Where is God's Kingdom?

Journal Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Scripture

Luke 17:20-21English Standard Version (ESV)

The Coming of the Kingdom

20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”[a]

Observation

Where is the evidence that there is a Kingdom of God? The Kingdom of God is much different from an earthly kingdom that many were looking for. They were concern with signs and times when God will take over the world. Christ tells us that the Kingdom is not as concrete as that. God’s Kingdom is not like earthly kingdoms. It is a spiritual kingdom that is already among us. It is inside believers and is working in the mist of this world.

Application

Sometimes we get too concerned about signs of the times, the end of days and signs for the return of Christ. While the Bible does say that we are to read the signs, we are not waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. The Kingdom of God is here now. It is working throughout this physical earth and the work of God is being accomplished. There are signs that is it exist, but we cannot always see it. Most important, it is within us, making us a critical part of God’s plan. We look forward to the return of Christ but we are not waiting for the Kingdom of God. We are to live breath and move in the Kingdom of God now. We proclaim now that Christ is present to change lives. God’s power is present to enable us to overcome. Things that are happening in the spiritual world now will reveal themselves in the physical world later. That does not mean that we have to wait to experience them. The work of Christ has brought God’s kingdom among us.  

Prayer

Lord reveal your Kingdom work. We wish to see changed lives by the power of the Holy Spirit and the work of Christ. Perform signs and wonders with healing. Reveal to us the power and the presence of Your Kingdom. Help us to be constantly engaged in Your kingdom work. Let the power of Your Kingdom move ahead of us and behind us. 

Creating a Culture of Honor

Creating A Culture of Honor

Journal Thursday, December 18, 2014

Scripture

Luke 13:6-9New King James Version (NKJV)

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

6 He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ 8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that[a] you can cut it down.’

Observation

This tree represents the people of Israel who had been planted in a fertile vineyard. God cared for them for a long time but they bore not fruit. The keeper is Jesus who intercedes for the people of God. he interceded for more time so God’s people could bear fruit, giving them more fertilizer by planting Israel in the church. If they would respond to the care of the gardner and bear fruit they would receive the blessing of salvation. 

Application

God calls His people to respond to Him and bear fruit. It is not enough for us to be forgiven but to change our hearts and bear fruit for our Father. The fruit I am thinking about today is the fruit of honor. We think too much in terms of right and wrong. We ask “Is it ok for me to …?” The more important question is, “How can I honor my savior and my God?” The  honor question is a much deeper question. The former is about what I can get away with, or what is the least expected of me. This is part of the reason why Israel did not bear fruit. They were more concerned with expectations then with honor. They had long discussions of expectations, but could not honor the savior who was sent to heal them. 

The question I have today is, “How can I honor God”, and “how can I honor His people?”  How do we create a culture of honor?

Prayer

Lord - Help me to create an culture of honor, first in my heart, then in my relationships. Let my first concern be about honoring you and giving honor to whom honor is due. Create a culture of honor in my family and a culture of honor in our church. In Jesus Name! 

Is it About Status or Service?

Journal Thursday, November 13, 2014

Scripture

Luke 9:46-48New King James Version (NKJV)

Who Is the Greatest?

46 Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest. 47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.”

Observation

The disciples were worried about the organization and the administration of an earthly kingdom. They had yet to understand that the Kingdom of God is spiritual and its rules are very different from earth earthly rules. They were worried about their positions but Christ was concerned about the motivations of their hearts.

Application

We are called to become like little children in the Kingdom of God

1. Children are dependent —- We must be completely dependent on God for all we need
2. Children do not have status — The Kingdom of God is not about status but about service. We are not to seek positions in the church but places of service to the body.
3. Children need to learn — We  must be humble enough to be in a place of constant learning and growing. None of us ever arrive.

Prayer

Lord save us from our arrogance and help us not be so worried about ourselves. Help us to see the value of serving over status. Help us to walk in the principles of the kingdom. 

How much of our life is about preserving instead of trusting?

Prayer Journal Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Scripture

Mark 8:17-21New Living Translation (NLT)

17 Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “Why are you arguing about having no bread? Don’t you know or understand even yet? Are your hearts too hard to take it in? 18 ‘You have eyes—can’t you see? You have ears—can’t you hear?’[a] Don’t you remember anything at all? 19 When I fed the 5,000 with five loaves of bread, how many baskets of leftovers did you pick up afterward?”

“Twelve,” they said.

20 “And when I fed the 4,000 with seven loaves, how many large baskets of leftovers did you pick up?”

“Seven,” they said.

21 “Don’t you understand yet?” he asked them.

Observation

Jesus told them to beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod. The Pharisees were self-righteous and Herod was self-indulgent. Both were motivated by self-interest and self-preservation. Interestingly, the disciples of Christ reacted to his statement in a similar manner. They argued among themselves about bread, defending themselves and justifying themselves. Jesus asked four pointed questions:

1. Are your hearts too hard?
2. Do you have eyes but can’t see?
3. Do you have ears but can’t hear?
4. Do you remember anything? 

He then reminded them of the feeding of the 5000 and the 4000.

Application

Just as the Pharisees and Herod were worried about their own self-interest, the disciples fell into the same trap. Greed has two sides — What we want to have, and what we are afraid of loosing. The Pharisees had respected positions and honor from the people. Herod had a kingdom that he needed to protect. Both rejected to true way to God because of the greed that was in their hearts. 

The disciples needed to learn that this “yeast” could spread to them as well. The very fact that they were defending themselves hardened their hearts and brought strife. They were in danger of being blinded by self-preservation, and unable to hear the message of Christ. They were also in danger of forgetting the works of Christ, and falling into despair. 

Christ is the center of our salvation and everything we need. Because of His work, the need for self-preservation goes away. Look at the questions he asked the disciples: How many baskets were left over after 5000? Answer: twelve — a basket for each apostle. How many were left over after the feeding of the 4000? Answer: seven: the number of completion. The provision of Christ’s work is abundant, freeing us from the temptation of self-preservation and greed.

We need to watch out for the “yeast” that is motivated from self-reliance and not relying on the work of Christ. There is no need for us to give in to our insecurities and be self-defensive. Christ is our abundant provider and He can be trusted.  

Prayer

Lord help me to avoid the “yeast” of self-preservation and greed. Help me to see that You can be trusted and I don’t need to preserve my positions or my rights. You are an abundant provider and You freely provide all that I need, physically and spiritually. Help me to remember all You have already done. 

Life and Death are Truly in the Tongue

Journal Thursday, October 16, 2014

Scripture

Mark 6:23New King James Version (NKJV)

23 He also swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

Observation

John the Baptist warned Herod and his wife Herodias about their illegal marriage. She left her husband, Herod’s brother, to marry him. John warned them about their sin, but instead of taking heed, Herodias wanted to suppress the message. In this famous scene Herod, promises half of his kingdom to Herodias’ daughter because he was pleased with her dance. 

Herod spoke impulsively (a trait also attributed to King Saul in 1 Samuel). He was under Roman rule and was a figure head at best. He actually had no kingdom to offer. Herod was a man driven to impress people and here his words trapped him. Herodias’ daughter asked for the head of John the Baptist — a man he did not want to kill.

Application

Here is an example where life and death is actually in the tongue. Herod trapped himself by being concerned about impressing his guest. To not concur with the request would have caused him to loose credibility and weaken his position as ruler. He could have repented and put his life in the hands of God, but the words he spoke made it too difficult for him. He felt forced to heap on another level of evil to his life because he was bound by the impulsive words that he spoke.

Prayer

Lord help me measure my words carefully. Please save me from the temptation of worrying about the opinions of others to the point that I make unwanted compromises. Help me to listen and follow your commands, not just be entertained by them. Amen

Sometimes God is Late

Tuesday 10/14/2014

Sometimes God is Late

Scripture Luke 8:50 NLT 

    But when Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed.”

Jairus was desperate for his daughter to be healed. There was a real sense of urgency when he asked Christ to come with him. He must have been very concerned and had mixed feelings when a woman touched Jesus’ robe and received her healing. We often separate these stories but they go very much together. As Jesus conversed with this woman  Jairus must have been thinking, “Couldn’t this wait?” Panic must have been growing in him as Jesus stopped to look for the woman. Every precious second waisted could mean the end of his daughter's life.  Suddenly his worse fears were realized — his daughter was dead. They were too late. I wonder if he screamed in agony at this horrible loss. I can only imagine the feeling of despair as he hears those words "don't bother the teacher any more ... " It was over now. Jesus was late and the situation was hopeless. 

Suddenly Jesus spoke to him, "Don't be afraid..." At this point he had a moment of decision. Did Jesus let him down? Did He neglect his daughter or could he trust Him once more? Taking the huge step to trust in Christ, he received his daughter back form the dead!

God isn’t always on time, sometimes he is late. He has total control of life and of time. It appeared like one woman's healing would mean death for Jarius’ daughter but Jarius received a greater miracle then he could have imaged. What seemed like Jesus ignoring his need, provided an avenue for a greater blessing. We must be careful about being jealous of the blessings that others receive. They are not a deterrent to us receiving a blessing but are meant to be a faith builder for us. We need not fear the waiting but trust in Christ. 

Can we trust God even when He is late?

Lord help us to be patient. We know a great healing and a blessings are coming. We choose to trust you one more time!  

The Cross–Good Friday Thoughts

I am currently at my desk working on my Good Friday sermon. I am once again amazed at the depth of the cross. It seems so simple to say that Jesus died for my sins, and yet that statement goes so deep. I think about what a helpless state that I am in.

A good non-Christian friend once said to me “all religions are people climbing up different sides of the same mountain. They all end up in the same place.” This statement reminded me of the people of Israel in the dessert. At one point God was going to meet with Moses on a mountain. God told them “Don’t let them come near the mountain or they will die.” (paraphrase). That is how helpless we are. In our feeble attempt to create religions, so that we can climb a mountain and see God, we are not even able to come near the mountain!

Today I admit my helplessness. I fall at the cross as one, who in myself, has fallen dramatically short of what God wants, and expects of me. At this place I also receive incredible forgiveness, grace, and strength. This place is the great equalizer of all humanity. The CEO on wall street, the factory worker, African, European, Asian, and American, men and women; all need to fall and admit their helpless need for God’s grace; here at the cross. I have not lived one day when I have impressed God with my goodness, but I feel His love and grace everyday. All because of the price my redeemer paid for me. So today I pray again the prayer I prayed so many years ago:

Lord I am a sinner

Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins

I confess you as my Lord and Savior

Thank you for forgiving me

Amen