Category Archives: Christian Life

GOD HAS PERSONALISED ME

Christian Life, ,

A while back, I was pondering on an issue that troubled me. I understand that God is spirit, therefore, for example, He does not have hands, yet the Bible says that He has engraved Israel’s name on the palms of His hands.

Isaiah 49:14-16 NLT
[14] “Yet Jerusalem says, “The Lord has deserted us; the Lord has forgotten us.” [15] “Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! [16] See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands. Always in my mind is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins.”

If God has written Israel’s name on His hands, surely then He has also written the name of every believer on His palms. What does that mean?

This is a vivid, figurative way of saying that God never forgets a single individual who belongs to Him. The Hebrew word, translated “written”, “engraved“,” inscribed”, or even “tattooed”, comes from the root meaning “to hack”, implying permanence or indelibility.

So secure are God’s people in God that it is impossible for Him to forget their names or their circumstances.

However, here is the point for me. I wondered how God can remember the name of every person who has or will ever live. The Holy Spirit explained that there is only one name indelibly inscribed on God’s palm, mine! And so it is for everyone. God remembers and knows every person as though he or she is the only one. This is how intimately He relates to us.

Secondly, my mind turned to a heavenly scene. The Bible describes millions and millions of people and angels, before the throne, worshipping God in heaven.

Again, I pondered on the practical side of this scene. If there are so many people and angels worshipping God at the same time, how can those in the crowd who are not near God’s throne, see Him or fall down at His feet to worship Him?

Now that may seem like a stupid question but, once again, the Holy Spirit answered me. Just as there is only one name on God’s palm, so also, there is only one person at His feet, worshipping Him, me! On earth, we trust Him, relate to Him, and worship Him, one on one. So it will be in heaven.

In some way we earthlings find difficult to understand, heaven is the realm of the spirit where things happen in the spiritual dimension. God is spirit, yet we will “see” Him. Angels are spirit beings, yet we will recognise them. Our spirits go to be with the Lord, yet we will be real people.

So, we can rely on God because He cannot forget anyone, and we can relate to Him personally because we are assured that we will never lose our personal and intimate connection with Him even among the hoards in heaven.

Revelation 7:9-11 NLT
[9] “After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. [10] And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!” [11] And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God.”

Even God’s thoughts are personal, about…me! This is not about being selfish. This is about being assured that every individual is precious to God.

Psalms 139:17-18 NLT
[17]”How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! [18] I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!”

However, there is one prerequisite for enjoying this personal intimacy with the Lord. He gives us the choice and the initiative.

James 4:7-10 NLT
[7] “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] COME CLOSE TO GOD, AND GOD WILL COME CLOSE TO YOU. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. [9] Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. [10] Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”

Our closeness to Him now depends on our attitude. If we insist on harbouring sin, we will remain at a distance from Him. If, however, we come clean and turn away from a sinful lifestyle, God’s ear and heart are turned towards us. We are not waiting for Him. He is waiting for us.

CALL ON HIS NAME

Christian Life, ,

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear;
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer.

O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Charles Converse / Joseph Scriven

Never has there been a greater invitation…no, solution… to the issues of life than to call on the name of the Lord.

When Adam’s family fell apart, his descendants began to call on the name of the Lord.

Genesis 4:26 NIV
[26] “Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord.”

David responded to God’s goodness by calling on His name.

Psalms 116:12-13 NIV
[12] “What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me? [13] I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.”

If you need to be saved, call on His name.

Romans 10:13 NLT
[13] For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

If you need help, call on the name if the Lord.

Psalms 121:2 NIV
[2] My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

“To call upon the name of the Lord is a sign of knowing Him and a way of connecting to Him. There is a difference between knowing about God and knowing Him personally. Calling on the name of the Lord indicates personal interaction and relationship. When we call upon the name of the Lord, as a form of worship, we recognize our dependence upon Him.”
(What does it mean to call on the name of the Lord?
http://www.got questions.org)

Psalms 116:1-2 NIV
[1]”I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. [2] Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.”

For those who are connected to the Lord by faith, calling on His name is not only a way of life but also imperative. Why?

“In summary, those who call on the name of the Lord are those who recognize Him as Savior. Whether it is a first-time calling upon Jesus’ name for forgiveness of sins or a continuous calling as the relationship progresses and grows, giving Him lordship over our lives in surrender to His will, calling on the name of the Lord is vital to spiritual life. Ultimately, calling on the name of the Lord is a sign of humility and dependence on God our Creator and Redeemer.”

Jesus insisted, “Without me, you can do nothing!”

Trouble is, we think we can. Born with an attitude of independence, even as believers in Jesus, we find it difficult to hand over the controls to Him. We call Him “Lord” but we ignore what He tells us to do.

Luke 6:46-48 NIV
[46] “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? [47] As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. [48] They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.”

We say we believe in Him but we still try to play “God” in our own and other people’s lives. We still have the crazy notion that we must handle the difficulties we face by ourselves. We think that God is only concerned with the really big issues in life. The rest is up to us.

To be led by God’s Spirit is the hallmark of every child of God.

Romans 8:14 NLT
[14] “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”

Not to be led by the Spirit is rebellion and foolishness.

To be led by God’s Spirit is to call on His name in every situation that needs help. That means every detail of everyday life, like the branch in the vine.

Not to be led by His Spirit means that I must be God in everything I face. I must be God in my relationships with others. I must be God to my husband and my children. I must be God at home and at work. I must be God in my life in society and in my country. I must make the rules and obey them.

It’s either God or me. We can’t both sit in the driver’s seat.

Problem is, wheb we insist on doing the driving, the consequences are dire.

Luke 6:49 NLT
[49] “But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

So then, since we have entered by faith into a partnership with Jesus where He is Lord and we are not, we are obliged to live out what we profess. We have given back to Him His right to lead us but, to do so, we must call on His name.

Solomon gives us, in a nutshell, Jesus’ prescription for our lives…

Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
[5] “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. [6] Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.“

When we insist on playing God in our own and others’ lives, we rob ourselves, and them, of the opportunity to experience His grace in its many facets. We miss out in the wonder of His interventions, and the development of our faith into a robust, secure connection with Him that weathers every storm. Even worse, we mess with God’s purpose for ourselves, and our loved ones, to transform us into the image of Jesus through the ALL THINGS in which He works for our good.

My friends, this is imperative if we are to live “care free in the care of God.” We must learn to call on His name as a lifelong expression of our utter dependence on Him.

HARM OR HEAL, WHAT ARE WE SAYING?

Christian Life, ,

Here is something to consider that will help us to know which kingdom we really live in! Jesus gave us a test to show which kingdom rules over us.

We reveal the kingdom in which we live, for example, by what comes out of our mouths…

There is awesome power in the spoken word. God created…

Psalms 33:6 NLT
[6] “The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born.”

And upholds His creation…

Hebrews 1:3 NLT
[3″The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command.”…

By His word.

Proverbs 18:21 NIV
[21] “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

The tongue represents the words we speak that proceed from what we believe in our hearts. Hence, what we say will produce the fruit of life or death. This is a principle that illustrates the nature of the kingdom in which we live.

James explains that our mouths are the fountain out of which flows whatever is inside. Unfortunately, what we say exposes the truth that we are constantly at war inside.

James 3:2, 9-12 NLT
[2] “Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way….
[9] Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. [10] And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! [11] Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? [12] Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.”

How can a spring of water produce fresh and salty water at the same time? This does not happen in nature but it does happen in the spiritual realm. You see, the old polluted spring is still inside us. We show by our words which fountain is flowing, the fountain of polluted or living water!

Drinking dirty water is unhealthy. Impure water carries mud and germs which harm those who drink it. In the same way, “dirty” words pollute those who hear them.

Since we are responsible for the way we influence people around us, how important it is for us to keep the fountain inside pure to ensure that what comes out is also pure.

And Jesus declared that what we say will be the measure of our judgment. Our tongues give away the nature of the kingdom that rules over us.

Matthew 12:35-37 NLT
[35] “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. [36] And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. [37] The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”

According to the Bible, there will be judgment for all who are in God’s kingdom now. This judgment has nothing to do with our salvation. Scripture declares that…

Romans 8:1 NLT
[1] “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”

The Holy Spirit assures us of our salvation by His presence in us, and by His witness that we are God’s children.

Ephesians 1:13-14 NLT
[13] “And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. [14] The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.”

Romans 8:15-16 NLT
[15]”So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” [16] For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.”

But… there is still judgment coming for the way we live in God’s kingdom. Are we submitting to His authority or still living for ourselves?

So, the question is, “What will God judge when we stand before Him?”

Strangely enough, God will judge our words. Why not our actions?

According to Scripture, our words reveal what us in our hearts.

Matthew 12:35-37 NLT
[35] “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. [36] And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. [37] The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”

What we say is really a revelation of what is in our hearts, what we believe that guides our words and eventually our actions. You see, God wants His people to be real, genuine, pure, not mixed with ungodly thoughts, and ways, guided by the truth of what God says.

The only way we can be pure inside  is to replace wrong thinking and beliefs by the truth of what God says. When we fill our minds with God’s Word, we replace lies with truth so that, when we open our mouths, truth will come out.

This leads me to another thought. Not only will we be judged by what we say but we also set up the standard of our own judgment.

God is so just in His dealings with us that He makes us our own judge. We cannot accuse Him of injustice because our own standard will condemn us.

Matthew 7:1-2 NLT
[1]  “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. [2] For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.”

Whatever words we use to show our contempt or condemnation of another will boomerang back on us.

www.gotquestions.org has an excellent answer to the question, “What are idle words (Matthew 12:36)?”

“In Matthew 12:37, the significance of words is that they will be used to gauge a person’s spiritual condition in the judgment: “For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Jesus was speaking to a group of Pharisees who had just accused Jesus of being demon-possessed (verse 24). Jesus calls them a “brood of vipers” and asks them, “How can you who are evil say anything good?” (verse 34). Just as vipers have a mouthful of poison, so the Pharisees had evil words concerning the Savior.

Then Jesus warns the Pharisees of the coming judgment, at which they will be held accountable for their words (Matthew 12:37). There is no better judge of a person’s heart than the words he allows to come forth from his mouth. Just like good trees produce good fruit and bad trees produce bad fruit, so does the mouth reveal the heart’s condition (verse 33).”

So, recognising how harmful his words could be, David prayed…

Psalms 141:3-4 NLT
[3]”Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips. [4] Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness. Don’t let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong.”

And so should we if we truly believe what Jesus said.

Isaiah gives us a beautiful alternative to the often mindless chatter that comes from our mouths.

Isaiah 12:3-6 NLT
[3] With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation! [4] In that wonderful day you will sing: “Thank the Lord! Praise his name! Tell the nations what he has done. Let them know how mighty he is! [5] Sing to the Lord, for he has done wonderful things. Make known his praise around the world. [6] Let all the people of Jerusalem shout his praise with joy! For great is the Holy One of Israel who lives among you.”

DON’T EAT FROM THE WRONG TREE – 3

Christian Life, ,

There is a third facet to this subject under discussion, an outcome far bigger than we can imagine.

Let’s go back before time. There are many references in Scripture to a class of angelic beings called “sons of God”, “princes”, “gods” and God’s “heavenly counsel”. These are created spiritual beings to whom God gave the responsibility of ruling the nations under His authority and oversight.

Deuteronomy 32:8 NLT
[8] “When the Most High assigned lands to the nations, when he divided up the human race, he established the boundaries of the peoples according to the number in his heavenly court.”

This amazing Scripture tells us that God divided the nations so that each one had a member of His “heavenly court” in charge. However, because these heavenly beings rebelled against His authority, He judged them and sentenced them to death.

Psalms 82:1-2, 6-7 NLT
[1] “God presides over heaven’s court; he pronounces judgment on the heavenly beings: [2] “How long will you hand down unjust decisions by favoring the wicked?…”

Instead of ruling the nations justly, they sided with ungodly earthly rulers, oppressing the poor and ruling unjustly.

Psalms 82:3-5 NLT
[3] “Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. [4] Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people. [5] But these oppressors know nothing; they are so ignorant! They wander about in darkness, while the whole world is shaken to the core.”

So God sentenced them to death just like the humans who rebelled.

Psamn 82:6-7 NLT
[6]”I say, ‘You are gods; you are all children of the Most High. [7] But you will die like mere mortals and fall like every other ruler.’”

In the New Testament, these fallen rulers are called “principalities and powers” headed by a senior angel, Satan, “the god of this world”. They oppose God and control and influence the ungodly world systems characterised by greed and wickedness.

Since Satan operates on earth, he falsely claims ownership of the world. He applies this lie by deceiving people through his minions, the rebellious principalities and powers whom God originally appointed to govern the nations.

However,

Psalms 24:1 NLT
[1] “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.”

God appointed His humans to rule over the earth.

Psalms 115:16 NLT
[16] “The heavens belong to the Lord, but he has given the earth to all humanity.”

God created and appointed a new race of beings to replace the “gods” who were condemned to death. This race of humans lives on the earth. Satan deceived the first man, Adam, bringing the whole race under judgment and condemned to death… but God intervened.

God rescued mankind through the death of His Son and set some of them apart to be His new “heavenly council”, preparing them during their life on earth for their role as rulers with Jesus in His eternal kingdom.

Daniel saw this future event in a vision…

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 NLT
[9] “I watched as thrones were put in place and the Ancient One sat down to judge. His clothing was as white as snow, his hair like purest wool. He sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire, [10] and a river of fire was pouring out, flowing from his presence. Millions of angels ministered to him; many millions stood to attend him. Then the court began its session, and the books were opened….
[13] As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. [14] He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.”

This “Son of Man”, a Messianic title, refers to Jesus in His earthly ministry as God’s Messiah. God rewarded Him for His role on earth by giving Him the title and role of ruler over the nations.

Psalms 2:2, 4-6 NLT
[2] “The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one…
[4] But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them. [5] Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury. [6] For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.”

Then something amazing happens.

Daniel 7:15-18, 26-27 NLT
[15] I, Daniel, was troubled by all I had seen, and my visions terrified me. [16] So I approached one of those standing beside the throne and asked him what it all meant. He explained it to me like this: [17] “These four huge beasts represent four kingdoms that will arise from the earth. [18] But in the end, the holy people of the Most High will be given the kingdom, and they will rule forever and ever.”…

Daniel questions one of God’s close attendants regarding the power and fate of the fourth kingdom in his vision.

[26] “But then the court will pass judgment, and all his power will be taken away and completely destroyed. [27] Then the sovereignty, power, and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be given to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will last forever, and all rulers will serve and obey him.”

God’s plan is to prepare His people, redeemed from sin and its consequences, to reign with Jesus when He returns to set up His eternal kingdom.

Revelation 1:5-6 NLT
[5]”Jesus Christ… He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world. All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. [6] He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.”

Revelation 5:9-10 NLT
[9]”And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. [10] And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.”

2 Timothy 2:11-12 NLT
[11]”This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. [12] If we endure hardship, we will reign with him….”

So, Paul reminds his Corinthian readers that they were serving an apprenticeship on earth. He rebuked them for taking one another to secular court to solve their squabbles.

1 Corinthians 6:1-3 NLT
[1]” When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers! [2] Don’t you realize that some day we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves? [3] Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life.”

The issue is…in this life, believers are to learn

  1. To rule over their old sinful nature by submitting to God’s rule over them through the Holy Spirit.

Romans 5:17 NLT
[17]” For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.”

  1. To love one another because love is the law of the kingdom of God.

James 2:8 NLT
[8]” Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Romans 13:8, 10 NLT
[8]”Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law….
[10] Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.”

  1. To live in harmony with one another, settling issues within the church family.

Romans 12:16-18 NLT
[16]”Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! [17] Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. [18] Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”

Believers can only learn to live according to God’s requirements when they live in the kingdom of the “tree of life”. We have died to self through our union with Jesus. Now we must learn to live by the power of His Spirit in us through the choices we make.

Galatians 5:16 NLT
[16] “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”

Romans 8:12-14 NLT
[12] “Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. [13] For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. [14] For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”

In conclusion, let’s look at the bigger picture. God has replaced the spirit beings, called “the sons of God”, who were to rule over the nations but rebelled, with another race of human “sons”, made in His image, redeemed from sin, to rule over the nations forever with Jesus, on His return.

This “heavenly council” will replace the fallen spirit beings who have been sentenced to death along with fallen humans. They serve an apprenticeship during their earthly life by living under God’s authority in preparation for their role in eternity.

This is God’s plan which He is carrying out now but…it involves a partnership between believers and God. Unless we participate by obedience to His will, believers will be disqualified from participation in our kingdom role.

Galatians 5:17, 21 NLT
[17] “The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions…
[21]…envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”

So, the Bible urges us,” Choose life!” since this is the only way to live now and to secure our position and role with Jesus in His eternal kingdom.

Concluded

DON’T EAT FROM THE WRONG TREE – 2

Christian Life, ,

We have explored the meaning of the two trees in the Garden of Eden. Now we must try to discover their purpose. For what purpose do these two kingdoms exist?

I realise that this is a philosophical question too big to explore here. However, there is one issue, relating to this subject, of great importance to us.

Since God created humans in His image, He gave us the gift of choice. He did not create robots programmed to love Him. He created people with the freedom to love Him or not to love Him.

The overriding rule in His kingdom is love, which determines every word and action of every being under His authority. However, this love must be a choice. Love is only authentic when, by freely choosing to love, all other choices are excluded. Loving God means choosing to submit to and expresses itself by freely accepting God’s authority, and living in obedience to His will.

John 14:21 NLT
[21] “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.

One of God’s high-ranking angels chose not to love Him, setting up a rival “kingdom”, making self-will the nature of this rule. He chose to rebel and overthrow the rule of love. His government includes whatever is not God or God’s way.

For God to test His first son’s love for Him, He gave him the option of choosing between His rule or self-rule by permitting the intrusion of His arch-enemy. This was not a happenstance. This was carefully planned. God knew the outcome before it happened and He also planned His solution before He set the whole process in motion.

So, for God to create and develop His forever family of sons and daughters like His own Son, each one, individually, had to come under His rule by freely choosing to eat from the tree of life. He selected every believer-to-be before time, called them out of the dominion of darkness in time, and set them on the path to live and love in His kingdom of light on this earth within this world system controlled by Satan for eternity.

Ephesians 1:4-8 NLT
[4] “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. [5] God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. [6] So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. [7] He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. [8] He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.”

All this for one purpose…to show those in the rival kingdom who is God and how great He is!

Ephesians 3:10-11 NLT
[10]”God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. [11] This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

You see, it’s all about Him.

So, there are only two kingdoms that exist in the world. They function in the unseen realm but influence the way people live and behave in the earthly kingdoms in which He placed them. Each individual must make the choice to come under one of two authorities, God’s approved and appointed ruler, Jesus…

Philippians 2:9-11 NLT
[9] “Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

or Satan, the god of this world.

Matthew 4:8-9 NLT
[8]”Next the devil took him (Jesus) to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. [9] “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”

God sets in motion the direction, the processes, and the destiny that our choice determines. For those who choose life, He give grace to live under His rule. To those who choose self-will, He gives them over to what they want.

Our eternal outcome depends on the choices we make now.

To be concluded…