Have you ever taken a moment to wonder what you could do to please God? Have you ever sought to understand what He wants from you and for you? Considered the advice given by Apostle Paul to the Church at Ephesus:
Ephesians 5:10 - and find out what pleases the Lord.
Ephesians 5:17 - Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
So many of us have read books to figure out the 'love language' of our partners, our children, our bosses and others. Yet, we haven't given sufficient thought to understanding what God's love language is. And we surely haven't taken the time to put such information to use on a regular basis. This is usually because we imagine it to be hard and close to impossible. And as a result, many of us are experiencing extended delays and an absence of miracles in our lives. This should not be as Believers.
We equally haven't considered what God's will is for us, choosing instead to be tossed about by the waves of life. This has caused a lot of dissatisfaction and discontent for countless numbers of people. These sentiments lead many to doubt, disbelieve and then disobey God, be it knowingly or unknowingly. Yet, we have a responsibility to pick up our Bibles, to pray, to search out the things of God so we get to know Him better. For when we are more familiar with Him, His desires and expectations, we start to make choices that align with Him instead of the devil. Also, He makes sure we hear His voice so we know what steps to take or avoid.
This lack of knowledge of the Lord is killing people before their time. It is crippling families and frankly, entire nations. Satan, the accuser, is taking advantage of this fact to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). All of us need to put Ephesians 5:10 & 17 into effect. None should feel exempt. Not even if we were born into Christian families or regularly attend church. God's caution in Proverbs 3:5-6 is for everyone - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. We are further warned in 1 Corinthians 10:12 - So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! And to accomplish this, we must take Ephesians 5:10 and 17 seriously and make it a priority to know what pleases God and understand what He wants.
Many people feel this is impossible but that's not true. With God, even a little goes a long way because He does not expect any human being to be perfect. This is why in our imperfections, we still experience His blessings and grace. Remember Cornelius? All he did was help the poor and pray regularly. This resulted in a visit from an angel and blessings for family, friends and himself.
God wants us to desire to know Him more. He promised to reward all who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Additionally, He has said that He will give good gifts to those who ask Him (Matthew 7:9). Thus, if we truly want to know more and have a richer relationship with Him, all we need to do is ask and watch Him show us how.
May we all turn our attention even more to the Lord, seeking to understand the things we can do each day to make Him smile and give Him what He wants. That we may learn and put that knowledge to practice, so we can hear Him say, "this is my child, in whom I am well pleased." IJMN, Amen.
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CLOSING PRAYER
Ephesians 3:20-21 - Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Father, I praise Your holy name! As always, You have brought us to the end of another hour of fellowship. Glory be to You alone!
May our praises and petitions be pleasing to Your ear. May they bring a smile to Your face. May they become a sweet-smelling incense to You that You remember us for when next we come before You, Lord.
IJN, Amen!
God in this Resurrection season,
I lift up Your word that says we are seated in heavenly places.
Ephesians 2:5-6
"made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,"
God, even as our Jesus has ascended, we have ascended. My Rock of Salvation, let us begin to act from our place of heavenly authority. Thank You, because through Christ we have overcome every obstacle. Your will shall be done on earth as in heaven! Amen IJN
LAST 10 MINUTES
Just as we are busy asking God to give us the things that will make us happy, so also should we seek to know what we can do that will make Him happy.
The Bible gives us many clues and we have even been blessed to review some over the years. These include praising Him, interceding for others, applying the Royal Law, not lying, not gossiping, shunning the occult and New Age practices and acknowledging God and His works.
At some point in your walk with God, you will have to take the time to figure out what He wants in order to get what you want in life. You will no longer be able to live in ignorance and expect to see Him move for you.
God longs for us to want to discover Him. No matter how much we think we know, there are deep pools of additional understanding for us to discover. He is a mystery gift box that keeps giving and surprising.
You need to want to know Him more to tap into what He has in store. His protection. His healing. His countless blessings.
Do you want to? Then, join me in praying -
Father, thank You for being the God that You are. Thank You for being beyond my imagination. I repent for not giving You my attention especially because I don't lack Yours.
God, today I am coming to You and asking You to kindly teach me what I can do to be pleasing to You. Give me understanding as to what You want so that I can do those things and with my life show others to do the same or similar.
I thank You so much for hearing my prayer and I thank You all the more for answering my prayer. What an awesome God You are. IJMN, Amen.
*From CUR* - Holy God I pray for the increased violence near where I work to come to and end. God I pray that you would heal that area and keep everyone safe. In Jesus name Amen!
My Rock, I praise You for being steadfast. Thank You for watching over Your word to make it good. Thank You for looking out for our welfare and giving us good things.
My King, I lift up Your words that grant us power and authority over the enemy's tactics.
"I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you."
I decree this word into the spirits of my fellow Peppers and declare it established. My Lord, let it be that nothing will harm them, because through Your Holy Spirit, they are extensions of Jesus' rod of authority. Thank You God for lifting us up, glory to You forever. IJMN amen
Sovereign Lord, I raise R & G up to You. I thank You that G shared her testimony with me. I thank You because You have shown them who You are and what You are capable of.
Jehovah Ropheka, I call on You to do it again. The God who never sleeps. Jehovah Overdo. It is time, my Lord. Shake the mountains they face. Level them to the ground. Be the God who does what we can't expect.
Meet and surpass their expectations. Let it be known that You and You alone are the only God.
I praise You Father and it is IJN I pray. For it is the name of Jesus that brings authority into this situation. Amen.
The hands of the flesh have failed us, Lord. In pride, we have erroneously believed we can fix the problems we created and as a result, created even more problems.
Father, please have mercy upon the world. Remember the upright and for their sakes, show mercy to the land in which they are resident.
God, forgive us for our sins. It is not that any of us are so righteous. No, I ask for mercy upon us because You oh Lord are rich in mercy. Because You have promised to show mercy and compassion to those You will show mercy and compassion to.
God, it is IJMN I pray, Amen.
*From BI* - Lord, I pray that You lay Your healing hands on JO, CE, DK and Rose. I pray no weapon formed against them shall ever prosper. I pray for healing and restoration to their mind, body and spirit. May they receive Your divine healing and transcending peace. Lord, dispatch Your angels to stand guard over them bringing them comfort and hope IJMN Amen.
Good God, You are the Almighty. Nobody compares to You. Father, please hear my prayer for people that they come to a knowledge of You as You promised in Jeremiah 24:7. Please give people a desire for You. Whet their appetites for more of You. Let hearts clamor for You. Pour out Your Spirit on all mankind in accordance with Your word in Joel 2:28. Be glorified, Lord our Redeemer, IJMN, Amen.
*From BI* - I pray for those seeking a closer relationship with God. Lord, I pray that they recognise and shed all that is keeping them away from Your word and will. May they be willing to learn and understand the deeper mysteries of faith. Lord, grant them strength to turn away from distractions and guide them towards the path to You. Lord, show forth Your power in their lives. Let them know if God is all they have, they have all they need. Thank You Dependable God for always waiting with open arms to welcome Your children to You. I pray more come to know You, worship You and live for You IJMN Amen
God, You are the Creator and the Owner of our lives. Thank You for being He who watches over all Your children.
1 Peter 5:8 - Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Father, help Your people to remain sober minded for their enemy is on the warpath seeking to destroy them out of jealousy for the love You have for those made in Your image. God, You are rich in mercy. Be the hedge of protection around Your people. 2 Corinthians 2:11 - in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. IJMN, Amen.
PRAYER TIME
Turn your attention to petitioning God on behalf of people. Ask Him to help that coworker who's struggling right now.
Call on the Lord to help your friends who are facing challenges. Ask Him to bless your neighbors and your entire community.
Pray for your religious leaders - your pastors, priests etc. Ask God to help them as they shepherd their flock.
Over the next 25 minutes, our prayer focus is on the needs of others.
Let's get to work, folks. Lots of people to pray for...
Father, I thank You for Your merciful protection. Thank You for Your grace upon that which concerns me.
Thank You for Your kindness and Your patience. That You would overlook and forgive my iniquity, Lord, I am very grateful.
I acknowledge You for who You are. The great and only God over all that I see and don't see.
Praise be to You alone!
Sweet God! You put sugar in my mouth and I thank You.
Lord, all my days, I give You my praise.
Thank You for the miracles You have permitted me to witness.
Forever, I testify to Your greatness and might.
*From CUR* - Loved today's message. Just yesterday I was honest with God about how distant I've been from Him despite being more involved in my church community. He answered my prayers by giving me a desire to sing worship music as I worked and giving me supernatural, coffee on steroids like energy to conquer my day. So yes, if we ask Him to show us how to be closer to Him, He will certainly answer. After all, He loves and adores us and wants to communicate with us. For all of this, I PRAISE GOD!
*From BI* - Thank You God for delivering Your children from evil. I thank You for JO and CE and all You are doing in their lives. Miracles no dey tire Jesus! Take all the glory now and forever Amen.
Exodus 15:2 - “The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
Glory be to You, my God. My King. My Lord.
Thank You for all You are in my life. Thank You for all You do.
Thank You, good God.
You're the same God forever and I give You praise!
Lord, I'm grateful for all you have done for my family. Thank You for being He who keeps His word and who brings the new.
Take all the glory, God.
Hallelujah!
*From BI* - Thank You Lord for always having my back. Thank You Lord for making me more than a conqueror. It gives me great joy to know nothing can ever separate me from Your love. Thank You My Abba Father for Your kindness, mercy, grace, forgiveness and so much more. I am nothing without You and will not have it any other way. Thank You Thank You Thank You!!!
PRAISE TIME
Abandon yourself in worship. Praise the Lord for who He is.
Thank Him for what He's done in your life and that of others.
The last few days have been eye-opening for me in how stopping to praise God opens the doors of revelation and more in my life.
No matter what God has done for you so far, there is more available. No matter what you are waiting for, He wants to give you beyond what you expect or imagine.
Open the gates of the Lord to you by giving Him the adoration He deserves right now.
So, get on up!