Monday
Where Do We Look For The Kingdom?
Read Hebrews 11:8-10; John 8:55-56;
Do you watch any of the TV soap operas? If you do, have you ever tried to forecast what’s going to happen in the episode you’re about to sit down and watch? After all, if you watch it regularly and know all the characters and the sorts of lives they lead, and know perhaps that there hasn’t been a death or marital break-up for some weeks - don’t you start looking for those little hints in the script that tell you that very soon something major is going to blow up. And then it happens and you laugh and say ‘There you are, told you so!’ The fun is in looking for the clues that the scriptwriters have to put in to make the outcome seem plausible. If we haven’t taken in the clues, then sometimes the crisis catches us by surprise.
‘Where do we look for the Kingdom?’
It sounds like the Pharisees were searching for clues as well, but for something a little more important than who’s falling out with whom in Neighbors, or who’s the new character in Friends. What prompted the Pharisees to ask Jesus this question? Did they respect His opinion as a teacher? Were they just trying to catch Jesus out, and hoping that He’d say something outrageous that they could use against Him? Or did they detect something in the life and ministry of Jesus which made them curious? And where were they looking? Probably to the skies, for some cosmic sign of supernatural activity. Chariots of fire! Star wars! Earthquakes! Trumpet blasts! After all, this was their mighty God establishing His Kingdom. He wouldn’t choose to make himself known by any less extravagant manner, now would he?
So how did Jesus react to this question ? Have you noticed that wonderful quality that he had, of meeting people where they are, not trying to be smug and point out the obvious - but being sensitive to the moment. Well here He is again, happy to speak of the Kingdom of God and use the language of scripture as used in the synagogues, because from the moment he opened the scroll at the start of his ministry, and read those wonderful words from the prophet Isaiah
‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor...’ and ended by saying ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing!’ that is exactly what He hoped people would see - that here was indeed the fulfillment of scripture in their presence, and the establishment of His kingdom.
Jesus used scripture to talk to them, hoping that it would open their eyes to what God wanted to reveal to them about the blessings of the Kingdom. Today God continues to speak to us through scripture, just as Jesus told His disciples “the knowledge of the secrets of the Kingdom of God has been given” we must seek the His word and as we strive to live up to God’s expectations for our lives, as we put our faith into action- The Kingdom is revealed.
Tuesday
How Do We Look For The Kingdom?
Read Luke 11:9-10 Luke 18:1-8
A lot of Jews were greatly mistaken in respect to the nature of God’s kingdom. Christ sought to undeceive them. He told them that his kingdom did not come with outward show but it must be within men, and that it was not of this world. Jesus wanted them to realize it was spiritual, and not temporal; it is based on the heart and not on pomp and pageantry, so commonly rendered to royalty. The simple idea of this kingdom is that Christ himself reigns in the hearts of his people, securing the perfect submission of the will, and the consecration of every power to himself. Thus his kingdom is within; it is invisible. It puts on no outward glare. In the heart’s of men he writes his laws by his Spirit, and thus rules over them to deliver them from Satan and sin, and translate them into his own kingdom of peace and love. This is the kingdom we are to seek earnestly, with perseverance and faith.
Wednesday
Why Do We Look?
Read Hebrews 10:35-36; Hebrews 12:1-2; Matthew 25:21
So often when we pray, we seek things. Bound by necessities like money, food, jobs, and other means necessary to survive, we can get caught up in the quest for financial security at the expense of our relationship with God. Wealth is a gift to us from God who is our source. He does not want us living in lack. We are look to the kingdom for what we have been promised. Just like Jabez from the Old Testament, who asked God for increase, we are to seek the kingdom for larger or new territory to take dominion as we have been instructed to do. God has placed dreams in our hearts and souls and we should seek the kingdom for them to be fulfilled. We are to seek the kingdom for the advancement of future generations. We are to pass on what has been revealed to us. I want my children their children and so forth to come into the knowledge that God will supply everything that is needed and all we have to do is reach out and take hold of it.
Many times we get caught up in the quest for things, but the quest for things must be balanced with a higher purpose and emblazoned with the will to act in accordance with the good of all. Is what we want in accordance with the ultimate in spiritual goals? Or do we want what we want because we are entitled to it? Do we want what we want on demand like a spoiled child? Or do we seek God first without constantly asking for a handout? It's our choice. The more spiritual person first seeks a relationship with the Father. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you."
Do you have a daily prayer time? Do you read the Bible daily and seek his will and purpose for your life? Draw close to God and He will draw close to you.
Thursday
A Kingdom Of Power
Read Luke 11:11,20,26; 2 Timothy 3:5; Acts 1:4-8
We have all had this happen at some point in our life, we are watching a sports team about to score and... Or you may be right in the middle of cooking, just about done and... On a hot summer day, the air conditioner blowing that cool air and... A power surge! I don't like power surges, we have two flashlights and usually the batteries are dead from my kids playing with them or I can’t even find them which usually makes me become angry. We depend on power to make our lives easier. Do you ever think about depending on God’s power and have you ever asked yourself, “How long has my power been out with my relationship with Him?” Am I plugged into His source? His source never wavers, flickers, or leaves us in the dark. We must put our trust in God and learn from the Holy Spirit so that we can understand and declare the kingdom of God over our lives and over the lives of the people around us. The time is now to step up to the plate. I remember watching “Spiderman” a couple of weeks ago and his uncle gave him a piece of advice that really touched my heart. He said, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” It is our responsibility to speak the power of God over our lives, finances and family and to not turn our backs on the promises God has given us.
Friday
Why Do We Resist?
2 Corinthians 3:4-6; Mark 12:24. Matthew 17:20
We have all had this happen at some point in our life, we are watching a sports team about to score and... Or you may be right in the middle of cooking, just about done and... On a hot summer day, the air conditioner blowing that cool air and... A power surge! I don't like power surges, we have two flashlights and usually the batteries are dead from my kids playing with them or I can’t even find them which usually makes me become angry. We depend on power to make our lives easier. Do you ever think about depending on God’s power and have you ever asked yourself, “How long has my power been out with my relationship with Him?” Am I plugged into His source? His source never wavers, flickers, or leaves us in the dark. We must put our trust in God and learn from the Holy Spirit so that we can understand and declare the kingdom of God over our lives and over the lives of the people around us. The time is now to step up to the plate. I remember watching “Spiderman” a couple of weeks ago and his uncle gave him a piece of advice that really touched my heart. He said, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” It is our responsibility to speak the power of God over our lives, finances and family and to not turn our backs on the promises God has given us.
The Weekender
Find The Power Of God
Read Exodus 8:19; 31:18 Matthew 4:17; 1 John 5:7-12
There is an old hymn "At the Cross." The words I most like are found in the chorus:
"At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, and the burden of my heart rolled away, it was there by faith I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day!"
Even at my young age, this song had a profound impact on my life. I knew very little about big theological phrases and the ultimate understanding of God, but for some reason this song made it as plain as could be. I believe it was the understanding and realization that Jesus loved me so much that He was willing to give His life for me and through His sacrifice on the cross and resurrection my life could be anew.
Wow! For many this sounds crazy for one person's sacrifice to make such a difference in the world but it is truly real. God saving power is found at the cross there are many ways that we can experience God’s power and one way God’s power can be found in our testimony. Sharing our testimony can lend example of God awesome power.
Have you shared your testimony lately? I challenge you to revisit your testimony and share the power of God through what he has done for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment