Physical Obedience Brings Spiritual Breakthrough
On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times…When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city.
Joshua 6:15, 20
We are triune beings–body, soul, and spirit. Our physical bodies are deeply connected to our spiritual life. Often, God will ask us to do something in the natural realm that has an effect in the spiritual realm.
This could look like giving away something when you’re experiencing lack or a financial setback. Or even doing something that doesn’t make much sense, but you feel a prompting from the Lord to do it. The Israelites marched around Jericho seven times. On the outside, it looked like they were being foolish. However, things were shifting in the spirit that then had powerful ramifications in the natural. So much so that the walls of Jericho collapsed to the ground.
How can you take physical steps that have powerful ramifications in the spirit? At one point when I (Katelyn) was in ministry school, God asked me to outlandishly praise Him and dance before Him as if I’d already received my rent money (which was late). A day later, a check showed up in the mail for the amount I needed.
Right now, God is showing people what He wants to do in the spiritual realm. Partnering with Him may look like doing something silly, foolish looking, or seemingly disconnected. However, physical obedience brings spiritual breakthroughs. God may ask you to do a “prophetic act,” which is a physical act that represents what you believe God is doing/what you’re needing breakthrough in (e.g. my dancing and praising God as if my rent was already paid). More important than your reputation or being understood by those around you is following the prompting of the Holy Spirit. So ask God how you can partner with him to experience a powerful breakthrough.
Cultivating Habits of Faithfulness
Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin
Zechariah 4:10
Months ago, I started doing pilates immediately after waking up. Simply fifteen minutes in the morning of a stretch and mini workout sessions. If that was the only movement I could get in, I told myself it was enough. However, this decision deeply impacted my mornings. I was in the final few months of acting school and taking time to ground myself in peaceful movement first thing in the morning helped me emotionally regulate throughout the day and have the endurance to finish well.
This also gave me a sense of consistency and routine in a highly demanding season. No one was forcing me to do this, but it was a beautiful gift of gentle movement I gave to myself. As I stretched, I would just thank the Lord for the morning, for movement, and for the day. No one asked me or forced me to do this…rather it was a gift I was giving myself. A few months into this, I had a dance instructor comment on my movement. She asked if I had been taking other dance classes. The only thing I’d changed was that I started doing morning pilates.
What I realized is that small habits lead to powerful change. You may feel like you don’t have much to bring to the table. Like you can’t invest in your relationship with God because you don’t have enough time. However, small habits lead to powerful outcomes. Ask God which habits of faithfulness he wants to cultivate in your life. The Lord isn’t looking for perfection. Rather, He’s searching for faithfulness and the hearts that will turn towards Him.
Sanctified Imagination
Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the wellsprings of life.
Proverbs 4.23
Did you know that God gave you an extraordinarily powerful gift when He gave you an imagination? Children are incredibly imaginative, however, as adults we often don’t value “imagination.” Nevertheless, whether we realize it or not, we use our imaginations all the time.
We use our imaginations when we envision every worst case scenario that could happen.
We use our imaginations when we come up with every possible reason our dreams couldn’t work out.
We use our imaginations when we plan a vacation and imagine what we’ll do on it.
Likewise, we use our imaginations when we dream about God’s promises and possibilities for our lives.
Our imaginations either help us cultivate a life of hope and faith or a life of worry and despair. This is why we need a sanctified imagination. When we invite God into our imaginations, our minds become powerful resources to live a life of faith. If you’re someone who’s prone to worry, try imagining the “best case scenario.” If you're someone who’s always talking to yourself negatively, imagine some kind words you could say to yourself.
God often speaks to us through our imaginations. Imagination is where dreams are birthed. God will plant a seed or idea that is the beginning of a dream, a catalyst for creativity, and a launching pad for what He wants to do…and it starts in the imagination.
If you’ve been battling negativity in your mind, I encourage you to start meditating on the goodness of God. And engage your imagination. When you’re tempted to worry, imagine good things happening instead. Imagine the best possible outcomes. Imagine God turning your situation around for good. Use your imagination to cultivate faith and hope. Your imagination can be a powerful tool for renewing your mind.
Authentic Faith
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
James 1:6-8
Have you ever struggled to believe what God says about you? Have you found yourself grappling with disillusionment and self-doubt? Maybe you think you’ve heard from God…but the things He says about you are more than you can imagine for yourself. Perhaps God has given you a dream that’s far too big for you and you think “he couldn’t possibly mean me.”
God is inviting you to pick up His perspective of you. Many of us are living half-in and half-out over what God says about who we are. We say one thing, but do another. We attempt to believe God’s Word over our lives, but we don’t take steps of courage or faith because we’re riddled with doubt. When we do this, we’re living in a space of double-mindedness which is confusing for our hearts and souls.
Right now, there’s an invitation to go all in in believing God.
Exactly three years ago, I (Katelyn) was debating taking a big leap and committing to three years at acting conservatory. God had been speaking to me about acting for over ten years, yet I was still riddled with fear, doubt, and double-mindedness: “could I really commit three years of my life studying acting in my thirties?!” I spent a lot of time in prayer, yet still felt so afraid. I knew that if I said “yes,” that there was no turning back. I took the leap of faith and I showed up to class on the first day of school. When I did, I received a powerful download of faith from the Lord about acting. Even though God had been speaking to me about acting for over ten years, this was the first time I fully believed Him without doubt. And this faith has never left me since.
Faith is a gift from God and He is giving His people the gift of faith. However, faith requires action. For me, the download of faith came after I showed up to acting school. It was an act of faith for me to apply and audition and even consider the possibility that I could do this. Likewise, it’s an act of faith to take the first step. And that includes surrendering your doubts to God and picking up His promises and His word over your life. If you’re struggling with doubt and double-mindedness, ask God for keys and strategies to line up your words with His words and your thoughts with His thoughts. Many of you are waiting for the feeling of faith to show up before you take action. But it doesn’t usually work that way. Often, faith shows up after you take the first step. I truly believe that my testimony is yours–when you take a step of faith, God will give you the gift of faith.
At The Crowning Jewels, it's our desire and our mission to bring encouragement, to build others up, and to bring comfort to people’s lives (1 Corinthians 14.3). Each month, our founder, Anne Jackson, and our main writer, Katelyn Alexander ask the Lord what He’s doing in the coming month and for any words of encouragement He might have for His people. We believe that prophetic words need to be encouraging and edifying. Moreover, with a corporate prophetic word, not all words are applicable to all people. 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.
As always, the prophetic is a free gift from heaven and will always be something we freely share. As a prophetic business, it’s our mission to bring encouragement and edification to people through the free gift of prophecy, with our product being jewelry.
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 hello@thecrowningjewels.com.
Declarations
- I am generous even when I lack.
- I keep promises to myself and others.
- God has given me a powerful and sanctified imagination.
- I am taking action steps of faith.
- My mind and heart are in alignment with God’s heart.
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Blog written by Anne E. Jackson and Katelyn Alexander
Each month we design 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!
