Stregnthening Your Connection with God

Introduction

In our home we try to having dinner together as often as possible. We talk about our day, our worries and try to have that personal family time. The reason is because it strengthens our connection with each other. That connection cannot be strengthened without making a conscious effort spend time together. In the same way if we want to draw near to God we must make the first move. But it requires certain adjustments for that to be possible.

Don’t show verse till after the introduction

James 4:7–10 “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”

Wait until I say the following then put up the screen.

I. You cannot submit until you resist.

James 4:7 “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

As long as you are still under Satan’s control you will find it hard to submit to God.

A. What does it mean to submit to God?

Means to bring yourself under the authority of someone else above your own.

When you submit to someone you are surrendering your will for their will.

Matthew 26:39 “And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”

3. Another word for submissive is obedient.

Exodus 19:5 “‘Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine;”

Your children live in your house. You require them to obey you and your rules. When they start to buck your rules you discipline them in order to train them for life down the road. If they don’t obey your rules at some point you have to expel them from your home.

B. As long as you are un-submissive to God you have no power over the devil.

James 4:7 “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

As long as you under the devils domain you are submissive to his bidding. You will be controlled by the devil. If you don’t believe me think about when you pray……

The devil doesn’t want you to pray, he doesn’t want you to read God’s word, he doesn’t want you to go to church, he will do all he can to make sure that you are not submissive to God.

Satan was defeated at the cross, but he is winning the battle over your flesh and mind.

Resist - antihistemi - to set against, withstand

Anti - over or against

Histemi - to make a stand

Jadyn - no thank you please

Ephesians 4:27 “and do not give the devil an opportunity.”

The only way to defeat Satan is to change Kingdoms.

By submitting (humbling) yourself before God.

Becoming obedient to God and living for God.

“Changing allegiences”

II. God requires us to make the first move.

James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

A. When you draw near to God; you are entering the atmosphere of His presence.

Psalm 16:11 “You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”

If you are looking for direction draw near to God.

If you are looking for joy draw near to God.

If you are looking for peace……

B. Many people are wanting God to make the first move.

They want God to prove himself.

Psalm 27:8 (NLT)

8 My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

III. You must cleanse yourself

James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

A. Cleansing yourself requires a time of consecration.

Fasting is an act of consecration.

Its when we stop eating and feeding our carnal appetites to feed our spiritual appetite.

Its when we seek God and He reveals areas of our life that need change.

Its a time of purifying ourselves from past sinful and destructive behavior to righteous Godly behavior.

When He says, “Cleanse your hands,” he wants us to have a pure life.

We have all done things in our life that we are not proud of.

Isaiah 1:16 ““Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil,”

Stop it! He wants you to doing the things that are separating you from Him.

a. Take an evaluation of things you have done

Job 17:9 ““Nevertheless the righteous will hold to his way, And he who has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger.”

B. There comes a strength from having a pure heart.

Psalm 5:12 “For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord, You surround him with favor as with a shield.”

C. God becomes your insurance.

Youre in good hands from allstate. When mayhem comes you have the assurance to know that your insurance has you covered. When satan comes you have the assurance to know that as long as you are walking with God, you are covered by the blood of Jesus.

CONCLUSION