The Disciples Reflect on the Kingdom

Has the Church lost its sense of home: so to speak, of people's ultimate destiny? Have Christians forfeited their rightful anticipation of heaven? Are we so concerned about making this world a better place to live in that we forget the Bible's admonition: 'Here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city which is to come' (Hebrews 13:14)? Do we think that the Son of God came into this world primarily to reconcile person to person, rather than to redeem mankind from their sins and make them fit for heaven?

– L. Nelson Bell

In an editorial republished in the 18 March 1968 issue of U. S. News and World Report, editor David Lawrence emphasises 'The Illusion of Permanence: The North Atlantic Treaty is temporary. The United Nations is temporary. Peace itself is temporary... Basically, there is only one permanence we can all accept. For the power of God is alone permanent.'

A Prayer

Lord,

Show us what it is to be ready for you. You asked your disciples to be prayerful and watchful, yet they fell asleep Just as we fall asleep. Keep us spiritually alert, ready and anticipating your return. Uphold us in our weakness. Help us to be in continual prayer. May we never guess the hour of your return, and deceive ourselves that we don't need to pray anymore. Fill our lives with readiness for your return. May we never tire of waiting for you to come. Release our troubled hearts from dwelling on death and decay, and fix our hearts on our eternal home. Give us the gift of seeing each day as perhaps our last on earth. Come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen.

Journal Exercise

‘Perhaps today’ is a sign in one Christian’s work area. If the Lord Jesus was going to return today, what would you plan to do? Write your plans into a prayer and ask God to help you achieve them. At the end of the day check to see how you went.

In giving his testimony a young Christian spoke about his faith in the Carpenter who was ‘preparing a room for him.’ Praise God that Jesus will return. Outline some reason for your anticipation of his coming, and express how you feel knowing that a room has been prepared for you.

A Quote

Wherever we go we meet people who are in need of something. If the Spirit could give us that open eye of love, which sees both the visible and invisible needs, everything we saw would give rise to prayer.

– O. Hallesbuy

A Challenging Prayer

Let us glorify God by proclaiming our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, in prayerful dependance on the Holy Spirit so that everyone will hear his call to repent, and trust and serve Christ in love while they await his return.