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.

A time to return to the 'simple truth'!

Words from the Lord:

"Tell My people the 'simple truth' that I am the Father who loves them and cares for them! Many of them need to know and remember this truth in this time and season. If they want to experience supernatural providence and to have the peace of mind, tell them to first agree with this 'simple truth' and apply it in their lives."

Sometimes, when people are facing challenges or uncertainties, they are so 'indulged' in their own problems that they forget the Father God is still with them, still loves them, and still cares for them. In a time like this, it is so important to return to the 'simple truth' that He is still your Father in heaven who loves you and cares for you! Know that He is greater than any difficulty in your life, and He will know how to provide the answers for you, no matter what you are going through!

So, if you have anxieties or stress because of the 'unknown' future, look to your Father in heaven who knows all! 2 Corinthians 6:18 (NLT) says, 'And I will be your Father, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty'. Galatians 3:26 (NLT) says, 'For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus'. John 1:12 (NLT) says,' But to all who believed Him and accepted Him (Him=Jesus), He gave the right to become children of God'.

Everyone of us grow up with different family backgrounds. As for me, I grew up in a family that worshiped idols. Back then, we used to worship many 'gods', and these 'gods' would get angry easily and punish people when they aren't happy. So, we had to give good 'peace offerings' to appease or pacify them. However, my life changed when I was told about a loving Father God. I accepted Christ, and soon began to experience how good God is. Seeing the goodness of God in my life, my family members began to accept Christ one by one too!

Because He is a good Father, He also wants to give you all the things that are good for you too! Romans 8:32 (NCV) says, 'He did not spare His own Son but gave Him for us all. So with Jesus, God will surely give us all things'. If He would give His own Son Jesus for you, will He withhold any good things from you? Matthew 7:11 (NLT) says,'So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him'.

But how do you know what are the right things for you? Do you know if you are asking for the right things? Luke 11:11-13 (NLT) says, 'You fathers - if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him'. But why the Holy Spirit? Why is the Holy Spirit so important? 

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NKJV) says, 'Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee'. Here, you learn that God's Spirit is always working in your heart to guarantee and assure you - that you are a child of God! John 14:26 (NKJV) says, 'But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you'.

Now, going back to the previous question. How do you know what to ask from God? 

For students: What course? Which college? 

For young adults: What job? Which company? Who to choose as life partner? Which house to buy? 

For parents, you are concerned for your children. 

For business people, you want to know how to manage your business, going forward. 

For ministers of God, you want to know what is God telling you to do in this time and season.

One thing you can be assured of is He has all the wisdom and knowledge you need! So, take heed what the Holy Spirit is saying to you in this time and season. Receive His wisdom and knowledge, and you'll be making the best decision for your future! Romans 8:14 (NLT) says, 'For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God'. John 16:13 (NLT) says, 'When the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He has heard. He will tell you about the future'.

John 14:26-27 (NLT) says, 'But when the Father sends the Advocate as My representative - that is, the Holy Spirit - He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid'. Right after Jesus mentioned about the Holy Spirit, He talked about leaving you with a gift - that is peace of mind and heart! Why? Because when you know you can consult the Holy Spirit who guides you in making the right decision for your life, there will be no more stress and anxiety!

If you understand that by having His Spirit with you, you already have access to every good thing you need, you will never again allow anyone to undermine the importance of the Holy Spirit in your life! His Spirit working in your life is indeed the key to having supernatural providence and peace of mind!

Your Father in heaven loves to have you spending time and talking with Him. I don't normally spend time with God with an agenda, i.e. to get something from Him. I love to just worship Him with songs, read His Word, pray in the spirit, and just enjoy being in His presence. But many times, the Lord would just reveal things that He wants to do in my life, or in the lives of people I know. And many times, I would even have pleasant surprises, for example, receiving good food that I've been craving for, or people putting money as a gift into my account, all without me asking at all! God is indeed a good, good Father! 

Therefore, start agreeing and applying these 'simple truth' that will unleash supernatural providence in your life:

God the Father - He is your Heavenly Father who created you, loves you, and wants to give you all good things.

Jesus - God sent Jesus to die for your sins on the cross. He rose up again, having victory over sin and death. By believing in Him, you become a child of God. You are saved as a child of God not by your own good deeds, but by the grace of God.

Holy Spirit - God sent His Spirit to stay with you, to teach you and guide you. He helps you to avoid pitfalls and troubles. When you pray in the spirit, you will be in tune with Him. He gives you wisdom and knowledge to make the right decisions for your life. You will have good future if you listen to His instructions and act upon them.

Amen!

For the preaching video, click to watch

For more information about this ministry, visit https://www.triumphinchrist.today/

The Time for New Strategies

9th February 2020

In the past few weeks, I have been hearing and seeing in the spirit the word ‘New Strategies’ for countless number of times. I sought the Lord and He said this:

“This is THE TIME for new strategies! You have abundance of knowledge in this world. But, only My insight and wisdom will lead you to safety, stability and prosperity. For I seek to profit you, not to harm you. Stay close to Me and I will guide you.”

The Lord spoke further through Isaiah 33:6 (NKJV) that says, ‘Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, and the strength of salvation; The fear of the Lord is His treasure’.

I believe this is a crucial time to stay close to the Lord and walk closely with the Lord as all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge that we need for our future can only be found in Him (see Colossians 2:3).

It is written in Proverbs 9:10 (ESV) that says, ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight’.

Wisdom [chokmāh] in Hebrew is derived from the word [châkam]. It means ‘to be wise in mind, word and action’, and ‘to be able to deal wisely’. On the other hand, ‘to have an insight’ means you ‘have the capacity to gain an accurate and deep understanding of someone or something’.

Every one of us needs God’s wisdom and knowledge especially in a time of change.

In Genesis 13:8-9 (NKJV), Abraham was going through a time of change, and he had to make a firm decision. So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.”

Abraham treated Lot, his nephew, like his own son. But when the young man had grown up and become rich under the care of his uncle, their herdsmen started to fight with each other for green pastures for their herds, resulting in tension in the household. It was not easy for Abraham to let Lot go, but it was necessary and it was the right thing to do. Out of his love for Lot, and also with the faith of knowing that God will take care of him, Abraham gave Lot the privilege to choose the land he preferred.

Do you welcome change? Are you willing to change your way of thinking and doing things when it is necessary? Do you check with the Lord how to make changes before taking any action? 

...Because they do not change, therefore they do not fear God (Psalm 55:19b NKJV).

‘To fear God’ is ‘to revere Him and respect what He says’. So, when God tells you it is time to change your strategy, method, approach, way of doing thing, or even way of thinking, TAKE HEED! You will listen to His instruction to change if you fear Him and acknowledge that He knows better than you, and that He also knows better than any of your seniors or gurus.

But the Lord watches over those who fear Him, those who rely on His unfailing love.

He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine.

We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield.

(Psalm 33:18-20 NLT)

You see, those who fear God and have faith in Him will listen, agree and do as He says. Because they know that God will not lead them into trouble, but He will lead them with His protection and providence. True humility and fear of the Lord will always lead you to riches, honor, and long life (see Proverbs 22:4).

How do you know what God wants you to do now? Be like ‘Mary’ who sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to His word, and spending time with Him. You will then receive His wisdom and guidance. Just do according to what He has instructed you to do. Do not be like ‘Martha’, who was succumbed by worries and loads of cares. Human effort is limited. But with God’s wisdom and guidance, results can be achieved easily without striving hard with human effort (see Luke 10:38-42).

“Come near to Me, hear this:

I have not spoken in secret from the beginning;

From the time that it was, I was there.

And now the Lord God and His Spirit have sent Me.”

Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:

“I am the Lord your God,

Who teaches you to profit,

Who leads you by the way you should go.

Oh, that you had heeded My commandments!

Then your peace would have been like a river,

And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

Isaiah 48:16-18 (NKJV)

Know that God, your Heavenly Father is a good God. You are always in His heart and He cares for you. He will always guide you and teach you to profit. May the peace of the Lord that surpasses all understanding guide your heart and your mind as you put your trust in Him. Amen! 

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!

God has given you the solutions

The Lord gave me a dream in which someone who favored me gave me a gift. When I opened the gift box, I found a bottle of saline solution and a bottle of contact solution for contact-lenses. The Lord then gave me the understanding that the bottle of saline solution (saltwater) represents the gospel of peace - Jesus. The bottle of contact solution that does the cleansing, soaking and dissolving unwanted protein/minerals represents the Holy Spirit.

Interpretation: 

The Lord has given His people His peace and solutions to dissolve their uncertainties and problems. But they have to open the gift and use the solutions!

Then the Lord led me to the book of Daniel in the Old Testament. If you haven’t known the story of Daniel with King Belshazzar, you might want to read the whole chapter 5 of the book of Daniel before proceeding to read the below.

Daniel 5:11 (NKJV)

“There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your father - your father the king -- made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans and soothsayers.

Daniel who had the Spirit of God in him was said to have wisdom and understanding ‘like the wisdom of the gods’.

As believers of Christ, you can have the same Spirit of God dwelling in you today. Believers of Christ who are filled with the Holy Spirit will be able to receive guidance of the Lord through words of prophecy, anointed dreams, and spiritual visions. 

(See Joel 2:28-29; John 14:16-17; Acts 2: 1-4; Acts 2:16-21; Acts 2:38-39)  

Daniel 5:16 (NKJV)

“And I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations and explain enigmas (dissolve doubts - KJV). Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”

Enigma = something that is mysterious, and seems impossible to understand completely

Dissolve [shᵉrê’] = to free, to separate

Doubts [qᵉṭar] = a knot, confusion

Daniel was able to interpret and explain mysteries that freed people (especially the king) from confusion.

As you wait and soak in the Holy Spirit, He will reveal His wisdom and understanding to you. He will give you the solutions to dissolve problems and to have a clear direction for your life. 

(See Isaiah 64:4; 1 Corinthians 2:7-12; 1 John 2:20 & 27)

Daniel 5:29-30 (NKJV)

Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a chain of gold around your neck, and made a proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain.

Clothed with purple = authority

Chain of gold = prosperity

Third ruler = chief counselor to the king and crown prince

Daniel’s prophetic interpretation of the mysterious handwriting on the wall came to pass. The kingdom of Babylon fell into the hands of the enemy that night but Daniel still received the benefits promised by the king.   

You see, God’s wisdom is above all man-made political and economic systems. He is not limited by the scarce resources of this world. Therefore, when you live with the guidance of God’s Spirit and His words, you too will reap the benefits endued to you, even in this fallen world!

(See Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 1:17-21)

John 14:26-27 (NKJV)

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Open the ‘gift’ God has given to you as a believer of Christ, and use the ‘solutions’. Learn God’s ways through His Spirit and His words. You will be able to live with the divine peace of God and His blessings in every season of of your life!