When Jesus came, He preached the good news. Yes. It's not sad news. It's not poor news. It's good news. Who among you doesn't appreciate hearing good news? I'm sure all of you do! Nobody really...
July 31, 2023
When Jesus came, He preached the good news. Yes. It’s not sad news. It’s not poor news. It’s good news. Who among you doesn’t appreciate hearing good news? I’m sure all of you do! Nobody really likes bad news, and unfortunately, we’re bombarded with plenty of it from the world around us. Yet, Jesus came to proclaim the good news, and in Greek, the word “gospel” means “too good to be true.” It’s an astonishing message that may seem almost unbelievable, but it is, in fact, undeniably good.
In economics, there’s a principle that when the supply surpasses demand, people tend to lose interest. Similarly, due to the overexposure of the gospel, we may have become complacent and accustomed to its profound message. We seem to have lost our sense of awe. This is especially evident among Christians who were born into the faith and grew up in Christian families. We forget what it truly means to be delivered from the clutches of darkness.
However, when we witness someone who has just experienced the goodness of the Lord, their life radiates with enthusiasm. They become indifferent to worldly concerns such as career, finances, or status. A newly born-again believer is profoundly in love with God because they recognize the incredible transformation they’ve undergone. They realize that they were rescued from the kingdom of darkness and brought into the kingdom of light. Embracing the light feels amazing, and their passion for God is evident.
On the contrary, we have grown too accustomed to God’s presence. We have become too familiar with the name of Jesus. Even though we are walking in the light, that initial passion to know Him deeply can fade away. We may get caught up in religious practices and lose sight of the core of our beliefs.
The good news of Jesus, the message of the cross, is undeniably good news. To those who are perishing, it may seem foolish, but for those who believe, it is the incredible power of God. Just as your prime minister holds significant power over the nation, imagine the magnitude of God’s power. He is the creator of not just the Earth, but the entire solar system, the Milky Way galaxy, and the vast cosmos. The gospel embodies the power of God.
Have you ever stopped to think about what God has in store for you? We may have only touched the surface of His blessings, barely scratching the potential of what lies beneath. Sometimes, we, as Christians who were born and raised in the faith, remain content with just skimming the surface and don’t venture deeper into our relationship with God. Consequently, we may feel weary, believing there is nothing more to discover.
But let me tell you, what you’ve experienced so far is merely the tip of the iceberg. Beneath the surface lies a tremendous mountain of blessings and experiences waiting for you. You haven’t seen it all yet! There’s so much more for you to experience! There is an abundance of God’s love, grace, and power waiting to be embraced.
Isn’t that great news? God has some wonderful news for your life: the power of God can become a reality in your life. When I read the gospels, I notice that Jesus never seemed upset about things like taxes or deadlines. Let me share a story with you about Jesus and money.
Even though some may not believe it, Jesus actually had money, and he had a treasurer responsible for handling it. So, there was money available to pay taxes when they needed to be paid. However, on one occasion, Jesus asked Peter to go fishing. He told Peter that the first fish he caught would have a coin in its mouth, enough to cover their taxes.
You might wonder why Jesus sent Peter to catch a fish instead of using the money they had in the money bag. Sometimes, when you are too focused on your bank account, it seems as if God intentionally withholds financial abundance to remind you of His presence and power in your life. He may do this out of jealousy, wanting to prove that He alone is your ultimate source of provision. I have personally experienced this in my life multiple times. Remember, your bank account is not the true source of your blessings; it is God who is your ultimate source and supply.
Imagine having an abundance of money, say 10 crore rupees. Picture yourself surrounded by ATM cards, feeling secure in your wealth. Now, let’s take a moment to reflect on a scenario where despite having all that money, you find yourself stranded in the wilderness. In such a situation, what purpose does that money serve? Can it quench your hunger or thirst? In moments of real need, money becomes futile.
It’s evident that we often place excessive emphasis on money, allowing it to dictate our lives. Education is pursued with the primary goal of securing a well-paying job. We spend years in school, obtaining bachelor’s and master’s degrees, all in pursuit of financial stability and success. Yet, even after entering the corporate world, we often find ourselves caught up in a never-ending rat race, always craving for more.
The good news of Jesus is that God has delivered you from the bondage of money and all other forms of enslavement. A striking example of this deliverance can be found in the story of the Israelites during their time in the wilderness. Despite possessing gold and silver, they faced hunger and challenges. However, God’s providence came to their rescue. He provided manna when they were hungry, meat when they desired it, and water gushed forth from a rock in response to their need.
What is impossible in your life that God cannot do? What are we truly worried about in the world? It feels like if you’re not worried, you’re not mature or serious. According to the world’s standards, maturity means worrying about finances, making long-term plans, and being stressed out. However, in the kingdom, maturity looks like being childlike and trusting God, just as Jesus said in Matthew chapter six. He questioned the need to worry about basic necessities like food and clothing when God takes care of even the birds and lilies. As God’s children, we shouldn’t think that He wants us to remain hungry or lacks the ability to provide for us. We can learn from the carefree and trusting nature of children, who don’t fret about such concerns when they are born.
It’s amusing to think that babies, just moments after being born, would worry about their parents’ finances or what type of milk they are being fed. The idea is to be childlike in our trust and faith, just like how babies completely rely on their parents without worry or stress. Similarly, we should understand that our provision is connected to an unlimited source – our heavenly Father. So, there’s no need to panic or have anxiety about our needs, as God takes care of us abundantly.
A supply is connected to an unlimited source, and here’s the important thing to remember: Every time we worry, we obstruct that supply. Let’s imagine this together: Picture yourselves on Earth, with a massive pipeline extending from heaven into your lives, delivering the abundant blessings from above. The devil cannot interfere with this supply, but he can try to undermine it by bombarding us with stress and worry, attempting to choke the pipeline. When we succumb to stress, we lose sight of looking upward to the divine supply and instead become fixated inward, asking ourselves what to do and feeling overwhelmed. However, we need to realize that Jesus has freed us from the curse of toiling and sweating for our sustenance. Work itself is a blessing, as it grants us purpose and the opportunity to be a blessing to others. The toil and sweat associated with work is the curse that Jesus delivered us from on the cross. Our aim should be to live our lives effortlessly, not striving in vain. If you find yourself struggling excessively, it may be time to seek deliverance today.
Christian life is not an easy life. In fact, it is impossible to live it on our own. However, there is hope, for only one person can truly live it, and that person is Jesus. The good news is that Jesus can live this impossible life through us. As believers, we can rely on Him to guide us and empower us to live according to His teachings.
Psalm 127:2 – It really is senseless to work so hard from early morning till late at night, toiling to make a living for fear of not having enough. God can provide for his devoted lovers even while they sleep.
This passage reminds us that our striving and toiling without God’s guidance are in vain. Working excessively and anxiously will not yield fruitful results. Instead, we should trust in God, and He will bless us with restful sleep.
Remember, Christian life is not about trying to achieve everything in our own strength, but rather, it is about surrendering to Jesus and allowing Him to work through us.
Beloved, while you sleep, He can provide for all your needs. You might think, “I need to wake up early for this meeting and the project competition is stressing me out.” However, God can bless you even as you rest. In fact, some of you just need to prioritize getting more sleep. Wondering why? Because staying awake excessively stresses your resources, causing strain on your supply. When you rest, God begins to work on your behalf. So, take the time to rest. And when I talk about sleep, I’m not referring to merely lying on the bed and stressing out.
As you close your eyes, all you can think is, “Good, good, good, good!”. When I talk about sleep, I mean genuine rest, and knowing that your heavenly Father has taken care of everything. It’s about placing your trust in the abundant supply of His goodness. When you wake up, there’s no room for anxiety. Instead, you wake up with a confident expectation that God is good, and He will reveal His goodness throughout the day. You’re excited, knowing that today is going to be amazing. You may not know all the details, but you trust that it will happen. You believe that God will come through.
Let’s look at the story of Elijah running away from Queen Jezebel after performing the miraculous act of calling down fire. He was scared for his life, and in that moment, the angel of the Lord appeared and told him to eat and rest. It highlights the importance of both physical and spiritual nourishment through rest.
When I talk about sleep, I mean more than just a physical act; it’s about embracing a state of deep trust and rejuvenation in the knowledge that God is in control. It’s about waking up with excitement and assurance that His goodness will manifest in our lives every single day.
Rejoicing in God’s Presence: The Key to Spiritual Strength
The formula for a supernatural breakthrough in your life comprises three essential things: eat, sleep, and laugh. If you can do this, you will always live in the supernatural abundant supply of God.
EAT – When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “give us our daily bread,” it may initially bring to mind the idea of asking for physical sustenance for the day. However, Jesus is not solely referring to physical bread. He intends a deeper meaning with this prayer. When he says, “give us our daily bread,” he is emphasizing the importance of relying on God’s Word as our spiritual nourishment. Jesus reminds us that we shouldn’t live by physical bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Therefore, “daily bread” symbolizes the Word of God, which we should seek daily to sustain our spiritual lives. So, when we pray for our daily bread, we are essentially asking God for His Word to meet our spiritual needs and provide us with the necessary guidance, wisdom, and strength to face each day. Just as we don’t skip a meal in our daily lives, we should not neglect seeking and consuming the Word of God regularly for our spiritual well-being. Jesus has spiritual bread for us every day, tailored to meet our specific needs. Hence, we should eagerly seek and partake of His Word daily.
Where will you find the strength to fight adversity and the challenges of each day? You need to feast on God’s word every day. Let me tell you, God can provide you with unique revelations daily that will blow your mind and posture your heart to operate at a higher frequency rather than a low one. A low frequency is when you feel anxious and stressed, not knowing what will happen. However, a higher frequency is when you confidently trust in God’s goodness. This transformation doesn’t occur just by adopting a positive mindset or making positive confessions. It happens through God’s word, as you are a spiritual being, not merely a mental one. It’s not just a mental exercise; it has to be a spiritual one. The word is the nourishment your spirit needs. Embrace the fact that you are a spiritual being.
Spend time with God’s word. Listen to what He has to say because life is not sustained by bread alone but by every word that comes from God’s mouth, every single day. I’m telling you, you have the opportunity to receive a unique revelation from God every day. You can hear His voice daily if you open your heart and earnestly seek to listen to Him. God grants His wisdom and guidance to those who hunger for it, not to those who are spiritually overfed. Sadly, there are too many overfed Christians, while the hungry ones are the ones who truly receive His spiritual nourishment.
SLEEP – Ensure you find enough time to rest in God’s presence. The author of Hebrews advises us to do everything it takes to enter into that rest, which might seem paradoxical – working hard to enter a realm of rest. However, rest is a realm that requires faith. You must make every effort to remain in that realm of rest, and it goes beyond merely closing your eyes and sleeping. Resting entails positioning your heart to stay in God’s goodness actively. It’s not a passive state; it’s actively participating in God’s goodness. For instance, you may be running late for a meeting, but you can still confidently affirm that God is good and that everything will turn out for your good. Regardless of the circumstances, you can remain steadfast in your confidence in God’s goodness.
LAUGH – The Bible says that the joy of the Lord is our strength, so we need to laugh. Now, let’s consider this: when I mentioned eating, do you eat? Or do you wait for the Holy Spirit to put the food in your mouth? You take the initiative of eating. So, when I said sleep, do you wait for the Holy Spirit to force you into sleeping? Or do you take the initiative? But when it comes to laughing, you wait for the Holy Spirit to make you laugh. I love what Pastor Ankit said. He said, “For God, it was easier to part the red seas than to part these two lips,” referring to our hesitation to laugh. We don’t have a problem eating. We don’t have a problem sleeping. But we do have a problem with laughing.
I’ll share something funny with you. So, for the past couple of weeks, I’ve been praying about the church and all of you. I’ve been asking the Lord to increase the church, and amazingly, the Lord led me to Isaiah 54:1. It says, “Sing, O barren one who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor, for the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married,” says the Lord.
I found this promise from God to women who are barren so incredible. The assurance that the children of the desolate will be more than those of the married ones is just amazing. I loved it so much that I put it on an app and kept meditating on it. Weeks passed by, and I continued meditating, even during sleep and throughout our trip. I read it repeatedly, “Sing, O barren one who did not break forth into singing. Cry aloud, you who have not been in labor for the children of the desolate. One will be more than the children of hers who’s married,” says the Lord. I kept meditating and confessing this promise over and over again.
And then, one day, it was like a light bulb turning on in my mind – “Sing! I’ve not been singing!” (laughs). It’s funny how sometimes we miss the obvious, even when we’re so deep in meditation. So, from that day on, I started singing with joy and thanksgiving, holding onto God’s promise with excitement and anticipation. What a delightful revelation it was!
I haven’t been singing; instead, I’ve been confessing the word and meditating on it. However, all this word tells me is to sing, sing. Although I haven’t been singing, I’m holding onto that verse, proclaiming it, confessing it, meditating on it, and listening to it day and night. But nothing will happen unless I start singing.
Let’s consider Genesis chapter 12 when God calls Abraham and tells him to leave his kindred and family and follow Him, promising to bless him and make him a blessing to nations. Now, if we paraphrase that promise, just imagine if Abraham had heard the voice of the Lord, said ‘Amen,’ wrote it in his journal, and confessed it day and night, claiming the blessing without obeying what the Lord had told him to do. What do you think would have happened?
Just obey what it says, that’s the key. The word I received was ‘sing,’ so I started singing – singing out, breaking forth in joyful songs and cries. I make sure to finish reading the Book of Psalms every month. Throughout Psalms, one common theme repeats again and again: ‘shout aloud with joy.’ It’s mentioned frequently in the Bible, and it’s a powerful reminder for us to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Sometimes God gives us a specific word when we are worried, and for some of us, that word is ‘rejoice.’ Rejoice in the Lord always – that’s what we need to do. Just confessing it won’t be enough; we must actually rejoice in the Lord always.
Perhaps this is where meditation comes into play – not neglecting it, but understanding that meditation must lead to action. Just like God instructed Joshua not to let the book of the law depart from his mouth and to meditate on it day and night, the purpose of meditation and confession is to put the word into action.
So when we receive a word like ‘rejoice in the Lord always,’ it’s not just a nice phrase to confess; it’s a call to action. We need to start practicing it as diligently as we consume God’s word and intentionally rest in His presence. It’s crucial to push our hearts to genuinely laugh and rejoice.
In the Old Testament, we see the Israelites facing impossible circumstances, surrounded by powerful enemies they couldn’t defeat with their own strength or technology. In those moments, they put down their weapons and chose to rejoice in the Lord. It wasn’t just a mere act; it was an expression of trust in God’s power and a declaration that they believed He would come through for them.
Some of us need to let go of our pride in education and careers, and we’ll witness an immediate turnaround from God in our circumstances. I’m not talking about a turnaround that takes days; I mean an immediate one – yes, amen! It’s about putting aside our swords, the things we take so much pride in, and humbly saying to God, ‘If you’re not with me, I’m nothing.’
Intentionally, we must adopt a posture of rejoicing in God’s presence, regardless of the circumstances – whether they are favorable or not. Our posture should not be defined by circumstances but by who God is. He is great, He is good, and I love Him. Because of His love for me, I have full confidence that things will turn around, and I will rejoice.
Eat, Sleep, Laugh, and rejoice in the presence of God. Rejoice! If you’re married, rejoice together with your spouse, and it’s amazing. If you’re not married, close the doors, put on some uplifting praise songs, and rejoice in the presence of God.
I remember when I was growing up, the only dance I knew was the ‘Mr. Bean dance’ , but jokes aside, if you can genuinely rejoice in the presence of God, it’s a beautiful thing. Rejoice in His presence!
Oh, and let me share something about Smith Wigglesworth, a man of great faith. They once interviewed him and asked about his routine. He said that the moment he wakes up, he jumps out of bed and does high-speed dancing for 10 to 15 minutes. Can you imagine what high-speed dancing is?
We attended this church growth conference, and all the pastors were dancing and running around. I must admit, after just one lap, I got tired and jokingly told one pastor, ‘I don’t mind dancing, but you need stamina too!’ But you know what? It really pushes your heart and takes you from a low frequency of stress to a high frequency of belief in God. I can feel it deep within. God is good – He truly is. I may not know what the day holds, but I have this unshakable conviction that God is good, and that’s enough reason for me to rejoice and be glad. I know it’s going to be amazing.
So, remember to eat, sleep, and laugh. Laughter isn’t something we should wait for the Holy Spirit to prompt; it’s something we can practice intentionally. Amen! Just like we intentionally feed on God’s word and rest in His goodness, we should also practice laughing and rejoicing.
rejoice in the Lord always – that’s what Paul wrote.
When Paul wrote those words, he wasn’t in a comfortable five-star hotel sipping iced tea; he was chained and imprisoned in a difficult situation. Yet, he chose to rejoice because he knew the reality of God’s presence. If we can tap into that reality, it will override and overcome any negative circumstances we may face. We can dwell completely in His presence, and it’s so intoxicating that we become addicted to God’s presence that we stop caring about the external factors. Even if I don’t get a cab, I’ll happily walk because I’m so immersed in His presence.
Have you seen happy people? They have a different kind of walk. Why? Because they are excited and filled with joy. To the world, it might seem childish, but in the kingdom, being childlike is a sign of maturity. Children may get offended quickly, but they also quickly get over it. We, on the other hand, hold onto offense, nurture it, keep it as a pet, and feed it. We need to be childlike in a positive way, letting go of offenses and learning to rejoice in the presence of our Father. Our source and supply are Him, not our job or company. When we live from a place of abundance and goodness, knowing that our lives are taken care of by God, nothing can hold us back. No challenge can enslave us. Rejoicing in God’s presence, being childlike, and trusting in His provision free us from bondage.
Psalms 2:2-4 – The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.”The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.
Imagine a scenario where nations, armed with their advanced technology and formidable armies, converge against you, and you find yourself standing alone. However, observe how God responds to this situation. As the Scriptures say, ‘He who sits in the heavens laughs.’ He is not afraid, worried, or anxious. When the enemy devises plans against you, the Lord laughs. It’s a lesson for us to learn – when faced with challenges, we can find strength in imitating our Father in heaven.
Even in difficult circumstances, when you may have experienced setbacks, or maybe even due to your own mistakes, God’s grace and deliverance prevail. In those moments, you can choose to look at the circumstances and laugh, for you are imitating God who resides in heaven. Embrace joy, not sorrow or weeping, for joy is the key to draw from the well of salvation that God has already deposited within you.
The moment you accepted Jesus, the gift of salvation was placed within you, not something external that comes from heaven. Now, you access that salvation with joy. So, make a conscious effort to laugh and rejoice, knowing that you are following God’s example and drawing from the well of salvation that is already within you.
Ensure these three things are present in your life every day: Eating, feeding on God’s Word; sleeping, resting in His goodness; and laughing, rejoicing in His presence. The importance of these practices lies in not giving any foothold to the enemy. Remember, the enemy has already been defeated and destroyed once and for all. This truth should be firmly held.
A couple of weeks ago, during a prayer session in the office, I received a vision that served as a word of knowledge for someone going through a time of deliverance. In the vision, I saw a snake on the floor, symbolizing the havoc it can cause in people’s lives. However, as people stood firm, they realized that the snake was right under their feet. The snake’s influence was unleashed only when individuals allowed stress and self-reliance to move them from their position.
The key to conquering the enemy’s influence is to stand firm in the truth, rely on God’s strength, and avoid being moved by stress or personal efforts. When you stand firm, you will notice that the soles of your shoes bear the marks of snake fangs, signifying that the devil is beneath your feet, defeated and powerless. He is not above you, nor superior to you.
Romans 16:20 – The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
With Jesus having already conquered Satan, the power to crush the defeated adversary lies within you. So, stand firm and crush the remains of Satan beneath your feet.
You know, someone asked me why, if Jesus already crushed Satan, we still face so many issues. The answer is that God wants to demonstrate to the cosmos that His children can crush the devil too. Jesus has already defeated the devil, disarmed him of all power and fangs. Now He encourages us to do the same. So, what should you do? Crush it. Crush it. Crush it again. The devil may appear to be a roaring lion, but he only pretends to be one.
He’s like a roaring lion, but he won’t bite. However, you must stand firm—stand firm on what Jesus has accomplished, on the finished work of Christ. As Jesus hung on the cross, He uttered one word in Greek, ‘Tetelestai,’ which means ‘It is finished.’ All your problems, sins, and illnesses are finished once and for all. So, don’t let them resurface. It is finished—completely finished. Stand firm and hold your ground in this battle. The stance given to you by your Father is one of unwavering firmness. You don’t have to move or worry about where the enemy’s attack will come from. Just stand firm in the victory secured through the finished work of Christ. It’s already yours.
If I’m going to play cricket, and I already know my team has won, that’s the end result. It’s like the match is fixed. Your match is fixed, guys! [laughs] So play freely. Play as if every ball is a free hit. You know, in cricket, a ‘no ball’ gives the batsman a ‘free hit.’ Play as if all the balls are free hits. How would you play if every ball was a free hit? I’ve seen batsmen play defensively when it’s not a free hit, but they turn aggressive on a free hit because they know they can’t get out, and normal rules don’t apply to them. So, they play freely and aggressively. Play aggressively, guys. You already know the match is fixed—you’ve won!
Live freely because Jesus has delivered you to live freely. The blessing of the Lord is not about having more money; it’s about being free from the obsession of money. It’s being free from the love of money. When you’re free from the love of money, even if you have to pay taxes, you just need to catch a fish. If you want water, you simply speak to the rock. Why? Because you no longer care about money. Money becomes a mere tool, not your master.
The blessing of the Lord is upon your life, and it has delivered you from everything. Jesus has even delivered you from yourself. Let’s take a moment to thank Jesus for delivering us from our moments of stupidity. I remember one incident when I was supposed to go to South Korea, but I procrastinated with my application until the last moment. I was stressed because someone had invited me, and they had planned everything, and I needed my visa to be stamped in time. I was really anxious, so I knelt before the Lord and pleaded, ‘Lord, please overlook my stupidity and grant me your grace.’
And the good news is, whether you find yourself in this situation due to your mistakes, someone else’s errors, or even intentional harm from others, the great news is that Jesus has delivered you. Once and for all, you are set free! You are delivered from the love of money, from sickness, and from any habitual sin that torments you. You are liberated from everything that has a name and even that which does not. Yes, you are set free! I’m telling you, my friends, you are set free! This is the good news of Jesus – freedom for you!
It’s one thing to be set free, but it’s an entirely different reality revealed in Ephesians chapter two. When Jesus became alive again after His death, you also became alive spiritually. You were raised up together with Jesus. As Jesus was elevated, so were you, and God made you sit with Him at the throne. You are seated with Jesus, not as a future event after death, but as a present spiritual reality.
our position is at the right hand of God, far above every power and principality in the world. I mean, think about it—all the nuclear power, all the authority of nations—nothing compares to your exalted position. You possess the same authority that God has. So, how foolish it is for us to worry about everyday concerns like food, promotions, or relationship issues when God has delivered and set us free. He can restore whatever needs restoration.