Weeks 31 - 34 (09) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

It has been quite a busy August, participating in the Euro Leaders Conference (ELC) in Berlin, attending our son Nic’s civil wedding and shopping & eating in Hong Kong, and joining the first Global Conference (GC) of Hope in Singapore and visiting our good friend Sunny and family there. The GC marked a new chapter in Hope after it is rebranded as Hope International Ministries (HIM).

I received a vision during the ELC. I, together with many Hope people, were worshipping God in open air. Rain fell down despite of a blue sky. It was rain of oil, not water. I prophesied that God was pouring a fresh anointing on us in Hope. Then the Word came to me in [Ps. 92:8-15]. “But you, O LORD…..have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; fine oils have been poured upon me……The righteous will flourish like a palm tree…..planted in the house of the LORD….. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, "The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him." I prophesied that it was a prophetic Word from the Lord for Pastor Simon (he was in the meeting), who is maturing in age. God will pour fine oils (anointing) on him. God will give him authority and strength (horn of a wild ox) and his ministry will be fruitful even in old age.

I received 2 other visions during the GC. In the first, I saw a lot of people, many in darkness with light shining on some – they were born-again Christians. But many of the Christians had their heads hung low, and only a few were joyful and confident. God was telling us that we need a new understanding in God’s ways, which will allow us to experience a victorious Christian walk through God’s love and His power when we walk by faith. In the second, I was sitting in the passenger seat of a car that was moving at a frighteningly high speed and it was moving faster & faster, but God was driving it. God was telling us the time we are in, moving faster as the end is approaching. Many happenings in the world will also frighten us. But if we move with God, we will find peace and security instead of fear and anxiety.

I believe the 3 visions were exhortations and encouragement from God as we start afresh as a Movement, moving forward victoriously and with confidence, trusting in God’s presence and His power.

I also turned 61 this month. I count myself blessed to be living in a time such as this, witnessing the final chapter of the human history unfolding. I thank God for the strength and passion that He bestows on me in serving Him at my advanced age. And I am continually amazed at His favour upon my personal life, and my church & market place ministries. All of the above cause me to look forward to living each day with excitement and expectation.

The new understanding allows us to be victorious because ‘If you make the Most High your dwelling…..then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways……You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."’ [Ps 91:9-16 NIV]

Going forward, we will need more of God’s power & miracles. As I was turning 61, I read God’s Word about King Hezekiah who became ill and was about to die. He was saddened that God told him so. ‘“Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, "Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him: "Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, 'This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the LORD. I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.'" Then Isaiah said, "Prepare a poultice of figs." They did so and applied it to the boil, and he recovered. Hezekiah had asked Isaiah, "What will be the sign that the LORD will heal me and that I will go up to the temple of the LORD on the third day from now?" Isaiah answered, "This is the LORD's sign to you that the LORD will do what he has promised: Shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or shall it go back ten steps?" "It is a simple matter for the shadow to go forward ten steps," said Hezekiah. "Rather, have it go back ten steps." Then the prophet Isaiah called upon the LORD, and the LORD made the shadow go back the ten steps it had gone down on the stairway of Ahaz.’ [2 Kings 20:2-11 NIV]. Yes, I also asked God to grant me another 15 strong years in serving Him, but I do not need any sign from God. I just claim it in Jesus Name. :o)

Apostle Paul is a great example for us who wants to serve God at a time such as this. He was sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He preached the gospel despite of great opposition. He was tent-making and he considered it more blessed to give than to receive. “….Paul….said to them: "You know how I lived the whole time I was with you….I served the Lord with great humility and with tears…..I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you…..compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace…… Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood……. Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" [Acts 20:17-35 NIV].

Here are some words of wisdom that will guide and enlighten us. “It is to a man's honour to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel…...Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find? The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him……A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much…..If a man curses his father or mother, his lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness…..A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?” [Prov 20:3,5-7,19,20,24,25,27 NIV]

Amen!