We've spent a lot of time talking about accepting the good news that Christ is God's Son who died for us. We've also spent time learning about the need to receive and walk with the Holy Spirit who comes once we believe in Jesus. However, have we ever wondered what happens when a person rejects Jesus? Are there any consequences?
Jesus addressed this in John 12:48 - Whoever rejects Me and refuses to accept My teachings, has one who judges him; the very word that I spoke will judge and condemn him on the last day.
What does this mean? While each person has the right to choose whether they will believe in Jesus and submit to Him, failure to choose Christ means not receiving the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, we miss out on godly wisdom and strategy which keeps us out of trouble. The most dire consequence, however, is not getting into heaven. After all, we are told in John 14:6 - Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. And since the Father lives in heaven, rejecting Christ means no access to God's kingdom.
These facts are a reminder of what is at risk. A time will come when all will answer for their choices. This includes the decision to reject Jesus. Nobody, not even Christ, knows when that day will be. The moment is only known to God (Matthew 24:36). So, we must live ready, knowing that judgment will surely come like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2).
As we step into a new year, let us be more heaven-minded. Let us truly believe in Jesus and apply our faith by obeying His instructions. To know what those are, we need to study what He taught in the Bible. A little bit each day goes a long way. We must also let the Lord teach us how to submit to the Holy Spirit. That way, the Spirit of God will help us navigate life in a manner that pleases the King of kings. Further, we must allow God to correct us, plus show ourselves some grace when we mess up. In those instances, we must quickly and genuinely repent for sin without allowing guilt to choke out the progress we've made. All while remembering that God will get us to heaven if we cooperate with Him.
And we can't afford to be passive regarding the things of God. They cannot continue to play second-fiddle to what satisfies our fleshly desires. Jesus noted that many will claim to have served Him but yet He won't acknowledge those He classifies as false disciples (Matthew 7:21-23). Such believers are deemed lukewarm and will be rejected on the day of judgment (Revelation 3:16). None of us should risk the consequence of rejecting Jesus through lukewarmness.
As we enter a new year, may we agree with God and thereby be at peace as the word states in Job 22:21 (ESV). May we never reject Jesus no matter the pressures of the world. May we grow in obedience to the Lord our Father, to our Savior Jesus, and to the Holy Spirit, IJN Amen.
FINAL MESSAGE
Another year of Praise and Pray (for others) has come and gone. I can't believe we are in the ember days and hours of 2023.
Yet, I thank the Lord. 104 P&P gatherings happened this year and they are to His glory alone.
There are many who were here with us at this point in 2022 who aren't here today. Whatever the reasons for that may be, I want to thank the Lord for you - the person reading this message right now. May the Lord bless you.
I am grateful to all who have shown up at some point or the other in 2023 to participate in P&P. Thank you for coming to honor God with praises as well as prayers for people. It isn't easy to turn your attention away from your problems and focus on the needs of others. But, the Lord will bless you for doing so.
As you step into 2024, I pray for God's transformation in your life. May the barren and dry places come alive with the word and presence of the Lord. May you be filled with His grace and continuously witness His loving kindness. And may we be able to gather again to His glory, IJMN Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER
Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Lord, this is my prayer for those who participated in today's gathering. It is also my prayer for those who will read this message and honor you with worship as well as intercession for others.
Kindly fill them with joy, hope, and peace as they believe and wait on You, IJMN, Amen.
Hallelujah!
From M22 - So happy I could fellowship with every Pepper this year! Looking forward to fellowship in 2024! Thank you for prayers and support sis @FFJ . May God continue to bless every one !
From M22 - Abba I am so grateful for your grace, mercy and forgiveness over our lives. Thank you for never giving up on us. Thank you for being patient with us as we navigate each day. Thank you for helping us navigate trials and tribulations. I pray that we will continue to decrease so you can increase within us IJMN amen.
From SN - Father, thank You for another beautiful year! This is our last week of 2023. May You bless, lead, and prosper us all 2024, beginning even now.
From M22 - Shout to the Lord!
All the earth let us sing
Power and Majesty praise to the King!
Nothing compares to the promise we have in you.
Thank you blessed Father! Amen
From sis FJ - Abba, I submit to You all the concerns and worries of my fellow Peppers. Your word says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. acknowledge Him in all you do, and he will direct your paths”. Please see the issues that keep them up at night and occupy their minds. Lord they are Your temple and You are the only one who should occupy them. Please bring rest to their souls, and encourage and comfort them about Your "good and perfect plans" (jer 29:11). Thank You God, we trust You to work everything out. IJMN amen
LAST 10 MINUTES
This is our last meeting before we cross over into 2024. Today, we will not only pray for ourselves based on what we've learned, but we will pray for our loved ones as well.
Let us pray,
Lord. Please help my family and me to accept, receive and obey Your word at all times. That we may witness Your grace and mercy here and in eternity, IJMN Amen.
Praise God!! He has promised that all who call on Him will be saved so trust Him to answer this prayer. Therefore, take the rest of our fellowship time to worship Him.
Father, thank You for being the Everlasting God. Thank You for being our Rock and Foundation. Glory be to Your Holy Name.
Luke 8:50 - Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”
Dear Lord, I lift up Jesus' word in the scripture above regarding Your daughter @AC. Lord, help her to remember the Savior's words and not fall for the scheme of the enemy to introduce fear.
What You have handled does not need to be addressed again. You have given her complete healing. For her body is for the Lord and the Lord is for her body.
All by Your grace and to Your gory, Lord God, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray that you grant us supernatural clarity and discernment moving forward. I pray that you help us make the right decisions moving forward. Help us lean on you as we take less, steps, IJMN amen. I pray that you rid our hearts and mind of worldly pleasures and distractions! IjMN amen
From M22 - Abba I pray for people that are sick and recovering. I thank you Abba for your permanent healing in their lives. I pray that your healing power will continually permeate their cells, organs, blood vessels and systems. I pray Abba that you will coordinate the eyes and hands of every operating surgeon and I pray that will carry out successful surgeries IJMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for people struggling with homelessness, lack and poverty. I pray that you send individuals, organizations, leaders, communities to help them live better quality of lives. I pray that you will supply all of their needs. I pray that you will give them amazing shelter, good and warmth. I pray that you will provide them with opportunities and resources they need to thrive moving forward IJMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for regions affected by war and disaster. I pray for Israel, Gaza, Plateau State (Nigeria). I pray that you will restore peace to these affected regions. I pray that you will accept the dead into your bosom. I pray that you will comfort their loved ones and strengthen them. I pray that you will restore all the citizens have lost IJMN amen.
Glory be to You, Heavenly Father. Thank You for Your grace and mercy. Not just upon myself, but upon my friends.
Lord, I use this opportunity to lift them up to You, knowing that You want the best for them and have them at the top of Your mind.
Lord, I decree that each and every of the enemy's plans for my friends are destroyed by the power and fire of the Lord God Almighty. I call on You, who foils the devices of the crafty, to ensure that where my friends are concerned, the enemy will be greatly disappointed.
Father, I pray that Your purpose and plan for my friends will be fulfilled to the fullest. For Your word states that Your plans will not be thwarted. I pray that my friends will walk on the path of righteousness and grow in the knowledge of You. Cover them, God, in Your grace and mercy, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for children across the world. That you will continue to protect them from violence, harm and abuse. I pray that you will continue to nourish and nurture them for your glory IJMN amen.
From sis FJ - God I give you praise for Your abundant provision
From M22 - Thank you Abba for every single Pepper offline and online. Thank you for your protection, provision, transformation and elevation in our lives. I bless you Abba for bringing us here every single fellowship to pray, praise and intercede without fail. Thank you for fighting our battles Father. Thank you for speaking for us where we have no voice, helping us where we have no help. We bless you Father! Amen
Ah, I thank God that the legal issues were resolved in your favor. Praise the Lord.
May the good Lord hear and answer your prayers and surprise you in a big way. I pray that wherever He sends you to, you will serve as a light for His purpose IJN, Amen.
God bless you
PRAYER TIME
And now, we pray for people. Pray for anyone, just not yourself.
Call on the Lord to help the people you know or even strangers.
We serve a God who responds to petitions. When we ask, He answers so pray for others.
James 5:16 - ...The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Therefore pray for somebody.
Job 42:10 - After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.
Therefore pray for someone and be blessed.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for protecting and providing for me and my siblings. Thank you Abba for holding our hands through this year. Thank you for your continuous transformation within our lives. We bless you heavenly Father!