It's the season to be merry and gift-giving is common at this time of the year. Often, presents are wrapped up in brightly-colored paper and a bow is placed on top.
Those colorful packages draw us in. There's something so attractive about them, right? Some of us will do almost anything to get our hands on one of them. It's the same mistake so many of us make in life. We look at someone or something and fall hook, line, and sinker for their 'packaging'. We are influenced by their look. However, Christians are commanded to see past the physical appearance of a person. John 7:24 - Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.
We examine a person's clothes, bags, home, and car and we think they've got it going on. Alas, those things are all superficial. They are not a true marker of how a person is actually doing in the physical and definitely not in the spiritual. Many have chosen to 'fake it till they make it', living a life of lies and shadows that will come crumbling down in an instant. We should not envy such people or even want their lifestyle of deception (Proverbs 24:1).
Instead, we are to focus on the fruits produced by their life. "By their fruits you will know them" (Matthew 7:20). What impact does this person have on yourself and others? Do they display godly fruit such as bringing joy to others? Or is this person the one who gets everyone gossiping or riled up? Does this person's life act as an example that God would use to highlight how you should be living or is it the opposite? As you ponder these questions, please note that the standard at issue isn't the world's. The standard to be met is God's.
As we look at other people's 'packaging', let us also be conscious of our own. Do we present a pretty box to observers while our interior is anything but? Do both our private life and public persona align with God's word? Or are we just pretending for others? Never forget what happened to Ananias and Saphira who pretended to be pious but were revealed for their deception by the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught in Luke 8:17 - For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.
Praise God that through Jesus we can be the complete package - pretty on the outside and even more beautiful on the inside. Through Christ, we can produce good fruits that serve God and give Him glory. He wants this for us and when we submit our lives to Christ, we get cleansed from the sin that once made us filthy. From that point onward, the Holy Spirit helps us to live a life pleasing to God with nothing naughty hiding out of sight. This is because the blood of Jesus washes us and makes us new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17). And as we rely on the gift of the Holy Spirit, we start to live lives free from the stifling burden of sin (Romans 8:2).
Take a good look at your 'packaging' - the public face you present. Is it godly or do you think the Lord would want to change it? Ask Him to help you represent Him to the fullest in public and honor Him to the fullest privately. He will surely help you because He loves you and wants the best for you.
FINAL MESSAGE
I have a strong sense that many of the recent messages we've received in P&P are meant for someone.
There is somebody who reads these messages that has been resisting God on something. He wants you and is gently seeking you out. I implore you to open the door to His knocking. Jesus said in Revelation 3:20 - Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
Whoever you are, I believe you need to say the prayer included in the Altar Call post (Post #2) and mean it. You need the Holy Spirit to help you with something. God wants to help you but you struggle with disbelief and it is a seed that the Lord didn't plant in you. Let Him uproot it, please.
We've been going over the same and similar messages and that tells me there's somebody God is trying to reach in our midst. I pray that you will read this message and genuinely ask Jesus to come into your heart to stay.
Please submit to Him. I can freely testify that since I made that choice I have been living in an atmosphere of miracles for years. I've seen God do what others thought was impossible. He literally changed the law for me based on a simple proclamation I kept praying. I'm not kidding. And that's not even the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the things I've seen God do for me and for others. Why deprive yourself of that experience?
Please, stop delaying. God is patient but He operates on a schedule that no human can understand. Even Jesus acknowledged there are things He didn't know. Stop stalling and fully submit to the Lord. Let Him help you!!!
God bless you.
CLOSING PRAYER
Hallelujah to the Lord!!!
We've arrived at the end of another hour of fellowship.
God, we thank You for this chance to gather with one intention - to honor You. We pray that our worship rose as a sweet-smelling incense and that our prayers for others rose to You as a memorial offering. Kindly hear and answer our petitions for our prayer subjects and be Thou glorified, IJN Amen.
From AC - Abba I pray for those who have turned away from and towards the occult and all manners of witchcraft. You warn that anyone who loves and practices such evil falsehoods and abominations, will not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. So we bind and cast out every evil, stronghold, power, principality, and ruler of darkness amongst us and cancel any assignment of the enemy. We declare that You are the power Who sits on the throne and every knee shall bow of things in heaven and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. In His name, we pray, Amen.
From AC - Thank You Lord! Miracle Worker, Giant Slayer! We give You all glory!
LAST 10 MINUTES
Packaging. On some level, we all do it. However, we can never forget that God sees right through us. He wants our public face and our inner heart to be identical and beautiful to Him. He has made room for this to be possible. So, if you don't think you can do it, please believe me when I say God can make it happen for you.
The key is to desire that consistency and submit to how God will make it happen in your life. Listen, we see other people and might be tempted to want their lives but all we need is the life God has designed for us. It will be one where we are walking with Him in harmony and His goodness and mercy will look really good on us.
If you want to look like the package God created you to be on the inside as well as the outside, then let us pray -
Lord, God Almighty. Thank You for Your mercy and grace upon our lives. Thank You for being the God who sees us as precious. Father, we seek to be beautiful within and without, made splendorous by You. Help us to see ourselves and others as You see, and to walk as You will. Open our eyes to Your reality, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray whatever is a source of worry in our lives that you will take care of it. Your word in Matthew 6:31 says worry won't add a moment to our lives yet we continue to worry. Abba please help rest in your comfort and authority. Help us shift our focus from the natural to the spiritual. Thank you Abba for fighting our battles. Helo us to be reminded that fear and worry are not your future IJMN amen
From sis FJ - Dear God, be exalted. You are mighty and there is no one like You. King of kings, I know that You are the most high. Because You are already the greatest, please continue to deliver Your sheep from wicked leaders and false teachers. The Bible calls them people "of depraved minds" and Your word promises that they will not last long. Since their time is short, please swiftly rescue Your sheep from these wicked people. Isaiah 66:17, “Those who consecrate and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one who is among those who eat the flesh of pigs, rats and other unclean things”. Lord You are warning people to not follow false leaders who eat unclean things, because "they will meet their end together with the one they follow" (Isaiah 66:17). God, mighty God, God of Justice, please rescue Your children from every false path. You do not desire the death of the sinner, so even for those who belong to You who may be submitting to a false teacher, please rescue them from the wicked teacher. In Jesus name, amen.
From M22 - ABba I thank you for sis @FFJ . Thank you for strengthening her. Thank you for her, her family, her job and interests. May she never grow weary in running this heavenly race. I pray that she will continue to be a vessel for your glory and this community will continue to expand as you speak and prophesy through her IJMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for orphans across that world. I pray that you will continue to be their father and mother. I pray that you will wipe their tears and they will not have to feel that parental absence. I pray that you will continue to nourish and nurture them so they can fulfil their destinies IJMN amen.
From M22 - Abba as we approach the holiday season, I pray that you touch the hearts and minds of people experiencing loneliness and sadness. I pray that you connect then with people and communities that will make them feel welcomed and celebrate with them this season IJMN. Amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for everyone that is sick and recovering. @k @B2 and many others that are seeking your divine healing. I pray that your healing permeates their cells, systems, blood vessels and organs Abba. I pray that you guards the hearts and minds of every medical staff as they lead patients to recovery.
I pray Abba that you coordinate the eyes and hands of every operating surgeon and I pray that every surgeries being conducted will be successful and complication free IJMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for women due for delivery. I pray that you guard the hearts and minds of the doctors and midwives so they can deliver their babies safely and without complications. Help them rest easy in your comfort and authority knowing they'll deliver either ease IJMN amen.
From M22 -Thank you Father for the Morris Heights Building residents. Thank you Abba for shielding everyone of them from disaster. As they navigate the events and finding shelter, I pray that you open up doors and opportunities for them IJMN amen .
From AC - Abba, In this season of peace, hope, and goodwill, I lift in prayer my loved ones and all Your children who are without hope and joy in their lives. Please renew within them Your spirit and let them know that even in the midst of their loneliness and pain, You are right there with them, for You are the God Who sees us (Genesis 16:13) and Your compassion never fails. I thank You for assuring us that You will meet all of our needs according to the riches of Your glory in Christ Jesus. In His precious name, I pray. Amen
From M22 - Abba I pray that you settle every conflict and war in this world. Every human is precious to you no matter their race or affiliation. Abba I pray that your peace in Phillipians 4:8 will cover this world IJMN amen.
From M22 - Abba for everyone struggling financially and in need of provision. I pray that you supply all of their needs through your glorious riches according to your word in Phillipians 4:19. May they never lack moving forward IJMN amen
From sis FJ - Dear God,
I pray for all ministers and leaders that You are using for Your will. God please encourage them. "Make strong the feeble knees" and strengthen their weary bones. Please send them hope and encouragement to propel them forward. Show mercy to them God, because of the sake of Your name, and Your remembrance of their "labors of love". Thank You God for always upholding those who belong to You. Anyone who calls on Your name will never be put to shame.
From M22 - Abba I pray for couples seeking the fruit of that womb. I pray that you bless them with healthy beautiful babies that you will help them nourish and nurture IJMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for children across the world. I pray for your protection, preservation and nourishment over them. I pray that you will continue to shield them from violence, harm and abuse. Father I pray that you will continue to nurture them so they can advance your kingdom here on earth. Help them serve their purposes. 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.