Imagine two neighbors - Sam and Mike. Sam is building a pool house that just so happens to be on Mike's side of the property line. Mike let Sam know but that ended up in a shoving match with Sam saying he doesn't care what his neighbor thinks. Construction has continued unhindered. Several weeks later, Mike is out jogging and sees Sam riding his bicycle up ahead. Determined to avoid his annoying neighbor, he pulls down the visor on his cap and focuses on the asphalt. That is until he hears a crash. He looks up and sees that Sam collided with a car and is lying down on the sidewalk, holding his head.
What should Mike do? Should he keep jogging or stop to check on Sam?
He might be tempted to let Sam suffer given how he reacted when told he was violating property boundaries, but God's word requires something different. Proverbs 25:21-22 - If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
What does this mean? If Mike believes Jesus is the Son of God and has given his life to Christ, then God's word requires that he forgive Sam and even pray for him long before this incident. And, as he sees the man lying there post-accident, he needs to check on Sam, ensure medical services are called, and stay with him until the police and other first responders arrive.
The average person would think what happened to Sam was well-deserved. However, God wants His people to behave and think like citizens of His kingdom, not residents of this world. Jesus said believers are not of the world (John 17:14;16). He also taught believers to treat others as they want to be treated, expressing the love they receive from God to others. The Bible shows that the Christians regularly inconvenienced themselves in an effort to emulate Jesus and put their faith on display.
When a believer applies the Lord's word and shows kindness to their enemies, they experience another pathway to God's reward. He cannot help but bless such a person for not being petty or seeing Sam's accident as an opportunity to retaliate.
God wants to bless those who believe in Him and His Son. He knows that living accordingly is not always easy and has provided His Holy Spirit to help. The Holy Spirit enables the believer to discern the godly thing to do. Most times, this will be counter-intuitive and seem difficult due to personal biases and worldly understanding. Yet, when the Holy Spirit has His way in a person's life they enjoy God's favor, supernatural blessings, and increase. They receive the rewards of God in all areas of their lives.
It is the Holy Spirit who will ensure that a believer is not further abused by their enemy. Sure, that person may think the believer is a fool when they see them doing the godly thing. A wicked person will try to leverage this to do more evil to the believer. But God has promised to protect His own, thus when obeying God's word and walking with the Holy Spirit, there is no need to fear maltreatment. God's word cannot be broken and He promised that all things will work for the good of those who love Him and are called to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
By obeying the Holy Spirit's leading, the believer displays their love for the Lord and walks in His purpose, thus qualifying for the promise of Romans 8:28. Therefore, no matter what an enemy does, the believer will be rewarded and, per Psalm 91:8, will see the punishment of the wicked. Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
God knows that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41). It is for this reason He has created various pathways to receive His rewards. He desires to bless people and is especially invested in rewarding all who choose Him and submit to His word. There is healing in Him. Sound mind, success, peace, and rest can only be accessed through Him. He has the silver and the gold in His hands and gives it to His own to care for their needs as He deems fit. He transforms families and even nations as He wills. Choose God, give your life to His Son, and receive the Holy Spirit so you have heavenly assistance in all things and receive the rewards God has for you. Make the right choice today.
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CLOSING PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for another opportunity to gather with like-minded believers to worship and pray for others. Thank You for the grace and kindness You showed in allowing us to serve You this day.
Thank You for the love You showed us whereby we could honor You this way. To You be glory and praise forever and ever, Amen.
Father, as we go our separate ways, I pray for Your continued grace and mercy to rest upon today's participants. I pray for each of them to experience Your special touches throughout the day. I pray that they will return to testify of Your goodness and the rewards they reaped through obedience to You, IJMN, Amen.
LAST 10 MINUTES
How has today's message touched your heart? Is there a prayer point you took away from the lesson? Is there something you learned from one or more of the comments?
Now is the time to pray as you are led by the Spirit of the Lord. That idea/thought that popped into your mind after reading the post or the comments is what you need to pray about right now.
Ask for grace to forgive others. Ask for strength to do what God says, putting the expectations of the world on the back burner. If you have given your life to Jesus but do not feel you have received or heard the Holy Spirit, now is the time to remedy this. Ask God for the deposit of the Holy Spirit.
If you are yet to give your life to Christ, today is the day to get it done. Please see the Altar Call post above and watch the video. If, however, you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask. The Lord will guide this conversation and there are absolutely no stupid questions. It is better to have some more understanding than not, right? I confess that I don't have all the answers but God has a way of filling in the blanks.
So, yes, give your life to Christ (if you are yet to) so you can receive your deposit of the Holy Spirit who will help and guide you to show kindness to your enemies as God deems fit (not as you deem fit). The rewards of the Lord are waiting.
Glory be to God Almighty! The King of kings. The Lord of lords. He who is above every other god.
Heavenly Father, Christ died on the cross to set everyone free. Yet, the devil has found legal bases upon which to hold so many captive.
But, Your word tells us that the captives will be set free. Isaiah 51:14 - Soon all you captives will be released! Imprisonment, starvation, and death will not be your fate! (NLT)
Additionally, we are taught that "if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:36).
Lord, I stand on Your word therefore, and speak to the state of backsliders in the faith and those who are yet to come to a knowledge of the Truth. I declare that their freedom shall come in accordance with Your word. I pray that they will open the door when You knock and welcome You into their hearts. That You will free them completely from sin and death, IJMN, Amen.
When the road too rough for me (For me)
Chukwuoma showed up for me, for me
When I was so down in the valley (Valley)
Jesus said hold on to me, to me
Brought me out of the valley (Valley)
Opened my eyes and now I see clearly (clearly)
He said he's gat me (Jesus said hold on) Ehe
He said he's gat me (to me, to me)
Even while I was doubting (doubting)
He talk say my darling (darling)
You can trust me (Jesus said hold on) Ehe
You can trust me (to me, to me)
Marvelous God, Thou alone are worthy to be praised. None is greater than You. None compares to You and none ever will.
Psalm 139:5 - You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
Lord, there is so much going on in the world today and it is inducing fear and stressing people.
I pray that Your people will stand confident in Your word from Psalm 139:5. That their eyes will open to know that their protection and safety is in You. That they will know in their hearts that You provide never-ending love which translates into You surrounding those who will believe.
May they believe, Lord, and receive the protection You provide them for free, IJN, Amen.
From JIR - Please Lord look over all widows and orphans. Please turn their mourning and sorrow into joy and happiness. Please bless them with the strength and courage to keep pushing through and bless them with the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Please touch their hearts Lord to turn to You and rely on You for strength and guidance. IJMN. Amen.
Lord, You had Abraham and Sarah wait. You had Joseph wait. You had Daniel wait. You had Elizabeth wait. You had Hannah wait. You had Manoa and His wife wait.
Lord, we praise You that nobody who waits on You shall ever go down in disgrace. Thank You!
Give Your people strength and patience to wait and stand firm as they do so.
All to Your glory and by Your wonderful grace, IJMN, Amen.
From JIR - Lord, I pray for those who are lonely. Please comfort them and bless them with Your presence. Please bless them to look to You, to depend on You and to lean on You for the love they may be yearning for. Please Lord bless them to know that they matter and wrap them in Your love. Please replace their loneliness with joy and gladness. I pray that they realize all that they need is You to end their feeling of loneliness. IJMN. Amen.
From JIR - I pray for the innocent children and adults forced into sëx trafficking and the nefarious oppression and affliction they experience and witness everyday. I pray that You cover these ones Lord and give them comfort and strength. I pray that You wrap them in Your love and bless them to know that You are always there for them, and that You are always working things out for their good. I pray that You protect them and give them hope. In the name of Jesus, break every chain and set every captive free Lord. I pray that You heal these ones and pull them out of their situation. IJMN. Amen.
From JIR - I pray for those being persecuted for spreading the gospel. I pray that You comfort and protect them from those persecuting them. I pray that You give them the strength, zeal and fire to continue spreading the gospel no matter the outcome. I pray that You take them under Your wings and shield them, cover them and protect them from this harmful, evil world and those who mean them ill will. Lord, I pray that You protect them supernaturally and send Your angels from heaven’s armies to surround them as they endure and persevere in spreading Your Word - The Word of God. IJMN. Amen.
PRAYER TIME
Psalm 145:1 - I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Until the end of time, my Father, I give You all the praise. Glory, glory, and more glory belong to You, my King!
From JIR -
From JIR - “I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.”
Psalms 18:1-2 NLT
Holy Ghost
I need You now
I need You now
I need You
From JIR - Thank You Lord for Your perfect timing in all that You do. I am in awe of Your wisdom and knowledge, Your power and Your Almightiness, Your love and compassion. You know all things. Nothing can be hidden from You. You give me hope and a future. You give me peace and love. You give me everything and more that I need in life. You are all I need. I put my trust in You Lord. Thank You for always being by my side. I worship You and praise Your name Lord. IJMN. Amen.
Thank You that not one thing or person has entered this world without experiencing Your love and mercy. Thank You that I enjoy that privilege. Not because I am so holy or worthy but because You are holy and worthy of it all.
Praise be to You now and always!
From JIR - Thank You Almighty God for always being so compassionate and comforting me in Your love. You are Who I trust in. It feels so good to know that I can rely on you and depend on You for all things and that You are faithful and will never leave or forsake me. You are so good to me and have been with me every step of the way with my most recent issue. I thank You Lord for the strength and love You give me and for Your grace and mercy. Without You I would not be able to get through the bad and the good times. Thank You Lord. I praise Your name no matter the circumstances. All glory to You. IJMN. Amen.
Isaiah 14:27 - For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?
God who can challenge You? Who can stand against You? You who with a breath caused the seas to stand still. You who with a word brought mighty armies to their knees. You who cripple the great and make foolish the wise.
Lord, even today, You are doing these and so much more.
Praise be to my God. Praise be to my King. Praise be to the Righteousness One. He who is forever and ever. To You be all adoration!
From WG - Good morning and have a blessed day
From EC - Amen and good morning ladies!
PRAISE TIME
From M22 - God is good. His arms are always open to receive us. I just pray that we receive strength to focus on God and let go of worldly pleasures. IjMN Amen
From JIR - Thank You Lord for breathing life into us this morning. We are grateful and blessed that You have given us another day to get closer to You. Your love knows no bounds and I thank You for today’s word which has been edifying and has clarified some things for me. Thank You Lord for always being on time. All glory to You my King. IJMN. Amen.
Thanks for today’s message sis @FFJ. This message is one that applies to me at this very moment. I am out of office for a couple weeks and it dawned on me that a few of my team members who I reached out to on Teams to wish them well, didn’t say bye to me as I was signing off. I have been thinking about it and it really hurt me so I was wavering on if I should tell them bye if they reach out in the same manner next time they are out. You have answered my question. Why be petty? As Jesus says turn the other cheek if someone wrongs you. I will pray for my coworkers and wish them well with love.
God bless you for this word sis. I feel we must always ask ourselves what would Jesus do and I had been going back and forth on this issue. Then boom! Jesus shows up with the answer. Thank You Lord. I also love how you remind us that we are set apart and must not act as the world would. I admit at times it is hard to extend my love to those who do me wrong and let bygones be bygones but I have gotten much better over the year, thanks to the Holy Spirit and His conviction. Thanks again for today’s message sis! IJMN. Amen.
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!