Download The Whole Week Here: Download God's Kingdom
Brownies are baking in the oven and filling the air with a wonderful smell. Big brother is helping lace little brothers new school shoes. Two brothers are wrestling on the floor. I’ve promised the boys a game of hide and seek here soon…it is all nice wind down to a day of school shopping, organizing, sorting, cleaning, yard work, etc., etc., etc.
I’ve been a bit overwhelmed today. Don’t tell anyone, but I finally, just today, two weeks before school starts, have cleaned out my kids backpacks from the end of last year. I haven’t read with them as much as I should have over the summer….in fact, I’ve been in survival mode most of the summer. I’m far from organized with an efficient chore system, meal planning system, etc.
According to the past standards I’ve held for myself, I’ve been quite the failure this summer.
But my standards have changed.
Don’t get me wrong. Reading to my kids is important. Having an orderly home is somewhat important. But God has been moving on my heart the past couple of years in a way that has caused me to re-prioritize in an unexpected way.
God has shown me how much over-focus the general Christian population has put on a mom taking care of the home. Yes, we need to be good managers and keepers of our home. Scripture says so. BUT, we’ve seemed to take that to drastic measures – not just keeping order, but making our homes a god in a sense. Many of us have fallen into the trap of building our own kingdoms, within our homes – forgetting the world that lies beyond.
As with everything, there is need for balance. But this week, we’re going to dwell a bit on God’s kingdom.
Luke 17:20-21
20Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."
· Is God’s kingdom a place? Or a concept?
· If God’s Kingdom is with you, what can you do to build His kingdom?
Luke 12:22-34
22Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
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