Desperation can lead people to do unimaginable things, including things they aren't proud of. And yet, desperation can drive people to make choices that transform their lives and the lives of others for the better.
Nowhere is this better displayed than in the experience of a Greek woman from Tyre, which is in modern-day Lebanon. She had a demon-possessed daughter who needed healing. When she heard Jesus was visiting her area, she found Him and cried out for help.
Unlike with Jairus or the Centurion, Jesus didn't agree to heal the woman's daughter. Instead He noted He was sent to bless the children of God alone, saying, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel” (Matthew 15:24). Undeterred, she continued to insist and He said, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs” (Matthew 15:26).
Instead of being offended and getting petty, her next words displayed great humility and wisdom. “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table” (Matthew 15:27). Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment (Matthew 15:28).
Despite the supposed insult, Jesus rewarded this woman with something He Himself admitted belonged to a select group of people - the children of God. This was a group she acknowledged she didn't belong to. Why?
To teach the rest of us that desperation and firm faith in Him will produce positive results and fast track even an unbeliever into becoming a child of God who enjoys the benefits of sonship (Romans 8:15). This woman went from serving Greek deities to knowing without a doubt that Jesus was the Son of the only true God.
If you are yet to know Him, He wants you to enjoy the blessings reserved for those who belong to the Lord. This privilege is available even if you didn't previously believe in God or His Son. Jesus is in the business of changing people's minds and transforming lives, just as He did with this woman and her daughter.
What are you desperate for? Believe in Jesus and pour that desperation out at His feet. He is THE solution you need. Cry out to Him as the Greek woman did and ask Him to solve your most pressing problem. Today is the day to believe He can do it. Once you experience Jesus, allow Him to change you. If you submit to His changes, you will grow in the word and the ways of God, enjoying more of what is reserved for His daughters and sons.
Interested in becoming a child of God and enjoying the children's bread? The next post has more details. God bless you and I thank the Lord you have chosen to put your faith in Jesus.
To learn more, please read,
FINAL MESSAGE
We've talked a lot about coming to the Lord and submitting our lives to His Son, Jesus Christ. If you have done so, God bless you. If you, however, are yet to encounter and receive the Holy Spirit - the mark of sonship, I pray for You that IJN, You will receive the Holy Spirit of the Lord. I pray that You will experience His fire and that out of your belly shall flow living waters as you speak in heavenly tongues granted to You by the Spirit. I pray that the weight of the Dove will descend upon you, marking you as one pleasing to the Lord God Almighty. Amen and Amen.
God bless you.
CLOSING PRAYER
Great and mighty God, You did it again! I do not take it for granted that You brought us together to honor You. We could have gathered for all manner of things but by Your providence and wisdom, You saw it fit to bring us to this place to worship and give of ourselves in prayers for other people. Thank You for this privilege. Thank You for showing us such grace.
Father, as we disperse to face the other things that require our attention, I pray that we will be mindful of today's message and remain focused on You and what You desire from us. Help us to remain prayerful today and not mindless. Help us to not forget the things we are desperate for. Help us to hold onto faith and stand firm, petitioning for that which You have placed in our hearts as a desire. May we continue to pour out our prayers and praises to You.
Lord, cover those who joined in fellowship - both those I am aware of and those I am unaware of. You know all. May they each enjoy Your grace and mercy. May they enjoy the children's bread. Be Thou glorified in their lives now and always, IJMN, Amen. Thank You for freedom to enjoy what is for Your children. Hallelujah!
Your praises I will sing
All my days
So thank You Jesus
Ese oh, ese oh (Thank You, oh)
fROM M22 - Father Lord I pray for the wrongfully convicted in prison that you connect them to spirit filled lawyers and legal reform organizations that will represent you and appeal for their release in court. I pray that you restore everything they have lost in the process and you help them reintegrate back into society and surround them with wonderful people and communities IJMN Amen
LAST 10 MINUTES
What did you learn from today's message? Whatever you took away, please turn it into a prayer point and pray for yourself. If you are unsure how to pray, please join me in saying the prayer below:
God, thank You for pointing us to the Greek woman and her encounter with Jesus. Thank You for the many lessons her story contains. Please open our minds to more revelations from this story, IJMN, Amen. Father, we pray for Your grace and mercy upon us. That we may not only be meek in spirit but humble in speech and actions. Like the Canaanite woman, may we persevere in petition and praise to push through everything standing in our way. May those who didn't know You prior follow her example. May their desperation and faith combine to trigger the provision that solves their problems. And may such desperation and faith bring all Your children the answers to their prayers, IJMN, Amen.
Now, give God a shout! Thank Him for answered prayers. Glory to God!
From M22 - Father Lord I pray for the sick and recovering that your healing power permeates every inch of their bodies and perfects their health. I pray Father that you coordinate the eyes and hands of operating surgeons to carry out successful surgeries. I pray Father that you touch the hearts and minds of leaders and governments worldwide to improve the healthcare system for citizens. I pray that healthcare will be accessible for everyone irrespective of their financial status 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 JIR - I pray for the spiritually blind to have the scales and veil removed from their eyes. I for them to no longer be stagnant. I pray Lord that You reveal Yourself to them in a major way. I pray that You stir their hearts to read the Bible with full understanding and clarity and for the Bible to become alive to them. I pray that they have supernatural experiences in where they can’t deny You which causes them to make a radical change in their lives to fully give their lives to You and live for You. IJMN. Amen.
Living waters flow from You to me
Lord, praise be unto You, Jehovah Sabaoth. The God of the Heavenly Hosts.
Father, I come against witchcraft in the lives of the members of this fellowship and their families I speak against every attempt to control, destroy and ensnare with such arts, IJMN, Amen. I know satan's modus operandi is to steal, kill and destroy the glorious destinies of Your people by enticing them with slickly-packaged, deceptive messaging that blurs the lines between what is godly and what You have specifically forbidden Your people to get entangled with.
Nevertheless, I thank You, Father, for You are He who has all dominion (Daniel 4:34-35). You are the Sovereign Lord. And no matter what satan's desires are, no matter how much it flexes and roars, it is Your purpose and plan that shall be fulfilled to the last letter (Isaiah 14: 24 & 27). Hallelujah!
I therefore pronounce Your word upon these wicked practitioners of witchcraft, necromancy, and other dark arts. As they are used against your people, Ezekiel 11:21 applies. Repay them, Lord, as promised in Jeremiah 16:18. Let Your word in Isaiah 45:16 be thoroughly fulfilled for them. Hit them with the mighty blows of Your arm, oh Lord (Isaiah 30:32).
Thank You for Your word that satan itself is less than nothing and those who choose it are detestable and nothing just as the power source they rely upon (Isaiah 41: 24 & 29). Expose them, Father. Drag them out, pull them down and bring them to ruins, Lord.
For the Kingdom of God is of power not about talk (1 Corinthians 4:20). Oh my God. I look forward to seeing the fulfillment of this prayer pronounced to Your glory and by Your grace, IJMN, Amen. Let me see what will happen to who will stand against You, my Lord.
From M22 - Father Lord we thank you for sis @FFJ . We bless you for how you strengthen her to steer this community forward. I pray that has she has been faithful with this community, you will expand her and her loved ones in every area of their lives. I pray that as she pours into us, that you will continue to replenish her IJMN Amen
From M22 - Father Lord I pray for couples waiting on you for the fruit of the womb that you will turn their waiting into fruitfulness. I pray Father that you will bless them with healthy and Godly babies. I pray that you will put an end to miscarriages, failed IVFs and difficult adoption processes IJMN Amen
Father, I thank You for Your word states that even the lawful captive shall be set free because of Your power, Your might, Your word and Your Spirit.
And so, Lord, I stand on Your word and declare that the strongmen holding souls captive on LSA are shredded for Your glory. I speak the name Jesus into every place they are gathered. I bind them in the name of the Savior Jesus and decree that their chains are broken and their captives are set free.
Every strongman of fear, lack, spiritual deafness and blindness, antichrist, lies, deception, gossip, slander, libel, rape, death, sexµal perversion and immorality, suicide, intrusive thoughts, distractions, witchcraft, New Age practices, occult, demonism, devil worship, anxiety, self cursing, blasphemy, coarse language, thieving, and all others are broken. They fall and brash because the presence of my God is here. Like Dagon, they stand no more.
And God, as these souls experience liberty, I pray that they encounter Christ, believe and receive the Holy Spirit. That they be filled thoroughly so that those they were set free from cannot return with seven more evil spirits.
IJMN, I thank You for Your victory, Amen.
From M22 - Father Lord I pray that you continue to watch over children across the world. I pray that you continue to shield and preserve them from harm, violence and abuse. I pray Father that you will help then fulfil destiny and you will knockdown every altar of distractions and negative influences in their lives. I pray that you will touch tht hearts and mind of parents, caregivers, teachers and guardians that will nourish and nurture them in your ways IJMN Amen
When we fear, we limit what God can do. We create that limitation, not God. For the word is clear - with God, nothing is impossible (Matthew 19:26).
Lord, in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ, please help us to arrest fear using the faith You kindly have given us. For the Scripture says we lack no spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 1:7). And in the event anyone needs more faith, Father, let it come to them from You. Let them cry out like the disciples did when they told Jesus to increase their faith, IJMN, Amen (Luke 17:5).
I come against every stronghold of fear in this fellowship Father. I proclaim the Kingdom of God is in our midst and in Your presence God, there can be no darkness. Glory be to You oh Lord in the highest, Amen.
From JIR - “Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; he has hurled both horse and rider into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him— my father’s God, and I will exalt him!”
Exodus 15:1-2 NLT
Lord, thank You for being King over all. The Bible teaches us that everything under heaven belongs to You.
God, as everything belongs to You, it is to You that I come to make this petition.
Father, parts of the US have been deluged with a frigid winter storm that has produced fatalities. Lord, I pray for those lost. I call on You to please comfort those in mourning. I pray for the poor and the struggling who have no homes, who have no means to heat where they reside, who are in unsafe and unwarm places in this season.
God, have mercy. When You made this world, You said it was good and Your word has been true since then and always will be. God, have mercy as the weather is creating unbearable conditions for some. I confess that the winter snow is absolutely stunning and a reflection of Your beauty and creative power. Thank You for the privilege to enjoy it.
I pray for those who cannot enjoy it and call on You to please ease the burden that makes it so. Not my will but Your will always, Lord, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Father Lord I pray that you will continue to strengthen our faith as we navigate each day. Even when the enemy tries to shake us up. Hello us to remain steadfast in you. IJMN 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.
From JIR - I would like to pray for atheists and agnostics to be given a mustard seed of faith, so that mustard seed grows into a tree of faith in You Lord. Nothing is impossible with You in the midst. I pray that they rebuke their unbelief and they come to the realization that without You they and everything around them would fail to exist. Please bless them to humble themselves and open their hearts to hear Your calling Lord. I pray that they fall to their knees and ask You for forgiveness. I pray that they seek You Lord, they call on You Lord and they give their lives over to You Lord. IJMN. Amen
From CMC - Jesus, thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit as a free gift. I choose to acknowledge Your Spirit’s presence in my heart and life. Holy Spirit, please help me to be bold today.
Help me to recognize each opportunity to share the gospel and give me the courage to do it well. I am so grateful for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
PRAYER TIME
You have entered his gates and courts with thanksgiving and praise and so now it is time to kneel.
Kneel and pray for people.
The hungry, the oppressed, the suffering need people to pray for them. You cannot expect God's blessings if you don't genuinely intercede for others.
Now is your opportunity to pray for them. Take it seriously.
From CMC - God, thank You for Your Word! What a gift to me. Thank You for the opportunity to renew my mind with Truth every day. It changes everything, changing the way I think so that I can be transformed. With You, I can be made new. Thank You! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sovereign Lord, all of me worships.
All of me gives You praise.
I submit all that I am at Your feet to give You thanks for all You are, everything You will ever be, and who You are to me right now. Thank You God, my father.
From my spirit to my soul
Until my voice re-echoes
You are worthy of my worship
Worthy of my praise!!!
People, you should be having a praise party wherever you are, except if you are at work and even then...
Create an atmosphere of praise and worship. Make it a sweet-smelling incense to your God.
Do so before we step into intercession.
The God who watches over His word to ensure that it is fulfilled.
What more remains for me but to give Your praise?
So, I praise You, Lord. I shout HALLELUJAH!
I thank You, Almighty King for Your wonder, Your mystery, Your steadfastness, Your love.
The God who inspires great faith and praise.
The God who stirs up the spirit of men to do His will.
The God who convicts. The God who need never answer to anyone.
Great and mighty God I bow before You.
From M22 - Father Lord I look back and see how you are aligning things for my good. I admit i have been so focused on what I don't have that i sometimes forget what you have given me. Father Lord I pray for your supernatural grace and mercy over my life and also for the spirit of gratitude in every situation. Thank you Mighty Father. IJMN Amen
Emperor of the universe
Master of the same
To You we bow
To give You praise
Ah, ah, ah,
You are worthy of my praise
Ah, ah, ah
You are worthy to be praised
From M22 - Philippians 4:6 NLT
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
From JIR - Thank You Lord for increasing my faith in You as the days go by. You answered my prayers and have not only strengthened my faith in You but have also strengthened my belief in You. Thank You Lord for being intentional and ordering my steps and always preparing me for what’s to come. My Shepherd, my High Priest, my Lord, my God. I thank You for keeping me. You and You alone are who I yearn to focus on and devote 100% of myself to. You are all I need Lord. I thank You. All glory to You. IJMN. Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Heavenly Father for the calm and peace you give us daily. Even when the world seems to be overwhelming we are grateful you are our safe space and we can lay our burdens on you. Father Lord I pray that you cintinue to strengthen our faith as that is our way of pleasing you. I pray tbat you destroy every stronghold of fear and doubts in our hearts and minds. IJMN Amen
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Yes, praise be to You, God!
From JIR - Thank You Lord for being the ever present help. You shield us from the everyday worries of the world. You give us strength when we need it and a calming peace that no man can take away from us. Thank You Lord for the love You give us. I bow at You feet and praise You for Your grace and mercy. We would be meaningless without You. Thank You Lord for having us in the palm of Your hand. IJMN. Amen.
Lord, thank You for being persistent in seeking us out. Thank You for always stretching out Your hand in love to us, Your children.
You are He who in His kindness and wisdom determined that the last will be first and the first will be last. All because it gives Your joy to do so. You make it possible for those who thought themselves unworthy to become a big deal. You lift up the lowly and drag down the exalted. You make fools of the learned and use the foolish things to stump the wise.
God, You are incredible. Thank You for being more than we could ever imagine or understand.
Glory be to Your Holy Name!
PRAISE TIME
Sing to the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul.
Let your joy pour out in praise to God Almighty.
Worship the lover of your soul. The one whose child you are.
You are Holy
Lord God Almighty
The earth is full of Your glory
From JIR - Thank You Lord for breathing life into us this morning. That You for creating today and blessing us to experience it. Than You Lord for guiding us in here to praise Your mighty name and pray for others. All glory belongs to You. IJMN. Amen.
Thanks sis @FFJ for today’s message. When I started my walk with Christ, I would be passive, dignified and conservative with my prayers, worship and praise to Him. I am still a work in progress but have been learning that it doesn’t matter what others think and am getting bolder and more loose with my praise and worship to the Lord. I am more vocal and I try to let it all out and give Him my whole heart more and more each day. Who cares what other church members think. I’m going to get up and praise the Lord for all He has done.
As you put it, desperation when it comes to the Lord can be a good thing. The gentile woman from Tyre had so much humility and instead of getting offended or passive she showed her faith by desperately speaking up for the sake of her daughter. I pray that we are all desperate for the Lord in this way. You can never humble yourself too much. She didn’t care what the crowd was thinking; she was too focused on the Lord. I pray we learn a thing or two from her actions. IJMN. Amen.
From EC - Amen and good morning ladies!
From CD - God's Morning & Happy New Year Peppers,
May this song minister to you as it has ministered to my soul
From M22 - Thank you for today's word sis @FFJ. I remember when I first read this scripture about the Greek woman and Jesus's response to her. It reminded me the need ti have faith even when all hope is lost. It reminds me to submit everything no matter how small at the feet of Jesus. I pay God continues to strengthen us as we continually walk with him everyday. IJMN Amen
ALTAR CALL (long but please read)
God wants intimacy with each of us. This might not make sense to everyone immediately. After all, you might not think He has time for mortals. However, God is very interested in every aspect of our lives. He wants to be closer to us than our best friends are.
Those in a relationship with God - His children - experience signs and wonders. They even become the vessels of such miracles and get to testify to the power of God at work in them and for them.
Intimacy with God brings peace. It quiets the voices that want us to believe we aren't worth anything or won't amount to anything. God quiets the lying voice that wants us to think that our present is all that will ever be.
God's plans for each of us are huge! The key to accessing those plans is a relationship with Him. And the way to achieve that is through His Son, Jesus Christ. If you've felt empty and have been looking for something, why not consider giving God and His Son a try?
You may have tried New Age and the occult - performing rituals or spells, buying crystals, special candles, and sage. Meanwhile, the issues you are running from still persist. You may have tried yoga and other tactics to bring peace but only through submission to Jesus can you achieve a sound mind.
When my life was on the line, I cried out and God didn't hesitate. I instantly encountered His grace. Through Jesus, I learned to fast, pray, and become a believer who could stand as a witness to God's power and might. I'm not the only one. Check out the testimony thread to see how God has been helping folks just like you.
He wants to do the same for everyone and Jesus is the key. Why don't you give Him a try? What one thing has plagued you this year? Is it a health problem? Have you been dealing with grief that you want gone? Or depression? Test God - genuinely cry out and tell Him that if He is the one and only true God, you would like Him to solve your problem. Tell Him you want to see Him move for you.
Now, beware! When God answers your prayer, do not make the mistake of ignoring Him. That is the time to get on your knees and call out to Jesus saying, Lord Jesus. I know You and Your Father are real. Thank You for proving Yourselves to me. Today, I submit to You. I want You to be my Lord and Savior. I want my name written in God's Book of Life. I want to talk with You and learn more. Forgive me for all my sins, I apologize for my wrongdoings, and thank You for Your mercy.
When you say this prayer, give God lots of praise. Let us know how the Lord answered your prayer and give us a chance to praise God for you! I'll also be happy to share some information with you.
And if you aren't ready to give your life to God and His Son, no problem. Spend time with us in fellowship today. Watch us as we honor Him with worship before we pray for others. Feel free to lurk or add your praises and prayers for other people to the thread. I pray that you will be blessed and inch ever closer to the Lord IJN, Amen.