Being a Christian, and a good one at that, can seem very daunting. Treat others as you want to be treated. Don't gossip. Don't sleep with people outside of marriage. Be careful what you say because the tongue is powerful. Study your Bible each day. Make time to fellowship with believers. The instructions appear to be endless while nonbelievers seem to be living their lives with no concerns.
However, the only reason why walking with God in truth seems complex is because many of us ignore the reality of grace and what it has achieved for us. We think we have to rely upon our own strength to do it all. We forget that Christianity is the only religion and way of life that allows for God's grace to do a lot of the heavy lifting for us.
As a result, we disregard the salvation that Christ purchased with His blood, not recognizing its significance in helping us be pleasing to the Lord.
God knew that humans were too far gone in sin to enter heaven and live with Him. He knew humanity needed a sacrifice to cleanse them and make them holy enough to enter His presence. And so, He sent Jesus to live among men, be killed by them, and then be resurrected by the power of the Almighty.
That process purchased grace for all who would claim it by acknowledging Christ as their Lord and Savior. In yielding their lives to Jesus, every born-again believer steps into a cocoon of grace that speaks volumes on their behalf.
Nevertheless, the receipt of this gift of grace places responsibilities on the recipients. They are required to observe God's instructions and strive for righteousness. However, God knew that humanity's nature would be a stumbling block and He therefore allowed His grace, love, and mercy to be never-ending. And through Jesus Christ, there has also been the offer of salvation (Titus 2:11).
Furthermore, it is that same grace and salvation that enable us to live lives worthy of God so we aren't required to rely upon our personal strength. Titus 2:12 tells us that God's grace "teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly (immoral) desires, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives [with a purpose that reflect spiritual maturity] in this present age" (AMP).
We therefore have to accept God's grace so we can achieve godly and not ungodly lives. We have to come to the end of ourselves and acknowledge that it is only by Christ - the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world - that we have any strength. When we do this, we will no longer see living for God as impossible or intimidating. Keep in mind that this attitude is what satan wants so a self-defeatist perspective stops people from living their best lives in God while making them think they can achieve their best life through their effort and power.
Let us each allow God's grace to do its work in us and for us, building us up in faith and obedience as well as helping us submit our carnal nature to Him. The Lord is patient and will teach us how to 'roll' with Him if we are willing to cooperate with His leading. Praise the Lord
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From M22 - Happy weekend folks. May we continue to experience rest and comfort our Father in Heaven has provided! Amen
From M22 - Father Lord as I pray and wait on you daily. I pray Lord that you continue to humble and discipline me. Father Lord help me to be transformed by your word. I pray Father that I won't miss your instructions and directions in this season of my life. Thank you Father for your love over me. Thank you Father for answering my prayers. Amen.
From M22 - Mighty Father I pray that you help us all to be eternal minded. Help us not to be distracted by the worries and concerns of this world. Help us to never grow weary in running our heavenly race. Father Lord continue to renew our strength and increase us in the anointing of the Holy spirit. Father Lord I pray that you destroy and tear down strongholds, break chains and curses and help us come out stronger and victorious IJMN Amen
From CMC - Amen!
From sis OD - God, thank you for your grace and for allowing us the opportunity to share our burdens and needs at your feet and trusting you to guide and direct us. I love you dearly.
From sis OD -
I pray for marriage, a great husband sent to me by God, children, an executive job, and success in my businesses.
I pray for Israel, Palestine, Ukraine, Nigeria, and the United States. Lord, provide peace and sanity to these countries.
Grant leaders worldwide that provide a place of love, joy, empathy, and global success.
Guide us with our election in the US this Nov.
Lord, I lift widows, the homeless, the mentally ill, and orphans to your hands. Please guide, provide, protect, and heal them.
LAST 10 MINUTES
Have you read today's message? If not, please do.
If you have taken the time to read it, then please join me in expressing thanksgiving to the Lord for His grace. Let us use the last 10 minutes of fellowship to honor Him for His grace upon our lives. Thank Him for being a recipient. Thank Him for the people in your life who are equally recipients.
Praise Him for the whole world because frankly, it is only by His grace that mankind continues especially given all our sin and shortcomings.
Can you thank Him for these things and more?
Let us praise our great and gracious God!
From M22 - Father I thank you for sis @FFJ. I pray that you will continue to increase her in supernatural wisdom, favour and strength. I irua that you will continue to increase her on all sides. I pray that you continue to bless her, her family, loved ones, businesses and everything that concerns her. May she never grow weary in her kingdom assignment. IJMN Amen
From M22 - Father Lord I pray that you will continue to humble and discipline my siblings. I pray that the fruits of the Spirit will continue to be deep rooted in their hearts and minds. I pray that they are continually transformed by your words and decrees. Father please meet them at the point of their needs and help them to focus on you. Father Lord please help my brother resolve this situation affecting him. Help him to lean on you and not his understanding. I pray he's reminded your grace us enough to speak for him IJMN Amen
Good Lord, I lift our sister @Kety up to you.
Father, You know all that she is going through and I pray in the name of Christ for Your merciful and gracious hand to rest upon her.
May she testify to Your glory and wondrous healing in her life, IJMN, Amen.
fROM m22 - Father I pray for people struggling with their faith that they are renewed and strengthened by your mighty and power. Help them to wait on you. Father Lord please humble them so they can align with your will for them. Renew their strength Ebenezer! Amen.
Here is a prayer sis @AW shared back in 2022 -
From M22 - Father I pray for couples waiting on the fruit of the womb. I pray that you turn their waiting into fruitfulness. I pray that you will bless them with beautiful babies. Help them carry to term and deliver safely. Father put an end to miscarriages, failed IVFs and difficult adoption processes IjMN Amen
From M22 - Father Lord we pray for children across the world, especially in war torn regions. I pray that you continue to protect and preserve them from violence, intimidation, harm and abuse. I pray Father that you will continue to guide the hearts and minds of their parents and caregivers to nourish and nurture them in your words and decrees. I pray Father that you will guide and direct them and help them fulfil your purposes for their lives IJMN Amen
From JIR - I pray for those who are being used as a vessel by God to minister. May they continue bearing good fruit and spreading word of the good news. I pray that they are comforted, encouraged and given peace during this time and that they are successful in their ministry and are protected from any spiritual attacks that may come their way. IJMN. Amen.
Glorious God. You are the living God and You endure forever; Your kingdom will not be destroyed, Your dominion will never end. You rescue and save; You perform signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth (Daniel 6:26-27).
Mark 3:27 - In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house.
Lord, the devil thinks it can hold onto those whom Jesus died to set free by binding them in strongholds.
However, You are the God who set the captives free. And Your grace speaks for them.
Therefore, Lord, we declare the destruction of strongholds against Your people. We bind and destroy every strong man and declare that even those deemed lawful captives are released from bondage, IJMN Amen.
For He who the Son sets free is free indeed (John 8:36). Hallelujah!
From M22 - Heavenly Father I commit every Pepper both online and offline into your loving arms. Father I rosy that you continue to teach, humble, discipline, transform, renew and prune us. I pray that you will continue to supernaturally deliver, restore and increase on all sides. I pray Father that you will ward off every spiritual attacks directed towards us. Father please contend with those that contend against us. Father please meet us at the point of our needs. Thank you Father for answering us even before we call unto you. We glorify you IjMN Amen!!
Father, once again, I bring up the issue of food security before You. Heavenly Father, when You created the world, You looked at it and determined it was good.
Yet Lord, in this good world there are billions facing food insecurity and famine.
Proverbs 18:20 - From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.
Lord when things around us do not reflect Your promises, You have called on us to declare Your word. Father, we are instructed to lift our hands and intercede whenever things are wrong according to 2 Chronicles 6.
Almighty, we know that food insecurity is a result of our failure to obey You (Deuteronomy 28:23). We repent for our sins and from turning from You. We bow before You on behalf of ourselves and all who have fallen short of Your glory. Lord, please hear. Please forgive.
For the sake of Your Holy name and righteousness, we cry for mercy and reprieve. That food will be available to the hungry for You promised the hungry shall be satisfied. Mercy, Lord, IJMN Amen.
PRAYER TIME
Take the time to intercede on issues affecting others. This is the time to imitate Jesus who consistently and prayerfully helped people.
We've got 25 minutes, which will fly by so may the Lord help us to align with His will to be as effective as possible, IJMN Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Father for humbling and disciplining me each day. Thank you for helping me rest in your peace each day. Thank you for taking care of me and my siblings. Thank you Father that I can depend on you and not my own strength or understanding. Amen.