JUNE THEME – “SEEING UNITY FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE”
BEATS FROM YOUR PASTOR’S HEART
THE LAWS OF THE KINGDOM
Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Every kingdom operates according to laws established by its king. Earthly governments have laws that govern their citizens, and the Kingdom of God is no different. Yet many Christians desire the blessings of God’s Kingdom without understanding the principles that govern it. They want peace without surrender, victory without obedience, blessing without faith, and authority without submission. The Kingdom of God does not operate according to the values of this world. It operates according to the laws established by the King. When we learn and obey those laws, we begin experiencing the peace, purpose, power, and joy that God intended for His children. Many believers know Jesus as Savior but have never fully embraced Him as King. They know they are going to Heaven, but they are uncertain whether they are truly living in the reality of God’s Kingdom today. The Kingdom is not merely a future destination. It is a present reality wherever Christ reigns in the hearts of His people. Understanding the laws of the Kingdom helps us live under His rule and experience His blessings.
The Law of Surrender
The first law of the Kingdom is surrender. Before anyone can experience the blessings of God’s Kingdom, they must first submit to the authority of the King. The greatest struggle in the Christian life is often the battle over who will sit upon the throne of the heart. Self wants control. Self wants its own way. Self wants to make the final decisions. Yet the Kingdom begins when we willingly surrender our lives to Jesus Christ. A kingdom cannot have two kings. Either Christ reigns, or self reigns. Many believers experience frustration because they desire Kingdom blessings while resisting Kingdom authority. True peace comes when we stop fighting for control and trust the wisdom of the King. Every day presents opportunities for surrender. We surrender our attitudes, our fears, our relationships, our plans, our finances, and our future. Kingdom citizens understand that surrender is not weakness; it is strength. It is not loss; it is gain. What we place into God’s hands always becomes greater than what we attempt to control ourselves.
The Law of Obedience
The second law of the Kingdom is obedience. In every kingdom, the king’s word carries authority. Likewise, in God’s Kingdom, His Word is final. Kingdom citizens do not simply hear God’s truth; they obey it. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Obedience is not legalism. It is love demonstrated, faith expressed, and trust revealed. The world teaches people to follow their feelings, but the Kingdom teaches believers to follow God’s Word. The world says, “Do what feels right.” The Kingdom says, “Do what God says.” Many Christians struggle spiritually because they seek God’s promises while neglecting God’s instructions. Yet every act of obedience positions us for greater blessing and spiritual growth. Obedience often requires faith because we do not always understand what God is doing. Noah obeyed before he saw rain. Abraham obeyed before he saw the promised land. Peter obeyed before he understood where Jesus was leading him. Kingdom people learn that delayed understanding should never become delayed obedience.
The Law of Sowing and Reaping
The third law of the Kingdom is the law of sowing and reaping. Scripture teaches us that whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. This principle affects every area of life. We reap what we sow, where we sow, and eventually more than we sow. Many people desire a harvest they have never planted. They want stronger marriages without sowing love. They want spiritual growth without sowing time in God’s Word. They want peace without sowing trust. They want godly children without sowing consistent spiritual influence. The Kingdom teaches us that today’s seeds determine tomorrow’s harvest. When we sow kindness, we often reap kindness. When we sow forgiveness, we often reap restoration. When we sow prayer, we reap spiritual strength. When we sow God’s Word into our hearts, we reap wisdom and stability. Wise believers pay careful attention to what they are planting because they understand that harvests never arrive by accident.
Imagine a farmer standing in a field during the spring planting season. He carefully places seed into the soil, yet for days and even weeks nothing appears to happen. The ground looks unchanged. There is no visible evidence that growth is taking place. Yet beneath the surface, life is developing. Roots are growing. Seeds are breaking open. A future harvest is quietly forming. The farmer does not panic because he understands the laws of planting and harvest. He trusts the process because he trusts the principles. The same is true in God’s Kingdom. We surrender. We obey. We sow faithfully. Sometimes we do not immediately see the results. Yet beneath the surface God is working. His laws never fail. His promises remain true. In due season, a harvest will come.
The Kingdom of God operates according to Kingdom laws. The law of surrender teaches us that Jesus must be King. The law of obedience teaches us that His Word must be our authority. The law of sowing and reaping teaches us that our choices have consequences and our faithfulness produces fruit. These laws are not burdens; they are blessings. They reveal how life functions under the rule of a perfect King. When we live according to Kingdom principles, we discover the peace, purpose, joy, and power that come from walking closely with God. Jesus is King. His Word is my authority. His will is my priority. His people are my family. His mission is my purpose. His glory is my goal. Wherever the King is honored, the Kingdom becomes visible.
Warfare Prayer
Heavenly Father, In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, we surrender ourselves completely to Your authority. Forgive us for every area where we have resisted Your rule and chosen our own way. Today we place our hearts, minds, plans, desires, and future into Your hands. We bind every spirit of pride, rebellion, self-will, compromise, deception, distraction, and unbelief that seeks to keep us from walking in the fullness of Your Kingdom. We bind every influence that draws our hearts away from complete obedience to Christ. Lord, we loose faith where there has been doubt, obedience where there has been resistance, wisdom where there has been confusion, peace where there has been anxiety, and spiritual hunger where there has been complacency. Teach us to sow righteousness, prayer, truth, forgiveness, and love into every area of our lives. Help us live according to the laws of Your Kingdom rather than the values of this world. May Jesus reign completely in our hearts, and may Your Kingdom become visible through our lives every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Daily Challenge
Today, ask yourself three questions: What area of my life is God asking me to surrender? Is there a command I know but have delayed obeying? What seeds am I planting today that will determine tomorrow’s harvest? Then take one step of surrender, one step of obedience, and intentionally sow one Kingdom seed that honors the King.
WEDNESDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Susan Bankston
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