As with anything, cold weather has two sides to it; a good and bad side.
When I think of cold weather, I must say that evenings spent indoors, huddled up on the sofa in a nice warm blanket, with my favourite snacks (whilst listening to my favourite music or watching a movie) really warms my heart. It’s at moments like these that I can clearly count my reasons to be thankful.
Unfortunately, if I’m going through a period of depression, I tend to count the things I DON’T have, which is never a good thing.
At this time of transition, when many in the Body of Christ are poised, ready to step into new assignments and see promises fulfilled, remember whose you are and who you are. I call you to be Holy because I am Holy, and you are made in My image. My Bride, in humility, cry out for Me to release a Fear of the Lord and a burning desire for Holiness as you consecrate yourselves afresh.
Living a life which is holy and set apart for Me will protect you from the wiles of the enemy and the distractions of the world. Shape your lives as ones who live victoriously for Jesus, so that you can overcome every temptation in thought, word, and deed. Determine to keep your hearts and minds pure, at peace and focused on Me.
I call you to this life which is energetic and blazing with holiness because of the increasingly dark days you are living in. Without holiness piercing the world’s darkness and revealing a way forward that is drenched in light, no one will see Me. I am the One who has called you and I will be faithful to complete the work in you. I am coming back for a pure and spotless bride, and I will have My prize.
Activation:
As the Holy Spirit leads, ask the Lord to show you any areas of compromise or complacency in your heart and life. If conviction comes, spend time in confession and repentance. Where appropriate, pray in agreement with a friend or leader for a right fear of the Lord. Surrender afresh and ask Holy Spirit to help you walk in new levels of consecration in the days ahead.
Christian Conduct
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [that is, separate you from profane and vulgar things, make you pure and whole and undamaged—consecrated to Him—set apart for His purpose]; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete and [be found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 (AMP)
A Father’s Discipline
Continually pursue peace with everyone, and the sanctification without which no one will [ever] see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:14 (AMP)
A Living Hope, and a Sure Salvation
14 [Live] as obedient children [of God]; do not be conformed to the evil desires which governed you in your ignorance [before you knew the requirements and transforming power of the good news regarding salvation].
15 But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your conduct [be set apart from the world by your godly character and moral courage];
16 because it is written, “TOU SHALL BE HOLY (set apart), FOR I AM HOLY.”
I Am the God who quiets the storm and stills the sea. Wind and weather obey My command. Creation and all the elements of nature bow to My orders. There is no storm too mighty; no earthquake too heavy; no flood too strong; no fire too raging for Me that I would not be Lord over it. I Am the Master over the elements! Trust My authority and trust the authority I gave you.
Remember when I was on the boat with My disciples and suddenly a furious storm came up.
They were so afraid while I was still sleeping. They woke Me up in despair. Fear in their eyes; no faith or confidence. They cried: Lord, save us! And I just got up and rebuked the winds and the waves and it was completely calm. My disciples were so amazed and exclaimed: “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey Him.” (Matthew 8:23-27)
And I tell you: If you believe and trust Me, you will do the same works that I have done and you will do even greater things than I did. Therefore, let Me challenge you into the greater things, into greater trust and into greater possibilities. Trust ME, the Master over the elements and the Lord of the impossible, and you will see mountains moved, storms calmed, fires quenched, people healed and freed. You have watched Me do it, now YOU do it!
Activation:
Read Matthew 8:23-27. As you read it, imagine yourself in the boat. See Me getting up and commanding the wind and the waves. Experience the absolute calm afterwards.
Now, read it a second time. But this time I command You that You get up and calm the wind and the waves. Do my actions! Speak my words! Do it in my authority! I have given you this authority. You have to get used to doing what I did, under My command and under My control. You have to learn to do things My way, in absolute trust in Me.
You might have to act the passage out a second and third time – I want you to see, hear, feel and experience what it does in the spiritual realm, in the natural realm, and in yourself when you use My authority over the elements of nature.
Discipleship Tested
23 When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him.
24 And suddenly a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being covered by the waves; but Jesus was sleeping.
25 And the disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us, we are going to die!”
26 He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was [at once] a great and wonderful calm [a perfect peacefulness].
27 The men wondered in amazement, saying, “What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”
Matthew 8:23-27 (AMP)
I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the Father.
Take My hand and let Me lead you. Do not be disturbed by your earthly circumstances nor by the unexpected twists and turns in the path set before you. The path is straight despite how you see it through the demands of this world; the tugging and pulling of good works rather than My works.
Keep close and listen to My voice. Hold My hand so that you are always aligned to My purpose. I know that it can sometimes feel like you are playing a game of ‘Twister’ as earthly demands exert their pull on you. Do not let go of My hand so that I can lead you and reveal to you how to navigate all of this “stuff.”Come, let us go forward together!
Activation:
Read 1 Samuel 14:8-14 in your preferred translation aloud. In this passage, Jonathan speaks with confidence as he demonstrates that he knew his authority rested in God. Spend some time asking Holy Spirit to speak and guide you as you study this passage. Ask for the gift of confidence to be bold in following the Lord’s leading.
8 Jonathan said, “See now, we are going to cross over to the [Philistine] men and reveal ourselves to them.
9 If they say to us, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stand in our place and not go up to them.
10 But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ we will go up, for the Lord has handed them over to us; and this shall be the sign to us.”
11 When both of them revealed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines, the Philistines said, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden themselves.”
12 So the men of the garrison responded to Jonathan and his armor bearer, “Come up to us and we will tell you something.” Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Climb up after me, for the Lord has given them into the hands of Israel.”
13 Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, his armor bearer following after him. The enemy fell before Jonathan [in combat], and his armor bearer killed some of them after him.
14 That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armor bearer made was about twenty men within about half a [plow] furrow in a plot of land [the area of which a yoke of oxen could plow in a day].
1 Samuel 14:8-14 (AMP)
Commit your way to the Lord; Trust in Him also and He will do it.
Psalm 37:5 (AMP)
Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.
Beloved, I recognize the frustration of this season. I recognize the frustration that comes from knowing that where you are positioned currently is no longer right and that I am calling you forward into a new assignment. You don’t yet, however, have all of the pieces. It feels as if the things you have dreamed about for years are within your grasp yet still slightly out of reach.
I say to you today, I recognize the frustration of being caught between two places. Of being in the middle of the “not yet” of the new and the “not satisfied” of the old. My child, it is very important to not grow frustrated in the in-between. Will you trust Me in this space of the in-between to ensure that you are properly prepared for the new assignment that is before you?
Lean in to Me and give Me the space required to prepare you fully for the stewardship of the new assignment I have for you. Do not give in to the temptation to grow frustrated. Do not listen to the voice of apathy. Tell hastiness to keep moving. Do not partner with these things and miss what I am doing. Instead, trust the process of preparation I am leading you through and lean in to Me.
Activation:
Take some time to quiet yourself and ask Holy Spirit to reveal to you what He is doing in and around you at this time. Invite Holy Spirit to speak to you or show you a picture or vision that explains how you are being prepared to move forward. Repent if necessary for partnering with frustration, hastiness, apathy, or anything else that would steal your openness to God’s plans and purposes.
The Blessings of Redemption
17 [I always pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him [for we know the Father through the Son].
18 And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the [a]hope [the divine guarantee, the confidentexpectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the [b]saints (God’s people),
Ephesians 1:17-18 (AMP)
Footnotes
[a] Ephesians 1:18 In the NT the word “hope” expresses a cherished desire along with the confident assurance of obtaining that which is longed for.
[b] Ephesians 1:18 See note v 1.
Appeal to Unity
9 God is faithful [He is reliable, trustworthy and ever true to His promise—He can be depended on], and through Him you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
10 But I urge you, believers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in full agreement in what you say, and that there be no divisions or factions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your way of thinking and in your judgment [about matters of the faith].
Ask and it will be given, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened. I delight in releasing My wisdom which comes from above. Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do. It is through My wisdom that you will be victorious and overcome.
Love, guard and protect the wisdom that I am releasing to you because the enemy would like to come in like a thief and snatch it away from you. My wisdom brings life and healing to your whole body. My wisdom is like the first rays of dawn which will shine brighter and brighter within you. When you walk, you will not be held back. When you run, you will not stumble for My wisdom is the key to life.
My expectant ones, because of My wisdom, you need not to be afraid of sudden disaster or destruction. My wisdom allows you to be able to lie down and sleep soundly. There are so many benefits of seeking and asking for My wisdom. It is time to search for My wisdom like a treasure. Seek My wisdom above all else.
Activation:
Today, continue your examination of the book of Proverbs. Make note of every time wisdom is referred to. Start a list of all the benefits of the Lord’s wisdom in your life. Ask the Lord for wisdom in your life to help you navigate the next season.
Wisdom from Above
Who among you is wise and intelligent? Let him by his good conduct show his [good] deeds with the gentleness and humility of true wisdom.
My expectant ones, you are about to enter a season where you will need My wisdom to be able to navigate through the storms and the chaos that will be swirling all around you. Remember My wisdom is not like the world’s. It is time to ask for My wisdom because I want to generously give it to you.
My wisdom will be a shield around you. It will guard the path you are called to walk upon. Let My wisdom permeate your heart and My knowledge fill you with joy. As the storms rage from every direction, continue to put your trust in Me and lean not on your own understanding. Seek My will in all that you do, and then I will guide you and protect you. Don’t be impressed with your own or the world’s wisdom. Instead keep your eyes on Me.
Activation:
Spend time reading through the book of Proverbs. Make note of every time wisdom is referred to. Start a list of all the benefits of the Lord’s wisdom in your life. Ask the Lord for wisdom in your life to help you navigate the next season.
If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.
The Sovereign Lord says: “Do not allow yourself to lose focus and become distracted by the noise around you. Stop listening to white noise, for it blocks out My voice! When you focus on the noise around you can end up following something else you have heard or seen that is not from Me. Such a focus weakens your spiritual attention and your ability to connect with Holy Spirit will grow patchy. Do not allow the white noise to cause your mission to be blurred, your effectiveness as My prophet to be compromised, or your growth towards fullness to be stunted.
Don’t even consider listening to whispers which question your calling because you have become codependent on such seductive intrusions. Trust in such constant commotion is misplaced. Since when did you set aside My still small voice of revelation?” says the Lord.
“As I spoke through the voice of the prophet Malachi, I say to you: ‘Return to Me and I will return to you’. Cast aside worthless messages which the world so loves and which the enemy is so eager to have you consume. Tune them out and tune back into the sound of My voice. I have so much to tell you – but I need you to listen.”
Activation:
As Jesus would withdraw to a solitary place to be with His Father, set aside some time in the day to be alone in a quiet environment with God. Use scripture like noise-cancelling headphones – listen to an audio translation rather than turning on background noise. Or repeat a favourite Bible verse over and over in your head or under your breath to gain the focus you need to move into a place where you can reconnect with the Lord and quiet the other voices that seek to pull you away.
Turn off all devices. Come just as you are before the Lord – without any agenda or need for blessing or help or support. In stillness, turn off the white noise. And listen…
“Yet from the days of your fathers you have turned away from My statutes and ordinances and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. “But you say, ‘How shall we return?’
Malachi 3:7 (AMP)
20 My son, pay attention to my words and be willing to learn; Open your ears to my sayings.
21 Do not let them escape from your sight; Keep them in the center of your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them, And healing and health to all their flesh.
Proverbs 4:20-22 (AMP)
18 And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word,
19 but the worries and cares of the world [the distractions of this age with its worldly pleasures], and the deceitfulness [and the false security or glamour] of wealth [or fame], and the passionate desires for all the other things creep in and choke out the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
20 And those [in the last group] are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word [of God, the good news regarding the way of salvation] and accept it and bear fruit—thirty, sixty, and a hundred times as much [as was sown].”
The Spirit of the Lord says: I will not allow anyone who honours Me with their lips but not in their heart to receive glory and accolades. They looked for approval from others and have received their desire. In doing so, they proved they did not value the blessing I would have given them.
If you seek My face, I will strengthen you and protect you from disgrace. I will uphold your integrity so that even the enemy cannot bring a charge against you.
Your dedication to My presence brings Me joy, and I will sustain you even when My calling upon your life feels heavy. Others may question or challenge what I have spoken to you, but remain steadfast – I am refining you for My purpose which will bring glory to Me.
Activation:
God is calling you to a deeper level of intimacy and devotion, where His favor rests on those who genuinely seek Him. This is an invitation to examine your heart; are you pursuing His presence or the approval of others?
Commit to spending intentional time with God, not just in words but in action. Prioritize worship, prayer, and studying His Word. When challenges arise or when others question what God has spoken to you, stand firm. His hand upon you may feel weighty at times, but trust that He is refining you, not abandoning you.
Ask God to reveal any areas where you have sought recognition from people rather than from Him. Repent where needed and embrace His presence as your greatest reward. As you remain steadfast, He will strengthen you, keep you from scandal, and make your life a testimony of His favor.
Practical Steps to Apply:
1. Deepen Your Time with God: Set aside dedicated time for worship and prayer, seeking Him above all else
2. Guard Your Integrity: Live in such a way that accusations cannot stand against you
3. Reject the Need for Human Approval: Let God’s delight in you be enough, rather than striving for validation from others
4. Stand Firm in What God Has Spoken: When doubts arise, remind yourself of His promises
5. Endure the Refining Process: Trust that any difficulties you face are shaping you into who He has called you to be
This is a season of separation and refining; embrace it, knowing that His favor and strength will sustain you.
It shall be that the rod of the man whom I choose will bud, and I will no longer hear the constant grumblings of the Israelites, who are grumbling against you.”
Numbers 17:5 (AMP)
For You, O LORD, bless the righteous man [the one who is in right standing with You]; You surround him with favor as with a shield.
Unapologetically Marcia 