I know you have been through a lot lately. I have too! It’s been a time of testing and trials during the 3 Weeks of Sorrow. On the Hebrew calendar, the three-week period ended July 18th, which is also the 9th day of Av.

During this time, the Jewish people remember a few things: how the Israelites worshipped a golden calf while Moses was on Mount Sinai, how he broke the 10 Commandments in anger when he saw their idolatry, and how the temple was destroyed once by the Romans and again by King Nebuchadnezzar on the same day but in different years!

The 9th of Av is a very solemn time. It’s also a time to repent and ask the Lord what you may be worshipping instead of Him. It’s a time to pray and fast, to re-consecrate yourself to Him and to following His will.

Did you know that your body is a temple? You are a holy temple, and the Spirit of the Lord lives within you!

Do you feel attacked? Destroyed? You may be wounded, heartbroken or experiencing a great trial right now, but let me tell you – new wine is coming forth in the midst of this! God is bringing forth something new that will carry you into your next level of promotion, coming in August!

You’ve endured this time of testing, but I don’t want you to be discouraged. YOU ARE CALLED to wear a mantle of splendor. Your mantle doesn’t change in the trial. You are part of the body of Christ. You are the Kingdom of God made manifested in the earth. Keep your eyes on Him, stay steady and remain firm in knowing that HE is going to bring you through! A great glory has come upon you, and you are being filled with new wine, a greater presence of the Lord, and fresh glory.

Now let me give you some scriptures that the Lord laid on my heart about staying in proper alignment during this time. You have got to keep your focus. The Apostle Peter says in 2 Peter 1:3-4, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

Take time today to set aside all evil desires or anything that could mess up your relationship with the Lord. Stand in the knowledge of His love and beauty. It will be a great place of freedom for you and the foundation you need to stand on His precious promises.

In 2 Peter 1:5-9 it says, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.”

You see, when you truly come alive in Christ, you develop great compassion and remember how the Lord cleansed your heart and life. You know how to stand in the divine promises of the Lord and grow in His virtues. Determine in your heart to grow daily and increase in the attributes of Jesus.

Share this with a friend and encourage them to stand firm in their faith. The Lord will bring them through!

You have just received a new mantle assignment from the Lord. Now, you have quickly moved into what is called the Three Weeks of Sorrow or Between the Straights on the Hebrew calendar. This period started on the 17th of Tammuz (June 27th) and ends on the 9th of Av (July 10th).

In this three-week period, there are going to be intense trials and circumstances. I know that some of you have already been experiencing difficult times and have stepped into intense situations and spiritual warfare. You must know that there will be things that will challenge your faith and the mantle assignment God has given you during this time. Even though things may be very difficult right now and hard to process or understand, this is happening because you’ve entered this pre-promotional time and your new mantle is being tested. It is truly a test of faith.

I want to share a passage that I believe will encourage you. In I Peter 1: 6-9 (NASB) the Apostle Peter says, “ In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”

I know what you’re going through has been hard, and I have also been experiencing some intense spiritual warfare. Even if you try to avoid or ignore it, it pays attention to you. It will manifest. The power of God’s calendar will come forth, and then all of a sudden you will find that your faith is being tested.

I get so encouraged by the Scriptures personally. I know that my faith is being tested, but it’s going to result in praise, glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ! Your faith is going to show that it’s more precious than gold. Gold is perishable, but your faith is imperishable! It helps you enter into the realms of heaven.

God is asking you to rejoice in the midst of your trial. This is a test in and of itself! He wants you to count it all joy. No matter what the enemy throws at you, COUNT IT ALL JOY! When I’m in a trial, I laugh at the enemy and start praising the Lord. Remember, the joy of the Lord is your strength.

If you count it all joy during this time and walk in your new level of authority, the enemy cannot defeat you.

Do not be angry at God because of these trials. The circumstances may be difficult, but they are not too difficult, and the spiritual warfare is not too hard. God is for you. He will help you! Love on Him, even in the midst of the challenge.

You got promoted. Now walk it out! Keep your mind on the things above. I speak life into you right now, in the mighty name of Jesus.

Share this with someone who needs it and let them know, “I’m still standing!” They can stand too!