Before ascending to heaven, it is amazing that after Jesus was resurrected, He appeared to His disciples and many others. During an occasion when some were letting other disciples know, Jesus appeared to them too inviting them to, “See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have” (Luke 24:39, ESV). Jesus even ate with them (Luke 24:42-43, ESV).
Jesus had endured the cross, conquered death, and had risen. It is important for us to keep “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2, NIV).
Jesus is enthroned on high; He is our King of kings Who reigns forever. King Jesus knew the cross was part of God’s plan for Him; a plan for our salvation. Jesus “…gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father” (Galatians 1:4, ESV). The cross was not a defeat, but in fact a victory planned by God. Our King Jesus surrendered and triumphed. Because Jesus triumphed, we triumph.
“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6, NIV). Jesus is seated in the heavenly places, “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come” (Ephesians 1:21, ESV). Our King Jesus rules and reigns over all.
Before Jesus went to the cross, when Pilate was questioning Him, on whether He was King of the Jews;
‘Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting,” (John 18:36, ESV).
Jesus had taught much on the kingdom of God, during His ministry. Such as when He told a parable of the kingdom of heaven being “…like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches” (Matthew 13:31-32, ESV).
The kingdom of God is ever advancing. When Jesus appeared to His disciples after being resurrected, they were afraid, and Jesus said to them, “… “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20: 21, ESV). Matthew records when “…Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28: 18-20, ESV). Jesus was sending them, and explained that they were not alone. He encouraged them that they were witnesses (Luke 24:48, ESV), and said “…I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49, ESV). He is referring to the Holy Spirit.
God is also sending us today, out into the world to fulfill kingdom of God purposes. We are not alone, as the disciples were empowered by the Holy Spirit, so are we today. The same is for us, what Peter replied to a crowd seeking help in what to do, “…Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38, NIV). We are to “…keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25, ESV). As we, God’s sons and daughters, surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we will see the fruit of the Holy Spirit grow in our lives, which I think is part of bringing the kingdom of God to earth. The “…fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” (Galatians 5:22–23, ESV). We are also empowered by the Holy Spirit with different gifts “…for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7, ESV). “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, ESV). We are each different, and each one of us is important. “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:6-8, NIV). We pray for God to guide each of us, and we pray for others. As we surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and each use our gifts, the kingdom of God is advancing.
We need to focus on Jesus our King, and God’s kingdom purposes on earth. We choose what to focus on knowing that “…those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires” (Romans 8:5, NIV). We are set apart and distinct, glorifying God as we set our ”… minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2, ESV). We keep an eternal perspective as “…we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18, NIV). Our glorious God’s kingdom purposes have eternal significance. God is outside of time, and sees things from such a big perspective that we cannot fully comprehend. We need to trust God, and live believing what He says about us.
There is a lot of noise around us in this world, distracting noises. As children of God we need to ignore, and keep moving forward. Just because it is loud, it doesn’t make it true. Sometimes what tries to move our attention from what God is saying to us, is a literal noise of angry, rebellious human voices trying to make their point heard. Other times it is in more subtle ways, such as in news headlines released for a negative agenda of those who are lost. We hope and pray that each of these people are restored to God, as God does not want “…anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9, NIV). However, we can and must focus on God, and what He is saying to us. We need to know the Bible; what lines up with the Bible and be discerning about what does not. We compare the thought to what is said in Scripture, and “…take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5, ESV). If it is not truth, ignore it. We view things correctly. We believe what God says about us. We believe what God says about South Africa.
Many thousands are currently praying for our beautiful nation South Africa. It is so exciting all the churches that are praying, and prayer events praying together in unity. My heart is full of appreciation and expectation leading up to our 30 years since democracy election coming up. God has a plan for each of us, and for South Africa. Only God’s plans will prevail for each of us, and for South Africa. Many are remembering that it is not only in of ourselves, but the Holy Spirit “…helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27, ESV). We are helped by God. When we pray in Jesus Name, anything is possible. Our King Jesus Name is above all names.
Prayer makes a difference in a world where “…we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12, ESV). As we pray in Jesus Name, as children of God who have welcomed Jesus as our Saviour in His mercy and grace, our prayers are powerful and effective (James 5:16). I experienced recently, a breakthrough on something I prayed about a while ago. Due to the time going by, in a way I had started to accept that the answer was no and was just living with it. Then what I had asked for happened, my prayer was answered yes. Do not stop praying, God hears our prayers and answers in the way that is best, in His perfect timing. God wants us to have conversations with him. We are God’s children, we are royalty. Our King Jesus won the victory for us on the cross. We do not need to live feeling intimidated. Jesus has been resurrected, is alive, and is coming back to earth again.
We fix our eyes on Jesus, there is much peace when we do, and we live the abundant life God has for us. We pray, and we step out in faith, being led by the Holy Spirit. God has a unique plan for each of us, in fulfilling kingdom of God purposes. God loves you, is interested in your life, even if you are often alone and you wonder if God sees you, He does. God empowers you to fulfill the purpose He has for you each day.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
Our Almighty God; there is none like You. “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all” (1 Chronicles 29:11, ESV).
Thank-You that Your Son Jesus “…did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45, NIV). I confess my sins, and thank-You for forgiving me, in Your mercy and grace. Thank-You King Jesus, our King of kings.
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10, ESV), in my life, and in our nation South Africa.
May You help us to focus on You, and seek first Your kingdom (Matthew 6:33). I am so loved by You, and I want to love and serve others the way You want me to. May You help me, Holy Spirit, to set my mind on what You desire for me, and take every thought captive. Thank-You that the hunger in our hearts to know the Bible is growing, as we each build our relationship with You. I want to live out what You have called unique me to do, which is important in advancing Your kingdom. Thank-You for guiding me and empowering me. I am Yours.
In Jesus name, Amen.