The kingdom is key! It is key to living a truly successful life. Now, when we say living a successful life, one should not automatically think of big houses, nice cars, lots of money, or the like. Although, there is nothing wrong with these things in and of themselves, it is just as Jesus said in Luke 12:15 that, "...one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions." But when we speak of living a truly successful life, we are speaking of living a life that is in line with the kingdom of God, which is the rule, reign, and will of God. In other words, successful living is kingdom living.
Now, if successful living is kingdom living, then we need to know what is involved in this kingdom living. Or we might say, what is required and what are the results of kingdom living. Well, we believe there are at least three things that can be identified among the requirements and results of kingdom living:
1) Living a Spirit filled life (Ephesians 5:18)
2) Living a Surrendered life (Luke 9:57-62)
3) Living a Satisfied life (Philippians 4:10-13; Hebrews 13:5-6)
In living a Spirit filled life, we are living a life that is under the influence and control of the Holy Spirit vs. living a life that is under the control of substance, worries, emotions, and the like. Also, in living a Spirit filled life, we are living a Word filled life. For the Spirit of God always agrees with the Word of God. Thus a life that is full of the Spirit, is a life that is full of the Word.
In living a Surrendered life, we are living a life that has forsaken and left all for sake of our Lord Jesus. Of course this takes walking by faith and not by sight, for in the natural it can be quite scary to forsake our own will and desire for the sake of Jesus because in doing this, we lose control of our lives. However, we must understand that if we lose control of our lives for the sake of Jesus, then we actually gain our lives; for Jesus said in Mark 8:35, "For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it."
In living a Satisfied life, we are living a life that is satisfied and content with God. In living such a life, we are not looking for things to satisfy us, but we are looking to God and God alone; for He is our help and that is why we do not need to fear what man can do to us. Now, in living this satisfied/content life, we need to implement gratitude, because it is very difficult, if not totally impossible, to live a satisfied/content life while being ungrateful. Therefore, we need to exercise gratitude in a major way.
These three things of being Spirit filled; Surrendered; and Satisfied are some requirements and results in successful living and thus in kingdom living.
September 10, 2010
July 24, 2010
Words To Remember - "The Word Factor"
In continuation of our study on the kingdom of God, we again rehearse what we called "The Factors of the Kingdom", which are: the Spirit of God, the Word of God, and Faith in God. Now, we previously discussed "The Faith Factor", and in our study of this particular factor we saw that one of the main things about faith is that, its primary purpose and function is not to obtain a bigger house, a nicer car, more money, or any other thing that we can see in the natural, but rather its primary purpose and function is to please God (see Hebrews 11:6). Now we move to the factor of the kingdom that deals with the Word of God, thus our title, "The Word Factor."
In our study of "The Word Factor", we see the Word of God being portrayed as at least three things:
1) A seed
2) A stone or solid rock
3) A sword
In the Word being portrayed as a seed, we turn to Matthew 13:1-23, wherein Jesus gives a parable about a sower sowing seed, of which some fell on the path or wayside; some fell on rocky ground; some fell on amongst thorns; and some fell on good ground. He then gives insight into the parable by equating the seed to the Word, and that contingent upon the understanding of the heart on which the seed/Word is sown, the outcome to either be path or wayside; rocky ground; thorns; or good ground will be seen.
In the Word being portrayed as a stone or solid rock, we turn to Matthew 7:24-27, wherein Jesus gives another parabolic statement in which He likens His words to that of a stone or a solid rock. And in this statement, He incorporates that of a wise man and that of a foolish man. The wise man is one who hears the words of Jesus and does them, thus building his house (life) on a foundation that is stable, secure, and sure, to the end that the storms of life cannot destroy his house (life). However, the foolish man is one who hears the words of Jesus but does not do them, and is thus building his house (life) on a foundation that is unstable, insecure, and unsure, to the end that the storms of life can and do destroy his house (life) in a great way.
In the Word being portrayed as a sword, we turn to Ephesians 6:17, wherein the Apostle Paul likens the Word of God to that of a sword. This sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, is part of the whole armor of God found in Ephesians 6:14-17; and it is the only part of the armor that is not only defensive, but it is offensive as well. So that with the Word as a sword, we can cut down and kill any giant and devil that comes to our mind to get us off track from the rule, reign, and will of God for our lives. With the Word as a sword, we can cast down every imagination that would try to exalt itself against the knowledge of God; we can conquer thoughts of worry, oppression, and sin with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
In our study of "The Word Factor", we see the Word of God being portrayed as at least three things:
1) A seed
2) A stone or solid rock
3) A sword
In the Word being portrayed as a seed, we turn to Matthew 13:1-23, wherein Jesus gives a parable about a sower sowing seed, of which some fell on the path or wayside; some fell on rocky ground; some fell on amongst thorns; and some fell on good ground. He then gives insight into the parable by equating the seed to the Word, and that contingent upon the understanding of the heart on which the seed/Word is sown, the outcome to either be path or wayside; rocky ground; thorns; or good ground will be seen.
In the Word being portrayed as a stone or solid rock, we turn to Matthew 7:24-27, wherein Jesus gives another parabolic statement in which He likens His words to that of a stone or a solid rock. And in this statement, He incorporates that of a wise man and that of a foolish man. The wise man is one who hears the words of Jesus and does them, thus building his house (life) on a foundation that is stable, secure, and sure, to the end that the storms of life cannot destroy his house (life). However, the foolish man is one who hears the words of Jesus but does not do them, and is thus building his house (life) on a foundation that is unstable, insecure, and unsure, to the end that the storms of life can and do destroy his house (life) in a great way.
In the Word being portrayed as a sword, we turn to Ephesians 6:17, wherein the Apostle Paul likens the Word of God to that of a sword. This sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, is part of the whole armor of God found in Ephesians 6:14-17; and it is the only part of the armor that is not only defensive, but it is offensive as well. So that with the Word as a sword, we can cut down and kill any giant and devil that comes to our mind to get us off track from the rule, reign, and will of God for our lives. With the Word as a sword, we can cast down every imagination that would try to exalt itself against the knowledge of God; we can conquer thoughts of worry, oppression, and sin with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
June 21, 2010
Words To Remember - "Grace"
When we talk about pleasing God, as we have done in our previous posts, and how that is connected with our faith, it can seem overwhelming and even at times impossible to the natural mind; and actually it is if we are relying on our own ability. But there is something called GRACE, which can be defined not only as kindness, goodwill, mercy, favor, etc., but it can also be defined as an empowerment and an enabling from God to us so that we can do/be what we could not do/be in and of ourselves. God's grace actually helps us to meet His standard and His requirement.
Now, understand that this grace is attracted to humility. For in James 4:6, the writer says, "But he gives all the more grace; therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" (NRSV). And in connection with this, we see the writer in Hebrews 4:16 saying, "Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (NRSV). So, in our approach to the throne of grace, we are humbling ourselves so that we can ultimately obtain more grace. And this grace we find at the throne is:
1) Saving (Ephesians 2:8)
2) Settling (Hebrews 13:9)
3) Sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9)
Now, understand that this grace is attracted to humility. For in James 4:6, the writer says, "But he gives all the more grace; therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" (NRSV). And in connection with this, we see the writer in Hebrews 4:16 saying, "Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (NRSV). So, in our approach to the throne of grace, we are humbling ourselves so that we can ultimately obtain more grace. And this grace we find at the throne is:
1) Saving (Ephesians 2:8)
2) Settling (Hebrews 13:9)
3) Sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9)
Remember, beloved, God does not want us trying to please Him on our own strength, nor does He want us striving to walk by faith in our own might, but rather He wants us to come to His throne of grace with boldness (confidence, assurance) so that we can receive mercy and find (discover) His grace (empowerment, enabling) to help us in our time of need so that we can ultimately do/be what He wants and requires us to do/be.
June 06, 2010
Words To Remember - "Faith Made Effective"
Previously we had talked about the "Order of Faith", and that it speaks on this wise: The primary purpose and function of faith is not to get a bigger house, a nicer car, more money, etc. But rather the primary purpose and function of faith is to please God. Now, with the purpose and function of our faith established toward God, we now look at what actually makes our faith effective.
In Galatians 5:6, the Apostle Paul says, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love." (NRSV). According to this passage, faith works or is made effective through love.
So, what is love? Well, we have a biblical definition and description of it in I Corinthians 13:4-8(a) - "Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends." (NRSV).
So, as we use our faith to please (love) God, we must also use it to love people. For, "Those who say, 'I love God,' and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen." (I John 4:20 - NRSV).
So, as important as faith is to our walk with God, just remember that it is nothing if it is not fueled by love. Love is how our faith is made effective, and is therefore how we are able to please God to the utmost.
June 03, 2010
Words To Remember - "What's Next?"
In our last two postings, we talked about "The Order of Faith." And we said that the order of faith speaks on this wise: The primary purpose and function of faith is not to get a bigger house, get a nicer car, get more money, etc. But rather, the primary purpose and function of faith is to please God. And in connection with this, we named at least three ways in which we can please God, which are: right living, right attitude, and right testimony.
Now, after we have utilized our faith in accordance with its primary purpose and function, which is to please God, the question can then be easily asked, "What's Next?" What more do I need or need to do in order to see things and circumstances change in my life, after all, I am living right; I do have a right attitude; and I do possess a right testimony, so what's next? Aren't I suppose to be rewarded for pleasing God? However, it seems like I am being passed over and that the reward is for some reason being delayed and even denied. So, what's next?
Well, in answer to the question, "What's Next?", we turn to the Scripture found in Hebrews 10:35-37 wherein the writer says the following: "Do not therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward. For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. For yet 'in a very little while, the one who is coming will come and will not delay." (NRSV). The "What's Next" that is needed in our lives after we have pleased (done the will of) God is endurance (patience)! Now understand that when the Scripture says that we need endurance/patience, that it is not just simply saying that we need to wait, although it is involved. But when the Scripture says that we need endurance/patience, it is saying (according to the BDAG Greek Lexicon) that we need "the capacity to hold out or bear up in the face of difficulty." That means that in having endurance/ patience, we will have enough room to put up with the situation, the unfavorable circumstance, the troublesome issue that continues to stare us in the face until our change comes.
So, how do we do have and even increase in this much needed endurance/patience? Well, I believe that there are at least three things that we need to do in order to have and increase in the endurance/patience that we need; and these things are:
1) Keep looking at Jesus - Hebrews 12:1-3
2) Keep rejoicing in Jesus - Philippians 4:4
3) Keep standing in Jesus - Ephesians 6:13
So, what's next after we have pleased God? Endurance/Patience. And what is endurance/patience? The capacity to hold out or bear up in the face of difficulty. And how do we obtain and even increase in endurance/patience? By continuing to look at, rejoice, and stand in Jesus. God bless you.
Now, after we have utilized our faith in accordance with its primary purpose and function, which is to please God, the question can then be easily asked, "What's Next?" What more do I need or need to do in order to see things and circumstances change in my life, after all, I am living right; I do have a right attitude; and I do possess a right testimony, so what's next? Aren't I suppose to be rewarded for pleasing God? However, it seems like I am being passed over and that the reward is for some reason being delayed and even denied. So, what's next?
Well, in answer to the question, "What's Next?", we turn to the Scripture found in Hebrews 10:35-37 wherein the writer says the following: "Do not therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward. For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. For yet 'in a very little while, the one who is coming will come and will not delay." (NRSV). The "What's Next" that is needed in our lives after we have pleased (done the will of) God is endurance (patience)! Now understand that when the Scripture says that we need endurance/patience, that it is not just simply saying that we need to wait, although it is involved. But when the Scripture says that we need endurance/patience, it is saying (according to the BDAG Greek Lexicon) that we need "the capacity to hold out or bear up in the face of difficulty." That means that in having endurance/ patience, we will have enough room to put up with the situation, the unfavorable circumstance, the troublesome issue that continues to stare us in the face until our change comes.
So, how do we do have and even increase in this much needed endurance/patience? Well, I believe that there are at least three things that we need to do in order to have and increase in the endurance/patience that we need; and these things are:
1) Keep looking at Jesus - Hebrews 12:1-3
2) Keep rejoicing in Jesus - Philippians 4:4
3) Keep standing in Jesus - Ephesians 6:13
So, what's next after we have pleased God? Endurance/Patience. And what is endurance/patience? The capacity to hold out or bear up in the face of difficulty. And how do we obtain and even increase in endurance/patience? By continuing to look at, rejoice, and stand in Jesus. God bless you.
May 23, 2010
Words To Remember - "The Order of Faith" Part II
Continuing in "The Order of Faith", we now look at the following passages of Scripture:
Psalm 37:4 - "Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart"; and John 15:7 - "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." (NRSV).
In the above verses, we see further confirmation to the truth of "The Order of Faith" which says: the primary purpose and function of faith is not to acquire material things (i.e. a bigger house, a nicer car, more money, a better job, the perfect mate), but rather it is to please God. See, we mostly hear about faith as it relates to acquiring material things, but we really do need to understand that the faith that we have is to primarily obey and please God. For we can exercise our faith to acquire things, and thereby be impressive to ourselves and others, but all along we can be in a state of losing our own souls; that is definitely not God's will for our lives.
God wants us to first and foremost delight ourselves in Him. He wants us to above all else abide or live in Him and His words in us, for it is then and only then will He grant us our hearts desire and grant us what we wish. For if we are delighting or taking pleasure in Him; and if we are abiding in Him and His words in us, then that means that His desire becomes our desire, and our desire becomes His desire, so then He can give us what we desire and wish because it will not be contrary to His will and what pleases Him.
God wants us to first and foremost delight ourselves in Him. He wants us to above all else abide or live in Him and His words in us, for it is then and only then will He grant us our hearts desire and grant us what we wish. For if we are delighting or taking pleasure in Him; and if we are abiding in Him and His words in us, then that means that His desire becomes our desire, and our desire becomes His desire, so then He can give us what we desire and wish because it will not be contrary to His will and what pleases Him.
Again, there is an order to faith, and that order involves pleasing God, and then allowing Him to add all things to us. "The Order of Faith."
May 16, 2010
Words To Remember - "The Order of Faith"
Romans 1:17 says, "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, 'The one who is righteous will live by faith.'" And Hebrew 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." (NRSV).
The greatest, most important question that one can ask, as it pertains to their life, is: Am I right with God? For after all is said and done; after we have accomplished this, and traveled there, and made that, and built here, the lingering and final question is: Am I right with God? And either the affirmative or negative answer will be as a result of our faith, and particularly, the object thereof. For the way by which one is made right with God is through faith (trust, confidence) in Jesus Christ; and being made right with God is synonymous to being pleasing to God. For if I am right with God, then I am pleasing to Him, and if I am pleasing to Him, then I am right with Him; and this is all done by faith.
So, if the most important thing in my life is being right and pleasing to God, and this is done by faith, then that tells me that there is an "Order of Faith" that goes like this: The primary purpose and function of faith is not to obtain a bigger house; it is not to acquire a nicer car; it is not to get a better job; and it is not to make more money. But the primary purpose and function of faith is to please God. This is not to say that we don't use our faith to acquire things, but it is saying that even if we do not get the things that we want when and how we think we should get them, that we still have an obligation to please God. For at the end of the day, we need to please God.
Now, how do we please God? Well, I believe there are three ways in which we can please God, and actually they are what we previously posted under "Ways of the Kingdom", and those things are:
1) Right Living - I Thessalonians 4:3-7.
2) Right Attitude - I Thessalonians 5:16-18
3) Right Testimony - I Peter 2:15
If we practice these things as ways of pleasing God, then our faith is in order and then we can believe God for other things that we desire and need and see Him move on our behalf for His glory. "The Order of Faith."
The greatest, most important question that one can ask, as it pertains to their life, is: Am I right with God? For after all is said and done; after we have accomplished this, and traveled there, and made that, and built here, the lingering and final question is: Am I right with God? And either the affirmative or negative answer will be as a result of our faith, and particularly, the object thereof. For the way by which one is made right with God is through faith (trust, confidence) in Jesus Christ; and being made right with God is synonymous to being pleasing to God. For if I am right with God, then I am pleasing to Him, and if I am pleasing to Him, then I am right with Him; and this is all done by faith.
So, if the most important thing in my life is being right and pleasing to God, and this is done by faith, then that tells me that there is an "Order of Faith" that goes like this: The primary purpose and function of faith is not to obtain a bigger house; it is not to acquire a nicer car; it is not to get a better job; and it is not to make more money. But the primary purpose and function of faith is to please God. This is not to say that we don't use our faith to acquire things, but it is saying that even if we do not get the things that we want when and how we think we should get them, that we still have an obligation to please God. For at the end of the day, we need to please God.
Now, how do we please God? Well, I believe there are three ways in which we can please God, and actually they are what we previously posted under "Ways of the Kingdom", and those things are:
1) Right Living - I Thessalonians 4:3-7.
2) Right Attitude - I Thessalonians 5:16-18
3) Right Testimony - I Peter 2:15
If we practice these things as ways of pleasing God, then our faith is in order and then we can believe God for other things that we desire and need and see Him move on our behalf for His glory. "The Order of Faith."
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