Tag Archives: God’s kingdom

THE DEMANDS OF THE KINGDOM

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Friday 14th March – Friday of the 1st week of Lent

Reflection: Matthew 5:20-26

THE DEMANDS OF THE KINGDOM

The Kingdom of God is a delicate matter which every serious Christian should pay keen attention to. This Kingdom demands that we live beyond the standards of this world. For instance, the standard of the world is to “be good to only those who are good to you”. But for a Christian, this is a low standard because the scripture enjoins us to “love our enemies, bless those that curse us and do good to them that hate us…” (Matthew 5:44). Often, we find ourselves falling short of this Kingdom standard. Hence, what must we do?

First we must acknowledge our weaknesses before God and implore the help of the Holy Spirit. One of the reasons why God gave us His Holy Spirit is to convict us of righteousness. (John 16:8). Beloved, what this means is that you will no longer try to be righteous by your own strength or human will, rather the Holy Spirit will teach you a new pattern of righteousness that comes from intimacy with Him. Dear friends, hatred and malice are never to be found in the rank of a Christian. Why not turn to the Holy Spirit today, He is ready to help you.

PRAYER: Precious Holy Spirit, I acknowledge your presence in me and ask you to help me shed off every weakness of character in my life this day. Please grant me the grace to cooperate with you in this purpose. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 112 – What will it be like when Christ judges us and the whole world?

“Even Christ cannot help someone who does not want to know anything about love; such a person judges himself.

Because Jesus Christ is “the way, and the truth, and the life” (Jn 14:6), He will show what is of lasting value in God’s sight and what is not. Held up to the standard of His life, the full truth about all people, things, thoughts, and events will come to light.

HIDE A TREASURE: “If thou, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” Psalm 130:3 RSV

Readings for today: Ezekiel 18:21-28; Psalm 130:1-5, 7-8; Matthew 5:20-26.

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SUCCESS WITHOUT SENSE?

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Thursday, 27th February – Thursday of week 7 of the year

Reflection: James 5: 1-6

SUCCESS WITHOUT SENSE?

It is the desire of everyone to be successful in life. But there is a great danger when this desire to be successful is not of God. We all want to come out with good grades in our academics, have a good job, a wonderful family and of course, fame. All these are not in in themselves bad, for ‘God delights in the prosperity of His people’. So what are we saying here? Our success in life must be used to foster the cause of the kingdom of God. We must have eternity in view when we seek success. It is God that gives you the power to be rich, so your riches must be used to His glory.

Beloved, God is asking you to look around today for someone you can help with that which he has given you. It might not just be in cash, but also in kind. You can do something to put a smile on someone’s face today even when you think the person does not deserve it. So get up and get going, and you will be glad you did. Love is all, and God is love.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for blessing me immensely beyond measure. Today I ask you to please lead me to a soul that I can bless today with what you have given me. So help me God. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: The seven corporal works of mercy – 1. To feed the hungry; 2. To give drink to the thirsty; 3. To clothe the naked; 4. To shelter the homeless; 5.  To visit the sick; 6. To visit the imprisoned; 7. To bury the dead

HIDE A TREASURE: “The world and everything in it that people desire is passing away; but those who do the will of God live forever” 1John 2:17 GNB

Readings for today: James 5:1-6; Psalm 49: 14-20; Matthew 9: 41-50.