Apicontent

“Whoever sows to please their flesh from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:8)

As we look to God for direction, it is critical that we soak our hearts and minds in the Word of God. Out of that discipline comes a sowing to the Spirit. When we consistently practice soaking and sowing, the result will be a flowing of the Spirit in and through our lives. In Romans 8:11, it is made clear that the Spirit of Christ imparts his life to our mortal bodies.

As we sow to the Spirit, we reap eternal benefits from the Spirit. In response to this I say, “Flow, Spirit, flow!” I want my heart and my life to overflow with his presence and power so I can be a more effective instrument for him in this world! This is one of the primary ways that kingdom attitudes begin to grow within us. Crisis by crisis, worry by worry, relationship by relationship, the Spirit of God, speaking to us through his Word and his personal guidance, transforms us into the people he has always intended for us to be.s we look to God for direction, it is critical that we soak our hearts and minds in the Word of God. Out of that discipline comes a sowing to the Spirit. When we consistently practice soaking and sowing, the result will be a flowing of the Spirit in and through our lives. In Romans 8:11, it is made clear that the Spirit of Christ imparts his life to our mortal bodies.

A genuine “spiritual reaction” takes place when we soak our hearts and minds in the Scriptures and let the Spirit flow freely through us. Life, health, power, and hope surge through us like medicine from heaven itself. The life-giving power of God flows through those who pray.

So we soak in the Word, we sow—reciting our verses—and the Spirit flows. Soon, we’ll need to repeat this process. Our hearts and minds are like a sponge-they need to be filled over and over, and we can’t let them become dry and brittle. It’s an ongoing process. And the more we soak, sow, and flow, the more we will find that our attitudes are changing in a remarkable way.

Heart Deposit

Consistently practice soaking, sowing and flowing. As this discipline becomes a part of your life, in what ways do you see your worldview, behavior, and witness in this world changing? Record, in some way, what you are learning and the ways you see God working in you and through you.

KingdomNomics is fueled
by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Related Verses

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” (Psalm 143:10)

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)

“The Spirit shows what is true and will come and guide you into the full truth.”
(John 16:13, CEV)

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)

After we ask Jesus Christ to come into our lives, it is not long before we realize that we cannot live for him in our own strength. The flesh is weak. We need to be enlightened and empowered by God’s Holy Spirit, which he gives to us at the time of our conversion––a conversion from a life of sin to a life with Jesus Christ.

From that moment, God works continually inside of us to work out his will for our lives and to engage us in his plans for the world. Jesus tells us we can do if we want Christ to do his work through us, it must be done by the power of the Holy Spirit. After we ask Jesus Christ to come into our lives, it is not long before we realize that we cannot live for him in our own strength. The flesh is weak. We need to be enlightened and empowered by God’s Holy Spirit, which he gives to us at the time of our conversion––a conversion from a life of sin to a life with Jesus Christ.

As we practice setting our minds on what the Spirit desires, soaking our hearts in the Word of God, and sowing to the Spirit, we reap eternal benefits as he imparts his life into our mortal bodies. His life will sweep away the tendencies to be anxious, depressed, or fearful. We will find ourselves prompted to go in a certain direction, to make a certain decision, to respond to a certain individual.

It works the same as with any form of nutrition: We must eat daily, but eating the right foods begins to bring a residual health. We become stronger and healthier. As we feed on the Word of God, we also become stronger and healthier spiritually, and the Spirit’s influence in our lives becomes greater. The result is a greater dependence on the Holy Spirit for strength and direction.

Heart Deposit

Ask God to give you a willing heart and mind to put into action what you are prompted to do by his Holy Spirit.

KingdomNomics depends
on the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

Related Verses

“He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.” (Romans 8:4, NLT)

“Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’” (Galatians 4:6)

“’My food’ said Jesus, ‘is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.’” (John 4:34)

“’Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’” (Jeremiah 33:3)

This passage is impossible to read without wanting it to be true! For me, this passage is a “button pusher.” It indicates that God wants to be an integral part of our lives.

Not only does God reveal his will to us by his Spirit, but he also shows us other great and mighty things. These can include his counsel, guidance, blessing, or opportunities in our professions or for ministry. Nothing is beyond the sovereignty of the Creator of heaven and earth!

Job—when he acknowledged the awesome acts of God as the One who hangs the earth on nothing, who stirs up the sea in all of its power, and by his Spirit adorns the heavens—said that we have indeed only seen the mere edges of God’s ways! This is also true of our relationship with the almighty God. We have so much more to see and experience in the days ahead as we continue to learn more about him. As we cultivate our relationship with God, He will become the center of our focus and shape how we use every part of our lives – our time, talent, and treasure. God desires that we be consumed by our relationship with him and his Word. As a result, building treasure in heaven will become a by-product of our passion for him.

Think about your giving. Do you ask God to direct your giving? God loves the cheerful giver. You need to be giving your time, talent, and treasure with an “I want to give” attitude! Ask God to give you a joyful spirit in your giving and see what happens!

Heart Deposit

How often do you “call” to God? What do you think might happen if you started to rely on him for direction? Do you really want this kind of relationship with God? Figure out what small step you might take to grow closer to God.

KingdomNomics relies
on God for direction.

Related Verses

“Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” (Psalm 25:5)

“I know, LORD, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course.” (Jeremiah 10:23, NLT)

“The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground.” (1 Samuel 3:19)

God works in the lives of those who are growing in him and doing what he has guided them to do. God used Samuel in a mighty way because Samuel sought to accomplish God’s will among the people. God also used David because David was a man after God’s own heart. There are countless examples in the Bible of people who did what God told them to do, and their work was blessed in a unique way.

If we desire to grow in the Lord, and if we want to be effective in our Christian walk, we must be willing to act upon the revealed will of God. When God knows that we will follow his direction, we become fit to be used by him and are prepared for every good work that he has for us to do.

The Bible is filled with stories of men and women who carefully followed God’s Word. It is important that we regularly spend time in God’s Word, soaking our hearts in it, sowing to the Spirit by reciting our verses to him, and soaking with the Spirit so that what we do today will echo into eternity.

Heart Deposit

Ask yourself: Am I a person God can reveal his will to, knowing that I will perform it? Am I a person who consistently practices spiritual concepts by immersing myself in God’s Word? Is Christ increasing in my life and am I decreasing? Am I being consumed more and more by the eternal rather than the temporal?

KingdomNomics requires
we faithfully do what God tells us to do.

Related Verses

“For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sigh, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.” (Romans 2:13)

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.” (Psalm 111:10, NASB)

“Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways.” (Isaiah 64:4–5)

In these verses, we see an example of the soak, sow, and flow principle. Isaiah reaped from the Spirit a response in direct correlation to his relationship with God. This gives us insight into how God moves and works in the life of the believer whose heart hungers and thirsts for his presence! When we spend time with God, we will experience the power that flows from the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to perform the activities God has planned for us!

It is the Holy Spirit who reveals what God wants us to do. It is the Holy Spirit who opens the doors of opportunity that enable us to accomplish the works God has set for us to do. It is the Holy Spirit who makes us into instruments God can use. It is the Holy Spirit who engineers the circumstances that allow us to respond to God’s will. We have nothing except what we have received from him.

How exciting it is that God, our Creator, is active in our lives and circumstances through the work of the Holy Spirit! It is both wonderful and encouraging to know that God has plans for us, and that he will fulfill those plans through us.

Heart Deposit

Are you anticipating God’s involvement in the details of your life? Think back over the past week. Where was God actively involved? At what times did you acknowledge his presence? In what ways can you be more sensitive to his direction and leading?

KingdomNomics expects God
to act in our circumstances.

Related Verses

“In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice: in the morning I lay my request before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3)

“The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; your loving kindness, O LORD, is everlasting; do not forsake the works of Your hands.” (Psalm 138:8, NASB)

“For Christ’s love compels us.” (2 Corinthians 5:14)

When we study the life of Paul, there is no question about what compelled him to live as he did. It was the love of Christ! Christ’s love provided a vision that enabled Paul to endure myriad obstacles and difficulties as he sought to accomplish the mission God gave him. And it was the eternal aspect of life that provided the primary motivation in Paul’s life. He said that he fixed his eyes on the unseen, eternal things rather than the seen, temporary matters of this world.

Something is making you do the things you have chosen to do. Have you figured out what the driving force in your life is? Are you concerned with the temporary, or have you turned your attention to the eternal? We need to ask God to free us from the prison of ourselves, so we can be good ambassadors for Christ. An ambassador is the representative of a foreign kingdom or state who seeks to communicate the interests of that kingdom or state to others. In this case we are communicating the gospel of heaven, so others may have the opportunity to gain entrance to it and have eternal life.

We do not want to be one of those who has received the grace of God in vain. We want to be involved in God’s work in response to all he has done for us! We can do that by being engaged and mobilized for the purpose of helping to fulfill the Great Commission.

God has made it possible for us to be partakers of his divine nature! Christ frees us from ourselves so we can be effective in our service toward others. This is going to be an important part of our story when we stand before him to give an account of what we did with our time, talent, and treasure.

Heart Deposit

In what ways is God using you to make an impact in his world? What opportunities are currently available to you? Are you willing to be available to God as Isaiah was? “Here am I. Send me!”
(Isaiah 6:8)

Related Verses

“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love you neighbor as yourself.’” (Galatians 5:14)

“But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (1 Timothy 1:5, NASB)

Wake up sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:14)

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

When we are consumed by the Word of God, Jesus Christ shines upon us and through us. Focusing on Jesus gives clarity and meaning to our lives. For this reason, we must get to know him better every day. He is the one who gives direction on how best to use our time, talent, and treasure in his world. He is the one who gives our lives lasting purpose.

Great things happen when God’s favor shines on us. If we believe in God, and that he rewards those who diligently seek him, then we will spend time in his Word, listening to his voice. This allows us to become partakers in the service of Jesus Christ! And as we serve, his light shines on and through us.

We have the opportunity to become radiant Christians. Jesus is waiting to shine forth in us! And when that happens, our hearts will swell with joy as we see the hand of God at work in our lives and our circumstances. Are you consumed with having your life hidden in Jesus? Are you consumed with a passion to know him better? When we get to the point that nothing matters more than him, our lives gain sharp focus. Jesus Christ’s light shines through us in amazing ways.

Heart Deposit

How do you see the light of Jesus Christ shining on you? On others? Through you? Through others? How is the Holy Spirit working in your life to help you experience Christ in a significant way?

KingdomNomics enables others
to see Christ shining through us.

Related Verses

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkeness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)

“’You are the light of the world. A town guilt on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.’” (Matthew 5:14-15)

“For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” (Hebrews 13:14)

“For our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20)

If you feel unsettled at times and wonder where you fit into this world, this may be God’s way of telling you not to become too comfortable down here. This unsettledness comes because we know that this world, in its present form, is passing away! We also know that those who do the will of God will live forever. The brevity of this life sends us a message: Don’t fall in love with this world because we are just passing through.

I love the fact that our citizenship is in heaven! Our hearts should be set on pilgrimage. We are strangers in an alien world. We do not have an enduring city. The more we see of this dysfunctional world, the more we need to seek the world to come. Our citizenship may be in heaven, but in the meantime, we are ambassadors for Christ by reaching out to a lost and dying world.f you feel unsettled at times and wonder where you fit into this world, this may be God’s way of telling you not to become too comfortable down here. This unsettledness comes because we know that this world, in its present form, is passing away! We also know that those who do the will of God will live forever. The brevity of this life sends us a message: Don’t fall in love with this world because we are just passing through.

In his Word, God has revealed to us what is happening in this world. The whole earth is under the sway of the evil one, and the prince of the power of the air is at work in the sons of disobedience worldwide. The Bible also tells us that our weapons of warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God to tear down strongholds that exalt themselves. Our warfare is against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness of this present age, and rulers of wickedness in the heavenly spheres. We are engaged in warfare! In the meantime, we are eagerly waiting for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is coming again, and according to the Bible it is going to happen soon!

Heart Deposit

Are you looking forward to Jesus’ return? What kingdom business are you pursuing that shows you realize you are a citizen of heaven?

KingdomNomics is knowing
our real home is in heaven.

Related Verses

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12)

“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.” (Psalm 37:5, ESV)

This is an incredible statement of fact and promise. When you get up in the morning, do you commit your day, your way, and even your life to the Lord? The Bible tells us this is the thing to do!

Let’s take hold of this promise and see it work out in our lives. This verse assures us that if we commit our endeavors to God, trusting in him by an act of faith, he will act. A sense of expectation for seeing the hand of God working in our lives will begin to permeate our days, bringing an excitement to all that we pursue.his is an incredible statement of fact and promise. When you get up in the morning, do you commit your day, your way, and even your life to the Lord? The Bible tells us this is the thing to do!

When we experience times when God feels distant, it is on our side of the equation. The problem is not with God, but with us. We need to keep moving in his direction until our lives are brought into alignment with his will. Remember, we are a part of a much bigger story, his story.

Part of committing your way to God must involve daily studying God’s Word, in addition to soaking, sowing, and flowing with the Spirit of God. Start committing your way to him each day. Trust him to act in your circumstances.

Heart Deposit

How often do you conscientiously commit your day to God? How can you begin to put this principle into practice every day?

KingdomNomics realizes
it is God who makes things happen.

Related Verses

“Listen, my son, and be wise, commit yourself to live God’s way.” (Proverbs 23:19, ISV)

“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (Proverbs 16:3)

“The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6, NIV84)

The battle for control of our lives is won or lost in our head. Whoever controls our mind ultimately controls us and our behavior. The Apostle John tells us that the whole world is under the sway of the evil one. Therefore, it is all-important that we make sure the Holy Spirit is in control of our thinking and attitudes.

Think for a moment of your mind as a compass needle. It can point in four main directions: CHRIST, being north; WORLD, being west; SELF, being south; and MAN, being east. We always want our needle pointing north! We must make a decision to keep moving in that direction. It will require discipline to focus on the “things above” and to keep our lives hidden in Christ. If we allow our compass to point to the WORLD, SELF, or MAN, we will get lost and fail to carry out the work God has for us.

We are told that the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. Paul said that he brought every thought into captive obedience to Christ. Peter told us to pay attention to the Word of God, letting it be a light in a dark world. He also told us to be sober-minded and to set our hope fully on the grace that is to be revealed to us by Jesus Christ.

Heart Deposit

By faith, have you asked the Holy Spirit to take control of your mind? Are you experiencing his life and peace? In what ways is your thought life helping you fulfill your God-given potential?

KingdomNomics is having
a Spirit-controlled mind.

 Related Verses

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
(Isaiah 26:3, ESV)