Focus & Meditate--November
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.
November--Week Forty-Seven
Article: They Need an Invitation
You are your household’s covering. You are responsible for the spiritual atmosphere in your home. No sin is harmless, nor a secret. Sin comes to separate you and your children from God. Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.39 This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away —all who have been called by the Lord our God.”
Acts 2:38-39 NLT The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear! Luke 12:2-3 NLT
The seed you plant will one day produce fruit in your children if you don't recognize it and remove it. If you feel something "isn't right" in your family; if there is chaos, depression, acting out, constant "attacks" in some area of your life, it's time for some honest self-evaluation. The Holy Spirit will show you if there is something to repent of and remove. Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) Romans 8:5-9 NLT
You are the Watchman over your family. Invite the Holy Spirit to fill every area of your life. Remember, that we are commanding as victors, not pleading as victims. Do not allow any place, any foothold, for a demon to come back because if it does it won't come alone.
“When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none. Then it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation.”
Matthew 12:43-45 NLT
Remember, Satan hates families because they were created and ordained by God.
Finishing the Year in Acts:
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 Acts 3-4: The bold ministry of Peter and John. The Sanhedrin forbade them from teaching in the name of Jesus--an order they could not enforce because of the people.
Have a productive and prosperous week. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
Acts 2:38-39 NLT The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear! Luke 12:2-3 NLT
The seed you plant will one day produce fruit in your children if you don't recognize it and remove it. If you feel something "isn't right" in your family; if there is chaos, depression, acting out, constant "attacks" in some area of your life, it's time for some honest self-evaluation. The Holy Spirit will show you if there is something to repent of and remove. Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) Romans 8:5-9 NLT
You are the Watchman over your family. Invite the Holy Spirit to fill every area of your life. Remember, that we are commanding as victors, not pleading as victims. Do not allow any place, any foothold, for a demon to come back because if it does it won't come alone.
“When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none. Then it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation.”
Matthew 12:43-45 NLT
Remember, Satan hates families because they were created and ordained by God.
Finishing the Year in Acts:
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 Acts 3-4: The bold ministry of Peter and John. The Sanhedrin forbade them from teaching in the name of Jesus--an order they could not enforce because of the people.
Have a productive and prosperous week. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
November--Week Forty-Six
Article: Kingdom Living is About Power
Whenever you witness someone being healed of some kind of disease or being miraculously delivered, it is the Kingdom of God operating on the earth. But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. Matthew 12:28 NLT
When those who have a religious mindset witness a miraculous phenomena, they call it a miracle. Those that have a Kingdom mindset know that it is Kingdom living in our midst. You must have the Holy Spirit (the Governor) operating in your life to understand and see this. A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered. Acts 19:13-16 NLT
There are people you meet every week, hungry for the Kingdom and its message, but you fail to allow the Holy Spirit (the Governor) to lead and guide you to where you need to be. Don't do it on your own. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." Matthew 5:14-16 NLT
Finishing the Year in Acts:
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 Acts 1-2: The ascension of Jesus, prayer meeting in the Upper Room and the introduction of the Holy Spirit.
Have a productive and prosperous week. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
When those who have a religious mindset witness a miraculous phenomena, they call it a miracle. Those that have a Kingdom mindset know that it is Kingdom living in our midst. You must have the Holy Spirit (the Governor) operating in your life to understand and see this. A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered. Acts 19:13-16 NLT
There are people you meet every week, hungry for the Kingdom and its message, but you fail to allow the Holy Spirit (the Governor) to lead and guide you to where you need to be. Don't do it on your own. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." Matthew 5:14-16 NLT
Finishing the Year in Acts:
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 Acts 1-2: The ascension of Jesus, prayer meeting in the Upper Room and the introduction of the Holy Spirit.
Have a productive and prosperous week. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
November--Week Forty-Five
Article: He Rules and Reigns: Citizenship in Kingdom Government
When you are filled with His Spirit and obedient to His Word, you are a citizen of the Kingdom in good standing. We as citizens of the Kingdom know our King’s Voice. Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” John 18:37
Our King and Lord isn’t of this world. We would fight for Him. Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” John 18:36
Keep in mind that we as citizens of the Kingdom of God are in this world, but we aren’t of this world. We need to keep our eyes on our King. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control. Philippians 3:20-21
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 John 21: Jesus appears to seven disciples and restores Peter.
Have a productive and prosperous week. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
Our King and Lord isn’t of this world. We would fight for Him. Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” John 18:36
Keep in mind that we as citizens of the Kingdom of God are in this world, but we aren’t of this world. We need to keep our eyes on our King. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control. Philippians 3:20-21
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 John 21: Jesus appears to seven disciples and restores Peter.
Have a productive and prosperous week. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
November--Week Forty-Four
Article: Stop! Turn Around! The Kingdom is Here
The ambassador John’s assignment was to draw attention to and introduce King Jesus and proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven. In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” Matthew 3:1-3
The Lord Jesus and ambassador John were on the same page. The Kingdom of Heaven was here. From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” Matthew 4:17
The Lord Jesus came with the message to repent for the Kingdom had arrived. He sent His disciples out to the house of Israel with the same power and authority, speaking the same message. Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but only to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep. Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received. Matthew 10:5-8 All 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 John 19-20: Jesus' crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection.
Have a productive and prosperous week. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
The Lord Jesus and ambassador John were on the same page. The Kingdom of Heaven was here. From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” Matthew 4:17
The Lord Jesus came with the message to repent for the Kingdom had arrived. He sent His disciples out to the house of Israel with the same power and authority, speaking the same message. Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but only to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep. Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received. Matthew 10:5-8 All 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 John 19-20: Jesus' crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection.
Have a productive and prosperous week. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
