Key Passage
"Since the time John the Baptizer came until now, the kingdom of heaven has been going forward strongly. People using force have been trying to get the kingdom."
— Matthew 11:12 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
The Kingdom of God is powerful. But it has been, and will continue to be, under the attack of violent men. John is a great reminder of this. The power of his message, the power of God's truth, the power of proclaiming the nearness of the Kingdom led to conflict and death for John. Jesus warns his disciples that they will face similar challenges. But the Kingdom will advance because the power behind it is much stronger than the forces which oppose it.Jesus' warning is clear. If they gave John a hard time because he spoke with power of the coming Kingdom, what do you think they will do to us who live in the power of the Kingdom? We, too, must realize that we have a war on our hands, and, like John, proceed faithfully toward God's goal for us and not our own, realizing that if we are a part of God's Kingdom, we will be victorious.
Prayer
Righteous and Almighty God, please give your servants boldness, courage and conviction today as we seek to share the word of your grace with those who are caught in darkness. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Related Scriptures
Paul and Barnabas told the Good News in the city of Derbe too. Many people became followers {of Jesus}. Paul and Barnabas returned to the cities of Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. In those cities Paul and Barnabas made the followers {of Jesus} stronger. They helped them to stay in the faith. Paul and Barnabas said, "We must suffer many things on our way into God's kingdom."
— Acts 14:21-22
But Philip told the people the Good News about the kingdom of God and the power of Jesus Christ. Men and women believed Philip. They were baptized.
— Acts 8:12
— 1 Cor. 4:20
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2017. All rights reserved.
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"Since the time John the Baptizer came until now, the kingdom of heaven has been going forward strongly. People using force have been trying to get the kingdom."
— Matthew 11:12 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
The Kingdom of God is powerful. But it has been, and will continue to be, under the attack of violent men. John is a great reminder of this. The power of his message, the power of God's truth, the power of proclaiming the nearness of the Kingdom led to conflict and death for John. Jesus warns his disciples that they will face similar challenges. But the Kingdom will advance because the power behind it is much stronger than the forces which oppose it.Jesus' warning is clear. If they gave John a hard time because he spoke with power of the coming Kingdom, what do you think they will do to us who live in the power of the Kingdom? We, too, must realize that we have a war on our hands, and, like John, proceed faithfully toward God's goal for us and not our own, realizing that if we are a part of God's Kingdom, we will be victorious.
Prayer
Righteous and Almighty God, please give your servants boldness, courage and conviction today as we seek to share the word of your grace with those who are caught in darkness. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Related Scriptures
Paul and Barnabas told the Good News in the city of Derbe too. Many people became followers {of Jesus}. Paul and Barnabas returned to the cities of Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. In those cities Paul and Barnabas made the followers {of Jesus} stronger. They helped them to stay in the faith. Paul and Barnabas said, "We must suffer many things on our way into God's kingdom."
— Acts 14:21-22
But Philip told the people the Good News about the kingdom of God and the power of Jesus Christ. Men and women believed Philip. They were baptized.
— Acts 8:12
— 1 Cor. 4:20
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2017. All rights reserved.
