We spend a lot of time trying to avoid suffering. This drive touches all areas of our life. It is the reason we spend years in school then many more years working at various jobs. That resistance to suffering pushes us to pay our bills on time so we do not encounter embarrassing surprises and adjustments to our lifestyle that signal stepping backward.
But, God has made it clear that suffering is a part of the deal when it comes to Him. There is almost no one of note in the Bible that didn't go through some period of distress. Moses was repeatedly challenged by the people God assigned Him to lead. David's own father-in-law tried to have him killed. And as if that wasn't bad enough, his son also wanted him dead. The disciples would enter cities and be insulted, physically assaulted, and chased out - all for sharing the gospel. And as for Jesus, He was crucified on a cross for being holy, healing the sick and teaching people to live godly lives. He used each of these people to do great things and their suffering contributed to their success as God's servants.
This is why God will not allow our suffering to ever be in vain. There is no challenge we experience that He will not use to bless us and glorify Himself. So much so, the Bible teaches that our suffering hardens us against sin, driving out the taste for the desires of the flesh. 1 Peter 4:1 - Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. We are to expect suffering but we must understand that it plays a role in pulling us away from sin and making us more serious about the Lord.
Think about Abraham who waited for an heir for so long that he and his wife opted to 'help' God resulting in the birth of Ishmael. Arguably, that wasn't the only mistake Abraham made. For instance, on two occasions, he lied saying that his wife, Sarah, was his sister. He did this because he feared others would see her as beautiful and kill him to have her. But when he turned 99, the Lord told him "I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers” (Genesis 17:1-2).
Abraham obeyed and within a year, Sarah birthed Isaac. After that, Abraham was so humbled before the Lord that when told to sacrifice the very child he'd prayed for, he didn't question the instruction. God had to stop him and declare him faithful (Genesis 22:12). His struggles and the way God got him out of them, curbed his desire for sin and increased his submission to the Almighty. Suffering can have a similar impact in our lives if we trust the Lord to usher us through painful periods and bring us to a place of blessing and peace.
Suffering as a Christian is an inconvenient truth. That said, God's promise is goodness for those who love Him and are called to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Thus, let us not avoid or reject how God chooses to train us for His purpose. We should give praise instead. Plus, the Bible promises that suffering is for a short time. 2 Corinthians 4:17 - For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. And, if we ask, He will provide a way for us to endure it and come out unscathed (1 Corinthians 10:13). It is not God's will for us to endlessly suffer. That is for sinners who will spend eternity in the lake of fire. And so, we shall endure some struggles now so we don't become the sinners who will share a resting place with satan. Praise God!
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FINAL MESSAGE
Today's message will be a little different from normal.
I would like to encourage all of us to be mindful about the choices we are making in the 'physical'.
Please get out of your homes more often to get sunlight and exercise your bodies. Try to eat better. Putting an end to consumption by 8 or 9pm can do wonders for the body.
I know times are hard but if you are a home owner or tenant, please obtain home insurance or renter's insurance. Also, please keep your auto insurance up to date. Mine was to go up by $500 but I searched and got the cost much lower than I was paying before.
Cut out unnecessary spending and save as much as you can, folks. Also, give to ministries that are doing God's work. The year is ending and ministries are seeking funds to serve the needy. Give your money and/or your time so that God is glorified.
For Peppers who need wills and health directives, be sure to reach out. It is crucial to have such documents or at least consider them. Those of you who own companies, make sure you are keeping them current so they aren't forfeited. File taxes and report to the Beneficiary Owner Information Registry (the deadline is in January).
A lot of this pertains to US-based individuals but wherever you are take a second to take stock of your situation. See what resources need to be conserved and how you can make wiser choices in 2025. The Lord will surely help us.
If you have questions. Please feel free to send me a message. God bless you.
Oh and PS, if you know of any opportunities that could bless Peppers, please let me know. I might have someone in mind and/or can share with others.
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, thank You for the grace of fellowship. Thank You that we could gather to honor You with our worship and petitions for others. Please be though enthroned on our praises and fulfill our prayers for others, IJMN, Amen.
I speak over those who participated in today's P&P - You will get through the turbulent waters of life, for they will not sweep you away. You will pass through rivers and they will not overcome you. You will walk through fire itself and it will not set you ablaze (Isaiah 43:2). At the end of it all, you will not look like what you've been through, IJMN, Amen.
Lord, bless all who participated and everyone else who will click into this thread to participate in this Praise and Pray (for others).and it is IJN I have prayed, Amen.
Till we meet again on Friday by God's grace.
LAST 10 MINUTES
Let's not waste any time. Join me in praying about today's topic:
God, You are our loving Father and we use this opportunity to thank You. Thank You for the tough times. Thank You for the good times. Thank You for You use everything for our ultimate good and Your glory.
Lord, help us to have Your perspective on the seasons of suffering. Grace to rejoice in those periods as Your word teaches us to give thanks in all things. Lord, help us to remember the benefits of suffering and how it strengthens us against sin. Help us to remember that our struggles are bigger than us and that You will use them for Your glory and the blessing of others. Grace to never forget that no matter what we endure, we shall come out like Job and others in the Bible who waited on You - victorious.
Help us to not make choices that will lead us headlong into suffering but to obediently trust in You to guide us in all things and at all times. IJMN, Amen.
Lord, You are the Exceptional God we dread and fear. You alone are Holy and we give You all the praise.
Good God, we thank You for the prayer of Jabez, who asked You to bless him and keep Him from pain in 1 Chronicles 4:10.
Lord, we live in a world where there is so much maltreatment and sadness. Indeed, those meant to protect often are the ones causing pain.
And yet, Lord, we know that Your plans remain good for Your children, even when sad and difficult things happen to them. For that, we praise You God.
Sovereign Lord, please, comfort the hurting. Let Your joy and peace suave scars and wounds. Help the hurting to experience and acknowledge Your faithfulness as that opens the door to Your healing and strength. IJMN, Amen. May Your hand be upon them for their blessings, to keep them from pain and to give You all the glory now and always, IJN, Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Father for sis @FFJ . I pray that you continue Your work within her. I pray that you bless her, her loved ones and everything that concerns her. I pray that you increase her in supernatural wisdom, favour knowledge and strength IJMN Amen
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for people struggling with suicidal thoughts. I pray that you destroy the roots and strongholds of these thoughts in their lives. I pray that your Word reminds them how much you love them. I pray that you surround them with wonderful support systems that will help them feel deeply loved and understood and will most importantly bring them closer to God. I pray they will experience and encounter you Abba beyond measure. IjMN Amen
Father, You who made the earth and all that is in it. Praise be to You, God who owns everything. Thank You Sovereign Lord for being almighty and all-sufficient. To You be all the glory, IJN, Amen.
Ezekiel 36:29-30 - I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will summon the grain and make it plentiful, and I will not bring famine upon you. I will also make the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field plentiful, so that you will no longer bear reproach among the nations on account of famine.
Father, the land suffers because of our wrong choices and the devil is pleased. It taunts and mocks that our God cannot bring the rains and cannot bring from the ground what is needed to feed the nations. Lord, for the sake of Your Holy and precious name, we call on You to preserve the greatness and honor of Your name. To not allow the enemy to gloat and claim that it could create famine and the chaos that stems from it.
Therefore, Lord, we call on You to do as You promised in Your word. Cleanse Your people and cleanse the land, IJMN, Amen. In Your mercy and because You protect Your very name, bring about harvest where the land has been written off. Bring food of all kinds to the hungry. Break apart that which serves to prevent food provision. All things hampering food getting to those in need are destroyed now, IJMN, Amen.
Take all the glory, Lord. Thank You for bumper harvests and miraculous provision. Hallelujah!
From M22 - Father Lord I pray for myself and my siblings. I pray that your Spirit continues to lead us. I pray that you knockdown every stronghold of the enemy in our lives. I oray that you continue to strengthen, renew and transform us for your glory. Abba Father I pray that you continue to take care of our needs and continually order our steps IjMN amen
From JIR - I pray for all believers and future believers experiencing loss of anything that may be detrimental to them. Lord, I pray that You take them under Your wings and give them comfort. I pray that they lean on You for help with overcoming this difficult time and You pull them out of their current state. I pray that You give them hope and strength they may need to endure and remain rooted in You. I pray that You bless them in abundance for their troubles as You did Job. IJMN. Amen.
Sis M22, please permit me to share a prayer you raised back in 2022 -
It's been a long tough year for people. Heavenly Father, I pray that you restore all that they have lost in thousandfold. I pray that they finish this year strong and start the new year stronger IJMN amen.
From M22 - Father Lord I pray for people struggling with their faith. I pray Father that you silence the voice of the accuser in their lives. I hold on to your word in 2Corinthians 10:5 that you will knock down strongholds that hold them from knowing you. I pray that you strengthen and renew their minds and I pray you surround and connect them to believers that will help them strengthen their walk with you IjMN Amen
From M22 - I pray for people that are struggling with homelessness and poverty. Father Lord I pray that you open doors of opportunities for them to enjoy a better standard of living. I pray that you touch the hearts and minds of leaders, governments and housing authorities to help these people settle into better living conditions. Father Lord as you upgrade them, I pray that they will not fall back into these situations IjMN Amen
Lord, I thank You for being the Faithful One.
Isaiah 49:7 - This is what the LORD says— the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel— to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: “Kings will see you and stand up, princes will see and bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”
Father, You see how hearts have been broken and shackled into forgetting what it means to have a faithful Father.
However, Lord, You are indeed faithful and are great. You have told us to ask that we receive in Matthew 7:7. As such, I pray for eyes to open to the truth of Your faithfulness to Your children. I pray that they will take hold of that faithfulness and walk in the confidence that it generates. That they will know that You will never abandon them to the whims of the enemy and will know that even before they chose You, You chose them.
I ask that their joy may be full according to Your word in John 16:24, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Faithful Father for another beautiful fellowship day. I bless your name over this wonderful community of Christ. Thank you Father for how you are constantly transforming, renewing, pruning and strengthening us for your purpose and glory. I pray that you continue to work within us. IjMN Amen
From JIR - I pray for those in storm stricken and war stricken areas. God, please bless them with the love, comfort, peace, strength, courage and protection they need to get out of the situation they are in. Please bless them to pray to You steadfast and never give up on prayer. Please bless them to know that You love them, You are there for them and You want what’s best for them. Please pull them out of the situation they are in and bless them to recover and bounce back. IJMN. Amen.
PRAYER TIME
From CMC - God, when I experience suffering, I have the opportunity to glorify You with my words and actions. Help me to recognize the grace You give to help me through my circumstances. In all situations, allow me to remember that You are faithful to those who follow You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lamentations 3:22-23 - Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Hallelujah!!!
Faithful God! I give You all the praise. I join the 24 elders, the 4 living creatures, the Holy Hosts, the angels and all of creation to worship You!
Praise the Lord!
From CMC - Jesus, thank You that You are with me wherever I go! Whatever storm I face, You are with me. You are not afraid. I can face every storm with peace and confidence because of the simple fact that You care about me. Thank You. In Your name I pray, Amen.