Kingdom Principle: Righteousness; Part III
Locate in Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

In 2004 I headed out with a group to church plant. Over the next several years we worked tirelessly caring for the growing church. It was a great experience. Many times filled with heartache, but most of the time filled with joy and excitement. However, the seeds of discouragement set in after an encounter with someone who ‘meant well’ and then nurtured when family situations drastically changed making it hard to maintain the demands of family, work and ministry. I needed help and found that the well was too dry to continue. Somewhere along the line what was a joy and passion had become a terrible burden. But instead of seeking the help I needed from the Lord, I ran and quit the ministry because I didn’t know how to continue. I was tired, I was beaten up and most of all I was discouraged.

Kingdom Principle: Righteousness; Part II
Locate in Scripture: Genesis 3; Romans 5

From the very beginning God created humankind in perfection. What made it perfect is that we were created to experience an intimate and personal relationship with Him. Adam and Eve experienced God in the garden. They were created in righteousness; upright, sinless and in right standing with God. 

When the serpent deceived Eve, it was by challenging this position of righteousness. When questioning her on what God said, he twisted God’s instructions. Eve started thinking about this and began to believe that the tree they were told not to eat of, was good for food, pleasing to look at and desirable for wisdom. This is what the serpent said, “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” ( Genesis 3:5-7 ). In other words, God is keeping something from you. If you eat this, then you will be like Him. 

Kingdom Principle: Righteousness; Part I
Locate in Scripture: Matthew 5:20

“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20).

What a shock this statement must have been to everyone who heard it. The teachers and Pharisees were, by human standards, very righteous. They lived in such a way that righteousness could be observed in their lives. They practiced the letter of the law in each moment of every day. In fact, no one could accuse them of breaking any of the commandments because of the outward holiness that was exhibited. And yet Jesus said it was not enough.

Kingdom Principle: Seeds; Part XII
Locate in Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23; 31-35; Mark 4:1-25; 30-34; Luke 8:4-19

In our bi-monthly staff meetings, we are currently watching short videos of a recent conference in which Jim Collins, who wrote the book Great by Choice spoke. He is explaining the five core mindsets of leaders who have demonstrated great resolve in running their businesses over long periods of time. We have been watching short segments of this presentation in order to discuss. In our most recent meeting we watched a segment on Productive Paranoia. While the name is interesting, what stuck out to me was a statement he made which summarizes the Biblical principle of the mustard seed. He said something to the effect of what you do before the difficult times come, will help you to be strong when people most need you. His premise is that being prepared, planning and making reserves has to be done in the good times so when times of uncertainty hit, you are prepared, able to survive and succeed when others fail.

The Smallest Seed

“Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade” (Mark 4:30-32).

Kingdom Principle: Seeds; Part XI
Locate in Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-25; Luke 8:4-19

I had the privilege to co-teach an Ephesians Sunday School class recently. As I was teaching I asked the group a question to make them think deeply about the passage we were studying. I was interested in hearing their answers and the reasoning behind it. My intent was to challenge them, however in that moment of waiting while they processed, the Lord imparted to me a new understanding of the scripture concerning the question I asked. It was a deeper revelation than the understanding I had when I walked into the room. It was like a light bulb turned on in my head. I was so excited that I could barely wait to get home and search the scriptures to confirm what He spoke to me. I desired to study it out to prove and solidify this new understanding of the passage. I spent the next couple days looking into it. God’s Word is progressive and He promises to bring us continually into a deeper understanding.

Whoever Has Will be Given More