Jesus taught in Mark 4:24 - ...With the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and even more will be added to you.
This verse was a puzzle for the longest time. No matter how often I prayed for understanding, I struggled to comprehend it. I needed the Lord to teach me and He eventually did by shifting my perspective. He did so by focusing on the issue of faith.
We recently learned that we must uncage our faith - we can't believe the lie that we need a larger measure of faith to address the big challenges. Instead, we must apply the faith we have received from the Lord knowing that as we put it to work, that spiritual muscle bulks up, making us even stronger in faith for the next issue we will face.
And that is how the Lord helped me understand Mark 4:24 - we must put whatever God gives us to use and when we do so, He will pour out even more to us!
Therefore, putting our faith to work, even if it seems like it is just a mustard seed in size, will gain us an increase in faith. I don't know about you, but I desire stronger faith. The kind Elisha had when he stared down an army of Arameans and called on God to blind them (2 Kings 6). The kind Deborah had to lead Baruch and an army of 10,000 against her people's enemies (Judges 4). The kind Elijah had when he called on God to answer by fire at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). The kind Peter had when he told the lame man at the Temple's Beautiful Gate to get up and walk (Acts 3). My list could go on. If applying what I've got will contribute to my receiving more, then my prayer is, "Lord, show me how to apply my faith in all situations. Help me to honor You in this way and as Your Son said, give me more for putting it to work."
As we approach our 300th P&P gathering, I want to encourage you to meditate on this issue of faith. Challenge yourself to trust God to work something out for you all because you will attend fellowship next Tuesday to honor Him with worship as well as prayers for your fellow Peppers. Come in faith that your prayers will be answered. And between now and then, pray for the success of the gathering, that the heartcry of your fellow intercessors will touch the ears of the Lord. That He will reward the faith that you and others apply not just on that day, but every day.
See you at Noon EST, to praise the Lord and stand in the gap for our prayer subjects in faith. Believing that the Creator of the Universe will hear us and act on our petitions.
God bless you!
CLOSING PRAYER
Lord, at the end of every P&P I thank You for bringing us together.
Similarly, I am grateful for the privilege to worship and intercede with others and give You all the glory.
Today, however, I make a bold request. I want 2 Thessalonians 1:3 to be a testimony for us. It states Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing. I want us to rejoice in how our faith as individuals and as a group is flourishing. I pray that our love for one another will equally flourish. All by Your grace and to Your glory, IJMN, Amen.
From sis FJ - God I lift up your word to intercede for the needs of the persecuted.
"For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You."
"He does not forget the cry of the humble" (Psalm 9)
Arise on behalf of the needy, Father. Hear their cries, let their cries reach You. Bring down Your hand of mercy to help them. Have mercy God and arise on their behalf as Your word says. Amen in Jesus name.
From BI - Lord, The cost of living is stressing Your children. So many are overworked and underpaid. Silver and gold belongs to You so I pray that You will provide for Your children so that they not only survive but thrive. Open financial gates for those without. Grant hearts of compassion to those who have been blessed so they may share IJMN Amen.
LAST 10 MINUTES
Faith is a spiritual muscle that we need to use. We can't set it to the side but must uncage it. Yes, the Lord will answer our prayers for reassurance when we struggle with our faith, but He expects us to strengthen our faith muscle so we trust His word for us and stand, confident that Jeremiah 29:11 is true.
Jeremiah 29:11 - For 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.
So, why don't we pray?
Father, IJN, I pray You will help each of us that we will walk with You and learn to apply our faith in all situations. I pray, dear Lord, that with Your help, our faith muscle will be strengthened as we use it and that You will graciously pour out more faith unto us, anointing us as only You can do, IJMN, Amen.
God has promised to answer the prayers who pray in accordance with His will (1 John 5:14-15). What could be more in accord than praying for stronger faith? Glory be to God in advance for answered prayers!
From CMC -I’m late but I’m here.
Just want to thank @FFJ, may God continue blessing you. Thank you for being a constant vessel of His word. I hope everyone has a blessed day and weekend.
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 sis FJ - Thank God with me because someone returned an item I had lost yesterday, with all the cards (ID, bank, etc) intact!
Great God. You are worthy to be praised for You alone know the foundations of the earth which You laid.
Dear Father, I lift up the issue of protection for Your people.
Lord, the devil seeks to steal, kill and destroy the lives of those You created but You came to give fullness of life to all (John 10:10)
And so, Almighty, I call Your attention to Isaiah 54:15 - Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake. As well as Your promise in Isaiah 54:17 - No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the LORD. (NKJV)
Great God, surround Your children in Your protective wings and bring all the tools and devices of the attacker to naught. Protect Your own and foil the devices of their enemies, IJMN, Amen.
From BI - Lord, may Your blessings fall on autistic children. May Your Spirit burn bright in them. Lord, heal them in mind, body and spirit. Cover them with Your grace and mercy. Protect them from harm. May they experience Your loving presence and grow in Your love. For mouths that cannot speak, I declare EPHPHATHA! Abba, Watch over their parents and carers and grant unto them strength. Help them to focus on the joy of each day. Lord, may autistic children and their care givers be filled with Your transcending peace IJMN Amen.
PRAYER TIME
For the next 25 minutes, let us put our personal needs to the side and lift up others in prayer.
Call on the Lord to bless your fellow P&P participants, pray for your nation, or pray for your friends. Ask God to help people and lift them out of spiritual blindness and deafness, so that they will come to know Him as the God of restoration.
Keep the following scripture in mind - Job 42:10 - After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.
If that doesn't motivate you....
From CD - Family,
I have been battling the cooties since last week, but the devil is a liar!!! Jesus took all these annoying infirmities to the cross and medicine head or not, I will still praise His Holy Name...with my mask on
Have an amazing weekend everyone & count it all joy...even the cooties :love::love:
Thank You, God of Jeshurun. Righteous and Holy. Wondrous. Beautiful. Faithful. True. The Lover of my soul. My Defender. He who vindicates and acquits. Great and untouchable. The unflinching God. Merciful and kind. Loving and forgiving.
All-sufficient.
The God of grace and mercy.
Hallelujah belongs to You alone. Amen.
Great and mighty King! Thank You so much for bringing us together today. Thank You for Your salvation which has put the enemy to shame. That salvation allows us to gather today in honor of Your word. Thank You for this privilege and all that it means. You are wonderful, Messiah!!
Thank You for being Jehovah Jireh! Thank You for being our supplier. You are He from whom all our fruitfulness stems (Hosea 14:8). Thank You! Without You, we are nothing (John 15:5).
Thank You for teaching us that we come to You through our Savior Jesus and without Him, we are lost (John 14:6).
Father, thank You, thank You and thank You, now and forever. Amen!
Isaiah 38:20 - You, LORD, will save me, and every day that we live we will sing in your temple to the music of stringed instruments. (CEV)
Father, I thank You for You are my Savior. In all things and at all times. Thank You that You have saved me and I may rejoice in Your salvation.
From BI - Thank You Lord for blessing me and keeping me. Thank You Lord for making Your face shine on me and showing me grace. Thank You Lord for turning Your face towards me and granting me Your shalom peace. I am so thankful for food, job, clothing and shelter. You are a wonderful Father to me and all I can say is thank You Lord.
PRAISE TIME
Psalm 33:1 - Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful (NKJV).
It is time for us to lift up our voices in praise! Let us honor Him with our gratitude and thanksgiving.
He is worthy of our praise.
Just like David who danced with abandon before the Lord when the Ark of God entered Jerusalem, let us praise with pure abandon!
It's a praise party y'all! God must get the glory!!!
From CJ -
From JS - Thank you.
I'm really striving to grow closer to God; which is a big statement to make on a gossip website. But, I'm actually trying to leave lsa behind. It's hard but, I'd actually like to not feel like I need to be tuned into the world's drama and scandal.
I do realize that there are fun threads like food alley and TV and movies... but it's all too tempting to click on who got a new booty and a new man.
Keep me in y'alls prayers.
From EC - Amen and good morning ladies!
From N22 - amen
From BI - Thank You my Abba Father for waking me to see this great day that You have made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. Thank You Lord for Your glory that circles my life and destiny. Thank You for showing that Your days of signs and wonders are not over. Thank You for being the same yesterday, today and forever. Your love for me can never be extinguished and I am infinitely grateful. Thank You Lord for this prayer platform that brings Your children together and inhibits spiritual laziness. Glory be to Your Holy Name forever Amen.
Thank you for today’s word sis @FFJ and for all the words that you brought to us through this prayer platform. May God bless you and yours and may the oil on your head never run dry IJMN Amen. I pray we shall all remain still and know that He is God. If God is all we have, we indeed have all we need. God is bigger than our anxieties. If we remain in Him, He will remain in us. I pray for a rain of answers for my fellow Peppers. May you carry your evidence. You will dance your dance and revel in His glory IJMN Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for another wonderful fellowship day. That we are present here today is not by our might but it is by your grace. We give you all the honor and glory Abba , Be lifted high beautiful Abba. IJMN amen.
Thank you for today's follow-up message sis @FFJ . God is indeed a gracious father, Elijah's faith in 1Kings 18 is one powerful example. He just knew his able father would burn that offering and prove himself to his people. He had that faith God was going to show up for him and he did. I pray that our Abba will continue to increase us in faith and I pray that our faith whether big or small will break chains, open doors , win souls, heal the sick and continue to do many more marvelous things in the name of our Abba IJMN amen.