The Kingdom of God I

Thursday 1 November
READ: Romans 14:17-19
MORE LESSON: Revelation 11:15

A kingdom is the territory within which a king exercises authority and rule. The king is supreme in his kingdom and his words are considered law. We have different kingdoms: the kingdoms of this world and the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is any territory or domain where the authority and rule of God finds expression. This means that if a man makes his life God's territory, that is, God lives in Him and has full authority over him, he becomes the kingdom of God and every characteristic of the Kingdom begins to find expression in his life. Unlike the kingdoms of this world, it is a rare privilege to be part of the kingdom of God, with its very interesting features. The greatest thing that can happen to anyone is for them to become a part of this kingdom.
The Bible says in Rom. 14:17, For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. From this verse, three characteristics of the kingdom of God are obvious:
1. Righteousness: to be righteous means to be in right standing with God, to be reconciled back to God, be at peace with Him and have access to Him. This happens by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and personal Saviour. Therefore, making your life to become the kingdom of God where He rules, gives you access and makes you well pleasing to Him.
2. Peace: this is one vital feature that is missing in many kingdoms of the world. Citizens of God's kingdom enjoy peace that passes human understanding. This doesn't mean that problems will not arise, but they remain peaceful in the midst of the storm. Can you imagine someone sleeping in a capsizing boat? Jesus did. This can only be the result of the peace of the kingdom of God. In fact, Jesus is the Prince of peace and so He understood better.
3. Joy in the Holy Ghost: joy is a state of being happy irrespective of the prevailing situation. Unlike happiness, joy is inwardly controlled and is not affected by the obvious prevailing circumstance; it is produced by the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. Everyone desires to be joyful but not everyone is able to attain true joy. The mistake people make most of the time is that they keep looking for the right thing in the wrong place as some think they will find joy when they have married the man or woman of their dream, others think they will find joy when they have attained the peak of their career. True joy is given by the Holy Spirit regardless of the prevailent situation.
Becoming a citizen of God's kingdom makes these things your right. Why don't you become a citizen of this Kingdom today? Invite Jesus to be the Lord and Saviour of your life.

Prayer/Action
* Declare the sovereignty of God over your life and family.
* Ask that the joy, peace and righteousness that characterise God's kingdom will find full expression in your life and family.
* Declare that no sin, sickness or darkness will reign over you because God reigns in you.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Father, You gave me ten months that I couldn't pay for and now You have added the eleventh month. Thank You Lord forever, in the name of Jesus.