Today we'll look at how powerful God's words and promises are in His kingdom.  When God speaks, His words always accomplish what they were intended for.  We can also be assured that what is in the seed of God's word will produce what's inside that seed.  It's the same with a natural seed, it'll produce what's inside of it.   

 When our heart is filled by God's we receive the peace of God's kingdom, which cannot be accessed any other way in this world.  The peace of God comes when we align our lifestyle with His word.    Have you ever been around a person, coach, group that empowered you to accomplish no more than you thought you were capable of.  We receive strength when others love and care for us.  This is the picture we get in Isaiah 55, God's word empowers us and accomplishes things in us and around us we can't on our own.    

Key Scriptures: 

Isaiah 55 

John 14:27

1 peter 1:22-24  song-"word of God speak" by mercy me

If you have ever been impacted by someone extending mercy to you then you'll want to listen to this episode.  We'll look at Isaiah 54 which is all about the mercy of God on His people.  We know that mercy has the ability to release our potential within ourselves.    This episode will also show the goodness and gentleness of the Lord in His character toward us.  

One of the keys to experiencing the mercy of God is to keep our hearts open and humble to him and as we do that, we'll come to know how generous the Lord is toward us.  One practice of keeping our hearts open is by practicing appreciation and setting our minds on the good things that we see in the world around us and within people.  It's easy to focus on all the negative, but when we are living from our spirit and within God's kingdom we begin to become more aware of all the good things that God is doing in the world.   

When we read scripture from the beginning to the end we see the faithfulness of God to enter into our world and just how much He cares for us.  This passage in Isaiah 54 is a great reminder of what God's kingdom is like and the type of king Jesus would be in terms of how He would demonstrate mercy to the world through His life, death, and resurrection.   

 Key Scriptures: 

Isaiah 54 

Romans 8:1 

Psalm 24:13 

Song-"Evidences" by Josh Baldwin  

https://youtu.be/Q6jD7N1HvbI

One of the aspects about Scripture that always amaze me are the prophetic passages that point us toward Jesus.  Today we look at Isaiah 53, one of the most prophetic pictures we have of the nature of Jesus the person.   This passage gives us a different picture then what most people where expecting in the coming of Jesus the Messiah.    This passage tells us that Jesus would suffer in the hands of humanity in order to bring us peace and reconcile us back to our rightful relationship with God.  

It's amazing that Isaiah had this image from the Lord almost 700 years before Jesus would be born.    I love how this passage shows how much Jesus was willing to accept and carry out His mission of redeeming us and restoring or, yet knowing how much He would suffer on our behalf.  

To me it shows the compassion and joy Jesus had for His people and His dedication and commitment to be in relationship with us.    Through the suffering Jesus endured we get to enter into the peace and healing of God's kingdom.    

Key Scriptures: Isaiah 53 Romans 11:33-36  

Song-"Is He Worthy" by Chris Tomlin  

https://youtu.be/FkRiYsTN7KY

Today I'll share 4 key values of God's kingdom.  These four values were brought to my attention through a great online E-Course called "What every believer should know about the life of Jesus" and that can be found on Deeper Walk International's website under the online learning tab.  These are great summaries of what the life of Jesus was all about and how as followers of Jesus these 4 values are important markers of our walk in life.   

 The four values we'll cover are 

 1. Salvation 

2. Stewardship  

3. Spirituality 

 4. Servant Love   

Take a listen to find out more about these.   

Key Scriptures:  

John 3:13-21 

John 15:1-11 

John 13:5-11

 Hebrews 4:15-16

One of God's greatest desires is for us to have balance and stability in our lives.  We have seen how important it is to stay focused on God's kingdom and live within it.  When we don't live within God's kingdom or understand it, we compromise living under the provision, favor, and grace that God offers.    Today I'm going to share a couple different resources with you that give you specific kingdom values and when we are living within these values we'll experience more of God's presence and direction in our lives.  

The two books I'll reference are, "The Practice of Godliness" by Jerry Bridges and "Toward a Deeper Walk" by Marcus Warner.    Each resource gives 3 unique perspectives on God's kingdom and I'll share with you the significance of the number 3 in Scripture and why I think it's a great illustration of what God kingdom's is like.   

 Key Scriptures:  

1 Corinthians 10:31  

Revelation 15:4  

James 1:17  

Jeremiah 32:40-41  

Genesis 5 

Hebrews 11:5

Have you ever gotten distracted while doing something?  If you're like me, there are many times I can recall being distracted when I was trying to get something done.  It takes intentional effort and focus to stay focused and clear on the task at hand.  

I'll begin this episode by sharing an image that the Lord shared with me before I started recording this episode.  I believe this image and what God shared about it will set the tone and direction of where we are headed this week.    

In this episode I'll share two examples from the Old Testament about keeping our focus and life in God's kingdom.  I believe these two examples will help us distinguish between the two kingdoms we've been talking about over the past few weeks.  God makes it very clear throughout all scripture that He has established His kingdom, yet we know that it's not the type of kingdom that is always visible but is clearly revealed in scripture.  There are values and principles to this kingdom, and if we trust in God's kingdom and operate out of it, our lives will bear fruit and you'll experience the presence of God in your day to day life in tangible ways.  

  Key Scriptures:  

Genesis 11:1-9 (Tower of Babel)  

Exodus 32:1-10 (Golden Calf)  

Hebrews 4:14-16

Key Scriptures:  

1 Corinthians 2 (ESV) 

Matthew 11:25-30 (ESV & Message)

In this episode I'm going to emphasize the importance of God's word to His kingdom.  I've come to realize that on days when I feel discouraged, despair, anger, fear and other emotions that can have a negative impact on me I must get into HIs word and listen for what He wants to share with me.  I've noticed that HIs word has power and authority to strengthen me.    

I'm always amazed at how His word minsters to me and brings me back to center feeling stable and encouraged.  God's kingdom was created through His word and when we yield our hearts to His word it shapes us, gives us wisdom and direction, and comforts us in time of need.    A big part of growing in our relationship to Him and His kingdom is learning to trust His word and put our faith in His word.  His word is always at the center of all that He does.  Let this episode wash over you and cleanse you today, receive the strength within His words.    

Key Scriptures:  

Ephesians 4:1-6, 10-13 

Ephesians 5:1-3, 8-17 

Philippians 3:17-21 

1 Thessalonians 5:22-24  

1 Corinthians 15-44-48  

Deutoronomy 28:7-10

The Old Testament is full of individuals that were operating under the government of God's kingdom.  It's amazing that even before Jesus came into the world, God's spirit was leading people and He was revealing the values and culture of His kingdom.    We can be encouraged through the examples in the Old Testament that God loves His people.  

It's important to know and experience His kingdom through reflection and seeking after it.  We know that in order to become good or skilled in something we have to be willing to learn about it and to practice what we are learning in order for it to become our lifestyle.  We as new covenant believers have all we need to discover and know about God and His kingdom.  When we yield our heart to His kingdom we are empowered and encouraged in life.   

 Key Scriptures:  

Hosea 6:14

Psalm 34:1-3, 7-15 (ESV)  

Psalm 27:3-5 (ESV)  

Psalm 23 (ESV)  

Jeremiah 33:3-4 (ESV)

Key Scriptures:  

Romans 12:1-3  

2 Corinthians 10:4-7