IS IT CHURCH OR KINGDOM?

Many have debated over these two entities; are they one and the same? Is there a difference between church and Kingdom? My answer is "yes."

Why do we get so offended when one uses the term "church people" as opposed to Kingdom people?

It is simple...a lack of understanding.
 

Church is not a beautiful edifice with heavenly choirs and the biggest memberships; the church is a people. And get this...the CHURCH IS BROKEN. I know that we don't like to admit this fact, but allow me to substantiate my statement with what most Christians refer to as 'sound doctrine.'

I will use the basic-instructions-before-leaving-earth manual (The Bible) as a point of reference. 

  

 First, in Ephesians 5:27, the Apostle Paul writes from the perspective of God's righteousness. He informs us through these writings that Christ will be returning for a church void of blemishes, errors and sins.    

   Additionally, the Apostle John addresses the errors that exists within the church in the book of Revelations. The church is serving but they were yet riddled with blemishes. Isn't that a  familiar picture of the church; an imperfect people doing the best to serve a perfect God but oft times find ourselves making mistakes or operating in error?

   

 As children, many of us were taught and learned to recite The Lord's prayer; requesting for His will to be done in earth just as it is in Heaven. 

   Why would we need this request if we were faithfully performing His will? Thank God for His amazing grace that is extended towards us during our Kingdom-remodeling phase. 

   Daily we submit to the reconstructing of this broken church in  attempts to become aligned with a Kingdom reflection. The truth is: the church is riddled with blemishes. 

   And as much as we desire to be the perfect church, we get spotted with sin. From the pulpits to the pews; we, the church...is broken. But grace has been assigned so that our CHURCH has time to learn how to become KINGDOM again. 

                                       At the moment we chose to embrace the reality  of our broken church; we embark upon a journey with God's Truth that has the power to mold us in to His likeness of KINGDOM. We are the church and we do have the ability to become Kingdom.

   There is a difference between church and Kingdom. Let's stop just doing church and begin to                             be...KINGDOM!

DO NOT LET THEM HAVE IT!

When the ENEMY TRIES to steal my joy...I  CHOOSE TO LAUGH HARDER & LOUDER!

Sometimes, the car, career and community isn't enough to maintain your joy, In fact, those very things may stifle it.
When things get tough and a bit more complex...you have to FIGHT in order to keep your joy.
IT IS WORTH IT!

I know that the tears are coming easy, the weight may seem heavier and you may feel like buckling under the pressure...simply throwing in the towel...BUT DON'T QUIT!

There is a strategic plan devised to make you concede to a trying situation that you already have victory in.

The fight is FIXED and the WINNER IS YOU!
In life, we will constantly experience the WINNING or the LEARNING seasons.
If you haven't reached the win; keep learning. If you have embraced the lesson in the trial; prepare to keep winning.

I was once encouraged by a writing of John Piper's: 

"It is crucial that in our darkness we affirm the wise, strong Hand of God to hold us, 

even when we have no strength to hold him."

The only way the enemy can have your joy is if you give up, stop fighting and relinquish your right to it. DO NOT LET HIM HAVE IT!

Have you had to fight for your jo?


What will you chose to fight for?

Jennifer Hudson Jesus Promised Me A Home Over There

REMEMBER that you have been CHANGED....walk NOW in the newness. ~Lady Alana~Jennifer Hudson - Wonderful Change (Changed)

DB Cook Ministries: "When You've Got IT"