Luke 17:20-22 –
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, not will
they say, look here it is, or there. For behold, the kingdom of God is in the
midst of you.
In visiting
with one of my new friends, I was encouraged to read this verse in Luke.
Savanah, Faith, it didn’t dawn on me at first but we don’t have to go to church
or heaven to be in the presence of God or to recognize His creation. Lately I
get up every morning and I write and pray, then I get ready to go to school and
I only talk to God periodically. Usually I can’t wait to get into church so I
can get in the presence of God. But this verse reminds me that He’s with me
always. He’s all around me. The kingdom of God is everywhere we look. It’s
every place we’ve ever been. It’s made up of every breath of air we’ve ever
taken, everything we’ve ever touched. God
wants us to praise Him, to glorify Him, to be proud of Him. All He wants from
us is our love, the one thing we all want from Him and everybody else in our
lives. He has given us all kinds of things to enjoy and remind us of Him.
Trees, animals, friends, warmth, deer hunting, fishing…I could go on for miles
explaining how God has provided for our happiness.
We don’t have to be alone anymore, Angela. We can
have everything we need to sustain us. Wouldn’t the world be a better place to
live if we all lived our lives remembering that God’s kingdom is around us
always. Wouldn’t that be much more comforting? Would we try harder every day to
praise God? Shouldn’t we recognize our lives on Earth for what it really is and
not take it for granted. Knowing that the kingdom of God is all around us, let
me remind you of Lamentations 3:24-26 – “I say to myself, the Lord is
everything I will ever need. So I will put my hope in Him. The Lord is good to
those who put their hope in Him. He is good to those who look to Him. It is
good when people wait quietly for the Lord to save them.”
Prayer
Father
God, thank you for giving me the ability to be with you every day and reminding
me that you are always close by. “For the kingdom of God is in the midst of
me.” Amen
Thoughts:
2 Timothy 1:7-8 – God
didn’t give us a spirit that makes us weak and fearful. He gave us a spirit
that gives us power and love. It helps us control ourselves. So don’t be
ashamed to give witness about our Lord, and don’t be ashamed of me his
prisoner. Instead, join with me as I suffer for the good news. God’s power will
help us do that. And remember, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you!
“Children have more need for models than critics” 1
Timothy 4:12 – “Be their ideal; let them follow the way you teach and live;
be a pattern for hem in your love, your faith, and your clean thoughts.” I love
you guys!!!
P.S. Dedicated to Brother Ross – Thanks man!
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