How many of us want to experience God's compassion and favor? Many don't know what this feels like and for those who do, they want more.
Let's examine Isaiah 27:11 - ...For this is a people without understanding; so their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor.
This scripture warns that people who lack God's understanding will not experience His compassion and favor. Therefore, the opposite is true - people who have God's understanding will enjoy His compassion and favor.
This begs the question, how does one acquire God's understanding? Well, there's a Bible verse for that, praise God! James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
This instruction couldn't be any more straightforward! If you want God's understanding/wisdom/knowledge, simply ask Him. He has promised to give it regardless of your sin and shortcomings.
There is, however, a caveat we must all be aware of. Hosea 4:6 warns us that if we reject the Lord then He will in turn reject us. Therefore, when you ask for God's understanding in an effort to be a recipient of His compassion and favor, be mindful not to reject Him and what He has to offer you.
The consequences of such rejection might not occur because you choose to ignore God's instructions a few times. Still, a flagrant disregard for His wisdom will eventually be an indication that His help is not wanted. And if you choose to reject Him through your cumulative actions, thoughts and words, getting that wisdom back might not be as straightforward as it once was. This is because of the word in 2 Peter 2:21 - It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.
Please don't reject the Lord. Receive His understanding and let Him lead you to a place of sustained compassion and favor that you enjoy the fullness of life He has available for you.
God bless you and see later at fellowship when we'll worship and intercede in prayer for others. Then, we'll look within to see what we can do to receive and maintain God's understanding that we then enjoy the benefits. See you at Noon EST!
For more related content, please read:
Fear The Lord: Praises & Favor - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) February 25, 2022
Don't Turn From God - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) February 17, 2023
Acknowledge God - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) February 14, 2023
CLOSING PRAYER
What a mighty God we serve! Heaven and earth adore You, angels bow before You, what a mighty God we serve!
Father, thank You for in Your kindness, You've brought us to the end of another Praise & Pray fellowship. Thank You for gathering us together in this way. It is a testament to You that this platform can be used to Your glory. Lord, continue to be elevated in this place.
Proverbs 4:7 - The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Sovereign Lord, Your word instructs us to get wisdom and understanding and today, we have requested this. Please let Your understanding come upon Peppers. May they receive Your compassion and favor. May their lives be a living testimony to Your greatness and might. IJMN, Amen.
*From BI* - Lord, I lift BB, JO, JI, RG and CE into Your healing hands. I pray that every cell in their bodies is healthy and free of cancer and infection. Lord, dispatch Your holy angels to stand guard over them and all that concerns them. Let them feel the warmth of Your love as well as Your transcending peace. Guide their doctors and nurses to provide the best care. May they live long healthy lives that glorify You IJMN Amen.
LAST 10 MINUTES
There used to be a time where I thought I was pretty intelligent. I figured I had great education and a lot of street sense. As far as I was concerned, there was nothing that could come my way that I couldn't find a way out of.
Life taught me some tough lessons and I learned quickly that I needed God's understanding to navigate the trials that showed up out of nowhere. I needed to call out to God for wisdom on what steps to take.
He heard my cry and came running, proving Himself over and over again. He would tell me things that were to come so I was over-prepared and walked away with victory.
Listen, I'm a big fan of God's wisdom and I want to call on you to ask Him for some. He has more than enough to share with all of us who ask. Matthew 7:7-8 is a promise that when we ask of Him, we shall receive, so what are you waiting for?
Ask God for His understanding. Tell Him you want His knowledge to fill your mind. Receive from Him His great compassion and favor. Receive from Him peace in troubled times. A peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
Use your own words. Ask Him. Don't be shy. There's nothing God can't do and nothing He won't give you.
Isaiah 64:4 - Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
Good Lord, You are the inexplicable God. He who cannot be compared to anyone or anything else. Indeed, You are the God who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.
Father, waiting isn't the problem. The issue is the challenges that pop up during the waiting. And so, we turn over the waiting period, as well as the enemy's attacks during that period, over to You. We call on You for strength during the waiting. We call on You for clarity. We call on You for zeal. We call on You for joyful hearts that worship You despite the opposition.
Yes, Lord. Do what only You can do without delay in the lives of Your children. IJMN, Amen.
PRAYER TIME
Over the next 25 minutes, let us put our personal needs to the side and lift up prayers for others.
Please pray as if you were praying for yourself. Be sure to pray with zeal because we are told in Romans 12:11 - Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Remember, we emulate Jesus as well as others in the Bible when we do this. Intercessors pushed down their wants and desires to lift other people's issues up to the Lord. On more than one occasion, Moses put himself between the Lord and the Israelites, begging Him not to destroy them. That's what we're about to do - place ourselves between God and our fellow man. We need to ask God to look on us favorably and thereby answer our petitions for our prayer subjects.
May the Lord hear and answer us, to His glory and by His grace, IJMN, Amen.
From T1983- Good morning family!! So sorry that I’m late!! Thank you God for waking us up today,thank you for hearing our prayers! Thank you for an unexpected deposit to my bank account on Saturday morning…. That was all you God!! Thank you for never leaving my side! May you continue to bless us all….IJN AMEN.
For Thou oh Lord are a shield
My glory, You lift my head!
Psalm 3:3
Hallelujah! All glory belongs to my King!
Thank You, Father!!
Father, we praise You for the great things You have done not just in our lives but in the lives of all those gathered here today. Thank You for covering each of us in Your grace and showing us great mercy.
Great and Mighty King! You are exceptional! The Big and Only God! He who reigns above us all.
You are wonderful. You exist in all time and control time itself. Hallelujah to You, our Lord. We join all of creation, the angels and the Heavenly Host to worship You (Psalm 103:20-22).
You are the sweet God who brings sweetness to those who fear and honor Him (Psalm 34:8 & Psalm 119:103). We praise You Father!
Psalm 5:12 - For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.
Sovereign Lord, we thank You for blessing us with favor as a shield. We thank You for that blessing is because Christ washed us clean with His blood. Thank You for in Your mercy You have extended such a great privilege.
Amen!
PRAISE TIME
Glory to God in the highest. To Him belongs all praise and adoration. I hope you are ready to express your thanks to the Lord. I hope you are ready to appreciate Him for who He is.
If the answer is yes, then please, wherever you are, express your praise. Sing, dance, clap your hands. Use your body to express the awe and reverence you have for Him.
Listen to worship music and create an atmosphere that welcomes the presence of the Lord.
*From SRTC* - hey is this an event?
*From EC* - Amen and good morning ladies!
*From M22*- Thank you for today's word sis @FFJ. Indeed our God is a generous God. He has made every virtue possible so abundant we can ask him at anytime of the day to endow us with it. I pray that we continue to seek to understand God so we can enjoy his fullness in our life IJMN amen!
*From BI* - Thank You Lord for this great day that You have made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. Thank You Lord for Your mercy and compassion. Where will I be without You Lord? Thank You for Your protection and guidance, Your boundless love and forgiveness. A million tongue will never suffice for the grace You show towards me. Thank You my Abba Father for it all!
*From CS* - Thank you God for this beautiful night. Thank you for coming into my life and making all things new. Thank you for grace and mercy. Thank you for answering my prayers. Thank you for hearing me.