The Rising KIngdom
Writer Author Rita Sue Hanks
Christian Article
:
Bible Teaching
- Fiction No
Isaiah 60
Arise, and Shine, for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
Matthew 6:10
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Recently I was sitting at my computer and I suddenly smelled a delicious aroma of baking bread.
I was truly amazed, for I knew instantly it was the Lord speaking something to me. There was no bread being prepared nearby.
I have always loved homemade yeast bread and have made it often. However, I did not think God was telling me to go make bread, but was saying something to me pertaining to his kingdom. After thinking this over and praying I gained some understanding. The Lord has impressed on my heart that the process of baking bread is comparable to the preparations we submit to as we prepare to welcome the kingdom into our lives. In the parable of Matthew Jesus taught the ways the Kingdom is built.
Matthew 13:33-35
He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough."
Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:
"I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world."
I began to give this more thought. Jesus had described the process the cook goes through to bake bread. I know that in baking that the process is so important. If one is to succeed in producing a loaf to be admired it is imperative to follow the recipe exactly. It's a step by step, every step matters thing. In baking bread, the first step is to study your recipe, gather your ingredients, then measure each individual one out accurately. Then we add the yeast, or leaven, which will cause the dough to rise. There is a time of necessary patient waiting because the yeast is created and designed to take a set amount of time to work effectively. Timing is vital. If the cook is not diligent to observe the right measures and timing the work is of poor quality. The rising requires a right atmosphere. It works effectively in a warm place; the dough must be covered and rest as the yeast now does it's automatic work. Untimely movement can interrupt the process and cause the dough to fall and our work is frustrated. Then one would have to start over. As we are careful to observe the recipe and proper procedures the reward is a delicious treat to all for whom it is prepared.
Building kingdom ministry works is very similiar in principle. It is imperative that we follow the voice of the Holy Spirit who instructs us. We learn the word of the Lord, we hide it in our hearts and then we set out to build kingdom day by day in the times and season God assigns. This is a progressive work which begins in our own hearts and houses and then flows out to the world around us. There are specific basic Kingdom laws which must be learned and obeyed. There are specific ingredients to be gathered and mixed together. There is a right time and right order to each step of the process.
THE NECESSARY INGREDIENTS
2 Peter 1:3-8
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
And beside this, giving all diligence,
add to your faith virtue;
and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance;
and to temperance patience;
and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness;
and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 60
Arise, and Shine, for the glory of the Lord has rsien upon you.
PATIENCE IS THE YEAST WHICH CAUSES THE EFFECTIVE RISING
James 1:4
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
If the disciple is not diligent to maintain the right atmosphere of joy in the Lord as he works and to observe these vital steps without fail, he will not see effective results; the grace of God will be frustrated, and our peace and victory will be troubled. The minister must surrender to do God's will and his will only.
Galatians 2:21
I do not frustrate the grace of God.
Zechariah 4:6
Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
We are promised grace that will strengthen us to produce the successful work by whole hearted consecration and patient waiting in his secret place. It's failure proof!
Psalm 91:14-16
Because he has set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Editor's Comment:
About the Writer Author
State:
Texas
Country:
USA
Email:
ritahanks@sbcglobal.net
Website:
www.facebook.com/rita.hanks
Profile:
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