Infused in the Word--August

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.

August--Week Thirty-Four

Article: Praising the King Pt 1

Praise and honor are always given to the King! Sing praises to the Lord who reigns in Jerusalem. Tell the world about his unforgettable deeds. Psalm 9:11 The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock! May the God of my salvation be exalted! He is the God who pays back those who harm me; He subdues the nations under me and rescues me from my enemies. You hold me safe beyond the reach of my enemies; You save me from violent opponents. For this, O Lord, I will praise you among the nations; I will sing praises to Your name. Psalm 18:46-49

The Lord God is a personal God. The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23

We should always share the goodness of the Lord to others who are willing to listen. It will encourage them in their times of healing and crisis. I will tell of the Lord’s unfailing love. I will praise the Lord for all He has done. I will rejoice in His great goodness to Israel, which He has granted according to His mercy and love. Isaiah 63:7 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

All scriptures NLT except where noted.

Words to live by in Proverbs:

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 Proverbs 7-8. Daily living lessons, warnings of the perils of adultery and the importance and benefits of seeking wisdom above all else.

Keep seeking the Kingdom!

August--Week Thirty-Three

Article: Restoring His Nature in Us

In order for you to have the nature of the Lord God, you must be regenerated or born again. Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:3

The Holy Spirit, our Governor, is a true sign that the Lord God has set His approval on you. God knows people’s hearts, and He confirmed that He accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts through faith. Acts 15:8-9

Those who have the gift of the Holy Spirit in them overcomes the world. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. NKJV 1 John 5:4-8

All scriptures NLT except where noted.

Words to live by in Proverbs:

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 Proverbs 5-6. Daily living lessons, warnings of the perils of adultery and wicked men and women.

Keep seeking the Kingdom!

August--Week Thirty-Two

Article: The Kingdom vs Church and State

From the beginning, the Lord Jesus was focused on His message and assignment. Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Gospel about the Kingdom. And He healed every kind of disease and illness. News about Him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to Him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—He healed them all. Matthew 4:23-24

The temptation of the evil one was always before King Jesus to do the opposite of His assignment. His reply to the evil one was always His Father's Word and nothing less.  Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights He fasted and became very hungry.  During that time the devil came and said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took Him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order His angels to protect you.  And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”

Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”

Next the devil took Him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”

“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only Him.’” Matthew 4:1-10

The Lord Jesus came to earth to reinforce the Kingdom laws, not to delete them. He made that very clear: “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!" Matthew 5:17-20 All scriptures NLT

Words to live by in Proverbs:

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 Proverbs 3-4. Words of wisdom to the young.

Keep seeking the Kingdom!

August--Week Thirty-One

Article: Reconnecting Mankind to the Holy Spirit, Our Governor

For all citizens of the Kingdom, the Holy Spirit (our Governor) is necessary in order for you to be effective in the Kingdom. When people say things like: "I can't resist temptation." "It just happened." "You can't live in this world today and stay saved!" "I think the Bible should be adapted to better fit our culture today." (all things we have actually heard Christians say) they are revealing that they are not filled with the Holy Spirit or have silenced His voice and are not listening to His leading! King Jesus made it perfectly clear. Once when He was eating with them, He commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift He promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:4-5 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. John 14:26

When you are submitted to the Holy Spirit's leading, He will guide and teach you all things. He will be in you and with you. But you first must love and keep the King's 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." John 14:15-17

Keep in mind that the Governor (Holy Spirit) is for all of those who live for and are obedient to His Word. Being obedient doesn't mean being perfect. It is about having God's Word hidden in your heart and when you do sin, you immediately feel the conviction to repent and not allow that sin to take root in you. How can a young person stay pure? By obeying Your Word. I have tried hard to find you—don’t let me wander from your commands. I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:9-11 Remember, the Spirit will always stay in line with the Lord God's Word. If what you are hearing doesn't line up with God's Word, it isn't from the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever He receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever He receives from me.’ John 16:13-15

All NLT

Words to live by in Proverbs:

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 Proverbs 1-2 Why should we seek wisdom above all else?

Keep seeking the Kingdom!