Category: My Thoughts

Closing the Gaps

The building of the Wall of Jerusalem is the subject matter here.  The goal of Nehemiah was to rebuild the walls that had been destroyed and rebuild the people’s confidence, which had been depleted through bondage and loss of the ability to maintain worship and temple sacrifice.

Nehemiah was called from being a cupbearer to a governor of the area of Jerusalem. All approvals were in order and now he had the task of winning the hearts of the people, which were left in this burned and brought to a testimony of rubbish, city of Jerusalem. After he had surveyed the amount of work it was going to take to rebuild the wall, which was 1.5 miles long and 8 feet deep, he knew that his task was going to be very difficult and  take unity along with hard work from all the people. He brought a meeting together and shared the heart that the Lord had placed in him about the rebuilding of the wall and the people all joined in as a unified group. Nehemiah 2:18 explains this very well:

Nehemiah 2:18 NKJV

18 And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work.

The obvious of course, was that there were those who were not of the persuation to see this task accomplished. They were for Jerusalem to stay in attitude of captivity, ultimately impoverished and depleted. However, the work began with great luster.

Looking now into the 4th chapter of Nehemiah we see a great truth portrayed that we can apply today as we serve the Lord in rebuilding lives and also our own personal lives.  Nehemiah 4:7 states an overwhelming truth that lights up the heart and reveals a depth, which can be applied to each of us!

Nehemiah 4:7 NKJV

7 Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that they became very angry,

Take notice of the words: “being restored and the gaps were beginning to close…” These words open to us a realization and an opportunity to stop the enemies attacks on our lives personally, spiritually, and corporately. Restoration had begun and the enemy had taken notice and was deeply concerned as we can read in the opening chapters of Nehemiah. However, take notice to the words “the gaps were beginning to be closed…” These gaps are where the enemy can come in openly or even secretly into our lives and bring temptation, destruction, confusion and discouragement! The enemy does not really rise up and fight us because we attend a church or are a member of a denomination, movement or an independent group. What does matter to the powers of hell are the gaps that are kept open in our lives which, begin to be closed and sealed off by trust in the living God!

These gaps of unforgiveness, fear, doubt, frustrations, jealousies, mistrust and hopelessness give a wide entrance into your mind and heart. This is where the enemy can do damage to you and literally paralyze you in serving the Lord and accomplishing your destiny. Faith can be and should always be applied in a radical way! No more ground is given to the enemy. Taking action in closing the gaps on a daily basis where praise and worship are coupled with sincere faithful prayers. Once again, let me remind you that keeping your identity with the Lord and recognizing Him as who He truly is can make a enormous difference in your attitude each day. Having a total reliance on His promises for your life and those in your family. The promises that He has given to you in the deepest and most sincere times of prayer and worship. These use as a “cement” made of iron to weld the “gaps” closed in your life so the enemy has no entrance at all!

Seek your purpose in the Kingdom, write it down and read it to be reminded just why you are who you are before Him. Set your goals so that you keep on track on where you are heading in Kingdom work. The Lord our God sees the long-term goals for your life and He honors you the ability to dream and hope about those goals. You can see the short-term in the clearest ways and be faithful to those plans. Faithfulness in His Word, which you have hid in your heart and use as a light and lamp on your path, keeps you centered on His grace and gifting(s) in your life. Make your devotion daily unto Him and always remember His awesomeness toward you as His called and blessed. You are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ!

Take hold of what Nehemiah was doing with the people and begin to close your gaps to keep the enemy outside of your purpose and destiny. Hold your weapon called “Faith” and keep wielding your sword called the “Word of God” as you build the kingdom in your community and in your own heart. Never tire out for the Lord is your strength and your exceeding great reward! Pray into the evening and late night hours applying the Word to your gaps and know the this battle belongs to the Lord your God! The enemy will rise up but the weapons you must fight him with are not carnal but spiritual to the tearing down of (the) strongholds of your life.  You will begin to cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ!

Stand up and fight as you close the gaps in your life!  For you do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Close the gaps in every area for He has disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it!

Taking authority in your building the wall and closing the gaps in your life is very important. He has given you the authority in His name to defeat that which is out to destroy your testimony and steal your possessions along with killing your dreams. His name is a throng tower and those that run to it find safety.

I truly believe if the you, your family and the Church would close their gaps and those gaps be sealed we will see the influence and miracles that we so desire on this earth once again!

Scripture references:  Nehemiah 1-3;  4:1-8; 10; 12-15; 16-23;  1 Corinthians 14:33;  2 Corinthians 10:3-5;  Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 2:15; John 10:10; Ephesians 1:3; Proverbs 18:10; 1 Thess. 5:17

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

The Economy of Prayer

The downward economy seems to be the talk of the past two years with all the foreclosures and short sales. Joblessness and deficient income or as some say, “a reduction of household income”, is causing America to face difficulties not seen since the early 1980’s. Also, compared often to the depression, which was birthed in the 1930’s. This certainly is not the time to be slack in your concern and avoiding the obvious: The rich are growing in wealth and the poor are sinking deeper into poverty. The middle class simply does not exist as it once did or at a stretch, not at all!

These opening statements are really a platform to state the obvious that is going on in the Church in America today: There is a downward application of prayer. Even though this would be a prime time to pray with great fervency, we are more apt to run out to socialize or check out our Facebook pages and/or send a tweet to someone of a some “wonder” thought we might have had during the morning sermon (if the attention to the sermon, which is needed, is really being concentrated on). This certainly is not a “ho-hum” time and an attitude of  “all things will work out soon enough.”

I often think that it would be really awesome if the Lord would “tweet” everyone from Twitter or ask to be a friend of everyone on Facebook. That He would show up on primetime television with a reality show that would portray what His desires are for us to pray and too live like. I am truly a fan of all the social media that goes on every moment each day. How wonderful it is to see people talk to one another and send messages that encourage, challenge, provoke and educate. However, we are missing time with Lord and that time is needed.

Through all the texting that occurs and the self-promoting of personalities and events through social media there is a link that is not weak but missing. The relationship to the Father in communicating our hearts in such a way that we can submit time to Him in prayer is a necessary social media. Taking hold of the challenge of 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people…would pray and seek my face… The Jeremiah 33:3 hail from God… “Call to me and I will answer and tell you great and unsearchable things that you do not know.” Too embrace the simplicity of Jesus’ answer to “teach us to pray”: He told his disciples (which we are today, by the way) “when you pray, say…”: Giving us a model and a pattern of prayer. The truth is overwhelming that He will answer the prayers that we speak to Him or ponder in our hearts to Him! In 1 John 5:14-15 we have a confidence and a faith that we will receive from Him what we have requested. Grasping God’s will for prayer is what the mystery is of prayer. Taking the challenge to pray and become, once again, social with the Lord and not just religious! We can bring an “Able” prayer before God or a “Cain” prayer. The choice is always ours to make: One stemming from the heart of dedication and passion or one from an action of lack of concern, coupled with a ritualistic approach.

Prayer does not take long it just takes dedication. Speaking from your heart the praise, concerns, and what you hope for in the future is the right choice. The Church in America must pray again because the economy of prayer is rich in His presence.

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

Being Ahead Of The Game

Psalm 37:37  Mark the blameless man and behold the upright, for there is a happy end for the man of peace (Amplified Bible)

Life certainly is not a game of chess or a tactical board game of any sort. People though; treat the gift of life, as it is a game based on the rules made by men. If you want to define life as a game then you should realize that the Father wrote the rules in stone, Himself. The Ten Commandments sanctioned by God and ratified through Christ Jesus! Upon these two commandments hang the law and the prophets! (Matthew 22:40) By following the rules of life written by the Lord you will be ahead of the game.

Life seems trivial to many and on the contrary it is vastly important to most. Every moment that life “ticks” by there are an opportunities created and sought after that will enhance life. One such opportunity is that of salvation by grace through the Blood of a surrendered Savior, Jesus Christ. He came to give life and that life more abundantly (John 10:10). Obtaining fullness of life through repentance and acceptance of the love of God. Forgiveness sought is answered by the grace of God with an eternal promise filled with hope. Justified through Christ reserving and embracing a relationship with God (Romans 5:1).

Historically the Bible testifies of Adam and Eve in fellowship with God in the garden entitled Eden. A place where God walk in the cool of day with His most cherished creation, mankind. Peace is all they knew and peace is what was promised. Sin had not yet entered into the heart of man. However, when sin was embraced and nurtured, it became the “fall” that would introduce God’s grace and His everlasting mercy to all who would call upon Him. There are three unique instances of faith that can be acknowledged as acceptance of the Father on His grounds of truth and grace.

1. Joshua testifies in his final hour of his decision to serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15)

2. Paul, as his life draws to a close, his head lays on the executioners’ block. He confesses the “good fight of faith”. (2 Timothy 4:7)

3. Jesus, the Son of the Living God, surrenders Himself to mankind for the forgiveness of sin. He confesses, “It is finished” (John 19:30)

Joshua led God’s people through to the land of promise, Canaan. He sought the Lord and embraced his anointing realizing that God through Moses, his mentor-coach, imparted it: Moses a spiritual giant and father of the faith. As his life grew old and his days became short he desired to leave the testimony of service not only for himself, but his family. He gave Israel a choice: Serve the gods of this world or serve God. Joshua chose eternal life by serving God!

Paul, once a destroyer of human life and a living example of the design of men and their precepts upon precepts, was far from God. He experienced an expression of grace on his travels to Damascus and became the Apostle of the New Testament in power. He fought to bring life to the then known world. Testifying that the life of Christ through the power of God’s word and not man’s wisdom brings salvation. (Romans 1:16) His dedication and faith coupled with expectancy-birthed results of eternal life to all that believed.

Jesus, born of a virgin and to die as a man on a Cross on Calvary’s hill, knew that through His death and suffering mankind would be ahead of life and live it to its fullest. He lived a life that served and blessed all that would come to Him. He sought out the hurting as they also sought for Him. What he offered and offers even now is God’s everlasting life and a freedom from the dominion of sin. (Romans 6:14) Grace applied and mercies pen has rewritten the lives of those that have called upon His name. (Romans 10:11-13) Jesus opened the way to the Father and has given victory, through faith, to all. (1 Corinthians 15:54-58).

In Psalm 73 the psalmist confesses the life of the foolish seemed great through his eyes. Then he considered their end when he entered into the sanctuary of the Lord. When he saw clearly the results of not knowing God. He saw that it was good to draw close to God and to trust in Him.

Stay ahead with the Lord leading you and nothing shall separate you from Him! (Romans 8:31-39)

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

God’s Presence

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? (Psalm 139:7 ESV)

There is a presence of God in our lives that all should always remember. He is always with us, now, and forevermore. His Spirit indwells within us and we cannot be separated from His great Love. (Romans 8:37-39) His hand leads us and His Word guides us through life. As He was with the Moses as He led the Jews from captivity and horrible bondage so He is with us as we sojourn in this earth and journey on the path that He has chosen for us. The psalmist makes a statement that has raised the hairs of theologians and skeptics for centuries: If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!… This one statement has a positive effect on the spiritual man.  God’s presence is even in Sheol? Yes, He is Almighty and Ever-present on this earth and in this earth, his Throne is in the north and he dwells amongst all by His Spirit. There is no turning from Him or separation even though at times He may seem distant. When Jesus was on the Cross He felt the separation from the Father when Sin weighed in on the heart of Jesus. The Father pulled back and that pain of loneliness and distance form the Father made it possible for us to never to be away from Him. Even when our faith fails His will not deny His faith. (2 Timothy 2:15) Having these promises of His presence gives an ultimate sense of security and hope as life appears in the different aspects of the heart.

His Word will lead you down the paths of righteousness and His Holiness will be a signpost of just how to react when temptation comes and knocks at the door of your heart. He will always be there and will never forsake His children. (Hebrews 13:5) He left a road map to live by through His Word and by His Spirit. We are to walk and live in the Spirit everyday. (Galatians 5:16; 25) He spoke through Micah about how to walk through this life in His presence…Humbly! (Micah 6:8) The Lord has always desired to consistently maintain a depth of presence with His creation.  From the Garden of Eden till now He continues to present Himself as a good Father… Forgiving and healing with compassion, mercy and truth. To run from Him is not possible and to deny Him will not remove Him from being God and filling this earth with His glory. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess His Lordship and Majesty one day. (Philippians 2:10) The question asked by the psalmist has not an answer that will give way to a place where God will not be found. His Love and His Word are forever present in the creation of the heavens and the earth. What has broke the relationship but did not send His presence away was Sin but Jesus broke that wall down by His death and resurrection. We now have the Abba Father and the reconciliation that is indeed necessary for a fulfilled life with Him. Where can one go and not find God? That place does not exist….

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

Departing From Iniquity

But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” (2 Timothy2:18 ESV)

The testimony we live out is a story of deliverance from and victory over sin. When someone receives the Lord and begins the journey of salvation their life is different in its approach and views. The immaculate rinsing of sin from the soul through a confessed heart, which is cleansed by grace through faith, is not short of being awesome. The response of the heart to forgiveness is a liberty and happiness that is like no other. The burden of sin and guilt is removed and is replaced by holiness and justification. The furtherance of hope is extended beyond the borders of a carnal mind to the everlasting faith in a Holy God.

To jump back into a life of sin or “backsliding” as it is often referred to is like some one who was drowning and was pulled out of the water but decided to jump back in. Returning the place of severity and hopelessness is not the right response to God’s Everlasting Love and Mercy. His gift of Eternal Life (John 3:16-17) cost more that we could ever pay or imagine. Rebellion is a strong character trait on the flesh and is what keeps so many from receiving from the Lord. Rebellion is sin and taking God on in that area is never a good idea. God has a foundation that is sure and steadfast and the human foundation is about as strong as rice paper at its best. The mind decides that man should be in the center of all things and God is kept on the sidelines to be called on in a time of need. This type of rational is totally opposite of what God commands of us. His commands are not burdensome (1 John 5:3) and they are linked directly to honesty, integrity and obedience.

The facts of salvation are explained clearly in His Word and the life that He desires is also easily understood by anyone seeking His mercy and forgiveness. He, the Lord, knows those that are His for He is able to see who is standing on the foundations of the Word. He knows the heart and the very thoughts that are pondered. The sanctified person dwells in His presence and hungers to serve Him in true humility. Seeking to share His Love and compassion to a lost world. A world that is blinded by the god of this world and whose sole goal is to gain wealth and serve self. These type of foundations will break and melt in the presence of the King of kings. Separating from sin and living in His presence is the appropriate and depth of obligation that all have who has called upon the Lord. Departing from something as evil and horrific as sin is what must happen to grow in Christ and come into the fullness of who He is. (1 John 2:3)

Just as the “whosoever” calls on God to be saved (Romans 10:13) also the “everyone” that is named by Him must depart and begin a life of dedicated service without sin. One cannot have fellowship with God if they are in darkness. For light cannot have fellowship with darkness. (1 John 1:7) In essence and principle, God will not be in relationship with sin. If sin is in your heart it must go and God is the only one that can rinse the sin form your heart. (1 John 1:1-10) Faith, hope and trust are the responses that will bring a “Father to child” confidence and provisional life which is everlasting to everlasting. Grow in grace and move forward into his love and established purpose for your life. Leave the sin behind….

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

Determined Faith

And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, (Matthew 9:20 ESV)

A determined faith is a resolved faith. The results of a determined person moving forward in faith are always positive and gripping to the soul. Testimonies of answered faith could not be contained in the earth if they were all documented on paper. All easily witnesses the forthright attitude of a person who sees the conclusion of a matter as complete and successful. Looking beyond the impossibilities to the success of a determined goal is having the ability to trust in what one hopes for and completely relies on conviction of truth.

This woman who had a discharge of blood for all these years could not find hope in the Law or in the eyes of the doctors of those days. She was just supposed to accept this and live with it till she lived no longer. Yet, she would not! This is the attitude of a radical and determined mind that was set on having wholeness and a complete life honored promised by the Lord. She heard that Jesus was coming through the area and she did not sit and wonder how she was going to reach Him. She set in her mind that she was going to find Him and touch Him. The determination of the heart over shadowed the doubting of the mind and she sought the Healer and Savior of the world.

The most impossible situation did not stop her. She was weak and was not allowed to mingle with the crowd. Her illness would not avail her the fullness of a social life that others enjoyed and had. She had to press through the emotional character of her own soul and fully embrace the hope that she would be healed if she could just get to Jesus. The crowds she came in contact with were larger than ever, she had never been so pushed and shoved on her daily adventures. This time it was not a doctor or a source some of medical help she was seeking. This One, the Christ, was whom she sought after. But what she found was so many others were determined to see Him. This did not cause her to turn away but to press forward till she finally touched His garment. Just the hem of His garment brought her an issue from the Master that stopped the discharge instantly.  The Lord was moved by her touch and stopped and demanded an audience with her. (Matthew 9:22) How often she must have pondered for this moment and now it was hers to testify about and own forever. Her determined faith had made her whole. The hope and assurance of Jesus’ touch became the evidence that she now could invest in her soul and enjoy with a peace she had not felt in years.

So many times people just give up because of the doubts and fears of the mind or the impossibilities that are seen before the eyes. The naysayers take hold of the faith and tromp it till it becomes weak and too no avail. This walk of faith is not by sight but by radical and determined faith, which does not recognize the impossible. The familiar is the Word of Jesus and the hope of a Saviors touch to bring wholeness and fulfillment to each and every heart. Be determined to be one who overcomes and press through the borders set by doubt and the ramparts raised by others weak and instilled counsel. Find Him and press to see Him. (Philippians 3:14) Look through the eyes of faith and see your hope complete.

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

Spiritual Shifting

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” (Acts 16:9 ESV)

The journey of Christianity often stages people in different areas for unique ministry opportunities that will bring spiritual change to regions and also globally. There are many instances where people who are surrendered to the Lord and have a distinct prayer life, miss the spiritual shift that was intended for them. The reasons for this is the enemy of the soul and in essence the desires of men can interrupt what God is desiring to do with the person or persons involved. In the day past in in early Church history this “shift’ would be termed a season or a “spiritual” wind blowing where it may to bring glory to Him that sits upon the Throne… The applicable time for anyone to be shifted or moved into a fresh season for the Lord can not be ordered or determined by value of works. this is all in accordance to faith and spiritual obligation which resides deeply in the heart of one who is determined to follow Jesus.

The dynamics of paradigm shift which may involve thousands of people usually rests in the fact that the Lord has called someone to move in the Spirit to an area where the Lord, who knows the tomorrow, can bring depth and richness spiritual to a region. Paul was moving toward different area with a different plan. He had a depth of compassion and a focus on where and what He was to do. then all of sudden without warning the Spirit of the Lord brings vision and direction to a new region. This spiritual shift would cause absolutely an outstanding platform for spiritual change in Macedonia. The aspect of the shift is not what is so important but the actual obedience and willingness to move where the Spirit of the Lord is moving and ultimately bringing in a spiritual harvest.

The trend and the formatting of a spiritual shift is always to glorify God and bring advancement to the Kingdom. The preparation is always acknowledged and understood by the persons involved in such a spiritual change. The results cannot be targeted from a distance nor from the disobedient heart. Only can the obedient embrace the shift and move in faith toward what the Lord is doing spiritually in a region. There are plenty of people who claim to understand spiritual shifts but have really no idea of the richness and depth of the action. Many have missed their shifting time because of comfort and fear of loosing what they have gained. The only gain anyone has is what the Lord has allotted to them in their spiritual journey with Him. Reasoning with the Lord when change is needed will not promote understanding nor wisdom but will only bring a lack of faith and a display of flesh against spirit. The calling of the Lord is not to be reasoned nor looked upon as a loose ended relationship. Making a  spiritual shift is always in God’s timing and one can stay to long in the prayer closet and miss the shift all together. Listen for the the heart of God in your life and He will show you things to come…. Be prepared always to go where He desires and also He knows where you will be best for Him spiritually.

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

Faith Invested

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment,each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. (Romans 12:3 ESV)

The measure of your faith invested into your desires will bring a harvest of fulfillment. By your faith the Lord will react to your requests for the impossible to be overcome. Faith is an attribute to life in more ways than one could imagine. The tool of faith, which is given to all that believe, is a tool that should be sharpened and applied on a daily basis. Faith brings about the miraculous and the life of a person who sows into the impossible and witnesses the harvest of the possible. When people came to Jesus to be healed or had a need that was out of reach physically, He would state to them that their faith had made them whole. (Matthew 9:22; 29) Using faith like a seed, planting it where it will bring a harvest is using wisdom in life. Sowing into ground that is not able to produce or unwilling to receive it will not promote the results you would hope for. Faith should always be sown in good ground and the harvest will be plentiful.

When faith is defined as an assurance and a conviction (Hebrews 11:1) there is an unfailing certainty that the result hoped for will sprout and grow into the fullness of your desires. The completeness that comes through faith goes far beyond what you could ever imagine. (Ephesians 3:20) The matter of the widow women who had an issue of blood for those many years is a testimony of what faith can produce. All she desired was to touch Him and hope that she made be made well or have an answer to her illness. To her persistent faith and “push” through a great crowd brought her results beyond what she hoped for. Jesus stated that her faith had made her well… (Matthew 9:19-24) She had in her all the time a faith that could establish her health and wellbeing. She found out that day that she needed to sow the faith in to good ground. That harvest was one she would be able to share throughout her life… and into eternity!

Thinking of what one can do is important but “doing” what one can do is the step that should be taken. Investing the measure of faith and knowing that the result will not only bring a blessing but it will also increase the faith one has. Growing in grace and faith is a result of proper sowing and reaping. Sowing into God’s Word is taking your faith and placing it into the promise that God has given you and washing it with His grace and power. The product that will come forth is a life that believes the impossible and trusts the foundation laid by the Lord. His response to you will be according to your investment of faith in His promises and the hope of His response.

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

Pride Tears Down The Heart

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2 ESV)

The treachery of pride and the disgrace it brings to an individual is compared to a runner who cannot make it to the end of the race because he did not measure the distance. Seemingly the race was to be run and with the over zealous ego trenched in a storm of pride the runner cold only begin the quest with failure in the future. Continuing through life with an over inflated self image and goals that are not measured by the what the Lord can do but measured only from the standpoint of the strength of men will cause destruction in planning and successes hoped for.  Through His goodness and mercy one can complete the race with grace and receive the reward of humility and honor.  Pride is crippling to the character and will be a weight in life that will bog down even the most charismatic of people.  Destroying the image of  humility and distancing oneself from helpful hands and friends which could assist in the attainment of victories hoped for. So many people come close to the door of victory and allow pride to stop them from entering in through the door they so vehemently search for. When pride births in the heart is tears it down so when help does come there is not a response only an anger or a retort of lies and disgrace.

The humble are blessed with wisdom and complete the race with grace as a vehicle for success and manifested victories. Pride will always blind one from truth and obscure the value of a hope that lasts. Keeping the personality at bay, isolated from friendship and the righteous counsel of experienced spiritual fathers and coaches.  Though when replaced with the humility of the Lord in the heart the personality is built back up to be encouraged and seek counsel on decisions during the race that life is constantly applying to the hearts of men. (Proverbs 22:4) The process of measuring out the race which is run through life is accomplished through prayer and listening to the Lord. One can pray and never listen which means they will never get out of the starting gate to run the race. They will become puffed up with pride and reputed with only a habitual and constant prayer life that is silent only because of prideful arrogance and dull hearing. The directions given by the Lord in life can be found in a prayer time or place but most of all in His Word. the pride that captures a personality is one that reads the Word of God and then removes the depth and counsel replacing it with willful desires and disobedience. The course of life attached to each person has a personal identity to it and counsel is needed to be able to run with success and victory rewarded through humility and obedience to God’s Word. Let the heart be built up with testimonies that give praise and honor to the Lord who has made all things possible and has filled the heart with His love and mercy. His grace will assist at every difficult point and turn if your will listen and wait He will mount you up with wings of an eagle. The individual will run and not get weary and walk and not faint….(Isaiah 40:31) Pride will always come before destruction. (Proverbs 16:18)

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

The Power of Religion

These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. (Colossians 2:23 ESV)

Religion in the world has always been a power to reckon with because of the politics that are mixed with a religion that is not really pure. In the essence of pure religion there is a power that the Lord uses to turn the unrighteous heart to a heart of mercy and purity. Pure religion (James 1:27) has purity mixed with holiness and power which has the seal of God on it. Religion is not a negative subject or a belief system that will bind and constrain the pure in heart. It is a when carnal minds set up false basis for religion which entails laws and precepts that birth unwarranted traditions. These traditions creep into the heart and a false guilt is set in place where the wholesomeness of a pure religion does not shackle a person to powerless traditions. The degree of tradition that may cost a person not to sense the anointing of the Lord or the appropriate understanding of His ways is related to a cold self-made religious experience. The use of God’s Word to establish a flesh driven tradition of to place guilt on individuals is truly a rebellion against what God desires for His Church.

Religion in itself is pure and has a foundation for all that live for God to practice from and apply to everyday ministry applications. The pure religion James discussed was to visit the widows and the orphans. Literally spoken to go where people are isolated form the norm of humanity and connect them to a faith that will heal and comfort them. This type of religious activity is alive in the Word of God and places one in the center of God’s will. The base of of religion is also rooted in the heart of God as He penetrates this carnal atmosphere with His spiritual depth of mercy and hope. Religion should be practiced and lived out with all strength one has. To know God is to live for Him in every area of your life. Keeping oneself from this world and its depravity and heinous is simply placing your self at the foot of the Cross and surrendering to Christ daily. The life of the child of God is kept from this world but not taken from the world. The life, through righteous faith and holy living, coupled together with a pure religion is a true source of power and fulfillment.

The course of religious activities may cause one to get criticized and judged for wanting to live out faith before men but it is God that we must please not men. Always find that place of prayer to connect with The Lord and review your depth of spiritual religious activity. Acknowledging The person that God has made you to be and knowing where His Hand is leading you. Never let self-made religion coupled with a an ascetic approach to the Throne of Grace be your testimony before God or men. The flesh will try to rule the spirit but the spirit has been purchased by the Lord at Calvary. The flesh must be in submission to the Word of God and His will for His children to live sanctified and free in Him.

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.