End Times watchman Adventure: Bible reading in Spirit and in Truth

The watchman went through an interval of personal training for himself. He took part in a 72 hours of Bible reading (non-stop).
Some participants read and some rested at the same time all in one common hall. Two languages were going on simultaneously. The group who read in English speed read and carried on without pause. Readers were fluent readers. The other group which consisted of mainly new Christians read in their vernacular language, of which some could hardly read. Some had never read the Bible before!There were not few words which were difficult to pronounce even to fluent vernacular readers in Bible!
The slow readers group paused from time to time to learn to pronounce a word and at times was briefed on what they were reading and how the prophets related to the history books. By the end however, the vernacular group caught up with the English readers as they put some of their fluent readers into a third group tp read non-stop. Eventually, the third group finished reading the whole Bible for the rest on time. So the whole congregation read the Book of Revelation together in unison alternating in two languages chapter by chapter until the end.

Statistics: SUMMARY OF KING JAMES BIBLE STATISTICS:

Total Books – 66  Total Chapters  1,189 Total Verses…31,102

Total words in the 31,102 verses – 788,258 (not including the Hebrew Alphabet in Psalm 119 or the superscriptions listed in some of the Psalms)

KJV Bible has 3,566,480 syllabus.

Chinese Bible Statistics (CUV): 1189 chapters; 31219 verses; 931698 words (all single syllabus).

「上帝版」和合本新旧约合计1,189章。其中旧约有929章，23,179节，706,875字。
新约260章，8,040节，224,823字。
和合本「上帝版」新旧约共1,189章，31,219节，931,698字。
圣经中文和合本译本共约931,698字，或另一统计(和合本神版)共930,222字，
约用3,186个不同的中文字。
「英文圣经钦定本KJV」计有3,566,480字母，810,697个字(较中文圣经少121,001个字)，
31,175节(比中文圣经少44节)。

One evening, the two groups read the word of God together in unison in the two languages alternately after midnight from Psalm one to Psalm 119! It was really wonderful and the watchman witnessed the power of the word of God when read in one Spirit! Of course the reading/proclaiming of Revelation together aloud as the grand finale was beyond words.
Personal encounter by the watchman:
The watchman experienced the words that he received prior the beginning of the reading, 1 Pet.4:12-13. He was at first told by his closed one that the verses she received for all those who would take part in the Bible reading was 1 Peter.4:1-2, and they were to be encouraged to fast solid food for 72 hours. But the watchman inadvertently broadcasted 1 Peter 4:12-13 ! How little did he know the latter verses were meant for him and the few who were in the same boat.
When he asked the Lord this morning about the differences of the two groups he received the following verse confirming the actions (as led by the Spirit) of both groups.

Psalm 19:7-11

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
⁸ The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
⁹ The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
¹¹ Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.

Indeed, these confirmed the power of the word of God as in:
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
and 2 Tim3:16-17

¹⁶ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Experiencing God and find gems here

The watchman found gems in these old books. They answered his many questions. he recommends them to those who need spiritual breakthrough! You will find what you seek.

Excerpts from Your Power in the Holy Spirit, “Consciousness of God” (John G. Lake):  “And I saw that the purpose of Jesus was to produce in the souls and bodies and spirits of man such a consciousness of the living, triune God that man became a king, a living king. I saw the dignity, I saw the power, I saw the manifestation of Spirit that Jesus purposed should be evident in the life of the person who has been really baptized into God – buried in Him, inducted into God, inducted into the nature of God the Father, into the nature of God the Son, into the nature of God the Holy Spirit.”
“Christianity is all contained in two letters: B-E. Not performing acts, but being the thing that God purposed.”
Excerpts from Holy Spirit Revivals, “My doctrinal Education” (Charles Finney): “The power to work miracles and the gifts of tongues were given as signs to attest the reality of their divine commission. But the baptism (of the Holy Spirit) itself was a divine purifying, an anointing bestowing on them a divine illumination and filling them with faith, love, peace, and power so that their words were made sharp in the hearts of God’s enemies, living and powerful, like a two edged sword (Hebrews 4:12).”
“Revivals of religion are sometimes accused of making people mad. But the fact is, men are naturally mad on the subject of religion, and revivals restore them rather making them mad.”
“Sunday morning I arose and left my lodgings in the hotel. In order to get alone, where I could let out my voice as well as my heart, I went up into the woods at some distance from the village and remained for a considerable time in prayer. However, I did not find relief, so I went up a second time; but the load upon my mind increased, and I did not find relief. I went up a third time, and then the answer came. I found that it was time for the meeting and went immediately to the schoolhouse. It was packed to its utmost capacity.”
Excerpts from Experiencing God’s Power, “Spiritual Warfare” (Derek Prince): “The warfare is in the spiritual realm; therefore, the weapons are spiritual and appropriate to the realm of the warfare. Theses weapons will be my main theme in the two following sections, “Our Defensive Armor” and “Weapons of Attack”. It is tremendously that we understand where the battle is taking place. ..We absolutely must understand that the battlefield is in the realm of the mind. “
“Satan deliberately and systematically builds strongholds in peoples’ minds. These strongholds and fortresses resist the truth of the Gospel and the Word of God and prevent people from being able to receive the message of the Gospel. What kind of strongholds does the Bible indicate? These are prejudices and preconception.”
“Prejudice is being down on what you are not up on.” “Almost anything about which religious people have not heard, they view with intense fear and suspicion.” “Don’t confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!”
“Peoples are driven by their prejudices and preconceptions, often to their own destruction.” “The only way to deliver such people is to use our spiritual weapons and break down the strongholds in their minds.”
Excerpts from Experiencing God’s Presence, “The Presence of the Holy Spirit” (Charles Finney): “Why do many people no have the Spirit? It may be that they live a hypocrite life.” “Others are so frivolous that the Spirit will not dwell with them.” ” Others are so proud that they cannot have the Spirit.” “Some are so worldly minded that they cannot have the Spirit.”
“I never knew a person who was filled with the Spirit who was not called eccentric. The reason is that these people are unlike other people. They act under different influences, take different views, are moved by different motives, and are led by a different Spirit. You are to expect such remarks.”
“If you have the Spirit of God, you must make up your mind to accept experiencing opposition, both in the church and the world.” “If the church, sinners, and the Devil oppose you, there will be One with Whom you will have peace.” “Our peace toward God will flow like a river. You also have peace of conscience if you are led by the Spirit.” “Your conscience will be calm, quiet, and unruffled as a lake in summer.”
“If you are filled with the Spirit, you will be useful.”
“You will be calm under affliction.” (You will not find yourself distressed, annoyed, or worried when people speak against you).
Indeed, the watchman found a lot of treasures in them!

End Times Watchman started a new post : GOD’S WAY

“GOD’S WAY” is the only way in this end time, the watchman discovered. He was led in his spirit to start a new blog in this name:
"GOD’S WAY"
http://citizenheaven.wordpress.com/
There are many interesting pictures for collectors. Above is a sample.

End Times Watchman’s Witnessing: “By My Spirit” said the Lord

The watchman went on an unusual journey in order to deliver an important message and carry out a prophetic act. He did not expect to go until around midnight before departure. He was praying and asking the Lord a number of questions.
Then he asked about the journey a household member would be taking with another brethren the next day. The answer came to him in three groups of verses as one overall message for someone at the destination of that journey. But he wanted specific confirmation to whether he needed to travel personally. The answer came as follows:

“We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift. We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.” (NLT 2 Cor.8:20-21)

The next morning he got up early to cook food for his two dogs, packed and stored in his refrigerator for someone to heat up and feed them daily during his absence. He also stocked up enough food for the rest of the household. He packed for a short trip as told by the Spirit. Another household member was not convinced and asked the Lord for second confirmation. She received the following verse (from the conversation between the prophets-disciples and the prophet Elisha):

2 Kings 6:3 [Then one said, "Please consent to go with your servants." And he (Elisha) answered, "I will go." ] So the watchman went on the sudden journey without further objection.

The whole time since waking up the watchman’s spirit was singing the song based on Zechariah 4:6b ["Not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit", said the Lord of Hosts. ] Only when he started driving the song stopped.
He was told that the person to whom the message was intended was not available until the third day. So he had to wait at the destination until the third day.
On the first day (Lesson One: sons of God are led by the Holy Spirit): They started the journey around noon and arrived late. The same evening, he was asked to attend a prayer meeting in a prayer house. He attended. A woman who could not stop talking came to his companion and kept talking.She brought her neighbor there for healing. By the time she told them that she was an anointed evangelist and busily saving souls instead of “wasting her time to read the Bible or attend church”, he closed his eyes and saw the ‘spirit’ speaking through her. So he stopped his companion from responding politely to the lady. He even made some impatient judgmental remarks on her ‘manifestation’ to others.
However, when he returned to his room around 1am he could not sleep. He was convicted by a passage in Luke 10 which he was led in the spirit to read a number of times lately. The chapter described at length how Jesus appointed seventy disciples in addition to the original twelve and sent them into where He Himself was about to go and how they returned and gave glowing report.

The same chapter also taught on the two Golden Commandments of God: Love God. Love your neighbor. The second law is tough. Instead of asking who my neighbor is I need to ask who I am to others. Am I a neighbor? God looks at whether I am a neighbor. There is no condition on who others are to me.

The watchman was led to recall two other recent incidents which happened all within the week prior his travel. Incident one: Two lady bank staff came to him and asked at length about their stiff and painful knees (and the watchman noted then that the medical system and their religion did not give them divine healing). Incident Two: One newspaper man talked at length about his being a very sick man and that he had reached a point now that he had to rely on himself as taught by his religion to continue bearing the suffering on earth. On both occasions the watchman responded politely but rather impatiently according to his own convenience. He did not witness clearly how Jesus had healed him and his loved ones and could heal them too. He merely mentioned divine healing briefly and gave them the amount of time he thought was sufficient as he though he had other ‘more urgent’ things to do after a while!

But the Spirit of the Lord asked, “Are you a neighbor?” He was convicted and repented. As he confessed and repented, he was convicted of his ‘loveless’ old nature.

Incident Three: About the lady who could not stop talking. He noted how others in the prayer meeting did not respond the way he did to the lady. They remained in peace and let the Spirit of the Lord take charge. They accepted her and extended to her hospitality just as a good neighbor would do.
So on Day One of this recent journey on special ‘mission” he failed his first lesson, “sons of God are led by the Spirit”. However, he prayed for another chance to practice this. The Lord answered the following day.
On Day Two (sons of God do the works of the Son of God -Jesus): the spirit in him sang and woke him up with the song from 1 John 3:8b “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”
 
He sang this on and on until the watchman was wide awake. He went to a Bible reading and prayer staff meeting that morning. They took turn to read the Bible verse by verse, from psalms and the whole Book of Philippians. After that the others proceeded to take their breakfast. One elderly lady staff stayed behind. She told him to help one woman and read psalms in her language. He happened to know her language. She was left alone in one corner as others could not read her language. She talked to herself and made animal noises (like swine snorting) at random and was told by others to shut up from time to time during Bible reading time.He was told that her grown son had put her there as he had to work.
So the watchman borrowed a Bible in her language and read with her. She could not read on her own. She was willing to repeat after him, verse by verse. After about half an hour or more the others came back, so the watchman stopped and left. Looking back he was amazed at his patience and acceptance of that woman. He was given a second chance and this time he followed the Holy Spirit. But he was not sure and did not cast out the swine’s spirit (Mark 5:13)
Day Three (sons of God march on, being in the heavenly victory procession): The watchman was woken by the song in his spirit,

Psalm 68:1-4, followed by Judges 5:2-3, 31a. Specifically, the spirit sang, “Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered” and “But let those who Love Him be like the sun when it comes out in full strength.”

As his appointment was in the late afternoon he had the bulk of the day to himself. He rested in the Lord and met the appointed person and delivered the Lord’s message and carried out a prophetic act.
That evening he saw the ‘swine-possessed’ woman in a prayer meeting and she looked more in peace. The meeting went on for over four hours and she started her animal noises after midnight. However, no one was bothered. She stayed at her corner and continued snorting. Prior the start of the meeting, he also saw another young girl being ‘dragged’ as she clung to the floor at the doorway into the meeting . She had been accompanied there by her parents for healing for quite sometime, he was told.

That night he asked the Lord many questions. He perceived in his spirit that this ‘group’ had advanced toward a ‘higher’ level of Kingdom of God living. They had trained youth disciples well versed in singing and praying Bible verses ministering to the Lord in heavenly realm. The two young worship leaders replicated exactly what the senior pioneer preacher had spoken or prayed or taught. The watchman was told that most of their local meetings were mainly attended by the regulars now. The group had changed its ministry focus to preaching the Gospels to foreigners and claiming their nations for the Lord. He was told they had no manpower for that local ‘swine-possessed’ woman.

(1) The first big question the watchman asked the Lord was whether the requirement to fill the Wedding Great Supper according to Luke 14:13 and 21 was already over. The Lord actually mentioned twice the same group of ‘guests’ to be invited: the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. Are the number for the locals filled? He asked. He received the answer that like the Book of Acts, the events are repeatable for different ministry groups at different locations at different times. Only the Father in heaven knows when the number is up. He has to follow the Holy Spirit.
(2) His second question concerns money (and manpower). In the same chapter 14, Jesus warned, v28 “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it-…” v31 “Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?”
He knew he had to follow the Holy Spirit and not his analytical mind or emotion.
By 2am he was very tired. In answer, his NLT Bible opened to 2 Chronicles 3:1-2

“So Solomon began to build the Temple of the Lord…on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, the site that David had selected. The construction began in mid-spring (April/May)…”

Day Four: The watchman woke and felt rested. He continued the previous day’s question on winding up business and offering the premises for divine use.

His NKJV Bible opened to 1 Chronicles 21:26 “And David built there (watchman’s remark: on the threshing floor of the Jebusite, which David bought) an altar to the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called on the Lord; and He answered him from heaven by fire on the altar of burnt offering.” After receiving this second confirmation he felt peace. It is awesome that both answers refer to the same event, building the Temple of God!

In the physical realm, both King David and King Solomon had ample wealth. David purchased the land, built an altar, and prepared all the materials needed for the building of the Temple. The Temple building construction project was duly started and completed by Solomon according to plan and pattern given in heaven. Neither king had any lack.

Thus, during this unusual spiritual journey, the watchman thus resolved important personal issues through seeking and asking the Lord, while attending to other spiritual matters. He slept few hours but felt rested and refreshed in the Presence of the Lord.

He left for his next destination before noon and arrived well and fit, finding to his surprise the long awaited rain had come, washed and cooled the whole country side prior his arrival. He has always found the Lord answering his parched needs by opening His personal storehouse in heaven and send forth His rich resources!

His fasting also went well as he hardly felt it and the four days had passed quickly and fully. This was indeed a Kingdom journey led by the Spirit of the Lord!

In summary, the lessons for the sons of God are:
1. Led by the Holy Spirit in every aspect of life.
2. Live the lifestyle of Kingdom of God on earth, desiring and expecting to fulfill mission on earth as sons of God (just as the Son of God Himself had commanded His disciples).
3. Pray and intercede according to God’s words prompted by the Holy Spirit (use spiritual gifts and authority of sons of God).
4. Trust God to provide answers. Never tire of praying and seeking Him. Never give up. 

Mark 10:27 (ESV)Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

End Times Survival Weapons: Fast and Pray training class

The watchman was led to fast the Esther fast, no food and no water, for three days towards the end of March. He gathered all those who regularly go to the Prayer House and two families who come to his Bible reading house class weekly, urging them to start preparing for the fast. He knew it would be a major task for all concerned as they had never done this before. Some young people may not have the spiritual stamina to last it.

He was however encouraged when the respective heads of the two families purposed in their hearts to obey the Lord’s calling. One man started immediately on the eve after the Saturday Bible reading  house meeting together with the watchman. Another couple started on the following Tuesday evening (on which day they had a Bible reading meeting in the couples’ house).

The fasting training for the first group was Yom Kippur style, no food and no water, from sundown to sundown (24 hours). The two have had some experience in fasting before so they did not feel much discomfort. The only problem with the watchman was that he had to fast coffee and water at the same time. He could live comfortably without food but the dryness of his throat was uncomfortable. On the following Sunday morning he was required to share the words of God for about one and half hours, during which he talked naturally and without any hindrance. Toward the later part of the following afternoon he could feel the heaviness on the side of his head. He regretted and repented his taste for coffee. (sigh)

The other brother reported that he was alright. This was his first time of complete fasting without food and water. He held well as he was not a coffee lover. He merely had to overcome not drinking water.

On a lighter side, the day the watchman announced to his own household (and guests) the fasting training, he was surprised to find that a family of three generations (a grandma, daughter and a grand-daughter) who are currently staying in his house decided to fast one meal (lunch). The 70 years old grandma stayed in her room and had her own quiet time and rest through out the day. The daughter (who is the aunt to the little nine-years old girl) and the 9 years old girl (60kg in weight) stayed in the lounge and argued with each other. The little girl was grumbling and said she was dying of hunger. The aunt said the trouble was that the little one did not believe that drinking water and feeding on God’s word would keep her well fed.The aunt said, “she is all flesh/carnal. It is time she toughens up and be spiritual and prepares for end times!” (Of course, the overweight child soon forgot all about food and happily ran into the garden to play with the watchman’s newly acquired yellow Labrador puppy, Grace, after the watchman gave her permission!)

The watchman promised his class that he would give them more information on how to prepare for the Esther fast. For a start, he advised them to progressively practice as follows in various combinations and stages, as led by the Holy Spirit, each according to his or her level of faith:

1. fast one meal a day, progressing to fasting two meals a day.
2. fast all meat: take vegetables and fruits and water.
3. fast all solid food. Take only liquid drinks and soups.
3. fast all food except drinking water.
4. fast all food and water.

5. fasting hours:
6am to 12pm same day ; 6am to 6pm same day; 6am to 12am same day; 6am to following day’s 6am; 6pm from sundown to the following day’s 6pm.

6. Activities: light physical activities. read Bible, meditate on God and His word, pray (in the Spirit and in understanding as led by the Spirit). Conserve water if one is fasting water as well.
7. Food before and after: light meals with little salt; avoid processed food or drinks; stop coffee.

8. On the actual Esther Fast three days (29th March-1st April 2012 from 6pm to 6pm):

a. Take leave from work.

b. Gather together in small groups (can include family as a unit) to worship, fast and pray together.

c. Stop unnecessary world ‘connection’/communication (e.g. mobile phone calls and messaging, internet, games, entertainment and social activities). Stop looking at the ‘windows’/screens (TV, hand phone, computer, gaming device).

d. Focus on building God connection: led by the Holy Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit anointing break your strongholds in the mind and emotion, your soul ties, your ‘connections’ to the second heaven (through the above mentioned windows that link your souls with the evil spirits/forces).

e. Focus on the goal of fasting: For your nation (just as Esther and the Jews in Sushan).

f. Assemble and hold a solemn meeting together before and after the fasting.

___________________________Bible verses:

Esther 4:15-17 (NKJV)

¹⁵ Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: ¹⁶ “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”
¹⁷ So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther commanded him.^[a]

Footnotes:

1. Esther 4:17 Septuagint adds a prayer of Mordecai here.

End Times Witnessing: Can one not war?

The watchman asked the Lord whether he might stay away from engaging in spiritual warfare. Can he be allowed to remain in his comfort zone? He pleaded that he had to take care of his own people first and make sure they are protected.

Then he was asked to read the following psalm. There is really no option. (His notes are in bracket)

Psalm 144 Of David.

1 Praise be to the LORD my Rock,
who trains my hands for war,
my fingers for battle.

(The Lord trains us for battle and war. There is no reason that after training we can stay away from the spiritual battlefield. Jesus commanded His trained disciples in Matt.28:18-20, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” The Holy Spirit spoke through Paul, in 2 Timothy 2:2, “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”)

2 He is my loving God and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield, in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples[a] under me.

(God provides the whole armor. In fact, He is the armor and protection: He is the fortress, stronghold and shield against the enemy.)

3 LORD, what are human beings that you care for them,
mere mortals that you think of them?
4 They are like a breath;
their days are like a fleeting shadow.

(He considers even the most insignificant human important enough to be protected by HIM.)

5 Part your heavens, LORD, and come down;
touch the mountains, so that they smoke.
6 Send forth lightning and scatter the enemy;
shoot your arrows and rout them.

(Spiritual weapons come from heaven: fire, lightning, arrows Prayers will bring forth these weapons, as illustrated in many Biblical examples.)

7 Reach down your hand from on high;
deliver me and rescue me

(God’s hand is the mighty weapon against the enemy’s hands. The hand of the Lord saves and delivers. The hand of the Lord upon Prophet Ezekiel signifies the Holy Spirit and His might.)

from the mighty waters,
from the hands of foreigners
8 whose mouths are full of lies,
whose right hands are deceitful.

(The enemy’s weapon is his deceitful mouth and right hand.The right hand is a place of honor (1 Kings 2:19; Psalm 45:9); because of this, it is raised in swearing (Galatians 2:9). The enemy swears falsely. Satan is the accuser of the brethren. Rev.12:10)

9 I will sing a new song to you, my God;
on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you,
10 to the One who gives victory to kings,
who delivers his servant David.

From the deadly sword 11 deliver me;
rescue me from the hands of foreigners
whose mouths are full of lies,
whose right hands are deceitful.

(When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard (the word of God) against him. Isaiah59:19 Praise and worship is an effective weapon and some kings like David, Jehoshaphat had used this weapon well. Instead of allowing the enemy to use our mouths to proclaim lies, we let the Holy Spirit use our mouths to proclaim Truth, the word of God. Truth sets captives free. His word is light and lamp. His word is life and Spirit.)

12 Then our sons in their youth
will be like well-nurtured plants,
and our daughters will be like pillars
carved to adorn a palace.

(Victory in spiritual wars will enable us to bring up our children well, godly and honorable.)

13 Our barns will be filled
with every kind of provision.
Our sheep will increase by thousands,
by tens of thousands in our fields;
14 our oxen will draw heavy loads.[b]

(Even our physical profession/business will do well in all our endeavors and have financial and material security and prosperity.)

There will be no breaching of walls,
no going into captivity,
no cry of distress in our streets.

(The enemy will not find any open door to enter to steal, kill and destroy, as the walls (protective hedges) will be well guarded and maintained. The enemy will have no power over us: body, soul and spirit.)

15 Blessed is the people of whom this is true;
blessed is the people whose God is the LORD.

(Summary: There is no need to fear spiritual wars. You will be blessed when you believe and practice the above, living the life of a citizen in the Kingdom of God, as a son of God, being led by the Holy Spirit, believing and living the word of God. You do not have any other option.)

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 144:2 Many manuscripts of the Masoretic Text, Dead Sea Scrolls, Aquila, Jerome and Syriac; most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text subdues my people
2. Psalm 144:14 Or our chieftains will be firmly established

_______________Bible verses on ongoing spiritual warfare

Ephesians 6:10-18(NKJV)

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

(Note: The full armor of God is spiritual, and includes praying in the Spirit. This has often been overlooked by Christians. The word of God and praying in the Spirit are the only two offensive weapons here.)

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NKJV)

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

(The enemy sets up strongholds in the minds of men. The battlefield is in the mind -our thoughts and emotions.)

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (NKJV)

3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

(The enemy blinds the minds of human and thus prevents them from believing the Gospel of Jesus and accepting Jesus as their Savior and Lord and are thus saved and delivered from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light.)

Final Journey in the Holy Spirit: A prodigal Son Returned

Watchman’s 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). Then he was led to read Mark on the full passage towards the end of Jesus’ ministry on earth: the humiliation He went …

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! )
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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.” 

End Times Watchman Bible Study: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

The watchman and his class found a dilemma in this verse. "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark9:24)

How can one have faith and still has doubt and unbelief at the same time? 

This requires immediate investigation. Many cannot receive the healing and deliverance from their diseases and weaknesses because of this contradiction in them. The watchman's study notes are in brackets.

Mark 9:14-32 

A Boy Is Healed

¹⁴ And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. ¹⁵ Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. ¹⁶ And He asked the scribes, “What are you discussing with them?”
¹⁷ Then one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. ¹⁸ And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.”

(A great multitude was there and they observed the physical condition of the sick boy and the failure of Jesus' disciples to cast out the mute demon from him. They were even arguing with the 'specialists' -scribes over the treatment of this medical or mental case. The disciples had been given authority and power by Jesus previously and had been successful in their healing ministry. So why did they fail this time? The patient's father of course complained to the master healer Himself. It was natural to react the way he did to failure and disappointment.) 

¹⁹ He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” 

(Jesus was not addressing the faithless crowd of bystanders or the patient and his father. They did not know Him or His power. Many had not even heard the full Gospel of the Kingdom of God and of Christ. Jesus was addressing His own disciples who had followed Him and lived with Him and witnessed His supernatural power and deeds. They had heard the full Gospel. They had been given authority and power by Him. Note how Jesus described them.)

²⁰ Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.
²¹ So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?”
And he said, “From childhood. ²² And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
²³ Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
²⁴ Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

(Note the conversation between the patient's father and Jesus. How can anyone be believing and not believing at the same time?  Was he telling lies? But the poor man was in tears. He was in front of a big crowd. Yet he continued pleading to Jesus to heal his son. So he must have heard of Jesus' power and believed that Jesus could do it. Yet, he admitted that he had unbelief. Amazing. This is the theme of today's message. Can we have faith and unbelief at the same time?)

²⁵ When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” ²⁶ Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” ²⁷ But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.

(Note how simple the matter was. Jesus merely commanded and the evil spirit obeyed and came out of the boy. The boy might have looked terrible when he was possessed. But Jesus saw the evil spirit and not the patient. In the spiritual realm Jesus' authority is recognized and obeyed.) 

²⁸ And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”
²⁹ So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting." **

(Note the conversation between the disciples and Jesus. The disciples were still obsessed with their job failure. They were looking at the physical  (body and soul -mind and emotion) realm, the humiliation and inadequacy they felt in not delivering the required result.) But Jesus did not answer them about this 'job' or 'performance assessment'. He revealed the true condition of their spirits. They were still living within the paradigm of their physical and natural world. they were unable to believe that Jesus' Father (God)'s world is real, even though they could not see it. Jesus had taught them and demonstrated to them the reality of God and that He is from God. But their hearts were hardened by their preoccupation with the physical and natural and unbelief of the spiritual reality.)

Those who are not spiritually discerned cannot understand the things of God. God is Spirit. The Pharisees and Scribes cannot understand. Christians are expected to know and understand. But Many cannot. Why? Spiritual discernment comes from diligently seeking God, belief in the spiritual reality of God (and His word), being led by faith and not by sight. These are all essential in order to know and understand the matters of God, that is, the matters as revealed by the Holy Spirit (often through the word of God).


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**Notes on FASTING: This does not mean certain evil spirits are so powerful that the disciples cannot cast it out even by Jesus Name. The fasting is for the disciples to cast their own flesh and unbelief of God’s spiritual reality. Unbelief nullifies their use of the Name of Jesus and the authority therein over spiritual beings (e.g. evil spirits). They did not believe because they were walking by sight and not by faith. Their hearts were hardened by the world and worldly knowledge. They could not discern spiritual matters because they were not led by the Spirit.

Fasting deals with our flesh and carnal man.  
Being a disciple means we need to deny ourselves (body, mind and emotion and everything that makes up us in the physical natural realm), take up our cross and follow Christ daily. Only sons of God are led by the Holy Spirit. Only when we walk and live by the Spirit, can we discern spiritual matters and war in the spiritual realm, taking the authority of the name of the Son of God, Jesus effectively.

 

Lament with HOPE: He will not crush the weakest reed

A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice  ~ Isaiah 42:3 NIV

 

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ³ He will not crush the weakest reed
      or put out a flickering candle.
      He will bring justice to all who have been wronged. 

 

 

A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory.  In his name the nations will put their hope. ~ Matthew 12: 20-21 NIV

 

 New Living Translation (NLT)  ²⁰ He will not crush the weakest reed
      or put out a flickering candle.
      Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.
 ²¹ And his name will be the hope
      of all the world.”^[a]

Footnotes:

1. Matthew 12:21 Isa 42:1-4 (Greek version for 42:4).

 Isaiah 42:1-4

New King James Version (NKJV)

The Servant of the Lord

42 “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold,
My Elect One in whom My soul delights!
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.
² He will not cry out, nor raise His voice,
Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street.
³ A bruised reed He will not break,
And smoking flax He will not quench;
He will bring forth justice for truth.
⁴ He will not fail nor be discouraged,
Till He has established justice in the earth;
And the coastlands shall wait for His law.”

 Ecclesiastes 3

New King James Version (NKJV)

Everything Has Its Time

3 To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:

² A time to be born,
    And a time to die;
A time to plant,
    And a time to pluck what is planted;
³ A time to kill,
    And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
    And a time to build up;
⁴ A time to weep,
    And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
    And a time to dance;
⁵ A time to cast away stones,
    And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
    And a time to refrain from embracing;
⁶ A time to gain,
    And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
    And a time to throw away;
⁷ A time to tear,
    And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
    And a time to speak;
⁸ A time to love,
    And a time to hate;
A time of war,
    And a time of peace.

The God-Given Task

⁹ What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? ¹⁰ I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. ¹¹ He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

Watchman laments, yet "Lord, Great is Thy Faithfulness!"

Lamentations 3

New King James Version (NKJV)

The Prophet’s Anguish and Hope

3 I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of His wrath.
² He has led me and made me walk
In darkness and not in light.
³ Surely He has turned His hand against me
Time and time again throughout the day.

⁴ He has aged my flesh and my skin,
And broken my bones.
⁵ He has besieged me
And surrounded me with bitterness and woe.
⁶ He has set me in dark places
Like the dead of long ago.

⁷ He has hedged me in so that I cannot get out;
He has made my chain heavy.
⁸ Even when I cry and shout,
He shuts out my prayer.
⁹ He has blocked my ways with hewn stone;
He has made my paths crooked.

¹⁰ He has been to me a bear lying in wait,
Like a lion in ambush.
¹¹ He has turned aside my ways and torn me in pieces;
He has made me desolate.
¹² He has bent His bow
And set me up as a target for the arrow.

¹³ He has caused the arrows of His quiver
To pierce my loins.^[a]
14 I have become the ridicule of all my people—
Their taunting song all the day.
¹⁵ He has filled me with bitterness,
He has made me drink wormwood.

¹⁶ He has also broken my teeth with gravel,
And covered me with ashes.
¹⁷ You have moved my soul far from peace;
I have forgotten prosperity.
¹⁸ And I said, “My strength and my hope
Have perished from the Lord.”

¹⁹ Remember my affliction and roaming,
The wormwood and the gall.
²⁰ My soul still remembers
And sinks within me.
²¹ This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.

²² Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
²³ They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
²⁴ “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!”

²⁵ The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.
²⁶ It is good that one should hope and wait quietly
For the salvation of the Lord.
²⁷ It is good for a man to bear
The yoke in his youth.

²⁸ Let him sit alone and keep silent,
Because God has laid it on him;
²⁹ Let him put his mouth in the dust—
There may yet be hope.
³⁰ Let him give his cheek to the one who strikes him,
And be full of reproach.

³¹ For the Lord will not cast off forever.
³² Though He causes grief,
Yet He will show compassion
According to the multitude of His mercies.
³³ For He does not afflict willingly,
Nor grieve the children of men.

³⁴ To crush under one’s feet
All the prisoners of the earth,
³⁵ To turn aside the justice due a man
Before the face of the Most High,
³⁶ Or subvert a man in his cause—
The Lord does not approve.

³⁷ Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass,
When the Lord has not commanded it?
³⁸ Is it not from the mouth of the Most High
That woe and well-being proceed?
³⁹ Why should a living man complain,
A man for the punishment of his sins?

⁴⁰ Let us search out and examine our ways,
And turn back to the Lord;
⁴¹ Let us lift our hearts and hands
To God in heaven.
⁴² We have transgressed and rebelled;
You have not pardoned.

⁴³ You have covered Yourself with anger
And pursued us;
You have slain and not pitied.
⁴⁴ You have covered Yourself with a cloud,
That prayer should not pass through.
⁴⁵ You have made us an offscouring and refuse
In the midst of the peoples.

⁴⁶ All our enemies
Have opened their mouths against us.
⁴⁷ Fear and a snare have come upon us,
Desolation and destruction.
⁴⁸ My eyes overflow with rivers of water
For the destruction of the daughter of my people.

⁴⁹ My eyes flow and do not cease,
Without interruption,
⁵⁰ Till the Lord from heaven
Looks down and sees.
⁵¹ My eyes bring suffering to my soul
Because of all the daughters of my city.

⁵² My enemies without cause
Hunted me down like a bird.
⁵³ They silenced^[b] my life in the pit
And threw stones at me.
⁵⁴ The waters flowed over my head;
I said, “I am cut off!”

⁵⁵ I called on Your name, O Lord,
From the lowest pit.
⁵⁶ You have heard my voice:
“Do not hide Your ear
From my sighing, from my cry for help.”
⁵⁷ You drew near on the day I called on You,
And said, “Do not fear!”

⁵⁸ O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul;
You have redeemed my life.
⁵⁹ O Lord, You have seen how I am wronged;
Judge my case.
⁶⁰ You have seen all their vengeance,
All their schemes against me.

⁶¹ You have heard their reproach, O Lord,
All their schemes against me,
⁶² The lips of my enemies
And their whispering against me all the day.
⁶³ Look at their sitting down and their rising up;
I am their taunting song.

⁶⁴ Repay them, O Lord,
According to the work of their hands.
⁶⁵ Give them a veiled^[c] heart;
Your curse be upon them!
⁶⁶ In Your anger,
Pursue and destroy them
From under the heavens of the Lord.

Footnotes:

1. Lamentations 3:13 Literally kidneys
2. Lamentations 3:53 Septuagint reads put to death.
3. Lamentations 3:65 A Jewish tradition reads sorrow of.

3-3-2012

Watchman Adventure: How does a watchman do his work?

How does a watchman work? He needs to wait upon the Lord and receive messages before he could do anything. Lately the watchman was led in his spirit to do or heed something differently. The overall message is: Be supernatural and be spiritual!

Watch and Pray for signs confirmed by the word of God.

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1. He resumed Sunday afternoon class urgently but with a difference. Instead of the usual teaching conducted by him or another, the class just read the Book of Mark, with everyone reading at the same time about eight chapters each in his own language. They were given about an hour to read and most managed to finish six chapters. Only one English teacher finished eight chapters.

After that he spent about half an hour sharing (with the help of a translator for non-English speaking audience) what the Holy Spirit wanted them to know about these passages. He went through the passages earlier and had some observations, but when he started to share what came forth was entirely Spirit led. When he completed the translator told him that she perceived that it was not from his mind.

Indeed, the watchman received a fresh message from the Gospel of Mark that it was all about authority, the authority of the Son of God, on how to live the Kingdom of God life on earth as in heaven. Jesus (the Son of God) was living and demonstrating to His disciples a supernatural lifestyle. To Him, it was normal. Being able to use His divine authority, calling for repentance, preaching the Kingdom of God message, healing the sick and casting out demons were part and parcel of everyday life. Making physical things that can be seen out of unseen resources like feeding 5000 thousand men plus women and children with only five loaves and two fish, and 4000 men plus with only seven loaves and a few fish, were normal. Commanding the natural elements to obey, wind and waves to stop, walking on water, and many more, were ordinary, normal events.

Of course, the Holy Spirit's giving birth to sons of God through the word of God (incorruptible seed), sons of God being led by the Spirit of God, being redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, and being justified by faith (believing in the unseen Son of God's giving His life 2000 years ago) etc. all supernatural happenings are normal to the Kingdom of God citizens too.

2. He was led to pray differently for another watchman who has suffered physical excruciating pain for about five months. After such a prolonged period of crisis, he has run out of words to intercede for the person. However, yesterday he was led to read Revelation 8 and 9. When he reached 9:5 he realized that that watchman was a type signifying the reality of end times. When he re-read Chapter 8, he realized the reason why a strange strong wind blew and one of his three tall trees was cut off side way just a few days ago. It was a sign for 8:7. But he asked the Lord for another confirmation and he was led to read Isaiah 24, all about end times. The end times signs and messages are on again with greater urgency. The two signs appeared after the Seventh Seal, at the first and fifth trumpet sounds (out of seven trumpets). Instead of praying for a local situation, he was led to look at the big picture!
3. He was also led to pray for another intercessor differently. For sometime he was feeling uncomfortable over a closed one (of younger generation), with similar spiritual calling and gifts of seeing visions and receiving prophetic words from the Lord. She appeared super-sensitive over even kindly advice like, not to utter complaints about her own loved ones. He asked the Lord how to pray. He asked for Bible prophet example. The answer came clearly and instantly, the prophet Micah. So he asked further what were the calling of the three of them at this time and space. He was asked to read Nehemiah 3:8. The two intercessors were helping to build the Jerusalem Broad Wall, being the goldsmith and the perfume maker. He is building next to them, as man from Mizpah (which means 'Watchtower')! Again, he was led to look at the big picture and not be distracted by petty localized 'symptoms'!

Summary: Read the word of God with freshness as led by the Holy Spirit; intercede with end times in mind; keep on rebuilding the "Jerusalem walls", focusing on God's big plan for human kind.