GOD-MOMENTS GIVE YOU SUCCESS

22 Feb 2009

2nd Service — preached by Joseph Prince

[CD was of the 4th service]

Terence eating St. Peter's Fish on 9 Nov 2008. Ecclesiastes 9:12 tells of how some are caught like fishes in a cruel net. But Praise be to God! We, Believers, are caught in Jesus' net and are blessed by being in the right place at the right time.

RECORD ATTENDANCE

Psalm 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves [with him].

It was announced that the amount collected on 15 Feb 2009 (Miracle Seed Sunday) was SGD 18,826,761 — which was a 4.6% increase over the last Miracle Seed Sunday on 20 April 2008. There was also a new record church attendance at 21,343 persons.

TIMES THAT WE ARE IN

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

God wants us to have good success even in these times that we are in.

Ecc 3:15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

History, in a sense, repeats itself. We can look at the bible stories as something which are happening right now and are applicable to our present day circumstances. Bible stories are not purely past tense. In other words, we can see the events playing out today encapsulated in type form in scriptures written in the past. Moreover, the Word of God is living and speaks to us differently at different times. You may read a verse today in a fresh way and see things in that passage which you did not in the past.

King Solomon asked God for Wisdom. Wisdom is the key that opens all the other doors.

1 Kings 3:12-13 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.

Proverbs 3:13-16 Happy [is] the man [that] findeth wisdom, and the man [that] getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it [is] better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She [is] more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days [is] in her right hand; [and] in her left hand riches and honour.

WHEN SOLOMON RETURNED TO THE LORD

Solomon was and remains the richest ever human being on earth, he enjoyed every material possession and partook of every form of leisure and entertainment. However, later in life married many strange women who were not believers in the Lord, as a result, he became backslidden and depressed. The book of Ecclesiastes records this period of his life where he is backslidden and the comments he makes about life while in this state, in other words, these are statements by mortal man and not inspired by God. In this state, he is “under the sun” and “all is vanity and vexation of spirit” (Ecc 1:14). Solomon’s wisdom remained intact throughout. Therefore in the 2 instances, where it recorded that Solomon “returned” — he came to his senses — in Ecc 4 verses 1 and 7, and Ecc 9:11, it is important to read and pay attention to the comments he makes in those chapters.

RETURN — TESHUVA

The Hebrew word translated into English as “returned” in Ecc 9:11 is תשובה (Transliteration: teshuva) which also carries the idea of repentance. In the Hebrew mind, repetance carries the idea of returning. Returning to what?

We see that the last Hebrew letter in teshuva is hey — ה

Hey we know symbolizes — GRACE!Repentance is thus a return to the Grace of of LORD!

TIME AND CHANCE HAPPEN TO THEM ALL

NKJV Ecc 9:11 I returned and saw under the sun that– The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.

NLT Ecc 9:11 I have observed something else in this world of ours. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise are often poor, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being at the right place at the right time.

KJV Ecc 9:12 For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so [are] the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

NIV Ecc 9:12 Moreover, no man knows when his hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so men are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them.

‘ETH, PEGA’, QARAH

The Hebrew word translated into “time” in Ecc 9:11 is transliterated as ‘eth

(Strong’s 6256)

The Hebrew word translated into “chance” in Ecc 9:11 is transliterated as pega’ (Strong’s 6294)

The Hebrew word translated into “happen” in Ecc 9:11 is transliterated as qarah (Strong’s 7136)

Today, the battle is not always to the strong. Neither does success belong always to the fastest. In today’s world, it does not matter with whom you are connected, or which bank or investment house, you are associated with, as tomorrow they may all collapse. Today success does not depend on whether you are swiftest to access financial reports or intelligence.

The operative word in Ecc 9:11 “chance happen” is “happen” – qarah and not “chance” pega’

Qarah refers to God ordered happenings that happen i.e. God-incidents, or God-ordinained incidents.

When God places us in the right place and the right time, that’s another way, of saying, we are blessed!

We have to look to and for God’s timing (‘eth) and God’s happening (qarah).

God wants us to be stable in times of instability.

HAKAM – NATURAL WISDOM

The Hebrew word translated into “understanding” in Ecc 9:11 is hakam (Strong’s 2449) This refers to natural wisdom and is used of Pharaoh’s magicians (Gen 41:8 )

Therefore, we can understand Ecc 9:11 to mean that success is not to men of natural wisdom i.e. those with academic qualifications, etc.

Success now comes to God’s people because of God’s timing and chances that are happening to them.

CAUGHT UNAWARE

Today’s downturn caught many unaware, very much like Ecc 9:12 describes the situation.

We need God’s timing and God’s happening in these times.

The fact that the scriptures use the words “cruel net” in Ecc 9:12 tells us that these things are not from God. Likewise “evil time” (Ecc 9:12) is not from God as God has no evil.

God will turn lemons into lemonade. Rom 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to [His] purpose.”

5 HEBREW WORDS FOR MAN

Adam – mankind (natural man)

Enowsh – sinful man (man who are mortal – weak)

Iysh – male, husband

Mathim – males, men (as mortal), and as opposed to women

Geber – champion man (usually refers to Believers)

Psa 34:8 O, taste and see that the LORD [is] good; [Editor: happy] Blessed [is] the [Geber] man [who] trusts in Him!

Psa 40:4 [Editor: happy] Blessed [is] that man [Geber] who makes the LORD his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

It is the Hebrew word – Adam – which is used in Ecc 9:12. Thus it is the – natural man – and not the Beliver who is afflicted as per Ecc 9:12: knows not his time and is snared

KJV Ecc 9:12 For man [Adam - natural man] also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so [are] the sons of men [Adam - natural man] snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them

We are “Sons of God [Hebrew, Elohim]” – John 1:12 (KJV)

NKJV John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name

We are no longer sons of natural man, Adam.

The cruel net in Ecc 9:12 cannot catch us as we are caught in the net of Jesus!

Servants, can always change their employer, and may not abide forever. Whereas, as a son, we are there forever with the Father. Moses was a servant under the Law. Under Grace, we are sons. Grace is therefore greater than the Law and Moses.

SONS OF GOD

You don’t clean yourself before you take a shower. Come to Jesus as you are. Jesus is the bath.

Simply become a child or son of God and you are out of this “evil net” of Ecc 9:12

NKJV Ecc 9:11 “… Nor bread [Editor: Food] to the wise … But time and chance happen to them all.

We need God to put us in the right place and right time.

Some years ago, one member of a family holidaying in Penang’s Ferringhi beach had a craving for a particular food dish which was only available in another part of the island. As a result, he led his family away from their current location on the island. Momemts later, the 26 December 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake occurred and the giant tsunami waves smashed into Ferringhi beach. Praise God, God uses human hunger to place the family in the right place and right time, and the family was completely unharmed as they were on the other part of the island.

Another church member had a son who had an office in the Twin Towers but on 9-11, that son was delayed for some time at home by a great manner of things at happening at home that he was late for work and was thus personally spared the attack.

Only God can place us at the right place and time. Our natural smarts are useless.

ETH

The Hebrew word translated into “time” in Ecc 9:11 is transliterated as ‘eth (Strong’s 6256)

The Hebrew word translated into “chance” in Ecc 9:11 is transliterated as pega’ (Strong’s 6294)

The Hebrew word translated into “happen” in Ecc 9:11 is transliterated as qarah (Strong’s 7136)

Deu 28:12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain [Editor: This must be supernatural rain of favour] unto thy land in his season [Editor: the word used here is 'eth] , and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

Ps 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season [Editor: the word used here is 'eth]; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The word ‘eth can be translated into several English words. It is frequently translated into seasons or more specifically, evening.

WHY EVENING?

In Leviticus for example, a common phrase is that if a person does a certain sin, he “shall remain unclean until evening”

Why not morning?

Elijah in 1 Kings 18 also waited until evening before he challenged the prophets of Baal and called down fire to consume the sacrifice on the altar.

In the OT, there were 2 sacrifices, in the morning and in the evening. The rabbis say that the morning sacrifice was around 9 am and the evening at around 3 pm.

Jesus was put on the cross at 9am. Jesus, on the Cross cried “it is finished” at 3pm and dismissed His spirit. Jesus thus fulfilled both the morning and evening sacrifices.

The Evening Time is therefore the time when God’s Grace flows most abundantly to an undeserving world! (Caveat: Do not take this literally and make it a practice to do things only in the eveing time!)

So now we know that the person in Leviticus is unclean until evening i.e. until Jesus has finished His work.

When all the people saw in 1 Kings 18:39 that the Lord had sent fire to consume the sacrifice, they fell on their faces: and they said, “The LORD, he [is] the God; the LORD, he [is] the God.” ELIJAH’s PRAYER FOR THE LORD TO SEND FIRE WAS IN THE EVENING. THIS MEANS THAT EVERY PRAYER IS ANSWERED BASED ON THE FINISHED WORK OF JESUS.

Evening time is the zone of grace.

WE ARE THE EVENING TIME GENERATION / ELEVENTH HOUR GENERATION

Evidence:

At 11 a.m. on 11 November 1918 – the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month – a ceasefire came into effect which brought WWI to an end. WWI ceasefire came into effect 11 months after General Edmund Allenby retook Jerusalem and entered its gates on 11 December 1917.

The attacks on 9-11 in New York City.

Daniel 12:4 “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

Everybody was on horse and buggy until the 20th century. It was only in 1903 that the first powered airplane took off in 1903 piloted by Orville Wright. Wilbur and Orville Wright were the sons of a preacher. As a result now people can “run to and fro”. In the Internet age, access to information and knowledge is so easy and indeed “knowledge shall increase”.

God knows future from the past. God knows where to position us. Do not use your strength or trust in your flesh. Our eyes must be on Jesus. Put no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3).

Don’t say “at my age, I can’t do this or that, or go for this job” By the same token, don’t say “I am so pretty and young so I will naturally land this opportunity”.

Look at Jesus, the more you don’t have or deserve it, the more grace and favor can pour into your life.

FIRST MENTION OF ‘ETH IN BIBLE

This first mention of ‘eth is:

Gen 8:11 Then the dove came to him in the evening ['eth] , and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth.

The Dove (a clean animal in contrast with the raven) had previously (Gen 8:9) came back to Noah as there was no place for the sole of her feet to rest (the flood waters had not subsided and there were many floating corpses). In terms of literature, we see that the dove ‘flew’ all the way to the New Testament and eventually came to rest upon Jesus at His baptism in the Jordan.

The dove in Gen 8:11 came back with a olive leaf which symbolizes peace. We know that the dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit (holy spirit descended upon Jesus in bodily shape like a dove upon His baptism in Luke 3:22). The Holy Spirit comes back to us with a message of peace – He tells us not to punish ourselves, etc. Holy Spirit is saying to us – peace to you.

Thus from the first mention of ‘eth in Gen 8:11, we know that ‘eth or evening time, has got to do with the Holy Spirit and peace or shalom.

The dove / Holy Spirit is in us now. The Holy Spirit does not accuse us but tells us of our righteousness in Christ and speaks peace. If you do not feel peace, do not do the action which you are contemplating.

The dove returned in the evening because all the floods of judgment had been past by then. All the sin and floods of judgment had been poured out on and paid for by Jesus Christ. We are now justified and have peace with God.

‘eth is the Grace Zone. You are in the Grace Zone, if you are in peace.

In other words, God’s timing (‘eth) and Grace Zone has got to do with having peace. If no peace, then you are not in the Grace Zone. If you have pace, you are in the Grace Zone / God’s timing.

[Editor's comments: The Second Mention of 'eth is Gen 18:10 "... And He said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time ['eth] of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard [it] in the tent door, which [was] behind him.” God’s timing also brings life and life most abundantly!]

FIRST MENTION OF OIL IN BIBLE
Gen 28:18 Then Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it.

Gen 28:19 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city [was called] Luz at the first.

The word “Bethel” means House of God. We can thus infer from the first mention of “oil” in Gen 28:19 that the anointing oil is found in the House of God and it is in the House of God where your burdens are removed by the anointing oil

[EDITOR'S OWN RESEARCH: The Hebrew word for oil is transliterated as shemen which comprises of: שמן. ש shin - can be understood as a picture of God's abundance. מ mem - can be understood as waters (springing forth) and thus a picture of the Holy Spirit. ן nun - means fish (thus symbolizing "life" ) . Thus, shemen, or oil, in Hebrew, is wonderful picture of the abundance of the Holy Spirit who brings life]

FIRST MENTION OF WORSHIP IN BIBLE

Gen 22:5 And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.”

The first mention of “love” is also in Gen 22.

Gen 22:2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only [son] Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

The expression “your only son” is a clear allusion to Jesus Christ in typological form. Thus we know that the Son that God loves is Jesus Christ. Also, because the first mention of “worship” and “love” are in the same chapter, we know that worship has got to do with the Son whom God loves, Jesus! Also, love is associated especially with Jesus!

NEXT IMPORTANT MENTION OF ‘ETH

The next important usage of ‘eth is in Gen 24:11

Gen 24:11 And he made his camels kneel down outside the city by a well of water at evening time [ 'eth ], the time [ 'eth ] when women go out to draw water.

This is the account of the un-named servant (picture of Holy Spirit) of Abraham being sent to find a bride for Isaac (picture of Jesus). The church is the “well” for singles to find their spouses.

Gen 24:10-14 Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, for all his master’s goods [were in] his hand. And he arose and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. And he made his camels kneel down outside the city by a well of water at evening time, the time when women go out to draw [water]. Then he said, “O LORD God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham. Behold, [here] I stand by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink’–[let] her [be the one] You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.”

qarah is God’s happening to you. When things happen to happen for you, you are happy. The Old English word is “hap”. In this case, the good “hap” is from God.

Gen 24:10 Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, for all his master’s goods [were in] his hand. And he arose and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor.

The “ten” is Gen 24:10 symbolizes everything. That is why the Gen 24:10 says “all his master’s goods” were in the servant’s hand.

In the evening time (Gen 24:11), it is the time of Grace when Jesus died and released Grace on the whole world.

Gen 24:12 Then he said, “O LORD God of my master Abraham, please give me success [qarah] this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham.

When you don’t know what to do – PRAY – do not play a fool.

Psa 35:27 Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”

Remember, it is the PROPHETIC EVENING that is important and not the literal evening.

We see in Gen 24:12 – qarah is tantamount to SUCCESS. God-happenings result in success! qarah is the working or operative word in Ecc 9:11. In Gen 24:12, the success is obtaining the right bride for Isaac.

One camel drinks a lot of water so the servant was wise in asking God for the sign that the right woman be the one who went the extra mile and fetched water for so many camels (Gen 23:14). One camel drinks about 100-150 litres of water, so this was indeed a supernatural sign that Rebecca was the right one, when she fulfilled the servants prayer.

APPOINTED FOR YOU

God has somebody “appointed for” you (Gen 24:14). But don’t push this concept to the extreme and say that there is only ONE who is God’s PERFECT choice for you (such a concept is false and illogical as it prevents one from remarrying when one’s spouse has died because it would rob somebody else of his perfect choice). So long as quarrels are not so frequent and by and large there is good harmony, you have found the one “appointed for you”.

Once, you are married, concentrate on being the ONE for your spouse.

Prayer to GOD: Put me at the right place at the right time. The Holy Spirit is the spirit of timings and happenings.

This side of the Cross in the New Testament, don’t use external signs as they are not safe. Trust the internal witness of God.

RUTH – RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME

Ruth had many things against her. She was from Moab, was poor and had been married before being widowed. So how could Ruth ever marry? With God influencing events, Ruth met Boaz and married him! Boaz is a picture of Jesus Christ as he is a man of great wealth and marries the un-lovely and brings redemption!

Ruth 2:1 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name [was] Boaz.

Ruth 2:2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after [him] in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.

Ruth 2:3 And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field [belonging] unto Boaz, who [was] of the kindred of Elimelech.

The fifth (symbolizing Grace, in bible numerics) time Ruth’s name is mentioned is in Ruth 2:2 (where she believes and confesses favor) and she finds grace in the field of Boaz. Ruth did not rely on her flesh. She neither said “I am too young, I don’t deserve favor” nor “I am too old, and a no-hoper” Ruth did not even know who Boaz was. She simply believed for the favor of whoever is owner of field.

If we look to ourselves and not God, we are robbing ourselves of God’s favor.

Because she believed in the Lord’s favor, Ruth happened to be in the field of Boaz, the person who had the power to redeem her and her family.

The moment you believe in God’s favor, you are in the Grace Zone and good things happen to you.

PASTOR’S ANECDOTE

Senior Pastor shared the anecdote of how he opened an exit door in a shopping mall and found a cleaning lady reading a bible. Pastor turned around and then walked away. The Spirit of God quickly arrested him and told Pastor to go back to the cleaning lady and to say to the lady what the Lord had put into His mouth. Pastor did this. He told the lady that the Lord had a word for her and that “Jesus loves her and that her miracle was on its way.” The face of the lady lit up.

Many a times, when you pray to be at the right place at the right time, you may not observe the blessing happening to you directly, immediately. Like pastor’s story, God may be positioning you to be a direct blessing to others and you reap the spin-off blessings. In other words, often you are in the right place and the right time for the salvation of lost souls, and you feel so blessed when God has used you in this way.

Final words: What impresses God is the currency of heaven – Faith. Tribulation is for mortal un-saved man.

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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: THE ABOVE NOTES WERE DRAFTED BY, DEVELOPED, COMPILED AND ORGANISED BY YEO CHOON MENG TERENCE IN HIS PERSONAL CAPACITY ON 16 MARCH 2009 AND ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS ARE HIS ALONE. THE ABOVE NOTES ARE NOT REPRESENTATIONS OF, ATTRIBUTABLE TO OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH NEW CREATION CHURCH OR JOSEPH PRINCE MINISTRIES.

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