“I think I’m going to be sick.  What was she saying? What was I supposed to say?”  All I heard was yelling, it was as if my head was submerged under water.  I could hear her speaking to me but couldn’t fathom what she was saying.

As I stood in my kitchen that day and listened to my dear friend yell at me, I wondered how we could have gotten to this place.

We had been doing life together for about 5 years, my friend and I – having babies, hanging out as families and doing ministry together.  We were the only two women in a world of men and we were allies.  But our roles had recently changed and she did not like the decisions I was making.  We were no longer allies or even friends and my heart was breaking.  Why couldn’t we just work this out?  Why did it have to be like this?  Didn’t she know me well enough that she could trust that I had her best interest at heart?

I watched as our friendship blew up in my face and could do nothing to stop it.

I met with a mentor as I wrestled through what God wanted me to do in regards to our relationship.  As we were discussing the situation my mentor made a statement I’ve never forgotten.  He said,

“What you’re seeing here, Kristi, is the purest form of legalism – she is saying “it’s my way or the highway”.  God’s answer to legalism is grace.  And I believe God has given you an extra measure of grace to reach out to her and draw her back into fellowship.  But with that grace I believe that God is calling you to take the higher road, to humble yourself and go to her and seek to restore your friendship.”  I remember thinking at the time, “This is completely opposite of what the world would tell me to do.  The world would say, ‘she did you wrong, run as far away from her as possible.  You shouldn’t allow yourself to be treated like that.’”

But I knew in my heart he was right, that God was calling me to lay down my life for her and to go to her in humility and grace.

I wish I could tell you that our relationship was restored but unfortunately it didn’t work out that way.

But what I do know is that I did what God was calling me to do even though it was completely upside down from what the world would say I should do.  And through my obedience He blessed me.

In Matthew 5, Jesus talks about what it looks like to live in His Upside Down Kingdom.  Listen to His Words,

“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.     (Matthew 5:3,10 NLV)

Jesus goes on to say further in the chapter, “But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. . . You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy.  But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”  (Matthew 5:39-40, 43-44 NLV)

When we follow Jesus, He calls us to a higher path – a road less followed, a road of radical obedience to His WAY.

Radical Obedience

The world will tell you that you will be walked on if you do things His way that you will be trapped and misused, if you hold to that kind of lifestyle.

But Jesus says that living in His Kingdom sets us apart and shows the world that we are different!  The truth is that when we live in His Upside Down Kingdom we experience a life of true blessing and freedom!

by Kristi Huseby
Used by Permission

https://www.brokenandredeemed-kristi.blogspot.com/

Further Reading

•  Choosing the Uncommon Life – by Max Lucado

•  Choosing Your Direction Today –  by Gail Rodgers

•  Choosing What Rules Your Heart –  by Gail Rodgers

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The post Living in God’s Upside Down Kingdom appeared first on Thoughts About God.

God invites us, in the midst of our instability and times of turmoil, to be brimming with worship and deep reverence before God.

How is that possible? The 5 steps we have discussed in this series take us to a place where our roots go down deep into all God is and all He offers us as we trust in Him. He helps us to:

•    Keep alert
•    Keep a soft heart
•    Keep training
•    Keep unity
•    Keep going

When all is said and done it is His kingdom values that will strengthen our lives in the very core of our being.

Even though we know we will share in God’s Kingdom in eternity, there is still hope for today in every maze of life we find ourselves in.

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:25

As we put our roots down and tap into the strength and resources of God, we will find an unshakable source in the kingdom of God to steady and strengthen us. This knowledge brings us to a place of thanksgiving. As we experience the unshakable kingdom of God within us our hearts are filled with worship and awe. We begin to experience the deep well of all our God is.

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

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” 1 Corinthians 4:20

“The kingdom of God is within you.” Matthew 17:21

Prayer: Father God, It is only by the power of Your Holy Spirit that I can keep the faith in trying times. Fill me with Your Spirit. By Your Spirit give me a heart that is thankful for all You are as my Provider, my All-sufficient One and my Strength. Let reverence and awe fill my heart with worship as I look up from my circumstances to You, my faithful and true God, my Rock and my Hope. In Jesus’ name, amen.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Learn more about being filled with the power of the Holy Spirit How to be Filled with the Holy Spirit 

FURTHER READING

When Confusion Prevails

The Power of Forgiveness

Dealing with Inner Turmoil

The post Receiving the Unshakable appeared first on Thoughts About God.

The time to invest your time, talent and treasure for Christ and His kingdom is now.

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.” Matthew 19:29 (NKJV)

I can tell you on the authority of God’s Word and from personal experience and observation that this promise is true. From my own commitment – made many years ago – and after having spoken with hundreds of Christian leaders and humble servants of God around the world, and observed thousands who I have counselled, I do not know of anyone whom God is using in any significant way who would say that this spiritual law has not been true in his life.

The time to invest your time, talent and treasure for Christ and His kingdom is now. The powerful tide of secular humanism, atheism, materialism, and other anti-God forces us threatening to engulf the world. From the human perspective, on the basis of what I see and hear, I could be very pessimistic about the future freedom of mankind.

On the contrary, I am very optimistic, not on the basis of what I see and hear, but on the basis of what I believe God is saying to my heart and of what I am observing that He is doing throughout the world. I am constantly reminded and assured, “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world” 1 John 4:4 (KJV). Satan and his demonic forces were defeated 2,000 years ago.

Do you want a safe formula for success? Then recognize and practice the following:

First – remember that everything entrusted to our care actually belongs to God. We are His stewards here on earth.

Second – God does not want us to hoard His blessings.

Third – “As you sow, you reap.”

Fourth –  invest generously – above the tithe in time, talent and treasure.

Fifth – invest supernaturally – by faith.

Bible Reading: Matthew 25:35-40

Recognizing myself as God’s steward, I will prayerfully seek to learn what He would have me to do to maximize my life for His glory through the investment of my time, talent and treasure.

By Dr. Bill Bright
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•   Did I Hear You Correctly Lord? – My dreams were too small for God

•   Searching for a Higher Purpose – Betty Lau shares her story

•  Salvation Explained

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The post Life’s Greatest Investments appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Jesus calls us to calmness with this challenge from Matthew 6:32-33.

“Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

Seek first the kingdom of wealth, and you’ll worry over every dollar. Seek first the kingdom of health, and you’ll sweat every blemish and bump. Seek first the kingdom of popularity, and you’ll relive every conflict. Seek first the kingdom of safety, and you’ll jump at every crack of a twig.

But seek first his kingdom, and you will find it! God meets daily needs daily. Not weekly or annually. He will give you what you need when it is needed. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us boldly approach the throne of our gracious God, where we may receive mercy and in his grace find timely help.”

Let God be enough!

By Max Lucado
From: Fearless
Used by permission

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
https://maxlucado.com/about/

Further Reading

•   God, Our Source of Life

•  Cameroon, Africa Story – From Despair to Hope

•  Salvation Explained

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The post He Knows Your Needs appeared first on Thoughts About God.