Date: Sunday,
July 19, 2015
Chapters: Proverbs
29-31
Message Title: From Oppression To Success

Hello
My Friend,

The word oppression means imposing
unreasonable burdens on others either in taxes or services,
hardships, or depression. I will admit that I have been having a
rough year, it seems that no matter which way I turn I have another
burden to bare, but everyone around me is being blessed. This also
has been a year in which God has really shown Himself in my life, and
I realize how much I have been taking Him for granted. It's not what
God gives me that I have been taking for granted, it's making use of
what He has given me. We must never make light of anything that God
gives us, even the struggles, they are all given for one reason and
one reason only, to get us to see that He is our source for all
things. “Let your moderation be known unto
all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every
thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests
be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in
glory by Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:5-7,19.

Have
you ever known someone who appeared to rich and successful, but had
less than you? They are usually critical and judgmental about your
accomplishments, but do not have much to show for their own? This is
an example of a poor man oppressing the poor. The only reason they
want you around is because you are the source of what they actually
do have. Once you wise up and take it away from them they are quick
to run to someone else. One thing I have learned by being someone who
has, thank God, been the one being oppressed, they might get you to
go astray for a while, but God will bring you back to Him, and they
will fall into their own pit.“Where there is
no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is
he. An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in
transgression. A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall
uphold the humble in spirit. Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his
own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not. The fear of man
bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be
safe.” - Proverbs 29:18,22-25.

Oh my goodness,
how true are the words here? Successes and accomplishments in life
happen because we had a vision. When we have no vision we do perish,
life has no meaning, you lose the passion and strive you once had,
and you just keep going with no ambition. Let me tell you, not one
person, not even God, can change a persons situation until they see
life in their future. Things happen that take visions and life out of
people, but we cannot let those things trap us in our own pit. If we
want things to change we must make an effort to heal our spirit, and
that is something that only Jesus can do. “And
if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit
is life because of righteousness. For ye have not received the spirit
of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of
adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Likewise the Spirit also
helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as
we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with
groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts
knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh
intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know
that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them
who are the called according to his purpose.” - Romans
8:10,15,26-28.

I have learned that people follow the Word
of God in one of three ways. They read it and accept it as it is
written, read it and alter it to fit their needs, or do not read it
at all and learn of it by what others tell them. We all fit into one
of these categories, and if we want to truly want to see the light,
we need to read and accept all of it, word for word. “Every
word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in
him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be
found a liar. Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not
before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither
poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be
full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and
steal, and take the name of my God in vain.” - Proverbs
30:5-9.

Oppression often comes when we are not living by
every word that God has given us and get angry at Him when things are
not going our way. When we do not live by every word of God, we are
short changing ourselves, God is our guide, teacher, and provider, we
will never have a fulfilled life if we do not know what God does to
fulfill it. Serious consequences will come from those who alter God's
Word to suit their lifestyles. “No man,
when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth
it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which
enter in may see the light. For nothing is secret, that shall not be
made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and
come abroad. Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to
him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken
even that which he seemeth to have.” - Luke
8:16-18.

Often throughout the Bible you read about men
being blessed living by the Word of God, but once in a while
something pops up to remind women that they too need to live by every
word of God, perhaps even more than men. A woman has a great deal of
influence on a man, one who is wicked destroys the man, but a
virtuous woman, one who lives by every word of God and is a godly
example, uplifts the man and is blessed. “Give
not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth
kings. Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above
rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he
shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all
the days of her life. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she
shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and
in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of
her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Favour is
deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she
shall be praised.” - Proverbs 31:3,10-12,25-27,30.

A
virtuous woman meaning a woman who is morally good, being in
conformity to God's Word, is in command of her own spirit, she walks
with God daily, is a help meet to her husband or prepares herself to
be a godly influence on her future husband. She is a good teacher to
her children, and stands by the principles of God’s Word. A
virtuous woman is honored by God and is prosperous in all that she
does. “Nevertheless the foundation of God
standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.
And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from
iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and
of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and
some to dishonour. 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
2:19-21.

Today's Prayer:
God, You want us to trust You to provide us with everything we need
and desire, and with that trust You give us these things, but we do
tend to forget that You are our provider. Lord, I need You, I know I
am nothing without You, and that everything I have comes from You.
Forgive me for forgetting to acknowledge that, for complaining about
what I do not have, and for not being grateful of what I do have. I
know that You can turn my oppression to success by living a virtuous
life. Give me Your power and wisdom to go where You want me to go.
Lead me and guide me to be a godly influence on those around me, open
my heart, give me the desire to live by every word You give us, let
it be a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. In Jesus' name,
Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for
you,
Christina

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