S10E12 - What Is The Real Battle?
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
PURITY IN HONOR AND SURVIVAL AND VICTORY IN LIFEWARNING - THIS IS A LONG AND INVOLVED CONVERSATION - BUT WORTH YOUR TIME! “I am in my early 70’s. Much has changed in the realm of what is pure and what is impure during my lifetime. But then, of course, information has exploded (Daniel 12:4). We struggle like never before when it comes to our sexuality, our intimacy, and our oneness as a man and a woman. You know this. Those with open eyes understand. There are several anchors in God’s Word which are able to help deliver us from being consumed by impurity and lust. This is tricky. But take...
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S10E11 - Will You Reign With Me?
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
Throughout the entire Word of God the idea of reigning means God has, does, and will always have dominion. Rulership. He IS the King. His Kingship was displayed throughout all of history and humanity when King Jesus arrived on earth to conquer death. Paul explains to Timothy that the following statement can be counted on because it represents the truth expressed throughout the Word of God - a "thread" if you will. "It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; If we are...
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S10E10 - What Is Real First Place?
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
Doesn't it feel great to come in first place? And it so seldom happens! There is only one first place in any event or competition. Has this happened for you? Exhilarating. Rewarding. For most of us (such as myself) a never experienced event. No matter how attainable it is the promise of the prize that motivates. "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run...
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S10E9 - Come To Me
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
When Jesus appeared on earth He engaged 100% in His mission. He was sent by His Father (Father-Son-Holy Spirit) to buy back the lost souls of mankind and to offer escape to every son of Adam and daughter of Eve. He extends Kingdom partnership to any and all who see the need and live out the same heart of rescue Jesus embraced. This is the nature of deep connectivity with the purposes of our King. Let's break down Jesus' words in Matthew 11:28-29. These words give us incredible practical insight into experiencing...
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S10E8 - Believe In Me
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
Knowing Jesus is very personal. Even though millions have and will believe in Him, every relationship is individual. Unique. Filled with potential for personal honor. Jesus' disciple John watched all of this unfold with his own eyes, and several decades later wrote down his gospel so that we, too, could experience belief that would be able to sustain us in this life and carry us into the life to come. This growing belief (faith) helps us to interact for our own personal spirituality. John used the word "believe" to describe this in his gospel and his letters. Believe means to entrust...
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S10E7 - The Mysteries
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
How do you navigate true mysteries? What things are already known? What is becoming known as the story unfolds? While the Word of God is plain concerning most things, there are also aspects of God's will which are filled with unfolding mystery. This occurs on a global scale (no man knows the hour or the day) while throughout time things continue unfolding personally - generation after generation (such as people awakening to God). About God mystery: “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8/the first...
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S10E6 - Eyes to See
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
What does it mean to see with spiritual eyes? Because we are created in God's image we have body, soul, spirit, heart, mind, and conscience. From this amazing mixture comes our ability to live out His greatness. When Adam and Eve disobeyed the Lord God we dishonored Him. Our inherent greatness would now become a millstone of self-perpetuation and arrogance. We would no longer see the world through our God-eyes. Paul summarized this well: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which...
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S10E5 - I Am Here/Turn to Me
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
For many the image of the word "repent" has negative connotations. Finger pointing. Judgment. Fear. But what if the original word itself is consulted? We then find that repent means a change of mind. A change of purpose. A new perception. John the Baptist: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:2 Jesus the Son: "From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17 So it appears that our turning away results in a freedom of turning toward. We leave one focus and begin to turn the eyes...
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S10E4 - Kingdom Roots
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
Probably the best Kingdom example we have from history is found in King David's story from the Bible. David was a "type" of the One Who was to come. This is why his story prepares us not only for the arrival and nature of Jesus - the King of the earth, but also for the Kingdom His followers will share with their king. We will reign with Him! There are many specific prophecies and words that prepare the Jews (and the entire earth) for the coming King. What is cool about this is that David experienced a heart unique in scripture and among the world of kings. This is why so many of his...
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S10E3 - The Kingdom and Me
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
If you look up the meaning of the word organic you will find “living, animated, and authentic.” The word Kingdom means “a realm of influence - both of living organisms or groups of people.” Over the last several years we have learned some things we would have preferred to experience in a tech download. It appears, however, this part of our journey was meant to occur in order to acquire deeper wisdom. Those who read the words of Jesus and His Father know that knowledge is a life-long journey gift, but wisdom arrives through deep testings of the soul and many experiences. Challenges...
info_outlineWe have considered King first - then Kingdom - then Church in our Kingdom podcast #1. This gives us a Jesus perspective on the Kingdom, which is helpful as we integrate our lives into His Kingship and become disciples of the Kingdom - which in turn will bless the church of the Living God, which is being purified into a spotless Bride of Christ.
Within what Jesus lived and taught us was an example of a self-fulfilling, renewing, and ongoing work of the Holy Spirit who lives within all the sons and daughters of God.
"...that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you." - John 14:17
"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." - Romans 8:26-27
There appears to be a Kingdom circle of life which continues to occur within the hearts of His Kingdom servants. A Pure Heart is a heart of humility. We bend to Him because He deserves it. This in turn opens the door to genuinely Knowing God as we enter into a reciprocal relationship with the Father God through His Son Jesus. This results in the genuine ability to Do Kindness into the lives around us, which results in the very real process of Growing Life.
The Kingdom circle or cycle feeds itself and multiplies much like the Kingdom seed Jesus spoke about: "...it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it is grown, it becomes a tree that provides a place of shelter for the birds to nest in its' branches." In this sense we emulate God, because when we provide shelter people are blessed and God is honored. We plant, we water, but the Lord of the harvest brings about growth (Luke 10:2; 1 Corinthians 3:6)
What does this look like in a Kingdom life? Meet Ann. Ann submits herself to the Kingship of Jesus. She bends her will to searching His Word and following His example. This inevitably leads her deeper into knowing who God is and understanding His companionship and partnership in her life. She prays and chooses to activate her gifts and use them for the welfare of others and the patient honor of God. By caring for and "discipling" people in her family, neighborhood, and work-life, she brings the shelter of Jesus into the lives of others. She becomes an encourager for King and Kingdom, and does all she can to see people rooted and growing in faith. This feeds her own spiritual growth and helps her as she cares for her own Kingdom "tribe."
This Kingdom Circle allows us to share in the words "well done" at the end of the age. Beautiful!
The Kingdom conversation is incredibly powerful and very beautiful. It puts religion in its proper place, and unlocks a Kingdom experience which is meant for every follower of Jesus.
Your life is a Kingdom life. Your calling comes from your King. When you stand before Him you, like us, wish to hear the words well done. “And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities." - Luke 19:17
And so, by living out the Kingdom we celebrate the coming Kingdom. When we participate in the Kingdom circle and produce fruit that pleases God, we are truly blessed! And if we get to do this with other like-minded Christ followers, it is all the more glorious.
The Kingdom Circle is God's work and it is our work.
√ We come openly to God in humility
√ We experience personal connectivity
√ We invite God's kindness into our thoughts and actions
√ God includes us in the growth of true life
Working together with you,
Dave and Burnadette
More about the Kingdom:
Kingdom Book from Matthew
The Kingdom Journey
Kingdom Connectivity
Kingdom Spirituality Course
Kingdom Heart