Deeper Still
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned."
John 15.5-6
The past two and a half years have been a time of shaking that has affected us all. Many have experienced illness, job loss, loss of a business, or loss of a loved one. In addition, the security we felt has also been shaken. In the middle of this, God is teaching His people to be anchored in truth and His Presence.
Perhaps you’ve noticed how much of your hard work and striving feels useless. If you’ve felt the need to work harder, do more, or be “good enough,” you may be finding that you’re coming up empty and void. This is because God is reminding His people that we come to Him “by grace and through faith,” not by our own works. God desires a relationship of intimacy with you—this isn’t something anyone else can do for you. He is reigniting hearts back to a place of humility, surrender, and intimacy.
Allow His goodness to highlight any area of error within you. Have you been trying to earn God’s favor? Have you been idolizing a pastor or leader in the church? Have you been doing the work of church but missing the heart of God? There is no condemnation, rather an invitation to come back to intimacy. Allow the things that need to be shaken, be shaken. God is inviting us to go deeper with Him. God wants us to encounter Him, know Him, trust Him, and love Him anew.
Perhaps you are feeling disenchanted with church or what feels like religion without connection to the heart of God. Press into the heart of God, but don’t give up on the body of Christ. Rather, steward your relationship with God and ask Him how to love the body of Christ. If you’re hungry to know God deeply and let go of all religious counterfeits, this is for you. It’s time to cultivate your own powerful history and true intimacy with God. Ask God to stir up a fresh hunger within you. Build your history with God. Ask God to lead you. Spend time in His presence. Allow Him to encounter you. Partner with Him in what He places on your heart.
Aligning Kingdom Purpose
"And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings."
Acts 17.26
Your existence at this time, in this place is intentional. You are here for a purpose that only you can bring to the world. Your being here now was divinely orchestrated before the foundation of time. God knew when you would need to be alive. You have something to bring to the world that only you can bring. God is speaking to people about their divine purpose. He is awakening within you the gifts, talents, skills, knowledge that have been placed in you and bringing it together with opportunity, relationships and ideas. It is time to step into your intentional authentic identity and release what you have to bring to the world!
He is bringing about His plan for the earth and you have a part to play! God is awakening desires within his people, birthing fresh ideas, and releasing new kingdom business opportunities. Although a good job is important in certain seasons, many are casting off the shackles of jobs in order to do their own thing. Risk and faith are required in order to step out of the corporate boat, but God is leading some to do this at this time.
If you feel this word is for you, know this: He’s been working all things together for just this time so that you might take a step towards what He created you for. Your heart leaps when you think about it or maybe tears stream from your eyes because you’ve not believed it was possible that you could do the thing that you’re created for and earn a living doing it. As you step out in faith, God will meet you. He’ll show you the steps to take and the timing to take them. You will be casting off so much fear, doubt, and angst that has become “normal” simply because you were not aligned with your purpose just to earn a paycheck. Pioneers and visionaries will step into starting their own businesses, some will start ministries, and some will start a hybrid business-ministry.
Others will be drawn to shift to work for one of these organizations that align with the purpose that God has placed inside of them. This powerful shifting will put things in place to accomplish God’s purpose on the earth in the coming days. The time is now, and watch as He does it suddenly!
He is awakening within you your purpose. He may suddenly reveal it to you and it will resonate within your spirit or you may have felt a building crescendo of your purpose for this time. Pay attention to the things that bring you life, to the gifts that others are calling out in you and what you’re good at. There is a convergence happening that is being orchestrated by God. Pay attention to the ideas you have and the people you meet during this time. Walking in your authentic calling can feel deeply vulnerable, but God is with you!
Ask God to show you the steps to take and the time to take them. Ask Him for vision for what He’s calling you to and made you for.
Easy Solutions
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28
Perhaps you’ve recently been faced with a large setback or unusual challenge. Maybe it’s an unexpected expense, a health issue, or a relational challenge. If you feel like you’ve consistently attempted to move forward and are getting nowhere or like your pockets have holes in them–every time you earn money, you’re faced with a new unexpected expense–this word is for you.
Right now, God is releasing divine solutions and is causing all things to work together for your good. He’s providing a solution and reprieve from the stress of this recent season. He’s reminding you of His faithfulness. Many problems may seem like they will take a lot of time and money to fix, however, they will be suddenly resolved with very little effort. For some problems, it will be like they don’t exist anymore while others will be corrected before your eyes.
Ask God if there’s any area of your life that needs to come back into alignment with him. In addition, partner with the opposite of what you’re experiencing. If you’re experiencing financial struggles, be generous! If you’re facing relational difficulties, go out of your way to be kind and forgiving. If you’re facing hard decisions, prophesy clarity and hope! This word is for you if you’ve been faced with setbacks, hardships, or unexpected challenges.
God is the solution giver and no situation is out of His reach. Stand in faith. Pray. Partner with hope. Remember the testimonies of what God has done in the past. He’s got you!!
Beyond Your Comfort Zone
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Matthew 14.29-31
Many are feeling the pull to step out of your comfort zone. This pull is from God as He’s inviting you outside of your norm. It could be in social situations-he’s inviting you to be more bold and meet some new people. It could be in financial situations-you have less in savings than you ever have before and still He’s asking you to give. It could be in taking a risk-maybe stepping out in faith for a new business venture or investment. It could be doing that thing that you’ve been scared to do-take a dance class, take a trip, make that phone call. God is leading you to trust Him in your discomfort. Put your faith in knowing that He cares for you, He provides for you, He wants what’s best for you.
If you’re feeling stretched, like you’re coming up against uncomfortable situations, or like God is inviting you into risk, then this word is for you. Take a step of faith! Your only option is to trust God and that’s a good thing! God is inviting you beyond what is comfortable to you in order to grow your faith, and build your trust in Him. Push past your fear in order to allow God to lead you into new realms! Remember His promises. He is faithful!
©2022 All Rights Reserved
Written by Anne E. Ballard
At The Crowning Jewels, it's our desire and our mission to bring encouragement, to build others up, and to bring comfort to people’s lives (1 Corinthians 14.3). Each month our founder, Anne, asks the Lord what He’s doing in the coming month and for any words of encouragement He might have for His people. We believe that prophetic words need to be encouraging and edifying. Moreover, with a corporate prophetic word, not all words are applicable to all people. If our words bless you, please take hold of them and apply them in your own life. If it’s not specific to you, please pass it on to someone else who might be blessed.
As always, the prophetic is a free gift from heaven and will always be something we freely share. As a prophetic business, it’s our mission to bring encouragement and edification to people through the free gift of prophecy, with our product being jewelry.
DECLARATIONS
We at The Crowning Jewels believe in the absolute, transformational power of declarations. We know that truth comes by hearing (Romans 10.17), and speaking truth is an active way for us to renew our minds (Romans 12.2). We invite you to partner with what God is doing and say these declarations for the remainder of the month. We would love to hear what God does! Please email us your testimony at hello@thecrowningjewels.com.
- I am coming back to intimacy and reconnecting to the heart of God
- God is revealing to me His divine plans and purpose for my life.
- God is releasing easy solutions for the problems in my life!
- I am taking bold steps of faith as I follow God!
- I live in complete authenticity and vulnerability!
