The Unshakable Kingdom and Unchanging Person
My journey to rediscover the Kingdom came to me back in the late 1960's when I was still in high school. The scripture that always came to mind was Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
For years I quoted that part of the Constitution, not knowing what it truly meant. At that time I had a religious mindset, in fact I truly thought that it was all about believing in the right religion called "Christian". Little did I know that God's Constitution was speaking about a kingdom that we had lost.
In my journey to get where I am now, in terms of the Kingdom, I passed up several opportunities in becoming a pastor in several churches in Brooklyn, NY. I have always felt that I didn't have the complete picture of the Kingdom. For over four decades I struggled with the concept in Matthew 6:33 concerning the Kingdom, and what it truly meant. In the denomination that I attended and joined, they all would have programs and clichés that would govern their organization. Some of the slogans were: "You can't join it, you have to be born in it". That slogan was by the Church of God in Christ. Another was "Let go and let God". These slogans and clichés were mainly in African-American led churches. They meant well, but they were missing the Kingdom concept as well.
So many apostles, evangelists, preachers and faith healers would come through those churches and denominations with their healing cloths, prayer handkerchiefs and financial blessing plans that it made me stop going to church for several years. When I did start going back, it was the same old thing, just a different time. What I found was this: they mostly were gimmicks. Most churches have great music to get the people shouting and in a feel-good mode. But it really wasn't praising the King or worshiping Him. I find the same thing here in the south. People don't get smarter, but more emotional. It reminds me of a cat on a hot tin roof.
It was when I met my wife Arlene, that things changed almost immediately. After I retired from my place of employment, I really began to seek the kingdom. I realized that if one really is seeking the truth, you will discover it. It was when I started reading all of Dr. Munroe's books, that the pieces began to fit. Do you remember what God told the children of Israel through Hosea the prophet?
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. Hosea 4:6
Focus Point: If leaders are to be effective preaching and teaching the Kingdom, they must first obtain knowledge in order for them to be effective in this world. Leaders must have something substantial to convey to the people. Do you recall what God stated to Malachi concerning the corrupt priests?
For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, And people should seek the law from his mouth; For he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. Malachi 2:7
Focus Point: Leaders can only be effective through submitting their will to the Holy Spirit. Knowledge is power, but without wisdom, it can and is misdirected.
Focus Point: Remember, if you aren't obeying God's constitution there is no way that the Father will give you the Holy Spirit. No way. You can't disobey the King's laws and expect all the good and great things to be given to you. keep in mind, if you do good the Lord will reward you.
But to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God. Romans 2:8-11
For years I quoted that part of the Constitution, not knowing what it truly meant. At that time I had a religious mindset, in fact I truly thought that it was all about believing in the right religion called "Christian". Little did I know that God's Constitution was speaking about a kingdom that we had lost.
In my journey to get where I am now, in terms of the Kingdom, I passed up several opportunities in becoming a pastor in several churches in Brooklyn, NY. I have always felt that I didn't have the complete picture of the Kingdom. For over four decades I struggled with the concept in Matthew 6:33 concerning the Kingdom, and what it truly meant. In the denomination that I attended and joined, they all would have programs and clichés that would govern their organization. Some of the slogans were: "You can't join it, you have to be born in it". That slogan was by the Church of God in Christ. Another was "Let go and let God". These slogans and clichés were mainly in African-American led churches. They meant well, but they were missing the Kingdom concept as well.
So many apostles, evangelists, preachers and faith healers would come through those churches and denominations with their healing cloths, prayer handkerchiefs and financial blessing plans that it made me stop going to church for several years. When I did start going back, it was the same old thing, just a different time. What I found was this: they mostly were gimmicks. Most churches have great music to get the people shouting and in a feel-good mode. But it really wasn't praising the King or worshiping Him. I find the same thing here in the south. People don't get smarter, but more emotional. It reminds me of a cat on a hot tin roof.
It was when I met my wife Arlene, that things changed almost immediately. After I retired from my place of employment, I really began to seek the kingdom. I realized that if one really is seeking the truth, you will discover it. It was when I started reading all of Dr. Munroe's books, that the pieces began to fit. Do you remember what God told the children of Israel through Hosea the prophet?
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. Hosea 4:6
Focus Point: If leaders are to be effective preaching and teaching the Kingdom, they must first obtain knowledge in order for them to be effective in this world. Leaders must have something substantial to convey to the people. Do you recall what God stated to Malachi concerning the corrupt priests?
For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, And people should seek the law from his mouth; For he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. Malachi 2:7
Focus Point: Leaders can only be effective through submitting their will to the Holy Spirit. Knowledge is power, but without wisdom, it can and is misdirected.
Focus Point: Remember, if you aren't obeying God's constitution there is no way that the Father will give you the Holy Spirit. No way. You can't disobey the King's laws and expect all the good and great things to be given to you. keep in mind, if you do good the Lord will reward you.
But to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God. Romans 2:8-11
Learn the Kingdom concept. It was God's idea
