Do you remember the Bible story of the blind man at Bethsaida that Jesus healed? It's in Mark 8:22-26 and there, the blind man's friends brought him for healing. Jesus took the man, walked him out of the village, then spat on his eyes. When He asked, “Do you see anything?” the man replied, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”
Mark 8:25 - Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.
Did you notice Jesus touched this man "once more"? Did you notice that at the first touch healing started but the second touch completed it?
Now, what if the man had been satisfied to simply see men as trees? He'd have run off and likely run right into a tree someday, thinking it was a man. God didn't want that for Him. Instead, God desired perfect healing. Imagine if he hadn't waited for the Savior to touch him a second time?
Far too often, we are satisfied with God's first touch. There's nothing wrong with that per se, after all we are to appreciate whatever God does for us no matter how small it appears (Zechariah 4:10).
Nevertheless, we also have to be willing to remain before the Lord to receive the more He has for us. And believe me, there is always more for He is the unlimited God. In fact, Paul describes the Lord in Ephesians 3:20 as "Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (NKJV).
Therefore, we must seek the exceedingly and abundantly from the Lord because there's always another touch. If not, we'll be content to go from blindness to just seeing men as trees.
God has complete victory available for us - be it over family issues, work challenges, complications with finances or health problems. We need to be like the Blind Man of Bethsaida and wait for the Lord’s second touch. To do this, don't ignore God simply because you got what you prayed for. Continue to study the word, praise His name, fast and pray. We need to obey His commands and live in reverent fear of God. These may seem like much to many of us, but for those who commit to live righteously for the Lord, He has equally committed to help them do so.
Realize that by allowing God to guide you, we will receive the second touch which will lead to many more touches over the course of a lifetime and indeed, the lifespan of the generations to come.
Finally, please be aware that light has no business with the dark (2 Corinthians 6:14). In Genesis 1:2-4, God literally dispensed with the dark void when He declared "let there be light." This means, if you are seeking the Lord for something, don't blend ungodly things in your quest for the first or the next touch. That is not the time to infuse occult practices such as burning sage, bringing crystals and certain colored candles into your life. Stick with God and only God because if you fall for the temptation to bring the dark in, the light and its touch is extinguished.
May the Spirit of the LORD touch each of us and convict us to remain in His presence alone that He may touch us forever more, IJMN Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER
Psalm 109:21 - But you, Sovereign Lord, help me for your name’s sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me.
Lord I thank You for today's fellowship and lift up Your word on behalf of the participants. Help them for Your name's sake. Deliver them, out of the goodness of Your heart into the next touch You have for them. All by Your grace, to Your glory, and for their good IJMN Amen.
Please bless those who joined hands to honor you this day -
From PBS - ‘Father, in the name of Jesus, we lift ourselves and everyone needing your help up to You and pray a hedge of protection around us. We thank You, Father, that You are a wall of fire round about us and that Your angels camp around about us.
We thank You, Father, that we dwell in the secret place of the Most High and remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty. We will say of You, Lord, You are our Refuge and our Fortress, on You we lean and rely and in You we trust! You cover us with Your feathers, and under Your wings shall we trust and find refuge. We shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor the arrows, the evil plots and slanders of the wicked that fly by day. Only with our eyes will we behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Because we have made You, Lord, our Refuge, no evil shall befall us—no accident will overtake us—nor shall any plague or calamity come near us. For You will give Your angels special charge over us, to accompany and defend and preserve us in all our ways.
Father, we have set our love upon You, therefore You will deliver us. We will call upon You, and You will answer us. You will be with us in trouble, and You will satisfy us with long lives and will show us Your salvation. Not a hair on our heads shall perish.
Thank You, Lord, for Your watch, care, and protection.
In Jesus’ name, Amen!’
LAST 10 MINUTES
Today we discussed waiting in God's presence to receive a second touch which brings complete victory.
In these last 10 minutes of fellowship, think about a time when you neglected to wait for more. Now, ask yourself have there been other times you've done this? Could there be a pattern of behavior that you can address?
Consider the story of King Joash in 2 Kings 13. He was told by Prophet Elisha to strike the ground but stopped at the third time. 2 Kings 13:19 - The man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times.”
We can't get complacent because there is more for us to have faith for. There is more to trust God to do for us.
Keep walking with God. He has much more for you. And if you want that next touch, that next anointing, stick to Him.
Lord, I repent for the times I walked away at the first touch ignoring that You wanted to touch me once more. Lord, please forgive my lack of knowledge and thank You for teaching me to tarry in Your presence for the more You have for me. Grant me more grace to wait on You IJMN, Amen.
Declare the words in Joshua 24:15, As for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord. IJMN, Amen.
Praise God!!!!
God I stand against the spirit of poverty seeking to ensnare people. I decree in the name of Jesus that He who the son sets free is free indeed.
Hallelujah!
I declare and therefore establish freedom and sound minds that know that poverty is not the inheritance of the beloved of God. For You are able to bless abundantly, that having everything they need, they shall have enough to do Your good works (2 Chronicles 9:8).
IJMN Amen.
From AC - Abba, I pray for your healing power and transcending peace upon those in my circle suffering from sickness, addiction, financial ruin, grief, spiritual attacks, emotional trauma, loneliness, depression and anxiety. God be with them and may you cover them, heal them and strengthen them by the Power of the Holy Spirit. I Pray this in Jesus' Almighty Name, Amen.
From PBS - ‘Heavenly Father, in the Name of Jesus, we come before your throne of grace boldly to request for help in our time of need. Your Word says that you will listen and answer our prayers so we give you thanks before the breakthroughs and miracles appear. We walk by faith and not by sight in Jesus name.
Father, we lift before you the present and upcoming election seasons. The enemy has been sending his agents throughout the country to tamper with voting machines, suppress voter registration, create difficulties in registering, forming geographical/racial barriers to force votes to count where they shouldn’t, keep people from the polls through lies and intimidation, and other various threats, prejudices, and policies.
Father, Titus 3 instructs us that we were saved in order to do good to your glory. You have equipped us by the blood of the Lamb to live righteously, in truth, faithfulness and peace. We should not be ruled by divisiveness, foolish quarreling, and arguments designed to deceive and oppress.
Though we may face troubles on every side, we are never defeated. You promised to always give us the victory because we are more than conquerors by Christ Jesus, who strengthens us.
We are Your children Lord, and we need righteousness, truth, and peace to break every chain, seen and unseen, that is keeping fair and honest elections and voting bound. In the Name of Jesus, we bind everything that satan and man has done, is doing, and plans to do to corrupt, dishonor, confuse, and suppress the election process and results in any way—before, during, and after.
We bind every evil plot from affecting early voting, mail in ballots, voting booths, paper and electronic tallies, including those who have volunteered and assigned to oversee every process.
We bind every stronghold that is operating through commercials and social media, family and friends, churches and businesses—anyone and anything being used as vessels of deception. We bind every attack against the people to prevent them from voting due to their age, skin color, IDs, gender, status, and background.
We loose Your Presence, Word, Authority, Justice, Protection, and Peace throughout the land. Breakthrough every government system and official, and destroy every form of wickedness. Bring the plots and plans of the enemies to destruction, and expose them openly.
Dear Lord, please provide Your safety, wisdom, understanding, and discernment to the people. Expose the true intentions behind each candidate’s promises. For You know the heart and thoughts of every man, and nothing is hidden from Your sight.
Please provide safety, provisions, and protection for the people before, during, and after their voting. Protect their ballots and voter credentials from being corrupted in any way. Rebuke every hindrance operating against them as citizens.
You are the Vine, and we are the branches. You are in us and we are in You. You have placed us in the place we live for a reason. Please help us make the right decisions as citizens with clarity, authority, and truth. Be a lamp onto our feet and a light upon our path. Let us be bold and use the authority and rights that You have given us, our ancestors, our children, and every generation thereafter.
Father, we release the angels to work on the assignments that you’ve given them and thank you for their faithfulness. We cast all of our cares and concerns about the elections, the candidates, political parties, propositions, policies, agendas, and systems onto You. We cast all of our cares and concerns about our voting choices. We ask for the peace of Christ which surpasses all understanding to rule within us and within every area of our lives.
For You Lord do not lie. Nor do you tempt anyone with evil. You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Open our eyes and light up our hearts and minds to make the right and wise decisions, and refuse every intimidation and oppression.
We stand confident and firm—the Lord is on our side!
Thank you Jesus! We believe and receive by faith in You all that we need and more, in Jesus’ name, Amen!’
From MFC - Sunday is my oldest daughter's 19th Birthday. She has been through a lot in her young life, BUT GOD! We are so grateful for how far she's come by faith. Jesus, my Savior, I come to You with so much joy in my heart. You have blessed me with another wonderful, loving year with my daughter. To give such a gift to me is unbelievable, and I thank You with my whole heart and soul that You chose me to be her Mommy. I ask that You continue to guide her through all moments of her life. Let her stay centered on Your word, and I pray that every day, she strives to be more like You. Protect her, love her, and lead her down paths of righteousness. In Your loving name, I pray. Amen.
Glorious God. You are the living God and You endure forever; Your kingdom will not be destroyed, Your dominion will never end. You rescue and save; You perform signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth (Daniel 6:26-27).
Mark 3:27 - In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house.
Lord, the devil thinks it can hold onto those whom Jesus died to set free by binding them in strongholds.
However, You are the God who set the captives free.
Therefore Lord, we declare the destruction of strongholds against Your people. We bind and destroy every strong man and declare that even those deemed lawful captives are released from bondage, IJMN Amen.
Father, once again, I bring up the issue of food security before You. Heavenly Father, when You created the world, You looked at it and determined it was good.
Yet Lord, in this good world there are billions facing food insecurity and famine.
Proverbs 18:20 - From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.
Lord when things around us do not reflect Your promises, You have called on us to declare Your word. Father, we are instructed to lift our hands and intercede whenever things are wrong according to 2 Chronicles 6.
Almighty, we know that food insecurity is a result of our failure to obey You (Deuteronomy 28:23). We repent for our sins and turning from You. We bow before You on behalf of ourselves and all who have fallen short of Your glory. Lord please hear. Please forgive.
For the sake of Your Holy name and righteousness, we cry for mercy and reprieve. That food will be available to the hungry for You promised the hungry shall be satisfied. Mercy, Lord, IJMN Amen.
Father, thank You for knowing what's best to do. Thank You for seeing ahead and steering us in the right direction. Forgive us for when we resist your nudge, but we receive Your free grace to do better next time (Romans 3:24).
Was just thinking about how something can happen to you, and it'll be an inconvenience at that moment, but later when you look back on the big picture, you see that it needed to happen for you to be where you are today.
"Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" -- Romans 3:24)
Lord I pray for peace in the hearts of all Your children. It is written, "and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus". So Lord I shine the light of Your word to expose the disturbances that are messing with the peace that belongs to your people. let there be peace in their hearts as they trust in Your word. In Jesus' name, amen
PRAYER
Take the time to intercede on issues affecting others. This is the time to imitate Jesus who consistently and prayerfully helped people.
We've got 25 minutes, which will fly by so may the Lord help us to align with His will to be as effective as possible, IJMN Amen.
John 11:42 - And I know that You always hear Me...
Hallelujah to the God who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! (Psalm 66:20).
Thank You for Your word!!
Psalm 3:8 - Victory comes from the LORD--may he bless his people. (GNT)
Thank You God for Your victories and blessings upon Your people.
Father, I praise You for what You've been doing recently. Thank You for rewarding me for taking steps towards the promise, just like we were taught in P&P last week!)
Thank You great King for favoring us wherever we go.
Thank You for redeeming embarrassing or disappointing situations and making sure the day ends better than it started.
We appreciate Your hand in our lives, o Lord!
Thank You, most powerful God, for giving us supernatural strength to press through
Thank You Lord for correction. Indeed, You correct and discipline Your legitimate children. Thank You for teaching us to be patient and wait for Your second touch.
Your ways are not our ways, which means You can give complete victory in one touch or You can choose to provide progressively.
Glory be to You oh God!
From AC - Happy Blessed Friday, Fam. Thank you @Plunderer for today's reminder to remain before the Lord and to perpetually seek his touch.
Thank You God, for being my Saviour and for getting me through this week. When doubt and anxiety filled my mind Your comfort gave me renewed hope and joy (Psalm 94:19). El Shaddai, I exalt Your Name above all names forever and ever. Hallelujah! Amen
what peace we often forfeit
what needless pain we bear
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer
Psalm 66:1-2 - Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Yay, Friday praise and pray!
PRAISE
It's praise party time!!!
Don't get me wrong. The focus isn't on us having fun, it's on praising the Lord. He's so kind that He has made the act of worship something that makes us happy.
Hallelujah!
Let's get into it for our God is more than worthy of it all!