Tag Archives: to them

Vision

 

Patrick Love – The Vision

 

A vision is this way.

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. – Matthew 13:44  ESV

When it is working right, my mind cannot let go of it. I keep coming back to it because it is so good.

It is in my offering of myself to God that I will see miracles start to happen in my life. I am reminded of this through the miracle of the five loaves and two fish. What the child offered was nothing compared to the need, but Jesus did a miracle from these offerings simply because they were offered. I have also been noting that I am thinking that there are others whom God has called. In my prayer time, I am avoiding myself. Maybe it is time I pray about me and start offering myself – pray that God would revive me, pray that I commit myself to God and participate actively in the expansion of His kingdom.

If a parable is meant to be simple and plain and intended to be understood, then it would seem that each parable generally reveals one primary principle. I am not too sure that they are to be dissected for hidden meanings.  In this case, the hidden treasure is the kingdom of heaven. Is that not what happened to the twelve disciples? Were they not overjoyed when they encountered Jesus and did they not leave everything to follow Him and pursue the kingdom of God?

One thing is for certain – there was a selling of all they had/owned to secure the one thing that mattered to them. The choice was decisive. My vision, in following Jesus, needs to be the same.

 

 

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Presenting the kingdom of God

 

Kingdom Of God – Luke and Anna Hellebronth

Remember the instructions Jesus gave the 72 missionaries He sent into the world?  He told them they would be accepted and that they were also going to be rejected. However, in every case He told them to announce or proclaim that the kingdom of God has come near.

Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ – Luke 10:9  ESV

We are the people who present the kingdom of God, not only in deed but in our hearts.

I am sure the communities that these teams entered were filled with sick people, especially those who were excluded from society because they were lepers or demon possessed. The kingdom of God is a new way of living and living together with others. It is a new way of being and thinking.

The message of the kingdom was not new – John the Baptist declared the same. The kingdom of God is near because the King is near. Healing of the sick was only a manifestation of kingdom nearness if you will – proof of what was being preached.

Not to poke at any one but it is healing that brings the awareness of the kingdom, not riches or power.

I have been pondering my own experience in this matter and can truly say that no one has been healed because I prayed for them. Not sure what that means yet, but I am committed to preach the kingdom’s nearness and continuing to pray for people to be healed. I continue to embody the gospel and proclaim it. I want the gospel authenticated and represented in my life for I know the two cannot be equated or separated.  While I figure out what that means in my life, I volunteer, whenever I can, to walk with the street people where I live to demonstrate the love of Jesus and presenting Him to them.

 

 

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