Standing In the Gap in 2007

My spiritual goals for the year are to complete several in depth bible studies. Memorize more scripture, and to Stand in the Gap more consistently this year.

I'm taking the first ninety days of the year to get to know the book of Proverbs better. I think the book of Daniel will be next after that. Beyond the Daniel study I'm not certain what will follow, but I'll let the holy spirit take care of that...

I feel called to share my thoughts, studies, and prayers in this forum but I want visitors on this site to know and understand that it is not about about me. It's about Jesus Christ. I don't want any accolades for what I have written. This is about giving Glory to God using the talents HE has blessed me with. I want this web page to point to Jesus, not Sam Chadwell.

Here's a quick question. We've all heard the phrase: 'Standing in the Gap'. What's a 'Gap'...? And what does that mean to you...?

I believe the gap is the empty space that sometimes separates people from God. It is the distance between an individual and God. If someone stands in the Gap and fills that gap then a bridge is created between that individual and God so that the individual can move closer to God.

A spiritual bridge is usually created through prayer and well wishes, but a physical bridge can also be created when we actively engage those that need encouragement and discipling.

Standing in the Gap should be a way of life for a totally committed man or woman of God.

Who can You stand in the Gap for today...?

One Reason God Gave Us Children

Proverbs 3:11-12 says 'Do not despise chastening of the Lord....For Whom the Lord loves he corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.'

God gave us children so that we would teach them and bring them up in His ways.

Indeed, Solomon's Proverbs three is basically a manual of guidance for the young. The verse above really jumped out at me in my study this morning. What first caught my eye is the part about a Father delighting in his son.

I began thinking of my relationship with Elijah. I hadn't previously thought about it in these terms but I DO delight in that little boy. And although I haven't had to administer very much discipline to him at this point in his life I certainly won't hesitate when the time comes because I do love him that much. And the bible says the Lord loves us the same way. WE are HIS children. And that we should not get discouraged when the Lord 'chastens' us.

Wow... If I didn't have kids I wouldn't have the complete understanding of that verse that I do now. It's hard to believe that in my younger days I was adamantly opposed to having children of my own.... I certainly have a different perspective now.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord thank You for making Your love for me love more clear through my understanding of my love for my own children. You are amazing. You are an awesome God. You are my holy Father. It is my desire that You do delight in me as I delight in Elijah.

Father God I'm sure that Brian delighted in Connor as I delight in Elijah. Lord I want to lift up my relationship with Connor to You this morning. And I lift Connor up to You, my King. He's growing up without his earthly daddy, and I can never replace Brian. But Lord I am here for Connor and I need Your help to be the best step dad I can be.

Lord our relationship needs You. This family needs You. THE ENTIRE WORLD NEEDS YOU, FOR THAT MATTER... But Father I want to have a better relationship with Connor. I don't need to be his best friend, but I need to be more to him than I currently am. And I believe that You require more of me than I'm currently giving to that situation.

Father God I love You. And I want to do Your will and be right in the middle of Your will for my life and the life of this family. Lord I can't do that on my own.

I need you Jesus, to come in and rescue me. Today I choose to live my life completely for You, my Worthy King...! And I give You the Glory for my successes and yes, even my failures because I know that when You chasten its only because You love me . Thank you, Lord. Thank you Jesus. And I pray these things in the power and glory and might of Your precious, holy name, Amen.

Wrapping Up Proverbs Two

The past few days I've taken a closer look at Proverbs Two. Back on Wednesday we discussed verses 1-6, the value of Wisdom. Yesterday we looked at verses 7-11, which detailed the blessings that come with wisdom and knowledge.

The first part of Verse 12 explains that wisdom will deliver you from the way of evil. Then the latter part of verse 12 through verse 19 go on to describe wickedness and evil individuals, including those who delight in perversity, crookedness, deviousness, and immoral women. Verses 16-19 pay particular attention to the immoral woman and seductress.

Verses 20-22 close Proverbs two and remind us to walk in the way of goodness, keep to the paths of righteousness, and remain upright and blameless because the wicked and unfaithful will be cut off from the earth and uprooted.

I don't know about you, but being cut off and uprooted from the earth sounds like a very negative experience to me. I believe there will be far better consequences resulting from living an upright life and to remain faithful and blameless.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord Thank You for the book of Proverbs. I have learned much in these past four days of study. And Lord, the more I read about wisdom and knowledge the more I desire it. I know it's all available to me if my heart is in the right place. So Father I just ask you to continue this work in me. Mold me. Shape me. Conform me in your image, Father.

Bless me to be on the correct path of life and righteousness. I want to walk in the way of goodness, Father.

Lord I humbly seek You. I love and worship You, my King. You are a Good and Awesome God. I dedicate this day to You, Lord. In YOUR honor, for YOUR Glory.

And I pray these things in the POWER of the name of HE who died for my sins and made it possible for me to obtain everlasting life, JESUS CHRIST.

Amen.