Praying that everyone has a great Monday filled with hope and expectation, and that as you seek first the Kingdom in every situation, you will find righteousness, joy, and peace, for He reigns in you, and through you.
I've still been thinking a lot about freedom and breaking free...interesting that when I was picking up a carton of eggs last night at Kroger there was a product next to it called "Break-free" egg product. Saw it as a nice confirmation. I tell ya'...God can use anything, so keep your eyes and ears open today. Peace...love you guys...let me hear from ya'.
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I believe this is a good word about the Kingdom that I took from my favorite devotional.*
"Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10)
"Therefore, since we ARE RECEIVING a Kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace . . . ." (Hebrews 12:28)
Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because I am a part of His Kingdom, and His Kingdom is coming now! The King is reigning in my life now. His government is increasing now. The kingdoms of this world are becoming the Kingdoms of our God, and of His Christ, now.
Today I am not encumbered with the pointless rules and regulations of religion, because the Kingdom of God is not meat or drink, but it is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. I will interpret my day by these three things, and will make seeking them my first priority.
Today is a day to demonstrate righteousness. He who knew no sin became sin for me that I might become the righteousness of God in Christ, and it is from this righteousness consciousness that my self-esteem and confidence flow today. By this I am able to show that He has made me the head and not the tail.
Today is a day to walk in peace – not as the world gives – but as Jesus Himself shares His supernatural peace with me. I let not my heart be troubled because I have the peace that passes understanding. I will not be agitated, frustrated or anxious today, because of my Kingdom right to walk in Kingdom peace.
Today is a day to celebrate joy in the Holy Ghost. I will not be sad or depressed today because His joy is in me and, therefore, my joy is full! The Kingdom joy working in me will be my strength and will give me the winner's edge.
Today I will seek the Kingdom first in every situation. Before I have a chance to think about it in the natural . . . before I analyze it, or react emotionally . . . I will look for the Kingdom before I do anything else about anything at all. He is reigning in and through me today, and every name that is named must bow to His Name!
Today I live a life that shows the world that I am a royal subject of the ultimate Kingdom and, therefore, I cannot fail, or lose, or be defeated. Jesus the King shall reign forever and ever, and He is my Lord . . . my personal friend . . . my elder brother. Today I say, "Long live the King!" and today I will live in the now!
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven – today. Amen.
*-A Year In The Now, Jim Swilley
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IDK, I must be the odd one, religion has never been about rules for me. Even a long time ago when I was surrounded by religious rules, it was not about rules
ReplyDeleteI was raised a Christian, it has been all that I have ever known. I never remember a time in my life when it was not about God. I defend students all the time here at the Christian college where I am teaching who are not Christian and don’t like the rules, but that is different. There are rules and there are kids who don't know Jesus, and I say to other teachers all the time "with Jesus the rule aren't rules they are gifts from God. But without Jesus rules are an impossible futile attempt at finding significance in meaninglessness. “
But let’s be honest, rules are everywhere, things we are made to do whether we want to or not. First thing in the morning when my alarm clock rings, there is a rule; I have to get out of bed. Rachel gets a shower, she screams, “I don’t want to get wet.” But she is 3 yrs old and she wets herself at night and stinks without a shower. The kids have chores before they go to school. Take out the trash, start laundry, take out the compost, do the breakfast dishes, wipe the crumbs off the kitchen table. They don't like the rules but they are forced to obey them. I spend most of my paycheck on paying bills, kids must do their homework, and we don't have any choice. When driving I must obey the law and not speed or go through stop lights or face the consequences. Get to work on time, take only 30 minutes for lunch, my life is full of rules.
But funny thing is not my religion. To me religion is the one part of my life without any rules. I am a vegetarian - not because somebody is making me but because I really want to be a vegetarian. I keep the Sabbath not because I have to - but because I want to. Just like I don't want to kill anyone or commit adultery, or steal from other people, or worship idols. I don't want to do them, so they are not rules to me. I want to eat my favorite foods (breads and pasta), it is not a rule to me, I want to sleep with my wife, I want to play with my kids, I want to ride my bike, I want to serve God. I don't understand why people who love God ever connect religion with rules.
I guess I am weird. I don't understand it. I see Jesus not rules.
Some really good points there Dan. It's really good to see you on here again...missed ya'.
ReplyDeleteI pray and speak blessings to you and your family in Taiwan...joy in your home...peace and favor on your position there. Come back here soon, and keep in touch.