Acknowledge God - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) February 14, 2023

Hosea 4:1 - Hear the word of the LORD, you Israelites, because the LORD has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: “There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land.

These words were a cry from God in His disappointment as He looked at the way His people were living. One of His major concerns was that His people failed to acknowledge Him.

They did this in a variety of ways, including:

1. the nation relied on their intelligence leaving no room for God's guidance;

2. there was no justice in the land, contrary to Gods word;

3. murder and bloodshed were prevalent, despite God's commands;

4. their leaders relied on alliances with other nations and their military prowess for protection. Not the promises of God to defend them; and

5. the 'priests'/diviners/seers resorted to occult practices (other gods and idols, i.e. satan) for answers.

Many of these people faithfully went to Temple - the house of God - yet were not living for God. Their ears itched to hear what pleased them, not God's truth (2 Timothy 4:3). They were like those who even attempted to kill those who brought God's word as it annoyed them so much. Sadly, we can admit that many of these issues are rife in our society today, even among Believers. However, lets look within. Any of this sound or feel familiar? Are you making the same mistakes these people did?

The problem of their failure to acknowledge God had been ongoing for hundreds of years. In all that time, the Lord had been calling on His people to return to Him. He'd been begging them repeatedly to submit to His instructions for their own good.

The Bible tells us what happens when people do not acknowledge the Lord - when they rely upon themselves instead of Him. Jeremiah 17:5 - This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD.

We are God's people if we believe in Jesus. Let us therefore commit to acknowledging the Lord even more in our daily lives. We've repeatedly discussed making the studying of the Bible a daily practice. Same with praising and praying. Be sure to publicly share testimony of what He's done as well. These are crucial ways to acknowledge the Lord especially if you allow these Kingdom Keys to transform you day by day.

An additional way is to slow down before you take major and even minor decisions and put them before God. Ask Him to take control and rely on Him to do so. This takes time to become a regular practice but if you commit, the Lord will help.

Most importantly, ask the Lord to give you His Holy Spirit as He is the gift given to everyone who believes in Jesus. The Holy Spirit will help you to properly acknowledge and rely upon God. And when you learn to submit to the voice of God, you will experience the Holy Spirit working out the Lords will in and through you. You will not make the mistakes made by those God spoke to via Prophet Hosea. That way the punishment of Jeremiah 17:5, a punishment that befell the children of Jacob when they were captured by enemies, will not be your portion, IJMN Amen.

Please join us at Noon EST for fellowship. God bless you.

For more related content, please read:

1. When Things Go Wrong

2. Penitence

3. Muscle Memory

4. Rely on God

5. Wait on God

6. Hear, Accept, Obey

7. Appreciate Jesus

8. Acknowledge God

Appreciate Jesus - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) February 10, 2023

Not too long before Jesus voluntarily went to die for us on the cross, He said a prayer for all who believed and would believe in Him. It is such a loving testament to the Lord and also reflects such great love for us who believe in Him.

Take John 17:26 for instance, I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

Let's take a moment to break down this verse and appreciate all it entails. Jesus did in fact make God known to people. Not just through His words but through His deeds. He performed miraculous healings, fed thousands of people, and raised the dead in order that people would know God's power in a practical way and believe in Him.

He did these things because He loved God and He loved people. And, He declared that He would continue to do so - forever, by the way - so that people will continue to know God's love and be filled with Christ. What a great promise of loving devotion to the Lord and unending compassion for the rest of us.

Many of us are already familiar with Jesus being the loving Son of God. An example for us to live up to. It cannot be any surprise, therefore, that He taught us to know and live in accordance with the Royal Law - love others as you love yourself. With all this familiarity, when last did we thank Jesus for all He's done, is doing and will do on our behalf? How many of us take the time to remember where we were and what we were doing when our cries of desperation were heard (Psalm 120:1)?How many of us remember the miry clay we were pulled from so we could stand on Him, the solid rock (Psalm 40:2)?

How often do we take the time to appreciate that Jesus, and no one else, carries our prayers to the ears of the Father (Hebrews 8)? Through Him and His sacrifice on the cross, we receive blessings, grace and immeasurable mercy. None of these things would be possible without Jesus Christ.

Let us take the time today to truly express our appreciation for Jesus and all He's done, is doing and will do for us. Thank Him not only because He works tirelessly for you but He also does it for the people you care about. Give Him an extra thanks when we gather to worship today and remember He's promised to make known the love of God to you as well as ensure you are filled with Him. That means enjoying the fullness of life - both physical and spiritual.

Glory be to God. Glory be to His Son, Jesus Christ. And, glory be to the gift of the Holy Spirit (1 John 5:7-12). The Lord is One (Deuteronomy 6:4). God bless you, IJN, Amen.

Be sure to join us for an hour of fellowship during Praise & Pray (for others). Come ready to glorify God, giving Jesus some love too, and pray for other people with zeal. See you then!

For more, please read:

1. The Name of Jesus Pt 1

2. The Name of Jesus Pt 2

3. Drink Jesus

4. Topic: God is responsible for you

5. God Saves

6. P&P 200: The Ticket to Heaven

7. The Well

The Chosen Season 3 Episode 8 - The Finale

I just got done watching The Chosen Season 3 finale. I know, I could have been watching the State of the Union, but all I wanted was to be refreshed with Godly programming instead.

Today's episode featured a mention of Psalm 77. It actually speaks to what we discussed in Praise & Pray (for others) today. We need to turn to the testimony of God's greatness in the Bible, in our lives and the lives of others.

Psalm 77:

1 I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. 2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted.

3 I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint. 4 You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak. 5 I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; 6 I remembered my songs in the night. My heart meditated and my spirit asked:

7 “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? 8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? 9 Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. 11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. 12 I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

13 Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? 14 You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. 15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

16 The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed. 17 The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. 18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. 19 Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.

20 You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

We each go through trials and tribulations and often times, they seem insurmountable. However, when we remember what God has done, it is hard to ignore that our God is great an with Him, all things are possible.

I pray that whatever you are going through, you will remember that God is faithful and will come through for you. Hold onto Him - sure, you'll make some mistakes in the process - but, He has promised to reward those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). So, please, seek Him. Earnestly.

God bless you!

And if you would like to make a donation to The Chosen, which is a free Christian program, visit https://www.comeandsee.net/donate.

For more related content, please read:

1. The Chosen

2. The Chosen Season 3 Episode 8 - The Finale

3. Terminator Zero

4. The Matrix Revolutions