Daily Encouragement

“’Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.'” (Matthew 13:45-46, NIV)

Tonight, the President of the United States stands before both houses of the Congress and gives a required annual account of the State of the Union. It is a reminder to every U. S. citizen that we live in a nation with vast resources and responsibilities.

The scriptures tell us of another sovereign entity: The Kingdom of God (also called the Kingdom of Heaven). The state of God’s kingdom is eternally bright and stable because God is both its light and its foundation. More people than are able may desire to become citizens of the leading nations of this world; but everyone looking for a better, brighter, eternally secure place are welcome in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus described this kingdom as the prize discovered in a field that inspires its finder to sell all that he has to get the money to buy the field so that he might possess the prize for all time. And, as we see in today’s scripture reading: The pearl merchant who finds a rare pearl of great value.

Do we esteem our place and possessions in this world of greater value than the Kingdom of Heaven? Are we willing to forgo and to discard all of this world’s thoughts and trappings that we might, instead, claim the eternal prize? – Luther

Tagged kingdom of God, kingdom of heaven, State of the Union, the book of Matthew

January 19

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“And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.” (Galatians 3:27-29, New Living Translation)

The U. S. holiday we observe today honors both a man and a movement, the impetus for each being the Gospel of Christ.

Humanity’s persistent propensity to divide; to discriminate based on those divisions; and to elevate one group above another, is evidence of our corrupt nature. The antidote to this poisonous practice is the acceptance of — and obedience to — our Jesus.

It is important to note that the movement for racial equality in our nation did not begin in the courthouse; and it did not begin in the statehouse; and it did not begin in the schoolhouse. It began in the community of Christ: His church. The Civil Rights Movement’s anthem, “We Shall Overcome,” was sung in the worship services and prayer meetings of the Christian faithful long before it appeared on folk music play lists.

Only in Christ is there true equality of persons. This message is both our heritage and our future. – Luther