Do you long for the Kingdom to manifest in your life?

February 20, 2013 Merlin Gonzales KIOM, Message

Living in God’s dominion here on earth

In the eyes of a child, that is a silly question – for a Christian. Our natural answer would be, “If we have Christ in us, the Kingdom will manifest through us.” John 20:21, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.“? So, does your life reflect the character of Jesus?

I ask these questions of myself. My answer is “far from it.” I do not live a perfect life like Jesus. Jesus did not sin; I sin everyday. I strive to be like Jesus but my human frailty shows my weakness. However, in 2 Cor. 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Is it safe to say then that when Christ’s power rest on you, the Kingdom will manifest in your life?

I’d say yes. It’s out of our personal relationship with God that makes the difference – “For the Kingdom of God is within us”. As I mentioned before, “the reality of the Kingdom begins within us.” The more intimate we are with Jesus, the more we will experience the manifestation of the Kingdom in our lives.

So, do you long for the Kingdom to manifest in your life? Then, how’s your relationship with the Lord? Are your actions motivated by performance or are they fruits of your relationship with God?

All these seem self-contradictory, they seem absurd but in reality, they express possible truth… paradox in the Kingdom.

I know this message is a little different from the ones I sent you before but an interesting notion to dwell once in a while.

Any comment, suggestion, question, encouragement…

Do you long for the Kingdom to manifest in your life?

February 20, 2013 Merlin Gonzales KIOM, Message

Living in God’s Dominion here on earth

So, do you long for the Kingdom to manifest in your life? Then, how’s your relationship with the Lord? Are your actions motivated by performance or are they fruits of your relationship with God?

All these seem self-contradictory, they seem absurd but in reality, they express possible truth… paradox in the Kingdom.

I know this message is a little different from the ones I sent you before but an interesting notion to dwell once in a while.

Any comment, suggestion, question, encouragement…

Action is the next step: Bottom up rather than top down approach

February 19, 2013 Merlin Gonzales blog, KIOM, Self-Sustained Food Pantriy, Speaking Engagements

The next postings will be taken from my book in the section, Grassroots Movement in the Kingdom. This series will explain why the bottom up approach with guidance will be longer lasting than top down approach. Listen

What’s next?

February 13, 2013 Merlin Gonzales a Study on God's Dominion, blog, KIOM

We just finished our pilot class, a Study on Living in God’s Dominion here on earth, last night. The pictures are posted on my personal FB . We all learned a lot from this class. I found out that we will extend the class to at 8 sessions to cover the main points in the book. At the end of the class, everyone had their projects in mind that they will be working on in the weeks to come. Each of the participants were given practical guidelines how to identify needs and resources and to build a team to work together on a project or service.

Experience strengthens our faith. That’s why all the participants were encouraged to step out in faith. There’s no small or big projects; the key is to take that first step. They were also reminded that the projects/services are means to the end. I will expound more on this on my next blogs.

God reveals His will to us in countless ways, two of them are: Obey first, then the revelation comes. the second is revelation comes before we take action. The first one is kind of hard to explain but I know that you can relate to it. It is more intuitive. As we take a step of faith, things gets clearer.

I’d like to encourage you follow my next blogs in our process of seeking God’s will as we take the next faith steps.

PS. Here’s my interview at The Harvest Show:

http://www.harvest-tv.com/video/dsp_playshow.cfm?showid=1413

A Study on God’s Dominion: Session 2

January 28, 2013 Merlin Gonzales Backyard Missions, KIOM

Week Two: Signs of the Kingdom

Read The Kingdom in our Midst (KIOM) Part 2 and answer all questions on pgs. 99-103

Study Is. 35:5-6

And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind

and unplug the ears of the deaf.
⁶The lame will leap like a deer,
and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!
Springs will gush forth in the wilderness,
and streams will water the wasteland.

~ Isaiah 35:5-6 (NLT)

Based on the verses above, what are the signs of the Kingdom that Jesus will bring to the earth?

‎”Our future is affected by our response and action today.”

Someone once said, “I don’t regret the things I’ve done so much as I regret the things I didn’t do when I had the chance.” Have you found yourself saying, “I wish I would have, should have and could have”? What can you do now to live the life you meant to live?

Jesus taught the Kingdom of God through His ___________and ___________. Pg. 66

Jesus came not only to give us freedom from the ________________ but also to be “Christ-Like” in the world. Pg. 70

What is the main focus of FHL Week? Pg. 74

Jesus had more conflicts with the ______________ than the _____________ and the ___________. Pg. 76 Why?

Based on Matthew 23:23, what are the things that the teachers of the law and the Pharisees neglected?

Why were the sinners attracted to Jesus? Pg. 79