JUNE THEME – “SEEING UNITY FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE”

BEATS FROM YOUR PASTOR’S HEART

THE KINGDOM WITHIN

Luke 17:21, “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”

Many Christians have heard about the Kingdom of God their entire lives, yet many struggle to explain exactly what it is. Some think of the Kingdom only as Heaven, while others view it as something that will arrive someday when Christ returns. Yet Jesus taught that the Kingdom is both a future reality and a present reality. When He taught His disciples to pray, He instructed them to pray, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). He was teaching them that the Kingdom is manifested wherever God’s will is gladly embraced and obeyed. The Kingdom of God is not primarily a physical location. It is the present reality of God’s rule and reign wherever He is recognized as King. It is not limited by borders, buildings, nations, or denominations. The Kingdom exists wherever Christ occupies the throne of a surrendered heart. Wherever His will is preferred above our own, wherever His authority is honored, and wherever His Word is obeyed, the Kingdom is being revealed. The Kingdom is not a place you travel to; it is a rule you surrender to. It is the place where there is no rival king, no divided loyalty, and no competition for the throne. Self no longer reigns; Christ reigns. The prayer, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,” is ultimately a prayer of surrender that says, “Lord, rule in me, rule through me, and accomplish Your will in my life.” Wherever Jesus is King, His Kingdom is present.

The Kingdom Is a Place Without a Rival King

One of the most remarkable characteristics of God’s Kingdom is that there is no competition for the throne. Earthly kingdoms often experience rival rulers, divided loyalties, and struggles for power. In God’s Kingdom there can only be one King. The greatest battle in the Christian life is often not against circumstances, people, or even Satan. It is the battle between self and the Savior. Self desires control. Self wants its own way. Self wants to make the final decisions. Yet the Kingdom begins when we willingly step down from the throne and allow Jesus Christ to reign. Many believers become frustrated because they desire the blessings of the Kingdom while continuing to maintain control of their lives. They want God’s peace while holding on to worry. They want God’s direction while insisting on their own plans. They want God’s power while refusing God’s authority. The Kingdom flourishes wherever there is complete surrender. There is no divided loyalty. There is no shared throne. Either Christ reigns or something else does. Every day we are faced with the question: Who is sitting on the throne of my life? Wherever God’s will is preferred above our own, His Kingdom is being manifested. The Kingdom begins when the King is welcomed and allowed to reign.

Citizens of the Kingdom

Every kingdom has citizens who reflect the character of their king. Citizens of God’s Kingdom do not merely believe certain doctrines; they live under the authority of their King. Their attitudes, priorities, relationships, and responses reveal who rules their lives. Kingdom citizens value what the King values. They pursue what the King pursues. They love what the King loves. When offended, they choose forgiveness because their King forgives. When others seek recognition, they choose humility because their King humbled Himself. When others pursue earthly treasure, they pursue eternal treasure because their King taught them to seek first His Kingdom. The early church beautifully demonstrated what Kingdom citizenship looks like. They were devoted to prayer, worship, fellowship, generosity, discipleship, and evangelism. They lived differently because they belonged to a different Kingdom. Their lives reflected the character of the King they served. The same should be true of us. The world should see evidence of our King by observing the way we live, speak, serve, forgive, and love.

The Authority of the Kingdom

Every kingdom functions through authority, and a king’s authority is expressed through his word. Likewise, the authority of God’s Kingdom is revealed through God’s Word. Kingdom citizens do not determine truth based upon personal opinion, cultural trends, emotions, or popular voices. They submit themselves to the authority of the King. Jesus demonstrated Kingdom authority throughout His earthly ministry. He spoke to storms and they obeyed. He spoke to demons and they fled. He spoke to sickness and it departed. He spoke to death and graves surrendered their captives. All authority belongs to the King. Because of this, Kingdom citizens do not live under the authority of fear, anxiety, culture, or circumstances. They live under the authority of Jesus Christ. They trust His Word above their feelings. They trust His promises above their circumstances. They trust His wisdom above their own understanding. When believers truly understand Kingdom authority, everything changes. Prayer becomes more confident. Worship becomes more meaningful. Obedience becomes more natural. Faith becomes stronger because they recognize they are living under the authority, protection, provision, and care of the King of Kings.

Imagine a foreign embassy located in another nation. Although it physically exists within foreign borders, it operates under the authority of the country it represents. The values, laws, and authority of that nation are reflected within the embassy. In much the same way, believers live in this world but belong to another Kingdom. We may reside on earth, but our citizenship is in Heaven. Our homes, our churches, our workplaces, and our relationships become visible expressions of God’s Kingdom in a world that desperately needs to see the King. Wherever believers submit to Christ’s authority, the Kingdom becomes visible.

The Kingdom of God is not merely a future destination waiting for us after death. It is a present reality available to us today. It is a Kingdom without a rival king. It is a Kingdom filled with citizens who reflect the character of their King. It is a Kingdom governed by divine authority. The Kingdom begins wherever Jesus is welcomed, trusted, honored, and obeyed. Jesus is King. His Word is our authority. His will is our priority. His people are our family. His mission is our purpose. His glory is our goal. The Kingdom of God is not a location you travel to. It is a rule you surrender to. Wherever Jesus is King, His Kingdom is present.

Warfare Prayer

Heavenly Father, In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, we acknowledge You as King. We surrender every area of our lives to Your authority and ask You to reveal anything that competes for the throne of our hearts. Forgive us for every place where self has ruled instead of Christ. We bind every spirit of pride, rebellion, self-will, compromise, fear, deception, and divided loyalty. We renounce every rival king that seeks to govern our thoughts, desires, priorities, and decisions. Lord, establish Your Kingdom more fully within us. Help us walk as faithful citizens who reflect Your character and obey Your Word. Let Your authority govern our homes, our marriages, our relationships, our churches, and our daily decisions. Fill us with courage, humility, faith, obedience, and spiritual discernment. May Your Kingdom come and Your will be done in our lives as it is in Heaven. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Challenge

Today, examine your heart and ask yourself three questions: Is there any area of my life where Christ is not fully King? Do my attitudes and actions reflect the character of a Kingdom citizen? Am I living under the authority of God’s Word or under the influence of my own preferences? Then intentionally surrender one area of your life to the Lord and invite Him to reign there completely. Remember, wherever Jesus is King, His Kingdom is present.

FRIDAY’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