Last week during my holiday celebrations with my family, I was part of an interesting conversation about the military. I come from a military family. Both my mother and sister have served along with a long line of aunts, uncles and cousins. We were discussing the pros and cons of service and of course there were plenty of stories being shared of which I didn't have much input. Ultimately, I simply admitted that I wasn't military service material. It wasn't my first choice as a high school graduate; I was college material. I just couldn't see myself doing well in the service, so I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to go to school. Since that conversation, the Holy Spirit has shown me that I am actually military material and that I am enlisted in the service of the King! Don't you love it when God shows you how smart you AREN'T and how backwards your thinking is! Touche!
As believers we are citizens of a Kingdom that is not of this world. The Kingdom of God is an eternal kingdom with eternal consequences. It also has a real enemy, our adversary, the devil and there is a war being waged. There are soldiers and weapons. Neither are fleshly nor of this world. We are talking about spiritual things. Spiritual soldiers wielding spiritual weapons. So as much as I didn't think I could relate to my family when it came to military service, the Holy Spirit is letting me know I better change that thought process.
KINGDOM: a state or government having a King or queen as its head; the spiritual sovereignty of God or Christ
WARRIOR: a person engaged or experienced in warfare; soldier
So what do I know? I am a citizen of the Kingdom of God and I am enlisted. What do I think Holy Spirit is telling me? A lot, but here is the abridged version. Christ is giving out service orders and we as believers best be about our orders. This kingdom, God's Kingdom, is the real deal. This kingdom, God's Kingdom, is the unshakable kingdom and everything that is not operating in obedience to the authority of its Sovereign Lord is about to be shaken! Hebrews 12: 25-29 admonishes us to not ignore God's speaking; He will do what He says He will do.
COMMISSION: (verb) to give a commission to; to authorize or send on a mission; to give the order that places a warship, military command, etc., in a state of complete readiness for active duty.
Jesus Christ gave commissions and authorizations to his disciples. (Matthew 10, 11; Luke 9, 10: Mark 6:7-12). Jesus Christ is still giving commissions and authorizations to his disciples. Selah.
Let's look at Luke 9. I encourage you to read the whole chapter but I am going to look at this portion...starting at verse 57:
"Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, "Lord, I will follow You wherever You go. And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son Man has no where to lay his head." Then He said to another, "Follow Me" but he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the Kingdom of God." And another also said, "Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who at my house." But Jesus said to him, "No one having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God."
Jesus was giving out orders. There seemed to be those with good intentions who wanted to get in on the action but weren't willing to follow his instructions. There were other things vying for their attention. What else do I know? There will be distractions contending for attention when service orders are given. However, I think, with Kingdom commissions, we want to have the military perspective that you don't really get a choice regarding commission. It's strictly a matter of obedience.
So in 2015, I want to be following my Kingdom commissions; following my Sovereign Lord's service orders...stepping in Kingdom Cadence.
MILITARY CADENCE: "In the armed services, a military cadence or cadence call is a traditional call-and-response work song sung by military personnel while running or marching. This serves the purpose of keeping soldiers "dressed", moving in step as a unit and in formation, while maintaining the correct beat or cadence." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_cadence
MILITARY CADENCE: "In the armed services, a military cadence or cadence call is a traditional call-and-response work song sung by military personnel while running or marching. This serves the purpose of keeping soldiers "dressed", moving in step as a unit and in formation, while maintaining the correct beat or cadence." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_cadence
In 2015, I believe that there will be heavenly calls and responses that will advance God's Kingdom if we as believers are in alignment and walk in obedience. There is a cadence, a sound of the Spirit, that is releasing and revealing the Kingdom of God in the earth. The Spirit of God is moving. Holy Spirit is wanting to demonstrate Kingdom reality in this earth realm! I want to follow the flow of God's Spirit in 2015. I want to hear the Spirit of God calling and be responding in active obedience. Kingdom Cadence. Stepping in Kingdom Cadence, walking surrendered to the Holy Spirit daily...one step of obedience at a time.
In 2015, I pray that God's manifold grace and peace will lead each of us to deeper revelation of the Kingdom of God and His Christ in US as believers. I pray we each walk worthy of our vocation and fulfill commissions individually and collectively. May God's Kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven starting with you and me!
Grace and peace!
© Ronda Wagner and Kelbey Chronicles, 2013-2017. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Ronda Wagner and Kelbey Chronicles with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Just decided to add this....here is an anointed treat!!
Art work by Dolores DeVelde Dolores DeVelde
