Purify

     Jeremiah 29:11 (NASB)- " 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope'." 

    Purify (Merriam-Webster, 2023): to clear from material defilement or imperfection; to free from guilt or moral or ceremonial blemish; to free from undesirable elements. 

    God's Word right here has been a reoccurring theme for me the past week or so, in regards to one of the many scriptures He has been using to comfort me in my time of purification. The Lord recently revealed to me that He was doing this with me in order that my advancement would not have spiritual baggage. One person I was talking to one day gave me a visual, and I thought I'd share to make my point: as a spaceship goes higher and higher, it has to be released from some things in order for it be at its' most successful point when it reaches its' specified goal. God is doing this to me spiritually.

    I have felt, and the Lord has revealed to me, that He has been cleaning house on me spiritually. He has been revealing me to me; exposing some areas of my soul that are still attached to other people and/or other things rather than Him and my relationship with Him. These things (or people) I was attached to I thought my connection to them wasn't that deep until the Lord revealed that it was. Have you ever been in this purification process by the Holy Spirit, and didn't realize it until you were in the company of others who were not on the same wavelength as you? 

    I truly believe this is what the Lord is doing right now to the body of Christ. He is purifying those who are taking Him seriously enough to lay it all at His feet, those who've been obedient even when it was hard to do so, and those who have the willing and volunteer spirit to go when they cannot see the other side. God is purifying and pruning the willing. The question: Are you willing? God can use a willing spirit, but a stubborn one there's not much He can do but continue His fatherly discipline (Hebrews 12:4-17, NASB). 

    Another indicator you know you're being (or have been) purified by the Christ, is that you have immediate conviction when doing anything outside of His will. The closer you get to God, the less wiggle room you have to mess around in His kingdom. The kingdom of God does not even associate with worldly matters. There is an inner correction to make it right with a person, pray for that person, repent immediately, or to do all at once. 

    I have talked about it before, but it is becoming more obvious as we continue to walk this journey with Jesus...His lights are shining brighter and brighter each and every day, and the enemy's camp is taking notice (Matthew 5:14-16,NASB). We are literally in a Matthew 10 moment of true discipleship and service to the body of Christ. As we become purified, we start to see the world through the eyes of Jesus, and not that of our own. Others around us start to notice a difference on us that they cannot explain. You won't even have to say anything, but it will be the Holy Spirit speaking for you and through you. 

    What will your words be? There is an unction to say only what the Lord would have me to say without it seeming too religious or unpopular in the world's eyes, because the reverence and fear has increased inside of me for my Father. Is it too much to ask? Jesus died and resurrected for our sins, sicknesses, and diseases, and we can't at least continue to spread His message, life,  and revelation? Matthew 10:32-33 (NASB)- "Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven." Allow the Holy Spirit to purify you through the Word. Instead of just studying, allow the Lord to study you and reveal to you your heart. Let's clean house, so when we arrive to the place called "there" we won't have that spiritual baggage. 

***Let's Pray! 💜 Thank you Jesus for your patience, sacrifice, and compassion. You didn't have to do it, but you did. So, we, as your bride stand in your camp, in your army, on your side ready to do the will of the Father. Thank you Lord for your unmatched selflessness for our eternal safety and home. For our well-being you made sure, by any means possible, that we were taken care of and that your glory was seen. Thank you Lord that you are still providing for your kingdom, and that your glory is becoming more evident. It is becoming harder and harder to deny your presence Lord, and we are all here for it. Thank Father for taking the time to purify and cleanse us of our impurities. Let us not go back, and actually hate, those things that are not of you. Let us continue to pray and intercede for those who are resisting you and your love. Inwardly, their spirit longs for you, but their flesh is currently winning the battle. So we speak against this and command the flesh to obey to your Word Lord. To come into submission and live a life for Christ. Your will, your way, your glory, and our sacrifice. In Jesus' Name we pray-Amen.***