Words from the Lord: "Time to clean up!"

I have a dream from the Lord the other day. In the dream, I saw many believers of God and ministers of God, including myself, being brought into a huge mansion. The mansion has many rooms. The mansion is huge and with a huge compound surrounding it. Each individual is assigned into each of the rooms. These are all Christians, both believers and ministers alike. I saw myself being assigned with one room too. However, each of these rooms in the mansion were full of dirt and dust, and needed some cleanup before it could be inhabited. It seems like everyone with no exception has to do some cleanup for the respective room given to each of them. 

When I woke up from the dream, I initially thought it's the mansion in heaven that God talks about in the Scripture. But then I realized it's not. I mean, how can the mansion in heaven be full of dirt and needs cleanup? So, this is not talking about heaven. This is talking about what's happening here on earth. 

The dream was so real. As I woke up from the dream, I prayed and I asked the Lord, "What do all these mean?" 

That's when I heard the Lord saying, "Tell My people: It's time for a cleanup!"

The Lord said further: "Spiritually and physically! Individually and corporately! The church and the ministry on earth needs a cleanup! In every level and in every area! Not just as a body, as a church, or any form of ministry, but on a personal level!" 

Here's the interpretation to the dream, and I know there's an urgency to it. The huge mansion here is the house of the Lord on earth as a whole. It means there's no exception. The many rooms and compartments are the different expressions and branches of Christianity on earth. But right now, there seems to be a lot of dirt, dust, and uncleanness all over. God is speaking metaphorically. And God says it's time for a cleanup before it can be inhabited. It's time to clean up whatever that has contaminated the rooms and the house as a whole.

Definitions of 'cleanup': 

1. The removal of dirt, untidiness, or corruption from a place or a situation. 

2. The sanitizing, washing, and purifying of something. 

3. The purging, reforming, rectifying, and straightening up of something. 

Before the greater glory of the Lord comes, the Lord says, "Now is the time for a cleanup!" 

As I prayed further, the Lord showed me Jeremiah 17. Jeremiah 17 begins with the Lord God talking about the uncleanness among God's people. This includes idolatry in any form. It doesn't just mean a physical idol, per se. Idolatry may even be elevating man in the place of God. It may be hero worshiping. It may be pursuing man's fallen ways instead of God's ways. In other words, not putting the Lord God as the first and highest place, or in the rightful place, in how we do things. Of course, this is very subtle. In the outward or on stage, everything may look good. But the Lord is looking in the inside. 

Jeremiah 17:5-6 (NKJV) says, '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."'

In the context of what God is saying today, these verses can apply both spiritually and physically, inward and outward, inside of us and outside of us. 

Prophet Jeremiah pictured this 'shrub in the desert' as weak and dry that's about to die from drought. From the outside, this shrub may look good and fine. But in the inside, it's actually dead and futile. This is a 'picture' of those who trust in man (or man-made ways) instead of the Lord (and the Lord's ways). This 'shrub in the desert' is a 'picture' of what's dying, drying, and unsustainable. 

So, this is a call to clean up! Let the Lord search our hearts and show us what to clean up. Let the Lord wash our hearts and wash our hands. Inside of us and outside of us. Or whatever that we put our hands to do. When I say this, I say this with the fear and the reverence of the Lord. I'm saying this to myself too. No one on earth is exempted, and no one on earth is an exception, no matter what position we hold on earth. 

The Lord has spoken. He desires cleanliness and holiness. He desires a pure heart whom He will not turn away. He is indeed preparing for His coming glory! 

This is not a message of condemnation. But this is a message of restoration and hope. This is a message of preparation for what's coming. The coming glory of the Lord! 

Let's get back to Jeremiah chapter 17. Look at the contrast here in Jeremiah 17, if God's people begin to turn away from their uncleanness and man-made ways, and turn to God (and God's ways). 

In Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NKJV), the Lord says, "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." 

Here, prophet Jeremiah referred the man who trusts in the Lord to be like a tree planted by the waters, whose leaf is green, and will not cease yielding fruit. This is exactly what God wants you to walk in, in this season, and going forward. 

In Jeremiah 17:14 (NKJV), prophet Jeremiah said, "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved. For You are my praise." 

The word 'heal' here is 'rapha' in Hebrew. It can mean 'mend, cure, repair, make well, make whole'. The word 'save' here is 'yasha' in Hebrew. It can mean 'help, rescue, deliver, preserve, defend, set free'. 

As you surrender your life to the Lord and submit to Him, you receive both 'rapha' and 'yasha'. Yes, in every sense of these words. This is the promise of God for those who look to Him and submit to Him. 

From the Scripture here, God's heart is always about restoration, renewal, healing, and hope for His people. That's what Jeremiah 17 is pointing to us. So right now, beloved of God, let restoration and healing take place. If we are willing, God will be more than willing. This is His assurance for us.

And if we are willing and we heed God's message for us, blessed are we, because God's light is going to shine so bright in each of us, and we shall arise and shine, for the glory of the Lord is coming upon us! Hallelujah! 

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Aligning with Him, His will, and His Word

I heard the Lord say these words for this new season:
"Align! Align! This is the key word for this new season. Align with Me! Align with My will! Align with My Word! Not with your flesh! This is also a key time to pray, just as the disciples prayed in the upper room! Your prayers will launch you into where I have planned for you to be, and what I have planned for you to do!"

Proverbs 16:3-4 (ESV) says, 'Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established'; and Psalm 37:5 (NKJV) says, 'Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass'.

The word 'commit' in both verses here is 'gawlal' in Hebrew, and it can mean 'roll off onto, align'. See the word 'align' here? In other words, the Scripture says as you 'align your work to His work' and 'align your way to His way', you'll see what you do be established, and the Lord shall bring it to pass (make it happen)!

The next question one may ask is, "What does the word 'align' actually mean?"
If you look at Merriam-Webster dictionary, 'to align' is 'to bring into line, to place (or arrange) things in a straight line, to come into precise adjustment or correct relative position'.

I will explain this word 'align' using 'car' as analogy for your 'life'. Just as a car has its 'lifespan', you have a 'lifespan' too! Just as a car needs to refuel, you need to refuel too! I can go on and on for this analogy. But I shall get to the point now: Just as a car needs 'tire alignment', you need a 'tire alignment' too!

Why do you need a 'tire alignment'?
- for smoother ride ahead of you;
- help tires perform properly;
- help tires last longer;
- improve handling of the car;
- keep the car from pulling into one direction.

How do I know if I need a 'tire alignment'?
- your car pulling to the left or right;
- your steering wheel is off center (when you drive straight);
- steering wheel vibration (making it uncomfortable to drive).

Further notes:
'Tire alignment' is actually an adjustment of a car's suspension (the system of springs and shock absorbers that connects a car to its tires). It is NOT an adjustment of the tires themselves. It is an adjustment of the angle of the tires, which will affect how the tires make contact with the road.

And there I have explained it! If a 'car' speaks of your 'life', then the 'tires' speaks of your 'hands' and 'feet', i.e. 'the works you put your hands on', and 'the places you set your feet on'!

As you can see from the notes above, 'tire alignment' is NOT an adjustment of the tires themselves, but instead, it is an adjustment of a car's suspension that connects a car to its tires! In other words, it is an adjustment in the inside of you! What is 'adjusted' in the inside will in turn bring the right effects in the outside!

For a 'smoother ride' (or for your works to be done properly, and the effects to last longer), there will be times you need an 'alignment'! People of God, the time is NOW!

And the key to your alignment with God is none other than PRAYER! Indeed, this is a crucial time for such! Be it for your life, ministry, career, business, or even nation!

Acts 1:12-14 says, 'Then they (the apostles) returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying... These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication (seeking, asking, entreating God)...'

After seeing Jesus ascending toward heaven (Acts 1:9-10), the apostles returned to Jerusalem and went into the upper room where they were staying. Joined by the others, they spent time praying - waiting on the Lord and aligning themselves with the Lord!

You may ask, "What does praying have to do with aligning?"
Praying has everything to do with aligning! When you are praying, you are aligning with His will and His Word! You are praying His will to be done! You are praying according to what His Word says! You see, prayer without aligning with the Lord is no prayer at all!

And that's what the apostles and disciples of Jesus did! Ten days later, on the Day of Pentecost, the Lord began to move in unprecedented ways! He poured out His Spirit in ways never seen before! (Acts 2:1-4)

As for the apostles and disciples of Jesus, their launching time had come! From there, they went forth with boldness, sharing the Good News wherever the Spirit of the Lord lead them! They never looked back since!

People of God, likewise, your prayers in this time and season will launch you into where He has planned for you to be, and what He has planned for you to do, moving forward. And yes, even in unprecedented ways! Prepare for your launching time!

A time of 're-aligning' & 're-gathering'

Isaiah 40:4 (NKJV): Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight, and the rough places (shall be made) smooth.

The word 'straight' here is 'miyshor' in Hebrew, which means 'concord (i.e. in agreement, in harmony), made straight, in alignment'.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, 'to align' is 'to arrange things in straight line (in line with something), to put into correct position, to join somebody as ally, or to come into agreement with somebody'.

So, 'to align with God' means:
(a) to arrange things in line with God's ways,
(b) to put into correct position with God,
(c) to join God as ally, or
(d) to come into agreement with God (& His ways).

When a person is 'out of alignment' with God, it means he is 'not walking in line' with God's ways any more. He, therefore, needs to be re-aligned again.

'To be re-aligned' is 'to be made straight again with God'.

This is a time of re-alignment for God's people! Meditate on the whole of Isaiah 40. I heard this instruction from the Lord recently. This chapter begins with 'alignment' with God (Isaiah 40:1-4), and ends with 'gathering & collecting' from God (Isaiah 40:31). In between these verses is a description of how great God is, in all His wisdom, His understanding, His strength, and His ways (see Isaiah 40:12-14, Isaiah 40:18-23, Isaiah 40:25-29).

Let me explain how 'alignment with God' leads to 'gathering & collecting' from God. Isaiah 40:31 then says, 'But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint'. The word 'wait' here in Hebrew is 'qavah', and interestingly, it does not just mean 'to wait patiently, or to look to Him expectantly', but it also means 'to collect (together), or to gather (together)'.

People of God, as you re-align yourself with Him (& His ways), this is also the time to 're-collect and re-gather' from Him, not just His strength, but also His wisdom, His understanding (i.e. receiving the understanding of His ways, instead of your own ways or men's ways), and even His direction to move on from here. As Paul wrote, 'forgetting the things behind you, and reaching (looking) forward to the things ahead of you' (Philippians 3:13). As you receive the new things He has in store for you, you'll move on with fresh new vigor! And that's exactly why 'qavah' is so important right now. Not only will you be replenished, but you'll also soar again with the accuracy of the eagle's. Amen!

In Acts 1 & 2, the same happened. Acts 1:4 says, 'being assembled together with them, He (Jesus) commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father..." Notice the word 'wait' again? That was also a time of 'waiting' for God's people (in that case, to receive the power that comes from on high, i.e. the Holy Spirit). As the people waited upon the Lord, great things began to happen (Acts 2:1-4). However, notice also that out of so many thousands who knew Jesus those days, only about 120 were willing to 'align' and 'wait'. But these 120 were also the ones experiencing great things and saw the manifestation of God's glory! (Acts 2:1-47)

So, people of God, it's time to get back into alignment, and therefore, collecting (gathering) from Him again. There's a clarion call for such right now! He's now in the midst of calling His people to 'get ready', the way He used to do in Acts 1. This time, greater things, even many unprecedented things are in store for those who heed this call. The Lord promises that His people shall see an even greater manifestation of His glory in days to come.

When you 'qavah', you'll also receive His plan (His blueprint) for your life. Be willing to respond even to His reminder or correction, not just His direction. Remember, He may sometimes correct you, but never will He condemn you (Romans 8:1). All things will work out for good for you, and He knows better. It's also time to know who God wants you to be (or originally intended for you to be). Take some time to 'qavah'. Never bow down to the pressure of trying to be somebody else! This is normally the problem with people who are 'out of alignment' with God. They tend to try very hard to 'compete & compare' with others, and to 'impress others' with their 'performance', pleasing people & fearing people, instead of God.

Be greatly blessed as you 're-align' and 're-gather'. Amen!