An anchor is an integral part of a ship's journey from one port to another. The large metallic arrowhead shoots straight down until it strikes the seabed. At that point, the anchor will hold and the ship will not move. The vessel will bob with the tide or even get tossed around in more violent waters but the ship will remain in position because the anchor keeps it firmly in place.
God wants His people to drop their anchors into Him. He is the firm foundation that they need so they don't float away with the storms of life or crash into other ships, remaining in place no matter how rough the seas get.
It is best to set the anchor early in life. Why? That way when the tempest comes (and it will come for everyone), you are ready and will ride it out with God Almighty keeping you steady.
The person who doesn't know God when the storm arrives is tossed about and unsettled in life. They run all over seeking solutions, not knowing that the Lord has the remedy they need.
Many of us came to God that way. Facing trouble and in need of help, He saved us. Can you imagine, however, if you'd known Him prior to that life-changing challenge? How much time wouldn't have been wasted? Or how much stress would have been avoided?
The truth is we can never tell. What we do know is that God opened His arms to us when we were a mess. We didn't need to clean up to get the help we needed from Him.
That said, if you are yet to face a storm that required God's miraculous help in your life, then this message is a clarion call to set your anchor in Him today. You might have figured out how to navigate the trials of life without Him but there's a storm coming and you'll need your anchor to strike true ground so that when the wind whirls and the sea gets rough, God will keep you firmly in place. Others will flail, crash to bits and capsize, but God will keep you upright. You might stumble but with Him, you won't fall (Psalm 37:23-24).
Set your anchor in God early, before life's bad weather sets upon you. Start by seeking God in His word. The blessings for this are endless (Psalm 119:2; Lamentations 3:25). Be sure to fellowship with others (Hebrews 10:25). Learn to fast according to the Bible and not the world (Isaiah 58). Pray regularly and not just for yourself but for others as well (1 Timothy 2:1). Make His kingdom a priority (Matthew 6:33) and apply the Royal Law a little bit each day (Mark 12:30-31). God Himself will help you grow and because you are taking the aforementioned steps, your instinct will be to look to Him and not the world when trouble comes knocking.
See you at Noon EST for fellowship! God bless you!
From CS- This was a good talk this week, FFJ. God stepped in and saved me and I was a new Christian too when my life decided to fall apart. It was just me and Him. I clung to Him, and He came through for me.
I learned how to praise Him - how to worship. I learned to love the Lord.
SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY
How has God been faithful to you? It's time to share so others are encouraged. That way their hope in the Lord will not dim.
We have a thread titled Testimony Gala | The Miracle Alley for your convenience and its goal is to document what God has done for His people.
We are instructed to share our testimony as believers. In fact, doing so allows us to overcome satan according to Revelation 12:11 - They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
God bless you!
CLOSING PRAYER
Hallelujah! Father, You are great and mighty, You are our Everlasting King and we are grateful for Your mercy and kindness upon us.
As we come to the end of today's fellowship, we thank You for teaching us today and call on You to continue to teach us that we may obey Your word. Take all the glory, Lord.
Keep Your children and guide them in Your way and Your word. For those who come to participate later, may they also learn and be guided by You, IJMN, Amen.
*From CUR* - Lord I pray that you would wrap Your arms around the family members that are affected by the senseless deaths of the American citizens in Mexico. For those who were blessed to survive, I pray that You would wrap Your arms around them as well Lord and comfort them. Only You know the support that they need moving forward. Lord heal the corruption in government systems around the world. Enable and strengthen leaders who are led by You to do Your will and protect their constituents. IJMN, Amen.
*From M22* - Heavenly Father, I want to thank you for my sister, thank you Lord for helping her devote herself to you despite her schedule. Thank you Lord for helping her out her anchor in you. I pray that you continue to help her navigate her walk with you and her academics. I pray that you continue to grant her provision IJMN amen. I pray that you grant her infinite intelligence to navigate her academics IJMN amen.
Heavenly Father, I thank you for my baby sister. As she takes steps to prepare for her exam. I pray that you grant her infinite intelligence in every subject area. I pray that she will write this exams with ease and her result shall be excellent beyond her expectations. I pray that you grant her clarity and discernment.
Heavenly Father, I pray for my brother. I pray that you help him lean on you and not his own understanding. I pray that you grant him infinite intelligence to navigate his finals ijmn. I pray that you comfort him, you stabilize his mental health. I pray that you continue to grant him provision. Abba, please help him pay off this debt ijmn amen.
*From M22* - Heavenly Father I pray for people that are homeless and in poor living conditions. I pray that you elevate them to better housing conditions. I pray that you continue to sustain them and grant them amazing sources of income and provision 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.
LAST 10 MINUTES
If you are yet to experience God the Anchor, it is time to change that. Cry out to Him to be your anchor today. Ask for the grace to submit every storm to Him so that when the bad weather clears, you are standing in place.
Once done praying, give Him praise and trust that He's answered you with a yes after all we are told in 2 Corinthians 1:20 - For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
His promise to be your anchor is in Isaiah 43:2 - When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. If He's your God, then He's got you! Trust Him.
*From M22* -Heavenly Father I pray for single women that you help them devote their lives to you. Helo them burn for you as they wait for your timing to get married. Help them focus on you to complete their lives. Help them to be women of virtue, diligence, faith, purity and devotion IJMN amen.
*From NNYA* - Heavenly Father, I come to You in Christ Jesus Holy Name to ask for the healing of not only my loved ones, but to all those who are in need of healing in this thread and their ailing loved ones. Lord, all they need is just one touch of Your robe and they will be healed, because You are our Healer and Redeemer, so I call on You Lord to restore them, for You are our Restorer. I believe in Your Word and I know that You are faithful, so I come to You to claim Your promises! Heal them Lord, bless them with long and abundant lives. Bless and guide their medical staffs and bless all of their treatments, because all healing comes through You! IJMN Amen.
*From M22* - Heavenly Father, I pray for sis @FFJ that you continue to strengthen her faith in you. May she never be weary in her ministry. Bless her and her loved ones. Supply all of her needs and answer every of her prayers IJMN amen.
From M22 - Heavenly Father, I pray over every folk that is sick. @kety @Blossoms2 , @MamaFatCheeks and others that you healing power radiates all over their cells, vessels, organs and systems. I pray that they will testify over your healing power. I pray that the medical team managing their health will make the right decisions concerning them IJMN amen.
*From M22* - Heavenly Father, I want to say thank you for Peppers. I pray over everyone of them that you strengthen their faith in you. I pray that you help them be more devoted to you. Create in them a clean heart and renew the right spirit within them. Meet them at the point of their needs. Answer their unspoken prayers IJMN amen.
Lord, thank You for You are the Sovereign Lord. The Maker of heaven, the earth, the seas and everything in them. Glory be to You!
Ezekiel 36:29-30 - I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you. I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine.
God, we know that satan's plan is for fertile lands to be defiled and rendered to dust. For people to suffer from hunger, thirst and all forms of deprivation.
However, You are the God whose purpose will be fulfilled. You looked upon this world and said "it is good". Your word never changes though our choices have made things appear different than Your original word.
As such, I lift up Your promise of Your cleansing of man and the land. Bring forth Your plenty. We have praised You and in accordance with Your word, let the earth yield her increase. IJMN Amen.
*From M22* - Thank you Abba for another P and P. Thank you Father for bringing us together to worship again. We give you all the glory, praise and honour.
Lord, I recalled this hymn and I thank You for the opportunity to use it to pray today.
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift or firm remain?
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.
Heavenly Father, thank You for being the anchor we need at every stage of our lives. You have never shied from protecting Your own and You never will.
As such, I call on You to reveal Yourself as the only needed anchor to those who are yet to discover this aspect of Your character. May they come to know You as the anchor that keeps the soul, the mind and body, IJMN AMEN.
*From CUR* - Praise You God that 2 of the 4 Americans in Mexico have survived and that the 2 deceased will be returned to their families.
PRAYER TIME
Let's bow down before the King of kings with our petitions for other people. Now is the time to pray for friends and strangers. Cry out to God for the suffering. Plead for the state of your nation.
Who are you burdened to pray for? Now's the chance to do so and by God's grace, others will agree with you and bring about fulfillment of the prayer point.
You've got 25 minutes, let's not waste a second.
God. There truly aren't enough words to express my gratitude to You. Still, I will try. Thank You for being so patient with me. I know I can be stubborn. Thank You for moving mountains. Thank You for saying Yes when others say No. Thank You for being the King who can not be removed from His position of authority.
Glory be to Your Holy Name!
God, I thank You for Your reassurance. I also thank You for Your favor and grace last week.
Thank You for spoiling me and being so good to me!
Thank You for being for me and not against me!
All glory belongs to You forever and ever!