Our Place in God's Kingdom

 

God walked with Adam in the cool of the day (Genesis 3:8). They had unbroken fellowship with one another. However, with Adam’s sin, this fellowship was broken. Then during the days of the tabernacle in the wilderness, God took up residence in the Holiest of Holies, also called the Most Holy Place. God fellowshipped with the High Priests (Leviticus 16:2,15). He also spoke to His prophets and used them to communicate His words to His people (Hebrews 1:1). He filled with His Spirit each of His anointed people throughout history so they could accomplish His work for them during their lifetime.

Then, with the ascension of Christ, God restored His original, daily communion with each of His children. The Holy Spirit moves into our spirit at salvation and He never leaves. We can quench the Spirit by our thoughts, choices and emotions (1 Thessalonians 5:19); but restoration comes with true repentance. With our new identity in Christ, we have access to the Holy of Holies and we may enter His presence with boldness (Hebrews 10:19). He gives us a new heart upon which He writes His commandments (Hebrews 8:10, 10:16).

God also calls us to cease from our labors and to enter into His rest (Hebrews 4:9-10). He gives us a special place in God’s Kingdom. Here is a list of a few of them. We are:

Acceptable in His Beloved (Ephesians 1:6)

Apple of God’s Eye (Zechariah 2:8)
Branch of the Vine of Christ (John 15:5)
Children of God (1 John 3:1-2, 10; John 1:12)
Chosen ones, dearly loved (Ephesians 1:4; Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 2:9).
Christ’s Body (1 Corinthians 12:7)
Citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20)
Complete in Christ (Colossians 2:9-10)
Forgiven (Colossians 1:13-14)
Free from sin’s hold and condemnation (Romans 6:23, 8:1)
Friend of Jesus (John 15:15)
Fruit bearer (John 15:16)
God’s possession (Titus 2:14; 2 Peter 2:9)
God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)
Holy, blameless, irreproachable (Colossians 1:22)
Indwelt by God’s Spirit (Ephesians 3:17)
Justified (Romans 5:1)
Kings, reigning through Christ (1 Peter 2:9; Romans 5:17)
Members of God’s Household (Ephesians 2:19)
New creation (2 Corinth, 5:17; Galatians 6:15; Ephes. 4:24; Coloss. 3:10)
New Israel of God (Galatians 6:16; Romans 9:6)
One with Christ in Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17)
People of God (1 Peter 2:10)
Perfected in the Spirit (Philippians 3:15; Hebrews 12:23)
Priests (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6)
Reconciled (Romans 5:10-11)
Redeemed (Colossians 1:13-14)
Righteous (Ephesians 4:24; Romans 5:19; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
Saints (Romans 8:27; Ephesians 1:18, 4:12)
Sons of God through faith in Christ (Galatians 3:26)

Prayer:

Father God, Jesus is standing outside of the door of our heart, asking to come inside. If anyone hears His voice and opens the door, He promises to come in and fellowship with us, giving us access to Your Most Holy Place (Revelation 3:20; Hebrews 10:19). In addition to all of this, we enjoy newness of life forevermore (Romans 6:4). Thank You for our daily bread, for forgiving all of our sins and for all of Your blessings. We look forward to living and reigning with Christ during the Millennium and to living in Your presence throughout eternity.

Though for the Day:

Because Christ shed His blood for the remission of our sins, God now has a personal relationship with every Born Again Believer. - Hebrews 9:12

Hearing From God

Read: Ephesians 3:16-19
   
“Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7

No person, place, animal, or thing can bring you satisfaction from within or bring you fulfillment in your life. The depth of intimacy we experience in a personal relationship with God is the most nourishing experience of our lives. It affirms our very existence. Yet, we humans do everything we can to avoid it!!!

We get so caught up in our relationships, our ministry, and our accomplishments that we allow these earthly things to crowd out our intimate times with the Lord. Then, at other times, when we do take time for God, we often have distracted, barren, or faltering times. Don’t be discouraged, however, Satan is just providing road blocks that Jesus will soon overcome.

Have you ever prayed and heard or felt nothing? Then, just praise Him for who He is, what He’s done and what He means to you. God inhabits our praises and Satan runs from them (James 4:7-8; Hebrews 10:19-22). Sometimes, God remains silent and distant. He hides His face from us. Rest assured, however, that He continues to work in you.

In these barren or quiet times, His concentration is on our subconscious level of thought; getting us ready to be responsive to His next urging in our spirit. These quiet times cause us to hunger after God. They create a longing in us to return to our first love with Jesus, who is our Creator, our Redeemer, our Savior, and our Lord.

We allow the pressures and distractions of life to monopolize our attention, so often, that we fall into an exhausted sleep each night without ever having been to that still, small, inner place to meet our Father. When the mind is full of clutter and distractions, we get pulled in many directions without any goals or purpose. We find a lack of depth in our devotion. God’s voice cannot compete or penetrate our awareness, because the clutter is too overpowering and we are not listening for His voice. Often we hide our sorrow in some addiction that further separates us from the arms of our Holy God.

What I came to see as the critical element of hearing from God is that we expose ourselves to His holy presence, open our heart to His probing and listen with our inner, spiritual ear in the private sanctuary of our spirit -- that place reserved just for you and God. The place where there are no lists, no worries, no pressure, and no oughts. The only thoughts we have are clear directives that are totally Spirit led; and, when acted upon, will bear much fruit for the kingdom of God.

As we perfect the art of being fully and calmly aware of God’s presence within, we carry that awareness with us even as we live life at a full sprint. The object, however, is to simplify our lives at the same time that we abide in His presence.

Rather than working for God, we allow Him to work in and through us. We cut out everything in our lives that is not absolutely relevant. We stop any activity that is sinful. We empty ourselves of all of our inner clutter until we are totally void and empty enough to be totally filled with all the fullness of God. This takes time, effort and commitment.

During the day, when you feel your peace leave, stop! Go to a quiet place and focus your attention on your spirit, your body and your soul ~ your mind, will and emotions. Concentrate on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2), relax and talk to God like you do to your best friend.

Journaling is a great way to hear from God. Sit down, prop up your feet and bask in His presence (Hebrews 4:10). Write down your questions, your needs, your concerns and your desires. Then sit quietly and listen. Allow God to conform you from the inside out. He will put a thought in your mind to answer your questions and to give you advice and wisdom.

Pray for wisdom to know if you can change the situation and how to change it. If you find that you can’t change the situation, ask God to show you how you should change your focus about the incident. Once you hear the answer from the Lord, then put the negative thoughts and circumstances in God’s capable hands, and focus on the positive aspects He shows you.

Habakkuk recognized God’s voice speaking to him (Habakkuk. 2:2). Elijah expressed His voice as still and small (I Kings 19:12). Sometimes He uses the words to a song, a sentence in a book, a Bible verse, or a comment you hear from another person or on the radio or TV to speak to us. At other times, a friend will confide in you and when God gives you wisdom for them, it will apply to your life as well.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, in the Tabernacle in the Wilderness and in the Jewish Temple, there was a great wall of fabric that separated God’s presence from the people. When You died on the cross, that wall was torn from the top down to the bottom. God rent that veil to show that Your death opened up His presence to us all. (Luke. 23:45; Hebrews 10:19-22). Remind us to take advantage of this and to spend time in Your presence.

Thought for the Day:

Be still, and know that He is God. - Psalm 46:10

Gladness and Joy

Read: 1 Peter 1:8-9

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." -  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

There are so many unhappy people in the world. They despise their job, disrespect their spouse, are irritated with their children, want a better house and car and wish they could go to some exotic island for vacation. They live vicariously through books and movies, trading this figment of their imagination for reality. They are usually so busy working to get more stuff that they do not have time to attend church and to develop their spiritual life.

Sadly, some Christians often fit into this category as well. We put our own pursuits above God’s directives. We lay up more treasure for our earthly tabernacle than we do our heavenly one. At other times, we are so involved with searching for God's will that we are often frustrated when God seems silent on the topics we address with Him in prayer. God’s will is simple. He wants us to be transformed into the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). If we keep our mind on Him, He will keep us in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3). If we seek Him first, He will take care of every other component in our life (Matthew 6:33).

When we live each moment of the day in gratitude for what He already provided, He continues to abundantly supply our needs for that day as well. No matter how desperate the circumstances are in our life, He promises to work them out for our good (Romans 8:28) in His timing and in His way. As we live our life with open communication with His Spirit, He puts us in the right place, at the right time to give and to receive a blessing.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, although Your love is too great to fully comprehend, let us experience this love each day as we follow hard after You (Psalm 63:8). Let us be made complete in You, with all the fullness of life and power that comes from You (Ephesians 3:19). Give us Your shield of victory and sustain us throughout the trials of this life with Your mighty right hand (Psalm 18:35).

Thought for the Day:

Gladness and joy will overtake us, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.- Isaiah 35:10