None of us like to entertain the thought of defeat. We imagine ourselves as winners and we should, particularly as children of God. He has won every battle on our behalf so we can bask in the glow of victory. And yet, despite identifying as children of the Most High God, we still encounter defeats. How is this possible? And why should such a thing happen?
We've previously discussed several potential reasons why a child of God might not see their expectations fulfilled. Sin could stand in the way through fornication, unforgiveness, unrepentance, disobedience, and hypocrisy. When it comes to sin, the list could be long but God is faithful to reveal what stands in the way of His blessings in our lives.
We have also examined that God sometimes uses suffering and pruning to strengthen His children. Although they encounter defeats, those experiences will increase their faith, bring God glory, and bless others.
And it is in this vein that we look at Joseph, the son of Jacob. A man who'd received a dream from the Lord that spoke of his greatness only for him to see the exact opposite. Despite the glory that was to come for him, Joseph was hated by his brothers and sold into slavery. He went from the favored son of his father to a slave in Potiphar's house. Although he excelled in service and was put in charge of his master's home, a false accusation sent him to prison. There, the Spirit of Excellence remained on him and he again rose to distinction. Yet, he languished in captivity, forgotten even by those he helped leave the prison.
But one day, the God of Suddenly remembered him and brought him out of prison. Joseph had continued to serve and believe in His God, so when the opportunity came to display God's power to an unbeliever, he was supernaturally ready. And his life was never the same after that. He catapulted from slave and prisoner to Egypt's second most powerful man. Even Pharaoh deferred to him.
Joseph's story is an important reminder that the defeats we experienced were not for nothing. God used his defeats to prepare him and bring him to victory. This is exactly what God can and will do in the lives of those who completely submit to His authority.
Defeat and suffering are not supposed to crush our spirit. They can be the stepping stones - the launching pad - to greater heights. If you are a genuine child of God - being led by the Holy Spirit and obeying what Christ taught - and you are experiencing life's troubles, please realize that God might not be punishing you. He may be building you up for His purpose - training you for greater things. Take a moment. Take a deep breath. Thank Him for the defeats and declare that you submit to His will for your life. Show Him you trust Him to usher you to great victory. A victory that will reflect His greatness and cause others to praise Him for what He's done for you.
And if upon self-reflection you can admit that you have not been living your life for Jesus, then it is time to do the needful and recommit/give your life to Christ. Repent, return to God, and be restored by Him. That way, you will experience what Joseph did - your defeats will lead to victory.
Take all the glory, Lord!
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FINAL MESSAGE
Next week is a blessed week for all of you. If you have the time, read Haggai 2 on Christmas Day, December 25th. The Bible highlighted that day as a day of blessings (you have to use the Hebraic calendar to find the right date each year). God actually promised to bless on that day in verse 19 - But from this day on, I will bless you.
So, if you think you missed out on a blessing this year or if you are still waiting for something from the Lord, start reading Haggai 2 and make declarations upon yourself so that you reap the blessings He freely gives out on that day.
And when you get your blessing, be sure to praise God. Make sure you testify so others and also bless Him for what He did for you. Share with others from your blessings - give to the poor and the needy, the orphan and the widow, the oppressed.
Once again, God bless and keep you till we return here to commune next Tuesday by His grace.
CLOSING PRAYER
Glorious God! You are highly lifted up!!!
Thank You for bringing us to this moment. Faithful God, You have been too good to us.
My prayer Lord is for more encounters with You for all of today's participants and those who will fellowship in the future.
Bless them all, IJMN, Amen.
LAST 10 MINUTES
Let us declare the following - Every defeat I've experienced is a stepping stone to my victory in the Lord.
Thank the Lord for this grace. Honor Him with your worship. Appreciate Him for His merciful kindness. Think of the ways you've messed up, yet He remains committed to bringing His blessings into your life.
So, thank Him. Thank Him that your story isn't done, it is just beginning IJN, Amen.
Father, all of us are in need of Your grace to step into the fullness You have already granted us.
The world is overwhelmed by the realities we see on TV and sometimes just by looking out our windows. These realities often leave us in despair.
You, however, have told us that we are exempt from the rules of the world because we have claimed Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
With that in mind, I raise all of Your beloveds seeking employment. You have promised, Lord, in Proverbs 10:24 - ... what the righteous desire will be granted.
I place them before You Lord, trusting that You have heard our prayers and will bring forth that which they need, 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 M22 - Father Lord I thank you for me and my siblings. I thank you for how you have been taking care of us and most importantly for how you are transforming, renewing pruning and strengthening us for your purpose and glory. We thank you Lord for everything you have done this year and everything you will continue to do. We thank you for breaking strongholds and traps the enemy thought they set for us. We bless you Mighty God. IJMN Amen
From M22 - Father Lord I pray for singles waiting on your their spouse. I pray Father that you will help them wait and you'll give them supernatural discernment, patience and clarity to ward off counterfeits as they wait. Abba Father I trust you that you will settle them in your timing IJMN Amen
From CMC - Happy Friday family. I hope you all are doing well in this season. Not of many words today but I am here worshipping with you !
Thank you FFJ for your words today. It hit me more than I expected.
Giving thanks and praise to God almighty “My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior” Amen
Adding this song in because it has been on constant repeat for the past 2 weeks
My soul feels full after each listen.
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for families finding hard to celebrate the holidays. I pray that you bless them with resources beyond measure. I pray that even after the holidays, they will never run out of resources. I pray that they will experience your immeasurable joy this season and beyond IJMN Amen
From JIR - Lord, I pray for those who struggle with addictions. I pray that You bless them with the courage and the strength to break through the bondage of their addictions. I pray that You bless them with the support and help they need to overcome their addictions and rebukes any lies the enemy may be feeding them to make them feel like they need to be codependent on whatever they are addicted to. I pray, Lord, that You bless them to break loose from whatever it is that has a hold on them and You bless them to recover and redirect their focus on You. IJMN. Amen.
From M22 - Father Lord I pray for couples waiting on the fruits of the womb. Father Lord I pray that you turn their waiting into fruitfulness. I pray that you bless them with healthy and beautiful babies that they will nourish and nurture them in your ways. Father Lord I pray that you put an end to miscarriages, failed IVFs and difficult adoption processes IJMN Amen
I call on You my Heavenly Father for an outpouring of Your double portion and even more upon the righteous. Glory be to You my God!
You are great in heaven and earth. Beautiful God. Mysterious God! You are awesome!
Nehemiah said the following prayer in Nehemiah 5:19 - Remember me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people.
Father, I say that prayer over Your people who have been called to Your purpose. Lord, remember them with favor. Embarrass them with blessings that will make others wonder how.
Dear God, do this for them in Jesus' Mighty, Marvelous, and Wonderful name!
From M22 - Father Lord I pray that you put an end to the cycle of war, famine, natural disasters and bloodshed in this world. Father Lord your Word is that we will live to always declare your Word and we believe your Word will always stand true concerning regions affected by these negative cycles. Father Lord I pray that you touch the hearts and mind of leaders, governments and institutions to come to an amicable resolution that will better the lives of citizens IJMN Amen
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for people struggling with homelessness and poverty. I pray Father that as they head into the new years they will experience your abundance and provision beyond measure. Father Lord I pray that you connect people and communities that will help them settle into every stream of opportunities you have for them I pray that you destroy every strong hold of lack and scarcity in their lives and bless them with wonderful accomodations and jobs that will help them live day to day. I pray that they start to live and you put an end to the cycle of survival in their lives IJMN Amen
From JIR - I pray for all believers to read the Bible everyday and not only read the Bible but also live by the Bible. I pray that we all put ourselves in the shoes of those in need and eagerly give the shirts off our backs and the shoes off our feet if need be. I pray that we give to those in need on a consistent and persistent basis. IJMN. Amen.
Father, I want to pray for children everywhere. The Bible said that "[c]hildren are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from Him" in Psalm 127:3.
Lord, protect children. The world is working overtime to overwhelm and destroy them through depraved acts and images.
You give children to be a blessing. Please hear this prayer seeking Your blessed covering over them. IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Father Lord I want to thank you for this wonderful community. You have seen us through the past 12 months and we bless you Lord for holding our hands through it all. Even when we thought we would fall apart, we came out unscathed. Father Lord we thank you for your abundant grace, if we choose to write how much you have done for us, we would run out of ways to write. I bless you Father for how you are constantly transforming, renewing and pruning us. Thank you mighty Father. Amen. You are worthy of our Praise.
PRAYER TIME
Now's the time to kick into intercessory prayer. We'll spend the next 25 minutes praying for other people to be blessed by the Lord.
Know someone in need of help? Now is the time to ask the Lord to work things out for them.
Let us pray for others so that when we hear their testimony, we can smile and say to ourselves, "I prayed for that!"
Thank You God for all that You do for us and our loved ones. Thank You for mercy and Your kindness. You show us grace we technically do not deserve. And yet, You love us abundantly.
Who is man that You are mindful of Him, Jehovah? (Psalm 8:4) Thank You for that blessing. Thank You for loving us wholly. Give us grace to love You completely and live lives pleasing to You, oh Lord.