Kingdom Manna

Key

Matthew 18:18, Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

The key of the house of David—salvation. Power over sin and death through Jesus. Shared with us. Purpose—to rout the enemy. S.D. Gordon says “prayer concerns three…God to whom we pray, the man on the contested earth who prays, and the evil one against whom we pray.” A battle in doubles—one seen—one unseen.

“For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

The key not only delivers us from Satan’s realm but also includes us in the opportunity to free others. To bind and loose. The prospect sets my teeth chattering Lord.

For building a closer relationship to You, I long to learn to pray. For fighting spiritual enemies, I shrink. But then I remember that I was freed by another’s prayer, brought to You by prayer, given new life by prayer.

Teach me to pray Lord, with Your love.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 109:21

But you, O Lord my Lord, act on my behalf for your name’s sake;

because your steadfast love is good, deliver me.

Kingdom Manna

Key

Matthew 16:19, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever You bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Keys unlock doors. Keys unlock chains and motors and treasure chests and journals. Or they snap shut vaults, secure buildings, store valuables.

Word keys open dreams and hearts and secrets. Offer challenges for puzzles and mysteries. Follow the clues. Where will they take us?

King of king and Lord of lords, Creator of the universe who holds all power in His control offers to share His kingdom. To give His keys into our keeping.

“Whatever.” No restrictions? How can He trust us? With our history of greed and war. Our disregard for life and land. Our intense self-interest.

Kingdom keys. Faith keys, kindred keys. Given to those He loves. Given to those who believe with eyes of hope. Hope in His name.

With trembling lips I pray Your name Lord. And unlock Your sanctuary.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 91:14

Those who love me, I will deliver;

I will protect those who know my name.

Kingdom Manna

Intercede

Mark 9:1, And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.

Two deaths—physical and spiritual. We rage against the first pouring medicine, research, prayer into the battle. We know it will have its way but not yet—not before its time. And even then we grieve at our separation from loved ones.

We can forfeit the second. When we deny Christ’s words, His cross, His counsel. “For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and the sake of the gospel, will save it.”

To grasp tightly to life that fades draws me inward. A reflex motion of protection, of fear. To loose myself to You, Lord releases me to walk free.

Whether for a moment, a day, or eternity. Free to love life embracing both the joy and the pain with the assurance that in Your name, Your glory, all the pieces will become whole.

To follow You now begins the journey toward Your kingdom. To follow now means a willingness to accept and see Your power at work. To follow now prepares me to approach death’s door as entry.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 79:9

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name;

deliver us, and forgive our sins, for your name’s sake.

Kingdom Manna

Intercede

Mark 9:47, And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell,

Desperate situations often require desperate measures. We shrink in abhorrence at the concept of deliberate mutilation. As did Jesus’ listeners. For many physical imperfections-blind, deaf, crippled-were indications of sin. A punishment. A penance.

Better, though, Jesus says to publicly acknowledge our sinfulness than to allow it interior growth. We do not hesitate to cut out a cancer or stop gangrene to save a life.

Disobedience of God’s truths lead us into a deeper death, an eternal death. And so Jesus sends His words to warn us-to alert us to the danger. “Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Blind me to pride and power and prestige Lord. Keep my sight set on Your kingdom, on Your desires. Deafen my ears to false values. Cripple my chase after empty goals.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 18:27

For you deliver a humble people,

but the haughty eyes you bring down.

Kingdom Manna

Intercede

Mark 3:27, But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered.

Scenes flash across the news broadcast. Bold headlines slash the newspaper. Injury, mayhem, war, murder. Mankind grasping more, stealing from one another. “Survival of the fittest”.

Left behind in the wake lie innocent, poor, helpless. Silent sufferers. Casualties of the battle. “Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour.”

Strong, ruthless but subject to one still stronger. Jesus. The name that stops Satan cold. The name from which his demons flee. The name that upholds all boundaries.

Lord, it has taken me a long time to recognize I have no protection from lies and envy and greed except by Your strength. They may not be of the stature that reaches recognition by others but can be as deadly. Deliver me I pray, from insidious desires. From worldly fare that ignores Your love. From the power of darkness that breeds in concealed corners.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 91:3

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler

and from the deadly pestilence;

Kingdom Manna

Intercede

Luke 11:20, But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you.

Clothed in peace

the demoniac rests among

ruins, ready to return to life.

Restored.

Clasped in Jesus’ words.

Legions flee crashing

down cliffs. A mute voice

freed. From lunacy a son loosed.

Returned.

Driven by Jesus’ words.

Creation fashioned, shaped,

molded in Christ’s hand.

Life forged from chaos.

Revealed.

Formed in Jesus’ words.

Lives drawn from demon grip.

Finger of God casts out. Rescue.

Dungeon now kingdom home.

Renewed.

Spoken by Jesus’ words.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 102:20

to hear the groans of the prisoners,

to set free those who were doomed to die;

Kingdom Manna

Intercede

Mark 3:24, if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

Community, city or country, when challenged with an outside threat or calamity, tend to pool all their resources, set aside their differences, and gather together to face the storm. Selfless acts of heroism, kindness and compassion form a stalwart barrier.

Unless.

Crooks, despots or counterfeiters are the leaders. Then their response to danger or disclosure aims for self-protection, escape, rejected responsibility. Voids open. Innocents are left defenseless. Power structures, governments collapse from within.

Unstable.

Christ comes to stand for us against the powers of evil. Powers of darkness, disease, despair. He does not leave us or reject us or divide us but gathers us under His care and counsel. Gives us His strength to handle the storm, the onslaught. Prays for us.

Until.

Calm is restored. Chains are broken. Covenant is renewed. Thank you Lord that You never leave us or forsake us. Thank you for Your unceasing protection from both within and without. In Your keeping we can remain undivided.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 37:24

though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong,

for the Lord holds us by the hand.