His kingdom

John 14:6 KJV — Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Psalm 145:10-13 NKJV — All Your works shall praise You, O LORD, And Your saints shall bless You. They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom, And talk of Your power, To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, And the glorious majesty of His kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.

The kingdom of God is something the Bible refers to often.

Jesus spoke of the kingdom of God frequently.

Matthew 13:24-25 NKJV — Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way…”

Matthew 13:45-46NKJV — “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

Matthew 13:47-50NKJV — “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

Throughout scripture the Lord tells us that this world is not all there is.

He promises eternal life to those who will put their trust in Jesus Christ.

It is through the sacrifice of God’s Son we can gain citizenship in His kingdom.

And it’s a kingdom like no other.

How great are His signs, And how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And His dominion is from generation to generation.
Daniel 4:3 NKJV

For those who have already put their trust in Him and surrendered their lives before Christ we have both security and responsibility.

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
II Peter 1:5‭-‬11 NKJV

Let us not weary of doing good, nor grow cold to the anticipation of entrance into the kingdom of God!

Rather, let us take heart knowing this world is not going to last forever, working diligently today with hope for the return of our Savior.

Galatians 6:9 NKJV — And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your wondrous works. Thank You that we have Your kingdom to look forward to and Your return to anticipate with joy. Thank You for Your love and promises. Lord, please help us to focus upon You today and be thankful for Your ways. Lord, goodness, honor, righteousness, integrity, truth all come from You. You are not fickle nor are Your ways crooked. Please continue to shine the light of truth into our hearts and minds, that we might be cleansed from sin and the effects of living in this sin filled world. Lord, please show us Your wisdom and let us not walk in our own ways. Help us to redeem the time, to be citizens of Your kingdom while we await the day of our entrance. Lord Jesus, please continue to teach us to be humble, compassionate, forgiving, and brave that we might reflect Your love and truth to all those who have yet to know You. Please help us to be diligent in sharing the truth with others. Lord Jesus, I praise You. I thank You, for Your salvation! May my life bring glory to Your name. Amen.

Four days before Christmas

Bethlehem,

the place of Jesus’s birth.

It’s a place which is rich in Biblical history.

Israel (Isaac’s son) buried his wife Rachel there.

Genesis 35:19 KJV — And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.

One of the men who judged the children of Israel was from Bethlehem.

Judges 12:8 KJV — And after him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel.

And one of the most beautiful romance stories in history is set in Bethlehem.

Ruth 1:22 KJV — So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.

If you’re unfamiliar with this story, please take the opportunity to read the book of Ruth.

This sets the stage, because a baby boy named Obed was born there.

He’s the grandfather of another baby boy, named David.

Through this boy, God grew a man, a king, and a nation.

Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel. And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a name like the name of the great men who are on the earth. Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously, since the time that I commanded judges to  be over My people Israel. Also I will subdue all your enemies. Furthermore I tell you that the Lord will build you a house. And it shall be, when your days are fulfilled, when you must go to  be with your fathers, that I will set up your seed after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build Me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be his Father, and he shall be My son; and I will not take My mercy away from him, as I took it from him who was before you. And I will establish him in My house and in My kingdom forever; and his throne shall be established forever.” ’ ”
I Chronicles 17:7‭-‬14 NKJV

The Lord spoke through the prophet Micah.

Micah 5:2 KJV — But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Jesus is the Son whose kingdom will never end.

And He is the king of Kings, the lord of Lords.

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Revelation 19:11‭-‬16 NKJV

Let us never forget,

Jesus is a babe no longer.

He is a king.

He’s kingdom is everlasting.

And one day He’s coming back.

Let us come and adore Him!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for being our Savior. Thank You for giving us Your Word. Thank You for being Lord! Please help us to remember Who you are and what You have done. Please teach us how to honor You in all we do. Thank You. Amen.

…as little children

Matthew 18:1 NKJV — At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

It’s easy to stand on the outside of this and judge the disciples.

To wonder what was going on in their hearts to ask this question.

But no matter the questions which run through one’s mind when reading this account, there is a wonderful gift of truth in Jesus’answer.

Matthew 18:2-3 NKJV — Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”

What does it mean to become as a little child?

Watching our granddaughter with her Daddy brings a good example.

She looks forward to time spent together.

She runs to meet him when he comes home from work.

When something is scary she throws up her arms, eyes upon his face, waiting for his arms to enfold her.

When she’s hurting she buries her head under his chin.

When he holds her hand, she follows.

That is the relationship.

One of complete trust, complete dependence upon God.

Of course, our granddaughter has moments of self, when she needs to be removed from error.

She has times of misunderstanding and frustration.

But these never bar her from trusting in her Daddy.

It never dampens her joy at being with him.

She doesn’t hold a grudge.

Yes, I want to have that relationship with Jesus.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for loving us so completely. Lord, help my heart to learn to be as a little child, to love my Heavenly Father with trust and joy. Lord Jesus, thank You for this truth. Expound it to our hearts and minds this morning. Help us to learn to love You as little children. Thank You. Amen.