Salted by Fire on 7 Mountains with 14 Stories— Becoming Relevant for God’s Increase
Date: 11/11/2025
NOVEMBER 11TH, 2025
podcast link https://open.spotify.com/episode/0gPh88rNOvNOlMjluyc56G
Youtube link https://youtu.be/ygyB-4NAGzc?si=-AdzucG6Y7yK30IU
INTRODUCTION: Measuring Success by Fire
This morning, as I meditated on how we measure the success or failure of life’s endeavors, the Lord began to stir this message—Salted by Fire. We are approaching the end of the year, a season when many begin to audit their lives: “Was this a successful year or a failed one?” For some, the measure is financial. For others, it’s visible progress, promotions, or applause. But for those walking the path of divine purpose, success cannot be measured in numbers, likes, or speed. It must be measured in alignment—in how much of what we are doing reflects what the Father is doing.
When we look at the life of Jesus, we see that He drew multitudes everywhere He went, yet at the end of His earthly ministry—after three and a half years of preaching, healing, teaching, and miracles—He left only 120 disciples in the upper room. By human standards, that might look like failure. But heaven measured it differently. Those 120 became the foundation of a Kingdom that has not stopped increasing for over two thousand years. The true impact of Jesus’ obedience was not immediate—it unfolded after the fire of death, burial, and resurrection. For except a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it abides alone; but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit (John 12:24).
This is the mystery of divine relevance—what looks buried is often what God is building. Many of the heroes in Hebrews 11 “did not receive what was promised,” yet heaven recorded their names among the faithful. They were salted with fire—tested, refined, and made relevant beyond their lifetime. Success in the Kingdom is not the applause of men but the approval of God. It’s not in what is seen immediately but in what endures eternally.
So, as this year draws to a close, God is calling us to shift our perspective. Don’t just count your achievements—weigh your alignment. Don’t just evaluate your progress—test your purity by fire. Whether in ministry, career, parenting, business, or calling, true success is when what you are doing is synchronized with what the Father is doing. That is where the increase comes. That is where the fire refines, relevance is born, and your story becomes part of God’s eternal narrative.
TRANSITION: From Reflection to Refinement
When we understand that true success is not measured by immediate results but by eternal relevance, then we begin to see that God’s refining fire is not punishment—it’s preparation. Every area of influence He has called us to—whether in faith, family, education, government, media, arts, or business—is a mountain that must be climbed, purified, and reclaimed for His glory. Each of these mountains carries influence, and every influence must pass through the fire to be made useful for the Kingdom.
The Spirit of the Lord began to whisper, “I am raising a generation that will not only stand on the seven mountains but will stand salted with fire.” These are men and women who will not compromise when the testing comes—people who understand that the fire does not destroy what is divine; it only exposes and strengthens it. Their success will not be in their visibility, but in their alignment with the Father’s will.
Just as Jesus’ resurrection became the proof of His divine relevance, so too will your trials become the proof of your transformation. The refining fire of God is the passageway to lasting impact. Every calling must pass through a crucible before it carries a crown. And just as the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 stood their ground—even when they did not receive the promise—they remind us that faithfulness under fire is what heaven calls success.
So, as we journey into this message—Salted by Fire on Seven Mountains—we will explore fourteen powerful stories of believers who faced the flame in their spheres of influence and emerged relevant for God’s increase. These stories are not just testimonies; they are templates. Through their obedience, we will discover that the path to increase is not always upward—it is inward and Godward. For when the Father’s fire touches your assignment, your relevance will outlive your lifetime.
Key Scriptures
1 Corinthians 3:6–15 — “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase… every man’s work shall be revealed by fire.”
Mark 9:49 — “Everyone shall be salted with fire.”
John 5:19 — “The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do.”
Galatians 5:16 — “Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
1- God’s Order of Increase
Paul planted. Apollos watered.
But only God gives the increase.
That means: strategy without Spirit equals stagnation.
We can plant and water—but it’s heaven that breathes life into what we do.
The key is alignment: doing what the Father is doing.
John 5:19: “The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do.”
Jesus was effective not because He was busy, but because He was aligned.
*2 – Fire: The Refiner of Relevance*
Jesus said, “Everyone shall be salted with fire.” Fire purifies, it exposes motives, and it preserves spiritual relevance.
Some believers are talented but irrelevant because they avoid fire—the testing that reveals purpose.
God uses fire not to destroy us, but to distill us—removing self, pride, and distraction.
The same fire that consumes straw purifies gold.
The difference is substance.
*3 – Salted by fire on 7 mountains with 14 stories of realignment*
Mountain 1: FAITH — Refining the Ministry Fire
*Story 1 of 14: The Pastor Who Let Go of the Platform*
A young preacher built a large following on social media. His ministry grew fast, but his intimacy with God waned. One day, the Lord said, “Will you lay down the crowd to find My cloud?”
He went silent for six months. Many forgot him—but in that hidden season, God refined him. When he returned, his words carried fire and power, not just followers.
Lesson: Sometimes God hides you to heal you. Relevance begins in the secret place.
*Story 2 of 14: The Missionary Who Stayed When Others Left*
During a political uprising, most missionaries fled a certain African region. One woman stayed—risking her life daily to care for orphans. When peace returned, the nation’s president publicly honored her. Her school now educates thousands.
Lesson: Faith is not tested in convenience, but in conviction. Her obedience became her increase.
*Mountain 2: FAMILY — Purified by Fire for Legacy*
*Story 3 of 14: The Father Who Apologized*
A father who was distant and authoritarian heard a message on walking in the Spirit. Convicted, he wept before his grown children and asked forgiveness. That night, decades of tension broke. His humility restored unity and modeled Christ’s love.
Lesson: The fire of repentance purifies relationships faster than years of prideful silence.
*Story 4 of 14: The Couple Who Waited*
A young couple felt pressured to marry quickly, but both sensed the timing wasn’t right. They waited and used that season to grow spiritually. When they finally married, their union became a mentoring hub for young believers.
Lesson: When you let the Spirit, not emotion, lead your relationships, God gives the increase.
*Mountain 3: EDUCATION — Enlightened Through Refinement*
*Story 5 of 14: The Teacher Who Changed Her Curriculum*
A Christian teacher realized her school’s material subtly erased God from science lessons. Instead of quitting, she began to infuse Biblical principles of wonder, stewardship, and creation into her teaching. Her students’ curiosity—and performance—soared.
Lesson: The fire of conviction can ignite transformation where compromise once ruled.
*Story 6 of 14: The Professor Who Risked His Tenure*
At a secular university, a professor stood for truth on moral issues. He was ridiculed, threatened with dismissal—but his courage inspired students to seek faith. Today, he leads a global movement training educators in values-based learning.
Lesson: Fire reveals courage. When truth costs you comfort, relevance begins.
*Mountain 4: GOVERNMENT — Purity in the Place of Power*
*Story 7 of 14: The Politician Who Refused the Bribe*
A Christian lawmaker was offered millions to influence a bill. He refused, quoting Joseph: “How can I do this wicked thing and sin against God?” The exposure of that corruption led to national reform, and he became a symbol of integrity.
Lesson: When fire tests integrity, your stand becomes your platform.
*Story 8 of 14: The Civil Servant Who Prayed for the City*
A quiet believer in a city planning office began weekly prayer meetings. Over time, crime rates dropped, leadership corruption was exposed, and city development flourished. The mayor credited “spiritual forces of good.”
Lesson: Hidden intercession shapes public transformation. Prayer is a purifying fire in governance.
*Mountain 5: MEDIA — Refined for Truth in Influence*
*Story 9 of 14: The Reporter Who Wouldn’t Spin the Story*
A journalist was ordered to twist an election report to favor a candidate. She refused and was fired. Months later, the truth came out—her integrity won her a major role with a global Christian network.
Lesson: Fire may cost you your job, but it will never cost you your destiny.
*Story 10 of 14: The Filmmaker Who Redeemed His Craft*
A film director once known for dark thrillers encountered Christ. God told him, “Use your gift to reveal light.” He produced a movie about redemption that reached millions worldwide and opened doors to major studios.
Lesson: When the fire of God touches your creativity, your art becomes ministry.
*Mountain 6: ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT — Purified Talent, Prophetic Impact*
*Story 11 of 14: The Singer Who Lost Her Voice*
A gospel artist lost her voice for a year. Doctors said she might never sing again. In that silent season, she learned to worship without performance. When her voice returned, her songs carried healing power.
Lesson: Sometimes God silences your stage to strengthen your spirit.
*Story 12 of 14: The Painter Who Saw Heaven in Color*
An artist once painted for fame. After a personal tragedy, he met Christ and began painting prophetic images of hope. His art now funds orphanages across nations.
Lesson: Fire transforms skill into service. True art reveals the heart of God.
*Mountain 7: BUSINESS & ECONOMY — Purified Profit, Kingdom Prosperity*
*Story 13 of 14: The CEO Who Chose Kingdom Over Cash*
A CEO had to choose between a merger that violated ethics and a smaller partnership that honored God. He chose integrity. Within years, his company grew beyond what the bigger deal could have offered.
Lesson: Purity attracts divine profitability. Fire-tested business stands forever.
*Story 14 of 14: The Employee Who Became a Kingdom Financier*
A low-level accountant began tithing and sowing sacrificially for the gospel. God opened ideas and promotions until he became a major investor funding missions globally.
Lesson: The fire of faith in giving produces the increase of glory.
The Fire That Makes You Relevant
Beloved, as we have journeyed through the seven mountains and fourteen stories, one truth rings clear — the fire of God is not your enemy; it is your making. Every person God ever used was first refined by fire. The same fire that burns away the flesh also births divine fruit. Without the cross, there is no resurrection; without refining, there is no relevance.
When Jesus hung on the cross, it seemed like failure — the crowds had gone, the miracles were over, and even His disciples scattered. But on the other side of that fire came the glory of resurrection and the birth of a Kingdom that has never stopped growing. What looked like an ending was really a refining — a transition from visibility to eternal impact.
So it is with you. The fire you’re walking through is not to destroy you but to distinguish you. The pressure, the pruning, the waiting — all of it is Heaven preparing you for greater fruitfulness. God’s measure of success is not how fast you rise, but how faithfully you endure. It’s not how many people applaud you, but how many lives are transformed through your obedience.
The world celebrates numbers; Heaven celebrates obedience. The world counts results; God weighs motives. The world rewards speed; God honors alignment. So as this year draws to an end, don’t just ask, “Did I succeed?” — ask, “Was I aligned?” Because when your steps are synchronized with the Father’s will, increase is inevitable.
Let this be the cry of your heart: “Lord, salt me with Your fire. Burn away the flesh. Align me with Your purpose. Make me relevant for Your increase.” For only what survives the fire will shine forever.
4 – 7 REFLECTION QUESTIONS TO SEE IF I AM IN ALIGNMENT
1. Which “mountain” am I called to influence?
2. Where am I out of alignment—location, relationship, or purpose?
3. What has the fire exposed in my motives or actions?
4. What am I building that the Father isn’t building?
5. What obedience have I delayed?
6. How can I invite the Holy Spirit back into my decision process?
7. Who benefits eternally from my obedience?
*5 – WHAT MUST I DO TO REALIGN- APPLICATION: Seven Steps to Realignment*
1. Pause and listen – Silence the noise; ask, “Lord, where am I?”
2. Repent and release – Let go of misaligned people, places, and pursuits.
3. Revisit your assignment – What did God originally call you to do?
4. Recommit to obedience – Say yes again to His direction.
5. Rebuild with purity – Don’t patch; start fresh with holiness.
6. Reignite your fire – Pray in the Spirit daily; keep your flame alive.
7. Run your lane – Stay focused where God planted you; the increase is coming.
*6 – DECLARATION OF ALIGNMENT*
Father, I thank You for the refining fire of the Holy Spirit.
Today, I surrender my mountains—faith, family, business, education, media, arts, and government—back to You.
Burn away the flesh, pride, and distractions that limit Your increase in my life.
Purify my motives, reposition my steps, and reignite my passion for purpose.
I am no longer led by comfort but by calling.
I am no longer driven by ambition but by assignment.
Where I am out of place, realign me.
Where I have delayed, accelerate me.
Where I have fallen, restore me.
I decree that I am salted with fire,
refined for relevance,
and positioned for divine increase.
My work will pass the fire test.
My name will glorify Jesus.
My mountain will reveal His Kingdom.
From this day, I walk in divine alignment.
I see what the Father is doing—and I move with Him.
In Jesus’ Name — Amen!
RESOUNDING CLOSING PRAYER
Lord, You are the Refiner’s Fire.
Touch every area of our lives—our faith, families, cities, and callings.
Align our hearts to Heaven’s rhythm.
Deliver us from the spirit of misalignment and distraction.
Raise reformers for every mountain—prophets in pulpits, Daniels in governments,
Deborahs in families, Josephs in business, and Esthers in culture.
Let Your fire fall again—purify our generation,
ignite revival in our workplaces,
and release increase in our obedience.
May our names echo in eternity as those who built with fireproof faith.
Salt us, refine us, and send us forth as voices of relevance and revival.
In Jesus’ powerful name — Amen!
Shalom!
Ambassador Monday Oreojo Ogwuojo Ogbe
God’s Eagle Ministries GEMs
https://www.otakada.org
Where we are Seeding the NATIONS with God’s Word and God is transforming lives through His timeless truths, one content at a time. – We are one in Christ Jesus, Lets stay one! _CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS, BORDERS AND DENOMINATIONS_
