Christian Writers Circle

I Trust In Your Kingdom Come – Part I
by Kathleen Shore

A full year has passed since Father caught my attention with His creation that was crying out for me to know Him in a new and powerful way. Yet, I will never forget that one particular autumn morning and the way God drew me into new life.

In the quiet of my house with everyone still asleep, I stood with my coffee and gazed out the window. Dawn had just broken through, the fog lifted, and light was shed on all He wanted me to be awakened to. It was as though God said, “Good morning.” And creation responded back to Him, with a resounding orchestrated movement. The birds fluttering about with twigs in their beaks, putting the final touches of warmth on their nests…squirrels scampering here and there to find the best place to dig and hide their nut mix…while the leaves danced about in the trees and floated to the ground on a breeze to show their array of many colors… It was magnificent!

It truly was the perfect picture that readied me to say, “Yes” to Him.

As peace filled my heart, Father whispered clearly to my spirit, “Notice how all of My creation is not resisting or complaining about the coming seasons of dormancy in fall, giving way to the death of winter…but everything moves with My hand and My way, preparing themselves, trusting me with great expectation, knowing that the resurrection life of spring is sure to follow.”

In awe of His truth displayed right before my eyes, He then gently whispered again, “Do you trust Me this way? If you knew ahead of time, as creation knows, that I am bringing you into a season of dormancy that would give way to a season of death…like a pruning of the dead branches, and even some fruitful branches in your life, for the sake of greater fruit (see John 15:1, 2)…would you move with Me, as this picture of My creation does, that I have shown you this morning?”

Somehow, I ran to Him and shrunk back from Him all in the same moment. Clearly His word, sharper than any double-edged sword, had penetrated me…divided my soul from my spirit, and left me standing perfectly bare before Him (see Hebrew 4:12). I recognized my desire for more of Him, and I longed to respond to Him in the way He had shown me that morning. However, I just as clearly recognized my hands of ‘self’ grasping tightly to all that could potentially be stripped away.

In full view of the ugliness of ‘self’, I ran to Him…weeping. “Father,” I cried out, “Please do in me what You have shown me this morning. I see how perfectly You take care of, provide for, and protect all that You have made down to the smallest animal. I want my life to declare, “Will You not do even more for me, than these! For have You not already given Your Son to die that I might have eternal life with You?”

In full love of me, a year later, He brought me into a springtime of new resurrection life, by Way of a season of dormancy and death.

                                                              John 12:24-26 NIV
“Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”

Confidence in the Words Jesus Taught – Part 1
by Brenda D. Flowers

In many churches and homes this week and for centuries, since the time when Jesus first taught His disciples these key words to pray, people have been praying, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” If asked, some of the people who have said these words may admit honestly that they did so with little or no thought about what they were saying.

Many people may have prayed these words without the faith to truly believe the words of this statement. Some people may be wondering if God’s kingdom will come and can we REALLY know God’s will.

Many people who have prayed these words may still be lost, not having been enlightened to their need for a Savior and Lord.

At times, I am even challenged as I pray these words.

While I am saying these words, a negative thought tries to plant doubt in me…”Do I TRULY believe that God’s kingdom can come and His will be done in my life as it is in heaven based upon what’s happening around me?”

Now, when I have these thoughts, I realize they are not my thoughts. God’s Word states clearly we are in a spiritual battle. I must deliberately focus on who I am as a daughter of the King of kings and put on my helmet of salvation and other pieces of God’s armor. I am clothed in Christ’s righteousness, and I can pray with confidence.

I know I have been given the measure of faith to believe. I can pray believing that Jesus would not have taught His disciples to say these words if the request was not possible to be answered. I can and we can together trust that Jesus’ words are true and He answers our prayers. Jesus is coming in all His glory, but we must also realize He is here with us now showing us the Father’s will.

Yes, God’s kingdom is coming. His will can and is being done on earth as it is in heaven.

It is being done in me and in other image bearers of Jesus Christ today throughout the world. This is a mystery.

God (in His eternal plan) chose to make known to them how great for the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in and among you, the hope and guarantee of (realizing the) glory. (Colossians 1:27 AMP)

Relationships in God’s Kingdom
by Judy Hitson

Psalm 22:28 NASB For the kingdom is the LORD’S And He rules over the nations.

In God’s kingdom, our relationship with God is of primary importance and then our relationship with man. The Lord’s prayer comes to mind, Matthew 6:9-13. The first instruction Jesus gave His disciples to pray, Our Father who is in heaven. That is all about relationship. The first request He teaches in verse 10, Your kingdom come…..on earth as it is in heaven.

As a follower of Christ ponder this question with me:

How is your relationship with God as your Father in heaven?

Will you join me in this prayer?

Father in heaven,
I draw near to You. Thank You that You draw near to me, James 4:8a. I am Your daughter/son, John 1:12. Thank You for our relationship through Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, my Savior, my Lord, my God, yet my brother, my coming Bridegroom, my life, my all. Your kingdom come, your will be done in my life by Your Spirit in me. Strengthen my relationships pleasing You for Your kingdom purposes on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. Amen.

Thinking of God’s kingdom, another scripture comes to mind for us to consider:

Isaiah 9:6-7 NKJV
6 For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

 Through an intimate relationship with God, it is profound to consider His kingdom and our part with Him. I hear, “Relate to those in God’s kingdom in love and with a winsome spirit for those without that some might be saved. Always relate truth in love which can only manifest by the Spirit of God in us. Go forth now to love and serve the Lord your God, Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords. Prepare for His coming. Disciple those who know Him and warn those who do not.
On closing, I hear, “Faith of our Fathers.” Check it out on YouTube. Amazing!

Manifest Kingdom Identity
by Judy Hitson

Luke 17:21 NKJV nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”

The Real You, Believing Your True Identity by Linda Breitman is a Bible study I completed the day I sat down to write this devotional. It helped to take time to contemplate important aspects of the study for personal spiritual application. Glancing through the book, I was deeply touched by the words I had written down, “Manifest Kingdom Identity.” It was like these words came off the page as the title to write about for the kingdom. Those words were written under an illustration of a woman with her arms lifted to the heavens.  It presented a visual understanding that what goes on inside us through Christ by His Spirit should manifest on the outside with our hands lifted to the heavens like this woman. Heaven is where our help comes from,
Psalm 121:1-2.

The following questions came to mind for us to ponder:

Do others see Jesus in me?

As Christians, for others to see Jesus in us, will we not manifest Christ likeness?

If the kingdom of God is within us, how should we live?

What is different about us from any other person walking down the street?

In simplicity, I hear, the answer is Jesus Christ who lives within us by His Spirit.
Think about these verses:

John 6:63 NASB It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

2 Corinthians 3:6 NASB who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills but the Spirit gives life.

Let us seek the Lord for fresh revelation and understanding that we manifest God’s Kingdom on earth. Then consider with the Lord the fruit our lives produce from the flesh and the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:16-24.

When people look at us who are in a love relationship with Jesus Christ, they should see us as those who have been with Jesus, like Peter and John manifested kingdom identity in Acts 4:13.

Prayer: Come Holy Spirit with personal revelation and understanding for me. Give me life to manifest kingdom identity through Jesus Christ and be victorious over the enemies of the flesh, world and devil. Amen.

Hastening God’s Kingdom
by Judy Hitson

2 Peter 3:12 NASB looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!

At this writing, North Korea threatens to attack the United States. Iran continues to head towards having nuclear capabilities. I’ve been wondering about this word in Peter which looks like the end will be nuclear war. We can see God’s timeless word with current threats.

What is going on Lord in the spirit world from Your throne to the second heaven and here on earth?

This verse caught my eye. Ps.103:19 AMPC The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all.

What is our part in the body of Christ to hasten the coming of the day of God by Your Spirit?

I look to You Lord, with anticipation that this day is near. 2 Peter 3:12 implies we have a part with You. You reveal a word of exhortation for us to heed, 2 Peter 3:14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,………………….17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

As Christians, is it not our goal to mature in Christ?

Think about 2 Peter 3:10-11 NASB But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. 11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,

Consider God’s word in Hosea 6:2 NASB “He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, That we may live before Him.

 Lord, Is the third day imminent?

We read in 2 Tim. 3:1 NASB But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.

In Jude 18 NASB…..“In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.”……. 20 But you, beloved building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

I sense this is a now word for this season in history. Let us prepare for His coming as a ready bride. And for this I pray Father, in Jesus name by Your Spirit. Amen.

Words of Encouragement
by Brenda D. Flowers

I stared at the white page. Attempting to write but not yet feeling the freedom, I waited. Time passed and more time. Then I realized, the message I wanted to express today was to share the sweet words that had come to me several weeks ago. . .  words of encouragement to share with the body of Christ.

As I type these words, I am filled with expectancy. I linger long. . . absorbing the truth of the words. They are familiar words, not necessarily new words but they are definitely now words.

This message is in answer to my daily prayer, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” Matthew 6:10 KJV

God is answering this prayer for me and all who pray this prayer.

I hear these words and record them:

Love well. Let not your heart be troubled. Seek what is good. Be not wise in your own eyes. Acknowledge Me in all things and seek My face. My now moments of refreshing are yours as you trust Me with your life. I am here now and I am in the preparation process.

Be aware of the little things I am doing as you take the sure guided steps upward into My victorious presence. I have you on My life line and falling is not an option. I am pulling you upward and placing your feet on the firm path. No more dangling in doubt and despair. See the climb as a joyous time of clear viewed direction, looking with hopeful glances to the city of righteous living I have prepared.

There are relationships coming with liquid love to be poured out. Trust Me in the matters of the heart’s restoration process. Give what I give you. Be anticipating the new words I have for you to share, My encouragement to the body.

The hurting disjointed members need to come back in alignment with My purposeful plan of saving souls. Align yourself with others in a spirit of love and reconciliation. Connect in prayer and in time of celebration. Anticipate joyful connections of life celebrations. . .singing, dancing, and rejoicing, announcing to the world that satan is defeated.

Satan is a liar and his lies are being revealed.

The Truth of My Word Stands!

Two Kingdoms
by Judy Hitson

Colossians 1:13 NLT For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,

Do you know when or if you were transferred to the Kingdom of God’s Son?

Without a shadow of a doubt, on October 25, 1979, I was rescued from the kingdom of darkness and transferred into the Kingdom of God’s Son. It was a dramatic conversion that morning as I was driving to work in my car. While listening to Christian radio, I told the Lord, “I feel like my prayers are not getting further than the ceiling.” When the music stopped, the radio announcer said, “That’s right folks. All you need to do is ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart.” I had asked Him many times in my life but this time my heart was desperate to surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ. In an instant, I knew I received the Holy Spirit. He instructed me to veer off the road. Instead I drove toward the intersection where I ended up in a car accident. In time, I understood what had happened. I was filled with the Holy Spirit. My testimony verse is Ephesians 5:18 NLT Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit. This verse disturbed me until I experienced it. I knew what it was to be drunk with wine, but being filled with the Holy Spirit was a new beginning for me.

Where do you stand in regard to the two kingdoms? Are you walking in the light as He is in the light by His Spirit who gives life?

The contrast of the two kingdoms is stark, from darkness to light and from death to life. Consider the following verses before the Lord.

John 8:12 NLT…….Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.

Acts 26:18 NLT to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’

John 5:24 NLT “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.

Romans 8:6 NLT So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

 Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, help me be active in the kingdom work You have for me by Your Spirit and finish well. Amen.

Kingdom of God
by Judy Hitson

Mark 4:11 NASB And He was saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables,

“Unsolved Mysteries” was the title of an old television program which comes to mind. Our family enjoyed seeing the mysteries solved week by week.

Looking at the mystery of the kingdom of God, I am no longer perplexed. Since receiving the Holy Spirit I continue to learn the simplicity and depth of this mystery. It is found in the person of Jesus Christ. For clarification, capture the revelation by the Spirit to understand the mystery of the kingdom of God through the following NASB verses:

Ephesians 5:32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.

Colossians 1:26-27 that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 2:2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself.

Colossians 4:3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;

It may seem like a lot to digest but as we keep it simple to think about Jesus Christ, He will make clear to us the mystery of the kingdom of God. Note Jesus is talking to insiders, those who follow Him, who have received the Holy Spirit who gives life. Outsiders cannot understand (Mark 4:11-12).

As we read the Bible on the kingdom of God, we discover it for the present as well as the future.
For example,

Present
John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Think about it. When we are born of the Spirit we enter the kingdom of God. Alleluia! What a Savior. Alleluia! What a God. Have you experienced the second birth of the Spirit? If so, you understand this basic truth about the kingdom of God, ‘You must be born again.’ (John 3:7)

Future
Mark 14:25 Truly I say to you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Consider these words of Jesus to the disciples at the last supper. They couldn’t fully understand His words at that time. But the Holy Spirit came after Jesus left the earth and now we can understand the word of the Lord by the Spirit.

There is more I’d like to say as I recall John 6 when Jesus said we should eat His body and drink His blood. By His Spirit we can. The kingdom of God is all about Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Father in heaven help us believe and receive all You have to reveal to us by Your Spirit regarding the mystery of Your kingdom. In Jesus name. Amen.

Kingdom of Heaven
by Judy Hitson

Matthew 19:14 EXPANDED BIBLE (EXP) but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop[hinder] them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people who are like these children [meaning humble and dependent].”

Are you humble and dependent on Jesus?

This question came to mind after reading this verse in the Expanded Bible.  We need God’s help to be humble and dependent on Him. I thought about the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God through Scripture, assuming they were parallel phrases with the same meaning. In my  search to understand any distinction, I found an excellent article. It is titled, The Kingdom of Heaven contributed by http://www.walvoard.com if you are interested in reading a well written, Biblically informative piece on the topic. He distinguishes the sphere of profession and the sphere of salvation for the kingdom of heaven and kingdom of God through Scripture. It’s like an invitation for us to dig deeper to understand God’s kingdom. May we have and keep a child-like faith, humble and dependent on Jesus to learn our part in His kingdom and live it out by His Spirit who gives life. (John 6:63; 2Cor.3:6)

Another Bible passage caught my attention that I’d like to share with you. Matthew 18:1-5 NASB At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me;

Previously I wrote about the following words that came to mind, “Kingdom of God Principles, starting with forgiveness.” Today, I see kingdom of heaven principles of humility and dependence on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Father in heaven bless us to be humble and dependent on Jesus Christ and rely on His Holy Spirit in daily living. Amen.

Forgiveness
by Judy Hitson

Matthew 18:23 NKJV Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts  with his servants.

“Kingdom of God Principles, starting with forgiveness.” These words came to mind as I prayed for inspiration to write and believe this is the word of the Lord to share. May your heart be impacted as much as mine. Through a Google search, I found the following definitions for the word principle significant for us to consider:

principle – 1. a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning. “the basic principles of Christianity”

Merriam-Webster on principle – a moral rule or belief that helps you know what is right and wrong and that influences your actions………..

In relation to forgiveness, the parable of the unforgiving servant deeply affects me by the Holy Spirit, Matthew 18:21-35. Through this passage of Scripture, there was a time the Spirit of God convicted me of being like the unforgiving servant.  It brought me to my knees to repent of this sin. He taught me how vital forgiveness is as a principle of God’s Kingdom and set me free from the bondage of unforgiveness and bitterness.

Matthew 6:9-13, the Lord’s Prayer, is a beautiful prayer I was required to memorize as a child. It was a religious ritual without a personal communication with God. Though I prayed, Our Father who art in heaven, there was no sense of relationship with Him at that time. Yet I struggled when I prayed, “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” To ask God to forgive me as I forgive was scary. The conviction of sin was like a flashing red light but I was not able to contend with it on my own.

After receiving the life of the Holy Spirit, I remember going to a church in desperation for help, tormented in my mind. That is when the Lord revealed the reality of my experience as an unforgiving servant, Matthew 18:34-35 NKJV 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 “So My heavenly Father will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

It wasn’t until forgiveness flowed from my heart that I fully understood the parable of the unforgiving servant. It is essential to forgive from the heart.

Prayer: God I lift praise and thanksgiving to You for grace and mercy, for Your salvation through Jesus Christ and life by Your Spirit to learn to forgive as You forgive. Amen.