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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You are a carrier of His glory!

The Lord says: 

"Prepare yourselves to be filled with My glory like never before! For I am raising up a people who will be carriers of My glory in a time like this! Just as in the days of Solomon when the temple was prepared, so are you who are the temple of My Spirit! I will show you the many things that the world cannot see. I will even show you what is to come. You shall walk in My Spirit and My revelation in deeper ways. Nothing of the flesh matters anymore!" 

1 Kings 8:10-11 (NKJV) says, 'And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.'

This happened in King Solomon's days. The word 'glory' here is 'kabowd' in Hebrew, and it can mean 'splendor, magnificence, honor, weight'. That is to say, the glory of the Lord is real, is present, and is tangible. It is the very presence of the Lord. For those who have experienced it, or even experienced a glimpse of it, you will know what I mean. It's so real, and words cannot fully describe it. 

As a beloved of God, you can experience this glory of the Lord and be filled with this glory of the Lord. In fact, people around you can actually sense it, and see the glory of the Lord in your life. 

Isaiah 60:1-2 (NKJV) says, 'Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.'

Back to King Solomon's days. When the glory of the Lord filled the temple that Solomon built, nothing of the flesh mattered anymore. All that's of the world has become like a shadow. It's all about the Lord now. Not about the works of man or the achievements of man. Even the priest could not continue ministering, as you can see in 1 Kings 8:10-11 just now. 

With such awesome presence of the Lord, all Solomon could do was to turn around and release the blessings of the Lord upon the people at that time! You see, with the glory of the Lord so heavy upon you, blessings flow. 

Today, as believers of the Lord in the New Covenant, you and I are now the temple of the Holy Spirit. Not made with stones. Not made with bricks. 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV) says, 'Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.' 

At this juncture of our lives, let us dedicate ourselves anew to the Lord. Ask the Lord to wash us and cleanse us.

What are the keys to God's glory manifesting in your life? 

1. Holiness and purity

1 Corinthians 6:18 (NKJV) says, 'Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.'

2 Corinthians 7:1 (NKJV) says, 'Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.' 

Let the Holy Spirit fill you right now. The Holy Spirit is the HOLY SPIRIT. The Spirit of holiness. Let the fire of His holiness cleanse and wash us.

2. Worship and surrender

Romans 12:1 (NLT) says, 'And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him.'

We worship Him not just with songs and music, but we worship Him with our bodies, presenting ourselves to Him as a living and holy sacrifice unto Him. 

3. Praise and thanksgiving

Psalm 50:14-15 (NKJV) says, 'Offer to God thanksgiving... Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.'

Psalm 50:23 (NKJV) says, 'Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation ('Yeshuwah') of God.'

As you live a life of praising Him and giving thanks to Him; not just in good times, but at all times; He will know how to show you His glory and His goodness. You will begin to walk in the realm of greater blessings and miracles.

Not just that. The power of darkness cannot have a hold on you or 'touch' you. You will have divine protection of the Lord. No matter how the enemies try to pull you down, they cannot succeed. Because you have the covering of the blood of Jesus Christ, and you have the glory of the Lord enveloping you and surrounding you. Amen!

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Prophetic words: A time to clear the clutter!

The Lord says: 

"Prepare, prepare, prepare! Sanctify, sanctify, sanctify! Clear the clutter! Clear what needs to clear! Put your house in order! Because I am about to do great things and great exploits in your life and through your life! No matter how the world changes, My Word is still the same. Look to Me, and keep soaking in My Word and in My Spirit. And I will show you greater things ahead of you." 

Indeed the world has been changing very fast. Everything is accelerating. But one thing that never changes is the Word of God! The Word of God is still the Word of God! In Matthew 24:35, Jesus Himself said: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." 

The Lord is also saying to you, beloved, that no matter what past you may have, or no matter how broken your past may be, He still remembers you and He still has a purpose for you. He still wants to do something great in your life and through your life!

Joshua 1:1-3 (NKJV) says, 'After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying: "Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them - the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses."' 

In this time and season, this applies to you too. Let your past be past. Let the bygone be bygone. The Lord is in the midst of healing you. The Lord is in the midst of restoring you. The Lord is in the midst of renewing you. Yes indeed, your "Moses" is dead, and this is your Joshua's time! This is the time to receive fresh anointing from the Lord! This is the time to receive new strength from the Lord! 

We go all the way to Joshua 3 now. Joshua 3:5-6 (NKJV) says, 'And Joshua said to the people, "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you." Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, "Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people." So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.' 

The word 'sanctify' here is 'kawdash' in Hebrew. It can mean 'to make clean, to consecrate, to prepare, to purify, to dedicate, to be separate, to be set apart.' In the context of our study today, the Lord wants us to be separated or set apart from the unwholesome things that are happening in this world. You may be in the world, but you are not of the world. You are of God. You are born of God. That's what the Scripture says about you. You are born again the moment you have received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord. So, let the Holy Spirit fill you right now. Let the Holy Spirit wash you clean, cleanse you, and purify you right now. Let the Holy Spirit teach you how to be set apart from whatever that is unwholesome in this world. 

I would like to bring you to another version for Joshua 3:5-6. This time, I read from New American Standard Bible (NASB). 'Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do miracles among you." And Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, "Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over ahead of the people." So they took up the ark of the covenant and went ahead of the people.' 

Now, 'the ark of the covenant' here symbolizes 'the glory of the Lord.' Jesus is your glory! Jesus is the glory of the Lord who goes ahead of you. You part is to follow Him. Wherever the glory cloud goes, you follow. And you are going to see with your own eyes (both spiritual eyes and physical eyes) miracles, signs and wonders happening in your life and through your life. You are entering this time and season of your life! Believe for it! 

How did the translators of New Living Translation (NLT) translate Joshua 3:5-6? Let's read here. 'Then Joshua told the people, "Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you." In the morning Joshua said to the priests, "Lift up the Ark of the Covenant and lead the people across the river." And so they started out and went ahead of the people.' 

Indeed beloved, this is a new dawn for you! See the words 'In the morning' here. Yes, weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning. It's a new day for you. The sun has begun to shine brighter and brighter upon you. Receive this by faith, even as you look to the Lord and keep trusting in the Lord your God. Amen! 

Let's look at one more version, and let's go to The Amplified Bible now. 'Then Joshua said to the people, "Sanctify yourselves [for His purpose], for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders (miracles) among you." Joshua said to the priests, "Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over [the river] ahead of the people." So they took up the ark of the covenant and went on ahead of the people.' 

Notice the words 'sanctify yourselves [for His purpose]' here? So, if you think you are purposeless and hopeless, the Lord is releasing a new purpose and a new hope to you right now! Your part is to embrace all that He wants to give to you. Amen!  

I want to pray for you right now. Let there be open heaven right now. Let there be a release of fresh anointing upon you right now. Let there be a release of new strength upon you right now. Let the glory of the Lord be upon you. And wherever you go, darkness has to flee. Because when the glory and the light comes, darkness has to flee. I also want to pray for you that wherever you go, there will be shalom peace, and the favor of the Lord is with you, just as what Joshua had experienced those days, in that time and season!

It's not too late yet for you to prepare yourself. Clear the clutter of your life. Clear whatever that needs to clear in your life. Clear whatever unwholesome things in your life. Let the blood of Jesus Christ wash you and cleanse you white as snow. And that's how you are being readied and prepared for the greater things that are coming your way!

Joshua 3:8 (NKJV) says, 'You shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, "When you have come to the edge of the water of the Jordan, you shall stand in the Jordan."' 

Yes, many of God's people are at the crossroads in their lives right now. They are about to cross a certain threshold in their lives. And if that person is you, this is what you can do now: Continue to stand strong in the Word of God. Do not be swayed by the enemy or by all kinds of temptations of this world. But you stand! 

The word 'stand' here is 'aw-mad' in Hebrew. It can mean 'to continue, to abide, to remain, to be firm.' Yes, to be firm in all that the Lord has spoken to you in this new season of your life! And yes, to stand strong and to continue to abide in Him and in His Word! 

There will be some of you who are going to see your promotion in spite of the odds. There will be some of you who are going to see new open doors, when many others in the world are having 'closed doors'. There will be some of you who are going to see some pleasant surprises. And there will be some of you who are going to see restoration in certain relationships that have been broken, especially family relationships. Just keep looking to the Lord, and keep standing strong in His Word. Keep eating from the Word of God and drinking from the Spirit of God. Word and Spirit. Spirit and Word. Amen!

Joshua 3:9-10 (NKJV) says, 'So Joshua said to the children of Israel, "Come here, and hear the words of the Lord your God." And Joshua said, "By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Hivites and the Perizzites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Jebusites."' 

In other words, the Lord your God is clearing the way for you! As you clear the clutter in your life, and as you clear what you need to clear in your life, the Lord will clear the way for you! The Lord will ward off every work of the enemy - north, south, east, west. The Lord will make the way clear for you. The Lord is going to even send His angels to prepare the way for you! 

As you take this step of faith, and as you heed what the Lord has spoken, Joshua 3:13 (NKJV) says: "And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, the waters that come down from upstream, and they shall stand as a heap." 

You see? The way had been made clear for Joshua and the people to cross over. They saw their first miracle, sign and wonder in the new season of their lives. And that's how they crossed over! And you know what? The rest is history. They saw many victories and breakthroughs that moment onwards. I want to believe the same for you. Yes, you too are going to see many victories and breakthroughs in your life, going forward! The best is yet to come! Amen!

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Words from the Lord: "Let the fire fall!"

The other day, I saw a vision of fire being released from the throne of God as I was ministering to someone who had problems with lots of pain in the body, and this fire even set that person free from idolatry, bondage, and residues from that person's ancestral worship. 

I then heard the Lord say: "Let the fire fall!"

Fire doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing. It doesn't necessarily mean it has to be like fire from hell, or hell fire. From the Scripture, I'm going to show you the fire that comes from the throne of God is meant for our own good. It isn't a bad thing. That's why it's so important not to resist or fight against this fire, because it is meant for our own good. It is the fire of holiness. It is the fire that purifies and purges us. It is the purifying fire of God!

In fact, the Word of God and the Spirit of God can also be symbolized by fire. Let me prove to you from the Scripture. 

In Jeremiah 23:29, the Lord says: "Does not My Word burn like fire? Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?" 

The Word of God can be symbolized by fire. The Word of God burns, cleanses, washes, and purges all that is contrary to God's ways and God's standards. 

How about the Holy Spirit?

In Matthew 3:11, John the Baptist said: "I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am - so much greater that I'm not worthy even to be His slave and carry His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." 

The Holy Spirit can be symbolized by fire too. This fire is the fire of holiness of the Lord that purifies, purges, and cleanses. And not just that. This fire also enables, empowers, and even enlivens us with a new zeal for the Lord! 

In Acts 2:1-4, this was what happened to the early disciples of Jesus: 'When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues as of fire. And one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit of God gave them utterance.' 

You see, there was an enabling, there was an empowering, there was this anointing, there was this fire! 

Indeed, the Lord wants you to receive this fire that comes from His throne today! And you shall be refreshed, renewed, and revived to walk in His calling and plan for your life, going forward!

The Word of God says in Isaiah 4:4-5: 'When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged the blood of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning (it means the Lord is judging all the works of darkness, and the Lord is burning all these away). Then the Lord will create above every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and above her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night. For over all the glory there will be a covering.' 

This fire is like a 'firewall' over you. In other words, the glory of the Lord is like a 'firewall' over you. And this 'firewall', this glory of the Lord, is also your covering! That's what the Word of God says here! Therefore, no work of darkness (or word of darkness) can touch you! All these will have to leave, because this fire will be too 'hot' for the work of darkness (or word of darkness) to touch you! 

The Word of God also says in Exodus 19:18-20: 'Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. And when the blast of the trumpet sounded long, and became louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by voice. Then the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai on the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.'

This speaks of the greatness and the awesomeness of the Lord our God! Indeed, He is great and there's no other! 

You see, one of the ways the Lord can appear before us is with fire! 

But beloved of God, this fire will not burn you! Why? Because you are His righteous and His beloved! This fire will instead burn away every pain in your life (be it in your spirit, soul, or body), burn away every disease or infirmity in your life, and of course, burn away every form of impurity or un-holiness that hinders your life! Hallelujah!

And that's how you will come forth pure, holy, and unblemished before the Lord, ready for the even greater things that He wants to do in your life and through your life! Amen!

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Prophetic words: A time for uprooting, cleansing and purifying!

As I was praying in the spirit the other day, I saw a vision of a strong hand uprooting the weeds in the garden. One by one the weeds were being uprooted, leaving no trace of the weeds, and not even the roots anymore. This process happened again and again while I was praying. I believe this is the hand of the Lord that uproots the weeds in that garden. 

I asked the Lord what these weeds and the garden mean.

The weeds can mean 'anything that is not from Him', and this includes all the wrong practices in our lives, and even the wrong practices in the church as a whole. 

The garden can mean 'our lives, the church as a whole, and His people' - any of these. 

The Lord then spoke, "Tell My people: This is a time of uprooting, cleansing and purifying. Let My hand uproot the weeds in your life, because I am setting you free from whatever that has bound you all these years. I am preparing and getting you ready for the greater glory and greater use in My kingdom." 

Beloved of God, what are the areas in our lives that need uprooting, cleansing and purifying? 

Different people different. Different church different. Let the Holy Spirit enlighten each of us. Take time to commune with the Holy Spirit. Set time for the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit will speak to us, show us, and enlighten us. It can be certain hurts in our life, certain wounds in our life, certain bitterness in our life, certain sin in our life, or whatever that is not of God that He wants to uproot in our life. Yes, even human traditions or human practices that is not of God. Or whatever 'tumor' or 'unwanted growth' in our life. Let God search our hearts. Let God shine into our spirit and soul, like a torchlight that shines into a room or a house.

For Scripture reference, we shall go straight to Matthew 15:1-2, 'Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread."' 

Here's the background. These scribes and Pharisees came from Jerusalem to where Jesus was at that time, in order to investigate and assess the words and works of Jesus, and possibly to find fault with Him. So, they questioned Jesus on why His disciples did not follow the tradition of the elders of washing hands before eating bread. 

Now, the matter in question here had nothing to do with good hygiene. So, before you eat, by all means wash your hands for hygiene purpose. But as far as this part of the Scripture is concerned, it has nothing to do with good hygiene, but rather, the religious officials at that time were offended that Jesus' disciples did not observe the rigid and extensive rituals for washing hands before meals. 

In Matthew 15:3-6. Jesus answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother...' But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God" - then he need not honor his father or mother.' Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition."

When Jesus' disciples were accused of transgressing the tradition of the elders, Jesus gave a very strong reply. Jesus replied that these leaders were far too concerned with their ceremonial rituals. The ceremonial washing were based on man-made traditions, and not the Scripture. Of course Jesus 'ruffled the feathers' of these religious leaders at that time. This was just one of the many conflicts He had with the religious leaders those days, which eventually caused them to deliver Him to be crucified. But you see, somebody has to speak the truth. And you know what? Jesus is the truth that came down! He is the way, the truth, and the life!

In order to understand Matthew 15:3-6 better, let's go to Mark 7:11-13 as a cross reference. Jesus said, "But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban"' - (that is, a gift to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do." 

What is this 'Corban' here? In this practice, a son could say that his possessions or savings were Corban, i.e. 'especially devoted to God', and therefore unavailable to help his parents. Through this human tradition, a son could completely disobey the command to honor his father or mother, while looking ultra-religious! Jesus exposed this man-made tradition, and He called this as making the Word of God of no effect through these people's tradition. This is just one example of the many man-made traditions during Jesus' days. Now, in the context of our modern days, it is the same. Through the past many decades and centuries, so many man-made traditions have been added to the church.

In Matthew 15:7-9, Jesus continued, "Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." 

In Matthew 15:10-12, when Jesus had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." 

In Matthew 15:13, Jesus said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted." 

This word 'uprooted' here is 'ekridzoo' in Greek, and it means 'to pluck out by the roots'. The word 'ek' means 'out', and the word 'ridzoo' means 'root (like the roots of a plant)'. When these two words are joined together, 'ek' and 'ridzoo', the compound word means 'to rip out by the roots'. 

Indeed, this is the time to allow the hand of the Lord to uproot whatever that's not of Him in our lives. Why? So that His work in us and through us will not be hindered, and we can express His kingdom without hindrance. So that we can experience His greater glory, and we can be of greater use for His kingdom! This is the gist of what the Lord wants to speak to us today through His vision and through His words. 

Matthew 15:15-20 says, 'Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Explain this parable to us." So Jesus said, "Are you also still without understanding? Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."'

Beloved of God, we can pray this prayer as an individual, "O Lord God, search my heart. Show to me if there's any area, or any attitude, or any practice in my life that is not of You. I want to be totally surrendered to You. I want to be totally submitted to You. I want to be totally yielded to You, so that You can use me for Your greater glory and for Your kingdom, and so that I can be used unhindered by You." 

Let us humble ourselves before the Lord. Let us allow the Lord to search our hearts. It takes humility on our part to admit and to let go of certain areas in our lives that is not of God. Please understand that this is not a condemning message, but this is a restoring message. Because the reason for this message is so that His work in us and through us will not be hindered, and so that we can walk in the fullness of His purposes and plans in each of our lives. Amen.

Let us pray: "O Lord God, we thank You that You are setting us free in this time and season, You are setting us free from whatever that has bound us all these years. You are preparing and getting us ready for the greater glory and greater use in Your kingdom. So, we allow You, and we allow Your hand to uproot any 'weeds' in our lives. We allow You to do the cleansing and purifying work in our lives, in our family, in our church, in our ministry, in our business, and in all that we put our hands to do. In the name of Jesus. Amen."

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Are you ready to move to the next level?

The Lord says: "I am opening the spiritual eyes of My people to see in the Spirit. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see what I want them to see in the Spirit. They shall see My glory and they shall see My plans, purposes, visions for their lives." 

The Lord says further: "To be pure in heart so that you can see what I want you to see even regarding the future, My people must be ready to die to themselves. Die to your sins. Die to your pride. Die to your lust. Die to your greed. Die to your yearning for fame and name. Die to your fleshly, sinful desires. Just as the seed must die before it sprouts and grows good fruit, so shall My people be." 

Let me be clear here. When the Lord says 'die to yourself', it doesn't mean to kill yourself. No! But rather, die to anything in your life that hinders your walk with God, die to anything in your life that hinders the glory of the Lord from being shown in your life, or die to any area of your life that hinders God's plans, purposes, or visions for your life. That's what the Lord meant by 'die to yourself'. 

In Matthew 5:8, Jesus says, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." The word 'pure' here is 'katharos' in Greek, meaning 'clean, clear, pure'. In other words, 'Blessed are those who are clean, clear, pure in their heart'. Why? So that they shall see God! 

What does 'they shall see God' mean here? The word 'see' here is 'optanomai' in Greek, from the word 'optomai'. By the way, the word 'opto' means 'to see (with your eyes)', and it can also be your spiritual eyes. So, 'optanomai' here means 'have a vision (of God and what God sees)'. In other words, 'you see what God sees'. Not only you see the glory of God, the majesty of God, or the light of God, but you also see what God sees! So, over here, Jesus meant that to be pure in heart is so that you can see God - see His glory, see what He sees, or see whatever He wants you to see in the Spirit! And this includes seeing His plans, purposes, and visions for your life!

Now, in order for this to happen, the Lord has spoken today that we need to die to self. You see, many people want to know God's plans, purposes and visions for their lives, but they are not willing to die to self. 

Psalm 32:8 says, 'I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.' The word 'eye' here is 'ayin' in Hebrew. It speaks of God's sight for you, or God's vision for you. So here David wrote that God promised to instruct, teach and guide His people. Guide with what? Guide with His sight for you, or His vision for you! 

But for you to receive Psalm 32:8, David also wrote one verse later in Psalm 32:9, 'Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle...' Now that's the condition for you to see in the Spirit, or to see what God wants you to see. 

But why did David mention horse and mule? These are examples of animals that are not easily guided. In other words, they can be stubborn. They need the bit and bridle, and sometimes rigorous training from the master, before they can be of good use. Bit and bridle basically function together to give control of the horse's head, so that they can stay in the race, and not stray. 

I know today's message may not be popular, unlike messages on prosperity, wellness or wholeness. There's nothing wrong with these messages of course, because God wants us to live a good life, to prosper, and to have good health. But what I mean here is God also wants us to walk in purity before Him, and to die to self. In fact, God has spoken this is a very important time for us to die to self. 

In John 12:24, Jesus says, "Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." See the words 'if it dies'? Unless the seed dies, it cannot reproduce or produce many more seeds. So, the seed must die. When the seed dies, it will then sprout, grow, and bear good fruit. 

What are the areas in your life (that you know) you need to die to yourself? Each of us is answerable before the Lord. Indeed this is a time of soul-searching. You may want to ask Him, "O Lord, is there any area in my life that You want to change me, train me further, or uproot from me?" 

Galatians 2:20 says, 'I have been crucified with Christ; It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.' These are the words of apostle Paul. And you know that apostle Paul had to die to himself. You know that he was a Pharisee of Pharisees, well learned, and well trained by a great tutor Gamaliel. But after the Great Light experience that led to his conversion, he had to count all those in the past as rubbish (Philippians 3:8). He had to die to all those reputation, fame, and even being respected by the people those days. And that's when he wrote that it is no longer he who lives, but Christ lives in him. And mind you, that takes a lot of dying to self. And apostle Paul understood this. 

Indeed, whatever you are to become in Christ, whoever God wants you to be, and to walk in the fullness of His destiny for you on earth, this can only come about if you 'die to yourself' (in the areas that God wants you to die to yourself). 

You may have to die to your pride or ego. You may have to die to your stubbornness. You may have to die to your lust. You may have to die to your greed. Or even die to the expectations of men or the status quo. So, it's not just dying to your sins.

For some of you, it may be dying to the yearning for fame and name. For some of you ministers of God, will you still be ministering faithfully and give all your heart to serve even if there's no big stage? Even if it's just a small group of 2 or 3 persons that you minister to, and nobody else is watching? Even if there's no 'glamour' of big stage where hundreds or thousands of people are watching you? But I tell you what, God is watching your heart. This is the time God is testing many of His people. You know why? Because God is getting ready to promote many of His people and move them into the next level of anointing and authority in Him! 

Jesus Himself set this example of dying to self. In fact, not only He died to self, He gave up all His divine privileges. Now, look here in Philippians 2:5-8, 'You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges. He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross.' 

So you see, Jesus has set the example of dying to self. He could have saved Himself. And He could have come down from the cross by Himself. But He didn't. He went through it all. Why? For you and I. Now look here in Philippians 2:9-11, 'Therefore, God elevated Him (promoted Him) to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.' Hallelujah! 

Jesus did not withhold anything. He gave it all. He said, 'Not My will', but My Father's will be done'. Blessed are you, people, if today, you can come before the Lord and say to Him, "Not my will, but God, Your will be done. Whatever You want to do in my life going forward, here am I, use me." 

What are the other examples of dying to self? 

Die to your 'smart in your own eyes' plans or ambitions. Die to your certain fleshly or sinful pleasures. Die to selfish ambitions. Die to certain wrongful relationships. Or even die to a certain relationship that is detrimental to God's plans for your life. For example, a certain toxic relationship that God wants you to uproot and cut it off.

Let me show you the contrast to Jesus. It's about Lucifer. Isaiah 14:12-15 says, 'How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depth of the Pit.' 

Here, Lucifer became so impressed with his own beauty, his intelligence, his own power and position, that he began to desire for himself the honor and glory that belonged to God and God alone! This pride represents the actual beginning of sin entering the universe, and this precedes the fall of human, Adam. 

But what the fallen angel Lucifer had failed, Jesus did it right. Jesus reversed it. And you, in Christ, you can reverse it as well. By the blood of Jesus Christ, you are washed, cleansed, forgiven, and you can start afresh and anew. 

Right now, will you allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your conscience? Let Him speak in the inside of you. Let Him show you if there's any area in your life that you need to let go and change? Is there any area in your life that God wants you to uproot? Is there any area in your life that God wants you to die to self? Different people may be different. 

Now, this is not a condemning message. In Christ, there's now therefore no more condemnation (Romans 8:1). But what I'm saying here is God loves you and God wants you to walk in the fullest of all that God has for you on this earth, fulfilling His destiny for you on this earth. 

Heaven is rejoicing when you make that decision today. Blessed are you! And that's what Jesus meant in Matthew 5:8! 'Blessed are those who are pure in heart (clean, clear in heart), for they shall see God!' They shall see God's glory! That's how when you say, "Lord, show me Your glory!", the Lord is going to show up in many ways, the Lord is going to speak to you, the Lord is going to enlighten your spiritual understanding. Your life begins to be so clear, and you will know what direction to take in life. 

You see, there's no shortcut here. Many people want quick fix in this modern days. But there are certain principles of heaven, in the spiritual realm, there's no quick fix. You just have to die to yourself in those areas. I know it's not easy to die to yourself in some areas. But if the Lord says let go, you let go. You are blessed, because that's when God is going to promote you to the next level.

So, this is what the Lord has spoken in this time and season. This is not a message of condemnation. This is a message of restoration. Because God wants you to see what He wants you to see, and God wants you to see His plans, purposes, and visions for your life, going forward.

Prayer: "Father God, we want to thank You today, because You are opening our spiritual eyes to see in the Spirit. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see You, and they shall see what You want them to see. They shall see Your glory, they shall see Your plans, purposes, and visions for their lives. So we ask that You show us the areas that we need to die to ourselves. Because the seed must die, before it sprouts and grow good fruits. We know that You mean well for us. You want to restore us. You want us to walk in the fullness of Your destiny for us. Not to condemn us. But so that Your glory will be shown in our lives in greater measure. Teach us, train us, change us, and correct us, in any area of our lives. In the name of Jesus. Amen." 

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

Being carriers of God's glory

1 Kings 8:10-11 (NKJV): And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.

The word 'glory' here is 'kabowd' in Hebrew, and it can mean 'splendor, magnificence, honor, or weight'. That is to say the glory of the Lord is real, is present, and is tangible. You can experience it, and you can be filled (and saturated) with it. It is the very presence of the Lord and people can actually sense and see the glory of the Lord in you! (Isaiah 60:1-3)

When this glory of the Lord filled the temple that Solomon built, even the priests could not continue ministering. Nothing of the flesh mattered anymore. The Lord took over entirely, and from then on, it's all about Him (and none about the works of man). What Solomon could do at that time was simply saying, "The Lord said that He would dwell in the thick cloud. I have surely built You an exalted house, and a place for You to dwell in forever".

Solomon then turned around and released blessing to the whole assembly of Israel, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth to my father David, and with His hand has fulfilled it..."

Today, as believers in the New Covenant, you and I have become this temple (not made of stones). 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, 'Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own'.

The Lord spoke these words recently: "Prepare yourselves, for My glory is coming, even in ways you have not imagined possible! I have begun raising up a people who will be carriers of My glory, and the world will see it! Just as in the days of Solomon when the temple was prepared, get ready My people, for My glory is coming, and My Spirit is taking over! Nothing of the flesh matters anymore!"

People of God, when the glory of the Lord is with you, two things happen.

First, you will begin walking in greater blessings. You will know, and the world will also see this in you. Jesus is the prime example of being the carrier of God's glory. After all, He is the glory of God manifested!
When evening came, and the people were hungry, His disciples had wanted to send the multitudes away. But Jesus said, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." But they said to Him, "We only have five loaves and two fish." Jesus then took the five loaves and two fish, looked up to heaven, blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave to the multitudes. They were all filled, and had even twelve baskets full of leftover. Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children (see Matthew 14:15-21).

Second, the evil one cannot have a hold on you, or 'touch' you. You will have divine protection, and no matter how the 'enemies' try to pull you down, they will not succeed. Let's look at Jesus again, because He is the prime example of being the carrier of God's glory.
When those in the synagogue jumped up, mobbed Him and tried to push Him off a cliff, Jesus somehow passed right through the crowd and went on His way (see Luke 4:28-30). And right before His arrest, when Judas the betrayer (accompanied by the Roman soldiers and temple guards) came over, Jesus stood up and asked, "Who are you looking for?" They replied, "Jesus the Nazarene." Jesus then said, "I AM HE." And as He said, "I AM HE", they all drew back and fell to the ground! (see John 18:1-6) Speaking of God's power at play! You see, no one could 'touch' Him unless He willingly give Himself up!

The keys to being a carrier of God's glory:
1. Full of the Word
For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12 NKJV)

2. Full of the Spirit
And when they (the disciples of Christ) had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31 NKJV)

3. Worship & surrender
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him (Romans 12:1 NLT)

4. Truthfulness, honesty & integrity
Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom (Psalm 51:6 NKJV)

5. Holiness & purity
Therefore, having these promises (being a temple of Holy Spirit), beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7:1 NKJV)

It's time to realign with God!

Matthew 5:8: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

The word ‘blessed’ in this verse is ‘makarios’ in Greek. It means ‘fortunate, happy, well-off.’ The word ‘pure’ in Greek is ‘katharos’ which means ‘clean, clear, pure.’ Jesus says blessed are the ‘clean, clear, pure’ in heart, for they shall see God.

The word ‘see’ here has deeper meaning than just the verb ‘see’ that we know. In Greek, this word is ‘optanomai’. It means ‘to gaze (with wide open eyes at something remarkable), the appearance, showing self.’ So it carries the meaning that those who are pure in heart shall experience God showing Himself. It is an experience of His revelation.

In Psalm 51:10, King David prayed this, “create in me a clean heart.” He wasn’t just repenting from his sins. He was also aligning himself back to the very heart, desire, and intention of God in his life. Deep down in David's heart, he knew he had gone 'off-track', and he knew without God's leading and revelation, he could never continue as God's anointed king!

Beloved, like David, this is a time to realign yourself with God. God wants to separate His desires from your own selfish ones. He wants you to follow His desires and ways, so that His plans for your life will be accomplished. Rest assured His plans for you are always plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, to give you a future and hope (Jeremiah 29:11). You may have started out correctly according to God's will, but maybe down the road, things may have gone 'off-track', and God's desires in your life may have been 'contaminated' with your own self-seeking, impure intention or desires. So, instead of glorifying God, you may have sought your own.

If you are in a situation where you don't see an answer no matter how you try, or your breakthrough tarries even after you have done everything you knew how, it's time to look honestly again at your intentions and desires. It's time to let go of your own fleshly desires, and let God's desires be yours. I like how Paul put it, "I die daily" (1 Corinthians 15:31). He had no more of his own selfish desires or ways. It's all God's.

Beloved, it's time to move where He moves, and move how He moves. His revelation will start flowing again in your life, and your breakthrough will come, even in ways you have never imagined before!