Brave Obedience | August Monthly Blog

Triumph over Emotions

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
1 Peter 5.8-9

Although we are in a spiritual battle, God wants to teach us how to be victorious. He is giving us insight and spiritual intelligence into the plans of the enemy. He is doing this so we can battle wisely and not engage when we don’t need to.  He is teaching us to discern the enemy’s tactics and to partner with Him for victory. One huge tactic of the enemy is getting us to partner with offense.

At times our emotions can feel so loud and powerful that we can be tempted to allow them to lead us.  We must be tuned into ourselves and our hearts enough to know what is truth and what is an exaggerated emotion.  The enemy can use the strength and power of how we feel in a moment to bait us to become offended.  Emotions, wounds, fear, and anxiety can all lead to separation and offense. We must be centered in God’s presence and know who He says we are in order to not be derailed in the heat of the moment. Moreover, when tempted to take offense, take time to ask God what He says about the other person--not just your emotion, frustration, or offense. At times we may discern something in the spirit or we may FEEL something (an emotion). We need to learn to tell the difference.  It is the enemy’s ploy to divide us using any tactic he can.  If what you’re experiencing is not the fruit of the Spirit, then recenter on Him in order to hear what He is saying.  Offense is always a choice.  We must guard our hearts so we do not allow offense to take root. Offense leads to bitterness and a hardened heart.  

We do this by responding to His invitation to recenter our hearts in His presence.  This word is for people who feel like they are being ruled by their emotions or feeling the division in their relationships or seeing division play out around them. Whenever you feel tempted to be offended or to engage in whatever emotions you’re feeling, make the choice to STOP, recenter on His presence, and not engage in the battle. Instead, choose to strengthen your relationship and focus on the Presence of God. 

Brave Obedience

“So Samuel said:
“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.”
1 Samuel 15.22

Through the prophet Samuel the Lord told Saul to wipe out the Amalekites, and get rid of everything that was theirs, including their animals. The Amalekites were an evil people at war with Israel. However, Saul, pressured by his men, kept the king alive and took the best cattle and sheep to sacrifice to the Lord.  This was not what God had asked. When Samuel confronted him, Saul truly thought he had done what was right. Obedience is so valuable to the Lord. But if we’re too distracted by everyone else’s opinions, we can “think” we’re obeying Him, when in reality we’re responding to the pressure around us. 

Even though Saul  offered the cattle and sheep to the Lord, God didn’t want that sacrifice; he wanted obedience.  In this instance, He required Saul to kill everything because those bloodlines and even the animals were contaminated by the evil Amalekites.  Saul did what he thought was best, but it wasn’t what the Lord had asked of him.  In verse 24 of 1 Samuel 15, Saul humbled himself and admitted that he was pressured by his men because he was afraid. Ultimately, God regretted choosing Saul as king over Israel (v.35). 

God is highlighting the importance of obedience.  We choose to obey God out of relationship with Him and trust that He has our best for us.  Saul ultimately gave into the loud voice of his men because he wasn’t anchored in his relationship with God.  This word is for people that have yielded to peer pressure just like Saul did.  God is reminding you to keep your eyes fixed on Him and to be obedient.  It is important to pay attention to what He’s saying and do what He asks you to do.  You will be given small opportunities with the Lord to build the trust necessary to stand when you’re tossed about.  

Aligned for Purpose

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12.1-3

This is a season of alignment.  God is bringing together those who are aligned with the same purpose for this time.  This alignment will bring power, synergy, energy, and momentum that you wouldn’t have without it.  

Not all friendships are meant to last forever. Recognize that there is a season for most friendships.  Only a handful will last throughout the test of time.  Sometimes we can look around and realize that we are maintaining friendships with people who don’t (or no longer) value what is most important to us.  Perhaps you have a shared history together, but your values have evolved differently.  To accomplish all that God has placed in our heart, we need to have like-minded believers running with us.  There is freedom in knowing that we don’t have to be close friends with those whom we are not aligned with in purpose and belief.  We must recognize that there are seasons of friendship, and most will not last forever, but cherish those sweet ones that do!  

In this season, God is releasing freedom and permission to let go of those people that  are not headed in the same direction you are. For some, you may realize you’ve lost touch with a long time friend. However, instead of feeling loss, you recognize that God has brought other people around you for this season. Others may have faced constant setbacks and struggles in certain friendships and recognize that it’s time to finally let them go. 

It may be time to have a conversation about different values. For some, this will strengthen relationships. For others, it will mean it’s time to let go and move on.  This word is for  people that are feeling the loss of relationships and reflecting on the change.  Ask God to show you who you need to be aligned with in this season.  Reflect on who is bringing you strength and who’s not.  Who do you feel energized by, and who drains you?

 Choose to be aligned with those who have similar purpose, passions, and drives in order that you might run the race together.  We need the help of those like-minded people to accomplish our purpose, as well as have their support.  Working together with these like-minded people can create synergy and multiply our strength.  God wants to bring people into divine connection and alignment.

Qualified by God

“For I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.”
Jonah 4.2b

The story of Jonah illustrates God’s compassionate mercy in choosing His imperfect servant.  Initially, when Jonah was called, He did not want to be obedient.  Once he was captured in the belly of the fish, he experienced his lowest point. There is no place on earth that we can go that God can’t use us and redeem us.  His gracious mercy extends to us and covers us even in our darkest hour.  When Jonah was in the belly of the fish, he didn’t know that he would escape the belly of the fish.  God uses imperfect people to accomplish His purposes on the earth because that’s all that He has to use! In Jonah’s darkest moment, God saves Jonah.  In Ninevah’s darkest moment, God saved them! God doesn’t call the qualified, but instead qualifies those He calls.  When Jonah softened his heart, God delivered him from the belly of the fish.  God simply needs our humility, willingness, and obedience.  

God is presenting us with a picture of the mercy that is available to us.  We are not qualified because of anything we’ve done, but rather because He has chosen us and made us qualified. What we think of as qualifications matter less than what God can do with our humility and willingness.  

He longs for redemption, restoration, and reconciliation.  Just as God had compassion on Jonah, He also had compassion on Ninevah, the city God called Jonah to save.  This word is for people that feel like they are disqualified, and that God couldn’t possibly use them.  They need only say “YES!” Answer the call from God and receive God’s love and purpose in their life.  Believe that God wants to use them for great things on the earth.  

If this word resonates with you, share it with a friend!

©All Rights Reserved 2021

With prophetic insight from Lindsey Duke
Blog written Anne E. Ballard

At The Crowning Jewels, our desire and our mission are 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.

August Declarations:

1. I am triumphing over negative emotions.
2. I trust God and am obedient to His word.
3. I release offense and view others from Heaven's perspective.
4. God is my qualifier and I go where He sends.
5. God is bringing me divine connections and partnerships.

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!