The Missing Ingredient

The Missing Ingredient

 As a child I remember being a huge fan of McDonalds hamburgers. In fact, I loved them so much that my mother would avoid passing the beloved franchise because she knew that it would trigger my craving for a McDonald’s burger. Overtime as I matured and my taste buds along with me, the craving that I once had for McDonalds withered away. Something amazing happened, I discovered the beloved home cooked meal. My mother and grandmother would carefully labor in the kitchen and remained attentive while preparing the meal. 

Everything from seasoning the meal to watching over the food would take place. My grandmother would make me her taste tester and it was my job to point out if there was anything missing. To this day my grandmother still allows me to taste test her food whenever I’m visiting her home. After eating a home cooked meal I realized that the difference between what I once loved and what I have now grown to love is the quality of the food. A homemade meal is safer, healthier, and provides the highest quality of seasons and food. Don’t get me wrong restaurants are nice but nothing compares to nice home cooked meal. A home cooked meal will leave you totally fulfilled and satisfied. Well the Kingdom of God does the same thing for the spirit.   

Most of today’s Christians especially in westernized society are missing the KEY ingredient. In fact if you are honest with yourself you would admit that your current Church experience only gives you a temporary fix. Only God’s active reign and rule operating in our lives will truly satisfy our souls. There is a provision that only God provides that is often overlooked. When we experience the highest quality of life which God reveals we can no longer settle for incomplete truth. A message isn’t enough, we need the message (of The Kingdom of God). So in order to see the full picture the question we must ask ourselves is this: What is God’s original Intent and Purpose for Man? What is God’s Big Idea? God created man in His image and likeness and gave man a dominion mandate in Genesis 1:26.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

If we are honest with ourselves we would admit that no matter how religious you are religion doesn’t offer the quality of life you desire. With all the rituals, religious practices, Philosophies, denominations and traditions of men that exist you would think that Jesus would just come already right? Wrong! The problem is Jesus never brought us a religion but he did bring us a country, government, and a Kingdom. Isaiah 9:6-7 For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace. [ Isa. 25:1; 40; Matt. 28:18; Luke 2:11.] 7 Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from the [latter] time forth, even forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. [Dan 2:44; 1Cor. 15:25-28; Heb. 1:8.]    

What we say and what we live often times even in the Christianity of today are polar opposites. People run from religion and anything that looks like it because in their minds you religious hypocrites are crazy. Please understand I am not referring to you specifically, but if the Holy Spirit convicts you I think you are smart enough to know what that means. How do we Apply the principles and spiritual truth of God to our lives? What determines our ability to embrace the active rule and reign of God in our lives daily? Romans 3:21-31, 13:12&14, 10:9-10, and Romans 5: 1-21. Believing in Jesus work on the cross, embracing Jesus as Messiah, Lord, the Son of God, our salvation and righteousness is a necessity. In order to live the God kind of life we have to first understand God’s mind and heart. This level of your understanding can only be realized by grasping the full capacity of his word, will, purpose and original intent for your life.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ( aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness ( His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. Contrary to belief the Church isn’t a brick and mortar building and life in the Kingdom of God isn’t something we just do religiously. Life as God defines it is TRUE LIFE actualized. You must discover your authentic self and TRUE identity. As we come into God’s truth we come into ourselves. As we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, He reveals unto us our purpose. (Amp)Colossians 1:16 For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in and for Him.

John 3:27&30 John answered, A man can receive nothing [he can claim nothing, he can take unto himself nothing] except as it has been granted to him from heaven. [A man must be content to receive the gift which is given him from heaven; there is no other source.] 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. [He must grow more prominent; I must grow less so.] [Isa. 9:7] We must empty out ourselves of ourselves that it may be less of us and more of Him [God]. We must come to a level of humility that is pleasing before God.  A life without God’s direction is reckless. By emptying ourselves of our mistakes, opinions, will, bad ideas, misconcepts, improper perspectives, blind faith, toxic emotions, oppressive traditions, and immoral ethics; we render it inoperable in our lives.

           

(NLT) James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor..     (AMP) Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through him. Mary also understood a significant truth Psalms 111:2-3 How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them, Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. Our attitudes and behavior should reflect the heart of God. The evidence in our life should boast of God’s glory.

  We are called by God to be Ambassadors of God’s Kingdom government and ministers of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciliation people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

We are called Matthew 10:7-8 And as ye go, preach, saying, THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: FREELY YE HAVE RECEIVED, FREELY GIVE.

 (AMP) Romans 5:17 For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive through that one, much more surely will those who reigned [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [ putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). The ability for a television to project an image is built on the inside of it. We are wired to dominate and subdue the earth. We are designed for the active rule and reign of God in our lives. Even our circumstances have to submit to us. We have the capacity to reign on earth as God reigns in Heaven. The promises of God are connected to the priorities of God. The priorities of God reflect the will of God. God give us ability for obedience. God gives us the good life when we give him our lives. Psalm 139:14 I will praise thee; for I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE; marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth  right well. We have an identity, a country, a government, a King, and a wonderful day. God should be able to look at us and see himself. His thought’s should always be that’s definitely my child, He/She looks, acts, and is just like me. I pray that God never looks at you or I and says whose child is that?

When we are stuck in religion sometimes we are unaware of our state of limbo. There is nothing worse than being in spiritual limbo. When you think about it religion is basically blind faith. You’re in faith but you can’t really see anything. Until you rediscover the Kingdom of God you wander aimlessly with hopes of coincidentally walking into full truth. Until one day the Holy Spirit turns the light on in the room and for the first time you can see everything clearly. In that moment you think to yourself, Oh there you are God. Everyday with Jesus is sweeter than before. Every day in the Kingdom of God is great. We can do nothing without God. The Kingdom is nothing if it is not the active rule and reign in our lives. (AMP) Ephesians 5:1-2 Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [ imitate their father]. 2 And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [ for you, so that it became a sweet] a sweet fragrance. [Ezek. 20:410]  

There is no other country in existence like the Kingdom of Heaven, which provides just laws and empowering rights to all kingdom citizens who believe on King Jesus. Those who confess that he is Lord and who believe in his finished work on the cross. Must submit to God's sovereignty and his active rule and reign operating in their lives. Romans 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God. Ephesians 4:19 Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. 1John 4:7-10 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is begotten (born) of God and is coming [ progressively] to know and understand God [ to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him]. 8 He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [ does not and never did know Him], for God is love. 9 In this love God was made manifest ( displayed) where we are concerned: in that God sent His Son, the only begotten or unique [Son], into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation ( the atoning sacrifice) for our sins.

Just Hearing the Kingdom of God alone is not enough. We must allow it to take root and also apply what we hear to our lives.  Matthew 13:19 When anyone hearth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his is heart. This is he which received seed on the way side. God wants to our faith to be cultivated in his Kingdom. God wants’ our lifestyle’s to reflect his very image and likeness. If God isn’t actively ruling and reigning in our lives we cannot fulfill our purpose. Traditions are one thing, ritualistic practices are another, and religion is its own entity; but the only thing that produces effortless Holiness, Godliness, and Righteousness in the life of the believer, is living in the Kingdom of God now! While being totally submitted as Jesus was to God and allowing God’s actively rule and reign to flow freely in our lives. This should be our day to day, moment to moment goal and daily bread.

As Jesus revealed the person of God to the disciples, and the world so should we. John 17:6 I have manifested Your Name [I have revealed Your very Self, Your real Self] to the people whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, and You gave them to Me, and they have obeyed and kept Your word.

We have been chosen to know the inner most secrets and mystery’s of the Kingdom of Heaven and to diligently apply them to our lives. Jesus came that we may know the truth and walk in it. We show our love to Jesus by obeying his commands. (AMP) Matthew 13:10-12 His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to people?” 11 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. 12 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But to those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. (AMP) John14:15&23 If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands. Jesus answered, If a person [really] loves Me, he will keep My word [obey My teaching]; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him.

We should willingly lend our ears to God’s counsel. When we are truly submitted to God his heart becomes our heart, our mind is aligned with his mind, and his will becomes our will. What does it look like to have God’s  active rule and reign operating in our lives? (AMP) 1John 3:22-24 And we receive from Him whatever we ask, because we [ watchfully] obey His orders [observe His suggestions and injunctions, follow His plan for us] and [ habitually] practice what is pleasing to Him. 23 And this is His order ( His command, His injunction): that we should believe in (put our faith and trust in and adhere to and rely on) the name of His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and that we should love one another, just as He has commanded us. 24 All who keep His commandments [who obey His orders and follow His plan, live and continue to live, to stay and] abide in Him, and He in them. [ They let Christ be a home to them and they are the home of Christ.] And by this we know and understand and have the proof that He [really] lives and makes His home in us: by the [Holy] Spirit Whom He has given us. James 3:17-18 But the Wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned ( free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity). 18 And the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to God’s will in thought and deed) is [the fruit of the seed] sown in peace by those who work for and make peace [in themselves and in others, that peace which means concord, agreement, and harmony between individuals, with undisturbedness, in a peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts].    

We can no longer carry the mindset that sin is acceptable or act as if we can’t overcome the sin nature as we abide in Christ Jesus. We have an assignment, a purpose, a destiny, and a country. As possessors of Salvation and benefactors of Jesus finished work on the cross we must also take on the role of being God’s possession. We are not an island to ourselves we belong to God. In fact everything we have including our lives belongs to God.  We can no longer approach our God of the heavenly Kingdom as if he was the president of a Democracy. God is Supreme Sovereign and everything belongs to him. We cannot elect God or vote him out of office. We don’t have the option of choosing which commands to obey. Anyone who disobeys the laws of a King in a Kingdom will surely die and just in case you didn’t know separation from God is death. Until you experience life with God as your direct source and connection you haven’t experienced life.(AMP) Romans 8:13 For if you live according to [ the dictates of] the flesh, you will surely die. But if through the power of the [Holy] Spirit you are [habitually] putting to death (making extinct, deadening) the [evil] deeds prompted by the body, you shall [really and genuinely] live forever. Check out Romans 8:1-4 also.

 The true evidence that we are in Christ Jesus is revealed in our lifestyle. Our lives should boast of the very glory of God. By embodying God’s attitude, character, mindset, heart, nature, spirit, priority, will, ways, and mannerisms we make our lives a witness. This is how we worship God in spirit and truth. Let our lives be an offering of worship unto God. 1 Peter 1:14-15 [Live] as children of obedience [to God]; do not conform yourselves to the evil desires [ that governed you] in your former ignorance [ when you did not know the requirement of the Gospel]. 15 But as the One who called you holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living.  

In closing we must practice, live out, apply, and do the will of our father God in all things. Jesus is our role model and pattern example of how we out to live. Jesus showed us how to live submitted to God’s active rule and reign in our lives while living on earth. As he had authority and live under the authority of God this is our Holy example. John 5:20-21 The Father dearly loves the Son and discloses to (shows) Him everything that He Himself does. And He will disclose to Him (let Him see) greater things yet than these, so that you may marvel and be full of wonder and astonishment. 21 Just as the Father raises up the dead and gives them life [makes them live on], even so the Son also gives life to whomever He wills and is pleased to give it.

    James 1:21-22 So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [ in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth].                 

By Ade   www.cloud77pro.com  TM    © March 2012