Power in the Word!--October
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.
October--Week Forty-Three
Article: The Kingdom Concept of King and Kingdom
- The Lord God’s original plan and purpose was to extend His heavenly Kingdom on earth. It was to bring His invisible supernatural rule into the visible natural world. It was for this reason that He created mankind—male and female. He created them in His own image and clothed them in physical bodies of flesh, bone and blood from the dirt of this earth. He created them to exercise dominion over the earth just as He does in Heaven. And God blessed them [granting them certain authority] and said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subjugate it [putting it under your power]; and rule over (dominate) the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves upon the earth.” So God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of the entire earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; and to all the animals on the earth and to every bird of the air and to everything that moves on the ground—to everything in which there is the breath of life—I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so [because He commanded it]. Genesis 1:28-30 AMP
- Mankind was to be His representative, ruling here one earth in His name and under His authority. Keep in mind; this was all before the fall of mankind, meaning his disobedience to the King’s command. The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” Genesis 2:15-17
- The Lord God gave Adam the earth as his domain because a king isn’t a king unless he has territory over which to rule. 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. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” Genesis 1:26-28
- Jesus, while on this earth, was both a human being and the Son of the Lord God so He had the authority to both restore the Kingdom and to rule it as King. It was His birthright to be King. He came to reintroduce God's Kingdom to His people. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. Colossians 2:9 And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father, [the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is] full of grace and truth (absolutely free of deception). John 1:14 AMP Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:14-15 NKJV
This is a season to grow in God's Wisdom, and our ability to praise and pray to our Lord. We are moving into 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 22 & Psalm 30. Proverbs 22 The value and importance of a good reputation. Psalm 30 A psalm of praise for answered prayers.
Have a victorious, fruitful week and keep seeking the Kingdom!
October--Week Forty-Two
Article: Your Sustaining Power
- Love is a verb and requires action. If we truly love the Lord Jesus, we will obey His command. “If you love Me, obey My commandments." John 14:15 Then we will be able to say, as King David did: The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? Psalm 27:1 I love you, Lord; You are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and He saved me from my enemies. Psalm 18:1-3
- The Word of King Jesus will sustain and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. I have revealed You to the ones You gave Me from this world. They were always Yours. You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word...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. John 17:6, 17
- In His Word you will obtain protection. As for God, His way is perfect; The Word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. Psalm 18:30 NKJV But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread Your protection over them, that all who love Your name may be filled with joy. For You bless the godly, O Lord; You surround them with Your shield of love. Psalm 5:11-12
This is a season to grow in God's Wisdom, and our ability to praise and pray to our Lord. We are moving into 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 21 & Psalm 28-29. Proverbs 21 Life and issues of the heart. The Lord sees our heart, not our words. Psalm 28-29 Praying for help, praising for His answer and hearing His voice in the storm.
Have a victorious, fruitful week and keep seeking the Kingdom!
October--Week Forty-One
Article: The Jeopardy of Being Rich
- As Kingdom citizens, becoming wealthy should never be our focus or goal in this life. Our goal should be to always obey His Word and fulfil His purpose for our life. Always remember who gives us riches. And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Deuteronomy 8:18 NKJV
- Keep in mind, our Lord never stated that He would make us rich financially, but He stated that He would supply all our needs. Ambassador Paul made this statement: And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His Kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. Matthew 6:33 AMP
- Remember that money by itself is neither good nor evil, as it is only a tool. But it is the love of money that causes us to lose focus and begin to seek after it rather than the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Ambassador Paul explained it well to Timothy: Teach these things, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them. Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:3-10
All NLT scriptures unless noted.
This is a season to grow in God's Wisdom, and our ability to praise and pray to our Lord. We are moving into 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 20 & Psalm 27. Proverbs 20 Continued wisdom for how we to live godly lives. Psalm 27 David's declaration of praise and fearlessly trusting the Lord.
Have a victorious, fruitful week and keep seeking the Kingdom!
October--Week Forty
Article: What is a Kingdom?
- Having an understanding of the characteristics of a king and his kingdom helps us to understand our relationship with King Jesus and the Kingdom of God that is in us through the Holy Spirit. Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The Kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the Kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20-21 NKJV
- Jesus Christ is King of kings, and Lord of lords. A king relates to dominion, while a lord relates to domain. The word dominion refers to the king's authority--his power. The word domain refers to the territory, the property, the geographical area over which his authority extends. A king exercises his authority over a specific geographical area. The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him. Psalm 24:1 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 14:16-17
- If the Kingdom of God is within us by the Holy Spirit, the world will see that we are different. God's Word and wisdom will be evident in our words. We will look like and reflect our Lord and King Jesus everywhere we go, no matter the environment. The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing right there among them, there was nothing the council could say. Acts 4:13-14 You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 AMP
All NLT scriptures unless noted.
This is a season to grow in God's Wisdom, and our ability to praise and pray to our Lord. We are moving into 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 19 & Psalm 26. Proverbs 19 Wisdom for how we should live our lives. Psalm 26 David's prayer for redemption and protection from a posture of integrity.
Have a victorious, fruitful week and keep seeking the Kingdom!
