Victory in the Word!--March

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.

March--Week Thirteen

Article:  ​The Bible--God’s Constitution--and the Holy Spirit

  • The Bible is the constitution of God's Kingdom government. It is our guideline for living life in His Kingdom. It contains His commands (laws) and principles for living and conducting one’s self in this three dimensional world. He left us His constitution so that we would know what He requires of us. His Kingdom government was reintroduced to mankind through His Son, Jesus the Christ. 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. Isaiah 9:6
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  • Before there ever was a Bible as we know it, there was His Word, the Word of the King. Remember that His Son, Jesus was the Word in the flesh. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1-2, 14 NKJV  His Word was always law. He just allowed mankind to put it down in writing and print. We, being citizens of the Kingdom, should always have the Word of the King written in our hearts (emotions) and minds. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:10-11 NLJV
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  • It is the power of the Holy Spirit (our Kingdom Governor) working in us that enables us to resist sin and temptation. In our own strength alone we will inevitably fail. It is the Holy Spirit that guides us and increases our wisdom and knowledge in the Kingdom. 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  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.  Galatians 5:16-17   
All scriptures are NLT 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.
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​This week, read and meditate on Colossians 3 and Psalm 52.  Colossians 3: The life and character of a Believer in Christ. ". . . let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful."   Psalm 52: The futility of wickedness and the peace of the godly.

Have a victorious, fruitful week! We pray your hearts are filled with gratitude for His grace and mercy! Keep seeking the Kingdom! ​

March--Week Twelve

Article:  ​Kingdom Protection, Wisdom and Authority

  • Protection: The Lord God uses His angels to protect His citizens (people). Angels are His servants. Angels are His army. If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. Psalm 91:9-12 He also gives protection through the guidance of His Holy Spirit (our Governor) living within us.  The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent His own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.

    Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Romans 8:3-6 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. Galatians 5:16-17
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  • ​Wisdom:  The Lord God established a teacher--our Governor--that educates His citizens, through God's Word.  He is the Holy Spirit. We are only to listen and be led by the Holy Spirit. When you read God's Constitution--the Bible--pray for the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and understanding of what you are reading. He will open your spiritual eyes and give you understanding. 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 14:26 
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  • ​Authority:  He has appointed His citizens to serve as ambassadors of God's Kingdom.  An ambassador personifies and represents the king's principles, authority, and the kingdom. A Kingdom ambassador represents the Kingdom of God and doesn't concern themselves with their personal needs or opinions.  We are to speak His words and represent Him rightly. That includes the words we speak over sickness, fear, poverty and any other thing that exalts itself over the will of God.  He doesn't ask us to do this within our own power, He has given us the Holy Spirit. We become Spirit-filled ambassadors for the Kingdom of God.  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. . .  Again He said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so I am sending you.”  Then He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit."  John 17:18-19; 20:21-22 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 NKJV
All scriptures are NLT 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.
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​This week, read and meditate on Colossians 2 and Psalm 51.  Colossians 2: Paul's letter to the Believers in Colossae. He tells them not to be led astray by persuasive arguments and debates; but to have complete faith in Christ himself. "In Him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."   Psalm 51: A psalm repentance for his sin.

Have a victorious, fruitful week! We pray your hearts are filled with gratitude for His grace and mercy! Keep seeking the Kingdom! ​

March--Week Eleven

Article:  ​Attributes of God's Kingdom

  • There is a code of conduct in the Kingdom. It is our moral code for living, written in God's Constitution. It is the laws of His Kingdom. They do not change with time or different cultures. This code of conduct is also the expectation of the King, regarding His values and moral standards to which citizens should choose to follow. Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.  Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.  I Corinthians 6:9-12 NLT
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  • There are financial attributes of the Kingdom. They guide our attitudes and actions concerning both giving and receiving. All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need. For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.  Acts 4:32-37 NLT Don't worry about your needs. Focus on seeking His Kingdom and His righteousness only! “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

    “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

    “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."      Matthew 6:25-34 
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  • There is a Kingdom culture. How would you describe the Kingdom culture? What are the attributes? How are you different from this fallen world? When the world interacts with us, they should see the attributes of Jesus and His Kingdom in us! Read these words from our King Jesus: If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:21-24   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 17:15-19 NLT I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.” John 13:34-35 AMP
​All scriptures are 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.
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​This week, read and meditate on Colossians 1 and Psalm 50.  Colossians 1: Paul's letter to the Believers in Colossae. He writes to them about Jesus Christ. When reading all he says about Christ, remember that Christ wasn't Jesus' last name. Christ means "the anointed one".  Psalm 50: A psalm speaking of our God as a judge of both the righteous and the wicked.

Have a victorious, fruitful week! We pray your hearts are filled with gratitude for His grace and mercy! Keep seeking the Kingdom! ​

March--Week Ten

Article:  ​Glory! No Longer of This World

  • When we have been born again with a new spirit (Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:3), we live on this earth but are no longer of this world. We have become citizens of the Kingdom of the Lord God. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. 1 John 4:4-5  
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  • Those who are Kingdom citizens are those who represent the Kingdom in its essence. They are filled with, and led by, the Holy Spirit. Keep in mind what King Jesus stated while He was here on earth:  It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63  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 NLT  
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  • When you have the Holy Spirit living in your life, you are not only children of God but heirs and joint heirs with the Lord Jesus. Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him, “Abba, Father.” For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering. Romans 8:12-17 NLT
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  • Our faith in Him is our foundation for a victorious life! We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey His commandments. Loving God means keeping His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome. For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:2-5 NLT 
All scriptures are 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.
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​This week, read and meditate on Philippians 4 and Psalm 49.  Philippians 4: Be anxious about nothing! Focus on truth, honor, excellence and praiseworthy. Psalm 49: A psalm speaking of rich or poor, all will one day die. What is important is where we spend eternity.

Have a victorious, fruitful week! We pray your hearts are filled with gratitude for His grace and mercy! Keep seeking the Kingdom! ​

March--Week Nine

Article:  ​Understanding the Kingdom Life

  • The Kingdom of God is not complicated. The Lord Jesus taught that we are to approach it as children, with childlike faith. It should be kept simple and bring an understanding of a kingdom, how it operates within us and what our lives should look like as Kingdom citizens interacting with the world. About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” 

    Jesus called a little child to Him and put the child among them. Then He said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 18:1-3 
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  • The Lord Jesus is our King in the Kingdom of God and all power and authority is given to Him by His Father God. Jesus came and told His disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth."  Matthew 28:18  NKJV  
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  • A law of the Kingdom is to proclaim the King's Word, His commands, His rewards. We are to speak it into every situation we face. As you learn more of God's Word, the Holy Spirit will give you the right scriptures for that circumstance. You were never meant to do it on your own.  Preach the Word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2  For we will be counted as righteous when we obey all the commands the Lord our God has given us. Deuteronomy 6:25 . . .  “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

    “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!"  Matthew 5:17-20      ​
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  • Citizenship in a kingdom isn't a right, but a privilege and it is at the pleasure of the king himself. Citizens are chosen by the king and are beneficiaries of the king's favor and promises. It is the same in the Kingdom of God. 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 . . . 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 17:16-19  . . . "For no one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws them to Me" John 6:44a
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All scriptures are NLT 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.
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​This week, read and meditate on Philippians 3 and Psalm 48.  Philippians 3: The priceless value of truly knowing Christ and that our citizenship is in Heaven. Psalm 48: A psalm of praise of the beauty and glory of God in the earth.

Have a victorious, fruitful week! We pray your hearts are filled with gratitude for His grace and mercy! Keep seeking the Kingdom! ​