The Bible teaches that God's thoughts are nothing like ours. It also tells us that His ways are drastically different from ours (Isaiah 55:8). And not just that, His ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9). We also know that He can do whatever He likes. He's called the "Sovereign Lord" for a reason, after all.
Therefore, it should be no surprise that He can stir up the spirit of an individual to do what He wants. God has been known to have people do things they never imagined and there are countless testimonies to this fact. For instance, the Lord might give someone a word of knowledge about another person's life. And that information proves to be exactly what is needed to solve a problem that has dragged on for a long time.
God can equally stir individuals to do what He needs. In Haggai, the Lord stirred His people to restore His temple. Haggai 1:14 - So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people. They came and began to work on the house of the LORD Almighty, their God. On this occasion, He stirred up the entire population to work together for His great purpose. And once that happened, the work began. Seeing how the people submitted to Him, God made them a promise - to take them from insufficiency to abundance (Haggai 2).
As believers, we should be willing to be stirred by the Lord to achieve His goals here on the earth. And when His stirring comes upon us, we should not resist. To prepare for this, we should take seriously the word in Matthew 6:33 - Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need (NLT). We should be consistently walking with God in obedience, being led by His Spirit. That way, we will move with little to no hesitation, hurrying to obey Him the way Philip ran to catch the Ethiopian's chariot when instructed in Acts 8.
Just as God can also stir up the spirit of men for good things, He can stir up people to bring His punishment. For instance, the Lord warned the Israelites to stop worshiping false gods and get back to honoring Him alone. They disobeyed for four hundred centuries and became wicked. Murders were rampant and justice was non-existent. The Lord stirred up various nations to take them into captivity. The final straw came when He sent King Nebuchadnezzar as the instrument of His punishment. By then, all that remained was the city of Jerusalem under King Zedekiah. Nebuchadnezzar broke the city's walls, destroyed the temple, plucked out Zedekiah's eyes and marched the survivors to Babylon.
This should be a warning to each of us. God loves us and yes His mercies endure forever. However, if we abuse His grace and kindness by flagrantly ignoring His word, a time may come when He stirs up the hearts of people or institutions against us. We cannot afford to become the very wicked whom He has repeatedly said He detests and will punish. We must not be like the people of Jerusalem who hated the word of Prophet Jeremiah whom God sent to repeatedly warn them to change. We must turn away from the behavior He despises and let Him transform us.
The Lord wants to stir us up so we are equipped with what we need to serve Him. He wants to stir up our spirits so that we are fashioned into temples for His dwelling. It is better to be stirred up for His purpose than to be the one He stirs others against. May the Lord stir up our spirits for His glory and our good, IJMN, Amen.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 - The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
From M22 - By God's grace, I will be here on Friday to fellowship. The Lord is my strength. Amen.
From M22 - The devil is a liar. My phone fell accidentally and started to mess up than before right when I was on the site ready to pray. God came through and I am glad I joined today despite the delay. I trust him to bless me with a new device in his timing. Amen!!!
CLOSING PRAYER
Holy God. Creator of the heavens, the seas, the earth and all that are within them. Take all the praise for this blessed hour of fellowship.
Thank You, mighty God for those who were able to participate. Bless them Lord. May the oil upon their head never run dry. May their hearts be roused for You.
Stir up their spirit for Your great purpose. May they do great exploits in Your name.
May You be glorified through them here on earth and may generations point to what they did in honor of Your Holy Name.
Thank You Father. Take all the glory, great King, now and forever more. IJN, Amen.
From M22 - Father Lord I pray for people that have been struggling in their walk with you. I pray that you destroy every stronghold of the enemies in their lives. I pray that you continue to transform and prune them till they become more like you and are fertile grounds for your dwelling place. Father Lord I pray that you help them heal from whatever has kept them from surrendering to you fully. May they experience you in ways beyond their imagination IJMN Amen
From M22 - Father Lord I pray that you put an end to the cycle of war in nations. Father Lord I pray that you touch tht hearts and minds of leaders, governments, institutions to do right by citizens. I pray that you help rebuild and you restore everything they have lost in thousandfold. Father Lord I pray that you accept the souls of the departed in your bosom and you grant their loved ones to strength to process their grief. Father Lord I pray that these nations will experience your everlasting peace and that their leaders will come to peaceful resolutions that will end the war for good IJMN Amen
fROM m22 - Abba Father I pray that you fill us up with the spirit of gratitude. Father Lord, life has been lifing and we pray that you forgive us being ungrateful in any way. Father Lord have mercy on us. We thank you for the big things and even the smallest things. Father we pray to be content even though we seek you for more. I pray that we will never be ungrateful no matter the circumstances IjMN Amen
From M22 - Father Lord I pray that your hand will continue to be upon sis @FFJ and this wonderful community. I pray that you continue to use us as your vessels to propagate your gospel and also be ambassadors for your kingdom. I pray we will lead people to eternal life snd to truly experience you in every possible way IJMN Amen
From M22 - Father Lord I pray that you bless families experiencing financial difficulties in this season. I pray that they experience your abundant provision beyond measure. I pray that they have more than enough to cover their expenses in this season and beyond. IjMN Amen
From M22 - Thank you Heavenly Father for today's message on you stirring our spirit. I pray that you help us walk in obedience with your word. I pray that as you stir your spirit. We will keep pressing forward no matter the opposition. IJMN Amen
LAST 10 MINUTES
Have you taken the time to meditate on today's message? You really should.
We serve a God who stirs up the spirits of men to achieve great things. He can do this to bless or punish.
Regardless of the reason, He does this so humans operate as His vessels on earth for His purpose.
So what is it going to be for you? Do you want to be stirred up by the Lord?
Pray that the Lord stir up your spirit. Ask Him to take control of your inner man for His glory.
Go ahead and do it. Don't be afraid.
There is nothing God does that will not benefit His children. Jeremiah 29:11 states[f]or I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Now, pray.
Lord, I pray IJN for the nation of Syria. Father, there is political transition happening there too. I pray for the sake of the redeemed in that land that what comes next is better than what was before.
Father, Let Thy will be done in that nation. Let the godly rise. Let scales fall from eyes. Let ears open. King of the harvest, send forth Your workers to reap.
May the leaders that step into power be those spoken of in 1 Timothy 2:2-4 - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
May Your people live peacefully, enjoying godliness, holiness and all the fruits thereof. And may those who are yet to be able to come to a knowledge of You, IJMN, Amen.
From JIR - I pray for those with severe disabilities. Please Lord watch over them and take them under Your wings to shield them from the evil in this world. I pray that You place them under the care of those with love and compassion to help them with all their needs. I pray that they want for nothing and are well tended to, to the point of being filled with so much joy that they overcome any worldly stigmas associated with disabilities. Please shine Your light on them Lord and wrap them in Your love. Please bless them with Your presence so they know they have You as their Refuge, Fortress and Rock. 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 - Please Lord look over all widows and orphans. Please turn their mourning and sorrow into joy and gladness. Please bless them to take You as their refuge. Please take them under Your wings Lord and shield them for those looking to take advantage of them. Please bless them with the oil of joy for mourning. Please touch their hearts Lord to turn to You and rely on You for strength and guidance. IJMN. Amen.
Father, thank You for being the God of the universe. The One who was, the One was is, and the One to come. Hallowed be Your Holy Name.
Lord, Your word teaches that You are He who will restore hearts to You. So much so that You will pour out Your flesh on all men and will replace hearts of stone with hearts of flesh.
God, the devil wants to convince people that when they walk away there is no hope. However, the Bible shows that when the ancient Israelites turned from You, You beckoned them back and told them what to do to change from their wicked ways.
You oh Lord have promised that for all who turn back to You, You will welcome them back. David, was forgiven when he genuinely repented and sought Your forgiveness. Peter denied Jesus three times and in Your wisdom, You ensured He was restored so that he would indeed be the rock upon which Christ built His church. Even Your friend Abraham backslid when he lied and when he committed adultery. Yet, You restored him to You by Your great grace and mercy.
And so, God of mercy, I pray for those who have backslidden from You. All those who have walked away and have believed the devil's lie that there is no redemption available for them.
Lord, Jesus died to bring salvation for sinners and so I cry out to You to reach the backslidden. Pull them out of the darkness. May Your word, which is the truth, sanctify them. May they receive Your gracious mercy and compassion and step into the light, washed clean by the blood of the Lamb and set free from the shackles of hell, IJMN, Amen.
From JIR - I pray for those who are living their lives for You Lord and going through any suffering as a result. I pray that You bless them with strength, courage, comfort and zeal to get through their circumstances and endure till the end. Please bless them to look at their persecution as a blessing as Paul did. Please bless them to keep persevering, keep seeking Your face and keep their focusing on You to get them through the storm. IJMN. Amen.
Lord, thank You for this great nation. Thank You for being the God who created this land and established it for Your purpose and glory.
Father, this country is in a period of political transition. Thank You for this grace.
I call on You, Sovereign Lord, the One who pulls one up and drags down another, to have complete control as to who steps into any positions of power.
I pray against the plans of the enemy to place people in positions where they will serve satan and contend with You.
Lord, Your word is clear in Proverbs 29:2 - When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.
Lord, let the righteous thrive. Drag down the wicked. Uphold the city and nation for the sake of the righteous. Have mercy and preserve positions of authority for Your purpose alone, IJMN, Amen.
From JIR - I pray for all prophets and servants sent by You, Lord, to remain obedient to You. I pray that You bless them exceedingly and abundantly for their obedience to You. I pray that You take them under Your wings and shield them, protect them and cover them from those who mean the harm or have ill-will towards them. Please Lord bless them to be forceful and spread the good news of the kingdom with zeal and boldness. IJMN. Amen.
PRAYER TIME
It is time to pray but not for yourself. Instead, turn your attention to the needs of others.
Stand in the gap and petition the Lord on their behalf.
There are many who just can't pray for themselves and need you to intercede for them.
From JIR - Lord, You are the Light of my life. Thank You Lord for shining Your light upon me. You deserve all the praise. All glory is Yours. IJMN.
To the God who has never failed me.
The God of whom the angel told Mary "No word of the Lord will ever fail."
My Daddy who can fix everything and has already answered my prayers.
My God who stands for me and thus nothing can stand against me.
My Exceptional Father, whose love never ends.
Lord, I worship You today and forever.
Lord, thank You for Your Son, Jesus.
He told Jairus, "Do not be afraid, just believe."
Till this day, the words of the Savior continue to reverberate through the earth.
Hallelujah!
From JIR - “Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.”
Psalms 100:1-5 NLT
Great and mighty God, thank You for being the God over my life.
Glorious God, I am grateful for Your peace in the midst of storms.
I thank You for giving me cause to dance. The fact that I woke this morning by Your grace, is more than enough reason for me to give You praise.
Father, take the glory!!!
From JIR - Lord, I live for You. I pray to give You my all. Everything You have blessed me with, I give to You. Everything that You have blessed me with is Yours. I just want You Lord. I just need You Lord. I thank You for all that You have done. I am indebted to You and pray to worship You all the days of my life. You and You alone are who I look to. Thank You Lord. IJMN. Amen.
Luke 1:49 - for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.
Hallelujah!
Thank You, Father!
From JIR - Lord, I thank You for having Sovereignty over all things. You are above all things and work for the good. What a blessing it is that You alone are God. Your love for all of humanity is boundless and refreshing. Living in this world can be overwhelming when thinking about all the evil that we are all surrounded by. You Lord are our strength. I look to You, I lean on You and depend on You for navigating in the challenges of this world. You give us hope and a future. Without You we are nothing. We need You more than we need oxygen. You are our Vine, our lifeline. Thank You Lord. IJMN. Amen.
PRAISE TIME
Give God thanks for His faithfulness to you and your loved ones. Praise and exalt Him as the King He is. Laud Him with adoration.
It is time to love up on the Most High God.
Thank Him for Jesus. Thank Him for the Holy Spirit.
Thank Him and thank Him some more.
From JIR - Thank You Heavenly Father for visiting us all this morning and breathing life into us. Thank You for blessing us with another day and calling us to You by guiding us in here to praise You and pray for others. Thank You Lord for today’s message and continuously teaching and molding us into who You will for us to be. We praise and worship You. Your faithfulness knows no bounds. IJMN. Amen.
Thanks sis @FFJ for today’s message. This is a good one that edifies my soul. I pray that we yearn to be as obedient to God as much as we possibly can and we seek Him with all of our heart. Aiming to please God should be priority. How amazing and Sovereign that God Almighty is to stir our spirit for His will and purpose to be done.
I pray that we are all obedient and put our trust in Him so that we are used for the good. The fact that the Lord is Sovereign can be terrifying if we fail to obey Him. I pray that we are never on the other side of things in where our spirit is stirred for the bad. Greatly fearing the Lord with reverence and respect helps in that aspect. I just want to live in God’s love by letting the Holy Spirit lead me and by obeying and pleasing Him.
Living in this world is already a challenge and my take away from this is that God watches over those and makes life less complicated and more joyous for those who obey Him and live for Him. Thanks @FFJ for bringing up the importance of obedience. I hope we are scared straight and never ignore God’s commands and are never on the other side of the coin of God’s punishment. That’s a terrifying, horrifying place to be. IJMN. Amen.
ETA: Also, sis can you please re-add me to the tag list? I did not get a notification this morning that a new post was up. Thanks!!
From TMS - Great message ❤️ yall be blessed this morning/week
From MD0529 -
I saw this yesterday
Teach me how to pray
Teach me how to worship right
Lord, I'm Your baby
You called me Your baby
All I want is You
Breathe upon me
You're my everything
You're the life I live
Breathe upon me
Teach me how to pray
Teach me how to worship right
Lord, I'm Your baby
You called me Your baby
All I want is You
So breathe upon me
So I can worship
So I can love like you
Just to be closer
And to be more like you
From M22 - Thank you Heavenly Father for another beautiful day in your presence. We are grateful to be here again to reconvene in your honor. Abba Father I pray that you continue to have mercy on us and forgive us of our shortcomings. I pray that you will continue to stir our spirits to please and honor you every day of our lives IJMN Amen.
Thank you for today's word sis @FFJ. Today's word was very insightful as usual. It reminded me of Nehemiah when he approached the King to rebuild the temple. God stirred the spirit of a cupbearer to remember his roots and restore his Temple. Despite how the enemies tried and people plotted against him, God stirred his spirit to a point of firmness where he focused on his task despite the opposition. I pray that God continue to stir our spirit and that we walk in obedience to his STIRRING IjMN Amen.