Hi lovely people. We meet for the second time in a month, isn’t that exciting? After I paid to renew my website this year I knew I was blessed to bless you. I can’t make that kind of investment and not fulfil God’s purpose for this platform 😆

Anyway, it’s always a pleasure to share what God lays on my heart and today it’s on the topic of winning. This topic is inspired by our annual women’s conference theme which is Woman of Wins. I encourage you, if you’re in the area, to join us or watch online.

In preparation for the conference, God laid an image on my heart and with some scriptures. This image was of a major international sports championship like the Olympics. After a tournament, when it is time to present the trophy, the winner is asked to stand on a podium. Now there are often 3 stands; one for bronze, silver and gold. The person that gets gold usually stands on the highest podium above the rest.

The Holy Spirit reminded me of the scripture in Ephesians 2:6 that speaks of Jesus, who has won the victory, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, far above any and every other. Also, we are seated in heavenly places with him. Because he has won, we have won too.

The Hilltop

And the Holy Spirit reminded me of the scripture in Exodus 17:8-14 where Moses ascended to the top of the hill – a place of help (Ps 121:1); a place of exaltation; a place of deliverance; a position of victory. Moses lifted up his hands while Israel fought the Amalekites and it says in Exodus 17:11 that as long as Moses’ hand was up Israel was winning. Israel was prevailing until they overcame. Hallelujah.

Again, this winner at the Olympics holds up the trophy for all to see and applaud. It’s a moment of rejoicing. As I ponder on this image, God says: before you can lift your hands high in victory, you have to first lift them high in worship and surrender.

The Staff

As I continued to study this scripture I started to get more revelation. It stood out to me that Moses was lifting his staff. He was lifting up a symbol of God’s authority and power. This was the same staff that God used to empower Moses to perform miracles and put the Egyptians to shame. This staff was used to part the Red Sea and led the children of Israel to new life. This staff hit the rock and water came out.

Jesus told his disciples in Mark 6:8 that they should take nothing on their journey but the staff. This reminded me of when Jesus said that man should not live by bread alone but by the word of God (Mark 4:4). So, I see the staff as the word of God. God’s word is living, active and full of power.

The Helpers

So, here is Moses lifting up his hand and he is weak, but there were two helpers there with him. Moses did not go to the top of the hill alone. He went with Aaron, a Levite priest, and Hur from the tribe of Judah. We need to have the right people with us when we go up to our place of exaltation. Not people who want to tear us down but those that will encourage us when we are weak. I saw this quote online:

“Your circle should want you to win. Your circle should clap the loudest when you have good news. If not, get a new circle.”

Judah means praise and I knew instantly that Hur was a representation of praise, but I wasn’t so sure of Aaron’s significance. People from the tribe of Levi (the Levites) are the people who performed services associated with public worship. They were consecrated to serve in the presence of God and represented the people before God.

As I was researching the significance of the staff, I stumbled on Micah 7:14 in the NIV version and the heading read Prayer and Praise. The Holy Spirit said “that’s it” and I was like wooow. I was listening to a sermon by Pastor Stephanie Ike a few hours later which confirmed this word. Aaron represented the priesthood and priesthood is the place of submission. It is the posture when you are praying. It is the place where you are living by what God has said.

None of us gets tired of winning but we can get tired generally. We can get tired of life; of the battles we face; of trials and tribulations. But, Prayer and Praise hold up our hands until we win. When we exalt the word of God in prayer and praise, this is how we win our battles.

It Is Finished

As I wrap up this post, I want you to know that Jesus paid it all. He championed and won the battle so we can live in victory. The God who knows the end from the beginning has already declared you a winner. You are born a winner if you will believe.

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

2 Corinthians 2:14

At the Olympics, they will usually sing the national anthem of the winner. People that have never heard the anthem before will hear it that day. People that have never seen the national flag will see it that day. It will be such a pleasant moment. When we win God is glorified. That is Him “diffusing the fragrance of His Knowledge”. He gives us victory so people will know Him.

I want to finally end with a prayer from Micah 7:14. I pray that the Lord will shepherd you with His staff. May you be protected and guided (NLT version). May you feed in fertile pastures (AMPC version). You may be alone physically but God is always with you. May you be refreshed and satisfied. You have overcome the world. Sin has no dominion over you. Sickness and death have no power over you. You win.

Shalom!