Take time to rest, because the time to act will soon come!

The Lord gave me a vision of the word 'rest' and as I sought the Lord further, this is what He said, 

"Take time to 'rest' because the time to act will soon come. There is no benefit in restlessness. 'Rest' in My presence so that you will know exactly and specifically what to do when it is your time to take action!"

What is the definition of 'rest' to you? Let us look into the Bible the 'rest' that God wants you to have. 

Hebrews 4:1-3a (GNT): Now, God has offered us the promise that we may receive that rest He spoke about. Let us take care, then, that none of you will be found to have failed to receive that promised rest. For we have heard the Good News, just as they did. They heard the message, but it did them no good, because when they heard it, they did not accept it with faith. We who believe, then, do receive that rest which God promised. 

You see, God wants you to receive and enter His rest, just as He had rested on the 7th day after creating the world, and to rest in the finished work of His Son, Jesus on the cross. This is so that you will be able to walk in His calling and His will for you, by His grace. A similar message was told to the Israelites during Moses' time. But they disobeyed because they did not believe that they will receive any good or benefit by entering into the rest of God. Only those who believe that God is real, powerful and that He can respond to them will experience the true rest He wants to give them.

Hebrews 4:6-7 (GNT): Those who first heard the Good News did not receive that rest, because they did not believe. There are, then, others who are allowed to receive it. This is shown by the fact that God sets another day, which is called "Today." Many years later He spoke of it through David in the scripture already quoted: "If you hear God's voice today, do not be stubborn."

Do you know what that means? Hebrews 4:6-7 says that as long as you believe, you can enter His rest today, or any day! God was angry with the Israelites during Moses' time because of their unbelief. So, He spoke through King David later on and changed the 7th day (Sabbath) to enter His rest to 'Today'. You can cross-refer to Psalm 95. Whether you enter God's rest as an individual or assemble together to worship Him as a church (as stated in Hebrews 10:25), no specific day is required of you. Any day is your Sabbath when you receive and enter God's rest!

If you have not been spending time with God, condemn yourself no more. There's no point spending time blaming yourself. Today is the day to enter His rest! Now is your time!

Hebrews 4:10 (GNT): For those who receive that rest which God promised will rest from their own work, just as God rested from His.

Do you realize the significance of 'God resting from His work' after He had finished creating the world? 

God rested when He had completed His work perfectly and satisfied with the outcomes. So, by entering God's rest, you too will have satisfactory outcomes, and you can be at peace and be at rest! It means when you turn away from all the activities or matters that occupy your mind and start spending time with Him, you are entering God's rest! You are receiving the grace of God to get the solutions to solve your problems, and the wisdom of God to get your work done in the best and most innovative way!

The reason the Israelites had to wander in the wilderness for 40 years was because they failed to see the benefit of entering God's rest. They had no faith in God and they only knew how to complain whenever they did not get what they wanted. So, if you have friends who need to stop the vicious cycle of spinning around with their problems, teach them to enter into God's rest today!

Hebrews 4:11-13 (NKJV): Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

When you enter God's rest and spend time with Him, His Spirit will start working inside you, speaking the word of God to you. He will correct you of any wrong mindset or wrong actions. Allow Him! You can't hide your flaws and weaknesses from Him anyway, because everything is transparent before Him. Understand that He will not condemn you, because there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (as stated in Romans 8:1). 

But this is also the area many Christians fail. They are reluctant to allow the Spirit of God to work in their lives and change them. Hence, many are still struggling with their sins and weaknesses. It takes humility and a heart of repentance to let Him change you. But know this, those who humble before the Lord will suffer no shame. 

So, let the Holy Spirit realign you with God's will and values. When your mind is aligned with His, you will have a clear idea of the next step, or the next action you are supposed to take. Your problem will appear to be so small before you. All my life I have witnessed this: Nothing can stumble those who have rested in the presence of God!

Hebrews 4:14-16 (GNT): Let us, then, hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we have a great High Priest who has gone into the very presence of God - Jesus, the Son of God. Our High Priest is not one who cannot feel sympathy for our weaknesses. On the contrary, we have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin. Let us have confidence, then, and approach God's throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it.

There is nothing that Jesus cannot understand when it comes to your problems, sufferings, sins, weaknesses, anxieties, etc. He knows you as who you are. So, knowing that He knows you inside-out, come before Him and enter His rest without reservation. Receive His mercy and His grace. Let Him help you. He knows what's best for you. Resting in His presence, no problem can be too big for you. Amen!

But then, you might ask, "How do I enter into God's rest?" 

Since Psalm 95 is quoted in Hebrews chapter 4, you can learn from King David how he entered God's rest. King David praised God, he sang to God, he gave thanks to God, and he worshiped God by surrendering his life totally to God. He learnt to trust God for protection and provision since young. He was never bothered about his image as a king (as someone in high position) when he sang and danced before God. He humbled himself and repented when he was rebuked by Prophet Nathan for the sin he committed. He lived a lifestyle of worship and total surrender to God. He didn't fight back even when his own son (Absalom) took over his throne, because he knew his life and his future was in God's hand. And he lived a life of blessing and honor from God. A simple faith and trust in God! That's how King David entered God's rest. And that's what we can learn from him.

You can also learn from Apostle Paul, the way he received and entered God's rest just as he had written in Romans 8:26-27 and in 1 Corinthians 14:15. Apostle Paul encouraged others to pray and sing with their mind (i.e. with the languages they understand) and also to pray and sing with their spirit (i.e. to pray and sing in spiritual tongues given by the Spirit of God). Apostle Paul also said in 1 Corinthians 14:18 that he thanked God that he pray in the spirit more than the others. That's one way how he entered God's rest and received the revelation for many of his written epistles in the New Testament.

Another person you can learn from is Timothy (Apostle Paul's advice to Timothy as stated in 1 Timothy 4:14-15). When you meditate on the words that the Lord has spoken to you specifically, whether it's through prophecy, visions or dreams, He will empower you. When you enter into God's rest by meditating on His specific words for you, you are tapping into His anointing and power in His presence. So, think and talk often about the specific words that God has spoken to you. Practice those gifts and talents that He has imparted to you. And you will see good success. Amen!

Listen to the whole message in TiC YouTube channel. Click watch.

Set yourself free from stress and depression

Five ways to counteract stress and depression with God's Word:

1. Turn and look to God

Psalm 9:9-10 (CEB): The LORD is a safe place for the oppressed - a safe place in difficult times. Those who know Your name trust You because You have not abandoned any who seek You, LORD.

Psalm 40:1-2 (CEB): I put all my hope in the LORD. He leaned down to me; He listened to my cry for help. He lifted me out of the pit of death, out of the mud and filth, and set my feet on solid rock. He steadied my legs.


2. Cry out to God

Psalm 34:17-18 (CEB): When the righteous cry out, the LORD listens; He delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; He saves those whose spirits are crushed.

Psalm 56:8-11 (CEB): You Yourself have kept track of my misery. Put my tears into Your bottle - aren't they on Your scroll already? Then my enemies will retreat when I cry out. I know this because God is mine. God: whose word I praise. The LORD: whose word I praise. I trust in God; I won't be afraid. What can anyone do to me?


3. Humble before God

1 Peter 5:6-7 (CEB): Therefore, humble yourselves under God’s power so that He may raise you up in the last day. Throw all your anxiety onto Him, because He cares about you.


4. Meditate on God's Word

Proverbs 12:25 (CEB): Anxiety leads to depression, but a good word encourages.

Romans 8:5-6 (NKJV): For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.


5. Give thanks to God

Philippians 4:6-7 (CEB): Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NKJV): But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Click to watch the video in TiC Youtube Channel.

Speak and receive your breakthroughs!

The Lord says these words to His people,
“From now on, speak, profess and proclaim My words to receive your breakthroughs! Rise up and take your position in Me. Command with My words to take hold of your circumstances.”

Have you been wanting to see a change in yourself and in your circumstances? If the answer is a 'yes', it is now crucial for you to inculcate the habit of speaking God's words over your life!

You might ask, "Why do I need to speak out God's words?" or "Can't I just meditate His words silently in my mind?"
Well, there must be a reason to do so considering that...
~ God spoke everything into existence (see Genesis 1)
~ God told Ezekiel to speak to the dry bones and they lived (see Ezekiel 37:1-14)
~ Jesus spoke to the wind and to the sea to stop the windstorm (see Matthew 8:23-27)
~ Peter spoke to Aeneas for healing to take place (see Acts 9:32-35)
~ Paul spoke with authority to deliver the possessed slave girl (see Acts 16:16-18). 

Now, if words are so important, what have you been speaking to yourself? What have you been speaking regarding yourself to others? What have you been speaking over your own circumstances?

It is written in Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV) that, 'Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.' So, choose to speak good words, especially to yourself. Moreover, it is written in Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV) that, 'Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.' This goes to show that it is very important to keep your mind and your heart aligned with godly values so that you will speak right! Philippians 4:8 in the Bible is a good verse for you to start meditating and proclaiming aloud, so that you will think and speak only things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, of virtue, and praiseworthy. Amen!

Let me clarify that speaking God's words over yourself is not merely practicing positive thinking or positive speaking the way you would be encouraged to do in any motivational seminar. The Bible says that Jesus is the Word of God (see John 1). Jesus also said that the words He spoke are spirit, they are living and powerful, and they impart life to those who speak or 'eat' of them! (see John 6:51-63) So, here is the spiritual truth - when you keep speaking God's words over yourself, you are actually 'eating', 'digesting' and 'absorbing' His words until you bear the same 'spiritual-DNA' in your spiritual being and mindset. This is also one of the important keys to having the mind of Christ. Hence, only those who are willing to believe and willing to practice speaking God's words over themselves will truly experience real and powerful transformation in their spiritual and physical lives!

There are 3 ways of speaking the powerful words of God over your life:

The Power of Speaking 'Logos'

'Logos' is the general written word of God in the Bible for every believer of Christ. 'Logos' communicates God's ability to do something, or His general will on a matter such as love, joy, peace, grace, salvation, healing, providence, success, etc. 

Many Christians do not experience the transformation of character and improvement in life because they do not know how to make use of the 'logos'! Reading and knowing God's words as head knowledge alone is never enough. 

Let me give you one of the many examples of speaking 'logos' over yourself.
Say, you are encumbered with worries and anxieties:
First, personalize a related part of the Scripture such as Philippians 4:6-7 this way, "I am anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, I let my requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard my heart and mind through Christ Jesus."
Next, speak the Scripture out loud over yourself again and again until you can memorize it well. Then, speak it out loud over yourself every day (say, 20, 30, 40, or 50 times a day) until you can sense the peace of God in your heart and mind.

In doing so, you are 'eating', 'digesting' and 'absorbing' the Scripture verses into your spirit, soul and body. God's thought for you would become your own thought. Instead of trying hard to talk yourself into not worrying, you allow God's words to be at work in your life. By the time you realize it, you would have been set free from anxiety and you are dwelling in the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. And because God's words are spirit and life, they do not just work in you, but they stay in you and become your own thoughts, i.e. they become one with you! The next time when new challenges arise in your life, these living words that dwell in you will automatically rise up to push back any thought of worry or anxiety in your mind.

You may apply the above approach with any relevant part of the Scripture to deal with sin, guilt, hatred, offense, envy, low self-image, competitiveness, insecurity, etc. The goal should be allowing yourself to be transformed by His 'logos' as you speak it. 

The Power of Speaking 'Rhema'

'Rhema' is a specific word from God that applies to you personally. God gives you 'rhema' by speaking through a specific part of the Scripture that touches your heart deeply, or by dropping an anointed thought, or through words of prophecy.

You can find many examples of God speaking 'rhema' to His people in the Bible. 
One of them is in the life of Abraham. It is an example of 'what God wants a person to become'. God changed his name from Abram to Abraham so that he would fulfill his calling to become the father of many nations (see Genesis 17:3-5). Surely Abraham would be telling his family members, relatives, and friends the reason for the change of name. And every time he heard his name was called by others, he was reminded of his calling as 'the father of many nations'. But just because there is someone else today who fancies that name, it does not make that someone else 'the father of many nations' the way Abraham was called to be. Because the calling is only for that specific Abraham in the Bible!

Another example of God speaking 'rhema' to His people is in the life of Gideon. It is an example of 'what God wants a person to do'. God told Gideon to choose only those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth to drink water, and there were only three hundred men who did so (see Judges 7). He was to send back the rest of the people who got down on their knees to drink water. He then spoke and conveyed to the three hundred men the specific 'rhema' of the Lord. Because they obeyed the specific 'rhema' of the Lord and carried out His instructions without doubt, Gideon and the three hundred men won the battle against the Midianites. But not any army commander today can simply adopt 'Gideon's method/way', because it was the 'rhema' and the specific instruction of God only to Gideon alone!

By now, you would have a clear understanding that whether it is a personal instruction to the people of God as seen in the Scripture, or a specific method/way of doing ministry/business from God to each of us, a 'rhema' is a specific word from God that only applies to the one who receives it. Simply copying, imitating, or adopting the 'rhema' of others will not necessarily work for you.

Have you received a 'rhema' from God? Do you know what God wants you to be? Do you know what kind of life and blessings God wants you to experience? Do you know in what way He wants you to carry out your ministry/business?

If you have received your 'rhema' from God, meditate on it, speak it aloud over yourself and put it into practice until you see the will of God is done in your life. If you have not received any 'rhema' for yourself, start asking God for His personal 'rhema' for you today!

The Power of Speaking 'Kairos' Words

To speak 'kairos' word is to speak 'the right word at the right time', with the leading of God's Spirit.

There are many examples in the Bible where lives were changed after 'kairos' words were spoken.

Jesus have always been at the right place, speaking the right word at the right time. One example is in John 4:5-42. Jesus entered a city called Sycar in Samaria, stationed Himself by the well of Jacob, sent all His disciples away to the city to buy food, and met the Samaritan woman who came to draw water at noon time. Jesus' first few 'kairos' words to her were, "Give Me a drink." This Samaritan woman entered into a conversation with Jesus, and later became the first person to hear Jesus teach about worshiping God in spirit and in truth. Not just that, through her, many more Samaritans heard about Jesus and believed in Jesus!

In Acts 8:26-39, Philip was told by an angel of God to go toward the south along the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. He went, and was at the right place and the right time to meet the Ethiopian eunuch who served under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians. Philip was led by the Spirit of God to go near and overtake the chariot of the Ethiopian eunuch. Philip then heard him read the book of Isaiah. Philip's 'kairos' words to the eunuch were, "Do you understand what you are reading?" Immediately, Philip was invited into the chariot and he was able to preach the gospel to the eunuch. Eventually, the eunuch of great authority and influence was saved and water baptized!

You see, sometimes the Spirit of God might prompt you to speak 'kairos' words to people you may or may not know. Just follow the leading of the Spirit of God and you will see the work of God being established through your life!