dennis j adams

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 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 sign post 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 Guide 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.

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 souls through a confessed heart and a redeemed soul which is cleansed by grace through faith 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.

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. The the forthright attitude of a person who sees the conclusion of a matter as complete and successful is easily witnessed by all. 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 here 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 sough 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 wold 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 who she sought after. But what she found was so many others were determined to see Him. This did not cause her to turn back 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 to it become weak and to 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.

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.

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 a 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 teh results you would hope for. Faith should always be sown in good ground and he 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 the comes through faith goes far beyond what you could ever imagine. (Ephesians 3:20) The matter of the widow women who had a 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 well being. 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 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.

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.

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 is 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.