Kingdom Power
Jesus says to His followers, "SOME HERE WHO WILL NOT DIE UNTIL THEY HAVE SEEN THE KINGDOM OF GOD COME WITH POWER". Many have difficulty understanding Jesus making this statement, since everyone Jesus was talking to are now dead. Some may wonder, "did Jesus make a mistake in what He said or was there a hidden meaning or does it apply to us today?" First we must remember that Jesus asserts, "the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what I must say and speak" and God knows what He is saying. As we remember that God is the source of the statement, we can better understand the statement. The main confusion may be some people think Jesus is talking about the final kingdom when John heard voices from heaven proclaim "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of Yahveh and of His Messiah, and He will reign forever and ever". The reference to "the kingdom" may be better understood as we remember that Jesus says, "God's Spirit, who gives Me the power to drive out demons, which proves that the Kingdom of God has already come upon you". The association of "God's Spirit" and "power" and "the kingdom" helps us understand Jesus' statement "the kingdom of God come with power". Jesus tells us when God's spirit or the Holy Spirit comes upon us "you will be filled with power". And yes not only will we receive power to be "witnesses", Jesus also tells us the same power from God's spirit helps us as believers have "the power to perform miracles" and as Jesus says we are able to "drive out demons in My name". We have power to "overcome all the power of the Enemy". Also a very important power we may want to exercise daily is a Jesus says, "by the power of God's Spirit people will worship the Father as He really is, offering Him the true worship that He wants". Some of the same people Jesus was talking to were alive to experience the kingdom of God with power on the day of Pentecost when God sent His spirit, the Holy Spirit, to mankind to be in us, just like Jesus also says, "the Kingdom of God is within you". And yes, it still applies to us today as many in our lifetime have received the same power from God's spirit. 1
1. Mk 9:1; Jn 12:49 (GN); Rev 11:15 (ET); Mt 12:28; Ac 1:8; Mk 16:17; Lk 17:20; 10:19: Jn 4:23 (GN)
note: click here for bible verse and translation abbreviations
A Psalm for reflection "Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations." Ps 145:13 (NI)
Understanding the Teaching: What I share in the teaching is what I believe God wants me to share. All the direct quotes from God are highlighted in royal purple. Of course the words of Jesus are in red. Rather than follow some made up doctrine, remember that Jesus said that every thing He said (Jn 12:49) and everything He did (Jn 14:31) comes from God. All teachings and all opinions should be supported by what we learn from God or Jesus (see the scripture referred to in the footnote).
MARRIAGE WORKSHOP MOMENT
To refresh what you have learned in our Workshop or entice you to experience our Workshop
"Remember, all marriages can be better, if you use what you learned."
Protect your relationship by anticipating problems. It is unrealistic to not expect some problems. Onetime I had a man that just insisted that they never had any problems and never had any disagreements in their marriage. As they practiced the Speaker Listener Technique together (I insisted) they discovered the reason he thought they never had any problems or disagreements was that he never let his wife talkJ. Once she was enabled to talk by using the SLT, he was actually happier. You can also protect your relationship by taking responsibility for your own behavior. Edit out negative responses. Jesus teaches us in Lk 6:31 (TL) to "Treat others as you want them to treat you." This should definitely apply to your spouse. Because two become one, when you build up your spouse you are also building up your self and your marriage. In a cartoon a woman asked her husband, "what do you think about renewing our wedding vows?' He responded, "Let me think it over, when do they expire?" Your vows are for life. They never expire.
The Better Half "When your partner won't support your efforts to make your marriage better" Without your spouse's support to improve your marriage, you can still pray daily for God's will to be done in each of your lives and your marriage ("all things are possible with God", Mk 10:27 NI). Much of what is mention above can still be done. You can take responsibility for your own behavior, anticipative problems, edit out negative responses and treat your spouse, the same way you would want them to treat you.
Email to pastor@jesuscenter.net
Hearing God's Voice - Greek Miracle - We Center on Jesus - Honoring God Physically
Eye Healing Miracle * The Alphabet is from God * Family Prayer Outline * Jesus Knows the Bible and Spoke Hebrew *