Protestation of Integrity and Prayer for Protection.
A Psalm of David
1 Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity; I have [relied on and] trusted [confidently] in the LORD without wavering and I shall not slip.
2 Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my heart and my mind.
3 For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, And I have walked [faithfully] in Your truth.
4 I do not sit with deceitful or unethical or worthless men, Nor seek companionship with pretenders (self-righteous hypocrites). 5 I hate the company of evildoers, And will not sit with the wicked.
6 I will wash my hands in innocence, And I will go about Your altar, O LORD,
7 That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving And declare all Your wonders.
8 O LORD, I love the habitation of Your house And the place where Your glory dwells.
9 Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, Nor [sweep away] my life with men of bloodshed,
10 In whose hands is a wicked scheme, And whose right hand is full of bribes.
11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; Redeem me and be merciful and gracious to me.
12 My foot stands on a level place; In the congregations I will bless the LORD.
I have been clearing out My house – I have been asking My people to rid themselves of the weight of the things I have not called them to carry. You have noticed the big shifts, you have done the heavy lifting and I have burned away your own agendas with a call to extravagant obedience.
But I am not calling you to rest there – I am now requiring you to clean out the corners. Now the bigger things have been cleared, I ask you to notice the corners that are filled with things from previous seasons; unresolved trauma, rejection, ‘little sins’ and coping mechanisms that once served you well but are now out of alignment with Me. Now is the time to be cleansed of such things.
We are shifting into a new season where weighty anointings are being released – but only to those whose hearts and lives are clean & pure in My sight. No longer will I tolerate personal agendas, false accusation or disunity in the body – My grace will be lifted from those who harbour such things. My bride must purify herself in every corner, in order to clear the way for an outpouring of My Spirit that will move through her in power; announcing My victory and advancing My Kingdom.
Activation:
Ask Holy Spirit to show you the inside of your heart; specifically ask Him to take you to the corners. Allow Him to reveal to you the things that are stuck there. Spend time with Him, asking Him to heal you from past hurts, repent where you feel convicted, and release the coping mechanisms that are no longer serving you well. Encounter His grace and compassion for you in these moments. Sit with Him as the launderer’s soap from Malachi 3:2, washing you clean.
The Purifier
1 “Behold, I am going to send My [a]messenger, and he will prepare and clear the way before Me. And the LORD [the Messiah], whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; the [b]Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the LORD of hosts.
2 But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s soap [which removes impurities and uncleanness].
3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi [the priests], and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD [grain] offerings in righteousness.
Malachi 3:1-3 (AMP)
Footnotes
[a] Malachi 3:1 This is fulfilled in John the Baptist (Matt 11:10; Mark 1:2; Luke 1:76). [b] Malachi 3:1 The Messiah as God’s representative will confirm and establish the covenant (see Is 42:6).
2 Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my heart and my mind.
3 For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, And I have walked [faithfully] in Your truth.
I am releasing a greater revelation of My strength to you. I am enough. You will know Me as your sustainer, your support, your rock, and your foundation. You have felt the vulnerability as some of your old support structures have been taken away; you have even asked Me why I have removed the very thing you need. You feel the sense of having outgrown some comforts yet they remain held in one hand.
My beloved, they were good in their time but that time has ended. They were there to lead you towards maturity but full maturity comes as I become your only support.
I am enough.
Release the things that are falling away and do not cling to the things that will keep you from trusting Me alone.
I am enough.
As you let go, I am releasing wisdom, discernment of what to leave behind, and strategy to be able to honour what has been, without nostalgia or false loyalty. I will show you how to let go well, especially where there are relationship changes that I am leading you into.
I am building the truth within you that I am enough!
Activation:
Take time with Holy Spirit asking Him to reveal any area of support that He wants you to release. See yourself handing this back to Him. Speak Psalm 18:1-3 over this new area of vulnerability. Declare out loud “Jesus is enough.” Repeat this process on a daily basis until you see the truth of your security in Jesus replacing your sense of vulnerability.
David Praises the LORD for Rescuing Him.
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spoke the words of this song to the Lord on the day when the LORD rescued him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said:
1 “I love You [fervently and devotedly], O LORD, my strength.”
2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and the One who rescues me; My God, my rock and strength in whom I trust and take refuge; My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower—my stronghold.
3 I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; And I am saved from my enemies.
Psalm 18:1-3 (AMP)
Testing Your Faith
2 Consider it nothing but joy, my [a]brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials.
3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace].
4 And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4 (AMP)
Footnotes
[a] James 1:1 James, the leader of the Jerusalem church, was the half brother of Jesus. He became a believer after the resurrection of Jesus and was later martyred for his faith.
13 For everyone who lives on milk is [doctrinally inexperienced and] unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a spiritual infant.
14 But solid food is for the [spiritually] mature, whose senses are trained by practice to distinguish between what is morally good and what is evil.
Come here. Come here My beloved one. You have stood and held your place with joy and steadfastness but I see that you are weary now. As Nehemiah kept going to complete the wall, ignoring the onslaughts of the enemy, you have continued pressing forward to build the Kingdom.
Come to the place I have prepared for you, just for you. It is tailored to your needs. It is nourishing and restful for the body, soul and spirit. Come, let Me revive, restore and revitalise you. I will release My strength into your tired limbs and muscles. I will refresh your mind and spirit so that you will be able to ‘go again’. I will reveal blueprints for the new thing I will do; I will direct you. I will be your strength and shield.
Come to this prepared ‘oasis’ and let Me wash you clean and refresh your mind with My living Water.
Activation:
As you go to bed tonight release your cares, concerns and anxieties, big and small. Visualise yourself arriving at an oasis. Greenery, water, shade; an opportunity to be cleansed and washed. As you undress, give your concerns/cares to Jesus. You might like to write down a list and then shred the paper. Spend a moment connecting with Him as you release these things, recognising that nothing to is too small or too big for His attention and care. Appreciate God for who He is – the great ‘I Am’.
Book Two
Thirsting for God in Trouble and Exile
To the Chief Musician. A skillful song, or a didactic or reflective poem, of the sons of Korah.
As the deer pants [longingly] for the water brooks, So my [a]soul pants [longingly] for You, O God.
Psalm 42:1 (AMP)
Footnotes
[a] Psalm 42:1 The Hebrew word translated “soul” in this psalm and elsewhere in the book of Psalms is nephesh. This word usually refers to a person’s “life” or “self,” but can also mean “throat,” as perhaps in vv 1, 2.
The Bride’s Admiration
(The Shulammite Bride)
“My beloved speaks and says to me, ‘Arise, my love, my fair one, And come away.
Song of Solomon 2:10 (AMP)
The Lord, the Psalmist’s Shepherd.
A Psalm of David
2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters.
3 He refreshes and restores my soul (life); He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Many of you are prepared for this season of assignment and acceleration. You have been through a time of training and now the race is on! However, I speak to those in My Body, who still need to lay aside every vestige of disappointment, heaviness and frustration that would weigh you down. I need your soul to prosper and for your emotions to be healthy so that they do not derail you in the days ahead.
Come, sit with Me and allow Me to lift those burdens and bring healing to your heart, so that you can run the race of faith with endurance and not be distracted from My purposes for your life.
My Beloved, I also desire for you to enjoy good health so that you’re fit and strong to stay in the race. Do not neglect your physical body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Ask Me about your nutrition, hydration, exercise and movement. Allow Me to show you what and how to build those things into your life. Take time to rest and recover and allow your body to restore and heal. I am Your Heavenly Father, and I long for you to thrive in every season of your life.
Activation:
Spend time thanking God that He cares about every aspect of your life and ask Him to show you if there is any ‘weight’ you need to lay aside, healing to receive and/or any lifestyle changes you need to make. Are there new habits or disciplines to develop? This may take time to work through so ask the Lord for a plan, if appropriate. Take small steps towards emotional and physical wellbeing and stay on the journey! Remember, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!
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)
Jesus, the Example
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of [a]witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:1 (AMP)
Footnotes
[a] Hebrews 12:1 i.e. the people commended for their faith in ch 11. See 11:2, 39.
The Body Is the Lord’s
19 Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own,
20 You were bought with a price [purchased with a [a]preciousness and paid for, [b]made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (AMPC)
Footnotes
[a] 1 Corinthians 6:20 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.
[b] 1 Corinthians 6:20 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.
I call you to holiness, to a life that is consecrated and set apart to Me. This comes from the revelation that you are living as one with Me in spirit and there is no separation. Strengthen yourself spiritually by constant communion with Me.
I urge you to protect your times of praise, which is a weapon, worship, fasting and prayer. Study My word, immersing yourself in truth so that your mind is renewed. Put on the full armour of God to take the ground. Then stand in victory. Do not neglect meeting together, sharing bread and wine. Community which offers mutual edification, sharpening and loving support is vital in the days ahead.
When challenges come, do not resist. The natural response is to stop or, at least, shrink back. How about leaning in? You know that difficult times build perseverance and perseverance builds character, character that is strong enough to carry the weight of your call.
I need you to stay strong in your faith as you fearlessly pursue what I have called you to do. Be those ones who are spiritually robust enough to carry My glory as you partner with Me to see the Kingdom bear much fruit and the harvest of souls. I am raising up My Warrior Bride!
Activation:
Prayerfully read through the Word and ask the Lord to highlight anything you need to do to strengthen yourself spiritually. Are there spiritual disciplines which you have neglected? Do you need to deal with fear, self-doubt or lack of confidence? What do you need to put in place to take hold of what God has called you to?
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)
Instructions and Greetings
Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men and be courageous; be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13 (AMPC)
The Fight Against Evil
10 Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong.
11 Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks.
12 We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world.
13 So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day[a] comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.
Ephesians 6:10-13 (CEV)
Footnotes
[a] 6.13 that evil day: Either the present (see 5.16) or “the day of death” or “the day of judgment.”
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.
Unapologetically Marcia 