Messy life marked the entrance of Yahusha (Jesus). The world uses pomp and pageantry to mark a new king, but none of that was present in the manger. The King of Kings came to the world through a virgin birth, in blood and pain and messy life. The newborn cry of God made flesh echoed in a stable.
It’s time to make way for the King! It’s time to cry out for Yahuah’s kingdom to come, and with it, the King of all Kings. As we usher in the King, may we have wisdom on how to discern the messy life that precedes the King of Kings. Wisdom on how to welcome Him, and rejoice in the birthing of Yahuah’s kingdom here on earth.
Take hold of Yahuah’s promises and cling to them in joy. Remove the worldly distractions that keep the Lord at a distance. Hold onto what is holy and with a courageous breath, blow away all that is not of Yahuah. And rejoice, for the King is coming!
Make way for the King, for He is coming. Make way for the King of glory to come in. It’s time to lift up our heads and cry out King Yahusha!
Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
Psalm 24:9 (NIV)
On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS
The battle training of Jael took the most unexpected form. The years spent hammering tent pegs into the ground, putting a roof over the heads of her family, would never have been considered weapons training in any army strategy. Yet, in the Kingdom of God, the most mundane of things are the very things God uses for His glory. For the Lord specialises in using the unexpected, the overlooked, the seemingly unimportant. Ask God today what has He been using to train you for battle against powers and principalities? What unlikely tools is He giving you to be used for victory? For it is in the unexpected where God shines brightest. A woman with tent pegs defeated a feared military commander. A brutal death on a cross led to the Resurrection. It is time to get ready for unexpected victories!
But Jael, Heber’s wife, picked up a tent peg and a hammer and went quietly to him while he lay fast asleep, exhausted. She drove the peg through his temple into the ground, and he died.
Shape is important in life, and we often refer to it when we know that we are not in the shape we should be. You have heard the often-said phrase “I need to get into shape” when speaking about physical fitness and weight loss. If shape is important in the physical, how much more important is it to be in the spirit? In our hearts, we all hold onto baggage that we don’t need. Things like unforgiveness, anger, resentment and so on. The effect of this is that it slows us down and even disables us. Today, the Spirit of the Lord says it is time to get into shape, address your attitudes, and deal with the baggage that you have held onto for too long. It is time to process and remove those things that are hindering you and get in shape, the shape I made you, the shape I intend you to become, the shape that is able to carry my glory and be healthy enough to love those around you. I will not give up on you so don’t give up on yourselves says the Spirit of the Lord.
Activation: Ask the Holy Spirit to show you your “shape” in the spirit. Ask Holy Spirit to spotlight where there are things within this shape that you no longer need to carry. Repent and break partnership with these things then ask Holy Spirit to fill these spaces a fresh. Invite Holy Spirit to “re-shape” you today.
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
2 fixing our eyes on Yahusha, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of Yahuah.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)
Yahuah, so many times I fail; I fall into disgrace. But when I trust in you, I have a strong and glorious presence protecting and anointing me. Forever you’re all I need!
Begin by reading these words from Micah 6:6-8 (CSB):
6 What can we bring to the Lord? Should we bring him burnt offerings?Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves?
7 Should we offer Him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil?Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins?
8 No, O people, the Yahuah has told you what is good, and this is what He requires ofyou: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:6-8 (NLT)
What should I bring before Yahuah when I come to bow before God on High?
Should I come before Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? Would Yahuah be pleased with thousands of rams or with ten thousand streams of oil?
Should I give my firstborn for my transgression, the offspring of my body for my own sin?
Mankind, He has told each of you what is good and what it is Yahuah requires of you: • to act justly, • to love faithfulness, and • to walk humbly with your God.
The Lord Most High would remind each of us today, that there is nothing we can achieve through merit. At the very root of what he asks each one of us, is the call to surrender ourselves in obedience to Him. There is a call upon each one of us to mirror God’s character, which can only be done through the blood of Yahusha.
Our glorious Father says to us today: My beloved ones, I would remind you today that there is nothing you can offer Me, nothing you can sacrifice, that would equal the cost of righteousness. This is why you must never forget the great weight, the great power, and the great love, found in the blood of My spotless Son. It is through My Son Yahusha, who reigns supreme, that you are empowered in all things. Because He reflects the true nature of My justice, you may act justly. Because of His great demonstration of faithfulness at the cross, you can access an understanding of faithfulness. Because of His demonstration of true humility, can you walk humbly alongside Me.
Don’t allow yourselves to be easily uprooted, distracted by the concepts of success and achievement that circle around you. Don’t allow yourself to be weighed down by a check-list mentality, making things more complicated than they need to be. Embrace the mentality of the Blood; look to the blood of Yahusha in all things, treasuring deep within yourself the truth of His majesty, righteousness, and goodness.
Prayer: Father, I am so sorry for where I have come at things from a check-list mentality. For where I have made things complicated, believing that I must manufacture Your goodness. ThankYou Yahusha for the power of Your blood! The power that makes it possible for me to walk in justice, mercy, and humility. I declare today that I am set apart for You, Lord! May I be set apart for Your glory! May I be content in Your presence each and every day, Father, for what greater joy is there!
18 Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of His special people?You will not stay angry with Your people forever,because You delight in showing unfailing love.
19 Once again You will havecompassion on us. You will trample our sins under Your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!
20 You will show us Your faithfulness and unfailing love as You promised to our ancestors Abraham and Jacob long ago.
Micah 7:18-20 (NLT)
8 First, Christ said, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were You pleased with them” (though they are required by the law of Moses).
9 Then He said, “Look, I have come to do Your will.” He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect.
10 For Yahuah’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.
1 I waitedpatiently and expectantly for the Lord;and He inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up out of a horrible pit [of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock, steadying myfootsteps and establishing my path.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear [with great reverence] and will trust confidently in the Lord.
4 Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not regard the proud nor those who lapse into lies.
5 Many, O Lord my God, are the wonderful works which You have done, and Your thoughts toward us; there is none to compare with You.If I would declare and speak of your wonders, they would be too many to count.
6 Sacrifice and meal offering You do not desire, nor do You delight in them;You have opened my ears and given me the capacity to hear [and obey Your word];burnt offerings and sin offerings You do not require.
7 Then I said, “Behold, I come [to the throne]; in the scroll of the book it is written of me.
8 “I delight to do Your will, O my God;Your law is within my heart.”
9 I have proclaimed good news of righteousness [and the joy that comes from obedience to You] in the great assembly;behold, I will not restrain my lips [from proclaiming Your righteousness], as You know, O Lord.
10 I have not concealed Your righteousness within my heart;I have proclaimed Your faithfulness and Your salvation.I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great assembly.
11 Do not withhold Your compassion and tender mercy from me, O Lord;Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.
12 For innumerable evils haveencompassed me; my sins have overtaken me, so that I am not able to see. They are more numerous than the hairs of my head, and my heart has failed me.
13 Be pleased, O Lord, to save me;O Lord, make haste to help me.
14 Let those be ashamed andhumiliated together who seek my life to destroy it; let those be turned back [in defeat] and dishonored who delight in my hurt.
15 Let those beappalled and desolate because of their shame who say to me, “Aha, aha [rejoicing in my misfortune]!”
16 Let all who seek You rejoiceand be glad in You; let those who love Your salvation saycontinually, “The Lord be magnified!”
17 Even though I am afflicted and needy, still the Lord takesthought and is mindful of me.You are my help and my rescuer. O my God, do not delay.
He raised us up with Christ, the exalted one, and we ascended with Him into the glorious perfection and authority of the heavenly realm. For we are now co-seated as one with Christ!
Ephesians 2:6 (TPT)
I see every insect that scurries across the ground, and bees pollinating flowers a few feet above. I observe each bird, with freedom in its flight, soaring and gliding, sometimes only visible as a speck to the human eye. I know the hearts of all those flying in planes to their destinations. I am the all-knowing God.
What do you notice? What is your perspective? Where are you looking? Have you become so self-directed that your focus is like that of the insect with its head down?
I invite you to meet me again, sitting with me in the heavenly realm. Discover my perspectives and know my overwhelming kindness. I am always keen to talk with you about your hopes and my plans, not just listen to you. Step away frequently from your own thoughts and emotions. The hanging clouds of discouragement and problems that blur thoughts and vision of those on earth do not weigh me down.
It’s not sacrifices that really move your heart. Burnt offerings, sin offerings- that’s not what brings you joy. But when you open my ears and speak deeply to me, I become your willing servant, your prisoner of love for life.
Psalm 40:6 (TPT)
Fill your thoughts with My words until they penetrate deep into your spirit.
The Lord Most High would remind you today: Though the waters may look like they continue to rise and the winds seem to constantly batter and blow, I call upon you, My people, to rise up above all chaos. Let me steady you as you keep your eyes fixed upon Me. Do not let the storms keep you locked away inside, hidden away from all things. Remember Who it is that you are speaking to. Remember Who it is that goes before you, keeping your path straight and narrow. I am your keeper, defender, master, and maker. I see through it all and from Heaven’s gates, My eyes remain fixed on you.
Activation: Take a moment to ask yourself if there is any fear that you are carrying. Take a hold of anything that arises; close your eyes and look to Yahusha. Hold out the things you are fearful of to Yahusha and be ready to receive from Him anything that He’d like to give you instead. Declare over yourself today: “Through the power of Christ within me, I am strong and courageous! I rise over all fear and chaos.”
Christ is Supreme
15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,[a]
16 for through Him Yahuah created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through Him and for Him.
17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.
18 Christ is also the head of the church, which is His body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead.[b] So He is first in everything.
19 For God in all His fullness was pleased to live in Christ,
20 and through him God reconciled everything to Himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
21 This includes you who were once far away from Yahuah. You were His enemies, separated from Him by your evil thoughts and actions.
22 Yet now He has reconciled you to Himself through the death of Christ in His physical body. As a result, He has brought you into His own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before Him without a single fault.
23 But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as Yahuah’s servant to proclaim it.
Paul Works for the Church
24 I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church.
25 God has given me theresponsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you.
26 This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people.
27 For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives youassurance of sharing his glory.
28 So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect[c] in their relationship to Christ.
Colossians 1:15-28 (NLT) Footnotes [a] 1:15 Or He is the firstborn of all creation. [b] 1:18 Or the firstborn from the dead. [c] 1:28 Or mature.
Living the New Life
1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at Yahuah’s right hand.
2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.
3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 And when Christ, who is your[a] life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
Colossians 3:1-4 (NLT) Footnotes [a] 3:4 Some manuscripts read our.
Now is the time to regain your sense of awe and wonder. Take a hold of it, casting all doubts aside! Ask yourself today: Am I feeling doubtful and downcast?
How is your heart? How are your thoughts? Are you dwelling in anticipation or are you downcast and afraid to get excited?
The Lord says to you today: In this world you will have troubles but the challenge today is to break all partnership with doubt and let your faith arise. Let your faith fill your mind, your heart, every fibre of your being! Will you, like David, be confident that you will see my goodness in the land of the living? (Psalm 27:13).
Activation: Spend some time today having an honest chat with Holy Spirit about where you are carrying doubt. Invite Holy Spirit to highlight this to you and reflect on Psalm 27 (whatever translation you like best). Then, if necessary, spend some time in repentance for where you have knowingly and unknowingly partnered with doubt. Once that hold is broken, ask Holy Spirit to fill you afresh with more awe and wonder. Don’t leave this place until your faith has risen and you feel a sense of expectancy resting within you.
13 Yet I believe with all my heart that I will see again your goodness, Yahweh, in the land of life eternal!
14 Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord.Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope.
15 He will lift me high upon a rock,out of reach from all my enemies who surround me.Triumphant now, I’ll bring him my offerings of praise,singing and shouting with ecstatic joy!
Psalm 27:13-15 (TPT)
I will perform miracles for them[a] as in the days of your exodus from the land of Egypt.
Micah 7:15 (CSB) Footnotes [a] 7:15 = Israel
6 So he answered me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by strength or by might, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord of Armies.
7 ‘What are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. And he will bring out the capstone accompanied by shouts of: Grace, grace to it!’”
Unapologetically Marcia 