This Book of the Law

"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." Joshua 1:8 (NKJV)

Ordinarily, it is daunting for me to memorize a Scripture verse. However, on 17 November 2014, Joshua 1:8 took hold of me and I found myself memorizing it with relatively ease. There and then, the Word of God became alive as a rhema to me. 

That said, let's review and memorize Joshua 1:8 (J18) by breaking it down into the following chunks. We could start by memorizing the first chunk and then move on to the next, and right through to the final chunk. And, when we put all the memorized chunks together, we would have ingested J18!

This Book of the Law
What's going to capture most of our thoughts today? Is it going to be the economy, the newspaper, the latest movie, some sports event, another celebrity showing off or acting badly, Huffington Post, Twitter, Facebook, Yahoo!, Instagram, YouTube or some other things which could crowd out the Word of God?

After reading this article, just try recalling J18 and you will see how often your mind would have drifted to other things if you do not make a conscious effort to direct your attention back to J18. You could be in your prayer closet but your mind is drifting. Or you could be in a crowded subway and yet reviewing J18 loud and clear in your mind. 

Let's choose to focus on "This Book of the Law" more than our problems, regrets or hung-ups.

shall not depart from your mouth
As we mutter the Word of God to ourselves so that we actually hear it, it would be easier for His Word to take root in us. 

By the by, the Scripture verse or passage which we have been speaking out of our mouths will become established in our inner man, and the Holy Spirit would help us recall them as a Sword of the Spirit to stand our ground in the face of adversity and fight the good fight of faith.

Why not to try looking at ourselves in the mirror and preach His Word to the person in the mirror? This way we can see how truly persuaded we are that the Word of God is faithful and true.

but you shall meditate in it day and night
As we meditate (the note in my Holy Bible says "ponders by taking to himself") on the Word of God, we shall be be "like a tree planted by rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in season, whose leaf shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper." (Psalms 1:3; NKJV)

However, let's not meditate on God's Word out of compulsion or a sense of duty. Rather, let's take delight in meditating on His Word (Psalms 1:2) and thereby learn to live life according to God's Way. And, experience His Blessing!

that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it
The Word of God is like an instruction manual on how to operate our life as God has originally intended. If we choose to disobey, then we will malfunction and learn the lessons of life the long and hard way. 

The emphasis here is not to be just a hearer but also a doer of God's Word. The Holy Spirit brings afresh to us the Word of God through Paul, praying "that you may have a walk worthy of the LORD, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;". (Col. 1:10; NKJV)

The grace of God is not cheap, but it is freely given to us. Our part is to grow in love with God and His Word so much so that His Word becomes a part of our spiritual DNA and we become more like Jesus, walking in God's way and speaking words of the Holy Spirit and of life.  

For then you will make your way prosperous
Ahem, who makes our way prosperous? We are the ones who make our ways prosperous. God is all for us to succeed in life. Often the problem is the man in the mirror -- ourselves! 

Let's be wary lest we become the greatest hindrance to living the good live in our spiritual Goshen. We do well to take heed of J18 and let the Word of God be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalms 119:105).

We could do a daily spiritual check-up before God who has perfect knowledge of man. "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalms 139:24; NKJV)

and then you will have good success.
As we do things according to God's way and become prosperous, we will then enjoy the land of milk and honey. God is the source of our success, but our obedience to His Word is the key to our success. All glory be to God for the fruit of victory!

Not only would we and our loved ones be rejoicing over our success, but God jumps in to celebrate His children's success, as well. "The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you in His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17; NKJV)


Now that we have memorized J18 successfully, the next stage would be to meditate on it by muttering and/or speaking it to ourselves. Review our thoughts during the course of the day and consciously re-direct our thoughts to J18 and speak it out to ourselves whenever we have some time alone. 

We could apply the same to other Scripture verses like Psalms 119:105 and Isaiah 41:10, and so forth. And, we shall experience the power of God's Word that proceeds out of our mouths! 

Welcoming the Holy Spirit

As a follower of Jesus Christ you may well be accustomed to welcoming the Holy Spirit into your life afresh at the start of each new day. But, maybe just like me, you would welcome Him in general by, say, asking for His anointing to live another victorious day ahead.

While attending the Saturday service at City Harvest Church on 1 November 2014, I was enlightened by Pastor Kong Hee on four specific areas in which we could welcome the Holy Spirit.

As adapted from Pastor Kong's sermon, we can specifically:

1. Welcome the Holy Spirit into our Thoughts

The entrance of God's Word is a light which gives us hope or vision for the future. To teach us the Word of God, we have the Holy Spirit who will illuminate our thoughts so that we could understand the things of God.

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of revelation who reveals the secrets or mystery of spiritual truths. It is God's will for the saints to know His truth, but we need the Holy Spirit to make the truth plain to us. "To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Col. 1:27; NKJV)

The Holy Spirit has the power (ability) to impart spiritual wisdom to us. This was Apostle Paul's prayer for the saints in Ephesus, "... that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,.." (Eph. 1;17-20; NKJV)

As we synchronize our thoughts with the written Word of God (logos) in the realm of the Spirit (the 4th Dimension), our 3-Dimensional world will be shaped and influenced so much so that we can flourish like a tree planted by rivers of water, fruitful, evergreen and prospering in life. (Ps. 1:2-3)

2. Welcome the Holy Spirit into our Visions and Dreams

We may have buried visions, borrowed visions or original visions. If we do not have a clear vision and/or dream yet, we can keep praying until it is done in the 4th dimension (i.e., the realm of the Holy Spirit). 

The Holy Spirit will not fail us; He incubates our visions and dreams. "And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams." (Acts 2:17; NKJV)

3. Welcome the Holy Spirit into our Believing

In Mark 9:17 ~ 21, a man brought his son who has a mute spirit before Jesus Christ for healing and made this remark: "But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

"Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” " (v.23)

"Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”" (v.24)

We need the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us to have right believing in the Word of God; He will deposit the spirit of faith into our inner man.

4. Welcome the Holy Spirit into our Words

Let the Holy Spirit teach us to speak words of blessing to ourselves. For example, we could say: 

"I am healthy, wealthy, wise, decisive, consistent, strong and full of the fruit of the Holy Spirit." 

"I am blessed and highly favoured." 

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." 

"I am the head and not the tail, above only and not below, blessed in my coming in and going out." 

"No weapon formed against me shall prosper."

Even when I was attending my first few services in City Harvest Church at Jurong West around 2005 or so, I recall Pastor Kong declaring that we (the saints and joint heirs with Christ) are "the head and not the tail". 

For sure, I had heard this before. But, when he spoke those words, they permeated into my spirit man. Yes, it does make a big difference who speaks the logos. When spoken by a man or woman who knows God and walks with His Spirit closely, there is power in what they speak based on the Word of God.  

Takeaway

My spiritual takeaway from this message is that there could be areas of our lives such as family relationships, studies, work, ministry or business which may appear like in the beginning when the heavens and the earth were without form, and void. (Genesis 1:1,2)

However, as we allow the Holy Spirit to hover over our thoughts, visions, dreams, beliefs and spoken words, we will be so in tune with God's Word (His mind) that we will begin the speak forth His Word for the Holy Spirit to empower and create a brand new beginning in these areas which have been hopelessly challenging up till now.

"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God." (1 Cor. 2:12; NKJV)

P.S. If you interested, please click here to check out resources by Pastor Kong Hee.

TITHING: THE TRIGGER OF FAITH by Kong Hee

(Source: City Harvest Church news bulletin, November 1 - 2, 2014)

When the prophet Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the broken city walls, the first few things he did were to restore the teaching of God’s Word, the weekly worship and –TITHING (Nehemiah 10:37-39). Why was tithing so important when it came to rebuilding the city? In fact, further down in Neh. 13:10-12, the prophet said, “I also realized that the portions for the Levites had not been given them … So I contended with the rulers, and said, ”Why is the house of God forsaken?”

The word “tithing” means “1/10” or “10%” of your increase or your income. It is important for three reasons:

#1: Tithing expresses HONOR.
Tithing is a powerful way of honoring God. Prov. 3:9-10 says to “Honor the Lord with your possessions. And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.” That’s the tithe! When we give to God our tithe (10%), we are telling God in no uncertain terms, “Lord, everything I have is Yours.”

#2: Tithing expresses GRATITUDE.
In Matt. 6:21, Jesus says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” If we desire to stay connected to God’s house, we must put “a part of our treasure” – our tithe – in our church. Every month, when we work out our tithes, we are reminded of the faithfulness of God. When we give toward our church, it locks our hearts to our Lord Jesus and the vision He has given to City Harvest.

#3: Tithing expresses LOVE and WORSHIP.
The first time the word “love” and “worship” appear in the Bible, it has to do with Abraham’s giving (Gen. 22:1-5,12). Abraham was so willing to give his son Isaac to the Lord because in his heart, he loved and worshipped the Lord. God Himself demonstrated this same love to us – He gave us His only begotten Son. Like giving the tithe, God gave Jesus Christ to express His love and devotion for us.


Now, what happens to the tithe and offering that is collected in the house of God every week? The Bible spells out three uses of the tithe we bring to God:

In-reach (Manpower) Num. 18:21, 24 “the Sacred Tithe” – Tithes are used to pay the wages of the full-time workers in the house of God.

Up-reach (Ministry) Deut. 14:23 “the tithe for the feasts” – In our modern day context, the tithes provide for the ministry and events of the church that help people grow in their walk with God.

Out-reach (Mission) Deut. 14:28-29 “the tithe for the lost and needy” –This was also called the tithe for the lost and needy, in other words, for evangelism and missions.


When we are faithful to tithe as God’s people, we will trigger seven great blessings of God laid out in Mal. 3:10-12.

Bring in all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house (STRONG CHURCH);

If I will not open for you the windows of heaven (OPEN HEAVEN); 

And pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it (SUCCESS);

And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes (VICTORY);

So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground (PRODUCTIVE CAREER);

Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field (PROFITABLE INVESTMENTS); and

All nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land (GLOBAL INFLUENCE & LEGACY).

To date, there are 77 churches in City Harvest’s network of affiliate and associate churches. Apart from these, we also have thousands of graduates from the School of Theology involved in the harvest fields of world. The message of the Great Commandment, the Great Commission and the Cultural Mandate is seeing contemporary churches sprouting all throughout Asia. Such influence and impact could only come about with financial resources. Without faithful tithers, the work of the kingdom could not have taken place on such a global stage.

City Harvest, let’s put God FIRST in our lives and let’s be MINDFUL of the work of the gospel. Make a decision to be a faithful tither and a generous giver!





Preaching the gospel of Christ in a way that’s both progressive and heartfelt, Dr. Kong Hee is a highly sought-after conference speaker worldwide, and his messages minister to millions of people around the world who are inspired to become true ambassadors for Christ wherever God has placed them. Kong is also the founder and senior pastor of City Harvest Church – a thriving, contemporary congregation in the heart of Singapore. His international TV program, Alive! With Kong, encourages millions around the world each week. For more information on Kong’s ministry and materials, please visit konghee.com. 


http://edition.konghee.com/