Luke 7 tells us about a Centurion who sought Christ's help for one of his dying servants. Although he was a Roman who believed in a pantheon of gods, he knew Jesus could save his employee.
He asked some Jewish elders to speak with Jesus on his behalf. Luke 7:4-5 - When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.”
Jesus went with them but soon, the Centurion sent another message. He said he didn't expect Jesus to show up but believed He needed only to issue the command from where He was and that the servant would be healed. He explained his reasoning in Luke 7:8 - For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” This man's understanding of power, based on his worldview, fueled his belief of what Jesus could do.
How does our worldview impact our faith? None of us can ignore the fact that how we perceive the world affects how we perceive the Heavenly Father, His Son, and His Holy Spirit. Does our perspective foster faith in what God is capable of or does it encourage disbelief?
We need to speak like the Centurion - understanding what real power can do. Fortunately, we believers in Christ have a deeper well of experience and knowledge to draw from than the Centurion who didn't know Christ the way we do.
Therefore, we need to be confident in God and His abilities. To grow in this area, we must feed on the testimonies of others and frequently return to our experiences with the Lord - our Jericho Moments. That way, God's capacity remains fresh on our minds. We must increasingly study the Bible to become more familiar with God's miraculous power and quickly silence satan's lie that He cannot come through for us.
God's children will need to consume (and create) more Christian content such as books, films, music, and videos that illustrate God's power so our minds are constantly refreshed by His Spirit and His Word. We also need to turn our prayer points into praise points more often and watch our sacrifice of praise move quicker than our petitions do.
These steps and others will help us strengthen our faith muscles. That way, we see the challenges ahead of us as Goliaths that will drop with a rock or nothing more than a little smoldering firewood, incapable of harming. Though not a Christian in the traditional sense, the Centurion was walking by faith and not by sight, knowing Jesus didn't need to make an appearance to work a miracle. We too must learn to stand firm in faith, knowing that Jesus can do it and our miracle is on the way.
See you at Noon EST for fellowship. God bless you.
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CLOSING PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You so much for Your grace and mercy upon us. Thank You for the opportunity to gather in honor of You this day.
I pray for Your continued blessings and that we shall walk in increased faith, confident in Your capacity to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we can imagine. IJMN Amen.
Lord, bless @QueenAquariB, @Mimzy22, @elgenia carter, @Jesus Is Real, @Amanda Woodward, @Cookie Doe, @zoex13, @bonitaapplebum, @Tha Peach, @Dahright14u, sis Fj, sis OD, bro F, bro S, @wholegrain, sis BW, sis ML and everyone else who will click into this thread to participate in this Praise and Pray (for others). IJN, Amen.
I hope to see you all next time and may God bless you.
From M22 - Father Lord I commit sis @FFJ into your loving arms. I pray that you continue to strengthen her as she steers this community forward. I pray that you will continue to bless and preserve her, her loved ones and everything that concerns her IJMN Amen
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for this community to receive the baptism of fire stronger than ever. I pray that the holy spirit will continually expand within us. I pray that the fruit of the spirit will continually be exemplified in our character, words, thoughts and actions. I pray that we will continue to find our perfection and completion in you. IjMN Amen
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for myself and my siblings. I pray that you continue your work within us. I pray that you continue to transform, prune, renew and strengthen us for your purpose and glory. I pray that you continue to strengthen our bond. I pray that we will never deviate from your will for our lives. Thank you Father for being our Beginning and end IJMN Amen
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for couples waiting on you for the fruit of the womb. I pray that you turn their waiting into fruitfulness. I pray as they wait on you, they won't make their desire an idol. I pray that you bless them with beautiful and healthy babies that they will nourish and nurture in your ways. I pray that you will out an end to miscarriages, faked IVFs and difficult adoption processes IjMN Amen
LAST 10 MINUTES
Hey, let's talk to God about healing our worldview. Let's pray that God touches our perspective of everything so we see as God does.
How we perceive things impacts how we see the Lord. We need to don the armor of God and put on the helmet of salvation. It impacts how we think, protecting our thought life from the evil cloud satan wants to surround us with.
Father, shift our perspective. Help us to see You for who You are - the Almighty. The only One who can do and undo. Help us to speak from that place of confidence and faith. Help us to have that very truth rooted in our hearts, so that no matter what comes our way, we never shift from this worldview. Help us to remember that You are the God who moves for those who walk in faith. That You are spurred to do the incredible when we pronounce that indeed, we trust in the God who moves mountains. The God who placed the earth onits foundations. Grace, Lord, to speak with the centurion's Confidence and Worldview that You are more than able. IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Father Lord if there's any way we have committed idolatry in our words, thoughts and actions. Abba Father please forgive us and have mercy on us. I pray that nothing will ever take precedence over you in our lives. Help us to focus on you and not the worries of this world. IjMN Amen
Lord in Jesus name I pray for those who cannot help themselves right now. Lord please hear their cries and consider the injustices that have been done against them. Lord there is a lot of corruption in this world which is causing problems for the innocent. You promise that You will arise and help them:
"If you exploit them in any way and they cry out to me, then I will certainly hear their cry. My anger will be kindled" Exodus 22:23
"Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help?" (Luke 18:7)
"He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing. (dt 10:18)
You are the Lord, compassionate and gracious. God please send help quickly to deliver these people from the violent hands of their oppressors. Remember the tribes who are suffering health issues because of foreign oil spills on their land. Remember those who are being trafficked and otherwise exploited. Remember young people who are being taken advantage of and mistreated.
Please send angelic help to them and also release more resources to organizations here on Earth which are making a real impact.
Glory be to You Heavenly Father. You are He who created all things and with just a word the world came to be.
Lord, we call on You to once again speak a word for those who are waiting on You for their marital destiny. Lord, guide Your children into Your marital will and purpose for their lives. Father shield them from the counterfeits. I decree that every counterfeit will be blinded just as the Aramean army was blinded when they came looking to attack Prophet Elisha (2 Kings 6).
God, with a word, direct and position Your children for Your perfect will for them (Romans 12:2). That they will join with equally yoked and holy spouses, birth and raise godly offspring, and serve in the ministry of marriage for Your glory and by Your grace, IJMN, Amen.
Lord, You are Jehovah Jireh, the provider of what is needed. You are the giver of all good things and today I place before You those in need of finances.
Haggai 2:8 - The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty.
God, the devil thrives in making people think that they cannot access what belongs to You. But, You are the God who gives. In fact, Psalm 23:1 states, the Lord is my Shepherd and I shall not want.
And so, I bring before You those in this fellowship seeking financial help from You. I call on You Lord to open the door that cannot be shut for them. May they access the silver and gold that You have for them, breaking every basis the devil has used to keep them from what is theirs. Lord, Your word indicates that when the thief is found it must pay back seven-fold, even if it be the last wealth of its house. I decree that what was stolen be returned seven-fold. I call on You oh Lord to break every chain, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for myself and my siblings. I pray that you continue your work within us. I pray that you continue to transform, prune, renew and strengthen us for your purpose and glory. I pray that you continue to strengthen our bond. I pray that we will never deviate from your will for our lives. Thank you Father for being our Beginning and end IJMN Amen
From JIR - I would like to pray for atheists and agnostics to be given a mustard seed of faith, so that mustard seed grows into a tree of faith in You Lord. Nothing is impossible with You in the midst. I pray that they rebuke their unbelief and they come to realize that without You they and everything around them would fail to exist. Please bless them to humble themselves and open their hearts to hear Your calling Lord. I pray that they fall to their knees and ask You for forgiveness. I pray that they seek You Lord, they call on You Lord and they give their lives over to You Lord. IJMN. Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for people struggling with mental health issues. I pray that you heal their hearts and minds. I pray that you destroy every stronghold of fear and timidity. I pray that you help them to truly bask in their identities as your children. I pray that you heal every root cause of the trauma and pain they are experiencing. I pray that your peace which surpasseth all understanding will continue to guard their hearts, minds snd spirits 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 JIR - I pray for those who have made the election candidates in the US their idols. Lord, I pray that You bless them with knowledge and understanding to shift their focus from the election to You Lord. You and You alone are worthy of our worship and praise. Please stir their hearts to see that they are placing their time into the wrong things and that it will only lead to destruction. IJMN. Amen.
Lord, I place leaders before You and pray that they will turn to Your word as their guide. Your word instructs leaders to read Your word so that they may learn to revere You and carefully follow Your decrees (Deuteronomy 17:19).
May our leaders come to know You and know the power and wisdom You have for them, IJMN, Amen. May they please and serve You to Your glory and by Your grace, IJN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for people that don't know you or are hesitant to. I pray that you open up their hearts and minds to receive you. I pray that you fill them with your spirit and destroy every strongholds standing against their walk with you. I pray that you guide them every step of the way as they come to know and experience you. I pray that they receive the baptism of the holy Spirit IjMN Amen
From JIR - I pray for those who are dealing with strife. Please Lord help them and bless them with peace, love and comfort. Please protect them and shield them from what is causing their strife. Please bless them to call on You and lean on You to calm them and pull them out of their situation. IJMN. Amen.
Father, I've been singing these lyrics from a song for some time now - it feels good to know that You want me more than I want You.
Lord, it truly is amazing how much You love us mortals. Thank You for Your unceasing love and affection. None of us know what love is outside of experiencing You.
And so I want to say thank You for showing me what true love is. Thank You so much.
God I thank you for:
providing a quick solution to the insurance mix up that happened yesterday. Thank you also for a discounted price we found
letting me feel better and letting me get rest over the past few days
the holidays which are coming up soon
God, thank You for being faithful.
Thank You for putting the devil to shame.
Thank You for silencing the lies of our enemy and ensuring that its weapons do not prosper against Your own.
The God who rescues and will not leave His children to the desire of the devil.
The God who always protects us no matter what it seems like.
The enemy may think it has the upper hand but just as it was with Jesus, You always show satan that whatever gains it thought it achieved, it really experienced a great loss.
Thank You God Almighty!
From M22 - Isaiah 28:16 NLT
Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.
Father, I want to thank You for the internet issues we had last night and the early hours of this morning.
Thank you that we knew You would hear our prayers and that as we woke, everything was as we'd asked. All things restored, nothing broken and nothing missing.
Thank you for being the God who enables us to serve You without fear. Thank You that as Your children we need only speak Your word and watch the storm settle in obedience. Glory be to You oh Lord!
From M22 - Father Lord I pray that you continue to work within us. I pray that we will continue to be led by your spirit. I pray that you silence the voice of the accuser in our lives. I pray that it's your voice that will continually lead us as we navigate life IJMN Amen
From JIR - I am forever indebted to You my King. I praise You and worship You for creating me. Thank You for bringing me into the light. I look forward to my continued growth in You.
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
2 Peter 3:18 KJV
From M22 - Thank you Lord for teaching us through today's message about the Centurion's Confidence. He was confident in your power and might to help his servant. I pray that we continue to develop a stronger confidence in your power, might and grace to continually see us through IJMN Amen
From JIR - Thank You Lord for the hope that You have blessed us all with. You are magnificent beyond measure. You make life beautiful. I can’t do life without You and I bow before Your throne and thank You for drawing me to You and being my God. IJMN. Amen.
Lord, thank You for the challenges and the trials. Thank you for every troublesome moment because they have forced me to turn my gaze to You and seek Your guidance.
Thank You for being the God who is so intentional that You train Your children to follow Your word and Your Spirit.
Praise be to Your Holy Name.
From JIR - Thank You Lord for Your patience with me. I am nothing without You. I thank You for continuing to teach and reveal things to me more and more day by day. Thank You for the love You have for me and the reassurance that You will never leave or forsake me. Anyone who knows You is blessed and I thank You for blessing me with the honor of getting to know You more and more each day. I praise You my King. IJMN. Amen.
PRAISE TIME
Let's glorify the Lord together.
From JIR - Thank You Heavenly Father for breathing life into us this morning. You are the reason we were able to open our eyes and take our first breathe this morning and we thank You for that. Thank You for placing it in our hearts to fellowship today. Thank You for blessing us with the privilege of praising You and praying for others. You make all of this possible and we thank You. IJMN. Amen.
Thanks for today’s message sis @FFJ. Last week’s message was also focused on faith. I pray that God strengthens our faith in Him and we take the initiative to shift our focus from the worries and the outside noises of this world to God in the spiritual realm. I know it’s easier said than done since the spiritual realm can’t be seen, but the Holy Spirit will help us if we desire to be helped which starts by us as @FFJ mentioned dedicating more time to study the Bible, surrounding ourselves with godly people and/or things and knowing that God is omnipotent and nothing is too great for Him. It is impossible for Him to fail or lie and we must learn to hold onto the promises He has given us.
Our confidence in God has to grow, which happens when we immerse ourselves in Him and trust in Him to fill every gap in our lives that need strengthening. This will ensure that we are molded and shaped by Him instead of the world. The more we make the commitment to spend time with God the more our faith will grow. Jesus is the only Way and I thank Him for His grace and mercy and kindness and patience he gives to all of us. May we continue seeking Him with all our hearts. IJMN. Amen.
From CD - Amen, Amen, Amen and may the following prayer be ever present in my heart:
My Heavenly Father, because of your unfailing love, I am confident in You and Your ways. May I never be discouraged by my own lack of perfection that I project my shortcomings unto you and Your infinite ways and love because the power of your mercy knows no end. Though I fail you daily, Your love never fails me, you continue to pick me up and lift me out of my despair and set me on solid ground, time and time again. Thank you for your faithfulness that is not contingent on my humanness, that's Love, Your Love and I am eternally grateful.
In Jesus Name
From EC - Amen and good morning ladies!
From M22 - Thank you Heavenly Father for another beautiful fellowship day. We thank you Lord for the gift of life and the ability to truly experience you and bask in your Presence. Father Lord I pray that you continue to work within us. I pray that you continue to transform, renew, prune and strengthen us for your purpose and glory. I pray that you continue to strengthen us as we continue to walk with you everyday of our lives IJMN Amen.
Thank you for today's word sis @FFJ . I pray that we are continually led by God in our walk with him. I pray that no situation or circumstances will make us forsake our belief in God. He's bigger than everything we are going through. I pray for the fruit of patience to continually increase in us so we can stand firm in our faith as we navigate each day with God's grace IjMN Amen
This is truly a great message of faith and praise. I like that what we absorb also impacts our faith and praise. Including the people we surround ourselves with. Most importantly, what we do individually to strengthen our praise, faith, and attitude matters when we go through something where we need God. Do we buckle or stand firm in faith/praise, knowing the God we serve?
Thanks, Funmi, for this message and the reminder.