| We are born into
the kingdom of darkness. It is the consequence of the sin of our
first parents. This kingdom is ruled by the prince of darkness,
our adversary, the devil. He comes but to kill and steal and
destroy. He operates through fear, power, and control by putting
thoughts, suggestions, and images that create discomfort, disease, and
distress. He hates those in his kingdom and wishes them only
harm, sickness, and poverty. To some he gives great wealth but
without the capacity to enjoy it. There is always the fear of
losing it and a dissatisfaction with whatever is attained. He
thrives on destruction, violence, and lust. He wants those in his
kingdom to worship idols and to covet them. He is the father of
lies and does not want those in his kingdom to know the truth.
Pride, conceit and deception are the pillars of his kingdom for those
who wish to get ahead in it. Nothing and nobody will stand in the
way of attaining the privileges and status of power, wealth, and beauty
and unbeknownst to them, hell looms in the future because these
pleasures last only for a season. Darkness is unconscious unreality. One does not know one does not see reality, does not see God or Truth or Beauty. One strategy Satan uses both to destroy those not in his kingdom and those that are in his kingdom is to be critical, unforgiving, and merciless. Not only are those attacked not blessed, but those who do such things are as critical, unforgiving, and merciless to themselves as well. Another strategy he uses is to get people to be constantly preoccupied, busy, and driven. No time for reflection, peace, and serenity. Not only is the person driven always restless, those in his sphere of influence are never given due consideration. The goal, purpose, or idea so dominate the soul of the person driven that other people are sacrificed for the objective. Idolatry consumes that person and those around him. The emptiness of the soul not filled with God is an abyss. That person in Satan's domain, to fill the need, medicates himself with drugs, alcohol, sex, acquisition, and self-consumption. He truly is destined for hell that stays in this kingdom. The kingdom of God is a kingdom gotten by rebirth. One can not be elected by people, join through membership, or buy one's way into this kingdom. To be born in this kingdom one must receive it as a gift of grace and repent of those transgressions committed while in the other kingdom. Birth into this kingdom gains for him all the rights and privileges of the king. Flesh and blood cannot inherit this kingdom. The kingdom resides in the spirit and upon maturity, authority, rule, and dominion over one's domain becomes complete. Like yeast, the anointing in this kingdom spreads to the soul, the body, relationships, and finances. One need not take thought for tomorrow because in this kingdom, the king of kings and lord of lord provides all the benefits of the kingdom. Food, clothing, shelter, love, friendship, family, and security are all provided by the king. There is no fear or anxiety, worry or stress, pressure or doubt in this kingdom because the relationship is established in blood, the blood of the Lamb. By faith and patience we inherit all the promises of the king of kings. Because as kings we are members of the kingdom, it is a government not a religion. We carry the government on our shoulders and the yoke is easy and the burden is light. As ambassadors of the kingdom we no longer represent ourselves but the kingdom of God. As ambassadors we preach the kingdom, live and walk in the Spirit, and share the good news to birth others into the kingdom. The fruit of this kingdom is love, peace, and joy of the Holy Spirit and it is sown through the word of God and charity. Forgiveness, mercy, and compassion are the pillars of this kingdom as well as humility and holiness. The rewards of this kingdom are eternal life and heaven. Like a mustard seed that grows into a large tree to give a place of shelter and protection for birds, the kingdom that grows within and around us is to provide a haven of rest for others to enjoy. It is to be a place of peace, serenity, and joy. Two kingdoms: one is ruled by Satan and the other by Christ. We are born into the first and we are reborn into the second. We have no choice as to the first but we can gain access to the second by grace through faith. Jesus sacrifice on the cross provided that access for us. Receive Christ and His kingdom into your spirit and establish ruler ship over your kingdom. Provide for others meat that will not perish and drink to quench all thirst. Amen. |