Believers, making a Kingdom impact?

Evening Y'all! I pray this post encourages you and gives God glory! Got suggested topics you want me to write about? Please comment below or email me at info@mocatoday.com.

Last week, my church's Monday Night Bible Study explored evidence that—

The Bible contains many stories of women, who despite their imperfections, mistakes, and weaknesses, were used by God to make a meaningful difference for the kingdom of God. ~Cindy Bultema, Red Hot Faith

We discussed Rahab (Joshua 2, 6:22-25, Matthew 1:1, 5) and the Woman at the well (John 4) just to name a few. I was really encouraged to see how these seemingly imperfect and "blemished" women were chosen by God and made a Kingdom impact... It led me to reflect on my own journey with the Lord and grateful that God too chose me, "imperfect Natasha"!

Did you know making a Kingdom impact is not just limited to serving inside a church?

God also assigns believers to make Kingdom impacts throughout our broader communities, within our workplaces, relationships, inside our homes, special missions, and more.

We are not fulfilling our calling in this world. When Jesus calls you to be salt, He is calling you to make a Kingdom impact in the world; just like salt affects food seasoning and preserving it, we are to do the same in this world. ~Ysrael De la Cruz, Staten Island Christian Church

Furthermore, God blesses every believer, every child of His, with a unique gift for the purposes to serve, further His kingdom, and draw others to Him (Romans 12).

Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s faith; if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness. ~Romans 12:4-8 (CSB)

Dr. Jim Harris, from Charisma Leader Magazine, shares four questions and four truths on how to maximize our Kingdom impact:

1. What's my focus?

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ~Matt. 6:33 (NIV)

Living in a fallen, broken, sin-invested world, it's easy to lose our focus on what's really important. It's easy in our "quest to be the best" to be tempted and swayed into seemingly good business practices that lead to killing, stealing or destroying our employee morale, cash flow, customer reputation and community standing.

Simply put, we sometimes fail even in our best efforts to glorify our Father. But failure is really not the issue, it's our focus. For when we focus first on the Kingdom, all these things will be blessings to us.

Kingdom impacters focus first on the Kingdom.

2. What's my next move?

But her sister Martha was busy doing all the work that had to be done. Martha went in and said, "Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" ~Luke 10:40 (ERV)

Martha made her move (do more, get busy, be active) which Jesus himself said was not the best next move (Luke 10:41-42). Mary's next move was based on her Kingdom focus (Question #1) which was more pleasing to Jesus.

Moses was only told his next moves. From Exodus 4-12, time after time, God instructed Moses to make his next move (say this to Pharaoh, do this, obey, miracle occurs, repeat.) God specifically gave Moses only his next move and, in the end, the Israelites left Egypt rich, healthy and (eventually) entered the promised land.

Kingdom impacters don't focus on doing more; they focus on their next [Kingdom] move.

3. What's my speed of execution?

Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, the Son is not able to do anything on his own, but only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son likewise does these things." ~John 5:19 (CSB)

Confession.

So often, His timing is not my timing—and it is painful! (Can anybody else relate to this?)

Jesus never did anything, said anything, made any move unless directed by the Father through the Holy Spirit. Even under immense pressure from friends and family, Jesus waited two full days after learning Lazarus was dead before He went (John 11:6).

Our speed of execution must therefore be exactly like that of Jesus. He only moved when the Father said it was the right time— not sooner or later.

Kingdom impacters only move at the speed of Holy Spirit.

4. What's my goal?

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. ~2 Corinthians 5:10 (NKJV)

We work a lifetime for one day. (Thank God for repentance (1 John 1:9) and new mercies each morning (Lamentations 3:23))!

It's sobering to think that 30, 40, 50 or more years of work boils down to one day, the day we stand before God to make an account of our life.

ROI is a common measure of marketplace success, be it from financial investments or business successes (Matthew 25:14-30). EROI (eternal return on investment) forces us to think Kingdom economy first, better ensuring our goals align with eternal treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20).

Kingdom impacters set EROI goals.

Just like our growing relationship with Jesus is making a huge impact in our lives, God calls us to make Kingdom impacts with those we encounter and are assigned to as well... We can't do this apart from the Holy Spirit and must be intentional about representing Christ in how we think, act, and feel in all circumstances (2 Corinthians 5:20).

How are you doing in this area?

Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Remember, it's all about progression, not perfection! God loves you! With Him, you got this! Until next post, may God give you His peace and blessings!

~Natasha

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