Standing In the Gap

Posted by Anonymous
I have been a Christian for almost nine years now. For the longest time, I was hesitant to ask people to pray for me. Not because I thought it wasn’t important, but because I would feel like I was burdening people by asking them to pray for me. I didn’t want to add the weight of my problems to someone else, and it seemed mentioning requests to a few close friends was good enough.

Now things are different. More and more I’m asking people to pray for me because I want as much prayer as I can get! I know that with more people praying for me, the far better off I am.

Intercessory prayer is when a person intercedes on another's behalf and pleads their cause. Essentially, they are standing in the gap between God and that person. This intercession is a calling placed on all Christians. Not everyone is called to pastor, write, sing, or lead bible studies, but everyone is called to a ministry of praying for others.

One Bible scholar defined standing in the gap as the call “to expose oneself for the protection of something.” That isn’t always the easy thing to do, but it's certainly the necessary thing to do.

Ezekiel 22 shows what happens when there is no one to stand in the gap between God and others. Verse 30 says, “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.” (NIV)

Israel was in a bad place. Murder, idolatry, mistreatment of others and adultery are just a few of the sins listed in the chapter. It was here in Ezekiel 22 that God’s anger began to burn against the sins of the people, and he looked for one righteous man to plead the cause of the wayward nation. But he found none. Therefore, the wrath of God was poured out upon the nation. It was destroyed, along with the temple, and the people went into captivity.

What if there had been one, just one person, who would have stood in the gap between God and Israel? It had happened before. Psalm 106.23 illustrates a moment that it did, “So he declared he would destroy them. But Moses, his chosen one, stepped between the Lord and the people. He begged him to turn from his anger and not destroy them.” (NLT)

You could read further of Moses intercession in Numbers 14. Moses was one man who stood in the gap between God and others, and a nation was spared judgment. Just think of what could happen if one person stood in the gap for another. If you stood in the gap for another. Imagine what would happen if you became an advocate for others. Perhaps you can’t sing, or you’re not gifted with preaching, but prayer is more effective than anything, so if you would pray for another, imagine what could happen?!

Charles Spurgeon said when referring to Moses, “Like a bold warrior who defends the wall when there is an opening for the adversary and destruction is rushing in upon the city, Moses stopped the way of avenging justice with his prayers.”

To intercede in prayer is to be like a bold warrior. If the battle is won in prayer (and it indeed is), than there must be warriors who will be willing to stand in the gap and fight. Moses isn’t the only one either. A few weeks ago we looked at Romans 8. Verse 34 in the ESV reads, “Christ Jesus…who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” Every moment, of every day, Jesus is standing in the gap between God and you. Fighting on your behalf.

There is something very powerful when one person will pray for another. Even more powerful, when many will intercede and advocate on behalf of another. My prayer is that God’s people would turn to these examples given, to Jesus Christ, and incorporate intercessory prayer for others into their daily lives.
Give me a man of God, one man
Whose faith is master of his mind
And I will right ten thousand wrongs
And bless the name of all mankind.
Give me a man of God, one man,
Whose tongue is touched with heavens fire
And I will flame the darkest hearts
With high resolve and pure desire.
Give me a man of God, one man,
One mighty prophet of the Lord,
And I will give you peace on earth
Bought with prayer and not a sword.
Give me a man of God, one man,
True to the vision that he sees
And I will build your broken shrines
And bring the nations to their knees.
One man.

Who has God placed in your world for you to be an advocate for? Your family? Certainly. A neighbor, a friend, a casual acquaitance from the soccer games? There are people all around you that God has placed there for you to be a warrior for. So fight for them.

Stand in the gap between God and that person!

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Traps of Doubt: Part 1

Posted by Stephanie Lammers
I was completely blown away when I was reading through my personal journal and recognizing how doubtful I was with some things, but especially in the area of homeschooling. Why was I struggling so much with doubts? I felt led by God to home school my children...I felt called...and I even felt a passion for it...but, why did I still have so many doubts? How could I school all four of my children adequately? Would I be able to give them what they needed and more? Would I be patient enough? Could I handle the woman’s role in managing the home, being part of ministry, and home schooling?

As I began to talk with the Lord about all of this and search out the Word of God, I began to see more clearly that satan raises different doubts within us day in and day out. The problem is when he traps us and leaves us there; then we are not free to be what God fully intended us to be. This doubting thing all began in the garden.

Genesis 3:1-“The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the LORD God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”

Does any of this sound really familiar? “Did God really tell you not to eat of that tree?” “Did God really call you to ministry?” “You are so impatient- did God really tell you to stay at home with your children?” “Oooh..you’re sure struggling..did God really tell you to take that job?” The list goes on and on.

Let’s take a look at the first trap that he often uses! He get’s us to:

1. Turn our eyes on ourselves.

Doubt takes us to a place where we are focused on ourselves. Let’s look at a man who fell into this trap. Luke 1:18 says, “Zechariah asked the angel, How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” Here is a man who has been faithfully praying for him and his wife to have a child, and finally God sends an angel to tell him that they are going to have a child and what does Zechariah do? He expresses doubts about his own ability to father the child. His age spoke more loudly than God’s promise!!

Zechariah took his eyes off of God and turned his eyes upon himself. Whenever we look back to ourselves, doubt and fears will creep in because we are not capable in our human flesh. And from Zechariah’s human perspective, his doubts were understandable-but with God, anything is possible. Although Zechariah and Elizabeth were past the age of childbearing, God gave them a child.

We are often captured into this trap of doubt so easily when we begin the “I can’t”, “I’m not”, “I don’t know if”, when all of those statements are turned inward at ourselves and our inadequacies, all the while we should be turning the comments into, “God is” “God has called me, therefore I am equipped!” If God is calling you to something you feel is beyond you, you are in good company. God has a history of calling people to things that are beyond themselves. Pastor Rick Warren put it this way:

“Abraham was old, Jacob was insecure, Leah was unattractive, Joseph was abused, Moses stuttered, Gideon was poor, Samson was codependent, Rahab was immoral, David had an affair and all kinds of family problems, Elijah was suicidal, Jeremiah was depressed, Jonah was reluctant, Naomi was a widow, John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least, Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered, Martha worried a lot, the Samaritan woman had several failed marriages, Zachaeus was unpopular, Thomas had doubts, Paul had poor health, and Timothy was timid. That’s quite a group of misfits, but God used each of them in his service. He will use you too.”

It is so easy to doubt or misunderstand what God wants to do in our lives. Even God’s people sometimes make the mistake of trusting their own intellect or experience rather than God. When tempted to think that one of God’s promises is impossible, remember his work throughout history. God’s power is not confirmed by narrow perspective or bound by human limitations, so don’t look at your inabilities and dwell in insecurities. Look at the Almighty God. See this call as the opportunity to watch Him work in you and through you. If you answer yes to the question, “Is this beyond me?” Chances are God is speaking!


Trust Him completely!
Stephanie

Study questions:

Matthew 17:14-23; How can we use doubts to help remind us that our faith must continue to grow?

James 1:2-8; Are there any specific areas where you have been lacking trust? Where did it stem from? An unhealthy relationship? A seemingly unanswered prayer request? Pray and ask God to reveal what’s in your heart.

Exodus 14:1-31; How can we focus on God’s faithfulness in the past, so we can easily and quickly move past the doubts and lies?




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Living Water

Posted by Anonymous
As I was mowing yesterday I believe the Lord gave me a really neat vision I want to share with you. When we moved about a year and a half ago we never realized all of the work we would have to put into our home to repair all that had not been taken care of. One of the major areas that needed reconstruction was our pool. It actually looked descent when you looked at the outside but it did have a few places where the liner was falling down. The water was crystal clear, the pump worked, the jets worked and every filter but one worked.

We called a pool company and told them we knew absolutely nothing about pools but that we knew we would need a liner. They said they would come over, give us a bid and we could go from there. When the bid came back it seemed fair and so we picked out a beautiful liner and waited three weeks for the companies arrival.

We decided that since we were getting the pool fixed in several weeks we would not continue to put anymore chemicals or clean the pool. So over the next few weeks the pool began to build up algae, bacteria, bugs, frogs and a terrible smell. Needless to say we counted down the days until the repairs would take place.

We were so excited when two gentlemen showed up to install the liner in our pool. They began by pumping off all the water from the pool. I could not believe the amount of water that came gushing from the pump into our driveway and down the street. When it got near the bottom they had to throw out all the items and debris that had flown into the pool or got trapped inside while we waited for them. I’m so thankful that is not my job, it was disgusting!

When the water was completely drained they began to tell us that if there was not a certain type of material under the liner they would have to re pour a floor and insulate the walls. Of course when they pulled down the liner it was in fact just sand and rock. They then told us they would have to charge over double the amount of the original bid. I then became stressed for many reasons. Number one, they never told us that this could be a possibility. We never budgeted for this nor was it rational with three children and other numerous repairs to our home to sink this amount of money into a pool. Number two, since they drained it and opened it up it looked ten times worse than before. We would have to look at this daily and it wasn’t a pretty sight. Number three, what now? What will happen now the water is gone and the liner is stripped out?

I told them how I felt about the situation and that we would not be able to afford the amount they needed to repair the pool. They then took all of their materials, including the new liner and went home. My husband and I stood around the empty and ugly hole in the ground discussing what to do and then walked away in disappointment.

Several weeks later we got a huge bill for the liner. It was almost the exact amount of the original bid. I called the company and discussed our options. I expressed my feelings over the fact we felt misinformed. He acknowledged that there was some miscommunication and that we could work out a deal on the liner. I’m thinking what good is a liner going to do sitting in our shop floor. I did not want the company to be out the cost so I felt it was the right thing to do regardless of the situation we were in. We ended up making payments on the liner and drove to pick it up several months later.

In the meantime we still had this hole in our backyard. We had several thunderstorms and heavy rainfall over the next year. What happened to the empty pool was excruciating. It began to fill up and collect all the bacteria and algae once again. The more rain that came the more the walls fell in. The mosquitoes and knats began to swarm in clusters where you couldn’t even go near to observe all that was going on deep inside. Then the most terrible problem of all happened. The pool is about level with our home and shop so when the pool began to fill with rain, it would then flood under the house and almost to the top of the floor joists and flood the shop as well. The sump pump under the house burnt up from all of the rain it was continuously pumping out so we had to rush and buy another pump immediately. We were literally just trying to stay afloat until we could figure out a solution.

After almost a year had passed by, much prayer and worry, I called the company once more and discussed all that had happened after they had drained and stripped the liner from our pool. Without hesitation the owner of the company said he would send me another bid and they would take care of the problem as soon as possible. I was shocked when I received the fax, the bid was almost exactly the price of the bid they originally quoted us for just installing the liner. We signed on the dotted lines and sent the bid back right away. They said they would arrive at our house in three to four weeks. Of course it rained on and off and it took about nine weeks but they are repairing the pool as I write this. Hallelujah!

Just like this pool, we can look like we have it all together from the outside. We may have a couple of rough edges but for the most part our attire, our makeup, our talk, our material possessions and our children look to be all put together. We try our best to keep this stature no matter the cost. We think what others think of us is so important, no matter the pain inside. When we start looking at what will fix those deep places that we know are lying underneath is when we become toxic. We secretly search in the dark where no one will see our frantic state of loneliness. When we grab one fix we wait for the next fix as we begin to build up bacteria and algae. We become tainted in search for more fixes because one does not last but for a moment. I feel lead to add that there is no one person on earth, man or female that could possibly fix or provide for all you need. Stop looking and God will provide!

Life happens and the rain begins to pour, we get rusty, we loose hope and our emotions and anger begin to flood over. Your family and friends may receive the backlash of your agony or you may continue to self inflict all of the pain but the pattern continues. All the while, your liner for your new heart is laying right in front of you. You may have to start by reading the blue prints (the bible) and figure out what it is all about and how to install it but it fits just perfectly. You may have to make some adjustments in your life and cut some off but He knows what you need and how it should fit. Just ask Him!

How sweet is it to know that there is a repair man for your life? You don’t have to wait and continue to build up more ugliness in your heart. Even though you feel like true exposure to this hole in your life is too much to recognize and too filthy. He already knows and is elated you are to the point of surrender. He is omnipotent, He doesn’t have to wait on the rain to stop to start your repair, you don’t have to wait while He is on another job. He will not charge you a price you cannot pay. His ears, heart and life is open to you. Just you! Right now in the very place you set. His love, mercy, grace and understanding are all available to you and only you. He knows the dark places you’ve walked, He sees the hurts you’ve inflicted, He sees all the times people have harmed or let you down. He knows you inside and out and there is not a place you could hide that He could not see you. I hear Him say “Oh precious child of mine, if you would only open your heart and acknowledge me, I have been waiting for you.”

As God begins to pump all the baggage off of your life and heart, it begins to gush and overflow again. He’s scrapping the walls of your heart, getting rid of all the toxic waste that has grown. This time it is overflowing to the one and only that can do something about it. As I said last week He can start to mend you back and build you up to be the confident person that He originally created you to be. As the gushing waters come out of you He is like a fisherman. He knows what is suppose to be part of you and what isn’t. He casts out His rod and catches the parts of your heart that were lost, hurt and damaged and holds them close to His heart while He retrieves every last bit of love. When you are completely drained and the desires of your heart are totally open He begins His treatment (Jeremiah 15:19).

Keep this in mind when you begin to stand again after His initial treatment. He doesn’t remember your sin any longer (Psalms 32:1,2-Isaiah 43:25). Don’t look at this as anything other than a time of equipping you for your future. Accept your forgiveness! You know what has taken place in your life and you are now redeemed and restored to share the good news and not turn back. I ask that you take a time out of any type of relationship for a time being. Fix your eyes upon your Savior and let Him in to every place there is. Allow Him to be your best friend, your mother, your father, your husband, your companion and see the results! They are endless! Let Him take up your heart and soul and abide in it (John 15:4). Then jump in that beautifully reconstructed pool of living water!
Much Love, God Bless!!!



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What's Your Much? Video Devotion

Posted by True Identity Ministries
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FREE! The Exceptional Woman Online Bible Study

Posted by True Identity Ministries
Hey girlfriends!

We are so excited about a new adventure we are about to take and we want nothing more than for you to come along with us. We will be starting an online bible study. This session's study is called The Exceptional Woman. It's a 10 week study Justeina will be releasing next year...but she wants you to have a sneak peek!

Here's how it will work:

Beginning August 17th - Join True Identity Ministries every week via TIM blog for a sneak peek into Justeina’s new 10 week study: The Exceptional Woman. It is planned to be released in print next year, but you can check out the first 4 weeks now! Videos will upload every Tuesday, but once they're posted, you can view and post at anytime. The Exceptional Woman bible study will challenge all of us to living an exceptional life.


The What’s and How’s of The Exceptional Woman Online study.

WHO?

You and a group of friends. (Yes, you can do it on your own, but we hope you'll bring some friends along for the ride!)


WHAT?

An informal, web-based video blog bible study.


WHERE?

Wherever you like, but preferably somewhere with Internet access (and a good cup of coffee…and maybe a comfy chair….hmmm maybe an ocean view…well just anywhere will do).


WHEN?

Starting Tuesday August 17th and running through September 13th. Again, you can meet with your group, view, and post comments anytime day or night. New videos will post each Tuesday.


WHY?

To learn more about God’s sweet Word alongside others around the country and world. You'll be challenged to take a look at life through God’s word with application questions that will change how you think and act. What we can promise you is that no matter what season of life you are in, what your age is, or your background (bible study experience or none at all) or what circumstances you may be facing…God will speak to you through this study!


HOW?

Here is how it will (hopefully will) work. Let’s be honest here. This is our first video blog bible study. We’re relying on God to show us the way and praying you’ll join us in making this a new and exciting way to study scripture together even from miles apart.


Before we start . . .

1. Download your PDF copy of The Exceptional Woman (it’s free… donations ARE welcome and appreciated!) download will be posted by August 9th and be ready to start week one homework by August 17th.

2. Form a study group with friends or neighbors. You can join on your own as we’ll have online community, but nothing replaces face-to-face time with people for relationship and accountability, we highly encourage you starting a group. Be sure to visit the TIM website for flyer downloads to help you start a group.

3. Pick a time and location to meet—your house, the local coffee shop, whatever works for your group.

4. Sign up starting July 25th at http://www.trueidentityministries.com/ or our TIM blog at www.trueidministries.blogspot.com. (You’ll be asked for your first name, where you’re from, and your email. If you’re studying with a group, we’d like to know how many of you there are! And pictures, we would love to see pictures so everyone can get to know each other a little better.)

5. Spread the word. We’re going to need your help in getting the word out!


Once We Get Started…August 17th

1. Get together once a week to discuss your lesson.

2. Watch the video. Every Tuesday from August 17th through September 13th, The TIM team will facilitate the summer study via short videos of about 10 to 20-minutes each. They will share from their heart, give you discussion questions or activities that will enrich your group time together, and wrap up the week’s lesson. If possible, watch these videos at the beginning of your group time, if not catch them during the week before you meet. Remember, you can meet, watch the videos, and post anytime day or night. It doesn't have to be Tuesdays! Videos will be posted right here on the blog and at our website!

3. Post your progress! Finally, and most importantly, TIM will need to hear from YOU and you’ll need to hear from each other! Your way of checking in with Justeina and the team is after your group time. Every week leave a comment to tell them how God is working in your group though the study of His Word! We love it if you’d post your comments as a group before you wrap up your time together. It keeps us encouraged as well if we know you are out there and that God is ministering to your heart!

We so bad want you to join us...it's going to be a life changing blast...in that you have our personal promise!

xoxo
Justeina
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There's still time!

Posted by True Identity Ministries
Hey girls!

We just wanted you to know that if you live in the South Dakota area there's still time for you to make plans to join us tomorrow! Her True Identity Women's Conference will be coming to Huron, SD in the Huron Event Center Saturday July 24th from 8:30 am to 3:30pm. It's going to be an amazing time together. I have such a rich word on my heart for those that will be there. It's just overflowing!

Which I know has to be the Lord because truthfully my life has been anything BUT overflowing this week. I would definately describe it more as draining! I have made multiple visits to the ER and the clinic with a sick child. I myself have been fighting sickness. My vehicle decided to fail me. My house is a complete wreck. The ministry has had a million demands of me....."AHHHHH!" has been my response. Just wondering, anyone else relating to my week? The good news is "but God". But there was still my sweet Jesus in control even when everything else seemed out of control (and frankly it was). God is still more than able to help us plow through every circumstance and distraction. His word can still flow out of us even when everything else about us feels drained. I am so thankful for that. So I want to encourage you to join us this weekend. I am sure you have a million reasons why you "need" to stay away, but if you have had a week close to mine that gives you every reason why you "need" to be there! I promise God is going to meet us and pour into our drained selves....we are going to leave overflowing!

If you can't be there...don't worry, God is able to pour into you where ever you may be. Just ask him!

Follow this link for info on this weekend's conference:
http://www.trueidentityministries.com/HuronSD.html

Love,
Justeina
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One Touch!

Posted by Anonymous
Oh how I love to read Mark 5:24-31:
" A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, "if I just touch his clothes, I will be healed." Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?" "You see the people crowding against you," his disciples answered, "and yet you can ask, "Who touched me?" But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."

This woman's faith is the key to "the path of life." She suffered for twelve years with her illness. That is longer than I can fathom. Have you ever had a stronghold in your life that felt exactly like an illness? That's how I would describe the sin, guilt and shame I held in my life for years. Everyday I tried to walk with this in my heart, I got a little more sick, a little more weary and a little more lifeless. When we try to walk around with this weight in our lives, it will consume your body, head to toe. She had spent all she had and relied on these doctors for an answer, for healing and for restoration of her life. But instead of getting better she got worse. Ever been there? When I relied on myself and others to restore my spirit or encourage my way of life, it lasted but a moment and each day my burdens got a little more heavy.

Thankfully there is a consistent Spirit hovering over the earth, that is an encouragement and light to our lives whether we are saved or not. I believe this is a huge blessing and gift to the unbelievers. He lives in His people, He speaks through their mouth, He brightens their eyes, He walks with them and draws others near. When she heard of Jesus she thought "if I can just touch His clothes, I will be healed." She knew with all she had and every bit of her heart, if she could just reach Him, she WOULD BE HEALED! How did you feel when you heard about Jesus? I couldn't run fast enough to His arms. Or how do you feel when you read these verses? Is it enlightening or what? How do you feel knowing He is the one and only healer and restorer of life! He cares about you and there is nothing you have done or could do that would ever make Him think differently of you! You couldn't be anymore special to your Father than you are right now. He is so enthralled over you and your heart. He wants you to let go of the hurts, the guilt, the shame and the past. He wants to put those broken pieces of your heart back together precisely through the work of His hands. He knows exactly how He created you and what He intended to be part of your heart. He will throw the pieces of sin as far as the east is from the west. They were nailed to the cross and you will bear them no more!

How precious this woman is to me. I can't imagine how far she had to travel to reach Jesus. I cant imagine the looks of disgust she received when she struggled to reach Him. I am so thankful that Jesus is available twenty four hours a day, seven days a week! No matter where you are, no matter how loudly you speak, He hears and He receives your heart. This part is very important, read carefully-He then answers! When He answers, we must walk it out. For me it was not the easiest thing to do in the beginning. You may feel the same way. You may have people at your back, you may have unbelievers surrounding you, you may think you can't walk away from a relationship or past. Don't believe the lies satan will consistently tell you. He will try even harder when He sees you seeking Gods answers. I pray you will hold strong to the truth and that is His word. Each day you walk in the truth it will become more comfortable and you will see the chains begin to snap one by one by God's healing power! Lets make sure we are sensitive to His voice and His call in our life. My very good friend asked me the other day "why can't God just do this one thing for me? I know He can, I've read and received many miracles before, why cant He just do this one thing?" I felt the Holy Spirit say immediately, "then it is done!" If you know He can do it, and it is a healthy move in your life, "then it is done!" Our faith has to match our walk and our talk. That was the answer this woman received. She believed and with one touch, it was done! Hallelujah!

Can you just visualize Jesus after she touched Him? I see Him holding His hand to His heart because He was so moved by this woman's faith. He felt it leave His body. He then searches until He finds who it was that just entered His Kingdom. That is how much our confession means to Jesus. I visualize Him doing the exact same thing when we realize He is the one and only who can save our lives and restore us to His standards. I pray if that day has not came in your life when you realize I cant live another day like this, that it will come right now. It doesn't have to be a past of terrible sin that puts you on your knees. It could be the same feeling if you are just choosing to live a comfortable Christian lifestyle. When we have had enough of ourselves and our way, He can speak so clearly into our future. I challenge you as well as myself to die to yourself daily. I feel the morning is the best opportunity to speak loudly unto God and against the devil. "I choose to die to myself and pick up my cross. Your will be done in my life Jesus, whether easy or hard, joyful or tears, baby steps or leaps and bounds. I receive and give it all that I have in thanksgiving." God bless you and happy journey!
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