JUNE THEME – “SEEING UNITY FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE”
BEATS FROM YOUR PASTOR’S HEART
KINGDOM THINKING
“Seeing Life From the King’s Perspective”
Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
One of the greatest battles every believer faces is the battle of perspective. We naturally think according to our feelings, circumstances, fears, preferences, and desires. Kingdom thinking requires us to learn to think differently. It means seeing life from the perspective of the King rather than from the perspective of self. Jesus came preaching, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). The word repent literally means to change your mind. Before God changes our actions, He changes our thinking. Kingdom living begins with kingdom thinking. The quality of our lives is often determined by the quality of our thoughts.
Kingdom Thinking Puts God’s Agenda Before My Agenda
The world teaches us to ask, “What do I want?” The Kingdom teaches us to ask, “What does God want?” Jesus demonstrated this perfectly in the Garden of Gethsemane when He prayed, “Not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). Many of our frustrations come because we are trying to fit God into our plans instead of surrendering to His plans. Kingdom thinkers understand that God’s purposes are always higher than their own. A kingdom-minded husband asks, “How can I serve my family?” A kingdom-minded wife asks, “How can I honor Christ in this situation?” A kingdom-minded church member asks, “How can I strengthen the body?” Kingdom thinking always places the King’s interests above personal preference
Kingdom Thinking Sees People as God Sees Them
The world labels people according to their failures, mistakes, weaknesses, and past. Jesus saw potential. When others saw a fisherman, Jesus saw Peter the preacher. When others saw a tax collector, Jesus saw Matthew the disciple. When others saw a persecutor, Jesus saw Paul the apostle. Kingdom thinking looks beyond what people are and sees what God can make them. This is especially important in our homes. Fathers must learn to see the man God wants to call out of their sons. Mothers must see the work God is doing beneath the surface. Churches must learn to see believers as unfinished masterpieces rather than finished products. God never sees merely what is; He sees what can be through His grace.
Kingdom Thinking Trusts the King During Difficult Seasons
Kingdom thinkers understand that God is working even when they cannot see Him working. Joseph spent years in prison, but God was building a kingdom purpose. David spent years running from Saul, but God was preparing a king. The disciples experienced a crucifixion before they witnessed a resurrection. When circumstances do not make sense, kingdom thinking says, “The King is still on the throne.” The believer who thinks according to the Kingdom understands that setbacks may actually be setups for greater usefulness. What appears to be delay may simply be divine preparation.
Imagine standing beside a giant jigsaw puzzle. From only a few inches away, you can see one small piece, but it makes no sense. The colors seem random. The shape seems insignificant. But the person holding the picture on the box sees how every piece fits together. We often see only one piece of our lives. God sees the entire picture. Kingdom thinking trusts the One who sees the completed puzzle.
Kingdom thinking changes everything.
It changes how we view our problems.
It changes how we view people.
It changes how we view our future.
It changes how we view our purpose.
The question is not, “What do I think about this situation?” The greater question is, “What does the King think about it?”
When we learn to think according to the Kingdom, we begin to experience the peace, wisdom, and power that come from living under the authority of the King.
Warfare Prayer
Heavenly Father, Teach me to think like a citizen of Your Kingdom. Expose every worldly thought, selfish ambition, fearful imagination, and fleshly perspective that wars against Your truth. Help me to see people as You see them, circumstances as You see them, and my future as You see it. Tear down every stronghold of wrong thinking and renew my mind through Your Word. Let Your Kingdom rule my thoughts, my decisions, my attitudes, and my actions. May Jesus reign completely upon the throne of my heart. In His mighty name, Amen.
Daily Challenge
Before making any major decision today, pause and ask: “Am I viewing this through my eyes or through the eyes of the King?”Then choose the response that most honors the Lordship of Jesus Christ. That is kingdom thinking.
THURSDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Susan Bankston
Dale Suemnicht
Kim McClain’s Family
Brad & Karen Slane
Ann Stanley
Aston Savage
Britany Smith ~ Breast Cancer
Christopher & Yting Kelley
Danny Jarrard
David Franklin
Dinay Rodriguez
Ellen Boyd
Jean Muehlfelt
Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda & Mateen
Kim McClain’s Daughter, Amanda
Mary Williams
Nancy Riley
Phillip Roach
Amy Garner’s Dad
Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shelnutt’s
Angela Bryan’s Sisters
Annette Ford
Brando Echarte
Carol Lawhead – Riverside in Conyers
Darlene Kelley – Cancer Treatment
Darlene Wiggins
Debbie Foskey
Deon Lotter
Don And Karelle Franklin – Mae’s Cousins
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Ed Adkins – Friend of Brian Edwards
Ed Franklin’s Son In Law – Heart Surgery
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Friend of Linda Hodge
Gayle Sparks
Gloria Young
James Burnette
Jean Partee
Jean Partee’s Sister
Jessica Headrick
John McClain’s Mother
Joni Oberhage
June Cronan’s Sister
June Davis
Kailey Bateman
Kim McClain’s Mother
Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Mays
Lonzo Christian
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom
Mrs. Franklin
Nancy Brown
Nora Allison
Paul Bateman
Ron And Johnnie Barry – Friends Of Ashton & Glenda Bateman
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Roy Roach
Scott Lanier
Scotty Nix
Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shelnutt’s
Steve Michaels
Tammy Shelnutt
Tom Witcher