John 3.1-8:
"There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. 2 After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.” 3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” 4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” 5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”
(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)
This is a very popular passage. Nicodemus was a man who was well trained in the Scriptures and held to one of the strictest followings of the Torah, being a Pharisee. Here he encounters Jesus and acknowledges that He in fact has been sent from God. Jesus responds to his statement simply by telling him that no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he/she has been 'born again.' A few notes here:
1. What's rendered 'see' here can be a little broader than what you might think. In fact you could say that it means seeing with your eyes, but also seeing as experiencing.
2. The phrase 'born again' is actually 'born from above.' Jesus is saying that no one can become a part of this kingdom unless that person is given entry by God, from above. In the Old Testament there are many prophesies where God promised to give people a new heart, and if a person is given a new heart, he/she is born to a new life.
I encourage you to read through this section again, because Jesus is saying a whole lot of important stuff! =)
"Father thank You for saving us! I pray we would become more like the people You want us to be! Forgive us when we fall, and help us to live the new lives that we've been given in a way that glorifies You more and more each and every day! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Day 10 on the Kingdom of God
Luke 22.14-30:
"14 When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. 15 Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. 16 For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”
17 Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves.18 For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.” 19 He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying,“This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.” 20 After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.
21 “But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. 22 For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him.” 23 The disciples began to ask each other which of them would ever do such a thing.
24 Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. 25 Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ 26 But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. 27 Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves. 28 “You have stayed with me in my time of trial. 29 And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right 30 to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
"14 When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. 15 Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. 16 For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”
17 Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves.18 For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.” 19 He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying,“This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.” 20 After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.
21 “But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. 22 For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him.” 23 The disciples began to ask each other which of them would ever do such a thing.
24 Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. 25 Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ 26 But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. 27 Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves. 28 “You have stayed with me in my time of trial. 29 And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right 30 to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
This passage has always been a pretty important passage in the church. It explains a little about why we do communion. I also like this passage because it really points out in bright colors that there is a part of the Kingdom that is 'not yet.' Sure the Kingdom of God is here now, but there is a big part of it that hasn't fully arrived yet too! I encourage you to think through what Jesus says here when He takes the bread and the cup to discover, or rediscover, what He's saying and what we remember whenever participate in communion. =)
"Father thank You! Thank You for sending Jesus to save us from our sins and from ourselves! I pray that we would remain faithful and hold steadfastly to You as we wait patiently for the arrival of the rest of Your Kingdom! Thank You for all You have done and continue to do! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"
Day 9 on the Kingdom of God
Luke 9.57-10.12:
"57 As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” 59 He said to another person, “Come, follow me.” The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” 60 But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.” 61 Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.” 62 But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”
10.1 The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. 2 These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. 3 Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road. 5 “Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ 6 If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. 7 Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay. 8 “If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you. 9 Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’ 10 But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this—the Kingdom of God is near!’ 12 I assure you, even wicked Sodom will be better off than such a town on judgment day."
"57 As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” 59 He said to another person, “Come, follow me.” The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” 60 But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.” 61 Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.” 62 But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”
10.1 The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. 2 These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. 3 Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road. 5 “Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ 6 If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. 7 Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay. 8 “If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you. 9 Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’ 10 But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this—the Kingdom of God is near!’ 12 I assure you, even wicked Sodom will be better off than such a town on judgment day."
Being in the Kingdom of God is not a easy status to have. It requires us to do things that seem counter-cultural. It may even demand our very lives, but in the end it's ALWAYS worth it! There has been an epidemic in the American church where people have forgotten what it truly means to be a Christian and follow Jesus. There are so many 'Christians' 'selling-out' in order to avoid hardship and persecution, rather than standing firm on the faith that they had been entrusted with and even defending it to the point of hardship or death, just as the early church did. I can't help but think sometimes that if Jesus were to write a letter to the American church, it would be rather long and filled with words of rebuke and correction, followed by an encouragement to overcome and obey.
Did you notice also how Jesus described what we would be like within the world? We are going to be like lambs among wolves. He also lets us in on the secret (not so much one anymore really) that people are going to reject Him and thus, reject you. There are some people with whom it will almost be entirely impossible to share the good news about Jesus and the free restoration of relationship that He is offering because of his/her stubborn heart. Jesus alludes here, as he does elsewhere (Matt. 7.6; etc.), that sometimes the best course of action is to simply say, 'Bye.'
"Father make us wise. Grant us the wisdom to not linger where there's hard soil, but to make the most of every opportunity and either cultivate the ground for the next person to possibly plant the seed, or just move on to another who is already good soil, waiting to receive the seed. I pray for wisdom that we would be able to discern this. I also ask that we would be strengthened by Your Spirit and be willing to stand our ground when we feel pressured to give up or attacked. Father we love You and we thank You SO much for Jesus! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Day 8 on the Kingdom of God
Mark 10.13-27:
"13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. 14 When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 16 Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.
17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”
20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” 21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” 24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”
26 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”
"13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. 14 When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 16 Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.
17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”
20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” 21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” 24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”
26 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”
Did you notice that this is another instance where Scripture tells us that Jesus became angry? I find that interesting. Anyway, like what Jesus taught in yesterday's texts, the Kingdom of God is very different from earthly kingdoms. Those who want to be be in His Kingdom have to become like children. There have been MANY interpretations as to what Jesus was talking about when He said this, but I'm not so sure that there might just be one answer/interpretation. I think more importantly though, is how a child trusts and is with his/her mom/dad. In the same way, we should be trusting God and relying on our Heavenly Father in all things. Secondly, Jesus encounters a rich man and the following exchange ended sadly for the man. I have to make notice what many people, for some reason misunderstand about what Jesus says to this man. Jesus is not saying that it is impossible for a rich person to enter into His Kingdom. Rather what He is saying, is that it is going to be difficult for such a person because he/she would be so susceptible to falling into idolatry by trusting in money rather than God. But despite the difficulty in that, Jesus still doesn't end with a depressing message. He encourages his disciples that even the rich have hope to enter into God's Kingdom because what's impossible for us to do on our own, is possible with God helping us. Pretty comforting and encouraging, huh? =)
"Father in Heaven, I pray that we would be faithful citizens of Your Kingdom. I pray for forgiveness when we fail You. May we seek You out each and every day, leading others to Your throne. May we understand more about You and about Your Kingdom so that we can be better Kingdom workers and share the beautiful and exciting truth/news with those around us each and every day who are not yet a part of it. Father we love You so much and thank You so much for Jesus! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Day 7 on the Kingdom of God
Matthew 13.24-33:
"24 Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. 25 But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. 26 When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew. 27 “The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’ 28 “‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed. “‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked. 29 “‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’”
31 Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.”
33 Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)
I can't help but notice a couple of important points in Jesus' parable of the farmer and the field. First, I believe that there are people who claim to be Christians, that are in fact not. They are weeds that are mixed in with the crop. However, just as Jesus shared with us, we will never be able to be separated from the crop until the final judgement. I think this can also mean that there are going to be times when we won't be able to identify who these people are. I don't think, though, that this means we should begin to question whether or not we are weeds or crop. Ultimately by taking a look at our relationship with Jesus, both our heart and our actions, we can tell where we are. The next parable Jesus used was comparing the Kingdom to a mustard seed. I see this as Jesus saying that His Kingdom isn't like other kingdoms. It doesn't arrive in force, but very subtle. When the Kingdom of God arrives in a person's life, it starts off small. Over time it grows and becomes a large, strong tree! Finally Jesus uses the illustration of yeast in dough and how just a little bit of it will greatly affect the entire batch. I see this as saying that if you are genuinely and truly a citizen of the Kingdom of God, then even it's humble small beginnings will spread and greatly affect the entirety of your life! It isn't something that can be compartmentalized!!!
Matthew 13.44-52:
"44 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.
45 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. 46 When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!
47 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind. 48 When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the good fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away. 49 That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the righteous, 50 throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51 Do you understand all these things?” “Yes,” they said, “we do.” 52 Then he added, “Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.”
"24 Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. 25 But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. 26 When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew. 27 “The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’ 28 “‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed. “‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked. 29 “‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’”
33 Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)
I can't help but notice a couple of important points in Jesus' parable of the farmer and the field. First, I believe that there are people who claim to be Christians, that are in fact not. They are weeds that are mixed in with the crop. However, just as Jesus shared with us, we will never be able to be separated from the crop until the final judgement. I think this can also mean that there are going to be times when we won't be able to identify who these people are. I don't think, though, that this means we should begin to question whether or not we are weeds or crop. Ultimately by taking a look at our relationship with Jesus, both our heart and our actions, we can tell where we are. The next parable Jesus used was comparing the Kingdom to a mustard seed. I see this as Jesus saying that His Kingdom isn't like other kingdoms. It doesn't arrive in force, but very subtle. When the Kingdom of God arrives in a person's life, it starts off small. Over time it grows and becomes a large, strong tree! Finally Jesus uses the illustration of yeast in dough and how just a little bit of it will greatly affect the entire batch. I see this as saying that if you are genuinely and truly a citizen of the Kingdom of God, then even it's humble small beginnings will spread and greatly affect the entirety of your life! It isn't something that can be compartmentalized!!!
Matthew 13.44-52:
"44 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.
45 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. 46 When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!
47 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind. 48 When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the good fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away. 49 That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the righteous, 50 throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51 Do you understand all these things?” “Yes,” they said, “we do.” 52 Then he added, “Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.”
Here Jesus lets us know just how valuable the Kingdom of God really is. It's something that if a person were to realize what it is and everything that is a part of it, he/she would give EVERYTHING to be a part of it and have it! I love what Jesus says here in verse 52. What Jesus says here is that the Old Testament is still important. A teacher of religious law would have been very well versed in the Old Testament and would have been able to teach it well. A disciple of the Kingdom of Heaven would be able to see the new things that Jesus would reveal/explain. I just think that's pretty cool to see Jesus say right here. =)
"Father thank You for loving us! I pray that You would help us understand the value of Your Kingdom and the impact that it has in our lives and our world! I pray that You would help us to redirect our lives and live more purposefully for You! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Day 6 on The Kingdom of God
Matthew 4.12-25:
"12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 13 He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:
15 “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali,
beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River,
in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,
16 the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light.
And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,
a light has shined.”
17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.
21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. 22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.
23 Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.24 News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. 25 Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River."
"12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 13 He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:
15 “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali,
beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River,
in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,
16 the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light.
And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,
a light has shined.”
17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.
21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. 22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.
23 Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.24 News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. 25 Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River."
What a start to a ministry, right? Everywhere Jesus went, large crowds either followed or developed quickly. In that day for word to have spread that far and that fast is a pretty big deal! They didn't have phones or email remember, haha. I've always been interested with how Jesus first began teaching about the Kingdom of God. Matthew writes in verse 17 that Jesus' message was 'repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.' Jesus didn't gloss over people's sin. In fact, He addressed it head on, telling them that they need to repent. Then He followed up this instruction with a VERY real, and VERY valid reason. Why should you repent? You should repent because the Kingdom of God is near! He didn't say that it was coming. He didn't say that it was a long way off. He said that it was NEAR! Other translations read similarly saying that the Kingdom is 'at hand.' That gives a pretty good picture that the coming of the Kingdom of God that people had been waiting for for a long time is no longer a long way off, in fact it's right before them breaking onto the scene in this Jesus! If the Kingdom was at hand then, don't you think it's present here today as well?
"Father make us aware of the presence of Your Kingdom. I pray that we wouldn't just recognize it as being near, but that we would act in response to that. Just as Jesus instructed the people He preached to here in this Scripture to act in response to the presence of Your Kingdom, I pray You would give us instructions on how to respond. Maybe we need to repent. Father we repent. Maybe we need to take heart. Father fill us with peace and strength. Maybe we need to become more bold for Your truth. I pray Father that each day we live, we stand firm on the rock that Jesus talks about in Matthew 7. We love You so much! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Day 5 on The Kingdom of God
Daniel 7.1-22:
"Earlier, during the first year of King Belshazzar’s reign in Babylon, Daniel had a dream and saw visions as he lay in his bed. He wrote down the dream, and this is what he saw.
2 In my vision that night, I, Daniel, saw a great storm churning the surface of a great sea, with strong winds blowing from every direction. 3 Then four huge beasts came up out of the water, each different from the others.
4 The first beast was like a lion with eagles’ wings. As I watched, its wings were pulled off, and it was left standing with its two hind feet on the ground, like a human being. And it was given a human mind.
5 Then I saw a second beast, and it looked like a bear. It was rearing up on one side, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And I heard a voice saying to it, “Get up! Devour the flesh of many people!”
6 Then the third of these strange beasts appeared, and it looked like a leopard. It had four bird’s wings on its back, and it had four heads. Great authority was given to this beast.
7 Then in my vision that night, I saw a fourth beast—terrifying, dreadful, and very strong. It devoured and crushed its victims with huge iron teeth and trampled their remains beneath its feet. It was different from any of the other beasts, and it had ten horns.
8 As I was looking at the horns, suddenly another small horn appeared among them. Three of the first horns were torn out by the roots to make room for it. This little horn had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly.
9 I watched as thrones were put in place
and the Ancient One sat down to judge.
His clothing was as white as snow,
his hair like purest wool.
He sat on a fiery throne
with wheels of blazing fire,
10 and a river of fire was pouring out,
flowing from his presence.
Millions of angels ministered to him;
many millions stood to attend him.
Then the court began its session,
and the books were opened.
11 I continued to watch because I could hear the little horn’s boastful speech. I kept watching until the fourth beast was killed and its body was destroyed by fire. 12 The other three beasts had their authority taken from them, but they were allowed to live a while longer.
13 As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.
15 I, Daniel, was troubled by all I had seen, and my visions terrified me. 16 So I approached one of those standing beside the throne and asked him what it all meant. He explained it to me like this: 17 “These four huge beasts represent four kingdoms that will arise from the earth. 18 But in the end, the holy people of the Most High will be given the kingdom, and they will rule forever and ever.”
19 Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, the one so different from the others and so terrifying. It had devoured and crushed its victims with iron teeth and bronze claws, trampling their remains beneath its feet. 20 I also asked about the ten horns on the fourth beast’s head and the little horn that came up afterward and destroyed three of the other horns. This horn had seemed greater than the others, and it had human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly. 21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against God’s holy people and was defeating them, 22 until the Ancient One—the Most High—came and judged in favor of his holy people. Then the time arrived for the holy people to take over the kingdom."
"Earlier, during the first year of King Belshazzar’s reign in Babylon, Daniel had a dream and saw visions as he lay in his bed. He wrote down the dream, and this is what he saw.
2 In my vision that night, I, Daniel, saw a great storm churning the surface of a great sea, with strong winds blowing from every direction. 3 Then four huge beasts came up out of the water, each different from the others.
4 The first beast was like a lion with eagles’ wings. As I watched, its wings were pulled off, and it was left standing with its two hind feet on the ground, like a human being. And it was given a human mind.
5 Then I saw a second beast, and it looked like a bear. It was rearing up on one side, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And I heard a voice saying to it, “Get up! Devour the flesh of many people!”
6 Then the third of these strange beasts appeared, and it looked like a leopard. It had four bird’s wings on its back, and it had four heads. Great authority was given to this beast.
7 Then in my vision that night, I saw a fourth beast—terrifying, dreadful, and very strong. It devoured and crushed its victims with huge iron teeth and trampled their remains beneath its feet. It was different from any of the other beasts, and it had ten horns.
8 As I was looking at the horns, suddenly another small horn appeared among them. Three of the first horns were torn out by the roots to make room for it. This little horn had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly.
9 I watched as thrones were put in place
and the Ancient One sat down to judge.
His clothing was as white as snow,
his hair like purest wool.
He sat on a fiery throne
with wheels of blazing fire,
10 and a river of fire was pouring out,
flowing from his presence.
Millions of angels ministered to him;
many millions stood to attend him.
Then the court began its session,
and the books were opened.
11 I continued to watch because I could hear the little horn’s boastful speech. I kept watching until the fourth beast was killed and its body was destroyed by fire. 12 The other three beasts had their authority taken from them, but they were allowed to live a while longer.
13 As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.
15 I, Daniel, was troubled by all I had seen, and my visions terrified me. 16 So I approached one of those standing beside the throne and asked him what it all meant. He explained it to me like this: 17 “These four huge beasts represent four kingdoms that will arise from the earth. 18 But in the end, the holy people of the Most High will be given the kingdom, and they will rule forever and ever.”
19 Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, the one so different from the others and so terrifying. It had devoured and crushed its victims with iron teeth and bronze claws, trampling their remains beneath its feet. 20 I also asked about the ten horns on the fourth beast’s head and the little horn that came up afterward and destroyed three of the other horns. This horn had seemed greater than the others, and it had human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly. 21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against God’s holy people and was defeating them, 22 until the Ancient One—the Most High—came and judged in favor of his holy people. Then the time arrived for the holy people to take over the kingdom."
I would certainly be overwhelmed if I had been in Daniel's position. Part of me though kind of still wishes I had an opportunity to see this vision for myself so that the words written here would come alive and I could see what Daniel really saw. There are just some things that words cannot describe adequate enough. The thing that really caught my attention in this passage was the explanation at the end, specifically verses 21-22. Daniel saw this beast 'defeating' God's holy people, and it was able to do so until God finally put a stop to it and made His judgement. I can't help but wonder if this 'beast', which represents a 'kingdom' is the kingdom of the 'Antichrist.' I'm not talking about Left Behind series stuff or rapture or even about a particular person. Instead rather, as John alludes to in his epistles (letters), there are many Antichrists who are alive. I think Jesus' own words serve best for us to use and figure out how to identify these people. Jesus said, "Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me." (Matthew 12.30) These 'Antichrists' are working for a kingdom that is against Christ, hence the Greek suffix that is rendered in English as 'anti-'. So today, anyone or even anything that is against Jesus, belongs to this kingdom. To echo Paul, our battle is not with flesh or blood, therefore I wouldn't be surprised and I'm leaning toward an understanding that this 'kingdom' that is opposing God's holy people, is a kingdom that isn't limited to mere national borders or human governments, but in reality extends across and incorporates many of them. Pretty crazy stuff to think about huh? Thankfully, as Daniel witnesses in his vision, God doesn't all this to go on forever. He will step in, and He will save His holy people who are a part of His Kingdom! =)
"Father thank You for not abandoning us! I pray that when things seem to point to You abandoning us, may we take those thoughts captive and turn them over to You, citing Your promises to never abandon or forsake us! We love You God! Give us strength when we are weak! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"
Day 4 on The Kingdom of God
Daniel 2.31-44:
31 “In your vision, Your Majesty, you saw standing before you a huge, shining statue of a man. It was a frightening sight.32 The head of the statue was made of fine gold. Its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs were bronze, 33 its legs were iron, and its feet were a combination of iron and baked clay. 34 As you watched, a rock was cut from a mountain, but not by human hands. It struck the feet of iron and clay, smashing them to bits. 35 The whole statue was crushed into small pieces of iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold. Then the wind blew them away without a trace, like chaff on a threshing floor. But the rock that knocked the statue down became a great mountain that covered the whole earth.
36 “That was the dream. Now we will tell the king what it means. 37 Your Majesty, you are the greatest of kings. The God of heaven has given you sovereignty, power, strength, and honor. 38 He has made you the ruler over all the inhabited world and has put even the wild animals and birds under your control. You are the head of gold.
39 “But after your kingdom comes to an end, another kingdom, inferior to yours, will rise to take your place. After that kingdom has fallen, yet a third kingdom, represented by bronze, will rise to rule the world. 40 Following that kingdom, there will be a fourth one, as strong as iron. That kingdom will smash and crush all previous empires, just as iron smashes and crushes everything it strikes. 41 The feet and toes you saw were a combination of iron and baked clay, showing that this kingdom will be divided. Like iron mixed with clay, it will have some of the strength of iron. 42 But while some parts of it will be as strong as iron, other parts will be as weak as clay. 43 This mixture of iron and clay also shows that these kingdoms will try to strengthen themselves by forming alliances with each other through intermarriage. But they will not hold together, just as iron and clay do not mix.
44 “During the reigns of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed or conquered. It will crush all these kingdoms into nothingness, and it will stand forever."
"This is a vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
2 In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house
will be the highest of all—
the most important place on earth.
It will be raised above the other hills,
and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.
3 People from many nations will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of Jacob’s God.
There he will teach us his ways,
and we will walk in his paths.”
For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion;
his word will go out from Jerusalem.
4 The Lord will mediate between nations
and will settle international disputes.
They will hammer their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will no longer fight against nation,
nor train for war anymore."
31 “In your vision, Your Majesty, you saw standing before you a huge, shining statue of a man. It was a frightening sight.32 The head of the statue was made of fine gold. Its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs were bronze, 33 its legs were iron, and its feet were a combination of iron and baked clay. 34 As you watched, a rock was cut from a mountain, but not by human hands. It struck the feet of iron and clay, smashing them to bits. 35 The whole statue was crushed into small pieces of iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold. Then the wind blew them away without a trace, like chaff on a threshing floor. But the rock that knocked the statue down became a great mountain that covered the whole earth.
36 “That was the dream. Now we will tell the king what it means. 37 Your Majesty, you are the greatest of kings. The God of heaven has given you sovereignty, power, strength, and honor. 38 He has made you the ruler over all the inhabited world and has put even the wild animals and birds under your control. You are the head of gold.
39 “But after your kingdom comes to an end, another kingdom, inferior to yours, will rise to take your place. After that kingdom has fallen, yet a third kingdom, represented by bronze, will rise to rule the world. 40 Following that kingdom, there will be a fourth one, as strong as iron. That kingdom will smash and crush all previous empires, just as iron smashes and crushes everything it strikes. 41 The feet and toes you saw were a combination of iron and baked clay, showing that this kingdom will be divided. Like iron mixed with clay, it will have some of the strength of iron. 42 But while some parts of it will be as strong as iron, other parts will be as weak as clay. 43 This mixture of iron and clay also shows that these kingdoms will try to strengthen themselves by forming alliances with each other through intermarriage. But they will not hold together, just as iron and clay do not mix.
44 “During the reigns of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed or conquered. It will crush all these kingdoms into nothingness, and it will stand forever."
Wow, what an image! This is quite the vision, am I right? Could you imagine receiving this vision and being given its meaning? I love how in the vision, a rock is cut from a mountain by hands that did not belong to any human being. This rock has the power to topple kingdoms and establish itself as a mountain over the entire earth! Look at this other passage.
Isaiah 2.1-4:
"This is a vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
2 In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house
will be the highest of all—
the most important place on earth.
It will be raised above the other hills,
and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.
3 People from many nations will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of Jacob’s God.
There he will teach us his ways,
and we will walk in his paths.”
For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion;
his word will go out from Jerusalem.
4 The Lord will mediate between nations
and will settle international disputes.
They will hammer their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will no longer fight against nation,
nor train for war anymore."
There are many other passages that I could provide here, but maybe that would make for a fun scavenger hunt for you some day. =) I think verse 44 is one of the coolest, 'bravehearted' verses of Scripture. =)
"Father You are awesome! I pray for Your Kingdom to become more of a reality here on earth as it is in heaven! Please forgive us for our shortcomings and help us to be useful to You and Your Kingdom. We love You God! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Day 3 on The Kingdom of God
Jeremiah 23.5-8:
5 “For the time is coming,”
says the Lord,
“when I will raise up a righteous descendant
from King David’s line.
He will be a King who rules with wisdom.
He will do what is just and right throughout the land.
6 And this will be his name:
‘The Lord Is Our Righteousness.’
In that day Judah will be saved,
and Israel will live in safety.
7 “In that day,” says the Lord, “when people are taking an oath, they will no longer say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who rescued the people of Israel from the land of Egypt.’ 8 Instead, they will say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the people of Israel back to their own land from the land of the north and from all the countries to which he had exiled them.’ Then they will live in their own land.”
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
5 “For the time is coming,”
says the Lord,
“when I will raise up a righteous descendant
from King David’s line.
He will be a King who rules with wisdom.
He will do what is just and right throughout the land.
6 And this will be his name:
‘The Lord Is Our Righteousness.’
In that day Judah will be saved,
and Israel will live in safety.
7 “In that day,” says the Lord, “when people are taking an oath, they will no longer say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who rescued the people of Israel from the land of Egypt.’ 8 Instead, they will say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the people of Israel back to their own land from the land of the north and from all the countries to which he had exiled them.’ Then they will live in their own land.”
He will be a King who rules with wisdom and will do what is just and right. I still love that even though it is a repeat from the past couple of days. However the fact that it is a repeat shows that this is true, because this has shown up in multiple places that were all different from one another. Did you also notice in verse 6 what Jeremiah writes God says the King's name will be? "The Lord is Our Righteousness." I like how Paul says it,
2 Corinthians 5.21 (ESV):
I find it kind of cool that in verses 7-8, there's glimpses of what I talked on a little last night. You can see God referencing the Exodus and the big salvific event of the old covenant, and then say that in the future there will be something else! It's so cool to see how God puts little hints here and there throughout Scripture shedding light on what he's about to do! Jesus, our King, brought people out of slavery to sin and the land of death, and led them back to a restored relationship with God (their own land).
"Father thank You for saving us! Thank You for loving us! Thank You for giving Jesus to be our King! I pray that we would be a beacon of light, to be used by You to help others move from the land of darkness and sin/death, to the land of restoration and holiness! Father we love You so much! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Day 2 on the Kingdom of God
Isaiah 9.1-7:
1 "Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever.
The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time
in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road
that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.
2 The people who walk in darkness
will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,
a light will shine.
3 You will enlarge the nation of Israel,
and its people will rejoice.
They will rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest
and like warriors dividing the plunder.
4 For you will break the yoke of their slavery
and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.
You will break the oppressor’s rod,
just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.
5 The boots of the warrior
and the uniforms bloodstained by war
will all be burned.
They will be fuel for the fire.
6 For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His government and its peace
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
will make this happen!"
12 "When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 13 He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:
15 “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali,
beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River,
in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,
16 the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light.
And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,
a light has shined.”
17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
1 "Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever.
The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time
in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road
that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.
2 The people who walk in darkness
will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,
a light will shine.
3 You will enlarge the nation of Israel,
and its people will rejoice.
They will rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest
and like warriors dividing the plunder.
4 For you will break the yoke of their slavery
and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.
You will break the oppressor’s rod,
just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.
5 The boots of the warrior
and the uniforms bloodstained by war
will all be burned.
They will be fuel for the fire.
6 For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His government and its peace
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
will make this happen!"
WOW! What a step up from the world governments that we have now! Unlike the ones that exist today where rulers and leaders twist truths to get what they want, and corrupt justice to make supporters happy, in the government of the Kingdom of God, there will be a King who rules with fairness and justice, and will reign FOREVER! Did you notice His titles too? Wonderful counselor! He will counsel us and lead us with immense wisdom and compassion! Mighty God! He is a strong warrior, capable of conquering even the strongest of strongholds! Everlasting Father! He will last forever and will be our King! Prince of Peace! Peace will be central to His kingdom and everyone in it, both peace between citizens AND peace between God and man! The beginning part of verse 6 really gives us a clue as to who the King is, and when you read the New Testament, you see this clue become a reality. It's also really cool to see, that the first thing Jesus did as a part of His ministry in the book of Matthew is found in chapter 4 and is a direct quote of Isaiah 9.1-2! Look here!
Matthew 4.12-17:
15 “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali,
beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River,
in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,
16 the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light.
And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,
a light has shined.”
17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
I think it's also on purpose that Jesus chose to fulfill this passage of Isaiah, because they child Isaiah prophesied about, is Jesus, God's own Son! =)
Questions to Think About:
1. Do I believe that Jesus is my King? Do I believe that this world isn't my home and that I'm really a citizen of a different kind of Kingdom? If so, am I living my life in a way that reflects this reality?
2. What are some ways I can make this Kingdom more of a reality for other people here on earth that don't know about it?
"Father thank You for sending Your Son! Thank You for saving us through Him and for loving us! I pray that each day, our lives would reflect the Kingdom where our citizenship truly is. Please forgive us when we fail and help us to get back up again! We love You! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Day 1 on The Kingdom of God
Hey guys! I'm back! =) Since it's the start of the new school year and since there were more than a few of you that said you were getting a lot out of this opportunity to be in God's Word daily, I'm kickin' the daily dive off again! =) As before, if you have suggestions/requests of books to study, feel free to suggest them! Utilize the comment sections to ask questions and interact with one another! =) I'm also going to introduce topical studies as well as the book studies! So, without further hesitation here we go, Day 1 on 'The Kingdom of God!' =)
Psalm 47.1-9:
1 "Clap your hands, all you nations;
shout to God with cries of joy.
2 For the LORD Most High is awesome,
the great King over all the earth.
3 He subdued nations under us,
peoples under our feet.
4 He chose our inheritance for us,
the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.
5 God has ascended amid shouts of joy,
the LORD amid the sounding of trumpets.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the King of all the earth;
sing to him a psalm of praise.
8 God reigns over the nations;
God is seated on his holy throne.
9 The nobles of the nations assemble
as the people of the God of Abraham,
for the kings of the earth belong to God;
he is greatly exalted."
Psalm 47.1-9:
1 "Clap your hands, all you nations;
shout to God with cries of joy.
2 For the LORD Most High is awesome,
the great King over all the earth.
3 He subdued nations under us,
peoples under our feet.
4 He chose our inheritance for us,
the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.
5 God has ascended amid shouts of joy,
the LORD amid the sounding of trumpets.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the King of all the earth;
sing to him a psalm of praise.
8 God reigns over the nations;
God is seated on his holy throne.
9 The nobles of the nations assemble
as the people of the God of Abraham,
for the kings of the earth belong to God;
he is greatly exalted."
(For some reason, bible gateway is not working for me, so if you want a different translation you'll have to look it up on your own, haha)
It's comforting to be reassured of the fact that our King is also King over all the earth. I say that's comforting, because even though things look bad and the 'interim-leaders' of this world do things that make us question their loyalties in regard to the Kingdom of God, God is still King, and there isn't anything that can change that. Now granted, that could lead some people to become confused. One might wonder why bad things happen and how rulers lead countries in directions opposite of the way God wants while God is King over all. The answer to that is one of those things that we probably won't understand fully this side of heaven. God is in control, and yes He allows things to happen that break His heart and should break ours too. It doesn't weaken Him or take away from His kingship in any way. God can see the much bigger picture and can orchestrate even the biggest role reversal, using things intended for harm to bring out the best possible good. He's done it plenty of times! (Joseph, Jesus, Apostles, Persecution of the Church, etc.) More than all other kings, our King deserves all of our praises and adoration! In everything that we do, we should seek to praise, adore, and bring honor to Him!
Questions to Meditate on:
1. Are you living your life with God as your King?
2. How do you see the Kingdom of God making itself evident in your life today?
3. Scripture tells us that we are about to approach our King with confidence and present our requests directly to Him, through Jesus Christ. Is there anything that you want to bring to Him right now? If so, take a few minutes to talk with Him and share what's on your heart. If not, spend a few minutes talking and listening for His voice anyway. =)
"Father, God, King, You are amazing! You are worthy of our best and even more! I pray that everyone who reads this and follows through our study of Your Kingdom develops a Kingdom mindset and seeks to further his/her relationship with You. Father thank You for loving us! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"
It's comforting to be reassured of the fact that our King is also King over all the earth. I say that's comforting, because even though things look bad and the 'interim-leaders' of this world do things that make us question their loyalties in regard to the Kingdom of God, God is still King, and there isn't anything that can change that. Now granted, that could lead some people to become confused. One might wonder why bad things happen and how rulers lead countries in directions opposite of the way God wants while God is King over all. The answer to that is one of those things that we probably won't understand fully this side of heaven. God is in control, and yes He allows things to happen that break His heart and should break ours too. It doesn't weaken Him or take away from His kingship in any way. God can see the much bigger picture and can orchestrate even the biggest role reversal, using things intended for harm to bring out the best possible good. He's done it plenty of times! (Joseph, Jesus, Apostles, Persecution of the Church, etc.) More than all other kings, our King deserves all of our praises and adoration! In everything that we do, we should seek to praise, adore, and bring honor to Him!
Questions to Meditate on:
1. Are you living your life with God as your King?
2. How do you see the Kingdom of God making itself evident in your life today?
3. Scripture tells us that we are about to approach our King with confidence and present our requests directly to Him, through Jesus Christ. Is there anything that you want to bring to Him right now? If so, take a few minutes to talk with Him and share what's on your heart. If not, spend a few minutes talking and listening for His voice anyway. =)
"Father, God, King, You are amazing! You are worthy of our best and even more! I pray that everyone who reads this and follows through our study of Your Kingdom develops a Kingdom mindset and seeks to further his/her relationship with You. Father thank You for loving us! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"
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