Meditation

09/03/2020

“All you have made will praise you, O Lord; your saints will extol you. They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might. So that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.” (Psalm 145:10–13)

God’s kingdom has no boundaries in time of space. The reign of near eastern gods often came to an end when the earthly king lost power. New rulers brought new gods. New, young gods might retire an old, traditional god to a more remote or lesser position in the ranking of he gods. Military defeat and the passing of time did not affect the kingdom of Yahweh, the God of Israel.

He was not limited to one people. He ruled over and could use all nations to accomplish His purposes. He began His rule before creation and will continue when this world passes away under His judgment. He wants all people, beloved, of all nations to worship Him. They should because He has shown His love in His redeeming acts in history. The greatest of these was the sending of His Son Jesus with whom the kingdom of God is near (Mark 1:15).

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Precious Abba, the psalmist quite nicely tells us that God was before anything or anyone, He was there, and will be here well after the day of judgment. Abba, You are always near us and has upheld our covenant relationship, even when we didn’t hold up our end of the covenant. He loves us and wants only the best for us, in spite of the many times, when we have failed Him. When we call upon Him, He is there and even when we don’t call on Him, He is still there. In our inept ways, Abba, we love You to, though we don’t always say it to You. Yet, we depend upon You instead of our flaws and mistakes. Guide us always, Abba. This we pray in Jesus’ precious name. Amen

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“When God calls you to service—-never stoop to be a king!”

KNOWING GOD:

“They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. They they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.’” (Acts 14:21-22)

Preaching the gospel strengthens and encourages believers. New believers especially ‘need exhortation’ to move on in their commitment and faith. The kingdom of God was established by Christ. As the church follows the Master, it represents the kingdom.

Still, the kingdom will not be experienced in its fullness until Christ returns.

Believers must expect a hard time from the world which opposes God. Self-denial and cross-bearing are the way to the kingdom, beloved.

I AM:

“Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they proved a comfort to me.” (Colossians4:11)

The kingdom of God must be proclaimed and taught. People need the good news of God’s kingdom. God gives the church the freedom it has to preach the kingdom even under unfavorable circumstances. Beloved, preaching about God’s kingdom and teaching about Jesus are parallel subjects, virtually the same subject matter. A preacher that does not teach the whole Bible to their flock, is not fully preparing them for all situations. The Bible is intended to be taught and understood in its entirety or the preacher is not preach or teaching the whole truth of God’s Word.

Second Thought of the Day:

“Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, ‘Who then can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” (Matthew19:24-26)

In contrast to children, the rich often lack qualities like trust and humility. As believers enter the kingdom with these childlike characteristics, the rich exclude themselves for lack of these qualities. Those who are rich may enter the kingdom, but they must experience the miraculous gift of depending God and not on their own wealth for meaning and hope in life.

In Mark 12:41-44, sat down where He could watch people putting in money to the temple treasury. He saw many rich, who put in large sums, yet was not a burden on them or a test of their faith, while he observed a widow woman who put in two copper coins, all that she had, doing so in faith that she would be provided for. It is about “childlike faith,” believing fully and without reservation that their gift should be about their faith relationship with our Lord!