The Kingdom

Much has gone on the past month since last writing. The lecture phase of Discipleship Training School began wrapping up, and unfortunately the latter few weeks has had its diverting moments, but as outreach approaches and I consider all that is about to transpire, it’s like adrenaline to my spirit. The culmination of twelve weeks of teaching and revelation, combined with the ever-present motivation to share what God is all about is stimulating. Over the next 63 days I am scheduled to travel 20,000 miles, visit two nations, two states, and most importantly encounter individuals I never would have had the opportunity to, had I not followed God’s direction and came to YWAM. A “Thank you” seems so inadequate to express my gratitude to all who have helped make this dream a reality. Without support and encouragement from family, friends, mentors, pastors and strangers these recent months would have been impossible. But, I’ve reached the point where training becomes application and this is what it is all about: making the Kingdom of God a reality to the nations.

The “Kingdom of God” in itself sounds like an audacious pronouncement, that surely could not be defined in a few words or singular idea, but Romans 14:17 defines the Kingdom of God as, “living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” And it goes on in the next verse to say if we choose to live a lifestyle that meets these three conditions, “you will please God, and others will approve of you, too.” This is the aim of what the Gospels are communicating to believers and it’s the first plea in the Lord’s prayer, “Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on Earth as it is Heaven.” The template for prayer Jesus gives in Matthew 6:9-13 is talking about here, now, and not “when we die, heaven or hell.” Salvation is an eternal decision, but it is also an immediate lifestyle: an existence of victory, a presence of relationship, and life of totality, it is “righteousness, peace and joy.” That is what my burden is these next few months, communicating the Kingdom. It is vital, life-changing, hearing for the first time that as Christians we do not have to wait till heaven to experience all He has for us. Psalms 34:8 says, “Come, taste and see that the Lord is good.” Right now! That is what it is all about. Jesus is the hero of this story. It is the explanation why Napoleon Bonaparte, the conqueror of civilized Europe, near the end of his life while exiled, reflected on his accomplishments and the person of Jesus said, “Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne and I myself have founded great empires; but upon what did these creations of our genius depend? Upon force. Jesus alone founded His empire upon love, and to this very day millions will die for Him.” He understood one thing-that he did not understand. But fortunately, that is where we fill in the gap as believers, we link the Kingdom of our God, to the reality of our world. It is our commission.

Please be in prayer for the people of South Lousiana and East Asia. Pray specifically for open hearts and minds to the Kingdom and its principals. Holy Spirit have your way.

Until next time,

Anthony