When you think of a pig, what comes to mind? I think of a pinkish creature with a little tail that curls up. Then, I immediately imagine delicious bacon with scrambled eggs and some warm toast.
Someone else might picture pigs playing in the mud. Let's imagine this picture together and consider the following scenario: there's a farm with a caretaker who picks up an excited, little pig. Known as Mr. Piggy, he got so dirty from playing in the mud that it caked in his rolls and hurt. The caretaker picks him up and reminds him that he's been told to stay clean. He nonetheless gets a nice bath and all the dirt is washed away.
Alas, it is in Mr. Piggy's nature to get dirty again. Once it rains and puddles form on the ground, he heads to the muddiest one. He rolls around and splashes mud into the air as he oinks for joy.
But then, there's Ms. Piglet. She used to love the mud but one day, after a scrub down, she saw her reflection and liked how clean she looked. Now, she completely avoids mud. She is so clean that she lives in the caretaker's home. There, she has a bowl for her food and never fights with other pigs for a meal. She also gets regular belly rubs. On rainy mornings, Ms. Piglet enjoys lying by the open door to watch the rain. She doesn't understand why Mr. Piggy always jumps into the mud.
While far from a perfect analogy, this piggly tale illustrates aspects of the Christian life. The Caretaker is Jesus, who keeps coming in to wash off our sins and make us clean whenever we genuinely repent. Yet, some see the next puddle of mud, which represents sin, and dive in without hesitation. That puddle just seems to beckon them. It's all because we humans are prone to sin.
Then there are some like Ms. Piglet who enjoy remaining mud-free. They glow instead of having their shine tarnished by sin and they are well-cared for by the Caretaker in his home instead of in a pig pen. Plus, because they live in the house, they will never end up as bacon on someone's plate someday.
Mr. Piggy doesn't realize that there are consequences to repeatedly submitting to his nature. Because he keeps rejecting that cleansing, someday, the Caretaker will stop washing him and allow him to be who he wants to be - a pig covered in muddy sin. Psalm 81:12 states, "So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices."
God wants each of us to stay away from sin's muddy puddles and enjoy being cleansed by Jesus. This brings peace, assurance, and more. The cleansing also means we gain eternal life in heaven. This is God's offer to us and it is free of charge. We just have to choose to be clean and the caretaker, Jesus, will consistently scrub us down when we sin and repent.
May we all accept and appreciate the Caretaker's loving cleansing and turn away from the muddy puddles of sin that want to keep us from living comfortably, IJMN, Amen
God bless us all.
CLOSING PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for gathering us this day to honor You and Your word. Thank You for the opportunity to glorify Your name with our praise and worship. Thank You for the privilege of praying for others and lifting their needs up to You.
Thank You for You will not forget those who genuinely thanked You. Nor will You forget those who gave to others in prayer during fellowship today. Praise be to You, oh Lord!
Lord, we echo the people of Jerusalem, when they praised You, saying, 2 Chronicles 20:21 - “Give thanks to the LORD, for His loving devotion endures forever.”
And, I pray over today's participants in accordance with Your word in Isaiah 55:12-13 - You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.”
IJMN, Amen!!!
From BI - I pray for healing for DK, JO, MM, CL, KL, HL, JL, DL, sis @AC and peppers waiting on the Lord. I pray that yokes of illnesses and afflictions be broken off of their necks. I pray that God’s mercy and divine healing will locate them. Lord, watch over them and their loved ones. May they rejoice in perfect health to the shame of the devil and to the glory of God IJMN Amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray as the holiday season fast approaches, I pray that you provide for every one of us. Food, neccesities and every thing we need to have a memorable holiday. I pray that this season will be a cause for celebration in our lives IJMN amen.
From M22 - Thank you Jehovah Jireh for supplying all of our needs through your glorious riches. Thank you for the requests you have fulfilled and the ones you are yet to fulfil. We pray you continue to bless with much more as the year wraps up IJMN amen
From M22 - I pray Abba for everyone struggling mentally and from trauma. I pray Abba that you hold their hands as you heal them from every hurt, abuse and violence that have faces. I pray that you restore their self esteem, self worth, self image and concept moving forward. Help them rest in their identities as Children of the Most high IJMN amen.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for sis @FFJ we bless you for her life, her family, her business and her interests. Thank you for being her caretaker. Thank you baba for strengthening her to consistently share your word consistently in this community since the year started. I pray that you will renew her strength and I pray that she will never grow weary in being your vessel IJMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for Divine repositioning for each and everyone of us spiritually, physically, emotionally, financially and in every aspect of life. Lift us above higher ground Abba. We bless you Lord for answered prayers! Amen.
From M22 - Abba I thank you for the Church worldwide. Thank you Abba for keeping believers together and stronger than ever. Thank you Abba for the winning of more souls into your kingdom! Thank you for unity, expansion, miracles, wonders and works across churches worldwide. May we continue to represent your kingdom here on earth Abba. IjMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I commit my siblings into your hands. I pray that you perfect their mental health. I pray that the fruits of the spirit continue to take roots in their heart so that it can produce abundant harvest. Helo them rest in your comfort and authority knowing you are working on their behalf IJMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for people job hunting. I pray that you lead them to companies where they are appreciated and valued and most importantly their opinions and mental health are prioritized. I pray that they will not have to face workplace violations and unnecessary labour IJMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I commit children into your hands. I pray that you continue to shield them from violence, abuse and harm. I pray that you continue to nourish and nurture them as the grow. I pray for children struggling with trauma and parental neglect, I pray that you will fill that void in their hearts and remove every negative emotions from their hearts. Amen
From sis FJ - Lord of Hosts, I come before You to pray for ministries and any group that is doing your will. Lord, please remember their "labors of love" and support them as they do works that please You. Please lead them and protect them from the evil one. Thank You Lord. Let leaders have "clean hands and a pure heart" In Jesus name I pray, amen.
LAST 10 MINUTES
We don't like to think of ourselves as piggies but I pray that today's message spoke to you as it did to me.
Human beings are attracted to sin. There's just something very attractive about most sinful behavior. Yet, God wants us free of it all and Jesus died to cleanse us from the effects of our iniquity.
We can choose to be like Mr. Piggy and keep playing in the mud or we can choose to stay clean like Ms. Piglet. The reality is that there is grace and forgiveness available but if we continue to submit to sin and not the Savior, there is a risk of being left behind in our sin.
God will continue to stretch out His arm till He won't. This is not to sadden anyone but to remind us all that we should take His hand now and not later.
Father, thank You for washing me clean. Thank You for continuing to stretch out Your loving hand toward me, even when I have gone astray. Thank You for Your enduring love, mercy and patience. Help me, God, to remain in Your embrace and not make choices that lead me into sin's muddy puddles. Be Thou glorified in my life always, IJMN, Amen.
Great God, You are Jehovah Nissi and Jehovah Shammah. You are the Mighty Man of War. The head of the Heavenly Armies.
Lord, so many are under attack from the devil. Plenty are engaged in spiritual warfare and battles. They may be feeling weak but God, I thank You that since the days of John the Baptist, the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent taketh it by force (Matthew 11:12).
Lord, Your people are strengthened to stand on the heights. Their hands are prepared for war, their arms bend bows of bronze and they have hind legs (Psalm 18). You have outfitted Your people in the armor of God and the cloak of zeal to defeat every evil work set against them.
Thank You, Father. Send them angelic help to clear the battlefield. May the enemy of their souls eat their own flesh and drink their own blood like wine as they suffer a great defeat. IJMN Amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for resolution for Gaza, Haiti and every other region experiencing conflict. I pray that you eliminate every unscrupulous elements fueling the conflicts . I pray that you restore peace and order to these regions IJMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I commit everyone that is ill into your hands. I pray that your healing power radiates their cells, organs, blood vessels, nerve endings and every inch of their bodies. I pray that you guide the hearts and minds of medical staffs to do what's right for their healing to be permanent IJMN amen.
Abba I pray that you coordinate the eyes and hands of very operating surgeon in theatres across the world. Help them carry out successful surgeries IJMN amen.
From sis FJ - Father I pray for expecting mothers and new mothers. Lord, I ask that You would wash them and their babies in the blood of Jesus. I cover them in the blood of Jesus. Let the fire of God surround them as a shield and keep every evil person or thought away. Lord, remember the promises in Your word. "I will gently lead those with young", and "The Lord will teach your children and great will be their peace". Please support them Lord and give them a capable partner. Surround them with the right people. I declare good health to both mother and baby. In Jesus name I pray, amen
God, I thank You for being the Father of all creation. Thank You for being He who holds all things in His hands.
My Father, You are in control of all things and so it is to You I bring a request for the hungry. Lord, fill their bellies with food. Do not allow them to go hungry.
Father, Your word says that the wicked shall go without and so I cry out on behalf of the righteous that they will not be deprived of good things, including regular and nutritious meals.
I pray also for Your mercy IJMN Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for every single Pepper both online and offline. Thank you Father for being us this far and for 2024 in advance. We bless you for supplying all of our needs from January till date. Despite the challenges, Abba thank you for holding our hands as we navigated each day, weeks, months. We bless you for everything you have done, you are doing and you are yet to do in our lives IJMN amen.
From BI -I pray against gender-based violence. I pray for women and girls being abused, sold and/or at risk of being killed. Lord, I pray that they will be rescued. So many of Your children live with trauma. Lord, heal them in mind, body and spirit. Those that wait on the Lord never wait in vain. Abba, guide them to cast their cares unto You. Place an hedge of protection around them. Surround them with people that will care for them and show them kindness. I pray for more funds for charities tasked with helping these girls and women. Lord, do what only You can do and have mercy on Your children IJMN Amen.
PRAYER TIME
Lift up the prayer needs of others right now.
The second 'P' in P&P isn't about us but the people we know and the strangers we will never meet.
So, pray for somebody with the seriousness you'd use to pray for yourself.
As we end the year Lord, I want to thank You for preserving Peppers. Thank You for showing them Your love and mercy.
Thank You for the miracles they've experienced. Thank You for the miracles on the way to them.
My Big God, I look forward to dancing in joy for the testimonies that they will share before 2023 ends.
Yay!!
From sis FJ - Father in the name of Jesus I thank You for the mercy you show to us every day. Thank You for protecting us from harm in every area. Even when we felt the pinch, the fire did not consume us and the water did not sweep us away, just as You promise in Your word.
Daddy of life!!
Thank You for being sweet and kind. Thank You for sending Jesus, our caretaker, to wash us clean. Even when we can't help it and get covered in the mud. You lovingly correct and cleanse us when we repent and You restore our glow.
Thank You, God of the universe.
From BI - Thank You Abba Father for being a peace-maker. Thank You for rescuing Your children and preserving lives. Thank You for being a chain-breaker, pain-taker and way-maker. With man, it is impossible but with God, all things are possible.
What a comfort it is to know, You are all we need. Lord, thank You for choosing us to be Yours.
Lord, I have to thank You for answered prayers. Thank You for the privilege of knowing You as true and faithful.
Praise be to You, my God!!
Thank You God. I am using this opportunity to praise You in advance for all You will do between now and January 1st, 2024.
Thank You, God, for You are the Victor over all, and as Your child I inherit Your victory.
Glory be to You, my Lord!
PRAISE TIME
Shout hallelujah to the Lord, people!!
Let's give God all the glory and praise!
From BI - Thank You Lord for Jesus.
Thank You Lord for the Holy Spirit.
Thank You Lord for my Hosts of angels.
Thank You Lord for breathing life into me.
Thank You Lord for forgiving me.
Thank You Lord for healing me.
Thank You Lord for redeeming me.
Thank You Lord for protecting me.
Thank You Lord for defending me.
Thank You Lord for shining Your light unto my path.
Thank You Lord for allowing goodness and mercy to follow me.
Thank You Lord for showing me mercy.
Thank You Lord for showing me favour.
Thank You Lord for showing me grace.
Thank You Lord for showing me Compassion.
Thank You Lord for my job and wages.
Thank You Lord for food and shelter.
Thank You Lord for spiritual growth.
Thank You Lord for my limbs, sight, audio and speech.
For all of the above and so much more, I say Thank You Thank You Thank You!!!
Hallelujah! Hosanna in the highest!
From C - Fam please uplift me in your prayers I have been struggling with my lab work, data analysis, I just left s meeting and I’m feeling so dejected, my faith this past weeks has been tested, and I’ve even been spiritually attacked, I was SA’d as a child by someone in my fathers side of the family and the devil has been using that to attack me, to the point that I’ve even begun losing faith in the Lord, I’ve been angry and feeling so betrayed by God! I finally had the courage to tell my dad and it wasn’t easy, I want to move past the anger and hatred I just don’t know how
From C - Lord thank You for today, for your mercies and Goodness your Grace Abba is sufficient for all and in all! Be God over Gaza, Congo, Haiti, Sudan, Ukraine and every place in conflict. Be God over my schooling and projects, my supervisors and everything, over Natalie and her kidneys, over Abbie and her babies, over my community in Jesus mighty name amen
From EC - Amen and good morning ladies!
From BI - Thank You my King of kings for letting me see this great day that You have made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. Thank You for placing an hedge of protection around me and no weapon formed against me shall ever prosper. Thank You for healing and deliverance. No words are adequate to convey my gratitude. Thank You infinitely Abba.
Thank you for today’s word sis @FFJ. I certainly do not want to roll around in the mud. Thank You Lord for washing us clean. May we never take our Saviour’s sacrifice for granted. I pray for strength to resist the lies of the devil and to refrain from sin-inducing temptations. May we be mentally, physically and spiritually attuned to the Will of God IJMN Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Blessed Father for another beautiful fellowship day! Thank you Abba for the gift of life, mobility, sight, provision, abundance, shelter, protection over us, family members and friends. We bless you Lord for your love and assurance over our lives every single moment. IJMN Amen!
Thank you for today's word sis @FFJ . I really love today's word as always. The analogy is something I will not forget so easily. We thank our Caretaker for being patient with us as we wrestle against sin every waking day. Even he knows the pressure we face because of our devotion to him. We remain forever in gratitude that he never gets tired or weary of cleansing us. I pray that God grants us infinite strength to be more international in our love for him and to help us ward off the pressures of temptations, worldly pleasures and sin. I pray that our heart is a fertile ground for Jesus to make his home IJMN amen.