Let us look at Romans 11:22. It states - Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. The part of that verse that sticks out to me is where it warns that God will show kindness to those who "continue in his kindness" and for those who fail to do so, they will no longer enjoy the privilege.
What a stark yet straightforward instruction this is. God's kindness is conditional. We need to keep doing the things that trigger His continued kindness because if we don't we won't experience that aspect of Him. Instead, we'll see the stern side of the Lord. And that is something we don't want for Hebrews 10:31 warns, It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Several people in the Bible experienced God's sternness. The Pharaoh who repeatedly refused to free the Israelites immediately is an example. He ended up drowning along with his army (Exodus 14). The Israelites themselves witnessed the stern side of God when they didn't trust God to usher them into the Promised Land. They remained in the wilderness for an additional 40 years until everyone who doubted God's capacity in that situation had died out (Numbers 14). They again experienced His sternness when they turned to idolatry, divination, fortune-telling, and the worship of false gods. The Lord allowed them to be captured and taken from the land that was their inheritance.
God's kindness was equally reflected in the Bible. In the New Testament, there was the Canaanite woman who refused to be rebuffed by Jesus when she needed healing for her daughter. Though He insisted His miracles were only for the Jews, she in turn insisted she wanted whatever He would grant her and He was impressed by her faith (Matthew 15:21-28). Her daughter was healed as a result. There was also the experience of Martha and Mary (John 11). Their brother, Lazarus, died and Jesus, moved by their sorrow, wept with them. However, He also showed them kindness by raising Lazarus from the dead.
Just as the Savior showed kindness to these people while He walked the earth, He continues to show kindness by working miracles out for ordinary people like you and me in this age. He doesn't intend to only solve one problem. His goal is to consistently and continuously right wrongs and turn around all challenges. The issue is whether we live lives that provoke continued kindness or trigger the sternness of God.
We need not fear that it is impossible to continue in His kindness. Instead, we need only know that once we give our lives over to Christ, He will grant the Holy Spirit to help us in everything we face. And as long as we remember to yield to the guidance of the Spirit of God, we will be able to continue in God's kindness, never seeing His stern side. And if for some reason, we do experience God's stern side, it is crucial to genuinely repent by taking steps to turn away from the things we do that hurt Him. We must choose not to knowingly sin and rely upon the Holy Spirit to keep us from succumbing to the devil's snares.
The Lord is our Shepherd. He will surely lead us to green pastures and keep us on His path of righteousness, IJMN, Amen.
From EC - Amen and good afternoon ladies!
From AW - Father God, Thank you for your continued kindness. Thank you for always being there for us, even when we don't deserve it. Thank you for giving us another chance, even when we mess up. Thank you for never giving up on us, even when we give up on ourselves. Thank you for your love, your mercy, and your grace. Thank you for being the light in our dark times and the hope in our despair. Thank you for never forsaking us, even when we forsake you. Thank you, God, for everything. Thank you for being the great I AM. Thank you for being our everything. IJMN, Amen!
FINAL MESSAGE
This Lord keeps bringing us back to this issue of yielding to Him and His Spirit. I suspect He wants us to do more of this in 2024 and is preparing us for the tests that will require an enlarged submission to Him.
I thank God that He has promised to help us. Indeed, we are told in 2 Peter 1:3 - His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
By His grace, we shall lean on Him and He will get us through, IJMN, Amen!
CLOSING PRAYER
Glory be to God Almighty who reigns over the earth. Lord, thank You for another opportunity to fellowship at Your feet. Take all the glory and praise my great King.
Over those who participated today and those who will do so at a later time, I pray Romans 15:5-6 - May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray that the fruits of the spirit will continue to take root in our heart daily so we can produce abundant harvest in our character, actions, thoughts and words moving forward! Thank you for your kindness and generosity towards us Abba! Thank you for making us worthy Lord! Amen!
From M22 - Thank you Lord for your peace which continually sustains us, thank you Abba for your kindness despite our shortcomings. Thank you Abba for our relationship with you. Thank you Abba for continually strengthening us each waking day. May our prayers, praise and worship continually be a sweet offering before you! We humble ourselves before your presence Lord. Amen.
From M22 - Thank You Abba for sis @FFJ for continually strengthening her to steer this community forward with each fellowship day. Thank you Abba for seeing her through every month of this year till date. Thank you Abba for fighting her battles. Thank you Abba for her, her family, her loved ones, her job and interests. Thank you Lord for what you will do through her moving forward in this community. Amen!!!
From M22 - Abba I want to thank you for my siblings. Thank you Abba for holding their hands through every month of this year. Thank you for how far you have brought them. Thank you Abba that they can lean on you and rest in your authority. Thank you for what you have done you are doing and yet to do in their lives. Thank you for your transformation taking place within them. I bless you Lord. Amen!
From M22 - Abba I pray for everyone that is sick or recovering. Jehovah our healer I pray that your healing power restores every of their bodily functions. I pray Abba that you do what science or drugs cannot do for them. I pray Abba that you coordinate the eyes and hands of every surgeon operating so successful surgeries can take place. Thank you Abba for your healing over everyone waiting on you! Amen.
From AC - Heavenly Father, I lift in prayer my sisters and brothers in Christ, struggling with loneliness, depression, hopelessness, and bereavement during this Christmas season. May You, the God of all compassion and comfort fulfill all of their spiritual, emotional, and physical needs and replace their sorrow with Your consuming love, joy, hope, and transcending Peace. Renew their faith in You and remind them that You are the God that saves those crushed in spirit and that they are not forsaken. In the name of Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, Amen.
From M22 - Abba I lift up children across the world into your mighty hands. I pray that you will continue to protect them from harm, violence and abuse. I pray that you will continue to nourish and nurture them so they can live our their God given purpose and be instrumental to your kingdom advancing here on earth! I pray that you will answer their heart desires and take care of them as you always have. Amen!
From LTP - I pray that all members of the family of Christ would administer healing and restoration towards one another in Jesus name.
Ephesians 4:16 AMP
From Him the whole body [the church, in all its various parts], joined and knitted firmly together by what every joint supplies, when each part is working properly, causes the body to grow and mature, building itself up in [unselfish] love.
From M22 - Jehovah Jireh our provider. Thank you Abba for taking care of our needs and expenses from January till date. Thank you for food, shelter, utilities and much more. Thank you Abba for your promises never fail to actualize. Thank you Abba for provision this holiday season. I pray for everyone that is in need to celebrate this season, I pray that you will provide them with more than enough to celebrate and even more moving forward.
Abba you turned 5 loaves and breads and 2 fishes into abundant food that was even left over. There's nothing you can not do. Abba I pray for abundant provisions for everyone in need. Amen !
LAST 10 MINUTES
God's kindness is conditional.
Most of us don't like to hear this and we don't want to think of the implication but that doesn't change the fact.
He wants us to continue in His kindness by choosing to live lives pleasing to Him. How blessed are we that He has set everything up to ensure we do so successfully?
We just need to let His Spirit lead.
If you are yet to encounter the Spirit of the Lord and He is yet to make His home in you, please let's pray - Lord, I choose You today and I thank You that You have made it possible for me to honor and please You with my life. I thank You for sending Christ to die, resurrect and ascend on my behalf so I can today declare that I believe He is the Son of God and want the Holy Spirit. I repent for my sins and forgive those who have wronged me. Please come Holy Spirit, into my heart and make Yourself comfortable. IJMN, Amen.
Father, I pray for every person who says this prayer today or in the future. Those who have sincerely lifted this petition to You. Please release Your Spirit to them that they may know what it means to have Your presence around them always. And as a result, they will be able to overcome sin and continue in Your kindness. All by Your grace and to Your glory, IJMN, Amen.
And, my good God, help all of us to walk in submission to Your Spirit that we may continue in Your kindness and never endure Your sternness, IJN, Amen.
Glory be to the Alpha & Omega. The God of Jeshurun. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah. The Sovereign Lord. Hallelujah!
Good God, You are the Almighty. Nobody compares to You. Father, thank You for hearing my prayer for people that they come to a knowledge of You as You promised in Jeremiah 24:7. Thank You for giving people a desire for You. Thank You for whetting their appetites for more of You. Thank You for letting hearts clamor for You. Thank You for kindly pouring out Your Spirit on all mankind in accordance with Your word in Joel 2:28. Be glorified, Lord our Redeemer.
Now and forever more, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for people struggling with homelessness and poverty. I pray Abba that you grant them permanent shelter, food, and warmth. I pray that you will send help their way. As they prepare to move into the new year, I pray that you will change their lives for the better and I pray that they will experience upliftment, elevation and divine opportunities IJMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for regions suffering from war and conflicts. I pray that you restore peace and order to these affected regions. I pray that your peace will guard the hearts and minds of every single individuals from governments to citizens. I pray that you guide them in coming to a permanent resolution. I pray that you help them rebuild everything that has been destroyed. I pray that you comfort the families and loved ones in mourning. I pray that you comfort every one that has been left broken hearted in this regions. Amen!
Lord, thank You for being our God. Praise be unto You, Ancient of Days. O Magnificent One, we give You all the glory!
Zechariah 10:6 - “I will strengthen Judah and save the tribes of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them. They will be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the LORD their God and I will answer them.
Heavenly Father, we face an adversary that wants us to not enjoy Your compassion. It wants us to suffer like it does for it has fallen out of Your grace. But praise be onto the Almighty! The One who grants us beautiful grace in Jesus.
Father, I thus pray that Your children will experience the joy of Your compassion. That this will bring Your restoration in their lives. That which the cankerworm and the locust worm stole will be returned and even more by Your grace and to Your glory, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Mighty God for every single Pepper both online and offline. We bless you Abba for continually showing us your kindness time after time. Thank you Father for expanding us in this community. Thank you Lord for strengthening us to continually pray, praise, worship and intercede on behalf of others. Thank you Abba for supplying our needs. Amen!
PRAYER TIME
Let us turn now to praying for people. There are people you know who need your fervent prayers. This is an opportunity to cry out to the Lord on their behalf.
May the Lord guide us on who to pray for and what to say, IJMN, Amen.
Glory be to God!
Psalm 16:5 - LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.
Psalm 119:57 - You are my portion, LORD; I have promised to obey your words.
Lamentations 3:24 - I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
Psalm 73:26 - My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Praise the Lord for He is my portion and my peace.
From M22 - Thank you baba for you never fail! Thank you for helping us navigate each day, week, month and year. Thank you Lord for elevating us from the position we were this time last year to a better position this year! Thank you Lord for everything you have done in our lives and in the lives of our families, friends, communities. Thank you Lord for being patient with us despite our flaws and shortcomings. Thank you for generosity over our lives. Jehovah shammah, we exalt you. Amen!
From AC - Heavenly Father, thank You for everything You are doing for my family. You are the God of the impossible, the God Who moves mountains and silences the storm. There is none greater than You! No one could have done any of these things that You have done for us. You are the only One worthy of all praise and glory and I am so forever grateful to You. Thank You, thank You. Amen!
Jehovah Nissi (Exodus 17:15). You are our Banner in the time of war.
Jehovah Sabaoth (1 Samuel 1:3). You are the Head of the Angel Armies and lead Your army to war for Your glory.
Jehovah Shalom (Judges 6:24). You are our Peace and our rest round about when the battles have been won.
Jehovah Rapha (Exodus 15:26). You are the healing our body, mind and soul needs and receives for free.
Jehovah Jireh (Genesis 22:14). You are our Provider, supplying all we need.
Jehovah Shammah (Ezekiel 48:35). You are there. The I am that I Am, everywhere at every point in time. Where can we hide from Your presence?
Jehovah Mekadesh (Leviticus 20:7-8). You are He who sanctifies us and makes us holy!
Thank You Jesus!
You are the cornerstone.
You are the tent peg.
You are the battle bow.
You are the Root.
The Offspring of David
The Bright Morning Star
Thank You, Son of God.
Lord, we welcome You into our midst. We lift up our worship to You, King of kings. May it be a sweet-smelling incense that moves You and makes You smile.
May Your children who honor You with their praises be filled with the joy and happiness that only You can give.
Glory be to Your Holy Name, Father! We honor You in this place.
Hallelujah!
From AC - "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
Jesus, You are the only reason for this season and we honor You and bow down in worship at Your feet. Thank You for Your sacrifice which saved us and redeemed us. Thank You for Your radical grace, mercy, love, and generosity. To You, we give the highest of praises! Glory Hallelujah! Jesus, You are worthy! Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for seeing us through January till date. Thank you for kindness and grace over our lives. Thank you Lord for ushering us proper into the Christmas celebrations. Thank you Lord for holding our hand through this year. We bless you Lord! Amen!
PRAISE TIME
Hebrews 13:15 - Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.
See what the word says? We've got to bring a sacrifice of praise continually!
We've only got 25 minutes so let's get to praising God. Imagine how much catching up we have to do. No seriously, they praise Him all the time in heaven. Meanwhile, we don't do it enough.
So, let's not waste any more time.
3, 2, 1...
From AC - Merry Christmas Peppers! Thank you @FFJ for today's word on God's kindness and the examples of kind behaviour demonstrated in the bible. Galatians 5:23 reminds us that kindness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. May we live a life that is pleasing to our Father and yield to the teachings of our Saviour and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, so that we remain in God's kindness and favour. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.
A biblical example of kindness, that I recently discussed with someone, is from Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple who prepared Jesus' crucified body and gave Him the tomb that was meant for himself. Joseph boldly requested Jesus' body from Pilate, so that he could give Him an honourable burial, which was against the law during those times, as it only allowed a disgraceful burial for the executed. Through Joseph, we learn that kindness is also an act of worship of our Saviour.
From M22 - Thank you for today's word sis @FFJ. Today's word was really insightful and I pray we all will continue to experience God's kindness continually. I consider Ruth a woman that truly experienced God's kindness. A widow and a foreigner in a land where she felt she had nothing but still feel led to live in. God surely showed her kindness through her relationship with Boaz. God used Boaz to lift off her burden and she was also privileged to be in the Lineage of our Savior Jesus Christ. The kindness Ruth experienced from God is amazing .
I pray that we will continue to exemplify God's kindness in our lives towards others. I also pray that when we fall short and experience God's sternness, that we do not hesitate to truly repent and pray for his kindness ijmn Amen!
From SN - Good morning, sisters!! :heart: Happy Friday to the saints. Today is the day that the LORD has made, therefore, we shall rejoice and be glad in it.
I know that our Heavenly Father is working many miracles in our lives, so I want to thank Him in advance for everything He is doing.
We have no idea how special and important we are to Him. He gave His only Son for us, that we may live eternally with Him in Heaven.
I may seem biased when I say that Praise & Pray (for others) is one way for us to continue in God's kindness. We get to gather, chit-chat, and share what the Lord is teaching us. Then, we worship God together and pray for the needs of others.
So, I want to encourage you to say hi to your fellow Peppers today. Share an example of someone from the Bible who experienced God's kindness, so the rest of us can learn. Share with us what you think are ways to continue in that kindness. The Word states in Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Therefore, when we gather for fellowship, we should share so all are blessed.
I look forward to seeing you later! God bless you!