©2006/2007 Building God's Kingdom Together, Inc.

Text Box: God’s presence is health for our souls. The absence of God’s presence is like a deadly disease, like cancer. If you knew how to cure cancer you would not have to give it a second thought whether you would or not put this cure to action. Why be less then healthy spiritually? Embrace obedience and bathe in the presence of God. If obedience is taught and practiced correctly God’s Kingdom grows. That growth starts first in you. There is an inward aspect to the Kingdom. You, as an individual member of the Kingdom, can grow stronger in your devotion and commitment as you deepen in your obedience to the Lord. The inward growth cannot be contained but it naturally causes outward growth of the Kingdom as well. Others are affected by the devotion to obedience that is demonstrated in your life. You become more effective in growing the Kingdom as you grow yourself. We are like a great tapestry that God, the master weaver, is creating. Each of us represents a single thread. Alone, we do not look like much. Oh, some may have brilliant qualities about them, but alone we still represent so many limitations. Yet, as He weaves us together, we become a beautiful and powerful work that moves this world for Him. This can only occur if we fully seek His will in our lives and if we fully commit in obedience, to do whatever it is He asks of us. Text Box: The word ‘Christian’ literally means ‘little Christ’. This refers to someone who has devoted themselves to becoming like Him. It does not mean someone who admires Jesus. It does mean someone who has so completely devoted themselves to Him that in their life they begin to resemble Him. One’s actions and attitudes resemble His, not their own. This occurs when one honestly and urgently asks of themselves, “What would Jesus do?” This question is asked at each decision point of life. While it is true that we make thousands of choices each day and that some of these may seem quite insignificant, but as a result of the maturing process into the obedient member of the Kingdom, we are able to determine, with God’s help, what is significant. It may not matter today what color socks you choose to wear. However, what clothes you do wear may matter to God, depending on what person or persons He has for you to encounter that day for your clothes may have some bearing on how these others may perceive you. One of the most compelling ways we can be the image of Christ to this world is to embrace Jesus’ model of obedience. The great purpose of obedience is to please God. It is not to earn or deserve His love or any reward. It is simply because we have chosen to be obedient to Him. Text Box: It is a key for us, if we are to be obedient servants, to honestly ask ourselves what Jesus would do each day, if He were us. If Jesus had the resources that were entrusted to us this very day, what would He see as the best practice of stewardship of these resources for the purpose of building and extending His Kingdom. What of our circumstances? What would Jesus do within them? Wouldn’t He be completely and totally obedient to the full will of the Father with them? If obedience is taught and practiced correctly God is honored. God is never honored when we do things our way. In fact the plans of God are derailed when we presume to act on our own as being God’s will for us and His Kingdom. Without an understanding of God’s will, we fail Him. Just showing up with good intentions is not enough. We need to refuse to move in any direction until we are certain that it is His direction and be completely obedient, regardless of what it may cost us, even in comfort. If obedience is taught and practiced correctly God is present. I am continually amazed at how often I hear people say that they do not feel or sense God’s presence. They make God out to be the one who is absent. The reality is that God is there, but we are the ones not in sync, unable to sense His presence and the lack of obedience is the leading cause.

   You Need Obedience

          by Pastor Dave Bassett

 
Text Box: I heard an interesting fact today. Did you know that in the ocean, no matter how turbulent the surface is, that 25 feet below the surface the water is always calm? I did not know that. This could be an analogy for how God works in our lives. If we are truly rooted in Christ and trusting in Him, then no matter how turbulent things get on the surface, we should be perfectly calm underneath. Text Box: How, you ask? Well, if we put whatever is causing the turbulence into the hands of God and truly turn it over to Him, we don’t need to worry and fret and cause turbulence over it again. We need to have enough faith in God that whatever His answer is, that it will be within His perfect will. If you are living in God’s will, your life can be calm in the midst of the storm! Text Box: Building God’s    Kingdom Together

June 8, 2007

June, Issue #1

Building God’s Kingdom Newsletter

Special points of interest:

 

· You Need Obedience
   by Pastor Dave

· Calm In The Storm
   by Judy Bassett

· Seven-Seven-Oh-Seven
   by Pastor Dave

 

Calm In The Storm

   By Judy Bassett