Sometime ago, I realized I wanted to write a letter expressing some of my thoughts to you Peppers. I just wanted to have a heart-to-heart of sorts. Those can be tough because P&P is structured and I only get to write what the Lord instructs me to share.
Recently, however, He permitted me to share some thoughts. I'm calling these messages my 'Dear Peppers' series. I'll drop a few from time to time and I pray they shall be received with the spirit of love with which they are being shared.
That said, I wanted to encourage each of us to be careful that we never consider the Lord a burden. He can't become another item we tick off our to-do list.
The devil strives to make the things of God, and the Lord Himself, distasteful to us. The enemy wants us to love and cherish the things that God finds detestable while seeing what God desires as tiring.
We can't let satan win. Or as I like to say, don't let satan punk you!
God gives us so many ways to interact with Him and we need to take advantage of them. We can talk to Him while cleaning our home, watch edifying Christian content, or turn up some praise music and dance with abandon for Him.
He also encourages us to fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ via church services which now take place in person and online. Then there are gatherings like this which allow us to honor Him as a group with praise and intercession.
Plus, if we remember your Jericho Moments and review our testimonies or those of others, we'll know that the Lord is good and worthy of our constant attention.
We don't want to be like those He spoke to in Micah 6:3 - “My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me.
God asked that question thousands of years ago and if we are to be honest, we might be just like the people he was talking to back then. We can't afford to be like them. Eternity and where we'll spend it are on the line, so let us ask God to help us to not be like those who see God as a burden. Let us submit to Him and do what He tells us to do so we walk with Him till the very end.
Lord, thank You for being my Father. Thank You for Your promise of never-ending love. Today, I ask for Your grace and strength so that I always delight in You. Restore to me the joy of my salvation and empower me to joyfully walk with You to the very end, IJMN Amen.
Psalm 37:4 - Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart (NASB).
Got any questions about today's post? Fire away. Do you ever feel like God and the things of God are a burden? How do you handle those moments? Do you talk to someone or rely on the Lord, Jesus and the Holy Spirit to get you through. Let's talk and see you later for fellowship (and pre-fellowship chit chat). God bless you.
SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY
How has God been faithful to you? It's time to share so others are encouraged. That way their hope in the Lord will not dim.
We have a thread titled Testimony Gala | The Miracle Alley for your convenience and its goal is to document what God has done for His people.
We are instructed to share our testimony as believers. In fact, doing so allows us to overcome satan according to Revelation 12:11 - They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
God bless you!
FINAL MESSAGE
Don't let today's message fade from your mind. Be mindful of those moments when you are tempted to see God and godly things as a burden.
Fight the urge to not pray because you feel tired and would rather scroll on the internet, for instance. Open your Bible and shut off that show on your screen. Worship Him, not that celebrity everyone can't seem to get enough of.
Remember, you are very important to God and He doesn't treat you as a nuisance. So, don't think of Him like that because if you do, it's only a matter of time before you'll treat Him that way.
You will do well on some days and wish you'd done better on others. On those tough days, take a deep breath, confess and repent for your sins, then receive His grace to do better next time. Listen to Him and not the devil who wants you saddled with guilt so you feel too paralyzed to try again and try better.
The Lord has promised to help all of us make it to the finish line and finish strong. Trust in Him.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 - God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful (NLT).
CLOSING PRAYER
Jehovah Sabaoth, You are Lord of hosts. God over all. Thank You!
For this opportunity to gather and honor You, I am grateful. Take all the glory, Abba Father.
I pray for Your Peppers that from this day on, every instinct to see You as a burden is rendered powerless. I pray that they will remember Your faithfulness and connect with You in good and bad times. That the things of the Lord will be a delight. I decree that everything standing in the way of the fulfillment of this prayer be turned to chaff, IJMN Amen.
LAST 10 MINUTES
Take a moment and think of one time when you thought doing something God requires was a burden. Each of us has had such moments. Yet He loves us, regardless. He continues to patiently help us, steering us away from satan's schemes to destroy us.
Praise God!
Psalm 27:14 - Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
This is my prayer for you today. That no matter how long it takes, you will wait on God to finish what He started in your life. That you will rejoice in the Lord, remembering that He is a blessing and not a burden to you.
IJMN Amen.
Praise be onto You, oh Lord, our mighty Father. All glory be to Your name.
2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Dear God, the enemy wants people to see Your patience as a bad thing. It wants people to begrudge You being the God who does all He does at His appointed time.
But God, I praise You for being the God of time and seasons (Ecclesiastes 3). The God who did everything from the beginning and can never be surprised or pressed to move outside of His plans.
Lord, let Thy will be done on earth as in heaven at Your set times. I pray that Your people will settle into the knowledge that Your patience is a blessing and not a burden. That they will trust Your word in Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
IJMN Amen.
*From BI* -Lord, I pray for a peaceful end to all the strikes taking place. I pray that Your children’s demand for decent wages are met. Lord, lessen the disruption caused by the strikes. I pray that those that are left vulnerable due to the strikes receive divine healing from God and that all their needs are met IJMN Amen.
Hallelujah to the Lord who reigns from on high! To Him who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor, power and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Psalm 72:7 - In his days may the righteous flourish and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.
Good God, we are most often discontent with our leaders but Your word teaches us to be careful how we think and speak about them (Exodus 22:28). Additionally, Your instruction is that we pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1).
Hence, I lift up leaders, praying that they will be a source of righteousness and justice for the people they lead. I pray that like David, they shall focus on doing good for their constituents (2 Samuel 8:15). That they shall turn away from graft and greed and instead turn to Your grace and goodness. That they shall please You in their position and be a source of Your blessings to others, IJMN Amen.
*From BI* - Lord, I lift into Your capable hands the family of BB and all who are grieving. I pray that You surround them in Your transcending peace and comfort them as they try to bear their loss. Lord, be their strength and guide. Let them know to surrender it all to You. Lord, I thank You for being close to the broken-hearted. Be their refuge Lord and soothe their soul IJMN Amen.
Good God, You are the Almighty. Nobody compares to You. Father, please hear my prayer for people that they come to a knowledge of You as You promised in Jeremiah 24:7. Please give people a desire for You. Whet their appetites for more of You. Let hearts clamor for You. Pour out Your Spirit on all mankind in accordance with Your word in Joel 2:28. Be glorified, Lord our Redeemer, IJMN, Amen.
PRAYER TIME
You've spent time praising the Lord for things He's done in your life.
Wonderful.
Turn your attention to other people and pray for them. We are called to be intercessors and this is our time to do just that.
Praise the Lord.
Thank You for teaching us about the importance of never seeing You as a burden.
In fact, You, God, are the best thing that ever happened to us for in You we have freedom, healing, mercy, and everything we need.
Thank You that in Your wisdom, You have decided to make us wait for the things You have in store, training us in the meantime.
You are wonderful and worthy, my King.
Thank You Father for Your good plans for those who believe in You.
Thank You God for being a rewarder
of those who seek You.
Thank You that in You is hope of more of Your goodness.
*From BI* - Thank You Lord for being the Father that replies with Yes and Amen. The world may change but You never will. It is a great comfort to me to know You are the same yesterday, today and forever. I praise Your Holy Name Abba!
Marvelous God, You alone are worthy to be praised.
You do miracles in my life, Amen.
Thank You for being steadfast and for keeping Your word.
All glory belongs to You alone.
*From CUR* - Hello Peppers! I totally needed today's message. For so long I had a legalistic outlook on spending time with God. It wasn't until recently that I stopped trying to fit into a box of what time with Him "should" look like. I don't do well with set routines, they make me feel boxed in. So I'm trying to give myself grace experience God in fresh new ways.
Lately that has been volunteering with church, going to small groups, praying throughout the day, reading Biblical Christian literature, worshipping in the car, and listening to edifying podcasts.
God I praise You because You are worthy of praise. You are God and you are not bound to restrictive forms of worship and communication with You. How blessed are we that our God made us uniquely and can commune with us uniquely! Thank You God!!
Glory be to You, my God. The Ancient of Days. The Upright One. The Sovereign Lord. The Glorious God. Our Excellent Jehovah.
You who are grilled with splendor, you are who I worship today, tomorrow and forever.
Hallelujah!
*From UNCG* - Thank you for this fellowship, Lord!
*From EC* - Amen and good morning ladies!
*From T1983* - Great morning!! And yes I talk to him throughout the day!!! Thank you God for healing my second eldest sister, she had battling Bell’s palsy since January… and thank you God that yesterday was her first day back at work!!!! She is sooooo much better and I know that that was all you!!! You’re always showing up and showing out!! Thank you and especially thank you for what’s yet to come!!!! IJN AMEN
*From BI* - Thank You Lord for letting me see this great day that You have made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. I thank You Lord for watching over me and providing my needs. You are a wonderful Father to me. To You be all the honour, glory and adoration. Thank You for Your comfort, love and grace in my life. I am indeed very grateful.