Lesson 10 of 90
I can count on one hand the number of times anyone has given me a prophetic word. And because it is so rare, I remember, almost verbatim what the prophet or those working in the prophetic gifting have shared with me. The second word I received in my life was my position in the body of Christ as an Oracle. At the time I wondered what that meant, later in life I wondered when I would start.
Then came social media and I found it to be the perfect platform to speak to my children the words of wisdom that I think are important, the words I want to reiterate, and the words that I know they’ll appreciate later in life if not today—and social media was the perfect indirect approach.
What I didn’t realize is how many people would find short prayers and reminders of life beneficial. If my children never responded or reposted what they read for them, countless others did! You see, initially, I thought social media was in and of itself a gigantic waste of valuable time. What I didn’t realize was, herein was the forum God would use to speak into lives as an oracle.
I found out much later that my natural children were glancing at posts while others were benefiting. With this in mind, I wanted to capture what would expire over time into something my children, and you, could reference forever.
Some of the sayings you may have heard before and others you may have known but never really considered. Regardless, my prayer is that you enjoy each page, as I’m direct, facetious and principled. Just know I speak from the heart of a mother with good intentions towards you.
Let the read bless your life and know little tweaks here and there, or a complete overhaul in personality can make the difference in having a fulfilled existence or a life denied of the many benefits available to you as a believer.
Now, the Words of an Oracle...
Dear Woman,
Like the Apostles wrote letters to the early church, these are the posts I made on social media and elaborated as a letter just for you. They are designed to inspire and provoke you to be, do and have everything God intended for your life. Some days are a reminder, others are an admonishment, but each day is designed to encourage you.
Sometimes we just need to be encouraged. We can know the Truth and know what’s right, but a reminder is always refreshing. This devotional is designed to be just that—refreshing.
LESSON 10
“I pray beauty for ashes in your life. In Jesus’ name.” #Amen
No doubt there are some things that happened in your past that you wish did not, or that you wish that you could just forget; yet the memory lingers within your mind, keeping you hostage to feelings of guilt, shame and condemnation. It’s an image in your mind that’s debilitating, even paralyzing.
Learn from Tamar’s story. She was Absalom’s sister who found herself raped by her half-brother. However, the story is horrific, not just because she was raped, but because she “remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house” for the rest of her life thereafter. She was paralyzed in life (2 Samuel 13:1-21); secluded from the possibility of any change, and any difference in life.
On the other hand, Ruth’s story shed’s light on her pain as a young widow caring for her mother-in-law, and though her story is a sad one, but it’s just one response to the bad that happens in life. I think about Ruth who married and left her family only to have her husband die in their youth. She too must have been devastated and tempted to drop out of life; yet, she walked in strength and became productive.
Bad things can trespass into our lives unexpectedly but it doesn’t have to dictate our response or make us hostage to feelings of defeat, and thereby ruin our day and future. It could be the worst thing to ever happen, but daily you have an opportunity to decide how it will drive your decisions in life.
God has made a covenant with you. And one of the characteristics of a covenant is that there is an exchange. Jesus took our sin debt, and reconciled us with God. That was the exchange. He was condemned so that we are forgiven. And, it’s through the covenant that we have life for death, healing for sickness, joy for sorrow, and beauty for ashes. In other words, what you carry that burdens your heart, oppresses your life and makes your mind heavy can be exchanged for God’s best for your life.
Yet, the exchange comes by, literally, coming to Him and releasing the torment, the heartache, the memories, and whatever else it is that’s robbing your peace and rest in life. God sets before us choices, thereby, we must decide to be free.
Sometimes, we need help to process through that decision for freedom, and if that is you, it’s okay. God has people available to help us. Some are certified Christian counselors, others are authority figures that we can trust, and still others hold the wisdom of God that give answers to our release. Whomever you choose to talk to can benefit you after you’ve set your heart to make the exchange.
If you can see light at the end of the tunnel, press your way to have the promises of God by daily replacing the thoughts with what God promised. It may be challenging at first, but you can overcome if you apply the blood of Jesus to your mind and say with your mouth (audibly) what God said. Remember, “You overcome by the blood of the lamb and by the word of your testimony” (Revelations 12:11).
Pray/Say the following daily:
Father, I thank You that the blood of Jesus cleanses my conscience from dead works so that I may serve You. I confess, I am no longer alienated and an enemy in my mind by wicked works because You reconciled me in the body of Your flesh through death, to present me holy and blameless and above reproach in Your sight, if I continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast. Therefore, Father, I choose to remain in You. Thank You Lord for healing, restoration, and complete deliverance from the lie of condemnation, shame and death. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Great Lesson! This is Pastor Desha.