Watchman Adventure: One night journey from Lamentations to Revelation!

Reblogged from AAA Jack's blog (A Watchman on your walls):

After midnight, while in a hotel room, the watchman could not sleep so he got up and read the Bible. He was led to read the following passages. It was like he was led through the whole salvation plan. He started from Lamentations wherein the poet prophet mourned the sad state of his nation and cried to God for help as he still had hope in the Lord’s mercy and grace (undeserved favor).

Read more… 1,379 more words

The final journey: A prodigal son returned The watchman never realized that this blog would come to the forefront of his memory and would be just the right message today. During the past few days he went from one chamber of his life into another chamber. A brother passed on to be with the Lord. After an absence of over fifty years, the brother came back and now he left for eternity after just fifteen months of reunion. During the short and last phase of his life he reconciled with the Father in heaven, his own siblings and their children. He even gained a big family of brethren in a farm home living his last journey on earth before the Lord, reading and meditating the word of God day and night, learning to worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth. Miraculously, his gift in cooking (which had previously been totally robbed and destroyed by the devil through alcohol intoxication) was restored to him. He became a well respected and honored elderly in the home of old and young, men and women. Even more stunning to all who knew him before, from a man who could hardly read a few words, he had learned to read and write well by reading the Bible (completing the whole New Testament and some parts of Old Testament) and copying notes. He even memorized Key Verses. The blood of the Lamb of God (Jesus) had washed away his sins, and the word of God had cleansed and transformed him in and out. In addition to ridding off all his addictive habits, his common burst of anger was healed. A big group of brethren in Christ led the wake service for him and many shed tears for him (and for themselves when they recalled the journey they all went through). One message is clear: the Father in heaven does not give up on His sons. On the last day of his life on earth he led worship and Bible reading. He passed away peacefully while resting after the daily morning worship service on 3rd March 2012. He was 59 years and ten months old. He did not suffer any major illness in the home. He just had his medical check up a month ago and was given clean bill of health. He was completely divinely healed and well. Three days previously he re-dedicated his life to the Lord for His use, kneeling down and the pastor of the home blessed him. He finished the race on earth well after a life of being a prodigal son. The Father in heaven accepted him into His bosom. During the worship he picked his favorite eight worship songs. According to his brethren in the home all were positive Kingdom of God songs, praising God and focusing on God's greatness and glory. The watchman believed that he had joined the heavenly choir and happily singing and worshiping the Almighty God day and night now... A favorite verse and song of the late brother of the watchman is from Job:

Job 42:5 (NKJV)

⁵ “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. " (In a recent prayer with his class, the watchman suddenly prayed they would be like Enoch, walking with the Lord, and one day the Lord would decide to take them to His home, as they were nearer to His home than to their own homes on earth! ) ______________________________

Verse of the Day

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

End Times Witnessing: Know your God in Spirit

The watchman was given a sudden assignment to share the word of God to a congregation. But he was involved in reading the Bible with a group of Christians who hunger for God’s words. His house was ‘crowded’ with people over that period and he could not sit down quietly before the Lord for a message. He was also fighting his own ‘war’ against some old symptoms, determined not to take any medicine.By the eve of the sermon he still had no message from the Lord and he knew he had nothing to preach the next morning. So he went to bed around 9pm.

At 12 midnight he was woken. He heard from the Lord the word: “God is Spirit.” He was asked to preach this truth. He got up and went to his ‘altar’, a table where the word of God had been read by many who joined them in regular Bible reading, ever since last year when he was alerted in his spirit to start this prophetic faith in action at the same time making disciples for the Lord Jesus.

It was not an easy topic to preach. How to prepare himself with only a few hours of sleep and a few hours left before dawn? He knew this was another occasion when Zechariah 4:6b must apply: “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord.” He obeyed and sat before the Lord, reading many verses from the book of John as led by the Spirit. By the time he knew he had to go back to bed it was 4am. He could not sleep again until 5am. So he had another 3 hours of sleep.

By the time he arrived, the leaders and some members of the congregation were praying in the Spirit. They prayed on with the flow of the Holy Spirit anointing. The regular worship leader and preacher were out of the country. However the worship that morning was Spirit led and many were ministered. The congregation moved with the flow of the Holy Spirit in unison as one body of Christ. When the words of God were preached, the anointed flow just continued and it was effortless. Indeed, the Lord God is Spirit! (John 4:23-24)

This reminded the watchman that last year when he was reading Psalm119 with the class he described the experience as “open eyes swimming in the river of God’s words seeing the wondrous things in His law” (Psa119:18). “The Lord writes His word on the living water so we submerge and soak in it and let osmosis take its supernatural course.”(So he wrote in a short message discourse with another intercessor).

Here are some of the verses the watchman shared with his congregation/class:

_______________________________________

God is Spirit : You need to know Him in Spirit and in Truth

John 4:23-24 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.  God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”John 7:24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.

1 Corinthians 2:13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.2 Corinthians 4:18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

John 3:3  Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

How to receive?

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: John 1:13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Romans 3:24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

1 Peter 1:23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

How to practice knowing God in your spirit?

1. Through Worship in the Spirit

John 4:23-24 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.  God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

2. Through Partaking the Holy Communion

John 6:53-56 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.

Matthew 26:26-28 Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

3. The Word of God BY THE SPIRIT

John 14:21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. John 8:42-43 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.”

John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:47 He who is of God hears God’s words; John 8:51 Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death. John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

John 5:39 39You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

4. PRAYER IN THE SPIRIT

Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

5. DIVINE NATURE BY GOD’S GRACE

2 Peter 1:1-4 Greeting the Faithful 1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Revised Chap.70: Prosper through The Seed and Water from Heaven (Fresh revelation – where is the money?)

When the global governments go bankrupt, where is the nations’ wealth? Having spent his entire working life in the strategic management of the economy of the world, the watchman cannot help but ponder on this pertinent issue.
Where is the money?
Here is a clue: Isaiah 33:6, 16-17.
Isaiah 33:6 (NKJV)

6 Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times,
And the strength of salvation;
The fear of the LORD is His treasure.

Isaiah 33:16-17
16 He will dwell on high;
His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks;
Bread will be given him,
His water will be sure.

The Land of the Majestic King
17 Your eyes will see the King in His beauty;
They will see the land that is very far off.

To find out more, do read the following revised (August 2011) version of the blog…

 One day Jack was strongly urged in the spirit to do a search on all the verses about the rich provision of God. What was revealed has transformed his whole perspective about the blessings of God. He discovered that indeed God has supplied seeds and ensure material security and provision growth for all God’s children. He is overjoyed to see how God provides the seeds for the sowers and food for them as well. The Lord supplies the resources he need … Read More

via AAA Jack’s blog (A Watchman on your walls)

Wholly Saved: Blessed Assurance Indeed!

Last morning when the watchman attended a morning prayer, he was led in the spirit to ask that the hymn of “Blessed Assurance” be sung to one sister there. The sister was terminally ill. She initially did not want to come out from her rest room to attend the worship, but changed her mind when another sister went in and encouraged her to at least join in the worship. The hymn was duly sung and the lyrics shown to her. He was also led to select another song which sang what Jesus has proclaimed in Matt11:28 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

(Lyrics: ” All you who labor and are heavy laden, Yeshua says, Come to Me, Do not fear, do not fear, come to Me, and I will give you rest.  He is God, wholly loves you, He will never forsake you. He is God, truly loves you, He wants to give you rest.”)

A day later he was told that she had passed away. When he read the following hymn and the above lyrics again, he realized that the Lord had indeed foretold her He would receive her home to Him and rest in Him. He heard later that she had earlier uttered to another sister that she did not want to die in hell. So she had chosen to come to the House of God!

On one previous occasion he saw her he was led in his spirit to ask her to forgive her youngest son (even though he did not know her or her family at all) and she burst into tears and did as told by the Spirit. Then he knew she had a breakthrough in her spiritual (and soul )reconciliation with God and with her loved ones and others. He encouraged her to spend more time to give thanks and praises to God after that.

How merciful and awesome our God is!

(A pastor who has the gift of word of knowledge once prophecy one word “Reconciliation” to the watchman. Both wondered what it meant. It seems clearer now -like he being a spiritual messenger for reconciliation before it is too late.)

__________________________________

Blessed AssuranceText: Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915
Music: Phoebe P. Knapp, 1839-1908
Tune: ASSURANCE, Meter: 9 10.9 9 with Refrain

http://library.timelesstruths.org/library/music/B/Blessed_Assurance/Blessed_Assurance.mid 

1.            Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

               O what a foretaste of glory divine!

               Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

               born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

Refrain:

               This is my story, this is my song,

               praising my Savior all the day long;

               this is my story, this is my song,

               praising my Savior all the day long.

 2.            Perfect submission, perfect delight,

               visions of rapture now burst on my sight;

               angels descending bring from above

               echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

               (Refrain)

 3.            Perfect submission, all is at rest;

               I in my Savior am happy and blest,

               watching and waiting, looking above,

               filled with his goodness, lost in his love.

               (Refrain)

End Times Witnessing: Famine Years – Bad to Worse

One day before the stock market plummeted, while praying a routine prayer for his family, the watchman was led in the spirit to read the following passages: 2 Kings Chapters 6,7, and 8:1-6. It was indeed awesome when he saw the headline the next day!

Summary:

6:1-7 th floating axe head. He has not yet received the meaning of this passage in relation to his family. But he found relevance in the statement from the disciple prophets to Prophet Elisha that “this place where we meet with you is too small. let’s go…there we can build a new place for us to meet.” Indeed lately he has run out of rooms in his house for the sudden arrival of the younger generations.

6:24-7:20 Samaria was besieged but the lepers plundered the enemy’s camp. There was a great famine in the city. But God intervened and caused the enemy to flee for their lives, abandoning all their possessions to Israel. Overnight there was a drastic drop in market prices!

8:1-6 This is about a woman from Shunem whom Elisha advised to leave home with her family during the seven years of famine and after the end of which returned home to re-claim her house and land successfully. She was even compensated for the values of the harvest of her crops during the period of her absence.

_____________________

The watchman suggested that readers SEEK GOD NOW for your own situation and direction for the famine years. Decode the above passages yourselves.

End Times Spirit-filled Hymns: Be One with the King of kings!

I am one with Thee, Lord Jesus

http://www.hymnal.net/Hymns/Hymnal/midi/e0013_i.mid

Mode: MP3/MIDI

1. I am one with Thee, Lord Jesus,
     One in spirit now with Thee;
   All Thyself I now possess, Lord,
     All Thou art now lives in me.
• One with Thee, one with Thee,
    One with Thee, one with Thee;
  Day by day I share Thy riches,
      Thou art everything to me.
2. Now I share Thy human life, Lord,
     Filled with Thy humanity,
   All of Thy complete obedience
     Is available to me.
3. One with Thee in crucifixion,
     On the cross I died in Thee;
   I am dead unto the world, Lord,
     And the world is dead to me.
4. One with Thee in resurrection,
     Risen now to live in Thee,
   With that life which is Thyself, Lord,
     Now in me, Lord, even me.
5. One with Thee in Thine ascension,
     In the heavens now with Thee;
   Here a pilgrim and a stranger,
     My true life is hid in Thee.
6. One with Thee in Thine enthronement,
     Sharing Thine authority,
   Even as I share Thy life, Lord,
     I in Thee and Thou in me.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/474#ixzz1QWpB0ozX

 

与你合一恩主耶稣

http://www.hymnal.net/Hymns/Hymnal/midi/e0013_i.mid

Mode: MP3/MIDI

1. 与你合一，恩主耶稣，
   与你合一在灵里；
   凡你所是都活我里，
   我今得享你自己。
• 合为一，合为一，
  我与你合为一；
  你的丰富是我供给，
  我的一切全是你。
2. 今享你的属人生命，
   丰满有你的人性，
   所有你的为人生活，
   都能用于我人生。
3. 与你合一，在十架上，
   在你里面我已死；
   我向世界已经死了，
   世界向我也如此。
4. 与你合一，在复活里，
   现今与你同活着；
   复活生命－你的自己－
   在我里面供应我。
5. 与你合一，在升天里，
   现今同你坐天上；
   在这地上乃是旅客，
   我的真命在你藏。
6. 与你合一，在宝座上，
   有分于你的权柄，
   如同有分于你生命，
   同一性情，同一灵。

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/ch/359/gb=1#ixzz1QWpppYoi

End Times Spirit-filled hymns: The Blessing Himself can be yours!

Once it was the blessing

http://www.hymnal.net/Hymns/Hymnal/midi/e0513_i.mid

Mode: MP3/MIDI

 

1. Once it was the blessing,
     Now it is the Lord;
   Once it was the feeling,
     Now it is His Word;
   Once His gift I wanted,
     Now, the Giver own;
   Once I sought for healing,
     Now Himself alone.
• All in all forever,
    Only Christ I’ll sing;
  Everything is in Christ,
      And Christ is everything.
2. Once ’twas painful trying,
     Now ’tis perfect trust;
   Once a half salvation,
     Now the uttermost;
   Once ’twas ceaseless holding,
     Now He holds me fast;
   Once ’twas constant drifting,
     Now my anchor’s cast.
3. Once ’twas busy planning,
     Now ’tis trustful prayer;
   Once ’twas anxious caring,
     Now He has the care;
   Once ’twas what I wanted,
     Now what Jesus says;
   Once ’twas constant asking,
     Now ’tis ceaseless praise.
4. Once it was my working,
     His it hence shall be;
   Once I tried to use Him,
     Now He uses me;
   Once the pow’r I wanted,
     Now the Mighty One;
   Once for self I labored,
     Now for Him alone.
5. Once I hoped in Jesus,
     Now I know He’s mine;
   Once my lamps were dying,
     Now they brightly shine;
   Once for death I waited,
     Now His coming hail;
   And my hopes are anchored
     Safe within the veil.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/513#ixzz1QWkBJKKS

 

前要的是祝福

http://www.hymnal.net/Hymns/Hymnal/midi/e0513_i.mid

Mode: MP3/MIDI

 

1. 前要的是祝福，
   今要主自己；
   前要的是医治，
   今要主而已；
   前我贪求恩赐，
   今要赐恩者；
   前我寻求能力，
   今要全能者。
• 永远举起耶稣，
  赞美主不歇；
  一切在于基督，
  主是我一切。
2. 前常用手抓主，
   今主手牵我；
   前常无所适从，
   今抛锚稳妥；
   前是宝贵感觉，
   今凭主口说；
   前是频频苦试，
   今完全信托。
3. 前是忙于打算，
   今则靠祈求；
   前是悬切罣虑，
   今则主担忧；
   前随我之所欲，
   今听主支配；
   前不住的讨问，
   今不断赞美。
4. 前我欲利用主，
   今则主用我；
   前是我的事业，
   今为主工作；
   前欲得人称赞，
   今求主欢喜；
   前不过半得救，
   今被救到底。
5. 前羡慕得着主，
   今知主属我；
   前我灯将熄灭，
   今则光炳烁；
   前所望的是死，
   今等候被提；
   我所有的一切，
   都在主自己。

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/ch/394/gb=1#ixzz1QWkSwCqC

Watchman Adventure: One night journey from Lamentations to Revelation!

After midnight, while in a hotel room, the watchman could not sleep so he got up and read the Bible. He was led to read the following passages. It was like he was led through the whole salvation plan. He started from Lamentations wherein the poet prophet mourned the sad state of his nation and cried to God for help as he still had hope in the Lord’s mercy and grace (undeserved favor). Then he was led to read Mark on the full passage towards the end of Jesus’ ministry on earth: the humiliation He went through in the hands of human, His crucifixion, death and burial, and then His resurrection and the power and authority He gave to all believers to follow His footsteps.

After that he was led to read a warning message to a church urging repentance, as in Revelations 3:14-22. By the time he finished praying and proclaiming the word, he thought it was over and he could get to bed. But the Spirit said, carry on and read Chapter four. so he continued, ignoring his body and soul being drawn to sleep by then.

However, it was a wonderful surprise as he read on. Chapter Four brought him to the heavenly realm: “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” It was all about worship in heaven! So the watchman was elated. He has always wanted to go up there like John did and see! He prayed and was told he could ask about things for himself. So he did. At the end of his prayer he thought he saw a vision of the Lion of Judah in his room.

He was told by the Spirit to continue to read Chapter Five, and to his amazement and great joy, he found verse 5 says, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne,has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

Then he was led to read descriptions of his ‘job specifications’: ‘prayers of the saints’, ‘redeemed to God by His son’s blood’, ‘kings and priests to our ‘God’.

One final bonus for his night journey: he started to hear unusual sound. It sounded like rushing waters or winds or rustling leaves in the most pleasant ways. He thought it was rain as it originated from above and outside his window. He went to the window and looked out but there was no rain. The night was quiet and still. He listened for a long time and wondered what it was. When he decided to sleep, it stopped. The next morning he read the passage again and realized that it could be the sound of a mighty heavenly choir (made up of hundreds of thousands of angels, living creatures, elders in heaven, creatures on the earth, under the earth and in the sea)! (Rev.5:11-13)

Indeed, it was a very awesome night journey for the watchman in the Holy Spirit!

Lamentations 3 Hope in the Lord’s Faithfulness

1 I am the one who has seen the afflictions that come from the rod of the Lord’s anger.
8 And though I cry and shout, he has shut out my prayers.
58 Lord, you are my lawyer! Plead my case! For you have redeemed my life.
 59 You have seen the wrong they have done to me, Lord. Be my judge, and prove me right.
 60 You have seen the vengeful plots my enemies have laid against me.

(The watchman says: Indeed the Lord has taken up this petition. He has heard and adjudicated. He has even paid the penalty for all who believe in Jesus! Jesus alone has borne the rod thirty nine strokes of whipping on His back.)

Mark 15:16-47 Jesus was mocked, crucified, buried

16 The soldiers took Jesus into the courtyard of the governor’s headquarters 18 Then they saluted him and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” 24 Then the soldiers nailed him to the cross. 31 The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. 46 Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb.

Mark 16 The Resurrection

but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! 15 And then He (Jesus) told them (the disciples), “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. 20 And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.

(The watchman says: The risen Lord has given His believers power and authority to do the work He has done on earth, even greater ones. This is the Kingdom on God on earth.)

Revelation 3 The Message to the Church in Laodicea

¹⁴“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea.  ¹⁵ “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! ¹⁶ But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! ¹⁹ I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.
²⁰ “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. ²¹ Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.  ²² “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”

(The watchman says: This church is in deep trouble, being held bondage by a spirit of deception and a host of other evil spirits! Jesus (and the Holy Spirit) is outside and not inside. Can they hear His voice? Will they open the door? Are they willing to be corrected and disciplined? All these are the conditions set in this passage… O resist the devil and submit to God! Stop fooling yourself that you are already victorious if there is no Jesus (God) with you!)

Revelation 4 Worship in Heaven

1 Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” 2 And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. 3 The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. 9 Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), 10 the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever).

(The watchman says: He always wants to go up there!!!)

Revelation 5 The Lamb Opens the Scroll

5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne,has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne…He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God 8 And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song with these words:

“You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it.
   For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
 10 And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.”

11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. 12 And they sang in a mighty chorus: …13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: …14 And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.

(The watchman says: “AMEN! AMEN!”)

End Times Witnessing: Watchman’s testimony on UNDESERVED-FAVOR

On the Lord’s Day, the watchman woke and was led to focus on the heavenly Father’s ‘unfailing love” in his NLT Bible. He was quite surprised as he was ministering the word to an elderly bed-ridden man who had been shouting non-stop on the previous day. The watchman was also interceding for an impossible case.

But the prompting in his spirit was clearly “unfailing love”. It was not warfare weapon or any new way of casting out demons etc. He did not expect that “unfailing love” could be relevant at that point of time. But the watchman obeyed.

The outcome was equally if not more stunning. He received three undeserved-favors/grace of God within the short span of three days! When he looked up the NIV Bible, he discovered that the term “unfailing love” in another version of the Bible is “grace” in the NIV Bible. The Amplified Bible gives a even clearer definition as follows:

John 1:17 Amplified Bible (AMP) ¹⁷For while the Law was given through Moses, grace (unearned, undeserved favor and spiritual blessing) and truth came through Jesus Christ.

The three favors are: The old gentleman indeed slept calmly and stopped his angry outbursts. The impossible intercession case witnessed a miraculous breakthrough that definitedly revealed the favorable hand of the Lord moving! The third favor came to him personally as a long waited impossible bonus breakthrough too -moving one gigantic mountain just in time as he has asked the Lord to remove it before end June!

When the watchman burst out with praises and thanksgiving in his heart to the Lord, a person who happened to be tidying up the work desk, picked up a book and reminded him that another intercessor who came in from outstation last Thursday for two days had given it to the watchman and said that the Holy Spirit wanted him to have it and also asked him to give a copy to another person too (who happened to be the one in the ‘impossible case’). 

The watchman looked at the title and was speechless and in awe. The book is called, “FAVOR -THE ROAD TO SUCCESS -How to receive Special Favor with God and with People” (by Bob Buess)!

______________Bible Verses on “unfailing love”

Genesis 32:10
I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness you have shown to me, your servant. When I left home and crossed the Jordan River, I owned nothing except a walking stick. Now my household fills two large camps!
Genesis 32:9-11 (in Context) Genesis 32 (Whole Chapter)

Exodus 15:13
In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.
Exodus 15:12-14 (in Context) Exodus 15 (Whole Chapter)

Ezra 7:28
And praise him for demonstrating such unfailing love to me by honoring me before the king, his council, and all his mighty nobles! I felt encouraged because the gracious hand of the Lord my God was on me. And I gathered some of the leaders of Israel to return with me to Jerusalem.
Ezra 7:27-28 (in Context) Ezra 7 (Whole Chapter)

Nehemiah 1:5
Then I said,“O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands,
Nehemiah 1:4-6 (in Context) Nehemiah 1 (Whole Chapter)

Nehemiah 9:17
They refused to obey and did not remember the miracles you had done for them. Instead, they became stubborn and appointed a leader to take them back to their slavery in Egypt! But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them,
Nehemiah 9:16-18 (in Context) Nehemiah 9 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 6:4
Turn, LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.
Psalm 6:3-5 (in Context) Psalm 6 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 13:5
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
Psalm 13:4-6 (in Context) Psalm 13 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 18:50
He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing love to his anointed, to David and to his descendants forever.
Psalm 18:49-50 (in Context) Psalm 18 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 21:7
For the king trusts in the LORD; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken.
Psalm 21:6-8 (in Context) Psalm 21 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 26:3
for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.
Psalm 26:2-4 (in Context) Psalm 26 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 31:16
Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.
Psalm 31:15-17 (in Context) Psalm 31 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 32:10
Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.
Psalm 32:9-11 (in Context) Psalm 32 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 33:5
The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.
Psalm 33:4-6 (in Context) Psalm 33 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 33:18
But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
Psalm 33:17-19 (in Context) Psalm 33 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 33:22
May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you.
Psalm 33:21-22 (in Context) Psalm 33 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 36:7
How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 36:6-8 (in Context) Psalm 36 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 44:26
Rise up and help us; rescue us because of your unfailing love.
Psalm 44:25-26 (in Context) Psalm 44 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 48:9
Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.
Psalm 48:8-10 (in Context) Psalm 48 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 51:1
[ Psalm 51 ] For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Psalm 51:1-3 (in Context) Psalm 51 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 52:8
But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.
Psalm 52:7-9 (in Context) Psalm 52 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 62:12
and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”; and, “You reward everyone according to what they have done.”
Psalm 62:11-12 (in Context) Psalm 62 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 77:8
Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?
Psalm 77:7-9 (in Context) Psalm 77 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 85:7
Show us your unfailing love, LORD, and grant us your salvation.
Psalm 85:6-8 (in Context) Psalm 85 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 90:14
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Psalm 90:13-15 (in Context) Psalm 90 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 94:18
When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, LORD, supported me.
Psalm 94:17-19 (in Context) Psalm 94 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 107:8
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
Psalm 107:7-9 (in Context) Psalm 107 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 107:15
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
Psalm 107:14-16 (in Context) Psalm 107 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 107:21
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
Psalm 107:20-22 (in Context) Psalm 107 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 107:31
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
Psalm 107:30-32 (in Context) Psalm 107 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 109:26
Help me, LORD my God; save me according to your unfailing love.
Psalm 109:25-27 (in Context) Psalm 109 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 119:41
ו Waw May your unfailing love come to me, LORD, your salvation, according to your promise;
Psalm 119:40-42 (in Context) Psalm 119 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 119:76
May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.
Psalm 119:75-77 (in Context) Psalm 119 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 119:88
In your unfailing love preserve my life, that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.
Psalm 119:87-89 (in Context) Psalm 119 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 130:7
Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.
Psalm 130:6-8 (in Context) Psalm 130 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 138:2
I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame.
Psalm 138:1-3 (in Context) Psalm 138 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 143:8
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.
Psalm 143:7-9 (in Context) Psalm 143 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 143:12
In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.
Psalm 143:11-12 (in Context) Psalm 143 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 147:11
the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Psalm 147:10-12 (in Context) Psalm 147 (Whole Chapter)

Proverbs 19:22
What a person desires is unfailing love ; better to be poor than a liar.
Proverbs 19:21-23 (in Context) Proverbs 19 (Whole Chapter)

Proverbs 20:6
Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?
Proverbs 20:5-7 (in Context) Proverbs 20 (Whole Chapter)

Isaiah 54:10
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:9-11 (in Context) Isaiah 54 (Whole Chapter)

Lamentations 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.
Lamentations 3:31-33 (in Context) Lamentations 3 (Whole Chapter)

Hosea 10:12
Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.
Hosea 10:11-13 (in Context) Hosea 10 (Whole Chapter)

End Times Witnessing: How a rubber tapper entered the kingdom of God

The watchman heard a wonderful testimony given by a veteran woman evangelist last week. It answered his prayer about how anyone can enter the kingdom of God. One woman rubber tapper in Asia accepted the Lord Jesus as her personal Savior and Lord one Thursday evening.

The next day the veteran evangelist visited the new convert to see how she was doing. The rubber tapper told the evangelist her testimony of divine healing and deliverance. She rose that morning and felt giddy and unable to go out to work. The work is done at night or in the early morning before the day’s temperature rises, so the latex will drip longer before coagulating and sealing the cut. So she used the name of Jesus to command all the unclean spirits to depart from her head. And it worked instantly!

The evangelist asked her how she knew how to cast out those demons. She said she remembered an incident that happened many years ago wherein a Christian pastor came to visit her son in the hospital and said the same command. She remembered and used the same words in the Name of Jesus and it worked.

The evangelist said that in all her years of pastoring this was the first time she witnessed a one day old Christian using the authority of the Kingdom of God by faith without doubt.

Truly a great testimony for all to emulate.

______________________

What does John the Baptist say about entering the Kingdom of God? Believe in the Son of God, obey Him (His Word)! (John 3:27-36)

In the case of the woman rubber tapper, she forgets who she is in the physical realm (i.e. in the eyes of the world, a poor, illiterate woman rubber tapper, who is among the lowest in the society). She believes in Jesus (the Son of God) who has saved her from that kingdom of darkness and translated her into the kingdom of God, and she acted accordingly, using the authority of the Son of God (as a son of God herself, led by the Holy Spirit)!

John 3: 27-36 New Living Translation (NLT)

 ²⁷ John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ ²⁹ It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. ³⁰He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

 ³¹ “He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. ³² He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! ³³ Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true. ³⁴ For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. ³⁵ The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. ³⁶ And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”

End Times Witnessing: The Power of God’s Grace

The key Word today is grace. Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 4:15-16 (New International Version, ©2011)

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

1 Peter 5:8-11 (New International Version, ©2011)

 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

2 Peter 1:1-3 (New International Version, ©2011)

2 Peter 1

 1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:  2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Confirming One’s Calling and Election

 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:16
Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.
John 1:17
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Acts 4:33
With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all
Acts 6:8
[ Stephen Seized ] Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.
Acts 13:43
When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.
Acts 14:3
So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.
Acts 14:26
From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.
Acts 15:11
No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
Acts 15:40
but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.
Acts 18:27
When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.
Acts 20:24
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Acts 20:32
“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.

Romans 3:24
and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Romans 4:16
Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.
Romans 5:2
through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:20
The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,
Romans 5:21
so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:1
[ Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ ] What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?
Romans 6:14
For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
Romans 12:6
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
Romans 16:20
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
Ephesians 2:5
made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
Ephesians 4:7
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
Colossians 1:6
that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.
2 Thessalonians 1:12
We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:16
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,

1 Timothy 1:14
The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 1:9
He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

End Times Church Countdown: Revelation’s Revelation

The watchman heard this lately: “Watch Me first.” The watchman obeyed but he has been wondering what Bible materials to use to teach his students how to watch the Lord, which is the first step of being equipped to be an accurate watchman intercessor. Then the Revelation opened before him. “Read!” He was led to read it. It dawned on him that indeed this is the time to read and know God through this Book. This is the Time, the Season. He knows the task ahead is going to be tough as he has been avoiding teaching this Book all this while. No one can teach this Book.

But he recalls three earlier visions/dreams:

1. Jesus came to him in a hurry with a closed scroll.

2. Jesus handed him a quill pen.

3. Jesus read from an opened scroll.

He now knows the scroll is Revelation, written by the Holy Spirit and opened by Jesus Himself. All the watchman needs to do is to obey as a messenger. Hallelujah! He is the blessed man as in Rev 1:3.

_________________________________

Revelation 1 (Amplified Bible)

Revelation 1

¹[THIS IS] the revelation of Jesus Christ [His unveiling of the divine mysteries]. God gave it to Him to disclose and make known to His bond servants certain things which must shortly and speedily come to pass ^[a]in their entirety. And He sent and communicated it through His angel (messenger) to His bond servant John,²Who has testified to and vouched for all that he saw [^[b]in his visions], the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

³Blessed (happy, ^[c]to be envied) is the man who reads aloud [in the assemblies] the word of this prophecy; and blessed (happy,^[d]to be envied) are those who hear [it read] and who keep themselves true to the things which are written in it [heeding them and laying them to heart], for the time [for them to be fulfilled] is near.

⁴John to the seven assemblies (churches) that are in Asia: May grace (God’s unmerited favor) be granted to you and spiritual peace (^[e]the peace of Christ’s kingdom) from Him Who is and Who was and Who is to come, and from the seven Spirits [^[f]the sevenfold Holy Spirit] before His throne,^(A)

⁵And from Jesus Christ the faithful and trustworthy Witness, the Firstborn of the dead [first to be brought back to life] and the Prince (Ruler) of the kings of the earth. To Him Who ^[g]ever loves us and has ^[h]once [for all] loosed and freed us from our sins by His own blood,^(B)

⁶And formed us into a kingdom (a royal race), priests to His God and Father–to Him be the glory and the power and the majesty and the dominion throughout the ages and forever and ever. Amen (so be it).^(C)

⁷Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth shall gaze upon Him and beat their breasts and mourn and lament over Him. Even so [must it be]. Amen (so be it).^(D)

⁸I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord God, He Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty (the Ruler of all).^(E)

⁹I, John, your brother and companion (sharer and participator) with you in the tribulation and kingdom and patient endurance [which are] in Jesus Christ, was on the isle called Patmos, [banished] on account of [my witnessing to] the Word of God and the testimony (the proof, the evidence) for Jesus Christ.

¹⁰I was in the Spirit [rapt in His power] on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a great voice like the calling of a ^[i]war trumpet,

¹¹Saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last. Write promptly what you see (your vision) in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia–to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.

¹²Then I turned to see [whose was] the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,

¹³And in the midst of the lampstands [One] like a Son of Man, clothed with a robe which reached to His feet and with a girdle of gold about His breast.^(F)

¹⁴His head and His hair were white like white wool, [as white] as snow, and His eyes [flashed] like a flame of fire.^(G)

¹⁵His feet glowed like burnished (bright) bronze as it is refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters.^(H)

¹⁶In His right hand He held seven stars, and from His mouth there came forth a sharp two-edged sword, and His face was like the sun shining in full power at midday.^(I)

¹⁷When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as if dead. But He laid His right hand on me and said, Do not be afraid! I am the First and the Last,^(J)

¹⁸And the Ever-living One [I am living in the eternity of the eternities]. I died, but see, I am alive forevermore; and I possess the keys of death and Hades (the realm of the dead).

¹⁹Write therefore the things you see, what they are [and signify] and what is to take place hereafter.

²⁰As to the hidden meaning (the mystery) of the seven stars which you saw on My right hand and the seven lampstands of gold: the seven stars are the seven angels (messengers) of the seven assemblies (churches) and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

The Jabez ‘kinsman redeemer’ revelation

The watchman woke this morning (after Yom Kippur) and was led to read, “There was a man named Jabez” (1 Chronicles 4:9-19)

A man’s name is Jabezwhich sounds like a Hebrew word meaning “distress” or “pain”. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. He was more honorable than any of his brothers. And God granted his requests.

Why was he more honorable than any of his brothers? Because he was the one who prayed to the God of Israel. He was the one who believed in God and that God would answer his prayers.

Jabez was listed among the “other descendants of Judah. Prior to this record, the ancestors and descendants of David were recorded. A long list of men and seven women (four of whom were unnamed) were recorded. Three professions were recorded: craftsmen, linen workers and pottery makers. The rest were recorded for their roles in being: ancestors, descendants, father, sons, mother, daughter, wives. Their main activity was procreation.

Jabez is the odd one out. He was given two verses 9-10 in Chapter 4 of 1 Chronicles. There was no mention of the names of his parents, siblings, wife or descendants if any. The significance of this solitary man is: his name means distress or pain, but he is more honorable than any of his brothers and that he is the one who prays to the God of Israel. And God answered his prayer.

The content of Jabez’s prayer is listed below:

O that You would bless me.

And expand my territory!

Please be with me in all that I do,

And keep me from all trouble and pain!

Jabez is a humble man who is after God and he knows God. He can pray and believes that God will answer his prayer. He prays for blessing in general, and specific goal, the presence of God in all aspects of his life, and deliverance from evil. He is a man who knows the terror of life on earth: the presence of evil, the limitation and helplessness of men, the existence of pain and suffering.

Jabez is already a successful man in his career. He asks for expansion of his territory specifically. He must have already owned landed property or he could not have asked for its expansion. He also knows that he has limit in expansion as in those days the law of God forbids owning properties/land allotted to another tribe of Israel. So he could only buy his own tribe’s land.

Like Boaz (kinsman redeemer husband of Ruth, ancestor of David), he could purchase lands of his closest kinsmen when the land is for sale and redemption. He intends to redeem them. As he has not received favor from his own parents (as signified by his name) he has to rely on his own hard earned resources. But he has faith in God. He asks God to give him the favor even though he may not have the competitive advantage (favor of men) in the natural.

He is also under persecution and hindrance from other men. But he continues to trust God and finds his comfort in God. He asks God to deliver him and protect him from harm.

He is hardworking and puts his heart to do a good job. He asks God to be with him in all that he does.

He is after God’s blessings. Imagine bearing the name which is a curse from man. But he turns the name into a blessing from God! He wants to become a ‘kinsman redeemer’. Did he succeed? Yes, because this episode is recorded in the Book of God. This is a testimony of a man who successfully puts his faith into action.

The summary of this man’s life is in the declaration that “And God granted him his request.”

The watchman was elated when he read this passage in the Bible. He had helped his kinsman redeemed two pieces of properties last week and he did it by faith in obedience to the Holy Spirit. He told the Lord then that he was helping the brethren to become debt free and not to have this poor man’s properties foreclosed by the bank. He did not know then he would receive this Jabez revelation which confirmed his faith in action.

He rejoiced at the presence of the Lord in his life. Indeed the Kinsman Redeemer Yeshua Himself is in his life. He could feel how David must have felt when he proclaimed in Psalm 16:11 “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever.” (wisdom and joy of the presence of God)

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Relevant Bible verses on the principles of life (as those applied by Jabez)

Psalm 27:8 “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’” (hear and obey God)

Matthew 5:5 “God blessed those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.” (be humble and be blessed with land)

Hebrews 11:6 “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.” (God is pleased with faith in action)

Psalm 27:10-12a “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close. Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me, do not let me fall into their hands.” (God loves and saves those who trust and depend on Him)

Psalm 16:5-6 “Lord, You alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. The land You have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance!” (God is the believer’s inheritance)

Psalm 16:11 “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever.” (wisdom and joy of the presence of God)

Psalm 17:6 “I am praying to You because I know You will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.” (David is a man with great faith in prayer)

Matthew 5:13 “And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.” (obey and practice the prayer that the lord Jesus has taught His disciples to pray daily; Jesus knows what we need to live a victorious life daily)

Matthew 7:7 “Keep on asking and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” (the power of consistent prayerful life)

Isaiah 56:7b “I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices, because My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” ( a man of prayer is pleasing to God!)

Malachi 3:10-16 The Lord challenged the Israelites to bring all their tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in the Temple. Then He will open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing so great that they won’t have enough room to take it in. “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. (faith in action reaps great rewards!)

Galatians 3:13-14 Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When He was hung on the cross He took upon Himself the curse for our wrongdoing. Through Christ God has blessed us with the same blessing He has promised to Abraham. (the curse from sin broken forever)

Genesis 13:14-17 God promised the land as far as Abraham could see, “Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.” Abraham claimed the land physically. But he did not restrict himself seeing only the physical geographical land that he was stationed at that point of time. He saw a vast future land in his spirit. So do we, his descendants by faith. (Gal.3:7 “The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God.” )

Proverbs 10:4 “Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich.”

End Times Witnessing: Today’s Prayer for All Churches

ALL CHURCHES WHO HAVE GONE BACK TO SLAVERY, CONFESS YOUR SINS! TURN AWAY FROM YOUR WICKED WAYS AND TURN BACK TO THE TRUE GOD!

^{NEHEMIAH: 1} On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and having dust on their heads. ² Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the wickedness of their fathers. ³ They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the LORD their God. ⁴ Standing on the stairs were the Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani and Kenani—who called with loud voices to the LORD their God. ⁵ And the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah and Pethahiah—said:

“Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. ^[a] “
“Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. ⁶ You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.

⁷ “You are the LORD God, who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and named him Abraham. ⁸ You found his heart faithful to you, and you made a covenant with him to give to his descendants the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites and Girgashites. You have kept your promise because you are righteous.

⁹ “You saw the suffering of our forefathers in Egypt; you heard their cry at the Red Sea. ^{[b] 10} You sent miraculous signs and wonders against Pharaoh, against all his officials and all the people of his land, for you knew how arrogantly the Egyptians treated them. You made a name for yourself, which remains to this day. ¹¹ You divided the sea before them, so that they passed through it on dry ground, but you hurled their pursuers into the depths, like a stone into mighty waters. ¹² By day you led them with a pillar of cloud, and by night with a pillar of fire to give them light on the way they were to take.

¹³ “You came down on Mount Sinai; you spoke to them from heaven. You gave them regulations and laws that are just and right, and decrees and commands that are good. ¹⁴ You made known to them your holy Sabbath and gave them commands, decrees and laws through your servant Moses. ¹⁵ In their hunger you gave them bread from heaven and in their thirst you brought them water from the rock; you told them to go in and take possession of the land you had sworn with uplifted hand to give them.

¹⁶ ” But they, our forefathers, became arrogant and stiff-necked, and did not obey your commands. ¹⁷ They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them.They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them, ¹⁸ even when they cast for themselves an image of a calf and said, ‘This is your god, who brought you up out of Egypt,’ or when they committed awful blasphemies.

¹⁹ “Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the desert. By day the pillar of cloud did not cease to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take. ²⁰ You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst. ²¹ For forty years you sustained them in the desert; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen.

²² “You gave them kingdoms and nations, allotting to them even the remotest frontiers. They took over the country of Sihon ^[c] king of Heshbon and the country of Og king of Bashan. ²³ You made their sons as numerous as the stars in the sky, and you brought them into the land that you told their fathers to enter and possess. ²⁴ Their sons went in and took possession of the land. You subdued before them the Canaanites, who lived in the land; you handed the Canaanites over to them, along with their kings and the peoples of the land, to deal with them as they pleased. ²⁵ They captured fortified cities and fertile land; they took possession of houses filled with all kinds of good things, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees in abundance. They ate to the full and were well-nourished; they reveled in your great goodness.

²⁶ “But they were disobedient and rebelled against you; they put your law behind their backs. They killed your prophets, who had admonished them in order to turn them back to you; they committed awful blasphemies. ²⁷ So you handed them over to their enemies, who oppressed them. But when they were oppressed they cried out to you. From heaven you heard them, and in your great compassion you gave them deliverers, who rescued them from the hand of their enemies.

²⁸ “But as soon as they were at rest, they again did what was evil in your sight. Then you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies so that they ruled over them. And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion you delivered them time after time.

²⁹ “You warned them to return to your law, but they became arrogant and disobeyed your commands. They sinned against your ordinances, by which a man will live if he obeys them. Stubbornly they turned their backs on you, became stiff-necked and refused to listen. ³⁰ For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you admonished them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you handed them over to the neighboring peoples. ³¹ But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.

³² “Now therefore, O our God, the great, mighty and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love, do not let all this hardship seem trifling in your eyes—the hardship that has come upon us, upon our kings and leaders, upon our priests and prophets, upon our fathers and all your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today. ³³ In all that has happened to us, you have been just; you have acted faithfully, while we did wrong. ³⁴ Our kings, our leaders, our priests and our fathers did not follow your law; they did not pay attention to your commands or the warnings you gave them. ³⁵ Even while they were in their kingdom, enjoying your great goodness to them in the spacious and fertile land you gave them, they did not serve you or turn from their evil ways.

³⁶ “But see, we are slaves today, slaves in the land you gave our forefathers so they could eat its fruit and the other good things it produces. ³⁷ Because of our sins, its abundant harvest goes to the kings you have placed over us. They rule over our bodies and our cattle as they please. We are in great distress.

The Agreement of the People

³⁸ “In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it.”

Nehemiah 10:29

²⁹ all these now join their brothers the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the LORD our Lord.

Management pearls for Christians according to Jack

Background

Jack has been practicing management since 1970s. He has been through many facets of various management fields. To him, management is like a part of life and indeed encompasses many daily living aspects whether one knows it or not.
After his career as a corporate employee he has branched into training and coaching others (business owners and employees). He also did postgraduate studies in health (physical, emotional and mental) and social behavioral management. All this while, he has been active in church (organizational and spiritual) and other similar non-profit organization management counseling as well. Due to the nature of his job, he has had numerous encounters with public sector management/administration practices.
He has now sensed an increasingly urgent need to put down some of his thoughts (in bullet form) on the management of life in view of such a lot of management messes out there even for Christians.

Management according to Jack (part one)
1. Management is part of daily living. You can live on comfortably by managing effectively.
2. You manage effectively by identifying values, setting goals and priorities, and act on them accordingly.
3. The most important thing is to identify your values. If tomorrow is end day what would be the one thing you do today? Give top priority to do that one thing.
4. Focus your resources on doing the one thing that guarantees to bring you to your goals.
5.  Do not manage by documentation or theory. Manage by practice (e.g. act on your faith, be doers of the Word, walk by the Spirit.)
6. Manage lives (people) and not dead things (system).
7. Admit that there is no perfect plan or program or man (woman). There is only one perfect Savior (God).
8.  Build on solid foundation. Who is your foundation (your real Rock)?(Don’t be like the foolish man who built on sand).
9. Use one management manual that lasts, the Word of God.
10. Be accountable (to yourself, family, human authorities, and the ultimate Authority in heaven).