As believers, It is easy to look at all the things we do and be reassured by them. We might look to our regular fasting, constant prayers, and consistent Bible study and take pride in the fact that we are on the right track with the Lord. So much so, that we may start to think that we are better than others. After all, we obey God's instructions and don't live like evil-doers such as fornicators, murderers, thieves, and liars.
Jesus shared a lesson about someone who felt puffed up by all he was doing right. The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector highlights a Pharisee - a respected religious leader - who visited the Temple to pray one day. This involved telling God how good he was. He thanked the Lord he wasn't like the robbers, adulterers, or the tax collector who was praying nearby. He said, "I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get" (Luke 18:12).
His disdain for tax collectors was because these men were some of the most hated members of Israelite society at the time. They were seen as traitors who oppressed their people on behalf of the Roman Empire. Nevertheless, the tax collector prayed, beating his chest and keeping his eyes lowered ("unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven"), saying, "God have mercy on me, a sinner" (Luke 18:13).
Jesus said that the tax collector was more righteous than the Pharisee. Luke 18:14 - "I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
We cannot gauge our walk by comparing ourselves to those who we think aren't as good as we are. To do so is indicative of a prideful heart and the Lord despises the proud (Proverbs 16:5). Instead, let us all approach our Father with an acknowledgment of His grace and mercy as our starting point. 2 Timothy 1:9 tells us, He has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace.
Yes, the Lord wants us to live a holy life that involves avoiding sin, meditating on His word, giving Him praise, and more. However, it will not do for us to look down on others who aren't there yet. Rather, let us, by our actions and words, encourage the newcomer to the faith and even those who don't believe to follow our example and start living righteously. We must treat others with love and concern for their physical and spiritual well-being. We must not allow pride to make us think we are better than anyone for the scripture warns in 1 Corinthians 10:12 - So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! After all, it's only the grace of God that we know Him, are known by Him, and have been saved through the sacrifice of Christ. May we never forget this IJMN Amen.
See you for fellowship at Noon EST. God bless you.
From PBS - Hallelujah, He is the God of the breakthrough! Lord Jesus—please remove every mountain and stronghold to be cast out and destroyed. May Your Power continue to break through and set the captives free. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life—Let the blind now see, let the deaf now hear, let the door knocks now be answered—to Your Glory. In Jesus Name, amen!
From M22 - Abba I thank you sis @FFJ . I pray that you will continue to increase her in every areas of her life. I pray that you will bless the work of her hands, her family, her loved ones and interests. May she continue to grow in grace and strength IjMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for people struggling with lack, homelessness and poverty. That you will send amazing help their way. I pray that you will improve their quality of life. I pray that you will provide them with amazing shelter, great food, warmth, great support system and communities to help them thrive. I pray that as you help them progress, they will not regress IjMN Amen!
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for anyone struggling with self condemnation and hate. That you fill them with the fruits of the spirit and silence every voice that is not your voice in their lives. Help them rest in their identity as your children. You are a God of love, joy, patience, peace, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, gentleness ans generosity. I pray that they can rest in knowing you are much more IJMN Amen.
Abba, I stand in agreement with all of today's righteous prayers and I lift them before you. May Your sovereign and perfect will be done and may you bless my P&P family and our fellowship. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
From M22 - Father I thank you for another fellowship day. Thank you for bringing us together again. Thank you for answering all of our prayers. Thank you for continually impressing on us genuine humility as we continually walk with you. Thank you for helping us rest this weekend IjMN amen.
From M22 - Father I pray that your peace in Phillipians 4:7 will continue to pour over this world. I pray that you will restore order and balance to this world IJMN amen
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, thank You for Your great grace that we are benefiting from. Thank You for the grace that allowed and enabled us to meet today.
Over those who fellowshipped and those who will, I pray the following:
Psalm 121:7-8 - The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
IJMN Amen.
From M22 - Father, the global inflation is worrisome. I pray that you will stabilize the global economy. I pray that you will touch the hearts and minds of the government to create policies that will improve the quality of lives of citizens ijmn Amen. I pray that you will continue to supply the needs of your children through your glory in Christ Jesus amen!
LAST 10 MINUTES
Have you ever felt puffed up because you strive to follow the Lord? There is absolutely nothing wrong with being intentional to live a righteous life. Indeed, we are instructed to do so across the scriptures.
However, we are also warned not to allow pride into our hearts. Sis AlexisColby rightly mentioned the snare of self-righteousness and the inner Pharisee. We must snuff them out and it is a constant effort to keep them at bay so they don't cause us to be like the Pharisee in today's parable.
Lord, thank You for teaching us to remember that whatever we have and whoever we have become, it is all because You saved us. It is all because of Your grace. We are nothing without You and yet, because of Your love, we stand tall through You. Help us Lord to walk humbly with You. Help us to never look down on others but to instead look upon people with the love of Christ and the knowledge that if not for Your grace, we'd be in great trouble. Thank You, God. Glory be to Your Holy Name! IJN we pray, Amen.
Almighty God,
I pray Your blessing over the various ministries that we benefit from. The Bible says that whoever waters others will surely also be watered. I command the angels that You have assigned to these ministries to release from heaven blessing-rains to saturate these ministries. Even in this life, let them be rewarded for their "labors of love". Please bless P&P, FXV, BCF, RIC, Bible verse websites, all the drama ministries, and even Christian YouTubers and influencers who are led by You. Lord, I proclaim an increase in Holy Spirit. Let "God inhabit our praises." Let the ministries be surrounded by Your fire, untouchable by the enemy, and impactful and bringing souls to You. Thank You God for having mercy and Your people. "God is working in You to will and to do his good works" "God will preserve you blameless till the end"
Thank You God for Your angelic help concerning this matter,
Amen in Jesus name
Lord, I praise You for the various ways You have shown me kindness this week: from the good conversation with JJ yesterday; to the unexpected snow days off. Thank You very much for the good news You have brought this week, including the long-awaited offer from SS and the resource at VC that will help OJ.
Father, I lift up the poor and the needy to You. Lord, Your word tells us that all fruitfulness comes from You.
While satan wants people to live lives that are unsatisfactory, You, oh Lord, came to bring people life to the fullest. Praise be to You Holy Name!
God, I call out to You to please feed the hungry. Provide them nourishment in the physical and spiritual. I pray for the strengthening of the weary that they experience Your promise in Isaiah 40:29, where You committed to bring power to the weak. I pray for the foreigner and the stranger that in accordance with Your word in Psalm 146:9, You oh Lord will meet their needs. Lord have mercy and lift the hearts of the brokenhearted and disappointed that they experience Your joy and salvation.
IJMN, Amen.
From PBS - For those who are being attacked financially—LET THE BREAKTHROUGHS COME NOW IN JESUS NAME!!!
❤️
‘Father, in the Name of your Son Jesus, we confess your Word over our finances this day. As we do this, we say it with our mouths and believe it in our hearts and know that your Word will not return to you void, but will accomplish what it says it will do.
Therefore we believe, in the Name of Jesus, that every need is met according to Philippians 4:19.
We believe that because we have given tithes and offerings to further your cause, Father, gifts will be given to us, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will they pour into our bosoms. For with the measure we deal out, it will be measured back to us.
Father, you have delivered us out of the authority of darkness and into the Kingdom of your dear Son!
HALLELUJAH!!!
Father, we have taken our place as your children. We thank you that you have assumed your place as our Father and have made your home with us. You are taking care of us and even now you are enabling us to walk in love and in wisdom, and to walk in the fullness of fellowship with your Son Jesus.
Satan, we bind you from our finances, according to Matthew 18:18, and loose you from your assignments against us, in the Name of Jesus.
Father, we thank you for our angels who are free to minister for us and bring in the necessary finances.
Father, we confess you are a very present help in trouble, and you are more than enough.
We confess, God, that you are able to make all grace - every favor and earthly blessing - come to us in abundance, so that we are always, and in all circumstances, furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation.
In Jesus Name, Amen!’
From M22 - Abba I pray for my siblings. That your transformation within them will continue uninterrupted. Thank you for all you are doing through them. May they continue to seek and prioritize you above everything else. Father I pray you will continue to fulfill their needs IjMN. Amen.
Oh, Heavenly Father. Thank You for being Jehovah Rapha. You are the God who heals and I worship You for this greatness. Glory be to Your Holy Name!
Lord, Your word states in Jeremiah 30:17 - But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the LORD, ‘because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.’ Your word also states in Isaiah 38:16 - Your words and your deeds bring life to everyone, including me. Please make me healthy and strong again (CEV).
Good God, we know that the enemy wants Your children to fear but Your grace is sufficient to cast down such imaginations and thoughts. And when armed with Your word, we are armed with Your promise, a covenant You cannot break for You are He who cannot lie.
I speak Your word over those looking to You for healing. Lord, You have promised to restore Your people to health and to heal their wounds. As Your people call on You to make them healthy and strong again, I say thank You in advance for Your healing grace upon their lives. Good Lord, You alone shall get the glory for what You have done for them, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for people struggling with lack, homelessness and poverty. That you will send amazing help their way. I pray that you will improve their quality of life. I pray that you will provide them with amazing shelter, great food, warmth, great support system and communities to help them thrive. I pray that as you help them progress, they will not regress IjMN Amen!
From M22 - Heavenly Father I pray for people struggling with their faith. I pray that you will grant them unmeasurable spiritual, physical, emotional and mental strength as they continue to walk with you. I pray Abba that they will continue to wax stronger in their faith! IjMN amen.
Glory be to You, oh Lord. You are our merciful God and to You do we turn our gaze at all times. Thank You, Father.
God, Your word states in Psalm 57:1 - Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
Lord, the enemy hates that people are recipients of Your mercy. Yet, You have promised to show mercy to whomever You choose, satan's feelings are irrelevant.
Thus, Lord, I call on You to have mercy upon the nations we live in. Have mercy upon people, dear God. Have mercy on the very land itself. Remember the righteous and in Your mercy be gracious to those around them as well.
Father, I plead for mercy upon the entire earth and the people and things in it. All are under Your authority. IJMN, Amen.
YHWH Yireh, I pray for Your children with financial struggles and high cost of living expenses. You are the God of provision, and we are thankful that You provide in abundance, and can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Please open the storehouse of Your heavenly bounty (Deuteronomy 28:12) and rain Your provisions and blessings upon their heads during these challenging times. In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.