Behold! The Kingdom of God has come!

The Kingdom of God has come and Christians can live in the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven, just as the prayer that Jesus has taught His believers pray daily. What does it mean? It means we live in the presence of God and we live a life different from that of the unbelievers. When they believe in Jesus they can live inside this Kingdom too. While in the Kingdom we enjoy the abundant life and supernatural protection and undeserved favor of God, a supernatural living over the natural world——under the grace and mercy of God.
Is there a proof of this in the Bible? Yes. We read Acts 27 afresh today to see the proof.
God will tell us what he has planned for Christians to accomplish in this world. He will guide us to make the right decision at the right time in the right manner. This includes all aspects of our daily living. There are two things He will tell us: What His believers should do, and what the unbelieving world will encounter. The same physical natural storm comes upon both believers and unbelievers. The outcome will be different when Christians live the Kingdom of God life.
Here is a brief summary of the difference between those living in the Kingdom of God (people of God) and those living outside (people of the world): THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS REAL WHERE CHRISTIANS LIVE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND LIVE IN THE SPIRITUAL REALITY OF THE UNSEEN REALM OF GOD.
1. What the world saw was merely physical and not the unseen: In the eyes of the world at the beginning of the journey, Paul was a mere prisoner just like any other prisoners. And he had no control over the journey. (Acts 27:1-8)
2. Paul gave his advice even when no one listened: but the world chose to listen to the wisdom of the physical man and not to God through a spiritual man. (Acts 27:9-13)
3. The storm event confirmed God's words: the prediction of Paul, a spiritual man who lived in the Kingdom of God. (Acts 27:14-20)
4. God showed His favor for His own people: that even though the unbelievers chose to go their destructive way, because of the presence of His people (Paul and his fellow Christians) on board, His supernatural protection would also include those who happened to be on board with His people. An angel told Paul this, “God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.” Just imagine, God favored Paul so much that the presence of Paul on board had saved the lives of all other on board as long as they stayed with Paul. (Acts 27:21-36) Why? Because Paul lived in the Kingdom of God, with the mighty presence of the living God!
5. When the unbelievers believed and obeyed God’s advice through Paul (a Kingdom of God citizen), continued to stay with Paul and even took steps to stop wanting to kill or harm him, the unbelievers were all saved and reached shore safely. (Acts 27:37-44)
This is how the Kingdom of God works.
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Acts 27
²¹ After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. ²² But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. ²³ Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me ²⁴ and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ ²⁵ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. ²⁶ Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”

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⁴² The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. ⁴³ But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. ⁴⁴ The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.

Three perfect storms (3): “Prepared” to counter the unexpected!

“Prepared” is the only word today to counter the unexpected. This seems paradoxical. How can one be prepared if what will come is unexpected? In the three perfect storm scenarios we study, one key common denominator is the preparedness of the three protagonists involved: Jesus, Apostle Paul and Prophet Jonah. Today we read Paul’s experience at sea, encountering a hurricane and shipwreck.**
HOW DID APOSTLE PAUL RIDE OUT THE STORM? Like the other two examples we have read, he was well prepared in the Word of God and in the Spirit, remained calm, with the peace of Jesus in him, and even offered authoritative and accurate prophetic advice to the Roman Imperial centurion who was in charge. He did not have to worry or respond to the threatening storm. He continued his usual normal life of staying in the presence of God, praying and listening to the Lord’s instructions.
Take note of the change of attitude of the centurion. Paul was proven correct on his earlier prediction of the danger at sea. The centurion decided to listen to him after Paul was proven right -the life threatening storm arrived and hit them with the disastrous impact just as Paul had predicted. Finally, the whole ship-load of 276 men on board reached land safely despite the loss of the ship and the life boats too. Where did Paul acquire such accurate discernment and ability to do (say) the right thing at the right time?
Paul himself gave this answer: “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5) “But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:10)

~~~~~~~~~~~~Acts 27 (NIV) (Quoted in parts; boldness added)
When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over …5 When we had sailed across the open sea …, we landed at Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board. 7 We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus. When the wind did not allow us to hold our course…

Paul gave his first warning but the leader would not listen

9 Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement*. So Paul warned them, 10 “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” 11 But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship… the majority decided that we should sail on, …

Paul’s warning came true: the dangerous storm came and hit them

14 Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster (Euroclydon), swept down from the island. 15 The ship was caught by the storm … 18 We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. 19 On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.

Paul’s second advice and testimony: prophecy and assurance it will come true

21 After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23 Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26 Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”

Paul’s third advice and warning: This time they listened and believed

27 On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, … 29 Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. 30 In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea… 31 Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away.

Paul’s fourth advice and act of faith: This time they followed

33 Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. 34 Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” 35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. 36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 Altogether there were 276 of us on board…

Paul’s prediction came true: Everyone reached land safely, not one perished.

39 When daylight came, …But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf. 42 The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43 But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. 44 The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.

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*DAY OF ATONEMENT: Occurs in the fall, the tenth day of Tishri. In A.D. 59 this would have been October 5 (Marshall 1980:406).
**The ancients divided the navigational year on the Mediterranean into four periods. Sea travel on the Mediterranean ceased between November 11 and March 10. The dangers of “winter sailing” are: scant daylight, long nights, dense cloud cover, poor visibility and the double raging of winds, showers and snows. Paul, some other prisoners and Paul’s companions (including Luke) were put on a cargo ship sailing to Italy. The ship sailed at this dangerous time and encountered with Euroclydon, a cyclonic tempestuous northeast wind which blows in the Mediterranean, mostly in autumn and winter. The winds may or may not have rain mixed with them and come from the northeast often with a cyclonic circulation. They usually come up quickly, unexpectedly, and intensely. This was the great storm that wrecked their ship around AD 59.

Three perfect storms in Bible (2): key success factors

The key success factors used by Jesus (while on earth as a human), Apostle Paul and Prophet Jonah to overcome the raging storm (adversities and adversaries) around them are: Know God (His Word, His Spirit, His Presence, His Power); know how to access to God through Prayer as led by His Spirit and His Word. To each of these three witnesses of God’s reality in our lives, God is real and living. There is no unbelief and doubt. From the way they conversed with God, listened to Him, prayed (talked) to Him, walking in cool calmness and confidence, we can see that they know God in their daily living, storm or no storm. It is clear that handling of storm, whatever mode it may come, physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual, is in the daily consistent and persistent preparation and not at the last minute when it hits like the hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunami, flood, fire, adversities and disasters in life (career, family, relationship, finance, safety and security etc.) Preparation takes time and there is no short-cut. Jesus-the Son of God took thirty years to prepare.
After looking at the how Prophet Jonah (about 800-750 BC) responded to a storm, today we study how our Lord Jesus (7–2 BC to AD 30–33) handled a storm. We read from Luke 8:22-39 (NKJV) (Bible verses are quoted in parts from Luke 8:22-39; boldness of some verses added; my notes before the verses are in capital letters).
JESUS SPEAKS THE WORD TO DECLARE AND COMMAND: HE KNOWS HIS WORD CARRIES THE POWER AND AUTHORITY OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD, HIS FATHER IN HEAVEN. BECAUSE HE STAYS IN THE FATHER AND DOES THE WORK OF THE FATHER HE KNOWS WHAT IS AHEAD AND DOES NOT WORRY ABOUT THE STORMY AND SEEMINGLY THREATENING CIRCUMSTANCES FROM THE ENEMIES. HE IS ON A MISSION SENT BY THE FATHER. HE KNOWS THE PURPOSE AND OUTCOME OF HIS JOURNEY. HE STAYS IN PEACE. HE MERELY LAUNCHES OUT, CROSSES OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LAKE, DOES THE WORK-SAVING AND DELIVERING, AND RETURNS IN THE SAME PEACE AND CONFIDENCE HE ALWAYS CARRIES EVEN TO THE FINAL MISSION ON EARTH, THE CROSS. HE SETS A ROLE MODEL FOR HIS DISCIPLES.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out. 23 But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. 24 And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!”
Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 But He said to them, “Where is your faith?”
And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes…there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, …“What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” 29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man…
32 Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. 33 Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned……and (the people) found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 36 They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. 37 Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.
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SOME PERSONAL NOTES ON OUR WORK ON EARTH: (workplace and marketplace employment and making an independent productive living)
The grand ‘masters’ in the world (of sports or chess or music or politics or any other profession) know this: Preparation through daily long hours of practicing according to the perfect synchronization and execution of every move, based on calculation and prediction of every element (including human) and every factor seen and unseen, submitting the body and soul to the strict discipline of proven success.
An average factory worker knows too if he needs to be continuously employed and earn a decent living for himself and family, he has to be educated and trained for the specific job and role before he can fit in. In today’s increasingly highly developed and competitive technological and global market-driven age, a worker knows too that to ensure continuous employable status he needs more than mere mechanical skill. He also needs to be trainable and upgraded in technological knowledge and skills which become outdated within every five to ten years.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Jesus wants us to be wiser than the people of the world. Christians are not exempted from living a life of highly disciplined preparation in the physical as well as in the spiritual (through training and practicing in the words of God, guidance and empowerment by the Holy Spirit): acquiring knowledge, training and practice that produce a good and meaningful worthy job (bearing good fruits), not only overcoming our personal life’s adversities, fulfilling the abundant-life goals of the Kingdom of God, but also contributing to the well-being of others on earth.
Matthew 7:24
[ Build on the Rock ] “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:
Matthew 10:16
[ Persecutions Are Coming ] “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Luke 16:8
So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.
1 Thessalonians 4:10-12
10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.

Watchman’s Adventure: How Jesus uses the Sword of the Spirit (updated 2015-10-28)

Further to what he posted on 12/04/2010, the Biblical truth observed then had truly come to pass. Here is the summary of the original post with the latest update:
In the example of Jesus he observes the following:
1. Jesus knows His authority. He uses His authority calmly and confidently. He does not need to say twice to the demons to get them to obey His commands.
2. He knows where His authority comes from and He is confident of the ultimate sovereign power of the source of authority (God Himself). He does not fear that the authority may not work.
3. He always sees the real root of the problem and addresses it directly. He speaks to that root.
4. He is a spiritual man and He sees, hears and talks to the spiritual beings as though He is talking to the physical beings.
5. He knows His authority covers the natural realm as well as the supernatural realm and effectively uses the same authority to address it, for example, the wind, rough waves, demons, unclean spirits, the functioning of the body, creation etc.
The watchman concluded then that he would choose to go the Jesus way, i.e. issuing simple command with the authority of Jesus, effective and straightforward, to malfunctioning parts, demons and even natural elements.
Since then, the watchman has witnessed that when given the opportunity to put into practice by faith, the words of God came true: Diseases healed. Demons cast out. Oppression and depression lifted. Believers set free. Reconciliations. Restorations. Renewal. Transformations. In most occasions all that was done was giving a simple command in the name of Jesus and ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit by believers, just as Jesus has commanded.
Updated Conclusion:
1. The power of the name of Jesus is real and totally effective.
2. Believers are to walk by faith in the unseen Holy Spirit.

Raise up the Sword of the Spirit: by the power of the Spirit of God

Romans 1:4

And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

 

1 Corinthians 4:20 [Full Chapter] 

For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

 

1 Corinthians 1:24

But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

 

Acts 1:8

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

 

Acts 4:33

And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

 

Acts 6:8

And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

 

Acts 10:38

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

 

Romans 15:13

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

 

Romans 15:19

Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

 

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

 

 

1 Corinthians 2:4

And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

 

1 Corinthians 2:5

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

 

1 Corinthians 5:4

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

 

2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

 

2 Corinthians 6:7

By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

 

Ephesians 1:18-20 ¹⁸ The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
¹⁹ And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
²⁰ Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Ephesians 3:19-21
¹⁹ And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
²⁰ Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
²¹ Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Ephesians 6:10-11
¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

 

 

  

Prayer power

The book of Acts was full of records of prayers. Why did the early disciples pray so often? They knew that was the key to the power from above. Prayers moved spiritual realm. The early believers knew and believed this. Jesus has taught this key by His life. The lack of prayers accounts for spiritual weaknesses in churches today. The pattern is all there written in the Bible. Even Jesus prayed. His apostles prayed after Jesus was raised to heaven. Where are the praying churches now?
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²³ And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 

 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 

 ²⁵ who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:

‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
²⁶ The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.’

 

²⁷ “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together ²⁸ to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 

 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”

31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:23-31)

James 5:15-16  (KJV)

¹⁵ And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

¹⁶ Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Elijah praying for rain

 

where is the armor of God?

The Lord’s Spirit (through apostle Paul in Ephesians chapter six) urged us to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, by putting on the whole armor of God that we may stand against the wiles of the devil (6:10-11).

But where is the key? How do we put on the armor of God? Where is the armor? Here is the answer. The armor is already given. Every piece of it is already yours. Just read the following chapter, listen repeatedly, proclaim, write it down, meditate on it until it is yours in practical terms!

Ephesians 1 

New Living Translation (NLT)

Greetings from Paul

1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.

I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.
2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Spiritual Blessings

3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure.10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
12 God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.

Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom

15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.