Recently, I watched the original Ben Hur movie (1959) and was stunned by how much it focused on Jesus. Despite barely mentioning His name, the film still highlighted the impact He had on people. This got me thinking about Christ's impact on me since I chose to submit to Him and His Father, God Almighty.
Although I'd given my life to Him when I was younger, I did not understand what that meant. Returning to Him as an adult, and in sheer desperation, forced me to pay close attention to what it meant to give one's life to Christ truly. I watched the Savior transform me into a work-in-progress. I went from a person who had never fasted to one who fasted for long stretches. From being unable to sleep at night for years, I became someone who could swiftly drift into peaceful sleep. An unhealthy addiction to course language, reality television, and news vanished.
These things happened during a particularly tough season. And, as I continued walking with the Lord, the problems reduced and miracles sprang up. I was in need of a car and received one for free. In need of accommodation, the way was opened to get it smoothly. Over the years, challenges arose and often pushed me to the very edge of my faith in the Lord, but with each situation, I eventually saw His faithfulness and capacity to get me through dark times.
While I am still under 'construction, I continue to learn that giving my life to Jesus cannot be a matter of lip service (1 Corinthians 4:20). I've had to give up things and people that I never anticipated. I don't always understand why, but I know that if God wants it that way, it's for my good. And as I've submitted to His will - sometimes hesitantly - the Lord has opened my eyes to how my obedience blessed myself and others.
If you are a churchgoer who has not submitted your life to Christ, there is a problem. You are a Christian in name only, lacking the authority promised to all who believe in the Son of God. And if you have given your life to Christ but are not walking in the fruits and the gifts of the Spirit of God, that is also a problem. The fruits and the gifts are hallmarks of discipleship. Although they may blossom over time, they are freely given to all who believe in Jesus and seek what He has to offer.
Alas, many of us think attending church, going to conferences, and being good people is enough. Yet, we continue to cheat, lie, and fornicate, wrongly convinced that there is grace for repeated, unrepented sin. Being godly and righteous is what the Lord desires from us. On the other end of the spectrum, some don't want to give their lives to Christ because they don't want to cede control to Him. They believe a life with Christ at the helm will be boring, painful, and poverty-riddled. They also haven't seen or heard Believers make God and His word attractive (Titus 2:10).
God's best is for His children and the Bible states that it is only those who are led by His Spirit that are His children (Romans 8:14). Plus, the sole way to gain His Spirit is to repent of sins, acknowledge Jesus died for our sins, believe He is the Son of God, and live according to what He taught (John 14:15). Without these factors and the application of their faith, Christians are lions with neither teeth nor claws. Casually powerless just as satan prefers because then, they are his to domineer and manipulate.
But God doesn't want that for anyone He created in His image. He wants every person to be filled with the power He's reserved for all who believe in Jesus. He wants to fulfill His Son's word that all who believe in Him will do greater works than He did when He walked the earth (John 14:12). The Lord wants His people to be threshing tools that separate those who need to go from the Body of Christ (Isaiah 41:15). He wants His children to execute the judgment written in the Good Book, so they play a role in bringing His plans to pass (Psalm 149:6-9).
None of that will be possible if individuals don't give their lives to Christ and live as those who have done so. Instead, the devil will get away with harassing people and bringing chaos into families, communities, and organizations like the government or the workplace. Esther fasted for three days and became the most powerful woman in the world. She was the instrument God used to stop a murderous plot against her people. What more you and me who can have Jesus in our lives today and access the power God used to raise Him from the dead (Ephesians 1:19-20)? A people who can declare that God's glory rises upon them?
Ask Christ to be your Lord and Savior today and let Him transform your life. He'll do it to glorify God (John 14:13). There must be a willingness to be changed because that is part of the process when you give your life to Christ. The transformation won't all happen at once but, with time, the Lord will build you into a vessel for His glory. Desire this change because it comes with increased blessings and gifts that benefit you, the people around you, your future generations, and other children of God who will come after you.
Want to give your life to Christ and fully submit to His authority? Please read the post that follows this one. God bless you and join us for fellowship at Noon EST.
To learn more about today's topic:
From M22 - Father Lord I pray that you continue to strengthen our faith beyond measure. Abba Father I pray you help us to walk by faith and sight. I pray that you silence the voice of the accuser in our lives IJMN Amen
CLOSING PRAYER
And we've reached the end of today's 1 hour fellowship. Glory to God for this privilege and grace upon us. Father, we thank You for bringing us together in honor and worship of You and You alone.
God break down every idol and altar that has taken root in any of us. Cut it at the root and at the head, Lord, for we will worship only You. We choose this day and for the rest of our lives to call You God alone.
Glory be to Your Holy Name.
Pour Your anointing, blessings, and mercies upon today's participants and their loved ones. I pray that all will answer the call to choose Jesus. That they will hear Your Son and You knocking at the door and open it wide to receive You.
That their lives will be transformed for Your glory. That You will display Your splendor in them. That the Spirit of the Lord will fill them up.
IJMN, Amen.
Grace found me
Grace saved me
Grace made me who I am
Grace redeemed me
Grace sustains me
Grace made me who I am
LAST 5 MINUTES
If you have given your life to Christ and do not feel like you have received God's promised Holy Spirit, please permit me to pray for you -
Heavenly Father, thank You for being the God who has promised in His word that if we ask for anything good, You will give it. Matthew 7:9-11 - “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Therefore Lord, as Your children have repented and given their lives to Christ, I join them in praying for their receipt of the Holy Spirit. That they will have the experience of those who waited in the Upper Room oh so long ago. That the fruits and the gifts of the Spirit will blossom in them to Your glory and by Your grace. That they will experience You in a new way. A way that will be more than marvelous in their sights. IJMN, Amen.
Thank You, Lord!
LAST 10 MINUTES
Glory be to God.
Today, we learned the need to give our lives to Christ and let Him change us for the glory of the Lord.
If you have given your life to Christ, I implore you to simply praise the Lord. Thank Him for looking at you and deeming you worthy to become a member of God's Holy Household. Give God all the praise.
Thank Him for Christ's sacrifice on the cross and the impact it has had. Not just on yourself but on generations and nations.
Thank God for all He will do in the future - all because you chose Him and his Son.
If you are yet to give your life to Christ, now is the time. See the second post above for the Altar Call message and get to it. Life is too short to live without Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Father.
Father, I lift up DJ. Your word is clear that those who serve You will enter Your kingdom in heaven and so I thank You for His life and His passing. I thank You that You welcomed Him into heaven and are happy to have him right there with You.
Please remember all the work he did while here on earth. Thank You for the ways You used him to bless so many people. I pray that all his work for You on this side will continue to speak for time to come. That it will continue to glorify You.
I pray for his loved ones who are dealing with his absence the best they can. Please God, grant them strength in this season. Let them see Your miraculous hand moving for them. Bring them joy for their mourning. Give them reasons to smile and to know how loved they are.
I thank You for all You have done and are doing, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I commit sis @FFJ into your loving arms. I pray that you Continue to increase her in supernatural wisdom, favour, knowledge and strength. I pray that you continue to bless her and her loved ones IJMN Amen
Good God, You are He who stills the turmoil of the seas. You have complete control of everything for Your dominion is everlasting. Thank You, Father.
I lift up Hurricane Milton before You. You who established the foundation of the earth. You who spoke and light formed.
Father, I pray for all those who are in the path and currently experiencing this storm. Lord, I pray for a miracle. Lord, let the storm dissipate and not be as bad as it is projected. God of miracles. Joshua asked the sun to stand in the sky. Moses stretched out His staff and the waters parted. Elisha raised the son of the Shunammite woman from the dead. Elijah spoke and the rain didn't fall for years. Peter's very shadow healed the sick. All of these miracles happened to display Your might and power. To show who You were and still are.
God of all creation. Please, let Your gracious and righteous hand stay the fierceness of this storm. God of miracles, I pray to You, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I pray that you will continue to take care of me and my siblings. I pray that you will continue to transform and prune us for your purpose and glory. I pray that you will continue to guide and direct us as we walk with you everyday. We pray that you forgive us and have mercy on us for any shortcomings. I submit our wants and needs to at your feet and I pray that we continue to seek you moving forward. Thank you Father for answering my prayers over us. Amen.
From M22 - Father Lord I pray for countries that are ravaged by war, bloodshed and famine. I pray that you put an end to the cycle of instability and chaos. I pray that you guide the hearts and minds of the leaders, governments and institutes involved that you help them come to amicable resolutions that will restore these affected regions and help them rebuild. I pray that you accept the souls of the departed in your bosom and give their loved ones the strength to grief. Thank you mighty father for supernatural restoration IjMN Amen
Lord, You know all things. Father of unlimited knowledge and power. We come before You seeking comfort for those in mourning. There has been so much devastation and destruction because of weather events around the world, Father, have mercy.
Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Lord, we understand our role as intercessors. We help to bring those who are weak or weary before You. As such, Lord, we lift those who are in need of Your solace before You. Father, have mercy. Father, touch them and give them peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). All to Your glory and by Your precious grace, IJMN, Amen.
As for the weary, Isaiah 40:29 - He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Thank You for hearing and answering our humble petitions and intercessions, Lord. Amen.
fROM m22 - Father Lord I pray for the 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, that they will always prioritize you above everything else. I pray that you will bless them with healthy beautiful babies that they will nourish and nurture in your ways. I pray that you put an end to miscarriages, failed IVFs and difficult adoption processes. IjMN Amen.
From M22 - Father Lord I thank you for children across the world. I thank you for helping them grow each day. I thank you for touching that hearts and minds of their parents, caregivers and guardians to nourish and nurture them in your ways. I thank you for helping them fulfil their destinies. I bless you Lord for these little ones that are sure to inherit your kingdom as your word says. IjMN Amen
We call for Your peace oh Lord.
John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
We cry out to You for peace. You who still the turmoil in the nations. Father, let Your peace abide in the hearts of man and to the ends of the earth.
For Your righteous ones, Your word is clear --
Isaiah 32:17-20 - The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. Though hail flattens the forest and the city is leveled completely, how blessed you will be, sowing your seed by every stream, and letting your cattle and donkeys range free.
Father, Your people have expectations and hold onto them, because He who promised is faithful! My God! We await Your glory, Your peace, Your reign.
We shall not fear man for You are God all by Yourself, with whom all things are possible (Matthew 19:26), IJMN, Amen.
Proverbs 29:25 - The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.
From M22 - Thank you Father for your grace over this community. Thank you Father for the privilege to give our lives to you. Thank you Father for seeing us through the past 10 months. Father Lord I pray that you continue to strengthen us and transform us for your glory IJMN Amen.
PRAYER TIME
It is time to transition from praise to prayer.
Let us raise the issues of others before the Lord and cry out to Him on their behalf.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 - I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
We need to pray for the needs of others, putting ours to the side. We can't be selfish because God isn't and we must emulate Him. Pray big for the people in your life. Pray big for your community. Pray big for leaders. Pray big for your nation.
Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah!
All the earth
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
All the earth
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah!
All nations sing
Each tribe and tongue
All the earth
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah!
Promise-keeping God! Covenant Keeper!
How can I thank You adequately? Let me us Your own word -
Genesis 9:15 - I will remember My covenant between Me and you and every living creature of every kind...
Genesis 28:15 - Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."
Nehemiah 1:5 - Then I said: “LORD, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments...
Glory be unto You!
Merciful God. Thank You for the grace You afford us. Thank You for loving us despite our failures and sins. You who are steadfast and true.
Thank You for building us up with Your love. Thank You for You will never leave us and Your plans for us are for good and not for evil. Amen.
You are Alpha & Omega
We worship You our God
You are worthy to be praised
We give You all the glory
We worship You our God
You are worthy to be praised
Thank You Father for teaching us from Your word today. Thank You for giving us the Bible - our manual for living - and for infusing Your living breath into it. A breath that spans generations and never ends.
Hallelujah!
PRAISE TIME
You ready? No, really? Are you ready?
It is time for us to give God the highest praise! (Psalm 47:6) You need to get like this -
Yessssss. God deserves your raw emotions. Think about how He's saved you. How He's saved someone you love. You need to be weak, thinking about how much He loves you.
That man or woman you see sleeping under a bridge -- why isn't it you? We forget that it could be us.
It is only the grace of God that we have anything. And it's all because He deemed it so. He looked at you and said He'd bless you. Yes, you've gone through times that would break the ordinary person. But, who got you through? It wasn't by your strength. It was His divine intervention.
Praise the Lord, for daily He bears our burdens (Psalm 68:19).
Glory be to God.
Let's honor Him with our worship.
From EC - Amen and good morning ladies!
From JIR - Thank you for this powerful message sis @FFJ. This message makes me think of how ignorant and reluctant I was to fully submit to God before I was saved this year. I thought I was a good person, morally, and since I grew up as a Christian in a Christian household that it would be enough for me to make it to heaven. I thought I knew God already, however, I was blinded and confused by the enemy on who God is. Earlier this year, I stumbled across a P&P post and out of thirst and desperation of some obstacles I had been battling for years not getting any better, I made up my mind to read @FFJ’s Jesus saves post that followed the message that day, say the prayer in that post, repent and submit my life to Jesus.
The preconceptions I had about God started going out the window and the scales that were blinding me started coming off. He began revealing my sinful desires to me which made that good person I thought I once was go out the window. I was oozing in sin. This was the revelation I needed to get closer with God. He started changing me from within which seemed seamless, meaning, I never had a thought to turn back or a desire to continue on with the things causing me to sin the most. I look back and see the drastic changes that were made but it didn’t feel drastic while in the moment of changing. It all felt and still feels natural to me.
I am still a sinner, but I repent constantly and with God’s grace and mercy He blots out my sins when I ask for forgiveness. Since giving my life to Jesus life is more fulfilling, I’m more satisfied and I’m no longer empty. I strive to do His will and although I am not quite sure what that is yet, I find God guiding me and teaching me and leading me in the direction He wants for my life. This is the best decision I ever made and I’m never looking back. I have peace and don’t fear anything but God. He is always with me. He who is in me is greater than he who is in this world (1John 4:4). God has made me fearless to things that would once make me tremble. His love is so immense. He is all I need. I can never be without Him again.
I pray that we all experience His love and will for our lives and never become stagnant in our relationship with Him. He is the Way. IJMN. Amen
I pray that you all have a blessed and edifying fellowship today. I have an appointment during fellowship so will not be able to really participate although I will try. God bless you all. IJMN.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for today's word. Thank you Father that we can find our perfection, peace and completion in you. Abba Father we pray that you will continue to renew, transform and prune us for your purpose and glory IJMN Amen.
Thank you for today's word sis @FFJ . Today's word reminds me that I have a lot to learn as I walk with God especially when it comes to my faith and trust in him. I just really pray that God continues to strengthen us as we continue to receive him everyday in our lives IJMN Amen
ALTAR CALL
Do you know Jesus wants a relationship with you? That He wants a friendship with you?
Christ died for His friends but also for His enemies on the cross. He allowed Himself to be a sacrifice for all of humanity and for all time.
He did this because we human beings are sinners and our sin creates a barrier in our ability to step into God's presence. God cannot abide iniquity because He is holy and so as human beings sin and sin and sin, the distance between themselves and the Lord grows larger.
But not if you become a friend of Christ. Those who choose to become His friend receive a deposit of God's Holy Spirit who helps them become more like Christ from day to day. And the more like Christ a person becomes - even if by only a little smidge - the more pleased God is and the more the distance between themself and God lessens. Christ died to make this possible. He died to ensure every human being could be redeemed, washed clean to enter God's presence.
Christ loves His friends. He will and does do almost anything for them. He is seated at the right hand of God, right now, petitioning the Lord on behalf of His friends.
I pray that you understand the need to become a friend of Jesus Christ. The benefits are huge! Just as He prayed for His disciples then, He prays for His disciples now. Just as He helped His friend Peter by healing His mother-in-law, He helps His friends with the problems they face today. He taught His friends, the disciples, everything He learned from the Lord and He's still doing that.
Are you wondering whether the benefits of being His friend won't cost too much? You don't want to give up the shows, the websites, the music, the way you speak, etc. However, have you considered the consequences of not choosing Him?
Or, maybe you think this message doesn't apply to you because you were born a Christian. You regularly go to church. You don't lie or steal and believe you are a good person.
It is wonderful to be good, but the true reward is in being a godly person who walks in the fear and obedience of the Lord. In John 14:6, Jesus said nobody can come to God except through Him, so please take this opportunity to gain access to God and His heavenly kingdom by saying the prayer below with me (and only if you mean it):
Lord Jesus I am a sinner. I confess my sins right now to you. And I believe that you are the son of God. I believe that you came, you died, you rose again, and you paid the price for my sins. Today, I accept the new life, today I accept the Holy Spirit. Come dwell in me, make Your home in me. I will never be the same again. In Jesus's name, Amen.
God bless you! I believe the Lord will visit you in a unique way. If you'd like to learn more about the new life you have signed up for, please look at this document - How to have a stronger relationship with YHWH God!
Please make prayer a regular part of your life. It is simply you talking to the Lord. Also, please start reading the Bible and ask God to make it come alive for you. It holds all the answers you need. You can start by reading the Epistle of John, the Book of Acts, and the Book of Romans. Get water baptized as quickly as you can and ask God to lead you to a church of His choosing.
PS: If you've got questions about the New Life with Christ, shoot me a message. I trust the Lord to guide our convo.