Currency Exchange

Every country has its own currency. While in a particular country, you need to use the currency of that country. Any other currency, even if it is of much greater value, is not useful to purchase anything!

The currency of the Kingdom of GOD is the Holy Spirit Who originates from the Heavenly Father. When we ask for Him and are humble to receive, He is poured into the wallet of our heart as love, filling us with joy and hope! We can then freely share this love with others. The more we release to others, the more love is released into the wallet of our heart!

Earthly money is absolutely valueless spiritually in GOD'S Kingdom. It can only be used with love to bless the needy, provide for the material needs of the servants of GOD and for the material needs of the  work of the Kingdom.

 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, 

from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 

but with the precious blood of Christ, 

as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 

1 Peter 1:18-19 

Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 

  And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands 

the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, 

"Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands 

may receive the Holy Spirit." 

  But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, 

because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 

  You have neither part nor portion in this matter, 

for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 

  Repent therefore of this your wickedness, 

and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 

  For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity." 

Acts 8:17-23 

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, 

nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, 

who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 

  Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, 

ready to give, willing to share, 

  storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, 

that they may lay hold on eternal life. 

1 Timothy 6:17-19 

 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, 

and though I give my body to be burned, 

but have not love, it profits me nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:3

GOD'S Kingdom values are quite contrary to earthly values, the bottom line being souls.

A million dollars cannot purchase one soul, but one soul that is saved by the love of JESUS can be GOD'S instrument to bring a million souls to salvation in JESUS!

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What are my most important criteria in making decision?

Money Profit?

Time Profit?

Convenience and Comfort?

Self Glory?

Or is it GOD'S glory and Kingdom Profit?

 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, 

and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 6:33

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PRESENTS!

Look back at yesterday with thankfulness to GOD.

Yesterday is past.

Look forward to tomorrow with hope in GOD.

Tomorrow is future.

Receive today with joy and gratitude to the LORD.

It is PRESENT and it is a PRESENT from the LORD!

As you live it with praise, His PRESENCE will fill your heart 

and you will live in His glorious PRESENCE!

You cannot change yesterday.

You do not know what tomorrow holds.

You can make the PRESENT different

by dying to 'self' and denying 'self'.

You can change your attitude towards GOD and others now.

Then, life will be different tomorrow!

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: 

"Today, if you will hear His voice, 

Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, 

In the day of trial in the wilderness,
Hebrews 3:7-8

Let your conduct be without covetousness; 

be content with such things as you have. 

For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 

So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; 

I will not fear. 

What can man do to me?" 

Remember those who rule over you, 

who have spoken the word of God to you, 

whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:5-8

Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, 

and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, 

will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Matthew 6:30

 'And now, carefully consider from this day forward: 

from before stone was laid upon stone in the temple of the Lord-

- since those days, when one came to a heap of twenty ephahs, 

there were but ten; 

when one came to the wine vat to draw out fifty baths from the press, 

there were but twenty. 

I struck you with blight and mildew 

and hail in all the labors of your hands; 

yet you did not turn to Me,' says the Lord. 

'Consider now from this day forward, 

from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, 

from the day that the foundation of the Lord's temple was laid-

-consider it: 

Is the seed still in the barn? 

As yet the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, 

and the olive tree have not yielded fruit. 

But from this day I will bless you.' "
Haggai 2:15-19

 And Moses said to the people, 

"Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, 

which He will accomplish for you today. 

For the Egyptians whom you see today, 

you shall see again no more forever. 

The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."
Exodus 14:13-14

 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. 

This was the Lord's doing; 

It is marvelous in our eyes. 

This is the day the Lord has made; 

We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:22-24

 And Jesus said to him, 

"Today salvation has come to this house, 

because he also is a son of Abraham;
Luke 19:9

 And Jesus said to him, 

"Assuredly, I say to you, 

today you will be with Me in Paradise."
Luke 23:43

For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, 

And in the day of salvation I have helped you." 

Behold, now is the accepted time; 

behold, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2

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VERSE

When the devil shoots at you with his lies and accusations,

verse him with a Scripture verse!

 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness 

to be tempted by the devil. 

And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, 

afterward He was hungry. 

Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, 

"If You are the Son of God, 

command that these stones become bread." 

But He answered and said, "It is written, 

'Man shall not live by bread alone, 

but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' 

" Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, 

set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, 

"If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. 

For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' 

and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, 

Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' 

" Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 

'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.' 

" Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, 

and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 

And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You 

if You will fall down and worship me." 

Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! 

For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, 

and Him only you shall serve.' " 

Then the devil left Him, and behold, 

angels came and ministered to Him.
Matthew 4:1-11

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Direction and Distance

Peter and Judas

The direction we are facing is more important than the distance we are, from our destination.

In other words, being far from the goal, yet turned in the right direction is better than being close but facing another direction!

 But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. 

And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.
Mark 14:54

Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, 

"Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely."
Mark 14:44

Peter still followed JESUS, but at a distance because he feared for his life.

It was his weakness. He was facing the right direction.

Judas had turned against JESUS our LORD.

He faced the opposite direction from the LORD but came so close to the LORD.

Close enough to kiss Him!

His heart was turned away from GOD towards money.

This was wickedness!

Cornelius

Although Cornelius was a gentile, his heart was turned in the right direction.

 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, 

a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 

a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, 

who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.
Acts 10:1-2

GOD used Peter to share the truth with Cornelius and many gentiles were even filled with the Holy Spirit before they were baptized!

 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, 

because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 

For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. 

Then Peter answered, "Can anyone forbid water, 

that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" 

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. 

Then they asked him to stay a few days.
Acts 10:44-48

Cornelius, as a gentile, was far from the Only True GOD, but his heart was turned towards that GOD. Therefore GOD revealed Himself to Cornelius and drew him close to Himself!

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 ME FIRST!

I must be the one to first to search my heart and my ways;

to repent of my sins and walk in obedience;

to correct my motives and attitudes;

and to experience restoration.

Then I will be in a good place to teach, exhort, rebuke and correct others!

Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; 

According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, 

Blot out my transgressions. 

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, 

And cleanse me from my sin. 

For I acknowledge my transgressions, 

And my sin is always before me. 

Against You, You only, have I sinned, 

And done this evil in Your sight-

- That You may be found just when You speak, 

And blameless when You judge. 

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, 

And in sin my mother conceived me. 

Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, 

And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. 

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; 

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 

Make me hear joy and gladness, 

That the bones You have broken may rejoice. 

Hide Your face from my sins, 

And blot out all my iniquities. 

Create in me a clean heart, O God, 

And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 

Do not cast me away from Your presence, 

And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, 

And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. 

Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, 

And sinners shall be converted to You. 

Psalm 51:1-13 

And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, 

but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 

  Or how can you say to your brother, 

'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; 

and look, a plank is in your own eye? 

  Hypocrite! 

First remove the plank from your own eye, 

and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. 

Matthew 7:3-5 

and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 

2 Corinthians 10:6 

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 KNEELING

Certain buttons on earth for the opening of heavenly doors, are more effectively operated with our knees than with our feet!

 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; 

Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. 

For He is our God, 

And we are the people of His pasture, 

And the sheep of His hand. 

Today, if you will hear His voice: 

Psalm 95:6-7 

Check it out!

If the path is unclear to you, simply kneel and seek the face of the LORD and you will be surprised with the clarity in your mind!

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Life in the Flesh and Life in the Spirit

Life in the Flesh and Life in the Spirit

I live in Perth, Western Australia. The above is a photo I took on the 31st of December 2021. We had a few very hot days this summer, the temperatures rising to above 40 degrees around Christmas! The appearance of the two trees in our backyard caught my attention. The bush had leaves that were burnt by the evening sun falling directly on it. I was surprised to notice the Olive tree, hovering over the bush that was exposed to the same sun, remaining green and fresh! As I sat in our patio observing these, the LORD gently revealed certain truths to me.

The Olive Tree according to its name 'O Live' depicts spiritual life while the bush depicts life in the flesh.

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Psalm 1:1-6

 Thus says the Lord: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, And shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited.

 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.
Jeremiah 17:5-8

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Romans 8:1-11

 Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine."
Ezekiel 47:12

 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Revelation 22:1-2

The transition needs to take place:

From the temporal to the eternal.

From the physical to the spiritual.

From law to grace.

From the carnal to the spiritual.

The spiritual must overtake the natural.

From the earthly to the Heavenly.

From Faith to Faith.

From Glory to Glory.

From gravity to glory.

From earth to Heaven.

VERSE

 VERSE

When the devil shoots at you with his lies and accusations,

verse him with a Scripture verse!

 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness 

to be tempted by the devil. 

And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, 

afterward He was hungry. 

Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, 

"If You are the Son of God, 

command that these stones become bread." 

But He answered and said, "It is written, 

'Man shall not live by bread alone, 

but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' 

" Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, 

set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, 

"If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. 

For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' 

and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, 

Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' 

" Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 

'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.' 

" Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, 

and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 

And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You 

if You will fall down and worship me." 

Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! 

For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, 

and Him only you shall serve.' " 

Then the devil left Him, and behold, 

angels came and ministered to Him.
Matthew 4:1-11

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Hit two birds with one stone

 

Hit two birds with one stone

Peter and Cornelius
Acts chapter 10

Two birds were hit with one stone!

GOD often does it!!

Peter had something to offer Cornelius and that was the knowledge of the LORD JESUS.

Cornelius helped Peter get rid of his prejudice of gentiles!

In every situation you are put in, look for the second dimension,

the other side of the coin.

If you are in a situation needing the help of healthcare workers to look after your body,

take your responsibility to intercede for them and impart spiritual blessings to them.

Let it be so with those who help you in many ways,

be it tradesmen, waiters, barbers, gardeners and so on!

Know the divine purpose in each situation and make sure the Kingdom exchange is fulfilled!

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Direction and Distance

 Direction and Distance

Peter and Judas

The direction we are facing is more important than the distance we are, from our destination.

In other words, being far from the goal, yet turned in the right direction is better than being close but facing another direction!

 But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. 

And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.
Mark 14:54

Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, 

"Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely."
Mark 14:44

Peter still followed JESUS, but at a distance because he feared for his life.

It was his weakness. He was facing the right direction.

Judas had turned against JESUS our LORD.

He faced the opposite direction from the LORD but came so close to the LORD,

close enough to kiss Him!

His heart was turned away from GOD towards money.

This was wickedness!

Cornelius

Although Cornelius was a gentile, his heart was turned in the right direction.

 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, 

a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 

a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, 

who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.
Acts 10:1-2

GOD used Peter to share the truth with Cornelius and many gentiles were even filled with the Holy Spirit before they were baptized!

 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, 

because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 

For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. 

Then Peter answered, "Can anyone forbid water, 

that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" 

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. 

Then they asked him to stay a few days.
Acts 10:44-48

Cornelius, as a gentile, was far from the Only True GOD, but his heart was turned towards that GOD. Therefore GOD revealed Himself to Cornelius and drew him close to Himself!

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