The battle part 5

2nd is once we are saved reborn spiritually set free and part of the Lord’s kingdom.  Colossians 1:13 Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. We are saved and have eternal life but we are in a process of transformation, growing, becoming more like Christ. We want to learn God’s word and His ways, abide in Jesus and be obedient to His teaching. In many scriptures it talks about being renewed by the Holy Spirit and not copying the teaching and ways of this world. Romans 12:2 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Ephesians 4:20-24 “But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him,  throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”

When we accept Jesus and commit to follow Him, He will want to be first in our life and lead us to become like Him and the plan He has for our life. This is part of the battle as being a son of God. 2 Corinthians 5:15 “He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.”

When we are saved we are set aside for the Lord to be holy or sanctified for His purpose to worship and glorify Him. You have heard the phrase they are in the world but not of this world. John 17:13-19 “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.”

The Lord loves us and is a jealous God about the relationship he has with us. Exodus 34:14 “You must worship no other gods, for the LORD, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you.” God demands to be first above all other people or things in our lives. I think we will battle with this through out our entire walk with the Lord here on earth. There is a lot of scripture in the old and new testament that is clear about this. An example of this in the word is there were Judges and kings who were good and bad at obeying God’s laws and ways. They were continuously trying to establish God’s laws and ways to the people and tear down the shrines and altars to false god’s and idols. This was a constant battle through out generations you can read about in the books of Judges and 1^st and 2^nd kings.

In Judges 6 God raises up a man named Gideon and instructs him to tear down the altars and shrines to false gods. In verse 27 Gideon takes 10 servants with him to accomplish this for the Lord. I think my point is when it comes to putting the Lord first and tearing down the idols, sin, worldly things, or anything in our life that needs to be changed or removed. We can not be a passive servant in this area and we may need to have help or accountability from close loving brothers. There is no shame in finding brothers who will help each other in this area. What ever it takes! There is many scriptures in the bible that supports this teaching and theory needing help in your walk from others.

I think the important part for me in this area is to remember this is a real part of the battle. To have a soft teachable pliable heart that will let the Lord continue to cleanse, transform, and renew me. Be humble and know I deeply need the Lord to do this. And everyone struggles with this and that means every human being. I have meet older men and women in their seventies and eighties that are still growing being renewed daily and working on this area in their walk. This is part of the journey and battle. Older mature people in the church need to teach younger people that it is ok to be real in this area and be transparent. If you are in a place where you don’t think you need the Lord or help from others in this area you are already deceived by the enemy.

Jesus could live with and forgive human failure but He never allowed evil spirits to control Him. He was aggressive toward His spiritual enemies. There is no neutral ground. There is no room for a passive spirit in God’s army. A Quote from Francis Frangipane. 

The battle part 4

God has been showing me or teaching me over a while now especially the last few months about three areas or subjects. This started actually years back but really came on strong here of late through reading the bible, books, devotionals, from people, sermons and circumstances.  What is being laid upon my heart is it is good to be humble, gentle, loving and submissive but not passive when it comes to the content in the next three devotionals.  

1 is following, stepping into, carrying your cross, committing to the journey the Lord has for each of us. I think this is different for all of us but I do believe that God has a plan or journey for each person. I think a good comparison for me would be when God freed His people from Egypt and led them to the promise land. The point here is it was a beautiful place a land of milk and honey that wanted to give them. You can read in numbers 13 and Deuteronomy 1 how God commanded them to enter the land he gave them. They sent 12 men to scout the land and seen how beautiful and fruitful the land was but they also seen giants the enemy they would have to conquer. Joshua and Caleb wanted to proceed but the other 10 convinced everyone not to go in because of fear of the giants they would be killed. Their lack of obedience caused them to wander in the desert for 40 years. I think we all have a journey, a promise land, and there will be giants we all have to face. We cannot be passive when it comes to this journey or giants that are in our life or way.

John 6:51-56  “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.” Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked. So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you.  But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day.  For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.  Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.” John 6:66-67 “At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked,“ Are you also going to leave?” I think we can have eternal life through Jesus and maybe miss what Jesus wants to do in our life or take us.

To not ever encounter Giants in your walk with the Lord or face any weaknesses, shortcoming, or failures is not to follow Jesus. This is not reality or carrying your cross. You don’t overcome everything in your own strength. He leads you to situations where you must rely on His power through you. The victory and glory goes to the Lord. If you never encounter a giant or have a weakness or failure you are probably not being led to the cross. If you can always overcome in the flesh and in your strength you are not going where you have to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. This may look good to others but is probably not fully glorifying to the Lord. In the bible God was glorified through all kinds of people who needed to rely oh Him in different ways. 2 Corinthians 12:9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Jesus could live with and forgive human failure but He never allowed evil spirits to control Him. He was aggressive toward His spiritual enemies. There is no neutral ground. There is no room for a passive spirit in God’s army. A Quote from Francis Frangipane. 

The battle part 3

When Jesus gave His life on the cross it gave all of us who accept Him the ability to have a restored relationship with the Lord. We have the Holy Spirit in us and the Lord’s freedom, love and grace to follow Him and give our lives to what ever he calls us to.  Because of Jesus every person has the freedom to seek the Lord whole heartedly to become who he made them to be.

 

We know satan cannot take or steal this eternal life from us. 1 Peter 1:4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. When we follow Jesus there is a journey He has for each of us. In John 10 Jesus is our Good Shepherd and came to give us life in Him and has a plan for our life. The enemy will try to steal kill and destroy this plan. John 10:10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. The enemy will always use very deceptive ways to steal what Jesus has for us.

 

A great comparison is when God freed is people from slavery in Egypt and they had to travel through this wilderness desert to get to the promise land. It was this beautiful plentiful land and better life He gave them. But they had to travel through some rough places and they had to battle the enemy some were giants. I noticed one day reading the bible that in Genesis 6 the nephilim were created when the sons of God angles had intercourse with women. God destroyed every living thing with a flood except Noah and His family and animals that was on the boat. But later the giants are back and they had to fight them on various occasions. This was a reminder to me to be alert to the enemy we deal with. After we have victory he can always come back. They had to be dependent on God, learn His ways, obedience and to fight in His strength. I think for me this is a great comparison when we accept Jesus we die to our old nature and He lives in us. We are free to follow Him and grow in our new nature and experience his love and grace and the life He has for us.

 

Jesus will always want to lead us to the cross. A place where each of us die to our old self and become more Like Him. The Holy Spirit which led Jesus into the desert to be tested and tempted by satan. Jesus had a purpose and mission and was lead to die on a cross. He died so we could have life in Him. Jesus will want to lead us to the plan and purpose he has for our life. I like what Francis Frangipane wrote, I can’t copy word for word so I will try to explain. He uses an example of psalm 23 where God is our Shepherd and will take care of us and lead us beside peaceful streams and give us victory over our enemies. While God does all these things he will also lead us to the journey, battle and plan he has for each of us. This may be a difficult place at times but he has a battle or journey specifically designed for each of us. May be a place where we have fears or have had a bad experience before. He leads us into the storm and we find Jesus in the eye of the storm. But this is where we find God in a deeper way and become more one with Him. We experience His peace in a deeper way and become stronger in our faith. Francis writes though the battle may be difficult with failures you will grow spiritually and have victory in God. The battle you are in will soon become a meal to you an experience that will nourish and build you up spiritually. So in other words the battle or storm he wants to lead you into for His glory may be a place you naturally won’t want to go but over time will make you spiritually strong in Him.  

 

I think Satan the deceiver will want to keep you from this battle or place because he knows that is where you will find and live with the fullness of Jesus in your life. Colossians 2:9-10 For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.  So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. Satan will want us to fear this journey Jesus has for us. Romans 8:15-17 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

 

I don’t have this figured out for myself completely but would like to try to let go and go on this journey into this battle to find what Jesus has for me. I do believe this is real for not only my own life but for all men. I spend a lot of time in a mentoring ministry with men so I know this is a common thing for all men. Jesus didn’t die on the cross so we can be enslaved in anything other then what he made us for.

 

What we think this is for our life and what Jesus wants may be two different views. John the Baptist was raised for a specific purpose for the Lord. His ministry lasted six months and he was beheaded. Doesn’t sound very appealing to most but Jesus said in Matthew 11:11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. What Jesus  made us for may not always be what we want or what everyone else wants.

 

The next devotional will be on a passive spirit when it comes to taking this journey and dealing with the enemy.

 

The battle part 2

When a person accepts Christ and is reborn spiritually, they become soldiers of the cross and they become an enemy of Satan. As a believer we have nothing to fear but it is good to know your enemy and learn how he works. Satan will attack us to stop us from conforming to the image of Christ and try to stop us the church, from furthering the kingdom and the works we do to glorify God. I think when you read the bible and see who he is in Ezekiel 28:11-19, his work in Genesis 3 and how he is described in 1 Peter 5:8. I think he is a very deceptive cunning creature that comes as an angel of light, 2 Corinthians 11:14 and is a very vicious and angry being. He is also defeated and only has limited amount of time which is why we need to understand him and be alert. He will tempt us the same way he did Jesus using the things of this world in Luke 4:1-13, Jesus used the word of God against him and defeated him but in verse 13 the devil said he would come back at a more opportune time. The truth is Satan is very deceptive and will tempt and attack us many different ways. He has an army of demons and will use others and our carnal nature. We will always have to be alert and aware of him.

God gives us everything we need for this battle, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the word of God, God’s promises, the armor of God. We are given armor from God to protect us from the enemy in Ephesians 6:10-18. The armor is a gift from God to every believer. The best way to use the armor effectively and defeat Satan and keep him away is to be fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit and become like Jesus becoming the new person we were created to be. It says in Ephesians 6:16 we can stop all the fiery darts from the enemy. I’m learning its not just knowledge, we need to spend time with God and understand the heart and character of God and come to the battle with a pure heart and the right motives. I like a comment I read by Francis Frangipane, ‘The disciples were not just taught they were trained to battle the enemy.’ He mentioned that reading a book and sermons are being taught following Jesus in the battle experiencing failure and victory is being trained. Francis is a pastor who writes great books and has a ministry, so he is not saying not to read and listen to sermons he is saying we need the battle and experience to learn. This really spoke to me because I look at all the things I’ve been through and the first 35 years of my life walking in darkness. Like I said God gives us everything we need for the battle. Those experiences are being used for what is ahead. One example is certain things I went through for years and could not overcome and some are still weaknesses for me. It is not that I have fixed them or that some don’t still happen or exist but I am able to deal with it different now because of that experience and what Jesus has given me and does in my life. I hated some experiences I dealt with everyday but I am thankful now because I can stand against the enemy with Jesus. I am too weak in my flesh to have victory in these battles.

The other way Satan attacks us or comes after us is very interesting. Jesus is inside of us and he can only be Jesus who he is. He will always work in us to conform us to His image. In all of us we have or had areas in our mind and heart where Satan can work in us. These are called a stronghold these are old thoughts attitudes and behaviors that we all have. It is a process our whole life to grow and become more like Christ.  Colossians 1:13 “For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son.”  Francis Frangipane refers to these areas in us where Satan can still work, as areas of darkness. Luke 11:34-36,  “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is bad, your body is filled with darkness.”  Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.” Jesus, the word of God and the Holy Spirit will always want to expose these areas to us and want us to deal with them. Ephesians 5:10-11, “Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.”

 

Another example is Satan is created by God and God can and will use Satan for His glory. Luke 22:31-32,  “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.  But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”  God allowed Satan to attack the disciples to strengthen their faith and I think to grow and mature them in a way to become more like Christ for God’s glory. Romans 2:11, “For God shows no partiality.”  It does not matter our position or how good we think we are doing. God will refine shape and mold all of us to become more like His son.

2 Timothy 2:20-26, “In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.  A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.”  About 3 years ago, as I was reading this scripture a verse spoke to me in a different way. I had always focused on this scripture before and the importance to stay pure and run from anything that would damage or pollute that. But that day the last verse spoke to me, they have been held captive by him the devil to do whatever he wants. I don’t think this is just talking about an unbeliever being used by Satan I think it is also talking about a believer even me being used by him. I think I need to be humble and very careful. I know there will be mistakes and learning. I’m thankful for Jesus His freedom, love and grace. There may be test, someone close to you may want you to chase a trail you had your face rubbed in for 20 years from Satan. You may have to gently instruct them, this dog don’t hunt that trail anymore. It may not be sin it could be something good. Satan uses good things to and comes as an angel of light. Humility and a pure heart with right motives from the Lord will help discern these things. Protect your walk with the Lord, mind, heart, marriage and family.

Ephesians 6:12, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”  There is a battle being fought for lost souls, the church and what happens on earth. But it is not just happening here, there is a battle being fought in a realm with spiritual beings. The way we engage in this battle is through prayer, our oneness with the Lord, becoming like Christ and the works we do for the church the body of Christ. How important is it to equip and invest in the body of Christ. I have a long way to go and I am very thankful for what the Lord has done in my life and all the people who have invested in my life.

The Battle

Everyone who accepts Christ and is reborn spiritually becomes part of  the Body of Christ the Kingdom of God which will be an eternal Kingdom in heaven. When this happens a person is rescued from the Kingdom of darkness, Colossians 1:13-14 “For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” The commander of the kingdom of darkness is satan, Ephesians 2:2 “You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.” It explains in God’s Word who satan is in Ezekiel 28:12-19 and why he was cast out from the mountain of God. This is what happened that day Revelation 12:7-12 “Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels. Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last—salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time.”  Satan was cast down to earth and is angry with God and wants to destroy any work of God and His church the Body of Christ. When a person becomes a son of God they are an enemy of satan and become part of this battle.

 

God created everything we see and cannot see. Heaven, earth and every living being, God created satan. The Lord has many names in the bible and one of them is Yahweh Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts or God of Armies. This name is mentioned around 290 times in the bible and our Lord is referred  to as a warrior. Exodus 15:3 The Lord is a warrior; Yahweh is his name! Isaiah 42:13 “The LORD will march forth like a mighty hero; he will come out like a warrior, full of fury. He will shout his battle cry and crush all his enemies.” The commander of the Lord’s army the Body of Christ and the church is Jesus. Jesus came to earth as God in the flesh and came not only to save, redeem and restore but also to destroy the works of the devil.  Hebrews 2:14-15 “Because God's children are human beings--made of flesh and blood--the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.” Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.” Jesus came as the lamb of God and he will come back as the Lion of Judah.  Jesus is God and He is meek and humble and He is also a mighty Warrior the commander of heavens armies.

 

There are three scriptures that come to mind. Joshua 5:13-15 “When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?” “Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the Lord’s army.” At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want your servant to do?” The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did as he was told.” Joshua was getting ready to enter the promise land and would have to fight many battles of the enemy. Jesus was waiting with His sword drawn ready to fight for His people. Joshua showed Him deep reverence and Jesus told him to take off his sandals because it is Holy ground.  We have to have deep fear and reverence for our Lord and understand that when we become part of this kingdom and battle that the Lord is Holy and pure. We have to protect our mind, heart and body from sin to fight in this battle against the enemy and be effective.

 

Matthew 10:32-40 “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.” Jesus came to bring a peace that comes from knowing Him to all who accept Him.  Jesus died for us and loves us and we have eternal life from Him but there is no middle ground. You have to choose if you deny Him He says He will deny you before God in heaven. Jesus demands our complete loyalty to Him over everyone and everything in this world.

 

Revelation 19:11-21 “Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, shouting to the vultures flying high in the sky: “Come! Gather together for the great banquet God has prepared. Come and eat the flesh of kings, generals, and strong warriors; of horses and their riders; and of all humanity, both free and slave, small and great.”  Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army.  And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies.”

Satan is evil and dwells in darkness God is light and is true, holy, and pure and because of what Jesus did for us we can be part of His kingdom. John 1:4-5 “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” Jesus came to bring this light to the world and defeated satan so we can be free from this darkness and know the Lord and have eternal life. There is a battle for souls and we have free will and must all make this choice. The two forces will be at work against each other, Genesis 3:15 And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel."  until Jesus comes back for His church and completely destroy satan forever. Revelation 20:10 “Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. “

Jesus is not a passive warrior and He pursued the enemy with authority. We who believe have Jesus inside us and we take on all His characteristics. Jesus gave us His authority over the enemy and we must not be passive when it comes to this enemy the deceiver. Luke 10:17-20 “When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” When we become a son of God we are given much and many promises and armor from God to protect us in this battle. The greatest weapon we have to protect us is Jesus and it is our faith in Him that allows us to overcome and be victorious. 1 John 5:4-5 “For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.  And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.”  John 14:30 “I don't have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me.” 1 John 4:4 “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matthew 13:45-46 part 3 The Kingdom

John 3:3 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God." When a person accepts Jesus as their Lord and savior they are reborn spiritually and become a child of God. They become part of a kingdom that will last forever. Hebrews 12:26-29 When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.”  This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire. Anyone who has been reborn especially those that come later in life are able to see and know this huge difference between the world and God’s kingdom. Hebrews 13:12-14 So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood.  So let us go out to him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace he bore. For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. We are to follow Jesus and His examples and become more like Him. We are in the world not of this world. John 17:16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

The Kingdom is about God’s rule and learning His ways. It offers freedom and eternal life through Christ. It is about God’s love and servanthood not power and mans hierarchy. The kingdom is mentioned 121 times in the gospels. Jesus came and died on a cross for our sins so we can be part of his kingdom. Jesus came to set up an eternal kingdom that would last forever. Daniel 2:44 "In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever.

We who believe in Christ are part of this Kingdom and long for that day to be with the Lord because as believers that is our home. Until then we have been given the Holy Spirit and God’s word and the body of Christ.  We have been set free to walk with the Lord and this freedom allows us to have a relationship with the Lord and experience His grace, love, mercy, and forgiveness.  This freedom allows us to continue to grow more like Him and helps understand God’s heart, His kingdom, and why Jesus came.

Jesus came here to save the lost. All who are separated from God.  All through the gospels during his ministry for three years he spent the majority of His time with sinners and the lost. Jesus called twelve disciples to follow Him and He taught them and trained them. By following Jesus for three years they were taught about this kingdom and able to know and understand the heart of God and His love from Jesus. Matthew 9:9-13 ‘As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?  When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” Jesus came to save the lost and restore their relationship with the Lord!

“We don’t want to settle just for conversion we need transformation.” Eric Swanson. God saves us and sets us free which allows us to experience his grace, love, mercy and forgiveness. This will allow us to grow and transform to become more like Christ. I have a long way to go and I have not meet a perfect person yet but this transformation in each individual will help reach the lost and restore the church the body of Christ. I have learned through the bible, the mentoring ministry I’m in and by my own mistakes in this area and from others. The key to restoration is forgiveness. Jesus is all about forgiveness, how can we grow to become more like Christ and restore the church if we don’t forgive. We have all been forgiven to experience God’s freedom, love, mercy and grace so how can we not forgive others. Matthew 18:21-35 is a great scripture about the unforgiving debtor. I think we will all have to deal with this. Enslaving someone in a past sin is a waste of time and will not restore the body of Christ. What someone has done is not important it is what they are becoming in Christ. A great example is when Peter disowned Jesus three times and in John 21:15-17 after he repented Jesus doesn’t condemn Peter. He looked forward to what Peter was going to become. Jesus is about a person becoming and restoring those who come to Him. This is great news and a gift from the Lord for every believer when they are saved and during their walk with the Lord.

I think another huge part in restoration is how we see others. I will explain, do we see others that are saved as they are now are what they can become in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:16 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! Two great examples is Gideon in Judges 6:11-12 Then the angel of the LORD came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites. The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the LORD is with you!” Gideon was a weak and broken man but God seen his heart and what he would do in him and who he would become and called him a mighty warrior. Do we see other men who are saved this way in the church as mighty warriors and who they will become in Christ. What about the twelve disciples who were just common men who were overlooked and despised with no training. They started the church, Ephesians 2:20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. Every believer and child of God has His perfect love and resurrection power of the Holy Spirit in them. I have to ask myself do I have this same faith and believe and do I understand how God sees this from His word.

Our next devotional will be on the battle. Revelation 12:10-12. Every believer in Christ and part of His kingdom will be part of this battle.

Matthew 13:45-46 part 2

For me, I really want to desire to see people through the eyes of Jesus and how he made them and what he is doing in their life.  Seeing people through my eyes and from my flesh, will and motives are not what God desires. Even though I struggle with this, I know it is all found in Jesus. A great example of this in the bible is the apostle Paul; he was very knowledgeable in God’s word and trained but didn’t know Jesus or understand God’s heart.

 After Paul’s conversion and having a relationship with Jesus he became a completely different person. It’s not just that he was saved and didn’t persecute the church it’s how he became one with Jesus and loved the church. It’s not that he became a better person and wrote most of the New Testament in the bible and the amount of great works he did. It’s the way he understood God’s heart and how he loved others and laid down his life for the church.  This all happened in Paul’s life because of his relationship with Jesus. Paul quoted a scripture in 1 Corinthians 10:33-11:1 ‘I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.’  Some think this is a very arrogant statement from Paul, but I don’t think so.   He was able to quote this because he became one with Jesus and understood who he was in Christ and his mission. After Paul’s conversion he received a calling from the Lord to take the good news about Jesus to the Gentiles and Jews and he went to spend time with Jesus to understand this mission and calling. Acts 9:15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 1 Corinthians 15:8, ‘Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him.’ Galatians 1:15-17, ‘But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus.’

Paul was like Jesus because he knew the truth, God’s word, God’s heart, God’s love and laid down his life for others like Jesus. Paul was able to say imitate me as I imitate Christ not because he was Jesus all powerful and creator of the universe but because he took on the same characteristics of Jesus and understood his mission and God’s heart. Another great verse from Paul I think that shows the heart of God for the lost and His church is a part of 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

2 Corinthians 12:14-15, ‘Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?’  Paul was making a trip to the church of Corinth and had needs and expenses but he obeyed God and went with the right motives and with the Heart of God. Paul says, I’m coming for you not what you have and even if you don’t love me I love you and will lay my life down for you. That sounds a lot like Jesus to me. Paul was a pretty humble, intense, and passionate dude about his calling and Jesus.

I think what made Paul and some other people in the bible great examples for us was they all struggled with life and things just like we do. But they understood God’s heart and were able to see others from his perspective. I think we can easily fall into a snare or trap. We can take our needs, our calling or mission from Jesus and put it before Jesus. It’s hard, but I have to keep this perspective of how God sees us, try to understand His heart, and how he sees others. I think people, the church, the Body of Christ is so precious and valuable to God it is hard for us to understand completely. We the church or Body of Christ may have different gifting, callings or purpose in the kingdom but it is all for the Lord the one true God. We the church are all united by the same Holy Spirit and we need to understand God’s heart and purpose for His church (Ephesians 4:1-16).  It is never about how wise or strong or successful we are, it is always about God and His heart and what he wants. God saved us, set us free and filled us with his perfect love and resurrection power of the Holy Spirit.  He equipped us to serve Him, build up His church the body of Christ and glorify Him.  We are to deny ourselves and He lives through us. Galatians 2:20, ‘My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.’ For all of us when this happens in our life God can do some pretty special and wonderful things.

God touches all of us in a different way and we all have a special story and testimony from God. This is a beautiful thing that happens only through our relationship with Jesus. I read a book called, The Place of Immunity, that had this quote and thought was pretty interesting. ‘Perhaps Elijah's greatest virtue was his zeal. Indeed, we shall see that twice in his communication with God, Elijah speaks of having been "very zealous" for the Lord. But zeal, unattended eventually becomes its own God; it compels us toward expectations, which are unrealistic, and outside the timing and anointing of God. To remain balanced, zeal must be reined in and harnessed by strategic encounters with the living God. We otherwise become frustrated with people and discouraged with delays. We step outside our place of strength and spiritual protection. Many of us become so consumed with our battles that we are no longer aware of the presence of Jesus. We have been traveling in our own strength. Pray that Jesus will teach us that intimacy with Him is the greatest measure of success. Lord, guide us to the mountain of Your presence.’ [Francis Frangipane, Place of Immunity (Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Arrow Publications, 1994), 5.] I think this is a scary place for the church, if we are not in the presence of Jesus and clothed with Him I think we can become clothed in self righteousness and a good works mentality and a competitive spirit. Paul writes in Galatians 5:1&15 ‘For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.’ Philippians 1:10-11, ‘For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation--the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ--for this will bring much glory and praise to God.’