29 June devotion - Looking for God's Kingdom

Today’s Bible readings can be found at this link: Exodus 25:23-40 and Luke 17:20-37.

Luke 17:20-21  Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

            If the Kingdom of God is to be found in our midst, what is stopping us from seeing it in other people? Is it their attitude? Their bad habits? Their Facebook posts? Their political views or religious beliefs? Do we see them as foes or friends? Do we accept them as encouragers or enragers? Do we embrace them as real people or envision them as rival opponents? If the Kingdom of God is to be found in our midst, what is stopping us from seeing it in other people?

            Perhaps it’s us and not them. Maybe we’ve become too focused on ourselves, opinions, and ideas that we view them as unequal, unsophisticated, or unworthy of our acceptance. Could it be that we see ourselves as completely right and them as totally wrong? Are we so convinced that God’s Kingdom couldn’t be in their hearts, minds, or souls that we’re ready to cast them aside and treat them as imbeciles? Are we so sure that the Kingdom of God resides within ourselves that it couldn’t possibly be found in those so unlike us?

            We forget that God’s Kingdom belongs to God, who abides and resides wherever God pleases. We can’t pick and choose whom we think deserves God’s favor, blessing, and influence – that right is God’s alone. When Jesus said to the Pharisees that God’s Kingdom was in the midst of them, He didn’t define it with moral margins, behavioral boundaries, or biased borders. The Kingdom of God, like the presence of the Holy Spirit, goes anywhere and everywhere God pleases.

            It is time that we stopped stigmatizing people because of their views, beliefs, and opinions, especially on social media like Facebook. The Kingdom of God even penetrates the Internet and is all over cyber-space. If we define ourselves as Christians then we should be looking for that Kingdom wherever we are – whether in our congregation or community, our workplace or even on the world-wide web.

Point to ponder

Am I looking for God’s Kingdom today? Am I seeing it in other people? Are other people seeing it in me?

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, enable us to experience God’s Kingdom wherever we are and whatever we do today. Open our hearts and minds to accept and embrace other folks as Your Kingdom people. Diminish our pride and prejudices; release us from our egos and self-centered ways. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of my Celtic drawings called “Spirit of the Celts.” You can view a larger version here: Spirit.

June 28 devotion - My Eyes Have Seen

Luke 2:30-32              “For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

            I have seen God’s salvation in the lives of other people, as well as my own. I have seen addicts turn their lives around and their families restored. I have seen people healed of various illnesses and injuries, and have watched them continue to enjoy life. I have seen the work of many churches across various cities, towns, and villages seeking to support the weak, love the lost, and embrace the hopeless. I have seen the work of missions and missionaries among the poorest of people and in the most deprived communities on Earth. In all of these places and among all of these people, I have seen the continuing ministry of Christ and God’s unending work of salvation.

            Today’s highlighted verses are taken from the prayer of Simeon when he encountered Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus in the Jerusalem Temple (Luke2:25-35). His words of gladness are still relevant in today’s world. All over the globe, Christians are working for the Lord to bring salvation to anxious persons and healing to broken hearts. Life is a constant struggle for most people on this small planet, but Christ’s work, words, and ways still manage to bring light and love, as well as hope and healing to billions of human beings in hundreds of nations.

            The prophecy that Simeon expressed in the Temple courts can still be experienced today. If we open our eyes to see, our ears to hear, and our hearts to receive what God is truly doing among us, we will recognize His work around us. Christ’s light reveals to us the redemption, renovation, and restoration of lives throughout the Earth. We only have to be open to His Spirit; we only have to be willing to serve Christ in order to see.

Questions for personal reflection

Where is God at work in my life, community, and world today? How may I help Him?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the world and we look to You for everlasting hope and eternal life. You came into this planet to restore us to God through mercy and forgiveness, grace and love. Thank You for these priceless gifts and infinite blessings. In Your Holy Name, we gratefully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s drawing is one of John’s stained glass designs. It’s based upon windows that he saw as a child when living in tenements in Glasgow, Scotland. The drawing is called both “Halfway Up the Stairs” and “Glasgow Rose.” If you would like to see a larger version, click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8158/7458512986_9fc4bdf206_b.jpg

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