By Every Word

One Blood Come Together

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Jul 082016

We need to come together. Not for any other reason than because we’re all one blood. We came from the same source, God in Heaven; all were created by Him and without was not anything made that was made. We need His Kingdom Come now on Earth, just as it is in Heaven. Stand against injustice, stand against murder, stand for righteousness, stand for what is right in God’s eyes not our own. Praying this morning for those families who have lost loved ones on the police force in Dallas, praying for those families who have lost loved ones where sentencing was carried out on the sidewalks and on the streets, praying for those who truly protest in peace and for the right reasons, praying for those officers who truly work to serve and protect all across this nation, praying for strength for the pastors of this nation who will be asked to help so many navigate through such tumultuous times, praying against the politicizing of these events, praying against racism which is fueled purely by ignorance of each other and by the wicked one himself who is the prince of all ignorance, and praying we can turn to the Lord Jesus Christ, the King, and rely on Him to bring us together. All things were created by Him and for Him. May we come together as one in the name of the Lord Jesus and build together, love together, comfort together, grow together, and all be together.

A Letter to Kingdom Citizens

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Jun 262015

Earlier today the Supreme Court delivered a ruling in favor of same-sex marriage. This is a historic ruling for the United States and one that fuels a lot of feelings on all sides of this issue. There are a lot of questions that people of faith are having right now because of this ruling so I felt compelled to address a message to the citizens of God’s kingdom.

Who is a citizen?

First, let’s address the subject of the qualifications to be a citizen in the kingdom of God. To be a citizen you have to be saved; born again. This has nothing to do with church membership. Salvation happens when a person repents. The word, repent, means to change the way you think and to accept God’s word as the truth and Him as your Lord. In doing so you’re asking God to forgive you of your sins and you’re admitting that you have violated what you know to be His laws and you’re making a confession to accept His mercy and change. The word Lord actually means owner, or master. So if Jesus truly owns you, you’re no longer your own but you belong to Him which means you will obey Him. There are many religions and many churches who claim to be affiliated with Jesus but you will know them by their fruit. None of us are perfect, but if you’re truly His, you’re going to do your best to obey Him and follow His word… even if it offends other people.

How does this ruling affect the kingdom of Heaven?

Nations are facing terrorism, economic crisis, civil unrest, starvation, and a plethora of other problems. The kingdom of Heaven has none of these problems and will never have to worry about such threats; that’s why God wants to impact earth with His government. His government functions perfectly.

How does this ruling affect God’s citizens on earth?

That’s what is so wonderful about God’s kingdom; even in the midst of a foreign land He still has jurisdiction over His people. This ruling has no effect on God’s people or His kingdom- it’s just another beautiful day in His kingdom. God is still King and He is still on the throne.

Ask yourself this:

Is drunkenness a sin? Yes.
Is telling a lie a sin? Yes.
Is committing adultery a sin? Yes.
Is having sex outside of a marriage a sin? Yes.

We have all of these acts of sin taking place in the United States every day yet God’s people are still fine amongst it all. God’s kingdom doesn’t change because of what a nation in the earth makes a ruling on; God is consistent always. This ruling has no bearing on God’s kingdom- His kingdom still reigns and He is still on the throne today as He was yesterday. If someone is a drunk and they come to Jesus they have to leave their ways behind and accept His ways. It doesn’t matter if they are over the age of 21; it doesn’t matter if it is legal on the earth. In God’s kingdom it is illegal.

Ephesians 5: 18 (KJV)
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

In God’s kingdom you obey the King, regardless of the laws of the nation where you currently preside. Just because it is now legal in the United States to marry a same sex individual, it doesn’t change God’s law. Just as with a drunk, if someone comes to Jesus and submits to Him they are submitting to His authority and agreeing to follow His laws. If someone is a drunk they give up their way and follow Jesus. If someone is a kleptomaniac they give up stealing and follow Jesus. If someone identifies as gay, they acknowledge that in God’s kingdom this is illegal and they no longer deem it acceptable and they turn and follow Jesus (Romans 1). People who are in adultery may have a hard time letting go of that relationship, but they understand that to be His they have to. People who used to drink may still love the taste and feeling from being inebriated, but they understand in God’s kingdom it is illegal so they give it up. Someone who identifies as a homosexual may have a hard time facing the changes that God’s word demands, but they understand in His kingdom it is unacceptable and they follow Jesus. Nothing has changed.

There is a man in the United States that said he would light himself on fire if this ruling happened… listen, this is ridiculous. If he is going to light his body on fire because the Supreme Court has ruled it legal and constitutional to disobey God, why doesn’t he also do it because they allow drunkenness to be legal, or marijuana to be legal. You cannot force people to do what you want; even God Himself doesn’t do that. Stand for the truth, preach the truth, and let people make their decision. Show them love no matter what they decide in hopes that they will listen and their hearts be changed. We’re not the Holy Ghost, so let the Holy Ghost do His job and we do ours.

Let me take a step back and make a note of something. Earlier I stated “We have all of these acts of sin taking place in the United States every day yet God’s people are still fine amongst it all.” I know the thought will come to someone’s mind “Some of God’s people are committing these very sins.” You are absolutely right. The difference is whether they are working on changing their ways. When a citizen sins they must acknowledge that they are wrong, not deem their behavior as acceptable. They must repent, and ask God to help them to change. When a religious person sins they unremorsefully say “It’s OK I’ll just ask God to forgive me like I always do.” As true citizens of God we should be becoming more like Jesus in our culture.

How does this ruling affect our nation?

This is a good question and the one that is important to ask. This ruling does have an effect on the nation. What is that effect? At this moment I do not know. But here is what I do know.

Psalm 33: 12 (KJV)
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

When a nation makes God their Lord- remember what Lord means?- they are blessed. As a nation we face a lot of crisis and problems that are a result of disobedience. Overtime we have grown accustomed to those consequences even though they may have a significant impact on our nation. There is an effect on a nation who makes a ruling to accept something that God says is illegal. God doesn’t necessarily relinquish punishment and retribution on the people of earth, but because His word is law, and the bible says what it does in Psalm 33: 12, there is an automatic effect that takes place as God has to release His hand from a part of the nation. God has always wanted us to obey Him with our own free will. If the nation decides to disobey Him or go against Him, He allows them to. Remember Samuel when the nation of Israel rejected God as their King?

But remember citizens of God, God is able to keep you safe and even bless you right in the midst of a nation that turns against Him; He’s done it before. Let’s also remember that at one time we were also lost in sin and continue to pray for our lost brothers and sisters that they will turn to God. Regardless of their sin, God loves them and wants them to return to Him just as He wanted you and me to at one time in our very recent past.

Don’t be discouraged. Everything that is happening must come to pass according to scripture. Continue to pray, continue to lead, and continue to follow the Lord. You were a citizen of His kingdom yesterday and you still are today. God’s plan hasn’t changed- He is still working in the earth through you, His ambassadors.

Reconnect

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Apr 272012

God has a reason and a motive to why He does what He does. Everything God does is for a purpose. There is a motivation behind all of God’s creation. God made everything and everything has a source. If you take a plant out of the soil and set it on a table you have removed it from its appropriate environment. When something is not in its right environment it begins to die. It’s a law. Take a seed and sit it on a window seal and it will not do anything; but put it in the right environment, the soil, and it will sprout. So God made our bodies out of the dirt and our bodies require things from the source it came from which is the earth. So our bodies need oxygen, food and water from the earth. Even when we leave the earth for a little while during space exploration we have to take part of the earth with us in order to sustain the body. We can see this clearly and is a revelation to us. God also made our spirit, in the image and likeness of God He created it. Just like the body must be connected to its source, the earth, to live- so must our spirit be connected with its Source, God, to live. When we disconnect things from their source they begin to die immediately. It may take some time for this to become evident… but the effects of this separation will manifest. They manifest in our own lives and can be seen clearly from our current state as a society. We need to be reconnected with our Source and with His kingdom. LORD, may Your kingdom come, Your will be done, ON EARTH, as it is in Heaven.

Persistence Pays Off

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Aug 152011

Luke 18 : 1-8
1. Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,
2. saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man.
3. There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’
4. For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man,
5. yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’”
6. And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said;
7. now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?
8. I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
NASB

This parable is an answer to those who have asked God something and you don’t seem to get an answer. You think God is just holding out on you; God is blessing and answering everyone else’s prayers but not mine. This can seem to be the case unless we understand prayer. Look at what Paul wrote to the Ephesians…

Ephesians 6 : 18
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
NASB

Two words I want to really focus in on- perseverance and petition. These are key components to effective prayer. Let’s define them…

perseverance

steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

petition

a formal written request made to an official person or body (as a court or board)
a written document signed by a large number of people demanding some form of action from a government or other authority
a formally drawn request, often bearing the names of a number of those making the request, that is addressed to a person or group of persons in authority or power, soliciting some favor, right, mercy, or other benefit:

I cannot stress the importance of exercising this in our prayer life. You can’t be a lawyer and not know about making a “petition” and you cannot pray effectively without “petitioning”. Look at the third definition for petition where it states “…soliciting some favor, right, mercy, or other benefit:” If you have ever had a prayer answered it’s because you requested something God had already spoken as being a right or benefit- or because He gave you favor or mercy. A petition is a legal request to a government or authority based on rights or promises- when we pray we’re making a legal request to God based on rights…

Matthew 5 : 7
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
KJV

or benefit…

Psalm 103 : 2
Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;
KJV

Psalm 116 : 12
What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me?
KJV

Some may read this and at first think to themselves “I don’t have any rights… I’m just at God’s mercy because I am just a lowly servant who’s at His mercy.”
My reply to you would be the same as Job to His worthless friends, “What a help you are to the weak!”, he says sarcastically.

As a citizen you do have rights, why? Because that’s the way God setup His government system. Rights are for citizens and you have to understand your rights in order to have access to them. If God says in His word “blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” then you have to remind God of that in your prayers. He’s a King so if He says something it becomes law! So we pray…

“Lord, you see adversity coming against me from these individuals at work and the stress and humiliating situations I have found myself in; God I have shown mercy as my reaction to these things- I could have acted completely different in response to these events but I have remembered Your word “if I am merciful, I will obtain mercy“. So Father in Heaven I remind you of Your word and my right as a citizen- because I have shown mercy, mercy shall I obtain.”

Praise God! I’m telling you if you find yourself in need of a prayer like this and you petition God with your request in this manner, you will begin to see favor come upon you from those around you and even from those in positions of authority. God will turn their persecution into shame because you have laid claim to the right of mercy. THIS IS POWERFUL! THIS IS A TRUE PRACTICE OF FAITH!

Faith is the strength of your convictions, in the time of testing, that His word is true. That means no matter how bad things get, you believe His word and that it will prevail. If you can get understanding of this, trials will be something to weather rather than something sent to destroy you. God knows your benefits and rights… He’s the one that created them when He spoke them- He just wants you to believe His word enough, that you will remind Him of His promise and then wait for the answer.

Now back to my first scripture
Luke 18 : 1-8

1. Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,
2. saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man.
3. There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’
4. For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man,
5. yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’”
6. And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said;
7. now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?
8. I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
NASB

This is an area where we overlook much of the time. We expect to pray once and see results immediately. It’s OK to pray and expect- in fact the bible encourages this- but when you don’t see results and you know you’re in line with His word in your request- you must continue to petition. Jesus gave us this example about this widow woman. He says to continue and press in on the Lord for your request. If in the parable this evil man gave in because he didn’t want to be wore out by her constant pleas- how much more will God answer your request when you continue to request of Him your petition. IT EVEN SAYS WILL HE DELAY A LONG TIME TO ANSWER HIS ELECT YOU CRY OUT DAY AND NIGHT! WOW!

BUT when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth… That’s another article for another day…

Continue to request and petition day and night unto the Lord- He will answer. Don’t give up! I could go into the Jewish culture of how a child must ask his father three times to get a yes- but I’ll leave you with this to meditate on. But BE WARNED if you request and petition something of God day and night be ready to receive it. If you’re asking for direction, an answer, for God to use you, for your purpose- He’s going to give it you- so don’t ask anything unless you’re ready to use what He gives you.

-For The Kingdom

To The Hurt

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May 222011

Deuteronomy 18:22
22. When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

I am praying for all those hurt by this mans false predictions of May 21st 2011. It came and went… but nothing happened. The bible specifically says it is NOT for man to know the time. We’ll see signs of the season, which we do, but the day and hour is not known. It will happen one day- but it’s not the end of the earth destruction that is thought of. The bible clearly says the earth shall abide forever and the meek will inherit it. God is so committed to His kingdom influencing and impacting the earth that one day He’ll renew the earth.

!ATTENTION! Quit worrying about the end of the world and instead focus on influencing the earth and making a difference for the Kingdom of Heaven! You’re a citizen and an ambassador in the earth- so do your job and impact the earth with the culture of the Kingdom of Heaven! We have become so preoccupied with leaving the earth that we’re not being effective in our calling! You don’t know when He’s returning, nor the angels- neither does the son- so get back to the kingdom!

-For The Kingdom

The Wheat Must Die

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Apr 142011

John 12: 20-26
20. Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast;
21. these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
22. Philip came and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip came and told Jesus.
23. And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”
24. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
25. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.
26. If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.”
NASB

What is our priority in life?

What comes first in your life?

What is left undone so that we fulfill that purpose?

What personal desire is left void so that the most important purpose is complete?

Jesus states here: “…unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone…”
Wheat grain is useful. Wheat grain is the leading source of vegetable protein in human food. Wheat is used for fuel, flour for breads, contains vitamins and minerals, and used in a variety of other applications. So wheat is not bad; in fact it’s second to rice in consumption.
But if an entire wheat harvest is consumed… then it can only bring out the potential that the one harvest of wheat has to offer… which is extremely limited! If it remains alone… that’s all you have. This is not proper management of resources.

Let’s say it’s the beginning of spring and a farmer has barely survived the winter with his rations of crops. He has remaining 100 vegetable seeds; he’s hungry now. He could focus on the present and boil the seeds and eat them, but the seeds only serve todays need… what about tomorrow? What about the summer or fall? If the farmer is smart, though he’s hungry now, he can plant the seeds and bring out the potential of the seeds. Each seed has an entire plant inside of it… with more seeds; and more plants. He has 100 of them! That’s a lot of potential. However that potential will not come to fruition just because it’s possible; it takes a commitment to work and delaying the ‘now’ for the ‘later’.

Back to the wheat, Jesus said unless a grain of wheat dies it remains alone. Wheat is good, it’s a need, but it must die to bring forth abundance. We have a lot of “wheat” in our lives. There are some things… yeah you can maintain and build up and ultimately have but is it the best use of your time? Is Kingdom purpose lacking because of this other thing? I know you like that television show, but turn it off and read the King’s word and discover something He wants you to know for His purpose. I know you like to sleep on Sunday morning, but let that wheat die and assemble yourself with believers and contribute your gift to others.

You get $1,000 dollars. $100 dollars by Kingdom law is automatically God’s. But if you decide… “I could do a lot with this wheat… I’m going to get a new outfit.” You have just chose that the maintaining of the wheat, what is in your possession right now, is more important than the Kingdom. The consequence of this decision is that what you have now, is the only thing you’ll have because you’ve excluded yourself from the Kingdom, from its rights, benefits and responsibility by claiming independence. What a tragedy… to trade the entire government of heaven for $100 dollars. That wheat doesn’t look so good now, does it?

Let’s look at the rest of the verse… “but if it dies, it bears much fruit.“ When the wheat falls to the ground and gets into the soil and dies it’s multiplying itself many times! This is amazing! God put every fruit bearing tree with it’s seed in itself, so it can multiply into many more. Man cannot recreate such an idea! If they could there would be petroleum farms everywhere reproducing an infinite amount of oil to burn for centuries to come… but they can’t. If I could I would be burying $1 dollar bills around my yard and waiting for the crop to come up and bring in a harvest of plenty; but I can’t. Everything God makes, He gives it the ability and the commandment to multiply. He gives it the ability to fulfill its purpose by serving its gift to the world… even you!

Let’s continue to the next verse… “He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.”

You may love that wheat, it might be nice to have, to show off. But that wheat may be holding you back from a greater abundance. If you allow something to die, to lose priority, to go to 2nd or 3rd place in your life- it might be hard initially- but you will realize it wasn’t the sustainer of everything else in your life.

I like this next part “…and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.” Now most religious people will say “You have to hate your life on earth in order to go to heaven.” This is completely incorrect and well… religious thinking. The word “world” here is translated from the Greek word “kosmos“. The “world” is not earth. Kosmos is not earth. Kosmos is the government body that is in place, the authority to which others are under subjection to, for constituting their affairs. So let’s break this down…

This world, kosmos, says its priorities are land, a big house, an expensive car, a tailored outfit and a big bank account. But God’s world, kosmos, says your priority is the Kingdom. (Matthew 6:33)
ATTENTION! Notice I did not say that it’s wrong to have land, a big house, an expensive car, a tailored outfit or a big bank account… it just cannot be your priority. In fact Jesus is telling us in Matthew 6:33 that it should not be. Jesus was not even leaving it to us to decide what our priority list should be… he clearly states (paraphrase) “Your number one priority, the most important thing in your life should be, do not put anything ahead of, this should not come second to, you must seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.”

That’s pretty straight forward, yes? We spend our time preoccupied with the wheat… Trying to get wheat, trying to gain more wheat, trying to add to the wheat we have, trying to maintain our current stock of wheat, trying to secure available wheat… And God is saying ‘Why are they working so hard for wheat? I know they need wheat- just seek my Kingdom first!’ Why? Read on… “…and all these things shall be added unto you.” We’ve got it backwards. We’re so busy trying to maintain scraps… if we’ll die to what this world, kosmos, says is important and has as a priority- “…will keep it to life eternal.” WOW! This is stating we’ll have it AND the other! In His kingdom is no lack, just quit trying to maintain “the wheat” in your life, use that time focusing on the Kingdom first and then all that other stuff it chases you!

Jesus loved life on earth. He loved it so much that in the garden He prayed “…if it’s possible for this cup to pass from Me then let it pass.” But first the Kingdom, His purpose. Jesus, God in the flesh, was doing what was a desire of His heart since Eden… fellowshipping with Man. However, Jesus knew that it would be temporary if He didn’t fulfill His purpose and pave the way for Man to be reconciled with the Kingdom of Heaven. So He, being the wheat, laid down His own desire, His own will and died… so that fruit could bear, His Children could be reconciled to life eternal with Him. Do you see this? I pray your eyes and heart be opened to this revelation. Wheat is good- Jesus desired to stay with the disciples, desired to live. But to maintain this wheat, He would only have them a little while and then they would be gone… then He would remain alone… just like the wheat that didn’t die. But He chose against the immediate gratification, the temporary desire and died, beared much fruit and re-birthed a citizenry blessed of His Father to inherit the Kingdom of God! (Matthew 25:34) The desire He had still will be and IS… but will now be eternal… forever- without end… because He allowed the wheat to die.

Is there something in your life that has been put ahead of the Kingdom? You might not have put it there on purpose… but just because we say the Kingdom is first doesn’t make it first. We must examine our lives, our actions, our attitudes and our motives and line them up with the Kingdom FIRST. Let the wheat fall and the Kingdom be exalted.

-For The Kingdom

Kingdom Faith

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Jan 142011

I am in the middle of reading Myles Munroe’s book “Rediscovering Faith“. It is an awesome read!
God started speaking to my heart not in the middle of the book, not on chapter 2, not on the first chapter nor the introduction… but during the preface of this book. One line stuck out to me and it was “Much of what we call faith today is simply convenient expectation!”

Let that sink in for a second…
One of the important things in prayer is having faith… but in what?

It’s important to have active belief by expecting what we prayed for… but on what basis did we ask? Here is where the fine line is of “kingdom faith” and “convenient expectation”.

Convenient Expectation
So you find yourself sick… well, who wants to be sick? It’s easy to pray to be healed and say “I believe I’m going to be healed, I’m expecting it because I prayed.”
It’s convenient to expect healing because the alternative is less desiring.
In a similar situation, it’s convenient to expect for money to come in when you are broke… right?

See convenient expectations are easy to believe for because it’s the best outcome to a circumstance. No one wants to say “I believe I’m going to stay sick” or “I believe I’m going to be broke every time a bill is due”. Convenient expectation believes based on what the person is willing to accept.

But again, on what basis? This is the key…

Kingdom Faith
Convenient expectation is expecting to be healed because it’s better than the alternative; Kingdom faith is expecting to be healed because…

Exodus 15:26(b)
“…for I am the LORD that healeth thee.”
KJV

I’m healed because…

Luke 11:2(b)
“…Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.”
KJV

I’m healed because…

Psalm 103:3
“Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;”
KJV

I’m healed because…

Psalm 147:3
“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”
KJV

Convenient expectation is expecting for money to come in because it’s better than the alternative; Kingdom faith is expecting money to come in because…

Deuteronomy 28:13
“And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:”
KJV

My need will be supplied because…

Psalm 37:25(b)
“…yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”
KJV

Money will come in if I’ve managed what He’s given because…

Matthew 25:23(b)
“…thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things…”
KJV

I cannot be out of resources because my Source says…

Philippians 4:19
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
KJV

The government of Heaven has my back because…

2 Corinthians 5:20(a)
“…Now then we are ambassadors for Christ…”
KJV

PRAISE GOD FOR HIS GLORIOUS KINGDOM WHICH MOTH AND RUST CANNOT CORRUPT BECAUSE IT’S NOT OF THIS WORLD! HIS KINGDOM IS FOREVER AND FOREVER AND IT’S NOW AND FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE ON HIS NAME!

Whooo! Do you see the fine line?

Convenient expectation is better than the alternative… but Kingdom Faith stands on the Word of God and is the basis for the expectation because His word is the evidence for the unseen. Expect healing, expect financial breakthroughs- but with the evidence of God’s Word and not just because of convenience.

-For the Kingdom

Quick Thought

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Dec 282010

Luke 6:46
46. And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
KJV

Simple verse but something God asks me every time I…

display fear
display worry
question Him
lack faith
forget to pray
neglect to read His word
disobey
display any character trait other than that of His kingdom

It hurts but we must adhere to His chastening. (By the way, chastening is another way of saying “butt whipping!”) We don’t realize what we’re doing when we disobey His word. It’s not a practice… religion practices obeying the King, but to kingdom citizens obeying the King is our culture.

Is it your culture? … or are you obeying His word on a trial basis? …until the next temptation comes? There are some things we know we would not do in front of God Himself, but we do them from time to time without much of a thought. We sometimes, with these types of slip-ups, say “I’m still struggling with this.” Struggling is a word we like to use synonymously for things we know we should not be doing but we do them anyway. It’s these kind, the simple things, that keep us from obtaining the level of depth we desire of God. It’s these small things that separate the majority of Christians from the Elijahs, Elishas, Isaiahs, Pauls…

Song of Solomon 2:15
15. Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.
KJV

It’s the small foxes that keep us from the precious fruit, the best fruit…

If we’re to be an influence to those around us impacting them with our culture, the kingdom of Heaven, we must display after the manner of our Lord. We must be good stewards, representatives, ambassadors of the kingdom of God. Taking no offense of His Word lightly. That doesn’t mean we’re perfect, but we try our best to obey Him.

-For the Kingdom

Not Forced

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Dec 172010

Because of my wife I am constantly aware of how much sugar we take in in our diets. Due to this awareness I usually drink water most of the time other than my regular coffee. However I just cannot seem to resist the urge for the occasional Sunkist. I don’t know what it is about it, I just love it.

What’s funny about this is when I am opening it up I am thinking about all the sugar I am getting ready to take in, but I decide in my mind that this will be the last one for a very long time. In fact I even think to myself “I may not drink one of these ever again”. This is really easy to convince myself of because I am getting ready to enjoy the drink.

Isn’t it funny how easy it is to make a commitment NOT to do something when you’re about to DO the very thing you’re vowing against? I started thinking how easy it is for some people to say say they’re not going to go against God’s laws in a certain way again, while they’re in the act.

“After I finish this night of drinking with my friends, I’m not going to do it anymore…”

“After I finish this pack of cigarettes I’m not going to buy another…”

“Starting tomorrow I’m going to read my bible everyday…”

“Starting this January I’m going to go on a diet…”

It’s easy to make a commitment for later when you have what you’re desiring now… therefore it means nothing. Cancel that night out, throw the rest of that pack away, read the bible now, start that diet today… now that’s hard. How do you feel about discarding what you have now and starting that resolution today? A much tougher sale to make to yourself isn’t it?

Commitment can’t be forced, it is a decision that must be made. There is an old saying “Those convinced against their will, are of the same opinion still” which is still true today. All we can do is plant seeds with people and pray to the Lord of the Harvest for their germination. Sometimes it can be hard to watch those we love hurt themselves, but no matter how much we want to go up and knock some sense into them- we have to use wisdom in our communication with them.

Plant seeds, water and then let the Lord draw them to His purpose.

A Need For Understanding

Articles, Embassy Epistles Comments Off

Nov 172010

Psalm 119:34
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
KJV

In order for us to keep God’s commandments, we must have understanding. If we do not have understanding we cannot keep God’s laws. David stated here that if he had understanding he would keep the law and would observe it with his whole heart.

The problem is people do not observe God’s laws with their whole heart because many have already said in their heart that they cannot keep His commandments. This mentality is compounded by teachers, preachers, and pastors who instruct them grace was given to cover all their sins… and so they continue sinning willfully because they believe they’re not accountable anymore to uphold the law because of grace. God forbid.

Some believe it’s because the Spirit of God can now dwell inside of us that we’re able to keep God’s laws- but look at this.

John 8: 2-11
2. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4. They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6. This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11. She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
KJV

Jesus tells the woman to go and sin no more. Keep in mind the fulness of the Spirit of God dwelled in Jesus after He was baptized and no other miracles and wonders do you hear about. The Spirit of God did not dwell in man at this point… yet Jesus tells the woman to go and sin no more… evidently it was possible.

Do we mess up sometimes? Do we fall? Yes sometimes we do, but that is what repentance is for. Now hear me when I say this- write it down, tweet it, do whatever you want to do to document this… KINGDOM CITIZENS DO NOT SIN EVERY SINGLE DAY! I am so disgusted with teachers of the word saying this. When I hear a confessed believer saying this it reflects to me on their teacher… that is if they are consistent in assembling themselves together each week. Anyone who teaches this IS NOT teaching according to the word of God. I am not perfect by no means- but I’m going to do my very best to obey God’s laws.

Think about this. As of this writing I have been married for over 9 years going on 10. I love my wife so much! Now because I am married their are certain things that I cannot violate or it will impair, cripple, hurt, or destroy my marriage. Here are some examples of things that would violate the bond of our marriage.

Talking to other women flirtatiously
Going on a date with another woman
Sleeping with another woman
Talking on the phone with another woman for hours as if I was single
Lusting after another woman
Trying to get another woman’s phone number
Spending income as if I was single again without communication with my wife

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to things that are unacceptable behaviors once you are married. Now if I had a document with this on it and I had to carry it around constantly reminding myself throughout the day…

“Ok ok, let me make sure I don’t commit adultery today, I’ve got to make sure I don’t stare at any women today, I don’t want to ask another woman for her phone number today because after all I am married and this would make her mad.”

Even if I kept up with these laws of marriage throughout the day, my wife would not be very happy. Why? Because if I love her I shouldn’t have to remind myself day in and day out to stop myself from committing adultery. Imagine me coming home and saying everyday “I’m sorry I messed up today, but this sister was fine!

Yet, we do this very thing with God…

See God doesn’t want us having to constantly follow a set of laws routinely like this… It doesn’t mean anything, because we’re following the letter of the law. We’re going through a routine- there is nothing real behind it, there isn’t any passion behind what we’re doing. Remember without understanding you’re just following a list of “To-Dos”. Without purpose you have nothing to motivate the action- and you cannot keep anything without motivation.

My motivation to please my wife and keep our bond sacred is I love her with all of my heart and I will abolish anything in my life that would distance me from her. I don’t have to keep a list of “What to do and not to-dos” in order to do the right thing because my motivation is our relationship and the love I have for her.

God is the same way.

John 14:15
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
KJV

We build on our relationship with God through time in prayer, reading and studying His word, praise and worship… Being obedient to His laws and commandments becomes natural because we don’t want to do anything to distance our self from Him. Now read this…

Hebrews 10:16
This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
KJV

The pharisees problem was that they followed a list of 613 laws (the letter of the law) without having a true passion to please Him and to draw close to Him. (the spirit of the law)

I don’t have to remind myself not to hook up with someone else because I’m married- it’s automatic because I love my wife and I can’t let anything divide us.

I don’t have to remind myself not to steal something because God told me not to- it’s automatic kingdom culture because I love the Lord and I can’t let anything distance me from Him.

-For the Kingdom

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