Reassure Me, Lord (Faith At Work Series) - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) September 29, 2023

Psalm 86:17 - Show me a sign of Your goodness...

What a simple and straightforward plea. It was originally written by David centuries ago. He likely uttered this prayer while on the run from King Saul. David's problems started the moment Saul learned that David, and not one of his sons, had been chosen by God to become the next king of Israel. This anointing placed a target on God's chosen replacement. As a result, David spent years living in caves and away from the comforts of home. In all that time, he waited for God's promise - the promise that he would one day be king.

Can you imagine how hard this must have been for David? Can you imagine why a man who'd had enough faith in the Lord to kill Goliath and to lead the Israelite army into multiple victorious battles, could suddenly ask the Lord for a sign of His goodness? There's something about waiting for the fulfilment of the Lord's promise that can drive even those with the staunchest faith to plead for reassurance.​

And yet, in the Good News Translation, Hebrews 11:1 states, To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see. Therefore, as those who have faith in the Lord, we understand that a lot of our walk with Him will involve believing for things we can't see. We have to hold onto the belief that our expectations will come to pass. After all, that is the guarantee contained in Proverbs 23:18 - There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Additionally, God has promised us in Jeremiah 29:11 - I will bless you with a future filled with hope--a future of success, not of suffering (CEV).

Alas, despite all these vows from the Lord, we human beings still seek out God's reassurance just as David did. Thanks be to God that He is understanding of this human condition.

Have you ever desired reassurance from the Lord? Have you ever wondered if that was something you could pray for? I want to encourage you to have faith in God and trust that He answers prayers. His word states in Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. You must believe that He exists and that He will not ignore you as you prayerfully seek Him. Your prayers aren't falling on deaf ears.

And if you are going through something where you need His reassurance, ask Him to show you a sign of His goodness just like David did. I pray that He will reassure you and that your faith will be strengthened, IJMN, Amen.

Join us at Noon EST today as we will worship and pray for others. Then during the last ten minutes of fellowship, we will call on the Lord to bless us with reassurance on the issues we face. Be sure to think of that challenge you would like to seek God's reassurance on. God bless you.

To learn more on today's topic, be sure to read

1. Receiving Reassurance of God's Promise

Do whatever he tells you - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) September 26, 2023

John 2:5 - His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Those were the words of Mary, the mother of Jesus, at a wedding ceremony in Galilee. The wine had run out but she knew her Son could fix that little problem. So she called on Him to take care of it. His initial response, however, was “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” (John 2:4). She wasn't bothered by her Son's initial resistance. In fact, like many typical mothers, she ignored Him. Turning to the servants at the event, she told them to do whatever He instructed. And to honor His earthly mother, Jesus obeyed her request and promptly turned water to wine.

“Do whatever he tells you.”

What did the Savior require from the servants? John 2:7 - Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. The Master of Ceremony regaled the wine for being the best he'd had at the event. He praised the bridegroom's wisdom for having saved the best wine till later, instead of bringing out the cheap stuff after everyone was already well-fed and likely, well-drunk.

“Do whatever he tells you.”

Those words weren't just for the servants at that wedding party. They are just as true for you and I today. As believers, we are servants of Jesus Christ, called to do as He has commanded. And just like those obedient servants witnessed a miracle, so too can we experience the miraculous. We only need to obey Jesus and do what He says.

What has Jesus called us to do? Among other things, He has asked us to repent of our sins (Matthew 4:17). He has also asked us to believe in Him (John 14:6). He has told all to be born again in order to enter Heaven (John 3:5). He has called us to love the Lord completely (Mark 12:30). He has called us to love one another (Mark 12:31). And because He said “If you love me, keep my commands" (John 14:15) then, we need to implement what He's instructed in our lives. We need to have faith that He will help us accomplish this because of the promise in Philippians 2:13 - For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him (NLT). As long as we've committed to follow Christ and His commands, He will surely help us grow in obedience day by day.

“Do whatever he tells you.”

This has to be the watchword we live by - committing to obey Christ's instructions and serve Him wholeheartedly. Then, shall we witness an increase in miracles around us as well as in our personal lives. May the Savior help us to grow in our obedience. May we remember that the Lord blesses us so we can obey Him even more. And may we strive to increase in faith and obedience to Him, IJMN, Amen.

See you at Noon EST when we'll worship the Lord then intercede for others. These are both ways to honor the Lord and do as Jesus has instructed. So, come on back and join us for fellowship right here. God bless you!

God, The Comforter - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) September 22, 2023

Comfort. It's an interesting word that can mean different things under different circumstances. How would you comfort a crying child with a scraped knee, for instance? Would you give a hug or a kind word? How about a kiss on the wound or a piggyback ride? Would you do the same for an elderly man who recently lost his wife? Of course not. In that situation, your way of comforting him could be by visiting him regularly to keep him company. Or, you might stock up his home with food. You could maybe help him clean up his home or run some of his errands.

As we can see, the form of comfort will be different depending on what happened. Yet, the objective is the same - to support the person and take their mind off the problem, even if temporarily.

Despite our best intentions, human beings are limited in how much comfort they can offer. God, on the other hand, can do so much more for a person in need of comfort. There's a reason why He is called the God of all comfort in 2 Corinthians 1:3, meaning He can be the comfort a person needs no matter what they are going through. There is no limit to how He can comfort those in need or how much comfort He can provide.

And that's why we must go to our God for all the comfort we need. In fact, when we don't turn to Him, we are liable to make mistakes and sin. The Israelites made this error when they were at the base of Mt. Sinai (Exodus 32). At that time, Moses had gone up the mountain to meet with the Lord and had been there for a while. The people doubted whether Moses would return and wanted the solace of a god they could see. They then asked Aaron to build them a golden calf - an idol. Instead of calling on the God who had miraculously led them out of Egypt, they turned to a man made object for comfort.

We do the same thing in our own way. A coworker upsets us and we go home fuming. What do we do? We call someone and say disparaging things about the coworker, thereby engaging in gossip, slander and possibly more. We could have simply expressed ourselves to God before venting to someone else. Had we done so, our anger would have been blunted, so we could have simply shared facts without being mean in our speech. What about when we come home after a particularly stressful day? Instead of first dumping the burdens of the day at God's feet or thanking Him for getting us through it, we sink into the sofa and turn on a program that doesn't require much thought. Another option is that we open our devices and scroll mindlessly on social media. Or, we open a bottle of wine and sink our sorrows into that.

The list of ways that we turn to everything other than God for comfort is endless. Yet, God wants to be our first port of call when we are going through things. We shouldn't deprive Him of His responsibility to shower us with comfort and His great desire to show us His compassion. We should call on God, the Comforter. We should lean on His shoulder and speak to His ever-listening ear.

We simply need to ask for God's comfort. After all, we are told to ask in order to receive in Matthew 7:7. There is ample scripture to help us, such as Psalm 71:21 which states, You will increase my honor and comfort me once more. We can also remind the Lord of His duty to provide comfort via Isaiah 51:12 - I alone am the one who comforts you. Why, then, are you afraid of mortals, who must die, of humans, who are like grass? (GWT). There is also Psalm 23:4 - Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

And when we have received the Lord's comfort, we can praise with Isaiah 49:13 - Shout for joy, O heavens, and rejoice, O earth, And break forth into singing, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people And will have compassion on His afflicted (AMP).

No matter the issue, don't hesitate to ask God to be your comforter. Call on Him to wrap you up in His arms. Ask Him to be whatever you need Him to be in the troubling moments. God loves each of us and wants us to consider Him capable of comforting us in our times of need.

See you at Noon EST for fellowship. God bless you.