Stand in the Gap

"And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none."   Ezekiel 22:30

The Lord is looking for someone to intercede for nations, not only the United States of America but other nations. Ezekiel was living in such a time of apostasy in Israel, they had turned from God, rejected His laws and persecuted and killed His prophets. They would not listen to sound doctrine and the warnings from the prophets of God. They utterly rejected and cast them off, and for this God sent them in captivity and brought destruction upon them.

I believe there are many nations that resemble Israel during the time of this writing. They have rejected God and His laws and will not listen to His prophets. In the midst of this though, God is looking for those who will intercede and plead for mercy; it gives God no pleasure to bring judgement and see the wicked perish (Ezekiel 18:32; 33:11). He desires to heal and to forgive and see many come to repentance, but this will only come to pass if someone is praying and standing in the gap for thousands upon thousands of souls. Will you give yourself to intercede today and ask for souls? Will I?

prayer:
Father I thank you for your Word. Your word that bring conviction and speaks the truth. I pray that you would burden many of us to pray for our nations. That you would bring repentance to our nations and have mercy. Call many to repentance and faith in you. I ask this in Jesus name, amen. 

Sing to the Lord

"Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth." Psalm 96:1
"Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth,..." Isaiah 42:10

Isaiah the prophet echoes the exhortation from the psalmist to sing to the Lord a new song. He is expressing adoration and praise for the Lord, "Let all the earth sing to the Lord."

How important it is as Believers to cultivate a heart of praise and adoration for the Lord. The apostle Paul talks about, "Singing and melody in your heart to the Lord (Eph. 5:19)." This allows us to have our heart and mind on the Lord, nothing is crowding or taking His place in our heart.

prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for your Word that is powerful and quick to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit. I thank you for this truth in your Word. May we put you first today and set our heart to worship and adore you. I praise you. In Jesus wonderful name, amen.

Isaiah 41:18

"I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water."    Isaiah 41:18

Price Paid

"For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
1Corinthians 11:26

This chapter in 1Corinthians concerns the Apostle Paul's teaching on "the Lords Supper" or Communion, as Evangelicals call it. He begins by reprimanding the Corinthian Believers for the manner in which they are partaking of this meal (yes, it was a meal). Many of the Believers viewed this time as nothing more than a free meal. They would come, grab food, eat, some would get drunk and not care for those who were poor and truly needed the food. The Apostle Paul scolds them for their behavior.
He exhorts them that the whole purpose of eating the "Lord's Supper" was to remember the Lord's death until He comes back again.

The "Lord's Supper" is not "snack time" its a time for remebrance. Its a time to discern, understand the great price the Lord paid for our redemption. We are to examine our hearts, and see if we really understand Christ's death on the Cross, if we understand its great significance. If we do that there will be life to what we are doing and we will benefit from it. The next time you partake of Communion truly remember its full significance. 

prayer:
Dear heavenly Father thank You for sending You only begotten Son to earth to die on the cross for our sins. May we truly be aware of the great price that Your Son paid for our redemption. For He gave Himself for us, He took the punishment that we deserved. We thank You, in Jesus name, amen.

Psalm 34:1

"I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth."
Psalm 34:1

Bless the Lord when? - At all times
His praises are to be where? - In my mouth.
Praise Him when? - Continually......

Lord help us to bless you at all times, and may your praise be in our mouths and from our hearts and may we  praise You continually. We ask this in Jesus wonderful and matchless name.  Amen.

contrition

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."                Psalm 51:17




God desires brokenness and contrition in our lives. Psalm 51 was written by David after his tragic sin of adultery and murder with Bathsheba and her husband Uriah. David is crying out to God in repentance and brokenness for his sin that he had committed, he asks the Lord to cleanse him and to create in him a clean heart and to renew his spirit. Then he confesses that it is not sacrifice and offerings that God desires from him (animal sacrifice), but a broken and a contrite heart.  


We also need to know that God is not desiring outward works to please him but an inward sensitivity and yielding to His Spirit. Where we are quick to recognize when we do not please Him, when we offend Him, when we do not walk in His commandments. Quick to recognize His leading, to obey Him. David was restored to a right relationship with his Lord because of his brokenness and contrition. So we also need to walk in the same sensitivity and contrition.

Prayer:
Father, I ask in the name of Jesus to create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me daily. That You would make me sensitive to Your dealings with me. That I would recognize the leading of Your blessed Spirit and that I would walk in Your perfect plan and desire for my life everyday. I praise You and ask it all in Jesus name. Amen.