In His infinite wisdom, God determined that human beings would be able to execute His judgments here on earth (Psalm 149:6-9). His word states that the very power that raised Jesus from the dead is accessible to those who believe in Him (Ephesians 1:19-20). Even Jesus said that human beings would be able to do greater than what He did while He was on earth (John 14:12).
Yet, there is a common misconception that human beings are incapable of doing the very things the Lord has stated that He wants them to do. Many are asking God to do things that He has empowered them to do. For instance, Jesus said those who believe in Him will drive out demons, pick up deadly snakes, survive poisonings, and lay hands on people to make them well (Mark 16:17-18). The earliest Christians understood the significance of believing in Jesus. Together they prayed for Apostle Peter's release and God sent an angel to release him from prison while the soldiers watching him slept like babies (Acts 12:1-18). We don't even have to go that far back to see examples of how the body of Christ used their spiritual weapons to have a heavy impact on the world around them.
Despite the foundation laid for us, so many self-professing Christians feel powerless in this day and age. Why do so many think that God's power only moves for certain people and not all believers? Or, that the God of the Old and New Testament is now on holiday?
Part of the issue is simply obedience. We each have to learn to fully submit to the Lord so we see even more of His might. Consider what Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 10:6 - And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient (NLT). Imagine that! When more of us in the body of Christ is fully obedient, then the disobedient will be punished!
God wants you and I to act as His hands on earth. He wants those who believe in Him to put the wicked and disobedient in check through His power. He has said He is building us up to be vessels for His purpose. He has stated we shall be the instruments He uses to remove obstacles (Isaiah 41:15-16). He has told us not to be afraid of anything that He is with us (Romans 8:31). In fact, before we were ever born, He had a plan to use each of us mightily (Romans 8:29). Unfortunately, our disobedience limits our capacity to take what God has planted in us and do more than we have done so far.
Unfortunately, we are holding onto behaviors and thought patterns that need to go. For one person, it could be unforgiveness. For someone else, it's jealousy. Another person might be struggling with fornication, while a different person has to let go of lying. God wants us to obey Him in the little and big things. If we let Him, He will show us how we've been disobedient and how this has prevented us from doing the greater works Jesus promised. And if we agree to obey, He'll take what seems like a small step to us and magnify it. He will help us to get stronger in our obedience to Him. There will be good days and less than stellar days but He will never let go of our hands as we journey toward full obedience. And as the months go by, we will grow spiritually and do the very things Jesus said His believers would do.
Are you ready to obey? Are you ready to become God's hand here on earth? To step into your calling as His royal priesthood? Today is the day to make this choice because tomorrow could be too late. If you are ready, let's pray the following:
Heavenly Father, thank You for creating me with a great plan for my life. I want to step into Your plan for me. I understand that my disobedience and sin have stood in the way of this and so I repent. I am sorry that I haven't walked truthfully with You and today I submit to Your will, Your word, and Your purpose for me. Take my hand and help me Lord. Grace to obey and be built for Your plans that my life brings You glory here on earth, IJMN Amen.
Glory to God! Come on back for fellowship when we'll worship together and take steps toward becoming God's instruments by praying for people and the world. See you at Noon EST!
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CLOSING PRAYER
Glory be to You, oh Lord, for the successful conclusion of another hour of fellowship at Your feet. Thank You for bringing us together. Thank You for those who will come at a later point to genuinely serve and honor You this way.
Father, You know and see the hearts of man for there is nothing that can be hidden from You. Please touch Your own that their zeal to obey shall increase (Ezekiel 36:27). Help us all that we shall walk in the fear of the Lord for to do so is to obey You.
Thank You for Your grace that despite our disobedience, You have consistently allowed Your goodness and mercy to go ahead, follow and surround Your own. Thank You for this mercy. Lord, as Your children's submission increases, let there be an increase of Your presence not only in the Body of Christ but in the world at large. Let us see an increase in miracles and testimonies to Your glory.
IJMN, I pray, Amen.
*From BI* - Lord, look down with compassion on countries in turmoil including Sudan, Ukraine, Nigeria and so many others. I pray for sanctuary for those who are fleeing war, safety for those who are unable to leave, peace for those fighting, calm for those who are afraid and hope for those in despair. Lord, look down with mercy upon Your children and calm raging hearts. May peace, unity, charity, forgiveness and brotherly love reign among Your children IJMN Amen.
LAST 10 MINUTES
This issue of obedience is one we need to pay more attention to. As noted in the main message, our obedience as children of God enables us to do the unimaginable in this world.
But, we need to also remember that there are other additional rewards for obeying the Lord. Rewards that most of us would love to experience.
Consider Leviticus 26:1-17 - ‘If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, 4I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit. 5Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land. 6“ ‘I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove wild beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country. 7You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. 8Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you. 9“ ‘I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you. 10You will still be eating last year’s harvest when you will have to move it out to make room for the new.
Please take the time to read the scripture above and think about these benefits. If you want them, and you said the prayer in the main message, then let obedience be your watchword from now till the end of time. Understand that your obedience will serve God's purpose and bring countless blessings to you and those around you. You can never lose by obeying God. So why not choose to win?
Lord, I pray that more and more people will choose to obey You. God, Your obedience brings freedom and prosperity. Micah 6:8 - The LORD God has told us what is right and what he demands: "See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God." (CEV)
Glory be to You, God.
I know the enemy seeks to have all of humanity disobedient and unaware of Your precepts, but I thank You for Your purpose always prevails. It is for this reason that Your laws are imprinted within us.
That said, God, I lift up Micah 5:15 - I will take vengeance in anger and wrath on the nations that have not obeyed me.”
You have given us authority to declare Your word and establish it. Thus, Lord, Your word stands against those who have disobeyed You. They believe You do not see their wicked deeds. That they can act in evil unencumbered and unsanctioned. Lord, take Your vengeance upon them, IJN, Amen. They kill wantonly and destroy without remorse. For such individuals who have chosen to be stiff necked and not return to You, let them understand that for the pride of their lips and their deeds, You will indeed avenge, IJN, 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, thank You for being the God who is concerned about us mere mortals. In Your loving kindness, You have not left us to go astray. Instead, You have given Your word, You have given us Jesus whose death ensured we enjoy grace, and You have granted us the Holy Spirit to act as our Remembrancer so we remember what we've been taught.
Thank You for being so good to us!
Lord, as You have taught us about obedience today and as we have prayed to commit ourselves to be more submissive to You, I want to pray for all those who have made that commitment.
Good God, Your word tells us that You hear and answer us (1 John 5:15). You grant our prayers (Matthew 7:11).
Thus, Lord, grant the prayers of Your children. Let them begin to see how You are helping them to become more obedient. Help them even when there is a temptation to cause them to disobey. Let Your sweet voice of truth encourage and steer them toward what is right. Let them grow in obedience and submission to You and You alone. May they hear Your voice - the call of the Shepherd - and not that of their enemy, the devil.
To You be all the glory and the honor and the praise, IJMN, Amen.
*From AC* - EL Rapha, I plead Your healing grace upon JAD, Mama K, Auntie S, my fellow Peppers, and their loved ones, in need of this prayer. Deliver them from all health alignments, discomfort, and pain. Eliminate the spirit of fear and fill them with Your transcending peace. Strengthen and heal all systems, cells, bones, organs, tissue, nerve endings, and vessels. Bless them with easy access to quality healthcare and guide the hands and minds of the medical team entrusted with their care. Please grant them a healing victory for Your almighty glory!
Father, I also lift in prayer the multitude that are in dire financial need, those struggling with the high costs of living, those in debt, the homeless, and those lacking basic necessities and food. You are the God of provision, our Adonai Yireh and we know that You provide in abundance, so I ask that You please open the storehouse of Your heavenly bounty and rain upon the needy a financial breakthrough. Please lighten their burden, and meet their needs.
May You receive these prayers, in Jesus' name, Amen.
*From BI* - Wonderful Lord, I pray You lay Your healing hands on CE, JO, CS, MM, PC, sis @kety, sis @B2, sis @MFC, sis @FP and anyone connected to this prayer platform in need of healing. I pray that You use Your miraculous hand to heal them in mind, body and spirit. Take away all that troubles them and fill them with Your transcending peace. I pray that the mantle of good health and long life rest upon them. Lord, Dispatch Your Holy angels to stand guard and watch over them. Watch over their medical team as they work as extensions of Your healing hand IJMN Amen.
*From AW* - I'm grateful for another day to serve you Lord!
PRAYER TIME
Whatever you do, remember that now is our time to pray for others.
It can be tempting to pray for ourselves because we need God's help with so much.
However, for the next 25 minutes, let's focus on anybody but us.
Pray for your neighbors, your kid's teachers, the workers at nearby stores and businesses.
There are so many people who need an intercessor to pray for them. Be that person for someone else today.
*From BI* - King of kings.
Lord of lords.
Alpha and Omega.
Jehovah.
Yahweh.
Lion of the tribe of Judah.
El Shaddai.
Elohim.
Righteous One.
Living Water.
Creator.
Lord of armies.
Jehovah Jireh.
Shalom.
Light of the world.
The Good Shepherd.
God of “Yes” and “Amen”.
Redeemer.
Healer.
Strong Tower.
Abba Father.
Thank You Thank You Thank You!!!
*From FP* - Thank you for this thread. My spirit is a bit broken but thank you for this ! God bless you all
Thank You God for this timely message. No matter how I may be feeling, Your power is still in me. Greater is He that's in me than he that's in the world.
Thank You God for giving us a great day yesterday. Thank You for making all things work together for the good of those who love You and are called according to Your purpose
*From FP* - Thank you Heavenly Father for your Love, Mercy, and Grace that you give us everyday . Thank you for protecting me during that accident Lord . Thank you for always being here for me even when I stray away from you . I don’t have it all figured out right now Lord but I pray and trust in you and your plan .
Amazing God! You always come through!!!
Lord, thank You for being the prayer-answering God.
Thank You for what You have done for Mr. S. and his family. Thank You for he gave his life to Christ and You are showing off for him!
I believe and declare that what You are doing is just the beginning of plenty more testimonies for him and his loved ones.
Lord, please take all the glory in their lives.
Father in Heaven, thank You for all that You have done for us.
Thank You God, for also being the Lord we can expect more from.
No matter what we think, You are capable and willing to bless above what our expectations and requests could ever be.
Hallelujah!!!
*From AC* - Glory Hallelujah! Thank You Jesus! I lift Your name in honour and praise!
*From T1983* - Amen!!! And thank you God for everything!!!
From BI - Thank You my King of kings for the countless number of times You helped me, healed me, protected me, forgave me, showed me mercy, guided me and provided for me. I am sorry for not obeying You enough. I thank You for never taking away Your love. My Abba Father I give You all the glory, honour and adoration.
PRAISE TIME
Let us worship the Lord for who He is.
Let us praise Him for what He has done.
Let us abandon ourselves in rejoicing in Him.
Give Him all the glory!!!