ACTIVELY SERVING GOD'S KINGDOM IS OUR PURPOSE, NOW AND IN THE FUTURE

It has been interesting to watch how various churches, Christian organizations, podcasters, and every day people are viewing the times we are in, and specifically how we should be spending our time as Christians. The true importance of this issue is that it directly positions you in your ultimate understanding of God’s Purpose and His Commands for your Walk With Christ. More than ever today, many people are SO FOCUSED on the RETURN OF JESUS, that they are missing out on what I believe is God’s Command to those who Worship Him and have given their lives to the Salvation and Lordship of His Son Jesus. Just like others, I YEARN FOR THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS ! I anxiously await His return to Rule this planet, and Reign with Justice and Righteousness. I eagerly await His return, however, there is much work to be done right where we are and the world and people around us. When Jesus came to earth, He made it clear to those around Him that God’s Kingdom was alive and in the midst of them ! In Luke 17:21 we see that God’s Kingdom is within us. Abiding in Christ and giving Him complete authority over you will reveal a need to Serve Him and Obey Him. As a citizen of The Kingdom Of God, we wait for the return of Jesus with Excitement and Joy, but until that time, WE HAVE WORK TO DO ! Living for Christ means we need to be ENGAGED IN KINGDOM PURPOSE AND ACTION EACH AND EVERY DAY. Our position is NOT TO BECOME LETHARGIC OR COMPLACENT. The myriad of problems we see in the world are OURS TO ADDRESS. God gave us authority to oversee our world, and through sin, satan pried it from our grip and took control. One look around today as well as times past shows us what can happen when Christians refuse to move in the Power and Authority that Jesus promised us. Inch by Inch, satan steals Kingdom Territory and Purpose. Like poison, lies and sin pour in and take a Godly World and turn it upside down. Christians lose sight of the True Word Of God and allow themselves to be deluded into misunderstanding of even the most basic of concepts….and it all turns to sin and Delusion in God’s Eyes.

ONCE, ON BEING ASKED BY THE PHARISEES WHEN THE KINGDOM OF GOD WOULD COME, JESUS REPLIED, “THE COMING OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE OBSERVED, NOR WILL PEOPLE SAY, ‘HERE IT IS,’OR ‘THERE IT IS,’ BECAUSE THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS IN YOUR MIDST.” Luke 17: 20-21

FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT A MATTER OF EATING AND DRINKING BUT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE AND JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT. Romans 14:17

AND SAYING , “THE TIME IS FULFILLED, AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND; REPENT AND BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL. Mark 1:15

THE NATURAL PERSON DOES NOT ACCEPT THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD, FOR THEY ARE FOLLY TO HIM, AND HE IS NOT ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED.. 1 Corinthians 2:14

In His time on earth, Jesus made it very clear to all who followed Him that they were FILLED WITH KINGDOM PURPOSE AND POWER. He had told them all the truth of what was coming for Him and them during that time. They knew He would leave them, but they also had the promise of His eventually RETURN IN GLORY. The amazing thing is that His Departure Motivated Them To BE BOLD AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS ! They didn’t sit around and wonder when He would be back. THEY WENT OUT AND USED THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO CHANGE THE WORLD ! Preaching, teaching, healing, performing miracles. Going forth into the nations and establishing Faith Communities and Leadership. They preached HE GOSPEL, and were persecuted. They Suffered….but they DID NOT STOP. They TOOK AND HELD KINGDOM GROUND ! They pushed back against evil and they trusted the Holy Spirit to guide them and keep them. Does it make you wonder what would have happened if they never left their safe little homes in Jerusalem, and instead sat around waiting for Jesus to return ? Would the GOSPEL EVEN EXIST FOR US TODAY ? The message for us is simple ! GET UP AND GET BOLD AND BUSY AND SHARE THE GOSPEL EVERYWHERE YOU GO ! We have a Kingdom Purpose just like theirs. WE ARE THEM TODAY ! This world is OURS TO KEEP AND PROTECT FOR OUR KING JESUS:) The Word Of God gives us all the commands and encouragement we need, but we can’t be Complacent , Fearful, or Lazy.

AND WE KNOW THAT FOR THOSE WHO LOVE GOD ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD, FOR THOSE WHO ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE. Romans 8:28

BUT FOR THIS PURPOSE I HAVE RAISED YOU UP; TO SHOW YOU MY POWER, SO THAT MY NAME MAY BE PROCLAIMED IN ALL THE EARTH. Exodus 9:16

SO SHALL MY WORD BE THAT GOES OUT FROM MY MOUTH; IT SHALL NOT RETURN TO ME EMPTY, BUT IT SHALL ACCOMPLISH THAT WHICH I PURPOSE, AND SHALL SUCCEED IN THE THING FOR WHICH I SENT IT. Isaiah 55:11

AND JESUS CAME AND SAID TO THEM, “ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND EARTH HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ME. GO THEREFORE AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU. AND BEHOLD, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, TO THE END OF THE AGE.” Matthew 28:18-20

Jesus is COMMANDING us to be active. We must move out into our community and MAKE DISCIPLES. We will face opposition ! In Ephesians, Paul makes it clear…WE WILL BE WARRIORS FOR GOD”S KINGDOM.

THEREFORE PUT ON THE FULL ARMOOR OF GOD, SO THAT WHEN THE DAY OF EVIL COMES, YOU MAY BE ABLE TO STAND YOUR GROUND, AND AFTER YOU HAVE DONE EVERYTHING, STAND. Ephesians 6:10-18

It is so easy today to see that many Christians are not armored up sadly. Few read God’s Word. Many do not pray, or even know how too. These are not unbelievers….these are people who Identify As Christians. So many sit waiting on a promised salvation path that they don’t even understand. Their relationship with God is NOT CLOTHED IN INTIMACY. Abiding in Christ is not taught in many churches because it is “Just Too Hard To Explain”….or maybe not even Believed:(. The key for those of us who ARE STANDING is to simply LOOK AT JESUS AND TRUST IN HIM. STAND FOR HIM. He has assured us….

“ I HAVE TOLD YOU THESE THINGS , SO THAT IN ME YOU MAY HAVE PEACE. IN THIS WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE. BUT TAKE HEART ! I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.” John 16:33

Take Heart ! Spend your time serving God’s Kingdom right now. Seek Him, Worship Him, and Praise Him. Be Intimate and Pray Always. Read His Word and Seek His Truth. Get Your Armor Polished Up and BATTLE FOR JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS, HOLDING KINGDOM GROUND. We are not here to sit on the sidelines, or look away. To THOSE WHO SERVE HIM, THE REWARDS ARE PLENTIFUL:). HE IS COMING. Be Alert, but not frozen in place. Take His Love and Peace out to the world each and every day ! BATTLE BOLDLY/JAA

AND THIS GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM WILL BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE WORLD AS A TESTIMONY TO ALL THE NATIONS, AND THEN THE END WILL COME. Matthew 24:14