The verse written here was the fulfillment of prophecy first spoken by the prophet Isaiah, “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2) Jesus was the embodiment of light and truth, and His message still rings true today…”Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.”
Tag: Heavenly kingdom
Psalm 145:13 ” Your Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations.”
David had seen earthly kingdoms rise and fall in his lifetime. But this Psalm of praise he wrote exalted God for His limitless Kingdom…continuing from the ancient past into the infinite future. David was celebrating God’s sovereignty…His reign over all things…and the eternal scope of His rule. And we also praise You, God, today for Your faithfulness… for kingdoms will rise and fall…but Your Heavenly Kingdom is without end. Amen.
John 18: 36 ” Jesus said, ‘ My Kingdom is not of this world.’ “
This everlasting Kingdom was setup by God and given to His Son, Christ Jesus. And as Believers, this Kingdom dwells within our hearts. And in this, comes the rub. For like this everlasting Kingdom, we too are in the world, but not of it. Our lives here on earth are transitory, but at the same time filled with the repercussions of living in a fallen, broken world. So what are we to do? We walk this earth as aliens and foreigners longing for home, but also recognizing we are to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Our citizenship may not be of this world, but while we’re here… we’re to be about our Father’s business.
Acts 28:31 ” Boldly and without hindrance he preached the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Paul was under house arrest in Rome and confined for 2 years in a little house under constant guard by the Roman soldiers. He could have had quite a pity party…but he instead chose to use his situation for good. Yes, he was confined in one spot…but his spirit was free, for the Kingdom of God was within his heart. He could have been intimidated by the soldiers, but he chose not to have restrictions and limitations placed on God’s Word that he preached. Paul’s fearless teaching to all who wandered into that house…including the soldiers listening, was a way of him saying, “What can man do to me? My physical body may be incarcerated, but my soul is free.”
Mark 10:15 ” I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
In a toddler’s mind, all things are pretty simple…their priorities are food, sleep, and play. They trust at face value… always looking for the good in things. So as an adult, why can’t we do the same thing when it comes to the Gospel Message? Why can’t we readily accept and embrace the Kingdom of God and everything that goes with it? It’s sadly because the World has clouded and distorted our perception. The Gospel Message doesn’t need to be over-thought…there’s no hidden agenda or bait and switch tactics involved. You get what you see with God and His Word…for He is trustworthy and true, and His promises will never fail.
Matthew 8:20 ” Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head. “
Yes, in a sense, Jesus was homeless. He and the Disciples traveled unhindered by the obligation and responsibilities of traditional homes. But Jesus pointed out in this scripture… He was to be in the world, but not of it. And like Jesus, we too are aliens and strangers on this earth. (I Peter 2:11) We are ever looking forward to our eternal home…our everlasting dwelling place with the Lord in heaven.
I Chronicles 29:11 ” Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours.”
Lord, You are the King of glory. We thank and praise You, for You have founded this world and all that is in it. (Psalm 89:11) Your strength and might…Your glorious beauty is everlasting and forever. You are great, and greatly to be praised on heaven and earth…Your splendor and greatness is beyond comprehension.
I Corinthians 4:20 ” For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”
You can tell someone about God. You can share what He’s done in your life, and how you’ve been changed. But words are empty until the Holy Spirit reveals to that person the true nature and reality of the might and authority of God .
Hebrews 11:15-16 ” If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country – a heavenly one.”
The Lord doesn’t want us to long for the past. When we keep going back to the comfortable…the things from our past, we will never move forward. God wants us rather to focus on His vision for today and the future in our life. Oswald Chambers said it best, “Beware of paying attention or going back to what you once were, when God wants you to be something that you have never been.”
Safetypinlove 