The Kingdom of GOD
I would like to share some truths about the Kingdom of GOD
that I have learnt over the years. These are principles in the areas of Provision, Discipleship, Structure of
Authority, Intercession and Spiritual Warfare.
Provision
Robin and I have learnt that when we serve GOD, mammon
serves us!
Interestingly, those
who host us in most of the countries we travel to, and those whom the LORD uses
to provide for us and bless us are Doctors, medical personnel and people in the
pharmaceutical industry!
We have no words to explain the amazing provision of GOD. He
not only meets all our needs in measures beyond our comprehension, but gives us
the desires of our hearts in specific details, packaged in His Fatherly
kindness and love!
"But seek first the kingdom of
God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. -
Matthew 6:33
Now to Him who is able to do
exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power
that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all
generations, forever and ever. Amen. - Ephesians 3:20-21
Disciple
I have learnt that the first step in following the LORD
JESUS is to take up my cross and deny self. The following acrostic describes a
disciple of the LORD.
D - Decides to Deny self and follow the LORD JESUS
I - Intimate with Immanuel
S - Submissive Servant
C - Called and Commissioned
I - Intercessor standing In-the-Gap
P - Pentecost Powered
L - Learning Leader
E - Enduring Evangelist
GOD’S
Structure of Authority
I have learnt that it is necessary for me to take my
position according to the structure of authority that GOD has set in the family
unit, in the workplace and in my relationship with all people. I have to submit
to my husband in all things and respect and honour him. The Scriptural
authority I have been given over our children is a responsibility to set an
example for them to follow and to teach them the ways of GOD and to guide them
in making decisions.
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ... Nevertheless
let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the
wife see that she respects her husband. - Ephesians 5:22, 33
When I married Robin at 25 years of age, it wasn’t easy for
me to play the role of a Godly wife. The Bible was my guide book and I
diligently studied it. I asked the LORD to change my mindset and mould my character
so that I would fit into the role the LORD had for me to play in my family. The
in-built selfishness and pride has to be repented of and dealt with often so
that I might joyously play my role as wife and mother.
And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be
alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." - Genesis 2:18
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good
inheritance. - Psalm 16:6
There is peace when each individual operates within the
boundary set according to the Scriptures.
The Holy Spirit is to me a Helper, Comforter, Intercessor
and the One Who bears fruit through me. Interestingly, as a wife I am called to
play these roles for my husband! Therefore I would fulfil my role better when I
am more Spirit-filled and Spirit-led.
And they blessed Rebekah and said to her: "Our sister, may you
become The mother of thousands of ten thousands; And may your descendants
possess The gates of those who hate them." - Genesis 24:60
JESUS the Intercessor
One morning I had a prompting in my spirit to read Isaiah 53 which helped me to understand some basics
about intercession. This chapter describes the sufferings of the LORD JESUS,
Who was our ransom.
The very moment man was separated from GOD through sin, the
plan for the restoration of this relationship was installed. This involves 1)
Pleading with GOD for His grace on man, which is Intercession. 2) Going to man
with the Gospel of Grace, which is Evangelism.
Intercession has to precede evangelism. Every work of the
Kingdom of GOD has to be birthed through and bathed in intercession.
JESUS’ life on earth depicted intercession. He died
interceding for those who crucified Him and for those around Him. He is now
seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for His children on earth,
Who are connected to Him through the Holy Spirit.
As I live connected to the LORD through His Spirit, I stand
in the gap between Him and man, identifying with the sinners. All of us have
sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD.
He expects me to be like Him. Even as I receive His favour
and grace, I have to extend His grace to others. Even as my sins are covered
with His blood, I have to plead the blood to cover the sin of others. The blood
of JESUS is the only powerful sin-stain remover!
I need to beware that I don’t become an accuser of the
brethren but take my stand as an intercessor. The LORD JESUS has paid the
ransom for all of mankind and it is His desire that all be saved. I have to be
His ambassador to promote His Kingdom on earth.
We are grateful to GOD for raising up many brethren around
the world to stand in the gap as intercessors for us. We are thankful to them,
pray for them and bless them. We keep them informed of our itinerary and send
reports of the completed ministry. We realise that prayer is essential for the
seed that is sown to grow in the hearts of people and bear much lasting fruit.
spiritual warfare
Many of us are unaware that there is an intense spiritual
warfare raging in the heavenly realm! It is necessary for us to understand some
basic principles about spiritual warfare.
The goal of the devil is to conform humanity to his ways by
disconnecting people from GOD and break up relationships among believers in the
worldwide Body of CHRIST. Diligent study and obedience to the instructions
given in Ephesians 5 and 6 will
enable us to overcome the cunning tactics of our enemy the devil.
●
Firstly, I take my stand with GOD.
I must make sure I am on GOD’S side by maintaining a willing
and obedient heart.
If GOD is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31, Psalm 46:10
●
The enemy’s foothold into a believer’s life is through
fear.
Perfect love casts
out fear. 1 John 4:4, 18,
Romans 12:21
●
I take my position in GOD’S army
I keep to my rank according to the Scriptural structure of
authority with humility and sincere love.
Every piece of the protective armour points to JESUS. When
we put on the whole armour of GOD we are found ‘In CHRIST’, as every part of
our being is covered. The body of CHRIST in the world now is the body of
believers. Taking my rightful authority and responsibility and being willing to
humbly submit, keeps me in my position in the army of GOD. I am thus found ‘In
CHRIST’ and protected from the fiery darts of the evil one. Ex 14:13-14, 2 Chron 20:15-17
Rules for a
team:- 1) Play your role well. 2) Support and help others so that they may
play their role well.
3) Don’t play
the role of another and don’t copy another and don’t hinder another.
●
I take my stand against my enemy the devil. Ephesians 6:11-12
From this position of safety I fight, my only offensive
weapon being the word of GOD.
●
I fight for
people.
I do not fight with people.
The fight between GOD and the devil is for people.
●
GOD fights for me if I am on His side. Nehemiah 4:20
I do not fight for myself.
I do not fight for GOD.
●
I fight within myself for my faith so that I might keep my faith until the end.
The war - The war is therefore for
people living on this earth.
I do not fight for God or for myself. God
fights for me and I fight for others. I do not fight the devil but stand
against him.
The
victory stand I take is, with God, against the devil, for people.
When I worship the LORD and worship Him alone, I am
victorious.
Rev 4, 2 Cor 10:3-6
Try the checklist:-
●
Am I a true worshiper of God totally?
●
Is He my first love?
●
Do I completely entrust and surrender my loved ones to Him
- whether He keeps them alive or takes them away?
●
Do I completely surrender my positions and possessions to
Him – whether He gives them to me or takes them away?
●
Do I surrender my will to Him, to obey unquestioningly?
●
Have I totally surrendered my life – spirit, soul and body
to Him, knowing that He alone has absolute authority over me, now and forever?
●
Am I totally believing, depending and resting in the power
of His love?
