Friday Praise & Pray (for others) June 23, 2023

Having learned about the blessings that come when God's hand is upon a person for their good, we must also understand that God's hand can rest upon someone with the opposite outcome. Yes, God is king and loving, however, He is also the Righteous Judge. Many don't realize that God can be angry but this aspect of God is described in Psalm 18:7-9 . His anger can cause the entire earth to tremble and the foundations of the mountains to shake. "Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it" (Psalm 18:8). He is not one to be trifled with under any circumstances and when that happens, His hand will rest upon an individual or a group, but not for their good.

We are told in Hebrews 10:31 tells us that "It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." In such a situation, the hand of God is against the person. A prime example of this can be found in the experience of Paul and Barnabas in Cyprus where they were spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, a sorcerer named Elymas did not like what they were doing and wanted to prevent a specific person from learning the good news. Paul's words to the sorcerer are contained in Acts 13:11 - Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.” His evil aspirations failed and God's plan came to pass because others came to believe in Jesus and the Lord. Elymas illustrates that those who stand against the purpose of God will experience His mighty hand working against them.

The people of Ashdod equally experienced the hand of God against them. They failed to respect God and His presence, putting Him on the same level as their false god and felt the heavy hand of God against them. They were enemies of the Israelites who served false gods. At one point they captured the Ark of God in battle. Feeling triumphant, they brought the presence of God into their land and set it down in the place where they kept the idol of their god Dagon. The next morning, Dagon's idol was on the floor before the Ark of the Lord. The day after, the idol was again on the ground and this time, parts of it were crushed. God's hand didn't stop destroying them, however.

After plaguing them with rats (which bring disease), we are told in 1 Samuel 5:6 - The LORD’s hand was heavy on the people of Ashdod and its vicinity; he brought devastation on them and afflicted them with tumors. Even though the leaders of Ashdod removed the Ark from Dagon's altar, we are told God continued to punish them in 1 Samuel 5:9 - But after they had moved it, the Lord’s hand was against that city, throwing it into a great panic. He afflicted the people of the city, both young and old, with an outbreak of tumors. Realizing they had no other defense against the hand of God, the people of Ashdod sent the Ark back to the people of Israel.

The hand of God can rest on a person or group for their good or their folly. In the event that the latter is the case, keep in mind that there is a good reason. For God is The Upright One. He doesn't hand out punishment unless it is very well deserved. This is why the angels proclaimed about Him in Revelation 19:2 that "His judgments are true and just."

May the hand of the Lord be upon us for His good and to His glory. May we enjoy the blessings and not the curses that come from God's justified wrath IJMN, Amen.

The Hand of God - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) June 20, 2023

The Hand of God can be a terrific or a terrifying thing depending on the circumstances. If God is upset, his hand can dish out the cup of wrath we recently discussed. If He is pleased, on the other hand, His hand can usher great blessings.

God's hand can give people supernatural strength as was the case for Elijah. 1 Kings 18:46 - Then the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah [giving him supernatural strength]. He girded up his loins and outran Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel [nearly twenty miles] (AMP). While modern athletes cover long distances with great speed, remember they train for years. Elijah was a prophet who trained in praying, fasting, and sharing God's word with others, not marathons.

Yet, God helped him outrun a chariot.

The Hand of the Lord can bring favor and elevation. 1 Peter 5:6 - Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Nehemiah experienced this. He humbled himself before the Lord in fasting, interceded for his people and sought God's face for help restoring Jerusalem. God answered his prayer and he went from being a servant, to becoming the governor of Jerusalem. He shared his testimony on the effect of the Lord's hand to encourage others in Nehemiah 2:18 - I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.

The Hand of the Lord can also bring His manifest presence and power to a place meaning people receive deliverance, healing, blessings and more. Acts 11:21 - The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. The first Christians regularly experienced God's hand in their midst and it led to evidence of His might which convinced others to believe that Jesus died and rose again for their benefit. And so, their numbers grew from a small minority to a faith held by many more today. And in this day and age, the Body of Christ continues to witness the presence of God and its impact in transforming people and situations.

These examples from scripture show the impact of God's hand on a person or a group. Keep in mind one additional effect. Psalm 37:23-24 - If you do what the LORD wants, he will make certain each step you take is sure. The LORD will hold your hand, and if you stumble, you still won't fall (CEV). God will uphold the righteous so they will not fall under the weight of the challenges they face. They will always come out victorious.

May the hand if the Lord rest upon you for your good and His glory, IJMN, Amen.

Today, I hope you'll join us at 12 Noon EST for Praise & Pray (for others) when we'll honor the Lord with our thanksgiving, intercede for others then meditate (think deeply) on the day's message. God bless you.

God's Cup of Wrath - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) June 16, 2023

God's Cup of Wrath is the Lord's justified retribution meted out to the wicked. It is His justice coming upon those who treat others unfairly without fear of the Almighty. It is the vengeance that comes upon the evil ones for all their works - works that they thought God did not see and/or would ignore. This cup is not for the righteous who walk in the fear of the Lord. Sure, God's children do experience some serious heat in their lives but the Lord reserves His wrath for the wicked. Those who serve others gods, oppress others and cause bloodshed. When God's children experience affliction, it is either His attempt to correct their course, or teach them valuable lessons they will need for their next season.

That said, one righteous person did experience the Cup of God's Wrath but for a selfless and righteous reason - Jesus Christ. He nevertheless pleaded in Luke 22:42 - saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup [of divine wrath] from Me; yet not My will, but [always] Yours be done" (AMP). God still allowed His Son to drink so as to become a sacrifice for the sins of the world. A way for humanity to receive God's forgiveness despite how they had turned from Him.

Though a terrible experience, what a merciful blessing that Jesus drank from that cup and died on the cross for others. In the process, He endured disrespect, humiliation, pain, thirst, and more. All so that sinners would never have to drink from the Cup of Wrath. And we would have drank because as sinners, all humans needed salvation to be justified and reconciled with the Lord. We are told in Romans 3:23-24 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Once a person returns to God - having repented, committed to believe in Jesus, and make Him the authority over their life - that Cup of Wrath doesn't come near. Consider Isaiah 51:22 - This is what your Sovereign Lord says, your God, who defends His people: "See, I have taken out of your hand the cup that made you stagger, from that cup, the goblet of My wrath, you will never drink again." Apostle Paul also said in 1 Thessalonians 5:9 - For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

But, wait! There's more!

Once someone goes from deserving wrath to salvation, several promises become available. One such promise is contained in Isaiah 54:23 - I will put it [the cup of wrath] into the hands of your tormentors, who said of you, "Fall prostrate that we may walk on you, and you made your back like the ground, like a street to be walked on.'" God will place His Cup of Wrath into the hands of the evil ones. Those who torment His beloveds will drink and become drunk till they stagger. These sorts include all who dare oppress His chosen ones. Those who decide to treat His children unfairly. Those who didn't realize that the blood and the name of Jesus sets every captive free. No longer shall those who believe in Him (believing in Jesus means believing in God and vice versa) suffer at the hands of tormentors.

Are you being tormented in any way? Is your mental health under attack? How are things at your job? Does it seem the devil is hard at work creating setbacks in your career? Could the torment be in your family life? Is your family fractured and in need of God's reconciliatory grace? Is there torment surrounding finances whereby there is never and has never been enough for your needs, talk less of good works? The enemy could also be tormenting your health, constantly attacking so you are in fear of disease or worse.

If you repent, state that you believe in Jesus and receive Him as your Lord and Savior, then you step outside of the enemy's reach. The tormentor has to cease because you become a new creation, transformed by the sacrifice and grace of Christ - the one righteous man who drank from the cup of wrath on your behalf. You get to enjoy this benefit and proclaim God's promise as a wordstone - your enemy has to drink from God's cup of wrath because you have been saved! If you have repented, proclaimed that you believe in Jesus and received Him as Lord and Savior, then wonderful! If not, what are you waiting for? The devil will tell you that the commitment you made to God is irrelevant, that your sins have washed it away. Remember, satan is a liar! Grace and mercy are available. Why do you think Jesus stands at the right hand of God interceding? Hold onto your faith, resist satan and it will flee as God builds you into who He wants you to be. Just let God transform you.

Once you have declared Jesus as the authority of your life, be sure to proclaim over yourself that He already drank from the cup of wrath so you will never need to. Decree that in accordance with the word in Isaiah 51:22 and elsewhere, God's cup of wrath sits in the hands of your enemy - the devil and all who serve it. They must all drink from it, IJN, Amen. Be sure to come back at Noon EST to worship the Lord, pray for other people, then pray in unison, with scripture, to declare and rejoice in our freedom from wrath as children of God!