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Saturday, 23rd of April 2022
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Podcast link message: https://anchor.fm/otakada.org/episodes/Perfect-PurificationWater-What-does-water-represent-in-the-realm-and-in-the-word–Six-6-insights-e1higjm
podcast link for song: purify my heart – https://anchor.fm/otakada.org/episodes/Purify-My-HEART-Let-Me-Be-As-GOLD–PURE-GOD—Through-Refiners-FIRE—My-Hearts-ONE-DESIRE–HOLINESS-e1hi6j1
YouTube: https://youtu.be/8wKeXrjy9xU
Title: Perfect Purification: Water – What does water represent in the realm and in the word? Six (6) insights for Godly living Received during the waiting + Baptism of the Holy Spirit and Fire – Refiners Fire + How do I purify my heart? – seven (7) Ways to Purify My Heart for God Day 37 of 40, Revival and Unity in the Churches and Leadership Week 6 of 6
Hello Friends, as we wind down the sixteenth year prayer and fasting for the church and Leadership, here are some final notes.
If you needed missed the last post title, “Perfect Discipleship in Perfect Words, Works and Wonders: Eight (8) Tell Tale Signs Leaders are not making disciples and Why + The Story of Three (3) Luxury Car Motor Mechanic Workshop Owner Managers and their Trainee Workers – Eng. Okey, Engr. Emeka and Engr. Femi + Visions for Leadership and the Churches – Lack of Contentment and Entering Gods rest”
In
Matthew 3:10-12
Amplified Bible
10 And already the axe [of God’s judgment] is [a]swinging toward the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
11 “As for me, I baptize you [b]with water because of [your] repentance [that is, because you are willing to change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret your sin and live a changed life], but He (the Messiah) who is coming after me is mightier [more powerful, more noble] than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to remove [even as His slave]; He will baptize you [who truly repent] with the Holy Spirit and [you who remain unrepentant] with [c]fire (judgment). 12 His [d]winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear out His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat (believers) into His barn (kingdom), but He will burn up the chaff (the unrepentant) with unquenchable fire.”
We see from above that the Holy Spirit baptizes us with those who repent with the Holy Ghost and baptizes those who refuse to repent with Fire of judgment and this does not apply to unbelievers only but more especially those who are in the household of God…read this
Share the Sufferings of Christ
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith], as though something strange or unusual were happening to you. 13 But insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, keep on rejoicing, so that when His glory [filled with His radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may rejoice with great joy. 14 If you are insulted and reviled for [bearing] the name of Christ, you are blessed [happy, with life-joy and comfort in God’s salvation regardless of your circumstances], because the Spirit of glory and of God is resting on you [and indwelling you—He whom they curse, you glorify]. 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or a thief, or any sort of criminal [in response to persecution], or as a troublesome meddler interfering in the affairs of others; 16 but if anyone suffers [ill-treatment] as a [a]Christian [because of his belief], he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God [because he is considered worthy to suffer] in this name. 17 For it is the time [destined] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not respect or believe or obey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is difficult for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the godless and the sinner? 19 Therefore, those who are ill-treated and suffer in accordance with the will of God must [continue to] do right and commit their souls [for safe-keeping] to the faithful Creator.
Paul goes further to clarify what are the things in us that are works of the flesh and the works of the Spirit and how these two play out against one another.
Galatians 5:13-26
Amplified Bible
13 For you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the [a]sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness), but through [b]love serve and seek the best for one another. 14 For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is fulfilled in one precept, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit].” 15 But if you bite and devour one another [in bickering and strife], watch out that you [along with your entire fellowship] are not consumed by one another.
16 But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the [c]sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts]. 17 For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the [d]sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do. 18 But if you are guided and led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the Law. 19 Now the practices of the [e]sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), 20 [f]idolatry, [g]sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], 21 envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the [h]sinful nature together with its passions and appetites.
25 If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit]. 26 We must not become conceited, challenging or provoking one another, envying one another.
Paul goes further to highlight the importance of running away from every appearance of evil..
6 What shall we say [to all this]? Are we to remain in sin in order that God’s grace (favor and mercy) may multiply and overflow?
2 Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer?
And the need to flee every appearance of evil so that our spirit, soul and body can be presevered blameless at the coming of our Lord and Savior in
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
Some further dreams:
Dream: I saw twice clean clear water from the water pipe running in the cause of the fasting… Water represent the word, purification, cleanliness
I also saw intense idolatry and diverse kinds of immorality requiring purification of our hearts because that is where the Lord looks upon and that is where our conduct emanate from as Jesus said in Matthew 15:18-20
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
18 But whatever comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this is what makes a man unclean and defiles [him].
19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts (reasonings and disputings and designs) such as murder, adultery, sexual vice, theft, false witnessing, slander, and irreverent speech.*
20 These are what make a man unclean and defile [him]; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him unclean or defile [him].
So how does God cleanse our hearts? What Does Water Represent In The Bible?
Water has great significance in the Bible so what does it represent according to the Scriptures?
The Washing of the Word
The word of God is often referred to as water in the Bible because the Word acts as a cleansing agent which explains what Paul meant when he wrote concerning Jesus’ cleansing the church “that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish” (Eph 5:26-27). Ezekiel writes about where God says “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you” (Ezk 36:25) while the author of Hebrews writes “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Heb 10:22).
There has been some mystery behind the meaning where John refers to water in 1st John 5:7-9 “For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son.” We know “the Spirit” refers to God the Holy Spirit and He convicts the sinner and points them to their need of the Savior. We know what the Blood of Christ represents. The blood takes away our sins but then the Word of God may be the “water” that John is referring to as he says that these three testify; the Spirit, the water, and the blood. It is a tri-fold work of God to save us.
Six (6) Message and insights and instructions continue
*1)Pray with people and not for people. If they are alive, let them participate so that you can come alongside them in discipleship format and so that they don’t undermine the effectiveness of the prayer*
*2)God sufficiency and not self sufficiency..when we are self sufficient, and we are focused on our sufficiency, hunger for God goes out the window…God responds to desperation powered by hunger and helplessness and hopelessness. Hence the reason it will be difficult for those who see themselves as self sufficient can hardly enter the kingdom and the benefit of rest that accrue for those who are in the kingdom. If we figured life out, we don’t need God. No hunger that He can occupy*
Here from Jesus’ in
Matthew 5:3
*You are blessed when you are at the end of your rope. With less of you, there is more of God and His rule*
And this.
Matthew 19:23-25
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
*23 And Jesus said to His disciples, Truly I say to you, it will be difficult for a rich man to get into the kingdom of heaven.*
*24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to go into the kingdom of heaven.*
*25 When the disciples heard this, they were utterly puzzled (astonished, bewildered), saying, Who then can be saved [[a]from eternal death]?*
*3)God showed us the need to focus on Him and not on things because if we focus on things, we will miss the mark of the high calling of God*
*4)Make alliances based on fruit of the spirit rather than gifts of the spirit.. have different levels of relationship.*
*5)Prayer: God, shut down all relationship that is not leading us into the image and likeness of Your Son and shut down all endervour that is a distraction to the high calling of God for my life*
*6) Directions: Taking step by step process to the place and things and directions of assignments in full reliance on the Holy Spirit..don’t wait, move with the first instructions and follow the next instructions*
Now, look at
*What does a pure heart mean?*
According to Merriam-Webster “pure” is defined as “unmixed with any other matter, free from dust, dirt, or taint.” Often when we think of purity, the initial thought may be a precious metal, specifically gold. Pure gold is free from inclusions and because of this lack of impurities, is also considered valuable.
When discussing how this definition relates to the heart we have to dig a little deeper. One of the most popular scriptures about a pure heart is Matthew 5:8 ESV and it says:
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
In this passage, the word pure is translated from the Greek word Katharos, which has three different meanings for us to dig into:
*1. Physically clean* – like a vine cleansed by pruning and so fitted to bear fruit – in this definition of the word, a pure heart would be one that bears fruit, biblically speaking this could be likened to someone who is prepared to do the work of God
*2. Clean in a Levitical sense* – the use of which is no forbidden – in much of the bible the difference between what was clean and unclean was very clearly demarcated. People that where considered unclean according to Jewish law, were often rejected until a time in which they were shown to be clean.
Certain animals and items used ceremoniously where also described as clean or unclean. This was all before the sacrifice of Christ negated the need for things to be clean or unclean, because his death atoned for sin.
*3. Ethically – free from corrupt desire, free from every admixture of what is false*
– this definition seems to speak more directly to the understanding of a pure heart. A heart that is pure would be one that is free from evil desires and false teachings.
Each of these definitions gives us an idea of what it means to have a clean heart. They describe what to consider when looking at our own purity, and how to grow in our Christian walk.
*What does the Bible say about a pure heart?*
The entire bible is a love letter to us from God. The words of the bible tell a story that all points to a savior and a purifier. On our own, we could never be pure enough, but when our bridegroom, Jesus came and gave himself for us, he presented us white as snow. The bible speaks often of a pure heart and reminds us that our purity comes from God.
*Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me Psalm 51:10 ESV*
The psalmist here requests purification from God, knowing that on his own, he is prone to unclean thoughts and emotions. He appeals to the father, “create in me a clean heart.” Seeking assistance from the only one who can truly clean the mess of our broken humanity and restore us.
*Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life Proverbs 4:23*
This passage of scripture reminds us that a clean heart is something that should be protected. When we choose to follow Jesus and walk the path he has for us, we are choosing to let go of the activities and things that we readily walked in as unbelievers.
This does not mean that we will not fail, we have grace for our failures.
We should, however, try to walk in the way of the Word. Guarding our heart is protecting the gift of purity. We do this not to idolize our own purity but to give thanks to God for the gift of grace.
*Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?* And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. Psalm 24:3-4
Sin separated us from God. The sacrifice of Jesus cleansed us and restored our access to the Father. This bible verse about purity reminds us that it is only with a pure heart that we can enter the presence of the Father. The Holy Spirit reminds us that Jesus purified us so that we may humbly ascend the hill of the Lord.
*How can you purify your heart?*
Now that we know the ways that God can speak to our hearts and purify us through the process of sanctification, we may wonder what we can do to maintain a lifestyle that is constantly seeking Jesus and his truths. *There are 7 simple ways that we can be more intentional about growing in purity.*
*1. Dwell on the word of God*
The number one way to purify your heart is to meditate on the word of God. Spending time in focusing on and filling yourself up on the word of God is the most impactful way to root out the impurities within and to be changed by God.
When we study his word, we are changed. The word of God is living and it breaths life into us. It allows us to see where our thought and our feelings fail to line up with God’s intention. In his word we find wisdom, strength, and directions for living.
*2. Spend quiet time with God*
Spending quiet time with God goes hand in hand with dwelling on his word. When we take the time to intentionally quiet our thoughts and sit in restful peace with the Father, we open our hearts to allow Him to cleanse us. Our prayer time becomes a space where we can be corrected and encouraged to walk out this life in line with God’s plans for us.
*3. Watch Your words to keep a clean heart*
Words have power. The words we say can lift others up or can cause hearts to break. A simple word can throw nations into turmoil. In the same sense, a simple “I’m sorry,” can shift the course of the future. Luke 6:45 says,
The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
In other words, the things that we fill ourselves up with, are the things that will come out of our mouths. Perhaps you are still in a process of purification, in fact all of us are. Being conscious of the words that we say to people, and to ourselves can help us starve the impurities and become more like Christ.
*4. Purify your heart by Monitoring your thoughts*
Similarly, the thoughts we allow our minds to harbor can keep us from walking out a life pursuing purity. Society offers us so many ways to cloud our thoughts and distract us from the truth of the love of God. Whether it is the television shows we watch or the music we listen to, everything of this world is set on pushing us away from God.
Have you ever had a moment where you are watching something and impure thoughts seem to run rampant in your mind? This is how easily we can be influenced. But we are told that we are to take captive these flawed thoughts and hold them to the truth of the word of God. This brings us back to our first tip, to dwell on the word of God.
*5. Consider The influences Affecting your heart*
This means that we should be conscious of who and what has our time and attention. While we are called to be a light to those who do not know the love of God, we also must be mindful of the influence that significant time in the presence of certain people has on the purity of our hearts.
For example, perhaps you have a longtime friend who happens to use a healthy amount of colorful language and speaks about experiences that you know do not line up with the word of God.
If you can be around this person and influence them to seek a lifestyle more in line with the word of God, then the time spent in fruitful. If, on the other hand, you find yourself being influenced, then you may need to reconsider the fruitfulness of this relationship.
*6. Be repentant*
All of us are sinners and our very best efforts would still not be enough to remain pure in our own strength, but God. He loved us so much that knowing that we would never be able to repay the debt of sin, offered his son as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world, and the only thing we need to do to receive this free gift is to believe in Him!
When we believe and repent, God no longer sees our sins, but the purity found by being washed in the blood of Jesus! A repentant heart is a purified heart!
*7. Be open to wisdom from others*
There are times when we have blind spots, and we miss the mark. Perhaps our prayer life is lacking. God, in His infinite wisdom, gave us fellowship with other believers, the church, as a space where we can be led through godly wisdom to the truth when we are failing to see it for ourselves.
Therefore it is so important to have trusted, godly counselors, friends, and mentors! You want to be surrounded by people who are also seeking to know God more and live according to his word. These people can walk alongside you in your dark hours and remind you of God’s truth.
Have Grace for yourself and others
This life can be hard, and chasing purity can feel impossible, but the Good news is Jesus has overcome it all. We do not have to strive for purity of heart. We only need to seek Jesus as we spend more time with Him and in His presence.
When we sit at his feet and dwell on the power of his word, he changes us. Our hearts are purified and cleansed by his love and sacrifice.
So have grace for yourself, know that when you fall, the Lord is there beside you, reaching His hand out to you and guiding you along the best path for your life
In concluding, I hope today’s title, “Perfect Purification: Water – What does water represent in the realm and in the word? Six (6) insights for Godly living Received during the waiting + Baptism of the Holy Spirit and Fire – Refiners Fire + How do I purify my heart? – seven (7) Ways to Purify My Heart for God Day 37 of 40, Revival and Unity in the Churches and Leadership Week 6 of 6
Has been a blessing in Jesus name, Amen
Shalom!
Ambassador Oreojo Monday Ogbe
God’s Eagle Ministries
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