Kingdom Minded
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson
Key Scripture:
Matthew 5:1-14, Colossians 3:23-25, Mark 7:6, Psalm 44:21 (NASB)
As believers, we hear that this world is not our home. We may even think about that once in a while. It’s not all of us sitting around on clouds playing harps, either. But, how many of us have really become kingdom minded? What I mean by that is to have everything we do, say, think, and feel be focused on advancing the kingdom of God.
Too many believers are fixated on this world. Yes, we live here at the moment, but, as those who believe in salvation through Christ Jesus, this is not where we will spend the rest of eternity. We get wrapped up in the daily concerns, which may be important, but they are not where our focus should be. Jesus talked about the “kingdom of heaven” or the “kingdom of God”, which are interchangeable, over 100 times in the New International Version of the Bible. That’s just in the little time we have of His recorded life.
Heaven and God’s kingdom are talked about countless times in the Old Testament, too. Yet, so little emphasis is put on thinking about where we will spend the majority of our time. If it was that important to Jesus, I believe we need to start paying a lot more attention to what He says the kingdom of God will be like, and putting our eyes on that, rather than the stuff here.
Matthew 5:1-14 tells us that there is a kingdom in which all the suffering and growth we’ve experienced will be rewarded. We also see that in Colossians 3:23-25. How do we have a kingdom mindset? We stop looking at this world for our satisfaction and happiness, or our emotional wellbeing. We stop expecting people to be what only Christ can be in our lives. We seek to do what our heavenly Father asks of us, even if it means people will not look at us the same way. It means wanting Jesus’s way more than our own. It means asking God what it is He wants to do in my life, not what I want to do. It means saying yes to some things and no to others, as the Holy Spirit guides. It means letting go of things which do not bring glory to our Father. It means allowing the Word of God to be our basis for everything we believe, not our feelings. It means stepping out in faith when the way does not seem safe, because He called us to do it. It means accepting that everything He says is true and allowing Him to change the way we think.
It looks like loving our neighbor, when they aren’t loveable. It looks like being kind when someone treats us poorly. It looks like praying for the person in traffic or who left their cart in the middle of the aisle at the store, because we cannot know the heart of another. (Psalm 44:21) It looks like speaking kindly to those in your own household and family. It looks like praying for that person you don’t like, and not the “God, strike them down” kind of prayer. It looks like giving someone the benefit of the doubt before judging their intentions as ill against you. It looks like reconciliation with someone, as far as it is with you, especially if it is a brother or sister in Christ. (Mark 7:6)
It is praying for the salvation of everyone, not just people we like. It is dwelling on the good, rather than the bad in our own lives and those of others. It is radical living. It is hard choices. It is hard, yet simple.
It is the sweetest fragrance to the nose of God our Father. It is joy and life and hope. It is peace, patience, kindness, forgiveness…it is love.
Let’s Pray: Dearest Lord Jesus, You cared enough to tell us about Your kingdom. Give us the courage to seek it more in this world and lead others to it. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
~*~
Author Bio:
A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of 8 with the heart to impart stories and God's truth.
She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.
Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.
~*~
Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson
Matthew 5:1-14 tells us that there is a kingdom in which all the suffering and growth we’ve experienced will be rewarded. We also see that in Colossians 3:23-25. How do we have a kingdom mindset? We stop looking at this world for our satisfaction and happiness, or our emotional wellbeing. We stop expecting people to be what only Christ can be in our lives. We seek to do what our heavenly Father asks of us, even if it means people will not look at us the same way. It means wanting Jesus’s way more than our own. It means asking God what it is He wants to do in my life, not what I want to do. It means saying yes to some things and no to others, as the Holy Spirit guides. It means letting go of things which do not bring glory to our Father. It means allowing the Word of God to be our basis for everything we believe, not our feelings. It means stepping out in faith when the way does not seem safe, because He called us to do it. It means accepting that everything He says is true and allowing Him to change the way we think.
It looks like loving our neighbor, when they aren’t loveable. It looks like being kind when someone treats us poorly. It looks like praying for the person in traffic or who left their cart in the middle of the aisle at the store, because we cannot know the heart of another. (Psalm 44:21) It looks like speaking kindly to those in your own household and family. It looks like praying for that person you don’t like, and not the “God, strike them down” kind of prayer. It looks like giving someone the benefit of the doubt before judging their intentions as ill against you. It looks like reconciliation with someone, as far as it is with you, especially if it is a brother or sister in Christ. (Mark 7:6)
It is praying for the salvation of everyone, not just people we like. It is dwelling on the good, rather than the bad in our own lives and those of others. It is radical living. It is hard choices. It is hard, yet simple.
It is the sweetest fragrance to the nose of God our Father. It is joy and life and hope. It is peace, patience, kindness, forgiveness…it is love.
Let’s Pray: Dearest Lord Jesus, You cared enough to tell us about Your kingdom. Give us the courage to seek it more in this world and lead others to it. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
~*~
Author Bio:
A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of 8 with the heart to impart stories and God's truth.
Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.
~*~
Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson
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