Reading With the People of God #10 Kingdomنموونە

Focus of the month: (Kingdom)

7 Now, therefore, thus shall you say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel, 8 and I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 9 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall waste them no more, as formerly, 10 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover, I declare to you that the LORD will build you a house. 11 When your days are fulfilled to walk with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you, 14 but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.’ ”.- 1 Chronicles 17:7-14

Jesus is Life

When we step out in our own understanding and get ahead of God, we end up making a mess of things. By interpreting what should be done within our own (or others') circumstances without first submitting ourselves to the Lord in prayer and solitude, seeking His will, we end up stepping right out of His will and directly into sin. And if we are not surrounded by a healthy God-fearing community, one that is yoked to Jesus and supports a vibrant and healthy relationship with the Holy Spirit, we set ourselves up to fall prey to our pride, our ego, and fear. However, merely being within a community of true followers of Jesus isn't the blessing it can be if you are unwilling to be confronted with Godly rebuke of your sin. None of us is impervious to sin and, therefore, should have a trusted mentor who demonstrates a Godly lifestyle. One of humility, a willingness to hear the truth and repent when that truth convicts and rebukes sin within. There must be a level of transparency and vulnerability with a friend of Jesus who is willing to speak what needs to be said to promote growth in Christ. This is done not to put you down or to elevate themselves, but to encourage and strengthen your commitment to surrendering all of yourself to Christ. When we are not yoked to Truth or have a hard heart that is unwilling to receive correction and learn, we close ourselves off to The Living Water and become dry and tasteless. Without the living water of Jesus Christ flowing from His vine into your branch, you are easily deceived and fall face-first into traps that immobilize you. Fill your cup daily at His well (pray always), drink deeply from His Word (meditate on scripture), and ask Him to soften your heart and give you a fresh encounter with His Presence. Without His presence, there is no life.

* Primer contributed by Ardena Hamill, Celebrate Recovery encourager