"Church Chronicles: Ep 2: 2025: Embrace Divine Surprises and Jubilee Blessings"

0:00 Welcome back to Diary of a Black Woman podcast, 2025, the year of divine surprises and jubilee blessings. Today, we're going to focus on the theme of divine surprises and how God delights in exceeding our expectations. Are you ready? Are you ready? Are you ready? Divine surprises are those moments when God intervenes in our lives in unexpected and miraculous ways. These moments remind us that God's ways are higher than our ways and that he can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.

0:45 One of the key scriptures that encapsulate this theme is Ephesians 3 20, which says now unto him who is able to do a measurably more than we can ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us. So let's examine some biblical examples of divine surprises and how they can inspire us to expect the unexpected in 2025. So first, we have a story of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. In Exodus 3, 21 through 22, God promises, God promise, promises, and I will make the Egyptians favorable, favorably disposed towards this people so that when you leave, you will not go empty handed.

1:42 Every woman is to ask her neighbor and any woman living in her house for articles of silver and gold for and for clothing, which you will put on your sons and daughters. And so you will plunder the Egyptians. So you will ask them, but secretly you're taking everything. Come on now. But I love this part. It says that you will not go empty. So understand that 2025, you may start out empty, but at the end of 2025, the Lord says you will not go empty handed.

2:23 So God has a plan that you will plunder the Egyptians. Another virgin says you will leave with silver and gold and clothing. So you're going to take everything that they have. The Israelites who have been enslaved for 400 years could never have imagined. Come on now. And that's Ephesians 3.20 in action. That they will leave Egypt with wealth and favor from their oppressors. This miraculous provision was a divine surprise orchestrated by God to demonstrate his sovereignty and love for his people.

3:04 Now, you have to imagine that they were slaves, but this was a strategy from God. He tells them that this is the plan, that every woman is to ask her neighbor and any woman living in her house for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. So you're asking, you're a slave. Think of your position. Oh my gosh, stand up. You better start jumping around. Think of your position. And now you're going to have the nerve to say, give me your silver, give me your gold, and give me your clothing. Now, as a woman, now you see these ladies, you're a slave and you've been wearing your slave garb.

3:49 And yet they have these events and you're probably working, doing your ushering and greeting and serving at these events and you see these beautiful garb and this jewelry and this gold and you're at this position and you're like, oh my gosh, I love that dress. I love that, those necklaces, you know, you remember you're a slave. So you're, you're seeing this from this position, from this lowly position. And then at this time, the Lord says, I can't, you know, I can't imagine. I'm imagining it. I can't imagine. I'm imagining that now you're going to go to the lady with the dress that you love.

4:33 I want that dress and those earrings and that necklace you had on that particular at that event. And you're going to snatch that up. And you saw all the dresses. And if you can fit the shoes, you're grabbing the shoes. But the Lord didn't mention any shoes. Yes, he did. Clothing is part of the shoes. I'm grabbing everything that I need because the furs, the watches, come on, ladies, we're taking everything. And before you know how we got to try it on, I don't know about you, but we get to try it on because it's under a mandate from the Lord. So they couldn't say anything. So it wasn't even a push. He said that you will plunder the Egyptians.

5:16 Plunder means you've taken everything. You're taking everything you ain't feeling sorry for them you're taking everything and so i want to read this scripture again i want you to understand what this meant because you know we get all super spiritual in this but when god tells you to go take everything you better take everything you better plunder and get your stuff and it says that i will make the egyptians. Favorably disposed. So that means that he's going to make them do what I tell them to do. Favorably disposed me. They're going to just do it.

5:59 They're not going to resist towards the people so that when you leave, you will not go empty handed. Think about it. Every woman is asked her neighbor and any woman living in her house for articles of silver, gold, and for clothing, which you will put on your sons and your daughters. Yeah, I was trying it on. It was for my daughter, but hey, it was too big for her. So I put it on anyway, right? And so you will plunder the Egyptians. And this scripture I love because this is scripture when I was away studying for Bible school. And, you know, in Bible school, you got a chance to do maybe a five minute or seven minute preaching session.

6:42 And at the time, the Lord gave me this scripture. And in Bible school, I didn't have a lot of money. I just didn't. I didn't have a lot of clothes. I just didn't. You know, when God calls you, he calls you, but he don't give you a lot to go on. But while I was at Bible school, people would give me clothing. I didn't get a lot of jewelry. I did get a lot of money. And on my way out, I had more clothing. People would give me, they'll pull up with like these blazers or not blazers, but you know, the big, large cars or trucks with clothing for me. And I left with more clothing than I came.

7:23 I came right. I can tell you, I had probably four skirts and about two or three blouses, just the attire that I needed for Bible school. When I left, I had so many suits. I just had so many clothing that God just blessed me with. So I know when I get this scripture, it reminds me of the time where he did bless me with clothing. But now I'm looking at this verse and it reminds me that this time I'm going to be blessed with silver and gold. Amen. That God is going to plunder. Not he didn't plunder them. He gave the Israelites favor that they wouldn't start nothing.

8:08 But think about that. They were slaves and now they're wearing fine linen and gold and silver. I know I spent a little bit of time on that, but I want you to get it in your head that in this year of 2025, the year of divine surprises, that God says that you will not go empty. So if he gives you a plan, I didn't say go steal anything. He said that you will plunder the Egyptians. Israelites who have been enslaved for 400 years could have never imagined that they will leave Egypt with wealth and favor from their oppressors.

8:50 Let's have that in our expectation. This miraculous provision was a divine surprise orchestrated by God to demonstrate his sovereignty and love for his people. That's so good. That's so good. God is declaring a season of unexpected blessing and provision will come from unlikely sources. Write that down. God is declaring a season where unexpected blessings and provisions will come from unlikely sources. Just as he provided for the Israelites, he will surprise us with his abundant provision and favor.

9:38 I just want to pause on that one. Because that one's really close to heart because this has been done before in my life. So I can expect this to be done again in my life. And I can expect it for you. Like I said, I'm already running ahead to prepare a way. God has already said that. And so he's already forerunning this for you. Hallelujah. Prayers are already set up for you to get ready, get ready, get ready. I want to just say this again. God is declaring a season where unexpected blessings and provisions will come from unlikely sources.

10:24 Just as he provided for the Israelites, he will surprise us with his abundant provision and favor. So I'd like to say it right here. Expect the unexpected. Another powerful example is the fall of Jericho in Joshua 6. God commanded the Israelites to march around the city for seven days. And on the seventh day, the walls of Jericho fell after the people shouted. This unconventional strategy led to an unexpected victory. The Israelites could never have imagined that marching and shouting would lead to destruction of a fortified city.

11:09 Yet God used an unexpected method to secure their victory. So in 2025, just as God surprised the Israelites with an unconventional breakthrough, he would use unexpected means to bring his people victory and provision. His ways are not our ways, but they lead to miraculous outcomes. Come on now, are you ready for the miracle? We want the miracles, right? But we have to be ready because they're going to happen suddenly. We see here that the Egyptians won't leave empty, but they didn't know how they were going to leave empty. They didn't know. They knew God was going to break them through, but they didn't know how.

11:51 But they weren't shy when they grabbed those Egyptian silver and gold. So don't be shy when God began to bless you. We see here that they had to march around quietly around the Jericho wall, right? Remember that. But when they shouted, the walls fell down. That was unconventional. What is God doing unconventional? So don't get stuck. I like to say, don't get stuck on stupid saying that God can't do that. You better just do it. It might look strange to somebody else, but your breakthrough is in it. Come on now, your breakthrough may be in it. So God had an unexpected method to secure their victory.

12:34 So in 2025, God, just as God surprised the Israelites with an unconventional breakthrough, he would use unexpected means, excuse me, to bring his people victory and provision. His ways are not our ways, but they lead to a miraculous outcome. One more example is parting the Red Sea in Exodus 14. The Israelites found themselves trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh's army, a seemingly impossible situation. Yet, God surprised them with a miraculous escape by parting the sea. This unexpected deliverance showcased God's power and his ability to make a way where there seems to be no way.

13:21 In the year of divine surprises, God will make a way where there seems to be no way. Just as the Israelites couldn't foresee their deliverance, God will bring breakthroughs and blessings in unexpected ways. So how can we position ourselves to embrace these divine surprises in 2025? Here we go. This is so powerful because each one of these surprises did require faith for the Israelites. Let's just kind of go back and review this. So God tells them to go plunder the Egyptians. He didn't miraculously put the silver and gold and clothing in their pockets.

14:05 They had to do something. So remember, in this year of divine surprises and jubilee blessings, you're going to have to do something. You're going to have to use your faith, some action behind your faith. You're going to have to do something. We see here at the wall of Jericho, they had to march around the wall, follow the strategic plan. They had to shout, and the walls fell down. Then they had to go take the land. action, action, action. We also see here at the Red Sea, the Red Sea did part, but they still had to walk through the Red Sea. You see, so there's some faith with action required in 2025.

14:51 So how do we position ourselves? So you want to stay expected, how? Because you never know when God's going to blow that whistle to say, go, time to go now, time to go now. And so be ready. So keep Keep your heart and mind open for the unexpected. Believe that God can and will surprise you with his goodness and provision. Stay alert and sensitive to his movement in your life. Quick testimony. One day I'm looking for transitioning into a new position. And I was just kind of just putting my name out there, right? You know, you have a job, but you're looking for another one. And so I'm looking for a job. And lo and behold, I had three interviews on one particular day.

15:32 And I did my little investigation because, you know, you have interviews. You don't put your name on everything, right? So I said, I want to work for these organizations. If I had to choose from one of these three organizations, which one would I choose from? And I said, I'll choose this one. So I had an interview. One of the other ones, it was three interviews in a day, one particular day. And I said, I really want this one. It was the last interview of the day. And then I had, it was a one o'clock interview. But my 9.30 interview called me back at the one o'clock, about five before my second interview, right? And said, we want to schedule another interview for you on that Monday, the following Monday.

16:13 So I scheduled an interview, had an interview with the one o'clock, that went well. Had an interview with three o'clock, that went well. And waiting on, you know, just kind of, I have nothing going on the following day. And as I was sitting there thinking, I was working on, you know, my podcast stuff and that job that I wanted caught me back like suddenly, like, boom. And she said, we want to offer you the position. It just took me off guard. Why? In a year of divine surprises, don't be surprised when you get a quick answer from the job you want. I was like, whoa. He said, I said, she said, she thought I'd be like, yeah, jump up. I said, interesting. She said, why? Why? Interesting.

16:56 I just didn't know the response. Why? Because it was so quick. It was so quick. Usually jobs take all day, right? So when you get it, you're all excited because it took so long, but things are turning around quick these days. So I was so surprised. And so stay expectant. Keep your heart and mind open to the unexpected. Believe that God can and he will surprise you. So it was a surprise. It was absolutely a surprise. I did get the job, but it was such a surprise that that turnaround was so quick. And so always be expected that God can do it quick. It doesn't take him all day.

17:42 Stay alert and sensitive to his movement in your life. Pay attention to what he's saying in your dreams. Pay attention to what's going on around you. You know what I'm saying? And I'm going to probably talk about that in another devotional. But remember, everybody's looking in the sky to some things happening in the sky. And I had a dream and it was really an interesting dream. but it was about something in the sky, but it had nothing to do with the things that were giving us a distraction, right? So pay attention to distraction and ask God and God will reveal to you the truth. So stay expected in 2025. Let him surprise you, right? Trust in God's timing.

18:25 Divine surprises often come when we least expect them. Like I just explained to you, Wow. The first job would have had me if they would have, you know, did it right. But no, they wanted to have another interview, which they lost. Right. So when they least expect trust that God's timing is perfect and that he knows the best moment to intervene in your situation, be patient and wait for his perfect timing. So what I did when they called me back, I said, let me, I have two other interviews scheduled. I had another one scheduled for Friday and Monday. I said, let me get back with you. And she said, okay, fine. Hung up the phone. I did a quick prayer to God, make sure that was the right thing that he wanted me to do.

19:10 Cause you know, I, this never happened before this quick movement. And then he said, take it. And I call, I said, guess who? And I called back and I accepted the position. And they, of course they got to do their background stuff, but isn't that interesting? I just wanted to make sure I didn't jump on the first bandwagon, but it was what God wanted me to do. And so be able to trust his timing. But because it happened so quick, I had to pause and really pray to God real quick and say, what? I said, well, let me talk to God. And I called her right back. I just called her right back and this position was still available. So divine surprises often come when we least expect it. So be prepared.

19:52 Just be prepared. Trust that God's timing is perfect and that he knows the best moment to intervene in your situation. Be patient and wait for his perfect timing. This is so good. Celebrate small victories. Recognize and celebrate the small surprises and blessings that God brings into your life. These small victories are often precursors to even greater surprises. Give thanks and praises to every blessing, no matter how small. So I don't have to preach that point. So just be thankful. The Bible tells us be thankful. So be thankful for everything. Just a tester, just a tester.

20:34 That thank you, thank you for the interview. And then I was polite enough to contact the people who I had interviews with, schedule, and say thank you for the opportunity. I accepted a position, I accepted a position. just closing those doors in a polite way. And each of them was polite to say, thank you. If you need a job, call us back. So that's perfect. So I will do a prayer for our hearts in 2025. Let's remember that God delights in doing the unexpected and to bring glory to his name. So let us stand in faith, stay expected, and trust in his perfect timing.

21:15 What I want to do now is I want to go over some decrees. And yeah, so let's just continue here because I want to just only have like two parts to this devotional because I want you to really get in it in the first two days of the year. And so you can really lay out what your plan will be for this year. So I want to just kind of continue with the divine surprises and then go into the decrees for this year for this devotional. And then we can close it out and you have all what you need. And also it'll be available online.

21:56 So let's go on, continue with divine surprises. So divine surprises, as we know, are the moments when God intervenes in our lives and in the most unexpected and miraculous ways. And so we covered that Ephesians 3.20. We covered that we need to be expected and be expected, unexpected in 2025. 25. We understand that there's some things we have to do that even in Ephesians 3, in Exodus 3, 2021, that the Israelites had to plunder the Egyptians. So they had to go get their stuff. We are in Jericho. They had to say something.

22:38 They had to follow strategic plans and what they had to do. They had to stay expected. They had to celebrate the small victories. And so I want us to go and continue with declaring the victory through decrees. And it's powerful when we declare the victory through decrees, we're actually putting a seal on what God has said. And that's why I didn't want to start another devotional. I want to kind of seal this with the decrees of what God has said to us about our year of jubilee, our year of divine surprises, to line our hearts and minds with God's promises for this extraordinary year.

23:24 So I have, let me count, I think I always have 10, I have 10 decrees and we're going to declare these crees and we're God, I stand in faith for these for 2025. And these decrees are also in the devotional that will be on the website. Decree for divine favor. I decree that God's favor surrounds me and I will not leave this year empty handed. The treasures of the wicked are being transferred into the hands of the righteous. Restoration and abundance are my portion in Jesus name. I decree that every wall standing against my progress and destiny is falling by the power of God.

24:10 I declare victory over every stronghold and I will enter into the promises of God with boldness and faith. I decree that God is making a way where there seems to be no way. The Lord is fighting for me, and I will hold my peace. Every Red Sea in my life is parting, and I will walk into freedom and abundance in Jesus' name. Decree of new beginnings. I decree that God is doing a new thing in my life. I receive it, I perceive it, I embrace it, and I walk in it. Streams are flowing in my wilderness and God is making a path in every dry and barren place.

24:56 Decree of Jubilee Restoration. I decree this is my year of Jubilee. I declare liberty over every area of my life, freedom from debt, restoration of relationships, and the fulfillment of God's promises. I step into my inheritance with joy and thanksgiving. I decree of freedom and healing. I decree that this is a year of the Lord favor over my life. I am anointed for purpose, free from bondage and walking in the fullness of God's blessing. Every broken place and place in me being, I'm sorry, every broken place is being healed and the power of God restores me.

25:40 Decree of overflowing joy. I decree that my mouth will be filled with laughter and my heart with joy. The Lord is restoring my fortunes and turning my mourning into dancing. I will sing songs of praise for the great things he has done. Decree of repayment and abundance. I decree that the year the locust has eaten are being repaid. I will have plenty to eat. I will be satisfied. and the Lord wonders will overflow in my life. I will never again be put to shame. Decree of exceeding expectations.

26:20 I decree that God will do imaginatively more than I can ask or think or imagine. This power is at work in my life and I will walk in supernatural provision, unexpected blessings and divine surprises. And the final one decree for the Jubilee Freedom, I decree that I am free from every chain and every burden. I declare liberty over my mind, my body, my spirit, and finances. I am stepping into a new season of restoration and abundance for the spirit of the Lord is upon me. So as we declare these decrees, let us stand. I want one more. I got one more.

27:02 I want to just do this final decoration here. Let me find it. Yeah, this says, I decree and declare that 2025 is my year of divine surprises and jubilee blessings. The Lord is fighting for me, providing for me, and restoring all that was lost. I walk in faith, expect miracles, and receive the fullness of God's favor and promises. I will not leave this year empty-handed, but I will leave blessed, restored, and victorious. In Jesus' name, amen. Once again, I'd like to thank you for joining me for this powerful segment of what God has planned for us in 2025.

27:46 Oh my gosh, I'm excited. I hope you are excited. A year of 25 indeed, our year of divine surprises and jubilee blessings. Let these words resonate in your heart and guide you throughout this year. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the Diary of a Black Woman podcast and share it with your friends and family. For more resources to update and even a copy of the devotional, please visit our website at diaryofablackwomanllc.com. Till next time, your host Connie Morris, and this is 2025, the year of divine surprises and jubilee blessings.