Showing posts with label financial freedom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label financial freedom. Show all posts

September 25, 2010

End Times Witnessing: How a watchman got a tip for Investment at end times


Today’s topic is part of his revelations on end times personnel and strategies for survival. On the previous day he has asked the Lord what to invest as he has spent half a day studying the market and found nothing to invest! But he could not go on parking funds in the bond market or worse in Banks’ demand deposit accounts. Then he heard the word, ‘Joseph’ when he was driving. He discussed this issue at length with the Lord as he thought he could not possibly find suitable grain or other staple food stocks worth investing. In any case the stocks (papers ownership) would be useless when the man of lawlessness (via totalitarian state control) takes over practically everything. He could not start buying up grains and stock them as Joseph did. He could not buy and physically supervise farms and lands producing grains or other essential produce for end times survival. The conversation or rather monologue was futile. He thought he has heard wrongly.
He woke after an hour sleep and discovered that he was still in conversation in his dream with the Lord asking for further clarifications. He is like the bull dog who hangs on to the bitten object after just one bite. He would not let go like the two blind men outside Jericho who cried to the Lord Jesus for mercy (to attract His attention to heal their blindness) even louder when others yelled at them to be quiet. Indeed, two hours later he got the answer and so he jumped out of bed!
The answer is these are the ones to be raised at end times: Jabez, Joseph etc. They are the strategic pieces placed at various positions ready to be operative. Then the watchman realizes that he has received messages not necessarily for his own tiny little world but a big picture overall. The messages are like the visions he saw, to answer his question about the big picture of Christian future.
This is of course just a tip without detail. He is asked to read the Bible and let the Holy Spirit decode the message. Without the Teacher Himself, he is unable to proceed further on this important topic.
However, it is still relevant to summarize some characteristics of the Biblical Joseph:
1. He is a very unlikely candidate for high and powerful political and economic position in an alien country.
2. He suffered unusual prolonged hardship under which a lesser (godless) being would have collapsed or being crushed much earlier.
3. He is placed in extremely tested positions/situations before his opportunity for breakthrough comes.
4. He well positions himself next to the most powerful man by sheer diligence, faithfulness and wisdom (through his belief and faith in God, determination to live honorably before God) in every situation. Every level of servitude is a school of useful learning and practical stepping stone for him for the next level.
5. He is ready for any opportunity that offers him the elevation he needs and is able to shine like a precious diamond once his dust is removed.
Today’s Joseph may come from any regions or any public or private sectors. The watchman suggests that he probably has access to any strategic organizations that are positioned to control staple food supply. How? This is not for the watchman to answer.
Intercessor/watchman’s role is to pray for many godly Josephs to surface and rise to the occasions as they have already been well positioned. Pray for accurate discernment of the signs of the time and spiritual clarity to execute their operational role faithfully, thus saving many just as Biblical Joseph did three thousands five hundred years ago.
Prayer is the only spiritual key to start the physical engine into operation. O watchman, watch and pray!

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Bible Verses “the Lord was with Joseph”:
  1. Genesis 39:2
    The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master.
    Genesis 39:1-3 (in Context) Genesis 39 (Whole Chapter)
  2. Genesis 39:3
    Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did.
    Genesis 39:2-4 (in Context) Genesis 39 (Whole Chapter)
  3. Genesis 39:21
    But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden.
    Genesis 39:20-22 (in Context) Genesis 39 (Whole Chapter)
  4. Genesis 39:23
    The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. TheLord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.
    Genesis 39:22-23 (in Context) Genesis 39 (Whole Chapter)
  5. Deuteronomy 33:13
    Moses said this about the tribes of Joseph:“May their land be blessed by the Lord with the precious gift of dew from the heavensand water from beneath the earth;
    Deuteronomy 33:12-14 (in Context) Deuteronomy 33 (Whole Chapter)
  6. Joshua 17:14
    The descendants of Joseph came to Joshua and asked, “Why have you given us only one portion of land as our homeland when the Lord has blessed us with so many people?”
    Joshua 17:13-15 (in Context) Joshua 17 (Whole Chapter)
  7. Judges 1:22
    The descendants of Joseph attacked the town of Bethel, and the Lordwas with them.
Gen. 41: 37-44  Joseph Made Ruler of Egypt
37 Joseph’s suggestions were well received by Pharaoh and his officials. 38 So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?” 39Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are. 40 You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.”
41 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the entire land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and placed it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in fine linen clothing and hung a gold chain around his neck. 43 Then he had Joseph ride in the chariot reserved for his second-in-command. And wherever Joseph went, the command was shouted, “Kneel down!” So Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of all Egypt. 44 And Pharaoh said to him, “I am Pharaoh, but no one will lift a hand or foot in the entire land of Egypt without your approval.”


September 20, 2010

The Jabez "Kinsman Redeemer" Revelation

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

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

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

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

Jabez is the odd one out. He was given two verses 9-10 in Chapter 4 of 1 Chronicles. There was no mention of the names of his parents, siblings, wife or descendants if any. The significance of this solitary man is: his name means distress or pain, but he is more honorable than any of his brothers and that he is the one who prays to the God of Israel. And God answered his prayer.
The content of Jabez’s prayer is listed below:
O that You would bless me.
And expand my territory!
Please be with me in all that I do,
And keep me from all trouble and pain!

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

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

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

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

He is hardworking and puts his heart to do a good job. He asks God to be with him in all that he does.
He is after God’s blessings. Imagine bearing the name which is a curse from man. But he turns the name into a blessing from God! He wants to become a ‘kinsman redeemer’. Did he succeed? Yes, because this episode is recorded in the Book of God. This is a testimony of a man who successfully puts his faith into action.
The summary of this man’s life is in the declaration that “And God granted him his request.”

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

He rejoiced at the presence of the Lord in his life. Indeed the Kinsman Redeemer Yeshua Himself is in his life. He could feel how David must have felt when he proclaimed in Psalm 16:11 “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever.” (wisdom and joy of the presence of God)
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Relevant Bible verses on the principles of life (as those applied by Jabez)
Psalm 27:8 “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’” (hear and obey God)
Matthew 5:5 “God blessed those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.” (be humble and be blessed with land)
Hebrews 11:6 “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.” (God is pleased with faith in action)
Psalm 27:10-12a “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close. Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me, do not let me fall into their hands.” (God loves and saves those who trust and depend on Him)
Psalm 16:5-6 “Lord, You alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. The land You have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance!” (God is the believer’s inheritance)
Psalm 16:11 “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever.” (wisdom and joy of the presence of God)
Psalm 17:6 “I am praying to You because I know You will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.” (David is a man with great faith in prayer)
Matthew 5:13 “And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.” (obey and practice the prayer that the lord Jesus has taught His disciples to pray daily; Jesus knows what we need to live a victorious life daily)
Matthew 7:7 “Keep on asking and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” (the power of consistent prayerful life)
Isaiah 56:7b “I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices, because My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” ( a man of prayer is pleasing to God!)
Malachi 3:10-16 The Lord challenged the Israelites to bring all their tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in the Temple. Then He will open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing so great that they won’t have enough room to take it in. “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. (faith in action reaps great rewards!)
Galatians 3:13-14 Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When He was hung on the cross He took upon Himself the curse for our wrongdoing. Through Christ God has blessed us with the same blessing He has promised to Abraham. (the curse from sin broken forever)
Genesis 13:14-17 God promised the land as far as Abraham could see, “Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.” Abraham claimed the land physically. But he did not restrict himself seeing only the physical geographical land that he was stationed at that point of time. He saw a vast future land in his spirit. So do we, his descendants by faith. (Gal.3:7 “The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God.” )
Proverbs 10:4 “Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich.”

Biblical worldview: how to reconcile?

 What happens when my generation is gone?  https://wp.me/pzRwB-9w7