There’s no question that’s what God wants. I’ve spoken to so many people about Nepal since being over there, and what keeps coming up is the same reaction my 5YO daughter had: “That’s just like in the Bible!”
Let this spark a desire in you that cannot be quenched. Look at the parables in Luke 18 and Luke 16 and start going after the kingdom of God like never ever before.
You may have heard people say “we’re not waiting on God, he’s waiting on us.” This is so true. It’s really no mystery what the kingdom of God looks like. We’ve got 4 gospels and the book of Acts describing it in perfect and consistent detail. And in this we see so clearly exactly how the kingdom of God functions.
We cannot earn the kingdom, buy the kingdom, or sell the kingdom of God – our resources and abilities can’t begin to touch that realm. Stepping into the kingdom and functioning in the kingdom is an ongoing miracle, and it is absolutely free. Yet it does not come cheap! You’ve got to seek and keep seeking the kingdom with all your heart. It’s like when we called the Nepali hindus forward to receive Jesus – it’s a matter of forsaking ALL OTHERS. Just as salvation is “the blood of Jesus plus nothing,” the life of the Spirit has got to be “the kingdom of God plus nothing.” It’s got to be our one passion, our one purpose; or we simply won’t see this lived out. It will remain something far away that we hear about and dream about and idealize, but never touch and enter. Tragically this is where most of human religion lives: hovered around the door to the kingdom of God with no intention of ever entering, and blocking the way for those who desperately want to go in.
Hunger will go in. Thirst will go in. Crawling through a moving mob just to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment will go in. Crying out in prayer “Oh God I’ve got to know you – I’ve got to feel you – I’ve got to hear your voice to walk with you” will go in. Telling God he can ask for anything and everything you own at any point and you’ll give it to him will go in. Letting God get you in situations where your life is literally on the line for the sake of the kingdom of God will go in. Desiring the Word above the food you need to survive will go in.
I’m so with you on seeing this take place right where we live – the riches of living out the kingdom of God are infinitely valuable beyond any description! Whatever it costs you, go in.
i very much appreciate your honesty and admonition to really and truly seek The Kingdom, first.
taking time and crucifying the flesh is an on going battle for me, (time management) some days, well, are better than others. it is so easy to get sucked into things which in and of themselves are not bad or wrong, but aren’t wise as far as furthering intimacy with CHRIST and making HIS LOVE known.
GOD bless you for taking time to respond to these so quickly! i know your words of encouragement and provocation are like a refreshing well of life and challenge me, (when i stop by). i really agree and unfortunately identify with a old song by keith green: asleep in the light, not sure if you’ve heard or know. but i feel like yeah the church needs to wake up and rise up, but then i’m like, oh man! what am i doing i am part of the sleepers! i’m not doing the things i know i need to do, but i do feel an awakening coming, like the SPIRIT is stirring somethings and people up out of this slumber. (i guess it really keeps coming back to surrender, who am i going to serve today? in every issue, every obstacle) any way this was way longer than expected and i just really wanted to say thanks and keep on truckin’! …for JESUS of course…
peace to ya!
love it! i would really want to do the same not just abroad but here as well- (my own community)
There’s no question that’s what God wants. I’ve spoken to so many people about Nepal since being over there, and what keeps coming up is the same reaction my 5YO daughter had: “That’s just like in the Bible!”
Let this spark a desire in you that cannot be quenched. Look at the parables in Luke 18 and Luke 16 and start going after the kingdom of God like never ever before.
You may have heard people say “we’re not waiting on God, he’s waiting on us.” This is so true. It’s really no mystery what the kingdom of God looks like. We’ve got 4 gospels and the book of Acts describing it in perfect and consistent detail. And in this we see so clearly exactly how the kingdom of God functions.
We cannot earn the kingdom, buy the kingdom, or sell the kingdom of God – our resources and abilities can’t begin to touch that realm. Stepping into the kingdom and functioning in the kingdom is an ongoing miracle, and it is absolutely free. Yet it does not come cheap! You’ve got to seek and keep seeking the kingdom with all your heart. It’s like when we called the Nepali hindus forward to receive Jesus – it’s a matter of forsaking ALL OTHERS. Just as salvation is “the blood of Jesus plus nothing,” the life of the Spirit has got to be “the kingdom of God plus nothing.” It’s got to be our one passion, our one purpose; or we simply won’t see this lived out. It will remain something far away that we hear about and dream about and idealize, but never touch and enter. Tragically this is where most of human religion lives: hovered around the door to the kingdom of God with no intention of ever entering, and blocking the way for those who desperately want to go in.
Hunger will go in. Thirst will go in. Crawling through a moving mob just to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment will go in. Crying out in prayer “Oh God I’ve got to know you – I’ve got to feel you – I’ve got to hear your voice to walk with you” will go in. Telling God he can ask for anything and everything you own at any point and you’ll give it to him will go in. Letting God get you in situations where your life is literally on the line for the sake of the kingdom of God will go in. Desiring the Word above the food you need to survive will go in.
I’m so with you on seeing this take place right where we live – the riches of living out the kingdom of God are infinitely valuable beyond any description! Whatever it costs you, go in.
i very much appreciate your honesty and admonition to really and truly seek The Kingdom, first.
taking time and crucifying the flesh is an on going battle for me, (time management) some days, well, are better than others. it is so easy to get sucked into things which in and of themselves are not bad or wrong, but aren’t wise as far as furthering intimacy with CHRIST and making HIS LOVE known.
GOD bless you for taking time to respond to these so quickly! i know your words of encouragement and provocation are like a refreshing well of life and challenge me, (when i stop by). i really agree and unfortunately identify with a old song by keith green: asleep in the light, not sure if you’ve heard or know. but i feel like yeah the church needs to wake up and rise up, but then i’m like, oh man! what am i doing i am part of the sleepers! i’m not doing the things i know i need to do, but i do feel an awakening coming, like the SPIRIT is stirring somethings and people up out of this slumber. (i guess it really keeps coming back to surrender, who am i going to serve today? in every issue, every obstacle) any way this was way longer than expected and i just really wanted to say thanks and keep on truckin’! …for JESUS of course…
peace to ya!