Apicontent

“My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes delight in my ways.” (Proverbs 23:26)

As we consider a life guided by the principles of KingdomNomics, we must begin by making sure that we have truly given our hearts to God. Once God has your heart, he is able to guide and direct you in every area of your life.

There are many examples in the Bible of God working through individuals who surrendered their hearts to him. David had a heart that was after God, and God used him in a mighty way. Zacchaeus had a burning desire to see Jesus, and he responded immediately when Jesus called him.

Caleb showed faith in the power of God in the face of what looked like insurmountable odds. He followed God wholeheartedly and, unlike most of the others who died in the wilderness because of their disobedience, was allowed to enter the Promised Land.

Samuel listened to and obeyed the Lord and as a result was used by God as a prophet and judge to the people of Israel. When God approached Gideon, who was the least in his father’s household, God recognized a heart that would respond and be obedient to him. Daniel’s heart was so committed to God that God felt free to reveal secrets to him.

Each of these individuals had a heart fully devoted to God, and all these people are role models for us today. Their significance in the Bible narrative begins with their relationship with God. Likewise, our significance begins with our relationship with God. When God has your heart, he has everything that relates to you and your life.

All of our giving springs out of the genuine relationship that we have with our heavenly Father. As we develop and deepen that relationship, God will work in us and through us.

Heart Deposit

Have you given your heart fully to God? Ask him to be first in your life. KingdomNomics begins with a relationship with God.

Related Verses

“After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do’” (Acts 13:22)

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30)

“For he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6, NKJV)

This verse tells us that God responds to those who seek him. In fact, it says that God rewards those who “diligently seek him.” We show an attitude of diligence by avidly spending time in his Word. It is virtually impossible to know God’s will, his mind, his worldview, and his plan for our lives without studying his Word and spending time with him in prayer.

When we really study the Bible, we find that it is alive and powerful, and that it effectively works in those who receive it as the living Word of God and not simply as the written words of men. We find God’s power evident in many places where he promises to work on behalf of those whose hearts are loyal to him. That is another way of saying that he will reward those who diligently seek him.

God tells us that he is pleased when we pursue him. And he also promises that when we pursue him, he will reward us. When we spend time in God’s Word, we find that he meets us there and shows us his peace, his presence, his direction and his goodness in our current situation. And each time we choose to spend time with God we find that our relationship with is strengthened.

Heart Deposit

In what ways are you diligently seeking God? Do you regularly spend time in the Bible? Honestly, how much time are you taking each day or week to allow the power of the God’s Word to transform your mind, your will, your emotions, and your attitudes? If necessary, what step(s) can you take in order to spend more consistent time in the Bible?

KingdomNomics is
about pursuing God.

 Related Verses:

“God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.” (Psalm 53:2)

“But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” (Luke 12:31)

“But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:29)

“He must become greater, I must become less” (John 3:30)

God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to pay the debt for our sin and reconcile us to him. Because of our relationship with God through Jesus, it is a new day when we fully embrace the fact that this life is not all about us, but about Jesus Christ! Once we make this discovery and realize that our story is part of a much bigger story, his story, our worldview and the view we have of ourselves radically changes. We begin to learn to live not for ourselves, but for the One who loves us and died for us. We begin to live for his purposes. As we mature, we find that his purposes for us actually become our purposes.

One of the measuring sticks we can use to evaluate whether Christ’s purposes have become our purposes is this question: “What is consuming my life?” Are you only concerned about matters regarding this temporary world, or do you have an eternal perspective? I like to think of my life as consisting of “three Ts”: time, talent, and treasure. How I use the “three Ts” is a good indicator of what is important to me.God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to pay the debt for our sin and reconcile us to him. Because of our relationship with God through Jesus, it is a new day when we fully embrace the fact that this life is not all about us, but about Jesus Christ! Once we make this discovery and realize that our story is part of a much bigger story, his story, our worldview and the view we have of ourselves radically changes. We begin to learn to live not for ourselves, but for the One who loves us and died for us. We begin to live for his purposes. As we mature, we find that his purposes for us actually become our purposes.

John the Baptist said, “He [Jesus] must become greater.” As we grow in Jesus, he becomes more and more important in our thinking and his agenda becomes the guiding force in our lives. As he becomes greater, the choices we make regarding our time, talent, and treasure will be dictated by his desires.

When we soak our hearts in the Word of God, we absorb those words as if we were a sponge being filled with living water. The Word of God begins to transform our thinking and we increasingly delight ourselves in the Lord rather than in the things of this world. It is through this process that Jesus becomes stronger in our lives and self becomes weaker.

Heart Deposit

Are the things that are important to Jesus becoming increasingly important to you? Make a list of the 10 most important things to you right now. In what ways is Jesus influencing your list?

KingdomNomics is
having our lives transformed by Jesus Christ.

Related Verses:

“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” (Mark 8:35)

“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3)

“Teach me your ways so that I may know you and continue to find favor with you.” (Exodus 33:13)

Make knowing God a top priority in life! Moses yearned to know God and to know his ways. In turn, God revealed himself to Moses. Moses found that through this process, he experienced God’s presence and his favor. Later, Moses was called to lead God’s people out of Egypt. He knew that the Israelites would die in the wilderness without God’s favor, so Moses made it a priority to teach the people God’s ways. As they lived for God, they too experienced his presence and favor. It was this very presence of God and his favor that set the Israelites apart from others.

Things happen when God has priority in our lives. His favor opens doors, changes circumstances, causes blessing, gives protection, provides counsel, overcomes barriers, and gives strength, fortitude, and hope. He is what we need in order to navigate successfully through this world. As we learn to trust him, especially in our weaknesses, his power and strength become fully active in us.Make knowing God a top priority in life! Moses yearned to know God and to know his ways. In turn, God revealed himself to Moses. Moses found that through this process, he experienced God’s presence and his favor. Later, Moses was called to lead God’s people out of Egypt. He knew that the Israelites would die in the wilderness without God’s favor, so Moses made it a priority to teach the people God’s ways. As they lived for God, they too experienced his presence and favor. It was this very presence of God and his favor that set the Israelites apart from others.

Do you see the evidence of God’s favor and blessing in your life? Have you made it a priority to know God and his ways? He promises to show his friendship to those who fear and honor him, and to show them the blessings that come as a result of a relationship with him.

It is important for us to study the biblical accounts of the lives of those who came before us. From them we learn what to do and what not to do. When we spend time with God in his Word, we make ourselves candidates for him to show us his ways and to direct us to his purposes.

Heart Deposit

Is knowing God the first priority in your life? What else is clamoring for your attention? Are you experiencing God’s favor? Are there changes you need to make in your life in order to experience more of God?

KingdomNomics is
yearning for God.

Related Verses

“Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises.” (Psalm 25:14, TLB)

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.” (Psalm 42:1)

“For we are His handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

As we spend time in the Word of God, we begin to learn that we have been made for a specific purpose. Each of us is a work of God! The Bible tells us that God is the potter and we are the clay (Isaiah 64:8), that we are engraved on the palms of his hands (Isaiah 49:16), and that he has fashioned us individually (Psalm 33:15, NKJV).

A hammer is made for pounding nails, a saw for cutting wood, and a screwdriver for tightening screws. It would be silly to try to saw with a hammer or tighten a screw with a saw. In the same way, we have been created in Christ Jesus for individually unique purposes. We need to be zealous in discovering the good works God has planned for us. We need to find out specifically what God wants us to do. And we need to do the work with the talent God has instilled within us. As we spend time in the Word of God, we begin to learn that we have been made for a specific purpose. Each of us is a work of God! The Bible tells us that God is the potter and we are the clay (Isaiah 64:8), that we are engraved on the palms of his hands (Isaiah 49:16), and that he has fashioned us individually (Psalm 33:15, NKJV).

I have found people are most fulfilled when they allow God’s Spirit to carry out the work God has designed. It is imperative that we individually discern what kind of tool we are and what work God has waiting for us to accomplish as we cooperate with him. Most importantly, we must be available to God for him to accomplish his work through us.

Heart Deposit

In what ways are you fulfilling the good works for which God created you? If this is a new concept for you, or if you haven’t yet discovered what God has for you to do, what steps can you take to find out how you can best be available to serve God?

KingdomNomics embraces God’s plan.

Related Verses

“Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’” (John 6:29)

“In him we are also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” (Ephesians 1:11)

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

If we expect to see God operating in our lives, we must decide which audience—God or self—we are trying to please. The world seeks to gain our attention and allegiance by directing our steps away from God. In order to please God, we need to separate from the world through the transformation of our ideas and thoughts. To be transformed by the power of his Word will enable us to break away from the crowd.

This means we must experience a change in how we think and act, how we perceive the world around us, and how we spend our time. The goals we pursue must be in line with God’s will. If we truly desire to please God, we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This can only come about when we allow God’s Word to penetrate our innermost being.f we expect to see God operating in our lives, we must decide which audience—God or self—we are trying to please. The world seeks to gain our attention and allegiance by directing our steps away from God. In order to please God, we need to separate from the world through the transformation of our ideas and thoughts. To be transformed by the power of his Word will enable us to break away from the crowd.

We constantly and consistently must evaluate our motives and goals to make sure our objective is to please God, not self. The old way of living and doing things has passed. It is no longer us who live, but Christ who lives in us. God has created us, in Christ Jesus, to do new works that he has planned for us!

Heart Deposit

In what ways are you trying to please God? In what ways are you trapped by trying to please yourself? Ask God to give you new desires and direction in order to pursue the things that he desires for you!

KingdomNomics focuses
on God’s will.

Related Verses

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)

“Like newborn babes, crave pure spiritual milk, so that you may grow up in your salvation.” (1 Peter 2:2)

When we are hungry, our bodies crave physical food. So also each of us has a spirit that craves to be fed and nourished with spiritual food. Jesus said that the words he spoke to us would nourish us. His words are spirit and life! In order to grow spiritually, we need to soak our hearts in those words as we desire the “pure spiritual milk” of the Word of God. Jesus also said that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled, and that we should labor for the food that leads to eternal benefits.

We know that a baby has to drink the milk if it is going to be useful in helping the child grow. Likewise, a Bible on the shelf does us little good unless we move its contents, first into our heads, and then into our hearts.hen we are hungry, our bodies crave physical food. So also each of us has a spirit that craves to be fed and nourished with spiritual food. Jesus said that the words he spoke to us would nourish us. His words are spirit and life! In order to grow spiritually, we need to soak our hearts in those words as we desire the “pure spiritual milk” of the Word of God. Jesus also said that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled, and that we should labor for the food that leads to eternal benefits.

If you want to grow in your Christian life, you must develop a strong desire to spend time in the Word of God, as well as the discipline to do it. As you spend time with God in his Word, seeking him and implementing his instructions into your life, you will find that your ideas of how to use your time, talent, and treasure will be moved into directions of significance.

Heart Deposit

Ask God to give you a desire to spend time in his Word every day. Keep a record of what you are learning and how you see God directing you.

KingdomNomics is
Scripture driven.

Related Verses

“I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.” (Psalm 119:16)

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17)

“When your words came, I ate them,; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty.” (Jeremiah 15:16)

Paul tells us that Christ lives in us. The power of God is actually in us! It strengthens us for living his way. As we allow the Holy Spirit to control our minds, God’s power flows into our bodies and transforms us from “getters” into “givers.”

In order for the Holy Spirit to control us, we need to soak our minds in the Word of God. There is no substitute for this, no shortcut. We need to immerse ourselves in the Word of God until it is engraved on our hearts. We are told in our verse for today that Paul tells us that Christ lives in us. The power of God is actually in us! It strengthens us for living his way. As we allow the Holy Spirit to control our minds, God’s power flows into our bodies and transforms us from “getters” into “givers.”

Jeremiah “ate” God’s Word. That means he digested it! He meditated on it, assimilated it into his innermost being, and delighted in its taste.

The Spirit’s control is a result of delighting in God’s Word and allowing its richness and power to sink into our very being. God’s Word can fill us with power and enlightenment, giving us a taste of heaven.

Soak your heart in God’s Word every day and you will experience the truth of Christ, the power of God, and understanding that will help you know what that means for you in your everyday life.

Heart Deposit

In what ways are you discovering the delight of God’s Word? In what ways are you focusing your mind on God’s truth? As you soak your heart in God’s Word, what truth is God impressing upon your heart about your everyday decisions?

KingdomNomics delights
in the Word of God.

Related Verses

“Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts: therefore I hate every wrong path.” (Psalm 119:97-104)

“My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.” (Psalm 45:1)

If we desire to reap eternal benefits and experience a full life from the Spirit in our mortal bodies, we must “sow” to the Spirit in our mortal bodies, we must “sow” to the Spirit. We do that by focusing our attention on Christ and by reciting his words back to him, for he is our King. The author of this verse had dipped his mind into the depths of Scripture and he “recited” his verses before the king, reciting means he had committed them to memory.

Jesus refers to the Word of God as being seed. When we “recite our verses” to our King, we are sowing that seed in the field of our soul and our spirit. As we practice this sowing to the Spirit, he causes the seed of God’s Word to be implanted in our hearts, and then to gestate and grow. This wonderful process brings us new life, enlightenment, strength, wisdom, and peace, all of which will impact our lives in a mighty way. I’ve enjoyed this dynamic experience countless times. We come to the Word of God anxious, and he gives us peace. We come with anger toward someone, and he gives us love and patience. We come dry, and he fills us to bursting with the refreshment of his goodness. It’s a daily renewal.f we desire to reap eternal benefits and experience a full life from the Spirit in our mortal bodies, we must “sow” to the Spirit in our mortal bodies, we must “sow” to the Spirit. We do that by focusing our attention on Christ and by reciting his words back to him, for he is our King. The author of this verse had dipped his mind into the depths of Scripture and he “recited” his verses before the king, reciting means he had committed them to memory.

Sowing to the Spirit is the best antidote or cure for depression, anxiety, and worry. One of the works of the Word of God is to act as a cleanser. It can rid our bodies of toxins and replace them with the life and peace of God. The mind and heart saturated with the Word of God becomes “armored” against the wiles of Satan. God’s Word strengthens us and empowers us to fulfill the purposes that he has chosen to perform through us.

Heart Deposit

Set aside time every day to soak your heart and mind in the Word of God. As you do, sow to the Spirit by reciting the words you are meditating on back to your King.

KingdomNomics takes possession
of Bible truths
through memorization.

Related Verses

“Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.” (Psalm 119:111)

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)