When God freed the Israelites from Egypt, He led them on a specific path. The Bible tells us that He had them use the desert road that led toward the Red Sea (Exodus 13:18). And yet, in Exodus 14:2, we are told He had them change direction and go backward.
If He knew the way He wanted them to take, why send them in the direction they had come from? Imagine a group of close to a million people - young and old - walking with their belongings through the desert sand. Why make things complicated for them?
The Bible explains God's reasoning in Exodus 14:3 - Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ Although Pharaoh would think the Israelites were lost, the real purpose of God's plan was to confuse Pharaoh. And not only to confuse him but also to make him feel pompous, stiff-necked, and overconfident so that he would hasten his attempt to recapture the Israelites. The end result was that Pharaoh believed in his intelligence and the might of his army. This led to them drowning in the Red Sea.
God is in the business of confusing your enemies. And when He applies this war strategy, it may be confusing to you too. The key, however, is to trust Him and remember His word in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.
The Sovereign Lord knows how to use what appears foolish to confuse and destroy those who see themselves as wise. And when He is doing this in your life, submit to Him because His ways are higher than yours and so He knows better (Isaiah 55:8-9).
People will look at your situation and be confounded but so too will be the enemy. Oh, it will think it is having its way with you but just as it is on the edge of supposed success, God's endgame will result in the enemy's destruction and your victory, just as was the case for the Israelites who made it safely through the Red Sea.
So if you're in a tight spot that doesn't make sense and the Lord is calling you to do something that makes even less sense, obey. Remember the instruction from Job 22:21 - Agree with God, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you" (ESV). Let God use the foolish things of this world to confound and destroy your enemy - satan - and its evil plans for your life.
Be sure to come back at Noon EST for fellowship. God bless you.
From D1977 - @FFJ, the lesson today went straight to my heart! Your closing statement is just what I need for right now!!
Agree with God, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you" (ESV). Let God use the foolish things of this world to confound and destroy your enemy - satan - and its evil plans for your life.
CLOSING PRAYER
Mighty One, I thank You for another successful hour of fellowship. Thank You for everyone who participated and those who will at a later time.
I pray that the meditations of our hearts and the words from our lips were pleasing to You, Lord. Please, take all the glory! Let Your name be praised through our gathering. May others who don't know You yet, come in here and experience Your presence and Your grace. May they be saved and come to a knowledge of the Truth.
All glory be to You, Almighty God! We look forward to gathering again next week to honor You, IJMN, Amen.
From PBS - Dear Lord, hear our prayers and intercession for the election seasons…please send out your protections and glory right now…
‘Heavenly Father, in the Name of Jesus, we come before your throne of grace boldly to request for help in our time of need. Your Word says that you will listen and answer our prayers so we give you thanks before the breakthroughs and miracles appear. We walk by faith and not by sight in Jesus name.
Father, we lift before you the present and upcoming election seasons. The enemy has been sending his agents throughout the country to tamper with voting machines, suppress voter registration, create difficulties in registering, forming geographical/racial barriers to force votes to count where they shouldn’t, keep people from the polls through lies and intimidation, and other various threats, prejudices, and policies.
Father, Titus 3 instructs us that we were saved in order to do good to your glory. You have equipped us by the blood of the Lamb to live righteously, in truth, faithfulness and peace. We should not be ruled by divisiveness, foolish quarreling, and arguments designed to deceive and oppress.
Though we may face troubles on every side, we are never defeated. You promised to always give us the victory because we are more than conquerors by Christ Jesus, who strengthens us.
We are Your children Lord, and we need righteousness, truth, and peace to break every chain, seen and unseen, that is keeping fair and honest elections and voting bound. In the Name of Jesus, we bind everything that satan and man has done, is doing, and plans to do to corrupt, dishonor, confuse, and suppress the election process and results in any way—before, during, and after.
We bind every evil plot from affecting early voting, mail in ballots, voting booths, paper and electronic tallies, including those who have volunteered and assigned to oversee every process.
We bind every stronghold that is operating through commercials and social media, family and friends, churches and businesses—anyone and anything being used as vessels of deception. We bind every attack against the people to prevent them from voting due to their age, skin color, IDs, gender, status, and background.
We loose Your Presence, Word, Authority, Justice, Protection, and Peace throughout the land. Breakthrough every government system and official, and destroy every form of wickedness. Bring the plots and plans of the enemies to destruction, and expose them openly.
Dear Lord, please provide Your safety, wisdom, understanding, and discernment to the people. Expose the true intentions behind each candidate’s promises. For You know the heart and thoughts of every man, and nothing is hidden from Your sight.
Please provide safety, provisions, and protection for the people before, during, and after their voting. Protect their ballots and voter credentials from being corrupted in any way. Rebuke every hindrance operating against them as citizens.
You are the Vine, and we are the branches. You are in us and we are in You. You have placed us in the place we live for a reason. Please help us make the right decisions as citizens with clarity, authority, and truth. Be a lamp onto our feet and a light upon our path. Let us be bold and use the authority and rights that You have given us, our ancestors, our children, and every generation thereafter.
Father, we release the angels to work on the assignments that you’ve given them and thank you for their faithfulness. We cast all of our cares and concerns about the elections, the candidates, political parties, propositions, policies, agendas, and systems onto You. We cast all of our cares and concerns about our voting choices. We ask for the peace of Christ which surpasses all understanding to rule within us and within every area of our lives.
For You Lord do not lie. Nor do you tempt anyone with evil. You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Open our eyes and light up our hearts and minds to make the right and wise decisions, and refuse every intimidation and oppression.
We stand confident and firm—the Lord is on our side!
Thank you Jesus! We believe and receive by faith in You all that we need and more, in Jesus’ name, Amen!’
LAST 10 MINUTES
Today's post spurred from a recent conversation I had with someone who is waiting on God to make a miracle out of a messy situation. And as I sat to write the message, the Lord showed me with clarity how my own life has been and is at present an example of the lesson being taught.
Listen, God has His way of doing things and it won't always make sense. Let me tell you, there are aspects of my life that bother me - situations I wish would change - but the Lord has said the time has not come for that to happen. As a result, I've had to wait and keep waiting for Him to do something. He is teaching me that that mess that leaves me confused is His way of confusing the enemy and I just have to be still and let Him be God over all of it.
If any of this speaks to you, why don't you join me in prayer?
Marvelous God, I thank You for being the God who does and undoes. I thank You that time and seasons are in Your hands and with You, all things are possible. Thank You for teaching me that sometimes things won't make sense - not because You are trying to confuse me, but because You are confusing the devil and setting it up for failure. I thank You that when it comes to me, I can rest on Your word in 1 Corinthians 14:33 that You are not the author of chaos. And, You will work everything out for my good because I love You and have been called according to Your purpose (Romans 8:28). Lord, have Your way in my life and bring the devil to shame in everything that concerns me, IJMN, Amen.
"the Lord the Lord! Merciful and Compassionate"
God I use this verse to pray for C.
Thank You for the opportunity to pray for him. I pray for You to send ministering angels to help him as he journeys back home. Let Him experience Your goodness. Reinforce that You are King in His life. You are "mighty to save". So I stand in the gap for C and I ask God that You would make beauty from ashes in his life. Cause him to go from glory to higher glory. The path of the righteous "gets brighter and brighter like the coming dawn". Amen in the mighty name of Jesus.
Please also help the lady M met and prayed for yesterday. Let such people see Your marvelous grace that permanently turns things around for the better.
From AC - Father in Heaven, I am in awe of Your patience, grace, and might. I see Your hand moving and working in Sy's family, especially with her father J, and I am so thankful.
Thank You for softening J's heart, so that he allowed us to pray over him, only You could make such a thing possible. As his organs are now failing and his body continues to deteriorate, we hold on to Your promise in 2 Peter 3:9, that he will not perish until he comes to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior and receives His salvation. Lord, I ask that You reveal Yourself to J in a powerful way, touch his heart, and open his eyes to Your love and truth.
Father, I also lift Sy and her mother to You. Please comfort them during this difficult time and give them the strength hope and courage they need. Consume them with Your peace that surpasses all understanding and help them to trust in Your perfect plan and timing.
Abba, we know that Your desire is for everyone to come to repentance and know the truth, so I pray for Your mercy and grace to abound in Sy's father's life before he departs this earth. May Your Spirit work mightily in his heart, bringing him to a place of surrender and faith in Jesus.
In Jesus' name, and in faith I pray. Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Lord for sis @FFJ. I pray that you will continue to be with her every step of the way. I pray that you bless her, her family, her loved ones and everything concerning her IJMN Amen
From M22 - Father Lord I commit my endeavour for the month of June to you Abba. I put my faith in you anD I soak my input in the blood of Jesus. Father Lord I pray for your favour and I pray to testify in due time IJMN Amen
From M22 - Father Lord I commit my siblings into your care. Thank you fkr what you have done for them, what you are doing what you will continue to do for them. I pray that you will continue to strengthen them in character and faith. I pray that you will answer every petition they have okaced before your feet thank you Father for answered prayers 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.
Lord God You are mighy in power! Thank You for Your wisdom and divine strategies. You win every war and I give You praise. Greater is He that I personally praise You for: helping me in my life; letting me sleep well; protecting us from the tornado; and using us as lights in this world.
I intercede for my brothers and sister in Christ. Mighty one, you see the burdens on their hearts. I cry out to You to manifest as Jehovah Jireh in their lives. I speak against every gate blocking their provision. Let there be light to shine on it and expose it. "Lift up your heads oh ye gates and be lifted up ye everlasting doors, that the King of Glory may enter!" Let the believer dethrone any idol in their hearts and seek You first (Mt 6:33) so You will meet all their needs
From JIR - I pray for those impacted by all of the storms we have been experiencing throughout the world lately. Please Lord give all of those who are affected, with the strength, peace, love and comfort they need at this time and remove any negative thoughts that may be burdening them. Please bless them to recover from the storms and pull them out of whatever situations that the storms have caused them. Please bless them to recover and bounce back better than ever, before they were impacted. IJMN. Amen.
From M22 - Father Lord I pray that you will bless couples waiting on you for the fruit of the womb. I pray that you will turn their waiting into fruitfulness. I pray that you will bless them with beautiful healthy babies that you will nourish and nurture in your ways. I pray that you put an end to miscarriages, failed IVFs and difficult adoption processes IJMN Amen
From PBS - You are the Great I Am—the Beginning and the End—the Most High God!
The Light of Your passing Glory alone was too much for Moses to even see you face to face without perishing!
You are Glorious, Mighty, Powerful, and Holy!
You alone are GOD!
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty!
Greater is He that is within me than he that is in the world!
Satan is defeated!
There is NO ONE and NO THING greater than You!
Every knee shall bow in heaven, on earth, and under the earth at the name of Jesus!
Every authority must yield unto You!
Thank You for giving us the Victory through Jesus!
You are the true Superpower!
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The same God and Father to those saved and delivered through the Blood of the Lamb, the only Savior, Jesus Christ!
The same Lord Jesus who still reigns today!
HALLELUJAH!!!
Thank You Lord!!! Amen, amen, amen!
“Father, we come together in the name of Jesus to plead His blood on our lives and on all that belongs to us, and on all which You have made us a steward.
We plead the blood of Jesus on the portals of our minds, our bodies (the temple of the Holy Spirit), our emotions, and our will. We believe that we are protected by the blood of the Lamb which gives us access to the Holy of Holies.
We plead the blood on our children, grandchildren and their children, our born into and adopted families, friends, and on all those whom You have given us in this life.
Lord, You have said that the life of the flesh is in the blood. Thank You for this blood that has cleansed us from sin and sealed the New Covenant of which we are partakers.
We declare that we are overcomers by the Blood of the Lamb, and by the word of our testimonies.
Jesus is Lord!
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for people struggling with homelessness and poverty. I pray that you will fulfil your promises of abundance and protection in their lives. I pray that you will provide them with a better standard of living. I pray that you will use people to uplift them and also connect them to the right opoortunities that will turn theur lives around for the better IJMN Amen
Father, I pray for my fellow P&P participants and anyone You will allow this prayer to stretch to in Your glory. I come against the spirit of death and deceit seeking to confuse and snatch Your children from the lives and mercies You've surrounded them with.
I pray Your grace and mercy upon Your people. That the challenges they are encountering will wither away with the blast of Your nostrils, Amen. I pray that they will also put in the work to call forth the God of Jeshurun to stand up for them. You've told us to cry onto You and You will show up (Psalm 91:15). Our Rescuer!
And until they do, I stand in the gap, dear Lord, please arise, my Father. Isaiah 64:2-2 - As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you! For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you.
Come down again, Almighty. Do the unexpected for Your children. Pluck them out of the darkness, for You will have mercy on those You will have mercy on. IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Father Lord I pray for children across the world. I pray that you will continue to shield them from harm, violence, hunger, intimidation and abuse. I pray that you touch the hearts and minds of their parents, caregivers and guardians to nourish and nurture them in your ways. I pray that you increase them in supernatural wisdom, knowledge and understanding. I pray that you increase them in supernatural discernment and clarity. I pray that you will helo them to fulfil your purpose for their lives IJMN Amen
Lord, I place leaders before You and pray that they will turn to Your word as their guide. Your word instructs leaders to read Your word so that they may learn to revere You and carefully follow Your decrees (Deuteronomy 17:19).
May our leaders come to know You and know the power and wisdom You have for them, IJMN, Amen. May they please and serve You to Your glory and by Your grace, IJN, Amen.
From JIR - Thank You Lord for all of Your blessings! You have consistently answered my prayers since giving my life to You. I am so grateful and thankful that my latest prayer for my sister to conceive with her husband has been answered! I pray that You watch over her and protect her and the baby from any obstacles. I pray that she has a smooth pregnancy and remains healthy throughout her term. I pray that she has a safe delivery and delivers a healthy baby boy or girl for us to love on. IJMN. Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Mighty Father for your hand over this Wonderful community. Thank you for expanding us and strengthening us in character and faith. Thank you Father for destroying the strongholds of the enemy. Thank you Father for your completion and perfection over our lives. Thank you for speaking for us where we have no pull or influence. We give you all the glory for your faithfulness, love, protection and generosity IJMN Amen