The Word of God is a revelation of Himself for us to know Him and grow in the knowledge of Him.  The Word and God are One.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  (John 1:1)

Our lives are our adventurous journeys of knowing God in Christ, the Word made flesh, Who came to reveal God our Father and through our fellowship with the Holy Spirit.   Apart from the Word and the Holy Spirit, God remains veiled.

The Word which is God-breathed is our manual in living a good life.  In its Spirit-inspired voice, we hear what we ought to believe and do for us to be at the right place at the right time, doing the right thing with the right heart.  “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (1 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV). 

The Word encompasses the general guidelines, but the Holy Spirit reveals and gives us custom-made instructions and specific directions cut out for each one of us, individually and personally. 

There are no duplications nor clones in God’s kingdom, for He does not run out of exquisite calling uniquely designed for a particular creation.  Each one of us has a deeper purpose which serves as a divine invitation into a much more meaningful and fruitful life, distinctively shaped by our gifts and experiences.  Thus, you and I are very much welcomed to partake of this invitation to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

Early this year, I had this desire to travel but had no inkling where to, though my desire was geared towards California, USA, for a conference.  I have always held on to what He spoke to me in 2007, “It is I Who will make you travel.”    Because He has spoken, I believed.

One day, I was pressing on to know where to go and after praying that particular morning, I got out of my house from the front door and saw a pink toy plane that landed in my garden.  Hmmmm … one may think that this is just a mere coincidence, but for me, it was significant.  There was movement that happened while in prayer. 

I have always believed what His Word said, “The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].” (James 5:16 AMP)

There were three trips that I was considering.  One was to the US.  The other two choices were to Shanghai where my nephew and his family were planning to go and to Vietnam where my niece was going.  But, every time I think about those three destinations, none of them landed in my heart quite well.  I always go by the peace and joy in my heart as umpires of what I am about to do.

In the meantime, my sister and cousins were set to go to New Zealand.  I never thought of it because I have been previously there.  Yet, when it dawned on me that one of my dear cousins was celebrating her 60^th birthday, I felt a leap in my heart.  I wanted to be a blessing to be present on that day.  There was an exceeding joy in me that brought me to even invite or shall I say convinced two of my other cousins to come along. 

And boom, just like that!  I asked for vacation leave from work and booked my flight.  Did I have provision for the trip?  NO!  All I was holding on to was the Word that I received when He spoke, His Word that framed the world into existence, His Word that brings forth fruitfulness and manifestation for He promised that He will confirm His Word with signs following.

I so love this verse that I came across while preparing for this adventurous journey to New Zealand. 

“And he said, The God of our forefathers has destined and appointed you to come progressively to know His will [to perceive, to recognize more strongly and clearly, and to become better and more intimately acquainted with His will], and to see the Righteous One (Jesus Christ, the Messiah), and to hear a voice from His [own] mouth and a message from His [own] lips; For you will be His witness unto all men of everything that you have seen and heard.”  (Acts 22:14 AMPC)

We are constantly being invited to know Him and His will, to see Him face to face through His Word, to hear His voice from His own mouth with a message from His own lips by the unction of the Holy Spirit resident in us.   When we believe and harden not our hearts to obey, we shall be His witnesses of how faithful He is to His Word and make known to all the earth all that He has done in our lives.

The very day I booked my flight, provision started to flood.  It was not an outright provision nor was just in monetary terms, but when the trip was finished, all my needs and desires were met and the balance in my credit card dedicated to it was fully provided for. Hallelujah!  Praise the Lord!

One of the powerful testimonies attached to this trip was about the weather.  Way before I left, forecast was rainy and cloudy.  Hmmmm … but, faith calls those things that are not as though they are.  Faith calls for what we want to see.  Faith is not subject to what the world says, but what the Word of the Lord says. Faith rides in a higher authority.  As believers, in Christ we have a God-given authority in His name, presenting all that He is and acting on His behalf.  We are His mouthpieces that speak His Word into existence.  We believe, therefore, we speak and He backs it up and confirms with signs following (Mark 16:20). 

You and I were created to be a sign and a wonder, not in our own might nor in our own power, but by the Spirit of God.  You see, “we have this TREASURE in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be OF GOD, and not of us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7).

And so, every single day, I declared for a beautiful and sunny weather.  In the waiting, I lived with utmost expectancy that what I desired shall come to pass. I filled my lips with joyful thanksgiving.

Because I, the redeemed of the Lord said so, we enjoyed beautiful and sunny days when the time came.  My cousins may have been fervently praying as well, but I can only speak for myself of how He made Himself known to me in a very special way.  He honors His Word above His Name, therefore, when we honor His Word, it will be done to us according to His Word.  All glory to the One in Whom all glory and power is due. 

My cousin said that the day after we left Auckland, rain came pouring down. It was not just showers, but a downpour.

Every time I have weather experiences, I cannot help but think and meditate about what Elijah said. 

“Elijah was a prophet from Tishbe in Gilead. One day he went to King Ahab and said, “I’m a servant of the LIVING LORD, the God of Israel. And I swear IN HIS NAME that it won’t rain until I say so. There won’t even be any dew on the ground.” (1 Kings 17:1)  

What happened next, it did not rain for three years until Elijah said so.

When we truly believe that the Lord our God is the LIVING LORD Who loves and cares for us, we know that the desires of our hearts that are congruent to His will are granted.  And when we believe in the power of His Name, the Name above every other name, we have the petitions that we ask of Him.

To sum this all up, I realized, had I not made a move to take a step of faith to be in this trip, I would not have seen His goodness and faithfulness, and would not have been a witness to all that He has done.

Our testimony of Jesus is a spirit of prophecy.  When we speak and share, those who hear, receive and believe with open hearts will experience the same way in their own personal lives.  It uncovers their eyes to have hope that never disappoints.  Always remember that the Hebrew word for testimony is “do it again with the same power and authority”. 

Let us then fill the earth with the knowledge of His glory as the waters cover the sea.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing Yourself to us, meeting us on our level of faith.  But, we know as well that You will not leave us where we are at for You desire us to meet You in a higher level as we sit under the authority of Your Word that is being preached.  It is Your utmost delight to take us from faith to faith, from glory to glory. 

Thank You, Jesus, for coming to reveal to us our Heavenly Father and unveiling our eyes to continually see Your goodness in the land of the living.  Your love pursued us.  Your blood paid for us that our eyes may see.  Your life on earth demonstrated how it is to live fully submitted to the Father for You only said what You heard Him say and did what You saw Him do.

Thank You, Holy Spirit, that You are the enabling excellent power resident in us to show us in the way we should go that we may fulfill our purpose and arrive at our destination in rich fulfillment. Amen!