January 21, 2018 Sunday

“Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News. “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”” (Mark 1:14-15 NLT)

            The coming of Jesus for many has become either a date we argue about or something that happened a long time ago.  It is too easy to lose the wonder and mystery of a child and be amazed as God at last fulfilled His promise.

“The time promised by God has come at last!”

            Does that make your heart and soul break forth in joy?  Does that make you wonder how such an amazing could have happened?  Are you amazed that the God who created all wrapped Himself in human flesh and came from the Worship of heaven to the abuse and murder of His Creation?

            Jesus proclaims that the Kingdom of God is near!  Where is this Kingdom of God?  How can we know it even if we see it?  Jesus states that the Kingdom of God happens when we “Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” For then we become the Temple and the Throne for God!  For the Kingdom is where we put God on the throne of our heart!

            The Kingdom of God is also a reminder that we belong to a people who since Adam and Eve and until our Lord returns placed God on the Throne of their lives.  For after John was arrested Jesus began to announce the Good News. 

            I remember the first congregations I served and we had a great year and I was celebrating.  In all wisdom my District Superintendent reminded me that I was part of so many and that I reaped what others had sown and others would reap what I had sown!  That we are part of God’s eternal line of those in the Kingdom of God!

            Do you wonder at this amazing flow of God’s Kingdom?  I remember the story about the minister who went to a Chamber of Commerce meeting and when they asked for the company that had been in business the longest he proudly proclaimed he was part of God’s Church and that it had been in business for 2,000 years!

            Today I was able to go to worship at Asbury UMC in Knoxville Tennessee.  It always is such a blessing to be able to worship with my brothers and sister in Christ!  Even though it is so painful to go I know it is worth it to me.  I also listen to the podcast of the service at First UMC Jefferson City Tennessee.