CURRENTLY SCHEDULED MEETINGS

5/1, 5/15, 5/29

6/12, 6/24

7/8, 7/24,

8/7, 8/21

9/4, 9/18

10/2, 10/16, 10/30

11/13, 11/27

12/11, 12/23

REQUIRED READING

Big Vision, Big Provision
Pastor Greg Powe


Rediscovering the Kingdom
Dr. Myles Munroe


Believers or Make-Believers
Pastor Greg Powe

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

According to Mark 16:15 we are supposed to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. When there is an opportunity to travel abroad and participate in Missions work we must remember that preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God is most important because that is what’s going to meet the needs of the people. In Mark 1:14 you will see that Jesus did just that. After looking at Jesus’ ministry I noticed that He would go from city to city preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. I believe that if we understood the importance of not just preaching the Gospel, but rather preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God then we will be more effective in the Mission field.

In Luke 4:43 (Amp) Jesus says that “I MUST preach the (Gospel) of the Kingdom of God to the other cities [and towns] also, for I was sent for this [purpose]. We know also in Luke 4:18 He said “the Spirit of the lord is upon me to preach the Gospel. The Word tells us that Jesus is our example and the way that Jesus carried himself in the world so should we. It is now up to us to take the gospel beyond the four walls of the church to every corner of the earth.

Throughout Jesus’ ministry He spoke about the Kingdom of God. He explained it to Nicodemus in John 3:3 (Amp); He said that “unless a person is born-again (anew, from above) he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, or experience the kingdom of God” The first step to operating in the Kingdom of God is to first accept Christ in your life. In Colossians 1:13 He says that God has translated us into the Kingdom of God, and in Luke 17:2 1 Jesus says “. . .for behold the kingdom of God is within you”. After a person gets born again, translation into the kingdom takes place and it is at that point that the Kingdom of God is within.

One more important aspect of operating in the Kingdom of God is loving the Lord with all your heart, your entire mind and all your might, and you must love your neighbor as your-self. In Matthew 19:19-21 the rich young ruler discovered that he was missing one component that pre-vented him from entering into the Kingdom of God. From his youth he said he had kept the commandments. After Jesus told him to sell what he owned and come and follow him, the one thing he lacked was exposed, and that was loving the Lord with all his heart, his mind and his might. He had loved his neighbor as himself because he said he did not commit adultery, steal, bear false witness, nor defraud and he honored his father and mother, and surely all of that, was an expression of him loving his neighbor as himself.

In this recording, the rich young ruler was not being given a money test, but rather a love test. Jesus was saying to him, except you love God more than anything you posses, then you can’t enter into the Kingdom of God.

Now you might be asking yourself, well, what is the Gospel of the Kingdom of God? Let’s start with what we do know. We know that the word Gospel means “The Good News”. Now let’s see what the Kingdom of God means and how it operates. Let’s first look at the word Kingdom. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines Kingdom as: the realm in which God’s will is fulfilled; the realm or reign in which something or someone dominates. Thus, the Kingdom of God is the realm in which God will fulfill His Word, and it is the area which at anytime God’s authority and rule is acknowledged in the earth. Therefore, wherever you acknowledge God’s authority in your life; that is the area in your life in which He can now rule.

In Luke 4:18-19, it makes more sense now that you under-stand what the Kingdom of God is. Jesus said “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” When Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom of God all He was doing was proclaiming that He had authority and rule over every situation and circumstance, whether it’s poverty, healing, abuse, wrongdoings, or lack in any area of your life. In Luke 4:19 in the Message translation it says; “to announce, this is God’s year to act.” 2006 has already been declared as the “Year of Fulfillment” This is the year in which God’s promises are going to be realized and brought to completion.

This is the mindset we must have while out on assignment. Our responsibility is to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. By proclaiming the Gospel we are telling all who hear the Good News, that God wants to rule and reign in every area of our lives, that He loves us and as a testament of that love He sent his only begotten Son to die for our sins. That is what’s going to change people’s lives. When they know that God loves them, their sins can be forgiven and He is waiting to rule and take authority over everything in their life that does not represent what the Word promises, then they will be excited to become born again.

People in the world are looking for answers and they are looking for change. They search for these things in different ways. For some it is through relationships, or the accumulation of money, for others, it can be through drugs and alcohol. We as Ambassadors of Christ must go, and like Jesus, meet the needs of the people. And when we go into the mission field preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom like us, they must be brought to the understanding that Jesus is sufficient to fulfill every need in every area of their lives.

UNDERSTANDING THE KINGDOM CONCEPTS

The message of the Bible is about a King, a Kingdom, and His royal offspring. Every one of the 7 billion people on planet earth is seeking the Kingdom of God, which is their ultimate fulfillment. Every religion and activity of mankind is man’s attempt to find the Kingdom. It is the pearl that out-values all pearls, and the only treasure that is worth all the other treasures of life, The Kingdom is life itself. Therefore it is imperative, crucial, and necessary that we all understand the concepts of kingdoms so that we can better appreciate the good news brought to earth by our Lord and Creator.

All true kingdoms contain the same characteristics and compo-nents. Here are concepts and principles of kingdoms that you should know and become familiar with. Study and apply them to the message of the Kingdom of God and heaven taught by the King Himself, Jesus Christ, in order to fully understand your purpose, potential, power, and position in life.

1. The Kingdom Principle of Kings:

The king is the central component of a kingdom and embodies the essence of the kingdom. The king is the ultimate source of authority in the kingdom and through this authority establishes the kingdom. The sovereignty of the king is inherent in his royal authority. Here are some unique qualities about a king:

• A king personally owns everything in his domain;
• A decree of the king is unchanging;
• The king chooses who will be a citizen of his kingdom;
• The king embodies the government of his kingdom;
• The presence of the king is the presence of his entire kingdom authority;
• The king measures his wealth by the wealth of his property;
• The home of the king expresses his nature; and,
• The name of the king is the essence of his power.

Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants (Matt. 18:23).

Say to the Daughter of Zion, “See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Matt. 21:5).

The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son (Matt. 22:2).

“You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying Jam a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me"
(John 18:37).

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen(1 Tim, 1:17).

They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers (Rev. 17:14).

2. The Kingdom Lordship Principle:

All true kings must have property or a domain over which they exercise rulership of dominion, Therefore, all true kings are personally legal owners of property, territory, or their domain. Another word for owner is “lord.” All true kings are automatically lords, Kings own all that is in their domain. Kings rule or command whatever is in their property or domain. Kings have absolute authority and control over their property. The king’s wealth is measured by the wealth of his property. Kings can give their property to anyone they wish.

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;for He founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters
(Ps. 24:1-3).

How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth!
(Ps. 47:2)

That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Rom. 10:9-10).

...and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:11).

3. The Kingdom Domain Principle:

The domain of a king is the territory over which he exercises authority, control, and dominion. The king owns his domain and can expand or extend it by the power of his might. The wealth of the domain determines the king’s glory. When the king impacts the domain with his influence it is called his “kingdom” (king-dom-ain). The king can delegate authority to others to share in the governing and administration of his domain.

His dominion is an eternal dominion; His kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth, No one can hold back His hand or say to Him:
“What have you done?” (Dan. 4:34-35)

4. The Kingdom Constitution Principle:

The constitution of the kingdom is the documented will, intent, desires, and purposes of the king for his citizens and kingdom.

Since a king’s word is supreme, who can say to him, “What are you doing?” Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure (Eccles, 8:4-5).

I delight in Your decrees; I will not neglect Your word (Ps. 119:16).

Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve You. If Your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have preserved my life (Ps. 119:89-93).

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).

5. The Kingdom Law Principle:

The law of the kingdom is the proclaimed word, decrees, and edicts of the king, and these laws determine the standards and precepts by which the kingdom is to be governed.

And if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as He has commanded us, that will be our righteousness (Deut.6:25).

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the
Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the
Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes (Ps. 19:7-8).

The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold (Ps. 119:72).

I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished (Matt. 5:18).

6. The Kingdom Keys Principle:

The keys of the kingdom are the principles, precepts, laws, and systems by which the kingdom functions. The keys must be learned and applied by the citizens in order to appropriate the benefits and privileges of the kingdom.

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matt. 16:19).

7. The Kingdom Citizenship Principle:

Citizenship in a kingdom is not a right but a privilege, and it is at the pleasure of the king himself. Citizens are chosen by the king and are beneficiaries of the king’s pleasure and promises.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body (Phil. 3:20-21).

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is from another place” (John 18:36).

But He continued, “You are from below; I am from above, You are of this world; I am not of this world (John 8:23).

They are not of the world, even as I am not of it (John 17:16).

8. The Kingdom Royal Privilege Principle:

Royal privileges of the kingdom are the benefits the king affords his citizens. They serve as a security for being in good standing with the king.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow (Matt. 6:33-34a).

And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19).

9. The Kingdom Code of Ethics Principle:

This is the standard of conduct established by the king for the behavior and social relationships of his citizens. This is also the expectation of the king regarding the values and moral standards the citizens must adhere to. The code of ethics becomes the foundation of the kingdom culture and manifests itself in the lifestyle of the citizens.

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God(1 Cor.6:9-11).

10. The Kingdom Commonwealth Principle:

All kingdoms function on the principle of a commonwealth. Commonwealth is the king’s commitment to see that all of his citizens have equal access to the wealth and resources of the kingdom. This is important to the king because the quality of life of the citizens of a kingdom reflects the glory and reputation of the king. When the welfare of the king’s citizens is excellent, then the king’s reputation among other kings is honorable. Kingdoms provide for all the needs of their citizens; and the king is personally committed to and involved in the welfare of his citizens.

So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them, But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matt 6:31-33).

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless (Ps. 84:11).

11. The Kingdom Culture Principle:

This is the lifestyle and way of life for the citizens manifested in their language, dress, eating habits, values, morals, and sense of self-worth and self-concept.

My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify Myself, that they too may be truly sanctified (John 17:15-19).

12. The Kingdom Economy Principle:

All kingdoms operate on a system that secures and sustains the strength and viability of the kingdom. The system involves the kingdom government’s providing opportunity for the citizens to participate in the benefits program of the kingdom’s prosperity through contributing to the work ethic and culture of the kingdom. The kingdom economy usually involves a taxation system, investment opportunities, and creative development programs for the citizens.

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Luke 6:38).

When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, Then come, follow Me” (Luke 18:22).

13. The Kingdom Taxation Principle:

All kingdoms incorporate a taxation system, which allows its citizens to participate in the process of maintaining the kingdom infrastructure. The system allows the citizen to share in the kingdom’s common-wealth and return a set portion of the king’s resources back to the king. In essence, everything in a kingdom already belongs to the king, including the taxes required from the citizen, therefore taxation is simply the government’s allowing its resources to pass through the hands of the citizen.

Tell us then, what is Your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? (Matt. 22:17)

Then He said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (Matt. 22:21b).

“In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing Me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, Test Me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the flood-gates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the Lord Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the Lord Almighty (Mal. 3:8b-12).

14. The Kingdom Army Principle:

All kingdoms incorporate an army of security components to protect and defend their territory and citizens.

For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone (Ps. 91:11-12).

15. The Kingdom Delegated Authority Principle:
All kingdoms establish a representative system that delegates responsibility to appointed citizens to serve as envoys or ambassadors of the kingdom or state. Ambassadors personify and embody the king’s authority and the kingdom or state. Ambassadors are the property and responsibility of the state and thus do not concern themselves with their own personal needs. Their primary purpose is to represent the interest of their kingdom.

As You sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world.For them I sanctify Myself, that they too may be truly sanctified (John 17:18-19).

A gain Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you." And with that He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:21-22).

16. The Kingdom Ambassador Principle:

An ambassador speaks for the kingdom and does not represent himself, only his kingdom. The ambassador is the kingdom’s agency for conveying its will, desires, and purposes in the territory to which he or she is assigned,

And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us
(2 Cor. 5:19b-20).

17. The Kingdom Education Principle:

All kingdoms establish a system and program for training and educating their citizens. The education system is designed to transfer, re-enforce, and inculcate the laws, values, morals, and manners of the king and the kingdom to succeeding generations and new citizens.

All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you (John 14:25-26).

If you love Me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever — the Spirit of truth (John 14:15-17a).

18. The Kingdom Administration Principle:

All kingdoms establish a system through which they administer their judgments and programs to the citizens. The administrative program is also designed to protect the right and privileges of the citizens and their access to the king’s favor.

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven (Matt. 5:16).

19. The Kingdom Principle of Glory:

The glory of the king is all and everything in the kingdom that represents and manifests the true nature of the king himself. The glory literally means “true essence or full weight."

Who among the gods is like You, 0 Lord? Who is like You—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? You stretched out Your right hand
(Exod. 15:11-12a).

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands (Ps. 19:1).

This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples (John 15:8).

20. The Kingdom Principle of Worship:

The worship of a king is the expression of the citizen’s gratitude and appreciation to the king for his favor, privileges, and security of being in his kingdom. Worship is also an indication of the perceived worth that the king is to the citizen. Worship always involves the offering of gifts to the king, indicating the citizen’s awareness that all things that he enjoys are at the pleasure of the king and the acknowledgment that it all belongs to the king. Worship also expresses one’s dependency on the king, which activates the king’s obligation to care for citizens who proclaim his name as their king.

Worship the Lord your God, and His blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you, and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span (Exod. 23:25-26).

Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God(Exod. 34:14).

Jesus said to him, ‘Away from Me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only” (Matt. 4:10).

21. The Kingdom Principle of Provision:

In all true kingdoms the king is obligated to provide for his citizens and thus he makes provisions at his own expense for their security and welfare.

I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed (Ps. 37:25-26).

So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or ” What shall we wear?” (Matt. 6:31).

22. The Kingdom Principle of Influence:

All kingdoms are committed to making the influence of the king and his will felt throughout the entire kingdom.

He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough” (Matt. 13:33).

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age Matt. 28:19-20).

23. The Kingdom Principle of Royal Favor:

Royal favor is the sovereign prerogative of the king to extend a personal law to a citizen that positions that citizen to receive special privileges and advantages that are personally protected by the king.

And the Lord said, "I will cause all My goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim My name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion
(Exod. 33:19).

24. The Kingdom Principle of Decree:

A royal decree is a declaration of a king that becomes law to all. It is sustained by the king’s personal commitment to bring the declaration or promise to pass.

Remember, O king, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed Dan. 6:15).

I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished (Matt. 5:18).

25. The Kingdom Principle of Reputation:

The king’s reputation is important to the king and is the source of the glory of his name. A king’s reputation is created and sustained by the conditions of his citizens and his kingdom. Therefore kings act in ways that are favorable to their name’s sake.

For the sake of His great name the Lord will not reject His people, because the Lord was pleased to make you His own (1 Sam. 12:22).

For the sake of Your word and according to Your will, You have done this great thing and made it known to Your servant (2 Sam. 7:21).

26. The Kingdom Principle of Giving to a King:

Giving to a king activates the king’s obligation to demonstrate his glory and power to the giver and to prove that he is a greater king than all other kings. Giving to a king in his kingdom is the acknowledgment that all things belong to that king and the citizen is grateful. Because giving to a king is impossible (since all things already belong to the king), the act of giving benefits the citizen more than the king. Thus one should never come before a king empty-handed.

And she gave the king 120 talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. Never again were so many spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon (1 Kings 10:10).

King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart, Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift—articles of silver and gold, robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules (1 Kings 10:23-25).

From the above overview of kingdoms, one can see that a kingdom is more advantageous than a republic. Therefore it is more beneficial to be in a kingdom than a democracy or any other form of government.

I therefore challenge you to embrace and accept the invitation of the King, Jesus Christ, to come and renew your citizenship in the Kingdom of heaven by being born into the Kingdom of God through the reception of the Holy Spirit of the King, by accepting the provision of the redemptive work of the King Himself. This is your opportunity, not to join a religion or become a slave of rituals or traditions that have no practical meaning, but rather to migrate from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of light and renew your heavenly immigration status on earth.

You were created to represent God and His heavenly government through your dominion over the territory of earth through the gift you possess. May you rediscover your true destiny through rediscovering your place in the Kingdom of God as His representative king-ruler over this colony called earth. You were born to be born-again. It is your choice and your destiny! Welcome home to your dominion, and acknowledge Him truly as King of the Kings and Lord of the lords.

Thy Kingdom come!

HONOR THE MAN OF GOD

People have become so seduced into believing that there is something wrong with receiving offerings in the church that some churches are embarrassed to talk about it. I am not. Not only will I teach you the benefits and blessings of giving into the kingdom, but I will also teach you the benefits and blessings of giving to your man or woman of God. There is a scripture that gives strong evidence about the blessing and favor of God being on a household of people who take care of their man or woman of God:

“Now concerning the money contributed for [the relief of] the saints (God’s people): you are to do the same as I directed the churches of Galatia to do. On the first [day] of each week, let each one of you [personally] put aside something and save it up as he has prospered [in proportion to what he is given], so that no collections will need to be taken after I come. And when I arrive, I will send on those whom you approve and authorize with credentials to carry your gift [of charity] to Jerusalem.” (1 Corinthians 16:1-3, AMP)

The Apostle Paul is giving instruction on how to receive money, in this case, for poor people. Paul asked the Corinthians to take up a collection before he arrived so he could spend his time with them by sowing into their spirits. The early church didn’t have a problem with giving.

I don’t understand why modern Christians are so reluctant to tithe. The tithe is not a lot of money. It is just one dime out of a dollar. Your thinking is wrong if you think you can rob God of the tithe and still prosper. If your financial picture is so grim that you have to steal a dime from God to try to make ends meet, you have to realize that dime isn’t going to help your situation that much anyway. And in the process, you are cutting yourself off from God’s covenant to help those who tithe. Your actions are really showing that you don’t trust God and His ability to meet your needs.

ADDICTED TO THE KINGDOM

If you're facing some financial challenges, I want you to know something today. God never intended for you to worry about your finances. He never meant for you to spend your days scrambling around looking desperately for money to meet your needs.

God wants you to live in such a way that money comes looking for you.

That may sound strange but I assure you, it is thoroughly scriptural. Proverbs 13:22 says, "A good man leaves an inheritance [of moral stability and goodness] to his children's children; and the wealth of the sinner [finds its way eventually] into the hands of the righteous for whom it was laid up" (Amplified Bible). According to the Bible, wealth is out there looking for somebody who is righteous. And if you'll start living God's way, it will eventually find you!

Exactly what is God's way of living? What can we do to make sure we qualify as one of those righteous people money has been laid up for? Psalm 122 helps us answer those questions. It says:

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. (verses 6-9 KJV)

Who Do You Love?
Notice that passage doesn't say, "They that love prosperity shall prosper." Some folks seem to think it says that. They start hearing about the principles of prosperity and they forget God and start going after riches. They start seeking the creation rather than the Creator. Don't make that mistake, because it will keep you in poverty for sure.

What the verse actually says is, "They shall prosper that love thee." Who is it we're supposed to love? Jerusalem which in New Testament terms represents the kingdom of God!

Money doesn't come looking for people who have a love affair with prosperity. It comes looking for people who have a love affair with the Lord.

It comes to people who are committed above all not to their own, personal prosperity but to the prosperity of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. It looks for people who are seeking to be a blessing to their brethren and companions. It looks for people who are praying, seeking God, and believing not for increase in their own house but for increase that will bring good to the house of God!

Rearrange Your Priorities
Most Christians don't understand that so they put themselves first. They focus on getting their own needs met and think that once they've taken care of themselves, they can give to the work of God. But they've got things backward!

According to Jesus, God wants to feed and clothe us with His best and He'll do it if we'll just rearrange our priorities. If we'll get our attention off ourselves and center it upon God instead (if we'll stop putting ourselves first and put His kingdom first), He'll take better care of us than we could ever take care of ourselves. That's why Jesus said:

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:31-33 KJV)

Most of us know those verses and mentally agree with them. Yet we still have needs in our lives. Why is that?

It must be for one of two reasons. Either we aren't believing and exercising our faith in the Scripture, or we don't know how to seek first the kingdom.

What's the Purpose?
To seek God first, we must become absolutely addicted to seeing His kingdom increase and make progress like never before. We have to get ourselves out of the picture and start believing for the means to advance the Gospel.

We also have to check our motives and ask ourselves why we want to prosper. What's the purpose? If we're seeking first the kingdom of God, we'll want to prosper for the same reasons God wants us to prosper: to be a blessing, to give to the poor, and to establish and spread the kingdom of God.

You can see why it's so important to understand the purpose of prosperity by looking at what happened to the Israelites in the book of Exodus. When God delivered them out of slavery in the land of Egypt, He prospered them beyond their wildest dreams. What's more, He did it in a very supernatural way.

He told Israelite women to go to their Egyptian neighbors and ask for jewels, gold, and raiment (Exodus 3:22). Then He gave them such favor that the Egyptians actually gave it to them! God moved so mightily in that situation that three and a half million Israelites who had been in slavery for 400 years not only walked out of Egypt free, they walked out wealthy!

Makes You Want to Slap a Cow
That's a wonderful and exciting story, but it can also be a little puzzling. After all, the Israelites were headed for the wilderness, where only God Himself could take care of them. He had to be their source there. So when they needed water, God gave it to them out of a rock. When they needed food, He sent manna. He saw to it that their clothes and shoes never wore out.

God did have a purpose for the wealth they received from the Egytians. He intended them to use it to build a tabernacle for Him. He wanted them to use it to establish His house (Exodus 25:8).

But initially the Israelites didn't understand that purpose. So you know what they did with their gold?

They turned it into an idol!

While Moses was on the mountain receiving the commandments of God, the Israelites took the jewelry the Egyptians had given them, melted it down, and made a golden calf to worship. That's so disgusting it makes me want to go slap a cow! They took the very stuff that came from God and made that stuff their God.

Guard Your Heart
Now can you see why God wants you to seek Him instead of seeking prosperity? Can you understand why He wants you to be addicted, not to getting things for yourself but to advancing the kingdom of God?

He doesn't want the increase He gives you to end up taking His place!

He doesn't want that car He gives you to mean more to you than He does. He doesn't want that promotion He provides to take you away from His house.

If we'll stick with God's plan and do things His way, however, He'll help us guard our hearts so that won't happen to us. And He'll do it by providing us with opportunities to give.

Position Yourself for Prosperity
That's what He did for the Israelites. After they destroyed the golden idol, He took them out farther into the wilderness and gave them the opportunity to fulfill the real purpose for which He had given them their wealth. He commanded them to bring offerings for the building of the tabernacle. They were so happy to do it that they gave… and gave… and gave until Moses had to tell them to stop!

Remember that next time somebody asks you to give to the work of God. Don't get mad and hold onto your wallet. God is just giving you an opportunity to put His kingdom first in your life. He's giving you the chance to position yourself for prosperity by putting your heart in the right place, for "…where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21).

When people get mad because we talk about money in church, they're showing where their heart is. It's in their pocketbook. Their paycheck is closer to their heart than God is.

But God wants us to turn that around. He wants to be our treasure. That's why He commands us to give. It's not because He wants our money, it's because He wants our hearts!

A Sore Evil
When we refuse God's command and hold onto the money He has given us so we can spend it on ourselves, we put our hearts in the wrong place. We end up on the path to poverty instead of the path of prosperity. As Ecclesiastes 5:13 says, "There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt" (KJV).

When you keep your riches away from God, you end up hurting yourself more than anyone else. So don't let that happen to you. Determine to take advantage of every opportunity God sends you to give and increase His kingdom. The more you do that, the more you'll want to do it, and eventually, you'll end up with a full-blown addiction to the kingdom of God!

How will you know when you get there? You'll know when God takes hold of the whole of you and you're emotionally, psychologically, and physically wrapped up in Him. When you're addicted to God, nothing moves you on the inside like He does. Nothing thrills you like blessing Him and expanding His kingdom. It's all you live for.

When you hit that place, God will see to it that your every need is met. He'll see to it that everything you desire is added to you. You won't be worrying about money anymore. You won't be looking for it, either.

It will be looking for and finding—you!

ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVES * * * * * SHAKE THEM HATERS OFF!

A hater is someone that is jealous and envious and spends all their time trying to make you look small so they can look tall. They are very negative people. Nothing is ever good enough! When you make your mark, you will always attract some haters... That's why you have to be careful who you share your blessings and your dreams with because some folk can't handle seeing you blessed... It's dangerous to be like somebody else...

If God wanted you to be like somebody else. He would have given you what He gave them. You don't know what people have gone through to get what they have... The problem I have with haters is that they see my glory, but they don't know my story... If the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, you can rest assured that the water bill is higher there too. We've all got some haters among us:

Some people don't like it that you can:

* Have a relationship with God
* Light up a room when you walk in
* Start your own business
* Tell a man/woman to get lost (if he/she ain't about the right thing)
* Raise children without both parents being around
* And not ask for a dime from Anyone
* Haters don't want to see you happy
* Haters don't want to see you succeed
* Haters don't want you to get the victory

Most of our haters are people that are supposed to be on our side. How do you handle the haters who you at least expect to have your guard up against?

You can handle your haters by:
1. *Knowing who you are & who your true friends are * (VERY IMPORTANT!!)
2. *Having a purpose to your life *
3. *By remembering what you have is by divine prerogative and not human manipulation.

* Purpose does not mean having a job. You can have a job and still be unfulfilled.

A purpose is having a clear sense of what God has called you to be.

Your purpose is not defined by what others think about you. Fulfill your dreams! You only have one life to live...when its your time to leave this earth, you want to be able to say,' I've lived my life and fulfilled my dreams, .........I'm ready to go HOME!

When God gives you a favor, you can tell your haters, 'Don't look at me... Look at who is in charge of me...' Pass this to all of your family & friends who you know are not hating on you.

If you don't get it back, maybe you caught somebody out! Don't worry about it, it's not your problem, it's theirs. Just pray for them, that their life can be as fulfilled as yours! Watch out for Haters............................

BUT most of all don't become a HATER yourself!

If you received this from me then you are on my FRIENDS list!

'You are no greater than the company you keep'

A KINGDOM OF IGNORANT KINGS

The problem for so many of us is that we don’t know who we are. We have become a kingdom of ignorant kings: ignorant of our identity ability, power, and authority. Long ago we forgot, (if we ever knew), all that the enemy stole from us. Deposed, defeated, and dejected, like the prodigal son we sit in the mud and stench of the pigsty, nibbling on dry corn husks, never lifting the eyes of our spirit to behold the riches of our Father’s estate that are ours if we will only reach out and claim them.

Our greatest enemy today is neither satan nor sin, because Jesus defeated both at the cross, Power is not the problem, either. We have power. That is why God did not send power to fix our problem. Our greatest enemy today is ignorance. What we don’t know is killing us; or at least depriving us of a full and abundant life. The antidote for ignorance is knowledge, so God sent us His Word—His living Word in the person of His Son. Christ came to remove our ignorance about God and His Kingdom and to teach us of our heritage and kinship as children of the Father.

As long as we live in satan’s darkness, we will never know that we are prisoners in our own territory, slaves of an illegal despot. We will never know we are the rightful rulers of this planet or that the devil is already a defeated enemy. Because we don’t know any better, because we don’t realize the power we have, we allow satan to run our lives, ravaging our bodies with sickness, draining our finances, destroying our marriages, messing up our kids with drugs and alcohol, and generally wreaking havoc.

Jesus is the light of the world. Light means knowledge. He came to show us who we really are and to expose the enemy’s false kingdom. To put it another way, Jesus came to introduce us to ourselves and to call us to become the people God always knew we could be. He came to call us home.

Daniel 7:18 says that "the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever—yes, for ever and ever," A lot of believers are confused about the word saint. Some have been taught that saints are super-spiritual believers who lived high above the plane of everyone else and were awarded this exalted title after their deaths, In truth, every believer is a saint. When the Bible uses the word saint, it refers to "every child of God, every person who has entered the Kingdom through faith and trust in Christ as Savior and Lord." If you are a believer, you are a saint, and if you are a saint, you are an heir to the Kingdom of God.

The word saint comes from the same root as the word sanctified. To be sanctified means "to be set apart for a specific use; to be reserved for a special purpose." Think about your or your parents’ wedding china. Is it set out for use on a common daily basis? Probably not. Fine china is usually reserved for very special occasions, such as major holidays when extended family members gather or when particularly honored guests are present. In this sense, the china is "sanctified" for use only on those occasions.

In the same way, we as saints are sanctified and set apart for God’s special purpose. Collectively, we are the Church, the ecciesia in Greek, which also means the "called-out ones?’ We are the ones who will receive the Kingdom, We are the ones who will see our power, authority, and dominion restored, The Kingdom is not reserved for us alone, but for many, many others as well who are still outside and need to be brought in, That is why when Christ saved us and brought us into His Kingdom, He made us ambassadors so that we could go out and bring others in.