Faith comes by hearing

Like Precious Faith

Have you even woke up with a thought vibrating within you? This morning at 4 am I was wide awake with the KJ term like precious faith ringing in my thoughts.  I got up and proceeded to pray for specific ones who one by one came to mind.  I prayed simply that they would gain/ receive a precious faith like mine.

The NASB translates it: faith of the same kind / the NIV translates it faith as precious as ours

In other words, I was praying for the LORD to speak to them, for faith comes from hearing and hearing from the rhema (that inner spoken confirming word) of JESUS (Romans 10:17).

Since I was awakened and urged to pray, I had faith to pray. I have faith that this was the SPIRIT nudging me to join with HIM and stand the gap for them. 

So now as Colossians 1:12 AMPC says, I am, Giving thanks to the FATHER, Who qualifies and makes us fit to share (have a part) in the portion (the assignments) which is the inheritance of the saints (GOD’s holy people) in the Light.

Hugs

Sharon

GOD made man upright

 “… I found, that GOD made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions/ schemes” (Ecclesiastes 7:29).

Ever heard, or felt or even said, “I want to do it my way?” Starting with Eve, yes, from the beginning of time the Bible records that people consistently choose to “do what is right in their own eyes” (Judges 17:6).  And that is what gets them and us into trouble.  To do what was right in our own eyes we must turn away from what was right in GOD’s eyes. 

Some may think it narrow, but since all wisdom and knowledge come from GOD, HE really does know what is best and what will bring each of us the greatest satisfaction and fulfillment.  According to Romans 3:23 to do less than GOD’s standard is sin.

Are there any reading this like me and many I know who have loved ones and friends who are making poor choices-doing what is right in their own eyes? And they won’t listen to reason?

The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) and each person must make their own choices.  Yet GOD loves people who HE has made in HIS own image with, among other qualities, the abilities to reason and choose.  GOD says there is something we can and really should do as HE seeks to turn them around!

^“Like as a father pities HIS children, so the Lord pities them that fear HIM.  For HE knows our frame; HE remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:13-14).  GOD wants us to stand the gap before HIM for those who are doing their own thing (Ezekiel 22:30).  For their sins separates them from GOD (Isaiah 59:2) so they cannot hear HIM.

How can we stand the gap?  As Moses stood before the LORD to turn away HIS anger (Psalm 106:23) from the Jews, so we can intercede for our loved ones and friends going their own way and doing their own thing through confession of the sin and by appealing to GOD’s mercy and grace.

1 John 5:16 “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and HE shall give him life for them that sin not unto death”

You might ask well how do I know if it is a sin unto death?  “Now it is appointed unto ALL men to die once” (Hebrews 9:27) so it is quite clear 1 John 5:16 must be speaking of the 2^nd death.  According to Revelation 20:14-15 the only sin that leads to the 2^nd death is refusing to believe in JESUS and get written into the Lamb’s book of life.  So, any other sin we can ask the FATHER to forgive our loved one so they can see the truth.

Sin separates us from GOD (Isaiah 59:2) and from understanding truth, since we have turned our back on GOD when we turn from HIS truth.  Only GOD can open eyes to truth (1 Corinthians 2:10-12) so they can choose to escape the lies that have blinded them to truth (2 Timothy 2:25-26).

“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly FATHER give the HOLY SPIRIT to them that ask him? Luke 11:13.

It works this way. As we confess the sins of our loved ones, GOD our FATHER sends the HOLY SPIRIT to explain truth to them.  Yes, they can reject the truth.  So, what do we do?  We keep praying and praying and over and over they will be shown the truth in hopes that eventually they will receive the love of the truth.  This is one of GOD’s amazing ways (Isaiah 55:8-11) that brings results!  For HIS Word that goes forth from HIS mouth shall not return to HIM empty but it shall accomplish that which HE wants and it will prosper in the thing HE sends it to do.

Is there someone that comes to mind that you should join with GOD in seeking by standing the gap before HIM in confession and prayer for them?

Hugs

Sharon

Standing the gap

Did you ever wake up thinking of a person, or had someone come to mind clear out of the blue when you were busy doing something else?

When that happens to me, I take it as a call to pray for that one or the situation. Laugh if you will, sometimes when a pain hits I will stop to pray for those I know have trouble in that area.

A few days ago, I learned a friend is facing a horrific situation. Since then she and her entire extended family keep coming to my mind, so I keep praying and praying for them.

Praying for others is also called “standing the gap.” It seems that like never before GOD looks for those who will stand the gap Ezekiel 22:30. Perhaps it is because the LORD is coming soon and they need JESUS.

We understand GOD wants us to stand the gap and often feel called to pray for our friends, the lost or ones we know are in sin. But have you ever considered that GOD has also called believers to stand the gap not just for loved ones or the underprivileged but for our enemies- the very ones that hurt us?

JESUS tells us in Matthew 5:44 to pray for our enemies and those who do us wrong. But we think it was different in the Old Testament, don’t we? Haven’t you heard it said that GOD demanded an eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth retaliation in the Old Testament? Actually, that eye for an eye business was governmental guidelines for a law of justice; not the rule for human personal relationships.

Reading in Job and Genesis we can see just how unchanging GOD and HIS ways are.

Job’s story is told in the Bible book with his name. Job suffered incredibly and then his ‘friends’ came to comfort him but instead bad mouthed him continually accusing him of sin. GOD did not like it. GOD required Job to pray for his ‘friends’. When he prayed for them, they not only were released from their guilt but Job’s troubles were turned around and GOD blessed him in every way. (Job chapter 42)

When we pray for someone, we stand the gap for them so GOD can help them, or forgive them and bless them. You know when we are angry at someone, it blocks GOD’s blessings from us but if we pray for them it frees GOD to bless both them and us

Another place we see GOD requiring HIS kids to pray for their enemies is with Abraham the father of faith. A king had taken Abraham’s wife, so I don’t imagine Abraham was any too happy with the king. But GOD told him to pray for the king. (If you want to know the full story, and by the way Abraham wasn’t exactly innocent in the situation read Genesis 20.)

So whether one is innocent in a situation, or part of the problem, GOD requires us to pray for both our friends and those that hurt us. If we obey HE will bless us both. Awesome isn’t it?

It is interesting to see how unchanging GOD’s ways are?

Hugs
Sharon