FACILITATE DIVINE APPOINTMENTS FOR YOUR FAMILY!
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Ezekiel 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
I. WE NEED GODLY WISDOM TEAMED WITH PEOPLE SKILLS!
DOES THE CHURCH GIVE PEOPLE FISH? OR IS IT BETTER TO TEACH PEOPLE HOW TO FISH?
A. APPOINTMENT:
To assign, fix, set, EQUIP, delegate.
An arrangement of a meeting at a certain time and place.
ELEVATION TO A NEW STATION!
To provide with a full set of needed things.
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Psalm 68:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm or Song of David. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.
B. SPONSOR:
A Godparent.
Backer, one that supports an activity.
To promote, fund, finance, underwrite, subsidizer.
C. FACILITATOR/FACILITATE:
To help things go smoothly.
To assist or aid.
To help things go further.
D. ENABLER/ ENABLE:
To make possible.
Entitle, permit, approve,
Empower.
The means or authority.
D. OFTEN WE THINK OF FACILATATION OR ENABLING IN A NEGATIVE LIGHT...
We need Christian to arise and reach out to the lost, the hurting, and bitter people and bring them to the point of receiving a BETTER PLAN!
II. COULD WE PROVE BEYOND THE PREPONDERANCE OF BIBLICAL
EVIDENCE GOD CAN TAP ONE MAN TO HELP HIS WHOLE FAMILY?
WHERE DO PEOPLE RUN TO? --- ???
GOD NEEDS A MAN, A WOMAN, A CHILD TO BE A VEHICLE OF
TRUTH TO STAND IN THE GAP.
FACILITATE DIVINE APPOINTMENTS FOR YOUR FAMILY!
Ezekiel 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
A. Once I was talking to my Grandmother Mae Sumner at her home in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Grandma told me she felt that often God put a person or persons that were different from the others in a family. This person was sensitive to spiritual things and their call was to STAND IN THE GAP for family members that desired to go the wrong direction and make wrong choices.
Grandmother said this individual must needs to recognize that their role was for the whole family, not just their own journey.
B. I have often pondered this point?
Does God target certain individuals to pray, fast, and stand true to build a hedge of love and Divine blessings for others?
C. Could I prove this beyond a preponderance of the evidence in the Bible?
D. THERE WAS A MAN NAMED ABRAM --- LATER TO BE ABRAHAM --- THAT HAD A TENDER, OBEDIENT HEART TOWARD GOD. ABRAHAM WAS NOT A PERFECT MAN.
Abe had a tendency to let fear and self-doubt cause him to tell half truths and tell full lies at times.
E. GOD DID NOT NEED PERFECTION IN A MAN? God needed a man that would set himself aside.
F. ABRAHAM HAD A NEPHEW NAMED LOT.
Lot seemed to be satisfied LIVING ON THE SPIRITUAL BUBBLE. Lot was shallow and enjoyed living on Abraham’s blessings.
I CALL LOT: LINGERING LOT!
Genesis 14:12 And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
G. GENESIS 14 RECORDS AN UGLY BATTLE AS MANY KINGS ALIGNED THEIR KINGDOMS AGAINST OTHERS AND THERE WAS A HEATED BATTLE.
LOT LOST EVERYTHING AND WAS TAKEN AS SPOIL OF THE BATTLE.
H. LOT’S FAMILY WAS CAPTURED BY THE ENEMY, HIS FUTURE WOULD NEVER BE THE SAME. Lot was hopeless and could do nothing?
Genesis 14:13 And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.
I. Just so happened, BY ACCIDENT? By God’s plan of a FAMILY MEMBER CALLED TO BE DIFFERENT: one of Lot’s servants escapes, --- This escapee knew WHERE TO RUN --- RUN TO THE MAN WITH THE ALTARS!!!
J. ABRAHAM TOOK A GROUP OF HIS MEN AT HIS COST AND WENT ON A MISSION. This is not just a war to gain profit?
THIS BATTLE IS ABOUT FAMILY! THE GAP’S VOID!
K. LOT MADE A WILLFUL DECISION WHEN HE PITCHED HIS TENT TOWARD SODOM? This choice and decision would be costly.
L. ABRAHAM BUILT ALTARS EVERY STEP OF HIS JOURNEY!
There are no historical records that Lot ever built an altar.
At best LOT visited a few of Abraham’s altars.
M. GOD RAISED UP A MAN TO BECOME THE FATHER OF THE FAITH, and enabled many generations to come: GOD CAN! LET HIM!
Abraham stood in the gap for Lot even when Lot nor his family were walking close to God.
III. ABRAHAM WAS A VEHICLE OF TRUTH HAD TO STAND IN THE GAP MORE THAN ONCE, AS LOT SEEMED TO MISS THE DEPTH OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD.
LINGERING LOT AGAIN MISSES THE POINT.
A. God has a plan. Sin has had free reign in the Twin Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot, his wife -- Sister Lot, and Lot’s two daughters seemed content to live on the SLIPPERY SLOPES OF SIN?
B. God sends 3 angels, and many suggest that one of the angels was the LORD HIMSELF. Abraham and Sarah cooked a big meal for their THREE HEAVENLY GUEST?
C. During this meal it was revealed to Abraham, SODOM and GOMORRAH was getting ready to PAY A DEAR PRICE FOR THEIR DISREGARD OF RIGHT AND THEIR IMMORAL CHOICES TO LOVE SIN.
D. The Lord was ABRAHAM’S FRIEND! The Lord shared the plan to correct the open sins of the TWIN CITIES with Abe.
Genesis 18:17 And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;
E. THE JUDGMENT WAS SURE! LOT AND HIS FAMILY WAS DOOMED!
Genesis 18:22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord.
F. ABRAHAM CRIES OUT TO THE LORD, BEGGING AND PLEADING
FOR MERCY?
Lord, please have mercy for 50?
How about: 45?
Maybe 40?
LORD DON’T BE ANGRY: There must be 30?
20?
10? How sad was Abraham when he realized there were not 10?
Lot, Sister Lot, two daughters? two boyfriends equal = 6?
Genesis 19:16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
G. While Lot had his family in the wrong place, there appears to be an ISSUE OF THEIR HEARTS?
H. WHY DID SISTER LOT LOOK BACK?
THERE MUST HAVE BEEN SOMETHING BACK THERE SHE LOVED?
I. May we never forget THE POWER OF INTERCESSION TO THE FAMILY.
Lot probably never appreciated his Uncle, nor realized Abraham’s load and cost? Abraham knew THE SECRET: GOD NEEDS PEOPLE TO STAND IN THE GAP.
J. ASK GOD TO RAISE UP TARGETS WITHIN THE CAMP TO LAUNCH MIRACLES AND ESTABLISH SPIRITUAL DOMAINS FOR GOD!
Probably the person that needs you to stand in the gap the most deserves it the least? Maybe they have hurt others and LEFT A TRAIL OF TEARS BEHIND THEM? BUT GOD IS LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD PEOPLE TO STAND IN THE GAP!
Ezekiel 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
IV. SHALL WE COME TO THE PASS OVER???
WILL WE LEAVE TOKENS BEHIND THAT LEAVE A TRAIL FOR OTHERS TO SEE? GOD PROMISED: WHEN HE SEES THE BLOOD HE WILL PASS OVER --- WE NEED THE PASS OVER!!!
A. 400 YEARS? The Pharaoh has forgotten! The good times have faded!
DEATH IS SURE! TONIGHT COMES A DEATH ANGEL TO EVERY HOME?
THE OLDEST CHILD IS GOING TO DIE. The best Doctor in Egypt can not stop this event as Death is going DOOR to DOOR, and the powerful are not EXEMPT? The rich are not EXEMPT? The beautiful are not EXEMPT?
B. God is getting His people ready! Change is about to come! The people have their SHOES ON THEIR FEET! They have their staffs or rods in their hands.
C. As death comes to Egypt, what about Goshen?
God has a PLAN FOR REDEMPTION OF THE FIRST BORN!
Exodus 12:13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
D. IT IS TIME: LET MY PEOPLE GO!
People are going to die in GOSHEN, unless they APPLY THE BLOOD, AND STAY IN THE HOUSE.
Exodus 12:22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.
23 For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.
E. Can you imagine the oldest little son coming to his father and saying: DAD HAVE YOU APPLIED THE BLOOD? Dad you better make sure?
The Dad says: SON, NOT TO WORRY, JUST STAY IN THE HOUSE, WE ARE SAFE!
F. TEACH THE CHILDREN AND YOUR CHILDRENS’ CHILDREN, STAY IN THE HOUSE. It was not the house, it was the BLOOD ON THE LINTEL!
V. GOD’S VEHICLE OF TRUTH AND INTERCESSION IS NOT ALWAYS THE SMARTEST OR THE PRETTIEST PERSON, IT IS THE ANOINTING!
A. SAMUEL IS THE EXPERIENCED MAN OF GOD! SAMUEL KNOWS?
1 Samuel 16:6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.
B. GOD STERNLY WARNS THE PREACHER, YOU CAN NEVER BUILD
THE ANOINTING ON LOOKS OR EXTERNAL SIGNS.
1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance,
but the Lord looketh on the heart.
C. While others seemed to focus on a SHEPHERD BOY?
God saw a KING!
D. May God raise up in every family a PRIEST/KING/PROPHET THAT WILL FACILITATE A MIRACLE MOVE OF GOD!
VI. TO STAND IN THE GAP FOR FAMILIES AND NATIONS REQUIRES GREAT INTEGRITY CRITICISM AND OFTEN A NEGATIVE SPOTLIGHT! EVERY FAMILY NEEDS DREAMERS!
A. God is not searching for a perfect person, but God needs a man or woman that will be faithful to their POST OF DUTY! Stand true! Don’t be up and down, in and out!
B. To search for God’s will and completeness, we must not expect great applause and physical prosperity.
Matthew 13:57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
C. Joseph was a mighty man of God. At times Joseph’s journey seemed aimless and twisted yet God was WITH HIM! Is God in the well?
Is God in a slave traders caravan?
Is God in an Egyptian’s house?
Is God in a JAIL CELL?
Genesis 37:19 And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.
D. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A RELAY RACE?
The fastest team may win? The fastest team may loose?
THE WINNING TEAM MUST PASS THE BATON SMOOTHLY!
There is more than the ability to run fast!
There must be developed the ability to pass the baton into another’s hand! There must also be the ability to receive the baton while in the process of gaining momentum!
E. DREAMS DO COME TRUE!
Genesis 47:12 And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father’s household, with bread, according to their families.
Genesis 50:19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
F. JOSEPH TESTIFIES FROM HIS GRAVE.
When Joseph’s Dad dies, Jacob, they embalmed him and they took his body back to Canaan!
BUT WHEN JOSEPH DIES HE SAYS: FAMILY, DON’T TAKE MY BODY BACK TO CANAAN AND BURY ME HERE IN EGYPT!
Genesis 50:25 And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.
26 So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.
G. JOSEPH TESTIFIED A GREAT LESSON:
YOU BURY ME HERE IN EGYPT, FOR I AM GOING HOME TO CANAAN A FREE MAN.
H. AS MOSES GOT THE PASS OVER LAMB READY, THE BLOOD WAS APPLIED TO THE LINTELS OF THE DOOR, THEY HAD THEIR SHOES ON, AND THEIR RODS IN THEIR HANDS, MOSES SENT SOMEONE TO THE GRAVEYARD --- THEY DUG UP THE BONES OF JOSEPH, THEY CARRIED JOSEPH FROM EGYPT TO CANAAN, --- JOSEPH KNEW SOMEDAY VICTORY WAS COMING
TO HIS FAMILY. SOMEDAY THE CHILDREN OF GOD WOULD MARCH INTO THE PROMISE LAND! SOMEDAY THE FAMILY WOULD TASTE GOD’S PLAN, AND JOSEPH WAS GOING TO GO WITH THEM.
VII. CONCLUSION:
God has a plan. God’s plan is not always STAINED GLASS!
GOD CAN TAKE A STAINED LIFE AND ENABLE AND FALICILATE
MIRACLES!
This test may seem cruel and hard?
This battle may appear to our eyes as our burial place?
This storm may be distorted as the place where our ship sinks?
This battle for our very survival is just the point where God’s grace shall thrive and bring DELIVERANCE!
The pain may seem like death?
The mountain may haunt us as un-climbable?
It seems to my emotions that this problem is greater than our ability to solve.
The giant may have came twice a day for 40 days telling us WE CAN’T.
The giant is right! BUT OUR GOD CAN!
So just hang on my friend! Be one that gladly stands in the gap.
HOW WILL WE EVER KNOW JESUS IS ALL WE NEED?
UNTIL HE IS ALL WE HAVE?
THIS TOO SHALL PASS! JOY COMES IN THE MORNING!
Psalm 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
GIVE GOD PERMISSION TO USE US TO ENABLE AND FACILITATE MIRACLES!
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
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