Weapons of Warfare

There is no need to be covered before Me, as you are no longer bound by shame. I have removed your shame. Here in our secret garden, you can walk with Me like Adam and Eve before the fall. Walk and talk, face to face, completely unhindered by shame. 

You are fed directly by My hand - the Bread of Life and the Living Water! This is our private place of intimacy, you are perfectly safe to be yourself here. 

When you go about your day, you need protected. I clothe you in robes of righteousness, in strength and dignity, in the garment of praise and in your armour. You are a warrior-princess! Your dance is your weapon of warfare, as is your song of praise. You have your sandals of readiness of the gospel of peace, your shield of faith, sword of the Spirit, helmet of salvation, belt of Truth and breastplate of righteousness.

As you survey the scene before you, you see everything with the gaze of Love, for you have been staring into My eyes. When you see your children fighting, you see them in the spiritual realm. Instead of seeing them as an inconvenience and an annoyance to deal with, you see them beset within and without by the enemy. In your warrior dance, you attack their enemy with your sword and tend to your children's wounds with loving tenderness. You teach them how to use their weapons too. 

When you need to take flight, you have the Holy Spirit dove to climb onto and soar up high above your circumstances. Then you can survey the scene from above!

Through Eyes of Love

Rest in My Presence is as important as nourishing yourself on My Word. There must be both in your day for you to be in balance. 

In physical training, the muscles are worked hard and then rested. The rest helps to allow muscles to grow. The rest period is just as important as the work period - it is what makes the work effective. 

Do not be quick to rush from the place of rest, even into reading Truth. This place of rest is where your heart and mind can make space for all you are learning, without becoming overwhelmed! 

Embrace the rest with patience and joy! Let My Love wash over you, soothing any ache or pain, carrying your questions and concerns away - they are safe with Me, Beloved. We will address them when you are ready. You can trust them to Me! 

Let us slow dance for a while, My Dear. I'll carry you, let Me carry your whole weight. You are weightless in My arms as we sway back and forth. Not a care in the world! Weariness gone! Perfectly loved and safely held! 

I love how you LOVE this time with Me above all else! It thrills My heart how you desire Me and My Ways! How willing your heart is to say, "Behold, I am your handmaiden - Acceptance with Joy!

Let's get your eyes off the ways you are falling short, and back on My Face. You long to see everyone through eyes of Love, but you are fretting about the bad habits you have that keep tripping you up in this area. Beloved, gaze deep into My eyes of Love as we dance. The more you gaze into My eyes of Love, the transformation takes place! I transfer My sight to your eyes through the gaze of Love! So stare into My eyes and be transfixed, held in this place as long as you can bear it. It burns, Beloved! My gaze of Love burns away the milky film over your eyes. I am healing the cataracts of impatience, disdain, uncaring, superiority...they belong to the flesh that is DEAD! You were made to see with eyes of Love. My gaze is restoring your true vision as I intended it to be!

"The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness." (Matthew 6:22-23)

"Your revelation eyes are pure, like pools of refreshing - sparkling light for a multitude." (Song of Songs 7:4, TPT)

"But God has taught me that no love is real love until it is WILLINGNESS TO LOVE ALL with no exceptions; and that the more sinful, blemished, and unlovely a person is, the more he needs love. More love - not less - toward those who are obviously spoiled and marred and sin-sick - that's God's way. Then I was shown that love does not begin in the feelings at all - it begins in the will. To be willing at last to love all, individual by individual, as we are brought into contact with them, is to be ABLE to love all. We must begin quite deliberately to act toward them as though we really do love them and are willing to bear everything unlovely about them just because we want to love them. Then love comes, first as a trickle, then as a stream, then as a flood, till, like the river of life in Ezekiel, the waters which at first came only to the ankles, then to the knees, then higher still, became at last "waters to swim in."

Love is light, and when love has opened our inner eyes we see things in their true light - a whole new landscape of reality and truth is spread out before us and we see beauties and wonders of the realm of God which we never before even glimpsed, nor suspected to exist." ("Walking Among the Unseen", by Hannah Hurnard)

Rescue Mission

You are on a rescue mission, Beloved. I want you to love people to Me. I will show you the hungry ones, the people who are already searching. Keep your eyes and ears open to My leading every day. Be on the look-out, "more than watchmen search for morning."

This is My heart for the lost...I long to set them free from slavery to themselves, from slavery to the law of sin. Will you partner with Me? Are you willing to truly care? Are you willing to be inconvenienced, annoyed, delayed and detoured?

Beloved, it gives Me such joy that you are willing! I am so happy to have another willing person "with skin on" to pour out My Love on the people you come into contact with. 

"Walk in the wisdom of God as you live before unbelievers, and make it your duty to make him known. Let every word you speak be drenched with grace and tempered with truth and clarity. For then you will be prepared to give a respectful answer to anyone who asks you about your faith." (Colossians 4:5-6, TPT)

Beloved, people will ask, so be prepared and let Me give you the words!

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." (1 Peter 3:15-16)

I am cutting off fear of man - not that you will not care about others; in fact, just the opposite - so you can love them enough to demonstrate My Love in your life without fear. No need to worry about being "socially appropriate" or "fitting in" - you are called to Love extravagantly, ,and Love disdains social protocols. Love is a higher law. This is what you are agreeing to, Beloved!

"Take a constant interest in the needs of God's beloved people and respond by helping them. And eagerly welcome people as guests into your home." (Romans 12:13, TPT)

"Friends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cosy in it. Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they'll be won over to God's side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives. Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God's emissaries for keeping order. It is God's will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you're a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government." (1 Peter 2:11-17)

I am so excited that you are letting Me lead you in this Dance of Love, bringing colour and light to the lives of those who desperately need it! Let's dance, Beloved!

Dance This Day Into Alignment!

Consider this intensive training, Beloved, and take heart! I am giving you a new name - "Joyful" and writing it on your forehead for all to see. No longer will you need to make sure everyone sees how much you are suffering - seeking either admiration or pity. Fear of man holds you back from wholehearted loving Me, and from single-mindedly obeying Me. Fear of man is CUT OFF! You are Mine, Beloved, and I am yours!

"I encourage you to surrender yourselves to God to be his sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights his heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship. 

Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God's will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes." (Romans 12:1-2, TPT)

"Let this hope burst forth within you, releasing a continual joy. Don't give up in a time of trouble, but commune with God at all times." (Romans 12:12, TPT)

My Power has freedom to work in you when you are aware of your own weakness and fully yield to Me. As I live My Life through you today, My Grace is enough for you. You will not be stuck in the same old trap of despair, the pit of self-pity or the dungeon of fear. 

We will move together in this Dance of Love with grace and joy, and you will see the grey, dreary circumstances be transformed into vibrant colour and light. Let's dance this day into alignment with My Kingdom! 

A Declaration Song

The Dance of Love

Verse 1:

You replace my pain with treasure, Lord

With gems so precious and rare

You place them in settings of silver and gold

And you weave them into my hair. 

Chorus:

You give me joy for mourning, Lord, 

You give me joy and grace.

You give me joy for mourning, Lord 

And you dance me all over the place.

Verse 2:

You replace my rags with royal robes

Of brilliant colours and light

You clothe me in Strength and Dignity

So I can dance with all my might

Verse 3:

You replace my drab, monotonous grey

With vibrant colour as we dance through my days

You take my bitter and whinging heart 

And exchange it for a heart full of praise!

Bridge 1:

You dance, you dance with me

You lead me in this dance of love.

You set your love on me

And call me to the places above. 

Verse 4:

You replace my tears with laughter, Lord

With mirth and hilarity

You open my mind to Truth and we laugh

At the lies of the enemy!

Verse 5:

You replace my natural human sight

With faith-filled heavenly view

When I look at my circumstances now

I see not what they are, but what you can do!

Verse 6:

You replace my shrinking with confidence

Your perfect Love casts out every fear

The barren season is over and gone,

Behold a new day dawns bright and clear! 

Bridge 2:

You dance, you dance with me

You teach me how to move with grace

You set your love on me

In You, I have found my true place. 

I have given you a new song! I have put the words in your mouth, words of revelation and Truth. This is a declaration song! Sing it in praise and thankfulness, even (especially) on the days you are not "feeling it". 

I am the fulfillment of Isaiah 61, I came to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour!

"to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion - to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified." (Isaiah 61:2-3)

"They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord...their life shall be like a well-watered garden, and they shall languish no more. Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance...I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them and give them gladness for sorrow." (Jeremiah 31:12-13)

Springs of Living Water

"You are beautiful beyond description, 

Too marvellous for words,

Too wonderful for comprehension,

Like nothing ever seen or heard.

Who can grasp your infinite wisdom?

Who can fathom the depth of your love?

You are beautiful beyond description,

Majesty enthroned above!

And I stand, I stand in awe of you.

I stand, I stand in awe of you.

Holy God, to whom all praise is due, 

I stand in awe of you."

(I Stand In Awe of You, by Mark Altrogge, 1987) 

In the past, you have often sung this to Me from a position of flat on your face in worship. This is, of course, beautiful to Me. But today, as you wake with this song on your lips, you are singing it to Me as a Lover whispering adoration to her Beloved on the dance floor. 

As I hold you close and we move as One, your boldness and confidence thrill Me!  Your intense gaze into My Face, your delicious words of loving adoration completely undo Me. You have My heart, Beloved. I am yours and you are Mine! Keep whispering those sweet words of Love direct to My Spirit - I love to hear them! 

"For you reach into my heart. 

With one flash of your eyes I am undone by your love, my beloved, my equal, my bride.

You leave me breathless -- I am overcome by merely a glance from your worshipping eyes, for you have stolen my heart.

I am held hostage by your love and by the graces of righteousness shining upon you.

How satisfying to me, my equal, my bride. 

Your love is my finest wine -- intoxicating and thrilling. 

And your sweet, perfumed praises -- so exotic, so pleasing. 

Your loving words are like the honeycomb to me; your tongue releases milk and honey, for I find the Promised Land flowing within you.

The fragrance of your worshipping love surrounds you with scented robes of white. 

My darling bride, my private paradise, fastened to my heart.

A secret spring are you that no one else can have -- my bubbling fountain hidden from public view.

What a perfect partner to me, now that I have you...

Your life flows into mine, pure as a garden spring.

A well of living water springs up from within you, like a mountain brook flowing into my heart."

(Song of Songs 4:9-12,15 TPT)

The spring of Living Water is gushing forth from within you. No need to fear dryness, barrenness or wilderness. The water flows down, filling every part of you. 

Beloved, let it flow outwards today. Let it splash onto all you meet. You do not need to force anything, just be present with Me. Do not allow the flow to be dammed up by Bitterness, Self-Pity, Guilt, Stress, Frustration or any other pesky bully. 

"Whoever believes in me, as scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." (John 7:38)

"The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." (Isaiah 58:11)

"...So where the river flows, everything will live...Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruits fail. Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing." (Ezekiel 47:9,12)

Birthing New Lovers

"How beautiful on the mountains are the sandaled feet of this one bringing such good news.

You are truly royalty! 

The way you walk so gracefully in my ways displays such dignity.

You are truly the poetry of God - His very handiwork.

Out of your innermost being is flowing the fullness of my Spirit - never failing to satisfy. 

Within your womb there is a birthing of harvest wheat; they are the sons and daughters nurtured by the purity you impart. 

How gracious you have become! 

Your life stands tall as a tower, like a shining light on a hill. 

Your revelation eyes are pure, like pools of refreshing - sparkling light for a multitude.

Such discernment surrounds you, protecting you from the enemy's advance.

Redeeming love crowns you as royalty.

Your thoughts are full of life, wisdom, and virtue.

Even a King is held captive by your beauty. 

How delicious is your fair beauty; it cannot be described as I count the delights you bring to me.

Love has become the greatest...

For your kisses of love are exhilarating, more than any delight I've known before.

Your kisses of love awaken even the lips of sleeping ones to kiss me as you have done."

(Song of Songs 7:1-6,9)

Beloved, I am preparing to birth new Lovers through your life. They will be drawn to Me through the Love they see in you. Do not be surprised at this, as though I could not possibly use you, for this is what you are here for! This is your very purpose. I call you to the high places for this reason. 

As you tend your inner garden and see new fruits growing and see the River of Living Water flowing out, rest in the knowledge that it is I who does the work of drawing others to Myself. You just keep on drawing near to Me, follow My lead in this dance, and I will draw them. When they come, just love them from this place of Rest. 

You must not make this into work, into a burden of stress. When I bring others, it may appear as an inconvenient interruption, but let Me lead the dance. Trust Me, keep hold of My hand and dance colour and Life with Me. 

I will show you what to do. Refuse to fear the unknown. My Perfect Love drives out fear. Rest here a while longer in My Perfect Love until you are ready to face this new day!

Cutting In

I see your anxiety that as you speak to others about what I am doing in you, others will look and see your obvious sinfulness and think of you as a hypocritical boast. Beloved, I am cutting off the weight of fear of man. Just let it go. There is no room for it here. I am cutting off false dignity, for that is Pride and Legalism too. And you have no need for it, for I have clothed you with Strength and Dignity. Though at times you feel exposed by speaking out about your deepest feelings, know that I am covering you, and you are never more dignified than when covered by Me. 

I am renewing your mind, My Precious Treasure. What joy this gives Me as you embrace the process. This is the transforming Dance of Love, is it not exquisitely beautiful and full of joy despite the pain of the stretching and aching as I teach your spirit new things? In the past, you have seen obedience as giving up your will to submit to Mine, but Beloved, I am showing you that it is about letting Me change your will so that it becomes Mine. What joy!  

As you and I dance together this week, be on the lookout for that sneaky Stress and Worry, who both love to cut in on us and spin you away in confusion until you trip and fall. Stress comes across our path frequently when you try to lead the dance. When you have a plan in mind as to where you want us to dance, if we deviate from that path (at My leading), stress makes an appearance and steals you away. 

Dear Heart, let Me lead this week. Even as you do your planning from this place of Rest, still allow for Me to hijack your plans or take you in a different direction than you were expecting. This may appear in many forms, some of which may seem quite unpleasant or downright inconvenient. But refuse to let go of My hand. Keep your eyes fixed on My Face and follow My steps. Spurn the advances of Frustration, Despair, Annoyance, Guilt, Stress and Worry, as they will all attempt to cut in and whisk you away from Me. Just focus on following My lead in the Dance of Love. 

Splashed with Living Water

Just soak in the Truth of how I see you, Beloved. I know it blows your mind, and your heart finds it hard to truly believe. But let Me speak it over you again and again. Rest under My banner of Love, drink My words in as sweet nectar. Receive this beautiful, inexplicable mystery with an open heart. 

I long to be close to you. I long to see your eyes of love turned to Me. I long to dance with you, especially in the difficult moments - it thrills Me when you turn your eyes to Me or lean into My arms in those moments! 

You give Me such an abundance of joy when you trustingly follow My lead in this dance. It delights My heart to dance with you. 

It all flows from here, Beloved. From the secret, sacred garden Love bursts forth. The whole point is to share it with others. A rich, joyful, beautiful inner life MUST flow out. The River runs, it does not stagnate. 

You will minister to others out of this richness. It will flow out of you. The more you get away with Me and soak with Me, the more it will naturally touch everything you do. You won't be able to keep silent. It will burn within you and spill out of your lips!

You need not forsake this place of safety to go out and minister. For as I am with you always, you carry the place of safety with you. Like Moses, your heart cries out, "I will not go anywhere that you are not leading me!" Let us go together! Let us dance, Beloved; let us dance colour into lives all around! 

My River of Living Water flows from your garden. As you interact with others, they are splashed with Living Water!

You Captivate Me!

Beloved, you are Mine and I am yours! You have captivated My heart with your worship, your loving looks steal My Heart. Let this soak in...this is truly how I see you! Not by anything that you do or don't do, but because you are Mine. 

You truly do bring Me bliss! I delight in you! I adore you! I love you in a crazy, abandoned way. You captivate Me and I am lost in your gaze. My equal, My bride, I love you!

"Arise, my darling!

Come quickly, my Beloved. 

Come and be the graceful gazelle with me. 

Come and be like a dancing deer with me.

We will dance in the high places of the sky,

Yes, on the mountains of fragrant spice. 

Forever we shall be 

United as one!" 

(Song of Songs 8:14)

This is what it means to seek first the kingdom. There are so many problems you are seeking answers to, but if you just drop them and focus fully on Me in this moment...nothing else matters. You know that I will bring answers and solutions to you when you need them. 

You  know that this is paramount. You and I, alone. Joy in each others' presence. Grab these moments whenever you can! 

Catch Those Foxes!

You can't force this dance, Beloved. You can't dance on your own. Dancing through your difficulties requires a coming-away with Me. We must be connected, touching, to dance together. 

I know that you treasure this time, but so easily it gets crowded out. Catch those foxes! Let us catch those pesky foxes that would destroy the work I am doing in you. You need to help Me with this, Beloved!

Self-loathing is a weed in your heart-garden. I am rooting it out and replacing it with beautiful flowers of "confidence in My Love" and "inner beauty". I am watering these with My Love. I am changing the way you see yourself. I adore you! It thrills Me to look upon you! 

Your worship captivates My Heart and I am completely undone when I hear your whispers of sweet, trusting Love! 

There is no aspect of your health that I cannot transform as we spend time together. I could do it right now, but I also want you not to miss the lessons I can teach you on the journey. I can increase your physical fitness as you dance before Me. I can heal your emotional pain as you open your heart up to Me more fully. I can change your ingrained wrong thinking and transform your mind as you spend time with Me in My Word. I can increase your capacity to love as you learn to accept more of My Love. I can increase your capacity for laughter as you spend time in My Presence. I love to show you funny things. 

Please, Beloved, I beg you to keep making our precious time a top priority! We need it!

Fancy Footwork

Keep dancing with Me, Beloved. With Me leading, you can avoid the self-pity bogs, the fear traps and the worry pits. 

Breathe deep of My Spirit Breath and keep your eyes fixed on My Face. 

I will show you the steps. I will teach you fancy footwork. I will dip you under high obstacles and spin you over low obstacles. 

I've got this! Trust Me with this day, too.

Dance With Me

I Love You and I Like You

It is no coincidence that you have always been drawn to dancing. I am giving you dancing as a weapon of warfare, and a tool of breakthrough and JOY! 

Beloved, let Me teach you the steps. You carry My goodness, you are good in Me. Reject all self-loathing as sin. I want you to learn LOVE for yourself. Remember at the beginning of this year, I told you this is a year for learning to love well. This is an important part of that journey...learning to love yourself. Not just tolerate yourself. Not despising yourself and blaming yourself for the state of your health. 

I want you to learn to see yourself as I see you - beautiful and good! Emanating Light! I don't just love you because I have to - I delight in you! I really like you! You can like yourself too. 

You are creative! You have skill with needle and thread. I have filled you with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge and with all craftsmanship to devise artistic designs (Exodus 35:31-32). You are compassionate, caring, a great encourager. You have a good eye for the hurting and skill in drawing people out. You are a good friend. You have style, originality, a spark of uniqueness. I love your flair. You are pleasing to Me. I love you, and I like you!

Easy and Joyful

I lead you in this dance, Beloved. You know how good and how easy it is to dance well in the arms of a skilled dancer and gentle leader. Surrender to My leading and all striving will cease. This is your tool for breakthrough, My Precious One! Lean into My arms, and I will sweep you around the floor, and through the difficult moments, with such joy rising in your spirit. 

I can dance you through brain fog. I can dance you through debilitating fatigue. I can dance you through migraines. I can dance you through homework and children's tantrums and fights and whinging. I can dance you through stressful morning routines and double drop-offs so that it feels easy and joyful! 

As you follow My lead, the tension will leave your body, you will relax, and I will show you new things. My dance can turn the drab, grey days into full-colour. It will create opportunities for you to connect with your kids and your husband in ways you long for. 

Dance with Me, Beloved!

Keep Dancing

Remember that revelation that I gave you last year, how dancing with Me could carry colour and joy into every activity of your life. The enemy has tried to steal that revelation from you with all the hard circumstances you have faced in the past six months. 

Consider this: if you do not want to lose that connection with Me through a day, do not choose activities that I would not wish to dance through. Sometimes your choices of entertainment are not "harmless" because they distance Me. Keep dancing with Me, through each moment of each day. When you are feeling stressed and when you are letting your natural man rule, close your eyes and picture us dancing again. Let your spirit man be in the forefront. Let My Spirit guide you. 

There is no circumstance that you face that cannot be danced through. When you lose the connection and find yourself in beggar's rags, sulking and tantrumming, wallowing in the pit of self-pity, just look to Me and I will take your hand, pull you out, clean you and dress you again in Strength and Dignity, and begin the dance where we left off.

The Dance of Love

My Darling, you have opened the treasure chest and seen the beauty and joy within. It is time to take out the jewels and WEAR them! Beloved, you are My Princess, but you are walking around in rags! It is time to throw off the rags. I clothe you in robes of righteousness, and it is an insult to My Name to cling to your rags.

Beloved, I have set your precious gems in settings of silver and gold, and it is time to wear these treasures for all to see. Do not keep them shut away any longer!

Let Me take you by the hand and dance with you. Come, let Me lead you around the throne room in the Dance of Love. You are wearing your royal robes and precious jewels. This dance is such a joy and a delight, is it not! Lose yourself in the joy and colour of this moment, Beloved, as I twirl you around the floor.

My Dear One, come with Me. Let Me lead you back into your life. You see it as drab and dreary, but as I dance with you, see how every scene will turn from drab and grey to joyfully brilliant and full-colour! Vibrant, beautiful, full of Life and Joy! Every activity - mundane and enjoyable - will be touched and transformed by the Joy and Life of My Presence as we dance through your day.