BUILDING DEDICATION PROGRAM

What a good idea it is to pronounce blessings on your house from the very
beginning. It is also wonderful to renew that blessing year after year for as long as
you reside there. Blessing a house (or an apartment or wherever you live) is
simply taking the authority over it that belongs to you and dedicating it to the
Lord. It is inviting the Spirit of God to come and everything else to leave.

I'm reminded of the story in the Old Testament of the blessing that came to a
man and his household because the Ark of the Covenant was left in his yard for
several months after it had been in captivity by the Philistines. (See 2 Samuel 6
for the full story)

"Now it was told King David, saying, 'The Lord has blessed the house of
Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.'" (Verse
12) Anywhere the Ark resided, blessings abounded. That is because the Ark
contained the very presence of God. Where God's presence is, there is blessing
and hope. When we bless our homes we make room for God to take up residence
in every room and over all possessions.

Your house blessing will be on the basis of your rightful authority over your own
dwelling. When you moved in, someone put some keys to the house in your
hand. YOU determine anyone additional who will have a key. Spiritually you also
determine who has access. Joshua said; "But as for me and my house, we will
serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15) If your heart is in agreement with that statement,
a house blessing is a great way to proceed.

Clean your house and keep it clean

It is wonderful to speak the words of blessing over your house and to take
authority of it in the name of Jesus. If, however, your house is filled with ungodly
materials and articles, in the end it won't do you much good. You are simply
giving permission to the devil all over again. Actions speak louder than words.

Therefore, it is worth your time to take inventory and to rid yourself of spiritual
garbage. Ask the Holy Spirit if there is anything in this house that grieves him.
Take a look at books, magazines, music, videos, DVDs etc. Take a look at your
statuary and artwork. What internet sites are accessed through your home? What
television programs are allowed in? What radio stations are listened to?
Is your house set in order? Are relationships healthy? Is sin being permitted in
your home? What is the spiritual atmosphere that YOU are allowing now that you
are the legal authority where you live? PRAY. Declare that this house belongs to
God. Bring light to your home by keeping yourself holy and pure.

The Bible said in Psalm 91:9-11  - “Because you have made the LORD your
dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— no evil shall be allowed to
befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels
concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”