Lesson 25 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 25
I pray the blessing upon your life and the humility of Christ in your life, in Jesus’ name. #Amen.
No one likes the idea of suffering, yet there is a reality of suffering, different from a trial, that some dismiss entirely while others embrace as the very essence of relationship with God. To espouse either as an absolute would be a mistake because every believer must be able to find balance, and willingly suffer as a follower of Christ, while also live victoriously in Christ.
When Jesus gave His life for us, we were reconciled to God so that we could walk in relationship with Him just as His own Son, Jesus. We are now the righteousness of God in Christ, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people. We have the same rights and privileges of Jesus, as we’re recognized as sons of God and joint heirs with Christ. For this reason we have confidence, authority and victory in life! For “this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything, according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14-15). Additionally, we have authority over all the works of the enemy so that nothing shall by any means hurt us (Luke 10:19), and we have the victory that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4). You are blessed! God withholds nothing from you. Psalm 84:11, 34:17, 145:16 and 19 are just a few promises that affirm His desire for you is that your soul prospers and that you live in health!
At the same time, Jesus is not only our Savior, Redeemer and soon coming King, but He is also our example—and He suffered. “Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind,” (1 Peter 4:1). The “mind” referenced here is elaborated in Philippians 2* where Christ was obedient to death; thus our love for God is demonstrated through obedience, which means we must yield our will—and that’s suffering. We’re to have a mind to love people by laying down our lives for them (1 John 3:16)—and that again is suffering. Throughout Scripture we’re admonished to give of ourselves: If someone asks us to go a mile, we’re to go two (Matthew 5:41). We’re to forgive (Luke 17:4), we’re to give (Luke 6:38), we’re not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought (Romans 12:3), we must be willing to lose or suffer wrongfully (1 Corinthians 6:6-8, 1 Peter 2:20-23); in summary, we’re to take up our cross and follow Jesus (Matthew 10:37-38). All of this represents the kind of suffering that sacrifices self for the sake of the Gospel.
Having the mind of Christ does not mean you’re to live a pitied problematic life. Having the mind of Christ means, you are to follow Christ’s example and live completely humbled before God. And when you humble yourself before God, He exalts you (Matthew 23:12, 1 Peter 5:6).
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11)*
When there is humility before God promotion is inevitable. So, the next time you’re debating between an abundant existence or a life of suffering, stop because in a lifetime, you will have both. Goodness and mercy is supposed to follow you all the days of your life, and you are supposed to live humbly before the Lord your God too. This is our portion.
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