GRACE AND DEMAND!!!

Any conscientious reader of the Bible at some point asks, “How do I reconcile these voices?” Are they incompatible? Is the Bible inconsistent? Does the Bible teach an extravagant grace that asks nothing of us, or radical discipleship that demands everything from us? Which is it?

The church is in desperate need of a way to express the grace of the gospel and the demand of the gospel in a way that enhances both without canceling either. If you have ever asked these questions—union with Christ is your answer.

For example, the Letter of James, like the Sermon on the Mount, sets a very high bar for the Christian life. James uses strong language. “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? (James 4:4).

Either we turn down the volume on James (“Now he doesn’t mean …”) or it becomes a cudgel with which to batter even the most faithful among us. Who can read the letter of James, in good conscience, and not cry out, “Who then can be saved?”

Only union with Christ allows us to read James not as a crushing burden but as an uplifting possibility. The letter of James is a litmus test—are you in Christ? But if you are, then James becomes encouraging, even beautiful to you. You can persevere under trial (Ch. 1), have a living faith (Ch. 2), tame your tongue (Ch. 3), rest in not knowing what tomorrow will bring (Ch. 4), and love the poor (Ch. 5)—because you are married to Christ. James describes the life that Christ died to enable you to live.

The Bible teaches us that we can be united to Christ, and our union with Christ, in turn, teaches us how to read the Bible. If you are united to Christ, then from him come both grace and demand, which together lead to a life of joy. Listen for the dynamics in Jesus’ own words:
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. [You hear the grace in this]. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. [You hear the demand following right after. And then you hear the consequence]. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." - John 15:9–11

cf: JAMES 1:19-25
#ForKingdomEnvoys
#DoctrineAndBalance

A SOAKED MIND!!!

When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty.” (Jeremiah 15:16)

The most FAQ which confronted me last week from friends was always around this subject, "How do I maintain an effective and constant hunger for the Word?" and my first reaction all the time was actually internal, which is to Thank God for another access and The Holy Spirit for another convicted son/daughter. Then I answer as I rely on the Holy Spirit to put Words in my mouth and strategies to deliver it accurately (which is usually different). Actually this article is not intended to answer that question, Yet I trust the Holy Spirit to always bring illumination by The Word through this blog irrespective of the challenge or the subject the articles are addressing. So let's talk about soaking in the Word:

Paul tells us that Christ is living in us.  The power of God is actually in us!  It strengthens us for living his way.  It helps us to minister to people as we focus our minds on what He desires.  It flows into our bodies as we allow the Holy Spirit to control our minds.  This power works to transform us from being “getters” into being givers.

In order for the Holy Spirit to control us, we need to soak our minds in the Word of God.  There is no substitute for this, no shortcut.  We need to immerse ourselves in the Word of God until it is engraved on our hearts.  We are told in our verse for today that Jeremiah “ate” God’s Word.  That means he digested it!  He meditated on it, assimilated it into his innermost being, and delighted in the taste of it.

The Spirit’s control is a result of delighting in God’s Word and allowing the richness and power of it to sink into our very being.  God’s Word can fill us with power and enlightenment, giving us a taste of heaven.  The message for us here is to make sure that we are taking the time to actually “soak” our hearts in the richness of God’s Word DAILY.  This takes intentionality, but it is more than worth it!

Soak your heart in God’s Word every day and you will experience the truth of Christ, the power of God, and understanding that will help you know what that means for you in your everyday life.
 

Heart Deposit:
In what ways are you discovering the delight of God's Word? In what ways are you focusing your mind on God’s truth?  As you soak your heart in God’s Word, what truth is God impressing upon your heart about your every day decisions?

Related Verses:
“Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.”  Psalm 119:97-104

#ForKingdomEnvoys #LivingLogos

Please if you have any questions as regards this topic or any other relating to kingdom matters and sustaining your fire/hunger for God, please feel please to send an Email to us... And apologies for the gap in posting... work started, needed time to adjust... shalom

TAKE HEED TO YOURSELVES!!!

Eight times the Scriptures enjoin us, “Take heed to your selves” (Exodus 19:12; Deuteronomy 4:23; 11:16; Jeremiah 17:21; Luke 17:3; 21:34; Acts 5:35; 20:28). Two of those times the words are spoken by Jesus Himself. This taking heed to oneself is a
primary function of the secret place. Prayer is the constant standardization of the soul. It is a lifestyle of stopping and taking candid spiritual account. This is not spiritual fear, but rather the exercise of one who has fear of God and a moving desire for glorious heights of intimacy with God. The devout is constantly testing himself for spiritual zeal, alertness, faithfulness, purity, love, obedience, growth in grace, etc.

Here’s some excellent counsel: Become a good Repenter. The only way
to move forward in God is through repentance. If your pride hinders you from repenting, get over it. You need mercy so badly it’s scary. Wise up and master the art of repentance. Call your sin in its worst possible terms.
I remember the day I awakened to the reality that I live far below God’s glory. I saw
it in the story of Jesus’ multiplying the loaves and fish for the five thousand: “Then
Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to
Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?’ But this He said to test him,
for He Himself knew what He would do” (John 6:5-6). Jesus was testing Philip, to see if Philip was living in the glory zone. Philip would have to live in another dimension to know the answer to the test, which was simply, “Lord, just break these loaves and fish and multiply them for the multitude.” Philip failed the test because his thoughts were far below those of Jesus (Isaiah 55:9). Then I saw it so clearly: I am failing the Philip test virtually every day! I am so earthbound in my perspectives that I am almost unconscious to the dimension of glory in which Jesus lives. It’s safe to assume that apart from God’s grace I am constantly falling short of the excellence of God’s glory. Do I need to repent continually? You bet!

Beloved, I pray you might gain the secret of radical, rapid repentance. Ready
repentance opens the channels for intimate communion with God. When you’re in the secret place, be quick to confess your unbelief and hardness of heart. Don’t make Him talk you into it. Agree quickly with Him in the way.
When I speak of repentance, I am not thinking of repenting from sins like lying, fornication, stealing, cursing, pornography, hatred, drunkenness, or not tithing.

Those sins are so obvious that you don’t even need the conviction of the Holy Spirit to know you’re in disobedience. God’s word regarding those sins is obviously clear. Sincerity and a clear conscience doesn’t even begin until we deal with these kinds of outward sins. No, I am not talking about obvious sins; I am talking about
repenting from our iniquities. Iniquities are the hidden faults that we don’t see, the wicked residue of our fallen nature that discolours the fabric of our thoughts, motives, feelings, responses, and desires. Iniquities are wrapped up in much more subtle areas of sinfulness, such as pride, rebellion, unbelief, envy, selfishness, ambition, and covetousness.
We all have hidden pockets of iniquity, and we need God’s help to see them. You
can’t repent of something you don’t see, so God will help you to see them. God has
many ways of bringing our iniquities to the surface where we can see them, and those
ways are summarized under the scriptural metaphor of fire. How God uses fire to
surface our iniquities is the subject of this passage:

“Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows
those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from
iniquity.’ But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honour and some for dishonour. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honour, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:19-21).

Paul is saying the Christian life is founded on two powerful realities: We are known
by Christ, and we depart from iniquity when we see it.
As you are in the secret place and meditating in the word, God will use the fire of circumstances mixed with the fire of His word to reveal your hidden faults to you. As you gaze upon His perfection and beauty, you will suddenly see yourself in a whole new light. You will sense His unconditional acceptance despite your weaknesses, but also His firm commitment to conform you into the image of Christ. At that moment you are standing at the threshold of a wonderful opportunity: This is a time to embrace rapid repentance.

For the devout, this is actually an exciting moment. Repentance becomes the
opportunity to turn from things that have been hindering love, and as such, repentance
becomes the catalyst for a greater and more profound intimacy than we’ve known to
this point with God. When we repent quickly of those things God’s word is revealing, we
experience the pleasure of the Father in a tangible way.
As we repent of the iniquities that the fire surfaces, we are actually buying gold in
the fire (Revelation 3:18). A consistent pattern of rapid repentance will cause us to
become a vessel of gold or silver, useful to the Master for noble purposes. Those who
resist repentance do not necessarily lose their salvation, it’s just that they do not
progress beyond being vessels of wood or clay. They are useful to the Master only for
dishonourable purposes (in a great house there is a need even for toilet plungers and dust pans).
The assurance of the above passage is clear: Rapid repentance from iniquity will
cause us to progress forward to more noble purposes in God’s great house and will deepen our knowing relationship with Him.

#TakeHeed
#TheSecretOfRapidRepentance
#Ps139:23-24 #SongsOfSolomon2:15 #Prov25:4

#ForKingdomEnvoys

HOW CHRISTIANS SHOULD VIEW ENTREPRENEURSHIP!

An entrepreneur is someone who creates and runs a new business for profit by selling products or services. An entrepreneur is usually a self-motivated person who is willing to work hard and do whatever is necessary to get the business off the ground. Entrepreneurs must be willing to face some lean times in the beginning if it takes a while for the business to become profitable. Entrepreneurship requires initiative, motivation, sacrifice, and patience—all traits that the Bible encourages (Galatians 5:22; 1 Peter 1:5–7).

However, entrepreneurship can become detrimental to one’s spiritual life if it becomes an idol or if the entrepreneur is serving Mammon rather than God (Luke 16:13). Some entrepreneurs become so immersed in work that they neglect family, friends, their health, and the Lord. When anything takes our total focus for an extended period of time, it can shift our lives out of balance. So Christian entrepreneurs must work to keep priorities straight and remember that a business with God’s blessing will fare better than one without it. The Lord will not tolerate our idols, so a new business owner must work to keep success from becoming more important than anything else.

Although Adam was not an entrepreneur, the first thing God did when He created Adam was to give him a job (Genesis 2:15). We are created to work, to use our minds and our hands to subdue this world and rule over it (Genesis 1:28). Scripture praises industriousness and hard work (Proverbs 14:23; 31:27; Ephesians 4:28). By contrast, those who are idle are harshly reprimanded (Proverbs 19:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:6). We are instructed to make it our “ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands” (1 Thessalonians 4:11).

Many entrepreneurs desire to become financially independent in order to care for their families, give to the needy, and fund missionary ventures. They have an idea, locate the funds to begin, and take on the responsibility for managing their own companies. When the motivation is honorable, and the business is honorable, God delights to bless it (Psalm 37:23). When an entrepreneur’s motive is selfish or sin-based, the business will not enjoy God’s blessing and may become a hindrance to God’s best plan for the owner’s life. As with all decisions, Christian must seek wisdom from the Lord before taking that first step in establishing a business (James 1:5). Part of wisdom is planning ahead (see Luke 14:28–29). When wisdom says it is a good idea, when all costs have been counted and the priorities are straight, entrepreneurship can be a benefit to the entrepreneur and to the world...

#TeamProverb22:29
#ForKingdomEnvoys


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THRIVING IN THE WORLD OF SPIRITUAL DROUGHT!

"The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” (Isaiah 58:11, NKJV)

As we look at our world, we find ourselves in a spiritual desert. However, God has made provision for his people as they cultivate their relationship with him. This verse gives us hope as we make our way through the world.

First, we have God’s promise of guiding us continually. The Psalmist said, “My eyes are ever toward the Lord, For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.” (Psalm 25:15, NKJV) 

The Lord is TRUE NORTH on the compass of our life. If we fix our eyes on him, he will direct our steps and counsel us.

How does he satisfy our soul in drought? He does it through his Word. Scripture constantly reminds us of the necessity of our feeding our soul on the Word of God:

“So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 8:3, NKJV)

There were periods in David’s life when he had to strengthen himself in the Lord. This can be done through reflecting on God’s Word and reminding ourselves of his promises and provisions in the past. We also know his presence nourishes us as we look to him.

If we practice strengthening ourselves in the Word, we will be like a watered garden, an oasis in the middle of the desert. His Spirit can flow through us, making us like a stream whose waters do not fail.

In being a Kingdom Envoy and developing into a yield active believer, the Word of God is absolutely the central ingredient for thriving.

Today, ask yourself:
Am I thirsty?
In what ways does God satisfy my thirsty soul?

THE SPIRIT OPERATES!!

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16, NIV)

There is a war inside of each of us. Though the old flesh always wants to reassert itself, the power of the Spirit can overcome it if we ask in faith for him to control how we think, feel, act, and talk. 

“The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”
(Romans 8:6, NIV84) 

The mind is key. The battle first takes place in our head. Whoever controls our mind, controls us. It is crucial we set our minds on what the Spirit desires. 

“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” (Romans 8:5, NIV) 

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2, NIV84) 

Paul further wrote, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV) 

We can reject those thoughts that conflict with the will of God. By the power of the Spirit we can overcome the temptations of the flesh: “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:13, NIV)

Furthermore, we learn that “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:24–25, NIV) 

This is the power of the cross working in our lives. “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
(Galatians 6:14, NIV) 

By an act of our will, we must choose to be controlled by the Spirit. We initiate that by asking the Spirit to control our mind. We choose to set our mind on the things above, the things the Spirit desires and not on the things of the flesh. By the power of the Spirit we can put to death the misdeeds of the flesh, and bring our thought life into captive obedience to Christ.

May God help us to understand and incorporate these truths in our prayer life, through SOAK, SOW, and FLOW, seeing the reality of these concepts in our daily lives.

A Prayer for Today:

I ask you, Lord, to take control of how I think, feel, act, and talk. Help me to set my mind on the things above, the things of the Spirit, not the flesh. Help me to bring every thought into captive obedience to Christ today. I ask you to control my mind. In Jesus’ name I pray.

GOD'S WORD- LIKE FIRE/HAMMER

If I say, I will not make mention of [the Lord] or speak any more in His name, in my mind and heart it is as if there were a burning fire shut up in my bones. And I am weary of enduring and holding it in; I cannot [contain it any longer]. (Jeremiah 20:9, AMP) 

Jeremiah was the prophet who found the Word of God and ate it, and it became the delight of his heart. In this passage, Jeremiah is saying God’s Word is like a fire, a fire in both his heart and his bones that must be released or spoken in accordance with the mission God gave him.
We
God’s Word is also like a hammer. “'Is not my word like fire,' declares the Lord, ‘and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?’” (Jeremiah 23:29, NIV)

God’s Word breaks the rock of “SELF” into pieces, so God can work his purposes out in our life, making it possible for us to use our 3 Ts—time, talent, and treasure—for kingdom purposes.

Christians today have the same “fire” 🔥 and "hammer" 🔨 in that we are commanded to go into all the world to share the gospel that brings forth both life and immortality for our generation. The stakes are high, and the time is short.

Scripture notes how we are a very special people, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9, NIV)
Also, Colossians 1:12-14 KJV
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: [13] Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: [14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

It is a God-given privilege to be a member of this great family of the redeemed, members of the church of the firstborn. We must perform these special functions that God has given us to do.

Not only are we to proclaim the praises of him to the world, but we are also called to praise and confess his name: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:15–16, NIV)

With our lips we express gratitude and praise to God in addition to openly confessing him before man.

Today, ask yourself: 

Have I found a way to become actively involved with the ARMY OF THE REDEEMED in bringing the gospel of life and immortality to light in my generation? Surely, I have something I can do to participate. I ask you, Lord, to direct my steps.

#KingdomPartakers
#KingdomEnvoys

WAKE UP!!!

“The captain went to him and said, ‘How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish.’ ” (Jonah 1:6, NIV) 

How many Christians are living like this world is our final resting place, forgetting we are on mission with a spiritual battle raging all around us? The storms and turmoil we daily witness are the outward manifestations of what is going on behind the scenes in the spiritual world that we cannot see.

Jonah had fallen asleep in the bowels of the ship while those above were in fear of their lives in the midst of a great storm. Jonah was on a detour of his own by disobeying the instructions from God to go to Nineveh to preach repentance. Basically, he was following his own agenda and not God’s. He ultimately came to realize, “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.” (Jonah 2:8, NIV84)

Jesus asked the same question of his disciples, “ ‘Why are you sleeping?’ he asked them. ‘Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.’ ” (Luke 22:46, NIV)

We are on mission and must stay the course. For all of us, eternity is fast approaching. God’s Word counsels us, “And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” (Romans 13:11–12, NIV)

It also encourages us to “be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!”

(James 5:8–9, NIV)

The Lord, himself, counsels us to watch as the return of Christ can come at any time: “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’ ” (Mark 13:35–37, NIV)

“This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’ ”

(Ephesians 5:14, NIV)

In the meantime, we have the privilege to be about the work of the Lord in our everyday life. If we daily present ourselves to him as a living sacrifice, he can continue living his life through us, and we have the prospect of his favor shining on our lives. What a blessing and privilege!

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3, NIV)

Today, ask yourself: 

Am I following God’s agenda for me, or am I like Jonah, following my own agenda?

#ThisBlogIsAwake!

#KingdomEnvoysAreAwake!