Summary: If we want God’s strong support, it begins with cultivating a heart that is wholly and unconditionally His.

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2 Chronicles 16:9 tell us, “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”

God is looking for someone. His eyes are searching across the earth. He is looking for someone to strongly support. Out of a sea of people, God is on the lookout for someone whose heart is completely His. The “Upside Down Kingdom” values a committed heart more than a strong mind or back. If we want His strong support, it begins with cultivating a heart that is wholly and unconditionally His.

As the old hymn declares, “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it.” Having a heart that is completely His is an ongoing pursuit, a destination never reached. Hebrews 10:14 reads, “For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being perfected.” There is a state of being perfect while being perfected. From a positional standpoint, we are perfect. From a process standpoint, we are being made perfect.

Let not your heart be saddened, knowing your heart is far from completely His. Pause today, raise your hand and tell God your heart is His, perfectly and imperfectly His. Start today knowing that God’s eyes are searching; His strong support awaits you.

Summary: There is always something more we could be doing in ministry. But your ability to rest is in direct relationship to your trust in God’s ability to further his ministry.

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In Ecclesiastes 4:6 we read “One handful of rest is better than two fistfuls of labor and striving after the wind.” There is no end to the tasks our hands could find in ministry. There is always something more we think we could or even should do. Solomon’s word choice draws a stark contrast and juxtaposition in my heart: “One Handful” vs. “Two Fistfuls.”

I cherish my rest simply because I have learned the hard way. With youthful zeal, I pursued a never-ending list of good things, often to my demise. These days, I am quite content to have one handful of rest and the other hand filled with labor. Yet, so many ministry leaders injure themselves with “two fistfuls” of ministry busyness and activity.

Ministry is a long game, not a sprint. Just as the wise man stops to sharpen his ax, so a wise ministry leader knows the value of rest and Sabbath. Do you trust God? Sounds simplistic, doesn’t it? But your ability to rest is in direct relationship to your trust in God’s ability to further His ministry even while you sleep. This “Upside-Down Kingdom” understands the paradox of labor: He does more with my 6 days that I can do if I had 7 days. Can you pause and reaffirm that God cares more than you about His ministry?

Summary: Proverbs 11:25 says “The one who waters will himself be watered.” By pouring yourself out, God is able to refresh you with new water.

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Proverbs 11:25 says “The one who waters will himself be watered.” Ministry is a process of continually giving. Sometimes we feel insecure about pouring out, for fear of becoming empty. We can be blessing-hoarders. We don’t water others out of fear that my cup will become bone dry. Yet, God keeps His word.

Continuing to water others is a matter of faith. But which happens first: My giving or my refilling? Herein lies yet another lesson in the “Upside-Down Kingdom of God.” It all begins with letting the waters of refreshment flow from me. In faith, I water and then find God brings new waters to refresh my soul. I want water to flow into me, therefore, I allow water to leave me and bless another. I water and then I am watered.

God faithfully comes behind me with waters of refreshment. I have sought to refresh people and I eagerly anticipate God to refresh me. I have watered other people’s kids and am banking on God to water mine. I do not want to be a stagnant and stale holding tank of water; therefore, I begin by watering others. Every time I fill someone else’s cup with cool water, I find my water bucket is replenished. Who around you is parched? Who can you water today?

Summary: God’s kingdom has different equations. Giving of yourself, your treasure and your talent means you will overflow with plenty.

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Acts 20:35 says this “And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Do you remember the children’s book, “Counting Apples” with three cartoon animals balancing apples on their heads? This “pre-math” book for toddlers visually displays more or less apples and sing-song-rhymes. Soon our kids advanced to formal addition, subtraction and beyond. Yet, it was not until I was an adult that I learned “Kingdom Math.” Up to this point, giving apples meant I had less and getting apples meant I had more.

Yet this verse and others showcase a new math, a “Kingdom Math.” Solomon agrees and adds, “Give of the first of all you produce…so that your barns will overflow with plenty.” What an interesting if-then clause. Do you want “better?” Do you want “overflow?” Give some apples and see what the next pages hold in store. This is not just a saying or a simple colloquialism. This is the “Upside-Down Kingdom.” This Kingdom has different equations.

Today, give yourself, your treasure and your talents. Experience Kingdom Math at work.

Summary: Our giving does not leave us destitute but amply supplied. We can give cheerfully and with fervor and zeal.

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2 Corinthians 9:7-8 says “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”

Giving encompasses many things including time, treasure and talent. Paul encourages believers to sacrifice financially, which will result in them having less. There are “costs” to giving financially. Yet, God is the King of this “Upside-Down Kingdom” and abounds in resources. Our giving does not leave us destitute but amply supplied.

As a leader in ministry, we give a lot. We place our time, our toil and talents on His altar. There are “costs” to giving yourself to ministry. Those costs include sacrifices of family, freedoms and more. We, however, have a choice. We can be a cheerful giver or the alternative.

This is your one and only life. You will be in heaven one day and all the work will be done. Now is the time to work and labor cheerfully. He will not leave you destitute but amply supplied in areas far beyond your finances. Today is a choice. Give cheerfully.

Summary: We were endowed with gifts. However, the intent of the gift is not to bless us alone. The intent of the gift is to liberally use that gift to serve someone else.

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1 Peter 4:10 says “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” In the Upside-Down Kingdom of God, our gifts are for the giving. We were endowed with gifts. However, the intent of the gift is not to bless us alone. The intent of the gift is to liberally use that gift to serve someone else.

Do you have a gift? If you are a child of God, you certainly do. God has bestowed at least one spiritual gift to each of His children. His gifts are rather varied, though, aren’t they? It sure seems that some people have received a cornucopia of gifts, while others received fewer. The name of the game is to recognize the gifts you have and not fret about the ones you lack. Are you resentful of the gifts of others? Longing for gifts you don’t have is a futile waste. Regardless of the number or even quality of the gifts given, they all were given for one purpose: to serve others.

Thank you for using YOUR gifts. You received them from Him. You are using them for Him. First, do you know your gifts? Second, are there people around you who need your gift today? Third, can you spot someone else’s gift today and thank them for it?

Summary: Doing ministry according to the Upside Down is hard. Serving will cost us. It certainly cost Jesus His very life. Take a moment and examine what advantages you can provide to another through your limited position and authority.

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Mark 10:45 says “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus is the King of this “Upside-Down Kingdom”. Jesus held a high position. Though He was worshiped by angels from all eternity past, He took on human flesh and washed the feet of sinful humans. “Wait. You mean, the King of the Universe, washed feet? That sounds backwards.”

This is the way of the Upside Down. He is our example. The highest king took up the lowest towel. Any elevated position you hold in the Upside-Down Kingdom of God is given so you can make life better and easier for someone else. Do you see your position as an opportunity to help someone have a richer life experience? Or do you see your position as a justification for others to provide for your ease?

Doing ministry according to the Upside Down is hard. Serving will cost us. It certainly cost Jesus His very life. Take a moment and examine what advantages you can provide to another through your limited position and authority. You were granted your position and post to support those under you, not the reverse. How can you make life better for another today?

Summary: The beauty of the “Upside-Down Kingdom” is the paradox of it all. When we give, we somehow find we have more. We empty ourselves, only to find we are filled.

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A Paradoxical Kingdom. Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” The beauty of the “Upside-Down Kingdom” is the paradox of it all. When we give, we somehow find we have more. We empty ourselves, only to find we are filled.

However, it is not that our giving entitles us to a payback. God owes us nothing. Rather, this Upside-Down Kingdom of God has a multifaceted reward system. We may give our gold and silver, yet the reward comes in peace and contentment. We may give our time and toil, yet the reward comes in deeper kingdom relationships. We may pour out our hearts and counsel, yet God rewards us with an overflowing emotional reserve.

Remember: You cannot out-give God. His rewards are perfectly timed and often wonderfully mysterious. Give big. Give your treasure, your time and your toil. Live with an expectant view that God cannot wait to give back unto you. Give to those you lead today. Who can you reach out to today and bless? Your limited time is a prized commodity. Share it and see what happens.

Summary: Do you want to be first? Be last. Do you want to be rich? Give away. Do you want to live? Die. Do you want to be exalted? Choose humility. This is the Upside-Down-Kingdom.

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Matthew 23:11 reads “The greatest among you will be your servant.” True greatness is helping others toward greatness.

When Jesus said, “The greatest among you will be your servant,” He was ushering in the Upside-Down-Kingdom. Do you want to be first? Be last. Do you want to be rich? Give away. Do you want to live? Die. Do you want to be exalted? Choose humility. This is the Upside-Down-Kingdom.

People who work according to the rules of the “kingdom of this world” will step on others so they can be great. In contrast, believers who operate according to the rules of the Upside-Down Kingdom allow their lives to be stepping-stones for the lowly to climb Toward greatness. The “kingdom of this world” exalts self: speed, beauty and power.

The Upside-Down Kingdom exalts others: the slow, the awkward and the powerless. Residents in the “kingdom of this world” fear becoming a doormat and do not want anyone to tread on them. Residents in the Upside-Down Kingdom allow others to stand on their shoulders and rise. Which of these kingdoms will you reside in today? Who can you elevate today?