Kingdom Blessings
12/4 Reading Portions: 2 Chronicles 3-4; 1 John 3; Nahum 2; Luke 18
Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
12/4 Reading Portions: 2 Chronicles 3-4; 1 John 3; Nahum 2; Luke 18
Luke 18:29-30
And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
FAMILY
I’ve mentioned this in past devotionals and even preached this message in many sermons over the past 25 years; nevertheless, it is always a happy meditation for me— considering the relationship we have with other believers through the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Our hearts are knit more closely with our brothers and sisters in Christ than with even our own blood relatives who are not saved. Christ Himself is our eternal spouse. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are siblings who stand side by side with us as we praise the everlasting Father. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are nurturing parents to the family of God. New believers in Christ are children who are like arrows in the joyful quiver of our eternal God. These are oh so important blessings in Christ’s kingdom. Jesus is the “glue,” if you will, that binds His entire created universe together, as it is written,
And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17
The created universe was created by Christ, through Christ, and for Christ (John 1:3; Heb 1:2). Since our Creator and Redeemer promised never to leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5), then we can readily understand the reason why we are closer to one another as believers than to our own flesh and blood kin who know not Christ.
Yet in God’s grace and by His mercy, He may save an unbelieving spouse, an obstinate brother, disinterested parents, or wayward children. Oh! and when He does, what a blessing it is for us to see those souls surrender their lives to the One who is called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace! There is truly no lack of blessings in the kingdom of our dear Lord, both now and in the age to come. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
We’re oft times busy to observe
The blessings Christ bestows;
We must take moments while we serve,
Thankful for souls He chose.