05-25-2006, 09:53 PM
These are my thoughts on the Kingdom, and what it means to have Kingdom thinking. Please comment or add insights that you may have.
<CENTER>
From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."Matthew 4:17
The kingdom of God does not come visibly, nor will people say, here it is, or there it is, because the kingdom of God is within you.Luke 17:21
The Kindom is a parallel world-- we walk in it at the same time we walk in the natural world. Think of the sci-fi stories you have known about worlds in other "dimensions". That is what the Kingdom is--a world we walk in at the SAME time we walk in the natural world.
We can live our lives in and out of the Kingdom, and hardly be aware of it for there is a membrane of dullness that clouds our eyes and does not allow us to see the two realms.
AWARENESS of the kingdom is by CHOICE. Once we choose, we begin to SEE. We make a decision walk in the Kingdom.
What is the Kingdom of God? Is it not the works of the Spirit within us that impacts the world around us? How do we operate in this parallel Kingdom?<LIST>
The book, Practicing the Presence of God (Brother Lawrence) could also be titled RECOGNIZING THE REALITY OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD
When we are walking in this realm we are aware that at any moment, we could have the opportunity to speak words of life to someone. That word of life can bring healing, release and revelation to those who do not walk in the kingdom, and often to those within it with us who are walking with clouded eyes.
If we are not available, by exercise of our consciousness to the reality of the Kingdom, then we miss these opportunities to speak life. Our eyes are clouded in the the natural world. We see pain, but we do not see ourselves as a conduit for the Kingdom to impact that pain. We pass an accident on the highway. Do we instantly begin interceding, expecting some kind of marching order from our King, or do we just shake our heads, think--oh, too bad-- and drive on. A friend shares a heavy emotional burden. Do we begin silently praying in the Spirit for wisdom, or do we just listen sadly and helplessly. That is the difference consciousness of the Kingdom of God makes in the way we live our lives.
CHALLENGE: Ponder the reality of the two parallel worlds. They are both real. If we walk in the Kingdom of God, we are making ourselves available to be used to impact the natural world around us. But it's our decision both to SEE the Kingdom, and to WALK in it.
<CENTER>
WHAT IS THE KINGDOM? WHAT IS KINGDOM THINKING?
</CENTER> From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."Matthew 4:17
The kingdom of God does not come visibly, nor will people say, here it is, or there it is, because the kingdom of God is within you.Luke 17:21
The Kindom is a parallel world-- we walk in it at the same time we walk in the natural world. Think of the sci-fi stories you have known about worlds in other "dimensions". That is what the Kingdom is--a world we walk in at the SAME time we walk in the natural world.
We can live our lives in and out of the Kingdom, and hardly be aware of it for there is a membrane of dullness that clouds our eyes and does not allow us to see the two realms.
AWARENESS of the kingdom is by CHOICE. Once we choose, we begin to SEE. We make a decision walk in the Kingdom.
What is the Kingdom of God? Is it not the works of the Spirit within us that impacts the world around us? How do we operate in this parallel Kingdom?<LIST>
- <LI>
- Currency is FAITH</LI>
<LI> - Catalyst for power is AGREEMENT</LI>
<LI> - Language is TRUTH & SYMBOL</LI>
<LI> - Reward is LIFE - for us and others</LI>
The book, Practicing the Presence of God (Brother Lawrence) could also be titled RECOGNIZING THE REALITY OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD
When we are walking in this realm we are aware that at any moment, we could have the opportunity to speak words of life to someone. That word of life can bring healing, release and revelation to those who do not walk in the kingdom, and often to those within it with us who are walking with clouded eyes.
If we are not available, by exercise of our consciousness to the reality of the Kingdom, then we miss these opportunities to speak life. Our eyes are clouded in the the natural world. We see pain, but we do not see ourselves as a conduit for the Kingdom to impact that pain. We pass an accident on the highway. Do we instantly begin interceding, expecting some kind of marching order from our King, or do we just shake our heads, think--oh, too bad-- and drive on. A friend shares a heavy emotional burden. Do we begin silently praying in the Spirit for wisdom, or do we just listen sadly and helplessly. That is the difference consciousness of the Kingdom of God makes in the way we live our lives.
CHALLENGE: Ponder the reality of the two parallel worlds. They are both real. If we walk in the Kingdom of God, we are making ourselves available to be used to impact the natural world around us. But it's our decision both to SEE the Kingdom, and to WALK in it.