Set free from the limitation and bondage in the mind

During one of the prayer meetings recently, the Lord said that He is in the midst of removing the limitations you (the Body of Christ) have permitted to set in your mind. Some of these limitations are self-imposed or being inflicted by others. These limitations have become a bondage and a deterrent in your life. In order to advance to the greater things that He has for you, let Him remove the limitations that bound your mind.

Gideon - Set free from fear, intimidation and sense of inadequacy

During Gideon’s time, Israel had been oppressed continuously by the Midianites for seven years. The Midianites would come against Israel time and again to destroy their produce and take away their live stocks. In fear and hunger, the people of Israel had to hide themselves in dens and caves in the mountains.

Gideon was secretly threshing wheat in the winepress away from the eyes of the enemy when the Angel of the LORD appeared to him.

Judges 6:12, 14-15 (NKJV)

And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!” …   Then the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?” So he said to Him, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.”

Gideon had grown up in the environment of fear and intimidation imposed by the enemy. Also, he had a self-image problem because he deemed himself the most insignificant in his clan and among his siblings. No wonder he doubted the Lord who was saying something about him that was too good to be true.

However, after getting some concrete confirmation from the Lord, he allowed the Lord to change his mind and to guide him in the mission to save Israel. Eventually, Israel won the battle against the Midianites and were liberated from the oppression of the enemy.

Judges 8:22, 23, 28 (NKJV)

Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, both you and your son, and your grandson also; for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian.” But Gideon said to them, “ I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the LORD shall rule over you.” ...Thus Midian was subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted their heads no more. And the country was quiet for forty years in the days of Gideon.

Gideon allowed the Lord to set him free from the fear of failure, from the intimidation of the enemy, and from the sense of inadequacy that limited his mind. He allowed the Lord to give him a new self-image. He rose up to be a military leader who saved the people of Israel from the Midianites.

However, Gideon knew it was not by his own might that he became who he was. He understood that it was by the leading and the enabling of the Lord that He became successful. Therefore, he was fully convinced and convicted that only the Lord can rule over the nation, not just any king or man-made government. Thereafter, the Lord made him a judge and a prophet over Israel. And Israel had peace, away from war from then on.

Are you one of those who are struggling with fear, intimidation and low self-image? Fear of failure, fear of rejection, intimidation by bullies, being taken advantage by others, sense of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and the list goes on. Just as Gideon was, allow the Lord to renew your mind and give you a new identity in Him!

Peter - Set free from guilt and disappointment

John 13:37-38 (NKJV)

Peter said to Him (Jesus), “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.” Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.

Peter was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. He had set his mind to follow Jesus and even to die for him. None of the disciples knew then that Jesus was going to be executed on the cross. So, Peter could not accept it when Jesus said that he cannot follow Him to the place He was going.

John 18:17, 25-27 (NKJV)

Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man's disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.”  …  Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not!” One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.

However, after Jesus was arrested, Peter denied Him exactly three times, just as Jesus had spoken. Peter must be feeling devastated upon hearing the rooster crowing, remembering everything Jesus had said to him. Why did he deny Jesus? For someone who was ready to fight for Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane, had he become a coward? Was he feeling confused in such unthinkable and chaotic situation? Was he angry with Jesus that He did not allow him to fight back? Had he concluded that sacrificing for a non-hero is no longer worthwhile? Only Peter knew what was playing in his mind when he denied Jesus. But one thing for sure, Peter went back to his profession as a fisherman with deep guilt and great disappointment.

John 21:15-17 (NKJV)

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

After Jesus rose up from the dead, He went to meet His disciples (Peter included). Turning things around, Jesus offered Peter three times to be restored back to his calling and ministry. Peter allowed Jesus to set him free from his guilt and disappointment. He was restored back to his apostolic ministry. He preached the gospel to the Jews on the Day of Pentecost, thousands were saved, and the first church was born.

Are you one of those greatly sorrowed by guilt and disappointment too? Stop beating yourself with questions like “Why did I do it?” or “Why didn’t I do it?”. Stop punishing yourself for a mistake you have committed in the past. Jesus will surely forgive you if you turn to Him in repentance (see 1 John 1:9). Stop blaming yourself for a lost opportunity due to your ‘incompetency’ in the past. Jesus is able to help you rise up again if you are willing to seek His guidance. As Peter did, forgive yourself and allow the Lord to heal you. Let the Lord restore you to be the person He has always wanted you to be!

Paul - Set free from bad reputation and wrong perception

Paul, whose name then was Saul, was on the way to Damascus to persecute more believers of Christ. During the journey, he encountered Jesus in a great light experience. That experience changed his belief, his vocation and his direction in life. He became a believer and started preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Acts 9:20-21, 26 (NKJV)

Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?” And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.

You see, Paul already had a bad reputation among the believers of Christ. Before his conversion, Paul was well known for breathing threats and murder against the disciples of Jesus. After his conversion, no matter how Paul tried to convince the believers of his sincerity, they were still afraid of him. It must be really difficult for Paul because there was such distrust in him and his initial ministry for the Lord Jesus Christ. But Paul did not give up.

Acts 9:22, 27-28 (NKJV)

But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ. … But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out.

In spite of all the rejections, Paul held on to his great light experience in Damascus and the revelation he had received from the Lord. He focused and worked on his ministry calling. Eventually, he was cleared of the ‘bad reputation’ and accepted by the Body of Christ. Through his ministry, many people from at least fifty cities were saved. He had also raised up ministers of God such as Timothy, Titus, Aquila, Priscilla, and many others. Moreover, almost half of the books in the New Testament were written by Paul. What a change of image and identity!

Are you one of those with ‘bad reputation’ or ‘bad track records’? Have you been trying hard to turn a new leaf of life but yet still trapped in the vicious cycle? Or have there been people who harbor wrong perception of who you really are? Has it been difficult to receive respect and trust from people around you due to your past? Start praying and asking the Lord for a renewed mindset. Then, allow the Lord to speak His revelation into your life. As Paul did, hold on to your deeper experience with the Lord and meditate on His revelation for you (through the Word, prophecies, or dreams/visions from the Lord). May a Christ-like identity begin to grow in you, and may the new identity soon be witnessed and affirmed by the people around you. Amen!

      

Do you understand God's perfect love for you?

If you understand God’s perfect love for you:

- you will have no fear, be it the fear of man or the fear of difficult circumstances

- you will reciprocate His love by choosing to flee from temptation and thus not falling into sin easily

- you will seek and follow His specific instructions for you because you know He holds your best future in His hand

You will have no fear

1 John 4:18 (TLB)

We need have no fear of someone who loves us perfectly; His perfect love for us eliminates all dread of what He might do to us. If we are afraid, it is for fear of what He might do to us and shows that we are not fully convinced that He really loves us.

Many people have all kinds of fear holding them captured nowadays. They have fear for the future, fear of being sick, fear of being in lack, fear of rejection, fear of being taken advantage of, etc. But as believers of God, if you are still being ‘haunted’ by fear, you are not living in the liberty whence Christ had set you free (read John 8:36 & Galatians 5:1).  

According to 1 John 4:18, you have fear because you are not yet fully convinced that God really loves you. You are afraid that God might punish you for the sins that you have committed. You are afraid that He will not heal you from your sickness. In fact, sometimes you suspected that it could be Him who put the sickness upon you. You are still not sure if God is hearing your prayer for financial breakthrough. Sometimes, you thought that He intentionally allow you to go through sufferings in life. At times, you even concluded that He had chosen to ignore you or give up on you.

It is because God loves you that He sent Jesus, His only begotten Son, to die for your sins on the cross so that you are no longer condemned but saved through Him (read John 3:16-17). If you have committed a sin, repent before the Lord and ask for His forgiveness. He will surely forgive you. Don’t run away from Him! Know that your God is a good God and He does not keep grudges! (read Romans 2:4)

Now that you know God loves you dearly and perfectly, surrender all your fears to Him. Receive the assurance of His love, His care, His healing, His wisdom, and His providence in your life.

You will flee from temptation

2 Timothy 2:22 (TLB)

Run from anything that gives you the evil thoughts that young men often have, but stay close to anything that makes you want to do right. Have faith and love, and enjoy the companionship of those who love the Lord and have pure hearts.

In 2 Timothy 2:22, Timothy was told by Apostle Paul to stay away from people who could lure him into temptation. He was advised to join the company of those who love God. Why? Because people who love God won’t want to do things that could hurt His feeling! Love begets love. You will learn to love God after understanding and experiencing His love for you (read 1 John 4:19).

Human beings tend to love themselves (being fleshly, selfish, carnal, or self-centered) more than in consideration for others. Because of that, they tend to give in to their fleshly desires, and therefore be tempted and sin. How effectively can you stay away from temptation and not sin for the sake of meeting religious requirements or social expectations? Jesus said you have already committed a sin once you have a sinful thought or imagination (read Matthew 5:27-28).

On the contrary, when you are in love with someone who loves you, you would want to please him (her). You would try your best not to hurt or disappoint him (her). You would not want to see him (her) sad or cry. You can’t bear to even have any sinful thought that makes you betray him (her) in your mind. The same goes with loving God! You can only resist temptation effectively when you are deeply in LOVE with God!

You will seek and follow His specific instructions for you

Jeremiah 29:11 (TLB)

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Most people have their own ideal plans for their future based on their own upbringings, values, and natural talents. But will all these plans work perfectly for them? Are these plans made just to fulfill family or social expectations?

But the people of God are told to entrust their plans into God’s hand (read Proverbs 16:3). Why? Because the God who loves you is also the God who sees the beginning and the end (read Revelation 1:8, 17). He sees the future that you could neither see nor imagine. Only He can lead you to the perfect path, the best vocation, the right spouse, and even the right friends. Only He knows how to help you avoid stepping on the ‘landmines’, and overcome all the challenges along your path.

When you truly understand that such an all-knowing and all-powerful God actually love you dearly and has the best plan in store for your life, you will never hesitate to seek Him and follow every instruction that He gives you!

   

Worship for your breakthrough

The Lord spoke 3 times that this is a very crucial time for His people to worship Him:

1st: A vision of a river with rushing water pushed open a door. The Lord said, “Worship Me, and out of you will flow the rivers of living water to push open the door of breakthrough for you.”

2nd: Then, the Lord said, “Worship Me. I will cause the crooked way to be straightened and gates with iron bars to be opened for you.”

3rd: Again, the Lord said, “Worship Me from your heart. I will cause you to see the direction of My wind, where it will come from and where it will go to.

I believe the Lord meant your personal worship to Him. Our God is not crazy for fans to worship Him as an idol. When He asks for your worship, it is always for your benefit. In this case, it is for your breakthroughs in life, be it in relationship, finance, career, studies, etc.

God can teach you to get breakthrough
1st: A vision of a river with rushing water pushed open a door. The Lord said, “Worship Me, and out of you will flow the rivers of living water to push open the door of breakthrough for you.”

Isaiah 43:18-19 (NKJV)
Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

In your time of worship, you will reach a moment when you feel your burden being lifted up. You will feel lightened and happier. That is because you allow the rivers of God (Holy Spirit) to move in your life through your worship. Rivers is ‘nᵉhar’ in Hebrew with the root word ‘nâhar’, meaning ‘to sparkle, to be cheerful, to be lightened’. In the presence of God, your heaviness is lightened and your sadness is exchanged with His joy.

But don’t stop worshiping after you feel your burden is lifted up. Many worshipers of God stop worshiping right after they feel the presence of God. God wants you to worship Him not just to enjoy His presence. He wants you to come to Him so that He can teach you something in His presence. 

John 7:37-38 (NKJV)
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

Drink is ‘pinō’ in Greek which means ‘imbibe’. Other meanings of ‘imbibe’ are ‘assimilate, absorb, learn, acquire, grasp’. The Lord invites you to come to Him and worship Him so that you can assimilate your mind with His, and so that you can absorb, learn, acquire, and grasp ideas or spiritual gifts from Him. After seeking and receiving from Him, out of your heart and your life will flow with His ideas or spiritual gifts that can change circumstances and transform lives.

To worship God is to seek His face and His way. As you worship God, your burden will be exchanged with His joy. In His presence, you will be taught with His knowledge, understanding and wisdom to get breakthrough for difficult situations. 

God can raise people to help you get breakthrough
2nd: Then, the Lord said, “Worship Me. I will cause the crooked way to be straightened and gates with iron bars to be opened for you.”

Isaiah 45:1-4 (NKJV) 
Thus says the LORD to His anointed, 
To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held – to subdue nations before him and loose the armor of kings. To open before him the double doors, so that the gates will not be shut; I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD, who call you by name, am the God of Israel. For Jacob My servant’s sake, and Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me.

Prophet Isaiah prophesied about King Cyrus 150 years before this king of Persia was born. Though he was a pagan king, the Lord protected him, empowered him and used him to destroy the Babylonian’s kingdom. Through his victory over Babylon, God’s people were freed from 70 years of captivity and slavery in the foreign land. After conquering Babylon, the Lord moved the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia so that he made a proclamation throughout his kingdom, and also put in writing that he was called by the LORD God of heaven to help His people rebuild His temple in Jerusalem (see Ezra 1:4).  

Ezra 1:5 (NKJV) 
Then the heads of the fathers’ houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, with all whose spirits God had moved, arose to go up and build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. 

Philippians (NKJV)
For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Soon after, the Lord also stirred up in His people the zeal to rebuild the temple and the wall of Jerusalem. The first batch of Jews who went back and settled at Judea was of King David’s linage. And that’s where the Savior Jesus was born, in Bethlehem, which is in the southern region of Judea. Subsequently, the city of Jerusalem and the temple in Jerusalem were rebuilt. These had enabled the fulfillment of the prophecy where the Messiah, Christ Jesus would die on the cross outside of the city of Jerusalem and the veil in the temple would be torn. The Lord had planned everything perfectly, one thing after another through centuries apart, making His redemption for the Jews and the whole world a reality until now. 

You see, God can use anyone to fulfill His plan on earth. When God’s people turned away from idol worship and cried out to Him during their captivity, He sent a King Cyrus to save them. If you would choose to worship Him instead of allowing yourself to be drowned by the overwhelming situation around you, He can raise up people (whether they are people in authority or common men) to lend you a hand.

To worship God is to admit your frailty and that you need the Almighty God. It signifies you taking your hands off to let His hand intervene. As you worship God, His Holy Spirit will stir up the hearts of people to give you favor and to help you, be it the non-believers, brethren in Christ, or even yourself (God can stir your heart to do things His way so that eventually you are helping yourself). 

God wants to share His secret with you
3rd: Again, the Lord said, “Worship Me from your heart. I will cause you to see the direction of My wind, where it will come from and where it will go to.”

Ecclesiastes 11:5 (NKJV)
As you do not know what is the way of the wind, or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, so you do not know the works of God who makes everything.

Wind is ‘rûwach’ in Hebrew which also means ‘breath’ or ‘spirit’. The above scripture is saying that no one could understand the mind or the heart of God. 

John 15:15(NKJV)
No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 

Jesus has promised that He will make those who believe in Him (and walk in His ways) His friends, and they will also know His thoughts (see 1 Corinthians 2:16). By the way, the word ‘friends’ in John 15:15 is ‘philos’ in Greek, which actually means ‘dear, fond of (as in a friend)’. In other words, Jesus calls you His dearly beloved, someone whom He is fond of (as in a friend).

1 Corinthians 2:9-12
But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man know the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

 God allows you to know His thoughts by filling His Spirit in those who believe in Him.

To worship God is to fellowship with Him who is your closest confidant. As you worship and fellowship with God, He will tell you what He is doing in your life or in the world currently. He will also reveal to you things to come (see John 16:13). You will always be ready for any issue that may come in the future. As a result, you will have breakthrough after breakthrough and prosper in everything you do.

People of God, always plan time to have personal worship and fellowship with God. Know that He wants you to have an abundant and triumphant life on this earth. Nonetheless, worship Him simply because you know that He loves you.