Mark 6:48-50 - He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
It's shocking how despite all the things the disciples had seen Jesus do, He could still surprise them. Or in this case, terrify them. To be fair, if we were in their shoes and saw a figure walking on the water, we'd freak out too.
Now that's out of the way, let's focus on today's lesson. Look at those verses again. The disciples were in a boat straining against the wind while Jesus watched them from the shore. Having compassion, He eventually went out to help them, but they became afraid.
How many times have you struggled against the winds of life? Did you make the same mistake the disciples did? Notice that at no point did they call out to God to change the direction of the wind in their favor. Nor did they seek Him for more strength whereby the wind would no longer be a hindrance. They didn't turn to God at all! Instead, they relied on Muscle Memory and resorted to the tactics they would have used in their 'Before Christ' days. They relied on their personal strength.
Despite that mistake, God's Son got up and walked over to them. His arrival was wrapped in an amazing miracle - walking on water. And the reaction of those whom He was trying to assist was one of fear, not faith that no matter what was approaching, their God would work things out for them.
Have you reacted in a similar way? Have you ever misinterpreted God's miraculous help? Could that have caused you to possibly reject what you needed?
For the disciples, it was only once they set fear aside that Jesus could then come into the boat with them, and once He did, another miracle occurred - the wind died down (Mark 6:51).
Each of us has to realize that no matter what we've seen the Lord do in our lives or the lives of others, He can still surprise us. And because His ways are not our ways as He stated in Isaiah 55:9, we should not expect to see the same old same old from Him. No matter how He packages our miracles, we must walk in faith and a close relationship with Him so we receive His spirit of wisdom and the gift of discernment which will indicate whether we're dealing with Him or the enemy.
Additionally, we have to realize that until Jesus fully steps into the boat with us, the winds of life will continue to pester us. Under those circumstances, we will strain instead of moving with the wind as we are promised in John 3:8, which states, The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” Those who have Jesus in their boat, get to walk with the Spirit of God and thereby move in miracles. God does things for them that will never make sense to those who have not tasted of the Lord (Psalm 34:8).
Today, as we gather for the 300th P&P, keep in mind that this is an opportunity to call God into the boat with you. Don't forget that your faith needs to be activated. That way, when He shows up wrapped in a miracle just for you, your response will not be one of fear. We're going to worship God then powerfully pray for one another, calling on Jesus to get into the boat of life with us however He deems fit. We're going to expect miracles and not just for ourselves but for those we are praying for.
From Wdfl - Thank you Heavenly Father for the dedication and obedience of @AC @M22 coming into agreement and praying over your flock. Thank you for blessing them in their area of need and YOU drawing them closer to you. May the meditation of our heart and the praise and petitions from our mouths be pleasing to you Abba Father.
For the pepper who lost a child, Heavenly Father, I ask that you give her peace that surpasses all understanding LORD. Thank you for keeping her in your blossom of comfort and on the days needed extra measure of comfort and peace.
Also, Heavenly Father, I pray for an old associate family and friends as they deal with her unexpected death. Heavenly Father, we don’t know why people think it’s okay to take someone life without revocation. I just pray that she was saved and is now in the arms of you. Thank you for looking after her children and meeting every need, drying every eye and giving them a village of support and safety.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
CLOSING PRAYER
Thank You Sovereign Lord for the blessing of this day and this gathering. Glory be to Your Holy Name.
I lift up a prayer for all participants as stated in Ephesians 3:16-19 - I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen.
From M22 - You are Jireh, you are always enough, more than enough, forever enough. Nobody compares to you Abba. Be the captain of our ship, I pray that we open our hearts so that you can willingly come in and make your home in us ijmn amen.
From BI - Lord, I lift up sis @FFJ and her ministry into Your loving hands. I pray that You bless her and keep her and all that concerns Her. I pray that her ministry will continue to grow leading people into Your kingdom. Heavenly Father, meet her at her points of need. Bless her, her loved ones and her finances. Pour out Your mercy, grace and favour on her. May she live a long healthy life and carry her children's children IJMN Amen.
From M22- I pray Abba that you will continue to expand our P and P community online and offline. I pray Abba that you will keep us to witness more and more milestones in this community. Cheers to 400 and beyond IJMN amen.
From AC - YHWH Yireh, I lift in prayer my Pepper family members with high expenses and financial struggles. You are the God of provision, and we know that You provide in abundance, for You are able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20) So please open the storehouse of Your heavenly bounty (Deuteronomy 28:12) and rain financial blessings upon their heads during these challenging times. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.
From M22- Thank you Abba for my siblings. Thank you for being their father, mother, shield, buckler and safe haven. I pray Abba that they will continue to seek you above everything else. I pray that you take charger of every situations in their life. I pray that you take charger of their mental and physical health. I pray that you bless them in every aspect of their life. I pray that you supply all of their needs according to your glorious riches IJMN amen.
God, I pray for those who are struggling in their beliefs. So many have been blinded to think that they can serve at the altar of satan and still be called Your children. Lord, the devil has clouded their minds to think they can dabble in magic, new age practices and more, without there being severe consequences.
I call on You to encounter these ones. Save them from the teeth of wolves intent on taking them to hell.
I also pray for those who have turned from You and are more focused on news, gossip, entertainment, work and anything else that takes the place You should have in their lives.
Please rescue them from their idols. God, let them have a Prodigal experience that brings them back home where they receive the Prince and Princess treatment and welcomed with joy and rejoicing, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for every single Pepper online and offline. I bless you for your grace over their lives. That they are part of this spirit filled community is by your grace. I pray Abba that you will supply all of their needs according to your word in Phillipians 4:19 and you will strengthen them according to your word in Phillipians 4:13. Abba I stand in agreement with each and every one of them at P and P 300 that your will over their lives will come to pass. I pray Abba that you will turn Gerry situation around and break every chains, generationak curses, illnesses and traumas IJMN amen.
Heavenly Father, I lift up Your daughter sis K. We have not heard from her for a while but we place her firmly in Your kind arms.
God, hear our cries on her behalf that You will send out Your word to heal, rescue and save her (Psalm 107).
Remember Good Lord, the paralyzed man that was let down the roof by His friends got more than healing. He also received forgiveness of His sins. All because of the faith of His friends.
I call on You to see our faith for our sister's healing, and bring to her even more than what we are praying for, IJMN, Amen.
From BI - I pray for Peppers going through financial difficulties. Lord, silver and gold belongs to You and so I pray that You will open financial gates for them. Lord, let their cup overflow. I pray that they will receive divine help. I pray that they will be promoted. Let Your mercy flow in their lives. They will progress by Your mercy. They will increase by Your mercy. They will carry their evidence and give their testimonies IJMN Amen.
Thank You Abba for my sisters @brownicing , @m22, and @FFJ. I am grateful for their constant and consistent presence and for always lifting our P&P family in prayer. May the blessings of Numbers 6:24-26 come upon them. May You cover them and keep them and shine Your face towards them, always. In Jesus name, Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for sis @FFJ even though she doesn't want anyone mentioning her haha. I am quite stubborn and I choose to pray for her as well. Thank you Abba for your grace over her life. Bringing us together to fellowship twice a week is no small feat. Thank you Abba for pouring your spirit into her according to your word in Ezekiel 36. Even in difficulty and challenges, you still keep your firer in her burning to spearhead this movement. I pray Abba that you will continue to bless her, her loved ones, this community and her jobs and businesses. I pray Abba that her fire that burns for you will never be extinguished IJMN amen.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for @Wdfl for bringing her here to this fellowship. It is by your divine programming that she is here with us. I pray Abba that you will continue to be with her and hold her hand through each day. I pray that you will draw her close so she will continue to seek you. I pray Abba tht you will continue to transform her and you will complete her transformation for your glory IJMN amen.
From BI - I lift up sis @M22 and her loved ones. I pray that You Lord will grant them understanding, knowledge and retentive memory as they continue their education. Heavenly Father, I pray that they will step into the beautified destiny that You set apart for them. Abba, remove fears and doubts from them and remind them that You are He who open doors no man can shut. I pray that they will pass all their exams and prosper in life. I pray that the Lion of the tribe of Judah will prevail in their lives all to His glory IJMN Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for @BI I appreciate you for your grace in her life. Thank you Abba for bringing her here to fellowship with us without fail I pray Abba that she will continue to seek you Abba. I pray Abba that your turn around every situation in her life. You hear her cries, prayers and petitions. I pray Abba that you will continue to manifest in her life. I pray according to your word in Isaiah 40:31 that she will run and not be weary, she will walk and not faint and she will mount up with wings as eagles. Thank you Abba for her amen!
Lord, You are the God of provision and I thank You for Your kind mercies. The Bible mentions that You have all the silver and gold and it is You who gives all good things.
As such, I lift up @M22, bro S, sis FJ, R, O, T, and others who are in need of funds to pay for school.
Father, stretch out Your gracious hand to make miraculous provision available for their needs.
Our Father, You are the God who gives exceedingly and abundantly more than can be asked for. As such, I am calling on You to provide the needs of these ones to the absolute fullest. And please pour out more. For Your word in 2 Corinthians 9:8 states And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in every way, always, having all sufficiency, you may abound in every good work.
Therefore, may their needs be met with more pouring over for them to do good works to Your glory, IJMN, Amen.
From AC - Abba, please stretch out Your hand to comfort Your daughter @BNB through her pain and grief. Father of all Compassion, console her heart, fill the hollow space created by the loss of her child, and replace her anguish with Your supernatural, transcending peace. Heavenly Father, Your Word reminds us that Your Power is made stronger in our weakness, so continue to be her constant source of strength during this difficult time. In The name of Jesus Christ, our Eternal Rock, Amen. Amen.
I am so sorry for what you are going through @BNB my heart breaks for you. Years ago I experienced a very similar loss and the pain is unimaginable. Continue to hold on to the Lord, don’t give up, He will heal your heart sis, as He healed mine. I will continue to lift you and your family in prayer. God be with you ❤️
From BI - Lord, I lift my sisters @AC, @MFC, @B2 into Your capable hands. Heal them in mind, body and spirit. I pray that whatever You God has not planted in them be uprooted by fire. I declare physical, mental, spiritual healing for not just them but also their loved ones. I declare that their healing is permanent. I declare every bad health report is turning into praise report. They will live in perfect health to declare Your goodness in their lives IJMN Amen.
God, I call upon You to kindly show Your might in the lives of Your children. Let testimonies overflow, Jehovah because of Your blessed miracles. Father, provide Your never-ending manna and water in the lives of many. Jireh - the Provider.
Isaiah 64:2 - As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you!
Thank You, heavenly Father, IJMN, Amen.
PRAYER TIME
Please remember to pray for someone in this group. Pray for as many people as you can. Folks need your prayers. Don't let the devil tell you that your prayer is irrelevant. That's a bald-faced lie! And you can't let satan punk you. Not today.
Pray for Your fellow Peppers. Cry out to the Lord to help them with the challenges they face.
Listen, Jesus said it is better to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). That same Jesus will help you with your own issues the more You obey Him by giving to others. And right now, the way to give is in prayer.
Pray with zeal. The way you would want someone to pray for you when you are in trouble,
From BI - Thank You Lord for this platform. Thank You for being our calm in the midst of chaos. Thank You El ROI for this space where we can gather and praise Your Holy Name and pray for our brothers and sisters. Thank You for keeping us alive, clothed, fed and sheltered. There is no limit to Your mercy, love and grace. Thank You for yesterday, today and forever. You alone are worthy of all our praise.
Jehovah Shalom.
I want to stop and thank You for those I see joining us here today.
Lord, hear their praise and worship.
Father, let it rise as a sweet-smelling incense that You will remember when they start to pray for others.
God, also remember their worship of You as You answer their heart's desires and stir them in the direction You want them to go.
Hosanna in the highest!
Psalm 106:1-2 - Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD or fully declare his praise?
Father, Your ways are inscrutable and Your blessings upon us are beyond comprehension. Indeed, how can we adequately praise you?
Lord, please accept our humble worship as acknowledgment of Your power and grace upon our lives. There is no one like You and we are grateful.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for bringing us together again to fellowship. Thank you Abba for helping us rest in your comfort and authority knowing we are your children and we will continue to live each day with power, love and a sound mind according to your word in 2 Timothy 1:7
From BI - Thank You my Abba Father for always keeping Your eyes on me.
Thank You Lord for Your love.
Thank You Lord for Your forgiveness.
Thank You Lord for Your patience.
Thank You Lord for Your provisions.
Thank You Lord for Your mercy.
Thank You Lord for Your grace.
Thank You Lord for Your favour.
Thank You Lord for Your healing.
Thank You Lord for Your guidance.
Thank You Lord for Your strength.
Thank You Lord for Your Word.
Thank You Lord for Your son and my saviour Jesus Christ.
Thank You Lord for Your Spirit.
Thank You Lord for Your peace.
For all of the above and so much more, I say thank You my King of kings.
Genesis 28:15 - I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
Father, the Covenant-Keeper! Lord, I thank You for mercy and grace. I thank You for being He who will never leave us. You will never abandon us. And because Your promises for us are for eternity, we know You will always be by our side.
So, Lord, I am grateful that Your loving eye is upon us. That is why we can gather here and on other platforms to Your glory today.
Oh God, I worship Your Holy Name!
1 Timothy 1:17 - Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hallelujah!!!
You are the God who is dependable. The God who never fails. The God who stands firm. Indeed, the only God!
Father, I come to give You the glory today. You have brought us this far. 300 P&P gatherings on this platform and when I add those that took place before coming here, there are actually more.
And all because You made a way and gave the instruction.
My Mighty King, I want to thank You for this platform. I want to thank You for the people I have met through this fellowship. I want to thank You for the brothers and sisters I've been fortunate to support in prayer and fasting. Thank You for all of them, there were testimonies. You are marvelous and I love it!
From AC - Thank You Mighty God for breakthroughs and miracles! Thank You that what the enemy meant for harm You turned around for my good. Take all glory and victory Lord!
PRAISE TIME
Give up your PRAISE to the King of Kings! It's time to enter His gates with thanksgiving.
Let us glorify the Mighty God who graces us with the blessing of life. What are you thankful for today? Who are you grateful for? Honor your Lord by exalting Him for who He is. The Creator. The Redeemer. The God of Instant Breakthrough. The Miracle Worker. The Healer. The Provider.
Don't stop lifting His name in praise! He is your salvation and worthy of every expression of thanks. We are here to lift Him up. Let's join the Heavenly Chorus and all of creation to glorify our God.
Share your praise points below and let it testify of your love for the Great One.
From M22 - Happy Mental Health Day peppers! I know a lot of us struggle mentally and I pray that our Abba in heaven will hold our hand and help us heal from any from of mental health struggles. He has assured us of his word in Jeremiah 29:11, 1Peter 5:7 and many more power-filled scriptures. It's okay to cry and just know that your Abba is giving you the biggest bear hug right now. So don't be afraid to be vulnerable in his presence. God bless you!
From C - Abba father wonderful God we bless your name and all that You are, you renew us and strengthen us, great is your faithfulness towards us, You pour oil into us and our cups overflow, blessed be Your wonderful name!
We uplift into Your mighty hands all the praise, worship and prayers here lifted knowing that surely they are reaching your heart. There’s no God beneath above or on this earth like You! Thank You for all. Amen
From AC - Happy 300th P&P Pepper family, I pray you are all well. So thankful to be back posting, it’s been a while, as I have been healing from a complicated surgery, but the Lord has been so, so good to me and I look forward to sharing my testimony of how God saved my life.
Thank you @FFJ for today’s reminder that Jesus will never leave His children alone in the midst of our troubles and that our faith in Him is never misplaced. In the same way, Jesus commanded the sea and rescued his disciples from the storm, He will rescue us from the storms of everyday life as well :emoji_pray:
Thank You Jesus for Your strength that carries us through the waves of life. Thank You for being our refuge in the middle of a storm. Please remind us that You are in the boat with us, as we navigate through rough waters, and give us Your Spirit of Faith in the areas of our lives where our hearts are vulnerable, troubled, and anxious. In Your comforting name, we pray. Amen
From M22 - Thank you Abba for your grace. I am praying for everyone in the waiting season , that you will not grow weary or give up in anyway. That our father in heaven will make your wait worthwhile. He will give your strength to wait on his timing ijmn amen.
From C - Glory be to the Lord, adoration be to the most highest!!!
This God who will never forsake us, how wonderful is our God!
I’m rejoicing in the most high, for all the Lord has done for me, I see His goodness and mercy everywhere
From M22 - Happy P &P 300 day Peppers!!!
From sis OD -
From CD - Amen
From WDFL - Amen and Amen!
This message is so ever timely. Never a coincidence. I woke up pretty early today and these are the words that Abba Father was saying to me. Never a coincidence…
Thank you LORD for the 300 P&P. Thank you for @FFJ dedication, obedience, and faithfulness to come and lead P&P. Heavenly Father please continue to bless the work of her hands. Heavenly Father thank you for the dedication of all our fellow peppers seen and unseen. Who has come into agreement, and continue to pray for others. All for YOUR glory! Thank you for meeting the needs and surprising us Father. Help us to lower our guard and to give you full control. The ONE who securely plants our feet on good ground. We thank you LORD that we will see the goodness of YOU in the land of the living. I also thank you in advance to all the loved dedicated to you by the work of @FFJ and my fellow peppers sincere words of praise and prayer.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen!
From EC - Amen and good morning ladies!
From BI - Thank You my Abba Father for waking me to see this great day that You have made, I will certainly rejoice and be glad in it. Thank You King of kings for all You have done for me, all You are doing and all You are going to do in my life and destiny. I bow before You for You are the great I Am. The beginning and the end. Who can stand against Your might? I could not have asked for a better Father. Thank You Lord for choosing me to be Yours. Glory be Your Holy Name forever and ever Amen.
Thank You sis @FFJ for heeding this call. Thank you for always sharing the word of God. You will never have a better yesterday. Everyday you live will be better than the day before. May God’s glory and anointing be upon you and yours IJMN Amen.
Thank You Lord for this fellowship and for Your Presence here. Thank You for answered and unanswered prayers for everything You do is for our good. I pray Lord for fellow Peppers that You will show up as El SHADDAI in their lives. I pray that the mantle of good health, long life and prosperity rest upon them. I pray that wherever they go to and whatever they do, Your glory Lord will be evident in their lives IJMN Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for another beautiful day! Happy P&P 300 fellow Peppers! God is good. The day is finally here. We thank our beautiful Abba in heaven.
Thank you for today's word sis @FFJ . Today's message is one I will definitely reflect on for a long time. Isaiah 55 vs 8-9 definitely covers that God's ways and thoughts are not ours, the height of the heavens is enough to substantiate God's ways. I pray that we will allow Jesus into the boat with us, he will never force himself into it, we have to willingly allow him in and I pray for people struggling to allow him in, that he will transform their hearts to be sensitive to his leading so they can allow him captain their boat. I pray that our faith will continue to drive out fear IJMN amen!!
From ADL - Thank you.
From N22 - AMEN God through the good and the BAD!!!!
Every Praise & Pray (for others), I lift an altar call, asking people to give their lives to Jesus Christ. I do this because I'm learning that many of us have not been introduced to this concept, some believing that it refers to a baptism or Christening. However, giving one's life to Jesus is an act of commitment and submission whereby you choose to make Jesus, and therefore, His Father - God, the only authority over your life.
If you haven't considered submitting to the authority of the Lord, please permit me to say - today is the day. The Lord wants you to choose Him. Please tell the Lord you want Him. Ask Him to change you for His purpose and your good.
So many of us are afraid of choosing the Lord and worry about the consequences. You don't want to give up the shows, the websites, the music, the way you speak, etc. However, have you considered the consequences of not choosing Him?
Maybe you think this message doesn't apply to you because you were born a Christian. You regularly go to church. You don't lie or steal and believe you are a good person.
That was me a few years ago and none of that stood in the way when satan tried to completely destroy me. I had to cry out and submit to Christ in order for Heaven itself to wrestle me out of the devil's clutches. This might sound dramatic but believe me, it was. I have shared more than one testimony of how the devil tried to kill me but for the gracious hand of God upon my life. I know what it means to be a Christian versus what it means to be a born-again Christian, and I pray you will choose to be the latter.
I pray that today will be the day you truly choose Jesus and start to walk with God's hand firmly upon you for your good. The day you decide to be intentional in developing a tight relationship with Him. Come back to your Creator. He wants you back. And if you want the sort of relationship where God speaks to you and grants unimaginable access to His grace, mercy, power and more, please say the following prayer. But, only if you mean it.
Lord Jesus I am a sinner. I confess my sins right now to you. And I believe that you are the son of God. I believe that you came , you died, your rose again, and you paid the price for my sins. Today, I accept the new life, today I accept the Holy Spirit. Come dwell in me, make Your home in me. I will never be the same again. In Jesus's name, Amen.
God bless you!
For more info, check out this handy page - !How to have a stronger relationship with YHWH God!