So wake up, you living gateways!
Lift up your heads, you ageless doors of destiny!
Welcome the King of Glory,
for he is about to come through you.
You ask, “Who is this Glory-King?”
The Lord, armed and ready for battle,
the Mighty One, invincible in every way! | Psalm 24:7-8 (TPT)

“Beloved, My resurrecting power is hovering over your life. I have seen your tears, and your very cries have reached My throne room. Though on the surface it may appear that your circumstances have remained the same (or, in some cases, even grown worse), know that I am at work. Even now, My resurrecting power is bringing new life to all that has seemed lost. I am the God who causes streams to flow in the wilderness; I am the God who parted the Red Sea and made a way, even where there seemed to be no way. Will I not do the same for you?

“Throw off hope deferred and despair, and reject the lie that would say, “nothing has changed or will change.” For I say everything is changing! I am blowing my Zoe-life onto you and resurrecting those dreams that you have laid aside. It’s not finished yet, and your story is far from over! Truly the best is yet to come, and things will be better than ever. I’m giving you beauty for ashes and joy where you’ve experienced mourning. Wait in joyful anticipation, for I am going to come through for you,” says the Lord!

“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—
the great locust and the young locust,
the other locusts and the locust swarm—
my great army that I sent among you.
You will have plenty to eat, until you are full,
and you will praise the name of the Lord your God,
who has worked wonders for you;
never again will my people be shamed.
Then you will know that I am in Israel,
that I am the Lord your God, and that there is no other;” (Joel 2:25-27).

After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” . . . So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. | 2 Chronicles 20:21; 25.

I have a word of encouragement this morning for those who are feeling battle weary and on the verge of losing hope. As a dear friend and intercesor shared with me a word she received from the Lord, declaring that now is the time of harvest, it resonated so strongly in my spirit. I continued to pray into this word, and I heard the Lord say to me, “This is a time to collect the spoils! Your waiting time, and all that the enemy has sought to bring against you, has accrued interest.” We are told in Scripture that when the thief is caught, he must repay seven fold. The enemy has overplayed his hand, and now the Lord is giving you above and beyond for your suffered losses.

Truly you are entering into a season of gathering the plunder. Beloved, this is not a time to lay down in defeat, rather, it’s a time to gather your bountiful harvest! The Lord is moving mightily in this season, and there is rapid acceleration that is taking place, even now! I encourage you to lift up a mighty shout of praise and declare victory! As you do, you will defeat your enemy, just as it was with the story of Jehoshaphat. You will gather the spoils! Regardless of the opposition or how circumstances would appear in the natural, truly your breakthrough is at hand. Be encouraged today, for the glory of the Lord is rising on you!

I prophesy fresh hope and strength to those who feel as though they cannot go on. Beloved, let your faith and hope arise! Where you have formerly experienced much anxiety and torment, the Lord is now granting you peace. The Son of righteousness is arising on your behalf with healing in His wings! Your harvest time is upon you, as the Lord is roaring His vindication over you. You shall recover all with nothing missing and nothing broken. “It is your time and your season,” declares the Lord!

He grants peace to your borders
and satisfies you with the finest of wheat (Psalm 147:14).

As I was praying about a certain situation that I knew would be coming up in the near future, and simply wondering how things were going to come together, I heard the Lord say to me, “There will be a beautiful outcome!”

I sense the Lord’s heart of encouragement for others as well, and I believe that He is saying, “Many of you are experiencing such a transition that things currently feel very uncertain, even unstable, at this time. However, I am perfectly orchestrating everything, and you can be confident of this: there will be a beautiful outcome! I am perfecting all that concerns you (Psalm 138:8), and things are coming together. Even like a jigsaw puzzle, the final pieces are carefully being fit into place, and you will be amazed and in awe at the final picture. Where you had once only seen random puzzle pieces that seemed to make no sense, now you will see with clarity the amazing masterpiece that I have been working on all along!

“Beloved, it is so much closer than you realize! Refuse to grow weary in well doing, nor cast away your confidence, because what I am bringing about in your life will amaze and surprise you. Regardless of how circumstances appear right now in the natural, be assured that there will indeed be a beautiful outcome! It’s time to get your hopes up again! Trust in Me,” says the Lord!

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20).

When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze. | Isaiah 43:2

“I am closer than you think; I am more near to you than the very air you breathe. Know this, My child: though you are currently walking through the fire, you will not be burned, and the flames will not set you ablaze (Isaiah 43:2). Truly, not a hair on your head will be harmed (Luke 21:18).

“You have wondered where I’ve gone, or where I am hiding, because what you are seeing in the natural does not seem to line up with what I have spoken to you. But the truth is that I am so much closer than you think! I am working even now…even amidst those stubborn and long-standing obstacles that seem impossible to overcome. Beloved, I am working behind the scenes in your life in a powerful way. I am doing a mighty work in you, bringing My goodness out of the very things that the enemy has tried to harm you with (Genesis 50:20).

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).

“You are being fortified even through these current hardships. Though you feel like you are breaking, I am making you. My mercy is hovering over you, Beloved! I am preparing you to emerge into your finest hour. Watch, as I use the very things that have been warring against you to bring you into the biggest breakthrough that you have yet to experience! You will be a sign and wonder of My goodness,” says the Lord, “and you will testify of My faithfulness in your life. Truly you will see how I’ve been with you all along, and you will know that I’ve never left your side. Fear not, because I am closer than you think.”

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. | Exodus 14:14

Recently while on my afternoon walk, I was praying about some challenging circumstances that I have been encountering. As I was praying, I began to hear the Lord say, “Let Me take it from here!” I suddenly felt such a peace inside of me, and I was encouraged to hear Him speak so clearly and precisely to me (even as I had just been pouring out my heart to Him for answers). I am reminded of how it says in the book of Jeremiah, “Call upon Me, and I will show you great and mighty things that you do not know.”

There is a lot of shaking happening right now, and it can feel very unsettling. However, God is saying to us today, “What is happening in your individual lives, and even on a grander scale, has not taken Me by surprise. Let Me take it from here; simply enter into My rest, and allow Me to fight for you. Cease your striving, and trust in Me. As you do, the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

The other day, My husband and I were praying about a situation that looked and felt very negative, and to be honest, this situation really took us by surprise. However, as we entered into a place of prayer, the Lord spoke to me, giving me a vivid picture in my mind’s eye (which I believe is an encouragement for others, as well). I saw a very large chessboard, and it looked like my opponent was winning. Then suddenly, without warning, the Lord strategically moved the pieces on the board, taking the enemy by surprise.

The Lord is declaring, “Checkmate!” I further heard him say, “What has looked like tremendous loss, I will turn to great gain! But I have a final move that I am going to use to take your enemy completely by surprise. This move will be a game changer; hold your peace, and allow Me to take it from here.”

Be encouraged, Beloved, and know that our God is working mightily behind the scenes of your life right now. He is going to bring good out of the challenges that you are currently facing.

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).

Recently, I just completed a three-part Facebook Live series on the Bride of Christ. I feel the Lord’s leading to release this written word, which is a combination of the last two Facebook Live sessions (Intimacy with the Bridegroom and The Pure and Spotless Bride). I hope this word encourages you today!

God, you’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge!
You’re a proven help in time of trouble—
more than enough and always available whenever I need you.
So we will never fear
even if every structure of support were to crumble away.
We will not fear even when the earth quakes and shakes,
moving mountains and casting them into the sea.
For the raging roar of stormy winds and crashing waves
cannot erode our faith in you. | Psalm 46:1-3 (TPT)

The Purification Process: God Is on Our Side!

The Lord is doing a deep cleansing of His Bride in this hour. Many things are coming to the surface and being exposed. However, we can be rest assured, knowing that the end result will be glorious. It is important during this time, as everything that can be shaken is being shaken (Hebrews 12:27), that we don’t lose hope or give into fear. We must remember that God is on our side; if we yield to the process, everything will work together for our good.

God prunes His fruitful branches out of love so that they can produce even more fruit. It is important that we continue to abide in Jesus Christ, the True Vine. As it is written:

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing (John 15:1-5).

Deep Cleaning

I have come to realize that often the natural and spiritual realms can coincide and mimic each other. If we pay attention to what is happening in the natural realm, we will often see that God is speaking through those circumstances to demonstrate what is happening in the spiritual realm.

For instance, I consider myself to be a pretty neat housekeeper, and I definitely like things clean and tidy. However, recently I had the urge to go through every room in our house and do a very deep and thorough cleaning. As I was cleaning one of my daughter’s bedroom, the ceiling fan caught my attention. As I climbed up onto a chair to have a better view, I was appalled by the amount of dust that had accumulated on the blades. As I continued to press on and wipe down the fixture of the fan, dust began to fly everywhere! Some even got into my hair and onto my clothes!

Even so, in that moment I heard the Holy Spirit say to me, “Let the dust fall. I am exposing the dust that you didn’t even realize has been clinging to you. Though the initial cleaning process is messy and inconvenient, in order to be cleaned, the dust must first be brought into the light. Even as there is much shaking and transitioning happening all around, this process is necessary. My Church must go through a purification process so that she can become the pure and spotless Bride that I have destined her to be.”

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His Bride has made herself ready” (Revelation 19:7).

Though the cleaning process of my daughter’s room was messy and somewhat exhausting, the end result was one clean and spotless room. As I stood back and admired the end result, I continued to hear the Lord speak to me on the cleansing and purification of His Bride. The Lord’s desire is for the Bride to walk in the fullness of all that He has for her; He is desiring that we walk in a manner that is worthy of our calling. As we, the Bride, come through the refining and purification process, the end results will be glorious! We will be a shining example for the world to see: a royal diadem in the hands of our God!

“You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, And a royal diadem in the hand of your God” (Isaiah 62:3).

Upgrade

The other day I went to the store nearby our home to pick up a few household supplies. I hadn’t been to this particular store in several weeks, so when I walked in to see that the entire shop had been remodeled, I was barely able to recognize it! Everything inside of the store was more neat and clean, and it even seemed brighter. Because of the new remodel, the store was also able to hold more product. Let’s just say that this place had just been given a much needed upgrade!

Again, I heard the Holy Spirit speak to me. I felt Him say, “The cleansing and purification My Bride has been undergoing will lead her to a massive upgrade! The pruning process that she has endured will allow her to come into the ‘more’ that I am longing to pour out on her.” I was amazed and encouraged by the physical transformation I had witnessed, and how the Lord was able to speak to me through it.

The Lord is always working things together for good (Romans 8:28). Even when things momentarily feel messy and uncomfortable, the end result will be stunning, even as it was with that store. I wasn’t able to observe the remodel process, but we have done enough remodeling in our own home that I knew the initial process (tearing down the old to make room for the new) can feel exhausting and inconvenient. However, as we come forth made completely new, the Lord’s glory will be revealed in and through us: His Bride!

What Has Remained Hidden Is Being Brought to the Light

For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. | Luke 8:17

In this hour, the Lord is separating the wheat from the chaff (Matthew 3:12). He is restoring a clean and holy fear of the Lord back to the Church. Even as things in the church are currently being exposed, I believe that this will only continue. It is in His love and mercy that God is dealing with and exposing hidden sin. It’s so important during this time that we guard our hearts against the spirit of offense and walk in a place of humility. As it says in the Word, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23).

We need to not become judgmental of others as things are being exposed, rather, we should pray and intercede for them. We also need to examine our own heart and be careful; if we think we are standing strong, we need to be careful not to fall (1 Corinthians 10:12). Just as it is written in Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

Walking in Freedom!

When we are living with unconfessed sin in our life, it ultimately leads to bondage. We won’t experience the true freedom that Jesus conquered death to give us. Beloved, truly the Lord’s heart is for His Bride. I love the passage in Isaiah 1:8 that says, “‘Come now, let us settle the matter,’ says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.'” As we continue to allow His spotlight to shine upon anything that He chooses to reveal to us, and we allow the Lord to cleanse us through repentance, the end result will be glorious freedom!

Watchmen on the Wall

The Lord is calling His people to be watchmen on the wall: to pray and intercede like never before! It says in the Word that, “I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint” (Habakkuk 2:1).

The Lord is also urging us to take a step back and look at ourselves. Truly our lives should reflect His holiness! In order to be the pure and spotless Bride of Christ, we must remain in a place of intimacy with our Bridegroom. We are to be as the wise virgins in Matthew 25, and keep the oil burning in our lamps as we wait on Him.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

Do you remember the song, “They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love?” Well, this much is true! The world will know and recognize us by our fruit! We are called to be a lighthouse, a city on a hill that cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14). All of creation is longing for the true Sons and Daughters of the King to be revealed!

Wide Open Spaces

My husband and I were at a prophetic class that was hosted by our home church. In the class, we are encouraged to press into the Lord and share what He speaks to us or shows us through prophetic words, visions, or pictures. While pressing into the Lord, I suddenly saw a beautiful meadow filled with colorful flowers. The meadow was so huge, and I kept hearing the phrase, “Wide open spaces.” In this meadow were several people, men and women alike. They were all leaping and jumping through the fields completely free and without any hinderance!

I felt the Lord’s heart of encouragement towards His Bride in this vision. I believe that as she allows the Lord to cleanse her and remove any sins or impurities, she will be able to walk in a place of such freedom and joy! As we allow the Lord’s work to continue in us, we will truly become the pure and spotless Bride: completely free and unhindered by sin. Our light will then break forth speedily, and the Son of Righteousness will arise on our behalf with healing in His wings (Malachi 4:2).

Beloved, be encouraged! You will truly see and realize how the process has been working all along, and how the Lord has worked everything for your good. Get ready for the upgrade; get ready to burst into those wide open spaces (Psalm 18:19). We are the Bride of Christ, entering into our finest hour!

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. ” (Isaiah 60:1).

Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge … | Psalm 144:1-2

Just last week, I felt led to do a Facebook Live on the topic of the overcoming Bride of Christ; today I sense the Lord wanting me to release a similar word in the form of a written text, as well.

I truly believe that the Lord is saying, “In this season, I am teaching your hands to war and your fingers to fight (Psalm 144:1). You are My overcoming Bride; I am training you, even amidst the adversity that you are currently experiencing. Yes, I am fortifying you, even in the middle of the battle. You are an overcomer! You are the head, and not the tail; you are above, and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13).

“Fear not; fret not! Truly I say to you, what the enemy thought would destroy you has only served to make you stronger. You are a force to be reckoned with: a mighty arrow in My quiver. Watch now, as the trials you’ve overcome will serve as the very launching pad that I use to springboard you forth into your destiny! Your voice will be heard like John the Baptist’s, as you declare, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord!’ (Matthew 3).

“Beloved, you are coming out of this fiery season, and you will not even smell of smoke. Even as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the furnace, yet by My faithfulness emerged from it without any physical harm, so it will also be with you. The flames will not set you ablaze! Many will marvel as you arise from the ashes and testify of My delivering power. Arise now, Beloved! Shine, for your light has come, and My glory is rising upon you! (Isaiah 60:1).”

If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. | Matthew 10:14

God is promoting many of the forerunners in this hour: the ones who have gone through much refining and pruning; the ones who have been prepared in the secret place, even as David’s heart was prepared as he worshipped in the fields with his flock. God is now bringing the forerunners out of hiding, releasing them as arrows from an archer’s bow. These ones will go forth, bringing much light to the darkness.

He made my mouth like a sharpened sword,
in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me into a polished arrow
and concealed me in his quiver (Isaiah 49:2).

Remember the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis? He was sold to slavery by his older brothers who were jealous of his prophetic abilities to analyze dreams. Even now, in the very midst of promotion, jealously is rising up from the ‘older brothers.’ They target the forerunners, even though the forerunners are obeying what the Lord has instructed them to do. As I look back on the story of Joseph, I remember how he, too, experienced this backlash. However, all of the circumstances led up to a greater promotion; he would soon transition from the prison to the palace.

Often times in the natural, promotion doesn’t look or feel like promotion. Even so, you are bringing brought to the forefront. Amidst the judging and wagging tongues you have encountered on your journey, the Lord is saying, “Beloved, continue to walk in love, and bless those who persecute you. However, I give you permission to shake the dust from your feet when you encounter those who do not receive you or the message I’ve given you. You owe no man nothing, except to love him (Romans 13:8).

“Do not apologize or shrink back from the favor and promotion I’ve given you. Walk forward, bold and courageous, as I expand you and increase your influence. Even as Esther found much favor in the eyes of the king, so you also have much favor with Me. I alone am your Great Defender, and I am well pleased with you. Do not fear the opinion of man, for all that is hidden will be revealed, and your life will speak loudly of My goodness. Keep walking forward, and shake the dust,” says the Lord.

Enlarge the place of your tent; stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, spare not; lengthen your cords and strengthen your pegs. “For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left . . .” (Isaiah 54:2-3).

Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the LORD blessed him. | Genesis 26:12

The Lord has been speaking to me on the power of our seed. In the book of Mark, there is a parable that teaches about planting seed and gathering a harvest. It says, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how” (Mark 4:26-27). Similarly, I heard the Lord say to me, “If you are wanting to reap a harvest, you need to first plant a seed.”

Recently, I felt the Lord’s prompting to sow into someone. I set aside a love gift with the intention of giving it to this person, only to receive an extra—albeit small—amount of money later that week. Even though the extra cash was an insignificant amount, the Lord encouraged me to combine it with the love gift I had already prepared to give. Obediently, I pulled together all of the funds, and placed the money in an envelope, along with a card of blessing and encouragement. The amazing thing is, before I was even able to give the card, someone else blessed me with a gift that happened to be a ten fold return of what I was about to sow!

I believe that the Lord honored my obedience, and that the principle of seed time and harvest was in operation.

A generous person will prosper;
whoever refreshes others will be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25).

It is true that God sees our heart, and will not fail to honor us when we obey Him. I am reminded of the widow in the Bible, who was down to the last of her resources, yet faithfully gave all that she had. The Lord blessed her, and her supply never ran dry (1 Kings 17:15). As we look to the needs of others and remain Kingdom-minded, God will see to it that our own needs are met, as well.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33).

It can be tempting during times of drought to hold back, but I believe that as we release what’s in our hand, we are aligning with God’s heart and trusting Him to meet our needs. Jesus saw the widow’s heart when she put her last coin into the offering, saying that even though she had little, she had given more than all the others by releasing what was in her hand (Mark 12:41-44).

Don’t let the fear of what you can’t do stop you from from doing what you can. What’s in your hand?

I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. | Luke 10:19

The Lord is awakening His Bride to know and understand the authority that she possesses. Truly, you are seated with Jesus in heavenly places, and He has given you all authority to conquer and overcome the power of the evil one (Luke 10:19).

I hear the Lord saying, “Come forth, My Bride! Arise from your slumber; awake, o sleeper (Ephesians 5:14). Take back what is rightfully yours! Lack knows no place in My Kingdom, nor does poverty or disease. For truly I am the God of abundance, and I am a God of blessing! These are what I long to pour out on you. Open your heart, and receive all that I long to pour into you. You are royalty, and you are a child of the Most High! I am calling you to take your rightful place at My table. You are not a beggar; you are My beloved child in whom I am well pleased. I have only the choicest portions to offer you. I am calling you to arise and know your authority!”

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)

A Note from Angie …

Hey friends! I hope that you are all doing great, and that you are encouraged and strengthened by the Word of the Lord. I wanted to give you the opportunity to sow into the ministry of LWC. Your support and donations are so greatly appreciated. There are two ways to give. You may either go to the donate button on the side menu of my blog to give online, or you may send love gifts to LWC Ministries at PO Box 546, Washington, IL. 61571- 0546.

Again, your support is so greatly appreciated. Please know that I am praying God’s continued blessings on you all.

In Christ’s love,
Angie Stolba

“No weapon forged against you will prevail,
and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord. | Isaiah 54:17

Recently, while worshipping at church, I received a word for our congregation. I felt led to share it on my blog today, as I believe that it is applicable to others in the Body of Christ, as well.

I sense the Lord’s heart of encouragement extended to those who are battle weary in this season. The enemy has done his best to wear you down, trying to discourage you  with the constant drips he’s continued to bring against you. Even so, the Lord is now pouring His fresh strength into you. He is refueling and fortifying you, even in the midst of the battle.

I hear the Lord saying, “My Bride, I am making you bullet proof! Where the enemy used to be able to so easily discourage and overwhelm you, he will no longer be able to do so. As it is written in My Word, ‘no weapon forged against you will prevail’ (Isaiah 54:17). He’ll try to fire his best shots at you, but you will only laugh at his attempts. Like water rolling off a duck’s back, these things will simply fall off of you, no longer finding a landing place. I am infusing you with fresh joy and strength in this hour, and these will be your powerful weapons. Take heart, My Bride, and rejoice. I am making you bullet proof!”

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one (Psalm 28:7-8).

This was actually inspired by my daughter’s recent poem, “The River.” She has an amazing, creative gift of writing. Be sure to check out her blog, Grace for the Evergreen. Blessings, and may you stay true to the journey! —Angie Stolba

When she gave her “yes” to the Lord,

she didn’t fully recognize what she was signing up for.

Completely surrendered, yet somewhat terrified,

she bravely ventured forward on the journey.

Along the way, there were victories.

There was also tremendous heartache,

betrayal, and pain.

She lost herself, only to find who she truly was inside.

She went through such a dramatic metamorphosis,

that when she emerged, she barely recognized herself.

No longer an unsightly caterpillar,

she was now a beautiful butterfly.

Her wings were now fully developed,

and she soared to new heights

that she had previously

only dreamed of.

Some were angry,

and resentful of her newfound freedom.

They were intimidated,

now that she was a butterfly.

They tried to reason with her

that it was foolish…

…even risky to leave the other caterpillars,

yet she bravely continued on her journey.

Along the way, she made it her mission

to rescue other caterpillars

and help them find true freedom,

as she, herself, had found.

The bright light that radiated from within

her truly shone in the darkness;

it gave others the courage to overcome the very things

that she, herself, had won victory over.

The journey was filled

with many twists and turns;

moments so agonizing,

that she momentarily considered turning back.

Yet, in her heart of hearts,

she knew that she had come too far on her journey,

and that turning back

was simply not an option.

Her scars told a story;

her eyes shone with a light

that the darkness could not dim,

and others were drawn to her.

She knew that the journey that the Lord had her on

was not simply about her, rather the future generations

that would one day follow in her footsteps,

reaping the benefits of what she so gallantly fought to overcome.

She continued to plow the ground,

cultivating  a new path.

You might even call her a pioneer.

Through it all, she had found great purpose in her pain.

She learned to love—

even in the midst of hate—

and she would be forever grateful for the journey.

“Yes indeed, it won’t be long now.” God’s Decree.

“Things are going to happen so fast your head will swim, one thing fast on the heels of the other. You won’t be able to keep up. Everything will be happening at once—and everywhere you look, blessings! Blessings like wine pouring off the mountains and hills. I’ll make everything right again for my people …” | Amos 9:13-15 (MSG Version)

As I was walking today, I so strongly felt the presence of the Lord. I heard Him say, “The shift is not something that is coming, rather it is happening now! I am positioning you, moving you onto the fast track.”

The Lord is moving the sold out, fully surrendered lovers of God to the front line in this hour. These ones have no desire to be seen on a platform, rather their desire is to know their Lord and to make Him known. Even so, I sense the Lord saying to them, “Because your heart posture has been right before Me, I am giving you a platform. I can trust you because you have stewarded well the ‘little’ that has been given to you. Now is the time to prepare for the ‘more!’

“Beloved, a time of extravagant blessing and favor is upon you. As it is written in the Book of Amos, everywhere you look, there will be blessings. Through the great crushing that you have endured, the oil of My anointing has been cultivated, and now it is flowing from your life in greater measures. Truly the crushing produces the oil!”

But You have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox;
I have been anointed with fresh oil (Psalm 92:10).

“Though you have seemed to be in a holding pattern for many years—not seeing much movement—I am now putting you on the fast track to the very front of the line. It is written in the Word that the last shall be made first, and the first shall be made last (Matthew 20:16). This principle remains true. You do not need to fret or wonder how things are going to come about, but instead stay in tune with Me, and watch as I open up the way before you.”

The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed (Deuteronomy 31:8).

Recently, we went on a vacation out of state to visit family. Before our trip, my husband and I prayed and asked for a ministry opportunity. Our desire was to carry the Lord’s heart and experience His presence, and that we could possibly be a blessing to someone while we were on vacation.

While visiting another church on this trip, the Lord began to give me a word during the worship service. Upon receiving the download, I momentarily vacillated about whether or not to share it with the congregation, because I was not at my own home church, nor was I familiar to the protocol. However, I continued to feel the Lord press the word on my heart, and I had a strong sense that someone in the service needed to hear it. I silently told the Lord that my desire was to be obedient to Him, and prayed that His word would be able to go forth so that whoever needed to hear it would be ministered to.

Shortly upon praying, the Lord opened up a door so that I was able to submit the word to the Pastor of the church. Though I had not been seeking to go up to the front of the church, the Pastor asked me to come forward and share the word, myself. He then invited me to pray with those who may respond to the spoken word.

We had a powerful time of ministry that morning, and I learned something from this experience. If I had allowed the fear and intimidation of man to keep me silent, the word would not have gone forth, and the person who was in need of ministry that morning may not have received what God had in store for them that day. There can be a false pride that the enemy would seek to entrap us in. When this happens, we don’t think that we are worthy of ministering to others. We can become so wrapped up in our own self and insecurities that we end up not walking in true freedom. Ministry is not about us, but rather who we are ministering to, and what the Lord would want that person to receive.

A well known passage in Isaiah reads this:

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes, the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor (Isaiah 61:1-4).

The Lord is calling His sons and daughters to throw off the false cloak of humility and to wear their new garment. It does not matter if man has tried to disqualify you, for the Lord, Himself, qualifies you! He is removing the garments of your past season and adorning you with a new robe.

I hear Him saying today, “My Beloved, do not shrink back or be afraid to wear these new garments, for it is My good pleasure to give them to you.”

Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you” (Zechariah 3:3-4).

“Beloved, this is not a time to shrink back, for truly this is your finest hour! I am calling you forth; yes, I am calling you to step out of the boat and walk on the water with Me. Your season has shifted, and I am roaring My victory over you! Look no longer to the former, nor mourn the things you have lost. For I am the God of restoration, and your latter shall be greater. Though you started with little, you will end with much (Job 8:7).

“Be encouraged! The shift is happening now, and I am moving you onto the faster track,” says the Lord.

Your hand will be lifted up against your adversaries,
And all your enemies will be cut off. | Micah 5:9

Many are advancing and being promoted in this very hour. In the midst of promotion, there have been people who have come against you, as well as other circumstances that have brought you opposition. However, I hear the Lord saying, “Hold your peace, for I am dealing with all that has opposed you. Refuse to be offended when people lash out at you, for you do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but with principalities and rulers in high places (Ephesians 6:12).

“Beloved, I am calling you to take the higher road. Clothe yourself with love, and seek Me before responding to the accusations that may be brought against you. In Proverbs, it advises, ‘Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will also be like him’ (Proverbs 26:4). Sometimes the best response is no response at all. Be still, and allow Me to defend you. Incline your ear to Me, and I will guide you (Psalm 17:6).

“Fear not, nor be dismayed; bless and pray for those who spitefully use you and speak evil against you. Keep your eyes on Me, and refuse to be distracted or discouraged by the opposition you’re facing. Be encouraged, Beloved, for I am dealing with all that has opposed you.”

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

“The exiled will soon be set free;
they will not die in their dungeon,
nor will they lack bread.
For I am the Lord your God,
who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—
the Lord Almighty is his name. I have put my words in your mouth
and covered you with the shadow of my hand—
I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth,
and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people.’” | Isaiah 51:14-16

Very recently, I have felt the Lord speak to me about freeing His people from exile. ‘Exile,’ defined by the New Oxford American Dictionary, is the state of being barred from one’s native country, typically for political or punitive reasons. Today I hear the Lord saying, “Many of My people have been held captive in a place of exile. They have experienced exile in their relationships, finances, and other areas of their lives. The pressure has been almost unbearable at times, but take heart! Even as it is written in the book of Isaiah, ‘The exiled will soon be set free; they will not die in their dungeon, nor will they lack bread. For I am the Lord your God!’”

In this scripture, bread represents your resources. God is sending the rain of His provisions, and you are coming into a wide and spacious place. Where you have experienced much lack and have thought that you will barely survive, you will now know a season of abundance!

The enemy has tried to crush you with the heavy load you’ve been experiencing. Even in your area of finances, he has tried to keep you as a prisoner in exile. However, the Lord is roaring His freedom over you today. Listen and be encouraged, beloved, for God is declaring that you are coming out of exile!

For those of you who have endured, or are currently enduring, false accusations and slander: be encouraged! Know that God is your Great Defender, and He is vindicating you in this very hour.

I hear the Lord saying today, “Let your life speak! My truth and justice shall prevail, even in the midst of character assasination and other attacks of the enemy. As I’ve said in My Word, “no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and I refute every tongue that accuses you” (Isaiah 54:17). Truly, what has been whispered in secret will be shouted from the rooftops (Luke 12:3).

“I am exposing things in this very hour. I am righting the wrongs that you have suffered, and bringing justice to the areas where you have experienced injustice. I am giving you double for your trouble,” declares the Lord!

“I am restoring the years the locusts have eaten; I am redeeming the time (Job 2:25). Fret not and fear not, My Beloved. I am working on your behalf, bringing light to the darkness. Truly My truth shall prevail. Continue to move forward, and let your life speak.

“I am raising you up and restoring all you have gone through in your season of suffering. You shall know great joy, as I am changing your season. The pain you have endured cannot compare to the joy that’s coming! You shall be a jewel in My hand, a royal diadem in My eyes. Indeed, your life will speak, and I will use you for My glory,” says the Lord.

You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God (Isaiah 62:3).

I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. | Revelation 3:8

As I was on my walk this morning, the Lord reminded me of a song entitled Surrounded (Fight My Battles) by Upper Room. He continued to speak to me, saying, “Many of my people feel surrounded right now by pressure from various circumstances, but they need to know and realize that they are surrounded by Me!”

Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield (Psalm 5:12).

God is saying, “My bride, fear not! For indeed, I am surrounding you. You’re not going under; in fact, you are overcoming, even through the immense pressure that you are currently experiencing. Know this: what you are feeling are birth pains. Even as a woman in labor is ready to give birth, so you are ready to give birth to your promise!

“I know that things have been beyond difficult, and you have felt surrounded on every side, but even through this I have been working. You are being strengthened, even amidst the difficult circumstances. It is imperative that you don’t quit now, because everything is getting ready to change for the better! I am sending you reinforcements, and help is on the way.

“What I am about to do for you will renew your confidence and your faith in Me, and you will see and testify that surely  I have been working things for your good all along! Keep your eyes on Me, and keep walking in the light, for I will be faithful to bring every word I have spoken to pass. I have not brought you this far to leave you. Yes, you are in uncharted territory, but I am with you, and you are surrounded by Me.

“You are getting ready to enter into a season of your reward for your faithfulness, so live with the constant and hopeful expectation of what I will do for you. I am calling you, even in the midst of your own needs, to boldly step out and sow. Even as the widow who was down to her last jar gave all that she had (as the prophet instructed her to), and her supply never ran dry, so I will also provide for you. Truly my ways are not your ways. Step out in faith today, and know that you will not fail. Your victory is assured, and truly you are surrounded by Me!”

 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. | Philippians 4:8

The Lord is calling us to fix our eyes on what is true. There are many distractions and challenging situations that the enemy is seeking to magnify in hopes of getting our eyes off of the Lord. However, as we fix our eyes on the truth—the fact that if Christ is for us, nothing can possibly be against us (Romans 8:31)—these other things will lose their grip on us.

I sense the Lord saying, “Magnify Me, for I am the Solution to everything you are currently facing. Have I not said in My Word that no weapon formed against you shall prosper? (Isaiah 54:17) Indeed, I am a very shield around you, your glory, and the lifter of your head (Psalm 3:3). As you focus on Me and my goodness, and even begin to declare it, things will begin to come into order and divine alignment. Now is the time to lift your praises high, for your praise will not only confound and confuse the enemy, but also shift the very atmosphere.

“My Bride, refuse to give your attention to or focus on anything that is negative or does not align with My Word! Rather, fix your eyes on what is true. Even as Joshua and Caleb did not listen to the negative reports, knowing that there were more for them than against them, so it is also with you. Know this: everywhere your foot treads, I have given you the land (Joshua 1:3). Truly, with Christ before you, who or what could possibly be against you? Now, arise in My confidence, and go forward! You are more than a conqueror through Me, and you shall overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of your testimony,” says the Lord!

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. | Psalm 27:14

Despite how opposite things may appear in the natural, God is working powerfully in your life right now. Keep trusting in His goodness! Refuse to come into alignment with the lies of the enemy, rather, fix your eyes on Jesus. Carry on like a brave soldier, knowing that He has all things in control, and He’s got you in His hands. Even now, the Lord is going before you, preparing the way. Lift up a shout of joy, and praise Him in advance for what He’s about to do! Truly, the battle is already won!

The One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Their King will pass through before them, the LORD at their head (Micah 2:13).

You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. | Isaiah 62:3

Many are currently experiencing what feels like an intense crushing and pruning process, but the Lord is saying today, “Do not despise the crushing, for a diamond is being formed out of you.”

A dear friend of mine recently reminded me of the diamond, and how it isn’t as appreciated while in its uncut form. She went on to say that the beauty of a diamond comes from the long, difficult process it endures, making it into the precious jewel we all know and recognize. Just like this picture of the diamond, so it is with us, also. Beloved, know that though the trials you are facing are all a part of the process, God won’t leave you here. He is cultivating you and working His divine purposes in your life, even as the diamond is formed under heat and pressure. Though right now you currently feel the pain of the process, know this: the pressure is producing the promise.

PHOTO BY JOSH CAUDWELL

You are on a narrow path, and you may currently feel in a tight and restricted place, but the Lord is expanding you. Be encouraged, for you will soon be brought out into a wide and spacious place.

A caterpillar goes through a major transformation while in his dark, tight cocoon. However, after he endures the process, he soars to new heights: completely free from the old and embracing his new self. Don’t lose heart; even though now you only see the cocoon, you are beginning to break through! Even now in the spirit realm, I see a wing beginning to emerge from the shell of the cocoon. Truly your long, hard process is about ready to give way to an abundance of joy!

Take courage, dear heart! You are about to soar!

He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me (Psalm 18:19).

“I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. | Exodus 17:6

I see the Lord handing out staffs in the spirit realm, saying, “Strike the ground!” In the Bible, a staff represents authority. In this passage, Moses was commanded to strike the rock with his staff. As he did so, water gushed out from the rock.

Do you find yourself in a seemingly barren season today? The Lord is saying, “Pick up your staff; prophesy, and strike the ground! For I have placed a staff in one hand, and a sword in the other. The staff is to exercise the authority that I have given you. For truly, you are seated with Me in heavenly places (Colossians 3:1), and I have given you all authority.

“I am calling you to wield your sword, for it is the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12). Know this: when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of God will raise up a standard against him (Isaiah 59:19). Now boldly and fearlessly wield your sword and pick up your staff,” says the Lord.

“Beloved, now is not the time to retreat, rather, it is the time to advance! Gird yourself in My strength, for there are more for you than against you (2 Kings 6:16). Even as you strike the ground and declare My Word over your circumstances, darkness will tremble.

“Truly a mighty breakthrough is taking place. Even as water gushed forth from the rock as Moses struck it, so will My provisions be released unto you as you continue to strike the ground and wield your sword. I am not a man that I should lie; My word will not return void, but it shall accomplish the very purpose for which it was sent (Numbers 23:19; Isaiah 55:11). Arise now from that very place of apathy and despair, and strike the ground! As you do, you will see the miraculous released in your life,” declares the Lord!

Sing to the Lord! Give praise to the Lord!
He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked. | Jeremiah 20:13

Will you bring Me the sacrifice of praise, even when your heart is heavy? Will you trust that I am working everything for your good, even though you may not presently see what’s taking place behind the scenes? Even while Joseph was in prison, I was with him; I was accomplishing My purposes in his life (Genesis 39:21). Just as it is written, truly “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

I am calling you to trust, even when you don’t understand, for I am a God who is good. The plans I have for you are only good: not to harm you, but to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

There is an end to these current trials that you are facing. While the enemy may be whispering fear and dread, I am calling you to get your hopes up! Let hope arise, because even as Joseph went from the prison to the palace in a day—experiencing an overnight turnaround—so it shall be with you! Arise from that place of apathy and despair. Again I say, let hope arise!

Though you currently see the path I am laying out, know this: truly, I am making the way! I am making streams flow through the wilderness, and parting your Red Sea. Bring to Me the sacrifice of praise, and worship Me, even amidst the warfare and turmoil. I am a good, good God, and you will see and proclaim My goodness in the land of the living. Let hope arise! Put on a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, and watch those giants fall.

I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13).