Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.
An honourable counsellor who waited for the Kingdom of God and caught it! Unlike the Jews, who according to Luke's Gospel in chapter 19 knew not the time and missed the day of their visitation. Joseph was determined not to miss it. He waited for it and was open to what God was doing even when it was not what the religious crowd was looking for.
Joseph understood the reign of God would come thru the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. This reign would not be on a throne made by the hands of men but rather hearts created by the hand of God. Joseph was fulfilling his destiny, he was doing his part to advance the Kingdom.
Anyone who seeks to do their part for the body of Christ in advancing the Kingdom of God is considered honourable. The only difference between us and Joseph is we do not have to wait! We should be doing our part today: loving, forgiving, extending grace, supporting, building, ministering and addressing the political authorities on behalf of the body of Christ like Joseph. If you will, we should be simply about the Father's business.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
The Government of God
The Government of God
Jesus did not come to this earth to establish a religious system, in fact an established religious system was already here when He came. Jesus came to establish a Heavenly Government, setting forth ambassadors, kings and priests. Empowering a new race of believers who were later called "Christians" because of their Christ-likeness with a unified mandate to colonize the earth.
Church was never intended to be a place where people gathered, quite the contrary! The church was and is a group of empowered and redeemed people who are sent out under the anointing and leadership of the Holy Spirit with a Kingdom mandate to enforce the culture of heaven in every aspect of life.
Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
The increase of His government will not diminish! Praise God! It will not end and guess what...He is still establishing it this very hour in the hearts of men. The Lord is performing this right before our eyes as He said: the zeal of the LORD of host will perform it. Notice one more point in this 7th verse. The words henceforth even for ever confirm to us this movement will not stop and cannot be stopped!
Jesus did not come to this earth to establish a religious system, in fact an established religious system was already here when He came. Jesus came to establish a Heavenly Government, setting forth ambassadors, kings and priests. Empowering a new race of believers who were later called "Christians" because of their Christ-likeness with a unified mandate to colonize the earth.
Church was never intended to be a place where people gathered, quite the contrary! The church was and is a group of empowered and redeemed people who are sent out under the anointing and leadership of the Holy Spirit with a Kingdom mandate to enforce the culture of heaven in every aspect of life.
Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
The increase of His government will not diminish! Praise God! It will not end and guess what...He is still establishing it this very hour in the hearts of men. The Lord is performing this right before our eyes as He said: the zeal of the LORD of host will perform it. Notice one more point in this 7th verse. The words henceforth even for ever confirm to us this movement will not stop and cannot be stopped!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Prodigal Revelation
Luke 15:25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
You know the story and you have probably read it a hundred times over like myself. The other day while meditating on this parable, the Lord revealed a few simple truths; truths I have never noticed before. Please notice the verse above and most importantly the word field. This implies the elder brother was working and this is later confirmed in verse 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends.
These many years do I serve thee...He was in the field when he first learned of his younger brother's return. Here is the point: one brother came to his father by faith and attained instant favor while the elder brother was seeking to attain favor through his work in the field and service. The younger brother was celebrated because of his faith while the elder brother grew resentful because his works could not move the heart of the father.
Let us each remember that it is simple faith that captivates the heart of our Heavenly Father not our works! Righteousness and justification are not wrought through our service but rather through our faith!
You know the story and you have probably read it a hundred times over like myself. The other day while meditating on this parable, the Lord revealed a few simple truths; truths I have never noticed before. Please notice the verse above and most importantly the word field. This implies the elder brother was working and this is later confirmed in verse 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends.
These many years do I serve thee...He was in the field when he first learned of his younger brother's return. Here is the point: one brother came to his father by faith and attained instant favor while the elder brother was seeking to attain favor through his work in the field and service. The younger brother was celebrated because of his faith while the elder brother grew resentful because his works could not move the heart of the father.
Let us each remember that it is simple faith that captivates the heart of our Heavenly Father not our works! Righteousness and justification are not wrought through our service but rather through our faith!
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