Power in the Word!--September
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.
September--Week Thirty-Nine
Article: What Constitutes a Departure From the Kingdom?
- All unrighteousness will separate you from the Kingdom. It is vital to make it a habit to search our hearts, thoughts and actions and repent to be forgiven of those sins. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death [one can repent of it and be forgiven]. 1 John 5:17 AMP Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24
- King Jesus told us that it is not only the actions, but also the thoughts of sins that will separate us from the Kingdom. Two examples He used were murder and adultery. "You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell....You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” Matthew 5: 21-22, 27-30
- Feed on His Word, be led by the Holy Spirit, receive the Lord God’s grace and mercy, and show those around you His love and the blessings of living in the Kingdom of God! You don't have to depart from the Kingdom. The choice is yours. Our Lord never turns away from us, but some are lured away by the temptations of this world. “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. Matthew 6:25-33 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
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 18 & Psalm 25. Proverbs 18 Continued life wisdom and dealing with people. Psalm 25 David's prayer for deliverance, forgiveness, protection and guidance.
Have a victorious, fruitful week and keep seeking the Kingdom!
September--Week Thirty-Eight
Article: Right in His Sight
- Loving King Jesus and doing what is right in His sight, is obeying His Word. When you obey My commandments, you remain in My love, just as I obey My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. John 15:10...If you love Me, obey My commandments. John 14:15
- Doing what is right as a citizen of the Kingdom is submitting your will to the Holy Spirit—our Governor. Doing what is right in the sight of the Lord God is only possible through the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit for He will lead you by His truth. 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
- Trying to be righteous without faith in God's Word brings religious bondage under manmade laws. When you know God's Word, have faith in His Word and operate in the knowledge of His Word; you are a citizen of God's Kingdom in right standing. But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 NKJV ...But don’t just listen to God’s Word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:22-25
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 17 & Psalm 24. Proverbs 17 Wisdom and issues of the heart. Psalm 24 David's praise to the Lord.
Have a victorious, fruitful week and keep seeking the Kingdom!
September--Week Thirty-Seven
Article: Kingdom Perspective: The Eternal Message Part 2
- King Jesus' message should always resonate throughout every citizens of the Kingdom. We are to be like Him. 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
- Every Believer in Jesus Christ must know their true citizenship. 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
- The Lord Jesus did not come to bring a new religion for His people. He came to establish His government within His people, as prophesied by Isaiah. For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! Isaiah 9:6-7
- We must shine the light of the Kingdom of God to this world. Be a citizen of the Kingdom of God: Believe in King Jesus, repent of your sins, accept Him as your Lord and Savior, and be filled with the Holy Spirit and God’s Word. And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven. Luke 24:49 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8
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 16 & Psalm 23. Proverbs 16 What a wealth of wisdom! Priceless. Psalm 23 We all know the 23rd Psalm. You may be able to recite it from memory. But this week approach it with a fresh mind, looking for fresh revelation. Allow the Holy Spirit to show you these scriptures in a new light.
Have a victorious, fruitful week and keep seeking the Kingdom!
September--Week Thirty-Six
Article: Kingdom Contracts
- God's Kingdom Constitution is filled with "contracts" to His people. His promises to us are like contracts because there is consideration on both parts. But most of the time when Christians quote those promises they leave off what we are to do to “fulfill the contract”. If you were contracted to do a job, they would tell you what you had to do and how much you would be paid to do the job. You agree that you will do the work for them and accept the payment they have offered. Would you sign that contract but sit home waiting for your payment, saying that they've promised to pay you and you believe they will bring it to you? Of course not because you never held up your part of the agreement! God’s Word is true…He cannot lie. God doesn’t breach the contracts He has made with us, we do. God is not a man, so He does not lie. He is not human, so He does not change His mind. Has He ever spoken and failed to act? Has He ever promised and not carried it through? Numbers 23:19
- When Elisha went to the widow, he first asked "How can I help you? What do you have in the house?" When the Lord asks you to do something, He knows you can do it and He knows what you have. He only asks you to use what you have. He will bless and multiply both your efforts and your possessions to fulfill His purpose in your life! “What can I do to help you?” Elisha asked. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?”
“Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil,” she replied.
And Elisha said, “Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors. Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting each one aside when it is filled.”
So she did as she was told. Her sons kept bringing jars to her, and she filled one after another. Soon every container was full to the brim!
“Bring me another jar,” she said to one of her sons.
“There aren’t any more!” he told her. And then the olive oil stopped flowing.
When she told the man of God what had happened, he said to her, “Now sell the olive oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on what is left over.” 2 Kings 4:2-7
- Another excellent example of God's "contracts" is with Abram. He had to leave his home, his family, his country! That took great faith and obedience! But the blessings would be well worth the sacrifice. Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:1-3
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 15 & Psalm 22. Proverbs 15 The posture of the righteous dealing with wickedness. Psalm 22 Praising God through times of suffering, sorrow or depression.
Have a victorious, fruitful week and keep seeking the Kingdom!
