May Your Kingdom Come Soon

Matthew 6:9-13-"Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. MAY YOUR KINGDOM COME SOON. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."

2 Peter 3:8-10-"But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief."

You may have thought to yourself sometime: 'Why hasn't Jesus come back yet?' Every Christian out there at one point in their lives has hoped that Jesus would come back soon, and that the Kingdom of God would be here. Instead focusing on that so often, though, I believe we should be more focused on letting God help us help others to repent and turn to Him. Here's a story I heard one time that illustrates this point well:

The world is a big cliff. Every person born begins to walk closer and closer to the edge. On the way to the edge, though, there are several crosses where people repent of their sins and turn to Jesus's forgiveness. After awhile, there are many people gathered around the crosses, waiting for the day when Jesus will return. Yet, many who ignored the crosses or didn't encounter them still walk closer to the edge. Sadly, many people fall off the edge to their death. After seeing this happen, some of the people gathered around the crosses begin to shout at the people walking toward the edge, warning them of their coming demise. Some are saved, but not enough. After seeing this, a few courageous Christians walk close to the edge, stand with their arms wide open, and block people from falling off the cliff. More and more Christians follow, and they are able to block even more people from falling. Still, most of the Christians remain safely at the crosses, where they know they will not fail or be harmed. Because of this, most of the world's people continue falling off the edge.

Take a look at the world and people around you. How many of your friends are saved? How many of your family members are saved? How many of your co-workers or class mates are saved? Every time you see someone who isn't saved walking somewhere, imagine they are walking toward the edge of the cliff-because they are. Make the choice today. Will you be a cliff-blocker or will you remain in your comfort zone?

Matthew 6:33-"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."

Matthew 13:31-32-"Here is another illustration Jesus used: 'The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.'"

Matthew 7:13-14-"You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it."

Even though you make think you are too small to make a difference, or you may not know how or feel comfortable sharing your faith with someone else, God believes you can. Isn't that enough? Think about it-if God helps you lead someone else to Christ, and that person leads someone to Christ, and that person leads someone to Christ, that's 3 new Christians right there-just because of you! Sure, you may not know how or what to say, but that's not a problem. Pray about it, have the courage to walk to the edge, and watch as God moves in and through you wonderfully. It's worth it to stand on the edge!

Proverbs 3:5-6-"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."

Keep Measuring Up! You are loved. Look forward to the day when Jesus comes!
-Jenna Hampton
with the Holy Spirit and God's understanding, not mine.