SATURDAY PRAYER (01FEB20)

SATURDAY PRAYER (01FEB20) – Our Creator, Redeemer, Savior, Lord, God Most High, we come to you on this Saturday to give you thanks, praise, and to make our requests known to you. We want to acknowledge your greatness for you are above all other gods and there are none like you. We thank you for parting our Red Seas in times when we could see no way through; we thank you for giving us Manna when we were in desert areas in our lives, and we thank you for giving us your Living Water when our lives were running dry. You are our Strength, Hope, Deliverer, and Restorer of our Soul. Lord, we ask that you will forgive us from all of our trespasses and that you will make us more like you in every area of our lives. We ask that you will help us to lose the taste of sin that may linger around and give us more of an appetite for the spiritual food of your Word so we will be filled to capacity with your Spirit. 

We ask that you will send your power down from Heaven so that we can touch the lives of those around us. We ask that the shadow of your anointing follow us so that others my see you in us and that even when we are gone from their presence, your residue is left behind for them to feel you. We pray that we can have an impact on those who are lost so that they may find their way to you.

Lord, we pray for those who are sick physically, mentally, and spiritually. We know that you are the Great Physician who caused the blind to see, the deaf to talk, the lame to walk, and the dead to rise. There is no area where your healing touch cannot reach. We pray for those who have dementia, Alzheimer’s, cancer, depression, suicidal thoughts, and spiritual stagnation. We ask that you will meet them wherever they are and give them peace in the midst of their situation. We pray for those who are nurses, doctors, caregivers, therapists, and those who work in ministry. You said that as we do unto the least of them, we have done so unto you. So we ask that you will prevent burnout but revitalize their health, mind, and spirit.

We pray for those who are in areas of heavy persecution. We pray that you will be with those Christians who are standing up for you despite the danger of losing their earthly lives. We ask that you will be with them and to also help their persecutors to turn their hearts to you. We pray for the families of those who lost their loved ones in acts of violence and help them to know that their lost is indeed your gain.

Lord, we pray for the church. We ask that the hearts of many who claim to be a part of your body will wake up and understand the hour in which we live so that we not only be prepared ourselves, but to help others get ready for your soon return. No one knows the day nor the hour of your return, but we do know that it is sooner than we may think. 

Lord, please cover our President and Vice-President. We pray against any harm that would come their way. And whenever their time is complete on earth and/or in office, we pray for their soul salvation and that they may enter into your kingdom. We ask that you will cover their families and allow no harm nor danger to come to them. We once again pray against this Coronavirus. We ask that you will send it back to the pits for which it came. We know that nothing can take place without your permission, but we ask for your grace and mercy to be displayed. We pray that the Chinese people who do not worship you will bow down and honor you as their Lord and Savior. We also pray for their government because your Word says that every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. We pray for your protection over the Chinese Christians who are being persecuted by their government and are locked up in prisons and/or abandoned by their friends and loved ones for your Name's sake.

We ask for your grace, mercy, and care over not only the lives of your people but for those who have not come into the full acceptance of who you are. Please keep tugging at their hearts to submit to you before their time on earth is done. Please give us peace in chaos, faith during storms, and comfort during difficulty. We pray for your soon return and that we will hear you say “Well done” once our time on earth is finished. We ask for all of these things in your Son’s mighty Name that is above all other names – Jesus, Yeshua Hamashiach. Amen.  

Who is God? Jehovah Elyon Pt 4

One of Trust and One of Doubt

               The Israelites made a habit of offending Jehovah Elyon…Lord, Most High. Despite God being faithful to them and rescuing their ancestors from the hands of the Egyptians, they always turned back to their idolatrous ways. Therefore, Jehovah Elyon allowed them once again to be placed into the hands of their enemies. The Midianites oppressed the Israelites greatly. Whenever the Israelites planted crops, the Midianites and the Amalekites would destroy their crops. Therefore, the Israelites hid in caves and mountains. The Israelites remembered God and cried out to Him for help. The Lord heard their cry and reminded them of their sin towards him through the voice of one of His prophets. Judges 6:9-10 “I snatched you from the power of Egypt and from the hand of all your oppressors. I drove them from before you and gave you their land. I said to you, ‘I am the Lord your God; do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.’ But you have not listened to me.” (NIV) The Israelites had to be reminded of their sins prior to God delivering them so that they would know that He was Jehovah, Elyon…the Lord, Most High and the only One to be served. 

               The Lord chose Gideon, one from the weakest clans, to deliver Israel from their enemies. Jehovah Elyon often chose people whom no one else would have chosen. Why is this? Because in doing so, He gets the glory that is due Him. He is the Lord, Most High and through Him all things are possible. Gideon had 22,000 warriors available to help defeat the Midianites. However, God reduced that number greatly and by the time He was done, Gideon’s army was reduced to a mere 300 warriors. Gideon had faith in knowing that it was not by his might that he would win the battle, but it was Jehovah Elyon…the Lord, Most High who would fight his battles. Judges 7:22 When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lord caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords. The army fled to Beth Shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath. (NIV) God caused the Midianites to be confused and turn on each other with the sword. The Israelites knew that the Lord fought their battle that day and Jehovah Elyon was to get all the praise, glory and honor because it was not done through their own might.

               

                Now David was chosen by Jehovah Elyon to replace King Saul when he defied the Lord. David was also the least likely chosen, but God used him mightily as king. Unfortunately, King David made a lot of mistakes, which caused him great pain. Jehovah Elyon had brought David through a lot of storms in his life, but he fell prey once again to the devil and took a census of his fighting men, which angered the Lord. Samuel 24:1 Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.” (NIV)

               

           Jehovah Elyon was the one who enabled Israel to win their battles and it was not through their own hands. However, when King David did this, it was as if he was taking the credit for their success as a nation and not giving the honor to Jehovah Elyon. Therefore, this angered the Lord and brought a curse upon their land. It didn’t matter what size David’s army was. Just as the Lord, Most High was able to defeat the Midianites during Gideon’s time with only 300 men, Jehovah Elyon was able to do the same thing again. All that He required was faith in Him and not in numbers. 2 Samuel 24:15 So the Lord sent a plague on Israel from that morning until the end of the time designated, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died. (NIV) 

               

           David acknowledged his sin and repented before God. He asked God to spare the people and allow the punishment to fall upon him and his own family. Jehovah Elyon was teaching David to not trust in his own ability, but in the Lord’s. We too can learn from the story of these two men. It doesn’t matter if all odds are stacked against you in life. If Jehovah, Elyon…Lord, Most High is for you, then who can be against you? Romans 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (NIV)

 

Jehovah Elyon – Lord, Most High

 Equips Us for Battle

Psalm 18:39 You armed me with strength for battle; you made my adversaries bow at my feet. (NIV)

              

               The devil is running loose throughout the world and is causing chaos in various places. Sin is the newly celebrated norm and many people are falling lure to its seduction. The enemy knows that his time is short and what his final destination will be; therefore, he is on the prowl to collect as many souls as possible. The souls that he already knows he has are not his primary concern, but he is seeking the ones who claim to be followers of Christ. His ultimate goal is to destroy the bride of Christ and defeat her by any means necessary. Revelation 12:17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the nest of her offspring – those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus. (NIV)

               The only way to defeat the enemy and his tactics is the allow Jehovah Elyon to arm us with His armor. We are not able to defeat the devil through our own means. This is a spiritual battle and we are in spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:10-12 ⁽¹⁰⁾Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ⁽¹¹⁾Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ⁽¹²⁾For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (NIV) The enemy will use all kinds of tactics against the body of Christ, so it is necessary to allow the Lord, Most High to fully arm us for battle. No soldier will win a battle if he/she doesn’t have the proper gear needed. It is the same way with God. We must allow Him to prepare us for the enemy so that we will not fall down at the first strike. How does Jehovah Elyon prepare us for battle? Ephesians 6:13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything , to stand. (NIV)

               In order to be prepared for battle, we must recognize the Source from whom we draw our strength. That Source is Jehovah Elyon…Lord, Most High. Because there is no one greater then God, He is the only one who has the power to defeat the devil. We already know that God can defeat the enemy because Satan was expelled out of Heaven. Revelation 12:7-9 And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down – that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. (NIV) The devil was not powerful enough to win the battle in Heaven, so we do not have to fear him down here on earth. The Lord, Most High is our refuge and strength. Psalm 91:4-7⁾ He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that files by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. (NIV)

               A few things that we must do to be victorious against the enemy is to make sure that we stand firm in truth, righteousness, and have our feet planted in the perfect peace of God. Ephesians 6:14-15 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. (NIV) During the days of the Roman Empire, they wore armor that protected their body to ward off attacks of their major organs. If a major organ of the body was hit, it could cause death. Therefore, the same applies when fighting against the enemy. A warrior for Jehovah Elyon must stand firm in His word and not be swayed by every wind of doctrine. Ephesians 4:14-15 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. (NIV) The devil is the father of lies and therefore, he will attempt to use schemes to throw God’s people off the right path. However, a soldier for Jehovah Elyon will not listen to the enemy but will recognize and stay steadfast in the truth of the Lord, Most High. 

               We must also carry the shield of faith because the devil tries to plant seeds of doubt in our minds with regards to Jehovah Elyon’s promises. Once God makes a promise, you must have faith to believe that what He says, He will do. Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? (NIV) The Lord, Most High loves to honor His children and reward them. Therefore, we must not allow the devil to enter into our minds and make us question Him. There are times when you may have been praying for something and years have gone by without God’s word being fulfilled. However, you must remember that Jehovah Elyon’s timing is not like our timing and though it may linger, it will surely come to pass because He is a God of His word. Habakkuk 2:2-3 Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it lingers, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. (NIV)

               We must also wear the helmet of salvation and have the sword of the Spirit. Salvation is only given through Jehovah Elyon. He sent His son, Jesus, to die on the cross so that we may be saved. This is why Salvation is our helmet because we must never let our good works go to our head, but remember that Jesus Christ died for our sins and it is only through Him and not our own that we are saved. Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. (NIV) The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. Some people make the mistake of thinking that they can overcome the enemy without being in their Word. However, the Word of God is what sustains us doing the time of tests and trials. Jesus used the Word of God to defeat the devil when He was tempted after His forty days of fasting. Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’ ” (NIV)

               And finally, you must pray because prayer is key to allowing Jehovah Elyon to strengthen and encourage you for battle. Without prayer, there will be no power to ward off the enemy’s darts. You will find that without prayer, you are weak beyond measure, and when you are at your lowest, the enemy comes in for the kill. Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

               Jehovah Elyon…Lord, Most High is the power that we all need to make it in this world. The devil comes in all forms to distract, disrupt, and tear down those who are serving God. However, his power is limited because Jehovah Elyon has given His children the tools we need in order to fight against the enemy. It is not through our own might, but because we serve the Lord, Most High who is the ultimate Power of the universe. Tap into His supply and the devil will flee.

Who is God? Jehovah Elyon Pt 3

The Sun Stands Still

 Psalm 113:3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. (NIV)

               Jehovah Elyon…Lord, Most High had promised The Israelites the land of Canaan. God had just given them the victory over Jericho and the walls came tumbling down. Joshua was now their leader since Moses was dead. He had been given the leadership mantle to carry and the Lord blessed him as He had done Moses. Joshua 1:1-5 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: ”Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them – to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates – all the Hittite country – to the Great Sea on the west. No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. (NIV)

               The enemy, however, always stirred up other nations to present a challenge to the Israelites. Whenever God blesses you, never make the mistake of thinking that the enemy isn’t lurking around to present some challenges. He always does, but it presents the opportunity for Jehovah Elyon to show Himself strong and mighty. The Gibeonites, a nation nearby, deceived the Israelites into making a peace treaty with them, for they were in fear of their lives due to all the stories that they had heard concerning the victories that Jehovah Elyon had given to them. The Israelites had not consulted God about this, so they were bound to the treaty that they had made.

               When wind of this treaty got to the five Amorite kings, they made an alliance to attack the Gibeonites. The Gibeonites were afraid and sent word to the Israelites that they were in need of protection against their enemies. The Lord, Most High, reassured Joshua to not be afraid for He would give him the victory over their enemies. Sometimes, we may make a decision without consulting God first, yet even with that mistake, God never forsakes His people. He always has a plan for a corrective measure to be taken. Psalm 37:23-24 If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. (NIV)

               In response to the Gibeonites’ cry for help, Joshua and his army marched all night and surrounded their enemies. The Lord sent a mass confusion to their enemies and the Israelites were able to defeat them. God also sent large hailstones that killed more of them than the Israelites had. Joshua saw that he needed more daylight to be victorious over his enemies, so he commanded the sun and the moon to stand still. Joshua 10:13-14 So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the lord listened to a man. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel! (NIV) That took a lot of faith for Joshua to command the sun and moon to be still, but Jehovah Elyon honored that spoken word. It lets us know that He is the Most High God because only He could ensure that His creation not move. Why is that? Remember that He is also Jehovah Elohim…Our Creator. 

               There are times in life when we will have to stand still and allow Jehovah Elyon…Lord, Most High to fight our battles. Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (KJV) When we try to do things our own way, we often tend to mess things up, and then we have to go right back to God and allow Him to fix it for us. But those who wait upon the Lord will see that HE will make everything alright. Because Jehovah Elyon is the Lord, Most High God, we are to always trust in Him and not in our own abilities. We will see in the next section where Gideon trusted in God, but David counted his numbers.

Who is God? Jehovah Elyon “Lord, Most High” Pt 2

The Parting of the Red Sea

Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. (NIV)

              

               Jehovah Elyon…Lord, Most High, made a promise to Abraham that he would be a father of many nations. Abraham and his wife, Sarah, did not have any children. At the time Abraham, whose name was Abram, and Sarah, whose name was Sarai, were well advanced in years when God made this covenant. Nevertheless, that did not stop Jehovah Elyon from doing the impossible. As a sign of the covenant to make Abram into a great nation, He changed his name to Abraham and his wife’s to Sarah. Genesis 17:3-7 Abram fell facedown and God said to him, ”As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.” (NIV) Jehovah Elyon…Lord, Most High, showed that He is the One in control of all things and time has no control over Him. He blessed Abraham and Sarah with a child during their golden years.

               Jehovah Elyon told Abraham that his descendants would be enslaved for 400 years, but He would rescue them and they would not leave empty-handed. Genesis 15:13-14 Then the Lord said to him, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own. And they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. (NIV) God prophesied to Abraham of the hardships that would befall His people, but He would rescue them from the hands of their abusers. This was not going to be a task that an ordinary person could accomplish. This would be something which only the Lord, Most High God could do. Jehovah Elyon allowed His people to be enslaved so that His mighty power could be shown. They would not have understood the power of the Most High if they had not gone through tribulations that only He could deliver them from. 

               In order to teach the Children of Israel who He was, Jehovah Elyon showed them man signs through His servant. Moses had been born for such a time to be the leader God had ordained to guide the Children of Israel out of Egypt and to teach them to honor, praise and worship Jehovah Elyon…the Lord, Most High alone. Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, did not want to release the Children of Israel from slavery. He had free labor and therefore, had no intention of letting them go. He dared to go up against Jehovah Elyon. To his detriment, he was to find out that no one was more powerful than God. Exodus 3:19-20 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go. (NIV)

               God sent various plagues to Egypt in order to give Pharaoh a chance to let the Children of Egypt go. Not only was this a message to the Egyptians and their ruler, but this was also a sign to the Children of Israel that they served a God who was more powerful than any heathen god that could be made from wood and stone. Jehovah Elyon sent plague after plague upon the Egyptians, but Pharaoh refused to let them go. Therefore, God sent the death angel to the homes of all who did not have blood on their doorpost and slew the firstborn of every family and animal. At the slaying of Pharaoh’s son, he finally agreed to let the Children of Israel go. Exodus 12:31 During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the Lord as you have requested.” (NIV)

               The Children of Israel left Egypt that night and not only took their own possessions, but God had given instructions for them to ask the Egyptians for silver, gold, and clothing. Jehovah Elyon allowed the Egyptians to give them favor and they gave the Children of Israel the items that they had requested. They were finally free after 400 years of enslavement, but they still had more to see concerning the power of Jehovah Elyon…Lord, Most High. 

               Once Pharaoh got over the shock of losing his firstborn son, he decided to change his mind about the Children of Israel left. Therefore, he got his army and chariots ready to go after them. Upon seeing the Egyptian army coming with their chariots, the Children of Israel became fearful and complained to Moses. They still did not have faith even after seeing all the signs that Jehovah Elyon had done. Moses consulted God because they had come to the Red Sea and it looked as if there was no way to escape Pharaoh’s army. Exodus 14:15-18 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on the dry ground. I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. The Egyptians will know I am the Lord when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.” (NIV)

               Pharaoh had no clue what was about to befall him. His hardened heart did not allow him to use common sense in knowing that he could not go up against Jehovah Elyon…Lord, Most High. Even with his mightiest of men, chariots, and horses were no match for God. The Lord parted the Red Sea for the Children of Israel to walk through. The Egyptians seemed to think that they would be afforded the same privilege. However, when all of them had entered the dry land of the sea, God allowed the waters to overtake them and drowned the entire army. Never again did the Israelites have to see Pharaoh and his army again. Jehovah Elyon showed up and displayed the power that only the Lord, Most High could. There is none like Him and no one can compare to his mighty power. The Israelites were going to be faced with many battles throughout the centuries, but the battles would never be theirs to fight alone…it would be the Lord’s. 2 Chronicles 20:15 He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (NIV) Regardless of what you may face in life, if Jehovah Elyon can part the Red Sea and even make the sun stand still, He can do wonders in your life for He is the Lord, Most High God.