Most of us desire to be in comfortable, stress-free situations and places. Also, we do not like pain or suffering; thus, we will not knowingly put ourselves in situations that will cause us to experience these things. It is needful for us to remember, though it may be challenging it is important that we are in the place where God would have us. Let me share some biblical events with you, where individuals suffered consequences because they choose comfort over God’s instructions.
In Genesis chapter 12, we read the story of Abram and God’s instruction to him to go to the land of Canaan and that he and his seed would inherit this land. A famine occurred, and Abram took his family to Egypt, where his wife Sarai was taken by Pharaoh. God intervened on Abram’s behalf before Pharaoh had a chance to have sexual relations with Sarai and Abram left Egypt and returned to Canaan.
Again in Genesis 46, there was famine in the land, and Jacob and his family left the land of Canaan and traveled to Egypt. Instead of returning to Canaan when the famine was over, they ended up staying there for 430 years. At first, they were comfortable and received preferential treatment, but then God allowed them to become the servants of the Egyptians who made their lives bitter with hard bondage, and they were ready to leave Egypt. After hearing their groaning God delivered them and brought them back into the promise land.
God had sent a word to David to stay in the land of Judah, but in 1 Samuel 27, David and his army of 600 men left and went to Ziklag because he was fearful of Saul. David became a liar, a murderer, and out of contact with God. God allowed his wives to be taken captive by the Amalekites and Ziklag to be burnt up for David to reconnect with Him and enquire of the Lord in 2 Samuel 2:1, ”Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? “ and the Lord’s response was, “Go up.”
In the above three situations, we read of men acting out of fear rather than their faith in God; however, there is the story of Isaac in Genesis 26 who did the right thing and was blessed for so doing. When confronted with famine Isaac had plans to go to Egypt but on his way God appeared to him and said, “Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father. “ Obedient Isaac followed God’s instructions and Genesis 26:12-13 recorded this, “Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great.”
If only we could learn to apply the words of the song, “Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey.” Though situations are not pleasant, and our obedience does not provide us with a stressless environment it is vital to our wellbeing to stop, and don’t move until we are directed by God to do so.
For some of you I know this is shocking, but despite what you were taught heaven is not your eternal home. In my youth, our church sang the song, “When we all get to heaven what a day of rejoicing that will be.” and we believed when Jesus raptured the believers, we would be with Him in heaven for eternity, but that is not what the scripture records.
From before the foundation of the world in the mind of God was a place (which we call earth) that He would create to be inhabited by man. Isaiah 45:18a states, “For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited” and Psalms 115:16 states “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.” Ultimately, the earth with its inhabitants was to be a reflection of the invisible kingdom of heaven.
God made man in His likeness and image, meaning man possessed His spiritual nature, essence, and characteristics. The man was designed to function, act, and be like God. The man was first a spirit being, then he was given a body made of the dust of the ground, next God breathed into man’s nostril the breath of life, and finally, the man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7).
Not only did God give man the earth but He also gave man these instructions, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:28) and “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16-17). Under this mandate from God, the man had the awesome responsibility to be obedient, productive, rule, and govern.
In Genesis 3, we see the failure and disobedience of man to God’s instructions and we also see the consequence of man’s action. However, God sent His Son to redeem man and for those that would accept the salvation that God offered Revelation 21-22 records that they will reside not in heaven but on earth in the New Jerusalem. In conclusion, God does not lie; He said earth was made for man, and that is where believers will be with Jesus for eternity.
One of the definitions for the word constitution is, “A set of basic laws or principles for a country that describes the rights and duties of its citizens and the way in which it is governed.” Also, the word “constitution” is derived from a Latin word meaning “an important law,” and it was declared by the Romans, to be the highest authority in the land.
For kingdom citizens, the bible is our constitution. It is the royal contract that originated with God, and it documents His will, purpose, and intent for us. God allowed His constitution to be written down as a testament for the world by inspired men, and unlike other government constitutions, it cannot be refuted, rectified, or improved.
As I previously stated in the blog, “GOD IS MY KING” in the kingdom of God, God is the sole ruler with absolute power and authority. His word is law, and His decisions are final. He can never be voted out of power because He was never voted in, for his kingship was not conferred by men. God reigns by His position of the creator of everything, and He is answerable to no one. Therefore, I have come to realize my opinion does not matter for when you are a part of God’s kingdom; the only Word that matters or has any weight is the Word of the King. This revelation is the answer to any questions that I or others may have for all we need to do is to see and say what the Word said.
In this constitution, a reader will find the doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction that will aid them in becoming a mature citizen of the kingdom of God. As I study the principles of the constitution of the kingdom of God, I am amazed, humbled and grateful for the transformation, clarification, and even rebuked for my wrong thinking and interpretation of the scriptures. I realize Satan would like me to deviate from this constitution, yield to my own understanding and pick and choose which laws I will follow. However, I am encouraged by the words of Paul to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:14, “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.” My king does not want me to fail. My king wants me to be productive, influential, and powerful; therefore, to succeed in these areas, all I must do is follow His constitution. On today, I encourage you to do the same.
Presently, there are approximately 15 nations that are ruled by a king whose reign is limited to their lifetime. However, in the kingdom of God, He is the king, the sole eternal ruler with absolute power and authority. His word is law, and His decisions are final. He can never be voted out of power because He was never voted in for his kingship was not conferred by men. God reigns by His position of the creator of everything, and He is answerable to no one. As a king, He owns everything, and God takes care of His citizens, that is why we are instructed to be anxious for nothing.
During the first conversation of God and Moses, Moses asked God, “Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?” God responded to Moses with these words, “I Am That I Am. Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you” (Exodus 3:13 – 14). Thus, God was letting the Israelis know that He was capable of fulfilling all of their needs from the very onset of His interactions with them because this is what a king does.
God brought Israel out of the bondage of Egypt and then in His kingly role; He gave them His laws, commandments, and statues by which they were to live. From the time of Moses to Samuel, Israel lived under the sole dictates of God, who was their king and gracious benefactor. However, when Samuel was an old man Israel told Samuel they wanted a king like the nations around them; they wanted a king they could see. They mistakenly thought this visible king would treat them better than the invisible God who was taking care of them. Samuel was displeased with their request; however, God told Samuel that the people were rejected Him and to inform the people what kind of unpleasant experience they would have under an earthly king. Also, He cautioned them they would come to regret their decision, but Israel would not listen. God granted them their request, and in time, Israel suffered hardship under the leadership of their visible kings.
Today, we have the same choice as Israel. We can accept God as our king, which means we are willing to submit ourselves to Him and follow His Word, or we can give our allegiance to another. If you are hesitant in making this decision I highly recommend that you read 1&2 Kings in the bible. Hopefully, when you see what happens to people that reject God as their king and look to men for leadership, it will help you make the right decision. In closing, I can assure you I chose God, and I find no fault in Him.
The United States Government does not trust its citizens. When you receive your paycheck from your job, they have already deducted what is theirs. Also, they don’t trust you to give them the correct amount, so they determined the correct percentage that you are to give them, and that is what they take. The United States government makes sure its citizens are rendering to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.
God, however, gives a man a choice to be obedient to the Word. He never forces us to do right. He gives us the opportunity to share a tenth of our increase with Him willingly, and in turn, He blesses the ninety percent that we have left.
From the beginning of man’s existence, God had a portion that belonged only to Him, and He told Adam not to touch His portion. Adam and Eve did not follow His instructions; they touched, and thus, they suffered the consequences. He gave Israel the laws of tithing and offerings to which we are still adhering, and like Israel, some obeyed while others disobey.
Malachi 3: 8 -11 states, “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.”
Believers are to give God a tithe, which is equivalent to ten percent of our increase, which means a dime from every dollar we receive belongs to God. The tithe is not optional, but the offering is of our choosing; there is no required amount that you are to give.
Believers are tested in following the Law of Giving when bills need to be paid, and there are not enough monies to meet their obligations. It requires unwavering faithfulness and obedience to do the right thing and to trust God to meet your needs. Personally, I treat my tithes like a bill that must be paid first; it has top priority, and when giving my offering I do so with the song in mind, “You can’t beat God in giving, no matter how you try. The more you give to Him, the more He gives to you.” These things have allowed me to reap the blessings of Malachi 3 and not the curses. God can trust me with the dime; can He trust you?
I recently had an experience that made me reflect on why I served God. Was I serving Him because I loved Him, or was my service to acquire things? As I began to seriously, question my motives I was reminded of the story of Job.
In the story of Job, unbeknownst to him, while he was functioning in his typical manner and serving God to the best of his ability, Satan and God was having a conversation about him. In that conversation, God spoke of the virtues of Job, and Satan said, “Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.” God’s response to this accusation was to allow Satan to attack Job’s possessions and family. Satan did, but Job continued to praise God, causing Satan and God to have another conversation about Job. This time Satan said, “Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.” Once again, God allowed Satan to attack Job, but this time, Satan afflicted Job’s body. Even when his wife suggested Job curse God and die, Job refused but continued to praise God. When his friends came to see about him, and openly speculated why Job was suffering, Job continued to hold on to his faith in God. Though suffering, Job did not waver in his faith or praise.
Like Job, my desire and prayer are to be faithful to God. I honor and worship Him for who He is and for the privilege of being one of His chosen children. In the good times and the bad, I want to be found in His presence and my mouth full of praises for Him. When things appear bleak in my life, and my prayers are not being answered, I don’t want to pout, become depressed, and be missing in action. I don’t want to treat Him like a Santa Claus who the world acknowledges once a year when they want something from him. I don’t want to serve God to obtain things because I understand that as a King, He takes care of His citizens. I want Him to trust in my loyalty to Him and know I can stand the test of the enemy. Finally, I will serve Him because I am a mature believer that realizes without Him in my life, I am lost.
I pray this blog has made you stop to consider why you serve God and that you resolve in your spirit, mind, and body to serve Him every day of your life not to receive things but because He alone is worthy of your service and adoration.
Particularly on social media networks I often see announcements of people that have departed this life and included in the announcement or condolences are the letters R.I.P. and I sometimes wonder are the departed resting in peace or are they in a place of torment.
It has been said that funerals are not for the departed because they cannot hear what is being said, but it is for the living to provide comfort and closure. Often at funeral services, we hear remarks being made placing individuals that did not serve God while they were living in heaven with Him and other departed loved ones. Many do not realize or want to accept the idea that their assumption is not true. Hebrews 9:27 states, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” This verse means that there is no second chance after you die, your life on earth will determine where you will spend eternity and if you are not a child of God you are not resting in peace.
The parable that Jesus shared with the people in Luke 16:19-31 talked about two men: Lazarus a beggar and a certain rich man. When the rich man who was selfish and unwilling to share his wealth died, he was able to see Lazarus who had also died in the comforting arms of Abraham while he was in torment in hell. The rich man wanted relief from the flame but was told by Abraham there would be no relief for him. He also wanted someone to go to his relatives that were still living and ministered to them so that they would not end up in hell like him.
During the funeral services for those departed individuals who were unbelievers, we have the opportunity to follow the request of the rich man. Therefore, I believe that a different approach needs to be taken at funerals. The eulogist and those giving remarks need not lie to the family and tell the family their loved one is resting in peace. God knows, and that is all that matters for their loved one might be like the thief on the cross next to Jesus who acknowledged Him as “The King of the Jews” and Jesus told him that on that day he would be with Him in paradise. If you do not know that the departed made a last minute confession of faith, say nothing, instead address all those that are present and inform them that every day they are living counts, and their relationship with God on earth determines their future after death. Let them know there is no mercy extended to the unbeliever after death, and their eternal destiny is fixed. Also, there is no reincarnation, so while they are living choose life, choose God, and they will one day rest in peace.
In this New Year of 2016, I am encouraging you as ambassadors of God in this earthly realm to speak the Words of the King. If you already speak the Word, continue, and if you don’t start.
Jesus, our King, was our perfect example for while He was on earth when confronted by the enemy He showed us how we are to respond. He did not entertain or engage the enemy in conversation; however, He did tell the enemy what was written. Look at the Bible’s account of their meeting:
Matthew 4:1- 11 “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”
Here is what I learned from this encounter. The enemy, when he comes, will stay with you for a while, and he will try to tempt you in several areas where he thinks you are vulnerable. My job is not to get weary, but to continue to speak the Word to him until he leaves. Jesus knew which scriptures were the right responses, and to follow His example, I also need to know the scriptures that will be appropriate for each assault. This requires my time in reading and studying the Word so that I may be proficient in it. If I don’t do the work, I will make mistakes due to my laziness and ignorance. I must remember the words that Jesus spoke to the Sadducees in Matthew 22:29, “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.”
Also, Jesus, when confronted by the people, Jews, and religious community concerning His teachings, He knew how to speak to them. He let them know His words were directed from God. Some examples of these encounters were:
John 7:16 “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.”
John 8:28 “Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.”
John 12:49 “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.”
John 14:10 “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.”
If Jesus, the Son of God, spoke in power to the masses, I surely should follow His example by using God’s word.
Another good example to note is the centurion who in Matthew 8:8 understood the power of the Word for when requesting Jesus to heal his servant he said, “Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.” When I believe, the spoken Word can travel where I am unable to go and to perform miracles without me being present.
In closing, these are the two things I need to remember that will lead me to success in 2016:
- In my position as an ambassador (2 Corinthians 5: 20) of God’s kingdom, I never speak my personal position on any issue, only God’s official position and I strive to influence the world with the Word for God’s kingdom government.
I am in this world but not of this world (John 17: 14), so I do not resort to carnal warfare for my spiritual weaponry are more powerful (2 Corinthians 10:3).
Have you ever thought about heaven? For several months I’ve been studying “THE KINGDOM OF GOD.” which also includes a study on the kingdom of heaven. This study has led me to take some time and think about heaven, and in this blog, I will share some of my thoughts with you.
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word most frequently used for heaven is samayim, signifying “heaved up things” or “the heights.” In the New Testament, the Greek word is ouranos, which means “sky” or “air.” Paul in his writing said, “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (2 Corinthians 12:2-4) and John also had a similar experience as he stated in Revelation 4:1-2, “ After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.” In both of these incidents, they were not talking about the first heaven which is known as the atmosphere just above the earth where birds and planes fly, and clouds exist (Genesis 1:20). Nor are they talking about the second heaven known as interstellar/outer space, where the stars, planets, galaxies and other celestial objects exist (Genesis 1:14-18) but they are talking about what Bible scholars call the third heaven where God and other spirit being which He created abide (Psalms 2:4).
Since I am a bible believer I know, as stated in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Scientists have yet to determine when that was; however, from research, they speculate that the universe is over 13 billion years old. Who knows but God when the beginning actually was and how He created heaven? What I do understand is the third heaven expands the universe; therefore, it is vast, and to be truthful, my mind has difficulty grasping that thought. My imagination cannot even begin to imagine what heaven, which is a place entails.
In Revelation 21:1a, John stated, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.” I understand the new earth but I have questions about a new heaven . Is that scripture giving reference to one of the heavens or all of them? Maybe, when I get to the third heaven, during our short time there, I may find out the answer for as David said in Psalms 115:15-16 “Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth. The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.” Thus, I understand that in God’s mind He never intended for man to live eternally in the heaven; so, for now, I will occasionally think about it, knowing one day I will experience living in it.
Many people will start this new year of 2016 by making their New Year resolutions. To name a few: some will be focusing on debt cancellation, others on educational goals, others on weight loss, and still others on significant purchases. However, Jesus gave us the ultimate goal for every year in Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
This verse is found amid a private conversation that Jesus had with his disciples concerning kingdom lifestyle, which includes: charitable deeds, prayer, fasting, wealth, and judging. Jesus spoke to His disciples on the premise that they understood kingdom principles. One of these principles is, when you are a citizen in a kingdom, the kingdom cares for you by providing the things you need. Less they forget, become distracted, and begin to worry, Jesus assured his disciples that God who was the King of King, creator of all things, sustainer of life, and omniscient would provide them with the necessities of life. Also, this benevolent action by the king depended on the citizen’s loyalty, for if they were rebellious, the King could become a tyrant.
For our continued success in 2016 let me share the meaning of the key words in Matthew 6:33:
Seek = Greek (epizteo) to acquire, strive after, long for, search for, to bend one’s effort to, to pursue
First = Greek (proton) in time, place, order, or importance, preceding all others
Kingdom = Greek (basileia) realm, rule, a government or country headed by a king
Righteousness = Greek (dikaiosune) equity, justification, God-like righteousness
Accordingly, my first and foremost activity for 2016 is to go after, track down, strive after, long for, pursue the kingdom of God with an understanding that in a kingdom the king makes all the laws and it is the citizen’s responsibility to follow them. Secondly, I am to go after, long for, and pursue God’s righteousness, which means I am to be properly aligned and in right standing with Him, which involves knowing Him and His Word. If I can wholeheartedly do this in 2016, I believe my year will be the greatest, most productive and fulfilling year that I have ever experienced, and since I genuinely feel this for myself, I encourage you also to make Matthew 6:33 your New Year’s resolution.
May God bless you and keep you throughout 2016.
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