February 20, 2011
subscribe, view past issues and Get Releasing Kings Standing in the Gap Therefore
put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you
may be
able to stand
your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14
Stand firm
then… Eph 6:13-14 NIV Judgment –
Believers are focusing on much that is wrong morally and economically
in this
nation and the world. There is a stream of the prophetic embracing an
apocalyptic future on the premise of God’s judgment. There is also a
stream of
eschatology that can’t find the US in the book of Revelation… which
leads to a
need for the US to disappear for their interpretations to be correct.
For this
issue I recommend reading Victorious
Eschatology. I
want to freely admit that there is much that is wrong in the US from
both a
moral and economic standpoint. God does have a basis to judge this
nation. The
enemy has always had a conspiratorial design to destroy this nation.
God has
shed His grace on her many times in history. What is new is that many
are
choosing to put their faith in the temporary or permanent demise of
America.
Garden variety fear is very common right now, and I am tempted to call
it a
spirit of fear. We should not be ignorant of the moral and economic
facts
or of the design of the enemy in this hour. However, the real issue is,
“What
is God’s plan and what conspiracy is the Holy Spirit working on right
now?” And
then we should ask, “What is my role in this Kingdom conspiracy in this
hour?” Say to them,
'As surely as I live,
declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the
wicked, but
rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your
evil ways!
Why will you die, O house of Israel?' Ezek 33:11 NIV Standing
in the gap – The
problem with embracing the apocalyptic prophetic scenario is that
thoughts and
beliefs produce actions. When we embrace the enemy’s plan and call it
God’s
judgment, we effectively sign up for the wrong team. Our faith and
actions
kindle more fear, and help produce the result we fear and the result
the enemy
desires most. Sin
separates us from God and puts a gap in our walls that allows the enemy
to pour
in and the blessing of God to pour out. “Standing in the gap” implies
both
prayer and action to rebuild the wall; mediation between God and the
people who
deserve judgment. I’m simply suggesting that our role (ministry) in
this world
is not sending people to hell and expecting the deserved judgment; it
is
reconciling those people to God. People do resist Jesus. That’s not our
cue to
ask God to strike them with lighting or economic collapse. People
change in an
environment of love. We can’t help people whom we despise and judge,
even if
we’ve discerned that their actions are evil. We should be a source of
hope.
What is most surprising about the nature of God is that He forgave me,
and that
He starts revivals and reformations in the least deserving places at
the most
unexpected times. I’ve grown to expect mercy to triumph over judgment
because
I’ve seen it in my own life. But they did
not receive Him, because
He was traveling toward Jerusalem. 54 When His disciples James and John
saw
this, they said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down
from
heaven and consume them?" 55 But He turned and rebuked them, [and said,
"You
do not know what kind of
spirit you are of; 56 for the Son of
Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."] And they
went on to another village. Luke 9:53-56 NASU Looking
for mediators - It is
the nature of God to search for those who will stand in the gap to hold
back
the forces of judgment. He takes no delight in the failure of nations,
and the
power of love and mercy is stronger than judgment. He delights in
preserving
people and nations, even if there is only a remnant to stand with Him
in the gap. Moses
stood in the gap over the golden calf (Ex 32). Elijah
thought he was the only righteous person left and gave up, but God had
7000
more (1Kgs 19). Jesus
is making intercession for us right now, standing in the gap. Wherefore
He is able also to save them to the uttermost that
come unto God by Him,
seeing He ever liveth to make intercession
for them.
Hebrews 7:25 …Christ
Jesus, who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the
right hand
of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from
the love
of Christ?... Rom 8:34-35 NIV Our
Team – We’re
the ones who are optimistic about the future – even of our own nation.
As
Kings, we have the wisdom, strength and courage to reverse the enemy’s
plans
and contend for our national destiny and ministry. We’re going to make
a
disciple of this nation as a platform to disciple all nations (Mt
28:19). If
there is a gap, we’re going to go stand in it through prayer, politics,
or
business. Whatever is lacking, we will add, because “we are more than
conquerors” and we have the mandate and the power to take dominion over
circumstances and demonic activity. We circumcise conspiracies. We know
we win
in the end… and in the middle, and at the beginning. Like Caleb, we
have a
different spirit and we’re willing to be wholehearted in this battle.
Our goal
isn’t to preserve our lives; it is to give our lives to a solution, to
do great
exploits in the name of Jesus, and to celebrate great victories in the
Kingdom…
and we’re not waiting for heaven to see it happen. But
because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me
wholeheartedly,
I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will
inherit it.
Num 14:24-25 NIV The
Lord thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number,
and mighty
are those who obey his command. Joel 2:11NIV (reread all of Joel 2) As
Kings, God is calling us to have this attitude in both our prayer and
our
initiatives in the Kingdom. I’m inviting you to pray this prayer with
me and
share it with others. Father,
we stand in the gap for the USA. In you, mercy triumphs over judgment
and you
take no pleasure in the death of the wicked. So, I declare the economy
healed
and prosperous... the state and federal budgets balanced and the
national debt
paid off. I release the power of free enterprise in a miraculous and
sudden
way. Let technological breakthroughs and entrepreneurial creativity and
innovation break out in a new golden age starting in 2011. Let
"Kings" arise in this hour and fulfill their destiny in the 7
mountains. Father, we declare these things in Jesus’ name for the sake
of your
calling on this nation and for the sake of your Kingdom. Let her
continue to be
the light
and the glory... the example to the world of abundant life,
liberty, and
justice for all. Let her create jobs all over the world and be the
engine that
blesses the nations (Gen 12:2-3). Let her export your glory and your
freedom
from a cup that runs over with your blessing. Let the righteous rejoice
and be
glad and give glory to the King of Kings. Let them say, "In God we
trust,
for He has done a great thing in our midst.” PS: the video version of this newsletter is also available.
Desire to Destiny is available now at our store along with reviews. Not sure what your dream is? This book will help you pull the curtain back on your future. |