Kingdom

Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

When we think of a kingdom we think of pomp and circumstance.  We think of riches and we think of ceremony and power. Fancily dressed people being honored and bowed before for just being related to a certain person.  Crowns and crests.   What a contrast between the kingdoms of the world and the kingdom of our Lord.  He came as a simple carpenter and called other average men and women to share the news of a new type of kingdom.  A kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy...a kingdom not just on the outside, but on the inside of every heart that calls Him Lord.  Crowns, kingdoms and nations will all pass away, but the kingdom of our Lord will remain forever.  

I kind of always think of the Kingdom of God has being "outside" of me.  It's the actions we do, the Gospel we preach.  But today I was reminded that it is also on the inside of me.  It's the righteousness, peace and joy that lives in my heart because of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.  Out of those things flow the stuff on the outside, our words, our actions and attitudes.  

And all of these things are planted within our hearts as seed by the Holy Spirit.  And it is with Him that we work to grow more and more like the Lord we serve.  Our job is to seek to bear the fruit that comes from walking with Jesus.  Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  This is what flows out of a heart that is fully submitted to God.  James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 

I want so much to have a heart that is fully committed and submitted to the Lord.  I pray each day for this heart.  There's a lot of junk in there though.  But like a metalsmith refining gold, the Holy Spirit is refining me every day.  As I cooperate with Him, He skims off the dross to reveal a heart that will reflect God's own heart.  And a life that reflects the righteousness, peace and joy that comes from the Lord Himself.  

Lord, help us to make Your Kingdom a reality in our hearts.  You have planted Your seeds in us, we ask that You now give us submitted spirits and wills that we may bear Your fruit and Your image to those around us.  Change us and grow us each and every day.  Help us to lay down our lives and follow You.  And it is in our precious Savior's Name we prayer.  Amen. 

Pray the Lord to remind you of the kingdom within.   

2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.