The Lord recently put it on my heart to begin publishing “Kingdom Vignettes.” The writings were to specifically be called vignettes…short descriptions.
I looked up the history of the word vignette and according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary: “Vignette comes from Middle French vignete, the diminutive form of the noun vigne, meaning “vine.” In English, the word was first used in the mid-18th century for a design or illustration that ran along the blank border of a page, or one that marked the beginning or end of a chapter. Such designs got their name because they often looked like little vines. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that usage of vignette had shifted to cover a brief literary sketch or narrative, as we commonly see it used today.”
I quickly realized that the “Kingdom Vignettes” would be short messages focusing on THE vine-Jesus Christ. For you see, Jesus is the vine. We who follow Him are the branches.
Jesus tells us, as it is written in John 15:5-11:
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”
We are to abide…stay ever close…in relationship with Him. We are to bear much fruit. We are to be His disciples. We are to keep His commandments. We are to abide in His love. In so doing, our joy will be full in Him.
And so, my brothers and sisters, I offer you “Kingdom Vignettes”-short snapshots of Scripture. May the illustrations in these “Kingdom Vignettes” provide a hedge around the blank pages of your life.
May these “Kingdom Vignettes” infuse your life with endings and new beginnings as He directs. May you saturate in them, meditate on them and apply them to your life.
May we each use them to walk fully in our Kingdom assignment. May we each bring heaven to earth “for such a time as this!”
Be blessed!
Kingdom Vignette Number 1
A Royal Priesthood-An Holy Nation
It is written in Exodus 19:5-6, as God speaks concerning Israel:
“Now therefore if you will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation (underline added for emphasis). These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
It is written in the New Testament, in 1 Peter 2:9, concerning the followers of Jesus Christ:
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
God set apart the Jewish people. We have been grafted in to the Lord with them through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He came first to the Jew and then to the Gentile. We too are to be set apart.
If we are truly followers of Jesus in word and deed then our life will look different from the world.
Check your life. Check your heart. If your life in any way mirrors the ways of the world with gossip, unforgiveness, resentment, judgment, un-holy living, etc., stop now and re-direct. If you believe your situation rather than God’s truth in His Word, redirect.
Purpose to be a fully committed member of His royal priesthood…of His holy (set apart…sanctified) nation.
We are here to be the ambassadors of heaven effecting dramatic change on this earth “for such a time as this!”
For it is written in 2 Corinthians 5:20-21:
“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
If we choose to live like, speak like, act like those in the world…those outside covenant with Him…are we truly His Kingdom ambassadors? I think not.
We are living in consecrated time. The Lord has allowed us to be separated from meeting in churches in the United States of America and many other parts of the world. During this time, He has moved mightily in hearts open to His leading and direction.
Set apart from programs and the clamor of the crowd, He has spoken in a still small voice to each open heart. After all, it is always a heart issue!
A deeper relationship with Him…a new direction for personal call and destiny in Him…these have been planted like seeds.
As we slowly begin to open up as a country and worldwide, may we nourish these seeds of new beginnings.
In our personal lives and corporately, may we keep our hearts open to Him and His direction in this season.
May we never return to “church as usual.” Rather, may we arise in this season as His holy, sanctified remnant, anointed and empowered to usher in the next mighty move of God throughout the world.
As it is written in Revelation 1:5-6:
“…Jesus Christ…Who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father— to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.”
Let us each show forth the praises of Him Who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light!
Let Us Pray in Agreement
We come before You, Father God, with hearts filled with wonder and thanksgiving for Who You are in each of our lives and Who You are in Your church. When the enemy comes in like a flood, we thank You that You raise up a standard!
Raise us up in this season to the fullness of Your destiny call on each life. Anoint and equip us to be the royal priesthood, the holy nation, the chosen generation You have deemed from the beginning.
Let us look neither left nor right but stay focused like flint on You and Your Word.
Keep us ever connected to Your Son, THE vine, Jesus Christ. Empower us to arise fully in our Kingdom assignment and fulfill Your Great Commission in this season!
We pray this in the power of the name that is above every name, Jesus Christ. Amen and Amen.
It Is Never Too Late!
If you have not yet made the decision to accept Jesus Christ into your heart, do it now. Do not wait another minute. Speak to Him from your heart (for it is always a heart issue). Tell Him you have fallen short in your life. Sincerely apologize for your sins. Ask Him to cleanse you and come into your heart and be Lord over your life. From this moment forward, let His Spirit guide you along the narrow road that leads to everlasting life.
If you have wandered off the narrow path, take this very moment to realign your life under His Kingship!
