Pearls of Great Value

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 ESV

“And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!  John‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Some seasons just feel beyond hard. Full of doubt, fear, confusion, hurt. Exhausted. Some seasons I just feel exhausted. Tired of the struggle and disappointments. Recently I thought how much I can relate to David. How many times did he feel abandoned and alone, exhausted from the constant battle? Yet how often did he turn his face upwards to where his help came from? He didn’t let the hurt and the pain, the disappointments of life allow him to stop. These were a stepping stone for David, not a stumbling block. I feel the Lord saying, David could do it and so can you! You have a warrior spirit inside of you. Lift up your eyes, release the sound of praise and let the lion of Judah burst forth from within you!”

This is for the ones who have had the circumstances of life throw you down, where it’s been hard to even lift your head. This is for the one who feels like they have been defeated. For the one who knows what it’s like to fall and stumble, over and over. This is for the cast down, the broken, the weary. We’ve all been there. We’ve all struggled. Today, I want to tell you, to take just one step. One move forward. Even if it’s the hardest thing to do, just do one thing today to walk beyond. Let today be your best day. Forget all the tomorrow’s and face today. Head on.

Here’s what’s on my heart. Am I encouraging my fellow man whom I see in the midst of pain? Do I fight for those who I see in the same battlefield I have fought in? If I have come out of this battle, if I have had victory, am I gracious to help those who are struggling right now? Do I engage in battle, or do I recede? It isn’t Gods will to pull back in the face of warfare. Will it cost me something? Probably. That’s what sacrifice means! Giving up something, even your presumed rights. Often it’s tempting to ignore a situation, especially when it seems hopeless. Yet, it takes great courage to step in where others have given up. No one will say anything if you walk on, but I’ve often felt an inner voice whisper: if you don’t say or do something, who will? Who should?”

We all have baggage. Some of it might just be baggage in our own thoughts, some of it might be real enough. But nevertheless, the eyes of the Lord are searching for someone whom he might show himself strong through, despite the baggage. At our weakest God shows himself strongest. It’s when we decide to let the past go, it’s this act of submitting that allows our Father to move powerfully. So often we believe we have to be perfect in order for God to be able to work through us. This is a lie Satan uses over and over and we reject ourselves before God ever does and ever will. Yes, even when we are giving up, He doesn’t. He doesn’t ever give up on us. Neither does He give up on our fellow neighbor.

Here’s a thought. You might believe you come with a lot of baggage but just maybe it’s revival that you carry with you. Might it be you carry destiny, you carry glory, you carry the promise of greater things. What if? What if this baggage that Satan intended for my demise will be and is, the rock upon which my voice will powerfully sound from? Alive for the sake of a greater good. Maybe it is the revelation that it’s no longer I who live, but Christ who is alive and living within me. Might it be that He can do the miraculous through a humble submitted heart? What if? What if there is power in no longer seeking my purpose,but seeking His? Lord, not my will but your will be done! Join in with John the Baptist and say:  “He must increase, but I must decrease.”John 3:30 ESV

I can’t help but believe that there is such grace over Gods sons and daughters right now. For those who love the presence of the Lord, for those completely surrendered, there is such a beautiful anointing over them. The Spirit is moving and breathing incredible things. In dreams, in visions, in signs, in wonders. And the wonderful thing is...no one is excluded. All who want to receive, can freely come and do so. He longs to refresh each one with the rain of heaven. It’s on us to step forward and say, “Here I am, Lord! Pour it out Lord, pour it out!We receive with open outstretched hands.”

I just want to say this: the world around you needs your anointing. More than ever before. So, come beloved, come and lay your burdens down! Come, all of you who are weary and cast down and He will give you rest. Yes, you’ve been tired. Yes, it’s been a tough season, but hear the Voice of your Abba:"Get up, beloved, arise, arise!” He breathes on your weariness and puts energy back into you, enabling you to get up from the dust. You were never meant to crawl and struggle on the dirt like the caterpillar. You were chosen and meant for the higher realms! You were meant to be transformed from caterpillar to butterfly. You were meant to soar.

The call of Revelation 22:17, is the call that greatly resounds in this time: "Come!” More than  ever before this call to come and be joined to the bridegroom echoes over and over in my heart. I can’t help but believe that the greater the intimacy, the more powerful and bountifully His glory will be shown in His bride. That is why in the very last chapter of the Bible, He’s still whispering these words, “Come! Come to Me!” He knows what we need and right now it’s intimacy with Him.

“Come,” says the Holy Spirit and the Bride in divine duet. Let everyone who hears this duet join them in saying, “Come.” Let everyone gripped with spiritual thirst say, “Come.” And let everyone who craves the gift of living water come and drink it freely. “It is my gift to you! Come.” Revelation‬ ‭22:17‬ ‭TPT‬‬

There is no giant, no Goliath, that can stand in the face of faith. Be not afraid! You have a covenant promise with the God of angel armies. Eyes upward, warrior! These giants will be slayed. That wall that has loomed so strong before you, it will come down. Even if you have to march 7 times around it with prayer and praise, this stronghold will break in Jesus name. Do not grow weary in doing good, in speaking good, in kindling the fire of good inside you. When the opposition seems to be stronger and looms large in your eyes, it is a sign you’ve been focused on the problem and not on Jesus. Turn your eyes upon Jesus and look full in His glorious face!

God has spoken to you. He is still speaking to you. Remember! Remember His words to you! The second you were born again, you stepped into Gods story. And His story is filled with hope. He works to weave all of your life for your good and for His glory. You are important in His story! Never let the enemy tell you otherwise. You do matter! God does see you! He hears your every word. It does not matter where you are, who you are, or what age you are. YOU ARE SIGNIFICANT. Can you tell a good mom to love one child less or one child more? No, she loves all equally with the same depth, no matter what said child does, or goes, no matter the age. Gods love is deeper, stronger, purer, and is everlasting. He has a place for you, in fact, has set a plate especially for you at His table saying, "This one is for my daughter, she is coming for a visit today. And this one is for my son, even though it’s been tough day for him, he’s taking time to come and see me. Aren’t they just the most amazing? Look, she’s so strong yet doesn’t know it. I’ll tell her that today. Look at how my son battles on his knees in prayer! I’m so fiercely pleased with my children!”

Don’t throw yourself out of the battle, beloved one! Don’t underestimate the one little act of obedience to your Father. It might be the turning point. Don’t shrug off the calling that is on your life. He’s the one that called you and that has placed you. Has He not given you everything that you need? You carry weight in the kingdom of God. Remind yourself of this. Stop stepping back and saying I’m not significant. Stop saying, I can’t. God is with you! And wherever God is, there is life abundantly! There is strength! There is such amazing promises for you. Encourage yourself in the Lord and in the power of His might. You don’t have to do it on your own! You are strong IN the Lord. IN the Lord, not apart from Him. Co-partner with Jesus, it is the best partnership you’ll ever make.

No more excuses. No more excuses. Let it be our mantra for this season. Whatever it is He has told you to do, take the stand right now to say, I will do it. No more excuses, I will do it regardless. For I have to fulfill the call of God! I am called. I have an anointing on my life. I’m going to win this ground right here for the Lord. I will expand, I will win this territory for the Lord! I am without excuse. From this day forth, I am without excuses and I will not be distracted. I want to be obedient to that which He has called me.

Lord, we pray for spiritual strength to fulfill the call on our lives. Let us stir up the fire within us. Let us serve with fire and passion so that we win territories for You. Enlighten our eyes to see that time is of essence, and remind us to be without reservation. Completely submitted to you. You crown us with victory, with glorious grace to overcome any battle we face. Thank you, Abba, thank you!  These dry bones will live! And every stronghold of the enemy, every spirit that causes exhaustion, we speak to you and say,  “No more! Cease!” We are strong in the Lord, we are victorious in the name of Jesus Christ. No more will sin or sorrow grow, nor thorns infest this ground! He has come! He has come and is here to make His glory known! I believe this. Lord shine forth, here I am, shine forth! Amen