the Kingdom of God | Daily Encouragement

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“Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, ‘The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.’” (Luke 17:20-21, NIV)

Resist the urge to make the kingdom of God real “out there” before it has become real “in here.”

In today’s scripture reading, Jesus tells us that His kingdom is personal, not geographical; spiritual, not temporal; hidden from natural observation, yet growing by leaps and bounds within the life yielded to Him.

As much as some of us might want to Christianize (or spiritualize) the law, the government, the marketplace, the neighborhood, and the school — as the Pharisees desired to do in Jesus’ day; it always becomes a fool’s errand when such changes are imposed from outside. Change that is positive, lasting, spiritual, and liberating always begins within an individual — and manifests itself in the choices that that individual makes.

Is God’s rule (kingdom) growing within you? – Luther

Tagged the book of Luke, the Kingdom of God, the kingdom of Heaven

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“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:33, NLT)

If we’re not careful, we might think for a moment that God will leave us in the lurch; that is, without resources; without hope; and without help.

In such moments, remember our Lord’s reminder that our heavenly Father wants to give us everything — everything — that we will ever need. The key to having all that we will need, exactly when we will need it, and in a form that we can receive it, is to seek first the rule (read: kingdom) of God in our lives above all else.

As citizens of this world, we understand the rule of others, whether that “other” is civil law, or the unwritten laws of the social order.

As disciples of Jesus, we need to actualize the rule of God in our daily living by being obedient to His law, the first of which is that we should love our Lord God with all our being. . . Or, in the words of today’s scripture: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else. . .”

In the Kingdom of God, there are no paupers. – Luther

Tagged God's provision, the book of Matthew, the Kingdom of God

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“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. ‘” (Matthew 19:14, NIV)

There is much the disciple of Jesus can learn from a child: Humility, a readiness to learn, and a natural attraction to the One who loves them.

When was the last time you approached the dawning day as young children do: With openness, wonder, enthusiasm, and joy?

When was the last time you approached our Lord as the children, in today’s scripture reading, did: Desiring only to be near Him?

Do not fear or suppress the child within you. “The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” – Luther

Tagged child-likeness, humility, the book of Matthew, the Kingdom of God