King Asa was once leader of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. He started off with much promise because, amongst other things, he acknowledged God and relied on Him solely in the face of trouble (2 Chronicles 14:11). He also destroyed most places of idol worship. The Lord rewarded his faith and obedience by blessing the nation with prosperity during his reign.
But then, one day, the Northern Kingdom of Israel took steps against their brother nation, Judah (2 Chronicles 16). Instead of turning to God as he had in the past, Asa resorted to the political games leaders play. Feeling threatened, Asa bribed the king of Aram to break his treaty with Israel. The result was that the Aramites broke their covenant and attacked Israel.
However, there was an additional and more serious consequence. The Lord sent Prophet Hanani to chastise King Asa for relying on man. 2 Chronicles 16:9 - ... You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.” Asa threw the prophet in prison, and refused to repent for his mistake all his days. He died of a foot disease that God could have cured had he turned back to acknowledge his Maker.
Remember our discussion on the need to acknowledge God from the last message? Also do you remember one of the scriptures referenced? Jeremiah 17:5 - This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD.
King Asa made a choice to not acknowledge God by relying on what many of us would consider a smart political tactic. Nevertheless, God's word is that those who have witnessed His power in their lives will suffer if they turn away from Him. When this happens, the goodness of God they enjoyed starts to dry up.
However, even when such a mistake has been made, there is a way out. King David turned from God when he committed adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11). God sent Prophet Nathan to pronounce His judgment and David responded with great remorse. The Lord's reaction was immediate - David was forgiven. He still suffered the consequence of his sin just as God had said - the baby that was a product of David's sin died. Yet, God's mercy endured. David and Bathsheba ultimately received joy for their sorrow over the loss of their baby. God gave them another child. One whom many are familiar with - King Solomon.
God is so gracious and when we repent for sin, He has promised to forgive us and show us His mercy (1 John 1:9). We simply need to genuinely repent. Let us not turn from the Lord and His kind favor. He knows that many of us will return to our default settings when things get tough. Those default settings are simply the ways we behaved before coming to know and experience His character and goodness. This happens when we allow 'muscle memory' to kick in. If we have failed to acknowledge Him in any way and instead resorted to muscle memory, He will forgive our repentance. This is why He sent Jesus to die and carry upon Himself each and every of our sins.
We therefore need to turn back to the Lord and acknowledge Him. We must confess our sin, repent and decide to have Him and Him only as our anchor in the storm. Not money. Not deception. Not that person we mistakenly see as the solution to our problems. Not shrewd hijinks and manipulation, which were the options King Asa chose.
Take a good and honest look at yourself. Now is not the time to talk/think about how others need to change. This message is about you. Are you the type who relies on man and not God, even if that 'man' is yourself? You think you can rest on your savviness and smarts? Are you the one who has seen the goodness of God, but when trouble came again, your default settings kicked in? Don't turn away from the Lord. Run to Him right now and do the needful.
Please join us at Noon EST for fellowship. God bless you.
For more related content, please read:
FINAL WORD Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day.
Do something nice for someone. Don't just pray. You should be doing that already if you're a Pepper. It's time to do a little extra. Pick up the phone and check on somebody. Help the old lady/gent at the supermarket put their things in the car. Pay for somebody's groceries or the meal of the person driving behind you at the fast food drive-through. Give $5 (or more) to that homeless person you see on a street corner as you zoom to and fro. Or, go buy some food items and drop off at your local food bank. You could also drop off clothes in good condition to a homeless shelter nearby. How about make a plan to volunteer somewhere soon? That person in your life that could do with a smile, beam your pearly white at them and say something nice. Get donuts for your coworkers. Spoil your hubby or other loved ones by letting them have the remote control when y'all gather around the television later on today. God bless you and have a wonderful weekend! PS: Note, not everything I suggested involves money. Checking in on people can be 'free'. Go say hi to a neighbor or check in on a busy friend juggling kids. Adult conversation could do wonders for these people. I know from experience.
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.
CLOSING PRAYER
Great God, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your presence and power in our midst. Thank You for covering us under Your wings and keeping us in Your shadow, where there is safety.
Lord, I lift up the words of Your servant in Philippians 1:4-6 - 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
IJMN, Amen!
*From NNYA* - Lord, I pray in agreement with my sister, M22, that You bless and keep her and her siblings. Fill them with Godly wisdom and guide them in their purpose. Comfort and strengthen them and fill their lives with favor. IJMN Amen
*From NNYA* - Heavenly Father I come to You to ask for comfort and restoration. Lord I pray that You heal all of those who are reeling from the earthquake. Guide them Lord, comfort their hearts and place them on a solid foundation, secure and safe in You. Give them hope.
Lord I also pray that You comfort the survivors and loved ones of mass shootings. Both recent and not so recent. Heal the pain and trauma. Help then to live each day, because they need Your strength to get through this. Heal them and in time bring joy back into their lives.
Lord I also pray for restoration and healing for all of those who are need of healing in this thread and any loved one they may have who needs to be healed. Lord, You are our healer. You are our Redeemer and we will trust in You and have faith that You are working a healing in all of their lives. We claim Your healing promises IJMn and will wait on You with joy because we know that You are faithful. So, I praise You Lord for healing them and restoring them and glorify Your name. Doctors couldn't heal them, but God! I also pray that You bless every single one of their medical staff with Godly wisdom and You help them to see the things they need to see and do the things they need to do. Bless all of their medicines and treatments, all healing is through You! Comfort them and give them peace all they wait on You. Bless and strengthen my loved one as she starts chemotherapy. IJMN Amen
From M22 - Heavenly Father, I pray for the homeless. I pray that you provide them with permanent shelter. I pray that you grant them provision, protection and a stable source of income to thrive daily. I pray that they will never have to be stranded ijmn amen.
LAST 10 MINUTES
Praise the Lord!
Is there some area of your life where you always allow muscle memory to dictate how you behave/react? You may not be sure, so I recommend you take a quick look at the post on Muscle Memory. It's from 2021.
Once you've read it and know the specific way you tend to turn from the Lord, ask yourself, how must I turn back to God?
Thank God it's Friday and you should have a little extra time to think about this.
Keep in mind, it is typically fear that causes us to not trust that God will protect and help us. Remember our Box of Fear learning? Let God show you which box of fear remained hidden in the darkness. Let His breath pronounce, "Let There Be Light" and destroy that box so you acknowledge God alone and stand by His side always.
God bless you.
God, in light of today's message, I lift up a word for all Peppers. Thank You in advance for answering my prayer for Your children.
Philippians 1:9-11 - 9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
I say this prayer because Lord it is clear we need to put self reliance aside. Your people need to ignore muscle memory and their default settings and instead settle into the new life that is available in You.
By Your grace and to Your glory shall this be done for You have promised Your Spirit. IJMN, Amen.
*From M22* - Heavenly Father, I pray for people struggling with their finances. I pray Abba that you better their situation. That you help them rest in you knowing you have sorted them out financially and you have helped them repay an financial debt. Increase them financially Abba. As they trust in you for provision, I trust that you will show up and out for them IJMN amen.
*From M22* - Heavenly Father, I pray for residents of ikorodu facing unrest and road blockages. I pray that you calm down the situation and restore peace and stability to the town IJMN amen. I pray that you comfort the family of the slain soldier and grant him eternal rest in your bosom ijmn amen.
From M22 - Heavenly Father I pray for women seeking the fruit of the womb. I pray that you gift them with precious babies this season. I pray that they will rejoice over their bundle(s) of joy this year IJMN amen.
_"The Lord, the Lord, compassionate and gracious"_
That is who You are, My King. I join in faith with sis FFJ's prayer. Let Your peace that "stills the turmoil in the nations" be poured out on the nations in greater measures.
_"Peace, be still_!" to the storms of violence and corruption in our nations. Amen, in Jesus name!
*From BI* - Lord, I Lift into Your capable hands PC, CE, @k, @B2, @CH33 , @AC, @MFC, @NNYA and their loved ones as well as any pepper waiting on You for healing. Lord, nothing is impossible for You, You are higher than any force. I pray that You show mercy to Your children mentioned above and restore them to good health. Lord, stretch forth Your healing hands over them and make them whole again. Protect their body, mind and spirit and revive tired bones. Lord, calm their fears and help them to believe You are in control. I pray that You Lord will give wisdom to the health professionals involved in their care. I pray and believe it has ended in praise IJMN Amen.
*From M22* - Heavenly Father, I commit my siblings into your hand. I pray that you grant them supernatural wisdom, knowledge and understanding. I pray that you grant them clarity and discernment. I pray that you hold their hands as they navigate this year. Help them rely on you and not their might or strength IJMN amen.
Father, I thank You for being Jehovah Ropheka. The Master Healer.
Lord, Your word tells us in Joel 2:32 - And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has said, even among the survivors whom the LORD calls.
God we know satan aims to steal people of the good health that is their rightful inheritance as Your children. Nevertheless, You are not a man that You should lie and You have never been limited by anything satan has ever done or will ever do.
So, it is with confidence and praise that we come before You lifting up the healing needs of our fellowship members. We thank You for being the God who answers prayers.
As P&P belongs to you, we stand on it as if on Mt. Zion lifting up Peppers who desire Your restorative healing. We believe they need one touch but call on You to give them a second touch and transform all that needs to be healed within and even around them, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Heavenly Father, I pray for business owners that you help them scale up and improve their business models. Open them up to funding, partnership and collaboration opportunities. Help them rely on you for growth and meeting up with profits and deliverables. Ijmn amen.
Abba, I pray that You -the all capable God, the almighty One who directs hearts, the ever-present and all knowing God- would restore Your servants all around the world. Them, who the Son has set free, are free indeed. Nothing can separate them from Your love. So, precious Father, please keep guard over Your temples and right their paths in Jesus name. Amen.
*From M22* - Heavenly Father, I pray for students resuming this fall. That you help them navigate their new academic environment. I pray that you help them lean on you for every of their needs IJMN amen.
I pray for students that got rejections this summer. I pray Father that you redirect their steps to the right school and faculty. I pray that you help them apply at the right season. Help them know your timing and pace matters.
As the number of dead spikes in Turkiye and Syria, Lord we cry out to You for mercy.
Father, You have instructed us to ask that we receive and we cry out on that basis, IJMN, Amen.
Thank You for the many that were spared death and mourning of their loved ones. We are grateful for the mercy these ones received.
Sovereign Lord, let there be more miraculous recoveries of the living even though so many days have passed, the weather is cold and the problem seems so difficult to solve.
Mercy, Lord, for Turkiye, Syria, Ukraine, in our countries, and every other place where people need Your hand to literally bring miracles. IJMN, we plead, Amen.
*From M22* - Heavenly Father, I commit people job hunting this year into your hands. I pray that you direct them to the right companies. I pray that these companies will appreciate their input and outputs. IJMN amen.