Over the last two weeks we have examined the issue of not breaking faith with God. We have learned that breaking faith occurs when we dishonor and/or cheapen the Lord in the presence of others by what we say, how we act, or a choice we make. This is so important because God has called us to be witnesses who testify to His glory and might. We learned how Moses and Aaron struggled with this, yet God showed them mercy. We also reviewed Ezra's experience and saw how He avoided making the mistake. It was the same with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who stared down a fiery pit and defied the most powerful man in the world so as not to break faith with their Creator.
Jesus Christ also provides a crucial example on how to be successful in this regard. And we can easily replicate what He did in all manner of situations.
He fasted for 40 days and nights and at the tail end, the devil showed up, knowing that His mortal flesh would be weak. However, the devil didn't anticipate He would be filled with spiritual food and the Spirit of God Himself. So, when satan asked Jesus to prove He was the Son of God by turning a stone to bread, "... Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’” (Luke 4:4). And when the devil tried to get him to worship it in exchange for earthly power, the Savior didn't mince words. He again spoke scripture, saying, ...“It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’” (Luke 4:8).
Jesus illustrates that the word of God is a practical tool to help every Christian avoid breaking faith with their God. When the devil shows up during our weakest moments, as it did with God's Son, we have to proclaim scripture because satan has no comeback for that. It is God's word that brings power and therefore causes the devil to flee. We must have some familiarity with scripture. This is why it is essential to study the Bible before the challenges of life come rushing at us. In such situations, it is only the word of God that can effectively resist the devil and neutralize its weapons. And because Jesus is our High Priest, when we pronounce the word, He puts it to work for our benefit.
God's word is the ultimate gem in our spiritual arsenal to keep us from breaking faith with the Almighty. He has promised to keep His word on our lips so it is essential we make it a priority. He said in Isaiah 59:21 - “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the LORD. Thus, if you start and keep gathering the word of God, you will always have it! May the Lord be with you and cause you to prosper in His Spirit, His word and His love. We shall not break faith with Him, IJMN, Amen.
FINAL MESSAGE
By God's grace, we have come to the end of the Don't Break Faith with God Series.
In light of today's message, I would like to recommend we all read an old message titled - Praise For The Written Word & More. It is from 2021 but it is a great reminder in this season.
A lot of us are struggling with a lot of things but if we can take a moment to thank the Lord for His word, if we can show appreciation, I believe the Lord will make a way where there seemed to be no way previously.
May the Lord keep you till we meet again, IJMN, Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER
Heavenly Father, glory be to You, oh Lord! Once again, You made it possible for us to fellowship together in this way, all by Your grace and to Your glory. Thank You for bringing us together from different cities, states and even countries today.
Please Lord, remember today's participants for honoring You in this way and bless them by meeting them at their point of need. Glory be to You again and again, IJMN, Amen.
From BI - I pray against crime wave which is on the increase. Lord, there is a feeling of insecurity and hopelessness which is contrary to Your Will for Your children. You are our strength, refuge and salvation. God, protect Your children from the evil of crime and violence. Intervene and extinguish all fears in the hearts of Your children. I pray that the violent put down their weapons and choose peace and love all to the glory of God IJMN Amen.
Lord I pray for Your faithful servants. Please see the joy and love in my heart and please reward them for their labors of love! Out of Your "riches in glory" please bless them.
Regardless of their faults, Lord You promise to keep them blameless till the end. In Jude, You are called "He who can keep [us] from stumbling".
Hezekiah had faults but claimed, "I have served You faithfully!". David committed many sins, but was known as a "man after God's heart".
Abba, let Your grace speak for Your children! I bless them in Jesus name, amen.
LAST 10 MINUTES
Do you remember the point of this series? Let's refresh our memories - Moses and Aaron failed to treat the Lord as holy before their people and that was why God determined they'd been unfaithful and broke faith with Him. If we are to be honest, each of us has likely done so at some point. As such, we've prayed for God's forgiveness, asking to be washed clean of such iniquity via the precious blood of the Lamb. Thank God for His grace and mercy upon us for He is a forgiving and loving God. As such, having genuinely repented, we can receive His kind forgiveness in faith.
And praise God for the example of Jesus during His temptation in the wilderness because He illustrated exactly how to keep from breaking faith with God. He demonstrated this approach by quoting scripture. And if it was good enough for Him, what more the rest of us?
We might worry that we don't know enough of the Scriptures. That's not something to fret about. The key is to start spending time with God's word and never stop. Another important piece is to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, because for those who do, He's promised that He will grant them the Holy Spirit to act as a 'Remembrancer' (John 14:26). Thus, the Holy Spirit will remind you of all Jesus has taught, filling your mind and mouth with the scripture you need so as not to run afoul of the Lord. Never forget Philippians 2:13 - For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. (NLT).
Let us pray -
Lord, we pray that in those moments, those weak moments, when the enemy tries to get us to break faith with You, we shall receive from Your Spirit the words we need to speak into the situation. That like Jesus Christ we shall be fueled by Your Spirit to speak Your scripture and send the devil fleeing. Thank You for this grace and mercy. Thank You that such an opportunity is available to us. That we can rely upon You at all times and be successful, by Your grace and to Your glory, IJMN, Amen.
Abba, I lift up the needs of Your people.
Remember the people You have assigned angels to. I pray over them, that You would protect them. It is written, "He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease" (Psalm 91:3).
Be a consuming fire against their enemies, because You promise in Your word "no weapon formed against you will prosper" and "I will contend with those who contend with you".
Arise, oh Lord and let Your enemies be scattered. But let Your blessings be upon the heads of Your children, so the whole world would know they are Yours.
Great and Mighty King. You are the Master of the Universe.
Matthew 8:17 - This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
Lord, satan seeks to steal, kill, and destroy Your children's lives but You are who brought life and life to the fullest, Father.
As such, I bring the sick before You and call on You to please extend Your healing grace to those in need of it. Dear God, You are the Balm of Gilead, and the Mighty Physician. Please heal the sick, IJMN, Amen.
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 BI - I lift up our leaders to You Lord. Grant them wisdom on how to stabilise the economy. Help our Leaders to display generosity, courage, hope and kindness. I pray for a stable, righteous and peaceful government. I pray against bad leaders in government. Lord, whatever goes on in the dark cannot escape Your gaze. I pray You uproot corrupt officials who put their needs before the needs of the citizens. Replace them with God fearing leaders who will lead with compassion and integrity IJMN Amen.
Father, I lift up Your word in prayer for everyone, everywhere who will interact with this ministry and the teachings and prayers that are shared.
Colossians 1:9-14 - ...We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[e] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[f] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
IJMN Amen.
PRAYER TIME
Let us pray to the Lord and make petitions for other people.
Know someone going through a tough time? Call on God to assist them.
Know someone in need of healing? Ask the Lord to touch them.
Know someone looking for a new job? Pray to the Lord to grant it to them.
Feel free to share your prayers with the rest of us so we join you in agreement for that person. Remember, Matthew 18:19 - “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
Let us agree on the prayers others share for people. The Lord has committed to answer. So, please, type an 'Amen' and get to agreeing with the prayers for others.
Jehovah Nissi. Jehovah Adonai. The El Gibbor who is also Jehovah Shalom.
You are who You are and who we need You to be at all times.
The ever present God.
The Almighty.
All Powerful One.
Thank You for being the God who holds everything in His hands and does not deprive the blameless of any good thing.
Hallelujah!
From AW - Thank you Father God for another day!
Praise God!
- a peaceful resolution to a stressful situation last week
- an order I placed came through successfully and I wasn't disappointed
- a return to good habits
- increased zeal and a renewed sense of security and clarity
- unexpected provision, but not just financially
- breakthrough in certain ventures
Heavenly Father, I want to thank You for Your mercy and Your grace. Thank You so much for protecting us from the intentions of the devil. Thank You for not slumbering and for not sleeping with regard to us. Thank You for going ahead, surrounding us and leading us to walk with You in safety.
Glory be to Your Holy Name!
From BI - Our merciful God that neither sleep nor slumber. The great Shepherd who will leave the ninety nine in search of the one. Nothing can escape Your gaze. You who never tire of blessing Your children. In You is peace and every good thing. Thank You my Abba Father for all You do for me. A million tongues will never suffice. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, my God and Redeemer IJMN Amen.
Thank You, God, for creating us. Thank You for forming us from dust and breathing into us. Thank You for the lives You have given to us.
Even when things aren't the greatest, we know You have good plans for us and will bless us not because we are so good, but because of Your word which will never fail. You deserve all the glory, Master God.
Hallelujah!
From BI - Thank You Lord for smiling on me and meeting my every need. You do not treat me as my sins deserve and I am so grateful. Thank You for Your mercy, compassion, patience, grace, love, guidance, correction, forgiveness, discipline, healing and so much more than I can count. A wonderful Father in every way. Thank You King of kings. You are the same yesterday, today and forever. The great I am, I hail Thee.
Here's a praise point from our sis wldflwr from 2021
Thank you Father for your infallible WORD that is lamp unto my feet and a guide to my life and the life of All who take heed. Thank you for opening my heart of understanding and giving me the desire to read YOUR WORD! All the ways we break YOUR heart by denying its power, taking out passages and perverting them for our own selfish and diluted reasons, yet YOU still love us. YOU care for us. There aren’t enough words ever to be made that will efficiently say Thank you. Thank you Father! With a humble heart, Thank you Father.
PRAISE TIME
Psalm 95:6-7 - Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care...
That's the assignment for the next 25 minutes, folks. Let us worship the Lord God Almighty.