Between bites of the blueberry pancakes he was enjoying one morning, Stan said, “My journaling earlier today showed me something I’d like to pass on to you.”
“I’d love to hear it,” I replied. “What’d you see?”
“What I saw,” Stan said, “reminded me of something I didn’t see for way too long even though it was right in front of me.”
“You didn’t see something that was right in front of you? What’s that?”
“The kingdom of God,” Stan said. “Jesus said that the kingdom of God is in our midst, but He also said that we need to have something I didn’t have in order to see it.”
“What didn’t you have?”
“The new birth,” Stan replied. “I wasn’t born again so I couldn’t see the kingdom of God even though it was right in front of me.”
“But now you can?”
“I can,” Stan agreed, “because I did what Jesus said needed to be done in order to see the kingdom of God.”
“Be born again?”
“That’s it,” Stan affirmed. “That’s how people can see what’s in their midst!”
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Bible verses to consider:
For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst. Luke 17:21.
Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life eternally with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Thank you for those people who told me what was necessary for me to see your kingdom and to be in the midst of it. I confess that even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, too often I don’t tell others what they need to see the kingdom of God and to be in the midst of your kingdom. Please forgive that foolish approach to living the new life you’ve given. Help me follow every step of your lead in not only being in the midst of your kingdom, but in telling others how they, too, can see and be a part of your kingdom. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Can you see the kingdom of God because you have accepted what Jesus accomplished by His finished work on the cross, namely, life eternally with God, the life that begins here and will continue forever? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with seeing God’s kingdom? How about telling others how they can see the kingdom of God? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does God know you need to see His kingdom, as well as helping others to see it? Spend time on this in prayer, reflection, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?