The Kingdom is now

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
– Matthew 3:11-12

ESV notes:
“He who is coming after me” expresses strong messianic expectation. “is mightier than I” John announces the nearness of the Kingdom, but the Coming One will arrive with the power of God to inaugurate messianic rule. “baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” John’s water baptism will be superseded by the baptism associated with the Coming One. Those who repent and trust in him will receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit, while the unrepentant will receive the judgement of eternal fire, and even the repentant may undergo a purifying fire, “winnowing fork” is used figuratively for the separation of the repentant from the unrepentant. The harvest has begun.

This passage reminds me of Psalm 1; speaking of the righteous man it says: “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.”

This asks a question of man: What drives you? Is it a life found in the waters of repentance? Or is it the wind which leads you to destruction? More so, this question is asked: What are you made of? For winds will come and go…but the tree remains rooted, and chaff is blown away. Both face turbulence, but it is the nature of one which causes its security. Be rooted in God.

I realize now the message which needs to be spoken. The Kingdom is NOW. The harvest has begun. The King is returning soon. Repent. Find your life in the water and your Spirit in fire. Be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Remove the obstacles that hinder your reception of Christ’s life in you and His Kingdom’s work through you.

Father, anoint your servant in boldness to speak of your Kingdom come.
Amen

Contentment, Repentance, Giving

And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”
– Luke 3:10-14

Finding contentment, or more so realizing what contentment is, is key to a life of repentance. Realizing that what I have, what has been given me, is enough. Being content has its highest gains when found in Christ…in him I can find more than enough. Through him I know that I can turn to my God, rather than live a life enslaved to chains of earthly want. This new life of repentance through true contentment transforms a heart through a greater stewardship of giving.

Looking like Judas

Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.”

ESV Notes:
Judas’ feelings of remorse and his attempt to return the blood money are recorded only by Matthew. “Changed his mind” (Greek, metamelomai) Judas experienced feelings of regret and remorse, but this is less than “repentance” (Greek, metanoia) which means a change of heart.

Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, a close friend; the treasure holder, a leader, and one of the twelve pillars of Jesus’ ministry. Judas the rebel, now leader in ministry messes up…big time. Instead of truly changing his heart, he chooses to live in regret and guilt, finding he cannot live with it for long; realizing he put the life of one who truly loved him at stake. This leads to his suicide.

Truthfully, Judas was not more responsible for the death of Christ than any of the other disciples…so why do we treat him as enemy #2? Casting blame on this man removes us from the mirror; the reflection that paints us within the same form, within the very colors of this Judas. In truth, we are as guilty, as twisted, as untrustworthy as this Judas. And the enemy of our souls would use the same trappings, the very same devices and designs on us.

‘This man is not my king’ he would whisper…taking agreement that Jesus has not truly freed me, or removed my problems which line up like a Roman platoon. ‘Neither has this man lead me to victory.’ True I would reply, and my enemies are alive and well, what happened to “Vengence is mine?” ‘I should do something about this, take matters in my own hands, be the good guy, play the hero for once.’ Yes, following this man does not win me any popularity contests, in fact I even find myself on the fringe of those I call my friends.

Then matters become our burden to lift; and rightfully so, we know what needs to happen, we can meet our needs. Our actions become blurred as the deed is done, hours passing as seconds, betrayal as swift as an arrow, hitting its mark with such precision. The moment then hits us as we realize the transaction paid, the look of betrayal played back through our minds, each second as an hour as guilt permeates within our core.

What have I done?

How many times have I known this place, the times spent betraying the one who cares for me the most. Guilt and regret, I know them well; however, repentance is a better friend, albeit one I spend the least amount of time with. But repentance is a rich friendship. It reconnects me with the ones I love. It turns me aside and walks me down a path tread with my knees. Though I may be in leadership, though I may find myself a friend of God, though I may take part in raising a ministry…and blow it…though I may look like a Judas, I become more and more like Jesus though repentance. Being conformed into his image, and not my own.

Lord your kindness leads me to repentance. I thank you for your loving kindness. Transform my heart, lead me to turn from my ways, call me into this life anew. May repentance become my good friend, not just a casual acquaintance. I trust you are my king. You have freed me. I trust we will face my enemies together. I trust in your victory. I trust that you are an avenger. In you I find my peace, my friendships, and true love. To you I give my burdens, to you I bring my needs, knowing that you have my best interest in mind. Thank you Lord that I no longer need to claim control.
Amen

The Kingdom Hearts

Scripture)
“Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.”
-Matthew 3:2

Observation)
Why the call to repentance…simply because the kingdom (neither lacking in power or authority) is not built upon stone roads, wealth or political position. Rather this kingdom is built upon the hearts of God’s people.

Application)
Where does my heart need to repent or “turn around” in order to see the full completion of the kingdom being built in my life? How are my current efforts and extension of life building others or inspiring change in their hearts? Through any circumstance wether rich or poor, great or in weakness; the kingdom must continue to be built and established from the very core of my heart to the way I live out life.
But how does this happen?
1) That I turn my eyes from evil things.
2) That I remain a humble servant before my King and His people.
3) That I remain steadfast, deadset, upon the things of God.
4) That I live in constant examination of my heart in order that I may purge any darkness that remains within.

Prayer)
Lord You have my heart, may I continue to seek out yours and find more of you. May you help me in the places that I struggle, that you would be my strength in weakness. I ask that you would continue to provide all that I need (in perhaps a timely manner) May all things of my life bring glory to you. And may my life’s efforts only continue to build your kingdom here on earth. Amen

The heart of Kindness

Scripture)
Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
-Romans 2:4

Observation)
God’s kindness is a tool that he uses to turn us away from our broken line of living; it is kindness that brings us back to the heart of God. But if we turn our face from his kindness and continue down our way, we reap wrath.

Application)
This goes back to the question: What treasure am I storing up? If I live with an unchanging hard and stubborn heart I end up with a storehouse of really bad stuff! But if I live a life of honor and obedience, then my treasure will be awesome. So I must turn against a lifestyle of my own wants and seek a life that will edify others. My heart must turn from the shadows that grip me and run into open arms of light.

Prayer)
Lord, I thank you for your kindness that you have shown me. I ask that you would help guide my feet along the right path of living. Give me wisdom for today and sound understanding. Let my actions live out in a right way. Amen