Clean and Pure

 

upper falls
Desoto Falls
Fort Payne, Alabama

"Therefore, if anyone cleanses [purifies] himself from these things [which are dishonorable—disobedient, sinful], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified [set apart for a special purpose and], useful to the Master, prepared for every good work." (2 Timothy 2:21 AMP)

The theme for 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2022 is great faith. The theme God gave me personally, I believe, is clean and pure in body, soul, and spirit.

So, for a cleaner body, I'm eliminating all processed sugar, dairy, gluten, and preservatives for 21 days and consuming only water, fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, meat, nuts, eggs, and occasionally oats seasoned only with fruit juices, spices, pepper, a little salt, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil. 

kale fruit salad with lime juice dressing

For a cleaner soul (mind, will, and emotions), I'm replacing television (with the exception of the National Championship game) and movies with biblically-based messages by great speakers such as Priscilla Shirer, Rick Warren, Gary Hamrick, and Chris Hodges.

For a cleaner spirit, I'm confessing my sins to God, repenting, and feeding on God's Word and the voice of Holy Spirit.

In Paul's second letter to Timothy, the old Apostle laid out the foundation of purity and encouraged the young pastor to turn away—to cleanse himself—from the influences of false doctrine and lures of youthful lust, becoming a vessel of honor who pursues righteousness (right-side-up living), faith, love, and peace. In doing so, Timothy would be useful to the Master, prepared and equipped to do God's good work.

Wanna be useful to the Master, beloved, and prepared for His good work? Clean the vessel.

"Search us [thoroughly], O God, and know our hearts; test us and know our anxious thoughts; and see if there are any wicked or hurtful ways in us and lead us in the everlasting way!" (Psalm 139:23-24 AMP)