The Word of the Lord is a fire

This is the third article the Lord wanted me to write.

In my vision, I saw a Bible, unopened, and fire spilled out from the pages. Then God said, “Open it.” I did so in my spirit and as I opened the Bible, the fire burst into flames and I said repeatedly, “The Word of the Lord is a fire”.

You may question the purpose of ‘fire’ in this article. What can a fire do? How is it relevant?

In Leviticus 13: 47 – 59, fire is used to burn away the clothes stained with mildew – a certain kind of mold or fungus. Verse 55 writes “Burn it with fire, whether the mildew has affected one side or the other”. Scripture advocates clearly that we must clothe ourselves with righteousness because God is a righteous God (Ephesians 6:14). Yet, oftentimes, our clothes of righteousness are stained with mildew. It becomes contaminated and unclean. Our desires or certain circumstances we face create a platform for the mildew to grow. Greed breeds the mildew; selfishness breeds it too. Hatred, anger towards someone has a similar effect. Hence, like in Leviticus 13, we must burn away the clothing and clothe ourselves with new clothes of righteousness. Then will we be clean in the sight of God. The Word of the Lord is a consuming fire that burns our stained clothing, even if only a fraction of the clothing is contaminated. The fire consumes all. This is because mildew can spread; our unrighteous thoughts and acts can multiply if we do not correct them.

In Psalm 119:105, it clearly states that God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path. Fire is the source of light that lights our path, keeping us within the path of righteousness. The significance of fire is reinstated in Exodus 25:37, which writes that the light from the Lampstand lights the space in front of it. The light from the Lampstand is an important furniture in the tabernacle because it is the only source of light within the place. The tabernacle is a place of God’s presence. And the Lampstand is just like the Word of God that lights our path. This light keeps us in God’s righteous path.

Hence, we can see that the Word of the Lord is a fire that burns away our stained clothing, and lights our path, keeping us in God’s ways. It is necessary to meditate on the Word of God daily for it is a fire that burns and lights.

When was the last time you read the Bible? Or perhaps, have you strayed from God’s righteous path? Do you yearn to get back yet somehow you can’t? Take up the Lampstand, take up the fire, take up the Word of God, and allow God to grant you new clothes of righteousness that you may be able to enjoy in His presence. In God’s presence there is fullness of joy and at His hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). And this, the world cannot give.

Open the Bible, and you will see the fire burst into flames. And your life in Christ will never be the same again.

Got it? Or rather, done it?

The power of praise changes things

It began one night when the young adults in my church gathered to pray last week. The Holy Spirit moved mightily and we began to pray for each other. The pastor prayed for some of us as well. As I was the projectionist-on-duty that night, I thought I wouldn’t be prayed for so I sat alone and just worshipped the Lord. To my surprise, the pastor came towards me and prayed. She said, “God wants you to write three articles, ‘the power of praise changes things’ and ‘the Word of the Lord is a fire’”. She did not mention the third but I knew what it was. It was the article I have written before this: ‘Five loaves and two fishes’.

This was the first time God used someone else to tell me the topics He wanted me to write. And it was challenging because I would try to relate almost everything I see or hear or feel to the topics. However, God showed me so clearly what He wanted me to write. And this, I give thanks.

Last Tuesday, I suffered from menstrual cramps which were common every time I had my period. However, the Lord was gracious and He said, “Praise me”. And so I did. I began to sing, “Worthy, worthy, worthy to receive all praise. Holy, holy, holy, You’re the Son of God. You are awesome, God of power, God of glory, come and fill this place…” I was following the song led by Paul Wilbur and I played it again and again. Nothing changed. The pain was still there. I began to tear and told God, “God, I don’t want to do this anymore. It’s too painful”. God once again showed me His grace and said, “Praise me”. And I obeyed. I continued to sing. And the pain got better.

The next day, I thought because I praised God, all the cramps would be gone. However, the pain was still there, yet there was something different this time. Each time I’d have my period, I would have diarrhea and menstrual cramps and that’s double the pain. And more often not, I would be too weak to move. This time, the power of praise changed this pattern. I did not have diarrhea and I found strength in God. This is the power of praise.

The same day, another miracle happened. I was offered two jobs. For the past few days, I was looking for a holiday job but to no avail. When I began to praise God, He provided. And when He provides, it is always in abundance. This is the power of praise.

The next morning, as I was doing my daily devotions, and Leviticus 3:14-16 struck me.

“From what he offers he is to make this offering to the Lord by fire: all the fat that covers the inner parts or is connected to them, both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the covering of the liver, which he will remove with the kidneys. The priest shall burn them on the altar as food, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma. All the fat is the LORD’s.”

I wondered why the Lord took delight in the fats burnt in fire and I did a research on ‘fats around inner organs’. I found out that the fats around the inner organs such as the liver and kidney is highly active and continuously releases poisonous substances into the bloodstream. Then, I understood why the Lord wanted all the fat, or rather; all the fat belongs to Him.

The fats around the organs are harmful to the body and that relates to moments when we are in horrible circumstances such as illnesses, financial difficulties, broken relationships and the like. When fats around the organs remain there for a long time, it suffocates the blood vessels and harms the body. Similarly, when these ‘fats’ or problems remain in our minds and hearts, we will feel even more depressed and discouraged and at some point, suffocated. That is why God wants us to remove these ‘fats’ and turn them into praises. We burn these fats as an offering to God, which means we surrender to God all of us. This is the essence of praise. It is an act of offering that delights the Lord.

In verse 16 it says, “All the fat is the LORD’s”. This means that God deserves all the praises, not just when we are in good situations but also when we’re in the valleys. This isn’t easy at all. And that’s why God takes delight in our praises. By removing the ‘fats’ through praise, God removes the harmful effects on our body, which could be detrimental to our spiritual body as well. In bad circumstances, we are usually in our spiritual low. Hence, praises lifts our spirit man and edifies our spirit. This involves a shift in focus from our problems to God.

When we offer our praises to God, the offering becomes holy. And this can be seen in all the offerings recorded in Leviticus. God is holy, and He is a consuming fire. When our offerings become holy, all that is within us changes simply because the Holy Spirit within us consumes all our problems. We find strength in God through praise. And this delights the Lord.

Therefore, I challenge you my dear ones, to praise Him not just when you’re doing well, but when you’re down and crushed. For He takes delight in this; it is a pleasing aroma to Him. Praise, because the power of praise changes things.

Got it? Or, rather, done it?

Five loaves and two fishes

The story of the five loaves and two fishes always taught me to have faith that God works miracles. Never did I think there was more to that. The Lord taught me that His Word is active and living and this story spoke to me in the most awe-inspiring way.

Paul encouraged Timothy that God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). As a young boy, Timothy would have felt afraid of sharing the testimony of Christ to others who were significantly older than him. Like Timothy, I had to lead other believers who were my senior. The most recent is a Christmas musical in my church that I was in charge of. I started to write the script. I had put all of my heart into writing it and when it was brought to completion, I thought it was good. I thought my co-organizer would acknowledge my creativity and gift, but she felt it wasn’t appropriate. Though it was a constructive criticism, I was crushed. At that moment, I felt like giving up. I thought perhaps I didn’t have the gift to write the musical or even direct it. When I told God I wanted to give up, I didn’t want to do it anymore, and I didn’t want to lead, God responded. I was listening to “Five loaves and two fishes” by Corrinne May:

A little boy of thirteen was on his way to school
He heard a crowd of people laughing and he went to take a look
Thousands were listening to the stories of one man
He spoke with such wisdom, even the kids could understand

The hours passed so quickly, the day turned to night
Everyone was hungry but there was no food in sight
The boy looked in his lunchbox at the little that he had
He wasn't sure what good it'd do, there were thousands to be fed

But he saw the twinkling eyes of Jesus
The kindness in His smile
And the boy cried out
With the trust of a child
He said:
"Take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you will
I surrender
Take my fears and my inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all to feed them all"

I often think about that boy when I'm feeling small
And I worry that the work I do means nothing at all
But every single tear I cry is a diamond in His hands
And every door that slams in my face, I will offer up in prayer

So I'll give you every breath that I have
Oh Lord, you can work miracles
All that you need is my "Amen"

So take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you will
I surrender
Take my fears and my inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all
I hope it's not too small

I trust in you
I trust in you

So take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you will
I surrender
Take my fears and my inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all
No gift is too small

What more could I do? What more could I say? Tears rolled down and I said, “God, I surrender”. Overwhelmed, I responded to God and said, “Take my five loaves and two fishes, do with it as You will. I surrender. Take my fears and my inhibitions, all my burdens, my ambitions. You can use it all, to feed them all”.

“God, You knew I wanted to give up way before I started.”

Few days before, I was doing my daily devotion as usual and I read Exodus 36. The minute I began, the first verse struck me. It writes “So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded”. The Lord reminded me that He wanted me to write the article on this and that was days before. It was the time I came across Exodus 31:6, and it writes “Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you”. I wanted confirmation from God and He was gracious to give me two: one in Exodus 36 and the other in Corrinne May’s “Five loaves and two fishes”. Praise the Lord!

I tried to lead, tried to serve, tried to share. But I failed. I thought I did and I wanted to give up. And God responded. He didn’t want me to give up just because I felt that whatever I was doing for Him was insignificant. Yet He bestowed His grace upon me so bountifully. He showed me His twinkling eyes and the kindness in His smile. He said that every tear I cry is a diamond in His hands. Through the pain I had to suffer while serving Him, He was in pain too. His heart ached more than anyone else’s, for one simple reason. And that’s He loves me.

Similarly, my dearest friends, brothers-and-sisters-in-Christ, you might have stopped working for Him because of the pain you had to go through. You told Him you wanna give up. But now, He has responded. And He says, “My grace is sufficient for you”.

Will you then respond to His grace? Will you sing “Take my five loaves and two fishes, do with it as You will. I surrender. Take my fears and my inhibitions, all my burdens, my ambitions. You can use it all, to feed them all”?

God takes delight in your service in His Kingdom. Nothing is too small. Nothing you’ve done for Him is insignificant because what He desires for is your heart more than anything else. He sees your heart. He knows the pain you’ve gone through, and more pain that you’d have to go through. He wants you to surrender to Him, rely on Him while you’re serving Him. He loves you so much that He is willing to carry your burdens. He already did, when he died on the cross.

Much has been said and the decision to persevere or give up lies with you. But now, I want to challenge you with a comment of the Youtube video on ‘Five loaves and two fishes’:

“I am surprised that many people of today are reluctant to give and serve even they have the resources; whereas the young and starving boy was willing to offer all he had- his needs- to Jesus, though he know it may not really do much good...

No contribution is too small...”

It encouraged me; I hope it encouraged you too.

Dearest ones, God sees your tears. He knows exactly what you are going through. And He says, “Whatever you’ve done is precious to Me. I can work miracles and all I need is your Amen. And I want you to know that no gift is too small. And because I have given you the gift to serve Me, You shall obey my command. My grace is sufficient for you.”

Be encouraged my dears, God is always with you. He is with you even though you choose to stay away. Serve Him as He has commanded. And remember, no gift is too small.

Got it? Or, rather, done it?

"Take My yoke, for My yoke is light"

I lied on my bedroom floor – overwhelmed. My body felt weak yet in my spirit, I called out to the Lord.

‘Father, I’m exhausted. Give me strength, Lord. Yet though I’m tired, I choose to put my trust in You, that You’d lift me up.”

My eyes closed tight, tears fell and I was still before the Almighty. Then, the Lord spoke.

“My precious one, why are you weeping? Why are you carrying your burdens alone? Cast all your burdens to me for I will surely give you rest. Take my yoke, for my yoke is light.”

For a transient moment, I felt someone standing behind me. And all of a sudden, a wave of heat came over me and an immense peace filled my heart. Thank You Lord!

The next day, I was playing the guitar and singing ‘With all I am’ (by Chris Tomlin) to God. Then, tears rolled down and He said, “Take My yoke, for My yoke is light. I want you to write about this.” That night, I asked the Lord for a confirmation if He really wanted me to write this. I said if He really wanted me to write, then He’d put this verse in my heart again the next day. And true enough, He did. I was doing my daily morning devotion as usual. I came across Exodus 22:27, “when he cries out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.” Wow, let me tell you, God’s Word is living and active, truly sharper than any two-edged sword, and it pierced right through my heart.

“Take My yoke, for My yoke is light” declares the Lord.

I kept this topic and verse in my head till yesterday, 29^th April 2011. I cried out to God again. I was frustrated with many things and people. Chagrin gripped me. I lied on my bed, still before the Lord, and tears streamed down uncontrollably. Then, the verse Isaiah 40:31 flashed across my mind. I took my phone, ran the Bible application and read Isaiah 40.

Verse 31 says, “But they that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.”

Then God said to me, “Remember the time I showed you an eagle carrying you on its wings? I am the eagle, and I will carry you through. Though I promised that you will experience miracles upon miracles this year, these things you face are necessary because I want you to write about them.” I saw in my vision that I was sitting on a very huge eagle and it took me and we were soaring in the sky (This was the same vision I saw before, written in my article “Visions from above”).

“Take My yoke, for My yoke is light” declares the Lord.

There is great significance to the verses in Matthew 11:28 – 30.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

I could not comprehend why God used the object ‘yoke’ and why His yoke is easy and light. The Holy Spirit illumined my eyes to see that ‘yoke’ illustrates the wooden piece put across the necks of oxen pulling a cart. That yoke is heavy, and the oxen struggle to move. But when God uses ‘yoke’ and He says it’s easy and light, it is because when we put on His yoke, He is in control.

Imagining myself as an ox, I questioned why should there even be a yoke, can’t I just remove the yoke from my neck and I’d be free to do whatever I want, and go wherever I desire. If I do not have any yoke on my neck, it would mean that I’m a wild ox and it could be interpreted as ‘running away from problems’. So the Lord answered me, explaining that with my yoke I carry, I choose to be in control of my own life. But when I replace my yoke with His, then I choose to let Him be in control of everything.

God loves you. He gives you a free-will to choose though He knows what’s best for you. And what’s best is to acknowledge His Lordship and let Him take control over your life.

When God says, “Take My yoke, My yoke is light”, it requires complete surrender to His will and complete would mean all or nothing. Scripture advocates that God will make straight your path when you trust in Him with ALL your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, but in ALL your ways, acknowledge Him (Proverbs 3:5 – 6).

Be assured, for God promised in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. Take God’s yoke for His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Got it? Or, rather, done it?

Repent and be fruitful

First of all, I have to tell you why I’m writing this article. Several months ago, the Lord put this topic into my mind and I was to write about the scriptures the Lord had shown me. With my busy schedule and due dates in school (excuses), I negotiated with God and told him that I would write this after my examinations in May. The Lord was silent. And I figured that ‘silence means consent’; I did not start writing. Two months later, the Lord reminded me that He is coming back soon and that I had to start writing. Again, I procrastinated. Then a week later, the Lord asked ‘WHERE IS THE WRITING?’ I begun to break down in tears and repented before the Lord. I praise God that I am now ready to write this article as the Lord have commanded and I know for sure that He is going to do something amazing through this article. Praise Him!

“Repent, for my return is near!” says the Lord.

God wants YOUR repentance. I do not know who and why, but I believe even as you are reading this article, the Holy Spirit will convict your heart.

The Lord showed me a couple of scriptures that I was to write on: Matthew 25: 1 – 13, 1 Thessalonians 4: 13 – 18, Hebrews 3: 7 – 19, Hebrews 5: 11 – 6: 12 and Hebrews 12: 14 – 29.

Matthew 25 writes the parable of the ten virgins. Ten virgins took their lamps out to meet the bridegroom. Five wise ones took oil in jars along with the lamps while five foolish ones took no oil with them. When the bridegroom arrived, the wise virgins who were ready went in with him while the foolish ones were on their way to buy the oil. The door was shut and they could enter no longer no matter how they begged and cried. The kingdom of heaven is as such. Jesus is the bridegroom and He will return out of the blue, when we least expect. The Lord expects you to be like the wise virgins, to be ready for His return – to fulfill all that the Lord purpose in your lives. Have you forgotten that Jesus’ return is soon? Have you neglected and put aside what the Lord has commanded you to do? Thus says the Lord, “Repent and be fruitful. Let there be no more waiting, no backing out, nothing but only My purpose shall remain in your life. Listen, for My return is near.”

There can be no contradictions in the Word of the living God for Jesus is the Word Himself. 1 Thessalonians clearly writes that you must wait for the coming of the Lord. Verse 13 says, “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.” It is hence our duties and responsibilities to encourage each other about the coming of Lord (V14 – 17). And encouragement involves warning and rebuking. But how can you encourage others to arise if you yourself are asleep? How then can you be watchful and aware to know that your fellow brothers-and-sisters-in-Christ are asleep? 1 Thessalonians 5: 8 writes “But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” Thus says the Lord, “Repent and be fruitful. Do as I have commanded. Encourage each other in My Word for my Word is living and active, like a double-edged sword. Sleep no longer, but arise and shine, for my return is near.”  

Again, Hebrews 3 instructs you to encourage each other daily so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness (V13). This serves as a warning to you: “See to it that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.” (V12)

“Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.” (V16 – 19)

Have you heard the Lord’s command and disobeyed? Are you like the Israelites whom God was angry with for a long time? Have you sinned and left God’s righteous path? Have you rejected God’s presence and left His rest? Because of your unbelief, you cannot enter the kingdom of God. “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” (V7) Thus says the Lord, “Repent and be fruitful. Come to me for I am your God and you shall have no other gods before Me. Abandon your sinful desires, forsake your unbelief because I love you and I want you to be with Me, right beside Me in My Kingdom. Hear my voice, my precious one. I am calling out to you.”

Hebrews 6 warns you from falling away from God’s truth:

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.”

You question God: I don’t know what You want from me? What is required of me? I am tired, and I need to break away from You. Will you not be angry and pour your wrath upon me? Micah 6:8 writes “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Did not the Israelites turn away from God and God’s wrath was upon them. Likewise, God is not unjust; His wrath will be upon those who turn away and disobey His truth. Yet, He will embrace those who live for His purpose and love Him. Thus says the Lord, “Repent and be fruitful, for I will not forget your work in My Kingdom. Repent now, for my return is near. How can you be weary in My presence? Have you not cast all your burdens to me that I may give you rest? Do not fall away from me for when I return, I will not hold back my wrath.”

Hebrews 12 writes “See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?” The Lord have spoken. God’s wrath will fall upon those who refuse Him. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’” (V28) Thus says the Lord, “I am a consuming fire. My wrath will consume those who refuse me. And when that time comes, I come as a judge, the judge of all men. And if you have been faithful to Me, I will receive you with open arms and bless you with eternal riches in My Kingdom. Repent and be fruitful. Listen, for my return is near.”

I urge you, as the Lord have spoken, to listen and repent. Then, be fruitful as the Lord have commanded. Hesitate no more, for Christ’s return is near.

Got it? Or rather, done it?