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!

   

God is with you

In a dream, I saw small blue-ish shiny round stones floating in the air towards me. I only needed to stretch out my hands to collect them. 

The Lord said, “My people need to be reminded of My covenant with them. I have given My words and My power to heal. They just need to receive them and allow Me to work in their lives.”

Some of the significances of blue color in the Bible:

· In the Old Covenant, God allowed Moses and the 70 elders to see Him on the pavement of blue sapphire stones on Mount Sinai. That was because He wanted them to be reminded of His presence whenever they see blue color. He went on to instruct Moses to use blue color for different objects that were to be used for worshiping and serving Him (see Exodus 24-31). In the New Covenant, this portrays God's heart and His plan to have a personal relationship with His people. He wants His people to be aware of His presence in every moment of their lives (see John 14:23; Hebrew 8:10-11).

· In the Old Covenant, God instructed through Moses that His people were to have blue and white thread tassels hanging on the corners of their garments. It was to remind God's people of His Word and His holiness (see Numbers 15:38-40). However, in the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit is the more effective 'tassels' that dwells in God's people today. He reminds them of the Word of God from within and teaches them godly lifestyles personally (see John 14:26; Galatians 5:16).

· It is also to remind God's people of His healing grace. The woman who had a flow of blood for 12 years was healed after touching the hem (the corner of the garment with blue and white thread tassel) of Jesus' garment by faith (see Matthew 9:20-22). So were many sick people in Gennesaret who begged to touch the hem of Jesus' garment. Those who touched it were made perfectly well (see Matthew 14:34-36). Whether it is the healing from sickness, or from past sins and worldly ways, or from past hurts and failures, allow God to heal you completely so that you can move on to better and greater things in life. 

I pray for you according to Hebrew 13:20-21 (NKJV), "Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."

Partnership with God

I heard this in the spirit before I preached on one Pentecost Sunday, “Come into partnership with Me! Watch Me make rivers in the desert and a highway in the wilderness.  Be ready for new things to spring forth in your life!”

I believe this is in the heart of God for everyone who knows Him. He does not want just any relationship, but He wants a partnership! 

A wholesome relationship with God

Apostle Paul knew exactly what it means to have a wholesome relationship with God. He wrote and wished the believers of Corinth in 2 Corinthians 13:14 (NLT), “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.”

It is great if you have known the love of God, and you are experiencing it! It is wonderful if you have understood the grace of God through Christ’s finished work on the cross, and you are living it! But it is awesome if you have been filled with the Holy Spirit, and you fellowship with Him!

‘Fellowship’ is ‘kŏinōnia’ in Greek. It also means ‘partnership, participation and communication.’

The Lord wants your relationship with Him to be a partnership! He wants to be in constant communication and participation in every area of your life – through His Spirit. On the other hand, it is also true that He wants you to be informed and to participate in many things He wants to do on earth in your lifetime – through His Spirit, the Holy Spirit.  

The benefits of your partnership with God

Your partnership with God is the best partnership on earth. In this partnership, you receive all the benefits, and there is no downside to it. See what the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit) would do for you in your partnership with Him:

•       He gives you assurance of salvation in Christ (see Romans 8:16)

•       He is the guarantee of your inheritance in Christ (see Ephesians 1:13-14, Romans 5:5)

•       He speaks to you (see Acts 8:29; 1 Timothy 4:1; Revelations 2:7, 11)

•       He opens your understanding to the things of God (see 1 Corinthians 2:12)

•       He teaches and guides you into all truth (see John 16:13; 1 John 2:27)

•       He enables you to pray God’s plan for you (see Jude20, Romans 8:26-28)

•       He enables you to worship in spirit and in truth (see John 4:23-24; Philippians 3:3)

•       He imparts and give life to you (see John 6:63; 2 Corinthians 3:6)

•       He brings about regeneration and renewal in your life (see Titus 3:5)

•       He enables you to put fleshly deeds to death (see Romans 8:13)

•       He strengthens your inner man/spirit (see Ephesians 3:16)

•       He leads you into God’s perfect will (see Romans 8:14)

•       He produces Christ-likeness and His fruit in your character (see Galatians 5:22-23)

•       He gives you spiritual gifts (see 1 Corinthians 12:11)

•       He empowers you to be witness of Jesus Christ (see Acts 1:8)

Your partnership with God always brings forth new things

Isaiah 43:18-19

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.

Road/highway is ‘m^eçillâh’ in Hebrew, from the root word ‘çâlal’ which also means to mound up, to raise up, to exalt.

Rivers is ‘n^ehar’, from the root word ‘nâhar’ that has the same meaning as to flow together, to be cheerful, to sparkle.

You see, in an intimate and active partnership with God, many new things will be brought forth. There will never be a ‘dead-end road’ situation for you. You will experience new ways of thinking and doing things, new ventures, new places… As a result, you will see yourself being ‘mound up’ and lifted from difficult situations. As you flow with Him in partnership, there will always be new cheer and joy. People around you will see you shine and excel in the things you do.

So, have an intimate time everyday talking to God and praying in the spirit. Be ready to hear what He wants to share and reveal to you. In your partnership with God, there is no end to what He can show you and give you!

If you want to read more about the Holy Spirit, you may refer to the Scripture verses below:

The promise of the Holy Spirit - John 14:16-17; John 14:26-27; John 15:26; John 16:13-15.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit - Acts 1:4-8; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 4:31; Acts 8:14-17; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 19:1-7.

Praying in the Holy Spirit - 2 Corinthians 14; Ephesians 6:18; Jude 20.

Your heart is the key

I was leading a prayer meeting when the Lord spoke this to His people, “Turn your heart to Me! Turn your heart to Me, you will feel what I feel. Turn your heart to Me, you will think what I think. Turn your heart to Me, you will see what I see. Turn your heart to Me!”

You see, even back in the days of Jeremiah, God had expressed His heart desire for a people who would have heart to heart relationship with Him. God willed to forgive their transgressions so that their sins would not be the hindrance to their relationship with Him. In the book of Hebrews chapter 8, Jeremiah 31:33-34 were quoted and it was concluded that the Old Covenant of Law through Moses had been substituted by the New Covenant of Grace through Christ’s finished work on the cross (see also Hebrews 9:15). But does this Covenant of Grace or so called ‘grace teaching’ sideline holiness and give believers the excuse to fall into sins easily?

   

The answer is definitely ‘No!’ As it is written in Proverbs 27:19, “As in water face reflects face, so a man’s heart reveals the man”, your heart reveals who you really are. Hence, certainly, when the all-knowing God relates to His beloved people, He looks past their outward appearances, and looks deep into their hearts (see 1 Samuel 16:7). Reason being God doesn’t want just outward obedience from His beloved people, but He is attracted to hearts that are always drawn to Him and locked with His.

The meaning of ‘heart’ in Hebrew is ‘lêb’ which comprises your feelings, will and intellect. It is the center of anything that you care for. Just as it involves your heart in any relationship, the relationship is broken if you ‘lose’ your heart for the person you have a relationship with. Thus, your heart has the most important role in your relationship with God.

Also, God has made your heart to be the very key to His salvation and blessings. You have been taught that Jesus is the door to God and His blessings/providence (see John 10:9; 14:6), but it takes your heart to open that door! It is written in Romans 10:9-10, “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” For you to accept Christ as Savior, your heart has to first believe (have faith) in God. By the way, the word ‘salvation’ is ‘sōtēria’ in Greek, which also carries the meaning ‘rescue, safety, deliverance, and health’. Therefore, salvation is not just applied to the moment you said Salvation Prayer. In Christ, you are meant to receive salvation/rescue/safety/deliverance/health/providence throughout your walk with God all the days of your life on earth. Therefore, the more you involve your heart in your walk/relationship with God, the more your faith will grow, and the more blessings you will experience in life. This is also the very reason the devil would try his best to distract your heart from the Lord with all kinds of temptations, fears, anxieties and so on.

You may ask, “But how do I prevent my heart from being distracted?” You do it by keeping your heart fit spiritually! Just as you keep your heart fit physically by eating healthy food, doing physical exercise and having enough rest, you keep your heart fit spiritually by ‘eating’ the unadulterated Word of God (meditate on God’s words), ‘exercising’ your spirit-man (pray in tongues), and having spiritual rest (talk to God & worship Him).  It is basically keeping your heart close to God’s heart.

When your heart is close to God’s heart, you will:

Feel what God feels

You know what matters to God. You want to do things that will please His heart. You love His affirmation more than praises from others. You will not do things that hurt God’s heart because you know how He feels about it and you care for His feelings more than anything else. And that indirectly prevents you from sinning. (See 1 John 3:22-23; 4:8)

Think what God thinks

You are convinced that God has all the wisdom and solutions you need. You are not easily swayed by any suggestions or carnal ways of the world. You will confide your challenges to Him first before telling others. You stand firm on God’s instructions and guidance even if others judge you as stubborn and arrogant. You know the results and outcome will always prove that God’s ways are the best! (See Isaiah 55:8-9; 1 Corinthians 2:16)

See what God sees

You know God sees you as righteous, pure and lovely. You understand your position and authority in Christ. You will neither get panic nor fall into anxiety easily because you know God is in-charge despite how chaotic the situation around you seems to be. You align your spiritual eyesight with God’s by seeking His knowledge and understanding. You choose to come above and not fall under wrong influence or atmosphere. You choose to only speak and declare words that will change the circumstances around you. (See Ephesians 2:4-10; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6)

Dear friends, you might have heard the saying that a Christian’s walk with God is never a religion but a relationship, or you might have preached about it with conviction. It is true indeed. It is a relationship with openness and transparency. It is a heart to heart relationship. Your heart is where you allow God to correct and change you from within. It is where you allow Him to lead and guide you to be who He wants you to be. It is where you learn to feel, think and see like He does (see John 5:19). It is also where you receive and reciprocate His love for you (see 1 John 4:19). And this is what religions, rules and regulations cannot do for you. Whether you have your vocation in the secular world or you are in spiritual ministry, allow God to guard your heart against the distractions of the world by drawing close to God today, every day. Walk with God with your heart, and your Christian walk will be with no pressure but full of pleasure. Amen.