If someone called another person a 'tool', it would be no surprise if their target got upset. Ordinarily, that term is an insult guaranteed to offend. When it comes to God, however, being a tool for His kingdom is one of the highest compliments one can receive.
The reason lies in Isaiah 41:15 - See, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff. This verse reveals God's plan to use His people to separate the 'wheat' from 'chaff'. The threshing sledge was and is an agricultural tool for this very purpose. With enough force, it ensured that the wheat grain separated from the chaff which kept it enclosed in the field. That grain could be further processed to make flour and other products.
When God referred to a threshing tool in this scripture, He was talking about how people would be used to fulfill His will and His word on the earth. For instance, Jehu became the implement of God's promise to 'thresh' the House of Ahab, a king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. After Ahab's death, God intended to keep His prophetic word to destroy Ahab's family so none of them could ever rule the people of that kingdom again. Thus, the Lord sent a prophet to Jehu and instructed him to eliminate the family, resulting in the death of Queen Jezebel and her late husband's family members (2 Kings 9-10).
Then there was the Babylonian King, Nebuchadnezzar, who was also used to 'thresh' in the Old Testament. Specifically, the Lord sent Nebuchadnezzar as the implement of His punishment for the Southern Kingdom of Judah for their many years of disobedience. He had repeatedly called on them to repent and turn away from the worship of false gods and idols, their occult practices, and the injustice that pervaded their society. Nonetheless, His warnings fell on deaf ears and so, He fulfilled His word to punish the people and used the King of Babylon to accomplish this.
God doesn't just 'thresh' to punish with death and destruction. He also uses threshing tools to highlight the distinction between His light and the devil's darkness in a situation. The early disciples operated as threshing tools everywhere they went. Their presence would place a spotlight on individuals and even ways of thinking, revealing them to be satanic. One such example was Jesus. Everywhere he went, he destroyed the works of satan and displayed the mighty power of God so that people started thinking differently about their relationship with the Almighty Father and how He wanted them to live.
Philip followed in His footsteps with Simon, a powerful sorcerer who captivated the city of Samaria and was called “the Great Power of God” (Acts 8:10). The people called him this because they were convinced that the miraculous things he did were because of God even though Simon gained his powers from satan. In response, the Lord brought His disciples to show that He alone was powerful. When Simon heard Evangelist Philip teach about Jesus Christ, even he believed and was baptized.
As he later watched Apostles Peter and John perform signs and wonders by the Holy Spirit, he wanted that ability. However, because his desire was for power to likely continue to dominate the city (a common theme for those in the occult), he tried to pay to receive the Holy Spirit. Peter issued a strong rebuke upon him. The entire encounter was used by the Lord to show the people that the sorcerer was not His servant, thereby destroying satan's hold over Samaria.
Just as Isaiah 41:15 reflected God's purpose for His people then, it reveals His plan for today's believers. The Bible teaches in Romans 8:14 that the children of God are those who are led by His Spirit and it is these children that He empowers to thresh. These ones, as individuals and as a collective, are to be the instruments of His will in this age. Through His Spirit and His Word, we are to bring change to the places He sends us to. Our presence should trigger a threshing that brings God's light into dark places to destroy the devil's wicked schemes. Be it in the Body of Christ or in the world. We are to serve as His ambassadors, empowered to do exploits in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ.
May the Lord build us up to be threshing tools for His glory. By His grace, He will fashion us into the implements He can use for the advancement of His kingdom, IJMN, Amen.
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From AW - Father God, thank You for keeping me safe during uncertain times and providing opportunities that have helped me flourish. Father, thank you for watching over my family. Your blessings have strengthened our family unit. Father, I also want to thank You for supplying my needs and helping me navigate challenges with wisdom and grace. I am grateful that I am never alone. Your presence is a constant reminder of hope and Your grace. IJMN, Amen!
HOMEWORK TIME
Please remember that we shall come to P&P to worship for an hour next week Tuesday.
We can do this!
Take the time to think about what you are grateful to God for. Bring your testimonies. Come armed with scriptures. Be ready to thank the Lord for what He's done for yourself and others.
It is well with us, IJN.
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, You have done it again. You have brought us to the end of another hour of fellowship at Your feet. Thank You for the privilege of being able to honor You this way. Thank You for the chance to commit ourselves to become threshing tools for Your purpose. Grace and strength to do as instructed, IJMN, Amen.
Lord, I put today's participants and tomorrow's worshippers before You for Your recognition. Remember them for turning to You this way. I pray that their participation glorified You and was pleasing. Remember them, oh Lord. Meet them at their points of need. Give them cause to testify and rejoice. IJN, Amen.
Thank You, God!
From m22 - We thank you Lord for the opportunity to fellowship. We are grateful your graced our midst with your presence IJMN Amen
From M22 - Father Lord I thank you for sis @FFJ . She has been a blessing to everyone of us online and offline. I pray that you continue to bless her, her loved ones and everything that concerns her. I pray that you will continue to transform and expand her for your purpose and glory. I pray that she will run and not grow weary, she will walk and not faint according to your word in Isaiah 40:31 IJMN Amen
Lord, I am praying to break the spirit of fear that has settled into the world. I decree your light descends upon the weary, freeing them from concern. Let them see you as the source of all things good, You the Most High and our everlasting help.
Glory be to Your holy name. Step into the lives of our brothers and sisters. Call to them, Father. Let them hear your quiet voice but let it sound like a rushing wind that propels them to move toward You for their security and salvation. (Isaiah 12:2).
I pray for the sick, wherever they may be my Lord. Thank You for meeting their needs and providing health. You are the balm in Gilead. (Jeremiah 8:22). Our Creator and Healer. Thank You for reassuring us with Your word. Glory be to Your name.
Thank You for your mercy upon the brokenhearted. Lord, fill them with Your joy. You have told us not to grieve, for the joy of the Lord is our strength. (Nehemiah 8:10).
From M22 - Father Lord I commit myself and my siblings unto you. I pray Father Lord that you continue to strengthen our Spirit and continually transform us. Father Lord continue your work within us till you are thoroughly pleased. Hello us to fix our eyes on you and not the worries of this world. We thank you Father for never forsaking or leaving us. We thank you for being our all. We bless you Mighty God. Amen.
LAST 10 MINUTES
Today, we considered the issue of becoming a threshing tool for the Lord's Kingdom plans. Given the examples shared, it is clear that their tasks were not easy ones but the strength of the Lord and His word empowered them to do what they were told to do. These individuals walked in the fear of the Lord and knew they had to do as instructed. So shall it be for those of us who submit to God's will.
Let us pray:
Father, thank You for the opportunity to become a threshing tool in Your hand for Your purpose. The enemy wants us to be afraid and think we can never serve Your purpose, however, it is You who lifts one up and pulls down another. It is You, oh Lord, who chooses Your own and it is You alone who justifies. The devil, therefore plays no role in how and who You choose to do Your will.
And so, we thank You that You will craft us to become Your implements for Your glory. We submit to Your will and anticipate Your instructions and the capacity to do what You want as You determine. IJMN, Amen.
Now, please give God glory! You have prayed to become His threshing tool. Thank Him for how He will use You to accomplish His purpose. Hallelujah!
From JIR - I pray for the homeless and the poor. Please bless them with libations, shelter, and the strength, love, comfort and peace to get out of whatever situation they may be in. Please bless them to seek You, call on You, pray to You, speak with You, and build a relationship with You, Lord. Please bless their faith, hope, belief, love and trust in You to strengthen. Please watch over them Lord and protect them from the elements and bless them with shelter. Please bless them to know that You care for them, You love them and that You are watching over them. IJMN. Amen.
From M22 - Father Lord I pray for this community of Christ that you will continue to transform and expand us. Father we pray for strength to intercede better than ever and be threshing tools for your Kingdom. Help us to never lose focus of why we are here which is to pray and praise to honour you in every way possible. We thank you Father for your continued presence in our midst. We bless you. Amen.
From JIR - Please bless those who are lonely during the holiday season Lord. Please comfort them and bless them with Your presence. Please bless them to look unto You, to depend on You and to lean on You for the love they may be lacking. Please Lord bless them to know that they matter and wrap them in Your love. Please replace their loneliness with joy and gladness. IJMN. Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father we have sinned through our words, thoughts and actions. Father Lord I pray that you forgive us and have mercy on us. We pray that you help us to overcome the strongholds of sin as we navigate each day. IJMN Amen
From M22 - Father Lord I pray you continue to strengthen our faith and help us to stand firm in our faith. No matter the storms of life, help us to look onto you Lord Jesus. Abba Father I pray that you help us to stand firm no matter the circumstances and even when they try to overwhelm us, I pray we find comfort in your Word that you will never leave us nor forsake us. IJMN Amen
Prayer shared by sis @Fu Jo back in 2022 -
From sis FJ - Gracious God; He whose mercy is new every morning; Faithful Father whose understanding has no limits;
I come before You to pray for mercy upon Your children, our nation, and the whole world.
Surely Lord, Your judgements are just and true. But it is written that You will still have mercy on who You choose to. And I ask that Your mercy will be poured upon the world so people are free from condemnation and able to walk in the light. After all, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
In Jesus name I pray, amen.
Father in heaven, thank You for being slow to anger, merciful and compassionate. Please remember the plight of all who are being abused, trafficked, or otherwise mistreated. My Lord! Please act quickly to rescue them. I have seen testimonies of people who have been saved from those situations. Lord please rescue them because it is to Your glory. Remember that Your people overcome the enemy also by "the word of their testimony". The Bible says You do not delight in the death of even sinners. God please send help from Your sanctuary to save them. Let angels and divine helpers be stationed near them at all times, to bring them out of that darkness and into Your marvelous light. In Jesus might name I pray, amen
fROM M22 - Father Lord I pray for people struggling with homelessness and poverty. I pray that you open them up too streams of opportunities that will change their lives for the better. I pray that you touch the hearts and minds of leaders, governments and communities to raise every possible help to place these individuals in better living and working conditions IJMN Amen
Good God, You are the Almighty. Nobody compares to You. Father, thank You for hearing my prayer for people that they come to a knowledge of You as You promised in Jeremiah 24:7. Thank You for giving people a desire for You. Thank You for whetting their appetites for more of You. Thank You for letting hearts clamor for You. Thank You for kindly pouring out Your Spirit on all mankind in accordance with Your word in Joel 2:28. Be glorified, Lord our Redeemer.
Now and forever more, IJMN, Amen.
From JIR - I pray for those going through hardships right now. I pray that You comfort them Lord and shield them from any further troubles. Please Lord bless them with the peace and strength they need to pick theirselves up. Please draw them to You Lord so that they may experience Your love and feel Your comfort. Please bless them with the garment praise for the spirit of heaviness so that they might be uplifted to lean on You for further guidance and counsel. Please heal their hearts Lord and bless them to overcome their troubles. IJMN. Amen.
From M22 - Father Lord I pray that you continue to transform, prune and renew us for your purpose and glory. I pray Father that you straighten and illuminate our path. I pray that our lives are enriched and renewed by your Word! Father Lord help us to be threshing tools for your Kingdom. Help us to please and honor you as we navigate each day IJMN Amen
fROM M22 - Abba Father I pray that you forgive us for any form of idolatry we have indulged in. Father Lord forgive us for indulging in self worship. Father Lord I pray you continue to prune us till you take first place in our lives. I pray that you silence the voice of the accuser in our lives. Mighty Father I pray that you will forever be first place in our lives IJMN. Amen.