We spend so much time thinking about God's promises to us and how long we've got to wait for them to come to pass. There are plenty of books on this issue and there will be plenty more because it is an important topic.
However, What do you do when God gives you a promise that is not for you but for those who will come after you? Believe it or not, there are promises tied to you that are not for you. These could be promises for those who will come after you.
Abraham dealt with this issue. God made promises to him about his descendants. These were promises he would never see. It was the same with King David. He'd wanted to build a house for the Lord but was told that distinction would go to his son instead. Plus, the prophets of the Old Testament spoke of Jesus but none of them had the privilege of seeing Him.
Hebrews 11:13 - All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.
Somehow, these individuals held on to God despite knowing that there were promises they would likely never witness. Could we do the same? And if so, how would we manage? Would we be able to hold onto our faith knowing that there are promises we will never see?
One key factor for the greats of the Bible was that they recognized the promises fulfilled in their lifetimes and relied on them as the foundation of their faith. Those miracles, plus what God had done for their ancestors, enabled them to hold on to God, believing that the rest of what He'd said would be fulfilled.
This is why we must acknowledge what God has done in our lives. The more aware we are of His miracles, the more aware we will be of how and when He fulfills His word to us. Furthermore, we can't afford to forget our Jericho Moments - those instances when God worked things out for us. We must hold on to them and allow these instances to fuel our conviction that God is able to do what He's done again. We must also lean into the testimonies of others to build our confidence in God's capabilities.
Finally, this is another reason why we cannot let go of the promises God has made to us. We can't choose to ignore them when waiting gets long and painful. Imagine if David had ignored God's promise that his son would build a temple. David would not have amassed the tools and other necessities for the temple's construction. Instead, he gathered what his son would need and handed the materials to Solomon to complete the task. He contributed to his descendant's ability to live and enjoy God's promise. He didn't need to, but doing so was just one more reason why God called David a man who pleased Him.
We want to please God too. And so, we must walk by faith and not by sight, holding on to God even when there are outstanding promises we are yet to witness and might never see. We have to hold on to the faithfulness God has displayed to us, knowing that He will not fail to watch over His word. He will ensure it is fulfilled. Not because of anything we've done or will do, but because He can't stop Himself from being faithful. Hallelujah!
FINAL MESSAGE
I pray that today's message blessed you. Please come back on Friday when the them of waiting on the promise that is tied to us but not for us shall continue.
The Lord bless and keep you and may His face shine upon you till we 'see' again by His sweet grace. IJMN, Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, thank You for this opportunity to once again fellowship at Your feet. Thank You for bringing us together so we could honor You with praises and obey You by interceding for others. You are great and greatly to be praised.
I pray for today's participants - those who lurked and those who commented. I also pray for those who will participate in the future or via IG, the devotionals, and the website. However, You bring them, Lord, I place them in Your more than capable hands. Lord, I pray for Your compassion and favor to be their testimony. I pray that they will empowered by You to stand firm in faith as they wait for the promises that will come for those who will follow them in time.
For all You've done, are doing, and will do Lord, I give You all the praise, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Thank you Father for today's fellowship. Thank you for today's wonderful message.
fROM t93 - Father God, I say thank You and give You glory for every day I have been fed, housed, clothed, had water to quench my thirst, experienced laughter, internal joy and peace, miraculously came across one of Your children in my day-to-day to remind me Your love is everywhere. I thank you for the kindness I have experienced because of You Father God. I thank You for what You have given me with unconditional love and what You have taken away. I thank You for this fellowship community and for my ability to come here and praise You with Your other daughters.
I thank You Father God that all You have ever taken away from me has been replaced with something ten times better, greater than I could have ever imagined. I ask You Father to help me remain focused on You in this current period of testing as I have been here before but by the grace of You my faith is that much stronger. I give You glory Father God and I ask for forgiveness for any moments I was out of my character and not in harmony with how You desire for me to behave and speak. Please keep me in Your heart and hands Father God. It seems the more I am tested by the enemy and remain positive in Your love and word, the enemy works through people close to me to try to make me focused not on You. But I turn back to You each and every time Father God. My home is with You and Your grace and love. IJMN, Amen.
from M22 - Father I commit sis @FFJ to you. I pray that you bless her, her family, her loved ones and everything tha concerns her. I pray that you expand her in supernatural wisdom, favour, knowledge, grace and understanding IjMN Amen
From M22 - Father I commit my siblings into your loving arms. I pray that you continue to work within them and transform them for your glory. I pray that you help them to focus on you and take care of them. I pray that you help my brother overcome every difficulty he's going through. Father you made a way for the widow in the Book of Kings to pay her debts, I trust you will help my brother pay off his debts and graduate successfully. I pray for my baby sister, that you grant her success and excellence as she rounds up her exams. Father I pray for my twin sister that you help continually navigate her graduate studies IjMN Amen
From JIR - I am trying to juggle work and praise and pray today all at once. I have been really busy, but never too busy to praise the Lord! IJMN! Thank you for the message today @FFJ!
It helps me put things into perspective. We as mere humans will never think or see things the way our Creator does. He sees the bigger picture as it is written and has a plan for all of us.
As long as we keep obeying Him, holding on to our faith and trusting in Him, it is reassuring to know that we all serve a purpose in His divine plan which includes His promises to us even those that are intended for future generations. To God be the glory. IJMN.
From M22 - Abba Father please help me to focus on you and not the concerns of this world. I admit I have made my issues bigger than you are in my life. Father Lord thank you for your mercy over my life and I can be reminded by your word of how mighty or sovereign you are. May your name be exalted IjMN.
From M22 - Father I pray for orphans and widows across the world. I pray that you comfort them and fill that void in their hearts with your peace. I pray that you help them grieve and move forward knowing their loved ones are in a better place with you. I pray that you will take care of them in every aspect of their lives IJMN Amen!
From M22 - Father I pray for couples seeking the fruit of the womb. I pray you turn their waiting into fruitfulness. I pray as they wait Lord, you prepare them to grow in character and faith so they can be godly parents to their babies. I pray that you will put an end to failed IVFs, miscarriages and difficult adoption processes IJMN Amen!
LAST 10 MINUTES
Have you ever stopped to think that you are 'eating from a tree' others toiled to plant? You are standing on the backs of so many people who walked this earth and endured all manner of things so that you would have it easier than they did.
This concept of generations and generational growth, does not belong to the world, it belongs to God's Kingdom. From generation to generation, His people grow in knowledge and spiritual strength. There are things our ancestors had no idea about that God in His kindness has revealed to us. And in His grace, He will ensure that our children have a deeper and even more intimate knowledge of Him.
But, we have a responsibility to those who are to come. We need to tap into our faith and hold on to God for them. We need to leave them a spiritual legacy they can build upon.
It isn't easy to be so selfless but God will help each of us all for His glory.
Let us pray
Father, thank You for allowing us to benefit from the experiences and the faith of others. Thank You for all those who stood in faith so that we could enjoy Your promises in our time. Lord, bless them. Bless the works of their hands the result of their faith. Father, we seek Your grace to also stand in the gap for the generations to come. That they may build on what we've waited for, even if we never see these promises. God, let our descendants enjoy what we stood in faith for. Let them praise You for what they receive and IJN, they will not squander what You bless them with. Amen!!!
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for people struggling mentally and emotionally. I pray that they experience your peace which surpassed all understanding. I pray that you open up their hearts and minds to receive your healing over them. I pray that they are comforted by knowing you are holding them through the storm IJMN Amen!
From M22 - Thank you Father for your protection and preservation over children across the world, especially those in war torn regions. Father I pray that you continue to shield and preserve them from violence, harm and abuse. Father I pray that you guide their parents and caregivers to nourish and nurture them in your ways. Father help them fulfil your purpose and will for their lives IJMN Amen!
God, I thank You for Your great grace and mercy upon mankind. Thank You for Your kindness and love and that every human experiences these in some measure.
Lord, I lift up the oppressed and those who are being trafficked.
God Your word states in Psalm 106:3 - The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly (NLT).
Lord, Your word also stares that You execute justice for the oppressed in Psalm 146:7 (BSB). And that You will bring justice quickly for Your elect (Luke 18:8).
Therefore, Mighty King, I call on You to not ignore the cries of those who are being oppressed around the world. Father God, do not let them retreat in shame per Psalm 74:21. Arise on their behalf oh God as You have promised in Psalm 12:5. Scatter the wicked enemies who act as if there are no consequences, maltreating other people who have been made in Your image because there has been no opposition.
I speak the words of the Lord Almighty and call forth Your vengeance and also Your rescue for those who are waiting, my King. IJMN Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Heavenly Father for your love over this wonderful community. Thank you Father for bringing us together to pray and praise for ourselves and most importantly others. Father we humble ourselves before you and ask that you continue to work within us and renew our strength. Father I pray that you supernaturally deliver, restore and increase us on all sides. Father I pray that you contend with those that contend against us. Father I pray that your will be done in our lives IJMN Amen
PRAYER TIME
Glory to God in the highest! Now, it is time for us to lift up the needs of others in prayer. Let us call on the Lord to help them by turning their situation around.
If you're not praying for a person but are praying about an issue affecting people, call on the Lord to work miracles.
The Lord bless and guide you, IJMN, Amen.
John 11:27 - “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
I proclaim the words of Martha, a friend of Jesus. A woman Jesus felt so much compassion for that when she and her sister cried, my Savior shed tears.
God, I thank You for being everything! I too believe that You are the Messiah, the Son of God who came to the world. You walked among men despite being the fleshly embodiment of God Himself.
Thank You!
James 1:21 - Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
Lord, thank You for the opportunity to submit to Your Lordship and all that You want to do in us. Help all Your children heed the scripture. Grace, God, to eradicate moral filth and evil from our lives. Your grace is sufficient and it is what Your people rely on as they walk with You, IJMN, Amen.
Thank You, God, for being My Helper. My Healer. The One who gives me joy and happiness. The One who shared His breath with me.
Thank You for being everything I need or could ever want.
Lord, I give You all the glory for You alone are worthy.
Praise be to Your Holy Name!
Amen, Hallelujah!
From T93 - Job 11:16: "You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away. And your life will be brighter than the noonday..."
Father God, I want to take this time to give You all the glory You deserve which is so great it is hard to fathom at times. You work through myself and so many others in this world such as everyone here on this Praise & Pray, You take us from our darkest moments to the brightest days. You lift us up when the enemy has done much to weigh us down. You often let us experience periods of testing by the enemy such as in the story of Job. However, Your children, like Job, are blessed tenfold by You Father when they remain steadfast in Your love, consistent in reading Your word, focused on You, and having a strong prayer life.
So Father I just want to say thank You. Even in moments when the testing is so great, I am and we all are so blessed to be able to call You our Father, we are so blessed to be able to lean on You in trying times, and doing so allows us to remain joyful because Your love is that amazing and all-consuming. I praise You Father God. I give all glory to you. I am grateful to have Your word and Your light everyday that You allow me to wake up and breathe in a brand new day. IJMN, Amen.