I sent an email to about 700 people who are inside my free Meet The King Challenge earlier today, and as I was writing it, I thought there was some value here that you may enjoy too...so I’m giving you a little “behind-the-scenes” look.

For a little background, the Meet The King challenge is our collective response to the prophetic word for August...where God was calling us to be “Set Apart” in this highly prophetic season we are in from August 13 through September 21 (and after).

Essentially, we are SETTING APART 40 days to Meet The King with dedicated, intentional time in prayer and Bible reading with the goal that God will reveal, heal, restore, and purify us to prepare us for where He’s taking us.

God is the lead on this one (not me)

We’re 5 days into the challenge now, and I’ve had some very beautiful and revelatory moments with the Lord in that time. He’s loved me, shown me some areas I need to clean up, and even revealed an area of my heart that needed healing this morning (yesterday by the time you read this).

I’m so thankful for this time that we have chosen to SET APART to be with him in this season.

I want you to know I’m praying for you over these 40-days, whether you’re going through the challenge or not...

Each time I sit down for my “meeting time” with him, I think about every person InLight Connection has (and is) reaching, and I ask God to give you beautiful encounters that help you get positioned for breakthrough and blessing.

I want to encourage you to keep showing up to spend time with God (in or out of the challenge...he’s the ONE we’re here for.)

Even when you’re tired, or it’s been a long-hard day...even when the demands of life, work, family and “all-the-things” set in...

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Make the space to Meet The King.

Remember... this “SET APART” time is setting you up for where he wants to take you in the next season...only good things can come from it.

I was reading this morning in Psalm 12:6 where it says:

“The words and promises of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times over.”

And it made me think of Phase 1 of the challenge: it’s all about the Inner Audit, asking God to search our hearts and purify us. This verse says even God’s words have been purified and refined... SEVEN times over.

Seven times. 🤯

It made me grateful for the purity of his words and promises, but it also caused me to desire to have my words be purified to a greater degree. (Can someone say goodbye to mumbles and grumbles?) 🤐

When I had this thought, the Lord spoke to me immediately and said: “It starts in the heart.” (Way to drop the mic, Lord!)

Then I remembered Matthew 12:34, which says, “Out of the overflow (abundance) of the heart, the mouth speaks...”

My response? “You know Lord, I think you’re right...” 😅

If we want our words to be “SET APART” (holy, consecrated, anointed), then a deeper heart purification process is required.

Not just what we say, but why we say it (motives and intents of the heart).

I think the point God was trying to make to me today is this:

The work we are doing—the heart searching and spiritual audit—it is the work of purification and refinement.

That’s where becoming SET APART begins...

So welcome to Phase 1, my friend. Welcome to heart purification 101. It’s great to be in the room with you here! 🤣

Seriously though...I’m going all in on this, because I WANT what God has for me this season. I want to be SET APART.

I know you do too... So, I want to encourage you to keep going. And if you want to join the challenge and do this with us, it’s not too late. Just go here and register...it’s free.

I love you, and I pray that you have beautiful encounters with the King.

Multiplied Blessings,
💜 Krista “Meeting with the King” Abbott

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P.S. If you missed the August prophetic word and want to check it out, you can find it on YouTube HERE, and once again, if you’re interested in learning more about the free Meet The King Challenge, then go HERE.

Life is busy; there’s a lot of noise, distractions abound. This makes it easy for us to disregard or hurry past some of the important places in our hearts that need attention.

The enemy loves to misdirect our attention away from what is most important and give us plenty of excuses as to why we should leave them untouched.

But when God calls us into a set-apart season, He invites us to slow down long enough to look at what is really there.

This is the work of the inner spiritual audit…an intentional journey into the heart to explore the forgotten and unattended-to things hiding there.

It’s an invitation to look in the rooms we don’t often visit and see what’s there. Much like an annual audit in business, only this is a spiritual and soul-level audit to “balance the books” of our lives with God.

It allows us to put everything on the table and ask:

“Okay, God, what needs attention here? What needs to be restored? What needs to be released? What do You want to heal? What do You want to develop next?”

This takes courage and trust.

It takes courage to pull away from the noise and enter an intentional wilderness experience with God. And, it takes trust to believe that He loves you even when He reveals difficult things.

The wilderness is a quiet and set-apart place where distractions are stripped away and the true condition of the heart can be brought into the light.

It’s “off-grid,” if you will, necessary and needed, but not always comfortable…

Sometimes, the wilderness reveals spiritual dryness. Sometimes, it exposes hidden compromises, unconfessed bitterness, anxious patterns, recurring reactions, or areas where culture has quietly reshaped our standards.

It may reveal a place where disappointment has created distance from God or where an old wound continues to influence present choices.

God’s Word Reveals and Heals

This is why keeping a foundation in the Word of God is so important in the process.

Hebrews 4:12 says,

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

Nothing is hidden from God’s sight..And His word is the revealer and healer of our heart wounds.

God’s Word reaches beneath surface behavior. It reveals the thoughts, intentions, motives, and agreements operating within the heart.

But it is important to understand why God reveals these things.

God is not exposing your heart to reject you.

He is lovingly revealing what needs attention so you can release what no longer serves you and return those areas to Him with greater freedom, clarity, and wholeness.

No Shame. No Blame.

This is not a search for reasons to step into guilt, shame, regret, or self-condemnation. It is also not an attempt to earn God’s love and approval.

In Jesus, we begin from a place of acceptance, and God’s love for us is already granted, unconditionally.

Romans 8:1 declares, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.”

The distinction here is between conviction and condemnation. The two are not the same thing.

Condemnation attacks identity and says, “This is who you are. You will never change,” and it brings with it feelings of shame and guilt.

Conviction, on the other hand, identifies an area of misalignment and says, “This does not belong in your life. Bring it to God so He can heal, restore, and realign it.”

Condemnation and shame push you away from God and make you want to withdraw and hide.

Conviction invites you closer, to repent, restore, and heal.

Your Spiritual Audit

In last week’s article, we talked about the special “Set Apart” season we are in right now, called Elul. It started a few days before this writing.

It’s an entire month dedicated to deep self-reflection, prayer, repentance, and deep heart work.

It’s the intentional wilderness mentioned earlier.

If you choose to do this, partner with the Holy Spirit to examine your relationship with God, your relationships with others, and your stewardship of yourself and your assignments.

Remain open to both conviction and affirmation.

Notice where you have drifted, but also recognize where God has already produced growth.

Acknowledge what needs to change, but don’t overlook the places where healing, maturity, and obedience are already becoming visible.

This spiritual audit is not a pass-or-fail scorecard. It is a self-awareness practice that helps identify the areas where you may need to lean in closer with the Holy Spirit and make corrections or get His help.

As things are revealed, choose how to move forward…it may require you to release the defenses and the offenses. Lay down the excuses, forgive people that hurt you, let go of some things, and make some changes in your life…

Ask the Holy Spirit to speak plainly and clearly reveal to you what God is asking of you in this season.

Set Apart From Something

Remember, when you choose to set yourself apart from something, God can set you apart for something greater.

This is where true transformation begins, when we get honest with ourselves in the King’s presence and invite His wisdom to help transition us into freedom.

Don’t be afraid to lean in deeply.

Your past does not define your future. What God reveals in this season is not meant to overwhelm you. It is meant to become the starting point for healing, freedom, and lasting transformation.

Reflection Questions

1. What part of your spiritual life have you tried to keep closed to God, and why?

2. Is there a recurring reaction, anxious pattern, hidden compromise, or area of spiritual dryness the Holy Spirit may be highlighting?

Today’s Response

Set aside uninterrupted time and ask the Holy Spirit to show you one area that needs to be healed, released, restored, or realigned. Write down what He reveals, then ask Him for one practical step of obedience.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth and Counselor of the soul, search every area of my heart and reveal what has been hidden or hurried past. Help me see clearly, not through shame or condemnation, but through grace. Expose spiritual dryness, anxious patterns, hidden compromises, and unresolved wounds I may be unaware of. Affirm the growth You have already produced and show me what needs my attention next. Give me courage to release every excuse, receive Your correction, and walk with You into greater freedom, clarity, and wholeness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Blessing you with Courage,
Dr. Krista Abbott

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P.S. If you are ready to go deeper in this process, it’s not too late to join the free Meet the King Challenge. It will guide you through a 40-day journey of spiritual reflection, healing, realignment, and preparation for what God wants to do next. Learn more at: MeetTheKingChallenge.com.

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“But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when he calleth unto him.” Psalm 4:3 KJV

In a recent dream, Jesus spoke two words to me, then he showed me a piece of paper with the same two words written in all capital letters.

SET APART

That was it. There was no long explanation, just a clear instruction that carried the weight, not just of his voice, but the command or decree of a King.

When a King says or declares something, it is not a suggestion; it is a command, and it is expected that the people will carry out the command.

Even more weight is given when the King writes it.

Once written, it is now considered a “Royal Decree,” which means it is established and firmly decided as an official order or command that must be carried out.

Jesus declared and decreed in writing two words: SET APART.

What Does It Mean To Be Set Apart?

To be set apart means to be consecrated, dedicated, marked for a specific purpose, and reserved for God.

This is something that shows up throughout the Bible. God sets apart times and seasons. He sets apart places. And He sets apart people.

Leviticus 23:4 says, “These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.” (KJV)

God placed appointed (or set apart) times on His calendar and called them holy.

These seasons were intentionally set apart to remind His people of who He is, what He has done, and how they were called to live in relationship with Him.

Right now, we are standing at the threshold of one of those significant times… a specific set of dates that God has set apart for a specific purpose.

A Set Apart Time Is Here

In just a few days from this writing, on August 13, 2026, the Hebrew month of Elul begins. Elul is the last month on the Hebrew calendar, 29 days leading up to the 10 Days of Awe.

These 10 days between Rosh Hashanah (the new year) and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) are considered to be the holiest time of the year.

It’s a time God (The King) has set apart to be most attentive and closest to His people.

In Hebrew tradition, the month of Elul is set aside to prepare the heart for these High Holy Days by doing a spiritual audit…much like a business would do an annual audit of their books.

This is a whole month dedicated to deep self-reflection, prayer, repentance, and deep heart work. A time to examine the heart, restore what has been neglected, and return to God.

What Does This Have To Do With Christians?

Now, as Christians, we are under no obligation biblically to do this. There is no command in the New Testament requiring the observance of Elul.

We have been atoned for already through the blood of Jesus.

“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Hebrews 10:10 KJV

So we do not “have to” do this in order to gain forgiveness, love, or acceptance from God. This is not a religious act or Christian duty. Through Christ, we have already been redeemed and accepted.

There is, however, great value to be found in having awareness around the biblically appointed times and seasons on God’s calendar, so we can partner with God in what He is doing now, in the Spirit.

In many ways, this is something we as Christians should already be practicing on a regular basis anyway…

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 KJV

A healthier perspective then is, we don’t “have to,” rather we “get to.” Partnering with God in this season that he has already set apart as sacred opens us up for a new and expanded connection with him.

These “set apart times” have a different level of grace and intimacy on them. Elul is a season where God is calling us into a deeper and more intimate setting with him.

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The King Is In The Field

Elul has traditionally been associated with the phrase, “The King is in the field.”

The idea presented here paints a beautiful picture of the king leaving the palace and making himself accessible to the people in the fields where they live and work.

In the palace, things are formal and official. In the fields, they are more personal and intimate.

For followers of Jesus, this serves as a reminder for us. Through Christ, we have already been invited to draw near to our King. He meets us in the ordinary fields of our lives every day.

But during this season, just as in my dream, He is asking us to set apart time to come closer, to draw nearer (James 4:8).

He is inviting us to slow down and listen, to look honestly at our hearts, relationships, stewardship, and our assignments with Him.

He has set apart time on his calendar for us, and He is calling us to set apart time with him on ours.

Elul allows us to put everything on the table and ask:

“Okay, God, what do we need to fix here? What do we need to do more of? What do we need to let go? Who do we need to forgive? What do we need to make right?”

It’s a time to search our hearts with Him and get things in order. Balancing the books, so we are properly positioned for the new blessings and assignments he wants to bring us in the new year.

It’s a time to get rid of what no longer serves us and let go of old things so we can step into new things.

This is not a search for reasons to step into condemnation, guilt, or shame. It is an invitation to notice where we are flourishing, where we may have drifted, and where greater alignment is needed.

“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21

The heart of this invitation.

God is asking us to be set apart during this special season because He wants to prepare us for what comes next.

When Jesus spoke the words SET APART, they had a multi-dimensional meaning. Set apart from and set apart for.

God sets us apart FROM something so He can set us apart FOR something.

• What is God asking you to set yourself apart from in this season?

• And what is he setting you apart for in the season ahead?

• The King is in the field. He wants to meet with you. Will you respond to His invitation?

Here’s how you can respond:

Ask: What would it look like to intentionally be set apart this season to meet with God? What areas of your life need to be evaluated?

Decide: Everything is on the table; nothing is off limits for God to talk with you about in this special season. Be prepared and willing to respond to what He shows you.

Set Apart Time: Choose a consistent time and place during this special season to meet with God. Put away the distractions, slow down, and create room to hear what He is saying.

Pray: Father, thank You for setting apart this time and inviting me to meet with You. Reveal where there has been drift, neglect, or misalignment in my life. Give me grace to slow down, lean in, and partner with what You are doing right now. Search my heart and show me any areas that need attention. Help me balance the books of my life in this season. Cleanse my heart, restore what has been neglected, and prepare me for every good work. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Praying you encounter the King,
Dr. Krista Abbott

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P.S. If this invitation is stirring something in your heart, the free Meet the King Challenge will help you intentionally set apart this season to meet with God, complete a spiritual audit, and prepare for where He wants to take you next. Learn more at: MeetTheKingChallenge.com.