Almonds. If you have been following my journey, and that of Archippus Awakening, you would understand the significance of almonds. If not, the article “It is Spring. The Almond Tree has Awakened.” will provide a good overview.
Through Jeremiah 1:11-12, God used the branch of the almond tree to assure the young prophet of His faithfulness. If Jeremiah would be faithful to declare all he is told to declare, God would be more than faithful to perform it! This has been my experience too. The message of Archippus Awakening may be a simple one. But you know, and I know, that unless the Lord moves on His word, I can awaken no one!
So how has it been? In the first year, the Lord prepared me with Psalm 126:5, “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.” In the second year, He encouraged me with Isaiah 30:23, “He will give rain for your seed with which you sow the ground.” These meant so much to me and I held on dearly to these words (and still do) especially in times of loneliness and fatigue. I kept on sowing the word of the kingdom, no matter how difficult and tiring it was. I looked ahead to the joy that would accompany the reaping. I thanked the Lord for His rain, without which, the seed would not grow. Most of all, I prayed for hearts to be good ground to yield a mighty harvest.
When Archippus Awakening entered the third ‘day’, something shifted. I received fresh courage to proclaim the message of awakening even more boldly. And true to the Lord’s word, more doors and opportunities opened up, culminating in our very own “Awakened. Aligned. Assigned.” Seminar at Sengkang Methodist Church on 3 December 2016.
Almonds? Then came the next word early this year through Numbers 17:8 … “Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses went into the tabernacle of witness, and behold, the rod of Aaron, of the house of Levi, had sprouted and put forth buds, had produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds.”
In the same way that Aaron’s priesthood was questioned and challenged, some have also been skeptical if Archippus Awakening is just my own imagination. (After all, who is this unknown nobody to awaken the Body of Christ?) The Lord sent a word of encouragement through a dear brother one day. Drawing from Numbers 17:8, he wrote, “Bro, your assignment is from God and His validation is what matters. Watch for the blooming.” More than the Lord’s encouragement, I received His validation!
I believe I witnessed a glimpse of ‘the blooming’ at AWE2017. Over the weekend of 17-19 February, 65 Archippuses assembled, representing 30 local communities. This third Awakening Event saw more Archippuses stepping up and being more involved. It didn’t matter which church each came from. The common desire was to be awakened, aligned and assigned for Jesus and His kingdom. [Read more about AWE2017: Same Same But Different]
AAA Seminar 2017 Video Trailer
On Saturday 1 April 2017, we have another opportunity to share the message of Archippus Awakening, this time in partnership with Living Waters Methodist Church. What started as an in-house seminar is now an open one-day seminar for the Body of Christ. It came as a surprise, but as I often quip these days, “God opens the door. I open my mouth!” You are invited to join us at AAA Seminar 2017. Partner me to reach even more by sharing with others. Admission is FREE but registration is required as lunch will be catered. More info and registration: www.AAAseminar2017.eventbrite.com
Although provision was made for cave time, it has not been easy to rest and to write, given ongoing ministry engagements (see Ministry Schedule). That said, there has been progress and I will press on as best as I can. Soon, after a long break, KINGDOM101 – the expository journey through Matthew – will resume on Wednesday 19 April at a new venue. In the pipeline is also a pilot initiative to help those awakened take the next steps of aligning towards kingdom assignments. There is much to be done and I invite you to pray with and for us as we move on these exciting developments. And as the Lord leads, join us..
On 5 March, at our home church’s Vision Sunday service, my Senior Pastor spoke about fruitfulness. Divine coincidence? Yes, we are on the right track. The sowing continues. The Lord will provide the rain. We have begun to see the buds and the blossoms, and soon, we shall see fruit … “ripe almonds.”
Thank you for standing with me as I seek to be faithful in all the Lord has assigned to me. Your prayers continue to uphold me, giving me strength to soldier on. Your love, obedience and generosity have been a great source of encouragement too, reminding us of the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness.
Finally, rejoice with us as we give the Lord thanks and praise for our marriage and children! This Saturday, 11 March, Serene and I will celebrate our 22nd Wedding Anniversary. The next day, it will be our youngest’s, Anna Joy’s, 8th birthday. It will be another weekend of celebration for the Lim Tribe.
Once again, thank you for being a part of our journey, and for being such a blessing to us!
In His name and for His glory!
Henson
One Day At A Time 