Day 5 – Dominion Realised But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you (Matthew 12:28) The enemy’s attempt to anchor our affections to the things that are visible is easily resisted when our hearts are aware of the presence of His world. Such awareness aids us in the task of being co-labourers with Christ (see 1 Corinthians 3:9) – destroying the works of the devil (see 1 John 3:8). If the Kingdom is here and now, then we must acknowledge it’s in the invisible realm. ... The unseen world has influence over the visible. If the people of God will not reach for the Kingdom at hand, the realm of darkness is ready to display its ability to influence. The good news is that “His [the Lord’s] kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19). Jesus illustrates this reality in Matthew 12:28 saying, “If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.” There are two things to notice ... First, Jesus worked only through the Spirit of God; and second, the Kingdom of God came upon someone in his deliverance. Jesus caused the collision between two worlds: the world of darkness and the world of light. Darkness always gives way to light! And in the same way, when the dominion of God was released through Jesus to that man, he became free. (Quote from When Heaven Invades Earth, pages 38, 42) QUESTIONS 1. How aware are you of the “presence of His world”? Why is this awareness a “heart” issue and not just a “mind” issue? 2. How does the awareness of God’s world in our world help us to be co-labourers with Christ? Do you think of yourself as one who destroys the works of the devil? Why or why not? 3. How have you seen the invisible realm of the Kingdom of God? Have you seen it when others around you had not? What do you do when you see this realm? 4. In light of the fact that the world has so many difficult issues and there are multitudes who deny the existence of God, how do you explain Psalm 103:19, His kingdom rules over all”? 5. Just as Jesus worked only through the Spirit of God, we need to do likewise as His agents. Evaluate your dependence upon the Spirit and how you operate as His agent in your daily life. 6. The collision between the world of darkness and the world of light will have repercussions for those who experience it. What was your world of darkness like and what happened when light invaded it? Who needs to hear your testimony this week? Today? MEDITATION “Grace is different from the Law in that favour comes before the obedience. Under grace the commandments of the Lord come fully equipped with the ability to perform them ... to those who hear from the heart (see James 1:21-25). Grace enables what it commands” (When Heaven Invades Earth, page 41). Do you feel the grace upon you when you choose to obey in a way that is normally difficult for you? Take time to praise the God who enables you to obey all His commands.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 09:24:35 +0000
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