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Think on these things... 10/18/2007 11:38:17 AM
Devotional for week 2 (10.15.07) October 15, 2007
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16:19) KJV
Keys to the kingdom. Keys to the Kingdom? You will soon learn that I am one who will ponder and ponder and even perhaps pester God for a greater understanding on so many things. So now allow me this opportunity to share my insight on “KEYS… to the kingdom.”
I’ve faced various processes in life where I just really can’t seem to get a breakthrough. But I truly know that for every situation there is, I either need to step back, take my hands off or dig in for more insight.
My oldest son Marquis works at a Youth Treatment Center. He truly loves his job. So much so that he has passed up opportunities to make more than double his salary because he enjoys what he does - and if I can say so myself, Marquis is gifted/anointed (or whatever the adequate description may be) at it. Yet, there were times he would come home utterly frustrated. Pondering and searching as I do, I read the above scripture again for who knows how many times. And then it came to me, “AH HA!” I thought, “I’m missing something. I will give you keys!!!!!!!!!!”
Now I had learned to bind and loose; yet, at times that doesn’t come to me when frustration, pain, misfortune and things of that nature occur. I believe the word, nevertheless, it seems that not too long after an incident has occurred that I can’t remember what to do when troubles come (and oh do they come).
After reading this scripture again, a light switch came on in my spirit. So off to the store I went to buy some keys. (What a conversation piece when you buy about 20 keys, and don’t get them cut to fit anything. You go through the checkout line that is not a self-checkout. Try to explain that to the cashier. But I was on a mission.) I had a revelation.
I gave keys to the saints at church and began to share with them that, “We’ve got KEYS…to the kingdom!!!” Now whatsoever we bind (lock out, deny access to) on earth is LOCKED OUT in Heaven. And whatsoever we loose (unlock, permit access to) is OPENED !! It took a while to sink in but we got it!!!!!!!!!! We have the rights and the authority over situations, circumstances, etc. that are ours by the Authority of the one who gave us the keys. (Not me, but spiritually I’m referring to Jesus who gave the instructions and permission to use the keys to the kingdom.)
Marquis began to use his authority (literally his keys) before he went to work and began to see a difference. Of course, we at times get in a hurry or distracted and forget to apply what we know.
I would see him and notice that he would be frustrated so I would ask, “Did you use your keys today?” He would shake his head and repentantly reply, “I forgot.”
One particular day before entering his job, he remembered to use his keys. I don’t know what exactly he prays - what he denies access to and permits access - but I just know that God leads him in his particular situation. He came home and I can’t describe the look on his face. He said, “Mama!! A co-worker screamed my name, “Swift.”
He said it was one of those types of screams where you know, Run! He ran to the voice of his co-worker to find him holding up a young man who had hung himself. He said he quickly jumped in the air and knocked loose the noose that the young man had made and they laid him on the floor. He said, he didn’t appear to be breathing and just as he readied himself for CPR, the young man began to breathe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To God be the Glory!!!
I know the actual keys don’t work but it is our reminder, that we have access to what is ours and we can lock out what is stealing our joy, peace, and overall victory in so many areas.
I never like loosing or misplacing my regular keys because I know I can’t unlock the door to my home or drive my car. I have to have my keys, so I have to keep them in a place that won’t slow me down or deny me access to what’s mine or immobilize me.
Now I know I can’t be a spiritual burglar and use my keys on what does not belong to me. I can’t go to my neighbor’s house to gain entry and it’s the same for me as well in my spiritual life. I have to use my keys for what belongs to me and use them with confidence and authority in Jesus name. I also will confess that I went and got a couple more keys (for spiritual warfare) because I realized the key to my front door will not start my car, which is teaching me which key to use in different situations. I must admit I do have one large key!!!!!!!!!!!
I use to bind and loose thinking I had to scream from the top of my lungs but then I began to understand, I don’t go to my front door and scream “YOU HAVE TO OPEN, I WANT TO GET IN!!!” And of course I don’t do that when I get into my vehicle. I USE MY KEYS!!!!!!!! I literally take my key and turn it in the lock position (according to my front door) to deny access when I am binding and the opposite direction to unlock, to loose and permit access - of course always in the name of Jesus.
One of the young ladies in the church who is like my sidekick will call and ask, “Is there something I need to pray about?” Often when I say yes and share the need or problem, she’ll say, “Ok let me get my keys out and pray.”
It may seem like nonsense but you have to admit, it sure is something to think about.
