Greetings!

We welcome you to our Faith-Builder called Inspirations. We trust you will find new faith and boldness to approach God with your needs and shortcomings. Join us weekly for a boost in your faith. Sincerely, Rev. Ralph and Susan McIntosh

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

#696 The Kingdom Within


The ACTS Foundation Bulletin for
“Wednesday Women Warriors & Mighty Meditating Men”


The Kingdom Within in 2010!
#696 / by Susan G. McIntosh / susan@actsfoundation.com
December 30 , 2009
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As the Kingdom of God generation, we are called to communicate and demonstrate the Kingdom way of life. By all we are, do, and say, we are to preach, teach, and demonstrate the Gospel of the Kingdom of God until it has become a witness to such a degree that God can say at last, “My Church has done enough and the witness is sufficient.” It is then “the Spirit and the Bride will say, 'Come'” and Jesus will come for His Church. We, the Church, are His kings and priests (Revelation 1:6). We are new creations in Christ. The newness is manifested in the lives of those who listen to the Spirit and obey His voice and the Word. It is not “either/or”, it is “both/and” – listen, obey. Kingdom unfolds.

“Behold, He comes with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also who pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, says the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, The Almighty” (Revelation 1:7-8). God is ever-present. He is Eternal-nowness personified. He has been Himself in the past, is so today, and forever will be. I think this is why I am dumbfounded when I hear some church leaders preach that miracles are not for now. God is for NOW and He is the miracle worker. He brings Kingdom wherever He is invited. Revelation from God never changes or ends.

“...it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love Him. But God has revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep tings of God. For what man knows the things of a man,” save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:9-11). God has so much prepared for each of us for now. Yes, Heaven will be wonderful, but He, who never changes, has great things for us here, today! He is waiting to reveal much to us. To the extent that we are open to the Spirit of God, that this extent, we experience His Kingdom in our day to day living. Only the Spirit of God is going to tell us of the things of God, and no one else. If the things of God are expounded upon by human lips, they must come through revelation from the Holy Spirit in order to be Kingdom effective.

1 Corinthians 2:12-14 reminds us that it is the Spirit of God who freely reveals God to us. God says, Be still enough to know that I am God. George Frederic Handel cloistered himself away for three weeks when he wrote the beloved great musical work, “The Messiah,” and when he wrote, “The Hallelujah Chorus,” he commented that he felt as if he had seen the face of God. These musical works are full of exaltation of God because God revealed Himself to Handel.

I am excited about 2010 because I and many others feel assured that believers are going to experience the Kingdom of God in this coming year as never before, Amen! The choice is ours. Are we ready to embrace His Kingdom or are we content with life as we plan it? God put man in the Garden of Eden in order to walk with him and fellowship with him. We were made in His likeness, yet, we are not forced to fellowship with Him. We are given a choice. In 2010 I encourage you to choose to seek God as never before. Set aside time for Him each day. Invite God to reveal Himself to you. First off decide that you want to live His Kingdom on earth. Kingdom living may not always be convenient. He might rearrange your schedule. Be assured, the gifts He placed in you will be stirred up tremendously, for His glory. Kingdom means righteousness. Expect it. Yield to it!

In the Word of God the word mountain often symbolizes kingdom. When John spoke about a mountain in Revelation, the Jews knew immediately what he meant. The Jews no doubt surmised that Jesus meant, “Speak to this mountain kingdom, and it shall be removed.” They faced religious mountains and laws made to restrict them. Determine now that throughout this new year you will speak the mountain kingdom of this world to be removed and invite the Kingdom of God to rule and reign in its place--in you, your household, your family tree, your business or workplace, your community, and in your nation. We have been given authority to be kings and priests in the Kingdom of God. It is time we embraced our calling May we not waste another year. We are sons and daughters of the King. It is time we seek to really know the King so we can live in His Kingdom realm with Him to its fullest, here on earth!

Here is the key: Be led by the Spirit and you will experience sonship! (Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God!” If you are not sure how to hear from the Spirit of God, begin each day with an invitation, “Holy Spirit of God, I want to be led of You today. Help me to hear You, to understand You in the Word, and to live today as an heir to the King. Help me listen. Prompt me to obey. Father, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth, in me today, as it is in Heaven! In Jesus' Name, Amen.” It is going to be an awesome year! Politicians, financial institutions, and newscasters might speak a scary future, but we are of another Kingdom! Romans 8:15-17 is the truth we as sons and daughters of the King can expect to experience. We are adopted. We are heirs. We are royalty. We can be overcomers. We can lives in His righteousness. Brothers and sisters, we have connections! May we really seek to know the King this new year. The Holy Spirit is our connection.
AS 2009 ENDS AND 2010 BEGINS...WE PRAY GOD'S BLESSINGS ON EACH OF YOU AND YOURS. THIS HAS BEEN AN AWESOME YEAR WITH MANY TOUCHED BY THE POWER OF GOD. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE HOSTED US AND PRAYED FOR US AND HELPED US ACCOMPLISH THINGS FOR THE KINGDOM IN 2009
RALPH AND SUSAN MCINTOSH

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