How many of us are looking to be blessed? I know I am. And yet, how many of us understand that there are principles underlying the receipt of God's blessings? We have to be aware of them so we not only step into the blessings we seek, but also maintain them once they arrive.
One such principle is found in Psalm 105:43-45 - He brought out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy; he gave them the lands of the nations, and they fell heir to what others had toiled for—that they might keep his precepts and observe his laws. Praise the LORD. This scripture praises God for leading the Israelites out of Egypt and into the Promised Land, a land of milk and honey i.e. blessings. Do you notice the reason given for why God did this for the people of Israel?
"...that they might keep his precepts and observe his laws..."
In essence,the Lord chose to bless them so that they would obey Him.
As much as we want the Lord to bless us, have we considered that His blessings are to help us submit to Him? His blessings are a vehicle to encourage His people to depend on Him even more. God isn't interested in doing things for people that will lead them away from Him. Or, that will allow His blessings and gifts to fall into the hands of the enemy. That said, He has given everyone the ability to choose and if someone opts to turn from Him after being blessed, there will be unpleasant consequences.
Many of us want God to bless us, but in the deepest part of our hearts, we want to take those blessings and use them to do what we desire. As a result, there is no room for what God wants us to use those blessings for. And we wonder why the things we've desperately prayed for aren't forthcoming. James 4:3 -When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
God isn't interested in blessing us so we can flaunt what we've received on social media or elsewhere in society. His blessings are for us to obey Him as well as to walk in fear and trembling of Him. It is so we can remember to obey and serve the God who did the things He did for us. And to do so faithfully.His blessings aren't about us. They are about Him - a way to bring glory to Himself and show to all that He alone is God.
So, how many of us are looking to be blessed? And now that we understand why God blesses people, what needs to change in us so that God's blessing and gifts to us will honor Him? Can we truly say that we are the ones who wouldstillobey Him if He were to bless us in the manner we are praying for? Or, would we make His blessings about us and not about Him? We each have to take time to honestly consider these questions and see how we measure up.
May the Lord help each of us to adopt a heart posture of submission. May we be the ones He can count on to obey Him even after He opens the heavens over us. IJMN, Amen.
Father, I thank You for being the source of all fruitfulness. You are kind and loving to us all.
I lift up all who are seeking to become debt free.
Romans 13:7 - Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Lord, Your children seek to honor Your word to pay what they owe. Remember them for the efforts made to obey You and open the doors to the finances needed to accomplish this. For You alone are the holder of the silver and the gold according to Haggai 2:8. Therefore, to You do they come to receive what is needed to do as You have instructed. IJMN I pray, Amen.
FINAL MESSAGE
We've got about 6 more P&Ps to reach the 300th anniversary of the fellowship. I want to encourage everyone reading this to think back to the 200th anniversary and how we celebrated. We prayed furiously for one another and the presence of God was thick.
I pray you'll show up on that day - October 10th - with a prayer point for yourself while being prepared to pray for others in this group as well.
May the Lord bless you and keep us all till then, IJMN, Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER
Jehovah Jireh, our Provider!
We thank You for providing the means, the time, the mental capacity and much more to come together in fellowship this way. Thank You for the privilege of gathering to worship You and honor Your word to intercede for others.
Lord, remember Your faithful ones who indeed did as such. You have told us You bless us so that we obey. As these ones have obeyes, kindly cover them in Your mercy and blessings if it be to Your glory. Shine Your light in their lives and meet them at their points of need, by Your grace, IJN, Amen.
Blessed be Your Holy Name, Righteous One! Amen!
LAST 10 MINUTES
Today we learned a principle of God's blessing - He blesses so we obey Him. The way obedience plays out can be different from one individual to another, but at the core, the issue is the same - submission. Are you someone that is obeying God now, even before the showers of blessing actually pour? If not, why should God trust you to obey after receiving the goodies you seek from Him?
We cannot ignore Luke 16:10 - “He who is faithful in a very little thing is also faithful in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little thing is also dishonest in much.
While this scripture refers to wealth, we must remember that wealth goes beyond riches. It includes good health, God's favor and wisdom, the gifts of the Spirit etc. If we are not good stewards of what the Lord has made available to us already, should we truly expect more? And if we don't love Jesus enough to obey what He says can we truly say we qualify to be blessed in the abundance that God already has for us?
This is not to discourage anyone but to encourage us all to take obedience of God's laws much more seriously than we do. Yes, God is loving and kind, but there are principles we must understand and apply when dealing with Him. These principles are not hidden from us. One of them is today's lesson - obey God and be blessed.
Let us pray to God to help us with this.
Lord, thank You for loving me totally. So much so that despite all my sin, You do not treat me as I should be treated. Instead, You allow me to enjoy Your grace and mercy. Thank You for these blessings. I understand today, that You bless me so I obey You even more. God, forgive me for my disobedience. Help me to walk in increased obedience to You. Help me to honor You with my submission. To submit every of my desires and needs to what You want and what Your plans are. I trust You to help me and guide me as I hold Your hand and move forward. Thank You, Jehovah, IJMN I pray, Amen.
From BI - I lift up to You Lord those who are living in poverty. Open doors of opportunities for the and send them divine helpers. Wipe their tears away. Pour out Your mercy, favour and grace upon them. Lord, cause a miracle to happen in their lives. Make us Your instruments of kindness and generosity to those struggling. Increase in us the desire to lend a helping hand. El Shaddai, show up for Your children. Let their lives be changed for the better all to Your glory IJMN Amen.
Sovereign Lord. I honor and glorify Him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation (Daniel 4:34).
Genesis 50:21 - So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
Although the devil strives to steal the inheritance of good health and healing that belongs to Your children, I thank You God for Your purpose and plan cannot be thwarted. Indeed, Your gifts and calling are irrevocable, Amen. (Romans 11:29)
Therefore, Lord, I join Your children in this group who seek Your miraculous and merciful healing in calling on You. I lift them up and their loved ones, Lord. I call on You to touch @kety, @Blossoms2, @MamaFatCheeks, @6LaCkSaM, @Mimzy22, @AlexisColby, @Amanda Woodward, @CheekyHarris33 and others. You have promised that when Your people cry out to You, You will send Your word to heal and deliver from the grave (Psalm 107:16-20). I say Amen to this blessed Yes from You oh Lord. I thank You in advance for the healing grace You have provided for these ones and their families. For by the stripes of our Savior Jesus Christ are they healed, in His name I pray, Amen! (Isaiah 53:5)
Deuteronomy 8:17-18 - You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
Sovereign Lord, the word tells us that You give good and perfect gifts (James 1:17). We call on You to hear our prayers for those in search of employment opportunities. As You are He who gives the ability to create finances and other forms of wealth, we lift these children of Yours in Your presence that You will shift the atmosphere around them. Help them whereby they will receive Your favor and therefore favor from man. Let the hearts of decision makers favor Your chosen ones and let Your children honor You with their obedience. That we shall stand with them giving praise when they come back to testify to Your glory and the world will know that You are God all by Yourself, IJMN, Amen.
From BI - Lord, I lift into Your capable hands JO, JM, RH, GC, MM, JI, RG and anyone connected to this thread in need of healing. Lord, have compassion on them and heal them in mind, body and spirit. I pray they receive divine visitation and complete restoration. Lord, calm their hearts, quiet their fears and grant them Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Assure them of Your great love and faithfulness. I pray that whatever troubles them bow to the authority of Christ. I pray they will return to give their testimonies all to the glory of God IJMN Amen.
From C - There’s power in the name of Jesus
Our God is beyond powerful
I want to praise Him for his everlasting love. Last week I was feverish sick beyond comprehension scared I wasn’t going to make it, worried about my exam, my dissertation and everything else but God! I want to praise him for his mercy!
PRAYER TIME
Jesus said it is better to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).
Now is our opportunity to give to others through prayer. Let us lift up petitions on behalf of the people we know, strangers, our nations and more.
It is our responsibility to stand in the gap for others and this is our chance.
The Lord bless you as you intercede for others, IJMN, Amen.
God, I give You all the glory
Thank You God!
I am just so grateful to You.
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for coming to earth just for me.
Thank You for caring so much about the state of my soul and the place I will spend eternity to ensure that that I received Your message of salvation.
Thank You for opening my eyes to the possibility of deliverance.
Thank You for the privilege to grab that redemption.
Thank You and thank You again.
Sweet Jesus, I am forever grateful and continue to give my entire life and everything around me to You.
From AW - Hey Peppers! It's been a while. I think of you all often and keep you all uplifted in prayer. I have to do schoolwork this morning/afternoon, but I thought I'd jump in for a second.
Father God, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to return to school and for providing the resources I need for tuition and books. I praise your holy name! There is none like you, Lord. Thank you for bringing my family wonderful caregivers to look after my mom. My father and I are eternally grateful for all the help, and we couldn't do any of this without You.
Almighty God, I worship You this day because You are deserving of all my praise. I thank You for all You have done, are doing and will do for not just myself but all who are of concern to me.
All glory belongs to You Lord.
From BI - Thank You my Heavenly King for blessing me with life, love, health and wealth. Thank You for choosing me and making me in Your likeness. You Lord are Holy, Magnificent and Wonderful. Your love for me is unrivalled. Thank You for lighting my steps and protecting me. You alone are worthy of all praise. Thank You Abba Father!
Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Hosanna to the Lord! Hosanna to Jesus!
From BI - I thank You Lord for sending rain on this unusually hot days. Thank You Abba for always being on time. Thank You for opening doors no man can shut and for shutting doors no man can open. The Great I am! Who is like thee? You who are God all by Yourself. Some take pride in chariots and others in horses, but we take pride in the name of the Lord our God.
PRAISE TIME
Glory be to God in the highest. Let us take the next 60 minutes to block every distraction. Ignore the pain and the pressure. Let us turn our eyes to the Lord as we honor Him with worship and our prayers for others.
I know it isn't easy and the things going on around us conspires to keep our attention on everything else but Him, but the Lord will give You the grace to seek Him. Just ask.
With that said, let's get into praising the Lord for the next 25 minutes!
Please share what you are grateful for. Share your choice of praise music and let us fellowship together.
From C - Y’all please pray for my results and for the exam I need to retake because of the virus. And for my bills that the Lord provides for me
From C - Praise the Lord for another P&P for others Tuesday!
God we praise you for this opportunity for this day Abba blessed be your wonderful name!