Stepping out the door is much riskier than we realize. Sadly, many leave home to never return. Yet, we Christians commit the day to the Lord and trust that we will make it home safely. Praise God that He answers our petitions.
Given how normal it is to go and come daily, we often overlook the reality that the measure of faith it takes to step out the door is the exact amount needed to also face the huge challenge keeping us up at night. Instead, we erroneously believe that complex problems require a larger faith quota, neglecting the fact that God has given us a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). The measure of faith He knew we would need for the season we are in.
Take David, for instance. When he met Goliath on the battlefield, he didn't need some special dose of faith. His faith at that moment wasn't any larger than the level he had when shepherding in the wilderness. He noted that the God who protected him from the lions and the bears would be the same God who would protect him from Goliath (1 Samuel 17:37). Translation: he didn't need to have more faith when facing the giant than he did when facing wild beasts.
Unlike David, many of us have placed our faith in a cage, thinking it is too small for certain issues. When that happens, we set our faith to the side and don't use it. Suddenly, all we see are the giants in our way, forgetting that God can help us just as He has during past Jericho Moments. A thought crosses our mind - if only I had more faith... We believe that a bigger 'opponent' requires a bigger level of faith. That is a lie from the devil and it is one we must quickly resist. No believer can afford to allow satan's deception to convince them that there are different sizes of faith required for different issues.
As His children who live for Him, God is always with us. He's capable enough to do all sorts with the mustard seed of faith we've got. In His loving-kindness, He allows us to ask for a sign of His goodness - for reassurance - when we need it (Psalm 86:17). Even Jesus acknowledged that our faith can struggle when He encouraged all to believe in the evidence of His works, at the very least, (John 14:11). However, these approaches cannot be the norm for Christians. Children of God are to learn to rely on their faith and thus trust in Him to get them through the good and the bad.
The Bible tells us that faith is a gift granted by God's Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:9). It is a precious gift given to all who believe in Christ and submit to His authority. Let us, therefore, uncage our faith and trust God with the portion we have received. And when our faith is challenged, let us not overly focus on how much of it we don't have. When that happens, we allow guilt and sadness to creep in, to the devil's delight. Rather, let each of us learn from the apostles who cried out “Increase our faith!” in Luke 17:5. You can do the same.
Be sure to join us for fellowship at Noon EST today. We shall put our faith to work praising the Lord and praying for the needs of others. Then we shall call on God to help us uncage our faith.
CLOSING PRAYER
Thank You, Heavenly Father, for once again turning our attention to the issue of faith. Thank You for teaching us to see things a little differently and to have more of your perspective on the matter.
As we step away from fellowship, help us to not forget what we've learned. I call on You God, to cover us so that the devil will not steal the seed You have placed in us today for we know its aim is to steal, kill and destroy.
I cover all of today's participants in Your loving grace and mercy. I call on You to meet them at their points of need. I decree that Your glory rises upon them and the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays for them because they revered Your name enough to make the time to fellowship this day (Malachi 4:2).
To You be all the glory and the praise IJMN, Amen!!
LAST 10 MINUTES
We don't have to believe the lie that we need a bigger measure of faith to face the more complex challenges. We do have to remember that God apportioned a measure of faith to us as a gift. A gift that is ours to use.
Are you using the faith God has given you, or do you think it isn't enough and thus set it aside in a cage?
As hard as it may be to believe this, God has given us all we need to live a godly life (2 Peter 1:3). That's why He already gave us a measure of faith. We have to choose to use it, however.
Let us, therefore, uncage our faith and trust God with the portion we have received. As we put it to work, He builds that spiritual muscle, making us even stronger in faith for the next issue we face.
Please join me in praying:
Heavenly Father, thank You for being our gracious God. Thank You for being the God who gave us faith as a wonderful gift. Thank You that we receive it via the Holy Spirit and so we must nurture our relationship with Him. Thank You as well that when we are unsure we can come to You for help, we can look to all that You've done and be reminded that You are the God who will once again move on our behalf.
Father, help us to stand firm in our faith. Help us to fix our faces like flint in the face of the storm. Help us to lean solely on You, knowing that You will always be by our side no matter the situation and help us to rejoice in this knowledge.
And on the days when our faith wobbles, please Lord, graciously hear and answer our prayers for an increase in our faith - a strengthening of our faith muscle. Carry us all the way to the end, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba, you care about the sparrows and never have they fallen from flight. You said in Psalm 139 that you watched us form in the dark of the womb. You see us for who we are. I pray Abba that you help us to never stray away from the path you have laid out for us. I know we are going through a lot physically, mentally, spiritually and even financially but through it all you are with us. You promised us in Isaiah 41:10 that we should not be afraid because you are with us and so Abba I pray that we will continue to rest in your provision, comfort and every blessing you have in store for us. IJMN amen
From M22 - Abba I want to thank you for sis @FFJ for bringing us together in this community. Time and time you have showed yourself Abba in our midst. I pray that you will continue to bless her, her kids, her family, her ministry and her job. I pray Abba that the fire you have started within her will never be put off. I pray that you will continue to increase her and every single one of us Peppers IJMN amen.
From M22 - Fear is not our future Abba, I pray that you uproot every spirit of fear, pride, arrogance and perverse behavior from us and renew the right spirit within us Abba. Amen.
Lord, praise be onto You, Jehovah Sabaoth. The God of the Heavenly Hosts.
Father, I come against witchcraft in the lives of the members of this fellowship and their families I speak against every attempt to control, destroy and ensnare with such arts, IJMN, Amen. I know satan's modus operandi is to steal, kill and destroy the glorious destinies of Your people by enticing them with slickly-packaged, deceptive messaging that blurs the lines between what is godly and what You have specifically forbidden Your people to get entangled with.
Nevertheless, I thank You Father, for You are He who has all dominion (Daniel 4:34-35). You are the Sovereign Lord. And no matter what satan's desires are, no matter how much it flexes and roars, it is Your purpose and plan that shall be fulfilled to the last letter (Isaiah 14: 24 & 27). Hallelujah!
I therefore pronounce Your word upon these wicked practitioners of witchcraft, necromancy, and other dark arts. As they are used against your people, Ezekiel 11:21 applies. Repay them, Lord, as promised in Jeremiah 16:18. Let Your word in Isaiah 45:16 be thoroughly fulfilled for them. Hit them with the mighty blows of Your arm, oh Lord (Isaiah 30:32).
Thank You for Your word that satan itself is less than nothing and those who choose it are detestable and nothing just as the power source they rely upon (Isaiah 41: 24 & 29). Expose them, Father. Drag them out, pull them down and bring them to ruins, Lord.
For the Kingdom of God is of power not about talk (1 Corinthians 4:20). Oh my God. I look forward to seeing the fulfilment of this prayer pronounced to Your glory and by Your grace, IJMN, Amen. Let me see what will happen to who will stand against You, my Lord.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for touching the hearts and minds of the authorities to locate Charlotte. Thank you Abba for bring her home safe. I pray Abba that you dismantle every den of captivity across the world and release your children. You said in the boon of Matthew that the kingdom of heaven is their birthright and I pray you begin to set your children free from captivity, slavery, abuse, labours and trafficking IJMN amen.
From BI - Lord, I lift into Your capable hands persecuted christians. I pray that You protect them and grant them perseverance and courage as they face oppression simply for believing in You. Lord, dispatch Your holy angels to stand guard over Your children so they can worship You without threats of persecution. Help them to be witnesses of Your power and love. Abba, renew their strength so they may run and not be weary, walk and not be faint. Lord, bring Your wisdom upon leaders of nations to work for peace among all peoples IJMN Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for every single one of us, despite circumstances we are gathered again to praise, pray and above all to seek you Abba. I pray that you will continue to increase our faith and I pray that you will help us open up in faith with the curiosity and openness of a child. Thank you Abba for expressing your faithfulness in us so that we may increase in faith. IJMN amen.
Isaiah 54:17 - No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the LORD. (NKJV)
I pray against any spirit or person who seeks to stand against the will of the Lord for His people. I decree in the name of Jesus that every weapon seeking to bring confusion and disunity into this fellowship be silenced in the darkness IJMN Amen.
Mark 3:27 - No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house. (NKJV)
I speak against every spirit of rebellion, witchcraft, death, deception, pride, fear, lies, self pity, disease, glamor, divination, new age, that has sought to root itself in this gathering. Everything that my Father did not plant is hereby uprooted IJMN Amen.
I decree harmony with the will and purpose of God in this gathering. That He be glorified here now and forever more. Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for our new members in this wonderful community. I pray Abba that they will continue to humble themselves and seek you give everything else. I pray that you will continue to help them to consistently join us as we pray, praise and intercede here. I pray Abba that you will manifest yourself in their lives and they will continue to experience your faithfulness IJMN amen.
From BI - Thank You Lord for making Yourself available to me. Thank You that I can always approach Your throne of grace. Thank You for shining Your light unto my path so I never walk in darkness. Thank You Lord for all You are doing in the lives of those around me. May Your Name be glorified forever Amen.
From FJ - Dear God, I thank You for giving me good health. Thank You also for helping me to rest properly this weekend
Father, I thank You that Charlotte Sena was found and is back with her parents. So many other families are not that fortunate.
But for blessing the Sena family, I want to say thank You.
Lord, thank You for the other children who are found after they've gone missing. I pray for those still away from home. Please, God, protect them and bring them back, alive, to their loved ones and/or those who will show them love, IJMN, Amen.
Almighty Redeemer. Thank You for being the Alpha and Omega.
Thank You for being He who knows all things.
Thank You for giving us faith as a gift. Thank You that when we want more we can ask to receive.
Thank You that by Your grace, we are learning to uncage our faith and put it to use.
Thank You that You reward the faithful even if the faith applied was mustard seed-sized.
Thank You!!!
Thank You, God, that the battle is Yours, and yet the victory is ours!
Glory be to Your wondrous name.
Thank You for fighting for us. Thank You for contending with those who contend with us. Thank You for troubling those who trouble us.
Thank You for being on our side, even when we don't deserve such loyalty.
Hallelujah!
From BI - Thank You Abba Father for having the final say in my life and destiny. Thank You Lord for blessing me, forgiving me, protecting me, loving me, teaching me, healing me, saving me, defending me and giving me so much more than I can count. Everything I possess is because of Your mercy and grace. Thank You Lord for making me a partaker of Your signs and wonders. A million tongues will never suffice. Thank You El Roi, the God that sees me!
From EC - Amen and good morning ladies!