We've been looking at pathways to God's reward and learning that the Lord is invested in paying back those who do a good job. In the case of Ruth, we learned that her decision to choose God led to great rewards. We also learned that being persecuted for choosing Jesus will produce godly rewards.
That said, King David mentions another pathway in 2 Samuel 22:21 - The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.
These words were said by a man who was far from perfect. He ignored God's laws and conducted a census of his people, despite being warned against it (Exodus 30:11–16; 1 Chronicles 21:1–6). When presented with options for his punishment, he chose a plague to fall on the nation and it led to the deaths of 70,000 (2 Samuel 24). He lusted after and slept with a married woman, whose husband, Uriah, was off fighting in his army. After impregnating her, he crafted a scheme to get the woman to sleep with her husband, so the illicit affair would not be discovered. When that attempt at deception failed, David had Uriah placed at the war front so he'd be killed (2 Samuel 11).
Despite all this, God testified that David was a man after His own heart - a man who pleased Him. That is because David was the sort of man who sincerely repented for offending God and never went back to repeating the sin God forgave him of. David gives further insight on how he managed to be deemed righteous in the sight of the Lord. 2 Samuel 22:22-24 - For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I am not guilty of turning from my God. /All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees. /I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin. And he repeats that his righteous behavior brought forth God's reward in 2 Samuel 22:25 - The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight.
It is a wonder that David could manage this given his past. However, the fact that he could is clear evidence that we can do the same and reap similar results. He shows us that we too must aim to live in a way that honors God and His word. David had the Spirit of the Lord resting upon him (1 Samuel 16:13). This caused him to walk in the fear of the Lord. Believers who have submitted to Jesus Christ have received the Holy Spirit, the key to living a righteous life. On our own, we would bow to the deathly desires of our flesh. But with the Holy Spirit, we can rise above our sinful desires. And when we fail, there is the privilege of sincere repentance to receive God's forgiveness. He has promised to forgive and restore those who repent in 1 John 1:9. Plus, God desires to purify us as well as cleanse us from all guilt and shame.
Being conscious of this pathway, we must study God's word more and allow His Holy Spirit to reign in our lives. That way, He will remind us of what pleases God and the strategies needed to achieve that. As we cooperate, we live in a righteous and holy manner that God loves and rewards.
To learn more, please click the hyperlinks above and read the following:
Don't know why I forgot about this boppity bop. Goodness, how times have changed. I remember when I could watch gospel music on BET
No weapon formed against me shall prosper
It'll never prosper
It's by God's grace
All things through Christ Jesus
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, thank You for bringing us together to honor You and experience Your presence all because we obeyed Your instruction for the faithful to gather. I pray for all who participated on this day. Please remember them for worshiping You. Remember them for praying for the needs of others. I pray to You, the All-Powerful God, to bless these ones and give them miracles big and small. Spoil them, my Father and get all the glory!!! Thank You as well for those who couldn't join us today. Keep them safe, good Lord, and bless them richly. And for those who will fellowship later, we give You all the glory for them too. Hallelujah!
Keep us all safe until we meet again and may we gather with rejoicing on our lips. IJN, Amen.
'Cause He won't fail
He won't fail
No, He won't leave you
No, no He won't fail
I've seen it with my own eyes
LAST 10 MINUTES
Righteous living is a pathway to God's reward. Praise God! This is a doable thing when we walk in the Spirit and kill our flesh.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the rigging the 'game' for me. Thank You that You have already won the battle and provided me the tools to live a righteous life that pleases You. Thank You for Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and Your word which all guide me to live in a manner that brings great reward from You.
You didn't have to do it. You didn't have to create pathways to rewards, righteousness, and the many other privileges You have placed in my way but I am so grateful You did. Thank You for holding my hands to walk with me into every blessing, promise and reward. IJN I have prayed and say, Amen.
Now, if you said that prayer, you need to believe God has answered it. Mark 11:24 - Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. I've been practicing this instruction and I can attest that it works. So believe that God has heard and answered you and GIVE HIM A PRAISE!!
Eyes haven't seen
Ears haven't heard
All you have planned for me
And nothing, no nothing
And nothing can separate me from your love when
There's so much more still worth fighting for
Glorious God, thank You for being the God who cares for all. Thank You for You are He who makes the sun shine on the good and evil. You allow the rain to fall on the wicked and upright (Matthew 5:45). Praise be to You, kind Father.
Lord, God, I want to pray for those experiencing housing insecurity. God. You are He who does not deprive His children of any good thing per Psalm 34:10. Thank You, God, that housing is a good thing and just as You ensured that Elijah was taken care of even in the wilderness not allowing him to be exposed to the elements (1 Kings 19:9), I look to You to provide for Your people in need of housing. That none will be homeless but always have a safe and secure roof over their heads.
Remember Your word in Isaiah 32:18 - My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. Grant Your people peaceful dwelling places, secure homes, undisturbed places of rest. For Thine is the glory, the honor, and the power, IJN, Amen.
My hands are lifted up
My heart is ready to receive
A blessing from you
Anybody wanna receive that?
A blessing from you
Glory be to God in the highest. You are the King of kings. The Lord of lords and the God above every other god. Praise be to You forever!
Lord, I lift up this nation to You and I thank You for the privilege of citizenship. I can stand upon Your word to speak Your will upon this land as my feet are planted here and I have authority in the name of Your Son, Jesus.
God, Your word states in Psalm 22:28 - for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.
Dear Father, as You alone have complete power and dominion over this nation, I bring my petition to You. Lord, remember Your word. Give us leaders that winnow out the wicked with their eyes (Proverbs 20:8). Give us leaders who reject corruption (Isaiah 1:23). We pray for leaders who seek to serve and understand that they are only in their position because You allowed them to be there (Romans 13:1).
Help this nation, remembering Your word in Proverbs 29:12 - If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked. We remember the consequence of Rehoboam listening to wrong counsel and lacking wisdom Himself. Father, have mercy. Lord Your promise in Psalm 125:3 states, The wicked will not rule the land of the godly, for then the godly might be tempted to do wrong. We remind You of Your word. In workplaces. In families. In healthcare. In industry. In politics. Lord, remember Your word and let it be fulfilled for Your people. IJMN, Amen.
I won't go back
I can't go back
To the way it used to be
Before Your presence came and changed me
Lord Almighty, we call on You for Your healing in the lives of Your children. Father, Your word tells us in Jeremiah 30:17 - But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,' declares the LORD, 'because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.'
Father, remember, Isaiah 53:5 - But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Our Father, You whose name is hallowed and esteemed. Please, bring healing to those we cover in this prayer. You know who they are. You are their Maker and know where they need to be healed. We trust You for them, IJMN, Amen.
PRAYER TIME
Let us turn our attention to praying for the people in our lives. Lift up the issues they are dealing with to the Lord. Ask Him to step into their challenges and erase them.
Pray for the nation you live in. Ask God for peace across the world. Pray for places that have experienced disasters and are trying to recover. There's so much to pray about, so get to it. The Lord will help you.
Psalm 97:1 - The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice.
Father, I am gladdened to know that You reign on high. You who established Your throne in the highest heavens. Your Kingdom reigns over all.
Hallelujah!
Thank You God. I'm so grateful to know that I am not alone. You are always with me. Even in the quiet, private moments. You watch over me and lead me with Your loving eyes.
Thank You. I am grateful to be loved and cherished by You, my King. Thank You for this great grace and privilege.
(My God is awesome) think about it, savior of the whole world
(Savior of the whole world)
Giver of salvation (giver of salvation)
By His stripes (by his stripes I am healed)
My God is awesome (my God is awesome)
Today I am forgiven (today I am forgiven)
His grace is why I'm living (His grace is why I'm living)
Somebody oughta praise His holy name (praise His holy name)
Come on and testify, you know He's awesome, say it
Isaiah 61:10 - I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Heavenly Father!!!! Thank You so much for saving me. Thank You for delivering me out of the enemy's clutches. Thank You for putting satan to shame in my case. Not because of anything other than Your precious love and the fact You extended Your salvation and righteousness to me. What is man that You would be mindful of me, Lord? And yet, You deem it fit to keep me on Your mind always! Oh Father! Hallelujah!
Marvelous God, thank You for answering prayers. Thank You for not leaving us to wonder whether or not You would come through. Thank You for just as You promised You came through before the deadline and when the enemy tried to make it seem like the victory was hollow, You heard my cries and cemented what You had done.
Thank You for You have said those who believe in You will not face shame or disgrace. Thank You for keeping that covenant with me, Heavenly Father.
I praise You now and forever more.
PRAISE TIME
It is time to bow down before our God in worship! Let us enter into His presence with praises on our lips. He is God of gods. Because of Him you are alive. Because of Him, you can smile. It is by His grace that you have anything. He is the one who fights for you whether you realize it or not. Satan wants to erase everything that the Lord made and that includes you. However, God declared that you were fearfully and wonderfully made and off limits to the devil.
Psalm 139:14 - I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.
Let us thank the Lord who deserves our love, our respect, our fear!
Bread of Life
Sent down from Glory
Many things you were on earth
A holy King, a carpenter
'Cause you are the living word
Say it now
...
Awesome ruler
Gentle redeemer
God with us the living truth
And what a friend we have in You
You you are (you are the living word)
...
Jesus, Jesus
That's what we call you
Manger born but on a tree
You died to save humanity
You are the living word
In Him do I live, move, and have my being
In Him do I live, move, and have my being
In Him do I live, move, and have my being
In Him do I live, move, and have my being
'Cause I'm nothing without You (I'm nothing without You)
I'm nothing without You (I'm nothing without You) Lord,
I'm nothing without You (I'm nothing without You)
Nothing without You (I'm nothing without You)
...
So breathe through me and live in me
Let Your glory reign in me
Let me say breathe through me
And live in me (live in me)
Let Your glory reign in me (let Your glory reign in me)
Oh, breathe through me
And live in me (live in me), come on, if you mean it
Say let Your glory reign (let Your glory reign)
In me (in me), one more time
From M22 - God is good! David was a very special man and an innovator. He taught us how to submit burdens and worried to God. His life is very exemplary despite his shortcomings. The ability for him to humble himself in prayer when he fell short is what we should constantly emulate everyday. We should not get too comfortable and think it's just God's grace. Genuine repentance pleases God and I pray we never grow weary of repenting when we offend our Father in Heaven. God bless us all. Happy Fellowship day!
From EC - Amen and good morning ladies!
From MrsR - GOD BLESS YOU DEAR @FFJ ! I ❤️ This BEAUTIFUL WORD
I'm grateful for the things You've done
I'm grateful for the victories we've won
I could go on and on and on
about Your works
because I'm grateful, grateful so grateful
to praise You Lord
Flowing from my heart
are the issues of my heart
ALTAR CALL
Jesus said that nobody will get to God His Father except through Him in John 14:6. He also said that no one will see the Kingdom of God (i.e. Heaven) if they have not been born again (John 3:3). To qualify to see God in heaven, a person need only repent and believe the good news that Jesus is God's Son who died for the sins of mankind.
If you want to understand what I'm talking about, please watch the short video below. It's from a guy who speaks with a British accent, but please don't hold that against him. What he says is important and can change the entire trajectory of your life for the better.
If you watched the video to the end and said that prayer, then welcome to being a child of God! I pray you receive the Holy Spirit and are led in the ways of the Lord so you experience the fullness of life that is the inheritance of those who give their lives to Christ. Be sure to let me know you said the prayer and I'll send you more materials so you can grow as a new creature! Congrats and God bless you!