Are you really “standing in the gap”?

Look at Job 22:21-28. Michael opened with these scriptures… as I re-read them, I was convicted that I often quote verse Job 22:28 (you shall decree a thing, and it will be established unto you)… but I must re-commit the preceding verses that involve

1) submission to God and his Lordship;
2) Listening for His instructions and Storing them in my heart;
3) Returning to the Lord and allowing HIM to Cleanse me;
4) Turn away from greed/lust of money and all HIM to be my treasure.

To do otherwise (decrees without preceding conditions) is not His will and opens me up to many wrong things.

· Joel 2:23-25. Great verses to marinate in. As I did so tonight, these words were set in a time of great turmoil and chaos… but earlier in the Book of Joel, there was repentance; then these promises that declared God’s restoration and His Blessing. Encouraged!

· Was challenged to ask God to search my heart/motives… do I seek HIM for Blessing without being willing to pay a price (or sacrifice)?

· “The anointing of God is on me to have power for people, not power over people.”

· “We are in a War of Words”… all around us, in our nation, in every part of our culture, the war is for our words. As Covenant Children and Kings & Priests, our WORDS MATTER!!

· Ez 22:30… cites that God looked for an intercessor (someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land… someone to stand in the gap).

But God was unable to find anyone. Look at entire chapter 22… preceding verses looks and smells like America (and a lot of our local churches) today. But even though God could not find someone in Ezekiel’s day, 100 years later HE found Nehemiah… who, btw, was NOT from the line of Levi (priests). He was a born in exile and served a Babylonian King as a trusted cup bearer… but was used by GOD because Nehemiah fasted and interceded and made positional repentance for not only himself but for the sins and rebellion of his forefathers that led to the nation’s exile/punishment. ENCOURAGED to continue to pray and intercede… I never want it to be said that I was not standing in the gap for my generation, my family, and my nation.

· Don’t underestimate the difference that one man can make. Be a Nehemiah!!

· Intercession is fighting for what God has promised. “We must LEAVE THE LIGHT ON for next generations”.

· Our nation and the body of Christ are made up of “Imperfect men who made Covenant with a Perfect God”.

· We often hear “God bless America”…. We must begin decreeing that “AMERICA, Bless God!”

· Holy Spirit decreed that we would receive VISION… vision to see our children as God sees them; vision over our families and our businesses/work; God’s Vision. Receive that by faith!

· You are what you say you are: I am able… I am not able… There are threats trying to silence me(us).

· Stand in the gap before you parade in the street; Must be a man of God (woman of God) in the Secret Place… can I be trusted to be faithful in secret?