The
Kingdom of God and the Church
Living
out of the
"Magna Charta" of God’s Kingdom
We may well call Matthew 5 thru 7 the “Magna Charta” of God’s earthly Kingdom. Here the Lord Jesus laid out principles of liberation that will work in the lives of His redeemed people, through whom God’s Kingdom will spread in the earth.
•LORD, in my poverty of spirit I come to You. I lay aside the rags of my own goodness. They’re filthy. Please deal with my haughty pride and unteachable spirit. I renounce my own efforts to become good enough to live in Your Kingdom. With humility I ask You to work in me the ways of Your Kingdom.
The poor of this world are the ones who are close to becoming heirs of the Kingdom.—Jas 2:5; Mic 6:8
DAY 2—Grief over one’s spiritual poverty makes way for the comfort of God’s Kingdom.
Mt 5:4 Blessed are
they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Jn 14:16 And
I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that
He may abide with you for ever…
•LORD, my spiritual weakness has been like a plague to
me. I have grieved over it. The pull toward sin has been great in me.
Oh, fill me with Your grace! Let me know the joy that can be mine when
sin loses its power in me. This will be my comfort.
Overcomers in temptation can find their place in the Kingdom.—Jas
1:12; Lk 22:28-30
DAY 3—A gentle kindness will be at work in those mature enough to inherit the Kingdom.
Mt 5:5 Blessed are
the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. II Tim 2:24,25a
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all
men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose
themselves…
•FATHER, my own self-willed pride has ruled in me long enough.
Today I lay it at Your feet. As a Kingdom person, please help me walk
with humility before my brethren. Even help me walk humbly before the
people I know who don’t yet know You.
Take note of the blessings that come to the meek.—Ps 22:26;
25:9; 37:11; 147:6; Isa 29:19; Mt 11:29
DAY 4—Those with strong desire to be right with God can find fullness in His Kingdom.
Mt 5:6 Blessed are
they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be
filled. Isa 26:9a With my soul have I desired Thee in the
night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek Thee early…
Lk 1:53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the
rich he hath sent empty away.
•LORD, my desire toward Your Kingdom has been weak. Oh,
stir up in me a spiritual hunger! Let it cause me to seek You early! I
want to know Your Kingdom and its ways—and the fullness it affords.
Truly God will satisfy the longing soul.—Ps 42:1-11
DAY 5—Those who show mercy to others can find mercy for themselves in God’s Kingdom.
Mt 5:7 Blessed are
the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Ps 25:10 All
the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep His Covenant
and his testimonies.
•FATHER, here are these people I love. I grieve for them because
of how they’re living. Too often I’ve been annoyed with them
when I see how they shut You out. I’m sorry for how I’ve acted.
Please let me become an instrument of mercy toward them.
The wisdom that God gives is full of mercy.—Jas 3:14-18
DAY 6—Those who give their hearts to purity can find an intimate relationship with God in His Kingdom.
Mt 5:8 Blessed are
the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Ps 15:1,2 LORD,
who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in Thy holy hill? He
that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth
in his heart.
•FATHER, I’ve been carrying things in my heart I know
are offensive to You. Search me. Find out these wicked ways. Try even
my thoughts that offend You. I want nothing to separate me from fellowship
with You in Your Kingdom.
Who can stand in the presence of the Lord?—Ps 24:1-6
DAY 7—Being a peacemaker is a quality of one mature enough to function in the Kingdom.
Mt 5:9 Blessed are
the peacemakers: for they shall be called the *children of God.
Heb 12:14,15 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which
no man shall see the Lord: looking diligently lest any man fail
of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble
you, and thereby many be defiled.
•LORD, I renounce the bitterness that has ruled me. It keeps
springing up in me. I want to become a peacemaker. Grant me the humility
and maturity this requires. Help me make peaceful and loving moves toward
these with whom I’ve been at strife.
It is a shame for Kingdom people to hold enmity against others
in the Kingdom.—I Cor 6:1-11
DAY 8—Those who give themselves to God’s King- dom find persecution is a blessed thing.
Mt 5:10 Blessed
are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the
Kingdom of Heaven. Isa 51:7 Hearken unto Me, ye that know righteousness,
the people in whose heart is My Law; fear ye not the reproach of men,
neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
•FATHER, I renounce the fear of being persecuted. Please set
me free from its hold on my emotions. Let love become a strong force in
me so I can face with compassion these angry people around me. Prepare
them to receive Your love through me.
Nothing the enemy might bring against children of the Kingdom
can harm them. It will rather serve them well.—Phil 1:27-30
DAY 9—Persecution is actually cause for a child of the Kingdom to rejoice.
Mt 5:11,12 Blessed
are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all
manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding
glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the Prophets
which were before you. Acts 5:41 And they departed from
the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to
suffer shame for His Name.
•LORD, I’ve been pretty much of a coward and have suffered
little for You. I’ve borne no shame for Your Name. Please release
in me the kind of boldness and love that will make me an ambassador for
Your Kingdom—even if it means I suffer evil and slander by those
who reject You.
A great wonder happened when two men of the Kingdom were worshipping
God in jail.—Ac 16:16-35
Children of the Kingdom carry a remedy for the corruption that is in the world. Even though they may be persecuted, their very presence in the land is a healing force with an effect for righteousness.
DAY 10—Corruption is driven back when children of the Kingdom maintain their purity.
Mt 5:13 Ye are the
salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall
it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out,
and to be trodden under foot of men. Col 4:6 Let your speech
be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought
to answer every man.
•FATHER, let Your grace work in me till it brings to an
end the corruption in my spirit. Let that same grace work through me,
till where I live feels the impact of Your light and love. Let this happen
in my home, where I work—wherever I go.
A disciple who is salt in the land is one who has forsaken all
to follow Jesus.—Lk 14:33-35
DAY 11—Darkness is dispelled when children of the Kingdom let their light shine.
Mt 5:14-16 Ye are
the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither
do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick;
and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so
shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your
Father Which is in Heaven. Pro 4:18 But the path of the
just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect
day.
• LORD, I renounce the darkness that has tried to rule my
spirit. It comes over me when things don’t go my way. Little things
irk me. I repent for being so touchy and upset over petty matters. Please
heal me and let Your light shine through me.
Children of the Kingdom walk in the light.—I Pet 2:9;
Rom 13:11-14; I Jn 1:5-7
DAY 12—God’s perfect righteousness can find its fulfillment in a child of the Kingdom.
Mt 5:17,18 Think
not that I am come to destroy the Law, or the Prophets: I am not come
to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and
earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law,
till all be fulfilled. Gal 4:4,5 But when the fulness of
the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under
The Law, to redeem them that were under The Law, that we might receive
the adoption of sons. •FATHER,
I have no personal hope of becoming good enough for Your Kingdom. Your
Law stands over me to condemn me. The Prophets have risen up to condemn
me. But, today I see my hope and my righteousness is in the One You sent
to redeem me. In Him I stand. Oh, I love You and Your Kingdom!
It is
in Christ that we find a perfect righteousness that will enable us to
stand before God.—Rom 8:1-4
CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM LIVE BY A STANDARD HIGHER THAN THAT SET BY THE LAW. Christ Jesus has made this way for us.
DAY 13—Self-righteousness has no place in God’s Kingdom.
Mt 5:19,20 Whosoever
therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach
men so, he shall be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven: but whosoever
shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the Kingdom
of Heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed
the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter
into the Kingdom of Heaven.
•FATHER, forgive me when I’ve considered myself better than
someone else. I’ve looked on people and quickly judged them because
of the way they looked. I renounce this haughty attitude and lay myself
before You for cleansing. Help me love these people.
Children of the Kingdom live by a Law that brings freedom from
the dominion of sin.—Jas 2:1-13
DAY 14—Children of the Kingdom learn to deal with the hostility of angry people.
Mt 5:21,22 Ye have
heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever
shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: but I say unto you, That
whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger
of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be
in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be
in danger of hell fire.
•LORD, I renounce the tendency I have to make hasty judgments
on people. And I renounce the anger that has ruled me when I see them.
Please cleanse my heart of the desire to see them judged harshly. Instead,
let your redeeming mercy work in me toward them. Let them see Your love
in me.
Children of the Kingdom have learned to deal with their own anger.—Eph
4:25-31
DAY 15—Children of the Kingdom become ministers of reconciliation.
Mt 5:23,24 Therefore
if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother
hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go
thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy
gift. I Cor 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so
let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
•DEAR LORD, please make me a minister of reconciliation. Here
are people I have loved and held communion with. Now we can’t even
speak with one another. Prepare my heart and theirs that we might come
together as Kingdom people.
Through Christ we are reconciled to God. Together, we are then
made one in Him.—Eph 2:13-17
DAY 16—Children of the Kingdom learn to deal peaceably with those who oppose them.
Mt 5:25,26 Agree
with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest
at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver
thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say
unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid
the uttermost farthing.
•FATHER, help me be of a pleasant mind and have a good
attitude when I am accused. Teach me that I can trust You to fight my
battles. Now, here are these dear ones who are in deep trouble. Please
bring upon them a repentant and open heart so they can see Your mercy
released in their behalf.
Children of the Kingdom find that mercy rejoices against judgment.—Mt
18:21-35
DAY 17—Children of the Kingdom live by a high standard of personal purity.
Mt 5:27,28 Ye have
heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her
hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Pro 4:23
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of
life.
•DEAR LORD, I find myself thinking thoughts that I know
are offensive to Your Spirit. Please bring upon me a discipline of spirit
that will enable me to overcome in this matter. Teach me how to meditate
in what is right and good.
Children of the Kingdom learn to hold fast onto noble ideals for
living.—Phil 4:8,9
DAY 18—A child of the Kingdom, showing mercy to others, will deal harshly with his own sin.
Mt 5:29,30 And if
thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it
is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not
that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right
hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable
for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole
body should be cast into hell.
•FATHER, I am ready to take any measure that will set
me free from the dark desires and secret practices that have ruled me.
Please lead me to someone to whom I can confess this evil. Please help
me find the freedom my true heart desires.
When with brokenness we confess dark practices to another honest
believer, we have hope of release from their stronghold.—Ps 32:1-6;
Jas 5:16
DAY 19—In the matter of adultery, those who failed have but one hope: the mercy of God.
Mt 5:31,32 It hath
been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing
of divorcement: but I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his
wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery:
and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
•FATHER, in this matter, many of us have to call on Your mercy.
We cry to you for it to come in abundantly upon us. Here now I hold before
You these who are dear to me. Some of them are in marriages that are going
bad. Please bring on them enough conviction to try and work out their
differences. Here is this one who has tried over and over, only to meet
failure. Please show him (her) the way of hope.
Jesus showed mercy and hope to the failed woman at the well.—Jn
4:1-26
DAY 20—A child of the Kingdom is called to speak pure, unadulterated words of truth.
Mt 5:34-37 But I
say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by Heaven; for it is God's throne:
nor by the earth; for it is His footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it
is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because
thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication
be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
•FATHER, teach me to speak plain and straightforward truth,
without adornment or swearing. I’ve gotten into the habit of using
bywords. Please relieve me of this. Let Your Spirit give me the mental
and emotional strength to speak rightly for Your Kingdom.
The Lord has called us to clean speech, especially with regard
to His Name.—Ex 20:7; Jas 5:12
DAY 21—The Lord Jesus laid out plainly how children of the Kingdom are to deal with their enemies.
Mt 5:38-41 Ye have
heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite
thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will
sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give
to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not
thou away.
•FATHER, I need Your help. I’m still prone toward
retaliation. I renounce this. Please set me free from the need to avenge
myself. Give me enough of Your love to turn the other cheek and go the
second mile. I want to become a son/daughter in Your Kingdom.
Children of the Kingdom overcome evil with good.—Rom 12:18-21
© Berean Ministries
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