Our King

We are in an interesting time today. As Christians, especially in America, we have become complacent in our worship of our One True King, and have instead focused on things such as our government, who is in power, or what we believe are the most important political issues. I am not saying that we should not be informed, and that we should not vote, because I absolutely believe we should. However, we must remember the following:

He decides who will rule (Romans 13:1-2, Daniel 4:25)

Jesus himself tells us that we should render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s (Matthew 22:21). Our soul belongs to God, as He redeemed us (Galatians 2 4:5). Therefore, where our treasure is, our heart will be also (Matthew 6:21). We are to be subject to higher powers, not because they are greater, but because they are ordained by God, and He is the highest authority. He can put anyone in He chooses, and take anyone out, just as He did with Nebuchadnezzar.

In Israel, they clamored to have a king, just as the other nations did. Samuel felt the nation had rejected him as a prophet, but God said “…for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them.” (1 Samuel 8:7). The framers of the constitution tried to build a government that served the people, and did not become like the monarchs and dictators they saw in other nations. They wanted it to be a nation WITHOUT a human king. Let us follow that lead to serve others, and not reject our true King by trying to align ourselves with a human “king”.

We can not serve two masters (Matthew 6:24)

Jesus explains to us that we can not serve two masters, for we will hate the one and love the other, or we will be devoted to the one and despise the other. When we start to lift up politics, or anything else to the level that only God should be at, it creates a divided heart. If we are to truly serve God, He must be our only master. Look at the first commandment He gave - “You shall have no other Gods before me” - as well as the second - “You shall not make for yourself an idol…”.

Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20, Colossians 3:1-2, John 18:36)

While we live on this earth, we are told to be a light (Matthew 5:14). However, this is not our true home, we are just ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). “We eagerly wait for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.” Let us treat this land just as any ambassador would - a place to share with everyone what our Kingdom and our King are like!

What are we focused on? (Matthew 6:33-34)

So, while we are here in this world, what should we be focused on? His Kingdom and His righteousness. We should be following His will (Matthew 6:10), by the leading of His Spirit (Romans 8:14), using the gifts (Romans 12:16) and calling (Ephesians 4:1) He gave each one of us. We should not be surprised by trials and tribulation (1 Peter 4:12-13), but rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer for His name (Acts 5:31). This is not the end, it is the battle that we have while we are here, but rejoice because He has overcome this world! (John 16:33)

What then should we do? Pray!! (1 Thessalonians 5:17, Colossians 4:2, Ephesians 6:18, 1 Timothy 2:1-8)

So, you may ask, if we are not supposed to lifting up a king, what should we be doing? You want to see real change? Pray!! The Bible tells us over and over how important prayer is, and that we should be fervent in prayer, doing it without ceasing. We should be in constant communication with our heavenly Father, and casting all our cares about him (1 Peter 5:7). If we continually pray, and share our requests with Him, we will not be anxious, but will receive the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:6-8). I will leave you with this:

2 Chronicles 7:14 NASB

and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Peace, not Anxiety

I used to be a very anxious person.  I wanted to try and control every aspect of my life.  When things didn’t go as planned, it threw my entire world upside down.  

Then something happened…

Jesus came into my life.  He called me to “Follow Him”.  This has changed everything. While I did not change everything overnight, He has patiently shown me how wrong my thinking has been.  He tells us:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NASB)

And

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”  (1 Peter 5:6-7 NASB)

And

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NASB)

As He has renewed my mind (Romans 12:1-2).  He has taught me to not trust in myself, but to trust in Him!  We are to take everything to Him in prayer, laying it at His feet, and He will give us peace that passes all understanding.

Anxiety comes from fear.  However, God is love, and if we trust in Him, we have no reason to fear:

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. (1 John 4:18 NASB)

He can give you peace - He is called the Prince of Peace:

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.   (Isaiah 9:6 NASB)

The world brings us all kinds of stress and turmoil.  However, Jesus can give us rest:

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. [30] For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NASB)

Are you anxious today?  If you are, here are some steps to help you:

1. Focus on Jesus, not your problem:

Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. [39] She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. [40] But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” [41] But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; [42] but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42 NASB)

2. Turn all of your troubles over to Him:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NASB)

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.  (1 Peter 5:6-7 NASB)

3. Have Joy in the truth that the Lord will take care of all of your needs:

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. [25] “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? [26] Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? [27] And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? [28] And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, [29] yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. [30] But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! [31] Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ [32] For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. [33] But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. [34] “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:24-34 NASB)

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 NASB)

4. Put God first in your life:

And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ (Matthew 22:37 NASB)

5. Serve others:

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; [4] do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. [5] Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, (Philippians 2:3-5 NASB)

The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ (Matthew 22:39 NASB)

Personal

Sometimes we get things wrong.  I got my relationship wrong with Jesus in the beginning.  I thought what He wanted out of me most was service.  When in reality, what He wanted most was relationship.  A personal relationship.

We serve a personal God, one who loves us, wants to take care of us. and have a relationship with us.  He gets JEALOUS! (Exodus 20:4-6) This is not the same as covetousness that the Bible, including the ten commandments, states is sin. (Exodus 20:17)  That is selfish desire.  This jealousy is Godly jealousy (2 Corinthians 11:2), which is His strong desire to have a relationship with us that surpasses all other relationships.  Even relationships with friends, family, spouses, children, money, or anything for that matter.

Just like any other relationship, He wants to spend time with you.  You have probably heard it said that good communication is key to a positive relationship.  One of those things early on in my relationship with Jesus was that I focused more on serving than building a relationship.  I forsook prayer sometimes for what I thought was doing "tasks" for God.  What I now realize is that prayer, which is communicating with God, is one of the most important parts of our relationship.  It is how we grow our relationship.  It is what makes it personal.  Just as spending time with and talking with my wife builds our relationship, it is the same with God.

Why do we focus a lot of our ministry on testimonies at Testifyit.  Well, because of the name of course!  Just kidding.  It is because we want people to share their stories about their relationship with our Heavenly Father, and how He has shown love to them.  We want to encourage others, showing that God will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:8, Joshua 1:5, Hebrews 13:5).  We want people to know that if you get this one personal relationship right, with the one true God, who created you and loves you, He will work all things to your good (Romans 8:28).  He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).  He gave His only Son for you (John 3:16).

So, what is your story?  How has God changed your life?  What is your relationship with Jesus like?  

Testifyit Launch

Wow.  What an amazing ride.  God gave us the vision for Testifyit over 7 months ago, and now we are finally launching.  I am so excited and encouraged to share this ministry with everyone.  

Testifyit's mission is "Sharing the Love of Christ and building people up through testimonies and teaching".  We truly want to share how God is working through His people today, and let God use that to encourage, comfort, and edify others.  Think of it like a modern day book of Acts, although this will be recorded through various forms of media, including audio, video, and the written word.

We are starting out with audio.  You will be able to listen to the testimonies both on Testifyit's website, as well as SoundCloud, iTunes (podcasts), Google Play Music (podcasts), and most other podcasting apps.

Why the name Testifyit?  Well, in this world today when something great happens in someone's life what do they usually do?  They post it, like it, tweet it, stream it, or find someway to share it.  When God does something in people's lives we want them to Testifyit!  Not just with this ministry, or on this website, but in anyway that they are led to share it.  When the early Christians shared their experiences with God, others were led to Christ, encouraged, or taught.  We want to have the same happen in this time.

So, if you agree with this, or are interested in what we are sharing, please sign up for our Newsletter, or follow us on Facebook, SoundCloud, Twitter, Google Plus, and Youtube.  We hope that you will be truly blessed and encouraged by what is shared here, and if you are led to share as well, please fill out our Testimony Form or Contact Us.

We are walking by faith with this ministry, and, having just taken off, are very excited to see where God leads.  Just like when a plane takes off, and you are not in control, but along for the ride, we are trusting God and allowing Him to use us.  

God Bless!