“We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us. We are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”
C. S. Lewis
The Realm of the Kingdom
“The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” Psalms 103:19 (ESV)
Every kingdom has a realm. The realm of the kingdom is the territory over which a king exercises authority. The scriptures clearly tell us that God has complete rule in the universe. David wrote, “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.” (1 Chronicles 29:11 ESV) “For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.” (Psalms 22:28 ESV) Continue reading
Faith
“Faith for my deliverance is not faith in God. Faith means, whether I am visibly delivered or not, I will stick to my belief that God is love.”
Oswald Chambers
The King of the Kingdom
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” John 18:36 (ESV)
The Jews were looking for a Messiah who would establish a political kingdom (John 6:15). Their hopes were that this Messiah would institute a kingdom free of Roman rule. Even after preaching and demonstrating the kingdom for years with his disciples looking on, they still asked him just before his ascension, Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” To which Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. (Acts 1:6-7) Jesus knew that his kingdom did not originate on earth (John 18:36). Continue reading
Unalterable Purpose
“Everything that has moved or shall move in heaven, and earth, and hell, has been, is, and shall be according to the counsel and foreknowledge of God, fulfilling a holy, just, wise and unalterable purpose!”
Charles Spurgeon
The Message of the Kingdom
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:1-2 (ESV)
John the Baptist came as “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’” (Matthew 3:3 ESV) He was aware that there was one coming after him who would usher in a new kind of kingdom rule on earth. Speaking of Jesus, John told the Pharisees and Sadducees, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” (Matthew 3:11-12 ESV) Continue reading
Restless Heart
“Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.”
Augustine
Your Heart
“Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God.”
Martin Luther