Kingdom Mornings

S2E06 - Firmly Planted - Psalm 1

All 150 Psalms bring both unique and in-common connections for our relationship with our King. Most are written by King David, as well as sons of Korah and assorted others. Even Moses had his own "song" (Psalm 90 - pretty cool). All of the Psalms were musical and designed for praising God and teaching the people about His ways. Hint: they sounded quite different than what most of us are used to! Psalm 1 is truly a big picture preview of all the Psalms. It provides perhaps one of the greatest contrasts in life - let's take a look. Escaping the way of arrogance: "How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers." We are encouraged to pursue a road less traveled, avoiding the advice and example of people who choose bad counsel or live in the pain and emptiness they cause. This results in "scoffing" where we consider ourselves superior to others and unaccountable to God for anything. The Rx: "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night." Instead we are offered the path of peace which comes from obedience. By being taken with all things God we exchange scoffing for delight, and a lifestyle of contemplating rich life rather than ultimate futility. The Result: "He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers." Deep roots. Lasting fruit. A life of lasting honor rather than empty weakness. The Contrast: "The wicked are not so, but they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." No substance. No joy. Only self-gratification. Limitation of the mind, soul, and spirit. It is difficult to assign wickedness to any soul - yet this is part of the black and white view the Lord God teaches. Jesus spends much time exposing the nature of goodness and how it originates from God Himself: "As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments, 'Do not murder, do not commit murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother. And he said to Him, "Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up." Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property." Mark 10:17-22 What this means is those who are firmly planted find expansive ways for growing life. Hence - deep roots in what and Who is Good. Conversely the wicked have shallow roots and bear fleeting fruit. "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell — and great was its fall." Matthew 7:24-27 Being firmly planted is satisfying and productive and provides enduring growth - beyond this life and into the life to come! Selah! Dave and Burnadette More: Garden to Garden [https://fourthstream.com/11921/garden-to-garden/] My Intentional Life [https://fourthstream.com/2933/mkh-012-my-intentional-life/]

S2E05 - Kiss The Son – Psalm 2

I get a kick out of Psalm 2. Hundreds of years before Jesus appeared in Israel King David was receiving in-depth imagery of who the Savior of the world would be. In fact, David was a "type" of the Kingship and forever reign of Jesus the Son, and in Him David was told he would find immortality. What a promise! "Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever." In accordance with all these words and all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David. "Then David the king went in and sat before the LORD, and he said, "Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far? And yet this was insignificant in Your eyes, O Lord GOD, for You have spoken also of the house of Your servant concerning the distant future. And this is the custom of man, O Lord God. Again what more can David say to You? For You know Your servant, O Lord God! For the sake of Your word, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness to let Your servant know." 2 Samuel 7:16-21 We note several things from Psalm 2. First, mankind is in opposition to God. We do all we can to throw off the limitation of the rule of our King. (1-3) When you have been scorned by Your created ones, those made in Your image, He laughs, scoffs, and is insulted beyond anything we can imagine. (4-6) Notice the connectors between His Anointed (2), His Kingship (6), and His Sonship (7). These are "decrees" of God Most High and as such will come to pass. Now He gives His proclamation to every king and every subject who has ever lived (10-12). His closing advice is to "kiss the Son." It literally means to bow before His authority. This is the only escape of any of mankind. Humility is the Door into Jesus and His Kingdom. THE BEATITUDES You are no doubt familiar with the so-called "be-attitudes" in Matthew 5. Certainly Jesus taught this many times during His three to four year public mission. It needs to be considered the way it was written - as a progression. Let's take a look. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, 1 (vs 3) Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 2 (vs 4) Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 3 (vs 5) Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. 4 (vs 6) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 5 (vs 7) Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 6 (vs 8) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 7 (vs 9) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Jesus goes on to teach us about being persecuted and insulted, the salt of the earth, and the light of the world. (another progression?) He then spends several paragraphs explaining the Law of Moses' relationship to His law (5:17-48). How does one embrace the Son? Consider Him. Recognize Who He is. Bow our will before Him. Beautiful but difficult for sure. Dave and Burnadette Dear Lord Jesus, We come to you to be restored in You, to receive all the grace and mercy we so desperately need this day. You are our Great I Am/God-of-the angel-armies. We surrender every aspect of our lives and selves completely to You. We offer You our spirit, soul and body, our heart, mind, conscience, and will. We stand in grace completely covered with Your precious, redeeming blood. As we pray we ask Your Good Spirit to restore and renew us in You. We stand in absolute agreement with Your Spirit and my intercessors and allies. A Song [https://fourthstream.com/685/my-sheep/] Waking Up [https://fourthstream.com/conversations/awakening/] Knowing Jesus [https://fourthstream.com/conversations/knowing-jesus/]

S2E07 - Lift My Head - Psalm 3

We are very earthbound. We come from the dust and will return to the dust. We live based upon what we see. We were made from the earth because we were made for the earth. It is our nature. But because of the fall of Adam and Eve we have lost the ability (or desire) to "walk with God in the cool of the day." "They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?" He said, "I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself." And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" The man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate." Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" And the woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." Genesis 3:8-13 The implications of this are sweeping. Our connection with our Creator has been ruined and left us in darkness, separated from the light. There is only one solution. We must choose to return to honor. Adam and Eve dishonored God. Jesus honored Him fully. Jesus makes the path clear for us: "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you." John 15:12-14 Friendship IS honor. We reverse the curse when we choose to be a friend of God. Make sense? So what does this look like? We turn to Psalm 3 for one of the God Story's many snapshots of this. Here David is being betrayed by his son who is very dear to him - so this Psalm comes out of a very real life challenge. A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. THE CHALLENGE"O Lord, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me and many are saying of my soul, "There is no deliverance for him in God." Selah (I lift this up). DAVID'S RESPONSE But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head. I was crying to the Lord with my voice, and He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah (I lift this up). I lay down and slept and then I awoke, for the Lord sustains me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me - even gathered all around me. DAVID'S REQUEST Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheek and You have shattered the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the Lord. Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah." (I lift this up) David is a "type" of Christ. His triumphs reflect Jesus' victories. His sufferings pre-reflect Jesus' sufferings. His reliance upon God for justice illuminates so many of Jesus' choices. Remember what He said: "And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew out his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?" At that time Jesus said to the crowds, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a robber? Every day I used to sit in the temple teaching and you did not seize Me. But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets." Then all the disciples left Him and fled." Matthew 26:51-56 This thread from the God Story reveals how we are to respond to the challenges in our own lives. Will we rely on ourselves, or upon the God Who sees? √ What are your past and current challenges? √ What are your man responses? Your God responses? √ What are your requests of God? √ What were the things Jesus asked in the face of His undeserved suffering? Who lifts your head? Worth considering, right? Dave and Burnadette God of all that exists, thank You for choosing us before You made the world. We renounce the claim the father of lies has upon us, and fully embrace our identity as Your returned lost son and daughter. Just as the Lord Jesus Christ is one with You Father, we are hidden in Christ in You. Thank You for including us in Him, for forgiving my sins, for clothing us in His righteousness, and for making us complete in Him. Thank You for making us alive together in Christ, raising us with Him, and seating us at Your right hand with Him. Thank you for establishing us under the wings of Your authority, anointing us with Your love, Your Spirit, and Your Kingdom. We bring the life and work and words of the Lord Jesus Christ over our home, our family, our household - throughout all our kingdom and domain under our authority - we place everything under Your righteous and powerful hand. More: The Sufferings of Jesus [https://fourthstream.com/11716/the-sufferings-of-jesus-and-us/] A Warrior Song [https://fourthstream.com/8449/music-warrior/]

S2E04 – The Words of God – Psalm 19

King David had an incredibly special relationship with the words of God. He spoke them. He sang them. He celebrated them and lived by them. Whether recounting the wonders of creation or the ancient writings of the Hebrew people (Torah), David knew his Creator through what had and was being revealed. It is no wonder King David is the second-most Messianic figure in human history, surpassed only by Jesus, the Son of Man. Whether through nature, the Word of God, or in the face of God's Son - David connected with the voice of God! What kind of speech IS being heard?! What does this teach us about how God speaks? What is the nature and the lengths of His Voice? For the choir director. A Psalm of David. "The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night after night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor are there words - no voice is heard. This voice circles the earth, and the deep words to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; it rejoices as a strong man to run his life course. Its rising is from one end of the heavens, and its circuit to the other end of them; and there is nothing hidden from its heat. √ The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; (How does this happen and what does a restored soul look like?) √ The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. (Simple could be translated those who are so open-minded our brains leak out." - have you ever felt or observed this?) √ The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; (the reasoning of the Lord is straight - leading to deep joy in the inner man) √ The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. (the "charge" of the Lord is right resulting in darkness becoming light) √ The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; (respectful reverence for God is cleansing, standing forever) √ The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. (the pure governance of God is completely good) They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. This is the value to me - wow! Warning AND reward. Moreover, by them (His Law) Your servant is warned and in keeping them there is great reward:........ Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults........ Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; then I will be free and complete, and I shall be cleaned of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer." To talk About Today: "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14 This is the face of God! 1 John 1:1-10 - The 20 year old John and the 90 year old John - The depth of what they saw and even touched "What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life — and the life became visible, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made visible to us — what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is shared with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete. "This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us." 1 John 1:1-10 Dear Creator Father, Lamb of God Jesus, and Holy Spirit of grace and truth, only You are worthy of our whole-hearted allegiance. We love You. We worship You. You are the Giver of life and all that is Good. You are our life. We renounce all false gods and idols, and we proclaim You as sole Ruler of our existence. Our story is Your Story. In You we live and move and exist, and we will return to You intact because of the work of Jesus Christ. We ask Your forgiveness for every sin, and we renounce both the act and power of our sins. Search us and know us and reveal Your work to us: Your healing, Your deliverance, Your holiness, and the deep freedom of true repentance. Give us SINGING HEARTS today O Lord God/Jeremiah 15:16 Have a great Kingdom day my friend!

S2E03 – My Ascending Heart – Psalm 126

Friend! The Songs of Ascents. (Psalms 120-134) What was a song of ascents? During the great feasts of Israel's both Jews and converts came to the city of David from all over the world. Psalm 126 is one of these celebrating "songs" reflecting the heart of what was often a once in a lifetime pilgrimage. Thousands would ascend the temple mount (often at dusk and/or dark with torches) singing these songs of honor to the Living God. They would bring their offerings and sing their hearts out to their King. Because the Temple stood on a hill in the city it could literally be seen for miles - wow! Imagine the heart spectacle. Psalm 126"When the LORD brought back the captive ones of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongues with joyful shouts! Then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." The LORD has done great things for us. We are glad! Restore us from our captivity, O LORD, as the streams that flow in the South. Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who goes back and forth weeping, carrying and spreading his bag of seed, shall indeed return with a shout of joy, bringing his harvest with him." This is the promise to the captive ones - those who have suffered in this world and have chosen to place ourselves in the hand of the King of heaven: "A shout of joy and a great life harvest!" THE KINGDOM - MATTHEW 13:36 (Jesus is alone with His own - where the weeds were indistinguishable from the wheat crop) "When He left the crowds and went into the house His disciples came to Him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field." And He said, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the weeds are the sons of the evil one; and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. So just as the weeds are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will throw them into the furnace of fire. In that place there will be weeping and painful gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine out as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come out from God's throne and take out the wicked from among the righteous, and will throw them into the furnace of fire - in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Have you understood all these things?" They said to Him, "Yes." And Jesus said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old." Dear Lord Jesus, we come to you to be restored in You, to receive all the grace and mercy we so desperately need this day. You are our Great I Am/God-of-the angel-armies. We surrender every aspect of our lives and selves completely to You. We offer You our spirits, souls and bodies, our hearts, minds, consciences, and our will. We stand in grace completely covered with Your precious, redeeming blood. As we pray we ask Your Good Spirit to restore and renew us in You. We stand in absolute agreement with Your Spirit and our intercessors and allies. In Jesus Name. Song: Dave & Burney Live/Psalm 126 What a privilege to be a "scribe" of the Kingdom!