“You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom—you know how it works.” ~~Jesus

God has a kingdom where he rules. It doesn’t work like any government we know in this world. He is in complete control. He is the eternal King. He is light. He is love.

He cares about us so much that He has given us insight into how His government works. Our mission is to bring to bring to earth His kingdom.

May I have insight into how God’s kingdom works.

“You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom—you know how it works.” ~~Jesus (Luke 8:10)

“Take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom.” ~~Jesus

Jesus demands that I take His way seriously. My job, my mission, is to show others His way. Later on He would say, as He rose to Heaven, to make disciples of all nations. That is how we find honor in His world (Kingdom).

May I take it seriously. May I do so today, right now.

“Take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom.” ~~Jesus (Matthew 5:19-20 The Message)

Don’t ask the easy questions

You’ve been with Jesus for a while now. And, you have been through a lot with Him. His ministry. His death. His resurrection.

And yet you don’t fully comprehend what is happening. You revert to easy questions. You won’t get the answer you think. And, something else is about to happen to rock your world. Jesus will complete His mission here and ascend to heaven to be with His father.

It turns out to be the last time together. They won’t forget His answer.

When they were together for the last time they asked, “Master, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now? Is this the time?”  (Acts 1:6 The Message)

Related articles

• The Challenge of the Kingdom (Part 4) (readingacts.wordpress.com)
• The Coronation of Jesus (vanguardngr.com)
• Jesus, for me it’s Jesus (conversationinfaith.wordpress.com)
• Matthew 28. The Resurrection Of Our LORD And Saviour Jesus Christ (bummyla.wordpress.com)

Who is in control?

He has already won the victory. He is seated on the throne. It is done. There is nothing left to do to establish who is in control in God’s world (Kingdom). It is clear it is Jesus.

And, this is a reality. Not a promise. He is making everything new. It is not something for me to get later in heaven. It is now. He is in the process of doing it and will finish it.

It is true. I can count on it. He can be trusted.

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5

Related articles

• Revelation 12: Who Is the Woman Clothed with the Sun? (jimmyakin.com)
• A flower in Bosnia (chemistrychristianityandme.wordpress.com)
• Revelation 21:4-8 – He will wipe every t (haroldcameron.wordpress.com)
• Heaven is…. (juancastillojr.wordpress.com)

“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow.” ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to focus on what God is doing today, right now. That is all that Jesus did. He focused like no one else on that one thing. He gave it His entire attention. Nothing else matters. This is not easy at all. It is not the way of this world. It is the way of God’s world (Kingdom).

In our culture, we are big on planning. It is an obsession. It is big business. We all want to be strategic. We miss today’s opportunities as a result.

Jesus knew that if we did today what God wants us to, tomorrow will take care of itself.

“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow.” ~~Jesus (Matthew 6:34 The Message)

Related articles

• The Carpenter (sandystrachan.wordpress.com)
• Does God change his mind? (pondering Mark 7: 24-37) (sallysjourney.typepad.com)
• When Jesus touches, he makes it very personal (junjunfaithbook.com)
• Faith is a powerful thing. (cpkidd09.wordpress.com)

“And life is urgent: Announce God’s kingdom!” ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to live life urgently. He doesn’t have a “plan B” for us. We are His plan. We must deliver the message of how it works in God’s world (Kingdom). We must be “all in” for Jesus. He will accept nothing less. He is clear about that.

It is way too easy to let the concerns of this world outweigh the urgency of His world. Jesus knows that is a danger.

So let’s put this in context. A man wanted to be a disciple. Jesus said to him, “Come follow me.” The man said, “Certainly, but first excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have to make arrangements for my father’s funeral.” Seems reasonable to all of us I’m sure. Not to Jesus. He refused and challenged him to decide what was more important, a funeral or following Jesus.

Jesus challenges us to go all in for Him.

“And life is urgent: Announce God’s kingdom!” ~~Jesus (Luke 9:60 The Message) 

Related articles

• A God with No Limitations (Kingdom of God Week 6) (chajc.wordpress.com)
• Focus on God’s Kingdom (samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com)
• “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go” (worryisuseless.wordpress.com)
• How to Use the Faith You Have (lekanomodunbi.wordpress.com)
• Living The Kingdom Life (followthenarrowroad.com)

Is it all still a mystery? Will I hear God?

Is it all still a mystery? No, it is not at all.

Much about God’s world came seem mysterious. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way. Jesus got it out in the open. God’s word helps us understand what seemed vague before we came to God and got on the road to know Him every day.

Jesus is clear that he came to make known to us the mystery of how things work in God’s world (Kingdom). He does make everything crystal clear. Will we hear him? That is his challenge to us.

God is open. He wants us to be just like that.

“This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it’s out in the open.” ~Apostle Paul (Colossians 1:26 The Message) 

Related articles

• No Doubt (diaryofahillbillyhousewife.wordpress.com)
• The Armor of God (mygodprovides.wordpress.com)
• We Are A People Of Privilege (pastorpaulvbsblog.blogspot.com)
• The one thing (strive4theprize.wordpress.com)

What is Jesus’ favorite thing to talk about?

What is Jesus’ favorite thing to talk about? It is the way things work in God’s world (Kingdom).

This is core of the message of Good News. God’s world is real. God is in control. God wants us to be loyal and do what He wants. He has a plan to be implemented.

So, after His resurrection, he met with the disciples face to face. The had no doubt about the resurrection. They saw him and talked with him for 40 days.

He lives!!

In face-to-face meetings, Jesus talked to them about things concerning the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:5 The Message)

Related articles

• Where is the Kingdom? 2 (livinginthereign.wordpress.com)
• There Is Only One Way to Heaven-be Sure Are You Ready to Meet Him?are You Sure? (ioan17.wordpress.com)
• Shrewd Managers – Part Seven (anoigmatic.wordpress.com)

Is there a whole lot of shaking going on?

There is a whole lot of shaking going on. It isn’t about the economy or politics. The shaking is God’s World (Kingdom) being established. The shaking is God establishing His new agreement with a people after His own heart. The shaking is His light driving out all darkness. The shaking is His love binding up the broken hearts and healing our bodies. The shaking is His Spirit moving in power.

In God’s Kingdom, there are no political parties. In God’s Kingdom, there is no need for bailout plans, He has all the resources He needs. In God’s Kingdom, there is no need for medical insurance because He is our insurance. In God’s Kingdom, all His benefits are available for us every day.

Clearly, His ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. He knows what He is doing. He is shaking things up and that is a VERY good thing.

 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:9-15 NIV

 

Related articles

• Praise God for the Kingdom of God (lloydacarringtonjr.wordpress.com)
• Comparing Ourselves To Human Leaders (yahwehssong.com)
• N.T. Wright: Building God’s Kingdom (beamuses.com)
• “Dear God,” (paulatohlinecalhoun1951.wordpress.com)
• In Gods kingdom there is only now. (positiveiyperfect.wordpress.com)

How did Jesus present himself?

The Apostles were absolutely convinced of Jesus resurrection from the dead. Luke, the author of Acts, is careful to document it.

Jesus presented Himself. Not as a ghost. Not as a spiritual being. He presented himself alive. He did it over and over. He did it for forty days. He did it many different places.

He is alive!! He lives. He sits at the right hand of the Father, in control of God’s World (Kingdom).

After his death, he presented himself alive to them in many different settings over a period of forty days. (Acts 1:4 The Message)

Related articles

• Paul’s Ministry Methods and Philpsophy (mgriffinrobert.com)
• Death Always Precedes Life (brokenbelievers.com)
• Acts 28:30 – Boldly and Without Hindrance (Part 2) (readingacts.wordpress.com)
• If This Doesn’t Compel You, What Virtuous Act Would? (godsbreath.wordpress.com)

What should I ask God?

Jesus wants me to ask the Father. I should not be shy. In fact, boldness helps. If what I ask for is consistent with God’s principles for His World (Kingdom), asked in His name and His will, He will give it to me. He delights in giving me what He has in heaven. It tickles Him pink!!!

Wow, what joy that is when it happens.

This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I’ve revealed to you. Ask in my name, according to my will, and he’ll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks! John 16:24

Related articles

• “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (worryisuseless.wordpress.com)
• We have no king but Caesar! (zephyrseas.me)
• How Do You See God In HEAVEN??? (thenjesuswept.wordpress.com)

“Unless you do far better than religious leaders in the matters of right living, you won’t know the first thing about entering the kingdom.” ~~Jesus

Jesus is tough on religious leaders. He doesn’t cut them any slack.

He challenges us that we can do better than how religious leaders approach God’s world (Kingdom). He wants us to start from the knowledge that this is God’s world. He is in charge. It is not a democracy.

He wants us to love God more than anyone or anything. He wants us to love everyone we come in contact in a very real and concrete way.

Jesus knows we can do better and it doesn’t start by emulating religious leaders.

“Unless you do far better than religious leaders in the matters of right living, you won’t know the first thing about entering God’s world.” ~~Jesus (Matthew 5 The Message)

Related articles

• Church…the challenge of Jesus passion (thewearypilgrim.typepad.com)
• Jesus is the Only Way (writeforacause.org)
• The Deadly Danger of False Religion (carlgobelman.wordpress.com)
• Who Are You Following? (todaysfreshmanna.wordpress.com)

“Worship the Lord your God, and only him. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.” ~~Jesus

We live in a world where we think we can get the answer to anything automatically. Technology has changed how we see things. It is useful but dangerous. GOD’s World (Kingdom) doesn’t work that way. GOD demands a different way of seeing things.

You have met people who absolutely focused. Wow, what they can do. And, you have met people absolutely focused on God. They are so powerful because GOD is so powerful. Got to love it. They know that GOD is GOD. He is in complete control. Always has been. Always will be. The trust Him and Him alone.

May I be focused on Him. He is the only thing. His plan compels me to execute what He wants. His government (Kingdom) is supreme. Nothing else deserves my devotion. Nothing else. Jesus got it. May I rise to the challenge Jesus lays out in front of me. This is the main thing about the main thing.

I need to be single-hearted. That is it.

“Worship the Lord your God, and only him. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.” ~~Jesus

Related articles

• Cleansing of the Temple of Jerusalem and Prophesy of Isaiah (catholicmysticwind.wordpress.com)
• Guide Me Oh Lord (incontestable.wordpress.com)
• The Centrality of Worship (markconner.typepad.com)
• The Spirit Promised To Glorify Jesus (incontestable.wordpress.com)
• The Balance of Personal Pursuit (todaysfreshmanna.wordpress.com)

“No more tit-for-tat stuff.” ~~Jesus

Our culture tends to be one of retaliation. Someone hurts us, we envision a way to get them back. There is no thought of taking one for Jesus.

Jesus challenges to live in GOD’s World (Kingdom). In His world, we are to represent Him. He is love. Love acts differently. Love doesn’t retaliate. Love doesn’t plot on how to get even. Love looks for an opportunity to do good no matter what the other person has done. Love rules!!

“No more tit-for-tat stuff.” ~~Jesus (Matthew 5 The Message)

“Up, God! My God, help me! Slap their faces, First this cheek, then the other, Your fist hard in their teeth!” ~~King David

King David had real enemies and he was a warrior for GOD. He knew GOD was the only one who could win the battle. He had a heart for GOD. He called on GOD to strike down his enemies.

Jesus challenges us to know that we have an enemy. The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy us. Jesus has defeated him and we can walk in His victory. We have to know we have an enemy. We have to walk in the “new life” of Jesus and His victory. Our focus has to be on GOD’s world (Kingdom) and not our enemy, the devil in this world.

God is great and He is GOD. He is in complete control.

“Up, God! My God, help me! Slap their faces, First this cheek, then the other, Your fist hard in their teeth!” ~~King David (Psalm 3:7 The Message)

Related articles

• King David’s Little Boy (trinityspeaks.wordpress.com)
• What you praise defines you (apologies.wordpress.com)
• A day in God’s courts (wordsofgrace.wordpress.com)
• Value Aquired! (completejoy.wordpress.com)

“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it.” ~~Jesus

Wow. Jesus is direct. Grow up!!

OK, that makes sense. We can be very childish. We live in God’s World (Kingdom). He is in charge. We know it. We need to act like it. We need to live like it.

May I live like I know I am living in God’s World, where He is fully in charge.

“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it.” ~~Jesus (Matthew 5:48 The Message)

“Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again.” ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to not be deceived by things in this world. In God’s World (Kingdom), you can drink water and be satisfied. Thinking that water in this world really satisfies us is a deception. It is the Spirit of God that satisfies us. We must drink of that water. We must be thirsty for that water. We must focus on God’s World not this world.

“Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again.” ~~Jesus (John 4:13 The Message)

“Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead.” ~~Jesus

What does it mean to be a part of the Kingdom of God? It is hard for us to understand the role of a King. It means that Jesus is in charge.

Jesus challenges us to know and act like he is in charge. Why? Because He is.

“Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead.” ~~Jesus (Luke 9:23 The Message)

“Did you have any idea that God’s kingdom was right on your doorstep?” ~~Jesus

Jesus has brought in a new World (Kingdom) and new agreement for how we are to live. We are His Ambassadors. We deliver His message to this world. We represent Him. When we aren’t received, people miss God’s World. Awesome responsibility for us and a challenge to those who don’t listen.

May we represent Jesus well. May those in need hear His message of Good News!!

“When you enter a town and are not received, go out in the street and say, ‘The only thing we got from you is the dirt on our feet, and we’re giving it back. Did you have any idea that God’s kingdom was right on your doorstep?’ Sodom will have it better on Judgment Day than the town that rejects you.

“The one who rejects you, rejects me.” ~Jesus

Jesus has given us His authority. We are His ambassadors to His world (Kingdom) here on earth. We fully represent Him. If this world rejects Jesus they reject God who sent Him. Jesus calls on us, in fact demands us, to get this deep in our souls. When we command things to happen, in the name of Jesus, they happen. We represent Him. Lock, stock and barrel.

“The one who rejects you, rejects me. And rejecting me is the same as rejecting God, who sent me.”~Jesus

“When you enter a town, heal anyone who is sick, and tell them, ‘God’s kingdom is right on your doorstep!'” ~Jesus

Jesus doesn’t make it complicated for us. He wants us to replicate what He is doing. He sends us out. We do the same things He is doing. The message to share? God’s government and complete rule is here. Our prayer? Our Father’s will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

It’s all about God. He is in charge. Completely. He is God, good and great!!

“When you enter a town and are received, eat what they set before you, heal anyone who is sick, and tell them, ‘God’s kingdom is right on your doorstep!’~~Jesus (Luke 10:8-9)

Giving Thanks

Now this is something to be thankful for. I am qualified. No doubt about it. God has done it for me. He sent His Son, Jesus the Messiah and it is now complete. Nothing else for me to do qualify to be a child of God. He has done it all. It is finished.

In my “work” and sometimes “family” life, I have to qualify myself. I have to prove myself. I have to demonstrate I can get it done. That is the way it works.

God’s world is different. It doesn’t make sense to us but it is reality. I can share in the inheritance that my Father is preparing for me and all the saints. He has done it. There is nothing I can do to make it happen myself.

This is some good news.

Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. Collosians 1:12

A mere stagehand

John was doing some amazing things. People were coming out to see him in droves. He was clear and he was careful. It wasn’t about him. It was about Jesus. He saw himself as the stagehand. His message about Jesus was amazing:

• He would ignite the Kingdom life in us.
• He would bring a fire within us, the Holy Spirit.
• We would be changed from the inside out by Him.
• He would make a clean sweep in our lives.
• He puts everything in proper perspective.
• Everything in our life that is trash is burned in the fire of His Spirit.

But John intervened: “I’m baptizing you here in the river. The main character in this drama, to whom I’m a mere stagehand, will ignite the kingdom life, a fire, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He’s going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He’ll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he’ll put out with the trash to be burned.” Luke 3:16-17

May I see who this drama is about. May I know I am the stagehand.

The Normal Christian Life

“‘For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.’

1 Cor. 4:20 NKJV

“It is abnormal for a Christian not to have an appetite for the impossible. It has been written into our spiritual DNA to hunger for the impossibilities around us to bow at the name of Jesus.

The lack of miracles isn’t because it is not in God’s will for us. The problem exists between our ears. As a result, a transformation, a renewing of the mind, is needed, and it’s only possible through a work of the Holy Spirit that typically comes upon desperate people.

Stories of the impossible are becoming the norm, and the company of people who have joined this quest for an authentic gospel, the gospel of the Kingdom, is increasing. Loving God and His people is an honor. We will no longer make up excuses for powerlessness because powerlessness is inexcusable. Our mandate is simple: raise up a generation that can openly display the raw power of God.”

Excerpts from When Heaven Invades Earth chapter 1
by Bill Johnson

Bill Johnson Ministries – Ministry of Bill Johnson, Senior Leader of Bethel Church, Redding, California

Another stunning day in paradise

Our heavenly Father is so AMAZINGLY good. He is just good all the time. He doesn’t know any other way to be.

 

So …. It has been another stunning day in paradise. On earth as it is in heaven. His Kingdom come. That is what He wants me to experience. All the time. 24/7. With no end in sight. The same a billion years from now. And then a billion after that.

AMEN!!!