Will Jesus remember us?
Three men had been condemned. Three men were hanging on crosses facing agonizing deaths. This is a horrific way to die. …
Tag Archives: Kingdom of God
“God’s kingdom is already among you.” ~Jesus
We keep looking. We think, someday we will go to heaven. We hold out hope. We trust in lots of …
“Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly, arguing and persuading them about the kingdom of God.” ~Luke
I need to speak boldly. I need to speak boldly every day. I need to argue and persuade as many …
February 1, 1960 — A movement for justice started at Woolworth’s in Greensboro, N.C.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and you have neglected the weightier …
“My kingdom is not of this world.” ~Jesus
Jesus is King. I have to confess my loyalty to King Jesus. This is the main thing about the main …
“Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God come in power.” ~Jesus
Jesus is clear. Jesus says Amen (aka truly). I must get this. Jesus is emphatic. What I wonder. What is …
“For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” ~Isaiah
This is a stunning prophecy (prediction) of the Kingdom of Jesus found in Isaiah 9:1-7. It was made by Isaiah. …
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” ~Jesus
I need to get on board with what God wants. It is never about me. It is always about God. …
“Now the works of the flesh are obvious: … strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, and anything similar. I am warning you that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” ~Apostle Paul
I get jealous. I get angry. One can lead to the other. The parable of the prodigal son is a …
“And the government will rest on His shoulders.” ~Isaiah
Consider this as we start. I know I must adjust my thinking but that is what Jesus always challenges me …
“Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” ~Jesus
Nicodemus doesn’t get what Jesus is saying. I am the same way some days. I hear Him but I don’t …
“Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!” ~John the Baptizer
Radically changing my mind and how I think/act (aka repent) is called for by John. Jesus will call for it …
“Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” ~Jesus
I want to be a part of the country where Jesus is King (aka the Kingdom of God). I really …
“Applause, everyone. Bravo, bravissimo! Shout God-songs at the top of your lungs! God Most High is stunning, astride land and ocean.” ~Sons of Korah
Now here is a good word. God, our most High God, is stunning. So is His Son Jesus. So is …
Is God’s country here already? What should I do?
We keep looking. We think, someday we will go to heaven. We hold out hope. We trust in lots of …
Was Jesus the Messiah’s mission one of preaching and teaching?
I am a disciple of Jesus. That means I must learn from Jesus. Jesus was one a mission to preach …
“Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” ~Jesus
Jesus has something He wants me to know. Jesus wants me to approach His kingdom with simplicity. Jesus wants me …
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Master and of His Messiah; and He will reign forever and ever.” ~Seventh Angel and Chorus from Heaven
Kings came and went. Kings died. Someone else became King. It could have been a son. It could have been …
“You’re not listening. Let me say it again.” ~Jesus
I am like Nicodemus. Jesus wants me to understand something but I’m not quite getting it. Jesus is patient. Jesus …
Is Jesus the Messiah’s kingdom a heavenly kingdom? Is it of this world?
Jesus is King. I have to confess my loyalty to King Jesus. This is the main thing about the main …
“Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?” ~King David
Why am I down in the dumps? King David has lots of good reasons to ask. So do I. I …
“But woe unto you, religious elites (scribes and Pharisees), hypocrites! You shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for you neither go in yourselves, neither suffer you them that are entering to go in.” ~Jesus
I am going to pay attention. Jesus is talking to me. I must learn. This is critical in my life. …
“Here is your king.” ~Pilate about Jesus
Pilate gets it right. Jesus is King. God has anointed Him, as the Messiah, as King of God’s country. Most …
“He sent out servants to call in all the invited guests. And they wouldn’t come!” ~Jesus
Jesus is on a roll. Jesus is making sure everyone knows what is going on with the religious elites. They …
God is in the revealing business
God is revealing things. God is in the revealing business. Sometimes it is a little fuzzy at first and then …
“You’re almost there, right on the border of God’s kingdom.” ~Jesus
The religious elites of the Jewish faith were constantly trying to trap Jesus. One asked “Which is most important of all …
“Here it is again, the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first.” ~Jesus
Jesus drives the point home time and time again. Jesus wraps up a story with this statement of how …
“To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.” ~Jesus
Whenever I hear the word “mystery“, my curiosity kicks in. I want to know. A “mystery” in the New Testament …
“If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” ~Jesus
Is Jesus my Master? Am I His slave? Does Jesus own me? Jesus is the King, anointed by the Holy …
“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” ~Jesus
Jesus is now at the core issue as He lays out His manifesto (Matthew 5 – 7). God has a …
Joy – Why does the Holy Spirit’s fruit include joy?
We love to eat fruit. We love the fruit and the juice. It gives us nourishment and refreshes us. May …
“Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me.” ~Jesus
Jesus looks me hard in the eye. Jesus is clear. Jesus isn’t going to pull any punches with me. …
“I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in.” ~Jesus
I am concerned and worry about lots of things. One of them is how am I doing compared to others. …
“And if anyone misses God’s goal, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus the Messiah the righteous.” ~Apostle John
Special praise goes to Jesus for vindicating the penitent and the needy who have no human champions. Ultimately, all God’s …
“A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich; a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.” ~King Solomon
Jesus warns us constantly and consistently about the dangers not focusing on God and focusing on wealth. It is a …
“And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their religious elitist leaders.” ~Apostle Matthew
Jesus wrapped up His Manifesto (Matthew 5 – 7). The teaching is over. What He has said is amazing. The …
King Jesus — How long will Jesus be King?
Kings came and went. Kings died. Someone else became King. It could have been a son. It could have been …
There are ungodly and unrighteous people. What to do?
There are ungodly and unrighteous people. They are evil. They have rejected God and His Son Jesus, the anointed King …
“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” ~Jesus
In some circles, the end game is to be saved. Now that is important but it is not the end …
“Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” ~Jesus
Paul tells the church that the spiritual blindness of Israel is a “mystery” that had not previously been revealed (Romans …
“Good leadership is a channel of water controlled by God; He directs it to whatever ends He chooses.” ~King Solomon
God is God. God is in control. I don’t get that some days. What about that jerk that is …
“We must obey God rather than men.” ~Peter
Jesus is clear. Peter heard Him and took it to heart. Jesus said “Render to the government (aka Caesar) the things …
“This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” ~God
What does God want from me? Listen to His Son Jesus. It is a simple and straightforward challenge. God didn’t …
“God’s plan for the world stands up, all his designs are made to last.” ~King David
David knows a lot about God’s plan for countries and kingdoms. We can plan and scheme all we want. …
“You will have complete and free access to God’s kingdom, keys to open any and every door.” ~Jesus
The Apostle Peter rightly declares the Jesus is the Messiah, the anointed one from God. Anointed to be King in …
“I can do nothing on My own initiative.” ~Jesus
Jesus is completely obedient to the will of His Father. 24/7 it is all about what does God want right …
“Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” ~Jesus
What am I working for? Jesus wants to know. Jesus has some commands for me on this. I must act …
“I have not come to call the righteous but those who miss God’s goal to radically change their thinking.” ~Jesus
Jesus challenges me to radically change my way of thinking. Repentance (the original Greek means radically changing my thinking) is of central …
“Courage! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.” ~Jesus
In the Bible, courage is also called “good cheer” as in Mark 6:50 when Jesus gave the command to the disciples who …
“Encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” ~Apostle Paul
Can I be gentle in caring for the weak? Every person is powerful. I can speak words that influence others. …
“Sky and earth will wear out; my words won’t wear out.” ~Jesus
What does Jesus say? I know what He says. I can read His words. I can study them. I can …
“Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, the Messiah.” ~Jesus
Jesus isn’t enamored with my being a leader who serves. Jesus calls on me to be a servant or a …
“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” ~Jesus
Jesus has just finished talking about not judging and hypocrisy in the Jesus Manifesto. At first sight and hearing, this is …
“Whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” ~Apostle John
Jesus tells me I “cannot serve both God and money.” (Luke 16:13) I must seek to be content with what …
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” ~Apostle Paul
Joy and happiness is essential in the Kingdom of God. The Beatitudes (aka The Jesus Manifesto) traditionally use the word “blessed”. …
“Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.” ~Jesus
The five thousand had just been feed. It was a stunning day. God had been shown, through His son Jesus, …
Miracles of Jesus — How does Jesus heal the sick?
There are so many amazing and supernatural acts of Jesus, revealing and confirming his Messianic credentials, and the coming of …
“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” ~Apostle Paul
The joy of deliverance is amazing. When God sets me free, rejoicing is in order. I was tied up missing God’s …
Toleration — It should be exercised for the benefit of those whose faith is weak
How tolerant of other believers should I be? Even when disputing/dialoguing over prominent doctrines, a disciple of Jesus should exercise …
“How can we picture God’s kingdom?” ~Jesus
Jesus invites me to picture what God’s kingdom is like. Jesus wants me to understand Him as King of the …
Wealth — John the Baptist on Fruits Worthy of Repentance
This is pretty stunning. Of course, John the Baptist is a prophet and is determined to speak the truth of …
“What do you make of this?” ~Jesus
Jesus wants to know. Jesus has a question. What do I make of this? Do I understand? Am I listening? …
Mystery — God’s plan of salvation: God’s plan, now revealed, has been hidden for long ages
The mystery of faith is a term that occurs in 1 Timothy 3:9. “Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted …
Healing — God is the Author of all Healing
There is a lot to be said in the scripture about sickness and healing. Jesus heals. I know this to …
Authority of Jesus — It is Questioned
The authority of Jesus is questioned by others: Am I questioning that Jesus has the authority from God? I need …
Justice — It is Declared in Jesus the Messiah
Justice is a term used for what is right or “as it should be.” Justice is one of God’s attributes …
“There is far more at stake here than religion.” ~Jesus
Jesus is not a fan of organized religion and the elite attitudes that go with it. Jesus is in favor …
“Then there’s only one thing left to do: Sell everything you own and give it away to the poor. You will have riches in heaven. Then come, follow me.” ~Jesus
Where is my treasure? What is important to me? Is Jesus my Master? Jesus told us to “store up for …
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life.” ~Jesus
There are a lot of details to life. What to eat. What to wear. Which way to drive to work. …
“Be brave. Be strong. Don’t give up. Expect God to get here soon.” ~King David
Now here is some good news. God is going to take care of me. My job is to love God. …
Discipleship – Joy is a Benefit and Results from Being a Disciple
Joy is closely related to gladness and happiness, although joy is more a state of being than an emotion; a …
Denial of Jesus — The Jewish People Rejected Jesus
Denial is the making of a conscious, informed decision not to accept Jesus as the Messiah or his claims and …
“Be very careful. Keep a sharp eye out for the contaminating yeast of the Baptist, Methodist, Episcopals, Lutherans or the Catholics. Also the yeast of Obama, Cruz, Sanders, Clinton or Trump.” ~Jesus
This is a special message for our current toxic political and religious environment. Jesus has something to say about all …
“Keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.” ~Apostle Peter
The Holy Spirit brings joy to believers, giving us an inner contentment and happiness which is not dependent upon external …
Does Jesus really mean what He is saying? Am I “buying it” at all? Is there good news?
I know what Jesus is saying. I say “is” in the present tense. I hear Him. The questions are these: …
Listening — To Jesus the Messiah
What does Jesus want from me? Jesus wants me to listen. Jesus wants me to be a good and faithful servant. …
“The fear of the Master is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” ~King Solomon
Proverbs 1:7 declares, “The fear of the Master is the beginning of knowledge.” Until I understand who God is and develop …
“Woe to you … ” ~Jesus
Jesus is upset. Jesus is upset with the elite religious leaders of the day. Jesus hasn’t gotten over it. I …
Mercifulness — God Shows it to us as He is Merciful
Mercifulness is an attitude of compassion and care, grounded in the nature of God himself, made manifest in the life …
“Happy are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” ~Jesus
The Jesus Manifesto continues. It may seem strange that Jesus should pass from peacemaking to persecution, from the work of reconciliation …
“It is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” ~Jesus
According to the Bible, though, hell is just as real as heaven. The Bible clearly and explicitly teaches that hell …
“We don’t want the crowds up in arms” ~Religious Leaders
The religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus. They would. The religious elites just didn’t want people to be upset about …
Gentleness — In Caring for the Weak
Human power under human control is a half-broken weapon in the hands of a child. But gentleness places my strength …
What does Jesus think of being a “servant leader”? Hint: Can you say “Argle Bargle”?
There is a lot being said, by “leaders”, about being servant leaders. I have a friend that has written a …
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” ~Jesus
Jesus is about to wrap His Manifesto. There is one final parable to lay it all out. There is a contrast …
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” ~Jesus
God is God. No one else is. God alone is in control. God is Great and God is Good. I …
Materialism — Material Goods can Turn the Heart Away From God
Material goods can turn my heart away from God. The pursuit of possessions and wealth and a preoccupation with physical things …
“Jesus rejoiced, exuberant in the Holy Spirit!” ~Luke
Jesus rejoiced. Jesus is exuberant in the Holy Spirit. Jesus came to usher in the Kingdom of God in the …
“What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” ~Disciples of Jesus
God is God and God is great. God empowered his son Jesus. There are so many amazing and supernatural acts …
Victory — It is Complete in Jesus as He defeated Temptation
Jesus the Messiah triumphs over and disarms all the powers of evil arrayed against him. Jesus has won the victory. …
“A slave of the Messiah Jesus …” ~Apostle Paul
How did Paul see himself? Paul saw himself as a slave of Jesus. This is not a fluke. Paul also …
“You are masters at making yourselves look good in front of others, but God knows what’s behind the appearance.” ~Jesus
Am I a master at making myself look good? What Jesus has to say to the religious elites (aka Pharisees) …
Joy — Deliverance sets it off
I want the joy of the Lord. I want to be more than happy. I want to celebrate God’s victory …
“In Jesus you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.” ~Apostle Paul
What gives Jesus the right to speak and act on his Father’s behalf in forgiving sin, pronouncing judgment and promising …
“Bravo, God, bravo!” ~King David
Where is my enthusiasm for God and His marvelous works? Why don’t I shout it out? Do I long for …
Faithfulness — The Proper Response to God by His Covenant People
Faithfulness is the proper response to God by his covenant people. It is seen in a steadfast commitment which reflects …
“If you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” ~Jesus
Jesus continues the Manifesto. Jesus is teaching me how to pray. After the model prayer, Jesus emphasizes the importance of …
25 Questions that Jesus Asks in the Good News According to Mark
Jesus Questions Jesus has some questions for me. I need to answer them and not ignore Him. It is stunning …
“Blessed be God — He heard me praying.” ~King David
I need to see how much God cares. It is just who He is. I don’t need to look around. …
“What you believed could happen has happened.” ~Jesus
Jesus challenges me. Jesus wants me to believe. When I do, Jesus is loving, kind and faithful. Jesus wants to …
