The Gospel of the Kingdom, or The Gospel of Salvation?

The gospel which we preach nowadays, which I refer to as “the gospel of salvation,” is largely about leading people to a salvation experience, typically in the form of “the sinner’s prayer.”

But such an experience is entirely lacking from the ministry of Jesus. Certainly, there’s nothing even remotely like a “repeat after me” prayer in scripture, but more, Jesus never called on people to perform any sort of act of conversion: no sinner’s prayer, no pledge card, no “with every eye closed, raise your hand.” Nothing.

But his first and strongest message was “Repent [which means “change the way you think”], for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand [which I interpret as “within reach”].” And then for three and a half years, he both taught on and demonstrated what the Kingdom was like.

And since He demonstrated it, regardless of what we think of His teachings, we have to admit that “the Kingdom” includes healing the sick and raising the dead. We watch Him in the Gospels, and it *looks* like it involves hanging out with tax collectors and “sinners” more intentionally than going to “church” (in his case, Temple).

And apparently, judging from the way he announced it, it involves thinking differently. Since he was talking to arguably the most religious people in history, apparently it meant “think differently than your religion.”

Adding His teachings into the description, the “good news” [“gospel”] of the Kingdom appears to also include loving people outside our comfort zone, and replicating ourselves (“bearing fruit”), and being treasured by God (as in the Pearl of Great Price).

It may be of some benefit to just look at every place that the Kingdom is mentioned in the gospels (follow this link: http://bit.ly/2pySuBb), and see what the Holy Spirit shows you. But take your time; there are 119 verses in that link, each with some revelation on the Kingdom. And I very much encourage you to discuss what you learn with Holy Spirit, and let Him separate the meat from the bones!

Does that offer any help understanding the difference between Jesus’ term “the gospel of the Kingdom” (Matthew 4:23) and our unscriptural term “the gospel of salvation”?

Here's a great (video) explanation;

Father Son Theology

Father-Son Theology is a Bible- based perspective that focuses on seeing God as Father and ourselves as children of God. This results in a more relational view of God than that which is developed in Classical Theology.

 

Declare.

One of the most helpful tools to build your faith and renew your mind is to declare out loud what the Scriptures say. Paul told us that, “faith comes by hearing, hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17). As you hear yourself speak God’s Word, the Holy Spirit will cause faith to come in the promises you are declaring.

Notice this gem from the book of Job (22:25-28) “Then the Almighty will be your gold and choice silver to you. For then you will delight in the Almighty and lift up your face to God. You will pray to Him, and He will hear you . . . You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; and light will shine on your ways.”

Notice that in the context of prayer and delighting in the Almighty, Father hears our prayer and then we decree a thing and it will be established for us. As beings created in the image of our God, we speak to our situation and say, “Let there be light!” We call for a revelation of the truths that Jesus purchased for us.

In the New Testament, Jesus put it this way: Mark 11:23 “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.”

Take note that Jesus is talking about our declarations. Speak to the mountain. Believe in your heart that what you are saying is coming to pass and you will have whatever you are saying. Another translation puts it this way: “For most assuredly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and doesn't doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever he says” (WEB).

Observe that he believes that what he is saying is happening. It doesn’t say anything about what he feels or what he sees with his natural eye, but rather what he is believing in his heart and saying with his mouth - because it is based on what God has said - is happening.

Consider for a few minutes some other similar thoughts from Jesus. In Luke 17:6 Jesus says, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.” The Passion Translation puts this quite clearly: “If you have even the smallest measure of authentic faith, it would be powerful enough to say to this large tree – ‘my faith will pull you up by the roots and throw you into the sea’ – and it will respond to your faith and obey you.” Certainly you have “even the smallest measure of authentic faith!”

And at another time He commented, “For assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20). Take note of the things Jesus said would be the result of faith-filled words: The mountains in our life would be removed. The problem we speak to would obey us. Nothing would be impossible for us.

So as you go through these promises and declare them, remember that God “watches over His Word to perform it.” And as the apostle Paul said, “And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke," we also believe and therefore speak” (2 Cor. 4:13)

This is from a devotional series Joe McIntyre is preparing: Declaring Your Faith

The Intimate Kingdom

By Ron McGatlin

Although there are similarities in earthly kingdoms and the kingdom of God, there are also vast differences. Earthly kingdoms are usually ruled by the king’s decree of law and order with severe consequences for failure to keep the law.

There is very little access for the people to the king’s throne room, and that is only by special invitation from the king.

The king usually provides little incentive beyond punishment for keeping the law of his kingdom. Equally, he provides no inner strength or empowerment to his subjects to keep the law and live in the order of the land.

A natural worldly king may or may not show mercy upon subjects who break the law. However, He has no capacity to impart within his subjects the grace empowerment to live in the order of his kingdom.

The Love Kingdom
The kingdom of God / kingdom of heaven is indefinable in human understanding with human words. Multitudes of parables can be used to portray aspects of the kingdom. However, only by the Spirit of God may the realities of the kingdom be communicated or understood. Human beings do not have capacity to see or understand the kingdom of God with their natural minds (1 Cor 2:14).

The kingdom of God is a Spiritual kingdom that is far above all other kingdoms. Christ Jesus is the King through whom and for whom all things were created and in whom all things consist. All the fullness of God dwells in Him, and He is before all things (Col 1:15-19).

The natural realm was created and is sustained (continues to exist) by the realm of the Spirit. The realm of the Spirit is supreme and preeminent over the natural realm.

The predominant characteristic of the kingdom of God is the LOVE of God. The kingdom of God is ordered by God’s love. The reestablishment of the kingdom of God on Planet Earth is the work of Christ Jesus. The kingdom of God is established on earth by Christ Jesus flowing His resurrection life by His Spirit into and through the hearts and lives of redeemed mankind.

The kingdom of God is the only kingdom in which the King supplies the inner incentive of His love drawing us into His kingdom, and reflecting out through us to the world around us. His love and grace empowerment within us causes us to keep the law of God effortlessly. Our hearts are overcome with love for Him and the desire to please Him. His will and desire becomes our will and desire. We become one with Him in love. His grace empowerment flows through us, and all things are possible to Christ in us. As we continue to live by His Spirit and walk in His Spirit like branches attached to the Vine, we bear the fruit of the kingdom.

The Intimate Kingdom
The kingdom of God is the only kingdom in which the subjects or servants become sons of God and have full open access into the throne room of the King. Access is through intimate relationship with Christ Jesus. The kingdom of God flows from heaven into His people through the Spirit conduit of intimate relationship with God.

The pure and holy love relationship of a godly man and his godly bride in the created world is a parable or picture of the spiritual intimate love relationship to the KING. The pure holy passion a man has for his beautiful holy bride is a picture of the love of God for His Bride and Wife, collectively the New Jerusalem. The complete love, adoration, and awesome respect that a godly bride has for her husband is a picture of the passionate love, adoration, and worship we have for our Husband, Lord, and King: Christ Jesus.

The kingdom of God coming on earth is the product of intimately relating to God.

For many centuries we have traded the intimate relationship with God by the Holy Spirit for religious understandings, rituals, and practices. Because of His mercy and desire for a people (a true Bride and many sons), God has used the religious church systems as much as He could. Our loving powerful God, Who skips upon the hills like a gazelle or a young stag, will not break through or leap over the walls we created. He will not break in uninvited to take us by force.

He has waited outside, peering in through our fancy windows, longing for us and calling to us to come into intimate relationship with Him in the Spirit. As we open the door and enter into intimate oneness with Him, the kingdom of God is within us and flows out from us to love and change the world around us into His kingdom.

Song 2:8 -10: The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes Leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Behold, he stands behind our wall; He is looking through the windows, Gazing through the lattice. My beloved spoke, and said to me: "Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

Many sons of God were in the religious church systems asleep to the intimate Spirit-to-spirit relationship with God that leads to the reality of Kingdom of God life now. Yet, our hearts began to awaken within. We heard Him knocking at the door, and yet we found it did not fit in with our religious routine to arise and answer the call to come away with Him. As we hesitated we missed our visitation, and, when we went to open the door, He had left. Longing for more we left our walled houses to seek Him.

Song 5:2-6: I sleep, but my heart is awake. It is the voice of my beloved! He knocks, saying, "Open for me, my sister, my love, My dove, my perfect one; For my head is covered with dew, My locks with the drops of the night." --- I have taken off my robe. How can I put it on again? I have washed my feet. How can I defile them? My beloved put his hand by the latch of the door, And my heart yearned for him. I arose to open for my beloved. And my hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the lock. I opened for my beloved. But my beloved had turned away and was gone. My heart leaped up when he spoke. I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

I thank God to be a part of the forerunner generation receiving the uncovering of the depth of the reality of becoming one with Christ – the mystery of Christ in us, the hope of glory, that was first unveiled 2000 years ago. For two millennia, it has been buried under a world of religious false doctrines mixed with truth and sustained by traditions of men. The gospel of the kingdom – the good news that the kingdom of God is at hand - is again being preached on earth. A people in love with God are being formed to experience the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.

" Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” –

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” ~Jesus~

Keep on pursuing love. It never fails
and His kingdom never ends.

Ron McGatlin

www.openheaven.com

Time to Grow Up

A wise man once said “faithful are the wounds of a friend.” I need to tell you something that may hurt a little, because I care about you as a friend.

I think it's wise to seek prayer from friends for our problems, whether they're health-related, relational or whether they fall into some other category. Prayer is a powerful thing. But there are problems that cannot be resolved by the prayers of our friends alone.

I have many friends who suffer from chronic aches, pains and illnesses and I have other friends whose relationships have been blown to pieces. When everything seems to be falling apart, there's a temptation to cry out to friends to pray for our problems to be fixed once and for all. Let me reiterate that I am not against prayer, because what I'm about to say next could be misinterpreted as that.

Many of us have not yet learned how to stand against the enemy in our battle against recurring sickness and most of us are responsible for our own recurring relationship problems. Let's take a look at sickness first.

The battle against recurring sickness is something like how we might deal with a criminal who repeatedly breaks into our home. Jesus used this illustration when teaching about how and why demons return to a person after being cast out of them in Luke chapter eleven.(See Luke 11:21-26)

When a burglar breaks into our home, we have a couple of ways in which we can respond. One option is to stand by helplessly and let them take our property and beat us senseless while waiting for the police to show up. An untrained and ill-equipped believer who relies on friends or the anointed "man of God" to pray for them is like a defenseless homeowner at the mercy of a burglar.

Evil spirits are opportunistic, just like burglars. They size up their potential victims and evaluate their defenses. A burglar looks for signs of vulnerability. They look for alarm systems, ease of access, unlocked doors and windows, the absence of a dog, and the likelihood that the homeowner will be armed. They look for homeowners that are the least likely to fight back. Demons do the same thing.

People who refuse to be trained in spiritual warfare or who never learned how to exercise their authority over the enemy are like homeowners who refuse to secure their homes or fight back against an intruder. They make themselves easy targets for evil spirits and once word gets out in the demonic community that they're an easy target - they can expect to be harassed by even more evil spirits. That's the message Jesus illustrated in His teaching in Luke chapter eleven.

When it comes to healing - many of us are content to let someone else deal with the bad guys. It's easier to find the anointed man of God to pray for us than it is to learn how to withstand the attacks of enemy ourselves. The problem is that Jesus gave every believer the power and authority they need to defeat the enemy, without going to someone else for help. Recurring problems with sickness and disease are the result of us refusing to take our responsibilities seriously.

You can plead with your friends to pray for your healing all you want - but if you never learn to exercise the authority God has given you over sickness, you're never going to remain healed. The spirits that bring  sickness will continue to assault you until you learn to take authority over them yourself.

I have a friend who once asked the Holy Spirit "How do you see cancer?"

The Holy Spirit replied, "I can't see cancer because it's under my feet. I want it to be under your feet."

The enemy is going to continue to beat us up until we learn to put him under our feet once and for all. I'm preaching to myself here as my wife and I don't always do this ourselves, but we're learning.

My wife was recently healed of back pain when she finally understood that the things she thought about herself , about her symptoms, and about God's desire to heal her were allowing the enemy to continue to attack her and keep her in pain.

The first problem was that she couldn't bring herself to believe she was healed as long as she still felt pain. This is a bit of a murky problem because sometimes people feel pain in response to a physical problem, while other times the sensation of pain is due only to the presence of a spirit.  To further complicate things - she had an MRI that showed two herniated discs. You might think that as long as she has herniated discs, she must resign herself to living with the pain. We know of people who have an MRIs showing herniated discs but they had no symptoms of the injury. She began to ask, "If some people have herniated discs and don't have pain, why can't I be one of them?"

She also wasn't completely sure at that point that God wanted to heal her. One day she decided to believe that God really did want to heal her and she entertained the idea that perhaps she was already healed. She accepted the fact that it was her beliefs and not God's reluctance to heal her that was the problem. So she chose to believe that she was healed. She also chose to see the pain she was experiencing as a lie from the enemy. Once she got her thinking straightened out, it removed the power the enemy had over her and the pain immediately left.

One of the major lessons we've learned is that the enemy only has the power over us that we allow him to have. Being healed and keeping the symptoms from returning is a battle. Most of the warfare is done on the six inch battlefield between our ears. Now let's take a look at problems with relationships.

Many of us cry out to our friends or to God to have our relationship problems fixed, rather than take an honest look at ourselves and admit that we're the ones responsible for our problems. God is not going to take away the consequences of our bad decisions. As we sow, we shall also reap. Many of us are reaping the consequences of manipulation, co-dependency, selfishness, immaturity and a failure to walk in our God-given identity.

Relationship problems are cyclical. The habits we've developed over our lifetime create the same dynamics (for good or bad) in all our relationships. When the same problems arise repeatedly, instead of  blaming others or crying out to God to fix the other person, we need to look at why we are bearing bad fruit. The fruit of our relationships is determined by the condition of our heart. It is only by changing the way in which we relate to others that the cycle of relationship problems will end. It's a sign of spiritual immaturity to blame others for our problems or to expect someone else to fix them. We must be the one who makes the change.

Most of us have a lot of growing up to do. It's time to take the training wheels off and learn how to live as mature children of God.

The Order of the Kingdom

Kriston Couchey 

A NEW THING COMING FORTH

When Jesus began His ministry on the earth, even John the Baptist questioned whether He was the one they had waited for(Luke 7:19). John's expectations were dashed as Jesus ignored the Roman occupation of Israel, and didn't try to change or gain influence with the religious and political establishment of His day. Instead, He offended the establishment by spending His time loving and bringing wholeness to the broken, the sick, and the destitute, and the outcasts. These nobodies flocked to Him to the embarrassment and anger of those who were in power. His inner circle of leadership were unlearned and poor men.

Like John, many today are expecting God to strengthen the existing political, economic, and religious systems of men; and bless and enhance them with kingdom life. But it is not to be so in this unfolding age. As in Jesus day, a new thing is coming forth. Father Himself is revealing His heart in sons who have left their dependence upon the systems and ways of men to walk as bearers of the Love of God to the broken and destitute. The most powerful force mankind has ever seen is Love made flesh in the form of the first-fruit Jesus Christ. The seed of the first-fruit has germinated and has been growing and maturing and is now bearing fruit; the sons of God manifesting the very heart and Love of God to all of creation with authority. A new order is emerging; it is the order of the kingdom of God, it is an order of the heart of God in His people, it is the order of Love!  

A KINGDOM ORDER OF LOVE

This order of Love is not coming forth to enhance to make better previous systems or works that have been part of an age of sin and death. The order of God that is now unfolding is an order of an age in which sin and death are being completely placed under His feet (you and I are His feet). This unfolding age is being trumpeted from the heavens and the signs of this awesome transition cover the earth. The powers of the earth are shaking and all man has built is cracking and failing. The order of his kingdom is an order of Love that the current political, economic, religious, and military powers of man CANNOT contain, nor can they stop it's coming forth. This kingdom order is emerging in fullness as the stone uncut by human hands turns to dust all nations and their systems built upon the wisdom and works of men. The order of Love coming forth in this day is much different then the order and structure of society as we have known it up till now. Here are some of the differences: 

LEADERSHIP OF LOVE

Man's political and religious systems have placed emphasis on leaders with position and title. While position and title exist in the kingdom, these are simply an expression of the love one possesses. Father gives authority for the sake of expressing love. The gifts are tools to express the Love that God places in His people. In the kingdom order greater authority is expressed and possessed by those with the greatest love. There is coming forth a relational order of love among the people of God that far surpasses titles. Those who have come to relationally express their gifts in self sacrificing love will be given greater gifts and authority; while those who have gifts and authority but have not increased the "talent" of love will find what little "authority" they have will be given to others. Leadership is coming to be known for greater love that far surpasses their gifts. People will honor and follow the love of God in others and not seek to exploit a gift. True love relationships are taking predominance in God's people and the manner in which we have related is drastically changing from that of title to one of love relationship.  

LAW OF LOVE

 Religion and the laws of men's governments have enacted rules and requirements for people in an age where sin and death have made it necessary for law to keep people in check. Jesus made it clear that the one who loves God and others fulfills the law. The rules of men's systems are irrelevant when men by nature love each other and have written within their hearts the law of God. This order coming forth is one in which political and religious institutions find they have lost relevance as men and women are transformed by the Love of God. People will no longer need an external controlling influence to live in peace with their fellow man. As in Jesus day, there will be jealousy of the kingdom order of love that invalidates man's institutions; jealousy that will bring persecution. 

THE ECONOMY OF LOVE

Today's economic system is based upon supply and demand, capitalism, free-markets, and usury. The economy of the kingdom is not based upon any of these factors, but is based solely on love. It was love that caused the New Testament believers to give all they had to meet the needs of others, not considering what they had their own. It is religion that has relegated giving to a law of tithe from an age of law, when Father's intent is that the order of love meets everyones needs. Love makes unnecessary an economic system built by man's desire to gain wealth. A new order of love turns to dust and crushes the political and economic systems of men that depend upon natural resources to live. Our Father gives all things abundantly to those who ask, and uses men whose hearts are full of His love to do so.  

THE POWER OF LOVE

What the arm of man's flesh cannot do the love of God can do. While men cannot conquer a well defended city, love can conquer the hearts of the most hardened sinner. God's love is bringing down the forces of darkness that encroach upon the earth. Radical Islam, ethnic strife, and the wars that rage over resources cannot stand against the power of a life laid down in sacrifice for love. No country and their warriors can establish the kingdom with the arm of the flesh. Only the kingdom of God coming forth from His warriors of love can do so. No military was able to stop the spread of the gospel out of the mouths of the early witnesses moved by the love of God. That same self sacrificing love will bring down the very principalities and powers that empower the forces of violence, pride, and greed that threaten to overtake the earth today. 

THE ARMY OF LOVE

There are warriors coming forth today out of the most desperate places. Jesus came upon the scene preaching the kingdom to the outcasts, sinners, broken, and weak. It was these that He was able to reach because they KNEW they were in need. It was this ragtag group of people filled with the Love of God that turned the world upside down. These became the leaders of God's army in their day.

Where is this order of Love manifesting today? It is manifesting among the brokenhearted, the cast down, those bound in chains and weak, and those who mourn. It is coming forth from impoverished nations whose people have been oppressed of the devil. Its coming from Indian Reservations among people who have been stripped of their dignity and heritage. It is coming forth from prostitutes finding real love in Christ. It is coming forth from street gangs, from bars, and from prisons. It comes forth in the group homes and halfway houses that cannot correct what Father alone can heal. There is coming forth an order and force of the kingdom that exercises great authority because it is motivated and moved by Love. There is a simplicity in what Father is doing, meeting mankind where their needs are because of His love. Father is calling us to be part of that order, the Order of Love.  

Isaiah 16:1-2 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to preach good tidings unto those who are cast down; to bind up the wounds of the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those that are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favour, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn...

In His Love

Kriston Couchey

kcouchey@gmail.com

http://my.opera.com/Boanerges/blog/

THE ORDER OF THE KINGDOM

THE ORDER OF THE KINGDOM
Kriston Couchey

A NEW THING COMING FORTH
When Jesus began His ministry on the earth, even John the Baptist questioned whether He was the one they had waited for(Luke 7:19). John's expectations were dashed as Jesus ignored the Roman occupation of Israel, and didn't try to change or gain influence with the religious and political establishment of His day. Instead, He offended the establishment by spending His time loving and bringing wholeness to the broken, the sick, and the destitute, and the outcasts. These nobodies flocked to Him to the embarrassment and anger of those who were in power. His inner circle of leadership were unlearned and poor men. Like John, many today are expecting God to strengthen the existing political, economic, and religious systems of men; and bless and enhance them with kingdom life. But it is not to be so in this unfolding age.

As in Jesus day, a new thing is coming forth. Father Himself is revealing His heart in sons who have left their dependence upon the systems and ways of men to walk as bearers of the Love of God to the broken and destitute. The most powerful force mankind has ever seen is Love made flesh in the form of the first-fruit Jesus Christ. The seed of the first-fruit has germinated and has been growing and maturing and is now bearing fruit; the sons of God manifesting the very heart and Love of God to all of creation with authority. A new order is emerging; it is the order of the kingdom of God, it is an order of the heart of God in His people, it is the order of Love!

A KINGDOM ORDER OF LOVE
This order of Love is not coming forth to enhance to make better previous systems or works that have been part of an age of sin and death. The order of God that is now unfolding is an order of an age in which sin and death are being completely placed under His feet (you and I are His feet). This unfolding age is being trumpeted from the heavens and the signs of this awesome transition cover the earth. The powers of the earth are shaking and all man has built is cracking and failing.

The order of his kingdom is an order of Love that the current political, economic, religious, and military powers of man CANNOT contain, nor can they stop it's coming forth. This kingdom order is emerging in fullness as the stone uncut by human hands turns to dust all nations and their systems built upon the wisdom and works of men. The order of Love coming forth in this day is much different then the order and structure of society as we have known it up till now. Here are some of the differences:

LEADERSHIP OF LOVE
Man's political and religious systems have placed emphasis on leaders with position and title. While position and title exist in the kingdom, these are simply an expression of the love one possesses. Father gives authority for the sake of expressing love. The gifts are tools to express the Love that God places in His people. In the kingdom order greater authority is expressed and possessed by those with the greatest love. There is coming forth a relational order of love among the people of God that far surpasses titles. Those who have come to relationally express their gifts in self sacrificing love will be given greater gifts and authority; while those who have gifts and authority but have not increased the "talent" of love will find what little "authority" they have will be given to others. Leadership is coming to be known for greater love that far surpasses their gifts. People will honor and follow the love of God in others and not seek to exploit a gift. True love relationships are taking predominance in God's people and the manner in which we have related is drastically changing from that of title to one of love relationship.

LAW OF LOVE
Religion and the laws of men's governments have enacted rules and requirements for people in an age where sin and death have made it necessary for law to keep people in check. Jesus made it clear that the one who loves God and others fulfills the law. The rules of men's systems are irrelevant when men by nature love each other and have written within their hearts the law of God. This order coming forth is one in which political and religious institutions find they have lost relevance as men and women are transformed by the Love of God. People will no longer need an external controlling influence to live in peace with their fellow man. As in Jesus day, there will be jealousy of the kingdom order of love that invalidates man's institutions; jealousy that will bring persecution.

THE ECONOMY OF LOVE
Today's economic system is based upon supply and demand, capitalism, free-markets, and usury. The economy of the kingdom is not based upon any of these factors, but is based solely on love. It was love that caused the New Testament believers to give all they had to meet the needs of others, not considering what they had their own. It is religion that has relegated giving to a law of tithe from an age of law, when Father's intent is that the order of love meets everyones needs. Love makes unnecessary an economic system built by man's desire to gain wealth. A new order of love turns to dust and crushes the political and economic systems of men that depend upon natural resources to live. Our Father gives all things abundantly to those who ask, and uses men whose hearts are full of His love to do so.

THE POWER OF LOVE
What the arm of man's flesh cannot do the love of God can do. While men cannot conquer a well defended city, love can conquer the hearts of the most hardened sinner. God's love is bringing down the forces of darkness that encroach upon the earth. Radical Islam, ethnic strife, and the wars that rage over resources cannot stand against the power of a life laid down in sacrifice for love. No country and their warriors can establish the kingdom with the arm of the flesh. Only the kingdom of God coming forth from His warriors of love can do so. No military was able to stop the spread of the gospel out of the mouths of the early witnesses moved by the love of God. That same self sacrificing love will bring down the very principalities and powers that empower the forces of violence, pride, and greed that threaten to overtake the earth today.

THE ARMY OF LOVE
There are warriors coming forth today out of the most desperate places. Jesus came upon the scene preaching the kingdom to the outcasts, sinners, broken, and weak. It was these that He was able to reach because they KNEW they were in need. It was this ragtag group of people filled with the Love of God that turned the world upside down. These became the leaders of God's army in their day.

Where is this order of Love manifesting today? It is manifesting among the brokenhearted, the cast down, those bound in chains and weak, and those who mourn. It is coming forth from impoverished nations whose people have been oppressed of the devil. Its coming from Indian Reservations among people who have been stripped of their dignity and heritage. It is coming forth from prostitutes finding real love in Christ. It is coming forth from street gangs, from bars, and from prisons. It comes forth in the group homes and halfway houses that cannot correct what Father alone can heal. There is coming forth an order and force of the kingdom that exercises great authority because it is motivated and moved by Love. There is a simplicity in what Father is doing, meeting mankind where their needs are because of His love. Father is calling us to be part of that order, the Order of Love.

Isaiah 16:1-2 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to preach good tidings unto those who are cast down; to bind up the wounds of the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those that are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favour, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn...


In His Love
Kriston Couchey
kcouchey@gmail.com
http://my.opera.com/Boanerges/blog/