Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 31

Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. Psalm 116:7

Citizens of the New Kingdom can always find rest in their King. In this world of turmoil, conflicts, troubles,  etc. It is comforting to know that there is a place where can find rest. The rest that our King is offering is soul rest where we can be content and lay down all our burdens. No matter how heavy the load we are carrying, our King wants us to be at rest.

Citizens of the New Kingdom know that the Lord is good all the time. One unchanging characteristic of our God is that he is good. Our circumstances and situations may not seem good to us but as long as our path is being directed by the Lord it will always end in good.

Let us return to the rest our King is offering.

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 30

The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me. Psalm 116:6

Citizens of the New Kingdom are oftentimes unaware of the danger and snares that are set by the enemy to catch us. One definition of being unwary is not being watchful, alert or cautious against danger. We have often been caught in situations that could have been avoided if we were a little more cautious.

Citizens of the New Kingdom know that we are protected by our King despite our careless attitude at times and when we fall into the trap of the Evil One, our King still saves us because of his great compassion for us.

What a mighty and loving God we serve!

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 29

The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. Psalm 116:5

Citizens of the New Kingdom can rest in the knowledge that we serve a God who is compassionate towards us. Compassion is that feeling that is stirred up in the core of our being for someone who is in a helpless or hopeless situation and that feeling prompts us to action.

In our sinful state, before we became citizens of the New Kingdom, we were helpless and hopeless and the King of the universe felt compassion for us. He gave up the glory of heaven to identify with the human experience up close and personal.

Citizens of the New Kingdom are forever grateful that our King is gracious, righteous and full of compassion for us.

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 28

The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!” Psalm 116:3-4

Citizens of the New Kingdom know that when we have reached the end of our ropes we can always call on our King. Sometimes the most heartfelt prayers are pleas from death’s door and usually consist of three words, ‘Lord, save me’. Peter as he was sinking into the raging sea cried those three words and Jesus immediately grabbed on to him. How many times have you and I cried out those three words?

Citizens of the New Kingdom know that we do not have to wait until we are in dire straits to call on our King. King Jesus longs to hear from us all times. In times of sorrow and distress, depression and anxieties, physical and mental anguish he tells us to cast all our cares on him. He wants to give us rest when our burdens seem too much to bear.

Let us remember that our King has his ears turned towards us at all times

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 27

I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me I will call on him as long as I live. Psalm 116:1-2

Citizens of the New Kingdom know that King Jesus is the God who hears. He hears every prayer, every sigh and every song that his children bring to him. In his sovereignty he may not answer our prayers as quickly or exactly as we want him to but he hears us. Sometimes this is exactly what we need to know. When we are hurting from a broken heart, a betrayal or a failed dream, it is good to know that someone hears and it is even better to know that the King who hears can do something about it.

Citizens of the New Kingdom are encouraged to call on King Jesus at all times because his ears are always turned to us and He promised to never leave nor forsake us.

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 26

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; Psalm 103:13

Citizens of the New Kingdom know the compassion that King Jesus has for his children. He comforts, forgives and gently restores us when we have failed. He calls himself the good shepherd who will search anywhere and everywhere to find his lost sheep. He is like the Father of the runaway son who waits patiently for his return and celebrates joyously as he forgives.

It is a blessed privilege to be a Citizen of the New Kingdom when our King has such compassion, kindness and gentleness for us. And when we realize the enormity of what he has done for us we cannot help but show some of this compassion to others.

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 25

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Citizens of the New Kingdom have experienced time and time again the longsuffering and patience of God. As sinners and enemies of the King we deserved the wrath of God not his love.

Citizens of the New Kingdom look around at this dark world and see the horrible effect of disobedience and depravity wondering how is it possible for a just God to seemingly ignore the evildoers of this world and not punish them as they deserve.

Citizens of the New Kingdom find the answer in this verse. King Jesus does not want anyone to perish. He wants all to repent and become citizens of the New Kingdom. He paid the price for every single sin no matter how heinous. Each person on earth has the same opportunity to partake of the new life he offers. The choice is ours.

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 24

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9

Citizens of the New Kingdom are blessed with wonderful spiritual gifts when we were born into the New Kingdom, a Kingdom not of this world. We have the Holy Spirit of God living in us and we are changing on the inside.

Citizens of the New Kingdom believe in King Jesus and by faith received salvation purchased by his shed blood on Calvary. We are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. This joy is felt by all citizens of the New Kingdom and connects us to each other.

Let us rejoice in this glorious and unspeakable joy today!!!

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 23

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:12

Citizens of the New Kingdom are encouraged to love each other. If we follow the principle God set - our love would extend to our enemies and people who are very different from us. The question is asked, 'If we hate our brother whom we see how can we say we love God whom we have not seen?'

Citizens of the New Kingdom know that since God lives in us we will show love for each other.  When we show love to our brothers, sisters and even our enemies our love becomes complete.

King Jesus told us that we must love God with all our heart, soul, strength and might but we must also love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Loving God and loving others should be our daily motto.

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 22

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Citizens of the New Kingdom are encouraged by the promise of peace that only their King can give. King Jesus promises his peace; a peace that allowed him to sleep in a boat that was sinking in the stormy sea; a peace that removed all fear as he defied the keepers of the temple and drove out the money changers calling them thieves; a peace that allowed him to pray for those crucifying him and a peace that allowed him to accept death knowing he was doing the will of the Father. 

Citizens of the New Kingdom know that this is not a peace that comes from this world. This peace can only come by supernatural means. This peace can only come as a gift from God. When we have this peace, brought to us by the Presence of God dwelling in our hearts, we lose our anxieties and fear.

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 21

The Lord turned and look straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: 'Before the rooster crows you will disown me three times'. Luke 22:61

There will be times when citizens of the New Kingdom will disown their King because of the lure of the world, the temptation of the devil or the irresistible pull of our human nature.

The important thing to remember in these guilt-ridden times is that there is no condemnation in the eyes of of our Lord. King Jesus told Peter that he would disown him, he already knew Peter would give in to temptation. When the King turned and looked at Peter there was compassion,  forgiveness,  not condemnation,  not 'I told you so'.

Compassion is what King Jesus has for his citizens.

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 20

These were all commended for their faith yet none of them received what had been promised. Hebrews 11:39

God's children, today and throughout history, have always lived by faith because we know that this earth and everything in it is only temporary. The ancient believers knew that there were something awaiting them.

Citizens of the New Kingdom like our forefathers in faith also believe in something far better than we have today. If we continue to live by faith today we will also be commended by future generations. We have a blessed heritage to uphold.

The promises of a new heaven and a new earth have not been fulfilled as yet. Faith is what keeps citizens of the New Kingdom ever looking upwards.

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 19

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. Hebrews 11:13

Citizens of the New Kingdom join with the patriarchs and the ancient believers, living by faith with the quiet assurance that the promises of the King will be fulfilled. The ancient believers saw and welcomed the promises of God. In the same way, Citizens of the New Kingdom today know that a glorious future awaits them.

Citizens of the New Kingdom are also foreigners and strangers on this earth. We should never be surprised when we are ridiculed and misunderstood because we follow the commands of our King and his kingdom is not from this world.

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 18

For he (Abraham) was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Hebrews 11:10

Citizens of the New Kingdom continue to seek a city which has foundations. We seek a heavenly city; we seek the New Jerusalem described in the book of Revelation as a city which has twelve foundations.

Citizens of the New Kingdom look forward to living forever with God in the New Jerusalem and on the new earth, designed and built by God for his citizens.

Citizens of the New Kingdom live in this hope each day because we believe the words of our King when he promised to prepare a place for each of his citizens.

I can't wait to see my new room!

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 17

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. Hebrews 11:8 

Citizens of the New Kingdom obey as God commands. 

Citizens of the New Kingdom do not need to see every step of the journey before we take the first step.

Citizens of the New Kingdom know that the journey will always end as it begins - in the presence of God.

Citizens of the New Kingdom know that the Presence of God is the greatest reward we can receive as we obey.

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 16

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. Hebrews 11:7

Citizens of the New Kingdom obey God even when he asks of us seemingly foolish or impossible tasks.

Citizens of the New Kingdom know that the King is always right and everything he promises will happen exactly as he proclaims.

Citizens of the New Kingdom keep the Fear Of God in the forefront of our minds rejecting men's approval if it clashes with God's will for our lives.

Citizens of the New Kingdom seek not to condemn others by words but by living a righteous life in this world. This righteousness is only through King Jesus. 

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 15

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 

Citizens of the New Kingdom by faith believe in the existence of God. We know he is the 'GREAT I AM'.

Citizens of the New Kingdom receive favor from God when by faith we seek him. The best reward that we can receive from God is the gift of himself. When everything temporary is gone we are forever blessed with the eternal Presence of our King. 

Citizens of the New Kingdom please God when they believe that he exists and accept the personal relationship that he offers. 

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 14

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. Hebrews 11:5

Citizens of the New Kingdom please God because we are his children. We have been born into his kingdom and the Holy Spirit lives within us.

Citizens of the New Kingdom know that eternal death is the absence of God. When we die physically here on earth we are still alive because we have the Presence of God. The Holy Spirit, source of life lives in every believer. 

Let us seek to please God so that we can be commended as righteous.

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 13

By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. Hebrews 11:4

Citizens of the New Kingdom know that only God can approve someone's offering as he judges the motivation of the heart.

Citizens of the New Kingdom bring offering to God out of obedience and service to King Jesus. We walk the spiritual path that is approved by our King.

Citizens of the New Kingdom are encouraged to always seek to bring offerings that God will accept and will bring glory to him.

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 12

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Hebrews 11:3 

Citizens of the New Kingdom believe that the entire universe was created by God.

Citizens of the New Kingdom do not accept any theories of creation which does not include God.

In the beginning of beginnings God created the heavens and the earth. King Jesus, the source of light, came into the darkness and said, 'Let there be light' and there was visible light.

Let us worship our Creator and King today!

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 11

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

Citizens of the New Kingdom are people of faith!

Citizens of the New Kingdom are confident in what they hope for knowing that God's purpose will always be accomplished.

Citizens of the New Kingdom have assurance about what they cannot see with their physical eyes. There is confidence and assurance in our hearts and minds that our King has given us eternal life, therefore, fears, doubts, uncertainties are only illusions. We serve the victorious, conquering, all- knowing King.

Citizens of the New Kingdom live in faith, confidence, hope and assurance moment by moment.

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 10

Lord , our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. Psalm 8:1

Citizens of the New Kingdom enjoy meditating on the majesty of their King. We bow our hearts in adoration and worship to the Creator of all things - visible and invisible. There are great wonders to behold on earth and in the heavens.

Citizens of the New Kingdom gaze up into the vastness of the skies and appreciate the awesomeness of the heavens. We know that there is order and design in the glory of the galaxies. We praise the Creator of the stars.

Lord , our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens.

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 9

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
Psalm 1:6

Citizens of the New Kingdom have no need for fear. They have ever present protection at all times as the Lord watches over his children. He gives us peace in all circumstances because nothing and no one can harm us without going through him. And if he allows seemingly negative situations into our lives it is always for His purpose to be fulfilled.

Citizens of the New Kingdom can trust King Jesus to guide them to the right path because he knows the way that we should take. As we follow our King and trust him by faith our path will lead to everlasting life. The way of the righteous never detours into destruction.

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 8

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.
Psalm 1:3 

Citizens of the New Kingdom enjoys the blessings of the Lord because we are like trees whose roots are grounded deep in our King and we get our nourishment and refreshing only from him.

Citizens of the New Kingdom enjoy the fruit of righteousness given to them by the King at exactly the right moment when we need it most. 

Citizens of the New Kingdom are protected by the King and we prosper only in him. Our King gives us peace as we seek his will for our lives.

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 7

...but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
Psalm 1:2

As Citizens of the New Kingdom we delight in every word of our King. We seek to hear from him each day. We read the Bible and meditate on his words daily.

Citizens of the New Kingdom look forward to each new day because we know we will receive new mercies and new blessings from our King. New every morning is his compassion towards us!

Citizens of the New Kingdom live by every word that comes from the King. We delight in his law and meditate on his words as we follow him.

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 6

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.. Psalm 1:1

Citizens of the New Kingdom are blessed when we are following our King in the path he wants us to go. 

Citizens of the New Kingdom do not walk in wicked and unrighteous paths. 

Citizens of the New Kingdom do not stand in the sinful path. 

Citizens of the New Kingdom do not enjoy the company of unbelievers who are making fun of King Jesus and his citizens.

Let us seek to be blessed as we follow closely in the path of our King.

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 5

Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”  Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” John 6:28-29

Citizens of the New Kingdom seek to please the King in everything we do. It is important that we know what pleases King Jesus. It seems to be inherent in our human nature to do work in order to show obedience.

King Jesus stated that the work God requires is not a physical thing but a mental acceptance and belief in him. Citizens of the New Kingdom are encouraged to be careful not to only DO but to also BE. Be a child of God; be filled with the Holy Spirit; be a Citizen of the New Kingdom; be born again. The doing comes after the being.

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 4

Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!
Psalm 32:11

Citizens of the New Kingdom are full of joy and we live rejoicing in the Lord. Things may not always seem to be working out; disappointment may be our companions; uncertainty, doubts, sorrows may all come our way but since our joy comes from the Lord nothing can take it away.

Citizens of the New Kingdom can always have an upright heart because we live in the forgiveness of our King. When we acknowledge our sins and humbly seek a relationship with King Jesus our hearts are glad and filled with song.

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 3

Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. Psalm 32:10

Citizens of the New Kingdom trust in the Lord and can always count on his unfailing love...what a wonderful promise!

Citizens of the New Kingdom know that it was love that brought King Jesus from heaven to earth and made reconciliation with God possible.

Citizens of the New Kingdom know that it is unfailing love that keeps forgiving us when we fail our King time and time again.

Citizens of the New Kingdom know that it will be his unfailing love that will surround us with peace when we take our last breath here on earth.

The Lord's unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him!

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 2

Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Psalm 32:9

Citizens of the New Kingdom are encouraged to have a listening ear as we are given instructions and teachings from our King.

Citizens of the New Kingdom should not be stubborn and disobedient when we are counseled by our King.

King Jesus does not force his citizens to do his will. He wants his children to obey and serve him out of love.

Citizens Of The New Kingdom - August 1

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8

Citizens of the New Kingdom know that we are created for a purpose. Each individual has a unique role to play in the order of the universe. Our Creator made us with a purpose in mind. With that purpose comes instructions on how to walk in the path that was ordained for us to follow. When we are walking in the way we were designed to go, our lives are in balance. We are at peace, joy is in every step, we see good in our environment, we let the negatives go and we develop a positive attitude.

Citizens of the New Kingdom have a wise Counselor in King Jesus. He knows the path that we should take and he instructs and teaches us how to stay on that path. When we take a detour he is always there to counsel and comfort us as we seek to get back to the right path. Our King is not vengeful, mean or irrational. He is a loving Counselor and his advice always have good intentions and outlook. His instructions,  teachings and counsel originate from a heart of love.