The devil approached Jesus once in the wilderness and was summarily dismissed. Yet, the devil didn't stop 'coming for' Jesus. After that, it used people to regularly attack Him.
We are no different. The devil is constantly trying to stop us from doing the things God wants us to do. The day you commit to never lie again is the day some problem arises and someone suggests an explanation that isn't quite truthful. Will you go along with it or be honest? The day you commit to not doing drugs such as marijuana is the day a friend comes over with more than enough to share. Are you going to stick to your commitment or choose to participate one last time? The day you determine you're never going to engage in gossip is the day a scandal breaks out about a celebrity and you really want to know what's going on. Are you going to be satisfied with simply knowing the basics from the headlines, or will you go to your favorite gossip platform to get all the 'tea' as others share their unfounded theories?
These are the same sorts of issues Jesus faced. However, he had His priorities right - He was always focused on His Father's business (Luke 2:49). Rather than be dragged into gossip and being judgmental, for instance, He silenced an adulterous woman's accusers (John 8:3-11). Instead of watching a woman suffer with a bad back, He healed her on the Sabbath and faced the criticism of the religious leaders (Luke 13:10-17). Rather than watch others starve from lack of grounded spiritual knowledge, he taught all who would listen how to understand scripture and believe in God (Mark 6:34).
And as He did these things, He was called demon-possessed though He cast demons out of people (John 8:48). He was accused of sin, despite being sinless (Matthew 9:3). His enemies plotted His death, though He raised people from the dead (John 11:53).
How was it that Jesus could do all these things despite the great opposition satan sent His way? One reason was that He understood that it was beneath Him (Genesis 3:15). He knew the devil didn't have an ounce of the power it pretended to wield (Isaiah 41:24). This is why in John 14:30, Jesus said that satan "has no hold over me" (John 14:30).
Do you know that as a believer in Jesus who has submitted your life to Him, that same satan has no legal hold over you either? Sure, it will try to make you think it does but never forget that the devil is a liar. This is why Jesus said of satan that its native language is lies. Realize that satan is proficient at the language called lies, so you cannot believe a word it utters (John 8:44). And never forget that once you accepted the sacrifice of Christ on your behalf, His blood set you free. John 8:36 - So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
The devil has no hold on you and you'll continue to be slippery to the touch if you let Jesus work on you. And if you obey His instructions. He'll help you let go of the sins that once had control over your life. He'll show you which idols must go for you to truly be free and help you destroy their altars. Step by step, you'll break free from generational bondage into blessings and realize that satan can't keep you in sin habits and ideas.
Through Jesus Christ, freedom is available and possible. Through Him, you too can declare satan has no hold over me. Never forget Psalm 107:2 - Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy (KJV). Choose to be free today. Choose Jesus and declare - I am redeemed!
From HC - Father, I pray for those under generational bondages and curses. Help them to recognize the strongholds are spiritual. Help them to break free in Jesus name. Help them to change the course of their lives and the lives of their children for generations to come. Reveal the truth and source of the stronghold and aid them in breaking free never to return back to the chains placed on them by their ancestors. We are free in Jesus Name
Amen
From AC - Abba, I lift in prayer MD who is struggling with new projects, responsibilities, and meeting deadlines at work. Your word says that if anyone lacks wisdom, they should come to You and You will give it to them generously, therefore I plead Your divine wisdom, guidance, enlightenment, clarity, and discernment upon MD, that they be more productive and successful at their job. May Your Holy Spirit empower them with the knowledge they seek, and also center their thoughts, so that they can be efficient and remain focused on the task laid before them. May You ease their worries and replace their anxiety with Your transcending peace and remind them that You haven’t given them a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind. In Jesus' name, I pray Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for supplying all of our needs. Even when we wonder and worry about future expenses. Abba you have showed time and time again that you will never leave us to suffer or lack. We give you thanks for your promise in Phillipians 4:19 IJMN amen.
From M22 - Abba you know where we are hurting, you know things we can't share, things are just between us and you. Please Abba help us rest easy in your authority knowing you have resolved those issues IJMN amen.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for @AC and every other folk that will be coming to share their praise report. Thank you Abba for showing your might and power in their lives. Thank you Abba for perfecting your healing in their lives. May we continue to rejoice over them IJMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray that we will continue to serve you from a place of genuine love, reverence and faith. I pray that we will surrender all of us to you Abba. IJMN amen.
From M22 - Abba Father, I pray for people that have not come to know you. I pray that they come to believe you are God and continue to experience your powerful and sweet presence in their lives. I pray that you hold their hands as they transition into an intimate relationship with you Abba. IJMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray that you speak for us where we have no voice, I pray that you help us where we have no help. I pray that you will continue to be our safe haven, defender, tabernacle and sanctuary IJMN amen.
CLOSING PRAYER
Oh Lord, You have done what no man could do. Receive my praise!!!
I thank You for another hour of fellowship. I thank You so much for the familiar faces, pouring out their praise and intercessory prayers.
I thank You for today's great reminder that because the devil has nothing on Jesus, it also has no hold over us.
Thank You for the Holy Spirit who is tasked with reminding us of all that Jesus has taught us. As a result, I know that we will remember today's lesson to Your glory and by Your grace.
I place all of today's participants - those who did so actively or who lurked in one way or another - before You. Remember them for what they have done. If they have honored You, please bless them. If they have failed to, kindly have mercy upon them.
Take all the glory and honor! You alone are worthy, dear King! I thank You over and over and over again. You alone deserve the praise forever!!
LAST 10 MINUTES
Let us glorify the Lord in the last 10 minutes of fellowship. Also, remember the point sis @brownicing made above, she suggested we all need to weaponize the fact that we are privileged and honored as children of God. That is the point of being children of the Most High God. We have access to this glorious opportunity because Jesus gave His life on the cross. I want to take this opportunity to encourage you to be baptized in the Spirit. The prayer to achieve this is in the Altar Call above. I would be remiss if I didn't encourage you to also go get water baptized.
Now, if you have prayed to submit your life to Christ and thereby receive the benefits of being a child of God, let us pray together -
Heavenly Father, thank You so much that despite my many imperfections, You still call me Yours. Thank You for Your mercy and grace upon me. Thank You for waiting patiently for me to turn my gaze away from the world and back to You. Please help me to never forget that through the blood of Jesus, I too stand above satan. I am seated in heavenly places and the devil has nothing over me. I stand on this knowledge and declare that my life is Yours to wield as You wish for Your glory and greatness here on earth.
Thank You Lord for the privilege and honor of being Your child. IJMN, Amen.
As you have prayed for yourself, please take a moment to pray for others that they too will have their eyes opened to understand this great blessing of sonship in God. God bless you.
From sis FJ - Father of the fatherless, Defender of the helpless, I come before You to intercede on behalf of victims of child trafficking. Dear Lord, I thank You because I know You are the God who is mighty to save. It is written, "even the captives of the mighty shall be set free, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered". Lord no matter who bad their situation looks, I ask that You would show Your power over it. Please send "help from your sanctuary" in the form of angels to deliver these trafficking victims and set them in a safe place. Thank You God for Your deliverance power, In Jesus name, amen.
Open the eyes of Your children, dear Lord, that they may see what You want them to see.
Open the ears of Your children, good God, that they may hear what You want them to hear.
Open the mouths of Your children Almighty Redeemer, that they may say what You want them to say.
Guard the sheep and keep them, marvelous God, from the wolves in sheep's clothing. Lead them to true shepherds that will lead them and keep them in You. Just as Jesus did for the disciples, keeping them safe, save for the one that was prophesied to fall.
IJMN, Amen.
Great and mighty God, You are the Mighty Physician and we thank You for being the God who has healing in His very word.
Dear Father, I lift up all in this group who are in need of Your healing. Lord, we know that the enemy has come to steal, kill, and destroy. Father, You are He who brought fullness of life and that includes good health (John 10:10).
As such, I call on You to kindly provide this good health to those who are waiting on You for this great provision. Lord, You are Jehovah Rapha and Jehovah Ropheka. It is Your power that brought forth the healing of Naaman by Your servant Elisha (2 Kings 5). It was so that Your glorious works would be displayed that the man born blind received sight from Jesus (John 9). And it was Your authority through the name of Your Son, that Peter could tell the lame man at the gate named Beautiful to walk (Acts 3).
Father, You are creative in how You bring healing. I pray for testimonies of Your healing grace being revealed in the most unusual and amazing ways in my prayer subjects. IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for couples seeking the fruit of the womb. You heard Rachel and Hannah when they cried to you. I pray that you hear their cries and give them healthy babies they will raise in your ways IJMN amen.
From BI - Lord, I lift up to You JO, JI, MM, JB, sis @AC and any Pepper in need of healing. Abba, cast out anything that should not be in them. Root out all unhealthy and abnormal cells and replace them with healthy ones. Lord, remove all inflammation and cleanse any infection. Let Your healing permeate every aspect of their mind, body and spirit. Calm all anxieties and grant them tranquility. I speak life and perfect health over them. May all their tests turn into testimonies and their medical reports turn into praise reports all to Your glory IJMN Amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for children all over the world. I pray that you protect them from abuse, harm and violence. I pray that you will continue to nourish and nurture them so they can advance your kingdom here on earth in everything they do IJMN amen.
God, You are the great and mighty King. He who owns everything and controls everything (Psalm 24:1). You know what each person needs and in accordance with Philippians 4:19, I call on You to please meet them at their points of need. Smooth every wrinkle, straighten every crooked path.
Lord, we know satan wants to stand in the way of Your purpose and plan for those You created and claim. However, nothing can thwart Your plans, Lord for You have an eternal dominion over all that we see and don't see. Hallelujah!
Father, take all the glory in their lives. Let the world see Your hand in their situation as it transforms to Your glory. Let their tests become testimonies by Your grace. Be glorified, oh Lord! IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for folks that are sick, recovering or in relapse. I pray that your healing powers permeate every inch of their body. I pray Abba that you touch the hearts and minds of the medical staff to use the right procedures. I pray that you coordinate the hands and eyes of every operating surgeon 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.
From M22 - Abba, I pray for families observing thanksgiving this season. A lot of them are struggling to put the celebrations together. I pray that you make it easy for them and continue to provide them. I pray that this season will be the begining of endless thanksgiving in their lives IJMN amen.