GOD SEEKS A MAN!

Ezekiel 22:30 (NKJV) So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.

When the Prophet Ezekiel penned these words under the inspiration and dictation of the Lord, great evil was being done throughout the land. This verse follows a long list of wrongs done by God's people - including other prophets. God was speaking through the Prophet Ezekiel, looking for a man who would have faith in God in spite of the storm of public opinion to the contrary. God has always wanted better for mankind than mankind wants for himself. And that is true for you, too. God wants better for you than you want for yourself, too often.

So God is looking for a certain kind of man. He is looking for a man of faith. The man of faith would have to be willing to do some things that the world might find strange, even offensive. He would have to buck the culture. He would have to articulate God's goodness to a world that otherwise couldn't see it. He would have to warn the world about God's justice to a world that otherwise didn't believe it. That kind of man is needed today.

That kind of man is needed in our homes. Our children are being thrust into indoctrination camps we call public schools five days a week. Our children come home with strange new ideas they've heard from their teachers and peers only to sit in front of a screen for hours of follow-up indoctrination through the TV or internet. Who will have the courage to take measures in the homes to stand in the gap? Moms? But the kids need DAD to do it, too. His example and active influence is unparalleled. If he is disinterested, Mom's influence is diminished greatly. If he is uninvolved, Mom's influence is diminished greatly. If he openly opposes faith, Mom's influence can be removed all together. Dads need to stand in the gap between God and the world to protect their families.

That kind of man is needed in our public square. All corners of the square, from business, to schools, to medicine, to law, and everything in between face the temptations and morays to serve self rather than truth. God is truth. There is a great move to get God and His morals out of the public square. And so corruption moves in. Who will be a man and stand in the gap? We need a man of faith, a man who trusts that God will both protect and provide for him as he stands before his community to declare that God is real, good, and just. No wrong will go unpunished, and no good unrewarded. Who will be that man?

That kind of man is needed in global society and politics for the same reason as in the public square. He is needed in the courts for the same reason. He is needed wherever corruption, blasphemy, and paganism rule, for God is not mocked, and will pour out His indignation on them for their wicked disregard for His Holiness and Truth. They will learn of their lies at the judgment, and then pay for their deeds. Their only hope is that someone, some man, will stand in the gap and warn them of this in time for them to repent and turn to God's only Hope for Mankind - Jesus Christ, God's Son. 

What Jesus did on Calvary's Cross was to take the full wrath of God upon Himself for these sins of corruption and faithlessness. All who will receive Him as Lord of their life (Commander in Chief) and turn from their wicked ways to follow Jesus' ways, will be spared the wrath of God. Those who will not turn to follow Jesus will face God's wrath themselves.

What kind of man will trust God and love his fellow man enough to stand in the gap and warn his fellows, his family, and his friends?  Will YOU be that man?

And that's "Just A Thot" for today.

May the Lord bless you as you heed His Word today!

Two Yokes

Bible Reading: (Galatians 5:1) Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

There is a yoke of freedom and a yoke of bondage. I know that sounds a bit strange - "yoke of freedom" - but freedom comes with responsibilities. I would choose the yoke of freedom any day over the yoke of bondage. As Jesus said, (Matthew 11:30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. With the yoke of freedom comes the privileges as well.

This particular verse alludes to several wonderful truths to ponder. Not the least is the phrase Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free. Here we are told to "stand fast" in our liberty. Liberty's greatest responsibility is in our "standing fast." Human nature is to give it away, to sink into bondage of slavery and dependence upon illegitimate masters. Americans give their freedom up to the government at every election, little by little. Humans forsake their freedom in Christ to do things the old way - as it was done habitually before Christ. We forsake our freedom to pray by not praying. We have a free-flowing spring of wisdom from the Lord (who says, "ye have not because ye ask not. If any man seek wisdom, let him ask it of the the Lord.") Soon we are deceived to think that this discouragement we face is all there is and we are neither encouraged by our faith, nor cheered and confident of victory. We are soon weighed down by it. Our bondage is soon overwhelming us. Therefore, let us stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.

The second part of this verse is about becoming entangled again with the yoke of bondage. The yoke of bondage is not a fun thing to think on - but ignoring it will not make it go away. The yoke of bondage comes when we forsake the privileges of freedom - especially the privilege to turn to the Lord when we sin, and seek His immediate forgiveness. (1 John 1:9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We are free from condemnation in Christ Jesus, yes, but the weight of sin can still be felt in terms of guilty consciences. How wonderful to know that this is provided for in Christ, and we do not need this burden or entanglement. Our entanglement with the yoke of bondage is also experienced when we do not take our needs to Him in prayer. He is available to us at all times, and invites us to seek Him for this purpose. We testify to His glory, grace, mercy, and forgiving nature by doing so. We are rich through Christ - for all the power and plenty of Heaven is at our disposal through prayer. We are not poor - through Christ. This is the yoke of freedom not the yoke of bondage.

Let us take up the yoke of freedom and its responsibilities to share it, to live in it, and to rejoice in it. Praise the Lord - for He has, by His grace, set us eternally free from the yoke of bondage! Let us therefore stand fast and not let anyone or anything take away our spiritual freedom.

Bro. Greg

Morning Devotions - The Mercies of God

Bible Reading: Psa 51:1 - To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

Our God is a merciful God. We should learn to rely upon that - and when His mercy is shown to us, we should be overflowing with gratitude, not take it for granted. How our hearts need and yearn for mercy when sin has overcome us. And then we continue in our sin because we have a merciful God - as though He were merely overlooking it.

David found mercy in the Lord. But David also had consequences on earth to pay. That, I believe, is the evidence of the Lord's mercies. I mean, the mercy of God is such that His eternal penalty is blotted out. Our account with others must still be paid. The alcoholic has an account with his liver. The meth user has an account with his brain. The gambler has an account with everyone. The murderer as much as the liar has hurt others and owes a debt to them. God's forgiveness does not mean the forgiveness of others. David's household was troubled from then on. So it is for the blended families because people would not marry and stay married. All excuses aside, most divorces are for convenience and selfishness - a lack of conviction and commitment. Many children are the product of illicit sex, and the parents having these kids out of wedlock have a debt for their sin as well - to their kids.

One of the greatest things about David is that he admitted his sin, and called it his - not blaming others. He confessed it to God, and was willing to take his licks. Do you want the grace of God in your life? Then cast yourself at His feet, and allow Him to determine what licks you receive. You will be surprised at His Holy mercy and grace that He gives you - and the strength you'll have when the licks come. Like Paul, you'll be able to hear "My grace is sufficient." What a tender, merciful, gracious Savior we have!

Bro. Greg