Oceans in the Desert

By Kathi Pelton

It’s seems that everyone that I talk to lately is in an intensified season of refinement. From their words (which flow from the heart) to their motives, to areas of judgement or offense— the fire of purification has come to purge and purify.

I am involved with a global team, a national team and a local team. I find it so very interesting that no matter which team I am talking with, the words of discernment are the same— REFINEMENT!

In God’s mercy he has some to search our hearts and to cleanse us of every place that grieves his heart and separates family and friends. The seemingly “little” allowances or accommodations that we have given permission for (or merely ignored) are no longer insignificant or out of our sight. They are highlighted for the sake of repentance. The little foxes that spoil the vineyard are being exposed so that the harvest can come forth without being spoiled.

I was having a conversation with a young man yesterday who said that he was feeling under assault from the enemy because things were happening all around him that were triggering offense and anger. I was able to assure him that most likely God was surfacing “triggger areas” for the sake of healing, refining and repentance. He was so grateful that he now had a strategy that would cooperate with the Holy Spirit rather than focusing his time and energy at fighting the enemy. The thing is…when we allow the Spirit of God to purify us and remove the places of strongholds— that becomes the greatest weapon we have against the enemy— he then has no part of us!

If you are dealing with frustrations, offenses, judgements, anger or words that slip out and reveal your heart in an unbecoming way— you too are being refined. Don’t be disillusioned— this is merely proof that you are a son or daughter of God.

The dross is coming to the surface as pressure is applied and things in your soul are stirred. This is not a time to become weighed down by guilt, nor is it a time to nurture (feed) these areas that need refining fire. God is being a good Father to you by exposing them so that you can repent and invite his Spirit of purify you.

In the letter to the Church of Laodicea (Revelation 3:14), they are counseled to buy gold (refined in fire), to buy white garments (to cover their shameful nakedness) and to buy eye salve (to see— for their vision is blurred or blinded to areas of compromise). God calls them “lukewarm” due their need for refinement, purification and clear sight. Though they say that they are rich, the Spirit of the Lord reveals that they are, “…wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” It is in God’s incredible love for them that he is bringing this revelation and invitation into repentance.

“I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Revelation 3:18-20

The currency of heaven is love and if we love the Lord with all of our heart, soul and mind (and our brother as ourselves)— then we will use that currency to buy gold, white garments and eye salve. If we do not have the currency of love in our life’s account— we can ask him for it.

Let’s earnestly repent so that we can feast with the Lord. Open the door to him when you are triggered by something or someone. Open the door when your mouth spills out words that reveal wrong motives, judgements or profanities. His knock my sound like exposure but when you open up and let him in he will cleanse you.

A dear friend of mine was saying, “We are being purged to be promoted.” Yes we are! We are overcoming to be made ready to wear the victors crown.

Revelation 3 goes on to say this,

“To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:21-22

This is a letter to the church of 2022– sealed with a promise of authority, promotion and victory. Let us be sober minded and pay attention when Jesus is knocking on the door of our hearts so that he can let him in. He will exchange our filthy garments for pure, white garments that cover what has been exposed.

Repentance may be the greatest weapon ever picked up by the Church! Pick it up and be purified.

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