"Getting Out of God's Way!"

Whenever we become too dependent to another person in distress; we are most often out of the order of God. As a servant of Christ, our greatest responsibility is to be an ambassador of the Bridegroom (Jesus). Once Christ has His eyes set on the soul of one of the lost sheep, you know that your service is directed by faith. Don't allow the turmoil or suffering of the one in need deter you from "getting out of the Lord's way" while He performs "surgery" on the mind, heart and soul of the subject. Instead pray that the person grows ten times stronger as a result of having to endure the adversity associated with the process of becoming a Kingdom citizen. 

Thank God that no power on earth can persuade them to abandon the faith once captured and that their love and affection for Christ not be compromised...no matter what the cost! It is our "nature" to try and help someone we "think" needs our help. Our sympathy and compassion may "steal" yet another soul from the heart of Jesus. 

Don't be on the receiving end of this statement from someone you "thought" you helped, "That one (the person who "helped" me) was a thief, he stole my affections from Jesus, and I lost my vision of Him."

It is Christ who must be lifted up before men that the power and authority in Him draw the "broken" man or woman to Himself. In this manner, He only needs our absence...not our presence. In other words, "get out of the way!"

"He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30)

Watch for all you are worth until you hear the voice of Christ in the life of another. Never mind what havoc it brings, what disruptions, pain or sufferings or what failings of health; but rejoice with divine gladness when once His voice is heard. You may often see Jesus Christ wreck a life before He saves it. (Matt. 10:34)

"Abiding Nearness of the KINGDOM OF GOD!"

I often have visions of what the Kingdom of God (KOG) really looks like. Is it that spiritual state in which the life of God and of Heaven is made accessible to men and whereby they are able to enter into its enjoyment here on earth? Is it a state of mind or a glorified spiritual experience that can only be reconciled on the "other world" level? Can the experience be collective or is it reserved for the intimate, one-on-one encounter with the Father?

In any instance, one thing is for sure; no matter what the experience, the Lord God is definitely in the equation!

Within the KOG, the first sign is the King's Presence; that is, the abiding "nearness" (inside of all Believers)  and God, through Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit (Luke 10:42). That abiding nearness and fellowship with Christ and God through Him is the central power and blessing of the KOG.

50 days after the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, the Pentecost festival occurred. The number 50 represents "Jubilee" or the earthly manifestation of the Grace Kingdom of God. Grace and the KOG are indivisible. Our ability to access the KOG rested solely on the shoulders of Jesus on the Cross and spilling of His blood as payment for the sins of man (Hebrews 9:27). The "sound" they heard in the Upper Room was the "Presence"..the "Nearness"...the "Abiding" of the Holy Spirit!

Here we see the ability of the twelve apostles along with many others to "speak" but more importantly to "hear" the voice of God spoken by foreigners which enabled them all to witness the gospel to the nations of the world. "On one accord" is the symbiotic nature that the sons of God have with the Father. This is the "culture" of the KOG; that we serve no other God but Him and that we submit to the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit. This level of communication is entirely spiritual and underscores the importance of using the appropriate language in ministry which is the "voice of God." You can't go wrong if you only say what His Word (Jesus) says!

Our words are our witness to the masses. The KOG is ever present. God will keep His covenant with man (the remnant who will abide in Christ) until the end of this age.

Kingdoms are established by the Grace of God...it is His nature toward mankind ONLY by the person of Christ Jesus!  This is the amazing wonder of His Abiding Nearness....