LEARNING DAILY

Hebrews 12:28, Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.

Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”  Jesus

Have you voted? My brother in Christ, Don, wrote Saturday that 49% of Christians are not voting in the election! Shame, shame! Voting is not only a right; it is your duty! If you have voted, thank you. If not, find out where you are to go and go vote!

That being said, Pastor Ed Newton made sure everyone heard that the Christian’s allegiance is not to a political party but to Jesus Christ and His kingdom! Read the verses above, again. Believers are to seek God’s kingdom first. It is an unshakeable kingdom. “The results of an election will not shake His kingdom; He already knows the results and whoever sits in the Oval Office will only accomplish God’s will.” Now, I want you to think about that statement made by Pastor Newton. Consider the times we are living in and how close we are to the return of Jesus!

Let me try to review the three points Pastor Newton shared this weekend. First, God is the source of creation. Romans 11:36 states, “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” God spoke and by His Word all things came into existence (Listener Guide). Why is this important? Contrary to what some try to tell people, God cares about what He has created. God’s word, the Bible, tells whoever reads it that God loves them, knows them intimately, desires their praise, their worship, and desires to change them into the image of His Son as they walk the narrow way into His kingdom! Because he has spoken the universe and everything and everyone into existence, He will sustain or hold it together. God is actively involved in every situation in the world, in this election, and in every person’s life – especially His followers – to accomplish His plan, His will!

That leads to Pastor’s second point, God is sovereign over the nations. Colossians 1:16-17 states, “For by Him all things were created in heaven and earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities [Pastor added or presidents) – all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together”. Acts 17:26 tells us that God has made every nation – all 195 nations. God is directing every nation toward the fulfillment of His will. Pastor emphasized that God knows the results of the election and His will is going to be accomplished regardless of who wins. He illustrated this by saying, “If God can use Pharoah to get His people to where He wants them, He can use whoever is in the Oval Office to get His people, today, to fulfill His purpose. God reigns and God rules (from the Listener Guide)!

Pastor’s last point was about God’s kingdom. He said, “God’s kingdom actually began in the Garden of Eden – one man, one woman, and no sin.” Today, no one gets into the kingdom without being “born again”! When one is “born again”, Jesus transfers them into His kingdom. “To anchor your heart to a political party will only fail you”, said Pastor.  Pastor Newton continued, “The Believer’s hope is not in the ballot box but in the cross!” The Believer becomes a part of the kingdom of God as soon as he/she says yes to the invitation to accept Jesus as his/her Savior. Let me close today with the following about the kingdom of God given by Pastor Newton.

The kingdom of God is the Dominion of God ruled by the Government of God, that is simultaneously, spiritual and physical, supernatural & natural, present and future, global & local, all through The Visible Life of Jesus and The Invisible Power of the Holy Spirit.

I am present in my flesh, in the present, with global and local responsibilities living each day in the power of the Holy Spirit while at the same time living in the kingdom of God, living in the supernatural, living for the future in God’s kingdom. Therefore, my king is Jesus Christ, and I must live (and vote) according to Kingdom principles, as He leads through the Holy Spirit.