Kingdom of God

Learning to Govern

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , ,

Genesis 1:28 (NASB)

God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the; sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

One theme which moves through the Bible is God’s intention of what he wants humanity to learn while stationed on this planet at this age. From Genesis where God instructs man and woman to rule the earth’s infrastructure, to Revelation 5:10 where John writes about Jesus’ end game and recognizes the saints in this life are being made to lead and serve in God’s Kingdom. Could it be that one of God’s purpose for you and I in this life is to learn how to best govern?

He initially placed Adam and Eve in a garden to manage it. He built a family unit starting with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The family unit became a tribe and eventually the nation of Israel. During this time, he trained specific individuals for leadership position – Joseph, second in rank behind Pharaoh; Daniel, a president under the Babylonian system; David and Solomon, kings of Israel. There are many others – good leaders and bad rulers.

He designed the family unit where parents learn to govern their households; and children learn to follow and develop their personal governing skills. He led people to build institutions: business, education, medical, legal, entertainment, and yes governments. Each institution allows us to learn how to work with others to help a community to flourish. He also built the Church: a community of believers united within Himself.  

All these opportunities are simply a shadow to prepare you and I to govern within the Kingdom of God. God’s Kingdom is the Triune God’s family business. You and I as his children have been given the opportunity now to learn how to best govern the self and others for this purpose. We allow the Holy Spirit to work within us renovating our hearts to see and hear as our Triune God sees and hears. We govern with love and purpose allowing righteousness to flourish and evil to diminish. We serve our King bringing Him honor and respect and glory.

God has bigger plans for you and I than we will ever phantom on this side of heaven. For now, He gives us a small taste of His divine presence and fills our hearts with joy as we learn to govern His way for His people for His glory.

Life is a learning process preparing you and I for eternity. Run with it!!

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Leadership 360
Author of e-Books:

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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Copyright 2013-2019 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Christian Culture is Not the Kingdom of God

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , ,
Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.ESV.

 

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A debate among the early church saints about whether or not it is OK to eat unclean food led the apostle Paul to write in a letter which we now classify as the fourteen chapter in the Book of Romans.  The issue included whether or not it is more spiritual to be a vegetarian or not. Paul’s conclusion emphasize that the fruit of God’s Kingdom is not food and drink but righteousness, peace, and joy.

For most of us who have never been exposed to God’s Kingdom, maybe we should hold off judgment until we truly experience the real thing. The closest we may have come would most likely be a Sunday church service among other Christians. Yet even there God’s Kingdom may not be fully operating. Instead we witness a culture where everyone speaks and acts in a Camelot fashion. So where do we go to discover the real McCoy?

The Kingdom of God is HIS reign. Wherever people allow God to be the center of their lives; where HE is served first within all relationships and transactions; where HE is the final judge on all matters; where our hearts and minds and souls yield to HIS Word, HIS priorities, and HIS values; not as we determine but as it is.

Reality composes of knowing HIM. When we gain knowledge of HIS ways, we begin to see HIS Spirit at work in our lives and the lives of others; we begin to experience life the way HE intended to be. As we learn to pray and ask and listen, we begin to see our requests actualized. Dumbfounded but in wonder, we become more and more amazed at HIS ability to bring events into reality.

So where do we find the real McCoy?

Wherever HIS people live, breathe, and serve under the authority of their King Jesus, HE is there. And not only is HE present, but the fruit of the Spirit grows. Like a tree that blooms in the spring time, the impact of HIS Kingdom becomes noticeably alive. It could be in a local church service, or a family gathering, or even in the marketplace at work. What is recognized are the manifestations of God’s Spirit sprouting from the hearts, minds, and souls of people who yield themselves to their King.  That is where you will find His Kingdom.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Leadership 360
Author of e-Books:

*  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
*  Great Business Emulates a Good God
*  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
*  Simply The Messenger
*  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-2017 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

 

 

Kingdom of God versus World Governments

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , ,
“…neither shall they say, Lo, here! or, There! for lo, the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:21 ASV.

religion and government 2

Have you ever notice the natural conflict between the governments of this world and religions? Don’t both institutions operate from the same perspective? They seek power over the same masses to bring about peace, law, and order. They make promises feeding on the hopes and carnal desires of their members. When they fail to deliver, they blame others. In fact, like two political opponents, they use whatever means at their disposal to bring about their ambitions at the expense of their citizens.

This is what makes God’s Kingdom far above the governments and religions of this world. Governments and many religions build their foundation through a platform of fear. Through manipulation, punishment,  or collusion, those in power decide what is best for the masses. Freedom may be promised for all, but reserved for a minority. The majority are led by a minority who set themselves up through power, intimidation, and fear.

However God’s Kingdom is unlike anything man has developed. Everything designed by humanity is based on using power from the outside-in. It seeks to manipulate you into agreement through outside means. Like the rat chasing his cheese through a maze, mankind follows the same principles. External rewards, punishment, and social manipulation are some of the tools used. Throw in lying, stealing, killing, and destruction, and you have the general means employed by the majority of groups in search of a better world for themselves.

So what makes God’s Kingdom so much more effective? First it is a government operating from the inside-out. It already has an established, proven leader in Jesus Christ. He is the uniting factor for all people; there is no more room at the top. He sets the standards and demonstrates the methods and techniques used to serve and lead others. And most of his ways are just the opposite of mankind’s failed approaches.

He operates from the inside of a person. He motivates, encourages, and equips his citizens with the necessary tools and methods to live a life that unleashes the human potential as originally designed by the Creator. Via the Holy Spirit, he restores the relationship between all parties by making the Triune God the central core of one’s life. From the love of God, through the hearts of each citizen, the government of God operates in an orderly and abundant fashion. The goal is to minister and serve others for the glory of God. Politics, selfish ambition, and carnal desires are removed from the scene. In their place, service toward others in love becomes the standard of all Peoples.

When one captures the real vision of God’s Kingdom on earth, one quickly understands the Book of Revelations 21 – 22 and the merging of heaven with earth.  With God making his Kingly home on earth, His kingdom will cover the entire planet. Isn’t that the new heaven and new earth we all wait for? When the Kingdom of God will be fully operating on this planet.

Meanwhile, those of us who have already surrendered to Lord Jesus have the privilege and honor to learn today how to live under the King’s domain. We have the opportunity to experience his abundant grace, mercy, and trust with our everyday lives. As His faith grows in us, and as we see the fruit of His ways, we can only lift up our arms in praise to Him and share His story with others who truly want to experience real freedom and joy and love and peace in this life while we await the physical return of our King.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Does a Friend Need Encouragement…Share Today’s Message!