By Janell Sterner
I will be taking excerpts from,” If my people… A handbook for National Intercession by Jimmy and Carol Owens.” Lets begin the journey by looking into who are God’s people. Israel was the chosen people of God until God sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to make salvation through faith available to the whole world.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him ” (John 3:16-17 NIV)
How to Become a Child of God
Since the fall of man with Adam and Eve, we have earned the penalty of death through our sin and disobedience; God’s law requires the payment of the penalty; God’s love paid it! Jesus, the divine Son of God was born for this purpose.
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…..children born not of natural decent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:12-13 NIV)
We must turn away from sin, confess our need of forgiveness, and call upon the Lord to save us. Our prayer can be simple, but it must be honest:
“Lord Jesus, I’m truly sorry for all my sins and I ask you to forgive me. Thank you for taking the punishment for my sins by dying in my place. I gladly receive you now as my Savior. Amen.”
God calls this act of receiving Christ and His eternal life being “born again.”
“Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
(John 3:3 NIV) Therefore, we become citizens of a New Kingdom as the Bible teaches us when we receive Christ as Savior and Lord and are born again by God’s Spirit.
“For He has rescued us out of the darkness and gloom of Satan’s kingdom and brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son, who bought our freedom with his blood and forgives us all our sins.” (Colossians 1:13,14 LB)
Jesus intends for his children to obey, grow, learn, stretch and continually be filled with the Holy Spirit to become agents for His Kingdom.
The Kingdom…..Now
Many people are glued to the news night after night listening to how many more people are becoming greedy, cruel, revolting and mocking Jesus as every opportunity. I just say, “Lord-Do something quick! “ Come and establish your kingdom. But then scripture tells us about God’s kingdom.
“ For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17 NKJV)
There is a far more immediate aspect of God’s kingdom which is the kingdom established within us and through us on the earth….now!
Jesus said, “ I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent” (Luke 4:43 NIV)
Jesus sent his disciples to perform the same ministry as His own. He told them:
“ As you go , proclaim the message: “ the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” (Matthew 10:7-8 NIV)
The Kingdom of God becomes established in us when the will of God becomes the ruling force in our lives, so that we are no longer ruled by our old sinful nature or by the devil. This is God’s Kingdom in action. Praise be to God forever and ever.
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