The kingdom of God that we must continuously enjoy
Acts 1:12~14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. (14) Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #368 Heart Longings (#486 in previous version) God bestows the blessing of His kingdom coming upon His children who have received salvation. The mystery of the kingdom of God also comprises the blessing of the armies of angels being mobilized and the forces of darkness crumbling wherever the children of God go. However, there are many times when we remember this fact only when we hear the Word and then forget it once we return to our lives. We receive grace in the Sunday worship, but once we enter our fields of life, we crumble and the blessing of the kingdom of God feels so distant from us. What must we do in order to continue the mystery of the kingdom of God?
1. The blessing of the Mount of Olives
When the kingdom of God comes upon us, the heavenly armies help us and the forces of darkness crumble down. The Early Church heard about the kingdom of God from the resurrected Jesus for 40 days. That place was the Mount of Olives. All they did was hear about the kingdom of God, and in the Mount of Olives, they came to believe in the kingdom of God. At this time, the strength that we gain will be connected with our fields. If we can take just 10 minutes a day to enjoy the mystery of God in order to gain the strength to save myself and the world, the power to save the world will be given to us.
2. The mystery of the 40 days
The answer of the kingdom of God that Jesus spoke about lies in the mystery of ‘only.’ The members of the Early Church devoted themselves wholly to only prayer so that the kingdom of God could be established. At this time, the working of the Holy Spirit that no one could block arose, the door to business and missions opened, and the Word was fulfilled. The day that we can actualize this most easily is the Lord’s Day. If we only pray that Jesus is the Christ, for the establishment of the kingdom of God, and the filling of the Holy Spirit, God will give us the answers that He bestowed upon the Early Church.
3. The life of connecting with God
If we confirm the answer of the kingdom of God being established every day, true thanksgiving will come out. We will see the most valuable answer, not just the answer that the world gives to us. At this time, we will be able to pray in joy. Then, even if no one prompts us, we will be able to devote ourselves joyfully. This kind of life does not result from our own efforts; it naturally results from a life of connecting with God.
- Meditate on what it means for the kingdom of God to come upon us. Take time today to pray the happy prayer of seeing the continuation of the kingdom of God in my life and field. New Believer Retreat Lecture 2 / 2012. 8. 14