Yesterday, I was sent to Philemon and I shared what I got out of it which blessed me.
Philemon – A Wealthy Book
How many of you have read the book of Philemon?
It’s and amazing book with a great lesson about letting go and receiving again. (See verse 15-16.)
Its a tiny book, being only one chapter, and to find it turn to Hebrews. It’s located right before Hebrews.
Further references:
About letting go – 1 Corinthians 5:1-5
About our attitude when having to let someone go – the story Jesus told of the prodigal son and the father’s attitude toward this son prayerfully watching for him, and upon seeing him in the distance returning, he ran to the son.
About receiving again – Philemon 1:15, 16
What a wonderful lesson on relationships. But Father sent me back there this morning because there was another nugget tucked away in this book. Lol. Caught me off guard when I saw it. Lol
Father has double confirmed me first with Isaiah 52 and now with Philemon 1.
Glory be to GOD.
Today, I was sent back to Philemon to read it over again…
… and today I was confirmed in the word of something I said last week about intercession.
So I’m going to share what i said here…
We like to call ourselves intercessors because we pray for people. We use the word Intercessor as a title, and we feel important because of it. But…
Is an Intercessor someone who simply prays for another?
Is standing in the gap for another simply about saying a prayer for another?
Is there more to being an intercessor?
So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God. – Ezekiel 22:30-31
With this I am reminded of Moses who interceded for the people on more than on occasion. He would say to God, “please Lord, for the sake of Your name. The nations watching will say that you couldn’t bring this great people to their promised land so you killed them. Please Lord, don’t do this thing you have said.” On more than one occasion he interceded, building a wall so to speak.
Do we build walls with our prayers, or do we approach God like a genie in a bottle with abracadabra now being “in the name of Jesus”?
The Bible gives us several examples of an Intercessor of which here are two:
Paul the Intercessor
The first example I will share is found in Philemon.
This is a letter Paul wrote to Philemon, a brother in Christ, about a slave who was thrown in prison. We don’t know why, but we know that while in prison, this criminal found truth and gave his life over to GOD.
Glory be to God!!! I am a living witness that this thing happens still, today.
…And so Onesimus was getting ready to be released and Paul sent a letter, ahead of time, to Philemon about him.
Paul was letting Philemon know that Onesimus was and is a changed man. He is not who he use to be. He is more than a slave (his fleshly nature), he is now a Brother (his spiritual nature).
Side note: Y’all better catch this, especially those who be judging people based upon their past; and also especially if you have loved ones in jail/prison. People change. But what changes people is the Word of God.
Let me repeat this: Sitting in jail is not what changes people. The Word of God changes people.
So start speaking, and demonstrating, God’s word to those who are held captive, not just in a jail or prison, but captive in any situation and circumstance that life presents. It could be a health bondage. It could be a financial bondage. It could be a mental bondage. It could be an addictive bondage. Whatever type of bondage it is, the anointing is what breaks those yokes.
(Before I forget, the reason why you would demonstrate God’s Word is because those who are captive, and are hard of hearing, need actions instead of words. For some you can show them better than you can tell them. Just make sure your demonstrations is rooted in love because God is love and He tells us how to treat out enemies (when we are of the mindset to consider another human an enemy.)
So Paul, the Intercessor, says to Philemon, charge his bill to me. Whatever he owes you, I will pay it. Listen:
If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides. Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. – Philemon 1:17-20
What I am saying is that intercession is not comfortable. It will cost you. With that being said let’s look at the next powerful example of an intercessor interceding.
Jesus Christ – The Greatest Intercessor
There is no better way to speak of the intercession of Jesus than to show visually what this perfect Man of GOD did for us all when he took up His cross and bore it for us.
WARNING: The video is very graphic.
His blood, shed for us, covers us. He paid our debts in full. Because of Jesus Christ standing in the gap for us in the most powerful way, through Jesus we are able to enter boldly into the throne of mercy and grace and make our petitions known. Because of Jesus, not because of us and anything we are asking, but because of Jesus, we can ask for anything in His name and it is yes and amen. Thank you Lord.
Omg I feel like shouting!!!
So now Jesus says something curious to us all. I call it curious because though I’ve heard it I now realize that I have heard it incorrect.
You see carrying our cross has always simply been about enduring hardships. But it was never presented that we are standing in the gap for others. It has never been presented that we are enduring so that some one else can be delivered. It has always been presented that our enduring is about us when it’s not. It’s about Jesus. It’s about following in His footsteps. He did it just for us. So why wouldn’t we in turn do it for another.
What a great lesson on what it means to intercede.
Interceding is bigger than a church title, and sadly, many who hold these titles do not understand what it really means to be an Intercessor because they think it’s about simply praying for a person. But what about when church closed and the Intercessor is home trying to rest?
Intercessors do not clock in. God’s Word says we are to be ready in season and out of season in 2 Timothy 4:2 and Jesus demonstrated this too. How?
Remember when Jesus was trying to get some sleep in the boat and the disciples woke him.
Remember when Jesus would steal away to get alone before the Lord and the disciples would come find him.
Remember how Jesus and the disciples would leave to go to a quiet place to refresh and the people would come look for them and find them.
Pick up your cross and walk.
Those who are strong must bear the burdens of those who are weak.
These statement are scripture and they are about interceding. But here is the biggest key to intercession.
Without a real love you cannot intercede for anyone.
To intercede you need LOVE.
How crazy yet amazing that I got all of that out of reading Philemon.
Between a Father and HIS daughter 