Faithful on Fridays Blog

Episode Four: Already

As you read this series my hope is that you’re seeing God’s plan from before time: kingdom living! It’s knowing that you’re royalty in God’s invisible realm and reigning with Him even now, and yet not completely.

For He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6 

The Kingdom of God is already here, we’re no longer dead to God but alive in Christ, and in the invisible kingdom (the upper story) we’re already seated with Him. I know that’s a mystery, especially if you’re looking at the your outward circumstances, but God wants us to look past them and to spiritual realities. 

God’s people anticipated this kingdom (Daniel 2) after King Nebuchadnezzar had Daniel interpret his dream of five kingdoms. Historically, the first four came to power and dissolved, however, the fifth kingdom was different. It wasn’t made by hands, but by a Stone; the ‘revealer of mysteries’ had spoken. 

For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. Acts 4:11-12

So everyone was waiting for this fifth kingdom, the one where God will reign, and Jesus enters telling stories and revealing these spiritual mysteries beginning with the Parable of the Sower, which thankfully, Jesus interpreted for us (Matt. 13:18-23). The seed is the Word of the kingdom and different types of hearts will hear this message. If it’s a hard heart the evil one will steal the seed because their hearts need to be softened for it to penetrate. If the heart is rocky they may joyfully receive this message of kingdom living, but their hearts remain shallow, they have no roots and their outward circumstances cause them to fall away. Hearts that are thorny, explained Jesus, are those who allow the world, riches, and pleasures of life to choke out the kingdom. He clearly revealed this mystery of the kingdom as beginning in the good soil of our hearts.

If you’d like to experience kingdom living, even though you can’t see it yet, then begin evaluating your own heart. Jesus said it’s a privilege to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God but you need good soil,

“But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.” Matthew 13:16-17

How do you handle stress, disappointment, or frustration? Ask your family for the truth. Kingdom living means you control anger, treat everyone with kindness, and easily forgive. That’s the ‘already’ of the Kingdom of God. 

Parable of the Sower: Shallow Heart

Kids love to play with modeling clay; it encourages creativity and it’s fun. The soil around my house is plagued with clay, but it’s not fun. I quickly learned that removal was necessary if I wanted my flowers to grow and flourish so I began the long process of digging out buckets of clay. The clay needed to go because it kept the depth of rich soil quite shallow. That’s our second heart condition: shallow soil.

Jesus continued His story (Matt. 13, Mark 4, Luke 8) describing a heart that’s full of rocks. The point isn’t the rocks or clay, but the lack of good soil for the plants to root in. Strong roots anchor plants, bring in water, and nutrients, consequently, a beautiful flower or fruit. With that picture in mind Jesus explained that our hearts are like that; we were created for depth. 

For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep. Psalm 64:6b 

I often hear that people leave churches because they need more depth; the teaching and preaching isn’t deep enough. News Flash! It may not be the preacher; it may be your heart. To be even clearer, Jesus described this shallow heart. You immediately receive the Word of God with joy and excitement, you last for a while, but because the good soil has no depth, the roots can’t thrive and you begin to wilt. Your faith is tested when life becomes hard and because you haven’t removed the rocks or clay from your heart, you fall away.

What’s the remedy for a shallow heart? Paul tells us that Holy Spirit revelation comes through your time with God. Yes, that four-letter word that everyone moans about: Time.

… these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10 

I encourage you today, whether the metaphor is soil or water:

Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch. Luke 5:4b 

God is offering revelation when you open His Word and pray.

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways! Romans 11:33 

It’s your responsibility to change your soil so fill your buckets with rock and clay-excuses and make God a priority for your day. You don’t have to be a shallow believer, the depth of your heart is calling out for the deep things of God (Ps. 42:7). Go for it!

… be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19 

Episode Three: Already

When Jesus appeared on the scene He preached, 

“The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15

That’s the ‘already’ gospel of God (vs. 14); we can experience a foretaste of everyday living like kings and queens in God’s realm … now. After forgiveness of our sins we die to our old life (lower story) and enter into a new one (upper story). We look the same on the outside, however, our inner man is a new creation; the old is gone and God gives us a new identity in Him. When the time was right the Father released the Son to come to earth and get this show on the road; it was His purpose (Luke 4:43)! God can’t wait for us to take our rightful place of dominion in the Garden once again. But what, exactly, is the Kingdom of God for today? Paul explained it like this,

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 

The Kingdom of God has been prepared and in position from before time began, the Plan for us to rule and reign with Him, but Jesus also said that a believer may have to forcefully take possession of it.

“The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the Kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it.” Luke 16:16 

We have an enemy ruling the kingdom of darkness on earth attempting to keep us from righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit; it’s Satan’s temporary kingdom that  tries to darken our soul and do what he does best: steals, kills, and destroys (John 10:10). However,

He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:13-14

Binding Satan is rendering him powerless in your life, one of the mysteries Jesus discussed, and we do it by praying for ourselves and others for healing and deliverance from that dark kingdom (Matt. 10:7-8, 12:22-28). We can walk like royalty in His righteousness, His wholeness (peace), and His bubbling over joy as Jesus’ 72 apostles, ‘sent ones’ (Luke 10) experienced. They showed evidence that the Kingdom of God is a present reality by bringing wholeness to many in their body, soul, and spirit. They returned rejoicing that even demons are subject to them in His Name. Jesus responded,

“Yes,” He told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy.” Luke 10:18-19a

We’re already experiencing the Kingdom of God as a taste, not a full meal, of the final Kingdom. We’ll look at some parables next week that show how this kingdom actually works.

Parable of the Sower: Hard Heart

One reason I return to Indiana from Arizona in spring is gardening. I’ve spent ten years striving to understand my type of soil, appropriate flowers, and enemies to my garden. Jesus told a parable using a garden metaphor that strikes at the heart and His warning was understanding; the parable of the sower opens the door to understanding all the parables (Mark 4:13), consequently the mysteries and secrets of God (Mark 4:11).

Thankfully, because of that astonishing promise, our Teacher Jesus, interpreted this story for us as an example. The seed is the Word of God (Luke 8:11), therefore anyone who speaks God’s Word is the gardener. He lists four conditions of our heart, the soil, that we can understand for ourselves first and ultimately for others.

The first heart/soil is likened to a well-traveled path that has been become hard and impenetrable. This can be you if you’re not a careful gardener. How does a heart turn hardened? When life becomes difficult, we’re not dependent on God but ourselves, we become like that hard path. God allows pain, suffering, and distress into our lives but we don’t lean into Him for comfort or clarity; we don’t understand. We forget all the times He was there for us and fall into doubt and unbelief. Jesus called His disciples hard-hearted when they didn’t understand the impact of His miracles (Mark 6:52, 8:17, 16:14); their hearts became like a trampled down footpath.  

The result of this type of soil leaves us open for Satan to snatch up the seed of truth. God’s Word cannot penetrate this hard soil and Satan, who’s been waiting on the sidelines, seizes the opportunity. Listening to encouraging words through preaching and teaching are snatched away: our heart has become hardened.

Does that describe you? Are you in a place where you don’t understand and have stopped believing God? Jesus warns that your words reveal the condition of your heart (Matt. 12:34); so be honest with yourself and with God. 

Ezekiel prophesied (36:26-27) that He’d replace Israel’s stony, hard heart with a new one that’s tender and responsive. Our solution to a hard heart is the same as Israel’s: the Holy Spirit. He’s sent by the Father to help by giving us power to change, consequently that packed-down soil is broken up and readily receives the seed. The devil cannot overcome the power of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, he can’t understand it. God’s desire is for you to recognize your heart/soil today. Break up the clumps of doubt, add the fertilizing Word, and ask for the Spirit’s water to change. That’s kingdom living.

Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts. 2 Corinthians 3:3 NLT

Episode Two: Before

We’ve established that God is both Lord and King over His creation and He planned for mankind to represent Him here before time began. Knowing that He would make a glorious return, sit on His throne on earth, and judge the nations He reminded the disciples and us,

Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”  Matthew 25:31-34 

Inherit the kingdom? An inheritance is a gift given to a person entitling them to share what’s passed on or handed down. As children of God we are co-heirs with Christ; we’re in the same family.

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him. Romans 8:16-17

How do we know what’s included in our inheritance? We begin at the beginning,

For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. Romans 4:13 ESV

And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:29 

So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians 4:4-7 

The promises to Abraham, inheriting the world, looks back to Gen. 1:28, the blessing of fruitfulness, multiplication, dominion, and authority to rule. It all begins there. There are many promises made to us by God, but they all begin here: before. 

The Kingdom of God begins with eternal life; Adam and Eve were created to live forever, that’s why after the fall God placed an angel guarding the Tree of Life; their inherited sin nature needed to be transformed into a new nature. That new nature includes the promise of life, a renewed inheritance, with God forever.

… so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:7 

As believers in Jesus Christ we have an inheritance that’s promised before, is partially here already, and not completed quite yet. We live in that in-between time of the 1^st and 2^nd comings of Christ, therefore it’s a spiritual reality now (more next week), but a reality nevertheless. 

One last thought, the prophet Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream which included this Kingdom in his prophetic dream,

And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, Daniel 2:44a

That’s our inheritance, back to sinless Eden, to rule and reign again when Christ returns!

On Earth as in Heaven: Part Five

When I was young my favorite movie star was Doris Day and one of her most beloved recordings was Que Sera, Sera: whatever will be will be. That’s the attitude of King Solomon in the book Ecclesiastes, however, in a negative sense. He wrote from his heart as he reflected on his life, but that heart turned cold toward God. His beginning was strong, unfortunately, he finished weak.

Where do you see heaven connecting with earth in his story? God visited Solomon twice explaining the plan (1 Kings 9): if you walk like your father David … then I will establish your throne forever. How did David walk before God? With integrity of heart and uprightness. Solomon was given the privilege of connecting heaven to earth by building the Temple for God’s Presence. The people were given a foretaste of the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven, however, the second part of God’s declaration was that if he didn’t stay close to God, then He would cut off Israel from the land and His Presence would depart.

Solomon wrote in Ecc. 2 (using the phrase ‘my heart’ 14 times in three chapters) that he experienced life God’s way and his own way, consequently, he concluded that it doesn’t matter: whatever will be, will be. His wisdom, wealth, and influence in the world brought him no peace for he abandoned his intimacy with God. How’s that possible? He allowed the blessings of God to draw him away from relationship with his Creator. 2 Sam. 12:24 tells us that the Lord loved Solomon and 1 Kings 3:3 says that Solomon loved the Lord: what happened?

He allowed worldly influences to infect his life with the disease of self; life became all about him. He forgot his prayer-life as recorded in 2 Chron. 6:12-42 when he recognized the power of relationship with God. “… heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You … yet You listen to the cry and prayer … you forgive.” God opened the heavens for Solomon to experience the Kingdom of God on earth but also reminded him that there are consequences to disobedience without repentance: He’ll promptly shuts the heavens. 

Today we face the same worldly temptations, but fortunately have more power than Solomon; we have the indwelling Holy Spirit to help us maintain our relationship with Jesus Christ. Even though God connected heaven and earth temporarily through the Temple in a magnificent way we have something better: the permanence of Immanuel, God is with us; we have His Spirit residing in us. 

Jesus instructed us to pray “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” and one way to experience heaven on earth is through repentance and forgiveness. King Solomon wrote one provocative verse in Ecc. 3:11 ‘eternity is in our hearts’ so we have a natural desire to know Him. Spend time with your God and experience His peace.

Episode One: Before

There’s a central theme throughout Scripture that’s often neglected and yet valuable for our everyday walk with God this series will explore: The Kingdom of God was a reality before, it’s already now, and not fully experienced … yet.  Jesus called it ‘the gospel of the kingdom’ (Matt. 4:23) and since He hadn’t yet died and resurrected it can’t be only that part of His story. Digging a little deeper we find Jesus praying to His Father saying, 

And now, Father, glorify Me in Your own presence with the glory that I had with You before the world existed. John 17:5

Since God is outside of time the Trinity decided to create humanity to bear His image and likeness (Gen. 1:26) along with the earth creating time. That reflection of God would be the recipient of all His love and love Him in return. Sometimes people wonder why God would go ahead with the plan knowing in advance that we’d rebel, but His love isn’t based on anything we do right. It’s foundation is His unreciprocated love. The Westminster Confession of 1646 asks what is the meaning and goal of human history or ‘what is the chief end of man’? The answer is that our purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. A simple plan before time, however, we should know what’s ahead and not only what’s behind us. The Kingdom of God was before creation, before the fall, and before Jesus was born. 

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as King forever; Ps. 29:10

This ‘kingdom’ began as God, the sovereign King, gave mankind authority and position in Eden. The word used is dominion meaning to bring into subjection, conquer or overcome, and to cultivate. This royal reign over creation was planned before time; God’s people were meant to have kingship over the earth. His image and likeness bearers were predestined to rule and reign with Him as kings and queens. 

The heavens are the Lord’s heavens, but the earth He has given to the children of man. Psalm 115:16 

Our mission from God was, and still is, to represent His kingship on earth, unfortunately we abdicated that position and God gave temporary authority to Satan, a lower ruler.

… in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— Ephesians 2:2 

Abraham Kuiper wrote that “the kingdom in the Garden of Eden has retreated back to the heavenlies until the coming of Messiah.” Well said.

God was not taken by surprise at man’s weakness, He already had a plan before time that included our dominion and rulership to be reinstated at just the right moment.

… written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. Revelation 13:8b

That’s quite enough for this week.

On Earth as in Heaven: Part Four

This topic of connecting God’s kingdom from heaven to earth reaches down from the heavenlies into earthly visions/dreams, miracles, deliverances, and healings or into the natural realm of life. However, the scope is magnified in the ordinary, daily life of a believer in Jesus Christ. 

Peter experienced this overlapping of heaven and earth while on a rooftop when God visited him in a trance (Acts 10:9-48). The heavens opens and a great sheet descended connecting heaven and earth with divine purpose. Peter, who lived in strict obedience to the Law of Moses, was instructed by God to eat what was considered unclean. Through that act God was communicating with this future leader of the Church that He was opening the door of the gospel to Jew and Gentile alike. 

This entrance into faith, open to all people through the Jewish Messiah, caused some confusion. It was only the priests who could declare clean and unclean, permit and forbid, grant or refuse, but now God was changing things. The Church was now given authority to unlock the door of salvation to whosoever would believe. Jesus referred to this when He spoke to Peter:

And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven. Matthew 16:19 NLT

Peter declared his revelation that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah and was given priest-like authority to declare entrance into kingdom living to those with like-faith. Jesus told Peter he would make some decisions in the future that would affect this new entity called the Church. These keys would lock and unlock, permit and forbid, grant and refuse. The connection of heaven and earth is clear; God has permitted entrance to all people, therefore, the Church follows. As time progressed we know that other things were forbidden or permitted. Circumcision was required for a Jew, but no longer necessary for a Christian. In Jesus’ day fellowship between Jew and Gentile was forbidden: not true in the Church. There were many day and food restrictions under the Law of Moses (Col. 2:16), however, in Christ every day and all food has already been blessed by God. 

Today, the Holy Spirit teaches us what is permitted or forbidden in heaven and therefore on earth; these doctrines or teachings of the Church help us navigate when ‘hot topics’ cause confusion. We need direction from heaven since our culture seems to permit everything these days.

Faith and morals are pivotal points in the Church as we discuss forbidding and permitting or binding and loosing. Jesus told Peter later in this passage (Matt. 16:23) to set his mind on heavenly things, kingdom ways, and refuse a worldly viewpoint and Paul repeated the command in Col. 3:1-4. It’s not always easy or comfortable, certainly not politically correct, but it’s how His kingdom comes on earth as it is in heaven.

5:13-20

Pastor James closed his letter by asking if anyone is suffering, reminding us of his opening: meeting trials of various kinds, or being tested (1:2-3)? If the answer is yes, then the solution is prayer. Sounds too easy, I know, but communing with Jesus via the Spirit, being in His Presence, is where you receive the wisdom you need (1:5) to stay out of crisis and stay in joy. 

Well, you’re not suffering at the moment, everything is going well; James anticipated that answer so he continued that if anyone is cheerful, then he should be singing praises to God and worshipping Him. Prayer and Praise.

What if you’re sick or exhausted? The solution is calling on the elders of your church, who’ve been trained in God’s Word and full of faith to pray over you with anointing oil as a visual of the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Let’s consider that.

The first mention of anointing oil is when God’s people were wandering in the wilderness under Moses’ leadership and God desired to be with them. He gave specific instructions to build a place for His presence and distinct ways His people could come to Him. The priests were anointed with oil to show their dedication, position, and God’s blessing to represent them to Him and represent God to them. In the New Testament believers experienced a type of anointing of the Spirit for the first time at Pentecost when they were filled with the Spirit and power to be His witnesses.

The apostle John later mentioned the anointing of the Spirit that dwells in us today (1 John 2:20, 27) to give us knowledge as He teaches us. 

When an elder, or even a mature believer, anoints someone with oil for healing it’s a visual representation of their faith in God as healer. After a time of confession and repentance the oil and the prayer of faith sets the stage for the Lord to heal; the believer is simply the vessel while God controls what happens next. It’s crucial to remember that Pastor James was encouraging his congregation that there’s great power in their prayers for each other. We need that reminder as well. As an example of great power in prayer Elijah prayed for no rain and for 3 ½ years there was a drought. When he prayed again, it rained and fruit appeared on the trees! Mega-power in prayer.

Lastly, this pastor concludes his letter with a heart-cry for those who have strayed from faith. He told them that love for their faith family will have a definite impact, even if it’s tough love, to rescue them from their wandering into spiritual death. This isn’t salvation by faith, but a rescue for weak, impotent, or exhausted believers (vs. 15 ‘the sick’) who have undoubtedly let the trials and testings of this world overcome them (1:2).

Let this pastor’s words encourage you today in your faith-filled walk.

On Earth as in Heaven: Part Three

Opulence. What a great word! Some people view opulence, possessing great wealth, as negative, worldly, even sinful, but the Bible tells a different story. King David accumulated a treasury which was filled with silver, gold, and jewels: opulence. He passed that treasury on to his son Solomon who added more to it. Why would God give His people such extravagant wealth if it was sinful or worldly? 

Let’s look at this picture of treasures from the perspective of connecting heaven and earth: the lower story and the upper story. There’s a play on words in Matt. 6:19-21 that helps us:

“Don’t store up treasureshere on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasuresin heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasureis, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:19-21

The phrase ‘store up’ is actually from the same word for ‘treasure’. The Greek literally reads, “Don’t treasure treasures … treasure your treasures in heaven.” God has an opulent treasury in heaven, consequently, David and Solomon’s treasury was just a snapshot, a lower story. I guarantee you that God’s treasury is not filled with gold or silver; He paves streets with that stuff. Scripture tells us it’s filled with heavenly things like understanding His mysteries, wisdom, and knowledge (Col. 2:2-3); those are heavenly treasures.

Jesus assured us that if we treasure those treasures then we have tapped into connecting heaven and earth. Paul encouraged us to set our minds on heavenly things not earthly ones (Col. 3:2). What are those heavenly things? Jesus’ words from Matt. 6 should ring in our ears: generosity to the poor, prayer and fasting for personal strength, and forgiveness for others: all samples of treasures in heaven that reveal our hearts. Our storehouse should be filled with heavenly treasures that last throughout eternity not earthly ones that are only temporary (Matt. 19:21).

One last thought. Paul talks about a ‘heavenly account’ in Phil 4:14-20 when he commended believers who were generous to him. He wasn’t concerned about the financial help, those earthly treasures, but with the heavenly treasures they were accruing. What does your financial plan look like from God’s perspective? Has your heavenly ledger accumulated more on the giving or receiving side? 

God has a treasury in heaven (Dt. 28:12) waiting for you to draw from, however, the question remains, which holds more value to you, earthly or heavenly riches? Let’s learn to trust God as we practice accruing heavenly treasures and He promises to make them available, His divine opulence, to meet our needs. Live in the upper story.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Philippians 4:19-20