Journeying into the unknown may be a fearful thought, but when we come to know intimately and experientially the One Who knows all things, the One Who holds the future, the One Who loves us completely and unconditionally, the One Who cares for us affectionately and cares about us watchfully, in Christ is Perfect Peace. 

“But we know about these things because God has sent His Spirit to tell us, and His Spirit searches out and shows us all of God’s deepest secrets.” (2 Corinthians 2:10 TLB)

If knowledge in the world is powerful, how much more is divine knowledge that is beyond human intellect?

If to gain knowledge in the world is to be pursued, how much more is divine knowledge to be eagerly sought?

The world we are in is hungry to know the truth which is defined differently by different individuals.  But for us who are believers, we know that JESUS is The Truth.  It is written.  And when we hunger and thirst for more and more of the truth, the Holy Spirit sees to it that we will be filled and answered with revelation.

The truth is His Word and to tap into the truth of God’s thoughts and ways, it takes more than just studying God’s Word.  First and foremost, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  It is coming before Him in humility, deep respect and reverence, acknowledging that He is the Source of ALL.  This is the foundational element that is only achievable by faith, for we who come to God must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

To get into His Word, it is never without having a relationship with the One Who authored it.  It is most profitable when we fellowship with Him Who spoke and breathed life into it, for the Lord and the Word are one.  “He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.” (Revelation 19:13)  It is indeed certain that we cannot separate Him from His Word, thus, to know Him is to know The Word and if we intend to know Him, we passionately seek His Word.

“Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action),so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 AMPC)

The Word of God is to be considered as the most vital necessity in our lives, just as His Word says, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”  Why such importance? It is because in His Word is hidden the sacred secrets of knowing Him, the One True God and the One Whom He sent.  Experiential knowledge of Him postures our hearts to trust Him Who is faithful and true.

His Word is His Wisdom.  His Word is His Will.  In His Word is where we are concretely founded on the truth of how He thoroughly knows us way beyond we know ourselves, that man is a three-fold being.   We are a spirit.  We have a soul (our mind, our will and our emotions).  And we live in a body. 

If our physical bodies are to be daily nourished to stay fit and strong, how much more our spirits that fill our bodies. Our spirits, the real and true essence of who we are, need an earth suit which is our body to legally live in the earth, just as an astronaut need a spacesuit to be able to travel to space and survive. 

For our spirits to be strengthened with might in our innermost being, we need to feed on the daily bread of His Word for they are spirit and life.  No amount of physical activity can enhance our spirituality.  Only His Word that is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit has the capacity and ability to do such.

For our souls (mind, will and emotion) to prosper, our thoughts and ways are to be patterned after His Word.  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  (Isaiah 55:9).  It is then essential to renew our thinking, meaning to meditate on His Word until His thoughts and ways become ours as the Holy Spirit unveils our spiritual eyes to see. His Word says, “Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete.”  (Romans 12:2 Voice). 

When God gives us life-giving instructions, it is never apart from His Word that affects and influences our spirit, soul and body.  He never intends to leave us alone and do these on our own.  Because we, who are believers of Jesus Christ are found and kept IN HIM, “we have the mind of Christ.” (1Corinthians 2:16).  The indwelling of the Holy Spirit Who is our Helper, our Teacher, our Guide and our Counselor, He opens the eyes of our understanding that we may know what thoughts to think, words to say and actions to perform.

Three weeks ago, I was watching one of the preachers online who I recently follow.  In the course of her preaching, I caught a very significant verse about Jesus manifesting Himself in and through her in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.  She mentioned that when she attended a conference as a mere attendee and was surprisingly called out in front of a multitude to do something as the Holy Spirit led her, she stepped out in faith with confidence because she learned to be skillful in walking out her personally owned and revealed Word that says, “You have been anointed by [you hold a sacred appointment from, you have been given AN UNCTION from] the Holy One, and you all know [the Truth] or you know all things.” (1 John 2:20 AMPC) 

Because she spent serious and intentional time meditating on this verse, she gained knowledge and experience on how to be more aware and attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  The sensitivity of her spiritual senses were heightened to the degree that she walked in the “seeing and knowing reality” as the Holy Spirit reveals to her.  Oh wow!  She also mentioned that we are to be consistent in meditating on the Word of God and make deposits into our spiritual treasury for us to be ready in and out of season.

Extremely blessed as I was, I listened to that particular teaching a few more times as faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.  I needed her revelation to get imparted to me because I once witnessed this kind of gifting a decade and a half ago with my Bible Teacher.  I used to ask her, “How can you be so articulate in sharing the Word on the spot spontaneously?”  She answered, “Always find it a priority to hear and keep hearing, read and keep reading, meditate and keep meditating and declare and keep declaring His Word day and night, and deliberately make time to fellowship with the Holy Spirit.  Be determined to know the Holy Spirit until you get to undoubtfully recognize His voice, His moves, His instructions and His leadings.” Watching her in the past used to boggle me while being in awe, at the same time it encouraged me to press on to know how to confidently flow with the Holy Spirit as He leads.  Yes, it takes the anointing of God upon us to do it, but we also have a vital part to play in getting ourselves immersed in His Word, for out of the abundance of our hearts, our mouths speak.  With an empty reservoir, the Holy Spirit has nothing to draw out and reveal to us what is needed at a given time.  Remember, His Word is TIMELESS and TIMELY. 

“Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) HAVE ITS HOME [in yours hearts and minds] and DWELL IN YOU in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts.” (Colossians 3:16 AMPC)

One thing that we ought to be thankful for as believers of the true gospel is that, IN CHRIST we have a ceaseless uninterrupted fusion with Him.  He gave us the Holy Spirit that He may remain and abide in us forever.  Our union and communion with Him are continually and seamlessly accessible, paid for once and for all by the Blood of the Lamb of God.  Christ IN US, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27), is the sacred secret that is now revealed, opened to be explored and experienced to whoever believes. 

In Christ, you and I are no longer unknown, but perfectly known by Him Who loves us unconditionally. You and I are no longer alone, but one with Him and in Him without breaks, pauses and interruptions.  You and I are no longer spiritual orphans, but sons and daughters of the Most High God, so cherished and forever welcomed into His loving arms.  

Our oneness with Him is what makes us flow with Him.  Our oneness with Him is what allows ourselves to be His home and allowing His Word to have its home in us.

How many of you experienced that when a “now’ Word, a “timely” word or a “rhema” Word comes, a testing follows?  Rhema is the specific, active utterance and application of God’s Word, often a direct revelation or instruction for a particular situation.  I sometimes call this as a personal heavenly download of His Word that thrills me each time this happens.

For me, there are various reasons why a testing comes.  I will just mention a couple of reasons that are most fitting for me this time. 

One, the enemy is out to steal, kill and destroy the seed of the Word of God.  He forbids that seed to take root in our hearts. He knows that once that seed is established, he is defined and declared defeated and powerless in that particular situation.  Thus, once we get to hear the Word, as fast as he can, he will throw challenges to void the Word of its power and possibly cause us to doubt the truth and the potency of God’s Word. 

Two, Jesus came that we may have and enjoy life and have it more abundantly.  When we catch the Word with revelation from the Holy Spirit, it shoots adrenaline into our souls, energizing us to rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory that strengthens us with His power and might.  Undesirable situations may come as tests, but these are meant to cause the roots of our character to grow deeper in faith, to grow in the revelation knowledge of the truth of Who Jesus is and the glorious benefits of His finished work, and to know that when we hold on to the rhema Word revealed to us specifically for a certain time or season, much fruit is the expected without fail.

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6-7 ESV)

In the midst of our trials and tribulations, more of Jesus Christ, more of His love, more of the benefits, more of His promises and more of the victories that He won and procured for us are revealed.  With these obstacles, we are positioned to know that we are not living in this world disadvantaged.  Instead, we’re living in it with the greatest advantage of all, the Holy Spirit, the Powerhouse of God, Who is dwelling in us forever. In the melting pot, the Lord our God removes the skimmings until His face is seem, until our lives reflect Him.

More so, these oppositions make us experience how His Word shows, proves and manifests who we are in Christ.  I love the Living Bible version of this verse in Colossians 2:9, “IN CHRIST,  there is ALL OF GOD in a human body, SO YOU HAVE EVERYTHING WHEN YOU HAVE CHRIST, and you are FILLED WITH GOD through your UNION WITH CHRIST.  He is the HIGHEST RULER, with authority over every other power.”

Last week was the culmination of our 11-week Alpha Film Series Sessions.  There were about fifty attendees.  Because it was our “graduation” day, the atmosphere was filled with joy and excitement.  Right after we received our Certificates of Completion, the organizer announced that there were five chosen ones who would be sharing their Alpha experiences and testimonies.  She mentioned not to worry because those five people were pre-conditioned, told to prepare beforehand. 

She called the first sharer, then, the second.  And out of the blue, unaware as I was, she mentioned my name as the third one.  Hmmmmm ….  A minute later, she personally came to me and said that I was next.  I said, “Okay”.  Oh, I could have been offended and asked her why was I not informed prior to my name being called, but my heart was so at rest though my head was clueless of what I was about to share.  I simply whispered under my breath by faith, “Holy Spirit, speak through me.  Have Your way and heighten my sensitivity to Your leading.” Then, my turn came.

I stood up with nothing specific in my mind of what to say.  But, when I took the microphone and opened my mouth, the words felt like a river flowing out of me.  Revelation came!  Unction came! Utterance came!  I did not struggle what to say next.  It just went so smoothly.  The train of thought was so well organized. It came to a point where I was already enjoying myself hahaha!  Hmmmm … so, this is how it feels to fully yield to the Holy Spirit.

You see, I love to write my revelations in here.  I love to keep hearing and hearing the word.  I love sharing the word verbally, but only on a one-on-one basis or with a handful of people during our life group meetings … not on a setting like this.  BUT GOD Whose thoughts and ways are higher than mine is full of surprises.  He has His ways of making sure that when I fully surrendered my spirit, soul and body to Him, He will effortlessly speak through me.  It was as if He was the Hand inside the glove as my life, moving and having His being in and through me.  Ohhh glory to the One Who is worthy of all the honor, glory and praise!!!  Thank You, Jesus!

Truly, the testimony of Jesus is a spirit of prophecy.  Little did I know that when I was witnessing my Bible Teacher and this preacher that I recently follow, their testimonies, their lives and their giftings were prophesying to me that I may walk in my own testimony one day and that day has surely come.  He made me TASTE AND SEE HOW AMAZINGLY GOOD HE IS AND HIS WORD BEING MANIFESTED at this appointed time.

The Lord our God indeed KNOWS what is next for us. One of the ways He helps us is He prepares us by making known to us His Word as the light unto our path and the lamp unto our feet.  You see, I have been meditating on the same specific Word that the preacher was meditating on for quite some time before I was called to speak in front of my fellow Alpha graduates.  “You have been anointed by [you hold a sacred appointment from, you have been given AN UNCTION from] the Holy One, and you all know [the Truth] or you know all things.” (1 John 2:20 AMPC) 

HE KNOWS what we need and makes them available for us to partake beforehand.  Nothing catches Him by surprise.  HE KNOWS and He goes before us to pave the way.  He makes our mountains low, raises our valleys high that we may have a highway right before us.  He not only goes before us, but He is with us every step of the way and He busies Himself with our every step. 

“It is the Lord Who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”  (Deuteronomy‬ ‭31‬:‭8‬)

This I say, let us pay attention when testimonies are shared right before our eyes for one day they will become ours, too.  These testimonies are God’s care for us.  These testimonies are declarations of what God has done in people’s lives expressing faith in His power to repeat His goodness that they have tasted and seen.  These testimonies are powerfully making Himself known to us according to each one’s own personal encounter with Him, posturing us, the listeners, to receive and say, “I’m next, Papa!” If He does it for them, He surely will do it for us for He is not a respecter of persons.  No wonder the Hebrew word for “testimony” is “Aydooth” that can be translated as “do it again” or “repeat”. 

Let our lives then be the fifth gospel, if I may say 😊.  We are the living epistles written by the Lord Himself to showcase to the world how WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL, POWERFUL and GLORIOUS HE IS.

In God, Whose word I praise,
    in the Lord, Whose word I praise
in God I trust and am not afraid.
    What can man do to me? (Psalm 56:10-11)

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word that assures us how YOU KNOW US intimately, thoroughly and intricately, for You fearfully and wonderfully made us according to Your image and likeness.  Thank You, Jesus, for being the Word made flesh that we may continually and tangibly experience Your very Being in our lives.  Thank You, Holy Spirit, for always revealing to us more of Who Jesus is day in and day out.  Create in us a hunger and thirst for more of Him, knowing that You always meet and fill us with the wisdom and knowledge of His will. Amen!