O - Operate with a Kingdom Mindset

Good morning! Today we will pick up our teaching with the pragmatics of how to "occupy." I will begin with the letter "o."

Practically speaking, in order to occupy you must learn to OPERATE with a kingdom mindset. Operate means to perform, function or behave. A mindset is a way of thinking that is fixed so strongly on a specific outlook that it does not see any other perspective. Taken together, these two words teach that as a born again believer, my behavior must reflect a fixed outlook that only sees things from God's perspective. This mindset is all about God's way of being and doing right (Matthew 6:33).

Kingdom minded people know they can connect with God because they seek to know and be known by Him. Kingdom minded people filter every area of their lives through, "Does what I am doing bring glory to God and accomplish His kingdom purposes for my life?" Kingdom minded people are all about the Father's business. In other words, kingdom minded people have a fixed mindset on accomplishing the assignment for their lives given by the Father.

Jesus had this mindset. In Luke 9:49 He told His parents at the age of 12, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?” They had went to celebrate Passover and when the celebration was over they had gone a ways and realized that Jesus was not with them. When they found Him, they were distraught because they could not find Him.

They did not understand Jesus response even though they found Him in the temple teaching and being taught by the Jewish leaders. Mary had been profoundly spoken to by the angel of the child that she would carry. When Jesus was brought to the temple after eight days to be circumcised, Phineas and Anna prophesied over Jesus and His parents heard it. This indicates that perhaps they lost sight of His mission which caused them to worry.

Jesus did not lose sight of His mission. Why? His mind was fixed. He was focused on the Father's assignment for His life. He is the perfect ensample and example of how to operate with a kingdom mindset.

Let us learn from Jesus today. Don't lose sight of your mission. Purpose in your heart from this day forward to live your life in such a way that your mind is set on God's way of being and doing right. The results of this lifestyle will cause you to grow, cause you to gain and cause you show forth His glory in your life! Hallelujah!

Understanding the Kingdom of Heaven in 2011,

Pastor Sheila

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