Focus & Meditate-February
We have started this segment 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.
February--Week Nine
Article: Nations, Language and People
There is only one race that the Lord God created. Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”
So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26-27
Remember, there are many nations but only one race, the human race.
Keep in mind, the Lord God promised Abram that He would make him a father to many nations, not races.
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.”
At this, Abram fell face down on the ground. Then God said to him, “This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations! What’s more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations. I will make you extremely fruitful. Your descendants will become many nations, and kings will be among them!
“I will confirm my covenant with you and your descendants after you, from generation to generation. This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you. And I will give the entire land of Canaan, where you now live as a foreigner, to you and your descendants. It will be their possession forever, and I will be their God.” Genesis 17:1-8
Satan wants God's people to be divided and scattered. Citizens in the Kingdom of God must stay united and sometimes that means overlooking offenses and our differences. We are to be united and of one mindset; even when we don't look the same. Think of different flowers in one garden. What a beautiful picture!
Walking through the Gospels:
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 Matthew 17 & 18-- Jesus' miracles and ministry; parables and His transfiguration.
Have a productive and prosperous week. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26-27
Remember, there are many nations but only one race, the human race.
Keep in mind, the Lord God promised Abram that He would make him a father to many nations, not races.
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.”
At this, Abram fell face down on the ground. Then God said to him, “This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations! What’s more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations. I will make you extremely fruitful. Your descendants will become many nations, and kings will be among them!
“I will confirm my covenant with you and your descendants after you, from generation to generation. This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you. And I will give the entire land of Canaan, where you now live as a foreigner, to you and your descendants. It will be their possession forever, and I will be their God.” Genesis 17:1-8
Satan wants God's people to be divided and scattered. Citizens in the Kingdom of God must stay united and sometimes that means overlooking offenses and our differences. We are to be united and of one mindset; even when we don't look the same. Think of different flowers in one garden. What a beautiful picture!
Walking through the Gospels:
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 Matthew 17 & 18-- Jesus' miracles and ministry; parables and His transfiguration.
Have a productive and prosperous week. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
February--Week Eight
Article: His Government, Not a Religion
It was predicted long ago that the Son of man would rule His government. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:6-7 NKJV
As the one who introduced the King to the world, John made this royal statement: In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” For this is He who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight.’” Matthew 3:1-3 NKJV
After our Lord and King came out of the wilderness, being tempted by the evil one, He had only one message. From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”...Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. Matthew 4:17, 23 NLT
Walking through the Gospels:
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 Matthew 15 & 16-- Jesus' miracles and ministry; "Peter, who to you say that I am?"
Have a productive and prosperous week. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
As the one who introduced the King to the world, John made this royal statement: In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” For this is He who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight.’” Matthew 3:1-3 NKJV
After our Lord and King came out of the wilderness, being tempted by the evil one, He had only one message. From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”...Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. Matthew 4:17, 23 NLT
Walking through the Gospels:
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 Matthew 15 & 16-- Jesus' miracles and ministry; "Peter, who to you say that I am?"
Have a productive and prosperous week. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
February--Week Seven
Article: Faith in Him or Fear the World
Unlike many religions, your faith is, and should always be, focused on one person--the Lord Jesus the Christ. Your faith is the key element to eliminating all anxiety and fear. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. I Peter 5:7
Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.
By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.... Read all of Hebrews 11 the faith chapter!
Your love for Him should include your obedience and faith in His Word. “If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you."
John 14:15-18
Remember, the Lord Jesus came to reintroduce the Kingdom of God to mankind. He died to give us access to that Kingdom. He rose again and spoke for forty more days on the Kingdom of God; and now He sits at the right hand of His Father, interceding on our behalf. What could we possibly be lacking?! Have bold uncompromising faith in Him. He will do all things in us, through us and for us. We lack for nothing that is in His will for our lives.
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. 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.
What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Romans 8:26-34
Walking through the Gospels:
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 Matthew 13 & 14-- Kingdom parables, John the Baptist is beheaded, and Jesus' miracles and ministry.
As you go through your week, be more focused on discerning between what is actually religious traditions and what is Kingdom based. It will become more and more obvious to you as you do!
Have a productive and prosperous week. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.
By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.... Read all of Hebrews 11 the faith chapter!
Your love for Him should include your obedience and faith in His Word. “If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you."
John 14:15-18
Remember, the Lord Jesus came to reintroduce the Kingdom of God to mankind. He died to give us access to that Kingdom. He rose again and spoke for forty more days on the Kingdom of God; and now He sits at the right hand of His Father, interceding on our behalf. What could we possibly be lacking?! Have bold uncompromising faith in Him. He will do all things in us, through us and for us. We lack for nothing that is in His will for our lives.
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. 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.
What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Romans 8:26-34
Walking through the Gospels:
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 Matthew 13 & 14-- Kingdom parables, John the Baptist is beheaded, and Jesus' miracles and ministry.
As you go through your week, be more focused on discerning between what is actually religious traditions and what is Kingdom based. It will become more and more obvious to you as you do!
Have a productive and prosperous week. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
February--Week Six
Article: Never Force the Kingdom Message
Do you accept the Kingdom message or look at it as a new religion or another god? Do you see it as the "latest trend" in Christianity, like the "word of faith movement", "prosperity gospel", "Toronto blessing" or the "Brownsville revival"? He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, “What’s this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he’s picked up?” Others said, “He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods.” Acts 17:18
Do you know how your pastor and religious friends view the Kingdom message? Do they view it as strange and even unbiblical even though that was the only message Jesus taught? From then on Jesus began to preach, Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near... Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. Matthew 4:17, 23
Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:35-36
Are you aware that the Kingdom message is about the King's government and not about any religion? For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! Isaiah 9:6-7
Walking through the Gospels:
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 Matthew 11 & 12-- Jesus and John the Baptist; the Sabbath; and Jesus' true family.
Have a productive and prosperous week. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
Do you know how your pastor and religious friends view the Kingdom message? Do they view it as strange and even unbiblical even though that was the only message Jesus taught? From then on Jesus began to preach, Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near... Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. Matthew 4:17, 23
Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:35-36
Are you aware that the Kingdom message is about the King's government and not about any religion? For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! Isaiah 9:6-7
Walking through the Gospels:
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 Matthew 11 & 12-- Jesus and John the Baptist; the Sabbath; and Jesus' true family.
Have a productive and prosperous week. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
