Join us as we uncover Bible mysteries together and discover what God has planned for our lives.
Following our last discussion, we continue to mention the activities that we have done in the name of religious expediency but that are of no spiritual value. These activities are one way or another derived from scripture but twisted and corrupted into potentially clanging symbols as depicted by Paul. The call is for us to raise a standard and produce the fruit of mature, walking-in-faith sons. https://youtu.be/sARO69qll6c
A basic requirement for teaching and training is the use of imagery and routines with the intent of exposing the learner to the higher truth they ought to grasp and implement. Like a boxer who punches bags understands that in the ring on fight day, the opponent shall fight back unlike the bag hanging from a gym ceiling. The question begs then, are we living a life dependent on God and the One He sent or are we doing activities that we think signify a believer's life but lack the power therein? Do We Believe? Or Are We Chasing Symbols? Keep seeking God truly. https://youtu.be/PZ6OayXKKLA
The Distinction of Holiness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NehmJV6lQi8
Jesus repeatedly told the crowds that followed He had brought a Kingdom. “The Kingdom of God is at hand and with you and is in you”, He said. However, it seems quite the challenge for many when they consider what it means to live a Kingdom life, to be in the world and not of it. The high calling of sons of God requires access and utility of resources that the Kingdom has made available freely and abundantly.. How do we access the resources required to live a holy and fruitful life?
In Him you also who have heard the Word of Truth, the glad tidings (Gospel) of your salvation, and have believed in and adhered to and relied on Him, were stamped with the seal of the long-promised Holy Spirit. However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you]. Walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God). ...but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit
Having covered the Person of God in the previous discussion, we seek to identify the Son, His nature and work. God's plan has always been Christ. It was the plan before the beginning since before Abraham was, Jesus said, “I AM”. Jesus is and has solely always been the express image of the Father, the perfect imprint and very image of God's nature, the one whom we are to become like. Is your pursuit to be Christ-like?
As common to most human beings, foundational statements are considered true and unquestionable at face value. This results in the formation of traditions and practices that eventually define and engulf the life of a group of like-minded people. However, Jesus indicted humanity, specifically the religious enterprise on espousing tradition to the extent of making ineffective the very potent Word of God. “Come now, let us reason together” is a statement of the almighty to humanity, desiring thinking, learning and growing. Then confirmed, “For the mouth of The Lord has spoken it”. Do we truly seek to meet Our Father, to know Him intimately away from all ideas we've been introduced to by society and the establishment of religion and family? Are we seekers?
“If you truly want to follow me, you should at once completely reject and disown your own life. And you must be willing to share my cross and experience it as your own, as you continually surrender to my ways. For if you choose self-sacrifice and lose your lives for my glory, you will continually discover true life. But if you choose to keep your lives for yourselves, you will forfeit what you try to keep." Jesus' heart was deeply moved with compassion, resulting in the good works He did. Are you driven by compassion?
It has been said that Knowledge is power. In fact, Hosea writes that people are destroyed due to lack of knowledge. Knowledge empowers us to rise and solve life's problems and challenges and become that which we have decided, envisioned and planned. Knowledge once received but not acted upon is however meaningless. The power resident in knowledge is in its utility and in like manner, Christ defined that loving Him is indicated by implementing His very instructions.Let us strive to walk in the truth we acquire and encounter so that we may remain faithful servants of The King.
Much of the world, indeed the religious fraternity, has the outlook of a duality between good and evil, God vs the devil and light vs darkness. As we consider God's goodness in contrast to evil or unfavourable things we see in the world, Many seem to think that the omnipotent God has an equal to contest with, a formidable foe who occasionally entraps or sabotages His plans by introducing challenges on earth of his own volition. The evidence in scripture, however, is of an all-knowing, all-powerful Entity, who in His wisdom and design, engineers all events to result in the fruition of His plan. This is a tough pill to swallow for many: That God is in charge of and, in control of all things, good and bad. But the evidence must be considered with sober, meek and repentant hearts if the Body of Christ is to walk in the fullness of the stature of Christ, realising finally, that all things are orchestrated by God and all things fit into His plan. It is our duty, therefore, to discern His will and not to assume what we think is good is what God wants to do.
Faith is one of the primary elements that allows anyone to appropriate The Kingdom of God. This ever-present idea is a mandatory ingredient in the pursuit of pleasing The King. Yet many still seem to struggle with understanding faith beyond attempting to use it for personal gain. In pursuit of accurate knowledge, we consider the bare-knuckle facts and ideas of what faith is, how it is the SUPPORT (assurance) of ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES and the PROOF of the UNSEEN, and how it fits into the life of one who shall be called after the name of God. Journey with us.
We are living in a time where information is easily accessible. The pursuit of information by the masses is relentless and has been deemed the new oil. And yet not all information that human beings encounter becomes transformational, whether through school, books, seminars, experiences, etc. Christ said that the seed on good soil is a word spoken and received by the hearer and it produces fruit according to its kind. Similarly, repentance requires us to submit our old knowledge to new revelation. Are you seeking God and does what you find transform your thinking and outcomes?
What is Christmas really about? May you labour until Christ is [completely and permanently] formed within. https://youtu.be/VbYZZrvj0dg
Anyone who has spent a considerable amount of time reading through and studying scriptures must come across what seem to be contradictory statements. These are sayings and statements that when looked through natural understanding and modern language and varying environmental lenses can sound as though they lack consistency. Yet we keep hearing that scripture should be interpreted by scripture. How can this be? We look at a few of these writings that may cause some to wonder if there is consistency of truth in the inspired writings of the Bible, remembering that the Word became flesh.
After the events in the garden between Adam, the woman and the serpent, God made quite a curious declaration. He said he would put enmity between the serpent and the woman, and between the serpent's offspring and the Offspring of the woman. This statement clues us into the battle that would last for millennia between the offspring of the woman and the serpent. When John the Herald and Jesus came around, they brought additional information about this battle when they referred to Pharisees and Sadducees as “a Brood of Vipers” Today we consider this enmity long promised by God and how it might unfold today.
Quite a bit of the discourse by Christ in the Sermon on the Mount addressed the state of the heart. He sought to upgrade our collective thinking from performative incentives to right-minded inspiration when He spoke of murder, adultery, etc. Similarly, the reason we do the work of God is as much a concern to the King as the deeds themselves remembering that He said “Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart” in Jer 29, and also told Abraham in Gen 15; “I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward”. What causes you to do God's bidding? Why do you obey?
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men... These words express an output of the believers life that should result in people looking forward to Christ and glorifying The Father. Believers today need to be an accurate representation of the position and power of the Kingdom on matters that are of concern to society. This is Christ's stated way of making a display of God's goodness. Are you shining on your path? We look at the accuracy of what a witness is.
It is written that "No one can see God and Live". This statement though given to Moses when he asked to see Gods face is also very loaded within the context of encountering Truth, i.e. Christ, The Cornerstone. Jesus stated that any impact with the stone results in pieces or powder. The question is whether your change in life and attitude wll be as a result of choosing to sacrifice and submit to Him or being taken unawares and still resisting the effect of the interaction with Truth. Make the choce to take upon yourself the new man.
Internal Economics: Firm Foundations For Fruitfulness
The word persecution, especially in religious circles, rings of abuse, atrocities, neglect and segregation as a result of religious leanings and choices. In most of our minds, these are usually in the form of killings and tortures or something as grim as that. In modern society though, the persecution mostly experienced is subtle and covert. It challenges the truth you have encountered and will simply seek to render us inactive in the faith arising from hearing truth. And worst of all, it arises from those near and whom you might think should encourage and spur us to good works. Join us as we consider the ins and outs of this modern day persecution.
As is normal in life, we all experience ups and downs in all aspects and spheres of living. The design and desire of God are that His sons coalesce as a community that is able to spur one another towards love and good works, works which are about completing the assignments we have each been appointed to do. Here comes the need for encouragement, both from self and from each other and this also does build into the personal and communal labour of maturing in faith and knowledge of Christ. What does it mean to be encouraged in The Lord? How do mature sons of God carry themselves?
Psalms 37:7, 46:10 and several other scriptures admonish the listener to being still. Our modern day understanding might cause us to consider this still posture as a passive occurrence. Today we consider the accurate expectation of God when He asks us to be still and what part we have to play in the Lord's battle.
What is the purpose of prayer? Do we understand that the answer to prayer is The Holy Spirit and that the result and culmination of seeking God is God Himself? We also look into what it means to be Spirit led.
Titus 1: (AMPC) 15 To the pure [in heart and conscience] all things are pure, but to the defiled andcorrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure; their very minds and consciences are defiled andpolluted. Eph 1: (AMPC) 18 By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know andunderstand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), We discuss the accurate heart position for those who are Sons in the Kingdom.
Rom 13: 1 (AMPC) Let every person be loyally subject to the governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except from God [by His permission, His sanction], and those that exist do so by God's appointment. 1 Cor 10 AMPC31 So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God. We discuss matters arising from the scriptures above.
Discussing Matters concerning God's view of inhertiance and courage in the Kingdom of God.
The writer of Hebrews encouraged their listeners, “Do not neglect the gathering of brethren”. This line has been used by many to commit to attendance of meetings where they have no brotherly connection at all let alone the in depth focus on seeking truth & revelation and walking in the light. God has made it clear in what manner He has chosen to be worshiped all through time and is interested in accuracy of life in worship and in fellowship alike. John in his first epistle stated the necessity of Light in true fellowship. Is your worship of God in response to Light? Are you walking in Light among those you call brothers of your fellowship?
The Kingdom of God has been described over and over as a body, a unified structure with one Head, Jesus The Christ and the rest of the kingdom as the members of a body. Just as the physical body, each part of the body of Christ is fitted and equipped to a definite function, empowered to serve the body by accomplishing its function accurately and appropriately, non being independently more important than another. As a community of Love, we are admonished multiple times to use and employ our gifts for the betterment of the body. And yet we don't seem to see this practice happening sufficiently. What is the challenge herein?
We know the popular adage when in Rome, do as the Romans do, and we possibly have taken it for granted without giving it much thought. However the Kingdom way is that we are not to conform to the way of the physical reality but operate from another plane of influence. Jesus said that His friends are to be known by others due to the compassion and affection they have for one another. And yet on closer inspection this has seemed largely elusive. What is the challenge? What can each one do to walk in love for brothers, strangers and enemies?
Continuing from where we left off from part 2, we look into understanding what it means to be poor in spirit. As established in the readings of the beatitudes, the Kingdom of Heaven is for those who are poor in spirit. Our default understanding of the Kingdom of Heaven thus needs to be considered so that we can remain accurately facing Him to whom is our rewarder.
We continue to look at the heavenly treasures that Jesus spoke of and consider the prescriptive advice He gave on how to attain them. Stored resources are primarily heaped up for use to solve problems as it were, to improve circumstances and achieve goals of some kind. This consideration should also be applied to heavenly treasures that are accorded to a Kingdom citizen who operates as is required of them. Join us as we discuss further, the storing of heavenly treasures.
While at one of His early crusades, Jesus mentioned treasures. He acknowledged that treasures are for heaping and storing but warned His listeners to be careful about which kind of treasures to keep. A hint of some treasure was mentioned by Christ when He spoke to the rich young ruler and said, "if you are to be mature, sell all your goods, give to the power, and you'll have riches in heaven" and can then follow Christ He also correlated the location of one's treasure to the prevailing attitude of the mind. We begin considering some of the heavenly treasures.
Quotes: Jesus of Nazareth: If anyone says to you then, Behold, here is the Christ (the Messiah)! or, There He is!–do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will arise, and they will show great signs and wonders so as to deceive and lead astray, if possible, even the elect (God's chosen ones). See, I have warned you beforehand. So if they say to you, Behold, He is in the wilderness (desert)–do not go out there; if they tell you, Behold, He is in the secret places or inner rooms–do not believe it. For just as the lightning flashes from the east and shines andis seen as far as the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Paul (formerly Saul) of Tarsus: For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold, And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions.
The stated intention of sending Christ into the world as documented in John is to make the world safe and sound. This alludes to a solution oriented Kingdom, one that seeks to restore the journey of humanity to a benevolent God's vision of safety and soundness. The work however of bringing about this safety is bestowed on humanity, specifically, a mature son, as demonstrated by the departing statement of Christ that He was sending us just as His Father sent Him. This is the place of justice. We are to do justice and righteousness as guided by restoring safety through love. Journey with us.
What does it really mean to be in unity? Is it a meeting? Lack of fights? Is unity simply harmony of ideas? What is the purpose of this unity and how does it come together? Do we understand the unity we are to work towards as a pursuit to enter into the unity of Our Father and His Christ? How do we cooperate in God's building and be a contributor into the life of our brothers? Ponder with us.
Jesus made a very double edged statement seemingly in passing which many get excited about and at the same time do not realize how dismissively dangerous it is. “The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me” In turn, not hearing and recognizing His voice determines whose sheep one is not. Kindly note that in the mind of God, hearing means completing the task and instruction at hand. Let us discuss the place of obedience as admonished by James to be doers and not only audio consumers of what Christ says to us.
Purpose, Oh Purpose. The ever burning desire in the hearts of many that seems to never be satiated sufficiently. All of humanity craves to find meaning in life. How then do we catch that flame that was lit up and made just for you? How does the purpose conversation connect to God's endgame, the accurate view of sin and the life of purpose we ought to live?
Follow this discussion on several issues concerning the Kingdom of God. The onus is upon us to rise up to new thing(s) God is doing for the coming season(s). For He also does ask “who can perceive it”. We need to elevate our thinking on matters of worship, fellowship, ministry, etc. Have a listen.
At the onset of the project of humanity, God set forth an agenda that would bring forth a human race that carried His image. The law pointed to Chrsit and the writers of the new testament then repeat, that the express image of God is only evident in Christ; a statement which He Himself used to challenge his disciple(s) when they asked to see the Father. The life of Christ is thus a map, a defined display of character, attitude and behavior that we would benefit greatly if we followed and gleaned from on the journey of maturity into the full knowledge of Him. In this first look at Christ the Map and having come from discussing Kingdom Economics for 8 weeks, we begin by looking at some of the attitudes that Christ carried at heart with respect to completing the work assigned to Him while He walked the earth.
The place of money and material wealth in the life of a son of God needs to be accurately positioned for effective living. Paul pointed out that God is able to make all grace abound to sons so that they may be self-sufficient and have in abundance all that is needed for the purpose of good works. These good works are the predetermined work set aside by God for everyone that loves Him and walks in purpose. This is the true ministry of the church which the five offices spoken of by Paul in ephesians build into and prepare the body for and goes along with the growth of the oneness of faith and maturity of each one of us in accurate knowledge of Christ.
We are increasingly living in an instant coffee and microwave dinner defined society. Our penchant for instant results, super fast turnaround stories and hyperspeed efficiency seems unquenchable. Much as we are to learn and adopt prompt obedience to God's instructions to us, we need to appreciate that the conquering of your allotted space in God's promise isn't one of instant takeover and immediate occupation. The biggest work that God is working on, probably most important in His sight, is the transformation of the person in character & faith (reliance on Him). Therefore the statement He made that occupation of the promised land would happen over a period of years was to protect us from ourselves, from the enemies within our hearts and minds (find video here: https://youtu.be/C0ApBofXarE or podcast here: http://bit.ly/3mS68yA ); allowing us opportunity to lay down old thinking and wear new garments that are fit for the promised space we are to live in.
God doesn't do anything without revealing it to His friends and/or prophets. In contrast to the popular conclusion, Jesus said that God is always working and His chosen plan is to work with people. He calls us co-workers. All this is to say that God makes known to men and women His intentions and thus their involvement in achieving them. We call this having a vision or promise. The favor (GRACE) of God, freedom from fears & agitating passions (PEACE) and divine enabling capacity (POWER) is made available to a Son who is in pursuit of the visions and promises of God given to them. For all things work together for good to those who obey God and are walking in this defined purpose.
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