June 22 | A Great Treasure
We all have the childhood fantasies of finding buried treasure - how would we celebrate? What would we do with the wealth and the resources? How determined would we be if we knew where treasure was to be found? As Jesus speaks of faith, he describes it's value as that of a buried treasure now discovered. He leads us to ask the same questions, not with our childhood fantasies but with the reality of this amazing, valuable blessing that God has given to us. How precious is the kingdom!

June 29 | The Gates of Repentance
What's the cost of entry? Whether it's the theme park, ball park, or skate park - it likely isn't free to get in. What about the magnificent, marvelous kingdom of God? What would it cost us to get in? It's not a material amount, and it's not some great deed that we can do, but there is a cost. The cost of humility. The cost of setting aside our pride and allowing God to carry us. The cost of repentance, which turns to God to receive his mercy, favor, and grace - all which he is so willing to give us, so much so that he didn't seem to even think twice about the great cost of forgiveness to him. He gave up his only Son, and Jesus gave up his life so that we could know this forgiveness. What a blessing! What a kingdom! What a king!

July 6 | Forgiveness Overflows
As we live in the kingdom into which God has brought us through his forgiveness, we too demonstrate forgiveness to others. Though we often assume that we live autonomous lives, we are interconnected with our God and with others. Everything we have is our God's - a recognition that leads us to see the debts we have owed him. Such debts have been forgiven because of God's grace In his kingdom, we are empowered and moved to freely forgive others their debts they owe us.

July 13 | The Right Clothes
It's so exciting to receive a special invitation to celebrate. That's exactly what God's kingdom is - a celebration. You're invited. Jesus has personally extended you such an invitation - no matter your past, no matter your history, no matter your status. It's a free invitation from him and it calls for a joyful response. It calls for preparing ourselves for the party. It calls us to dress ourselves in grace, mercy, and love, because Jesus has given us the proper attire for this feast - we just get to be those who wear it. Come and enjoy the celebration, having been clothed with Christ.

July 20 | Recklessly Scattered
We've realized that the kingdom is something incredible and more valuable than anything we could ever own. It is ours freely through repenctance. We are part of the kingdom because we have been forgiven and we can extend forgiveness. God's gracious invitation to a celebration is so good, and yet when we speak about it to others it can be met with confusion, question, anger, and rejection. Why? The effects of sin go down deep into the soil of our hearts. We must rely on the Holy Spirit to cultivate hearts to be prepared for the gospel, so that God's powerful message can take root. Yet, though it may be misunderstood, or questions, or rejected, our King still calls us to recklessly scatter his words and promises. The harvest will be plentiful, and we can celebrate with him again.

July 27 | Finding Your Place
Small things can have a big impact. A simple "Hello" tied to a smile can change someone's day. A well-timed compliment or "Thank you" can encourage someone when their heart is feeling down. A small seed can grow into a flower, a bush, even a tree. God's kingdom sometiems appears small. It sometimes looks to be insignificant, but God causes it to grow and grow and grow. He causes it to grow in people's hearts. He causes it to grow through the work of the church. He causes it to grow as you love, care for, encourage, and speak to others. It may seem small, but it has a big impact.