Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it.
2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word [1]they heard did not profit them, because [2]it was not united by faith in those who heard.
3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said,
“AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST,”
although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.
4 For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: “And Yahuah rested on the seventh day from all His works”;
5 and again in this passage, “They shall not enter My rest.”
6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience,
7 He again fixes a certain day, “Today,” saying [3]through David after so long a time just as has been said before,
“TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS.”
8 For if [4]Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that.
9 So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of Yahuah.
10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as Yahuah did from His.
11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.
12 For the word of Yahuah is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Yahusha the Son of Yahuah, let us hold fast our confession.
15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:1-16 (NASB1995) Footnotes [1] Hebrews 4:2 Lit of hearing [2] Hebrews 4:2 Two early mss read they were…faith with those who heard [3] Hebrews 4:7 Or in [4] Hebrews 4:8 Gr Jesus
My warrior bride, it is time for you to know to an even greater extent the authority that is in your voice. When you intercede, do you not know that your voice echoes around My chambers and rings out in the heavenly realms.
When you release your decrees; boundaries are set that cannot be overstepped, the enemy is bound, and My will is set into motion. When you prophesy My words, earth gets into line with heaven.
Your voice is a weapon, a tool and a fanfare. Sharpen it through use, inspire it through studying My word, and empower it through understanding My thoughts.
For I am building a sound that is going out from My people that will bring down walls, cast fear into the enemy, release captives, heal the sick and send demons fleeing. I call you now to not only be a part of the sound, but to lead others in the cry of war.
Activation:
Where do you doubt the power of your words? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any lies to you now, and break agreement with them. Ask Him to show you how you sound in the spirit realm, to reveal to you the power that is in your voice. Where does He want you to speak, and what does He want you to speak over? Follow His leading, keeping your vision focused on what is happening in the spirit realm as you speak out what you see.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.
Proverbs 18:21 (AMP)
For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged [a]sword, penetrating as far as the division of the [b]soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 (AMP)
Footnotes
[a] Hebrews 4:12 In addition to “sword,” the word in Greek was used for the knife used by the priests to slit the throats of the sacrificial lambs and for the knife (scalpel) used by a surgeon.
[b] Hebrews 4:12 “soul and spirit” used here to emphasize the whole person, not two separate entities as in other passages.
So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
1 “Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy grain and eat. Come, buy wine and milk Without money and without cost [simply accept it as a gift from God].
2 “Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, And your earnings for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight in[a]abundance.
3 “Incline your ear [to listen] and come to Me; Hear, so that your soul may live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, According to the faithful mercies [promised and] shown to David.
4 “Listen carefully, I have appointed[b]him [David, representing the Messiah] to be a witness to the nations [regarding salvation], A leader and commander to the peoples.
5 “In fact, you[c][Israel] will call a nation that you do not know, And a nation that does not know you will run to you, Because of the Lord your God, even the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you.”
6 Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call on Him [for salvation] while He is near.
7 Let the wicked leave (behind) his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion (mercy) on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts higher than your thoughts.
10 “For as the rain and snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth, Making it bear and sprout, And providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
12 “For you will go out [from exile] with joy And be led forth [by the LORD Himself] with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
13 “Instead of the thorn bush the cypress tree will grow, And instead of the nettle the myrtle tree will grow; And it will be a memorial to the LORD, For an everlasting sign [of His mercy] which will not be cut off.”
Isaiah 55:1-13 (AMP)
Footnotes
[a] Isaiah 55:2 Lit fatness.
[b] Isaiah 55:4 Or Him (the Messiah Himself).
[c] Isaiah 55:5 The identification of the one addressed here is uncertain. A large number of authorities believe it to be Israel, as here indicated, but other interpreters think it is the Messiah [the second David], or David as His representative.
The Lord says, “Imagine with Me a word game of ‘Seek and Find’; the puzzle game that has words hidden within it. The object of this game is that you are to find a list of words that are concealed within the puzzle. These words can be challenging to locate although they are hidden in plain sight. They are right before you but your success in finding them is determined by your focus.
The same is true in the spirit, there are things and solutions that are hidden in plain sight. So, I challenge you to check and evaluate your primary focus. Where and how you are focusing, and on whom is your focus centred?
If your focus is on problems, the kingdom of darkness, and negative forces, then that is likely all you will see. But if your primary focus is on finding Me, then you will see that the answers and the solutions that have been made available to you all along, hidden in plain sight.”
Activation:
Consider diving into a reflective scripture study session with the Holy Spirit centred around the verses provided and the theme of seeking God’s presence and solutions. Choose a quiet time and space to read through Proverbs 25:2, Jeremiah 29:13, and Luke 24:15-16 slowly and thoughtfully. As you read, engage the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to open your eyes and remove the spiritual blindness from you that has kept you from seeing Him in the midst of you. Meditate on how actively seeking Him with your whole heart can open your eyes to the hidden truths and solutions He has in store for you. Journal your thoughts and what He reveals to you on where your focus has been recently and how it aligns with seeking Him.
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
Proverbs 25:2 (AMP)
Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 (AMP)
15 While they were talking and discussing it, Jesus Himself came up and began walking with them.
16 But their eyes were [miraculously] prevented from recognizing Him.
Beloved, I see you. I see you standing, keeping watch, stepping into the gap for those in your care. I see the tender love in your heart which you share with many you know so well. I see that you are laying down the needs of yourself to love and honour others; living out the scripture – ‘Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves.’ (Romans 12:10, AMP).
The way in which you love sacrificially is a pleasing sacrifice, releasing a beautiful aroma which draws the hearts of people to My Kingdom. You have stepped aside for your family of believers; building them up, encouraging them, cheering them on and provoking them to greater things. You reveal My heart in all that you do.
But even a well trained athlete needs to rest. I call you out of this ‘busy-ness’ to come aside and spend time with Me. Be still, and allow Me to remove those things which are no longer for you to do – it is time to set them aside as I reveal the new things I have for you. I know it can be hard to set the former things aside, but unless you do, you cannot move with Me into this new phase.
Let go of the old and allow Me to lead you into the new; come and spend time with Me and let us dream together. What is old is good, but to bring greater growth the old needs to give way to the new; like a tree being pruned to generate a greater harvest.
Activation:
Find a place in which you can relax, and ask Holy Spirit to speak the following scriptures over you so that they will play like a sound loop in your spirit and allow your spirit to be fed with His truth, His provision and His strength. Recall His many blessings. Feel His refreshing, renewing and re-filling so that your growth can continue to be strong and vigorous.
In that time of quietness ask Father God if there is pruning He needs to do, any branches which need to be removed? Are there things that are no longer right and are wearing you out? Is it time to delegate or give away?
Pray this prayer: “Father, I am sorry that ‘doing’ can distract me from spending time with You. Help me to stop and rest with you; to let Your truth refresh my soul. You are all I need and You equip me by the power of your Holy Spirit. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me . . .”
casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].
1 Peter 5:7 (AMP)
“My beloved speaks and says to me, ‘Arise, my love, my fair one, And come away.
Song of Songs 2:10 (AMP)
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.
Psalm 23:2-3 ((AMP)
“Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.”
Beloved, my first blessing that I released in the Garden of Eden was for you to be fruitful and multiply. I have designed you to flourish and be fruitful, so that life and joy emanate from you. This is My deep desire for you. I place no limits on the measure of this for you, but the source from which this flows is limited to only one source: Me.
I will never let you go, but the choice to connect every area of your life to Me as the source is yours. As you connect to Me, life and vitality flow, but any areas of disconnect will begin to show signs of dryness and neglect. Stay alert to My prompting, for I want to show you these areas quickly so that you might reconnect and be replenished. Bring all those dry areas, even those that may seem dead, and reconnect them to Me. Watch as the nutrients and My living water bring life back into them.
Activation: Take some time to sit with the Holy Spirit and have an honest conversation about areas in your life that are becoming or have become dry. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas of disconnectedness, any inferior sources you have turned to instead of Him, and any resulting lies you have believed about your purpose and call. Repent of these and surrender those areas to Him again. Watch in the spirit as connections are reformed as He begins to restore those areas. Expect to see fruitfulness follow.
Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me.
John 15:4 (AMP)
And God blessed them [granting them certain authority] and said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subjugate it [putting it under your power]; and rule over (dominate) the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves upon the earth.”
Genesis 1:28 (AMP)
For in Him we live and move and exist [that is, in Him we actually have our being], as even some of[a]your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’
Acts 17:28 (AMP)
Footnotes
[a] Acts 17:28 Paul was probably exposed to Greek literature when he studied with Gamaliel, and quoting or paraphrasing a line from one of their poets would have surprised and kept the attention of the audience.
My Beloved, you have seen Me come through for you faithfully in the past, the many times when I have proven Myself to be victorious on your behalf. Think back to those victories today as you look at the current difficulties in your life, the problems rising before you, the hindrances and the obstacles blocking your way forward. Look at them with open eyes, see them, and do not deny them. And now I challenge you, that as you look at you look at those situations, bring Me a sacrifice of praise. I am greater than all this. So as you look at these hindrances, now see Me high and lifted up above them. As you now see Me in My rightful position, which is far above your circumstances, praise Me. Praise Me for the solutions I will provide, and the victory I will bring to you again.
Just as King David did in so many of his psalms of praise to Me, lift up your hands in confident trust and praise My name over it all! For My arm is not short and you will see Me come through faithfully for you again and again. I am not limited in the victories that I can provide. It honours Me when you bring a sacrifice of praise because it can be costly to proclaim faith despite the current circumstances. After all, you will have to stand against unbelief, past hurts, and disappointments. However, when you dare to do it, your praise says that I trust You, Lord, to be who you are: faithful. And this act of faith will release my power, My solutions, and My victory. It will also transform your own thoughts and feelings, changing the situation and shifting the atmosphere.
Activation: Look closely at the difficulties and challenges in your life. Let the Holy Spirit point out what you shall deal with today. Then get up and stand before the Lord, lift up your hands (do it physically), and praise Him for what He has already done in your life. Then lift Him up above the impossibilities before you. Declare His solution and victory over it. Bring Him your sacrifice of praise and wait expectantly for what will happen! Sometimes you may have to repeat this act of faith several times.
10 In God, whose word I praise, In the LORD, whose word I praise,
11 In God have I put my trust and confident reliance; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
12 Your vows are binding upon me, O God; I will give thank offerings to You.
Psalm 56:10-12 (AMP)
“He who offers a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who orders his way rightly [who follows the way that I show him], I shall show the salvation of God.”
Psalm 50:23 (AMP)
21 Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, And for His wonderful acts to the children of men!
22 And let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And speak of His deeds with shouts of joy!
“Beloved, know that this season is one of change and recompense. Everywhere, I am releasing My blessings! I speak this to you with joy and excitement. I cannot wait to show you the changes that you will step into and the alignments that I have for you. I want you to know that this is a refreshing time, one that will greatly bless you and give you vigour and energy in your step as you walk with Me.My dear child, I know that you have been through a tough season. I put you through the fire and it was difficult, but I want you to understand that what you have experienced in these past seasons is not failure. I was teaching, training, and testing you. I know there was much pain through the hardships you endured, but I want you to let go of the pain, dust it off, and watch how I shift and propel you into wide-open spaces, places, and new opportunities! Take heart in me and know that you can and WILL move forward into change and renewal and that I am rewarding you for all you have been through. Look all around My dear one, blessings are here!”
Prayer: Father, I thank you for the past seasons and the fire that you put me through. Despite the pain, I know that the obedience of the last season was for my good and for your Glory. I ask that you show me any pain, sorrow, or disappointment that I am holding on to from the previous seasons and help me release this to you. I choose to shake off any pain in my life and I ask you to enable me to move into the new season with hopeful expectation. I choose to believe that the last season was a success, despite how I perceived it. Thank you for your blessings. I receive all you have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen
3 “Though they hide on the summit of [Mount] Carmel, I will track them down and take them from there; And though they hide from My sight on the floor of the sea, From there I shall command the serpent and it will bite them.
4 “And though they go into captivity before their enemies, From there I shall command the sword to kill them, And I will set My eyes against them for evil (judgment, punishment) and not for good [that is, not for correction leading to restoration].”
5 The LORD God of hosts [the Omnipotent Ruler], It is He who touches the earth [in judgment] and it melts, And all who dwell on it mourn [in despair and fear], And all of it rises up like the Nile And subsides like the Nile of Egypt;
6 It is He who builds His upper chambers in the heavens And has established His vaulted dome (the firmament of heaven) over the earth, He who calls to the waters of the sea And pours them out on the face of the earth— The LORD is His name.
7 “Are you [degenerate ones] not as the [despised] sons of Ethiopia to Me, O sons of Israel?” says the LORD. “Have I not brought up Israel from the land of Egypt, And the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans (Syrians) from Kir?
8 “Behold, the eyes of the LORD God are on the sinful [northern] kingdom [of Israel’s ten tribes] And I shall destroy it from the face of the earth; But I shall not totally destroy the house of Jacob [that is, the entire nation of Israel],” Says theLORD.
9 “For behold, I am commanding, And I shall shake and sift the house of Israel among all nations [and cause it to tremble] Like grain is shaken in a sieve [removing the chaff], But not a kernel [of the faithful remnant] shall fall to the ground and be lost [from My sight].
10 “All the sinners among My people will die by the sword, Those who say [defiantly], ‘The disaster will not overtake or confront us.’
The Restoration of Israel
11 “In that day I shall raise up and restore the fallen[a]tabernacle (booth) of David, And wall up its breaches [in the city walls]; I will also raise up and restore its ruins And rebuild it as it was in the days of old,
12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom (ancient enemies) And all the nations that are called by My name,” Says the LORD who does this.
13 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “When the plowman shall overtake the one who gathers the harvest, And the one who treads the grapes [shall overtake] him who sows the seed [for the harvest continues until planting time]; When the mountains will drip sweet wine And all the hills shall melt [that is, everything that was once barren will overflow with streams of blessing].
14 “Also I shall bring back the exiles of My people Israel, And they will rebuild the deserted and ruined cities and inhabit them: They will also plant vineyards and drink their wine, And make gardens and eat their fruit.
15“I will also plant them on their land, And they shall never again be uprooted from their land Which I have given them,” Says the LORD your God.
Amos 9:3-15 (AMP)
Footnotes
[a] Amos 9:11 Possibly referring to the Davidic kingdom.
Whoever does not welcome you, nor listen to your message, as you leave that house or city, [a]shake the dust [of it] off your feet [in contempt, breaking all ties].
Matthew 10:14 (AMP)
Footnotes
[a] Matthew 10:14 A symbolic act expressing contempt.
For His anger is but for a moment, [a]His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may endure for a night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning.
21 For to me, to live is Christ [He is my source of joy, my reason to live] and to die is gain [for I will be with Him in eternity].
22 If, however, it is to be life here and I am to go on living, this will mean useful and productive service for me; so I do not know which to choose [if I am given that choice].
23 But I am hard-pressed between the two. I have the desire to leave [this world] and be with Christ, for that is far, far better;
24 yet to remain in my body is more necessary and essential for your sake.
25 Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,
26 so that your rejoicing for me may overflow in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.
27 Only [be sure to] lead your lives in a manner [that will be] worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I do come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit [and one purpose], with one[a]mind striving side by side [as if in combat] for the faith of the gospel.
28 And in no way be alarmed or intimidated [in anything] by your opponents, for such [constancy and fearlessness on your part] is a [clear] sign [a proof and a seal] for them of [their impending] destruction, but [a clear sign] for you of deliverance and salvation, and that too, from God.
29 For you have been granted [the privilege] for Christ’s sake, not only to believe and confidently trust in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
30[and so you are] experiencing the same [kind of] conflict which[b]you saw me endure, and which you hear to be mine now.
Philippians 1:21-30 (AMP)
Footnotes
[a] Philippians 1:27 Lit soul.
[b] Philippians 1:30 Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned in Philippi during their first trip to the region. See Acts 16:19-40.
At the point of despair, when the Israelites were trapped between the Egyptians and the Red Sea, I miraculously broke in to overcome their enemy once and for all with a promise that they would never see Pharaoh’s armies again. So, I say to you, donot allow the intensity of past challenges and events to cast a shadow over what lies ahead. I command you to stand tall, look forward, and place your attention on Me. Even if you feel exposed and vulnerable, choose to stand firm, and confident in Me, knowing that I have already made you victorious!
For many in the Body of Christ, the areas where you faced the greatest warfare and setback in the past season will be where you will experience the greatest victory in the days to come. You must take authority and silence all negative voices of guilt, shame, or fear from the past season. Do not partner with self-preservation. Believe in Me and declare the victory as David did before he slew Goliath. As David ran towards the giant, he did so knowing the faithfulness and strength of his God and that I would not fail him. So, keep this in mind when faced with adversity. I am larger and greater than any giant. As you walk forward, increased authority, fresh strength, and expansion will come. You are now free to enter, take the ground, and enjoy the promised land. Your breakthrough will also bring others into freedom and victory.
Activation: Spend time praising and thanking God for the victory of this past season. Also praise Him in advance for the victories to come. Ask Holy Spirit to give you specific scriptures to declare so that your mind is renewed and your faith remains strong in preparation for the new season as you begin to declare the victory today.
The Sea is Divided
Then Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid! Take your stand [be firm and confident and undismayed] and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for those Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see again.
Exodus 14:13 (AMP)
And in no way be alarmed or intimidated [in anything] by your opponents, for such [constancy and fearlessness on your part] is a [clear] sign [a proof and a seal] for them of [their impending] destruction, but [a clear sign] for you of deliverance and salvation, and that too, from God.
Philippians 1:28 (AMP)
45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a [a]javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted.
46 This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the corpses of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel,
1 Samuel 17:45-46 (AMP)
Footnotes
[a] 1 Samuel 17:45 This weapon may have been similar to a scimitar (short curved sword).
Unapologetically Marcia 