Stand In Faith | March Monthly Blog

Undignified Joy

“I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.”

2 Samuel 6.22

Joyful people can sometimes feel offensive or off-putting because it feels rare to find someone exhibiting authentic joy.  So often we think of joy like happiness and that it’s conditional upon circumstances, but that’s not what joy is. I have always thought of happiness as more of an emotion that is largely dependent on my situation, whereas joy is more of a state of being.  The Bible (Nehemiah 8.10) tells us that the joy of the Lord is my strength” as well as being listed as a fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5.22) which is to say that it manifests as a fruit in our lives when we are living connected to the Holy Spirit (or evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives). We have been largely conditioned in society to believe that life is hard and there’s no reason to have joy.  You have to be super intentional and focused in order to maintain a lifestyle of joy, and it’s quite rare.  

God is breaking through the fear of man.  In doing so, He’s emboldening people to not be so focused or concerned about what other people think of them, and to embrace the joy that He’s given to us when we meditate on Him and His word.  This word is for people that feel like their joy has been stolen, or like they’ve never known true joy.   Spend time in God’s presence.  Just be with Him.  Surrender to His ways, to His word, and to what He’s speaking to your heart.  His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11.30). Ask God if you need to let go of something in order to receive the joy that He has for you!  

Equipped for Battle

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Ephesians 6.12

Some people in the church are paralyzed or handicapped by the fear that they will be deceived.  This deep rooted belief causes them to not be open-minded as they encounter new ways of thinking or different beliefs.  Although God tells us through the Bible that we are in a spiritual battle He has also given us tools to fight.  In addition to the armor of God that is outlined in Ephesians 6.10-18 we also know that God generously gives wisdom (and discernment) whenever we humble ourselves and ask Him for it (James 1.5).  God has given us the tools that we need for battle.  We, as well as those around us, are influenced by spirits other than the Holy Spirit all the time.  In navigating this, it is helpful to know the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control-Galatians 5.22) as a measuring stick to the influence on that person. Fruit doesn’t lie. We can also ask ourselves questions like: How do we feel when we’re around this person? Do we feel the presence of God when we’re with them? Do you feel like what they’re saying is coming from a place of love? God is very active and always speaking, using our senses in discernment.  Knowing that we are daily in a spiritual battle shouldn’t incite fear in us.  If we’re scared then we are aligning our beliefs with the wrong kingdom.  We must know who God is and who He created us to be and stand firmly in that truth.  Our battle is not against flesh and blood.  We can’t approach a spiritual battle like we are a victim or we will be handicapped before we start.  If we identify as the victim we will be tossed about and victimized by the forces at work.  We must rise up and be the victorious sons and daughters of the King.  

God is showing us that we have the tools that He’s already given us, and that He gives generously anytime we ask Him.  This word is for people whose beliefs are being questioned.  They may have come up against someone who is of a different belief system and that experience has caused them to feel tossed about or double minded (James 1.8).  If this is you, take a step back when you feel anxious or afraid, threatened or tossed about.  Focus on the presence of God to gain your balance.  Ask God to reveal to you the truth about your situation.  Ask God to show you the tools He’s already given you to navigate your way forward.  

Strengthen Yourself in the Lord

“And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.”

1 Samuel 30.6

Sometimes when you feel like you’re in a storm, it is important to corral your resources and be intentional about the words you use, the people you surround yourself with and what you believe.  There are seasons that we need to draw on others’ faith for our situations, and ask them to stand with us in faith for our circumstances.  There are seasons when we know others who have a testimony about the particular storm (financial, health, family for example) we are in and have more faith for our situation than we do.  Some of the people in our lives (even our family) may not have the strength and the faith to face our challenge with us, and it’s important to recognize this when you’re seeking support.  This can also be a time that you focus on the goodness of God and even prophetic words you’ve received in the past.  

God is calling us higher; to be who He made us to be. He created us and spoke life into us to empower us to take hold of His goodness and peace to see the fruit of that in our lives. The journey of realizing who we were created to be can be uncomfortable and challenging, but He’s there with us, right beside us.  Just like a friend, to know Him intimately, we must spend time with Him, enjoying His presence.  Imagine God as your personal trainer.  He’s telling us to lift the 50 pound weight because He knows we can do it, and it will be good for us, but we may only believe that we need the 25 pound weight.  This word is for people that feel like they’ve been living out of stress.  You may even be feeling overwhelmed or like you don’t have what it takes.  If that’s you, choose to lay down your agenda and then spend time with God.  Enjoy His presence.  Be intentional about how you talk about your situation, knowing that your words are declarations-speaking life or death.  We become what we believe we are, so we need to intentionally choose to speak life-giving words.  Be creative with the words you choose and how you speak, standing in faith for your situation.  Be intentionally selective with who you tell about your situation and who you invite to stand with you.    Make sure they are full of faith! 

Stand in Faith

“And without faith it is impossible to please God.”

Hebrews 10.6

Faith looks like something, and it often looks like standing. We know that it is impossible to please God without faith, and we also know that our words are powerful and can create worlds when we speak (Proverbs 18.21).  When we enter into a situation that we don’t have faith for, we cannot hope for success.  God meets us in our faith.  If we don’t have faith for a situation try taking a step back and figure out what’s blocking your faith.  If you don’t know, ask God to show you.  Try making declarations that are full of faith over your situation.  If you don’t know what that looks like, ask God what He wants to do in that situation, or try thinking about it from a kingdom perspective.  Understanding that our words can shape what happens, choose to speak words of life instead of any doubts rooted in fear.  

God is meeting us in our faith.  He’s inviting us to trust Him and to not come up with a plan B.  Our confidence and faith in His goodness will be rewarded.  This word is for those who have lost sight of God’s best in their situation.  We know that God’s plan is always redemptive, and often restorative.  Perhaps that outcome feels elusive to you.  It’s time to step out in faith and believe that God will meet you.  In your stepping you can be confident that not only will He meet you, but He will also grow you into more of the person He created you to be.

©2020 All Rights Reserved

With prophetic insight from Bethany Hess

Written by Anne E. Ballard

At The Crowning Jewels our desire and our mission is to bring encouragement, to build others up and to bring comfort to people’s lives (1 Corinthians 14.3). As a team each month we ask the Lord what He’s doing in the coming month and for any words of encouragement he might have for people as a loving God. We realize that with a corporate prophetic word not all words are applicable to all people. If it’s prophetic it also needs to be encouraging and edifying. 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. We do not sell prophecies; prophecy is a free gift from heaven. As a prophetic business, our mission is to bring encouragement and edification to people; our product is simply 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 tellyourstory@thecrowningjewels.com.

 March Declarations:

1. God is restoring joy to me.
2. God has equipped me for battle. 
3. I am strengthening myself in the Lord.
4. My faith pleases God. 
5. My kingdom outcome is redemptive!
   
   

Each month we design two limited edition pieces of jewelry, only available for that month, handmade with words and charms that reflect the monthly prophetic word. If this word resonates with you and you'd like to wear a reminder of its truths, click the pieces below to shop!