FORGING OUR OWN "DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCE" - ALONG WITH INDEPENDENCE

By Steve Shultz, THE ELIJAH LIST www.elijahlist.com

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Deep within the DNA of the average American is a God-built, God-inspired "Declaration of Independence."

The Word of God is clear on the issue of FREEDOM:

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"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm,

then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a

yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1)

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One of the reasons, among many-- that many of God's blessings have rested on the United States, is that we have stood for the very thing He stands for . . . FREEDOM! The USA has been a place of refuge for literally MILLIONS upon MILLIONS of people fleeing other countries where freedom was not even a remote possibility.

Lest any would question it, settle it in your heart forever that GOD CREATED FREEDOM AND HE IS FOR FREEDOM.

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FREEDOM WITH A TWIST

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But Just as with any family or marriage on earth, the strengths we bring to our own "community" --these very strengths can become liabilities if they are not submitted to the Lord.

A husband may bring to a marriage his sense of pride-- an unwillingness to rely on help from others for his family's food. Yet stories have been told where some have had to painfully submit to the Lord in this very area, giving up cherished pride, as the Lord tells them, "If I tell you to apply for food stamps, you apply for food stamps."

An outgoing person with great personality, making him or her a much sought-after speaker, has been told by the Lord, "Sit down and accept no speaking engagements until I tell you" A strength turned to weakness.

Now, in the same manner, as Citizens of the Great United States of America, armed with a God-given strength called "an independent spirit," --- "conceived in liberty" -- and birthed in our "DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE" -- we must simultaneously practice the OPPOSITE SPIRITS (or attitudes) of independence AND dependence.

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MAKING OUR DECLARATION OF "DEPENDENCE"

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Those of us who claim Jesus as Lord, must claim, as did the apostle Paul to be. . .

" . . . a BONDSERVANT of Jesus Christ. . ." Romans 1:1

Paul saw himself as a bondservant, forever identifying himself as no longer being INDEPENDENT but DEPENDENT upon the desires and claims that Jesus had on his life.

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HOW TO CONFRONT THE FEARS OF TERRORISM IN

THESE TIMES THROUGH "A DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCE"

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God loves humility. Satan despises it! He runs from it. The Bible teaches that if we resist the Devil, he will flee. Humility before God is in-your-face aggressive warfare against Satan.

We can fight fear in only one way that works. We fight fear and enter into greater obedience and relationship with the Lord by humbling ourselves before God, placing ourselves properly before him "DECLARING OUR UTTER DEPENDENCE UPON HIM."

So, during this Declaration of Independence, be joyful for the Independence the Lord has given the USA, but then add to that the opposite spirit and be joyful in declaring your own "DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCE UPON THE LORD."

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A SECRET TO THE MOST EFFECTIVE WARFARE YOU CAN WAGE

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Humility . . .

Simple humility before God.

In this, the Lord will move mightily on your behalf. The greatest warfare I have ever done, and by greatest, I mean the most EFFECTIVE warfare I've ever waged was waged through the humbling of myself before God. He has always moved in that "humbling" more than the most intense warfare prayers I have ever prayed.

And men, this is especially for you. I know how men think. Humbling ourselves is hard, isn't it? Here is what I have learned to do in my "prayer closet" whether that closet is alone in my prayer times or simply at night as I am going to sleep. Why not try this . . .

Even as you lay on your bed at night, you can start your silent (or out loud) prayer like this, "Lord, I humble myself before you. I say to you, I declare to you, that I am dependent upon you for everything, from the air I breathe to the food I eat. . ."

There are many who have never said those words to the Lord. . . "I humble myself before you."

It is both harder to do than some imagine, and yet it is easier to do than you ever thought, all at the same time. But the fruit is good. As we learn to humble ourselves before God, we will be making our DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCE!

For further Study:

1 Peter 5:6-7

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your

anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Isa 66:2

"This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word."

James 4:5-6

"Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Blessings,

Steve Shultz

THE ELIJAH LIST

www.elijahlist.com