Jesus is King

Kanye West just released a high flying, Billboard chart rocketing, new album called “Jesus is King”. It begs a key question, Is Jesus King? It’s a Yes or No answer. Either He is or He isn’t. If He is, doesn’t that change everything? Martin Luther King, Jr. worshipped King Jesus. King James bowed to King Jesus and sponsored the best selling book about Jesus. Mega-celebrity, pop icon Kanye testifies that Jesus is King.

In an interview with Oxford grad, UK rapper Zuby talking about Kanye’s new “Jesus is King” album, TV host Tucker Carlson said, “It would be interesting to talk about whether or not Jesus is King. But no one wants to have those conversations so they dismiss Him, as you know, and many others.”

5 Talking Points to Engage the Conversation, “Is Jesus King?”

~ Jesus proclaimed a Kingdom.

The magnitude of Jesus’ manifesto and the meaning of His mission was the now available and fully accessible Kingdom at hand.

~ Jesus’ enemies accused Him of being a King.

Jesus was dragged like a war criminal before the highest court with charges of treason and chants of execution for attempting to overthrow the ruling powers.

~ Jesus was charged and convicted as a King.  

His alleged crime of sedition led to capital punishment on the most brutal, humiliating, public means of death ever designed by the state, namely the Cross. Above his tortured, dying body hung a sign that stated “King of the Jews”.

~ Jesus’ followers claim Him to be King.

His Kingdom realm transcends every national, ethnic and racial line, far wider, longer and deeper than any monarch in history. In a purely democratic fashion, He won and continues to win the popular vote of billions, not as President, Prime Minister, or even Benevolent Dictator, but reigning King.

~ Jesus declared he was King.

As the Governor held the power to issue a pardon, he asked Jesus, “Are you a King?” Knowing his answer would end or extend his life, Jesus distinguished His kingdom and extinguished His life.

While advancing His Kingdom on Earth for three short years, Jesus asked the most important question anyone will ever ponder: Who do you say that I am?

Is Jesus King?   

If Jesus is not King, enjoy the pomp & circumstance of a platinum bound album.

If Jesus is King, will you swear true allegiance to His throne, according to the law of His realm, so help you God?

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by Doug Webster

My Manifesto

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5 Ways to Prove You Follow Money More Than Jesus

 

Money talks.

What does currency say to you?

Consider listening closely in light of Jesus’ statement,

“God & Money can not fit on the same throne.”

5 Talking Points to Prove who leads – Profit or Prophet.

1.) Financial Furnace – How angry do you get when you are overcharged or lose money? Anger is a torch illuminating a path to our kingdom’s throne.

2.) Pitiful Poor – The last time you saw a homeless man, did you talk with Jesus about him? Do we extend the kindness of Christ, if only a warm, “Hello! How are you today?” Now, picture a wealthy friend arriving in an expensive car to buy you a nice meal. Money affords preference.

3.) Their Success – Think of someone who makes more or inherited more money than you. Does it bother you, honestly? The ease to rejoice or impulse to envy the wealth of others speaks about what’s inside us.

4.) Break Down – Did your last car problem start the engine of habitual seeking Jesus for guidance or did it backfire financial worry? Was it an unsolicited invitation to walk with Him or did “the other shoe drop”?

5.) Gilded Generosity – “Am I generous?” can lead to rationalizations. Don’t ask, do the math. What percent of your income did you give away last year? A typical 2-4% is nice, not generous. This last talking point has a ledger full of rebuttals, “But…but…but…”

Money can be a direct path to our worship center. We choose treasures all day long. But spending money, like following Jesus, is rarely totally bankrupt or filthy rich. Simply following Jesus as His apprentice is an integration of His way of life, sometimes well, other times poorly, often in the same day. Obedience to Jesus is the vehicle of knowledge. Knowledge is the discovery of truth. Truth is the revelation of reality. Reality is the foundation for trust. You can trust what is real. Trust is the vehicle on the King’s highway between Jesus and money.

Four Investments to Profit from Following the Prophet  Jesus

~ “Measure Treasure” – Do I love God and my neighbor? Sure. Is my spent money a corroborating witness? Use emotional, experiential terms, not “housing” or “transportation” to prompt heartfelt answers.

“How much of my spending is on my comfort, my image, my appearance?”

~ “Mammon Mindset” – More math. Count how often in the next 48 hours money comes to mind. Then, think why you think what you think about money.

~ “Gratuitous Generosity” – Risk increasing your giving 1% monthly for 10 months. Generosity throws a coup on cash as king. In practicing this, you learn God’s got you covered.

~ “Internal Audit” – Drill deeper praying, “Jesus, why does money uncap anger, contempt, envy, worry, stinginess in me? Help me learn to trust and manage money in your Kingdom truth, “Don’t’ worry. Seek first the Kingdom of God and He’ll take care of you.”

Money talks. Jesus whispers. What we hear maps our buried treasure.

by Doug Webster

My Manifesto

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Aloha State of Mind

I have extended family visiting Hawaii. Bummer, I wasn’t invited. I wish I was there. I like to say, “In my mind, I’m in Hawaii.” I can hear the water. I can feel the balmy breezes. You know, Maui on the Mind.

I remember “talking story” with another friend Jason who reminded me living in the Kingdom of God is like an “Aloha state of mind”. Things are different in the spirit of Aloha. People treat each other more kindly. The pace is slower. The end result is less intense, less obsessed. The process is the prize. People are a gift. Creation is cherished.

There’s a difference between being on vacation in the state of Hawaii and being in an Aloha state of mind. The first is fleeting, expensive, often unobtainable. The latter is available, affordable and adaptable to whatever the circumstances.

The Kingdom of God is now available. “The Kingdom of God is at hand.”

The Kingdom of God is affordable. “Blessed are the poor, for theirs is the Kingdom of God.”

The Kingdom of God is adaptable. “May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done right here in my world as it is in Heaven.”

Pack your beach bag. Slip on the slippas. Hang up the hurried and hang loose, haole. Let’s travel to His Kingdom now. Seek His kingdom first and everything else is no problem, bruddah. We talk story, yah. Sit. Stay. Heal. Mahalo Jesus and Aloha!

by Doug Webster

Jesus College

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Another resource thru Jesus College – My friend Jason impacts another Jesus follower along the same lines: here’s Jesus College Adjunct Professor Tim Timmons, Sr.’s take on the “Aloha” topic.