ABLAZE FOR GOD

Exodus 29:36-37

(36)  And thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement: and thou shalt cleanse the altar, when thou hast made an atonement for it, and thou shalt anoint it, to sanctify it.

(37)  Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy: whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy.

This scripture has a two dimensional message. First, God expects all His servants who are specially called to the priestly office or pulpit ministry,  to live a life of holiness and purity for the sanctity of the altar.

Secondly, every believer should recognize that the altar is a meeting place between man and God.  It is a place of sacrifice, a place where we offer service and worship unto God. Under the old covenant, it was a physical altar; under the new covenant, it is the altar of our hearts.  From our hearts, we worship and serve the Lord; and as God required of the old testament/old covenant priest, He requires of the new testament/new covenant priest to sanctify the altar--that is rid it of all impurities so that our service and worship can be acceptable.

Remember every believer is redeemed a king and a priest (See Revelations 5:9-10). So, we’re the priests that God is referring to and giving the instructions to carryout in our opening scripture, concerning sanctifying and cleansing of the altar (you may read the entire chapter of Exodus 29 for more clarity). Likewise, in Romans 12:1, we’re admonished to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God so as to make our service to Him a reasonable one (paraphrasing). In other-words, we must sanctify the altar of our hearts (cleanse it from all impurities such as bitterness, unforgiveness/malice, hypocrisy, covetousness, lust/immorality among others) so that our living sacrifice of worship and service to God may be acceptable.

But How do we do that? How do we sanctify the altar of our hearts?  Let us briefly examine two vital keys.

First, is by taking a daily shower in the word of God. It says in Ephesians 5:26, “that he might sanctify and clease it with the washing of water by the Word of God”.

Just as taking one’s bath daily, ensures a clean body, going for a daily spiritual bath in the word ensures a clean spirit and soul.  Jesus once said to His disciples,

“...Ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you” - John 15:3

Also in Hebrews 10:22, it says,

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water”

God’s word is the purest water for the cleansing of our hearts/spirits (conscience), soul, and bodies.

The second key is Prayer. 

To escape the defilement of sin, Jesus gave this recommendation. He said:

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation…” - Matthew 26:41

Also in 1st Timothy 4:5, it says:

“For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer”

So besides the Word, sanctification of our lives can also be achieved through prayer. When the altar of our heart is set ablaze with the word and prayer, evil beasts or forces that bring impurities into our lives stay clear (stay off). In the wild, when fire is burning somewhere (the temperature is too hot), no wild animal goes near. It is the same in the spiritual realm. A believer whose spiritual life is ablaze with the word and prayer will purge/burn off the defiling forces of sin. 

In scripture, both God’s Word and prayer are sources  of spiritual fire. In Jeremiah 23:29, it says: “Is not my word like as a fire?…”

Also, in 2nd Chronicles 7:1, the following is recorded:

“Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices and the glory of the Lord filled the house”

So, God’s Word and prayer are two potent sources of spiritual fire that ignites the altar of our hearts and consumes whatever makes us unworthy before the Lord. 

Therefore, maintaining a daily devotion in the word and prayer is fundamental to the cleansing of the altar of our hearts thereby making our worship and services as priests holy and acceptable to God.  Now is  your turn to be ablaze 🔥 for God!

Meanwhile, accepting Jesus the Son of God as your  personal saviour and Lord is the starting point. If you’re set for that, Please say the following prayer and mean it from your heart:

I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who came to die for my sins and I confess Him as Lord and Saviour.  Thank you Lord for saving me. Amen.

Congratulations! if you said that prayer. The Word of God says you are now a new creature and old things are passed away. All things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). In other-words, God will never call your past life (sins/faults) to remembrance. They are totally forgiven and forgotten. Check this:

I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. (Isaiah 43:25)

For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more (Hebrews 8:12 ) 

If you have said this prayer, we encourage you to get into a bible believing church near you where you can grow in the Lord (1st Peter 2:2 and 2nd Samuel 7:10) . Also, continue to follow us on our social media platforms (YouTube@josephmasiam, Facebook@mawudema). We’d love to hear from you!

To Contact Us, write to: josephasiamminint@gmail.com 

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Remain ever blessed.

Jesus is Lord!