By Dr. Paul Taylor
We usually believe that God is enough when all is going well, but it is so important to understand that God is enough ALL THE TIME! He is enough when your love one dies or when God doesn't make sense or when you need a job! This past week Jason went to be with the Lord. He lost his battle with a failed liver, but he won the war by walking into the arms of Jesus! Those were his very words to his family. "I am ready to walk into the arms of Jesus!" Please pray for this family and Jason's two little boys who lost their father. God is still "enough" even when these tragic things happen in our lives.
I want to continue with my message from last week. Every day I am realizing more and more that I must have my understanding opened to see from God's Kingdom perspective. If we don't receive the eyes to see and ears to hear we will continue to be governed by this world of limitations. Even with access to the things of God there are still things that we will not understand until we see Jesus. We must learn to trust Him until that time.
Let me continue with how the rules have changed because Jesus rose from the dead.
Luke 12:22-34 The Message
Steep Yourself in God-Reality
22He continued this subject with his disciples. “Don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. 23There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. 24Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more.
25“Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? 26If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all? 27Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the countrylook shabby alongside them. 28If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?
29“What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. 30People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. 31Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. 32Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.
33“Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can’t go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bank robbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. 34It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
I have highlighted a few important phrases. We want to focus on God-reality, God-initiative, and God-provisions. If we are not focused on these things then we are focusing on our problems. Whatever I focus on has my attention and rules my thought life! If I focus on God, then He rules. If I focus on my problems, then they rule my life. When I focus on God I am yielding to Him and the Kingdom of God! I surrender to His Kingdom rule in my life and I rest from my labor, my works to enter His Kingdom. I don't have to force my way into the Kingdom through my good works which do not allow me to enter His Kingdom anyway. We only enter through Jesus, but it is the Father's good pleasure to give to me the Kingdom of God!
Here are some ways the rules have changed.
· Most important, God is not about rules, not even laws (remember the words from my wife last week). He is about love. Many want to force their way into the Kingdom, when He wants to give it to us!
· Not by works, but by grace! This central to the Kingdom message and has been the message sent to us since the fall of man. Able's sacrifice was accepted (grace of God), but Cain's sacrifice was rejected (man's works and effort). Our works will never satisfy God's requirements. That is why He sent Jesus and that we are righteous in Him! Everything is in and through Jesus Christ. This is why we must be One with Him!
· Not about what is fair, but what is by faith! Without faith we cannot please God. In my vision I was complaining to God about something not being fair. God explained that it wasn't about what is fair (man's way), but about faith (God's way). Will you believe? Of will you demand what you think is right? Isn't that what Satan tempted Eve with? "God is withholding from you!" Eve bought the lie. Don't buy the lie!
· Not about what is needed, but what is provided! (He is the God of “More than enough”) I always want more! The Bible says the heart of man is never satisfied. It is about what I think I need, it is about what God provides and He always provides enough!
· Not about fighting the devil, but about fighting to enter the Kingdom. Really it is His good pleasure to give us the Kingdom, but you must be as a child to receiveit! Don’ t try and figure it out! Receive it!!! The battle is in our minds.
· Ruled by hell or reign by heaven? Your choice! Satan wants to rule you by the limitations of earth, while God wants you to rule by the unlimited promises and blessings of heaven!
· The law limits. Impossibilities or grace, no limits and all things are possible!
· Simply – “I can’t” or “I will!” Are you playing the game of life by the rules of this world that continue to tell you "You can't?" Or by the rules of God's Kingdom that is continually saying to you "I will?"
Get out of the game of life defined by the rules of fallen man. The escape? Jesus Christ! Enter the Kingdom where it is impossible to lose. It is not an easy escape because of all we have been taught. Enter into the freedom of God's grace and there are no limits to what you can and will do in Christ!
When Jesus rose from the dead everything changed! It is God's good pleasure that you will walk and live in the Kingdom of God where faith rules and we enjoy the blessings of the King of Kings!
Keep believing for the impossible,
Dr. Paul Taylor
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