In the month of May, we believe there is a renewal taking place on the earth. Things that have been destroyed are being rebuilt and what has been lost is being restored. There is a victorious awakening happening in God’s people and those who can feel the tangible pull are rising up. It is time for us as a body to decide that we hold the key to the rebuilding. As we stand in faith, our ways of rebuilding may be misunderstood by the world. In times of uncertainty and pain, we get to choose to remain confident in the goodness of God. We will worship and praise Him in the midst of chaos. When we are left with little, we get to continue giving away to those in greater need. As isolation tempts us stronger, we are bent towards choosing connection and living in family. Fear of pain will convince us to stay distracted, but we will give into the stillness, allowing the Lord to heal our hurt. When feelings of confusion invade, instead of retreating, we will be the ones moving closer to God, asking what He is building in the earth. God is calling us to be united in this unprecedented time and as we choose to stand together in the rebuilding, He will do the heavy lifting. This is our awakening: we will be known as a generous, courageous and victorious people.
Rebuild the Ruins
“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.
They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.”
Isaiah 61.3-4
Some people have been feeling a strong sense of injustice and noticing there is change that needs to be made as they look at some of the things that are happening in the United States. These people are the ones called to rebuild the ruins and raise up the former desolations. God has pricked their heart because this is related to their destiny. When they hear this verse it is like a defibrillator shocking their heart, and aligning them with God’s purpose to bring restoration to our land. God is giving a garment of praise as people lay down the spirit of heaviness.
There is a significant call right now to act. It is a time to pull ourselves out of complacency, timidity and hopelessness and partner with what God is doing. and stand up to be the Oaks of Righteousness, and the rebuilders of ancient ruins like He’s called us to be. So many Christians, after coming under the divisive political spirit, have opted instead to be quiet, and not take a stand for what is right because it’s easier. It’s time to recognize if you’ve been party to this, and instead choose to take a stand. Being silent has been condoned for too long, and it may have even felt more comfortable, but it is now time to choose righteousness. In our nation (and in the world) we are at a critical juncture on so many levels. The people of God will either stand up or they won’t. Taking a stand is speaking out for justice and not taking a stand right now is like a vote for injustice. Edmund Burke said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” The stakes have become so high and the time is so critical, that our only option is to hear from the Holy Spirit. At this politically charged time as we are approaching the election, we must couple wisdom with the Spirit, asking God what He’s doing right now and how we can partner with it. The political spirit seeks to divide, and a divided house cannot stand (Matthew 12.25). The United States is a lighthouse to the world. They look to us to see how we will handle different issues as they are emerging worldwide. It is a critical time to be sure we are aligned with the right spirit.
God is shaking things up. He is using people that have aligned with His purposes. He wants them to carry out his plan, bringing about righteousness to our nation, and ultimately the world. Through the way things go in the United States, other nations will be saved.
The Generous Family
“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
Acts 2.44-47
Generosity can change someone’s life. Choosing to give of your time, your resources, your knowledge or your money can make a direct impact on those in need. The Bible tells us in many different ways that the giver will be blessed for giving. Luke 6.38 tells us, “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” By choosing to step out and bless someone around us in need, we also receive blessing, even if it’s just in the moment, knowing that we’ve helped someone else. During this time it is important to listen and be aware of other people’s needs. Giving will open the door for breakthrough.
What if we saw the body of Christ as a true family and we stood in the gap for people, making possible for them what they had need of? Not always money, but often time and even commitment to people. What if we chose to be intentional with one another, developing community and relationship? We are all so busy that often we inadvertently end up living in isolation, not really known by anyone. What if we committed to live in family - belonging to a small group that knew us and that we knew deeply? This month, God is revealing the power of family and generosity that is cultivated in that place. He’s honoring people that choose to cultivate family, extending His blessing.
Called To Be Courageous
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31.6
A fever in our body when we are ill is representative of our bodies fighting infection. Our body is trying to kill the antagonist that is warring against it. One school of thought on this says to treat the fever to lower it, but the other side says to let it ride. The idea is that if the fever runs its course, the body will be effectively fighting the offender. (Obviously, the “let it ride” theory only works in a safe zone of febrile temperatures.) This theory also supposes that by constantly suppressing the fever you can prolong being sick because you’re not allowing the body to fight the infection/invader.
The fear of pain or the process of avoiding pain is similar to not allowing the body to heal itself, by allowing a fever to fight an infection. Many people have endured traumatic events in their lives. For some, even much of their childhood was traumatic, and now they cannot afford emotionally to face the pain inside of them because it feels so large and scary. They live their lives by avoiding the pain, thus living in denial of how they are truly doing. They numb themselves with different things: shopping, activity, exercise, drinking, binge-watching, sleeping, or drugs. It can become a habit to suppress our desires and expression of who we are by busying ourselves to avoid the discomfort that comes with facing the pain. Much of the fear and trepidation that comes from avoiding pain is often worse than just facing the pain head on. It takes great courage to face our pain, but it also takes a lot of trust in God to face it. You need a personal awareness and experiential knowledge that God is good in order to feel like you can trust Him enough to face what hurts. So many of us don’t want to share our pain with God, but He has told us that He’s always with us (Matthew 28.20) and He wants us to trust Him with our pain, hurts and burdens (Matthew 11.28-30). He knows the freedom that comes with sharing our pain and allowing what was once hidden in darkness, to be healed by the exposure to the light.
This month, watch as God strengthens those of us that have been avoiding facing discomfort or pain in our lives (from the past or present). He’s there, whispering in our ear over and over, “I’m with you. I won’t leave you. You can do this. You’re not alone.” If we don’t leave Him, he won’t leave us, for He is faithful (2 Timothy 2.13). In facing our fears, we will gain a knowledge of God’s goodness that will carry us through the dark valleys and tough seasons. God is releasing self-awareness to see what we have been unable to see thus far.
Victorious Awakening
“But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead.
But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat.”
Luke 8.50-55
On the morning of December 14, 2019, little Olive Alayne Heiligenthal didn’t wake up. From the pain of that moment, arose an army of believers that stood full of faith beside her parents, Kalley and Andrew, believing for her resurrection. The injustice and tragedy of a child, so young, not waking up tore at our hearts. Her name literally means “Victorious Awakening.” We rallied together, contending that Jesus, who is the Resurrection and the Life (John 11.25), would breathe life into her precious body. Giants in the faith that have personally seen resurrection, prayed in person and from afar. We contended every night in worship together as a body, fasted, prayed and believed. As we worshipped, we chose to believe in God’s goodness ultimately, no matter the outcome that weighed so heavy on our hearts. Our faith in the goodness of God and for her to live was palpable, and it changed us; unifying us in a way that little else had. Revival was breaking out. More reports of miracles were happening all over the earth. An awakening was beginning because of one little girl. One week later, her physical body was laid to rest.
This event marks a moment in time where God is calling believers to WAKE UP. We can no longer afford to not believe that God is who He says He is. He is the creator of heaven and earth. He is life and light and hope. He is always good; full of love, wisdom, truth and compassion. He desires that all would believe in Him, and enter into eternal life. This is who God says He is and there’s no room for distraction. He longs for us to be unified, and we can no longer choose not to be; we must stand together. Jesus’ prayer from John 17.23 is so timely for right now, “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” We must push through our differences (beliefs, values and experiences) in order to stand together in what God is doing on the earth.
In the midst of our contending for little Olive, we were faced with the possibility that she might not live again on this earth, and we had a choice. Would we choose not to take the risk of standing in faith because we might be disappointed or “wrong”? Or would we choose HOPE despite how our circumstances look? Even though she didn’t rise, we still proclaim that God is good. We weren’t worshipping our risen Lord so that He would raise her, but because He is worthy of our praise. Sweet Olive is now with Jesus, but in one week she unified the body of Christ, unleashed a revival - a Victorious Awakening, and activated the bride of Christ to hope once again. We have the opportunity to take a bold, uncompromising stand, ignoring whether we look silly, radical or misguided. We get to examine our hearts and choose FAITH, not building a theology on our circumstances that is separate from God’s character. Olive called us higher. She called us to stand together. God is awakening our hearts, calling us to be united during this unprecedented time on the earth. God is with us as we examine what’s within our hearts; what we have cultivated, sheltered, protected deep within ourselves. God is meeting us in our choice. A line is emerging in the sand. Will we choose to humble ourselves, honestly examine our hearts and stand together with the unified, awakened body of Christ? Or will we decide that God is not good when He doesn’t move the way we think that He should?
©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 also believe that in speaking forth these declarations, you will change your life. 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.
May's Declarations:
- I am aligning with God’s purposes.
- I choose to be generous.
- I am facing my fears
- I will actively pursue unity.
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God is good all the time.
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 May's word resonates with you and you'd like to wear a reminder of its truths, click the pieces below to shop!
