The Kingdom Perspective: Reflections from an Ordinary Person Living an Extraordinary Life All Because of Jesus

By Liza Kobayashi

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven is a prayer that has been prayed intensely by the body of Christ. I believe God is answering this prayer by directing Liza to put into writing what He has been teaching her & what she has journaled as to what this will look like in each believers life. This book is a timely message & also a warning to the body of Christ. He is coming soon. Are we prepared spiritually & mentally for the days ahead? Liza talks about preparing ourselves spiritually by having our eyes cemented on Him, our ears hearing His voice & His words of faith & the call for each one of us not to judge but to see the plan of God. Unity is key to the Kingdom. As you journey with her through her many encounters with the Holy Spirit, you will discover the power of intimacy. You will come to know the love of God, experience a supernatural increase in childlike faith, radically increase your expectation of His desire to be present in your life, and be challenged to a higher call and commitment. As Jesus return draws near, it will cost each of us everything. This is the cost of serving Him. Are we willing to walk in this place for Him? Are we yielded vessels that will surrender all if He asks? The Kingdom Perspective is a must read to understand the challenge of the times we are living in today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Dec 11, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477288160

Liza Kobayashi

In 2004, Liza Kobayashi published her first book called "Whatever Brings You Greater Glory." It was the true story of her difficult journey through the death of her oldest child who lived for just one day. For the next 8+ years, she worked on the manuscript for this book, The Kingdom Perspective. It has been a labor of love and obedience as she sought His heart and perspective on His Kingdom. Liza journaled her and her family's many encounters with the Holy Spirit, and their discovery of the peace, joy & power that comes from being still in His presence and hearing His heart on the things of His Kingdom. Many things shared in this book comes from her own personal experiences with Jesus, mainly while waiting on the Lord in the secret place of intimacy and listening to His voice. Her prayer is that the Holy Spirit would reveal His truth and His heart through it. And her hope is that this book would bring her King Jesus greater glory on Earth, and that God would use it to help those who read it have an even clearer perspective of His Kingdom, so that they would be better equipped as a soldier in His last days army to overcome the evil one. Liza is a former high school biology teacher who now is a stay-home mom taking care of her 3 children. She is a writer, teacher, worshipper & prophetic intercessor who loves Jesus, adores her husband Dwight and treasures her kids. Liza currently serves as a regional intercessory gate leader with Transformation Hawaii. She and her husband Dwight also help to pastor a small church called Elevate and co-own Only Worship Him, a small business dedicated to creating inspirational works for the glory of God. Her heart’s desire is to see her city, state and nation transformed by Jesus and to see His Bride throughout the world rise up, pure & spotless, shining His glorious light. Liza and Dwight, along with their 3 children, live in Hilo, Hawaii.

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© 2012 by Liza Kobayashi. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 12/06/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4772-8817-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-8815-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-8816-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012921324

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Prologue

Chapter 1   The Beginning…

Chapter 2   His Kingdom

Chapter 3   A Matter of Perspective

Chapter 4   Kingdom Perspective on Marriage-

Chapter 5   Kingdom Perspective on Children-

Chapter 6   The Power of the Blood of Jesus

Chapter 7   BE STILL and Rest in Christ

Chapter 8   Kingdom Perspective: His Sheep Hear His Voice

Chapter 9   Kingdom Perspective: God loves to share His secrets with His friends.

Chapter 10   Kingdom Perspective:   The Favor and Pleasure of God

Chapter 11   Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven

Chapter 12   In These End Times…

Chapter 13   A Caution and a Warning in   these End Times

Chapter 14   Seeking His Kingdom AND   His Righteousness

Chapter 15   It will cost us everything…

Chapter 16   We are keys to the kingdom of heaven.   It is time to ARISE & SHINE!

About the Author

Dedication

*To all Jesus seekers who desire to see His Kingdom fully established on Earth

As it already is in Heaven

*To My Beloved Family

*To Jesus

Acknowledgements

*to the love of my life-

Dwight—my soul mate, my man & best friend

You have always believed the best in me & supported me in all that the Lord has asked. You love me like Jesus does. I am deeply blessed. I love you!

*to my 3 greatest treasures on Earth-

Kyla, Kairos & Kailee

Thank you for allowing mom to be a part of your faith journey on Earth. Jesus teaches me so much through each of you. I ♥ you and am glad

we’re family forever.

*to Koby, my firstborn son in Heaven-

It is through you that this journey of the reality of God’s Kingdom all began. I love you son. I look forward to the day I will see you face to face.

*to Carolyn Suty-

spiritual mom, friend & fellow artist

Thanks again for your love, encouragement and prayers. I will never forget your gentle push to write and to become an author in obedience to God.

*to Mama Sue Erickson-

spiritual mentor/mom

Thank you for those many years that you poured your time, wisdom, discernment, prayers & love into my life. I am so grateful for you & Papa Erickson.

*to Daniel Kikawa, Vernie R., Carolyn, Sue,

my sister Lisa Nagamine & Jenna Alipaz-

Thank you for going through the manuscript & for sharing your counsel, discernment, feedback &

editing skills with me. I am grateful.

*to Leila Fujinaka & my fellow intercessors-

Thank you for your love, encouragement, prayers and intercession. I am blessed!

Foreword

A Word from my Spiritual Moms:

Carolyn Suty

U.S. Regional Director

Aglow International

Liza has an endearing way of inviting you into her world, sharing her daily walk & life with Jesus, and her love with precious husband Dwight and their four children, Koby, Kyla, Kairos and Kailee. You will learn powerful truths as you read her experiences and the things she gleamed in her listening times with God. I found myself marveling at the supernatural way this family moves together as a unit as I read their journey & how their marriage, family and lifestyle are central to the Kingdom Perspective.

In this book, Liza begins to reveal powerful insights on the requirements of the Kingdom and I am embracing the visions and dreams presented. She also shares about the keys to the kingdom which leads to the righteous life in Him: the pitfalls of not seeking Him first in all things, our vital need for humility and the crucial importance of our willingness to be led by Him each step of the way in our lives.

This book is a timely message and also a warning to the body of Christ. He is coming soon. Are we prepared spiritually & mentally for the days ahead? Liza talks about preparing ourselves spiritually by having our eyes cemented on Him, our ears hearing His voice and His words of faith, and the call for each one of us not to judge but to see the plan of God. Unity is key to the Kingdom.

This book challenged me in a profound way. Liza and Dwight’s first son is with Jesus. They yielded their son to God for His plans and purposes. Their hearts’ cry when he died was, Whatever brings You greater glory. As Jesus’ return draws near, this family knows it will cost them everything. This is the cost of serving Him. Are we willing to walk in this place for Him? Are we yielded vessels that will surrender all if He asks? The Kingdom Perspective is a must read to understand the challenge of the times we are living in today.

Are you ready? Do you know Him as King, Friend, & Savior? You will want to know Him more and more as you read this book.

———

Susan Erickson

Former Director of Discipleship of Nth Heights Lutheran Church, St. Paul, Mn.

Coordinator and Pastor of Uplink Groups

for Arise! Women’s Ministry, St. Paul, Mn.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven is a prayer that has been prayed intensely by the body of Christ. I believe God is answering this prayer by directing Liza to put into writing what He has been teaching her and what she has journaled as to what this will look like in each believer’s life. As you journey with her through her many encounters with the Holy Spirit, you will discover the power of intimacy. You will come to know the love of God, experience a supernatural increase in childlike faith, radically increase your expectation of His desire to be present in your life, and be challenged to a higher call and commitment.

The Holy Spirit is eager to come in many ways to the children. As Liza says in her book, There is no junior Holy Spirit! As my husband and I read and reread this family’s experiences of intimacy, we were given a greater vision of how God wants to come to the children and speak through them. You will understand how He wants all ages prepared for what lies ahead. Each chapter is full of treasures to be explored and truths to be taken hold of. I highly recommend this book as you seek first His Kingdom.

———

A Word from my Husband Dwight:

Behavioral Health Specialist/Counselor/

Social Worker at Hilo High School

Pastor of Elevate Church in Hilo, Hawaii

Liza and I have witnessed the reality and power of Jesus moving in our household. It’s nothing I have ever seen or experienced before. And I know a lot of it has to do with Liza, starting in the secret place. That’s where most of this book comes from—Liza & Jesus spending quality time together.

Although I am admittedly quite biased in saying the following, please know that it is absolutely true… Liza has the most real relationship with Jesus of anyone I know! His presence, and the fruit that comes while walking in Him, are so evident in her life. It’s almost tangible. Just ask my kids (because you can’t fool kids with stuff like this!) . . . Jesus is very real in Liza. Because of this, He is all the more real in our household. He has become more than just mommy and daddy’s Jesus. He is now their Jesus. They know Him. Why? Because His Kingdom is real, not just up in heaven, but between our carpet and the ceiling!

Of course we have just as many bad hair days as anyone else, but when the perfection (Jesus) inhabits a household, it’s a lot easier to focus on Him than the clay pots (us). I think that’s a lot of what you will get in these pages… snap-shots of Jesus working in and through Liza (and our family). Hopefully you will become captivated by the eternal Creator as He does His thing amongst His kids. That’s the kingdom perspective… our real Jesus, right here, right now… in us.

Prologue

Vision

3/2/08

Journal Entry:

During a time of waiting silently before the Lord, I saw myself with Jesus. He was dressed in white and He was holding my hand. He took me to the same cliff He had shown me before.

The first time He had shown me this place, there was a huge valley below. It was filled with different army camps. Each of the armies had beautiful tents and banners. From looking at the various styles, designs and colors of these tents and banners, however, it was clear that these army camps were individualistic and not unified. The camps were all separated and scattered through out the valley. At that particular time, the Lord had told me that this represented the state of His army (the Church).

This second time, as I stood with Him on the cliff and looked down in the valley, no longer did I see individual camps. Instead there was one huge army and all the groups were unified. There was a red theme throughout the military encampment. There were still tents in different styles (and I sensed it may have to do with different nations and movements). I saw banners blowing in the wind over different groups that were as beautifully ornate and exquisite as the tents. Over the entire army, however, I saw one huge banner flying overhead. On it was written in bold capital letters, MY KINGDOM. Then I saw some of the people in His army close up as they came out of the tents. Although they were clothed in different cultural & ethnic styles, they were all dressed as royalty and in white. They were beautiful and glorious to behold.

Chapter 1

The Beginning…

On April 18th, 1997, my life and the life of my husband were changed forever with the birth of our firstborn child Koby. He lived for just 4-5 hours. Death is deeply painful to encounter, especially when it takes the life of someone very close and dear to your heart. When Koby passed away, I had to wrestle not just with death, but with the truth of the finality and shortness of life, with the truth that our lives on Earth are but a vapor in time and surprisingly, with the truth of heaven. Honestly, before my son died, I lived with heaven being some kind of happy thought that I tucked at the back of my mind that I knew would come at the end of my life. But as the Lord walked me and my husband Dwight through this road of suffering and loss, He began to show us something that filled our hearts to overflow with hope—the reality and truth of Jesus’ heavenly kingdom.

We were changed forever by his short life. Within a year of his passing, I began to sense the Lord asking me to write about what we walked through with the loss of our son. To be honest, it seemed an impossible task both for my heart and for my lifestyle, which in that season included teaching high school science full time. After my second child was born, I quit teaching to become a full time mom. But I still didn’t have the courage or passion to write. Year after year, the call from the Lord to write Koby’s story increased in intensity until finally, after receiving prophetic words about being an author from deeply respected and proven leaders over a span of 7 years, getting confirmations from those in spiritual authority over me, and having the full blessing, support and agreement from my wonderful husband, I finally obeyed the Lord and wrote Whatever Brings You Greater Glory published in December of 2004.

Immediately after the book was completed and printed, I felt both ecstatic and relieved. Ecstatic in that I finally wrote and published the book, which I knew was a huge miracle and divine act of God; relieved in that I would never have to do that again. At least, that’s what I thought. I remember letting out a deep sigh of relief and telling myself, Whew! Glad that’s over! I obeyed God and now my short term ‘career’ as an author is done! I won’t have to do that ever again.

One week later, I was spending time being still before the Lord, waiting on Him in silence when I heard him speak to my heart. By the way Liza… My heart started thumping as I thought, Oh no. I then responded in my heart, Yes Lord? Liza, I want you to write a second book and I want you to entitle it The Kingdom Perspective. My heart stopped as my mind screamed, WHAT? You’re kidding right? You want me to write another book? And what the heck is The Kingdom Perspective anyway? How can I write a book on something I am clueless about? This is intimidating Lord. Who am I to write a book on that subject? I thought I was done writing!

Yes, I was complaining. Sorry. Just being blunt honest. Eventually, I finally stopped and repented to the Lord for my bickering and complaining. And as I asked the Lord to confirm what He told me, He immediately gave me the following verse: Jeremiah 30:2 (NAS)—Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, Write all the words which I have spoken to you in a book.

So I simply surrendered. Ok Jesus. I love You. If this is what You want me to do, I will do it. Whatever brings You greater glory Lord. If You want me to write this book, I’ll write it. But You have to help me. Be it done to me according to Your will.

Right after this, I heard absolutely nothing about it from Jesus for over 1 year. (Doesn’t our God have His own unique sense of humor?) During this season of silence, I would find myself doubting the Lord’s call to write this 2nd book. The following questions would batter my mind. Lord, did I miss the boat? Were my spiritual ears tone deaf that day and I just heard my own flesh or the enemy? I would catch myself worrying and stressing out about what and how to write this 2nd book. And I would find myself once more in a fierce battle with my mind. Who am I to ‘teach’ on this subject Lord? Jesus, I’m just a stay home mom. I’m not a theologian! How the heck am I going to even start this task?

Now, you’ve got to realize that this was at the end of 2004; and throughout 2005, the kingdom of heaven wasn’t yet a buzz phrase that a lot of people were talking about—at least not in my world. Since then, the kingdom of heaven is something most followers of Jesus are talking about, which is a God thing.

Going back to Jeremiah 30:2 (NAS)—Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, Write all the words which I have spoken to you in a book. I found this verse personally very confirming. Because of it, I’ve tried to vigilantly write those things He had spoken and shown me down in my journals. That is why most of this book contains journal entries of these special times with Jesus.

I have to confess, I still stressed out between doubt, unbelief and self-pity about writing this manuscript. The Lord did later speak to my heart about it. Liza, when I asked you to write this book, The Kingdom Perspective, I wasn’t asking you to write it like a theologian or expert. All I want you to do is to write about My Kingdom through your eyes. It will be a living testimony of how I can move through a family—a housewife & homemaker, 3 kids, and a godly man/husband. Immediately I felt a tremendous sense of relief and peace. Thank you Jesus!

As I journeyed with Jesus in completing this manuscript, I honestly found the task of writing on this topic The Kingdom Perspective quite daunting and overwhelming. Questions would plague my mind. Who am I to write a book on this subject? What if people get offended? Lord, are you sure you want me to share that in the book? But as my eyes refocused on Jesus, and I would spend time with Him in the secret place, I would be deeply encouraged by the things He would speak and show me about this manuscript and the things He desired to do through it.

I have one more confession to make. As I finished this manuscript, I wrestled with publishing this book with the title, "The Kingdom Perspective. Lord, can I change it? You know, why not entitle it, "A Kingdom Perspective. I bet a lot more people will be less offended if I use the word A versus The. Perhaps this may make picking up the book and reading it more palatable. Also Jesus, some people may think I am prideful, having a title with the word The implying that what I share in this book is the only perspective or the main perspective. They may think I am full of myself & pride and that I’m trying to push my own agenda.

As I wrestled with the Lord, I was quickly reminded by the Holy Spirit of my personal