The climate around us is emotionally charged right now. Many around the world feel unsafe causing them to speculate about one thing or another. Commentators predict impending attacks and speak doom. Movies and television shows prognosticate that the worst rapidly approaches. All these do is foster a collective sense of fear and insecurity. The scared go searching for the like-minded. They gather to discuss conspiracies and other ideas that further increase their fright and suspicion.
None of this is accidental. It is satan's plan to keep people focused on the problems instead of the one who has the solutions - God. It is also part of the enemy's design to cause individuals to sin against God.
In this case, the fact that people - believer's inclusive - submit to fear leads to them sinning. We've previously learned that to submit to this is to be rebellious to God because He has repeatedly instructed His children to fear only Him. Another related sin occurs when God's children dwell on conspiracy theories. Sadly, many do not realize that the Lord warns about this issue. Isaiah 8:11-12 - This is what the LORD says to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people: “Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. In His mercy, God has granted us the opportunity to understand His expectations on this matter of conspiracies.
As a child of God, there is no need to meditate on them or the other things that cause unbelievers to live in dread. Jesus prayed for everyone who would believe in Him saying, "sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth" in John 17:17. When we know God's word, we will realize that everything we see that is contrary to that word is a lie that does not deserve our attention. And that is why the Bible teaches that when others say there is a casting down, the believer can say that for themselves, there is a lifting up (Job 22:29). Since the Kingdom of God is not about mere talk but about power per 1 Corinthians 4:20, those who declare this in faith see the word of God work for them in all areas of their lives.
When the believer is not in error as were those whom Christ chastised for being ignorant of God's word and His power, the word of God is indeed a living and moving thing (Mark 12:24). Hebrews 4:12 -For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Suddenly, the things that stop others don't factor into the believer's life. God's child watches doors open and experiences the fullness of life that is promised in John 10:10. The desire to dwell on conspiracy, gossip, and lies disappear because they realize that God is walking them in the promise as He escorts them to their promised land, a land of milk and honey (Numbers 14).
To get there, however, the believer has to shirk the spirit of fear that produces anxiety and leads them into the arms of conspiracy theories. Yes, there will be wars and rumors of wars but Jesus taught that we are not to be alarmed by these things (Matthew 24:6). This is the same reason He told Jairus to not be afraid but to instead believe that His daughter was not dead when witnesses testified to her passing. God wants us to stare down what looks bad but is nothing but a Gibeonite Deception- a well-packaged lie crafted by the devil to rob us of faith and drown us in terror.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, we cannot continue to live this way, feeding on conspiracy pie and large plates filled with fright. We need to arm ourselves with the weapons of our warfare which are powerful by the grace of the Lord (2 Corinthians 10:4). We have to resist satan with God's word, our testimony as God's witnesses and our worship. We have to kick into fasting, interceding and boldly proclaiming the scriptures. We must remember that the devil is a liar intent on stealing from us, killing us, and destroying us (John 10:10). We need to focus on God's promise that His plans for us are good. We have to believe that He is doing the exceedingly and abundantly more for us and our prayer subjects. We can't take satan's abuse lying down, we must stand in our Kingdom Identity as the righteous and royal priesthood God selected to execute His will in the earth. All of this requires putting our faith to work.
There's no other way. Yes, it will feel like a dogfight but get scrappy because through the special grace of the Lord, we are well equipped to withstand and overcome the enemy of our souls. He has given us Jesus Christ, His Holy Spirit, and His teachings to ensure our success. All that is required is our cooperation. When you believed in Christ and submitted to His authority, you were seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). This is why Apostle Paul wrote "You have overcome the evil one" (1 John 2:13-14). Don't let satan punk you into forgetting who you are and what God says about you by dwelling on conspiracies and living in fear.
The good Lord bless you. Come back to fellowship at Noon EST today. We'll honor the God who made us for great exploits and pray for others that they come to know the same before covering ourselves in prayers as well.
From NLSTA - This was right on time for me. I have personally had an unusual uptick in people talking to me about "the prophetic" and it has not been sitting well with my spirit. End time prophecy has always been a thing but the amount of people I'm seeing harping on it today has given me pause and I have set my thoughts and feelings before the Lord and told him "I know you tell us to watch and pray, but this doesn't seem right, this doesn't seem like you" and he told me, "it's not". Lot's of people don't even realize they're subjecting themselves to a new form of bondage.
I pray that I remain vigilant and discerning and that I don't fall prey to rising deceptions. It's a must to diligently seek him these days.
From PM - Thank you &
Teach me to love
Teach me to live
Teach me to be like You
Now I'm confident
And it's all because of You
From CD - Heavenly Father, I come to you giving you thanks because the things that could make me down are the very things I lift up to you in praise:
Next week marks another anniversary of my journey around the son (Sun) - Hallelujah
Next week is my mom's birthday - Hallelujah because to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, as she continues her celestial celebration with you
Last week I lost my godmother, but Hallelujah because we are approaching what would have been her 100th birthday, ooohhhh to be kept by the!!
Lord I give thanks because the tears of sadness have been replaced by tears of joy & fond remembrance, so thank you for giving me a different perspective.
Lord, I thank you for keeping me because had it not been for you...
Thank you Lord for giving me a voice to tell others about you, about your mercy & grace, how you loved me and then taught me to love myself...in spite of myself.
CLOSING PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us to the close of another fellowship day. Thank You for the grace and mercy You poured out on us. Thank You for the overflow of Your presence, power and Your word in our midst today. Thank You for the blessings that You have released upon us all just for being gathered today.
To You be all the praise, Lord. We worship Your Holy Name!
God, I lift up the word from Revelation 11:15 - The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”
And yes, we join the chorus in heaven and declare that the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of God and the Savior Jesus. You oh Lord will reign for all eternity!
Hallelujah! Thank You Lord for Your kingdom rules in our hearts, in our families, in our communities, our nations and all around us. The knowledge of the glory of the Lord fills the earth as the waters fill the sea and we see it. The Kingdom of God is upon us and we are grateful.
Take all the glory, God. IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Father lord take all the glory for our upcoming P&P 400. I pray that everyone that worships with us that day will experience your night and power in their lives. I pray that you will answer every prayer we lift up that day. I pray that you will help us pray and intercede in alignment with your will IjMN Amen
LAST 10 MINUTES
At this point in fellowship, we typically return to the day's message and use it to pray for ourselves.
However, I believe the Lord wants us to turn our attention to a prayer point raised by sis @Jesus Is Real where she prayed for the tormented.
The devil indeed harasses and torments people. Even those who are believers.
And the word is clear on why this can happen. One reason is explained in the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant contained in Matthew 18.
The parable shows that a servant was forgiven for owing his master money. However, that grace did not change him because he did not forgive his fellow servant who owed him money.
When their master heard of this, he reversed his initial decision. Matthew 18:34 - In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
Please, if there is someone who has wronged you but you are yet to forgive, now is the time. Please do not allow unforgiveness to open the door to the devil tormenting and torturing you with intrusive thoughts, anxieties, fear, dread and more.
Right now, the Lord is telling you the name of the person you need to forgive. Please make the choice to forgive that person wholeheartedly. Forgiving others has nothing to do with how you feel. It is not an emotional exercise that depends on whether you think you're in the right frame of mind.
The act of forgiveness is a choice and the only selfish choice believers are permitted to make. It is the only time we are permitted to put ourselves first. By this I mean, you get to forgive others for your own benefit. Matthew 6:14 - For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. We cannot circumvent God's word. Please forgive whoever has harmed you or upset you so that your own sins can be forgiven by God. And then, the tormentors will have no legal right to harass you anymore.
God bless you.
From M22 - Abba Father I thank you for sis @FFJ. I pray that you continue to increase her in supernatural wisdom, knowledge and understanding. I pray that your bless her and her loved ones. I pray that you continue to expand her territory as she grows this community for your glory IJMN Amen
From M22 - Abba Father I pray that you continue to uproot whatever you haven't planted in our lives. Father I pray that you continue to anoint and purify us from the crown of our heads to the soles of our feet. May we radiate your glory in every capacity we are placed. I pray that we will continue to be capable and acceptable vessels through which you are glorified IJMN Amen
From M22 - Abba Father I pray that you put an end to the war and bloodshed ravaging countries in this world. I pray that you touch the hearts and minds of leaders, governments, organizations and communities to come to a peaceful resolution. I pray Lord that you expose and humble the elements of chaos and instability in these regions. I pray Father that you help these countries rebuild and restore all that these citizens have lost. I pray that you accept the souls of the departed in your bosom and help their loved ones as they process their grief IjMN Amen
From JIR - I pray for every person in this community to continue seeking Your face, Lord. I pray that You continue to guide us, direct us, correct us and teach us all for Your glory Lord. I pray that we always seek You to show us Your ways and we continue to be the salt of the earth all the days of our lives. IJMN. Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for my siblings that you continue to renew, transform, strengthen and prune them for your purpose and glory. I pray Father that you take care of their needs and help them to focus on you and your will for their lives. Abba Father I pray that you bless my brother as he turns a year older this Thursday. I pray that you grant his heart desires and bless him beyond his expectations IJMN Amen
Father, I thank You for You are God forever. You reign in majesty, King of Glory!
Lord, Your word tells us in 2 Timothy 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (KJV).
God, we know the devil is constantly attacking that sound mind You have granted to us. Lord, we are but mere dust and so sometimes we struggle with this.
So, Lord, I cry out to You the Almighty, the Everlasting God. He who established the very foundations of the world. Place Your hands on the minds of Your children. Let their minds be soothed by Your peace and quiet. Heal minds and strengthen them to be more resilient and resistant to the enemy of their souls. I pray for the Armor of God to rest upon Your children. That the helmet of salvation, which protects the mind and thoughts of Your people, will rest upon them and do the great work it is commissioned to do.
Thank You, Lord God for this opportunity to pray. Thank You because You, Mighty God have already answered this prayer. You who answer before I pray. You who hear us before we speak because You know what is on our mind and in our hearts before we pronounce them. Thank You, wonder God! IJMN, Amen.
From JIR - I pray for those who are tormented. Please Lord rebuke whatever or whoever is tormenting them. I pray that You call them to You Lord and bless them with peace, comfort and joy. Please bless them with the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, and the oil of joy. Please draw them to You Lord and take them under Your wing. Please protect them and pull them out of the situation they are in and bless them to recover. IJMN. Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for couples waiting on the fruit of the womb. I pray that you turn their waiting into fruitfulness. I pray that as they wait on you, you direct them on how to serve you and honor you more. I pray that you will bless them with beautiful and healthy babies in due timing. IjMN Amen
From JIR - I pray for those who are seeking employment. Please Lord touch their hearts to seek You and to put their faith in You during the job hunting process. Please bless them to be placed in the right place, with the right people at the right time and for their interviews to leave lasting impressions on the interviewers. Lord, please bless them with job offers in abundance and guide them to select the job You choose for them to have. IJMN. Amen
From M22 - Abba Father I commit children across the world into your moving arms. I pray that you continue to bless them and shield them from violence, hurt and abuse. I pray that you will touch the hearts and minds of the parents, teachers, caregivers and guardians to nourish and nurture them in your ways IjMN Amen
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for people struggling in their faith. I pray that you strengthen and renew their faith. I pray that you surround them with individuals, prayer groups, churches and communities that will help them grow spiritually. I pray that you remove whatever is hindering them from exercising their faith IJMN Amen.
God, You are the God of compassion who has promised to pour out His compassion and mercy on those whom He chooses.
Thank You, great God.
Your word instructs us to ask in order to receive in Matthew 7:7-8.
Father, in the mighty name of Jesus, I call on You to see Your children who are gathered today. Lord, You knew each of them before they were placed in their mother's womb and desired to teach them to flee conspiracies on this day. Praise be to Your Holy name.
Lord, whatever they have lost through ignorance of Your word on today's issue, I plead with You to guide them to Your loving restoration. Whatever glory or blessing they relinquished or that was stolen as a result of sinning through meditation on conspiracies, fear and dread, please God grant them restoration.
May they experience Your transforming grace upon their lives as they witness the restoration of what should have been theirs, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Abba Father for teaching, renewing, transforming and pruning us for your purpose and glory. We give you all the glory for the opportunity to pray, praise and intercede. We thank you Abba for being in our midst as we converge in your name. Thank you Father for being the reason we are all here today. May your name be exalted IJMN Amen