dennis j adams

Looking for holiness in the life of an individual will turn up the some characteristics that will determine the persons identity with Christ. The core values of holiness is found in the foundation of God’s Word. The matter of holiness is formed in the heart of God, who is the pure image of holiness. When the Lord spoke the command to be holy is was not an invitation to a party or a sporting event it meant life in the truest form. (Leviticus 11:44) Holiness is not a choice but a relationship that is needed to live a righteous life outwardly. The life of Christ was a life of surrender and sanctification. He lived to please the Father and to live sinless in a sinful society. Today Christians live by the rules they have set and have taken the easy road by living a liberal life outside the boundaries of the Word of God. His Word is unchangeable and His Grace is not a cheap shot of liberty to do what a one desires to do as they see it in life. Walking with God has the main ingredient of holiness and also the life of the Spirit. If one is to have a spiritual life they must live and walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:24-25) Living with reverence before the Lord and also with a reverential fear of the Lord maintains and sustains the relationship that one must have to serve Him. Being set apart unto the Lord is not a chore or a punishment that is to be given to certain individuals but a blessing to serve Him with all your heart. Being chosen by God to serve in a capacity of compassion and love will not be mixed with liberalism and acceptance of what is against His will. What value would holiness have if embracing what is not of God as it was of God? (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) These words to come out from among them and not to fellowship with that which does not embrace the Gospel of Christ has a immensely important part in your heart. God wants His temple to be clean and He desires to cleanse it daily as His mercy rinses the heart.

If were not for Grace and His Goodness monitoring our lives through Christ we could not be called the children of God. God has moved into our hearts by His Word and in the power of His Holy Spirit. (John 14:23) Learning to live a life that is full of His power and certainly led by His Word will bring joy unspeakable and peace. The truth each one should face is that His command to be holy is His heart for you. He knows what sin has done to mankind and to His creation. Holiness is not an idea from man but from God who has witnessed the pain and heart wrenching experience of His Son dying of Calvary’s Cross. Separating Himself from the Sin of the world as Jesus became that Sin so we could be reconciled to the Father. Looking through His eyes by knowing His word will open the heart to His demand of holiness in each life that comes to Him. True holiness does not make room for sin.

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

The after thought of any circumstance in a believer should be “Did I praise Him in that situation?” During the life of a person there are so many situation that come to shape the character of that person. Some situations are easy to handle and others are difficult and slippery. The one common denominator in situational character building is that there is a purpose to praise and a given opportunity to also learn about God’s love. His love is the purpose of our searching though life for something better and truthful. With a life that is so often full of lies and fears God’s love restrains His grip on His children and wards off the unnecessary negativity of others. There is always the opportunity to deliberately praise Him and His doing! When Job was hit with the worst situation ever in His life his wife wanted him to curse God and die! (Job 2:8-10) Job’s response was not to curse God but he chose not to sin. His thought was to  continue on the road that God had put in His path. His journey would be difficult but He would seek to find God in each circumstance along the way.

During a time in Israels processing of God’s love Habakkuk was a prophet of good standing. A true voice of God in the time when God was trying to look upon a nation of people who would continuously reject Him. Habakkuk wanted revival to break forth in the land where God’s people were dwelling. He was deliberately praising and praying that God would hear and turn from wrath and remember mercy. He ends this prayer committing to deliberately praising God no mater what the situation. If the oil runs out, the cattle die, there is no grain, yet will I rejoice he states. (Habakkuk 3:17-19) Rejoicing in the salvation of the Lord and the relation that this brings. A relation of truth and trust along with care and compassion.

Paul in his journey with the Lord spoke of the many situations that he came upon and the intense life he led as an apostle. (2 Corinthians 11:24-26) But he wrote a statement that came from the heart of a person who new how important it was to deliberately praise. “Rejoice always, again I say rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) Keep praising the God that has offered and made possible, salvation through Jesus Christ! There are numerous instances when praise is joined corporately in church services or programmed events. This is not the deliberate praise that Paul is speaking of nor is it Job’s language of praise. The instances of praise spoken of by them and others is when praise seems to be the least appropriate thing to do! Actually, complaining and becoming embittered about the situation seems to be more natural and easier to comply with. Not so, with the Lord in your heart! Habakkuk holds the attitude of praise when the going bad gets worse and the only thing now to do is sit and give up! Not so, with Habakkuk and others of like heart! It is time to deliberately praise and be awed by the wonders of God and His great love. Job’s wife was one who just did not want to praise God ever again and decided to bring Job into that horrible atmosphere. Not so, with Job it was trust God and praise! Turning to the place of praise will bring about an apparent solution in your heart. That solution is to wait upon the Lord and see what He will do! (Isaiah 40:31)

He has the plan, purpose and power. You have the choice to deliberately praise Him!

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

This is a world of turmoil and frustration. People are busy at every turn and the pulse of society is racing faster than ever before. The truth being sought for success is turning out to be a lie and weariness is becoming a natural. Life is not to be full of work and “power” drives to gain such luxuries that never do come into being. If they do then the weariness of obtaining these luxuries will never let one enjoy them to their fullest. The Word is very clear upon the facts of taking the time to rest from the daily tasks. There will always be time to finish but there is not always time to enjoy life if it becomes a race to the success line. After the formal creativity that God did when He took nothing and made it the heavens and the earth He took time to rest. (Genesis 2:2-3) This is a great example to follow but the cost of rest has caused it not to come into the lives of those who need it the most. The Lord gave life to be enjoyed and too be divinely spent in His presence, resting. As the Lord processed His life on this earth He went alone and prayed. He found times to rest and be away from all that was demanding His spiritual and physical being. The body and the spirit together are created to serve the destiny given but to rest along the way. Jesus spoke and said that we would find rest if we would come to Him. (Matthew 11:28) Rest from the burdens and daily trials that weigh heavy on the heart of mankind. Finding that place to pray and worship does not need to be like finding a needle in the haystack.

Taking time to sit at the feet of the Savior daily in prayer and meditation on His great mercy and compassion can make a defined difference in your life. Where the people of God miss this is when they get to busy doing things for Him when He never asked them to do anything but trust and pray. Often the children seek to amaze the Father by how much they can accomplish for Him. The motives are good but He has not demanded these things. The cares of this world can be weighty and oppressive! The Word declares that the people of God can and should cast all their cares upon Him! (1 Peter 5:7) Why? Because He cares and wants only the best spiritually and physically for all that love Him. Life will not wait for you but He will! He will minister to your weariness and frustrations through His Word and Holy Spirit. That is what Isaiah was stating when he declared for all to wait upon the Lord. Trusting and relying on His refreshing and strengthening. It is truly a mistake to not take the opportunity to worship and pray. Life will always be a busy, ridiculously busy, but everyone has a choice to take time and enjoy the beauty of the Lord and what He has created. Make that choice to find rest in His love and to pray! Find rest for your soul and spirit as you place yourself at His feet…

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

The sermons preached or taught everyday should be able to reach around the world several times and also bring in millions of souls. That is what the purpose of preaching is for. (Romans 10:14) To bring the Word of God to the unbeliever so they may be saved. Give God the glory for His wisdom and mercy that endures forever. Looking for results can be burdensome and very stressful. The Holy Spirit will bring the results and it is up to the speaker to bring the Word which is anointed by the Holy Spirit. There are many styles of preaching and teaching and many gifts that are attached to oration of God’s Word. The Word spoken is truly a gift and returns to the Lord with pleasure and praise.

It is often said that one should come and hear the Word or come to this gathering because a person is preaching who is well known and gifted. The Lord experienced this type of popularity everywhere He went. Even before He entered a town He would encounter people who would want to hear Him. Mary, the sister of Lazarus, chose to sit at His feat and hear Him. (Luke 10:39) This has not changed throughout the ages with the mass of people that are hungry to hear the Gospel spoken in power. Paul stated that he was not ashamed of the Gospel because it was the power of God unto salvation. (Romans 1:16)

This action of communication has become the norm and also the gauge of a successful pastor or church. The actual preaching is not to be refined as how many words or how well orated but what is accomplished by it. ‘The greatest sermon ever preached is the one with the least amount of words.’ C. H. Spurgeon This statement contains the depth and the richness of bringing God’s Word to the surface so people can learn of His love and grace. It can be referred to as the ‘Silent Roar’ which is used by the Lord to draw many into His Kingdom. When Elijah was hiding in the cave God spoke to Him in the still small voice. (1 Kings19:11-13) This was the way that God chose to speak with Elijah…. The question was asked….What are you doing here Elijah? (1 Kings 19:13) Elijah’s response was one of personal integrity and jealousy based on his life chosen by God. The Lord was directing Elijah to go forth from the cave of personal opinions and begin to live out the sermon that was in him. Living out loud yet with a silence that roars. The life that all should live is that life which is a sermon. The life that is an epistle which is read by many that come into the path of your life. What may make the loudest noise is not necessarily what may draw the greatest response. The life led openly with the grace given to us by God will draw the unbeliever to Him in a very sincere way.

Never be concerned about how you may appear when you speak but be concerned how you appear when you live out His Kingdom commands.

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

When serving the Lord or beginning to dream a “Kingdom” dream there is no room for rational. The reasoning on the human mind cannot comprehend what the Lord has purposed for creation. When the Scriptures are opened up to your heart by the Holy spirit it becomes quite clear and resident that only God could accomplish such tasks. The magnitude of what God has promised cannot be understood nor held in the mind of an individual. It is received by faith and maintained through faith and sought after with hope. Prayer is the weld that keeps the heart open to God’s Word and His promises of His sustaining power. When people think if a abundance it is always in some sort of a denomination or container. When God speaks of abundance it cannot be contained. (Luke 6:38) The containment of God’s abundance is never God’s idea but mans. That is what He is able, exceedingly and abundantly more than able, to all that we ask or think according to the power that works within us. (Ephesians 3:20) The miracles of God throughout the Scriptures are never small and rolled up to be contained in a book, shelf or cupboard. They are mighty and all inclusive from generation to generation. When Jesus came to this earth this was not rationally possible to be born to a virgin. Well, God proved nature, physics and the medical field wrong. He continued to awe the crowd with His compassion and love that was not understood by many even to the last moment in the Garden where all left Him alone. God’s way of serving His creation was to completely do something that was irrational to man but rational to Himself and the justice that was needed.

The Gift of Salvation in the purest of motive is irrational to the truthful in heart. God gave up His Son that mankind could be given eternal life! Mankind did not deserve this and will never be able to claim the working of salvation’s love and mercy. What God does through His infinite doings are way past what we could define but to Him it is rational thinking. (Isaiah 55:8-9) The desire of our hearts should be to have the mind of Christ….(Philippians 2:5) At least to the expression of love and total surrendering of the heart for compassion’s sake.

After living in the presence of the Lord through prayer and fasting one will begin to minutely understand what God means when we are confronted with a life of faith. Faith that conquers and overcomes the most overwhelming odds. A trust that actually can trust the invisible God and to follow Him into situations that are impossible for man to understand. Never try to be rational with God when you are reasoning out every circumstance with the carnal mind. Think spiritually and faithfully and have a hope that can see the finish live before the race actually begins. The task Noah was given to build an Ark (Genesis 6) with little or no means in an area where there was not water to float it, is really irrational. The Lord saw the day coming where an Ark would be needed to save the righteous. So to Him it was the rational thing to do. God looked across the centuries of time and saw an Ark would be needed to save mankind and Jesus was born….

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

Once anyone comes into the presence of God there is an awesome sense of unworthiness that occurs in the heart. The expectation may have been that it would be quite wonderful and a way to express the desires that have been wrapped up in dreams for some time. The initial and ultimate sense of emotion is humility mixed with a joy and passion for more of God. That is at least the normal and sensible reaction to anyone that is realizing that God is present in a very real way. The direct approach to the Throne Room of Grace is that of humility which is characterized as a boldness not because of who someone may think they are but because of the grace that is given for an audience with God. (Hebrews 4:16) This boldness is really expressing the confidence in God for His gift of Grace to those that have called to Him for forgiveness and newness of life. The life lived by grace is not a life of bondage which is ruled by the precepts of men. It is not a freedom from the Law of God but it is the revelation that because of Grace, God and each individual are able to be in a Father/Child relationship by the Spirit of Adoption. (Romans 8:15) This companionship is is sanctified and sanctioned by the Father Himself. The commonality of spirit and flesh are separated and man begins to walk and live in the Spirit. Containing the blessings of God daily and appropriating the Word of God into each situation. Having a relationship with God through Grace is not just having knowledge of God but the Spirit of God dwelling with in you. (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)

What the Lord our God has done through His design for mankind is made it possible for man to embrace, in every detail, God’s love and mercy for His creation. Wondering and questioning the abilities of God once a person is regenerated is not even in the heart anymore. There is a transformation that begins and continues throughout the life of the regenerated person. The growth and the maturity comes through prayer and discipleship which is under girded through the understanding of Grace. The fresh anointing that is given daily when you pray establishes again the unworthiness and ultimate satisfaction of communing with God. Seeking to gain an audience with the Lord does not take a great anointing because that audience is just in the mention of His Name. His willingness and desire to answer the heart’s call is another implication of how wonderful His Grace really is. Viewing the landscape of time as we know it imprints the heart and soul with the God’s intent of showing and sharing His grace to all who will accept His invitation to live by Grace.

The unique opportunity offered to this world by the God who has created it should not be shunned or made to difficult. It is simply accepting the will of God for your life and living according to His love and offered grace.

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

When the Israelites were delivered from the bondage they had been under for several hundred years it was wonderful day and also very miracles. The graphical part of this deliverance must have been awesome to view. Here they were leaving behind the life that had tormented them for many years and leading them out was a Pillar of Fire, which represented the presence of God. They were being led by God on the route that He was taking on because it was the one that they would be prepared for. Everything was great till the first actual test of their faith was presented to them. The armies of Pharaoh were coming after them to capture them again into slavery and hardship. Their reaction was one of deep concern and also criticism for the now present situation. How easy it was for them to forget what Moses had done fort hem through the commands of the Lord their God, Jehovah.  Now faced with the edge of the Red Sea and a fierce army coming at their rear they sought to tear down the character of Moses.

Moses reacted in a way that anyone would who had about 2.5 million people complaining through their leaders, he went to prayer and God responded: Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. (Exodus 14:15 NIV) It was time to witness the deliverance of the Lord! The Pillar of Fire moved from the front of the Israelites to the back and put darkness on the side of the armies of Pharaoh and light on the side of the Israelites. Representing how victory in God will shine the light on the delivered and darkness will have the enemy groping for a familiar and recognized place. They had forgotten how bad it was for them just a few days earlier. Yet, now they wished to return. So many times people want to go back and not forward when their faith is tested. (1 Peter 1:6-8) The process is really simple God desires and commands us to press toward the promise no matter what is in front of us. He can separate the waters and take you across to the other side where victory is waiting. Where the promise is fulfilled. The faith rewarded and the hope proven with evidence and substance.

Do not think for one moment that Christ in you is not the hope of Glory! It is and your mind needs to be set on the heavenly things and not on things of this earth.(Colossians 3:1-2) One day He will call for the whole earth, which groans for His return, (Romans 8:21-23) and His people to embrace the Kingdom of God as it embraces us. Crossing over into the promise and forgetting the past failures, successes, fears, pride, and frailties can happen right here on this earth as God speaks the word of Deliverance into your being. Being set free and set apart from sin and the things that so easily beset you from running this race in life. (Hebrews 12:1) Trusting and believing in His power to save and set you free from the bondage that has shackled your life. He is calling forth to those in His creation to come over and move into the promise He has for you. The future that is full and blessed with hope (Jeremiah 29:11) The testimonies of millions have been made to be the many clouds of witnesses which route us on through this journey with God.

Dennis

Remember prayer moves that Hand of God.

Hearing the Word is the beginning of revelation. The importance of having the Word of God placed in your mind and heart so it can bring maturity and fullness to you is absolute in understanding God. As He begins to reveal truth into your life there is an immediate reception of God’s mercy and faith is birthed in your life. (Romans 10:17) Truth is established through God’s Word and what we may thought to be truth was really a lie. The enemy of our soul and the powers and principalities will bend the truth so we can miss what is really going to make difference our lives. There is nothing on this earth that can ever begin to change the should except the Word of God. Jesus is the Word and His life was actually the Glory of the Lord lived out in humanity. (John 1:1-3;14) The cost of this revelation was the suffering and death of Jesus Christ on Calvary’s Cross. Revealed at that moment of His death was the forgiveness of sin and the deliverance of mankind from bondage and an eternal death. The grave lost its power over death and the sting of sin was removed. (1 Corinthians 15:55) Man was bound to the human nature till Christ conquered what had cursed man since the fall in the Garden of Eden. When Jesus came to this earth it was for one purpose and that was to reveal God to man in a way that man could be brought back into a holy relationship with God. He came as a humble servant willing to be crucified for that purpose… (Philippians 2:5-8) How merciful is the God of our salvation? So merciful that He allowed His only begotten Son to be bruised for our iniquities and wounded for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5) His revelation of truth and peace became the very life that we live. He brought us into His family through the spirit of adoption where would could cry out to Him Father, Father and He would hear us and heals us. (Romans 8:15) Sin no longer had it dominion or curse that would effect our daily life (Romans 6:14) The Spirit of the Lord came to real the truth of Jesus and His love for us all. Without the Holy spirit in our lives we could not fully understand what the Lord was doing in and on this earth. (John 14:26)

The depth and riches of this revelations washes over our hearts as we pray and read the Word of God. The Word is seed that continues to grow in us as it is watered and God gives he increase. (1 Corinthians 3:6) Having His love and His Spirit in us and guiding us will always sustain us no matter what the day may bring. As you start each day ask the Lord to reveal in your heart His purpose for you for that day and to draw into His Word that His revelation, through faith, will nurture you and sustain you. With the presence of God’s Word actively ministering to your heart there is peace that will bring you through any circumstance… His revealing comes when He opens up your spiritual eyes to His perfect will and destiny for you! Believe in and trust in Him always… Faith sees what others deny.

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

The opportunity to praise God is all around us and in each moment of our lives. When Paul wrote the Thessalonians he gave them a opportunity to praise. In his words to the church members he stated three important facts in the relationship of praise and God. (1 Thessolonians 5:16-18) First, he writes the word to rejoice always. To walk in the Spirit of joy for reasons that are quite obvious. You have been born again into a new life that is provided for and protected by God Himself. You can rejoice over the fact that sin has been forgiven and you have an audience with the Lord at any moment that you desire. Your concerns and difficulties are known by Him and He has left you the peace that He has, not what the world offers. (John 14:26) You have a hope and you are most important to the Father. Secondly, he mentioned prayer. Which in a real sense is praise before God. In the purest form that is. Prayer is not just asking for help or declaring what you want out of life. It incorporates the praise and worship of the Lord our God. The word “incessantly” means to be continual and without pause. The consistent prayer is joined with a heart that is consistent in its love for God. “I cannot pray all the time”, one may say…. the answer is yes you can! The attitude and the opportunity to be in the Spirit is with us always. It is a choice to pray or not, every moment. Thirdly, and concurrently you are to give  thanks in all your circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Where you live and move and have your being. (Acts 17:28) Giving thanks is more difficult than prayer and also when it seems that sadness has become your friend. In truth, without the prayer and the joy what is the choice but to be depressed and angry at your circumstances and even others. When you read these encouraging words together as one solid unit not a three step program to success and “fuzzy” emotions you will see that one without the other would cause error in your relationship with the Word. The “carnal” side of your life to take control and manipulate your emotions and spirit away from trusting God. But when performed in one action of love toward God and hope in his everlasting promises there is victory over the circumstances. There is a joy that is unspeakable and a heart that is full of glory. (1 Peter 1:8) Through the joy and resident glory that heart sings out to the Lord a praise that is true communion with Him. You are in the proper holy attitude and you show forth the gratitude of your heart toward Him.

Together these are one in Spirit and your hope is inflamed with confidence and great expectancy. So no matter what circumstance may occur there is joy and a prayer (worship, praise) that will come forth from your heart when you fully trust in the Lord. He will not let you down nor will He fail in His great promise toward you. Have hope and rejoice, pray and give thanks for God sees you beyond Calvary.

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

There is placed in each heart a certain truth that when not nurtured gets depleted and remarkably lost in daily living. That truth is the inner-sense that God does exist and has created the heavens and earth. He has brought into existence out of nothing, something to live for. A purpose of and for life to exist. The purpose is to worship Him and live a life full of joy and fulness in His presence. How can anyone tolerate not living a life that is centered on God. When man begins to put God on the outside of the center and replace Him with a self sustained ego with characteristics that are broken and demanding entitlement to life there is a problem with the psychological pattern of that person. The personality is focused not on the Creator but the created. Man did not exist and cannot exist fully without God and His purpose for mankind. When this earth was beginning to engage in human relationships outside of the holiness and direction of God mankind could not exist together without trying to become what they did not want to admit existed.

The story of the Tower of Babel exists in written history both in God’s Word and books of historical value and reputable marks. (Genesis 11:1-8) The precise the meaning of this story simply places man working together in sin, to build a tower that reaches into the heavens so that self can be glorified. The matter of understanding is to place God as an equal and then never to submit to or to give glory to God who all glory is deserving. The boastfulness of mankind to even explore the avenues of becoming a god has not been unfamiliar in the Biblical or historical context of a man-centered ego. Satan himself tried and was successful in persuading Eve along with Adam to disobey God and eat of the forbidden fruit. the oneness with God was broken instantly and mankind saw that he was naked. He was broken from the Creator and Master of His soul and was on his own, alone. Truth, now was marred and distant yet, the base of pure and untarnished truth rooted itself in the heart of man. Beginning the search for that reunion of God and man.

As God dissolved the understanding of one language and many languages were created showed the fact that man cannot get to God on his own no matter how he may try and no matter how big he may build his ego. Humanities egos are towering and there is strength in unity but eternal strength and blessing come from a unity and a reconciliation to God. When Jesus prayed the prayer of being “one” with God in John 17 it spoke to the issue of man being brought back into right standing with God. The language that will unify this earth with God is the language that is found in His Word and describing His character: Love. (1 John 4:8) The love that expresses truth on all occasions and does not ridicule nor downcast. In 1 Corinthians 13 we read of God’s love overshadowing the natural love of the human heart with the love of the Father. That love was expressed from Gods own heart through Jesus Christ, His Only Begotten Son. (John 3:16) Truth can never be pure till it is rinsed in the love of God. To express His love one must believe that He is and that He is a rewarded of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6) To build a truthful relationship unto the Lord one should build on the foundation of truth which is dynamically expressed in and throughout His Word and proven by the cost of Calvary!

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.