"....THIS GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM WILL BE PREACHED...TO ALL NATIONA...."

"And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come....Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life...."  (Matthew 24:14, BSB & Matthew 28:19, MSG)

The Gospels refer to the Kingdom 126 times, and the Church 3 times.  What is the contemporary Church missing?!?  

Allow me to encourage you that everywhere you and I place the sole of our foot today, we are stepping in the Kingdom of Heaven.  It is our ground, not "theirs."

Father, in Jesus' Name, teach me what You mean by, "This Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached..," and, "Train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"....AN UNGODLY NATION"

"Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!"  (Psalm 43:1)

My first thought this morning was, "I lost Pennsylvania.  '....An ungodly nation,'" has prevailed.  Now a first reaction by some might be, "Well, that's egotistical.  You weren't the only one praying for the election.  No, but I was praying, and I lost Pennsylvania.

Why are so many professing believers unable to say, "I lost," or, "I blew it," or, whatever?!?  Not every Bible "superstar" had all of their prayers answered.  You and I are no different.  The egotist here is the one who thinks, "Well, I prayed; therefore, it should have happened just as I prayed."  

Followers of Jesus Christ respond to such events with the last verse of the Psalm, "Why are you cast down, O my soul?  And why are you disquieted within me?  Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I commit myself to Your Words, "....that men should keep on praying and never give up."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"Rejoice, Rejoice O Christian...."

"My times are in Your hands....You are my hiding place."  (Psalm 31)

What I read here is that my very existence, every circumstance, every person, every event in my life,"....is in Your Hands."  There is a trust factor here.  Most of life in the world around us is beyond our ability to do anything about it.  This is not fatalism nor defeatism.  This is reality, and, in These, "Words of God," is our Rest.    

Then the Psalmist says later, "You are my hiding place."  Now, "Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing, Eternal Hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!"

Father, in Jesus' Name, I so thank You that, "My times are in Your hands," and that, "You are my hiding place"!  Amen.

*******************

We currently have $4300.00 for Ukrainian Relief.  I hope to send funds before the end of November.  The Ukrainian Government is warning of the very real probability of no water, heat, and electricity this winter.  May the Church in Ukraine find solace in today's text! 

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2