kingdom

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, . . .” (Ephesians 2:6).  Read Ephesians 2:1-22.  In Ephesians, Paul tells us God has “blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). There are at least ten benefits of our connection to Christ, ten blessings that are ours in Christ Jesus. First, we have been resurrected from sin and death (see Ephesians 2:1). It sounds basic, but the number-one lie concerning the Christian faith is that if you’re a good person, then you go to heaven. The Truth is you and I were born spiritually dead—and dead people can’t do good works! The second benefit is that we have been lovingly transformed (see v. 3). Once we were objects of God’s wrath, but because Jesus paid for our sins, now we are objects of God’s mercy. The third benefit is the flip side of […]

Haggai 2:4). The greatest encouragement is God with us. Read Haggai 2:4-9. God has something to say to His people in trying times. He wants to give us a word of encouragement; He wants us to stay strong. This was the message He brought to His people through the prophet Haggai. The year was 520 BC, and many Jewish people had just returned to Judea from exile. The people were busy rebuilding their homes and the temple of God. And then, suddenly, their world changed. Opposition from outside the community threatened their progress, and the people became discouraged. The temple construction stopped. God’s people were filled with uncertainty and apprehension. It was then that God gave a message to the prophet Haggai: “‘But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord […]

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matthew 25:13). Are you ready to meet the Lord? Read Matthew 25:1-13. If you’re not sure you’re prepared for the Lord’s return, Jesus has something to say to you today. In Matthew 25, we find a parable about a wedding feast and ten virgins who fell asleep waiting for the bridegroom to arrive with his procession. Five of the virgins were wise, and five were foolish. Five had oil in their lamps, and five did not. In the same way, some Christians will be ready for the Lord’s return, and some who profess the name of Christ will not be. When we read this parable carefully, we ought to notice several things the wise and foolish virgins have in common. Both groups were invited. Both groups responded positively to the invitation. Both groups had affection toward the bridegroom. Both groups believed in His coming. Both groups fell […]

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27). Worry is incompatible with the Christian life. Read Matthew 6:25-34 At the root of all anxiety is the fear that we’ll lose something valuable. But no matter how many material possessions we collect or how much money we have in the bank, these things can never bring us peace or contentment. However, when we know that God gave us everything and that it’s all for His glory anyway, we will be at peace. You will be at peace. Why? Because just as God gave it to you, He will multiply it to you. He will multiply it to you so that you can keep on doing the work of God. God is looking for conduits—people through whom His gifts and blessings can flow to others. You see, fear and faith do not mix. If we’re paying attention to all that the Lord is doing […]

“[Y]our kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).   Read Matthew 6:9-13.   Though we walk in the hope of heaven as a future reality, heaven is within us here and now. Jesus Himself said, “The coming of the kingdom is not something that can be observed, . . . because the kingdom of God is in your midst” (Luke 17:20-21). In order to comprehend how the Kingdom of heaven can be our future home and yet also be within us, we need the Holy Spirit to give us an eternal vision. If we’re not spending time learning from and listening to our heavenly Father through His Word and His Spirit, our spiritual eyes will not see clearly (see Ephesians 1:18-19). Furthermore, we won’t be able to live a life of obedience because we won’t see clearly who Christ is and what He’s done for us.   You see, Paul says because […]

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels’” (Matthew 25:41).   Read Luke 16:19-31.   During His earthly ministry, Jesus talked more about hell than He did about heaven. Hell is serious business, and He wanted people to understand that apart from Him, that’s where they are headed. Out of love, He warned people about hell in the most caring, heartbroken, and compassionate way. Today, however, hell is not a popular subject. Many pastors avoid it altogether, not wanting to be labeled a “fire-and-brimstone preacher.” But if Jesus thought it was important to talk about hell, shouldn’t we?   Some people wonder, If God is so good, how could He send people to hell? But the Truth is the everlasting fire was “prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). While Satan and his demons have no choice about their […]