A teaching by Rev. Barbara Williams, President of the Ministry of the Watchman International
Week of May 3-7, 2021
MONDAY
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Romans 8:16-17
When we enter into the sufferings of Jesus, we join an elite group of men and women who take on the role of deliverer and servant of God. We take on the identity of Christ. What does it mean to suffer with the Lord? Well, it means that we endure the same persecutions, rejection, betrayal and accusations as Jesus did. We are enemies of this world’s system because we have taken a stand for God and for righteousness. We fear no one but Almighty God. We suffer when we submit to the Father and allow injustice into our lives. When we make sacrifices to see that others get to know Him, we partake of His sufferings. When we die to self, we partake of His sufferings.
If you are in need of healing, there is good news! Proverbs 4:20-22 SAYS:
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
So there is life and health in God’s word. Since God’s word is medicine, we must take it like we would a prescription. I suggest three times a day, like you would your food. Remember, healing is the children’s bread. Consider this your “dose” for today. Remember, read, and meditate three times a day the following:
Rx: John 4:49-53 ~ The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!”
Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!”
Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household.
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
If you’ve never studied the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, we invite you to join us as we read through the Bible in a year. Read and meditate on these chapters this week:
May 3: Numbers 10, Psalms 46-47, Song of Solomon 8, Hebrews 8
May 4: Numbers 11, Psalms 48, Isaiah 1,Hebrews 9
May 5: Numbers 12-13, Psalms 49, Isaiah 2, Hebrews 10
May 6: Numbers 14, Psalms 50, Isaiah 3-4, Hebrews 11
May 7: Numbers 15, Psalms 51, Isaiah 5, Hebrews 12
May 8: Numbers 16, Psalms 52-54, Isaiah 6, Hebrews 13
May 9: Numbers 17-18, Psalms 55, Isaiah 7, James 1
TUESDAY
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Romans 8:16-17
There is a promise given to us if we endure the sufferings of Christ. We will also enter into His glory. We will receive such glory as to make the past sufferings not worth mentioning. When we manifest the glory of God, problems are solved. When the glory appears, burdens are destroyed and heaven appears here on earth. When the glory appears, God’s goodness is known. It is wonderful to know the glory of God. Entering in to the sufferings of Christ prepares us to carry the weight of His glory. When we continue to obey God, we manifest His glory on the earth.
WEDNESDAY
Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
This is a faithful saying: “For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.”
2 Timothy 2:8-13
Suffering is also preparation for reigning. Remember Joseph? His jealous brothers sold him into slavery. That was mercy. They wanted to kill him. He endured slavery, false accusation and imprisonment only to emerge in a greater place than when he went in. He was in training for reigning. The sufferings of Christ include false accusation, slavery at the hands of others (Paul said he was a slave to Christ), and a life of self-denial. It liberates your spirit in a way that nothing else can. Entering into the sufferings of Christ allows us to live by the spirit. When we live by the spirit of God, we wield His authority with ease.
THURSDAY
Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
This is a faithful saying: “For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.”
2 Timothy 2:8-13
Reigning in this life means we have God’s ability to judge righteously in all situations. We allow ourselves to come into the fullness of spiritual authority and we begin to liberate those around us. We have the ability to discern good from evil and to establish righteousness. We are able, also, to legislate peace and good will. We become soul winners and wise persons when we take on the authority of reigning. God considers us trustworthy and faithful and we are allowed to minister on God’s behalf. We are equipped to take on a greater role as ambassadors for Christ.
FRIDAY
Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
This is a faithful saying: “For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.”
2 Timothy 2:8-13
Reigning also includes a life of victory over every circumstance. There are many afflictions that confront the righteous, but the Lord delivers us out of them all. We have a peaceful life and a just life before God. We are righteous people, and this allows God to have full control of our affairs. There is no greater victory than to live a faith-filled life. We live a life that inspires others to trust God. We have a certain victory because Jesus has cleared the way for us and given us His life through which to live. When we reign, we have full control over any weak or beggarly elements of the world. We know that we are sons of God. We reign with the Lord, so there is no place for error. He becomes our victory when we suffer with Him. The glory that is revealed in our reigning cannot compare to the suffering that it took to get us into position to reign.