Life Journal September 4, 2007
Today's readings: Ezekiel 22-24; Revelation 9

Standing In the Gap

Topic: Intercession

Scripture

"I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn't have to destroy the land, but I found no one."

Ezekiel 22.30 (NLT)

Observation

Today, God still looks for those who will "stand in the gap" for others--intercess on the behalf of those who are weak, or have sin in their life, or are in a battle, etc.

Application

How often am I willing to "stand in the gap" for someone rather than judge them? Am I ready to go to the throne room of God and cry out on their behalf--no matter what is going on in their life? Isn't that what Jesus did for me . . . . and still does for me? Am I willing to put aside my own desires and personal prayer list to pray for someone else?

Just as I need to stand in the gap for others, I personally need those who are willing to stand in the gap for me. We all have times when we need someone to intercess for us--just as the Holy Spirit does. There is an amazing thing that happens in my own life when I pray for another. . . . . I become more like Jesus--putting someone elses needs before my own desires. What a privilege it is to truly intercede for someone.

When I am talking about interceding for someone, I'm not talking about prayers of "please bless . . . . " or "be with them during this tough time" and the like. I am talking about standing--and standing strong--on their behalf. Fighting the battle for them--possibly fighting the battle for their very soul. It is not giving up, but praying without ceasing for the battle they are in and praying until it is over. Sometimes we are too beaten down to fight our own battle and need others to come along side and fight/pray for us.

Who is God calling me to stand in the gap for today?

Prayer

Father God, thank You for those You send to intercede for me. Bless them Lord as they pray for me. Open my eyes, Lord, for those You would have me stand in the gap for. Use me in this way Lord. Thank You Father for all those who hear and answer your call to stand in the gap. In Jesus' name, amen.

Life Journal September 3, 2007
Today's readings: Ezekiel 20, 21; Psalm 111; Revelation 8

What Do I Have That God Could Want or Need?

Topic: Worship

Scripture

"For on my holy mountain, says the Sovereign Lord, the people of Israel will someday worship me, and I will accept them. There I will require that you bring me all your offerings and choice gifts and sacrifices. When I bring you home from exile, you will be as pleasing to me as an offering of perfumed incense. And I will display my holiness in you as all the nations watch. Then when I have brouth you home to the land I promised your ancestors, you will know that I am the Lord. You will ook back at all your sins and hate yourselves because of the evil you have done. You will know that I am the Lord, O people of Israel, when I have honored my name by treating you mercifully in spite of your wickedness, says the Sovereign Lord."

Ezekiel 20.40-44 (NLT)

Observation

God's patience and mercy and faithfulness is beyond anything I can understand. And, because of this . . . . . because of His great love for me, in spite of my sinfulness. . . . . . . He alone deserves all my worship.

Application (How will I be different today because of what I have just read?)

God asks for my best--my all. For if I give Him all that I have, then there is nothing to give to the "idols" of the world . . . . . . money, power, success, material things, etc.

It is amazing to me that God "needs" anything from me. Afterall, He created the world, He hung the stars in the sky, He created everything. And yet, He desires to be in relationship with me. He loves me and wants me to love Him in return. The only way that I can demonstrate my love to Him and for Him is when I bring Him my best, my all, me.

For me to do this, I must die to myself . . . . . giving myself completely to God, withholding nothing. Not easy to do, there are dark corners that I have hidden that I don't want Him to know about. . . . . how sneaky the enemy is--whispering that God wouldn't want that part, hissing that there are parts of my life that I should withhold because God would be disappointed if He knew. Ha! He does know every part of me. He created me. And He wants to shine light on all the darkness in my life, but He can only do that if I allow Him to--if I give myself totally to Him.

What do I have that God could want or need?????? ME! 100% of me. All my love. All I have. I must bring to Him and lay me at His feet. I can know, with confidence, that is the sacrifice that will be pleasing to Him. That is the gift He wants--the perfect offering from me is me!

Prayer

Father God, I am overwhelmed by the thought that what You want is me. Lord, I continue to give myself to You. Lord, continue to work in my life, shining Your perfect Light on all the dark corners--so I can belong to you more and more. Lord, I offer myself to You . . . . . completely. Thank You for loving me so much. Thank You for calling me by name to be Your child. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Life Journal August 7, 2007
Today's readings: Zephaniah 1-3; John 9

Born Blind

Topic: Disicpleship

Scripture

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. "Teacher," his disciples asked him, "why was this man born blind? Was it a result of his own sins or those of his parents?"

"It was not because of his sins or his parent's sins," Jesus answered. He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him. All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me, because there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to an end. But while I am still here in the world, I am the light of the world."

Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and smoothed the mud over the blind man's eyes. He told him, "Go and wask in the pool of Siloam." So the man went and washed, and came back seeing!

John 9.1-7 (NLT)

Observation

Often those things that we see in our lives as handicaps are actually meant to bring glory to God. God can use everyone--no matter what shape we are in--to demonstrate His power and to accomplish His mission.

Application

So often I use the excuse that I can't do something because of my "handicaps." I allow the enemy to convice me that God couldn't use me--and I become powerless.

God uses my weaknesses--my handicaps--"so the power of God" can be seen in me. The weaker I become the more of God others will see in me.

Paul writes to the Corinthians, So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." [2 Corinthians 12.8b-10]

The enemy would tell me that if God really loved me, really cared about me, I wouldn't have any problems. When in truth, the more problems I have, the more I rely on Him--and the more I rely on Him, the more others will see of Him in my life.

You see the enemy, Satan, wants me to believe that I am powerless so that I won't carry out the tasks that God assigns to me. Time is short--God has work for me to do. If I sit around and whine and complain about how I can't do it because of my weaknesses--then there are folks that might not hear the Truth . . . . . the Good News, before darkness falls.

Jesus is the Light of the world and He has called me to use me as a carrier of the Light. The Light is not me--but it lives in me because Christ lives in me through the Holy Spirit.

It is time for me to set aside my excuses and to embrace my weaknesses with joy--"For when I am weak, then I am strong!"

Prayer

Lord God, please fill me with Your Holy Spirit and with Your Light. May I become less and less as you fill me more and more. Lord, I am weak--You alone are my strength. May I walk and serve in Your Light and Your strength. Amen.