"First seek the Kingdom of GOD and HIS Righteousness, and all these things will be added to you..." (Matthew 6:33). GOD'S KINGDOM is not a geographical territory or a theological interpretation. It is where every thought, every action, and every realm beyond our imagination is OF GOD. GOD'S KINGDOM is the relationship between GOD and man; where we DEPEND AND CHERISH the Sovereignty of GOD. When we seek first the KINGDOM OF GOD and HIS righteousness we need nothing else. WHEN THE KINGDOM IS FIRST AND LAST IN OUR LIVES, WE HAVE EVERYTHING; IT IS THE ALPHA AND OMEGA.
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A time when we are not concerned with our own ideas, "intellectual" questions have no importance and our minds are completely SILENCED. It is not the SILENCE of a dead body; but the SILENCE of dynamic energy progressing to the depths of the HOLY PRESENCE. There are no questions because we are at PEACE with THE ONE WHO KNOWS. It is a time when "...bold confidence..." (Ephesians 3:12), renders us absolutely speechless. We have the JOYFUL SILENCE of reading and receiving GOD'S WORD; no preconceived thoughts, no opinions, no worries; JUST THE SILENCE OF HIS PRESENCE.
How many times have we heard the story of the "talents" in Matthew 25:14-30 and applied its meaning to "modern day" definition? Talent equals our "GOD given abilities" so we are to put our natural gifts to work for GOD. Has modern terminology and interpretations mislead us? If we read closely, the Talents were DISTRIBUTED ACCORDING TO EACH ONES ABILITY, not the abilities themselves, thereby "Talents" are not our GOD given abilities. Two servants received rewards while the third servant was cast out, for doing nothing. The "Talents" remained the MASTER'S PROPERTY in this parable. So what do we have which remains to be GOD'S? OPPORTUNITIES! Opportunity not to lie or exaggerate in pressure situations; Opportunity not to take advantage of others less fortunate; and an Opportunity to be a CHRISTIAN around Non-Christians. Could it be that the TALENTS GOD has entrusted to us are to be acted upon, and not buried where we do nothing? ARE OUR TALENTS, "GOLDEN MOMENTS OF OPPORTUNITY"?
What if JESUS would have Preached and Taught like our present day Churches? While most of our Churches Preach the PURSUIT of Prosperity and Happiness, JESUS would have taught that Prosperity and Happiness is the RESULT OF SALVATION AND GLORIFYING GOD. Didn't JESUS teach "CONTENTMENT" instead of "WORLDLY PROSPERITY"? 2 Corinthians 11:13, "...such are false apostles, deceitful workers, distinguishing themselves as apostles of CHRIST. And no wonder, for even satan disguises himself as an angel of light." THE MESSAGE OF JESUS IS ONE WE EITHER HATE OR WE ADORE. If JESUS would have taught like most of our Churches today; HE WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED.
Do we REALLY want HEAVEN, or do we just want our lives to go on with a guarantee that we won't die? Do we continue to sin and say, "...the SPIRIT is willing, but the flesh is weak..." (Matthew 26:41)? Is the TRUTH that we REALLY DO WHAT WE WANT, and that we don't want GOD ALL THE TIME? Is the TRUTH that we REALLY DON'T WANT GOD, ALL THE TIME? It is IMPOSSIBLE (YES, IMPOSSIBLE) "...once we have we have tasted the Heavenly gift" (Hebrews 6:4)... to WANT ANYTHING ELSE BUT GOD! The sin of the heart, by its very nature, is the opposite to REPENTANCE. Do we "sooth" of our conscience by making a hypocritical profession of Faith? THE TRUTH IS, WE "DO" WHAT WE WANT! The question is, WHAT DO WE REALLY WANT?
"Therefore be imitators of GOD...and walk in Love." (Ephesians 5:1-2). Do we wonder what it would be like to meet someone who is so full of Sacrificial Love that no matter what they said, we would listen, and not be offended? Do we wonder what it would be like to meet someone whose smile gives Peace and Understanding beyond the creation and definition of words? Do we wonder what it would be like to meet someone that when we looked at them, we would see JESUS? Do we know CHRISTIANS so CHRIST LIKE THAT WE NO LONGER WONDER?
Praying today that we no longer have to wonder... When people don't act and react to our words and actions the way we think they should, what do we do? Luke 9:49-50, "...we saw someone casting out demons in YOUR name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us." Don't we believe that there can be Christians beyond our "little" circle of influence or denomination with as much, or more, Passion for CHRIST as we do? Do we (as did the Disciples) "LABEL" a REAL BELIEVER as a "Non-Believer" because they don't "fit" into our "Notion of Christians" or are not a part of our group? Does our Passion for CHRIST want EVERYONE to HEAR THE GOSPEL; or, are we so "enamored" with our own "Perfection in CHRIST" that we render THE MESSAGE, LOVELESS AND VOID.
Was Paul married? Did Mary ascend to Heaven like Elijah, Enoch and JESUS? Was JESUS born in October instead of December? WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE? Does it change anything JESUS did and is doing? Does it change the Message of Salvation that gives us ever lasting life with JESUS? No! John 21:15, "...do you love ME more than these?..." Is JESUS enough for us? We love the THINGS of the LORD, but are we in love with HIM? Are we so enthralled with the THINGS of GOD that we hurry on to the next Scripture before we "digest and absorb" the first? Do we seek signs, words, prophecies, visions and dreams; and not seek the LORD HIMSELF? DO WE SEEK SO MANY THINGS OF GOD; AND NOT GOD HIMSELF? WHO AND WHAT DO WE LOVE?
Those "Sacred" times ALONE with GOD are so powerful and fulfilling that we never want it to stop. We would gladly go into "a Sanctuary of Solitude" to Pray and Meditate forever. Could such a seemingly "innocent" and "Holy" intention be Disobedient? Proverbs 18:1, "Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire...". It is one thing to "Seek Time Alone with GOD" and quite another to "Isolate ourselves from the world". In Isolation we don't have to witness to others, we do not encounter challenges to our FAITH, and our Beliefs are not disrespected and questioned to our very CORE OF EXISTENCE. IN WHICH CIRCUMSTANCE DO WE EXPERIENCE THE "FULL GLORY OF GOD"? Even surrounded by a chaotic world, we CAN STILL BE ALONE WITH GOD.
Science finally discovered that people sense "Fear", "Confidence" and "Love" in other people. Only the most POWERFUL and WISE can be truly GENTLE. Others "sense" and "receive", GOD'S LOVE in us. HIS Presence confirms our "NON-THREATENING" Love, Joy, Peace, Kindness, Faithfulness and Gentleness toward them. This Confidence, this Trust, is far beyond "our senses"; "it is the SPIRIT abiding in Love" and whoever abides in Love, abides in GOD, and GOD abides in him (1 John 4:16). THE POWER OF LOVE SETTLES AND COMFORTS THE HEART IN A NON-COMPROMISING AND NON-THREATENING PRESENCE. PEOPLE DON'T "SENSE" LOVE, THEY KNOW IT.
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About the Author and writerThe writer for our daily devotionals wishes to remain anonymous in regard to his work, giving instead Glory to the Author. Archives
December 2015
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