Victory in the Word!--January

We are continuing in our weekly scripture discipline to encourage you to read and study God's Word more and also meditate on the key thoughts of our recent articles. We pray this will encourage and assist you as you grow in the Kingdom.

January--Week Four

Article: Is the Kingdom Your First Priority?

Seeking the Kingdom of God isn’t only reading His Word and praying. It is keeping our actions and decisions in line with His Word and principles. Seeking the Kingdom is living a life that reflects the words of King Jesus. When faced with life decisions our first priority is that those decisions line up with His Word. We don’t put our wants and desires above His Word. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

But don’t just listen to God’s Word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the Word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:21-25 NLT

There is nothing more disappointing and tragic than not knowing the Lord God’s purpose for your life. Purpose is the source of your priorities. Purpose is the meaning of why something or someone was created. Where purpose is not known, misuse or abuse is inevitable. When you know why the Lord God placed you here, have your priorities in order, and are focused on those priorities, no one will be able to distract you or take advantage of you! Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21

As with Saul/ambassador Paul, there are times when the Lord God has to allow things to happen to you so that He may get your attention. That is because people are mostly self-absorbed and focused on their own affairs. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, He called them to come to Him. And having called them, He gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, He gave them His glory. Romans 8:28-30 NLT

January--Week Three

Article: Doubt Hinders Your Progress

Everyone has struggled with doubt at some time. A lack of faith in the Lord God’s Word can cause you to hesitate in every phase of your life. Peter, even in the presence of the Lord Jesus, had doubt! He had seen the Lord Jesus do miracles, but he had doubt. Look what happened to him when he attempted to walk on water. Then Peter called to Him, “Lord, if it’s really You, tell me to come to You, walking on the water.”

“Yes, come,” Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:28-31 NLT

We must believe without wavering. Make up your mind, settle any doubt and stand strong on His Word. If you want something from your Heavenly Father, ask and totally believe in Him and His Word. Too often we pray, have faith, but keep “revisiting” in our mind what we are believing for. When you truly believe He will answer your prayer, you know that in the Lord God’s time it WILL be done. It is settled. Wait and watch! Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. Mark 11:22-24 NLT

If we are to trust and believe, we must have no doubt in our faith in Him. Doubt is toxic to your faith in Him. What does doubt bring? Nothing. Remember what James said: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8

January--Week Two

Article: Our Kingdom Is Not of This World

As citizens of the Kingdom, we are born again by His Spirit, and should live and obey His principles by the power of the Holy Spirit! King Jesus' principles are our principles to live by and make our lifestyle. “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.” Matthew 5:38-40

Jesus is the King of His Kingdom. He is the final authority. That is the very first thing we need to understand in the Kingdom. His laws and principles are not up for debate or change. They are, as He is, eternal. Without the king, there is no kingdom. Remember, the Lord God, His Father, gave Him all authority and power. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” Matthew 28:18

In the Kingdom of Heaven, the authority of the Lord God, the King, is exclusive and absolute. His Word is law and His Will is carried out by His angels throughout the farthest reaches of the realm. Keep in mind also, we are His sons and daughters (Joint heirs with His Son Jesus) not His army. His angels are His army. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him, “Abba, Father.” For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering. Romans 8:15-17 NLT No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. Psalm 91:10-13 They arrested the apostles and put them in a public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, and leading them out, he said, “Go, stand and continue to tell the people in the temple [courtyards] the whole message of this Life [the eternal life revealed by Christ and found through faith in Him].” When they heard this, they went into the temple [courtyards] about daybreak and began teaching. Acts 5:18-21a AMP

All scriptures are NKJV unless noted.

As you read your Bible (God's Constitution for the Kingdom), highlight key scriptures and phrases as the Holy Spirit guides you. What scriptures touch you and minister to you? We have also included links to Bible Gateway in case you don't have a Bible with you at the moment.

This week, read and meditate on Ephesians 2 and Psalm 41 . Ephesians 2: We are made spiritually alive and one with Jesus Christ, part of God's eternal family, through the salvation in His blood and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Psalm 41: This psalm reminds us that in times of sickness, the Lord is our healer and comforter. Rebuke the negative words spoken over you from family and false friends. Their words are of no effect if you don't embrace their words. Praise Him through the sickness into His healing and believe He is restoring your health.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and have a victorious, fruitful week! We pray your hearts are filled with gratitude for His grace and mercy! Keep seeking the Kingdom!

January--Week One

Article: Praise Him Regardless. . .

Our praise has nothing to do with how well our lives are going at the time. We praise Him for who He is. We have a righteous God and King. He is the Creator of all things and always to be praised! I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High. Psalm 7:17

Do you see Him in your daily life and everyday situations? Can you see His hand on your life? What does He really mean to you? Be aware that if you acknowledge Him through your praise regardless of your current situation, your protection in Him is cemented. Praise the Lord! For He has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:6-7 NLT

When you are praising the King and trusting in Him there is no room for fear or disappointment. If you trust in Him, no matter what happens in life, you know that He will take care of you and all will work together for your good in the Lord God’s time. His Word is true and is to be praised. In God (I will praise His Word), In the Lord (I will praise His Word), In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God; I will render praises to You, for You have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living? Psalm 56:10-13

Remember to praise Him every day. Even if life feels bleak and nothing seems right, find something to begin praising Him for. Cultivate a habit of praise and gratitude in your daily life, no matter what is going on around you. Every day, find at least three things to praise Him for. You may already be doing this—Praise the Lord! But if you aren’t, start right now. There is always something to thank Him for. It will snowball and your “praise list” will grow! The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit (truly sorry for their sin). Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He guards all his bones; not one of them is broken. . .The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned. Psalm 34:17-20,22

All NKJV scriptures unless noted.

As you read your Bible (God's Constitution for the Kingdom), highlight key scriptures and phrases as the Holy Spirit guides you. What scriptures touch you and minister to you? We have also included links to Bible Gateway in case you don't have a Bible with you at the moment.

This week, read and meditate on Ephesians 1 and Psalm 40 . Ephesians 1: Paul's letters to the church are as relevant today as they were back then. He isn't writing to sinners, but to "God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus". Here he writes about spiritual blessings, a hunger for wisdom and the power and authority of believers. Psalm 40: Persevering in faith through trials. Timely for these days we are living in.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and have a victorious, fruitful week! We pray your hearts are filled with gratitude for His grace and mercy! Keep seeking the Kingdom!