1 Corinthians 10:24 - No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
I recently read this verse and to be honest, my heart skipped a beat. It wasn't with the flutter of adoration and the 'squishiness' a girl has for a boy they like. Nope, my heart jumped in a panic because I wondered, Lord, how am I supposed to do this? How can I ever become so selfless?
God in His mercy gave me some understanding by reminding me that His Holy Spirit is more than able to keep me mindful of this instruction as well as show me how and when to put it into action.
The worry remained until I got to the last verse of the chapter. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:33 - I try to please everyone in every way. I don't think about what would be good for me but about what would be good for many people so that they might be saved.
That's when I got it! I grasped why it is important to be more concerned about others than just myself. The objective is the salvation of souls and the role I can play in reconciling people with God.
If I am conscious of the need to be selfless, the Holy Spirit will guide me to be more selfless. And in being more selfless, I could earn a soul for the Lord. Knowing what's at stake reminded me of Christ's time on earth. He walked for miles, talked to countless people, and spent hours healing the lame, the blind, the deaf, and the dumb. He tirelessly freed individuals from the demons that tormented them. All of this must have been taxing on His human body but He gave selflessly because He knew that each soul was precious and needed to be freed from the devil's clutches. That's also why He bore the embarrassment, hunger, and pain of crucifixion for people who despised Him as well as those yet unborn like you and me.
Praise God, we are not expected to give up our lives. Yet, if we remember the instruction to be selfless, our behavior could lead a soul to Christ. The reverse is true too - our behavior could lead a soul away from the Savior. However, with the Holy Spirit as our guide, we'll make godly and righteous choices that draw people to the Lord - even if just one person.
And when that happens, the heavens will sing for the one who was set free from sin. Jesus said in Luke 15:10 - In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
The year is still young and I pray you will remember to be selfless. You might not get it right at first, but trust the Lord to help you get better daily as you become the vessel He uses to introduce others to Him. The Lord will help us all IJMN Amen.
See you at Noon EST.
FINAL MESSAGE
May the favor of Your face, be granted unto us.
May our eyes lose all their scales, and we behold You God.
We need to behold You God.
IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for another beautiful fellowship day. May our community continue to expand and win more souls to your kingdom! Amen!!
fROM m22 - Abba I pray for people struggling with addiction. I pray that you will uproot every spirit of dependency. Father, heal them from their pain. Helo them find their happiness in you and may it be permanent. Help them as they withdraw and recover from any bouts of dependency. Let your will be done in their lives IJMN amen.
CLOSING PRAYER
Glory be to God! We have come to the end of another day of fellowship.
Praise the Lord!
Father, thank You for bringing us together to honor You with our praises and prayers. We pray that our worship was pleasing and call on You to answer our petitions on behalf of other people.
Dear Lord, please remember those who honored You through P&P today. Meet them at their points of need and cover them in Your blessings, IJMN, Amen.
fROM m22 - Abba I pray for people that are starting their walk with you. I bless you for bringing them home to you. I bless you for making your home in their hearts!! I pray that you will help them to navigate your word and develop a genuine relationship with you. When the going gets tough, let them be reminded that your promises are steady and never change. IjMN amen
From M22 - Abba I pray for people mourning the loss of loved ones. I pray that you will strengthen, comfort and console them. I pray that you will help them process their grief with ease and I pray that you will accept their loved ones in your care IJMN amen.
LAST 10 MINUTES
Today, we learned that the Lord wants us to be selfless. It isn't easy to do but He will help us once we commit to becoming more so.
Remember the word in Matthew 6:33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
When we are selfless, we honor Christ's instruction from that verse. And because the Lord is responsible for us and committed to helping us achieve His instructions, we just need to pray, have faith, and obey His leading.
Let's pray together, shall we?
God, thank You for today's reminder to be selfless. We confess that selflessness is not a normal part of our make-up but we choose to obey Your instruction and therefore call on You to help us. Grace, oh Lord, to become more selfless. Grace to put the needs of others before ourselves. Grace to remember that this is necessary for the salvation of souls and that as we become more selfless, we can earn souls for Your kingdom. Help us to be mindful of these things, Father. That we may play a role, no matter how small, in populating Your kingdom, here on earth and in heaven, IJMN, Amen.
Thank You, Lord, for hearing our petition. For all who call on You will be saved. Hallelujah!!!
From M22 - Thank you Abba for sis @FFJ . Thank you Abba for her family, friends, loved ones, job and interests! I pray you will continue to bless her and increase her anointing 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 C - Lord we bless your name, and thank You for all you’ve done,
Your will is better and above all we could ever and will ever be able to muster. I pray that in our lives Your will be done.
Over Gaza, over our families over this earth that You master of the Universe are supreme pour out into us Your blessings, justice and peace, love and salvation forgiveness and grace
IJN AMEN
From M22 - Abba I pray for everyone of us that no matter the challenges we are facing or the blessings we are waiting for. Help us to truly seek you Abba for who you are (Matthew 6:33). You have paid a high price for us according to your word in 1 Corinthians 6:20 and may we continually honour you in our words and actions Father. Amen.
Lord, I pray for those who are pregnant with Your purpose.
Lord, You will not bring them to the moment of delivery and then close up their wombs.
God, strengthen them to deliver that which You have placed in them. Bring them to the point of victory. Break and destroy every weapon fashioned against them. Bless Your children with abundant provision in Your word, wisdom, knowledge, and revelation. All by Your grace and to Your glory, IJMN, Amen!
From M22 - Abba Father I lift up me and my siblings to your care. We hold on to your word that you will never change! You are the Waymaker, Mighty man in Battle, our father, our mother, our safe haven! We thank you for blessings past and we look forward to blessings you have assigned to us. We have no power of our own and we pray that your will be done in our lives! Amen!
Isaiah 40:28-31 -
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
This is Your word and it shall surely never fail, Lord. Thank You!!!
(Listening to Upper Room and they just sang this scripture so had to share. May we all be encouraged.)
From M22 - Abba I pray for people that are starting their walk with you. I bless you for bringing them home to you. I bless you for making your home in their hearts!! I pray that you will help them to navigate your word and develop a genuine relationship with you. When the going gets tough, let them be reminded that your promises are steady and never change. IjMN amen
Father, You are the Creator of Heaven and Earth. You control the nations and all things are subject to Your authority.
Lord, Your word states in Psalm 119:38 - Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you.
God, the accuser doesn't want Your people, those who fear You, to experience Your promises. In fact, the devil wants Your children to lose sight of Your promises which are their great inheritances.
However, I thank You that Your word makes it clear that Your purpose cannot be thwarted and that Your word shall accomplish the purpose for which it was sent. As such, what the devil intends is irrelevant.
Therefore, I pray for those who are waiting on You to receive the promises that are their inheritance. Great King, You who remembered Your Holy promise to Abraham, Your servant. Remember Your promises to those who fear You. Those who hold onto Your garment waiting for You to bless them before they let go.
For those who can no longer see the possibility of receiving what is their right, I decree that the scales fall and the spirit of deception lift from them now, IJMN, Amen. I pray they reconnect with Your word for them and say Amen as they claim what is theirs in You. Reassure Your people of Your promises just as You have consistently done for me. For You are the God of comfort, compassion and all good things, IJN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for people struggling with their mental health. I pray that you Lord will continue to transform them from the inside out. I pray that your peace will surpasses all understanding will continue to guard their hearts and minds in Jesus name. I pray that you will restore their self worth, self esteem, confidence, sense of safety and trust. I pray that you will surround them with a support systems that will empower them in ever aspect and most importantly draw them closer to you IJMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I lift up expectant moms into your care. I pray that you will strengthen and nourish them and their babies as they go through the trimesters of pregnancy. I pray when it is time for them to deliver, you will touch the hearts, minds and hands of the midwives and doctors to welcome their babies safely into the world without complications. I pray that they will birth healthy beautiful babies. 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.
From M22 - Heavenly Father I want to thank you for every single Pepper online and offline. Thank you for constantly bringing us together to fellowship, praise, pray and intercede on your name. We thank you for using this community to win more souls to your kingdom. May our prayers continually be a sweet offering to you Abba. Amen!
From AW - Father God, for those feeling weary and discouraged, who've held onto hope for so long, I lift their prayers to You. Please comfort their hearts, renew their strength, and reassure them of Your unwavering love. Grant them the patience to endure, and may Your answers, in Your perfect timing, be a source of joy and renewed faith. IJMN, Amen!
PRAYER TIME
We are called to intercede for others in prayer and this is our opportunity to do so.
Please take this seriously and remember that you are the beneficiary of someone else's prayers.
Pray for somebody.
From M22 - Thank you Father! Amen!
Mighty God, Hallowed be Your name.
Faithful Father. You are He who never slumbers nor sleeps.
The One who remembered His holy promise to His servant Abraham, and continues to remember His promises to us despite our sin and iniquity.
Great Lord. You are the Beginning and the End.
The Creator.
You who pour out abundant blessings, love, kindness, and mercy.
Praise be to You, my Father. Thank You so much for everything!
From CD - From the desk of Dr. Tony Evans--
God has given you the opportunity to be defined by the rest of your life, not by the earlier chapters of it.
A word!!!!!! Now your mission should you choose to accept it is to receive that word, God sees you as you are not as you were so stop allowing others (including yourself) to define you by your past :heart::heart:
Thank You Father for being so good to me.
Thank You for being King over my life.
Thank You for showing great kindness and mercy.
Thank You for surrounding me with Your love.
Thank You for being the One who sees me and will never forget me.
I give You glory, my God. I worship You in joy and gratitude for all You have done.
My Rescuer and Redeemer.
Thank YOU.
Glory be to God on High!
The Almighty King
The Judge who sits on the Judgment Seat.
Our Defender and Vindicator.
The Sovereign Lord who controls everything and yet, is mindful of me and mine.
Thank You, Messiah.
Thank You, Great God.
Hallelujah!
From AW - Father God, thank you for all you have done in my life. I'm grateful for the good moments and the challenges, knowing you're with me through it all. Thank you for your love, grace, and blessings. Help me appreciate each day and share your love with others. IJMN, Amen!
Father, I want to take this opportunity to thank You for all the testimonies that people have shared to Your glory. Thank You for working miracles for them.
Thank You for the privilege of hearing about them and how they encourage me.
Dear Lord, as You have poured out Your grace upon these ones, please continue to bless them in surprising ways.
And for those waiting on You for miracles, may they remember that Jairus had to wait on Jesus to get through the crowds to his house.
When Jesus arrived, Jairus and his family got an even bigger miracle than they could have expected. You are great and greatly to be praised, Lord. The expectations of those in waiting shall surely not be cut short.
Praise be to You, Jehovah Jireh!!
From M22 - Thank you Abba for another wonderful fellowship day. Thank you for love, kindness, patience, generosity in our lives. We pray that the fruits of the spirit will take root within our hearts and produce an abundant harvest. We pray that we are continually transformed by your Word Abba! Amen.
From AW - Good morning/afternoon Peppers!
PRAISE TIME
It is time to glorify the Lord God Almighty.
Don't hold back. This is not the time to act cute. Express your love for the Lord.
Let us give Him praise.
SEE WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE!!!
Father, we join our sister in giving You all the glory for this miracle You did for her. We are grateful and honor You for Your loving kindness toward her. Thank You for telling cancer No! Thank You for telling Satan, Not my own!
Thank You, Faithful God! All praise and honor belong to You alone!
Hallelujah!!!
Girl, share this post just as it is in the testimony thread. It will encourage others who are wondering and waiting on the Lord. Even before we know there's a problem, our Father speaks and does a healing work!
Praise GOD!!!!
From M22 - Psalm 139:17-18 NLT
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! [18] I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!
From CD - Heavenly Father,
I just want to say Thank You and if You don't do anything else for me ever in life, You have already done more than enough!!!!
Imagine God making you a breast cancer survivor before you ever became a breast cancer patient!!!! That's love!!
Imagine cancer took your father, 2 aunts, a great aunt and your grandmother, but through prayer and supplication, God answered, "The curse is broken!!" confirmed by genetic testing that I do not carry a mutated gene that would make me more susceptible to developing cancer. That's Love!!!!!
From CD - Amen Sis,
Being selfless is a choice and the true definition of taking up our cross daily because thinking of or putting others before oneself is not automatic, it is a learned and practiced behavior...but oh so worth the reward!!!
From EC - Amen and good morning ladies!
From M22 - Thank you for nother fellowship day Abba! We thank you for life, the air in our lungs, mobility, protection, preservation, provision, your love, kindness, generosity and much more. Thank you Abba for bringing us here again to fellowship in your name. We give you all the glory Abba! Amen!
Thank you for today's word sis @FFJ . May God continue to bless you! Today's word is beautiful as always. I pray that our words and actions will encourage people to know and dwell in God. I pray that our lives will be fruitful examples of who God truly is. I pray that we will continue to win more souls into his kingdom through our spiritual gifts. I pray that many souls will be saved in this year 2024 and the end of the year we can rejoice over the souls won this year IJmN amen.