and tasted victory upon victory. The gifts of prophesy were revealed in the early churches in the church of Jerusalem, Antioch, Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, Thessalonica. In short, in all churches this prophetic ministry, anointing and word were greatly accepted. That is why the early church transformed all spiritual struggles into celebrations ( Rom 12:6, 1 Cor. 11:4-5, 12:28, 14:24,29,31, Eph 2:20 3:6, 4:13, 1Thess 5:19-20)

This prophetic anointing lifted up not only the church but also the individual to lead a victorious life. Whenever the great apostle Paul went, he received prophetic word through his disciples, prophets and private prayers. He yearned for his fellow ministers to have the prophetic anointing and because of that throughout his life he was victorious in all struggles, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith…he was able to recite those heroic words and attain eternal life. (Acts 12:1, 15, 32-34, 16:9, 21:4-5, 9:10, 2Tim4:7).

Beloved during your times of spiritual struggles please long for prophetic anointing, gifts and the prophets. Pay heed to the testimony of Jehoshaphat that when you believe and accept the prophets you will prosper. Get it into your heads the saying of the wise man that where there are no prophets, people will be destroyed. There are still heirs to the prophets in the midst of us. The Spirit of prophesy is being poured out without measure in our midst even now.

Through God's grace, I have the honor of exercising this prophetic ministry for many years. I have seen very vividly the wonders that have happened when this anointing falls on the people. People who have lost interest in the ministry and were on the verge of committing suicide, after taking part in our meetings have changed their lives and are doing a wonderful ministry. People who have once staggered in their spiritual life are now shining as God's beautiful instruments in supporting and carrying many. That is why in my daily walk I am determined never to lose the prophetic anointing. Cry out to the Lord that wherever the church of God is there should be thousands who have received this anointing. I pray that every minister clubs this prophetic ministry to his ministry. I can say vehemently that this is the most important secret of leading the church with victory.

You may not be a prophetic but whatever ministry you are into, let the prophetic dimension be added on to your won ministry. For example, you may be a pastor. Then you, your family and your church will find victory upon victory. Offer yourselves to this anointing and break all the fetters of bondage the enemy has thrust on you. Lead your church with songs of praise. May the Lord open your eyes to the secret of a victorious life.

You  are a Joseph !!!!

This is the account of Jacob.  Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives and he brought a bad report about them. Genesis 37:2

Lets take a look into Joseph's background. He was a motherless child. He grew up with his step mother and her children who were not the best of people. Growing up in this pitiful, lonely situation, it is amazing to see Joseph emerge as a nation's righteous leader!

Circumstances don't dictate your life

Many people blame their circumstances for their sinful lives. Some say that since childhood they lived in sinful circumstances and therefore were unable to lead a victorious Christian life. This is a lie of the devil. As long as you hide behind excuses, you will not be able to live a holy life. Irrespective of your circumstances and background, you can live a Godly life. In utter darkness, your life can shine forth like a sparkling star. Only when you believe this, you will live a victorious life.

He will add

Joseph means, 'He will add'. For many years Rachel was barren. Then miraculously she conceived. When she held her son in her arms for the first time, she spontaneously said, ' God has taken away my disgrace. May the Lord add to me another son and she named him Joseph. Gen 30:22-24
Just as she had predicted, God honored her word and blessed her with another son. After that she died. There is a spiritual truth hidden here. There is power in every word that you speak. If you believe something with all your heart and confess it with your mouth, heaven will honor it and bring it to pass.

If Rachel had said 'God will give me three sons', I believe she would have had three sons! She declared that God would add another son to her and immediately after she delivered her second son, she died. Therefore change your way of speaking. If you say, 'little', you will get little. If you say much, you will receive much. Get used to Word based, positive declaration. Say 'God will make me increase' and God will make you increase. Your power will increase! Your prosperity will increase! Your life span will increase! Everything will increase. Try this out! Make it your own! God wants to add to you more than you've ever had before and He has the power to make you abound! (IICor.9:8)

Real Life

In this passage, Jacob's genealogy starts with Joseph. ( Gen 37:2) Usually the firstborn is mentioned first. The narrative starts here with Joseph's seventeenth year! There is another spiritual truth hidden here. However long a man may live, his real life starts from the time he acknowledges the Lord Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Until that point of time he merely exists on planet earth!!

Knowing the Almighty at the age of seventeen is a great blessing. Christian spiritual leaders who were history makers dedicated their lives to the Lord in their youth. If you dedicate your life to God in your youth, your future will be unimaginably brilliant. Young people please don't waste your precious youth. Though Jacob had twelve children, do you want to know why his genealogy starts with Joseph?! However influential or wise the people in your household or city are, you are very special because you love the Lord. It's you God is after! His eyes are focused on you!!!

Loveless upbringing

Right from childhood, Joseph did not know his mother's love. He may have been ill treated by the other wives of his father. His greatest consolation was his father's love. His brothers hated him so much that they hardly spoke to him. In this loveless situation, he was firmly rooted in God's love. A tree's roots grow stronger when tested by storms. Today, many lonely orphaned people are diving deeper in intimacy with God.

You have the power to transform your darkest circumstances into honorable ones. Are you ill treated at home? Is your heart longing for true love? Do not be afraid. Like the lotus that grows in a swamp, your life will blossom in spite of your harsh circumstances. Rivers of Living water from the throne of God will flow out of you and flood the nations! Be of good cheer.

Young Joseph who did not know his mother's love received a double portion of the father's love. The fact remains that no love is greater than a mother's love. It is natural for those who have been deprived of their parents love to feel empty inside. But God fills your emptiness. When the rest of his brothers' were basking in their mother's love, imagine poor Joseph's agony and loneliness. Out of these difficult circumstances, Joseph rose up to bless the world. May this bless you and encourage you today.

Joseph saw his brother's disgusting ways and shared it with his father. Sharing other's folly only with your heavenly father is wisdom. God is lovingly looking at you and saying, “ My beloved child, I know how much you long for love. I understand your loneliness and brokenness. I know how you see disgusting things in your household and are struggling within. I know how you shudder to enter your house. I also know how much you love Me. I will fill you with My love and honor you in due season.”

God saw Joseph's heart cry and poured a double portion of love for him in his father's heart. His father made a multicolored coat for Joseph and honored him. His father adorned the little shepherd boy with a garment fit for kings. How much more will your Heavenly Father do for you! He will surely raise you up as a prince and a princess. Now you may walk with your head lowered but He will prove Himself as the Glory and the lifter of your head. Though right now you are a symbol of shame, God has the power to transform you into a symbol of fame!!! He is able and He will do it for you.

Jealousy

When the brothers saw their father's intense love for Joseph, they hated him all the more! As he narrated the dreams that he saw, their anger and hatred knew no bounds. It is natural for people to hate you when God loves you intensely. Jesus said, “Because of Me others will hate you.” His word is true. Because you set your love upon God, you have earned the hatred of many. Some will laugh at you while others scorn you. You are an alien on this earth.

See how Jesus prays for you. “I have given them Your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world anymore than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. “ John 17:14,15

Just as Jesus was not of this world, His disciples were also not of the world. Knowing how the world would hate them, Jesus prayed that they should not be taken from the world but be preserved in this world. In the same way, Jesus prays for you.

Often unable to bear the ignominy you might have prayed, ' Lord take me away from this world. I don't want to live.' Do you know why God did not heed your prayer?! He did not take you away form this world because He has a great plan and purpose for you and He wants to preserve you from all evil.

Hatred

God has adorned you with His colorful garment. He has beautified you with different gifts. He has His eyes on you and is crazy about you. That's why Satan and His people hate you. Don't withdraw or step back in fear when people hate you. Many will see your anointing and God's blessings on you and hate you. The key is not to hate them in return. Imagine Joseph's agony and pain when he stood alone like an orphan against the hatred of ten brothers!

Those who are powerfully used by God were shattered at some point in life. Out of their brokenness, pearls shone forth. A rose blossoms among thorns. So be of good cheer. overcome evil with good. your light will shine forth and you will be a great blessings for the nations!

YOU ARE A JOSEPH - PART 2

In these tough circumstances, how did Joseph preserve himself?

Vision

In these tough circumstances, how did Joseph preserve himself? How did he guard himself from sinning? Of course his father's love had a part in it. But greater still was the fact that God spoke to him in the watches of the night. Though he walked about like an orphan in the day time, God showed him his glorious future at night. These visions were like a fortress around him that preserved his holiness.

In my personal life this vision guarded me. From my youth, without any prompting from anyone, I had a deep conviction in my heart that God had planned something unique for my life. As a college student I knew I would be a great preacher one day. In those days no one spoke about full time ministry as something exciting. I was under the impression that if I went in for full time ministry, I would have neither food nor shelter. I heard that serving God was a great sacrifice. Yet I had a growing desire to serve God. In my youth I used to cry and sing over and over again: ”Lord I will serve You because I love You; Over hill or valley, wherever You lead me I will go.” Even when I believed that fulltime ministry would mean tremendous sacrifice, I had a craving deep in my heart to serve God.

One of the ways in which God reveals His plans for your life is to put a deep passion in your heart. A vision isn't just something that runs like a movie before your eyes. God's vision for your life could also be a deep desire in your heart for something. These desires or visions can change the course of your life. Such desires prepared my heart for any amount of suffering in ministry. When I was a student I could not sleep without a pillow. One day I thought 'when I become a full time minister, I will not even have a pillow to sleep on, so I must get used to it now itself'. The very next day, I gave my pillow to my friend. I went to that extent to prepare myself for fulltime ministry.

God did not create you for the cravings of the world, nor did He create you for yourself. When you realize that He created you to reach the nations of the world, your life's focus will change drastically. Your prayer life will change. Your friendships will change. When you are gripped by the vision of your future, your present will change, and if you are gripped by this vision now, your future will change. It works both ways. I firmly believe that Joseph's life was changed by his visions. His elevation in life also was through his visions.

First Joseph saw the vision for his personal life. Next he received revelation for the cup bearer's life. Then he saw visions for the nation and reached the pinnacle of life. Truly the gifts of the Holy Spirit only will exalt a man to that level.

Gifts and Fruit of the Spirit

The gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit are absolutely essential for a man of God to increase. Self-control pushed Joseph into prison, but the gifts promoted him from the prison to the palace. If the fruit of the Spirit had not taken Joseph to prison, the gift could not have led him to the palace. That's why the gifts and fruit of the Spirit are imperative for a man's increase in life. They are like the heartbeat of a child of God.

Don't treat the revelations and dreams that God gives you lightly. Joseph's dream transported him from one level to another level of honour and increase. He received revelation from God in his sleep that even his brothers called him dreamer. In the last days, as God pours out His Spirit on all flesh, visions and dreams will be a natural phenomenon (Acts 2:17-21).

Vision under Attack

Watch out for one more danger! When God gives you a vision, all the forces of hell will see it and tremble. These evil forces are determined to abort the God-given vision. If you set your heart on some ministry, satan will train his eyes on it. If your vision is to be a prophet to the nations, satan will pick up all his weapons and try to destroy you. A prophet should always have the mind of Christ. Satan does a victory dance when he succeeds in bringing confusion into your mind. Satan knows that if he stains the mind, tongue or body of a servant of God, he has dulled the vision and aborted the mission. Satan will do everything in his power to attack your vision and calling in life.

See how crafty satan is! He instigated the brothers who tried their best to destroy Joseph's vision. They threw him in a pit hoping to see his 'dream' come to naught (Ge. 37:20). Satan has his eyes not only on the vision that God has given you, but he aims at destroying your anointing and your spiritual gifts. When the brothers saw Joseph, the first thing they did was to strip him of his garment (Ge.23). They threw him in a pit and said, “Now let's see what becomes of his vision!” Then they ripped up the garment and dipped it in blood. Satan hates the beautiful garment that God has adorned you with. His goal is to strip you of your garment of praise and your robe of righteousness. But the good news is that satan cannot strip you of your garment on his own. If you make up your mind, you can guard it. Don't let go. Guard your garment with all diligence.

If your visions and dreams are truly from God, He Himself will bring it to completion. He who placed the desire in you, will perfect that which concerns you. “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose”(Ph.2:12).

“When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more” (Ge.37:4,5).

Joseph's brothers detested him so much that they stopped talking to him. Yet when he saw the vision, he ran and went and shared it with them. In his heart, he did not harbour grudge or bitterness. This characteristic held him in good stead. It made him stand out from the rest. He showed them love and shared his heart with them.

Enemy's vision

After Joseph shared his vision with his brothers, they hated him all the more. 'His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said (Ge.37:8). His brothers' words came to pass. Joseph reigned over them. He ruled over his brothers. Those who receive the vision will rule over those who do not. Those who receive the garment of anointing will rule over the others. How ever long it takes, your vision will definitely be fulfilled. You will rule over the others. Be of good cheer.

Delay

Sometimes, there may be a delay in the fulfillment of the God-given vision. In his seventeenth year, Joseph received his vision which was fulfilled only when he turned thirty. For thirteen years, everything seemed to work against his vision. If you are in this waiting phase, you should wrestle in prayer, keeping the prophecies and vision before you. That's why Paul tells Timothy “Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them, you may fight the good fight” (1Ti.1:18). Don't back off thinking your vision will not come to pass. Persevere in prayer.

Your fulfillment time will definitely come. Your vision may not happen immediately, but it will surely come to pass. Do not lose heart. “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised” (He.10:36).

First of all, Joseph shared his dream of his sheaf standing straight with his brothers' sheaves bowing down to his and they hated him to the core. Next, Joseph shared the dream of the sun, moon and eleven stars bowing down to him. His father rebuked him. Yet, he pondered over this dream (Ge.37:11). Yes-older, mature people will ponder over things. “The spiritual man makes judgments about all things” (1Co.2:15).

Guileless

Do you want God to use you powerfully? Get ready to face the jealousy of those around you. Every victorious servant of God has faced the brunt of people's jealousy. Through the thorny path of jealousy, Joseph remained guileless. He wasn't weighed down by the jealousy of those around him. As usual, he spoke to his brothers and father. As much as God gives you visions and grace in ministry, be humble and kind to those around you. If you behave like this, God will make you a Joseph generation.

Joseph was not bitter with his brothers. He was not put off by his brothers' hatred. Nor did he fear that his brothers would do him evil. The word-love always trusts, love always hopes was visible in him. Perfect fear that was within him cast out all fear. One day, his father sent him to see how his brothers and the flocks were faring. He spontaneously obeyed. Though he had many visions, look at his humility. He could have told his dad that he would not go since his brothers hated him so much. But he did not say so. In these circumstances, what would you have done? I wonder…

Perfect Love

Joseph generation will be kind and considerate to those who hate them. Joseph went to enquire about his brothers' welfare. Yes beloved, go and kindly inquire about the well-being of those who hate you. Show kindness to those who pushed you aside. Don't do it half-heartedly. Remember Joseph. His father sent him to Shechem. Joseph could have searched at Shechem and returned home. But he went further. When he heard that his brothers had moved with their flocks to Dothan, he went there and found them (Ge.37:12-15). This is complete obedience; perfect love. This is how you overcome evil with the love of God (Ro.12:21). This love of God placed Joseph a notch above his brothers.

Do you want to overcome evil? Or do you want evil to overcome you? Decide today to smile sweetly at those who frown at you.

Other's well-being

Joseph had a unique characteristic. He was always concerned about the well-being of others. He enquired not only about the welfare of his brothers who hated him, but others as well. When Joseph was in prison, one morning he saw the troubled faces of two people and asked them, ”Why are your faces so sad today?” (Ge.40:4-7). Imagine Joseph's plight at this point of time. Wasn't he the one who was sad? Wasn't he the one who had seen sorrow in his life? When the master's wife came after him, he fled from lust and adultery. In return for his integrity and faithfulness to his master, all that he received was shame, accusation and unfair imprisonment. How broken he must have been! The sorrow of losing his mother as a child; the sorrow of his brothers' hatred; the sorrow of being separated from his affectionate father. Finally the shame of being called unfaithful. If we had walked this path, we would have died of sorrow. But Joseph hid his agony and showed concern in others lives.

Often he would cry aloud in private and then wash his face and smile brilliantly at those around him. Yes-those who weep in private and laugh in public only can become a Joseph generation. With a thousand problems in your own heart, when you can forget about yourself and get involved in others' problems, then you will be a Joseph generation.

Do you want to be a Joseph? Forget your own troubles and be concerned about helping others with their problems. Control your tears and shower love on others. All the servants of God who were used by God walked this tough path. Only when you are mindful of others' problems, your anointing will increase. Today, tread on your problems in Jesus' name. Take time for others and pray for them.

You are a Joseph - Part 3

For the past few months we have been looking into the life of Joseph. Without a shadow of doubt, I know that Joseph’s life is impacting us in this twenty first century. In this month also let us continue to meditate on the life of Joseph.

In many of our Youth Camps, I am asked this question: ‘How can I be without sinning against God?’ For Joseph, that was not an issue at all. His question was: ‘How can I sin against God?’ This is the true standard of holiness. In these last days, God is raising up the standard of holiness in the church. Joseph thought: ‘Me - falling?! Never!!’ That was the fiery zeal that gripped Joseph.

Nehemiah had a similar zeal.

‘One man said, “Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you.” But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Or should one like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!” ’ (Neh 6:10, 11).

You are not a little mouse that groans and falters at the first temptation that comes your way! You are a lion cub that bares its teeth and growls at the temptation that tries to swallow it.

“For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” “Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation-but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it” (Rom 6:14; 8:12).

When you are passionately in love with the Lord, your heart will tremble at the thought of making Him sad by sinning. At the last supper, Jesus said, “One of you will betray me”. Immediately there was confusion at the table! Each one said, ‘Is it me Lord? Is it me?’ That confusion itself showed their half-hearted love for the Lord. The fear that troubled the hearts of the disciples was: ‘Will I betray the Lord someday? Will I be unfaithful to Him?’ The Bible says ‘Perfect love casts out all fear’. In the midst of this confusion, John who was leaning on the Lord Jesus did not ask Him like the others. Instead he said, ‘Lord, who is he?’ John was absolutely sure in his heart that he would not and could not betray Christ. God poured this boldness and confidence into each one of us. It is up to us to stir it up.

You might quote the verse, ‘If you think you are standing, be careful, lest you fall’ and wonder where it fits in. Trusting in your own ability is wrong. You have Christ in you. Faith believes that you won’t fall because He who is in you is greater than he that is in the world. This is the faith that overcomes the world.

Sometime ago God beautifully expounded this truth to me. Jesus, a handsome young man went to the well at Samaria. An adulterous woman who had five husbands tried chatting Him up. At that point, who changed whom? Did she change Him? Or did His anointing transform her life?! This powerful life changing anointing is in you. An unbelieving husband is made holy through a god-fearing wife. And unbelieving wife is made holy through a god-fearing husband. The power of God that is in you can pull a person out of the pit of sin onto the highway of holiness. Do not underestimate His power in you.

Endurance

Potiphar’s wife did not give up. She kept luring him everyday. But Joseph rejected her advances day after day. He did not even encourage her lustful conversation (Gen 39:10). This is another key to a holy life. Victory is not standing against sin for a couple of days and then falling into it. Victory is enduring against sin till the very end. Day after day, though she tried to sweet-talk him, he adamantly came against her. This is what Christ referred to when He said, ‘He who endures till the end will be saved’.

Be aggressive against sin. We should wrestle against sin to the point of shedding blood. Those who soft-peddle in this area will not be victorious.

Be Alert and Diligent

Joseph gives us another key to overcome sin. Those who diligently go about their work will not fall prey to lust. Note this! Though she tempted him everyday, he diligently did his daily duties. He did not ‘meditate’ on her words or daydream all day long.

‘One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.’ (Gen 39:11,12).

Joseph’s mind was on his work and he went into the house to do work. If he had given in to day dreaming, he would have fallen in sin that day.

An idle mind is the devil’s workshop. If you think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, praise-worthy, then you will not fall into sin.

As long as David had his mind on fighting battles, praising God, extending his boundaries and ruling wisely, he led a victorious life. But when he forgot the battle field and stayed back in his palace, slept in the daytime, let his mind wander and his eyes stray, he saw Bathsheba and fell prey to lust!

To stay away from lust, the soul, body and mind should be busy. A lazy man will fall in the sin of lust. The mind that constantly praises God, sings and speaks in tongues will not falter. When you are lazing around, satan will search for opportunities to trap you. With the above examples contrast the outcome of laziness, and the victory of diligence.

Fill your mind with the word of God. Those who fall into sin first sin in their mind. Your body will follow the way of the mind. Just as you have a bath every morning, wash your mind with the word of God. When you find dirty, lustful thoughts troubling your mind, increase your prayer life, fasting times and Bible reading times.

In my younger days, when my mind was attacked by bad thoughts, I would take my Bible and run off to a secluded place to fast and pray. For days on end, I would read and meditate on the word of God. Then I would sense calmness and an unusual feeling of holiness envelop me. Use this key and open the door to freedom from sinful thoughts that plague you.

I AM IN CHRIST - dependable - trustworthy

Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’… ‘The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.”

Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM” (Ex.3:14-15; Jn.8:58)
God made a covenant with Abraham.(Ex.6:5). The “I-AM-God” is a covenant-keeping God. The forefathers were no more, all Israel had forgotten their covenant God, even Moses had forgotten his calling and settled with his father in law. Everything was past and forgotten, but God lives outside of time. When everything changed in Israel, God was still the same. He is always self-existent. He appeared in the burning bush as the Lord of Glory. This revelation was deeply imprinted in Moses’ heart until the end.

Maybe you have forgotten your calling and the covenants God made with you. Maybe you settled for an ordinary lifestyle, but the “I-AM-God” has not forgotten your early love and commitment and the sufferings of His own people. He is reassuring you of His calling. Because you are one with the “I-AM-God”, you and Jehovah have become an unbeatable team.

Beloved, you need not tremble and hide your face like Moses. You have received this Jehovah-God in your life, and His mission of delivering humanity from the powers of darkness has also become your mission. You and Jehovah-God will go and set the captives free. You will bring the people into Canaan, which speaks of life in Christ. Don’t settle for a mundane life. God is inviting you for a higher calling. Forget the wasted years (Isa.43:18-21; Jo.2:25). Yield your remaining years into His hands.

NO INABILITIES IN CHRIST

Then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent… I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” So the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth?… Go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say…”

For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say. (Ex.4:10-12; Lk.12:12)

God was patiently answering every one of Moses’ questions to dispel his doubts, but again, Moses swayed back to his unbelief. Then Moses said to the LORD, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent… I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” Anything from self hinders the faith of our inner man, who is born of God. Anything from self – self-pity, self-abasement, self-depreciation, self-rejection, self-condemnation, self-awareness, self-consciousness and so on – stifles our miracle faith. Here, Moses was very conscious of his speech impediment and tried to convince God as if He were unaware, while God was trying to turn his focus away from himself. God reassured him of His Presence and promised him He would be with his mouth and teach him His very words (Ex.4:10-12).

God chose you for His purpose. He knew all about your stubbornness, treacherous nature and natural inadequacies. Yet for His own sake He has chosen you (Isa.48:4,8-11). In Christ, He replaced all your insufficiencies with His great sufficiency. The very reason He made you His home is to fill your weaknesses with His strength. He fills everything everywhere with Himself and makes everything complete in Him (Eph.1:23).

Beloved, the excellence of His power is within you, the earthen vessel (2.Co.4:7). The earthen vessel speaks of your human frailty. Magnify your inner man, not your outer man. In Christ, see all your inabilities and impediments turning into opportunities for God’s super-power!

JEHOVAH NISSI IN CHRIST

And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner… (Ex.17:15; )

Your Captain, the Lord Jesus Christ, is sitting on the highest place of heaven, lifting up His hands for you (Heb.7:25). As long as His hands are lifted up, you will prevail and win. The good news is that His hands will never grow weary (Isa.40:28). Because of His victorious intercession on your behalf, you can march on in victory (1.Co.15:57; 2.Co.2:14). Yes, we are wrestling with principalities and powers, rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph.6:12). It’s purely a spiritual battle. Victory or defeat is decided in the invisible realm. Jesus, our High Priest, is constantly interceding for you to win every battle of your life.

You have nothing to do in this battle. You just wield the Sword of the Spirit against your enemies. Pick up God’s Word, as David picked up a smooth stone and hit the devil’s forehead. If you are for example attacked physically, you have to quote all the healing scriptures against the devil. If your family is under the siege of the devil, you must quote God’s promises for family blessings. No matter how smart you are in handling God’s Word, ultimately your victory is eternally determined by the One who sits on the heavenly throne.

Every time we win a battle, God wants us to boldly testify about it. Then be careful to build an altar to offer Him your praise heap. Moses built an altar and called it “the Lord is my Banner”. Constant exaltation of Christ’s victory paves the way to your sure victory. Let me repeat. Life in Christ must be a continuous victory . You rally under Christ’s victorious banner. Rise up to your inheritance

WRITTEN IN CHRIST

Everything about your life is preplanned and written out (Ps.139:16). In Christ, all His plans will be totally fulfilled in you. You need not worry about your future. Just live in the light of your life in Christ. Obey every single prompting of the Holy Spirit. You will be surprised to see at the end of your life that you have finished the will of God in your life completely (Ac.13:36). Everything written about Jesus was fulfilled. His virgin birth was predicted (Isa.9:6). His birthplace was described before (Mic.5:2). His flight to Egypt was also foretold (Jer.31:15).

In Christ, everything that happens in your life is well-planned by God. Your travels are planned ahead. Your staying places and your place of settlement are all foreordained.

Your ministry-sphere and even your specific message, the people you must minister to – all such minute details are pre-arranged by your God.He has already called you for a specific purpose. All you have to do is to find out, develop and fulfill it (1.Co.12:28; Eph.4:7-11). Jesus’ forerunner and His co-workers were also planned by God (Isa.40:3-5; Lk.3:2-6; 7:24-27; Jn.17:6). God has already ordained all your co-workers and counselors and spiritual leaders. When you walk in Christ, you will fulfill the days of your life and enter eternity at God’s appointed time.

Beloved, life in Christ fulfills everything that is written in God’s plan, but remember, it’s not automatic. Identify yourself with Christ, know His minute plans and give yourself to doing them. Walk in the spirit and in the counsel of His servants. Seek God’s guidance for every day of your life, even for little things. All of heaven will back you up to finish God’s assignments in your lifetime.

DNA IN CHRIST

The very first page of the New Testament starts with a long genealogy (Mt.1:1-17). I’m thrilled to see the Son of God includes Himself in the genealogy of mankind. He came into man’s genealogy so man could come into God’s genealogy. In Christ, God’s DNA is in you! God in you is the climax of the New Testament truth (Co.1:27). This very thought is more than enough to transform you into the image of God.

Jesus was conceived in Mary’s womb as by God’s pure, holy seed through the Holy Spirit. Before Joseph was united with Mary, God intervened. There was no mixture of human element. The same thing happened to you in your salvation. When you heard the Word of truth (seed), the Holy Spirit took that seed and produced Christ in your spirit. In a sense, you are more privileged than Mary (Lk.1:48). Mary carried Jesus for nine months in her womb, but you carry Jesus since your salvation. You are born of God, not of the will of flesh nor of man (Jn.1:13). The Holy Spirit came upon you and overshadowed you. The holy One, the Son of God, was born in you.

Beloved, the miracle of new birth can never be understood by the natural mind. Even the most sophisticated theological mind hesitates to embrace the truth of life in Christ. It can never be understood by your knowledge. It must be revealed to you by the Holy Spirit (Ro.8:16).

Keep your brain submitted to the Holy Spirit and His revelation knowledge. This is vital for life in Christ! Christ Jesus is growing in you day by day. Please don’t mix your human element and suffocate Him! Protect and nurture Jesus in you. Your greatest privilege is to bring forth Christ into this world.

PRAYER - THE VITAL BREATH OF LIFE

Prayer transforms us to be like Jesus

Practicing the presence of God transforms us into His likeness. “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom.8:29). It’s the Father’s desire that we should be like Jesus. The sole purpose for which God created man in His own image was that man would be like Him and walk in His footsteps of holiness. But when man's intimacy with God was disrupted, man's image was distorted. Man lost the perfect image of God when he sinned.

If man has lost that beautiful perfect image of God, will man ever regain it? Is it possible to be like God again? Is it possible for sinful man to be intimate with a holy God? Are these heart-rending questions echoing in the emptiness of your soul? The Good News is that the Bible says it is possible to be like God again. When our relationship with God is restored, and we get closer to Him, we get back to that blessed state. Our relationship with God is restored through the blood of Jesus. When we are restored through the blood of Jesus to God, we become part-takers of the divine nature. This divine nature shines forth when we dwell in His presence. Constant communion with God brings forth His divine nature. His word and His saints attest to this fact.

The old adage, “Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are” fits well in this context. We unknowingly imbibe the nature of our close friends. One who is intimate with the Holy God becomes holy. One who closets himself with the God of peace becomes a messenger of peace. One who moves with the humble and gentle God becomes humble and gentle. The more we are with Him, the more we become like Him. “He who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him” (1.Co.6:17). The string that knits flowers together will also smell like flowers. Likewise, those who linger in His presence carry His fragrance.

Efforts made on your own strength cannot transform you. The work of your flesh is futile. Instead of running from pillar to post hoping for a transformation in your life and circumstances, dwell in His presence and let His image be formed in you. Just as coal shines like gold in fire, a person who lingers in the presence of God will shine forth. Take a look at the life of Moses who spent days on end alone with God. He was a good friend of God. He climbed mountain after mountain, seeking seclusion with God. In course of time, he started reflecting God’s image and glory. He displayed divine meekness in a unique way. He radiated God’s glory. When he spent forty days with God in fasting and prayer and came down, the people could not even look at His face. The radiance that filled his heart glowed on his face. The Bible says, “Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him”. If you want your soul and face to be radiant, commune with Him. Speak to Him, and let Him speak to you. If you spend more time with Him in your prayer closet, you will reflect His glory more in this world.

These are the end times. We are living in perilous days. “Darkness covers the earth and thick darkness, the people”. Evil is rampant. Only those who have fellowship with God will rise and shine. People in darkness will come to their light. Are you unable to overcome youthful temptations? Do not blame your circumstances. Darkness will not be removed. Your light will have to lighten the dark places. Those who look to God are radiant. Your radiance will be proportionate to your time with God. People of prayer only can escape the coming immoralities. The outward man can be subdued only when the inner man is strengthened. When I was in college, darkness surrounded me. But immorality among the students could not take hold of me. We spent hours in prayer and darkness could not overcome us. Students would come running to us for prayer.

Further a person of prayer will not be caught up in the web of backsliding. No power of darkness can separate a person who is entwined in the love of God. Prayer warriors can boldly challenge, “Who can separate us from the love of God?” Stephen’s murderers saw the glory glow on Stephen's face when they stoned him. He knelt down and prayed. The shadow of death could not dim the brightness of his face. A person of prayer is aware of his human limitations! He bows in the Presence of God and says, “Lord without you I can do nothing! But in You I can do all things.” He is a branch entwined with His Master the Vine. He is the one who sits in the presence of God and receives the essence for life! He will always flourish and not dry up. You want to know what God would look at such a person of prayer and say? “I, the Lord, watch over it; I water it continually. I guard it day and night so that no one may harm it” (Is.27:3). Wow! What a glorious state for a life of prayer! For whom is this moment by moment watering and for whom are these green pastures? For the one who abides in Him and communes with Him. It is for the one who takes time in His presence. To be like Him, you must be with Him!

Prayer equips us for God’s ministry

Only a person who moves with God can move out for God. God’s faithful friends become His faithful ministers. Today’s prayer warriors are tomorrow's proclaiming warriors. Present and future ministers of God should never forget this truth. Do you want to rise and shine for Christ? Do you crave to accomplish great things for God? This yearning is good. You are the Pauls who should build churches; you are the Peters who should bring thousands into God’s kingdom. You are the Finneys who should bring forth revival; you are the David Livingstones who should dispel darkness. You are the Smith Wigglesworth who should reveal the power of God to the people. You are the Elijahs who will smash idols. Do you crave it but lack the power? Do you have the desire but lack the boldness? Do you aspire but not achieve? I’ve got good news for you. God Himself puts these desires in you. He will enable you to perform. He wants to use you. He has been waiting for a long time to use you, but He can only use those who stay close to His bosom and share His heart cry! Don’t depend on your talents or abilities.


God cannot use a man who has no time for Him. People of prayer alone can do great exploits for Him. What did the apostles do before they decided on full time ministry? As Jesus instructed them, they were praying to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into the field. The Lord of the harvest sent these same men as labourers. What did Paul do after his conversion? He prayed. God’s sign to Ananias regarding Saul was, “Behold he prays..” The power of his ministry was drawn from his prayers. After ten days of prayer in the Upper Room, the apostles launched out into worldwide ministry. The Lord Jesus spent 40 days of fasting and prayer before He began His ministry.

Only prayer warriors can rise up into mighty warriors for God. Probe into the lives of the giants of revival and you will find that all of them were prayer warriors. Ministries that are born of prayer, sustained in prayer and end in prayer alone can face eternity boldly. Prayer less mi n i s t r y ma y a p p e a r successful in the beginning but in the end it will be pathetic.

Prayer works wonders

Prayer moves the arm that moves the world. When a person abides in Him, he or she will receive anything from God. God can’t help but fulfil the desires of His loved ones! When they call Him, He will lovingly say,” Yes. Here I am”. Your prayer can move the hand that moves the world. A Christian life is a supernatural life and prayer is the pulse of this supernatural life. The Word of God is a gold mine of prayerful feats! It is a treasury of miracles. God has done thousands of miracles in response to the cry of His people. Are you wondering, “Where are the miracles of the Bible?” Are you longing to see the power of God? Bend your knees. Lift up your eyes to the Lord of Lords! We go out of our way to fulfil the desires of a close friend. Don’t we?! Similarly God is eager to fulfil the desires of those who seek Him in prayer.

Abraham prayed and held back his nephew from sure destruction. Yes! Salvation will come to the unsaved in your family through your prayers!

Moses prayed and received the Ten Commandments written by the hand of the Almighty God. Prayer brings down God’s presence and God's leading in our lives.

Joshua prayed and the sun stopped in its tracks. Prayer has the power to rule over nature and make things work in our favour.

Hezekiah prayed and 1,85,000 Assyrians were defeated. Yes! Prayer has the power to destroy your enemies.

Ezra prayed and people who were stained by sin received new life. Yes! Prayer makes holy the people of God.

Elijah prayed and the rain stopped. He prayed again and it rained! The prosperity of the nations are directed by the prayers of God’s people.

Elisha prayed and the dead body came to life. Prayer has the power to resurrect the dead!

David prayed and he worshipped God in song and left a legacy of praise and worship for generations to come. Prayer makes our talents a blessing to others.

Samson prayed and had the courage to rip open a lion’s mouth. Prayer is a weapon that makes a person brave and courageous.

Nehemiah prayed and the broken walls of Jerusalem were built. Prayer warriors only can build the church.

Prophets prayed and people received guidance for their future and warnings from their past.

Prayer has the power to understand the mysteries of God! The disciples prayed and received the fullness of the Spirit of God. Prayer fills us with the Holy Spirit and gifts. Peter prayed and the healing virtue of God was seen in his shadow. The power of God will overflow in the presence of a praying person. (I have written a book about the power of God in our lives entitled Dunamis. Order your copy today!) Paul and Silas prayed and the prison doors flung open. Yes! Prayer has the power to tear down every barrier in your life! Oh! I could go on forever! People prayed and obtained the strength to be martyrs. They prayed and birthed revivals. They even shook kingdoms through prayer. Wow! The power of prayer.

Christ accomplished everything through prayer. He prayed and the heavens opened. He prayed and the heavenly dove came! He prayed and He heard the Father’s voice. He prayed and He overcame the devil. He prayed and fed a few loaves to thousands. He prayed and knew the will of God. He prayed and accomplished the will of God. He prayed and drove away evil spirits. He prayed and knew the hearts of men. He prayed and perceived the thoughts of men.

He prayed and chose His disciples. He prayed and comforted those in sorrow. He prayed and predicted future peril. He prayed and overcame the flesh. He prayed and offered Himself. He prayed and suffered on the Cross for others. He prayed and sent the Comforter down to His disciples. He prays even today and it is His prayer that protects us.

Yes! Prayer brings heaven down to earth. We need not live a defeated life while we have the power of prayer in our hands! Miracles abound in a praying person’s life. Praying people are not perturbed by temptations. They do not dread Satan’s wiles. You may preach and perish. But you will never pray and perish. Prayer opens heaven and closes hell. Will you commit yourself to a life of prayer? Do it NOW!

Prophetic Word for the Year 2012 -  Dr. Ezekiah Francis

“Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,” says the LORD; “and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,” says the LORD, “and work; for I am with you,” says the LORD of hosts. “

According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!” (Hag.2:4-5)

2012 is the year for the Church to be strong and do  the works of God. This is the time for God's Kingdom to be built. This is the time for the harvest to be gathered. This is the time to use every gift and talent for your Savior. God calls you this year to be strong and work.

No matter what happens around, no matter who rules, the Kingdom of God must progress and be built. This is the year for God's people to work in His Vineyard as never before. This is the year to multiply your five talents into ten talents. This is the year to find out your calling and to excel in it.

The days of selfishness and living for your own pleasure are over. All self-pity and complaining must cease. This is not the time to compare, compete and copy other ministries. This is not the time to be discouraged or distressed. This is the time to muster your courage and continue what you are doing for the Lord with more vigor and energy than ever before.

Your eyes must be lifted up to see the great need around you. Like Abraham, lift up your eyes and see the opportunities God gives you. Now is the time to lift your eyes and look toward the north, south, east and west and possess it (Gen.13:14-18).

God’s work will take momentum and sincere workers will be highly rewarded. New doors of opportunities and new avenues will open up for those who give themselves fully to their callings. The blessed Holy Spirit will arise like a tornado and show His mighty power through His friends who keep intimate fellowship with Him.

The teaching and preaching on the Holy Spirit and His manifestations will intensify. God’s ministers will realize that it is not by might, nor by power but by His Spirit. Yes, the Holy Spirit must be honored, welcomed and given total freedom to show His power of revival and judgment.

Enemies disheartened

The enemy will try his best to delay and distract your work for the Lord. He will even try to stop your work and chase you away from your calling if possible. He will inspire his people to intimidate and weaken your hands. Thank God, the One who called you is almighty and He is sitting on the highest throne. Nothing can prevail against His Church.

The work of God which is ceased and was discontinued will once again begin to flourish. Many ministries will be restored. Hidden ministers will come to the public. God will give favor to His people and to sincere workers in the eyes of higher authorities and even the government.

This year you will see the glorious completion of God’s ministries and building projects which were hindered and delayed unduly. Enemies will hear and see it and be very disheartened.

They will perceive that this work was done by our almighty God (Neh.6:15-16). Hallelujah!

Build on the Word

This year you will see the clear difference between God's work built on the rock or on the sand. Heavy rain, cruel floods and mighty winds may beat against the House of God. The ministry and the churches built on the Word of God will not fall, for they are founded on the Rock. The ministries that are built on human opinion, human knowledge and human strategies will collapse, and their fall will be great.

Beloved! Lean on the bosom of the Holy Spirit as never before in your life. Talk to Him, love Him, keep intimate fellowship with Him and constantly tune yourself to His voice. Endeavor to know Him more by studying about Him and yielding to Him. Introduce the Holy Spirit and His power in your ministry by your teaching and demonstration.

Give top priority to your calling. Study the various gifts and callings of God. Find out your place in His Body and your specific assignments you have to fulfill in your lifetime. Remember, your calling demands your entire life, energy and time. Don’t get entangled in the affairs of this life (2.Tim.2:4). Throw all your burdens and concerns on the Lord who cares for you and serve the Lord more diligently than ever before. You will see all other things taken care of beautifully and every desired blessing added to you automatically (Mt.6:33; 1.Pe.5:7).

May God bless you this year beyond your imaginations and prayers according to the power that is working in you mightily.

Prophetic Picture for the Year 2012

Let me present a prophetic picture to you from 2nd Kings 2:19-22 for your pondering and meditation in this year 2012. God is welcoming you to enjoy His prepared table for your New Year 2012. Your God has already crowned your New Year with His grace and mercy. Your Breaker always goes ahead of you and searches the way you should go and prepares everything for you to accomplish your life mission on this earth.

Recognition

The prophet Elisha had just received the mantle from Elijah, who ascended to heaven. Immediately people began to recognize the mantle and the calling of the departed prophet on the new leader-prophet Elisha (2.Ki.2:15). Yes, this is the year of God’s recognition shining forth on His anointed servants. Many young leaders will take the mantle of God’s anointing, take new positions of leadership in the Kingdom of God and emerge into front line ministry.

Cities and nations

This year God’s anointed servants will have open doors for city-wide and nation-wide ministry. The men of the city of Jericho requested Elisha for a miracle for their desperate situation. They said, “Please notice, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my Lord sees; but the water is bad, and the ground barren” ( 2:19). As you know, Jericho was a cursed city, the land was barren and the water caused miscarriages. People realized that no human effort or government could alter the crisis and avert the calamity. They recognized that only Holy Ghost ministers have the answer and remedy for the city’s situation. Wow! What an opportunity for God’s anointed ones! What a demand for God’s apostles and prophets! What a desperation in the land!

Yes beloved, if you fully operate in your anointing, city mayors and national leaders will walk to the brightness of your rising (Isa.60:1-3). In these End Times, nations will become desperate and national leaders impotent to meet the challenges and crisis. Ultimately, secular leaders have to run to the Church of God for supernatural answers. This happened time and again, during the time of Joseph, Daniel, Esther, Elijah, Elisha etc. I believe that in this year, your city and your nation will seek your help for their problems. High level people will come to you secretly to seek your prayer help and prophetic word and your support. Jairus, the noble man and Nicodemus all came to the Savior. This will happen in your life. Rise up to your position!

New Covenant believers

See what Elisha said and did. “Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it; so they brought it to him. Then he went out to the source of the water and cast in the salt their…” Wow! This is the prophetic picture of the End Time Church. You are the new bowl and the new creation. You walk under the New Covenant blessing and grace. You are the salt of this earth. You are anointed to bring saltiness and taste to this sin-sick, cursed world. You must go into this needy world. This is the time for the Church to wake up to this mountainous privilege and responsibility.

God will release a mighty army of new Covenant believers with His power and glory to influence the society and the secular world. All these years, the Church has isolated itself from the society and the secular world. Unfortunately, the socalled “separation truth” was misinterpreted as isolation and thus our influence on the world was not felt so far. The very first blessing God gave to His people is to fill the earth and totally influence and subdue it (Ge.1:28).

The Bible never separates the spiritual from the secular. Thank God, you will see more and more of the Church influencing and infiltrating the world with Christian principles and morals. You will see it and hear it this year in an increasing way. God will lift up our younger generation to touch high level people, media, press etc.

Source

See where Elisha went with the salt: “Then he went out to the source of the water and cast in the salt there…”

Your Commander bids you to go into all the world. “All” includes every segment of society. As Elisha took the salt and the bowl and went out to the source of the water, your God is going out with you to the source of every problem. Remember, only the Church can deal with the source of human problems and national crisis. Anything man does can only bring remedy for the surface level. You know the reason for all violence, divisions, wars, terrorism, natural calamities, immorality and poverty is the devil, the arch enemy of God and His creation. Who can deal with the demonic powers other than you, the Holy Ghost person? You have the axe of God’s power to cut the root of every problem (Mt.3:10).

This year God wants you to seek Him for His new direction and to launch out into the unreached world. Enlarge your vision. See beyond your territories. Embrace your cities, districts and nations in your heart. Let your prayers cross the boundaries of your own need, your family and your ministry. It's high time to bless your city and target all the families of the earth. Use every technology to spread the good news and your message. The world is using these technologies to spread bad news. Take it from the enemies hand and attempt big things for God.

This year is a golden opportunity for you to start many new things and venture to use mass media, social networks and internet to touch the world.

Prophetic Proclamation

God wants His Church to use the power of words to create a new world. See how Elisha prophesied to the waters of Jericho. He said, “Thus says the Lord: I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness” ( 2:21). God’s apostolic and prophetic anointing will doubly increase this year upon His ministers and the Church, and the people of God will know the power of prophesying to this world.

There is a place for intercession for the nations. Jesus, when He was in the flesh, “offered up prayers and supplications with vehement cries and tears” (Heb.5:7). We have to specially focus our prayers and intercessions for our cities, states and nations. It should not be a pathetic and hopeless cry like Old Testament saints. They cried between an angry God and rebellious nations. Your Savior quenched the anger of God on the cross and became the eternal Intercessor between God and man. Now every intercessor can share His throne, take His authority and prophesy to the nations.

Prophesy what God has done on the cross! Prophesy that the nations have been healed 2000 years ago! Prophesy that the nations are bought by the Blood of Jesus! Prophesy that the power of death was broken on the cross! Prophesy that barrenness and curse were cancelled on the cross! Prophesy healing and health to the Body of Christ! Prophesy the victory of cross over the principalities and powers!!

The Church will see the power of prophetic prayers, prophetic declarations and blessings over the atmosphere. Do it from the first day of this year onwards. Proclaim the Word of God as often as possible. Create a new world with your word as the great Creator lives and speaks through you.

Confirmation

“So the water remains healed to this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spoke” (2.Ki.2:22).


Wow! What a God! He confirms the words of His servants. As you faithfully press on serving God with all your might and strength, God’s manifested Presence will be revealed wherever you go and whatever you do. “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the Word through the accompanying signs” (Mk.16:20). This Scripture will be fulfilled in your life and ministry this year as you earnestly desire His gifts to flow through you. God will use His hungry servants with a double portion of His power and glory. Mighty signs and wonders will follow those who fully open themselves up to the flood of the Holy Ghost.


The world cannot be won by words only. They need to see the mighty power of God. The message of condemnation and hell will not win this world for Christ. The message of God's grace, God’s love and prophetic proclamation will draw the world to the cross. That is the New Covenant message. God is calling you with a great longing to use you as His mouth piece to your sphere of the world. Be bold and proclaim. God is with you and He will make sure that none of your words fall to the ground this year (1.Sa.3:19)

Release the rivers

God wants to release the healing rivers through you in a greater level. Elisha healed the waters of Jericho by prophetic action and prophetic word. Yes! You will bring the New Covenant blessings, prophesy to your circumstances and bring great healing. Thereby you will break age-long curses over families, cities and nations (2.Ki.2:19-22).

Secondly, you are anointed to turn the water of Marah into sweet water. Do you remember the prophetic picture of Marah during Israel’s time under the leadership of Moses? God’s people began to complain because they could not drink the bitter water. Moses prayed and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. When it was thrown into the water, the water became sweet (Ex.15:22-27). Yes, all the bitter waters of this world were made sweet by the cross of Calvary. People don’t know it yet. God wants to give you the revelation of His cross as never before.
I prophesy that as the end of the world approaches, more of the blessings of the Cross will be revealed to the Church. The more people see what the Savior has accomplished on the cross, the more they will be drawn to Him. The Church also must see more of the blessings of Calvary as never before. This year God wants to reveal the cross in a greater depth to His Body. Embrace it, teach it, preach it, prophesy it and change the bitter life of people into a sweet life.

Thirdly, God wants to release His healing rivers through you: Healing for the body, soul, spirit, families, emotions etc. This healing river is lying dormant within your spirit for a long time. God wants to take you into a deeper level of His anointing. Don’t stay back in the ankle deep, knee deep or waist deep waters of His Spirit. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you into the swimming level and see the rivers of living waters flowing from your spirit, bringing healing to the people around you and to the nations. Believe it! Proclaim it! Go with it this year, in Jesus name (Eze.47:1-12)!

May the Lord enlarge your vision and your territory. May the Lord use you as His mighty curse breaker, healer and influence to your world. We wish you a glorious, Holy-Ghost-empowered, nation changing year 2012!

Prophetic Word for the Year 2012 - Rev Benita Francis

“They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him (Mal.3:17-18).

This year of 2012 will be a year of clear distinction. Even the mocking world will once again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him. The unbelieving world will have to see and admit in astonishment how God honors those who honor Him (1.Sa.2:30). People will be able to see the favor God bestows on a good man and the condemnation coming on a man of wicked intentions (Pr.12:2).

Men of wicked intentions are going to be hated even by their own followers and devotees. We will see such men of wicked intentions imprisoned and murdered by people close to them, even in government and political spheres (Pr.14:17).

In 2012, wickedness will help attacking and destroying its own allies, as it happened in the Bible in 2nd Chronicles 20:23. By your prayers and praise, impossible situations will be turned around, and righteousness will reign. As two evils help to destroy each other, good will emerge like a secret weapon which God in His wisdom had been hiding until His perfect moment of showing forth to the world.

In several nations, such sudden swings of political rulership will happen and bring righteousness, peace and tranquility to suffering people. In 2012, the one thing God strongly requires from His chosen ones is that they use the victory strategy of King Jehoshaphat found in 2nd Chronicles Chapter  20. When King Jehoshaphat saw himself threatened by a great multitude, he set himself to seek the Lord. In this year of 2012, your victory will come only by positioning yourself to seek the Lord. In 2012, your help will not come by might or by power or by human or military strength and ability (Ps.33:17; Zac.4:6). All the opposite, if you seek your help or your refuge in human strength, you will not only be disappointed but even hurt (2.Ki.18:21; Isa.36:6). If you trust in man and make flesh your strength, you make your heart depart from the living God and draw curse upon yourself  (Jer.17:5). God Himself declares woe on those who seek their help outside of Him (Isa.31:1).

In 2012, your help is in the Lord who made heaven and earth (Ps.124:8). He will help you and deliver you from the wicked, because you trust in Him (Ps.37:40). You will be happy because you have the God of Jacob for your help, and your hope is in the Lord your God who keeps truth forever, executes justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry, gives freedom to the prisoners, opens the eyes of the blind, raises those who are bowed down, watches over the strangers and relieves the fatherless and widow. Your God loves the righteous, but the way of the wicked He turns upside down, and the world will once again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked (Ps.146:5-9).

In 2012, you will experience and be strengthened by the victory secret of King Hezekiah who could say about his mighty enemy: “With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles” (2.Chr.32:8). Not only you alone will have victory, but your faith and your testimonies will also strengthen other believers to stand strong and unwavering in any storm of life.

In 2012, one of your victory weapons will be calls for public family fasts according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Victories in the spiritual realm will be won as God's people set aside all their own agendas and concentrate together on seeking the Lord. King Jehoshaphat not only positioned himself to seek the Lord and make clear he would not seek help anywhere else; he also proclaimed a general fast. Before all the national leaders, King Jehoshaphat declared and confirmed his trust in his God. He kept proclaiming the past faithfulness and victories wrought by the Lord until the Holy Spirit gave a clear war strategy through one of His priests (2.Chr.20:1-14).

In 2012, you will operate as a king and a priest unto God as a believer in Jesus Christ (Rev.1:6). Your God is challenging you to expect His Holy Spirit to come upon you to reveal His heavenly strategy to fearful, confused spiritual, secular and even national leaders. Surprising doors will open for God’s faithful ones to minister to and counsel political leaders like never before. The powers of Elymas will be broken, and leaders will be free to hear and receive the truth of Christ (Ac.13:6-12).

In 2012, you will experience that the battle is not yours, but God’s. You will rest in the finished work of Calvary, knowing that your God is not only with you but in you to fight your battles. Battles will come, but you will come out victoriously as you position yourself to receive and obey God’s strategies. You will move only at God’s clear command and thus avoid all the pitfalls of satan.

In 2012, your success and victory will be born out of genuine worship and true heart-felt praise for Jesus. Your exemplary life will make even national leaders to understand and command like King Jehoshaphat, “Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper” (2.Chr.20:20).

In 2012, as you advance declaring the praises of your God, He Himself will set ambushes against your enemies. Your enemies will help to destroy one another, and you will gain an abundance of valuables out of every attack the enemy launched against you. You will rejoice with joy, and the fear of God will fall upon all your enemies.

In 2012, God’s Kingdom will progress mightily and be established in areas that were closed and practically unreachable up to now. Many new Kingdom endeavors will be launched targeting especially such neglected areas.

In 2012, there will be a clear distinction not only between the world and believers in Christ, but even inside the Body of Christ. The time has come for judgment to begin at the House of God. Hidden heart attitudes will come to light. Those who admit their wrong and judge themselves will not be judged and can avoid being chastened by the Lord (1.Pe.4:17; 1.Co.11:31-32).

In 2012, we will witness the beginning of the time of ingathering of the harvest. The angels are getting ready to gather in first the tares planted by the enemy for destruction. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His Kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness (Mt.13:24-30,37-43). Brother-haters and resentful Christians will be severely tormented in the flesh for the salvation of their spirit since they are considered liars and murderers in God’s wise eyes (Mt.18:21-35; 1.Jn.2:9-11; 3:15; 4:20; 1.Co.5:5). Yet as they decide to forgive, bless and love, their healing will spring forth miraculously and speedily. Worldly doctors and hospitals will marvel and worship at the sudden recoveries from deadly diseases that happen just by forgiving and releasing the offender from judgment, and many will be gloriously converted, especially among the medical personnel (Isa.58:6-7).

In 2012, we will see a great purification of the Body of Christ in many nations. Scandals and accusations, both false and true, will actually turn out for the furtherance of the Gospel. All of these will only increase the boldness in the true believers. Manmade divisions and denominations will crumble and fade away as believers stand together in true unity for the defense and confirmation of the Gospel (Phil.1:3-21; 1.Pe.3:15).

True believers will become single-minded and fully Kingdom-focused. As they strive to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom to the ends of the earth, astounding and striking discoveries will be made by Christians that will benefit countless millions (Mt.24:14; Jer.33:3).

In 2012, many Christian ministries will make shocking discoveries of selfish ambitions, fleshliness, worldliness and unfaithfulness to the point of treason among their own people. Yet don’t despair! Factions and divisions must occur, so that the approved ones may be recognized inside the Body of Christ (1.Co.11:19). Remember, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution, and rejoice (2. Ti.3:12). All these fiery trials will only contribute to display the glory of the risen Savior as you follow His battle strategy.

Each and every persecution you encounter is just an opportunity for you to enjoy more anointing and exceeding joy (1.Pe.4:12-19). In 2012, questions like, “Now if the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear? What will be the end of those who do not obey the Gospel of God?” will become a revelation in many believers’ hearts and launch a strong movement of evangelism. This wave of evangelism will not be law-based and condemning, but fiery hot with God’s saving love and based on the understanding that it is the grace and goodness of God that leads to repentance (1.Pe.4:17-19; Ro.2:4-16). Satan’s kingdom will suffer serious damage as believers understand Jesus’ Words, “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad” (Mt.12:28-30; Lk.11:20-23).

In 2012, as nations and national leaders grope around in darkness and confusion, the true Church of Jesus Christ will emerge in ever increasing glory, beauty and purity and begin taking its role and position as the glorious Bride of Christ.

HOLY PLACE IN CHRIST


You shall set the table outside the veil, and the lampstand across from the table on the side of the Tabernacle toward the south; and you shall put the table on the north side. (Ex.26:35)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Ro.12:2)



If the Most Holy Place can be compared to your spirit, the Holy Place can be compared to your soul which consists of your mind, will and emotions. From your spirit, the God of glory manifests through your soul. Your soul is the door through which God can move to the world (Ps.24:7-9).


In the Tabernacle, God’s glory was locked up in the Most Holy Place by the veil. In Christ, the veil is torn! By His death, Jesus tore the veil between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place and opened a new and living way into the Most Holy Place (Mt.27:51; Mk.15:38; Lk.23:45; Heb.10:20). Now, God can freely move and walk in and through you.


As New Covenant Tabernacle, you must know the secret of manifesting God’s glory. People under the Old Covenant always waited for God’s glory to descend from heaven, but in Christ, you need not wait! You contain all the glory in your spirit all the days of your life! Now, it’s not a question of receiving God’s glory but of releasing it!


Beloved, all the fullness of God is waiting to be released from your spirit. Never allow your soul to hinder that glory. Constantly enlighten your mind, yield your will and emotions to His reign, and maintain a regular prayer life. You will be thrilled to see God’s glory freely flowing through you.

NO TOLERANCE IN CHRIST



Jesus, who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed. (1.Pe.2:24)



Beloved, Jesus, the perfect God and man, exhibited God’s compassion for the sick and suffering (Mt.14:14). When He was on this earth, He healed all those who came to Him (Mt.8:16; 12:15; Lk.4:40; 6:19) . In His crucifixion, He offered Himself as the great Sin Offering to cleanse and heal every one of His people. Now, He invites both the sinner and the sick with an open heart.



Even the sinning believer can come to the Throne of grace to find His mercy (Heb.4:16). The love of Christ makes sick believers enjoy His Presence and serve Him even in midst of their infirmities. Yet, your sickness grieves the heart of God who offered His own Son to die for your perfect health. Sin and sickness are the dual curse of the first Adam. Holiness and health is the dual blessing of the last Adam. Enjoy it TODAY!

ALL IN ALL IN CHRIST


And you shall keep My statutes, and perform them: I am the LORD who sanctifies you. (Lev.20:8)


So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. (Ac.15:8-9)


God revealed Himself as the Great Sanctifier of His people. He not only is holy, He makes you holy. This is the theme of the entire book of Leviticus.


The Lord God became the law-giver for His people. When the Israelites were under Egypt, they followed the Egyptian laws. When God delivered them, He became their ultimate Ruler. As every ruler has his own laws and rules for his kingdom, God gave His rules to His people. Throughout the book of Leviticus, God repeatedly said, “I am the Lord” (Lev.19:2,4,10,12,14,16,18,25,28,30,31,32,34,36,37 etc.).


All in all: Since the Israelites came into God’s kingdom, He separated and sanctified them from all the other nations. He was their Guide in spirituality (Lev.1-8), their Dietician and Gastro-Entomologist

(Lev.11), their Gynecologist and Pediatrician (Lev.12), their Dermatologist (Lev.13), their Sanitary Inspector and Hygienist (Lev.14), their Urologist and Sexologist (Lev.18), their Moral Instructor (Lev.19), their Supreme Court (Lev.20), their Master of Religious Ceremonies (Lev.23), their Employer, their Land-Owner, their Agricultural Officer, their Geologist (Lev.25), and their Reformer (Lev.26)! In short, He was their All in all!


In Christ, in addition to all this, He has become your Father, your Groom, your Best Friend, your Indweller and your All in all.

SUPERNATURAL SUPPLY IN CHRIST

And the LORD said to Moses, “Has the Lord’s arm been shortened? Now you shall see whether what I say will happen to you or not.” (Nu.11:23)


So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. (Mt.14:20)


In Christ, you have a tremendous supernatural supply at your fingertips. There is absolutely no need for you to suffer lack. You are connected to the richest God of heaven and earth. All the cattle on a thousand hills are His. All the silver and gold of this world is His (Ps.50:10).


He is the Owner of the vegetable kingdom, animal kingdom, metal world and everything. He can do anything for you at any time as He wills. He delights in giving you over and above your need. He wants you to live in surplus and plenty. If you know the power of your God and His good will toward you, you will never have any lack.


Thank You, Lord, Your arm has not been shortened. Now I shall see that what You say will happen to me. The world is Yours, and all its fullness. I am always in You, and all that You have is mine because I am in Christ. Nu.11:23; Ps.50:12; Lk.15:31

GUIDANCE IN CHRIST



At the command of the LORD they remained encamped, and at the command of the LORD they journeyed; they kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by the hand of Moses. (Nu.9:23)

Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.


God’s Guidance is your birthright in Christ. Even under the Old Covenant, God led His people every day. He used various means and methods to guide them. They all are shadows of God’s guidance for you, His child. God wants you to know His various guiding lights that take you to your destiny.


God’s Word and commandments guided His people daily. Every guidance must be tried with God’s Word. In Christ, you have the full Word of God to instruct and guide you in all your ways.


The precious Holy Spirit is hovering over you like the glory cloud. He is your great Guide and Counselor (Jn.14:26). One of His main ministries is to lead you daily in your decision-making. When you submit to His gentle leadership, you will never miss His guidance. Instead of worrying about your future, acknowledge the overshadowing Presence of the Holy Spirit. Love Him, fellowship with Him, talk to Him, yield to Him, listen to Him, obey Him. You will never miss God’s best! You may hear God’s voice in your spirit, and you may feel the guidance of the Holy Spirit.


Still, you need godly leaders to guide you and confirm your calling. “Me and God” is not biblical. In Christ, you are blessed with five-fold ministries. Especially the ministry of a prophet helps greatly in finding God’s guidance. They are the eyes in the Body of Christ. They are God’s seers. Even in the New Covenant, their ministry can never be underestimated. They not only confirm your guidance, they can even give new insights as Agabus did (Ac.11:27-30; 21:10-11).


Beloved, the Holy Spirit, your own spirit, your God-given leaders and the five-fold ministers are God’s special gifts to you. You are safe when you follow these precious means. He will guide you continually -gently - supernaturally - meticulously - specifically - orderly - totally. Take heart!

Nations  in  your  hands  -   Dr. Ezekiah Francis

Today, our mandate from the Lord is to earnestly pray for our country. The Holy Spirit does impress this point upon me now as never before. This is an urgent message that must be conveyed to every child of God. The welfare of our nation is indeed in our hands. We are responsible for the welfare of our country. You are born in this country for the Lord’s specific purpose.

The Lord wants us to be patriotic towards the nation that supports us. Christ cried out for Jerusalem. Paul chose to be cursed to save his countrymen. Daniel opened the window three times every day, and prayed. The patriots, prophets, and stalwarts including Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther prayed for their native countries. ‘How can I face the destruction of my own people?’ was their lament.

EUROPA - DEUTSCH