Who Is Going To Heaven

Scripture: Matthew 7:21–24

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (ESV)
Recently, I received an email from a subscriber of KingdomNomics wanting an explanation of the above verses. No matter how great the ministry of an individual may be, we must remember the source, power, and foundation of our salvation is the person of Jesus Christ alone. Only he gives us right standing before God, not our works.

I believe Matthew 7:21–24 is referring to people who are trusting in their works to get into heaven. Works, no matter how wonderful, are not an acceptable payment for our sin, nor do they make us right with God. Only the blood of Jesus Christ is the acceptable payment for sin, and only by his blood do we have redemption in Christ. The people mentioned in the above passage are referring to themselves, saying their works ought to qualify them to enter heaven. Without realizing it, they are trusting in themselves rather than in Jesus Christ.
Only God qualifies us: “Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:12–14, ESV)
This is a 100% work by God. It is only God who qualifies, delivers, and transfers and in whom there is the forgiveness of sin.
Remember: “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” (Romans 10:9–10, ESV)
The following passage states what the will of the father is, and this is what we want to be sure to rely on. Only Jesus Christ is our salvation. Nothing else.
“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:40, ESV). The works will follow true faith.

Today, ask yourself:

Am I looking to Jesus Christ alone for my salvation, trusting only in his death, burial, and resurrection?
- See more at: http://kingdomnomics.com/christ-alone-is-the-source-of-our-salvation/#.VvzzcTGHi1

John 5:24 ESV / 73 helpful votes

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

Matthew 7:21-23 ESV / 70 helpful votes

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

John 3:3 ESV / 62 helpful votes

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Revelation 21:8 ESV / 56 helpful votes

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Romans 6:23 ESV / 49 helpful votes

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hebrews 10:26-31 ESV / 38 helpful votes

For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” ...

Matthew 25:31-46 ESV / 36 helpful votes

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 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. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ...

John 14:6 ESV / 33 helpful votes

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 3:16 ESV / 32 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:13 ESV / 32 helpful votes

No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.

Revelation 21:3-4 ESV / 29 helpful votes

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV / 26 helpful votes

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV / 26 helpful votes

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—

John 14:1 ESV / 26 helpful votes

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

Jude 1:7 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

John 4:24 ESV / 18 helpful votes

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Revelation 7:4-8 ESV / 16 helpful votes

And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel: 12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed, 12,000 from the tribe of Reuben, 12,000 from the tribe of Gad, 12,000 from the tribe of Asher, 12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali, 12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh, 12,000 from the tribe of Simeon, 12,000 from the tribe of Levi, 12,000 from the tribe of Issachar, 12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun, 12,000 from the tribe of Joseph, 12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed.

1 John 5:16 ESV / 16 helpful votes

If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.

John 1:1 ESV / 15 helpful votes

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 ESV / 13 helpful votes

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Luke 13:23-30 ESV / 13 helpful votes

And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ ...

Matthew 7:13-14 ESV / 13 helpful votes

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Isaiah 1:1-31 ESV / 13 helpful votes

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. ...

Revelation 20:14 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.

Matthew 10:28 ESV / 12 helpful votes

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Acts 4:12 ESV / 10 helpful votes

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Acts 2:34 ESV / 10 helpful votes

For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand,

John 8:44 ESV / 9 helpful votes

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Luke 12:48 ESV / 9 helpful votes

But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

Matthew 25:46 ESV / 8 helpful votes

And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Isaiah 65:25 ESV / 7 helpful votes

The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent's food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,” says the Lord.

Song of Solomon 1:1-17 ESV / 7 helpful votes

The Song of Songs, which is Solomon's. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine; your anointing oils are fragrant; your name is oil poured out; therefore virgins love you. Draw me after you; let us run. The king has brought me into his chambers. We will exult and rejoice in you; we will extol your love more than wine; rightly do they love you. I am very dark, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon. ...

Exodus 20:13 ESV / 6 helpful votes

“You shall not murder.

Genesis 1:1-31 ESV / 6 helpful votes

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. ...

Romans 3:23 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Revelation 21:1-3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

Romans 6:14-16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?

Scripture: Matthew 7:21–24

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (ESV)
Recently, I received an email from a subscriber of KingdomNomics wanting an explanation of the above verses. No matter how great the ministry of an individual may be, we must remember the source, power, and foundation of our salvation is the person of Jesus Christ alone. Only he gives us right standing before God, not our works.

I believe Matthew 7:21–24 is referring to people who are trusting in their works to get into heaven. Works, no matter how wonderful, are not an acceptable payment for our sin, nor do they make us right with God. Only the blood of Jesus Christ is the acceptable payment for sin, and only by his blood do we have redemption in Christ. The people mentioned in the above passage are referring to themselves, saying their works ought to qualify them to enter heaven. Without realizing it, they are trusting in themselves rather than in Jesus Christ.
Only God qualifies us: “Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:12–14, ESV)
This is a 100% work by God. It is only God who qualifies, delivers, and transfers and in whom there is the forgiveness of sin.
Remember: “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” (Romans 10:9–10, ESV)
The following passage states what the will of the father is, and this is what we want to be sure to rely on. Only Jesus Christ is our salvation. Nothing else.
“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:40, ESV). The works will follow true faith.

Today, ask yourself:

Am I looking to Jesus Christ alone for my salvation, trusting only in his death, burial, and resurrection?
- See more at: http://kingdomnomics.com/christ-alone-is-the-source-of-our-salvation/#.VvzzcTGHi1t

Scripture: Matthew 7:21–24

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (ESV)
Recently, I received an email from a subscriber of KingdomNomics wanting an explanation of the above verses. No matter how great the ministry of an individual may be, we must remember the source, power, and foundation of our salvation is the person of Jesus Christ alone. Only he gives us right standing before God, not our works.

I believe Matthew 7:21–24 is referring to people who are trusting in their works to get into heaven. Works, no matter how wonderful, are not an acceptable payment for our sin, nor do they make us right with God. Only the blood of Jesus Christ is the acceptable payment for sin, and only by his blood do we have redemption in Christ. The people mentioned in the above passage are referring to themselves, saying their works ought to qualify them to enter heaven. Without realizing it, they are trusting in themselves rather than in Jesus Christ.
Only God qualifies us: “Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:12–14, ESV)
This is a 100% work by God. It is only God who qualifies, delivers, and transfers and in whom there is the forgiveness of sin.
Remember: “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” (Romans 10:9–10, ESV)
The following passage states what the will of the father is, and this is what we want to be sure to rely on. Only Jesus Christ is our salvation. Nothing else.
“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:40, ESV). The works will follow true faith.

Today, ask yourself:

Am I looking to Jesus Christ alone for my salvation, trusting only in his death, burial, and resurrection?
- See more at: http://kingdomnomics.com/christ-alone-is-the-source-of-our-salvation/#.VvzzcTGHi1t

Scripture: Matthew 7:21–24

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (ESV)
Recently, I received an email from a subscriber of KingdomNomics wanting an explanation of the above verses. No matter how great the ministry of an individual may be, we must remember the source, power, and foundation of our salvation is the person of Jesus Christ alone. Only he gives us right standing before God, not our works.

I believe Matthew 7:21–24 is referring to people who are trusting in their works to get into heaven. Works, no matter how wonderful, are not an acceptable payment for our sin, nor do they make us right with God. Only the blood of Jesus Christ is the acceptable payment for sin, and only by his blood do we have redemption in Christ. The people mentioned in the above passage are referring to themselves, saying their works ought to qualify them to enter heaven. Without realizing it, they are trusting in themselves rather than in Jesus Christ.
Only God qualifies us: “Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:12–14, ESV)
This is a 100% work by God. It is only God who qualifies, delivers, and transfers and in whom there is the forgiveness of sin.
Remember: “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” (Romans 10:9–10, ESV)
The following passage states what the will of the father is, and this is what we want to be sure to rely on. Only Jesus Christ is our salvation. Nothing else.
“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:40, ESV). The works will follow true faith.

Today, ask yourself:

Am I looking to Jesus Christ alone for my salvation, trusting only in his death, burial, and resurrection?
- See more at: http://kingdomnomics.com/christ-alone-is-the-source-of-our-salvation/#.VvzzcTGHi1t

New Life at Work

Scriptures: Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:11 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20, NIV) “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11, NIV) Christ can live and continue his ministry through us while we are still in this world. These two verses encapsulate these “secrets” of the kingdom to us. If we grasp these truths, in faith, our lives will be in for radical change. We can become “overcomers,” no longer helpless victims enslaved to sin. We must be crucified with Christ, counting ourselves dead to sin. Yes, sin lurks inside of us, always trying to reassert itself. But the good news is we no longer have to surrender to its control. The following verses verify this spiritual truth: “Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.” (Romans 8:12, NIV) “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.” (Romans 6:6, NIV) “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:13, NIV) “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16, NIV) Can we accept this truth in faith, believing it is true? We must do so if we are to experience the new life in Christ. As far as Paul was concerned, the old Paul was dead. He no longer lived, but Christ lived in him by faith! We are to have the same belief and faith. These are verses for us to meditate on and memorize. Practice saying the following to yourself: I am crucified with Christ. The old________ (your name) is dead. Christ lives in me! He has taken up residence in my heart, and He is now in control. The life I live now in my body is by faith in Christ. When we mess up from time to time, we then confess, for “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, ESV) Today, ask yourself: How strongly do I believe that Jesus Christ is living his life in me today?

God’s Power

If you can understand and apply to your life the following sentence, then you’ll be among the wisest and best informed of Christians: All of our spiritual power comes from the Holy Spirit. Simple enough, right? And yet somehow a great many believers do not understand this. As a matter of fact, they don’t even grasp who the Holy Spirit is! The Holy Spirit is Christ living within us. He offers us guidance and just the right words when we face various crises. He comforts us. He strengthens us. He administers the special gifts given to us for ministry. It is through him that we live as new creations in Christ. On the day you began to believe in Jesus, his Spirit took residence within you. And he began the great work that will continue until either you die or Christ returns to earth—the power of transforming you into the living image of Christ. All of the KingdomNomics principles are wonderful and supernatural … and they’re not our work. They come through the power of God, dispensed by the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, we might as well be flashlights without batteries. That is an image of your life apart from the process of soaking, sowing, and flowing that comes through the Holy Spirit. It doesn’t matter how much you want to be a “good Christian,” or how many times you attend church, how much money you contribute, or how many good deeds you do—you will be as empty a vessel as the battery-less flashlight apart from the living Word of God flowing through you and empowering you by the Holy Spirit. God wants each of us to shine in a dark world. He has told us we’re the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). What a tragedy when the light of the world has no batteries! With a power source, that flashlight can light the way through a dark tunnel; without that source, it’s a useless piece of plastic. If you’re a follower of Jesus Christ, you need not do anything special to invite the Holy Spirit into your life—he is there, just as sure as your heart was pumping blood through your body long before you learned about it in school. As you experience his presence, you can learn to cooperate with him, through reading the Word of God and asking him to illuminate it for you; by asking him to give you the right words during important conversations; and by relying on him to show you how to serve God as you go about the day. In time, you’ll be more and more aware of the Spirit and how he works in your life. When you stumble, you’ll feel his very gentle whisper of admonishment; when you are worried, you’ll feel his word of encouragement; and when you’re mourning, you’ll feel his comfort. The Holy Spirit is more than just a power source; he is a friend in every need.

The Sowing and Reaping Principle

Scripture: Galatians 6:8
“Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (NIV) The sowing and reaping principle is a key spiritual concept we need to incorporate in our lives. In the secular world we understand the more we invest in a good investment, the greater returns we can expect. The same is true in a spiritual sense. “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” (2 Corinthians 9:6, NIV) The returns for investing properly in the kingdom of God are going to be HUGE! It makes sense for us to be wise and invest as much as we can when we have the opportunity to do so. Once any of our 3 Ts are invested or given, they cannot be taken away from us by anything or anyone. They are kept in heaven for us along with our salvation. “And into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.” (1 Peter 1:4, NIV) Because our investments in the kingdom of God are eternal, we want to make sure we practice the KingdomNomics principle of SOAK, SOW, and FLOW. We need to have the Spirit impart his life to our mortal bodies, which he will do if we sow to the Spirit. “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.” (Romans 8:11, NIV) Then the Spirit of Christ can bear fruit through us, enabling us to live more like Christ and enabling us to put to death the misdeeds of the body. “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:13, NIV) These are great Scriptures to memorize and meditate on, making them “SPIRITUAL M&Ms.”They are also “BUTTON PUSHERS,” urging us to take the steps necessary to make them personally operative in our lives. Today, ask yourself: Am I sowing to my flesh, or am I sowing to the Spirit so I can reap eternal life today?

Christ Alone is the Source of our Salvation

Scripture: Matthew 7:21–24 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (ESV) Recently, I received an email from a subscriber of KingdomNomics wanting an explanation of the above verses. No matter how great the ministry of an individual may be, we must remember the source, power, and foundation of our salvation is the person of Jesus Christ alone. Only he gives us right standing before God, not our works. I believe Matthew 7:21–24 is referring to people who are trusting in their works to get into heaven. Works, no matter how wonderful, are not an acceptable payment for our sin, nor do they make us right with God. Only the blood of Jesus Christ is the acceptable payment for sin, and only by his blood do we have redemption in Christ. The people mentioned in the above passage are referring to themselves, saying their works ought to qualify them to enter heaven. Without realizing it, they are trusting in themselves rather than in Jesus Christ. Only God qualifies us: “Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:12–14, ESV) This is a 100% work by God. It is only God who qualifies, delivers, and transfers and in whom there is the forgiveness of sin. Remember: “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” (Romans 10:9–10, ESV) The following passage states what the will of the father is, and this is what we want to be sure to rely on. Only Jesus Christ is our salvation. Nothing else. “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:40, ESV). The works will follow true faith. Today, ask yourself: Am I looking to Jesus Christ alone for my salvation, trusting only in his death, burial, and resurrection? -

Walking the Talk

Scripture: Galatians 5:16 

“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (NKJV) We recently received a question from a subscriber of the 31-day Kingdom Nomics Applied devotionals about how to overcome a particular moral issue in his life, in addition to fending off the accusations of Satan even after confession of the sin to God. We suggested several steps an individual can take to overcome sin. The first step is to confess: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, NKJV) Confession includes repentance from continuing or practicing the sin. Second, God gives us the power to overcome temptation and sin by the power of the Holy Spirit. “Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:12–13, NIV) Because we are now under grace, we are no longer under the law. Grace gives us the power to overcome temptation. Third, if we avail ourselves of power of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome sin: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16, NIV) We ask God to fill us with his Holy Spirit and to take control of how we think, feel, and act. We must remember that we cannot “talk the talk” if we do not “walk the walk.” Sin will destroy our effectiveness to be a witness for the Lord. Fourth, it is important to bring our thought life into captive obedience to Christ: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV) Whoever controls our mind, controls us. God gives us the power to reject thoughts not in conformance with his will. Fifth, to the extent possible, remove yourself from the source of the temptation. Terminate any wrong relationship. Focus your mind on the good; practice SOAK, SOW, and FLOW; and continue to do the next thing God wants you to do. In some situations, professional help should be sought. Remember, we are the temple of God, and Christ is the one who is now living his life in us: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20, NIV) Today, ask yourself: Am I asking God to fill me with his Holy Spirit, so I can live a life pleasing to him? -

The King’s Service

Scripture: Matthew 7:8 
 “For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (NIV) There is nothing like being in the King’s service. Then we realize what we are designed for and the particular works he wants us to do. We experience a fulfilling and abundant life when we are in the center of God’s will. Our lives will truly echo into eternity as we experience the favor and blessing of God when we are in harmony with his will. How do we know this for sure? “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV) This verse tells how we are God’s handiwork, special vessels made for the purpose of being productive. He wants us to be engaged in the good works he has prepared for us. When we are spiritually born into his family, we become a new creation with renewed purposes and works to do for his kingdom. How do we find these works he wants us to do? We want to ask, seek, and knock, so he will reveal his will to us by opening doors in the direction he wants us to go. Look at this truth: “However, as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’—the things God has prepared for those who love him—these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.” (1 Corinthians 2:9–12, NIV) According to these verses, God has prepared things for those who love him, and his Spirit freely reveals these things to us. This is why we must worship God in Spirit and truth, so he can reveal his will to us. As we understand more about the imperishable values that matter to God and align them with the gifts of time, talent, and treasure he gives to us, then we find what he specifically wants us to do to help advance his kingdom. God will reveal more to us if he knows we will be “doers” of anything he reveals to us. In KingdomNomics we want to be sure to practice, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22, NIV) If we are doers of the Word of God, God knows he can depend on us to accomplish the tasks he reveals to us. We want God to be able to say of us what he said about David: “After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’ ” (Acts 13:22, NIV) Today, ask yourself: Am I, like David, the kind of person God is willing to reveal his will to, knowing I will do all he tells me to do?

The ‘Converterlator’ Concept

Scripture: Luke 16:9

“I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” (NIV)
We had better listen carefully to any words Jesus Christ uttered. They are just as applicable today as they were when he walked the earth. We have seen how he brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. He also brought to light the perishable and the imperishable.
Everything we can see and touch is perishing: “For this world in its present form is passing away.” (1 Corinthians 7:31b, NIV)
Paul said, “And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.” (1 Corinthians 9:25, NKJV) The KingdomNomics practitioner is incentivized by the imperishable values held dearly by almighty God.
Jesus tells us to use worldly wealth to gain friends for eternity, so that when worldly wealth is gone we will be welcomed into eternal mansions. Whatever currency we have in this world, including silver and gold, is in the process of perishing. None of these perishable items of earthly value will have any value in eternity. Therefore, Jesus Christ tells us to “convert it into the imperishable” by using it to win souls to Christ.
In KingdomNomics we have developed what we call the “CONVERTERLATOR CONCEPT.” This is the concept by which something that is perishing can be converted into something of imperishable eternal value. This is done through the CONVERTERLATOR!
Just think—proper investments of time, talent, and treasure made in the kingdom of God will last forever. They will echo into eternity. The verse quoted above, Luke 16:9, is what I call a “CONVERTERLATOR VERSE.” Worldly wealth used in helping to fulfill the GREAT COMMISSION will be imperishable in the world to come since it was used to win souls that will live forever in heaven.
Today, ask yourself:

Am I giving any thought of how I can convert my perishable time, talent, and treasure in this world into the imperishable that will last forever? Our time, talent, and treasure in this world are losing value every day.
P

The Spirit Factor

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:9–11 

“However, as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’—the things God has prepared for those who love him—these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” (NIV)
If we hope to be effective in practicing the principles in KingdomNomics, we must experience a continuing and growing relationship with the person of Jesus Christ. This can only happen when the Spirit of God performs his functions within the heart of the believer.
In the above passage, concentrate on the words “prepared,” “revealed,” “searches,” and “knows.” These are all functions performed by the Spirit of God for the people who love God.
God has prepared things for those who love him. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)
We discover what these good works are as we cultivate our relationship with him.
Secondly, it is the Spirit who reveals the things of God to us, according to this and other passages of Scripture. Our relationship with God is one of God continually revealing himself as we practice the concepts of SOAK, SOW, and FLOW. “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” (John 14:21, NIV)
Thirdly, this passage of Scripture states that the Spirit searches all things, including the deep things of God. Therefore, he is the only one who knows the thoughts of God. Unless the Spirit reveals them to us, we will never find out about them.
This is why Paul said, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” (Ephesians 1:17, NIV)
Without revelation from the Spirit of God, we cannot bring our lives into proper conformance to the will of God.
Today, ask yourself:

Am I asking God for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so I can know God better and be empowered to live the Christian life?

Seals, Reveals, and Deals

Scripture: Ephesians 1:13–14 

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” (NIV)
Previously, we learned about the Spirit’s functions of preparing, revealing, searching, and knowing.
Other functions of the Spirit of God include his sealing us at the moment we believe and trust in the gospel of Jesus Christ for our salvation. This is the guarantee of our inheritance in heaven that is being kept for us imperishable, incorruptible, and unfading.
This assurance of salvation sets us free to be of service to the King in the time we have remaining in this temporary world. This gives us time to invest our time, talent, and treasure in the imperishable values of the world to come instead of just spending our 3 Ts on what is perishing in this world.
After the Spirit seals us, he begins the process of revealing the things of God to us, as we just learned in 1 Corinthians 2:9-11. The sealing and revealing process is done for a purpose.
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:11–14, NIV)
God wants us to live a life of holiness in addition to having an expectation of the imminent return of Jesus Christ, who redeemed us for the purpose of being zealous to do the good works he prepared beforehand for us to do.
Our God is a God of provision, who gives us the power to do what he has called us to do. “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23–24, NIV)
Then God deals with us by working in us and through our circumstances. “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13, NIV)
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory…” (Ephesians 3:20-21a, NIV)
May we learn how to tap into the power of God to serve his purposes in this world.
Today, ask yourself:

Is my agenda in line with the agenda of God as outlined above, or am I going my own way? What steps can I take to bring my life more in line with his will?

The Spirit Operates

Scripture: Galatians 5:16 

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (NIV)
There is a war inside of each of us. Though the old flesh always wants to reassert itself, the power of the Spirit can overcome it if we ask in faith for him to control how we think, feel, act, and talk.
“The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6, NIV84)
The mind is key. The battle first takes place in our head. Whoever controls our mind, controls us. It is crucial we set our minds on what the Spirit desires.
“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” (Romans 8:5, NIV)
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2, NIV84)
Paul further wrote, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV)
We can reject those thoughts that conflict with the will of God. By the power of the Spirit we can overcome the temptations of the flesh: “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:13, NIV)
Furthermore, we learn that “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:24–25, NIV)
This is the power of the cross working in our lives. “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14, NIV)
By an act of our will, we must choose to be controlled by the Spirit. We initiate that by asking the Spirit to control our mind. We choose to set our mind on the things above, the things the Spirit desires and not on the things of the flesh. By the power of the Spirit we can put to death the misdeeds of the flesh, and bring our thought life into captive obedience to Christ.
May God help us to understand and incorporate these truths in our prayer life, through SOAK, SOW, and FLOW, seeing the reality of these concepts in our daily lives.
A Prayer for Today:

I ask you, Lord, to take control of how I think, feel, act, and talk. Help me to set my mind on the things above, the things of the Spirit, not the flesh. Help me to bring every thought into captive obedience to Christ today. I ask you to control my mind. In Jesus’ name I pray.

Walking in the Newness of Life

Scripture: Romans 6:4 

“When we were baptized, we were buried with Christ and shared his death. So, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the wonderful power of the Father, we also can live a new life.” (NCV)
Living a new kind of life is now possible for the believer who understands and practices these wonderful concepts. We have seen how the Spirit of Christ seals us, how we must choose to be controlled by him in our thought life, and how we can put to death the misdeeds of the body by the Spirit of Christ.
The reality of Paul’s insight—“I was put to death on the cross with Christ, and I do not live anymore—it is Christ who lives in me. I still live in my body, but I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself to save me.” (Galatians 2:20, NCV)—becomes more of our everyday life experiences. The Spirit of Christ overpowers the old self so we can walk in newness of life.
In fact, our lives become hidden in Christ: “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3, NIV)
We want to see more of our life hidden in Christ. After all, to become like Christ is now one of our primary objectives in life. “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you…” (Galatians 4:19, NIV)
“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2, NIV)
In the book of Acts, it was apparent that something had happened in the lives of the believers. At one point it is stated, “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13, NIV)
This is a tough question: When people look at us today as believers, can they tell we are a people who have been with Jesus?
Today, ask yourself:

Are there signs in my life that I am a person who is walking in the newness of life?
Pray:

Help me, God, to saturate my heart and life with the truth of your Word so Christ can be formed in me. In the name of your Son, I pray.

Giving Equals Investment

Scripture: Matthew 6:20–21 

“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (NIV)
THE TWO BIG REASONS TO GIVE
1. Giving is your investment in eternity. It is your eternal investment account. The Christian life is all about giving, and we are not just talking about money. Giving includes giving one’s self, time, talent, and treasure.
Only two things will last for all of eternity: God’s Word will endure forever, and the souls of people will live forever in one of two places. Everything else perishes. Everything you and I can see and touch is going to perish.
Our relationship with Jesus Christ will determine WHERE we live in eternity. How we spend our time, talent, and treasure will determine HOW we live in eternity.
2. Giving is the MAJOR GATEWAY for God to work big time in the life of the believer now!
To enjoy the benefits of God working in our lives now, we want to do our giving while we are living.We know this because God loves a cheerful giver. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8, NKJV)
We are not talking the so-called prosperity gospel here. Those that promote that philosophy are indeed having a negative impact on the body of Christ. Legend says all of the apostles, with the exception of John, died a martyr’s death. John died in exile on the Isle of Patmos. He certainly wasn’t rich materially.
We do not see the prosperity gospel in the life of Paul when we read about the litany of beatings, jail time, hardships, and shipwrecks, etc. Throughout history, many Christians have faced horrible persecutions and deaths, and in many parts the world today, the same persecutions are taking place.
However, cheerful givers and investors of their 3 Ts in the imperishable values of the kingdom place themselves in a position where God can literally release the benefits of all spiritual and earthly grace in their lives subject to his sovereignty. This is why giving while we are living is critical if we want to increase the odds of God working in our lives and circumstances so we can be a blessing to other people.
The KingdomNomics thinker will take the steps necessary to have this concept operational in life now: “This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’” (Ephesians 5:14, NIV)
When Christ shines on us, things happen! His favor shines on us, so we can be a blessing to the people of our time!
I, for one, want to place myself in a position where God can feel free to work in my life. “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9, ESV)
Today, ask yourself:

Am I really aware how important the concept of giving or investing is regarding eternal values?
Am I aware GIVING is the MAJOR GATEWAY for placing myself in a position where God can feel free to shower me with the benefits of his grace, so I can be a blessing to other people in this world?
Pray:

Today, Father, I pray you will mold me into being a vessel of blessing to the people you bring across my path in life. In Jesus’ name, I ask this.

Be Genuine

Scripture: James 1:22 

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (NIV)
The other day I had the opportunity to observe a mockingbird. Mockingbirds are known for their ability to mimic the sounds of not only other birds, but also the sounds of insects.
The call of a mockingbird can be deceiving. Scripture warns us not to be deceived spiritually, but to “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13:5, NIV)
Jesus spoke harshly of the Pharisees, referring to them as hypocrites, people who pretended to be something they were not. There are people who wear the label “Christian,” but their “walk” is inconsistent with their “talk.”
Scripture says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7–8, NIV)
Those who sincerely practice the principles of KingdomNomics protect themselves against the dangers of being a mocker of God. “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13, NIV)
In order to experience the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we must avoid, at all cost, pretending to be something we are not. We want our lives to echo properly into eternity.
If we are careful to heed what the Scripture says, then we have the prospect of seeing God tangibly work in our lives while we are still in this world.
“Great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to the ways of all mankind; you reward each person according to their conduct and as their deeds deserve.” (Jeremiah 32:19, NIV)
We want to be sure we are not “mockingbird Christians” who only hear the Word and do not practice the Word in our everyday life.
A Prayer for Today:

Lord, help me to be a genuine reflection of what you want me to be in the world today, and forever. I ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Guarding Our Hearts at All Costs

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23 

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (NIV)
When we come to Christ, we give him our hearts in worship. This lays the foundation for all that follows in life. “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10:9–10, NIV)
As soon as we trust in Jesus Christ, alone, as our Lord and Savior, we are sealed by the Spirit of God, and we are justified and made acceptable to Almighty God. Now that we are secure in him, we are in a position to do the works he has prepared for us to do.
We are counseled to “Let the message of Christ dwell among [us] richly as [we] teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in [our] hearts.” (Colossians 3:16, NIV)
In KingdomNomics, we do this through practicing the principles embodied in SOAK, SOW, and FLOW. If our hearts are filled with his Word, it will help expel the things that would lead us astray, such as wrong attitudes, desires to sin, and the lures of the world.
The way we think, act, and talk all reflect what is in our hearts. What we nurture in our hearts will to a very large extent govern our behavior. This is why the Scripture calls us to guard our hearts above all else since it is essentially the source of everything we do.
We want to be filled with Christ and his Word. Remember, the Word of God is living and powerful. It works in those who receive it as the Word of God, not as the word of man, and trust in it.
Today, ask yourself:

Am I filling my heart with the Word of God as I am instructed to do in the Scriptures? Can you fill your heart and guard it with one or more of the Scriptures mentioned in today’s commentary?

God’s Word—Like a Hammer!

Scripture: Jeremiah 20:9

“But if I say, ‘I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,’ his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.” (NIV)
Jeremiah is the prophet who found the Word of God and ate it, and it became the delight of his heart. In this passage, Jeremiah is saying God’s Word is like a fire, a fire in both his heart and his bones that must be released or spoken in accordance with the mission God gave him.
God’s Word is also like a hammer. “‘Is not my word like fire,’ declares the Lord, ‘and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?’” (Jeremiah 23:29, NIV)
God’s Word breaks the rock of “SELF” into pieces, so God can work his purposes out in our life, making it possible for us to use our 3 Ts—time, talent, and treasure—for kingdom purposes.
Christians today have the same “fire,” in that we are commanded to go into all the world to share the gospel that brings forth both life and immortality for our generation. The stakes are high, and the time is short.
Scripture notes how we are a very special people, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9, NIV)
It is a God-given privilege to be a member of this great family of the redeemed, members of the church of the firstborn. We must perform these special functions that God has given us to do.
Not only are we to proclaim the praises of him to the world, but we are also called to praise and confess his name: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:15–16, NIV)
With our lips we express gratitude and praise to God in addition to openly confessing him before man.
Today, ask yourself:

Have I found a way to become actively involved with the ARMY OF THE REDEEMED in bringing the gospel of life and immortality to light in my generation? Surely, I have something I can do to participate. I ask you, Lord, to direct my steps.

Our Hope!

Scripture: Philippians 3:20–21

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (NIV)
It is amazing to think we are only passing through a temporary world, knowing the real world awaits us when our “time bubble” breaks, thrusting us into the eternal paradigm. We have the assurance that our citizenship is in heaven and that is where we are heading. In the meantime, we have the prospect of Jesus Christ returning at any moment.
This is truly a blessed hope! How encouraging to know that we will be freed from the foolishness of the wisdom and rulers of this age.
I can hardly wait, in God’s timing, to receive a glorified body like the glorified body of Jesus Christ. This body will be beyond anything you and I can think or imagine. “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” (Matthew 13:43, NIV)
In the flesh we cannot even look at the sun without special glasses that protect our eyes.
In the meantime, we are to be busy in the part of God’s vineyard where he has placed us. We want to make sure we use our 3 Ts wisely with an eternal perspective in mind.
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.” (Titus 2:11–15, NIV)
We know there is more to life than the best that this world can offer. It is all going to perish. Truly we are in a desert wasteland from a spiritual standpoint. David expressed the same, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalm 42:1–2, NIV)
It will not be very long, “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20, NIV)
Today, ask yourself:

Am I living life anticipating that Jesus Christ could return at any time? What must I do to bring my life into conformance with his will today?

Kingdom View of Money

Scripture: Psalm 19:9–11

“The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” (ESV)
The Bible warns us about the deceitfulness of riches. I have come to the conclusion that money is like a rattlesnake. It has to be handled carefully.
It is paramount we understand and take to heart what the Scripture says about money. If we are not careful, it can become the god of our life. In fact, we are counseled to desire God and his Word more than riches.
Here are some passages that tell us the same thing.
In Proverbs we learn, “Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold.” (Proverbs 8:10, NIV)
Job tells us, “…and assign your nuggets to the dust, your gold of Ophir to the rocks in the ravines, then the Almighty will be your gold, the choicest silver for you.” (Job 22:24–25, NIV)
In comparison to having God be our gold and silver, gold and silver should be relegated to the dust of the ground.
Here again, we see our relationship with the Lord is more valuable than any amount of money.
“After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.’” (Genesis 15:1, NKJV)
God is literally to be our gold and silver, and to be cherished much more.
In KingdomNomics we know this is true; gold and silver, along with everything else in this world, is perishing. There is no intrinsic eternal value in gold and silver or any other form of wealth.
Therefore, we want to be sure to follow Peter’s counsel, “So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.” (1 Peter 4:1–2, NLT)
By arming ourselves with this attitude, we will aim to live a life of investing our perishable 3 Ts—time, talent, and treasure—in the imperishable values of heaven.
Today, ask yourself:

Am I sensitive to the dangers of money?
Where does the Word of God stand in relation to the other things I consider important in my life?
How much do I value the instruction and wisdom from the Word of God?
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A Comforting Truth

Scripture: Isaiah 43:1

“Now this is what the Lord says. He created you, people of Jacob; he formed you, people of Israel. He says, ‘Don’t be afraid, because I have saved you. I have called you by name, and you are mine.’” (NCV)
How comforting to realize that God knows us by name. He has created us, formed us, and even fashioned our hearts individually. “He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works.” (Psalm 33:15, NKJV)
Each of us is unique and special, created for fulfilling a specific purpose.
Our priority must be to discover what we have been designed for, so we can find God’s purpose for us. Then we can be busy doing the works he has prepared for us. “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)
When we are used for our designed purpose, we can live the abundant life.
We must listen for the voice of the Shepherd, “The one who guards the door opens it for him. And the sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” (John 10:3, NCV)
By delving into the Word of God, we listen for what he has to say to us individually. His Spirit will prompt us and lead us in into the works he wants us to do.
Most comforting is the thought of his return for us. “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:2–3, NIV)
When he returns for us, we want to be busy doing the work we were designed for in his vineyard. We know he will be pleased with us, if we are focused living a life that will echo into eternity.
Today, ask yourself:

Do I know how special I am to God, believing that he created me, formed me, fashioned my heart, and knows my name? Am I looking forward to his return so I can be with him?

The Breath of Life

Scripture: Genesis 2:7  

“Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (NIV)
We live in a world filled with people who have no fear of God reflected in the way they live. As we can see from the above verse, our very life—every breath and every heartbeat—are sourced in God.
“In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” (Job 12:10, NIV)
“The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” (Job 33:4, NIV)
“And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.” (Acts 17:25, NIV)
We are talking about the power of life that belongs to God. It makes sense that created people should pay deference to their Creator.
There is a general saying that one should not bite the hand that feeds you. It does not make sense to offend the one who can literally shut our breath of life off at any given moment.
However, the world continues not to listen even though the Lord is turning up the volume with the increasing turmoil we are witnessing. He seems to be asking, “Do you hear me now? Do you hear me now?”
In the time of Daniel, King Belshazzar (the last king of Babylon) failed to learn from his father, Nebuchadnezzar, who finally honored God after being broken.
“At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.” (Daniel 4:34, NIV)
During a drunken party, Belshazzar profaned the vessels brought from the temple in Jerusalem.
Daniel the prophet said, “Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways.” (Daniel 5:23, NIV) That night Belshazzar was murdered.
We have to be careful not to grieve the Holy Spirit. Our body is the temple of God. “For in him we live and move and have our being.” As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’” (Acts 17:28, NIV)
By practicing the concepts of KingdomNomics, we honor and serve the King of Kings.
Today, ask yourself:

Am I living a life that honors my Creator? Am I investing my life in what will count for eternity?