God is the Creator of the entire universe. He knows all things and nothing can be hidden from Him. He has control over everything (Psalm 24:1). When he understood God's might, King Nebuchadnezzar said, He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed (Daniel 7:14).
And yet, this powerful God is kind and loving enough to allow certain mere mortals to influence Him. His love for those He created can sway Him and what He chooses to do in certain situations.
Take Abraham for instance. God gave him advanced knowledge of what was going to happen to Sodom and Gomorrah. When Abraham learned of the region's impending destruction, he pleaded with God. He asked the Lord to relent in His judgment if there were at least 10 righteous people. God agreed. Alas when He sent His angels, only Abraham's nephew, Lot, and three of his family members qualified to make it out alive.
Then there was Moses. When his people resorted to idolatry right after promising God they wouldn't, the Lord threatened to wipe them out and start over with Moses's family as the ones who would inherit His promises (Exodus 32:9). Rather than take advantage of that opportunity, Moses begged for mercy. The Bible teaches that "...the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened. (Exodus 32:14).
Joshua was no different. Like his predecessor, Moses, he pleaded with God on behalf of his people after their defeat at the City of Ai (Joshua 7:6-9). He also believed in God's promise to give him success and commanded the sun and moon to stand still during a major battle. The Lord backed his word according to Joshua 10:13 - ...So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies...
As we can see from these examples, incredible feats are possible for those who have the ear of God. Such individuals seem to be able to influence God and all that is under His authority.
Let us pay attention to the characteristics displayed by the individuals above. Abraham was an intercessor who obeyed God and developed a close relationship with Him. That's why he was told what was to come. Moses walked in the fear and trembling of God. He didn't hesitate to put himself in the line of God's wrath to protect others. In so doing, he put their needs and the needs of God before His own. Joshua was also God's obedient servant. He trusted God and received power to influence the sun and the moon. Additionally, he kept his word. He'd asked for the sun and moon to stay still so he could protect the Gibeonites with whom his people were in covenant.
We too can have the ear of God when we live righteously, as well as walk in faith and complete submission. As we study His word, allow it to transform us, and put the needs of others above ours, we become more like those whom God is willing to listen to. Our petitions, when aligned with His character and will, can then save many lives and impact history. May the good Lord enable us via His grace to be those who have His ear, IJMN Amen.
To learn more about today's message, kindly read the hyperlinked messages and check out the following:
PS: For the singles heading out on dates for Valentine's Day, please remember not to fornicate. Your body is for the Lord per 1 Corinthians 6:13. Though you are not yet married, it is in singlehood that you begin to keep the marriage bed undefiled (Hebrews 13:4). The good Lord will help you and give you strength. Still, you have to choose to not put yourself in a situation that could lead to problems. Focus on pleasing God and not your flesh. This is key to becoming and remaining one who has the ear of God. God bless you, IJMN, Amen.
And the sped-up version:
I would rather be free
I rather bask in Your love
Your love, You love, Your love
Your love is freedom
CLOSING PRAYER
Great and mighty God, we're here again. At the point of the end of fellowship.
Accept the gratitude in our hearts for this privilege. Thank You for the chance to worship and pray alongside others in unity. Thank You for Your grace and the love that made this possible. We do not take it for granted.
Glory belongs to You.
As we go our separate ways this weekend, we call on You to cover each of us. Help us to remember today's message and take steps to put it in action in our lives. Help us to enjoy the weekend and enjoy Your rest in all things.
Take all the praise, Lord, IJMN, Amen.
LAST 10 MINUTES
Our sister @Jesus is real left a comment earlier and said the following:
Have you thought about how wild it is that the God who created the universe is willing to hear you out? Have you thought about what it means that the most powerful being will even allow you to influence what He does?
Let me tell you something - God loves you. Indeed, you have no real concept of the love He has for you. But let me assure you that it is such a deep love that compels Him to lean His ear toward you when you approach Him.
He wants to give you exactly what you pray for but His hands are tied if you don't make the effort to develop your relationship with Him and be right with Him. The children's bread is for the children of God. And only those who align with Him get to eat it.
Look at the quote a few lines up. Notice the mention of Nineveh? Do you know why it's so relevant? The nation of Nineveh had sinned terribly and God was going to release His wrath upon them. However, because of His love for the 120,000 people and animals, he sent His prophet. Jonah was charged with warning the nation and though he struggled with obeying God, he eventually went to do His bidding. Jonah announced, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” (Jonah 3:4). This charge caused the king to declare a fast for humans and animals so that God would change His mind. God, in His loving mercy, did just that, sparing Nineveh for an additional 150 years.
That's all it took - a people to humble themselves in prayer and fasting before the Lord. The principle remains the same today. If you too humble yourself before the Lord, if you cry out to Him and seek to be in right standing, you too can influence Him. Not just for yourself but also for those you care for.
If this sounds like something you'd like to be able to do, please join me in praying,
Lord God, thank You for this opportunity today to come before You and understand the amazing way You listen to human beings. Thank You for allowing us to be a part of Your plan. You don't need us, but You have chosen to make us integral to all You are doing. This is something You have done for so long that we take for granted that this stems from the deep love You have for those created in Your image. Father, thank You for this love. Thank You for calling us by Your name. Thank You for wanting us to be a part of what You are doing in this world and in the heavenlies.
God, I pray for grace to be more and more like the ones who have Your ear. Help me to align with Your will, Your word, and all that You are doing. It is IJN I pray and say, Amen.
From JIR - Lord, I pray for those who are lonely. Please comfort them and bless them with Your presence. Please bless them to look to You, to depend on You and to lean on You for the love they may be yearning for. Please Lord bless them to know that they matter and wrap them in Your love. Please replace their loneliness with joy and gladness. IJMN. Amen.
Lord, I thank You that You always keep Your children safe and that You spare no expense to protect them. Great Defender. The Holy Protector. Thank You for Your grace.
Great God, in the last 3 weeks several planes have crashed in this country. God, I want to bring this issue up with You. I also want to thank You because Your word teaches us that You show grace, mercy, and love to both the wicked and the good (Matthew 5:45). Thank You for this great kindness, Father.
God, I call on You to remember Your word in Exodus 33:19b - ...I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Almighty God, I call on You for Your compassion, grace, mercy and love to pour out upon the air travel industry. Please protect pilots, air hosts and hostesses, passengers, and those potentially impacted on the ground by such accidents. Also, help those working in the FAA and in traffic control towers as they endeavor to keep travelers safe. Strengthen them, oh God. Thank You for the opportunity to make this petition and for guiding it, Lord. Thy will be done, IJMN, Amen
From JIR - Please Lord, place Your hands on those who are terminally ill or sick. We know that all things are possible through You, Lord. Please bless the doctors and surgeons performing the surgeries on the terminally ill and sick with knowledge and wisdom and with sharp eyes, steady hands and supportive teams to be successful in their surgeries. Please bless the patients to pull through and be able to live full lives ahead of them. All things are possible with You in the midst, Lord. Please bless them with miracles to extend their lives. IJMN! Amen.
From JIR - I pray for those in the waiting season. I pray that You give them the strength they need to carry on. Please recharge them Lord so that they continue to seek You, depend on You and hold on to Your promises with zeal. Please protect them from the enemy’s conniving, sly ways and bless them to be spiritually aware of his tactics. Lord please guide them and place them under Your wings and protect them from the worries of this world. IJMN. Amen.
Lord, I thank You for Your grace and mercy upon this group. Thank You for being He who opens doors and closes doors. Thank You for being the One who hems in those He loves so they do not go astray.
God, Your word states in Psalm 139:5 - You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
Father, I therefore rest on Your word to lift up Peppers. You know who they are and my prayer for them is that they shall witness You hemming them in. They shall experience You surrounding them. I pray that Your favor will surround them as a shield. Let Your gracious hand rest upon them for their good and Your glory, IJMN, Amen.
From JIR - Lord, I pray for my sister. I pray that You stir her heart to seek You in all that she does. I pray that You draw her near and wrap her in Your love. I pray that You remove stubbornness,stress and heaviness from her heart and bless her with the garment of praise and a sound mind. I pray that You change her heart of stone into a heart a flesh. I pray that she takes heed to Your Word and takes heed to all of the messages conveyed to her through the Holy Spirit. Lord I pray that You continue transforming her for Your glory. Nothing is too hard for You Lord. IJMN. Amen.
PRAYER TIME
God, You are the source of my joy.
The One who allows me to dance and sing.
The One who gives me reasons to laugh and smile.
Thank You, Daddy God!!!
Thank You God! I've watched You do certain things over the last few months. I didn't understand but today I can thank You for it all. Thank You for being so invested in me. Thank You for caring about what is important and always being focused on that even when I've gotten distracted. Thank You that as I walk with You, You open my eyes and heart to more of You. Thank You for dispelling the incorrect notions I had. Thank You for shining Your light on the lies I'd believed.
I am like Job who said in great humility, I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes (Job 42:5, NLT).
Even with all You'd shown me, there was still so much to You I needed to know. I'm so grateful that You have never hidden Yourself but keep peeling back layers to who You are and surprising me each day.
Oghene Doh, I bring You praise!
From JIR - ““As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.”
2 Samuel 22:31-34 NIV
I'm grateful for the things You've done
I'm grateful for the victories we've won
I could go on and on and on
about Your works
because I'm grateful, grateful so grateful
to praise You Lord
Flowing from my heart
are the issues of my heart
its gratefulness
Father, I'm grateful!!!
From JIR - I put my hope and trust in You Lord. Thank You for making me for Your glory. Dust is what I am and yet You care and love me more than I care and love myself, You know me better than I know myself. You know how many hairs are on my head, You know my deepest inner thoughts. I am mere dust. Lord You are so good to me. Your love is truly immeasurable. I thank You Lord for Your kindness. I worship You. IJMN. Amen.
From JIR - God Almighty, thank You for Your love, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and compassion. You are good and deserve and are worthy of all praise. We worship, magnify and praise You Lord. All glory is Yours. IJMN. Amen.
From JIR - Lord, thank You for giving us the time of day and hearing us and hearing our prayers. Thank You for Your love and Your protection. Thank You fighting our battles; even the battles we are unaware of. You have me in awe when I think of all that You have done, You do and continue to do. Your wisdom is infinite. You know what lies in the darkness and You dwell in the light, Daniel 2;22. It is a privilege to call You God. You reign over all things in the universe and in the heavens. No one can ever contend with You. You are God all by Yourself. Thank You Lord. IJMN. Amen.
Lord, You are Sovereign. You have all authority and all power. Everything created is subject to You. You who know all and are the Omniscient, the Omnipresent One.
I thank You for all You have done, are doing, and will surely do. Glory be to You Holy Name forever.
Heavenly Father! There aren't enough words to adequately praise You. Nevertheless, I thank You for the opportunity to try.
I want to thank You for being the God who would deem humans worthy enough to influence You.
Thank You that from the beginning You have allowed mere mortals to access You.
Great God. Thank You so very much!
PRAISE TIME
From JIR -
The word of God never fails
The word of God never falls
The word of God is the truth
It always comes to pass
Be at rest for with God
all things are possible
Have you seen the Lord fail?
No no no no no no no no no
Have you seen the Lord lose?
You won't fail me
You don't know how to fail
You don't know how to lie
...
What is hard for You
It can never exist
...
My capable God!
And just as I thanked God for the boppity bops, this came on...
Thank You, Sir!
God clearly has His finger on the YT algorithm, cause this is me right now
From EC - Amen and good morning ladies!
From JIR - Thank You Lord for yet another day of life. The gift of life and the gift of time are so invaluable and we thank You Lord for those blessings. We do not take them for granted and honor You for the grace and mercy that You bestow upon us so generously each day. Thank You for guiding us into P&P fellowship. Thank You for today’s word Lord, which is encouraging and oh so important. We praise You and we worship You. IJMN. Amen.
Thanks for today’s message sis @FFJ. It truly is mind blowing how God Almighty looks at us as the apple of His eye. He is Supreme, Sovereign, the Alpha and the Omega and All Powerful, yet He is still invested in us mere mortals, and we as mere dust are called His friends, His children. To know He hears our outcries, He hears our prayers and He moves on our behalf is truly amazing. When I think about us having the ear of the omnipresent, all knowing, sovereign God and that He hears our pleas and acts on them as long as they are in His will as you mentioned @FFJ, really shows His character of God. I am humbled and it is such a blessing to call Him God. What an honor. God is beyond amazing. I pray that we strive to have His ear as Abraham, Moses, the people of Nineveh etc. IJMN. Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Mighty Father for another beautiful fellowship day. We give you all the honor and glory. Thank you for loving us and hearing us even when we fall short. We are grateful for your infinite mercy and grace upon us IJMN Amen.
Thank you for today's word sis @FFJ. Today's word is so wonderful. It's beautiful how we can reason with God in certain situations and he allows us to have our way as long as it aligns with his will for us. The examples you mentioned are wonderful examples we should refer to when we feel God is distant. God is never distant , we will always have his ear. If he is silent, it is either our heart posture or his decision to be silent. So let us examine ourselves by studying his Word and allowing it transform us so we can have his ear fully. God bless us all. Amen.
Happy to be back to fellowship with you guys. I didn't get the chance to join you all for the past 3 weeks due to personal commitments. I want to appreciate sis @FFJ and everyone in this community for your prayer and support. God bless you all. Amen.
(Now, my full Be careful on Valentine's Day message)
And for you singles planning on doing thangs for Valentine's Day, may I gently remind us all that the word of God has called on everyone to keep the marriage bed undefiled (Hebrews 13:4). That means, don't fornicate, i.e. have sex with someone who isn't your spouse. You are somebody's wife/husband and it is your job to keep your future marriage bed undefiled today, even before you formally step into the covenant of marriage.
Please do not do what is displeasing to God - sexual immorality tends to be expected by many on February 14th. Keep ya legs closed, keep your pants up, keep your hands (and other parts) to yourself, and love up on God to receive His best!
Just a thought from your big sis, FFJ. God bless you!
And yes, I am speaking from experience.
ALTAR CALL
I usually share a written message at this point, but I watched this video recently and thought it might be better to watch this. It explains why and how to submit to Jesus Christ and become a member of Heaven's Household.
God bless you.