Merry Christmas!
I pray that the good news shall fill your surroundings. The joy of the Lord shall dwell in your household.
Peace!
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Sometimes, one must maintain a consistent line of intercession over time. It is not to suggest that God did not hear you the first time, but it is a way of appealing the case before God just like you would before a judge. You must pray your way out of calamity.
I emphasized that Prayer is not just about the usual talking to God or asking that we all do. I am talking about pleading or begging for a cause, not for a short time but a continual or consistent, intentional act that draws the grace of God to move in a given direction.
There are several examples of people in the Bible that demonstrate a consistent habit of pleading their case before God. Some of these people got what they wanted, some did not, yet they did not give up.
Cain killed his brother Abel. Afterward, he begged God to save his life. God agreed and put a mark on him for his protection.
Abraham prayed to God concerning Isaac’s life. God agreed and made a provision. He pleaded with God to spear the life of his son, Isaac. God heard him.
Jacob prayed, asking for help as he journey through an unknown land. God appeared to Him.
Moses would spend time again and again pleading to God on behalf of the rebellious Israelites. Countless times Moses was able to avert the destruction of the Israelites.
Samson prayed one more time after his eyes plucked out of their sockets. God heard him, and he defeated and killed the enemies more than when he had his eyes intact.
Time would fail to enumerate people, who through prayers, saved nations and rescue the prey from the spoiler.
Jesus went on to pray all night before the crucifixion. He often spent time praying all night. Jesus asked the Father that if it’s possible, He averted the pain. Jesus was willing to sacrifice His life, and as such, He gave it all.
The bible encouraged us to pray without ceasing. While Peter was in prison, the followers refused doubt he would be released and kept praying for his freedom.
Paul said that he didn’t stop praying for the disciples every day.
Many of us will not get through this life without the help of continual prayers.
Jesus, while on the throne, at the right hand, still pleads on our behalf.
Through the grace of God, we can maintain a daily victorious life if we do not stop seeking God and maintaining a committed relationship with Him.
In my last post, I emphasized that Prayer is not just about the usual talking to God or asking that we all do. I am talking about pleading or begging for a cause, not for a short time but a continual or consistent, intentional act that draws the grace of God to move in a given direction.
David was known as a man after God’s heart. He loved God, and obviously, God loved him too.
David obeyed all the commandments of God, and he didn’t turn away from following God.
However, David still errs. David had sexual relations with another man’s wife. He went ahead to kill the husband of the woman after a futile effort to clear all traces.
I have often thought that if David, a man after God’s heart, can fall, most likely anyone can.
Nevertheless, David searched for God’s help again and again. He pleaded for mercy. Even the prophet, Nathan, prayed for him. He was very remorseful and acknowledged that he missed it.
David understood the importance of falling and the desperate need for grace. He sought it and found it. This type of action wasn’t an ordinary prayer. It is the pleading and crying to God I talked about earlier.
David would go-ahead to write a whole chapter of Psalms 51 dedicated to this encounter with God.
We need this today– to seek God desperately whether it’s convenient or not. As believers, we must seek God in the darkest moment of our lives. Christians must cry out to Him. Sin must not be allowed to create an unnecessary barrier. It must break! David didn’t wait till he feels right or feels good or until his senses say, ” now, you can approach God”
No, he went immediately after God. Demonstration of action like this is how to avert falling from grace. Never wait a second. Begin to seek God immediately you are down and plead your case for restoration.
If David can have it, so can you.
We will not miss it by God’s grace.
In my last post, I emphasized that Prayer is not just about the usual talking to God or asking that we all do. I am talking about pleading or begging for a cause, not for a short time but a continual or consistent, intentional act that draws the grace of God to move in a given direction.
The reason for this type is because it is a plea to save the Christian not from sin but from falling into dismay.
Jesus said to Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,
Remember, Satan is only doing what he knows best, and that is to “steal, kill and destroy.” Satan intended to destroy Peter (also known as Simon).
God has a better plan; a great purpose for us than we can think of–to save us from the wicked hands.
I believe Peter would have fallen and failed if Jesus had not intervened and prayed for Peter.
It is this type of pleading that delivers from falling from Grace. We must quest for this with passion, or someone must pray on our behalf to save us from losing it all in life.
Although Peter denied Jesus three times, Peter experienced deliverance from spiritual depression and death. It is the Grace that Peter enjoyed but that Judas Iscariot could not.
The thin line between missing it and gaining is the Grace of God that comes from passionate intercession and God’s Mercy that comes with it.
I pray that we will not miss it in our lives and that we will enjoy God’s Grace and Mercy that keeps one above and flying high.
Recently, I have been studying some notable names in the bible that made mistakes or missteps in their actions but were ultimately saved by grace through the ministry of intercession.
Two people stand-out of the many that are worthy of discussion. I’m talking about Peter and David, both of whom, if not for the grace of intercession that they enjoyed, could have fallen, and their end would have been catastrophic. They made huge errors but rose again through intercessory prayers.
I found the secret to averting falling from grace, and it is Prayer, and I am not talking about the usual talking to God or asking that we all do. I am talking about pleading or begging for a cause, not for a short time but a continual or consistent, intentional act that draws the grace of God to move in a given direction.
Prayers and continual intercession could save anyone from falling regardless of the level of fall.
For the next blogs, I will devote time to talk about Peter and David.
Peter enjoyed the grace of Jesus’ prayers in the dark moments of his life, and as a result, he gained strength that was invaluable in times of need.
David fell after a careless busy-body exhibition, but Nathan, the prophet, interceded on his behalf. He also cried out his soul to God.
Join me as we delve deeper into the two personalities in my next post.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Ponder on the good things that happened this year than the bad things that happened, and be thankful to God for His goodness.
It is good to praise the Lord. It is good to gaze upon His majesty, to proclaim His love in the morning, and His faithfulness at night.
Oh, it is good to worship and praise the Lord.
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT
Praise the Lord ! Give thanks to the Lord , for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
Psalms 106:1 NLT
Give thanks to the Lord , for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.
Psalms 107:1-2 NLT
Give thanks to the Lord , for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
Psalms 118:1 NLT
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Colossians 3:15 NLT
The following are the critical signs that you are drifting away.
— when you develop indifferent attitude to the things you love passionately before.
— when you reduce the amount of time you spend on the things you love to do.
— when other people, like your mentor, warns you but you refuse to listen.
— when there are clear signs that you have abandoned the right lane, yet you insist on your desire.
— when suddenly you fall in love with things that you hate or dislike before.
— when you deliberately choose to do the despicable despite your conscience saying no to such acts.
— when you disobey your devoted calling.
–when you don’t share your secrets with your loved ones as you used to because your thoughts are stained with unpleasant dirt.
–when you won’t let go of pride and you are full of yourself.
— when you suddenly begin to say “it doesn’t matter” to things that usually matter before.
— when you don’t seek counsel.
— when you seek counsel but don’t follow it.
— when you seek counsel and follow it but don’t ask for direction when confused.
— when you say you have lost your interest and you have no passion anymore.
Like a gazelle, run and cry for help before your life falls apart like a pack of cards…or like “things fall apart”.
Life is like a marathon race.
Then the Lord said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.
Habakkuk 2:2-3 NLT
You have to keep running until you reach the finish line.
The Christian life is a journey. You keep running each day till the end of time.
There are lots of side attractions on the way. Steadfastness will help you reach your ultimate goal and receive the crown.
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Philippians 3:13-14 NLT
Distractions will make you lose your purpose. Even though you finish the race, you may not win the race, but your goal is to win. So, remain focus and steadfast so you can win the race.
“Can the prey be taken from the mighty, or the captives of a tyrant be rescued?”
The oppressor will always hold on to the oppressed.
Anything or anyone that places a burden on you is an oppressor.
The master usually doesn’t want the servant to go.
If a king has its way would prefer to be king forever (dictatorship).
You will need to fight hard to rescue the prey (victim) from the warrior.
The warrior usually will not let go of his spoil (victim).
To be free, the oppressed must have a ransom, a kinsman, or fight to the end.
You need God’s favor and men’s favor in life for progress and accomplishment.
The bible says, “Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew taller and grew in favor with the Lord and with the people.”
1 Samuel 2:26.
Also, the bible says that Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.
Luke 2:52
Even if God did not screw you up in heaven, men are likely to screw you here on earth.
Therefore, pray for both God’s favor and men’s favor.
