Greatly Blessed, Highly Favoured and Deeply Loved!: Be At Peace Let Nothing Snatch Away Our Peace

By Josephine Lim Weston

Thought of sharing the following scripture verses with you all in the midst of all the uncertainties happening around us. Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away" (Luke 21:33). The followings are my favourite scripture verses that have carried me through every season of life from believing for breakthrough, healing, finding a job to life partner, etc. So I hope these will also encourage you and put your heart at rest and peace in Christ Jesus.

Proverb 3:5-10

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.

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.

Matthew 6

31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Mark 11

22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.

23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever *says* to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he *says* will be done, he will have whatever he *says*. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, *believe that you receive them*, and you will have them.

Recently I heard from one of the sermons about John G Lake that during the bubonic plague breakout in South Africa, he helped buried the dead while others didn't dare to touch any of the deceased and he proved to the doctors under microscope that the bubonic plague foam (the live germs) from the lungs of the deceased person once placed on the palm of his hand the live germ died instantly. Many puzzled and asked him how he did it. He answered them with Romans 8:2. You can read more about what he did during the bubonic plague in South Africa from this link: https://m.facebook.com/thechurchatnewbern/posts/3692333340838626. Hence this scripture becomes one of my favourites in the face of the current pandemic:

Romans 8:2

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

Two weeks ago someone from my current church posted on our church whatsapp chat that she was ashamed of being hooked into the false health, wealth and prosperity gospel and now she just wanted to focus on Christ Alone. Quite a number of my church members agreed with her. While inside my heart, I just couldn't bear to just watch and do nothing as I've seen on numerous occasions whenever someone posted on the chat requesting for prayer for their family members, friends, colleagues, neighbours etc who are in hospital or had a fall or sick, etc rarely anyone (dare) to ask for prayer of healing or reply about praying for that person to be healed or restored, etc. I know it's strange but this is what happens, so now with this lady in church posting this comment it just proved how scared or a taboo to mention health, healing, prosperity, etc. Initially I thought just keep quiet as it's none of my business as most likely if I respond surely I will face oppositions. After a few days of keep seeing messages from church members supporting her statement or testimony (some people called it) I decided after receiving floods of scripture verses (from God) that proved health, healing, wealth and prosperity in fact originated and came from Him I decided to share all those scriptures from the Bible onto the church whatsapp. Of course I received oppositions at first but these were down to less than a handful after I showed them scripture after scripture from the Bible. The lady then decided to mention name of an evangelist who said that if you “sow” into his ministry you will receive your healing and another man from the chat group also mentioned another evangelist who did the same so I shared with them the following passage of scripture:

Acts 8:18-20

18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!

The reason why I had to respond is not to show how well I know the word of the Lord but because the Bible clearly states (Isaiah 53:5) by Jesus' stripes and wounds (on his body) we are healed. It clearly states that (2 Corinthians 8:9) though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. He made us rich not for us to show others how rich we are but to share what we have with one another so we will all be equal. I know that each time any preacher mentions these words health, healing, riches, prosperity some people will straight away jump into conclusion here it goes (false) health, wealth and prosperity gospel. I believe because the enemy (Satan) was so afraid that once God's children know about this truth/fact about health, healing, riches, honour and prosperity actually came from God and He really wants to bless His children with all these then they will all be healthy and generous people. Such that he had to turn this truth into taboo and "no go zone or topic" so as to rob them of their health, healing, riches, etc and remain in bondage to or complacent with sickness and having poverty mentality. I emphasised here that we are to (Matthew 6:33) seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. We can't seek health or healing without seeking the healer first. We can't expect to be rich if we aren't tithing or giving to others when God prompted our hearts to bless someone, etc. Do you know that it has been said 80% of Christ's ministry on earth was healing and deliverance. So do you know now how our loving Saviour cares for our health and wellbeing too.

Another person in the chat mentioned also that we are not to take from God but to give to Him instead. So I replied " In the Gospel of Matthew 20:20–28 and the Gospel of Mark 10:35–45, Jesus explains that he "came as Son of man to give his life as ransom". ... For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. God wants to be our Lord, the giver and be our best friend in everything that concerns us. We can't give to God (although we can give our life to God and that also was actually given by Him) without first taking from Him then we can give and serve others.

John 15:15

I do not call you servants any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you *[My] friends*, because I have revealed to you *everything* that I have heard from My Father.

John 10:10

(Jesus said) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly.

John 15:5

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

In my opinion humility is not "God I don't want to take from you. I just want to give to you." Humility is "Lord I know my good works are like filthy rags and can't compare to you, but strengthen and equip me Lord, I need your wisdom, provision, grace and power of the Holy Spirit to do this and that for the glory of your name." We can't give what we don't have. He is our vine we need all the nutrition, resources and help we can get to strengthen, enable and sustain us to serve our loved ones and people God has placed in our midst.

1 Peter 5

5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

God resists the proud,

But gives grace to the humble.

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you."

These two weeks have not been easy but I think it's worth standing up for the truth of God's word. I hope those who have ears will hear. I hope some of those who read this will be liberated and not afraid to pray and seek healing if you aren't feeling well and obtain wisdom and help from God regarding your financial situation being many people suffering from job losses or pay cut due to lockdown and unsustainable business. (Hebrews 11:40) God had planned something better for us, so that together with us they would be made perfect.

I do not know what the leadership and church members' reaction toward me is going to be when eventually we meet again after the lockdown is lifted because I rebutted all the false accusations and made known of my belief; but God assured me that I should surrender all my cares to Him and let nothing or no one snatch the peace of God from my heart and I should also pray for my church leadership, members and bless them.

Following what happened on my church whatsapp (as I've always thought others are better leaders than me) God impressed on my heart the following revelation:

Empowerment, equipping, love, gracious and love truth are traits of a good leader. So long as you keep the above in your leadership practise, God will honour and prosper your leadership, career, ministry, business, etc.

There are many leaders who want to control, being rigid and legalistic so that will curtail growth. That's why Jesus said make disciples of all nations so they can go and do likewise. Discipleship is empowerment.

No matter what situation we are in right now that troubling our hearts and thoughts, God said (John 14:26 - 27), "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid."