kingdom of God

Heaven is a Place!

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The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Matthew 13:44 ESV

Ottawa, Canada, Brisbane, Australia, Marseille, France and Jaigaon, India are on four different continents, speak three different languages and share at least two things in common. These all can be found on a map, and they are all capitalized. How strange it is that places on earth that are temporary are given the honor of capitalization while the place in Heaven where God rules is not.

Did you ever stop to think while you prayed, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” that Heaven is far more real and permanent than where you live? Maybe we miss Heaven’s importance because it is a treasure, but one that God has hidden in the field of this world. Yet this is a place so valuable and true that we are urged to sell all we have to find it. Heaven is our greatest reward and Hope. Heaven is where flowers bloom forever and we will never grow old. Heaven is where God sings and sorrow flees, where angels fall down before Him, and Jesus is lifted up. Heaven is where orphans are adopted, the hungry are fed and tears are wiped away. Heaven is where blind eyes see God and that one day we will be changed to be like Jesus, where finally and forever we will be with Him. Heaven is more wonderful and real than any place on earth. So, let’s capitalize the place where God will forever rule in the hearts of everyone who loves Him!

Hope on the Horizon

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And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8 ESV

Some of us may feel hopeless as we see a political scene where the value of an unborn child is worthless, the purpose of a family is useless and freedom to worship God is considered dangerous. But God sees things differently than us. Because if politics could have changed a single heart, Jesus would have run for office. If money could give happiness and contentment, He would have built a business and lived in a mansion. If entertainment could soothe away fears and calm a world at war, He could have multiplied bread every Monday, walked on water on Tuesdays and turned water into wine for the rest of the week!

But instead Jesus came and gave His life so we could be forgiven. He sent His Spirit to fill us and teach us to love our enemies, wash the feet of our friends and give our wealth to the poor.

Then – not because we deserve it but because He loves us, we find ourselves in a kingdom whose ruler never leaves office. We receive an inheritance of contentment and an eternal home. And most of all we begin to experience true peace as we discover that through the blood of Jesus; God has adopted us as His sons and daughters. So I see real hope on the horizon, because Jesus is still in charge and has a job for us to do. Now what could be more hopeful than that?

The Power of the Gospel

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For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16 ESV 

We often look at the telling of the story of Jesus’ life as if it were simply recounting one adventure after another. But when we look a bit deeper we discover that most of the Gospel is actually about the word of God revealed either through the teaching or ministry of Jesus.

John reminds us of this at the beginning of His account;  -In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God and The Word was God.   John 1:1

For example think of how the parable of the sower teaches us to be careful how we listen to God’s word. Jesus tells us that its transforming power only works when if enters our hearts in a way that changes our behavior and attitudes. Then directly afterward Jesus heads off in a boat with his disciples and He falls asleep after a long day. But as they begin to sail away into the sunset a terrible storm comes up and in desperation His disciples shake him awake crying out in fear. Then Jesus gets up and commands the wind and waves and – what do they do? – They immediately obey His word.

grayscale photo of body of waves

Photo by Matt Hardy on Pexels.com

Today it is no different. God’s power in our lives occurs not by our reading, listening to or even watching films about the Bible. It only takes root when it comes in power; so that our believing and receiving forms a living connection with Him. When we get truly connected to Him then proclaiming His word to others will become more and more a natural outflow. Maybe one part of God’s purpose in this moment when we are shut in has been to give us opportunity to connect in a deeper way with the true Gospel. If we will treasure this time, then both in the middle of the storm and when it is over; His Gospel will work in power both in our hearts and around us on little patch of earth.