The Leading of the Holy Spirit

 “Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, after they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭16‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭KJV‬

The Holy Spirit had forbidden Paul and his partners to preach the word in the southwestern provinces of Turkey, so they ministered throughout the region of central and west-central Turkey. When they got as far west as the borders of Mysia, they repeatedly attempted to go north into the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to enter.  Asia and these provinces are in Turkey and its capital Ankara is where the province Galatia was.  We don’t know how the Holy Spirit kept Paul and his partners from going to Bithynia, north west of Turkey.  It could have been a warning through a dream or a vision, but it was the Holy Spirit Who was guiding them.  He is the Lord of the Harvest Who prepares, imparts, gifts, anoints and sends out His servants to gather the nations to Jesus Christ.  Here He is “the Spirit of Christ”.  True and lasting fruit in ministry comes through the work and leading of the Spirit of Jesus.  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.  Amen!

The Church’s Intercession Releases God’s Sovereign Power

 “Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)”

‭‭Esther‬ ‭9‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the king’s order came into effect. This was the very day that the enemies of the Jews had planned to overpower them, but the tables were now turned: the Jews overpowered those who hated them!  Just when the oppressed feel that all is lost, our sovereign God overrules any authority.  The LORD is far from the wicked: but He hears the prayer of the righteous.  Today, the Church, the Body of Christ is called to pray for the oppressed because our sovereign LORD hears us and the effective, fervent prayer of the righteous avails much.  There are many oppressed in our land, our cities, our neighbourhood for whom the tables can be turned when the Church, the righteous ones in Christ, pray for this transformation to happen.  Let’s pray for this.  Amen!

Our Personal Relationship with the Risen Christ & Personal Meditation of His Word

 “And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭15‬:‭32‬-‭33‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Then Judas and Silas, who were both prophets, spoke to them affirming words that strengthened the believers. After the four men spent some time there, the church sent them off in peace to return to the apostles in Jerusalem.  The ministry of the New Covenant prophet is to speak an abundant and a rich word whose sole purpose is to strengthen the Church.  After doing that Judas and Silas went back to the apostles in Jerusalem.  The Lord Jesus had said that towards the end of the age many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. Therefore, by their fruit we will recognize the false prophets.  In this day of digital media there are so many prophetic voices coming forth.  The only way to discern is through our personal meditation of the Word of God and our personal relationship with the resurrected Christ.  May we hear Jesus talking directly to us.  Hallelujah!

Praying to the Lord of the Harvest

 “for how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?”

‭‭Esther‬ ‭8‬:‭6‬ ‭KJV‬

Queen Esther pleaded with king Ahaseurus for the lives of the Jews condemned to death by the king’s decree.  “How can I stand to see this catastrophe wipe out my people? How can I bear to stand by and watch the massacre of my own relatives?”  Through Esther’s intercession the Jews survived and her testimony is included in the Scriptures of how God did the impossible.  Today, the Lord Jesus Christ has remitted the sin of all mankind on the Cross so that judgment has been taken away for those who believe in Christ and we have passed from eternal death to eternal life.  This good news awaits all people and God has ordained the Body of Christ, the Church, to make disciples of all the nations, preach the glorious Gospel to the nations.  As Esther interceded for her people, Jesus tells us to “pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest.”  That’s our intercession that the harvest in our nation will be plenty because the Lord of the harvest has raised many labourers to bring in the harvest.  Let’s join the labour force and seek for the end-time harvest in our nation.  Amen!

Equipping & Edifying the Church

 “Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭14‬:‭14‬ ‭KJV‬

When the apostles understood what was happening, they were mortified and tore their clothes as a sign of dismay. They rushed into the crowd and shouted.  In the book of Acts, it clearly states that there were more than twelve apostles who were recognised by the Church.  Barnabas is described multiple times as an apostle.  Scripture says that apostles and prophets will minister and equip the Body of Christ until we are complete and restored into Christ’s fullness.  He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.  What a privilege we have that through the knowledge of the Son of God, we reach the stature of the perfect man through the fullness of Christ.  Amen!

Saved From Wrath through Christ

 “So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.”

‭‭Esther‬ ‭7‬:‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

So Haman was hanged on the very gallows that he had built for Mordecai. And the king’s hot anger cooled.   Justice caught up quickly with Haman.  God is just and perfect in all His ways, that’s why we ascribe greatness to Him.  The more so in Christ because Jesus was judged and bore the punishment for all mankind’s sins. You see, in the good news, God's restorative justice is revealed. And as we will see, it begins with and ends in faith. As the Scripture declares, "By faith the just will obtain life." Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely.  We can only understand the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the finished work of the Cross, if we understand that Christ was judged on our behalf personally for each sin of ours.  We have  now been justified by His blood, and we are now saved from wrath through Christ.  Amen!

Overcome Self-Life and Release God’s Life Within You

 “But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭13‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭KJV

But Elymas, whose name means “sorcerer,” stood up against them and tried to prevent the governor from believing their message. Saul, also known as Paul, stared into his eyes and rebuked him. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he spoke.  From here onwards Saul is referred to as Paul.  Saul means “sought after”, and Paul means “little”.  This name change is descriptive of what happened within Paul, leaving behind greatness in his own eyes and being content to be insignificant.  This is a journey every believer must take.  Then only we can release the power of the Holy Spirit, as Paul did, when he spoke powerfully to Elymas the sorcerer who tried to prevent the governor from believing.  The governor believed when he saw the power coming from Paul.  Let’s yield to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit, and abandon the cravings of our self-life.  Amen!

Be Humble, Agree with God’s Word & Do It

 “Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, “Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.”

‭‭Esther‬ ‭6‬:‭11‬ ‭KJV

So Haman took the robe and horse; he robed Mordecai and led him through the city square, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man whom the king especially wants to honor!”  Here was Haman honouring Mordecai whom he hated, instead of hanging him on the gallows he had got made for Mordecai.  Haman could not believe that this was what was happening!  The power that Haman supposed he had seemed to have gone.  Now he had to honour Mordecai on behalf of the king.  Scripture is very clear on this issue that pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.  God’s grace is only available to those who turn to Him in meekness, knowing their need for Him.  Grace and truth came through the Lord Jesus Christ, and He said, “blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”  May we learn to agree with the Word of God and walk in humility and meekness to receive the blessings God has promised us.  Amen!

Awake to Righteousness

 “And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭12‬:‭7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

when all at once an angel of the Lord appeared, filling his prison cell with a brilliant light. The angel struck Peter on the side to awaken him and said, “Hurry up! Let’s go!” Instantly the chains fell off his wrists.  The word used “smote” or “struck” was used in prophecy for Christ going to the Cross, “I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.”  Jesus was pierced in His side to awaken hearts to God.  Peter was awakened from his sleep by an angel who struck him on his side.  As the Church prays, may hearts in our nation be awakened to Jesus, that our sins have already been paid for by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  Amen!

Sow to Life in God’s Spirit

 “Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.”

‭‭Esther‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬ ‭KJV‬

His wife Zeresh and all his friends said, “Build a gallows seventy-five feet high. First thing in the morning speak with the king; get him to order Mordecai hanged on it. Then happily go with the king to dinner.” Haman liked that. He had the gallows built.  Both the husband and wife together sowed into hate and death with self aggrandisement that they controlled their life and narrative.  Human beings very easily buy into that deception that they have the power in their lives to control everything.  Scripture clearly warns us not to be deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever we sow, that shall we also reap.  For when we sow to the self, selfishness and self service, we reap corruption, but when we sow to the life of God’s Spirit, which is love, compassion and service to others, we reap everlasting life.  Let’s humble ourselves under the mighty Hand of God that He may exalt us in due time.  Amen!