Most of us struggle to distinguish between the voice of the Lord and that of satan. This is a problem because believers must learn to dismiss the devil's voice and listen to God alone. Failure to do so could lead to the same mistake Eve made in the Garden of Eden - momentarily forgetting God's instructions and succumbing to the serpent's words instead. The consequences of that interaction continue to bear unfortunate fruit today. By the grace of God, none of us will listen to the enemy and thereby leave behind fruit that causes future generations to suffer, IJMN, Amen.
Today we consider what the devil said in the Book of Job so we become more aware of evil communication and the need to avoid it.
In Job 1:7, satan tells the Lord that it had been "roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.” What these words fail to reveal is the reason why the devil does indeed roam the world. However, the Lord does not leave us in the dark on this because 1 Peter 5:8 instructs that the devil is like a roaring lion seeking whom to devour. Also, John 10:10 tells us satan's objective is to steal, to kill, and to destroy.
And yet, knowing that the devil was in need of a challenge, God recommended Job. Why would God do this to someone described as a "blameless and upright" man who "feared God and shunned evil" (Job 1:1)? It is likely that since Job had these very qualities, the Lord knew he would not be crushed by whatever the devil threw his way. Indeed, by the end of this encounter, satan's return on interest for bothering Job was zero. It gained nothing, while Job had everything he'd lost restored doubly (Job 42:10).
While in the presence of God, satan tried to manipulate Him into doing its dirty work, saying in John 1:11 - [b]ut now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” Notice, satan wanted the Lord to hurt Job with His own hands. This is something it does well, manipulate others to do evil. Thankfully, the Lord in His unlimited understanding didn't 'strike' Job, but only allowed satan to trouble him for a while.
The statement reveals one more thing: that satan wanted Job to curse God. This remains an objective of the devil. It wants you and I to slander and blaspheme God. Blaspheming the Creator is to speak irreverently and insult Him. To do so is to create problems, for the Bible warns in Exodus 22:28 - “Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.
At a later encounter, the Lord boasted of Job's faithfulness because despite all the trouble he'd experienced, he hadn't turned from the Lord. This triggered the enemy and it reacted in Job 2:4 - “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. Rather than accept defeat, satan dismissed God's words, unable to hide its hate. It did the same thing to Eve in the garden. Although that technique didn't work on God, the devil continues to dismiss God's words as irrelevant so others will do the same and run afoul of the Lord.
Therefore, children of God must be aware of these tactics and watch out for when the devil uses them. It could pretend to be the voice of God while in fact, it is a counterfeit. It could speak through a human being, maybe even someone near and dear. No matter what form it takes, it is imperative to become familiar with God's voice and His word. It is also crucial to receive the Holy Spirit, whose job it is - as the Spirit of Truth - to reveal deception. Knowing God's voice, His word, and aligning with His Spirit becomes easier the more the Bible is studied. The Lord will help each of us to hold firmly to Him, His ways and His word, so that we don't fall prey to the schemes of the enemy, IJMN, Amen.
From FJ - Abba I thank You for sealing Your children with the Holy Spirit. Your word says that the same spirit that rose Christ from the dead is now within us. Great God, I pray for Your children that through Your grace their ears will be attuned to your voice. It is written: my sheep heat my voice and they follow me, they do not follow the voice of the stranger. Amen IJN
*From AW* - Father God, thank you for watching over me and my family.
Please bless the families of the victims who were tragically killed in Allen TX this weekend. Look after and protect the young boy who lost his entire family. Please place him in the care of another trustworthy family who genuinely loves him.
IJMN, Amen!
CLOSING PRAYER
Great and Mighty God. You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords. You are seated in the heavenly places. Victorious over all.
Thank You for opening our eyes that we may be more aware of how the devil speaks around us. Thank You for teaching us what the devil's objectives are with it's evil communication.
Help us, Lord, that we shall abstain from evil communication ourselves just as Your word warns us in 1 Corinthians 15:33.
Thank You God, for we know Your help is already our portion. You have promised that all who call on the Lord will be saved and as we have called on You, we thank You for hearing and answering us, IJMN, Amen.
LAST 10 MINUTES
Let us pay attention to the different things satan said in the Book of Job and what they signify.
The devil manipulates people to do evil things, it wants people to curse instead of worship the Lord and it will dismiss the wise words of God our Father in an effort to make others do the same.
Please keep in mind that satan is still doing these things today, primarily using human beings as its mouthpiece. Let us pray to never be such instruments of satan as well as repent for when we have been. Let us also ask the Lord to give us HIs understanding and discernment so our ears are shut to the voice of the stranger but open to the call of our Shepherd.
Dear God, thank You for another day to learn the importance of distinguishing between Your voice and that of the devil. Lord, I confess that there are times I have listened to the enemy instead of listening to Your instructions. I am sorry and repent for this. From today, I strive to hear Your voice alone and move in alignment with You, forsaking the devil's words even if they are tempting and seem more exciting. I know that whatever You tell me to do is for my good and Your glory. That is what I commit to.
Lord, from this day forward, I seek for and receive Your grace to not only ignore the voice of the stranger but to not be its mouthpiece and to not like Eve or Job's wife encourage another person to disobey You. IJMN, Amen.
From sis OD - I pray for to hear the spirit of God loudly and to the ability to know when it’s not his voice
God, You are He who brings us together twice a week to worship and pray for others. Thank You for being so consistent and helping us to show up and participate twice a week. Lord, take all the glory.
On behalf of today's participants, I lift up Colossians 1:9-12 - For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.
Father, I thank You in advance for hearing and answering this prayer, IJMN, Amen.
Almighty God, thank You for being He who has spoken that the bellies of the hungry shall be filled. All glory belongs to You, my King
Isaiah 49:9 - to say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’ “They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill.
Father, there are many dealing with abject hunger all over the world. Lord, I call on You to fill the bellies of the hungry. Provide food in the most unlikeliest of places. Let their stomachs be sated, dear God. When You created the world, You said it was good. Let the world be good for those afflicted with hunger, IJMN, Amen.
*From LB* - I just wanted to send out a quick thank you to the All Mighty God for keeping me and protecting me through seasons of famine and seasons of bountiful harvests and seasons spent in the valleys. May God continue to keep me and protect me throughout these seasons of life.
And Thank You God for these ladies! May you continue to bless and keep them as well as their loved ones as well. Continue to be their protector and lead them to the path of righteousness and peace.
Papa God! Thank You for what You are doing for M&M. I am too grateful for how You are working in their lives. I thank You because I know Your plan and purpose for them and all who will follow in their footsteps, shall be fulfilled. I know this because the Bible says, and I know it to be true, that God's plan shall prevail.
Hallelujah!!
I look forward, my God, to lifting my banners in honor of You for what You will do for them. I look forward to all You have promised for their lives.
You are my awesome God. The One who is steadfast and true. The Upright and Holy One. The Ancient of Days. He who never changes. He who never fails.
Hallelujah!!!
*From BI* - Thank You Lord for the gift of the Bible and all the guidance and wisdom it contains. Thank You for never abandoning Your children and for sending the Holy Spirit to guide us and intercede on our behalf. You are a wonderful Father and there is none like You.
Lord, I want to thank You for keeping Your word to me. The things You said, I saw You do them.
Somethings You did last week that I frankly just don't understand. However, Your word is that You are working all things out for the good of those who love You and are called to Your service. I have seen this word fulfilled over and over and I thank You for the opportunity to see it fulfilled again recently.
I rejoice in You. The God who keeps His promise. For You said You will not let me go until You have fulfilled every promise You made to me. As Your promises last forever, I thank You that You shall never let me go for Your promises to me last for all time.
Praise be to the Lord Most High!!!!
Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and Your grace. Thank You for Your protection and Your love.
You who have preserved our lives. To You be all the glory and praise.
Glory, Hallelujah!!!
Lord, I want to thank You for keeping Your word to me. The things You said, I saw You do them.
Somethings You did last week that I frankly just don't understand. However, Your word is that You are working all things out for the good of those who love You and are called to Your service. I have seen this word fulfilled over and over and I thank You for the opportunity to see it fulfilled again recently.
I rejoice in You. The God who keeps His promise. For You said You will not let me go until You have fulfilled every promise You made to me. As Your promises last forever, I thank You that You shall never let me go for Your promises to me last for all time.
Praise be to the Lord Most High!!!!
*From AC* - Thank You Abba, for Your providence and for always supplying our needs and making a way for us. Thank You for your faithfulness and kindness, my generous God. The glory is Yours!
Matondo (Thanksgiving)
*From AC* - Jesus, I lift up to You the woman who crossed my path yesterday. Please provide for her desperate needs, keep her from harm, and heal her affliction. In Your precious Name, I pray Amen.
PRAISE TIME
It is time to get your praise on! This means there's no reason to look cute (except if you're in public but even then...I'm just saying.)
Whip your wig off and wave it. Get up and wiggle your waist in joy. Abandon yourself in worshiping the Lord God Almighty.
Make sure you are listening to music that actually glorifies the Lord, not just 'inspirational' music that aims to make you feel happy. Let me explain. There is music that inspires happiness and there is music that worships God by mentioning how great He is, what He's done, what He'll do in the life of those who believe.
During P&P, our goal should be to have music playing that focuses on making God happy, not ourselves.
Got it? Great.
It's praise party time!!!
*From AC* - Adonai Shammah, Thank You for Your rest that sustains me, for the times when I have been feeling weary and burdened, You have comforted me. I am so grateful to You for Your supernatural peace that surpasses all human understanding. You are the strength of my heart and my portion forever and I trust in Your promises and know that You are working everything out for my good. I glorify and worship only You. In Jesus’ healing name, Amen
*From BI* - Thank You Lord for all You have done, all You are doing and all You are yet to do in my life. I thank You Abba for the gift of life, love and joy. Praise be to Your Holy Name for all eternity.
*From AC* - Morning Peppers. I am thankful to the Lord for today and for this time to praise and pray together. All glory to God!
Thank You for today’s word and this series @FFJ. It is a lesson believers need more now than ever, with the state of this modern world. May we be filled with the Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Discernment, available to all believers by the power of the Holy Ghost, that will help us to always choose His righteousness and reject evil. In Jesus' name. Amen
From DR14U -