Recitation or Realization
Have you ever had those times in studying God’s word that God continues to send you back to the same scripture? This has happened many times and I usually understand that there is something I am missing. When this happened as I was preparing this word, I felt a little frustrated. The scripture was Matthew Chapter 13 about the kingdom of heaven and in particular the verse 44.
Every morning as I started my time in God’s word, I was sent to this same verse until finally after 4 days I said to God, “I already understand what this means.” How arrogant and prideful we can be, but in God’s mercy He encouraged me to read it again. It was then that I began to read this scripture with a “country” point of view. This wasn’t just about a man finding a treasure, hiding it, and then buying the land so that he could keep his treasure safe. It was amazing that I could pass it off so easily thinking it was an act of greed. That is what happens when you are in the city too long, but now with a country perspective, I saw this more clearly.
The issue is really not about the treasure but the field. I realized just how difficult it would be to find a treasure in a field. As I looked at the field behind our house, I tried to imagine how I would go about finding treasure of any kind. It would require planning to grid the field, estimating the depth to dig, borrowing or purchasing equipment with which to dig, and a great deal of labor and determination. Your whole day and following weeks would be consumed with the looking.
I then reflected on how diligently we seek the kingdom of heaven. Do we have a plan or a scheduled time set apart when we seek God’s face? Do we purpose to dig deep in the word and not skim over it quickly? Do we continue seeking, looking, and asking until we get the answer? Do we understand there is a treasure to be found? I fear we either have never searched, have searched without hope or faith, or have become discouraged and quit.
How often do we repeat the Lord’s prayer, and yet it has just become recitation and not realization? When we pray “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” are we moved to find out what that will is? Proverbs 2:1-5 says: “My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”
The kingdom of heaven (God) was present when Jesus was here preaching. When he left, he gave the Holy Spirit to the disciples, and then the kingdom of heaven was in them. When Jesus is in you by His Holy Spirit, the Kingdom is also present in you. When Jesus returns to earth, he will establish His Kingdom world-wide.
So, we should be expanding the principles of the kingdom now. Our churches and communities should reflect the kingdom of heaven and the will of God. Otherwise, why are we praying for His kingdom to come? Are we just supposed to sit back and wait for God to “poof away” the evil system, or do we purpose to see the kingdom of heaven established here? Jesus suggests in Matthew 13 that we sell everything to keep the treasure safe. The most precious thing you have is your life. Give your life to see the kingdom established. Study the kingdom in your Word and encourage others to do so.
Every morning as I started my time in God’s word, I was sent to this same verse until finally after 4 days I said to God, “I already understand what this means.” How arrogant and prideful we can be, but in God’s mercy He encouraged me to read it again. It was then that I began to read this scripture with a “country” point of view. This wasn’t just about a man finding a treasure, hiding it, and then buying the land so that he could keep his treasure safe. It was amazing that I could pass it off so easily thinking it was an act of greed. That is what happens when you are in the city too long, but now with a country perspective, I saw this more clearly.
The issue is really not about the treasure but the field. I realized just how difficult it would be to find a treasure in a field. As I looked at the field behind our house, I tried to imagine how I would go about finding treasure of any kind. It would require planning to grid the field, estimating the depth to dig, borrowing or purchasing equipment with which to dig, and a great deal of labor and determination. Your whole day and following weeks would be consumed with the looking.
I then reflected on how diligently we seek the kingdom of heaven. Do we have a plan or a scheduled time set apart when we seek God’s face? Do we purpose to dig deep in the word and not skim over it quickly? Do we continue seeking, looking, and asking until we get the answer? Do we understand there is a treasure to be found? I fear we either have never searched, have searched without hope or faith, or have become discouraged and quit.
How often do we repeat the Lord’s prayer, and yet it has just become recitation and not realization? When we pray “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” are we moved to find out what that will is? Proverbs 2:1-5 says: “My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”
The kingdom of heaven (God) was present when Jesus was here preaching. When he left, he gave the Holy Spirit to the disciples, and then the kingdom of heaven was in them. When Jesus is in you by His Holy Spirit, the Kingdom is also present in you. When Jesus returns to earth, he will establish His Kingdom world-wide.
So, we should be expanding the principles of the kingdom now. Our churches and communities should reflect the kingdom of heaven and the will of God. Otherwise, why are we praying for His kingdom to come? Are we just supposed to sit back and wait for God to “poof away” the evil system, or do we purpose to see the kingdom of heaven established here? Jesus suggests in Matthew 13 that we sell everything to keep the treasure safe. The most precious thing you have is your life. Give your life to see the kingdom established. Study the kingdom in your Word and encourage others to do so.
And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed,
nor shall the kingdom be left to another people.
It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end,
and it shall stand forever.
Daniel 2:44
Visiting the Body of Christ
We have been visiting churches in the area in the hope of networking with fellow Christians as we search to bring unity, and build the Kingdom of God. It is amazing to see the work that these bodies are doing for their communities. We hope to visit your church in the weeks to come!
First Baptist Church of Deer Trail - Pastor Sam Courts
Journey Church - Pastor Dusty Morris
Calvary Baptist - Pastor Bob McCurley
Mountain View Christian - Pastor Donn Headley
Strasburg Community Church - Pastor Steve Musser
Living Springs Cowboy Church - Pastor Zac Sanger
First Baptist Church of Deer Trail - Pastor Sam Courts
Journey Church - Pastor Dusty Morris
Calvary Baptist - Pastor Bob McCurley
Mountain View Christian - Pastor Donn Headley
Strasburg Community Church - Pastor Steve Musser
Living Springs Cowboy Church - Pastor Zac Sanger
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