Kingdom Thinking – Part 3

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Matthew 6:10 “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

 

Kingdom thinking also understands Romans 13 that civic leaders are also called ‘ministers’ and if God is calling them ministers then kingdom thinking understands that they can partner with political and community leaders to reach a common cause for the kingdom sake (cities, states and nations).

 

So often we have isolated people from us and kingdom teaching because they did not agree on core issues or values. By isolating ourselves from the world around us we have not been the salt and light that we should have been and today we are reaping the result of this.

 

In the 21st century we are moving into a very complex world and with it come problems that are unprecedented, the problem of war and peace, the development of nuclear weaponry, micro-technology, the unraveling of the genetic code and in a new field of bioethics the possibilities of genetic engineering etc.

 

Dr. Hugh Whelchel director of a Christian think tank “Institute of Faith, Work and Economics,” in his book called  HOW THEN SHOULD WE WORK states the following: “As Christians fulfill their mission vocationally, we will find ourselves working together with non-Christians for the common political, economical or cultural causes. Joseph worked with the Egyptians to alleviate famine (Genesis 41). Daniel served faithfully in Nebuchadnezzar’s court (Daniel 2). We also see what Jeremiah wrote to the exiles in Babylon (Jeremiah 29:7).”

 

William Temple who was this past century the Archbishop of Canterbury said: “The church is both entitled and obliged to condemn the society characterized by these evils; but it is not entitled in its corporate capacity to advocate specific remedies.”

 

He went on to say: “The church lays down principles; the Christian citizen applies them; and to do this he utilizes the machinery of the state.” Kingdom thinking will inspire the church members (whatever capacity that they are in) to apply principles and not necessarily remedies. One of the reasons for this is that the church often lacks the necessary expertise, though some of her members may have it.

 

Working out Biblical principles is no easy matter either. Archbishop of Canterbury William Temple went on to say: “The age long problem such as war, economics and divorce, have always divided Christians. They have always been pacifists and non-pacifist, capitalist and socialist, lax and rigid attitudes to divorce. Our modern problems, are more complex, are also more divisive.”

 

When we look at some of these problems facing us it is easy to give up in despair and think there are no solutions, but we must keep in mind Psalms 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” The Word of God is capable of bringing light through the complexities of these problems that we are faced with.

 

Kingdom thinking will result in several things:

  1. To pray together. Here in my area several different churches gather together the first Saturday of the month to pray for our country, state, community and the world to see some of these problems resolved.
  2. Will result in us wanting to listen to one another’s position (no matter what it is) and to try and understand the deep concern that lies behind them.
  3. Help each other to understand the cultural prejudices in our thinking and learn to be open to alternative viewpoints.

 

This kind of discipline is painful, but kingdom thinking demands it. We need to keep in mind that we dishonor God if we assert that there are no solutions or try and to offer slick solutions.

 

We need to develop a Christian mind or Kingdom mind-set. This is the type of mind that has grasped the basic ‘presuppositions of Scripture’ and is thoroughly saturated with Biblical Truth. “Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.” (1 Corinthians 14:20)

 

The proper use of our minds is very beneficial:

  1. It glorifies God, because He has made us rational beings in His own image and has given us in Scripture a rational revelation which He intends us to study.
  2. It enriches us, because every aspect of our Christian discipleship — worship, faith and obedience — depends for its maturing on our reflection, especially, upon God’s glory, faithfulness and will.
  3. It strengthens our witness in the world, because like the apostles we are called not only to preach the gospel, but also to defend and argue it and so persuade people of its truth. Acts 17:2; 19:8; 2 Corinthians 5:11; Philippians 1:7

Like Paul says in Romans 12, we need the “renewing of our minds.”

Kingdom Thinking – Part 2

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

Matthew 6:10 “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

 

Kingdom thinking realizes that the offices mentioned in Ephesians 4:11-12 have been given by the Lord to equip the saints for the work of the ministry and that this ministry involves the community in which they live.

 

Kingdom mind-set realizes that only a few in the congregation are called to one of these offices in order to equip the saints for the ministry. This ministry includes all aspects of one’s society – government, market place, media, entertainment, etc. There is room for all to be trained for the ministry.

 

Back in the forties and fifties if a young man came to a pastor and said that he wanted to be in full-time Christian work the pastor would have told him to become a lawyer, judge, politician, business man, pastor, evangelist or missionary. However, recently the advice the young man would get is narrowed down to just a few – pastor, evangelist or missionary.

 

Praise God that this is beginning to change and kingdom thinking is coming in and seeing that every aspect of man’s society needs the influence of kingdom minded people.

 

Paul tells us in Romans that: “Although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (1:21) The word “futile” in Greek brings out the idea of making something empty. I asked my Marathi translator in India what that word meant in his language and he told me it means ‘nothing,’ or ‘zero.’

 

Look at our culture today here in the Western world where we have basically abolished God from our schools, public places, etc. and we see decisions made where good is becoming evil and evil becoming good. So many of our laws are senseless; they mean nothing!

 

Kingdom minded leaders see the need to equip kingdom-minded believers for the work that is needed in the different segments of society. In the reformation that took place in Germany a little over 500 years ago, the Word of God was placed in the hands of the common people and it changed the Western world. We now need a second reformation where the work of God is placed into the hands of the common people.

 

Kingdom thinking sees that there is no difference between the spiritual and the secular. It is God who is in control of all creation and there is no ‘upper’ (spiritual) and ‘lower’ (secular) floor (as Francis Schaffer points out) when it comes to God’s creation. It is all of God’s creation and we need to be involved in every aspect of it.

 

We need to realize that a man who is called of God to work in a secular profession is just as important as the man who is called of God to preach. We need godly men in both. Our work matters to God.

 

There are several things that we must look at. First, we must see that the church (an integral part of the Kingdom of God), the Body of Christ is not an institution, not an organization, but rather an organism. It is not something that is inanimate, but alive. It is a living, breathing organism. This is the first thing that we must begin to realize. This is important for us to see.

 

By “organism” we mean: “Life-pulsating people who are animated by the indwelling presence of Jesus Christ.” This pulsating life needs to infiltrate every aspect of our culture.

 

Kingdom Thinking – Part 1

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

Matthew 6:10 “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

 

In my travels, reading, praying I have noticed that there is a definite shift taking place in the Evangelical church today. We do not hear so much about ‘church talk,’ but more ‘kingdom talk.’ In other words, we are moving from a church mind-set to a kingdom mind-set.

 

What used to be within the walls of the church is now breaking out and encompassing the community as well as the systems and structures with the Gospel of the Kingdom. Christ-followers are now getting more involved within their community.

 

For example, I just got a letter from one of these Christ-followers who had gone for a walk and when she came back to her car she saw a homeless woman sitting on the curb. When she was in her car looking at this woman the Lord was speaking to her about going and talking with her and wanting to be obedient to the Lord and she did just that. End result was that they both wound up praising Jesus together. Also this homeless woman wants to introduce Jesus to others within her framework as well.

 

A kingdom mind-set interprets Matthew 28:19-20 as referring to discipling all nations. I sense that we are in what might be known as the ‘fourth wave’ and possibly this will be the final wave of missions.

 

The first wave under William Carey, brought in new structures called “mission agencies” and Christ-followers began to go out to unknown and unreached parts of the world. Most of the work was done along the coastal areas in these different places.

 

Later, the ‘second’ wave ushered in by Hudson Taylor, started going into the interior and with this new wave new structures were needed and so we read about the China Inland Mission, African Interior Mission, and etc.

 

At the beginning of the 20th century we moved into what ‘missionologists’ call the ‘third’ wave and that is reaching the different people groups or ethnic groups that are in different countries.

 

With these three waves the ‘church’ is reaching people with the Gospel and seeing lives changed. But now there is an emphasis on discipleship to see those whose lives have been changed by the Gospel moving into their sphere of influence – to see a change taking place in the culture. In other words, to see world systems and structures of sin torn down and coming under the sway of the King of kings.

 

Kingdom mind-set sees that Matthew 28:19-20 and Genesis 1:28 go together: “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’”

 

Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

Kingdom mind-set takes in the fact that Christ came to destroy the works of the devil. “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” John 3:8

 

Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

 

1 Corinthians 4:20 “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”

 

Kingdom mind-set works towards seeing justice and righteousness being carried out in the culture and society where we live. It begins with the Gospel because it is the Gospel that can change a man’s heart, but it does not stop there, but to see society around us being affected.

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Lord, violence is everywhere! Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in our courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted.

 

Son, don’t worry about evil people who prosper, or fret about their wicked plans. Do you think I will let them get away with this forever? Look at how proud they have become. They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. They are never satisfied, and they think their wealth will buy them security, and place them beyond the reach of danger. Remember that I just laugh at their foolishness for I know their day of judgment is coming.

 

I am going to do something in your day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. It might seem slow in coming, but wait patiently – for it will surely take place. The earth will be filled with an awareness of My glory.

 

Son, study My word continually, meditating on it day and night, then you will know what I require of you. Do not deviate from what I tell you by turning either to the right or to the left. Trust Me, and be delighted in the fact that I know you. Commit everything to Me, then be still and wait patiently for Me to act. I will be with you; I will not fail you or abandon you, and you will prosper and succeed in all you do.

 

Tell My church to wake up and look around, the fields are already ripe for harvest. They need to tell everyone that unless they are born again, they cannot see My kingdom. There will be no judgment against anyone who believes in Me. But anyone who does not believe in me is already judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. This judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions are evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. Anyone who believes in Me has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t believe in Me will never experience eternal life but remain under My Father’s angry judgment.

 

Lord, You are the Savior of this world!!

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, in the beginning I existed with God, and I am God. I created everything, and nothing was created except by Me. I gave life to everything that was created, and My life brought light to everyone. This light of Mine shines in the darkness of this world, and that darkness can never extinguish it. I became human so that I can take away the sins of the world, but not everyone will recognize or accept this. But those who do recognize Me, by believing and accepting Me, I will give them the right to be My children.

 

Son, I know there will be a lot of people who will not recognize or accept that I can save them. I do not need anyone to tell Me what mankind is really like. I know that they listen to the whispers of sin deep within their hearts, and they have no fear of Me at all. In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are. They need to remember that I am slow to get angry, but My power is great, and I never let the guilty go unpunished.

 

Lord, Your unfailing love is as vast as the heavens, and I can find shelter in the shadow of Your wings. You are the fountain of life, and the light by which I see. Your love for me is obvious to all, because I am in Your hands. What a great honor to be saved by You.

 

Son, I will be your refuge when trouble comes, and I will remove the bondage of this world from you. Remember that My everlasting arms are under you, and I will pour My unfailing love on you. I am close to those who trust in Me, so be encouraged for I am coming soon!

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, there is no other god but Me! I am the One who gave you life, and I am the One who heals. I merely spoke and the heavens were created. I breathed the word and all the stars were born. So  take to heart My words that I have given you. Pass them on to your children so they will know and obey every word. My instructions are not empty words-they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life, and you can trust everything I do.

 

My eyes will watch over you because I know you, and My ears are open to your cries for help. When you face troubles I will rescue you each time. When you pray to Me I will answer you, and free you from your fears. Remember, that I am watching over you because you are relying on My unfailing love.

 

Son, ask your countrymen what have I done to make them tired of Me? Don’t they remember anything? Therefore, I will hide My face from them on account of all the evil they do and the worshiping of other gods. They have raised up a twisted generation; children without integrity. I will abandon them; then lets see what becomes of them.

 

What do I want? For your countrymen to do what is right according to My word. To seek My mercy, and to walk humbly before Me. They should fear Me if they are wise! My voice calls to everyone who will listen.

 

Lord, though I fall-You will help me up again. Though I sit in darkness-You are my light; for You delight in showing Your unfailing love to me, and to those who will listen and follow Your word.

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Lord, in this time of trouble I am coming to You for help.  In panic I cried out, and You heard and answered my call for help. I come to You, for You will do what is right for me. You see all my troubles, and You care about the anguish of my soul.  I am trusting in You because You are my God! My future is in Your hands, and someday I will know how great Your goodness is that You have stored up for me. 

 

Son, I protect those who are loyal to Me. There is great joy in heaven when a person’s rebellion is forgiven, and their sin is put out of My sight! I will guide them along the best pathway for their life, and I will advise them and watch over them. My unfailing love will surround those who trust in Me. So rejoice and be glad!

 

Lord, when I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Finally, I confessed all my sins to You and stopped trying to hide my guilt. You forgave me, and all my guilt is gone!! Therefore, You are my hiding place, and You protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of Your grace.

 

Son, do not let your hearts be dulled by the worries of this life. Pray that you will be strong enough to go through the coming events, and know that I pleaded for you in the garden, that your faith will not fail.

 

Lord, I will follow You forever and ever, and know that You love Your children!

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, any nation that lives by My commands will be set high above all the nations of the world. Wherever they go and whatever they do, they will be blessed. I will guarantee a blessing on everything they do. Their land will be called a blessed land. I will establish them as My holy people, and all the nations of the world will stand in awe of them. I will make them the head, not the tail.

 

When a new generation comes up that refuses to follow My commands, pay close attention! Let all the people of the land and all surrounding nations listen! Let the whole earth hear. For I will bring accusations against them, and I am coming!

 

Because this new generation has refused to listen, all these things will come and overwhelm them. They will become an object of horror, ridicule, and mockery. Foreigners living among them will become stronger and stronger, while they become weaker and weaker. They will live in bondage to others until they are destroyed. Their hearts will tremble, and their souls will be in despair. Their lives will be constantly unbalanced because of fear. They will be unsure, and no longer walk around proudly; for it will be a terrible time.

 

People will tell you not to say such things. Such disasters will never come our way!  Don’t talk that way, tell us about the joys of rebellion and indulgence; for that is what we want to hear. Tell them I have no patience with such behavior! If they do what is right, then they will find My words comforting, but they have filled this land with sin and ruined it completely.

 

I came to seek and save those who are lost. So listen to My voice for it echoes above the sea. My voice is powerful and majestic. By My voice I can make the earth shake, and in My Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!”

 

Lord thank you that You give Your people strength, and bless them with peace. Thank You that Your anger lasts only a moment, but Your favor lasts a lifetime! Your favor has made me secure, and I will give You thanks forever!

 

 

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, when I return will I find anyone with faith? Faith is just believing that what I said, I will do, and for people to act as though it has happened. Remember the story of the ten lepers, I told them to go to the priest and as they went they were cleansed of their leprosy, but they had to go first.When the blind man cried out to Me to heal him, I told him to stand up and go, but he needed to stand first so that he would be healed. Most people will not understand the significance or grasp what I am talking about. These people want Me to do for them without their being any action on their part, and this is why I ask, “When I return will I find anyone with faith?”

 

Lord, help me to increase my faith, by acting upon what You have told me. To obey Your words is simply my duty as Your child. What stops me is when I cling to this life of mine. I know that if I let go of my wants and desires, You will give me an abundant life. Help me to keep sight of the fact that I will live in Your house for ever and ever!

 

Son, never forget this! If you give up your wants and desires for Me; I will repay you many times over in this life, and the life to come, and I will declare that you are My special treasure. Therefore, you must obey all My commands. If you do you will receive praise and honor, and you will be known by Me. So watch yourself, because there will always be the temptation to give in to your desires.

 

Lord, I know that You are merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. So teach me how to live, and lead me along the right path.

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Lord, I give my life to You. I trust You and I know that no one who trusts in You will ever be disgraced. Show me the right way to go, by pointing out Your road to me. Let Your truth teach me, for You are the One who saved me. My eyes are always looking for You, and I know You will free me from the traps set by those who oppose me. Man’s integrity and honesty will not provide any protection, so I put my hope in You. I am always aware of Your unfailing love. So, help me to live according to Your truth, then I will stand on solid ground.

 

Son, when anyone comes to their senses, and returns to Me, there is great joy in heaven! When they come to Me I am filled with love and compassion, I will run to them, embrace them, and kiss them. I will joyfully carry them on My shoulders. For salvation comes from Me alone.

 

To those who like to appear righteous, I know their hearts. They will not listen to My prophets, or even someone who has risen from the dead. They love their money, and scoff at those who follow Me. They run in an opposite direction to get away from Me, so that I will not see how wicked they are, but they cannot run away from Me. My word tells them their fate, and My judgments against them.

 

Son, I called to you from the land of the dead, and you heard Me. So use all your worldly resources to help others come to their senses and find Me. If you are faithful in small things, I will give you greater things. If you can can be trusted with worldly wealth, I will trust you with the true riches in heaven? If you are faithful with people’s things, then I can trust you with things of your own.

 

Son, you can cry out to Me any time, I will hear and answer you.