Here's the Keys

But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Luke 12:31-32 NIV

When I was in my teens I had a bit of a dare-devil, Evel Kneivel, in me. So, by the time I was old enough to drive my dad (wisely) told me if I wanted to drive I could, I'd just have to pay for the car and insurance myself. Because I really was into sports I didn't have the time to work enough to pay for a car and insurance. 

Eventually, I got my drivers license but not a car. I actually was just graduated from high school and no longer living at home. I was working for  a construction company and driving the company truck. One day my day called me up and said I could use his truck. It was a very nice two-toned four wheel drive pick up truck with mag wheels. He said he noticed me driving the company truck and if I was responsible enough for that then I was responsible enough for him to let me use his. 

In the same way my father was pleased to let me use his truck, our Father in heaven is pleased to give us the kingdom. He will care for our needs. We just have to seek his kingdom, seek to be faithful, seek to lift up Jesus in our lives. 

I encourage you, seek first his kingdom. Let him be king in you today where ever you go and what ever you do. 

The Upside Down Kingdom

Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!"

Mark 15:29-30

The world just doesn't get it. Jesus didn't come to save himself, he came to save sinners, to save you and me.

The Kingdom of God is not like the world's kingdoms which are all about who's on top, no, the Kingdom of God is the upside down kingdom. Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, came not to be served but to serve. Jesus was not on the cross to make himself king, he already was king. Jesus was on the cross to get us into the kingdom.

Thank you, Jesus, that you died for me. Thank you that you endured the cross so that I might be in your kingdom. Thank you, my Lord and my King. 

What Will You Do With Those Gifts?

Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 

Matthew 25:14

Yesterday was Christmas. Today I will start to decide what I am going to do with the gifts I was given. Matthew 25 was the chapter I read today. It is a good reminder to take stock of what God has given me and check myself to see if I am seeking to build his kingdom or just mine.  

What gifts has God entrusted you with? 

How will you use them today? tomorrow?

No Matter Where You Go, There He Reigns.

God reigns over the nations;

   God is seated on his holy throne.

Psalm 47:7

This truly a remarkable statement, an amazing truth. God reigns. Not only does God reign, he reigns over the nations. Think of Israel, a country whose people often found themselves in the midst of turmoil. Little Israel vs. Egypt. Israel verses Babylon. Israel under the Medes and the Persians. For the most part, a bunch of tyrants. These are the times that the Sons of Korah would have written this Psalm. 

Today we live in a world of great unrest. I'm pretty confident that a least a few of you may work for a tyrant. But, God reigns. He is seated on his throne. I don't know what the unrest is in your life. I have no clue about the exact measure of your trials, but I do know that the Bible says that God reigns, and is seated on the throne. I also know that Jesus is there, interceding on our behalf (Romans 8:34 and Hebrews 7:25).

Whatever you are going through, God reigns and he is seated on his throne and Christ is interceding on your behalf!

Whose Kingdom Are You Building?

Give careful thought: Is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until nom, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not born fruit.

   From this day on I will bless you.
Haggai 2:18d-19

Check yourself. Think about what you are doing and how things are going. In Matthew 6:33 Jesus reminds us, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." The message of Haggai is that the remnant of Israelites that returned to Jerusalem needed to refocus themselves on building the temple of the Lord, not (first) their own houses. That is why God sent them back, to rebuild the temple. God does not have us here to build our own kingdoms, but his. 

Haggai tells us to give careful thought to your ways. We can build the kingdom of God in many ways. Remember, the kingdom of God is within you. A friend of mine, a drywall contractor, once told me there was no Jesus in the kingdom of drywall. Through a series of humbling events, he learned there was, in him. Give careful thought to your ways.

Father, forgive me for seeking first the kingdom of me. Use me to build your kingdom, today. Praise be to you in us today!