dennis j adams

Doing what is right when you live in a country is only logical and ethically sound. Giving respect to the authorities in that country is simply obeying the laws of the land. In the scripture it directs us to live as visitors or strangers in this world. We are to be ambassadors of the Lord here on this earth. We are to obey the laws of the land and obey those that are set over us in the authority. The life that we live though must be different.  We must not live as though we are of this world but we are to live as citizens of the Kingdom of God. There are things that we must give up! The list could be extensive but it is summed up as the ‘lusts of the flesh’.  1 Peter 2:11-12 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul.  Keeping your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing which they slander you as evildoers, they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.[NASB] As you read further into the scripture in 1 Peter 2  you will notice the importance of submission to the rulers, giving honor to all men, loving the brotherhood, fearing God and honoring the king. What we must do as sojourners is to live as free men and not to use are freedom in Christ as a covering of evil but use it to serve God in all things. As we live and as we show forth the praises of the Lord those that see us will respond that we are the ones that do right. Being a representative for the Lord here on this earth is more that just attending church, it is bringing the flesh into submission to the Spirit. Paul wrote in Galatians 5:16 ‘But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.’ [NASB] He summed it up by writing this also Galatians 5:25 ‘If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.’ [NASB] Live as citizens of the Kingdom of God and your character will be honorable and your heart will be at peace.

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

Prayer is defined as an open communication with God.  Paul when writing to the church in Philippi he stated to make your request known unto God - Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; Philip. 4:6 The Lord our God will respond to your requests in the time of His visitation to your heart and spirit.  We are assured of this by reason of the Scripture - Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. [15] And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 1 John 5:14-15 The requests that we make at times seem to be impossible.  They may be impossible to you but nothing is impossible to God - Luke 1:37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” The belief in your heart brings response from God.  The Word of The Lord states this in the Book of Hebrews - But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 There is an adage that is often stated, “Prayer moves the hand of God.” His hand is the hand of authority in every situation and your request when made to Him in the Throne of Grace will move His hand.  Your request may be impossible to you and it may seem like it could never happen but it can and will!  The enemy of our soul comes to kill, steal and destroy.  But God comes to bless and give you life…He can and will bless you with the impossible…Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, Ephes. 3:20 Never doubt what He can do and never fear to bring the impossible before Him.  He is the God of the impossible! Whatever you ask in His name He will do it! (John 14:14) Don’t be anxious but be at peace with your request to Him, He loves to hear from you! He will also ask you to do the impossible? What will be your response to Him?

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God

Making the most out of your opportunities is really a Biblical concept.  Each one on this earth has a purpose and a reason to be full of confidence.  The Lord has made a way for us to be able to be successful in and on this earth.  He has given us His “Love”, His “Grace”, His “Wisdom” and also His “Understanding”.  There is so much opportunity in this world to do good for each other and for us.  The first fact that one can establish is the awesome attention the Lord shows each of us - His Presence.  He gave His Spirit to walk alongside each person and to guide him or her in all truth.  When some opportunities arise we must seek the face of God for instruction to be able to actually render peace in our hearts toward the given opportunity. This is the second fact of making the most out of an opportunity - Prayer! The Word tells us a story about a man who built a tower but did not stop to count the cost!  (Luke 14).  You can imagine how often we begin to take hold of an opportunity and then find out down the road apiece that it was not an opportunity that was bathed in prayer first.  The world system has a “teaching” that states that one should seize every opportunity and seize it by the horns and ride it out!  Christians do not maintain opportunities like that; they pray about and wait on the Lord to instruct them.  That is the third fact about dealing with an opportunity - Waiting! The time that we save waiting is much to be appreciated when compared to the time that one has to redeem when they find out that the opportunity was not a for them.  The last fact to consider is to make the best out of the opportunities that are yours.  So many “do not” do this, they end up making a mess out of what was so important to their success - the right opportunity.  In other words make the best out of what you have been given.  Remember He is there with you and you can communicate with Him.  Wait on the Lord for instruction and renewal.  Do your best with the abilities that He has given you and He will do the rest.  He will perform in you the work necessary for you to be successful in your opportunity.  Just don’t seize the moment - pray about it and wait and He will establish your heart’s desires.

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

The Name of the Lord is a Strong Tower.  The righteous runs into it and they are saved.  We find great safety in His Name.  When we pray we pray in the Name of Jesus and He has promised to give us what we request.  I am glad that we can call upon the Name of the Lord.  When I pray I always spend time praising Him and acknowledging His Name as the Name above every Name. Philip. 2:9 Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name. It is good to praise His Name.  When we pray we can agree in His Name and the Father will grant our requests also.  The most important subject in the Church today is the matter of prayer.   We must pray and we must wait upon the Lord in every area of our lives.  He desires to bless us and He desires to have fellowship with us.  In 1 John 5 that Lord promises to here us. 1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. Now this makes sense to the spiritual minded and no sense to the carnally minded.  He will respond if you ask according to His will.  What is the will of God for you life?  Ask Him and He will respond. Read His Word and He will direct your paths.  Lean not upon the understanding of the flesh but lean upon the understanding of the Spirit.  God will perform His will in you and through you! Philip. 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. He has given us the “key” to a successful life: Praying in His Name.  If you are discouraged or if you are sad, then call upon His Name.  If you need a miracle right now call upon His Name.  Remember that old song we used to sing…Jesus on the main line tell Him what you want. Well, He is on the main line right now.  Call out in His Name and be empowered to receive His blessing in you life.

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

The past is not what you will always want to remember.  Often we try to bring past results into present circumstances or even future situations.  The past can really be a blessing if you let it be just that the past…results of great successes or frustrating failures.  Many times people try to carry past sins into the present time.  Remember though we have been redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb of God who was slain from the foundations of the world.  We are washed and cleansed from our sins and we have become a new creation in Christ Jesus.  The mind of man can really bring depressing thoughts and terrible accusations to one own self.  Paul spoke an interesting word to the Philippians. Philip. 3:13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, - We must also do the same thing.  Further in his writings he suggested that if we want to think on things we should think on these — Philip. 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. What is being stated is that it is all right to have memories.  That is part of the mind and life.  Just don’t think on the negative meditate on the positive.  Don’t drag your “dirty laundry” around - clean it up.  God has created you in His image and in His likeness, so show it!   Let you mind be renewed daily by the Word of God and present yourself a living sacrifice unto the Lord for it is you reasonable service.  When He thinks upon you He thinks the thoughts that will bless you — Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Leave your failures, frustrations, fears, and sins in the past and do not place them in the present nor apply them to your future.  You are a new creation in Christ Jesus and He wants you to know it!  Get on board with the thoughts of the Word and what it speaks to your spirit.  You are new and His love for you is as wonderful as always.  He is the keeper of your heart and the strength of your life.

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

The kingdom of God was the central image in Jesus’ preaching as clearly seen in Mark 1:14-15  After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. [15] “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” In His parables Jesus spoke of the kingdom in many different ways. He said that the kingdom is like a farmer (Matthew 13:24), a seed (Matthew 13:31), a yeast (Matthew 13:33), a treasure (Matthew 13:44), a pearl merchant (Matthew 13:45), a fishnet (Matthew 13:47), an employer (Matthew 20:1), a king inviting people to a marriage feast (Matthew 22:2), and ten young women (Matthew 25:1). He spoke also of the glad tidings of the kingdom (Luke 8:1) and of the mystery of the kingdom of God (Mark 4:11). What did Jesus mean when he spoke of the kingdom of God? He meant, quite simply, the rule of God. The kingdom of God is the reign of God.

This is best understood if it is distinguished from what Jesus did not mean. He was not speaking of a geographical area such as the Holy Land or the Temple. He was not speaking of a political entity such as the nation of Israel or the Sanhedrin. He was not speaking of a group of people such as His disciples or the church.  Rather, the kingdom of God is God’s ruling. It is the sovereign reign of God. This rule is independent of all geographical areas or political entities. It is true that the rule of God implies a people to be ruled, and Jesus called upon people to enter the kingdom. The kingdom itself should be distinguished from the people who enter it.  Studying this subject for several weeks you will learn what the Kingdom of God is and what your part in this kingdom is.

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

The joy of the Lord is our strength (Neh. 8:10b).  The Word also states that we should not sorrow (Neh. 8:10a).  These words go further than just speaking to us in vain words: they say that we should have the character and the emotion of joy.  As the children of God we must remember that duty and process can destroy the sense of worship and praise.  Having the sense of relationship with the Lord on a daily basis causes one to pray and worship Him with a heart that is resinous with His love and presence.   When King David brought the Ark into the City of David he danced before the Lord, for his joy was consuming him (2 Sam. 6:14).  The Person of Christ dwells within us by His Spirit and His Spirit leads us into prayer and worship.  The application of worship is to bring a person closer to the Lord in reference to every circumstance in life.  As one worships the Lord inhabits the praises that the worshipper is bringing forth from the heart (Psalm 22:3).  The difficulties of life begin to grow strangely dim in His presence.  Having been clothed in the righteousness of Christ and having been filled with His love and surrounded by His presence the heart desires to sing and shout praises unto His holy Name. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart! (Psalm 32:11) This “mark” of a worshipper is that of joy and confidence that the praise is being accepted in the heart of God.  The extreme and awesome sense that the God of our salvation and the restorer of relationships is pleased with our words can only bring one true feeling into the mind and heart - JOY.  Joy has strength that can carry you over the mountain and through any valley experience.  That is why the Lord made this command part of our life every day: No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thess. 5:18 NLT) As Paul communicated with the church in Philippi he made a strong statement of worship: Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice! (Philip. 4:4 NLT) As a “believer” one should always remember to demonstrate the “mark” of a worshipper.  To live a life that is full of joy…yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, (1 Peter 1:8 NKJV)

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

Are you hungry for God?  Do wish to have God lead you and speak to you?  Do you really know Him as Savior, Almighty God, Friend and Conqueror? Do you have a relationship with the Creator of the universe?  Do you realize the need for man to have God in his life?  To have the Infinite and the Eternal One, who is so important to us, more than life itself.  David the Psalmist was banished from the temple.  He could not come and worship Him nor could he inquire of Him at the Altars of God.  He, David, was always in the forefront of worship.  Now he was further away than the back row in the temple.  His heart was hungry, his soul was thirsty and his voice cried out: As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. Psalm 42:1 The deer knows that water is it’s life supply and without water the deer would perish.  David knew that without God, without worship of the One who is worthy of all praise, which he also would perish spiritually.  Do you realize that? The world could be defined as a society without a conscience. This world is hungry but they look in the wrong places for nourishment.  They are searching for rest but they lie down in the briar patch instead of being led to the green pastures by God. Society is so separated from God that they will never find rest till they combine themselves with what God’s plan is for their lives. Living souls never can take up their rest anywhere short of a living God. Churches have been separated from God through:

(1) Mass confusion in worship

(2) In-depth carnal philosophy that has reasoned out God and His power

(3) Doing what man wants and not what God wants

(4) Terminating praise with emotion (shout, dance, lifting of the voice in praise) and so on so no will be embarrassed.

Churches have become depressed because they have been separated from God. People have become depressed in attitude and personality because of their separation from God. When you have a relationship with God you are full of joy and praise not fear and frustration, pain and poverty, doubt and despair, darkness and depression, lust and lasciviousness, anger and anxiety… discouragement and disdain…rebellion and revelry… unbelief and unfaith…

What is the antidote? Meditate on the goodness of God.  Then and only then will you and/or society realize the need for an intimate relationship with the Infinite God - Jehovah

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

Life is given to each of us and should be lived in a responsible fashion.  Turning to the opening verses of the Bible we read how the Lord gave life to darkness and void.  He created the heavens and the earth.  He placed every living creature on the soil and in the seas.  The most prominent creation of all is man.  He breathed the gift of life into him.  The furtherance of life consists in giving.  Giving of time, talents and monetary value.  The Law of the Harvest is the ruling law of the Kingdom of God.  In other words, what you sow is what you will reap.  If you sow to life you will receive life but if sow to death you will receive death.  When you plant a seed you will receive a harvest. If you plant in good soil the better your return will be.  The Word states it best in Galatians: Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. [8] For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 6:7-8 Giving is sowing and where you place your gift is important to the value of your harvest.  So many people want the Lord to supply all their need but they refuse to give into God’s Kingdom’s soil.  When Jesus addressed his disciples he referenced a dynamic that must be understood - That the same measure that you give out with is the same measure that will be used to bring return to your gift.  Giving is not selfish but it should take “self” out of the formula.  Why then is giving so difficult for so many?  The reason is because the nature of things is that the more you have the better off that you are!  The actual statement in Kingdom work is that the more you give the better off you will be!  Jesus said we must loose our life to gain life and we must die to live Matthew 16:25.  So the life of a believer must be in tune with the ways of the Spirit and the believer must give to receive.  It is more blessed to give than to receive…Acts 20:35 Giving is a blessing to others and to the giver.  Giving all is not so hard when you realize that He will not leave you nor forsake you Hebrews 13:5. He said that we should be content with such that we have.  He said if we would seek Him instead of things, He would add to our lives bountiful blessings and not curses…Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 6:33; Duet. 28:1-14. When you determine to be a giver the Lord will determine to bless you. He will rebuke the devourer before your eyes and your harvest will be plentiful.

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

The matter being discussed here is this - Who is God in your life.  Do you trust Him explicitly?  When He places authority in your life do you rebel or do you recognize God’s authority?   In the text found Numbers 16 we find an interesting story.  The story of the Sons of Korah and the authorities set up by the Lord - both politically: Rueben and spiritually: Levi.  The steps that are ordered in this chapter are many but the matter is very simple.  Either you step up or be swallowed up.  Step up to what God wants and move in the Kingdom’s spiritual laws or stay back like Dathan, the sons of Eliab, and Abiram.  They declared that they would not come up so they were swallowed up.  Paul was on his way to Damascus when the Lord spoke to Him!  Rise up and do what I ask!  If he would have said no there would have not been a Paul as we know him!  Lazarus could have said no when Jesus called him from the death tomb, the burial site, and the place of the dead.  He would still be in that place and the family would have continued in the mourning process.  You see when we make a choice to serve God and His authority we step up to the calling and affect many in a positive fashion!  But when we choose to stay back and not to come up we affect ourselves and those that we are in community with!  It is time to rise up, step up, get up and see what the Lord will do!  Moses stayed at the doorway Tent of Meeting with Aaron and prayed and it stayed the wrath of God.  Lord help us to stay in the attitude of prayer so we can witness the mercy and the grace of Your holiness, justice, goodness and abundant kindness, not Your wrath.  Give a place in the cleft of the rock so that we may witness your passing by!  Make a choice and step up!  God is calling you!

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.