I am bringing you out of the cocoon. There are stages you must go through to become mature in My identity. Surrender to Me, let Me intervene, trust in Me, and engage with the full process. It’s not just the outer appearance l am working on; it’s a transformation of the inner appearance as well.
It’s a time to surrender the walls you have built around you, the things that have isolated you so that you can transition into the fullness of your identity.
Through this process the old mantle will fall away and the weight of the new will emerge as you seek Me in higher places. As you step into the new, you will understand that I am calling you into deeper levels of maturity – that calls for solid food, rather than the milk you have been used to.
Activation: Ask Holy Spirit to reveal areas where you have been stagnant or not growing. Ask for revelation on why these areas have grown stale and what is God’s vision for new growth in these areas. Spend time working through what you are shown.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
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.
“Watch for My perfect timing in all things and stand ready for the solutions that I will deliver. Be like the warriors who marched around the walls of Jericho, recognising that My ways are not your ways nor My thought your thoughts. I have answers ready that will astound you when you are strategically obedient.
My battle plan for every situation is unique. Be reminded to seek Me first, keep asking, keep seeking. My Word will guide you. Let the belt of Truth and the boldness I have planted in your heart secure you at the precipice. It’s time for a leap of faith!
See Me as the master planner and architect of your life; I am the Creator and Kingdom builder. Remind yourself that you can do nothing without Me. We, together as one , are building something more substantial and sustainable than you have ever seen. My plans for you and for this world are always good. Don’t be an obstacle but be part of the greater development plan by partnering with Me in confidence.”
Activation: Ask the Lord if there are any areas where you are struggling to trust his plans for you. Ask for forgiveness and repent of places where you have strayed from His guidance and sovereign plans. Renew your commitment to Him and His ways. Spend time communing with Him, asking questions, and listening to His heart for you.
Child of God, in this season, the Lord says to you, “Arise and build!”
The Lord says, “Now is the time to build the unique thing that I have mantled you to build. This very thing is unique to you, and it bears your DNA. I have appointed, anointed, and mantled you for this and I have blessed your hands to build it. What you are building is different from what you have seen before so for this reason, do not compare to what is familiar or entertain the thought “This is the way we’ve always done it!” Instead, just as the birds build their nests according to the intelligence that I have placed in them, you too must build according to the intelligence that I have placed in you which is My Holy Spirit. And by following My Spirit, you will have a unique understanding of My plans.
Be encouraged that where I tell you to build is safe and it is here where you have My authorization, approval, favour, blessing, and protection. However, this grace is only available through obedience to My plan. You may face resistance from others but do not compromise My plans for their comfort. That will only distract you and cause you to build and create with them in mind. Instead, create and build with Me in mind only. Build for My pleasure and as an offering and act of worship to Me. Know that I cover you on all sides and I will honour your willingness and obedience and give you success as you build for My glory alone.
Activation: Building for the Lord requires boldness to do so. Say the following prayer based on Acts 4:29-31 as a regular prayer:
Father, in the name of Jesus, empower me, as your servant, to build for the Kingdom of God freely and courageously and with unrestrained boldness. Stretch out your hand of power through me to build according to your specifications and for Your glory alone.
I answered them, “The God of heaven [has appointed us for His purpose and] will give us success; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no portion, right, or memorial in Jerusalem.”
Nehemiah 2:20 (AMP)
In Praise of God’s Goodness[an]
If the Lord does not build the house, the work of the builders is useless; if the Lord does not protect the city, it does no good for the sentries to stand guard.
I know that in this season joy has felt far from you. Life has felt hard going, and your circumstances have been tough. You have felt that you ‘should’ be joyful in all things, but in reality this has been just outside of your grasp.
My child, release the pressure you have placed upon yourself – for I do not expect you to always feel happy in all things; happiness and joy are not the same.
When I went to Gethsemane My soul was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. I understand the human reality of emotion, and the physical toll it can take upon you. But in these times there is a depth of joy that you have full access to, because of the price that I paid on the cross.
The true depth of joy is gritty and authentic, and is found when you dig deep enough – beyond the overwhelm of your emotions, and into the true hope that one day every tear will be wiped from your eyes. When I return victorious.
For your hope is not in the things of this world, but in the victory that I have won on your behalf. When troubles come, stand firm and dig down into the depth of joy that you can fully access through My sacrifice and victory. For in despair, true joy grows from the hope that is found in the One that has conquered death for your freedom.
Activation: Read the passage below from Hebrews a few times and ask the Lord to show you what it means in the Spirit. Press into verse 2 where it says ‘for the joy set before Him He endured the cross.’ Ask Jesus what that depth of joy involves, and how you can access it.
Jesus, the Example
1 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,
2[looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross,[b]disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].
3 Just consider and meditate on Him who endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself [consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3 (AMP) Footnotes [a] Hebrews 12:1 i.e. the people commended for their faith in ch 11. See 11:2, 39. [b] Hebrews 12:2 Sometimes the public shame of the cross is overlooked when one thinks of the pain and agony inflicted by it, but in the Roman Empire crucifixion was a shameful and disgraceful way to die, a form of capital punishment from which Roman citizens were exempt; and in Roman comedy it was used in a curse: “Go to a bad cross!”
The Garden of Gethsemane
36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called[a]Gethsemane (olive-press), and He told His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
37 And taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee [James and John], He began to be grieved and greatly distressed.
38 Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, so that I am almost dying of sorrow. Stay here and stay awake andkeep watch with Me.”
39 And after going a little farther, He fell face down and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible[that is, consistent with Your will], let this cup[b]pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”
Matthew 26:36-39 (AMP) Footnotes [a] Matthew 26:36 This beautiful garden filled with now ancient olive trees still exists. [b] Matthew 26:39 Jesus’ request was heard (Heb 5:7), and it is unlikely that He asked to avoid the cross. The object of His request cannot be known with certainty, but some think that He was asking for resurrection following His death. In that case, the “cup” would represent His body’s remaining in the grave, which would be contrary to the plan of salvation and prophecy regarding His resurrection (Ps 16:10; cf Acts 2:24-27). Others think that the request related to the time of separation from the Father, which He would have to endure in death (see 27:46). However, the sense of Heb 5:7 could be that the Father listened to Him intently and comforted Him, while not sparing His Son the suffering which He had destined for Him.
Is it filled to the brim? Or rather half full or even less? Do you have extra oil for your lamp?
Here is your invitation: Come to Me and let Me fill up your lamp.
Make sure you have extra oil in your lamp as you will need it in the days ahead. Be wise and come to Me whenever you need a refill of oil for your lamp.
Oil is a symbol of intimate relationship with Me. Come to your secret place, My child. I am already waiting for you there. Let Me refresh you with My words that I speak over you. Let My voice give you guidance for your direction of travel and in your decision making. Let Me fill up your lamp with My hope and My peace, My wisdom, and My point of view on things that are happening in your life and on the earth.
My Child, I urge you to spend time with Me every day and make it your first priority. My words are helping you to be prepared for the times coming. Do not rely on your own wisdom and knowledge for they will not be a firm foundation.
My Child, run to Me. Let Me fill up your lamp. I am waiting for you.
Application:
Sit with the Lord today and ask Him to show you how full your lamp is. Spend time in His presence to get your lamp filled up with His oil of intimacy. Then ask Him for strategies as to how you can keep your lamp from running out of oil. Write down what He tells you.
Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.’
Jeremiah 33:3 (AMP)
Behold, I stand at the door [of the church] and continually knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with Me.
Let My words melt away the pain, worry and uncertainty. Let it strengthen you to keep going.
When you go about your day, look for Me in the moments – a smile from a kind stranger, wild flowers dancing in the wind, birds singing a sweet song. Look up and see the masterpiece I’ve painted in the sky, feel the rays of the warm sun kissing your cheek, and hear the infectious joy of little children laughing as they tumble around in the grass.
You’ll begin to realize I AM in all creation.
It surrounds you.
I surround you.
You’ll feel My presence enveloping you. You’ll see the gifts I bestow in each moment. It will bring you the comfort you’re crying out for. Then you’ll know I’m right here, and I’ve never left your side.
I hear you, precious one.
Find Me in the moments.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for reminding me that I’m not alone. Help me to see the truth that You are in all creation, and You surround Me with Your love, peace and joy. Let the truth restore my hope, giving me new lenses that fuel me with Your promises. In Jesus Christ’s mighty name, Amen.
It is the Lord who goes before you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 (AMP)
one God and Father of us all who is [sovereign] over all and [working] through all and [living] in all.
I know you have been through so much, for when you hurt, I hurt and when you weep, I weep with you. Do you know that each of your tears are so special to Me that I record them in My book? I am not aloof and distant, as some would think, but near and full of understanding!
At times, you have kept going, holding on valiantly to your pain, even for My sake. The problem is, just like a stream, this allows life’s debris to muddy your heart. Unfulfilled expectations, broken dreams, words that have hurt you, fear, loss and grief begin to gather, stifling your peace, joy, and hope, bringing discouragement.
Today, l want to lead you in a better way. Early and often, pause, invite My Holy Spirit to come alongside you and check in with your heart. If you find there is pain there, don’t leave it. Instead, sit a while with Me and allow Me into that moment to share it with you. As you do, I promise to gently wash and bathe your wounds, comfort you and heal you so deeply that, once again, streams of My refreshing, living water will flow from your heart.
Activation: Take a moment with Holy Spirit. If there is any area of pain He reveals to you, choose to invite Him into it and rest awhile, allowing Him to comfort and heal you.
You keep track of all my sorrows.[a]You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.
Psalm 56:8 (NLT) Footnotes [a] 56:8 Or my wanderings.
Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people].
I love you. Since the beginning of time, I anticipated your birth. When you were conceived, I was the happiest Father in the universe! My heart burst with excitement, and all of heaven celebrated with Me. You were 100% planned and wanted by Me.
I had the privilege of forming you. As you took shape, I fell deeper in love with you. Your little hands and feet began to develop and your heart began to beat. What a precious sight that melted My heart. You were so delicate in your mother’s womb. I took great care and made you, My masterpiece. When you were born, I was happy you would finally have a chance to know Me. I held My breath until you did, and now I am ecstatic you found Me. It is My greatest joy.
Now here we are, sweet child.
I just wanted to remind you how much you mean to Me. I love you more than words and am blessed to call you Mine. Look at how far you’ve come! You are honoured in My sight. Keep up the great work, and know I am here, always just a prayer away.
Love,
Your Father
Activation: Let the truth of these words sink into your heart. Thank God for making His heart known to you today and allow healing to take place. If you feel moved, write a love letter back. Thank God for sharing His heart, and tell Him how much He means to you, too. Receive the outpouring of His love, allowing it to make you complete.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you [and approved of you as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I consecrated you [to Myself as My own]; I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:5 (AMP)
I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my [spiritual] children are living [their lives] in the truth.
3 John 1:4 (AMP)
“Because you are precious in My sight, You are honored and I love you, I will give other men in return for you and other peoples in exchange for your life.
Unapologetically Marcia 