Tag: kingdom of God
Healthy spiritual fruit!
Scripture reading for August 21: Galatians 5
“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:18-24
According to Paul, there is a spiritual battle between our human flesh and the Spirit-led life. Human flesh wants to do works and earn or achieve what we want, no matter what our conscience or God’s Word has said. The works of the flesh are evident to all, especially those who are under God’s law and conscience. We know that God has decreed no adultery or immorality to include all kinds of sexual perversions. Violence, murder, fits of anger and all factions and divisions are also warned against. Pride, envy and jealousy are specifically called out as works of the flesh. The law of God warns us that those who do things like these will die and not inherit God’s kingdom.
But God has provided a remedy to those caught in bondage to the flesh and its works of death. He has provided His Holy Spirit to lead us as His children in the fruits of His Spirit. God is love! Love heads the list of character traits growing as we are led by God’s Spirit. Love leads to joy and peace with God and man, overcoming the works of the flesh. We become patient and kind and gentle even to those who violently oppose us. We know that it is God’s goodness that leads us to repentance and so we are good, reflecting our Father. (Romans 2:4) We develop habits of faithfulness and self control and reflect God. Through the Spirit, we crucify the works of the flesh and its passions and selfish desires.
Can you describe a time in your life where you experienced the conflict between the desires of your flesh and the Holy Spirit seeking to produce fruit in your life? How is the cross of Jesus Christ a place of victory in this battle against the flesh? What fruits of the Holy Spirit is God wanting to develop in your life today?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the indwelling Holy Spirit Who is leading me daily. Fill me with the Spirit today and help me to put to death the works of my human flesh. Let my life be filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Develop the slow-growing fruit of patience and self-control that I often lack. Amen.
Walking in love not judgment
Scripture reading for July 2: Romans 14
“Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” Romans 14:13-19
Paul was addressing those in the church that liked religious rules and traditions. Some believers in Jesus had come out of Judaism and still observed dietary laws. They judged Gentiles who were believers and ate anything. Others kept certain feast days in honor of God and judged those who did not. These outward traditions really did not affect their ability to follow Jesus in themselves. The bigger problem was the strife that this generated within Christ’s Body. Paul taught them not to pass judgment on one another, but to trust that God would straighten it all out on Judgment Day.
The key verse is, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Life in the kingdom doesn’t consist of rules or outward observances but rather is a matter of our heart. The King, Jesus, has given us His righteousness and now we all enjoy by grace a right standing in God’s family. Through the blood of Jesus, we have peace with God and are to have peace with our fellow believer. The kingdom is marked by the joy of the redeemed who have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit and all His gifts and fruit. Because we are all on level ground at the foot of Jesus’ cross, we pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding of each other.
Have you ever experienced a judgmental attitude from someone in the church concerning your diet, make-up, or celebration of holidays honoring Christ? How did you respond towards that person? In light of Jesus’ instructions through Paul, how can you keep peace and mutually build up others?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the Gift of the Holy Spirit and Christ’s righteousness. Through the Spirit, remind me daily how to walk in love with other believers that may not live in complete freedom in manner of foods or drinks or outward appearance. Use me to keep peace and build up others. Amen.
Understanding the kingdom of God
Scripture reading for February 13: Mark 4
“And He said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of that air can make nests in its shade.” With many such parables He spoke the Word to them, as they were able to hear it. He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to His own disciples He explained everything.” Mark 4:30-34
Jesus used parables, stories or illustrations from everyday life, to help His disciples and seekers to understand the kingdom of heaven and God’s rule. The parables spoke of ordinary things like sowing seed, types of soil, weeds, hard soil, birds and growth. To His own disciples, He explained the deeper meaning of these ordinary things. As they opened their hearts, they began to understand unseen spiritual realities and grow in their world view from Jesus’ perspective. Those with hard hearts heard the stories but did not find truth or understanding.
The mustard seed in this parable represented the small and seemingly insignificant beginning of the understanding of God’s kingdom rule in Jesus. Jesus was the ‘Sower’ of Good News and a call to repent and believe. This seemed very insignificant to the world. Jesus explained that although small, the ‘seed’ would grow into a large and substantial tree with many branches. On the branches, the birds of the air would roost and make nests. Earlier, the birds of the air stole the seed that was sown. (Mark 4:4) They represented false teachers and Satan’s emissaries coming to oppose God’s kingdom and His people. Jesus explained the parable and its parts to help His disciples stand firm against spiritual conflict coming to the kingdom.
Have you studies Jesus’ parables and His explanation to better understand the kingdom of God? How does this parable of the mustard seed growing into a large tree with birds roosting help you navigate the church world today?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the parables of Jesus and how You always help Your people to grow in seeing the kingdom of God manifest in our world. Help me to discern the ‘birds of the air’ seeking to distort the simple truth of the Gospel. Deliver us from evil! Yours is the kingdom forever and ever! Amen.
“Follow Me”
Scripture reading for April 11th: Matthew 4, Psalm 72, Proverbs 10
Matthew 4: 17-23 “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” While walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. And going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him. And He went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.”
Jesus came back in the power of the Holy Spirit from His forty-day encounter with Satan in the wilderness. He immediately began to preach repentance and call people to enter the kingdom of heaven. He began calling disciples from among the fishermen working at the Sea of Galilee. This was the area of Israel where a trade route brought many Gentiles through the area and the area Isaiah had prophesied about a “great light” appearing! Those called to follow Jesus, responded immediately! They were promised by Jesus a new type of ‘fishing’! Jesus then went throughout that area teaching and proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of heaven and healing and miracles were being done among the people in need of His kingdom! Praise the Lord! The whole earth was being filled with His glory!
Psalm 72:18-19 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, Who alone has done wondrous things. Blessed be His glorious Name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory! Amen and Amen!”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for Your amazing call to those first fishermen to follow You and become fishers of men. The amazing love of King Jesus was and is being demonstrated by the covering of sins and offenses against You and the healing of hearts, bodies and souls damaged by sickness and sin. Through Jesus, I have found the fountain of Life! Use me to share the Gospel and Your glory to all! Amen!
Proverbs 10:11-12 “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.”
The Son of God at work!
Scripture reading for March 16th: Numbers 34-36, Luke 4
Luke 4:38-41 “Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to Him on her behalf. And He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them. Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him, and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But He rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that He was the Christ.”
Jesus announced His ministry and mission of preaching the ‘good news’ with healing and deliverance. This announcement brough immediate opposition from the people in His home town. He then went to Capernaum and Simon Peter’s home. Peter’s mother was sick with a fever and Jesus rebuked the fever and it left her. The people brought many sick and oppressed people to Jesus and He healed them all. Demons came out screaming, “You are the Son of God!” Jesus rebuked them and shut them up. Jesus left there for a more desolate place to be alone but people sought Him out, begging Him to stay. He plainly stated His work and mission–preaching the ‘good news’ in other towns as well! Work must go on!
Luke 4:42-43 “And when it was day, He departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought Him and came to Him, and would have kept Him from leaving them, but He said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.””
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the ministry and mission of Jesus Christ, God’s Son! I thank You that now I can freely proclaim Jesus as God’s Son, having been set free by hearing and receiving the Good News of the King and His kingdom. I accept Your mission as mine here on earth! Fill me with boldness and the Holy Spirit so that I might fulfill my part of that mission that You have prepared for me.
Numbers 35:33-34 “You shall not pollute the land in which you live, for blood pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land for the blood that is shed in it, except by the blood of the one who shed it. You shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell, for I the Lord dwell in the midst of the people of Israel.”
Sowing the Gospel seed!
Scripture reading for May 13th: Acts 28
Key Scriptures: Acts 28:23-26 “When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Low of Moses and from the Prophets. And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: “‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
After wintering on the island that they shipwrecked on, Paul continued on to Rome as a prisoner on another ship with the Roman soldier assigned to guard him. At Rome he was given the privilege of a private rented residence and a soldier to guard him but was otherwise free to meet with believers and others seeking God. Paul got together with the local Jewish leaders and shared the Gospel with them from the Old Testament Scriptures. Some believed and some did not but disagreed. Paul separated from them and announced a mission to the Gentiles and preached the Gospel with boldness for over two years as a prisoner but free. God’s provision and directions were received and followed.
Acts 28:30-31 “He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, it is amazing that Paul, a prisoner, is given such freedom and provision to do Your work. His bold preaching and steady witness is an encouragement to me. Let Your Word ring out from my lips each day no matter the circumstances.
2nd Timothy 4:1-2 “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, Who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”
A new chapter of the Story
Scripture reading for April 6th: Acts 1
Key Scriptures: Acts 1:1-5 “In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up, after He had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen. He presented Himself alive to them after His suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them He ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, which, He said, ‘you heard from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. “”
The book of Acts is a continuation of Luke’s eyewitness account of the events and acts of the Holy Spirit through Jesus’ disciples following Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. He wrote these accounts to Theophilus, whose name means “lover of God”. He was a Gentile convert to Jesus and Luke wrote to give greater understanding to the Gentile church of how our Lord empowered witnesses to take the Gospel from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria and the ends of the earth. Acts is the historical record of the growth of the early Church after the Promise of the Father came upon them. This book has inspired believers throughout history to be filled with the Holy Spirit and allow God to use them to further His mission to reach the ends of the earth before Jesus returns. It records the acts of the Holy Spirit, mentioned over 50 times, through Jesus’ followers. In a sense, it is still being written until Jesus returns.
Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for sending the Promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit to empower me and all Your disciples to reach the ends of the earth. Use me to add to the “acts of the Holy Spirit” in my life on earth and to multiply disciples who will take the Gospel of Jesus to the ends of the earth.
Acts 1:10-11 “And while they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, Who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.”
Bind the strong man!
Scripture reading for January 20th: Mark 3
Key Scriptures: Mark 3:22-27 “And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and” by the prince of demons He casts out demons.” And He called them to Him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.”“
A big part of Jesus’ ministry was casting out demons and healing those oppressed by Satan. So much so, that even His own family thought Jesus to be “out of His mind.” (Mark 3:21) The scribes came down from the religious rulers in Jerusalem and accused Jesus of using demonic power to cast out the devils. Jesus patiently called them to listen to Him and in a rabbinic posture, asked them a question: “How can Satan cast out Satan? . . .” He pointed out that a house divided against itself would not stand. He stated that in order to cast out demons (the strongman), they must be bound first. The rope or chain Jesus had used was His authority–authority from God the Father in the kingdom of heaven. He went on to warn these religious people about blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and the unforgivable sin!
Luke 11:19-20 “And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for demonstrating Your authority over the devil and demons, binding them with Your powerful Word. Give me greater discernment when I confront the forces of darkness and patience with those who lack understanding about spiritual authority.
2nd Corinthians 10:4 “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.”
A Stone of Stumbling!
Scripture reading for August 13th: 2nd Kings 15-16, Matthew 21
Key Scriptures: Matthew 21:42-46 “Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scripture: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. And the one who falls on the stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.” When the chief priest and the Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking about them. And although they were seeking to arrest Him, they feared the crowds, because they held Him to be a prophet.”
Jesus ended His ministry telling some parables that revealed the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. They had been entrusted with the Word of God and should have been listening and applying God’s Word as spoken by the prophets and by Jesus, Whom the people understood was a prophet. Jesus warned that God would take the kingdom of God away from them and give it to those people producing the fruit of an obedient life of faith. Jesus was the “Stone” that the builders rejected. Those who fell upon Him would be broken, but those He fell upon in the final judgment would be crushed.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, You alone are the Cornerstone of my life and I want to follow You and produce fruit. Help me to keep others from calamity at the final judgment by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, my Cornerstone!
2nd Kings 16:2 “Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord his God, as his father David had done, . . .”
Discerning our ‘latter end’!
Scripture reading for March 27th: Deuteronomy 32-34, Psalm 13, Luke 13
Key Scriptures: Luke 13:26-30 “Then you will begin to say, “We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.” But He will say, I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from Me, all you workers of evil.” In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”
Jesus, in response to the question, “Will those who are saved be few?”, told them that the way of salvation was a narrow door (relationship with Jesus). There would be few to which the door would be opened because those wanting in lacked real relationship with God. Without a relationship, they would be shut out and left in a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth (hell). Some who thought they were in would be left out while others that some judged would be left out would be let in. Discernment was required!
Deuteronomy 32:29 “If they were wise, they would understand this; they would discern their latter end!”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I enter into a relationship with You through repentance and faith. You have dealt bountifully with me! Help me to tell others about this narrow way today!
Psalm 13:5-6 “But I have trusted in Your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.”