The Wonders of the kingdom of God.

[Episkopos]

I thought it just might be time to have a very positive praiseful thread about the wonders of a walk in the Spirit. :)

We have this treasure in earthen vessels.

We are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Now this a miraculous place to be...so far away from our routine worldly lives so that few can believe we have access to so much from God. But God gives us His grace.

All of us is what He asks from us to see this realm by faith. To enter in costs us everything, of course. But we can still taste and see the goodness of the Lord for ourselves...as a free gift of grace from Him.

The kingdom of God is full of light. A shimmering light that reflects the glory of God. It is a dimension just beyond our human sight. It is in another realm; the realm of the Spirit.

In the Spirit we see things that are not visible to the human eye. We see things on people, angels at times and whatever comes into that realm; that heavenly place.

To walk in that place we are clothed with His light...as one is dressed in clothing. Paul calls this the "armour of light" or the full armour of God. It is from that anointing that we walk victoriously in this world...far beyond the reach of it's lusts and desires. In the Spirit we have a refuge, a sanctuary of peace and glory.

Few have experienced this walk as it is going very far to even consider such a place. A human faith can't even consider it as a possibility. No, it is a surprise that such a kingdom exists at all. But this is what it means to be "in" Christ. To be where He is. To have fellowship with Him and the Father.

This is what ALL who seek the Lord should desire to enter into. That place where He dwells...where His name is...where His authority rules and His presence fills all things...

 

[Episkopos]

What of God's precious promises? We can walk with the Lord and see what He sees through HIS eyes..in His light we indeed see light. Is that a popular thing to consider? Is this in any way encouraging to those who seek for the rest that is the menoucha of God? And what of the Shechina glory?
To be raptured into His presence! There is a lot of talk about a future physical translation (rapture) into His presence. But the bible speaks much more about a spiritual rapture into a walk in His presence. Are we not to seek this first?

What of that? Is this not something to glory in?

So I will glory in the greatness of His grace to us. To partake of His holiness. To experience as He experienced...to walk in His footsteps...not just historically but also in real time by the Spirit.

 

[Miss Hepburn]

I thought it just might be time to have a very positive praiseful
thread about the wonders of a walk in the Spirit. :)
'
'
'
Few have experienced this walk as it is going very far to even consider such a place. A human faith can't even
consider it as a possibility. No, it is a surprise that such a kingdom exists at all. But this is what it means to be "in" Christ.
To be where He is. To have fellowship with Him and the Father.

Yes. Because I have sat in stillness and silence for over 40 years, often 3-6 hours a sitting...I happen to know
that all you said is true !!:)
It's available to everybody...ya just have to put in the time to get to a stillness some almost can't imagine !

 

[GodsGrace]

I thought it just might be time to have a very positive praiseful thread about the wonders of a walk in the Spirit. :)

We have this treasure in earthen vessels.

We are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Now this a miraculous place to be...so far away from our routine worldly lives so that few can believe we have access to so much from God. But God gives us His grace.

All He asks from us to see this realm is faith. To enter in costs us everything, of course. But we can still taste and see the goodness of the Lord for ourselves...as a free gift of grace from Him.

The kingdom of God is full of light. A shimmering light that reflects the glory of God. It is a dimension just beyond our human sight. It is in another realm; the realm of the Spirit.

In the Spirit we see things that are not visible to the human eye. We see things on people, angels at times and whatever comes into that realm; that heavenly place.

To walk in that place we are clothed with His light...as one is dressed in clothing. Paul calls this the "armour of light" or the full armour of God. It is from that anointing that we walk victoriously in this world...far beyond the reach of it's lusts and desires. In the Spirit we have a refuge, a sanctuary of peace and glory.

Few have experienced this walk as it is going very far to even consider such a place. A human faith can't even consider it as a possibility. No, it is a surprise that such a kingdom exists at all. But this is what it means to be "in" Christ. To be where He is. To have fellowship with Him and the Father.

This is what ALL who seek the Lord should desire to enter into. That place where He dwells...where His name is...where His authority rules and His presence fills all things...

I love your posts E.

Jesus said if we want to follow Him, and enter into the Kingdom of God.
we are to count the cost and then look forward and never look back.
Luke 14:25

So what I ask is:
What is there to look back to?
Nothing.

Nothing is better than knowing God and living close to Him.
Even when we feel Him far away, we can know that He really is not.

Whatever we can contribute to the Kingdom is well worth it.
Jesus meant to change the world with the revolutionary idea of His....that
heaven can start right here if we all participated.

The Kingdom of God can only be seen by those who are born of above because it's a spiritual Kingdom.
John 3:3
3Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

 

[Episkopos]

John 1:16
16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

Grace for grace...or grace anti (the Greek "anti") grace. Anti...the Greek word in between the graces....means of course "against"...but it could also men "in addition to." It could also mean grace "upon" grace.

So we are not limited to the first measure of grace we have received at conversion. God is building us up by grace from His fulness. We have a continuing access to MORE grace from His fulness as we find that we have leaked out the grace that we once had. We are leaky vessels in the beginning of our walks. We tend to not put the right value of this precious gift of God. But we can turn to God for a new filling by His mercy and overall desire that we would come to know the value of His grace to us.

Hebrews 4:16
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

2 Pet. 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

 

[GodsGrace]

John 1:16
16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

Grace for grace...or grace anti (the Greek "anti") grace. Anti...the Greek word in between the graces....means of course "against"...but it could also men "in addition to." It could also mean grace "upon" grace.

So we are not limited to the first measure of grace we have received at conversion. God is building us up by grace from His fulness. We have a continuing access to MORE grace from His fulness as we find that we have leaked out the grace that we once had. We are leaky vessels in the beginning of our walks. We tend to not put the right value of this precious gift of God. But we can turn to God for a new filling by His mercy and overall desire that we would come to know the value of His grace to us.

Hebrews 4:16
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

2 Pet. 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

I like grace upon grace...because God gives us all we need.

One of my favorite verses is this.
Jesus asked His Apostles if they were considering leaving him,
and they replied:

John 6:68
68Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life."

 

[Episkopos]

Now I will share this..even though I expect some opposition to it. But this is a helpful way to understand the relationship between grace and faith.

We begin with just our own faith. Everyone has a human faith. If we didn't have some kind of faith, we couldn't get through our day.

Now when we turn all our attention to God by the faith we have and the trust we can have inside us...God will respond by giving us a measure of grace...that is equal and identical to the measure of the faith OF Jesus Christ we are receiving. IOW if God gives us more grace we will also get more of the faith OF Jesus.

Now many see this as a digital....yes or no ...concerning grace. As in...you either have all of grace or none of it. A zero sum game. But it really is analog whereby the more faith we receive from God through His empowerment...the more grace (which IS His empowerment) we will receive...and the more His grace the more of His faith. These work together in God for the things that are eternal and spiritual. These are kingdom things...so very little understood in these perilous times ...if at all.

So then the grace that comes from heaven also is equal to the faith we have received from heaven. This is an experiential faith in the goodness and POWER of God. This transaction is meant to build us up in the holy faith OF Jesus.

So then we are being built up 2 different ways. Our own natural faith is built up because we have had an answered prayer. That is on one level.

But ALSO we have new insight, knowledge and understanding of spiritual things, of His kingdom, because of the visitation of God. We can only receive of His divinity, holiness, and spiritual power (grace) through a visitation of God. We may or may not SEE that visitation...but it's effects are imprinted in our hearts....and eventually our minds as we let the heart renew the mind in us. And this is to build us up in the faith received OF Jesus.

How did Peter walk on water? Did he do this by his own faith? No. Our faith is directed at the Lord...who empowers us by grace to do as He calls us to do. So Peter was wise to ask Jesus to call him out on the water. When Jesus said....come...immediately the grace was given to Peter to walk on the water towards His Lord. That grace produced the same faith that Jesus had...a supernatural faith that can do miraculous things. Our human faith cannot breach the barrier of the natural world into the spiritual realm of it's own.

So in this way we go from faith to Faith...from glory to Glory...and actually from grace to grace.

So then we all have our own faith to cry out to God with. But the faith OF Jesus Christ already knows what to do and how to do it. Our faith then becomes attached to His...just as our lives become attached to His. And this is the purpose of the New Covenant that we should walk IN Him.

 

[Miss Hepburn]

Now I will share this..even though I expect some opposition to it. But this is a helpful way to understand the relationship between grace and faith.
We begin with just our own faith. Everyone has a human faith. If we didn't have some kind of faith, we couldn't get through our day.
.
.
.

That was VERY good!

The whole post, I mean. Btw, I have never read anyone else say, "Visitation of God" or from God...thank you for that...people must open that He does Visit you, can Visit you.
When that expectation, desire, willingness, fearlessness and stillness combine...
just wait and see. ;) Sit.

My faith was clearly God-given, yup, it's all Him.
Now, I have no need for faith or belief...years of profound experiences...now I know.
I don't have faith that God will take the 1 year long cough away from the kitty...I know it will be done, period.
(Just to give an example of what I'm saying.)
And the next day.. gone...did not come back...of course...it's been months...of course.
Later, it wasn't eating for over a week I heard, I went over...next morning I get a call..."She's EATING?
Not just turning away from the food or licking; she is CHEWING?"
Well, of course. There is no surprise with the Lord....just big gratitude and awe at His Love.
It's all a Gift.
(I tell these little stories to encourage and give praise to the One and Only...God Himself.)

 

[Episkopos]

Here is another controversial subject.

Being born again gives us an access to the kingdom of God...and we may even have a chance to SEE the kingdom realm. But this is a potential...that can only be actually requited by giving up all things in this world so as to purchase our way INTO the kingdom life.

Very few will ever be able to enter into that realm. It costs us everything to do so...and we must pay for it with ALL we have and are. A full surrender and consecration to God. A vast leap of faith into the arms of God. And so we enter into Christ to be empowered by His perfect life based on the humanity He has modeled and made for us called "the new man."

In that life is love, joy and peace in the Spirit. The kingdom life is an eternal life...the eternal kind of life we are promised by abiding in...or believing INTO Christ. This is impossible for a human faith to do. It is not about our ability but God's mercy. He lets us into His kingdom through His mercy and kindness towards a person who seeks him with the whole heart.

So there is analog measure of grace (by His kind of faith) that affords us to be translated into the kingdom of His dear Son. This is by rapture (harpazo).

Col. 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

We actually have access to the grace that takes us into the spiritual realm to walk in Zion....to walk in His light. To BE in the light as He is in the light. O, the riches of His grace are beyond comprehension.

 

[Miss Hepburn]

*snip*
Being born again gives us an access to the kingdom of God...and we may even have a chance to SEE the kingdom realm. But this is a potential...that can only be actually requited by giving up all things in this world so as to purchase our way INTO the kingdom life.
Very few will ever be able to enter into that realm. It costs us everything to do so...and we must pay for it with ALL we have and are.
A full surrender and consecration to God.
We actually have access to the grace that takes us into the spiritual realm to walk in Zion....to walk in His light. To BE in the light as He is in the light. O, the riches of His grace are beyond comprehension.

Yes (again, ha). Excellent.
When one sits in stillness...maybe after the 3rd hour (no interruptions, no external sounds...alone, safe and alert)...one really gets down
to the nitty-gritty.
Most thoughts are stilled....BUT, you still have subtle ones...giving things up, paying with all you have and are?
You give up your last precious thought....you don't realize it's so precious until
you even give that up, you see what you hold onto without even being aware of it before...and then in that utter stillness
and silence, where you are hardly breathing by this time....
then...the Door opens to such wonders.

Some come back from near death exps....describing the beauty and the love...oh my...:)

 

[Episkopos]

Yes (again, ha). Excellent.
When one sits in stillness...maybe after the 3rd hour (no interruptions, no external sounds...alone, safe and alert)...one really gets down
to the nitty-gritty.
Most thoughts are stilled....BUT, you still have subtle ones...giving things up, paying with all you have and are?
You give up your last precious thought....you don't realize it's so precious until
you even give that up, you see what you hold onto without even being aware of it before...and then in that utter stillness
and silence, where you are hardly breathing by this time....
then...the Door opens to such wonders.

Some come back from near death exps....describing the beauty and the love...oh my...:)

Hey Ms H! Since the thread is about the wonders of God...could you describe your experience of this with us! :)

Much appreciated....

 

[faithfulness]

Hey Ms H! Since the thread is about the wonders of God...could you describe your experience of this with us! :)

Much appreciated....

Yes! Please!

 

[Miss Hepburn]

Hey Ms H! Since the thread is about the wonders of God...
could you describe your experience of this with us! :)
Much appreciated....

Ya know...it is pretty darn personal...I mean what God says to me...but ALL dripping with Love...so personal, so familiar,
as in 'family'....He IS your BEST Friend that knows and loves every part of you...sigh, so wonderful...so easy, comfortable ...simple...
oh man...relaxing, ....you might as well think of yourself as a millionaire floating in a swimming pool...and everyone
around you loves you like crazy...
it's beyond a simple peace....because it's in Wonderland, a Magical Kingdom of beauty and the funny thing is....hahahaha...
you notice how everything is so 'clean', ha...crystal clear...the atmosphere...it's hard to describe...everything is there to
make you feel SO comfortable and at ease.
You are understood, Ah, that's how I can describe it..everything you have ever done
is understood, as if the word 'judgment ' never existed anywhere ever in anyone's mind, ever. It does not exist!
Total acceptance of the complete 'you'. You are loved...like a baby...and a baby, poops and breaks things and spits up...
no matter....you are loved to the bottom of your being. You can do no wrong.

But the beauty...now that is 'earthly....but more...more...bigger, deeper, richer...and all ...how do you say?....Yours;
...at your disposal...No...all there is for you...for you to enjoy and be filled with joy and wonderment.
It really is like a banquet....but it was made for you! In your honor.

AND, then you come out of the exp....knowing....OH my God...all this is easy 'here', too...this IS a playground for me...
'here'...there need be no difference!!!!!
That's why I am so happy...I know one of the secrets...here, there, anywhere...it makes no difference...It is ALLLLLL
God's playground for us.

Acknowledge Him in all your ways...that is one of the big secrets of life and existence. Delight in Him.
Oh my. Think of nothing else....but Him...and smile.

As a Middle Eastern master said..."Don't worry. Be Happy." (Rem, Jesus was Middle Eastern, lol)

 

[Episkopos]

Ya know...it is pretty darn personal...I mean what God says to me...but ALL dripping with Love...so personal, so familiar,
as in 'family'....He IS your BEST Friend that knows and loves every part of you...sigh, so wonderful...so easy, comfortable ...simple...
oh man...relaxing, ....you might as well think of yourself as a millionaire floating in a swimming pool...and everyone
around you loves you like crazy...
it's beyond a simple peace....because it's in Wonderland, a Magical Kingdom of beauty and the funny thing is....hahahaha...
you notice how everything is so 'clean', ha...crystal clear...the atmosphere...it's hard to describe...everything is there to
make you feel SO comfortable and at ease.
You are understood, Ah, that's how I can describe it..everything you have ever done
is understood, as if the word 'judgment ' never existed anywhere ever in anyone's mind, ever. It does not exist!
Total acceptance of the complete 'you'. You are loved...like a baby...and a baby, poops and breaks things and spits up...
no matter....you are loved to the bottom of your being. You can do no wrong.

But the beauty...now that is 'earthly....but more...more...bigger, deeper, richer...and all ...how do you say?....Yours;
...at your disposal...No...all there is for you...for you to enjoy and be filled with joy and wonderment.
It really is like a banquet....but it was made for you! In your honor.

AND, then you come out of the exp....knowing....OH my God...all this is easy 'here', too...this IS a playground for me...
'here'...there need be no difference!!!!!
That's why I am so happy...I know one of the secrets...here, there, anywhere...it makes no difference...It is ALLLLLL
God's playground for us.

Acknowledge Him in all your ways...that is one of the big secrets of life and existence. Delight in Him.
Oh my. Think of nothing else....but Him...and smile.

As a Middle Eastern master said..."Don't worry. Be Happy." (Rem, Jesus was Middle Eastern, lol)

God of wonders. You are holy! \0/\0/\O/

 

[Miss Hepburn]

Now, I can't help myself.
You sit in such a comfortable position, where you won't fall sleep...and in your mind you set your intention...
Ha, basically, "You Lord, I want You."
You make a place for Him...as you would any guest to your home...you would air the guest room, place flowers,
have fresh linens and the towels all set....you have your front door open with His favorite music to welcome Him...
All in your chest, in your heart, in your mind....and then, you so sweetly just wait...placing all your
attention on listening for Him, you see?
You sit in happiness, in sweet expectation.

Don't be bothered by any distractions, laugh...if they come, so what..

...you place the needle back on the record
and think only of Him.
Show Him what a calm peaceful place you can set for Him within you...don't care about time...there is no time for Him.
Just wait...it could take hours or weeks to set the stage for your Guest 'just right'.
Be still.
:)

 

[Episkopos]

Now, I can't help myself.
You sit in such a comfortable position, where you won't fall sleep...and in your mind you set your intention...
Ha, basically, "You Lord, I want You."
You make a place for Him...as you would any guest to your home...you would air the guest room, place flowers,
have fresh linens and the towels all set....you have your front door open with His favorite music to welcome Him...
All in your chest, in your heart, in your mind....and then, you so sweetly just wait...placing all your
attention on listening for Him, you see?
You sit in happiness, in sweet expectation.

Don't be bothered by any distractions, laugh...if they come, so what..

...you place the needle back on the record
and think only of Him.
Show Him what a calm peaceful place you can set for Him within you...don't care about time...there is no time for Him.
Just wait...it could take hours or weeks to set the stage for your Guest 'just right'.
Be still.
:)

To me this sounds like the Song of Songs. :) Very intimate...and a very female inspiration. For me it is more like His glory that invades my soul.

<><

 

[Philip James]

The Kingdom of God can only be seen by those who are born of above because

Hello GG,
I would say because: those who don't see it, rather, see something to be despised..,,

But it can be seen...
'a beacon set on a hill...'

Peace be with you!

 

[Episkopos]

How much grace/faith does it take to be translated into God's heavenly place in Zion so as to be in the light as He is in the light? What is the amount of consecration (of course always 100% surrender) and seeking that affords a walk in the spiritual realm of the kingdom?

Only God knows. He decides. It all depends on His mercy. That is why we remain humble and fear...since nothing is up to us. We throw ourselves on His mercy.

Rom. 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,


The will of God is unfathomable. God is fully unpredictable in His judgments. He sees things we don't. His ways are vastly greater than our own....how can we comprehend them? And that is because of grace. God is not under any law. He does what He wills. Hence the need for humility and fear...that we might be considered to become vessels of mercy.

Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord....

 

[Miss Hepburn]

To me this sounds like the Song of Songs. :) Very intimate...and a very female inspiration.
For me it is more like His glory that invades my soul.

This could sound weird to a guy, lol, and you look like a fine figure of a man ;)..but it has been said before
by others, too, that the soul is (the) feminine...the bride, the receiver.
Why, even you said His glory that invades a soul (and may I say, yes)..a bit of the groom/ bride there without you realizing it. Ha!

 

[bbyrd009]

So we are not limited to the first measure of grace we have received at conversion. God is building us up by grace from His fulness. We have a continuing access to MORE grace from His fulness as we find that we have leaked out the grace that we once had.

they prophesied when the Spirit rested upon them, but they never did it again