Tuesday, December 8, 2009

The Kingdom of God

Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference?

Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Matthew 6:26-34, The Message

8 comments:

Larry Usher said...

Really good Bishop.

"...not to be so preoccupied with getting..."

I have grown weary of the concern over my supply...show me Lord your mighty hand...show me your provision...show me the great capability that only you can advance. Help me to truly cease being an "owner" and recognize the honor and freedom of being a steward.

PattiL007 said...

Thank you for the food for thought, Bishop...and Larry. After reading these posts, I began considering the definition of the word Freedom.

Freedom* defined:
1. the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint: He won his freedom after a retrial.
2. exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc.
3. the power to determine action without restraint.
4. political or national independence.
5. personal liberty, as opposed to bondage or slavery: a slave who bought his freedom.
6. exemption from the presence of anything specified (usually fol. by from): freedom from fear.
7. the absence of or release from ties, obligations, etc.
8. ease or facility of movement or action: to enjoy the freedom of living in the country.
9. frankness of manner or speech.
10. general exemption or immunity: freedom from taxation.
11. the absence of ceremony or reserve.
12. a liberty taken.
13. a particular immunity or privilege enjoyed, as by a city or corporation: freedom to levy taxes.
14. civil liberty, as opposed to subjection to an arbitrary or despotic government.
15. the right to enjoy all the privileges or special rights of citizenship, membership, etc., in a community or the like.
16. the right to frequent, enjoy, or use at will: to have the freedom of a friend's library.
17. Philosophy. the power to exercise choice and make decisions without constraint from within or without; autonomy; self-determination.
*dictionary.reference.com/browse/freedom

FREEDOM is not to be taken for granted nor is it to be flaunted in front of those who do not understand it; it is not to be treated as an excuse for our foibles or for the "sin that so easily besets us." It is not to be subverted to relieve us of our necessary and GOD-given responsibilities—the honor and privileges of supporting CITN and our families and the joys of preaching the TRUE Gospel to every soul on the planet by virtue of lives well lived.

Therefore, as long as the sun continues to rise and set, as long as time marches on, as long as the seas rush to shore, and even if the whole of creation were to come to an end...we are loved and cared for by a PERFECT Father (Mother), a Protective Older Brother (Sister), Forgiven by the Savior of the WHOLE WORLD, and Loved by THE One True God. He created ALL that was made (and without Him nothing was made) including man—Us; then in order to save us from ourselves, He became flesh, put on the corruptible, and gave Himself to be a Sacrifice going so far as to died for Our Sin! Then He went into the "heart of the earth" and remained 3 days; then He ROSE from the dead, and ascended into the Heavens; and finally and most incredibly, He RETURNED AS A "RUSHING MIGHTY WIND" and NOW LIVES IN US!How AWESOME Is OUR GOD!!!

True FREEDOM is granted to us in the Christ. Let there be LIGHT for us in regard to this very special gift so that it becomes as relevant to us as is the air we breathe...as easily understood as is a child’s laughter...as treasured as are the lives of our loved ones.

It is because of FREEDOM and Faith that we can say: Thank You, Abba! Because we Love You, because we believe You, because we know that You are not a man that You should lie; and because we know You will complete the work You have begun IN US; we can take the time to thoroughly enjoy all the wonderful things You provide us with each day...a bird's song, a blue sky or one filled with stars, a breathtaking sunrise or sunset, a phone call from a friend or family member, or a hug from our children.

We really should begin to "LIVE as if we were dying" so to speak...and enjoying life more. Our God is truly AWESOME and He IS...

Blessings Blog Fam!

Anonymous said...

OMG! Bishop this scripture was so for me today. I couldn't keep the tears from flowing down my face before I even got the first sentence read.I came to the blog this morning with a heavy heart and a need. God is so good and speaks to us when we are open to hear. He reached off this page and spoke this right to me. TO ME...his precious child. I am so blessed.

Larry,thanks for the confirmation in your post. It blessed me as well.

I am printing this and it will be with me all day, so, I can read it again and again if I feel weary.

Peace, love and Light,
Debra M.

Unknown said...

The Kingdom of God is
--a flock of seagulls soaring over the waves at the beach
--a grandchild tossed in the air as high as she can go
--a valley full of red poppies in bloom
--scrabble tiles placed one by one on a hard place--T--R--U--S--T--
--a rainbow of colorful promises, in place before a storm

...think on these things...

Beautiful, Bishop.

River said...

AMEN!!!

One word sums it up FAITH

Anonymous said...

Today's Positive Thought from Marty Dow

You were created to be a perfect expression of Divinity into form.
Learn the wisdom and skills necessary and God will shine through you
in all that you do!

Masterpieces are created when the soul is allowed to express freely.

karl cobos said...

Hey Bishop, I pray good things for you all at CCC today. Let there be light, let there be Christ!

Today we travel to Knoxville, Natasha has an interpreting assignment there tomorrow, looking for agreement/prayer for not only the obvious of safe travel but that she will be able to speak well, and the flow of intepreting be excellent...favor and good connections, this is a new company that found out about her, and a rather large translation/interpreting/meeting services company with offices in New York, CA, France, Spain. Hopefully more events will follow.

Thanks and God bless.

Erik said...

Trust. That is to me the real point with God. Love, trust, joy, peace.

That is the point for me.

I do not think I have ever given my testimony here.

One day it may fit, or I can shorten it. Ultimately, it is about trust I experienced very early and since. Without the trust, I would not be here today.

I enjoyed you Bishop online wt the Cathedral live feed. Carlton Pearson was really good too.

Please continue. Thank You.