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

BEATS FROM YOUR PASTOR’S HEART

If you failed to receive Saturday’s  Beat, go back into the archives and read it first.

KINGDOM LIVING: WHEN JESUS IS KING

Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Many people want the blessings of God’s Kingdom without surrendering to God’s King. They desire peace without obedience, victory without surrender, purpose without submission, and blessing without Lordship. Yet Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God begins wherever He is allowed to reign. Kingdom living is not simply attending church, reading the Bible, or claiming to be a Christian. Kingdom living is allowing Jesus Christ to rule every area of life. Every kingdom has a king. The Kingdom of God is no different. The question is not whether Jesus is King. The question is whether He is King of my life. Kingdom living begins when we stop asking God to bless our plans and begin asking Him to direct our lives. It begins when we surrender the throne of our hearts to the One who rightfully deserves it.

Kingdom Living Begins with Surrender

Before God can rule through us, He must rule over us. A kingdom cannot have two kings. Either self sits on the throne or Christ does. One of the greatest struggles believers face is the temptation to hold on to control. We want God to save us, help us, and bless us, but we often resist His authority over our plans, desires, and ambitions. Surrender is not losing; it is winning. It is recognizing that God’s wisdom is greater than ours and His plans are better than ours. When Jesus becomes King, our priorities begin to change. His will becomes more important than our preferences. His direction becomes more important than our opinions. Kingdom citizens understand that true freedom is not found in self-rule but in Christ’s rule. Every day we make a choice. Will I sit on the throne today, or will I allow Jesus to reign? The quality of our spiritual life is often determined by how we answer that question.

Kingdom Living Is Revealed Through Obedience

Kingdom citizens do not merely hear the King’s commands; they obey them. Obedience is one of the clearest evidences that Jesus is truly Lord. The citizen of God’s Kingdom understands that when Scripture speaks, the matter is settled. The world teaches us to follow our feelings. The Kingdom teaches us to follow God’s Word. The world says, “Do what makes you happy.” The King says, “Follow Me.” The world says, “Get even.” The King says, “Forgive.” The world says, “Promote yourself.” The King says, “Humble yourself.” Obedience is not bondage. Obedience is the pathway to peace, blessing, protection, and spiritual power. Every command God gives is for our good and His glory. When Jesus is King, we no longer ask, “What do I want?” We ask, “What does my King desire?”

Kingdom Living Reflects the Character of the King

When Jesus reigns in our hearts, His character begins to appear in our lives. Kingdom living affects our attitudes, responses, thoughts, and relationships. When someone offends us, the King teaches us forgiveness. When someone is hurting, the King teaches us compassion. When someone succeeds, the King teaches us encouragement. When someone fails, the King teaches us grace. Kingdom citizens become known for love because they follow a King who loved them first. The early church demonstrated this beautifully. They were devoted to prayer, fellowship, generosity, worship, and evangelism. They lived with one heart and one purpose because they lived under one King. They did not merely believe in Jesus; they submitted to His authority. As a result, God used them to turn the world upside down. The world desperately needs to see believers who live differently because Christ truly reigns in their hearts.

Imagine a kingdom where every citizen wanted to be king. Every person would make his own rules. Every person would pursue his own agenda. Chaos would soon replace order, and conflict would replace peace. That is exactly what happens whenever self remains on the throne of our lives. Now imagine a kingdom where every citizen trusts and follows a wise, loving king. There is peace because everyone follows the same authority. There is unity because everyone serves the same purpose.

The Christian life becomes much simpler when we stop trying to be king and allow Jesus to occupy the throne that already belongs to Him. Kingdom living is not complicated. 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 is present. When Christ truly reigns in our hearts, His Kingdom becomes visible in our lives. Our attitudes change. Our responses change. Our priorities change. Our relationships change. Kingdom living begins when the King takes His rightful place on the throne.

Warfare Prayer

Heavenly Father, In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, we surrender every area of our lives to Your authority. We renounce every spirit of pride, self-will, rebellion, stubbornness, and independence that seeks to compete with the Lordship of Christ. Remove anything that sits upon the throne of our hearts besides Jesus. Rule our attitudes, our responses, our thoughts, our feelings, our homes, our relationships, and our future. Lord Jesus, be King over every decision we make, every word we speak, and every path we choose. We declare that self will no longer reign. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done in our lives as it is in Heaven. Fill us with the power of the Holy Spirit and make us faithful citizens of Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Challenge

Throughout today, whenever you face a decision, disappointment, conflict, or temptation, pause and ask yourself one question: “What would Jesus do if He were ruling this moment?” Then choose to respond as a citizen of His Kingdom rather than a ruler of your own.

MONDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS

Kim McClain’s Family needs prayer & encouragement 256-458-7611 in Alabama

Brad & Karen Slane

Susan Bankston

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

Wes Knight

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