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Note from the Pastor, May 14, 2017

Today we begin a series of devotions written by Pastor Dale. The focus of these devotions is the “kingdom of God” and what that looks like for us.

On Earth as it is in Heaven
The Kingdom of Heaven is Within Us.

Some Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come. His answer was, “The Kingdom of God does not come in such a way as to be seen. No one will say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’; because the Kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:21,22

Jesus began his ministry saying exactly what John the Baptist said, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is near.” (Matt.3.2) Jesus sent his twelve chosen disciples out to preach this same message in Matt. 10:7. And then, halfway through his ministry, Jesus said, “the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17.20,21)

What does this mean? The kingdom is within us...? Before we begin to look at each instance in which Jesus speaks about the kingdom of heaven, let us take a moment here and now to reflect... What is the kingdom of heaven like?

What do you see? 
Is it here? Within you?
Is it here? Within us?

What does the kingdom of heaven look like here and now?

Take a few moments, write down your answers.

Or if you are with someone, tell each other what you think.

You might think this is contradictory to what Jesus said: "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, `Here it is,' or `There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you." But by reflecting and talking about it, we begin to stir up wonder in our hearts and in our minds – What did Jesus mean when he said that the kingdom of heaven is among us!?

Come, join in a discovery of heaven here on earth!

Prayer: Our father, who is in heaven, holy is your name! Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen

- Pastor Dale

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