Victory in the Word!--May

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.

May--Week Twenty-Two

Article: King Jesus Came to Complete the Law

The Lord Jesus came to bring the true and complete essence to the law. Too often, people say we aren't under the law but under grace. Thank the Lord God for His abundant grace, but also remember that King Jesus came to fulfill the law. He came to perfect the law, as it was intended to be. “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 5:17-20

The New Covenant was the complete intent of His Father’s Will. But what about the Old Covenant? Well, it has become obsolete. Now read what it says in Hebrews: For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord.

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. Hebrews 8:7-13

It is the Holy Spirit working in us that enables us to obey the Lord God's laws. Before Jesus came, their obedience was through their own strength and will. The only way you are not "under the law" is when you have allowed the Holy Spirit to govern your life. Then you are free FROM sin, not free TO sin! Only then will we truly be free from the sin that so easily temps us! I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:16-18 When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God’s written law. And the Jews, who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it. For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in His sight. Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know His law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life. Romans 2:12-16 NLT

All scriptures NKJV except where 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 2 Thessalonians 3 and Psalm 62. 2 Thessalonians 3: A warning against living an idle, undisciplined life. "If anyone will not work, they will not eat." said Paul and he led by example. Psalm 62:Waiting on the Lord God, who is our Refuge or safety in times of treachery and trouble.

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

May--Week Twenty-One

Article: Seven Kingdom Pillars to Build Upon

The Lord God’s constitution contains EVERYTHING you need to live a prosperous, productive life filled with peace and joy no matter what comes your way! If only we will embrace it, consume it and live it. Living the life of a Kingdom citizen, isn’t waiting and longing for Heaven. It is living a life here and now that manifests His Kingdom in our daily lives, including all His benefits! “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying Him, and committing yourself firmly to Him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NLT

The Word became flesh when the Lord Jesus came to earth. 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 1:14 The Word became deed (actions) through the many miracles of the Lord Jesus. Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them. So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel. Matthew 15:30-31 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Matthew 9:35 The Word became atonement through the blood of the Lord Jesus, shed on the cross for our salvation. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:7-9 The Word was victorious over death through the Lord Jesus' resurrection. To these [men] He also showed Himself alive after His suffering [in Gethsemane and on the cross], by [a series of] many infallible proofs and unquestionable demonstrations, appearing to them over a period of forty days and talking to them about the things concerning the Kingdom of God. Acts 1:3 AMP

The Word became the final authority and unshakable pattern for all time. Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. Hebrews 12:27-28 The Word became the final power and authority in the Kingdom. Who is the one who condemns us? Christ Jesus is the One who died [to pay our penalty], and more than that, who was raised [from the dead], and who is at the right hand of God interceding [with the Father] for us. Romans 8:34 AMP Through the Word, God sent the Holy Spirit to live in and govern His people. If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Holy Spirit, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. . . But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:15-17, 26

All scriptures NKJV except where 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 2 Thessalonians 2 and Psalm 61. 2 Thessalonians 2: Lawlessness and the events leading up to the King Jesus' second coming. Stand firm in what you've been taught Psalm 61: A praise of the Lord God's protection.

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

May--Week Twenty

Article: You Reflect What You Truly Believe

What do you believe? Even if you don’t verbalize it, in time I will see it by observing what you do. Have you ever heard the phrase, "People are like toothpaste. When they're squeezed, what's in them will come out."? Yes, in times of crisis and challenges, what we really think and believe will come out. In those times, do you find yourself speaking worry, anger, doubt, fear and anxiety or what the Lord God says in His Word? Remember that when the devil came to our King Jesus in the wilderness to tempt Him away from His purpose, He responded with "It is written" and God's Word. He could respond in no other way because that was what was in Him! Also remember that it was the Holy Spirit that led Him into the wilderness, specifically to be tempted by the devil. The Lord God doesn't always keep us from tests and trials. They serve a purpose in our growth! Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”

Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”

Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Matthew 4:1-11

If you truly believe the Lord God heals, protects and provides you will have peace in every circumstance! Your faith in Him is the answer to what you believe. If you don't feel peace, there is a lack of faith that you must face and deal with. We have ALL been in that situation! So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:22-25

If you can see it, it doesn’t require faith! Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. Hebrews 11:1-2 What—or who—are you reflecting? This fallen world and its culture or the Kingdom culture of complete, uncompromising faith in the Lord Jesus and God’s Word?

All scriptures NKJV except where 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 2 Thessalonians 1 and Psalm 60. 2 Thessalonians 1: Paul's words of faith-building encouragement in their time of persecution. Psalm 60: David "complaining" to God after his lost battle. Seeking God's favor to return to them and restore them.

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

May--Week Nineteen

Article: God’s Word Transforms Us

Humbling ourselves is one of the keys to entering the Kingdom. It is all a process. We must learn to detox from what we have learned—and “caught”—here in this fallen world. Do you recall what King Jesus said to His disciples while He was here on earth? At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?”

Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the Kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:1-4

When you start reading and studying the Lord God’s constitution consistently, a change will begin to take place in your life and your lifestyle. You can’t be full of His Word and not be changed! His Word renews and transforms (changes) our mind. And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 NLT

His Word gives us the courage and strength to stand against the evil of this age. Knowledge of His Word gives us direction and shows us His purpose for our lives. God's Word is nourishment and cultivates the seeds of the fruits of the spirit within us. The reason many people fail as believers is because they have so little knowledge of His Word. 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, also will forget your children. Hosea 4:6 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8

If we fail to consume the Lord God's Word until it becomes a part of us, imprinted on our mind and heart, we will fall to the world's standards. We will look, act and speak no differently than the world. You cannot be a Kingdom citizen when you look and sound like the world rather than our King Jesus. But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts]. For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do. But if you are guided and led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the Law. Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites. Galatians 5:16-24 AMP

All scriptures NKJV except where 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 Thessalonians 5 and Psalm 59. 1 Thessalonians 5: Paul's words of wisdom, guidance and encouragement on how to live. Psalm 59: David asking God to defend him against his enemies.

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

May--Week Eighteen

Article: Strong Faith in the King’s Word

Salvation is our first true act of faith! It doesn’t matter where you are, all you have to do is to put your trust and faith in the Lord Jesus, receive Him as your Savior and you will have everlasting life. It is just that simple. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6

Understanding the power and authority our Father has given to the Lord Jesus builds your faith! The centurion understood the power that came with authority. When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.”

Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.”

But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”

When Jesus heard this, He was amazed. Turning to those who were following Him, He said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour. Matthew 8:5-13 NLT

Walking by faith is trusting and acting upon His Word, no matter how circumstances look, just because the King said it. Faith is believing it is already done and thinking and acting accordingly. That kind of faith will bring peace into your life through every situation and trial. Trust is also having peace if what you've been believing for doesn't come to pass because you understand that the Lord God knows all. He knows your end from your beginning. He knows your purpose and what would come to pass if you received what you are praying for. Trusting in the Lord more than your own wisdom is being spiritually mature and understanding that the Lord God knows what you do not know yet. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

All scriptures NKJV except where 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 Thessalonians 4 and Psalm 58. 1 Thessalonians 4: Paul encourages them to live a life of purity, brotherly love and with all things done in order. He encouraged them concerning the Lord Jesus' return for them. Psalm 58: The just judgment of the wicked.

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