Quote: When God ran

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. – Luke 15:22

If you are a believer, you are probably familiar with the touching story of the prodigal son that Jesus shared.  Who do you think the father in the story represents?  Jesus’ Father in heaven, of course.  Jesus was giving us a picture of His Father, who is also our Father.

In the story, the father was seen running toward his son, who was returning home. (Luke 15:20)  Do you realize that God is never described as being in a hurry in the Bible?  He is always cool and composed.  The only time He is portrayed as being in a hurry is in this story.  Though improper in Jewish culture, the father held up his robe and ran. Where was he running to?  Why was he in such a hurry?

The father was in a hurry because he had seen his son, who was still a long way from home.  He was running toward his son as he could not wait to embrace and kiss his child again.

The father was in a hurry to clothe his son with the best robe.  My friend, our Father has put the best robe—the robe of righteousness—on us.  In doing so, He has reinstated us as sons of the Most High God, a position which we had lost when Adam fell.

The father was in a hurry to put a ring on his son’s hand.  Like the authority that is invested in the signet ring of a rich man’s son, our Father is eager to put back into our hands the authority to invoke His name, so that we can walk in dominion every day.

The father was in a hurry to put sandals on his son’s feet to assure him that he was still his son—only servants went about barefoot.  Our Father never wants us to feel like hired servants or outcasts. We are always His sons.

Beloved, if the Father appears to be in a hurry, it is only because He is in a hurry to assure you of your position as His precious child!

From:  Joseph Prince Daily Grace Inspirations Nov 2, 2015

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Quote: The Good Life Without The Sweat

“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?” – Matt 6:26

Most people are of the opinion that the good life does not happen without hard work and buckets of sweat.  They believe that to achieve success, you first need to have this educational certificate, that professional qualification, this particular job and that many years of hard work.  I have good news for you: God has a better way.

We all must work, but the world wants you to believe that there is a natural process of sowing, reaping and gathering, accompanied by waiting, toiling and stress, before the good life actually comes.  But God says, “My people do not need to go through this natural process to enjoy the good life for they are not of this world’s system.  They can operate out of My economy and I can give them the good life straightaway!”

In the same way that God feeds the birds which do not go through the sow-then-reap-then-gather system of the world, He wants to and will do much more for you!

Your heavenly Father wants you to know the generosity of His heart toward you and how much He wants to make you successful.  A case in point is what happened to a church member who believed this truth.  After leaving his previous job, he trusted God to provide him with a better one.  Within just four months, he found himself heading two companies.

His newly formed distribution company not only clinched a major project in Singapore, but was also made the principal distributor in Southeast Asia for a popular line of products from the United States.  His second company, which provided consultancy services, was given two projects by a Korean and a Hong Kong company for a six-figure consultancy fee in US dollars.

Today, God wants you to know that you are not of the world’s system.  You are of the kingdom of God—the same kingdom that feeds the birds that do not toil, but simply trust their Creator for all their provisions in life.  Be convinced that you are of more value to your heavenly Father than the birds, and let Him give you the good life without the toiling and laboring of the world.

From:  Joseph Prince Daily Grace Inspirations – Apr 25

Quote: Kept In All Your Ways By God’s Angels

For several years I have explored how we can interact with angels… just one of Heaven’s resources “to those who inherit salvation” – us.  I posted a short blog on this topic here.  In fact, a few years ago, I was in a ‘prophetic room’ setting when two people prophesied over me that I had angels all around me that I was releasing everywhere I went.  I had never heard of such a thing before, but it said exactly what I had been practicing.  And other ‘strange’ happenings have given me considerable confidence that Heaven is indeed pleased to have us interacting with and applauding these ministers sent from the Throne.

The accompanying picture has inspired me for many years.  It’s one of a series of pictures called ‘Voyage of Life’ by Thomas Cole.  In it I see the ‘send off’ by the Angel of the Lord, but the ‘ship’ that bears one along is made up of angelic ministers commissioned to take us to our desire goal.

Thank you angels, for your amazing assistance!    – MLH
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For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.  – Ps 91:11-12

You are about to step onto the road when something pulls you back just in time to avoid being hit by a speeding car.  You are shocked.  When you come to your senses, you ask yourself, “Could it be that an angel just saved me from a fatal accident?”

I believe that angels walk with us.  The verse tells us that God has given His angels charge over us to keep us in all our ways.  And in their hands they will bear us up, so that not even a stone will trip us up.

But we may not know it when we encounter an angel. (Hebrews 13:2)  This was probably the case with a couple in our church who were holidaying at a beach resort on Penang Island when a tsunami struck at about 12.30 pm on 26 December 2004.

It was slightly past 11 am when the wife suddenly had a craving for food from the mainland.  The couple decided to check out earlier, so that they could reach the mainland in time for lunch.  While loading their luggage into their car at the hotel driveway, a man impatiently motioned to them to hurry up and get moving.

Annoyed by his impatience, they quickly loaded their stuff and drove off.  The minute they reached the mainland, they heard that a tsunami had struck Penang Island at the same beach where they were just a while ago.  While thanking God for their narrow escape, it suddenly dawned on them that the impatient man could have been an angel charged by God to hurry them off!

God tells us that we have an innumerable company of angels. (Hebrews 12:22)  And He has given them charge over us to protect us from accidents, natural disasters, terrorist bombings and other dangers.  So don’t fear these things and lock yourself at home.  Go for that holiday!  Go for that lunch appointment!  Believe that God loves you, and thank Him for His angels who walk with you and watch over you!

From Joseph Prince Daily Grace Inspirations – 9/11/2014

Quote: Jesus Wore The Crown Of Thorns For You

(A magnanimous offer is available to all.  The ‘lower law’ curse of working by the sweat of your brow has been abolished and the higher law of Father’s blessing is waiting to be enjoyed.  It’s really true!  To read my book Supernatural Provision, see below. – MLH)

“And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head…”  – John 19:2

If hard work is the formula for prosperity, then everyone who works hard should be prosperous.  But this is certainly not the case.  Many people who work very hard are still in lack!

I am not advocating laziness.  What I am saying is that working hard by the sweat of your brow is not how God’s provision comes.  In fact, if you have to work overtime all the time and are stressed out, you are probably operating under the curse.

What curse is that?  It is this curse: “In the sweat of your face, you shall eat bread…” (Gen 3:19).  And it refers to the stress, struggle and anxieties that come with working hard and yet producing little.  Now, work itself is not a curse since God gave Adam work before the fall—Adam was to tend the garden of Eden.  It was only after he sinned that the land was cursed and it brought forth thorns, and man had to toil to eat of it. (Genesis 3:17–18)

But praise God, Jesus wore the thorns on His head to show you that He has borne this curse for you and redeemed you from it.  He wore the crown of thorns so that you can work stress-free and yet have the results.  You don’t have to be worried and stressed out day and night like the people of the world just to get ahead in life.  Your heavenly Father can get you there without the worries and stress. (Matt 6:31–33)

Beloved, every curse that was supposed to fall on your head fell on Jesus’ head, typified by the crown of thorns.  He wore the crown of thorns for you so that you can have peace of mind.  He wore the crown of thorns for you and took your curse so that you can wear the crown of glory and take His righteousness, and all the benefits of that righteousness!

Today, don’t labor and toil like the people of the world.  Instead, expect to see the blessings of God come into your life without blood, sweat and tears because Jesus wore the crown of thorns for you!

From Joseph Prince Daily Grace Inspirations – 5/23/2014

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For more inspiration on this subject, I believe your paradigm of acquiring all types of provision will be challenged as you read my book, Supernatural Provision.  You’ll be surprised at the largeness of our Father’s heart as you comprehend the rest (freedom from toil and anxiety) that we’re invited to live in.  Question: Was Jesus’ sacrificial atonement on the cross strong enough and all encompassing enough to lift off ALL of the Curse, or just the ‘guilt-of-sin’ part?  Captivating reading… with lots of testimonies… and soul searching questions.

This book has always been FREE if you see me personally… or if we have to mail it, please help with $5 to cover shipping and handling.  If your church or study group would like to obtain larger quantities of Supernatural Provision, please inquire about super low bulk shipping costs.  (click here)

— MLH

Quote: The Good Life Without the Sweat

Defining ‘good life’: In my book Supernatural Provision I give significant time to explain that the ‘good life’ does not guarantee that we will live in opulence or luxury.  The Scriptural standard is, “with food and raiment be therewith content”.  Our hearts must come to peace with this, while we let God establish what His measure of grace is in each season of our lives.  “Godliness with contentment is great gain” — O, there is so much freedom in not striving, sweating or straining to ‘get more’!!!  Let Him decide.  Learn to live within His provision.  He’s promised to do abundantly above all we could ask or imagine.  Get ready to be surprised!!!  — MLH

“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?” – Matt 6:26

Most people are of the opinion that the good life does not happen without hard work and buckets of sweat.  They believe that to achieve success, you first need to have this educational certificate, that professional qualification, this particular job and that many years of hard work.  I have good news for you: God has a better way.

We all must work, but the world wants you to believe that there is a natural process of sowing, reaping and gathering, accompanied by waiting, toiling and stress, before the good life actually comes.  But God says, “My people do not need to go through this natural process to enjoy the good life for they are not of this world’s system.  They can operate out of My economy and I can give them the good life straightaway!”

In the same way that God feeds the birds which do not go through the sow-then-reap-then-gather system of the world, He wants to and will do much more for you!

Your heavenly Father wants you to know the generosity of His heart toward you and how much He wants to make you successful.  Today, God wants you to know that you are not of the world’s system.  You are of the kingdom of God—the same kingdom that feeds the birds that do not toil, but simply trust their Creator for all their provisions in life.  Be convinced that you are of more value to your heavenly Father than the birds, and let Him give you the good life without the toiling and laboring of the world.

From Joseph Prince Daily Grace Inspirations – 4/25/2014

 

 

Quote: Prayers That Proclaim

But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” – Lk 13:12

When you have a need, do you pray or do you plead?  Do you begin your prayers with words like, “Please God, please! God, I beg You to have mercy!”

Prayers that plead and beg imply that your heavenly Father is not willing to do it.  Yet, He is far more gracious and willing to give to you than you are willing to ask, think or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)  He desires above all things that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers. (3 John 1:2)

In fact, long before you have a need, God has already met that need.  Long before you knew you needed a Savior, He sent His Son to be your Savior.  This is your God! He is a good God.  So when you beg Him for something, you are actually saying that He is reluctant to give and needs to be persuaded strongly before He will move.  Yet, He is not like that.

Jesus knew the heart of the Father.  When He saw the woman bound with a spirit of infirmity, He did not pray, “Oh Father!  She has been suffering for 18 long years!  I beseech You, Father, have mercy on her. Please, please heal her!”  No, when Jesus saw her, He immediately proclaimed, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity,” because He knew the heart of the Father.  He knew that the Father wanted her delivered from her crippling condition.

At the end of a church service, I don’t stand and pray, “Oh God, please bless Your people.  Oh God, do keep them.  Oh God, be ever so gracious to them!”  Instead, I proclaim, “The Lord bless you.  The Lord keep you.  The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you!”

Beloved, when you pray, proclaim your healing, protection and provision because your Father’s heart overflows with love for you.  And when you declare it, He sanctions it.  When you declare it, He establishes it!

 

From Joseph Prince Daily Grace Inspirations – 4/17/2014

Quote: Behold the Glory of Jesus In You

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”  – II Cor 3:18 

When you look in a mirror, what do you see?  Of course, you see yourself.  But God does not want you to see yourself in the natural.  You may be sick, weak, broke and depressed, yet God wants you to see yourself the way He sees you—healed, strong, favored and whole because Christ is in you. (Colossians 1:27)

God wants you to behold as in a mirror the glory of His Son who is in you by His Spirit.  As you do this, His Word says that you are being transformed from glory to glory—sick to healed, loser to winner!

The world may say to you, “It can’t be that easy.  You can’t be transformed just by beholding the glory of Jesus.  No, you must do something about you.  If you don’t put in effort, nothing will happen.  If you don’t start making changes, nothing will change.”

But the world will never understand that as you are beholding the glory of the Lord, who is the successful one in you, you are being transformed from a failure to a success.  And this is not accomplished by any effort of yours to get ahead in life, but by the Spirit of the Lord! (Zechariah 4:6)

As you behold the glory of the Lord who is the healthy one in your sick body, you are transformed from sickness to health.  And this is not accomplished by any effort of yours to keep fit and eat well, but by the Spirit of the Lord!

My friend, what can be easier than beholding the beauty of the Son?  So stop focusing on yourself and your efforts.  Look away from these things and begin to behold the glory of Jesus who is in you right now, and you will begin to behold the miracles that you need!

From Joseph Prince – Daily Grace Inspirations  (10/17/13)

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Quote: Which Righteous Man Do You Want To Be?

“Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.”  – Gen 24:1

The Bible says that Abraham was righteous.  But do you know that his nephew Lot was righteous too? (2 Peter 2:7–8)  Yet, both men lived very different lives.  Although they both lived under God’s grace some 400 years before the law was given, Abraham was very blessed, whereas Lot lost a lot!

Both men had large herds and flocks.  When their herdsmen started quarrelling over space, Abraham took the initiative to make peace.  He even let Lot pick the lands that he wanted.  Both men were righteous, but one was more gracious than the other.

Lot picked the well-watered plain of Jordan, where the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were.  He dwelt there and pitched his tent as far as Sodom.  Eventually, he lived in Sodom. Now, Sodom and Gomorrah in the Bible represent a sinful lifestyle.  Some Christians think, “Since I am righteous by faith and under God’s grace, I can live a sinful lifestyle.”

Well, let’s learn from Lot.  He first saw Sodom, then his feet walked toward it and finally he went into it.  I like what a great man of God said: “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay and cost you more than you want to pay.”  What did Lot end up paying?

He was captured when four kings plundered Sodom and Gomorrah.  And even after Abraham rescued him with the help of God, he did not learn his lesson.  He went back to Sodom. Some Christians live from one bail-out to another.  God delivers them from, say, debt, and they go right back to borrowing money or gambling!  Sodom and Gomorrah were eventually destroyed.  Lot escaped with only the clothes on his back and even lost his wife in the process.

Beloved, you are the righteousness of God in Christ.  When you truly understand what Jesus did to make you the righteousness of God, it will cause you to fall out of love with sin and fall in love with God.  Then, it will not be hard to have a heart for God, as Abraham did, and like Abraham, be blessed in all things!

From Joseph Prince – Daily Grace Inspirations  (9/27/13)

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From Mark:   It is interesting to note that the Bible calls both men righteous.  Abraham’s righteousness is easy to understand, but here’s what II Pet. 2:8 has to say about Lot:  “For that righteous man (Lot) dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;”  Lot was a man that probably had no less potential than Abraham to be a father in the faith, but ended up squandering it because he chose a life style and environment which sapped his spiritual vitality day after day.  Was he righteous?  The Bible says he was.  But his effectiveness and influence was rendered to nearly nil.  The wise take it to heart. 

Quote: Fight From Victory, Not For Victory

“Put on the whole amour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” – Eph 6:11

God does not need you to defeat the devil today. Jesus has already done it and given you the victory. (Colossians 2:15, Romans 8:37)  Your part is to enforce the victory by simply standing your ground, which is victory ground.  In other words, you “fight” from victory ground by standing.  You don’t fight for victory.

In Ephesians 6:10–18, the passage on spiritual warfare, the word “wrestle” appears only once (verse 12), while the word “stand” appears four times—“stand against the wiles of the devil”, “withstand in the evil day”, “having done all, to stand”, “Stand therefore”. (Verses 11, 13–14)  Four times the Holy Spirit tells us to stand.  Yet, many Christians are focusing on wrestling their way to victory!

My friend, you are already on victory ground.  You already have everything in Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:21, 23)  You are already blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3). The devil knows this.  And that is why his tactic is to deceive you and make you think that you don’t have the victory.

So when he attacks you by saying, “Look at that small sum in your bank account!  How are you going to pay the bills?” stand your ground.  Declare, “I am not trying to be rich.  I am already blessed in Christ!”  It doesn’t matter how much you have in the bank.  You are richly supplied because you are in Christ.  And as the need arises, the supply will be there if you believe it.

It is the same with healing.  The devil will try to attack you with symptoms in your body.  He will try to put pain in your body, and make you feel weak here and there, so that you think that you are still sick.  He is trying to make you believe that you don’t have your healing.  That is the time to be conscious of Jesus’ finished work and declare, “I am not trying to get healed, I am healed!  I am standing on the victory ground which Jesus has given me!”

Beloved, it makes a world of difference when you fight from victory and not for victory!

From Joseph Prince – Daily Grace Inspirations  (8/15/13)

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Quote: Pray Perfect Prayers in the Spirit

“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.” – Roms 8:27

Wouldn’t you like to pray effective prayers that are always in line with the will of God and which always hit the mark?  Well, when you pray in the Spirit, you can.

You see, when we pray in English or our known language, and according to our limited understanding, we can pray amiss.  Sometimes, our heads get in the way and we find ourselves asking, “Isn’t it selfish of me to pray like this?” or “Am I praying in line with God’s will?”

My friend, that is why God gives us the gift of praying in tongues.  When we pray in tongues or in the Holy Spirit, we can never pray out of God’s will because the Holy Spirit “makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God”.

In other words, we pray perfect prayers in line with God’s will when we pray in tongues.  And the Bible goes on to tell us that “if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him”. (1 John 5:14–15)

Isn’t it wonderful that God has put in you the Holy Spirit who prays perfectly?  He knows the heart of God and precisely what you need.  And He makes intercession for you because He loves you very much.

The Holy Spirit is like your lawyer or legal counselor.  He knows what belongs to you legally.  He knows what your blood-bought rights are in Christ.  Best of all, He knows exactly how to enforce them in your life!

Beloved, when you pray in tongues, you allow the Holy Spirit to pray perfect prayers through you.  He pleads your case before God.  He knows where you have gone wrong and what the root of the problem is.  He also has the wisdom, solution and power to win your case.  With the Holy Spirit on your side, you cannot but come out victorious!

From Joseph Prince – Daily Grace Inspirations  (8/6/13)

The Spirit’s Rest And Refreshing

“For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, to whom He said, “This is the rest with which you may cause the weary to rest,” and, “This is the refreshing”…” — Isa 28:11-12

To counter stress, many people resort to tobacco, alcohol or tranquilizers. These things, besides having harmful side effects, are costly and often lead to addictions.

God has something better for us. It is powerful, costs us nothing and has no harmful side effects. He calls it “the rest” and “the refreshing”. What is He referring to? Speaking in tongues—“For with stammering lips and another tongue…”

My friend, this is the rest and the refreshing which God has promised us. So start praying in tongues regularly, and let His rest and peace saturate your entire being!

From Joseph Prince – Daily Grace Inspirations  (8/25/13)

Pray Up Your Immune System!

“He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself…”  I Cor 14:4

Many Charismatics believe that when you speak in tongues, you edify or build up your spirit man.  Well, that is only one-third true.  The Bible does not say that the speaker edifies his spirit. No, it says that the speaker “edifies himself”.  This means his entire self—spirit, soul and body.  So he who speaks in tongues builds up his spirit, soul and body.

Does this include building up your immune system?  Yes, it does!  Brain specialists at Oral Roberts University’s hospital found out through research and testing that when a person prays in tongues, his brain releases two chemicals that are directed to his immune system, giving it a 35 to 40 per cent boost.  Interestingly, these secretions are triggered by a part of our brain that has no other apparent activity and which is activated only when we pray in tongues.

Now, your immune system is your first line of defense against diseases.  During the SARS outbreak in Singapore in 2003, not everyone who had the disease died.  Only those whose immune systems were weak succumbed to the disease and died.  Therefore, many people resorted to vitamins and herbs to boost their immune systems.

A 74-year-old church member decided to build up his immune system against more heart problems.  Two of his arteries were 70 per cent blocked and five smaller vessels were 80 per cent blocked.  So during a church service, when I asked those who wanted to be healed of heart problems to stand up, he stood up, placed his hand over his heart and prayed in tongues.

He shared that at that moment, he believed that the Holy Spirit touched him and he became a different person.  When he went for his medical check-up, his surgeon found that all the blockages in his blood vessels were gone!  Even a scheduled heart-related operation was cancelled as there was no longer any necessity for it.  Indeed, he was a different person. He literally had a change of heart, a new heart from God!

Beloved, you may not have a heart condition, but you can still pray in tongues and pray up your immune system!

From Joseph Prince – Daily Grace Inspirations  (12/13/13)

Pray Perfect In The Spirit

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. – Romans 8:27

Wouldn’t you like to pray effective prayers that are always in line with the will of God and which always hit the mark?  Well, when you pray in the Spirit, you can.

You see, when we pray in English or our known language, and according to our limited understanding, we can pray amiss. Sometimes, our heads get in the way and we find ourselves asking, “Isn’t it selfish of me to pray like this?” or “Am I praying in line with God’s will?

My friend, that is why God gives us the gift of praying in tongues.  When we pray in tongues or in the Holy Spirit, we can never pray out of God’s will because the Holy Spirit “makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God”.

In other words, we pray perfect prayers in line with God’s will when we pray in tongues.  And the Bible goes on to tell us that “if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him”. (1 John 5:14–15)

Isn’t it wonderful that God has put in you the Holy Spirit who prays perfectly?  He knows the heart of God and precisely what you need.  And He makes intercession for you because He loves you very much.

The Holy Spirit is like your lawyer or legal counselor.  He knows what belongs to you legally.  He knows what your blood-bought rights are in Christ.  Best of all, He knows exactly how to enforce them in your life!

Beloved, when you pray in tongues, you allow the Holy Spirit to pray perfect prayers through you.  He pleads your case before God.  He knows where you have gone wrong and what the root of the problem is. He also has the wisdom, solution and power to win your case. With the Holy Spirit on your side, you cannot but come out victorious.

From Joseph Prince – Daily Grace Inspirations  (8/7/14)

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