While the Lord Jesus was here on this earth, there were many things and people that sought to disrupt His purpose and assignment. During those times, He always consulted with His Father in prayer, even when choosing twelve disciples, out of a multitude of followers. One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. Here are their names:
Simon (whom he named Peter)
Andrew (Peter's brother),
James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas,
James (son of Alphaeus),
Simon (who was called the zealot),
Judas (son of James),
Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).
In this three dimensional world in which we live, there are a multitude of distractions that seek our attention. Keep in mind, there are demonic forces at work to keep you off balance from embracing the Kingdom message and fulfilling your mission. They want to keep you distracted. These demonic forces have no problem with you embracing a religious organization or attending church. Those of us who preach and teach the Kingdom Gospel message, which is about His government, should always seek the guidance of the governor (Holy Spirit). It is not a good idea to search out other religious books or religious information. All you are doing is reading from their religious mindset. What I find is that many of these leaders aren't being led by the Holy Spirit. They are being guided by their denomination and others in their religious organization. Many are actually seeking the Kingdom, but too stubborn or fearful to admit it. Some would rather be the center of attention in their organization. That is why many religious leaders fail to be obedient to the King's message. They feel they won't get the attention they need to feed their ego...nothing but a distraction. Pride, ego, fear, greed, lusts, etc are all distractions from the Kingdom. It's not about the one who is bringing the message! It is about the King and His Kingdom! Do you recall what John said to his disciples? Then Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and went into the Judean countryside. Jesus spent some time with them there, baptizing people.
At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism. (This was before John was thrown into prison.) A debate broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing. So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us.”
John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom’s friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. Notice that the one who proclaims that the King had arrived knew his place. He didn't claim to be someone that he wasn't. He didn't have a title or an entourage. He was humble. “He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true. For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit." Now what did he mean by the statement "Spirit without limit"? In essence, there is no limit to His authority and power. Because He knew His priority, and focus, He could make this statement to His disciples: Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
Are you aware that His own brothers attempted to be a distraction from His purpose and assignment? After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters, and Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!” For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.
Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime. The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil. You go on. I’m not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come.” After saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee.
They say "prepare for war in times of peace". The same is true with your focus and purpose. Get God's Word in you--His laws, standards and moral absolutes--and build your immovable foundation. Then when disruptions and distractions come, you will stay focused. Trust no one above God's principles and His Word. Stay focused and be very careful with those with whom you associate. The wrong associates will disrupt your priorities and your focus.
Remember, your faith in King Jesus is your greatest asset and your greatest strength in the Kingdom.
Luke 6:12-16 John 3:22-30, 31-34 Matthew 28:18 John 7:1-9 all NLT
W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you
Simon (whom he named Peter)
Andrew (Peter's brother),
James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas,
James (son of Alphaeus),
Simon (who was called the zealot),
Judas (son of James),
Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).
In this three dimensional world in which we live, there are a multitude of distractions that seek our attention. Keep in mind, there are demonic forces at work to keep you off balance from embracing the Kingdom message and fulfilling your mission. They want to keep you distracted. These demonic forces have no problem with you embracing a religious organization or attending church. Those of us who preach and teach the Kingdom Gospel message, which is about His government, should always seek the guidance of the governor (Holy Spirit). It is not a good idea to search out other religious books or religious information. All you are doing is reading from their religious mindset. What I find is that many of these leaders aren't being led by the Holy Spirit. They are being guided by their denomination and others in their religious organization. Many are actually seeking the Kingdom, but too stubborn or fearful to admit it. Some would rather be the center of attention in their organization. That is why many religious leaders fail to be obedient to the King's message. They feel they won't get the attention they need to feed their ego...nothing but a distraction. Pride, ego, fear, greed, lusts, etc are all distractions from the Kingdom. It's not about the one who is bringing the message! It is about the King and His Kingdom! Do you recall what John said to his disciples? Then Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and went into the Judean countryside. Jesus spent some time with them there, baptizing people.
At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism. (This was before John was thrown into prison.) A debate broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing. So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us.”
John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom’s friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. Notice that the one who proclaims that the King had arrived knew his place. He didn't claim to be someone that he wasn't. He didn't have a title or an entourage. He was humble. “He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true. For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit." Now what did he mean by the statement "Spirit without limit"? In essence, there is no limit to His authority and power. Because He knew His priority, and focus, He could make this statement to His disciples: Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
Are you aware that His own brothers attempted to be a distraction from His purpose and assignment? After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters, and Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!” For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.
Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime. The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil. You go on. I’m not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come.” After saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee.
They say "prepare for war in times of peace". The same is true with your focus and purpose. Get God's Word in you--His laws, standards and moral absolutes--and build your immovable foundation. Then when disruptions and distractions come, you will stay focused. Trust no one above God's principles and His Word. Stay focused and be very careful with those with whom you associate. The wrong associates will disrupt your priorities and your focus.
Remember, your faith in King Jesus is your greatest asset and your greatest strength in the Kingdom.
Luke 6:12-16 John 3:22-30, 31-34 Matthew 28:18 John 7:1-9 all NLT
W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you
