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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A time of realignment and walking into His plan again

Hebrews 12:1-2a (NKJV): Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith...

The word 'weight' here in Greek is 'ogkos', which means 'burden, hindrance', whereas the word 'sin' here is 'hamartia' in Greek, literally meaning 'missing the mark' or 'out of alignment'. The writer of Hebrews wrote that as we run this 'race of faith', we are also to 'lay aside' all these, even as we keep looking unto Jesus, the beginner and 'completor' (the One who completes) of our faith.

Why did the writer of Hebrews say so? Because these weights and sins, if not laid aside, easily 'ensnare' us. This word 'ensnare' in Greek can also mean 'beset, trouble, discourage, thwart, oppose'. In other words, any burden and sin in life, if not let go, eventually besets, troubles, discourages, thwarts, or even opposes whatever God has called you to be or planned (destined) for you to be.

Recently, these words were released during one of our prophetic worship and prayer gathering:
"As the lid that has been hindering you is being removed and pushed away, it will also remove your disappointments. This coming year is a year your hope will not be in vain. This coming year is a year your hope will not be disappointed."

Yes, even as the lid (which represents the 'hindrances' in your life) is being removed and pushed away, your disappointments and discouragements will also be removed! Hebrews 12:12-13 confirms it, 'Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet (i.e. in alignment again). So that what is lame may not be dislocated (i.e. turned out of the way, made worse), but rather be healed (made whole).
Note: 'The hands which hang down, and the feeble knees' here speaks of one's disappointment and discouragement.

Notice also the word 'alignment' is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as 'placing/arranging thing(s) into a straight line or in line, or coming into agreement with somebody'. So, you can also say that 'to be out of alignment' with God is 'to be not in line, or not agreeable' with God and His plan for you. And that's what sin ('hamartia') is defined as in Hebrews 12:1!

People of God, this is a time of realignment and walking into His plan again! Don't get me wrong. Not that we don't align at other times, but just that this is His appointed time. There's a time and season in everything. Let us flow in His time. This is a time to be 'at-one' with Him (i.e. in agreement with Him) again. Notice that's where the word 'atonement' comes from.

Isaiah 44:21-22 says, 'Remember these, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are My servant; I have formed you, you are My servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me! I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions. And like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you'.

It's when you return to Him that you can be realigned with Him again. But it does take humility on your part. Let's humble ourselves before the Lord this day, knowing that He is God and we are not, and He knows better than us. The Bible says, 'With humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life' (Proverbs 22:4). 1 Peter 5:5-7 says, '... and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care (and that includes weight, burden, hindrance, sin, anxiety, or worry) upon Him, for He cares for you'.

What are the 'weights' and sins that may have 'ensnared' you in recent times? For some of us, it may be pride, for others, it may be uncontrolled lust, and still for some others, it may be a certain addiction to something. Whatever these may be, know that He is here to help you, because He loves you and cares for you. Let go and let Him carry them all. Just do not let anyone condemn you further. In Christ, know that you are now already washed, cleansed, forgiven, and sanctified because of His blood shed for you on the cross (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). 

As you let go of these 'weights' and sins to Him, there'll also be new hope. Receive this new hope. This hope will not be in vain, and will not disappoint (Romans 5:5). 

Also, if you haven't got your breakthrough or victory yet (even after waiting for some time), take heart and don't give up yet, even if you felt you have tried and exhausted all means, and you thought it's now over, hopeless, and in vain. 

The truth is you have not exhausted all means yet! You know why? Because you still have the Holy Spirit in you and with you! The Holy Spirit can never be exhausted! He will never get worn out, and He will never be running out of ideas! He is All-knowing, All-consuming fire, All-wise, and All-powerful, and therefore He can also open a way (out) for you. Ask, and you will receive (Matthew 7:7-8). Recently, the Lord said: "This is the time to ask the Holy Spirit to teach and lead you to pray prayers that lead to your breakthrough!"

Yes, ask of the Holy Spirit to teach and lead you this day! Hebrews 12:25 then says, 'See that you do not refuse Him who speaks...’, because His ways are always higher than yours, just as the heavens are over the earth! (see Isaiah 55:8-9) And because He is also the Spirit of love (Romans 5:5), He will also never lead you into trouble! In fact, on the contrary, His love never fails to bring you out of your trouble! (1 Corinthians 13:8)

People of God, as you return to Him and realign with Him again on this Day of At-one-ment (Isaiah 44:21-22), may Isaiah 44:23 also be upon you this next whole year: 'Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it! Shout, you lower parts of the earth; Break forth into singing, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and glorified Himself in Israel'. Amen.