Victory 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: Kingdom Humility
- Humility is not a sign of weakness. It does not mean that people may control or manipulate you. You can know your own mind, be unshakeable in your believe in the Lord Jesus, and still be kind and gentle with others, having a servant’s heart and loving even those who may hate or mistreat you. That takes strength and self-control. We are to humbly submit our will to His Will and His Word. That is true humility. To accurately represent the Lord Jesus, we must be genuinely humble. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. Ephesians 4:2-3 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. . . Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor. James 4:7, 10
- Pride and arrogance saturate the world. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! 2 Timothy 3:2-5 But we, as citizens of the Kingdom, are counter-culture. We respond to the evil of the world, according to God’s Word, with grace, humility, kindness and strength in knowing our King will always take care of us and His Will shall be done in every situation we face. We know that in every situation, He is working it for our ultimate good. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. Romans 8:27-28
- Citizens of the Kingdom, are the antidote for the evil that brings much pain and misery to this fallen world. But if they are filled with the world, they are powerless. The people in your community need to see Kingdom strength and humility—Believers who are humble, kind, at peace, and filled with grace and mercy for all, yet strong and unwavering with their faith in our King Jesus. Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the Spirit He has placed within us should be faithful to Him. And He gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. James 4:4-8
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 1 Peter 5 and Psalm 96. 1 Peter 5: The responsibility of leading God's people; submission and humility. Psalm 96: Praise to the Lord for He is a righteous judge.
Have a victorious, fruitful week! We pray your hearts are filled with gratitude for His grace and mercy! Keep seeking the Kingdom! Stay strong in the Lord and the power of His Might! He is our strength.
December--Week Fifty-One
Article: Authorized Power
- Authorized power is the power that our Governor gives to a person to operate in all the attributes and benefits of the Kingdom of God. For example, healing is a benefit in the Kingdom of God. He created us! All that the Lord God requires from you is to put all of your faith in Him. But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. . . And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.”. . .Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” Matthew 9:22, 28-29; 15:28
- It is very important to have the Holy Spirit—Our Governor—living in you. He is the source of your power in the Kingdom. That same Spirit that took our Lord and King back to His Father will take you up as well. Ambassador Paul made this statement to the Kingdom citizens at Rome: But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11
- If you live by the world’s standard, it is impossible to please the Lord God and you will be powerless in the Kingdom. “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 NLT. . For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8 . . . Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 NLT
I want you to live an abundant life in the Kingdom of God with all the power and authority that is available to its citizens! It is all for His glory!
All scriptures NKJV unless noted.
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 1 Peter 4 and Psalm 95. 1 Peter 4: Being a living example of Christ to the world. Psalm 95: Praise to the Lord and a warning against unbelief and disobedience.
Have a victorious, fruitful week! We pray your hearts are filled with gratitude for His grace and mercy! Keep seeking the Kingdom! Stay strong in the Lord and the power of His Might! He is our strength.
December--Week Fifty
Article: Your Lifestyle Reveals Your True Culture
- The way you live, reveals the origin of your culture. It tells where you come from. The way you behave, the way you respond to others in times of crisis, the way you react to a situation and the way you deal with disappointments should reveal the Kingdom culture. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” Matthew 7:15-20
- When you are filled with the Holy Spirit--our Governor--you are part of God's Kingdom government. As you grow in the Kingdom culture, you become bolder and stronger in your faith. You begin to view things differently from what they were before. It is impossible for you not to grow stronger in your faith in Him, under the leading of the Holy Spirit. He will guide you and lead you to all His Truth. “If you love me, obey My commandments. 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 14:15-17 NLT
- There is a serious culture war raging in our world today. When you became realigned with the Kingdom of the Lord God, you live in two kingdoms (or worlds). One is the invisible Kingdom of the Lord God, which lives within you through the presence of the Holy Spirit, our Governor. The second kingdom of humanity is the kingdom of darkness. It is fueled by Satan and is all around us. There are remnants of our rebellious nature still present in us that are drawn to that culture. They need to be uprooted by the Word of God. Become aware of the culture that emanates from you to others. Show them the Kingdom culture and what it means to be in the Kingdom every day! “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they 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 so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
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 1 Peter 3 and Psalm 94. 1 Peter 3 : Humility and submission in our relationships--with our spouse, our fellow believers and our Lord. Psalm 94: A prayer, imploring God for justice against the wicked.
Have a victorious, fruitful week! We pray your hearts are filled with gratitude for His grace and mercy! Keep seeking the Kingdom! Stay strong in the Lord and the power of His Might! He is our strength.
December--Week Forty-Nine
Article: Growing The Kingdom Culture
- What are some of the qualities of our Governor—the Holy Spirit? But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:22-25 NLT
- The characteristics of the Kingdom of God are manifest in the world only through its citizens and the fruits of His Spirit that have matured in them by the Lord God's Word and the Holy Spirit. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they 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 so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. Hebrews 5:11-14 NLT
- Your fruit isn’t only for your benefit, but for the benefit of those around you. It is the only way to truly represent the Kingdom to the world! So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these.
Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Galatians 5:16-21 NLT
So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]. For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13 AMP
All scriptures NKJV unless noted.
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 1 Peter 2 and Psalm 93. 1 Peter 2: Submitting to proper authority while living as foreigners in this fallen world. Representing Christ. Psalm 93: How majestic is the Lord!
Have a victorious, fruitful week! We pray your hearts are filled with gratitude for His grace and mercy! Keep seeking the Kingdom! Stay strong in the Lord and the power of His Might! He is our strength.
