Power in the Word!--December
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.
December--Week Fifty-Two
Article: Breaking Down the Kingdom Concept
- A Kingdom is the governing impact of a king’s will over his territory or domain. It is the king’s influence and leadership over a people and a government. In essence, the very heart of any kingdom is its king. If this holds true, then the characteristics of every citizen should show signs of the king in their lifestyle. Their behavior, mannerisms, beliefs and speech will reflect their king. In Acts, the religious leaders knew by Peter and John's manner and words that they had been with Jesus! Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. Acts 4:13-14
- The Lord Jesus is our King. His Kingdom is within us. He is impacting us with His will, His purpose, while manifesting His culture and character through us by the Holy Spirit—our Governor—in us. His citizens reflect the King’s nature, values and morals. Jesus replied, “All who love Me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and We will come and make Our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love Me will not obey Me. And remember, My words are not My own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent Me. I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. 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 14:23-26 NLT
- The Lord Jesus made is clear that His Kingdom was not of this world. Those who are born again by His Spirit are no longer of the world as well. Their citizenship is in Heaven. They take the Kingdom of God wherever they go. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior. Philippians 3:20 NLT I have given them Your Word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. John 17:14-17
This is a season to grow in God's Wisdom, and our ability to praise and pray to our Lord. We are in Proverbs and Psalm:
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 31 and Psalm 39. Proverbs 31: What is a virtuous woman? Psalm 39: A prayer of remorse and regret, seeking forgiveness and wisdom.
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!
December--Week Fifty-One
Article: Don't Worry Part 2
- When you are focused on the Kingdom there is no room for worry or anxiety because you are aware of your first priority, seeking God's Kingdom. You can trust Him, come what may! The world, including religious minded people, is filled with anxiety and lack total faith in the King when troubles come. It is easy to think you have faith, until trials test it! The Lord Jesus is saying we are no different from unbelievers when worry dominates our minds. So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:31-33
- Who, or what, is your source? We may say we have faith and believe the Lord God provides for all our needs, but we work and strive to earn enough money for our lifestyle. The issue here isn’t hard work, but our focus and who we see as our source and provider. Your employer isn't your source! Your spouse isn't your source! If we are seeking the Kingdom first, our first priority will be time spent in His presence and in His Word. That is what He means when He says to seek FIRST the Kingdom and His righteousness. You need that quiet time between you and Him more than any material thing. Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you. Psalm 37:3-5 The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the Lord, and He delights in his way [and blesses his path]. When he falls, he will not be hurled down, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand and sustains him. I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous (those in right standing with God) abandoned or his descendants pleading for bread. Psalm 37:23-25
- Once we truly understand that our provision and our protection is our King’s responsibility, we will have peace and not live in anxiety and strife. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13
This is a season to grow in God's Wisdom, and our ability to praise and pray to our Lord. We are in Proverbs and Psalm:
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 29 and Psalm 38. Proverbs 29: Wisdom for these troubled days. Psalm 38: A prayer when feeling disciplined by the Father.
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!
December--Week Fifty
Article: Don't Worry Part 1
- Worry doesn’t change anything. It shows our level of trust and faith in God’s Word. Regardless of all the evil one puts this world through, we as Kingdom citizens are to stand tall on His Word! Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on." Luke 12:22 NKJV Jesus went beyond "don't worry", telling them to sell what they have and give generously to the poor. In our terms, He was telling them that "you can't out-give God"! That treasure can't be stolen by the enemy when your heart is for God's Kingdom first! Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need. So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Luke 12:31-34
- When we realize who our true source and provider is, we will come to the realization that our total faith and trust is only for our Father and His Word. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. Isaiah 25:3-4
- Our faith is weakened when we change the focus of our direction and source. Instead of looking to the Kingdom and our Heavenly Father, we look to ourselves or mankind—spouse, parent, employer, pastor, and the government—to sustain us. When you have more faith in doctors, medicine, leaders and mankind in general, your faith is misplaced and you have opened the door to anxiety, worry and fear! Man will let you down, the Lord God won't! If you are looking to anyone or anything other than the Lord God, our Father and King of Heaven as your source, you will struggle and your life just won’t come together. (This scripture may sound extreme, but it gets the point across!) Don’t trust anyone—not your best friend or even your wife! For the son despises his father. The daughter defies her mother. The daughter-in-law defies her mother-in-law. Your enemies are right in your own household! As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. Micah 7:5-7 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. Deuteronomy 31:6 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”
So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6
This is a season to grow in God's Wisdom, and our ability to praise and pray to our Lord. We are in Proverbs and Psalm:
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 28 and Psalm 37. Proverbs 28: The righteous are as bold as a lion! God's warnings and instructions for life. Psalm 37: The insecurity of the wicked versus the security of trusting in the Lord. (This is my favorite Psalm, I love it! Arlene)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and have a victorious, fruitful week! Keep seeking the Kingdom!
December--Week Forty-Nine
Article: Kingdom Concepts: Understanding Religion Part 2
- The Lord Jesus’ focus was always on His Kingdom. He instructed us not to worry or have anxiety about anything but only to make the Kingdom our top priority. That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.
So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:25-34
- Religion preoccupies mankind with “doing”—doing for the church—doing for the ministers—doing for the members, doing, doing. But, remember when Jesus visited Mary and Martha? As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what He taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to You that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”
But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 Mary sat at Jesus' feet, listening to Him teach--the Word of God. Jesus told Martha that was the only thing to be concerned with. Your service should come from the overflow of time spent with Him in His Word.
- The Lord God didn’t deliver us by His Son to send us to heaven, but to empower others to embrace the Kingdom government, not a religion called Christianity. Our focus isn't to be on heaven, but on bringing the Kingdom of God into the world around us. It is by the Holy Spirit living in Kingdom citizens that the Kingdom of God affects this world. Now I am coming to You. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with My joy. I have given them Your Word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by Your truth; teach them Your Word, which is truth. Just as You sent Me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give Myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by Your truth. John 17:13-19
This is a season to grow in God's Wisdom, and our ability to praise and pray to our Lord. We are in Proverbs and Psalm:
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 27 and Psalm 36. Proverbs 27: Warnings and instructions on being wise. Psalm 36: The love and kindness of God.
Have a victorious, fruitful week and keep seeking the Kingdom!
