The Government Of Christ
What is the government of Christ? What does it mean when "the government shall rest upon His shoulder?" Certainly, Isaiah writes of the ultimate authority for one's existance and salvation, resting solidly and wholly upon the sovereign shoulders of Christ. With all power and authority in heaven and in earth, Christ is the exalted head of the church, the coming King, and victorous Savior.
Entering The Day
How is one to begin the day with God? Is there a certain protocol, or is there rather the knowledge of His way to come? The God who gave Christ to die on Calvary for the sins of men, has made a way so that man can come with assurance into His presence, certain to be received by God. How does one enter the day? With thanksgiving and praise for the work of Calvary by which one can come with great assurance.
The Lord's Timely Provision
In any endeavor for Christ, whether the form of it is in word or deed, God must provide all that is needful if there would be an eternally lasting result. One of the great truths of Scripture concerning the faithfulness of God is that He will provide for every need so that His good will, and blessed purpose, will be realized. David put it like this, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want."
The Imperative Of the Spirit
There are certain things that are needful. But when it comes to knowing God, and walking before and with Him, there are certain things that are imperative. One of these is the anointing of the Spirit. The key to David's life, worship and service to God, was the Spirit of God, and David's dependence upon Him.
The Blossoming In The Desert
When God by the Holy Spirit moves in a life, it is as if not only the wind is blowing to bring about change, but there is the sweet aroma of something, rather Someone, not of this world, who comes with healing and blessing in His wings. God delights to reveal to men the contrast between the desert and the watered land. Why? Because of the difference between what this world has to offer, and that which comes from heaven.
Seeking First The Kingdom
What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God? The kingdom of God is that realm over which He reigns unopposed and sovereignly. What does this mean? The disciple who would seek first the kingdom is ever seeking that which God would have him to trust Him for, especially as it regards seeking the lost with the gospel. Secondly, it means the surrender of oneself wholly to God, and the deferring of every choice and decision to God, who is sovereign in His power and goodness. It is as one seeks first His kingdom, that all is provided that the kingdom be found, and the blessing of God can be truly known.
My House Or God's House
There are priorities in the kingdom of God. In the Old Testament, worship is paramount. This is why Moses, directed by God, built the Tabernacle or Tent of Meeting. Later Solomon would build the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus would make it very clear that His house would be a house of prayer. With regard to the kingdom of God, and His priorities, the reign of Christ is to be sought first. The will of God takes eternal preference over the will and thoughts of men.
God Only Can Do God's Work
It stands to reason that man, the creation of God, absolutely dependent upon God for his existance and his salvation, cannot, in and of himself do anything that has the proof of heaven upon it. Scripture tells us that man is like grass, his life fleeting, and only a certain length of time on this earth. God works to make man live, gives him the capacity to learn the eternal truths of God, and then gives him faith to believe. Man's responsibility by the grace of God is to respond to the overtures of God, for God alone does the work of God, and this, for His glory.
Trust And Obey
What is the call of God to every individual on the face of the earth? It is first to trust God, and then, obey Him fully. Why? With the revelation of God, primarily in Christ, there comes not only the knowledge of the Holy, but the means by which He has provided for sinful man to approach Him without fear. The proof of coming to Him, believing fully in Him, is an obedience according to His word, His will.
The House Of The Living God
What is our concept of the house of God? In the Old Testament it was revered as the place where God chose to make his name to dwell, but where man, who would come God's way, could enter and there have fellowship with God. The purpose of the House of God was first for the glory of God, but also for the benefit and blessing of man, for there man could worship the eternal God, communing with his Maker and Redeemer.