Patrick O'Connell

Romans 5:1

I've been meditating ont his verse:

Therefore, since we have been jsutified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (ESV).

Take heart friend. we are now at peace with God.

The Kingdom of Heaven Has Come Near

Day two of the One-Year Bible and I read this in Matthew:

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

Matthew 3:1-2 (TNIV)

I've been asking myself all day, do I really live this reality? I mean the kingdom of heaven in near according to this verse but do I acknowledge it? Is this having an impact on the way I live my life and my relationship with Jesus?

To be honest, I am not so sure. I would like it to. I think it would create some profound change in my priorities and the way I viewed my relationship with the world.

After praying about it, it dawned on me that I haven't done often enough what the verse commands and that's to REPENT. Literally, turn around. That's what I've been doing all day. Telling God that I repent of my sins, my iniquities, my failures, etc. and instead turn toward Him. This cannot happen once or even a dozen times. It must happen all the time. My heart becomes hard with accumulated sin and I am unable to acknowledge that heaven has come near. When I repent my eyes are opened to the fact that the kingdom is near.

What about you? Do you agree with me?

    

    

Matthew 6:33-34

These verses have been really speaking to me of late so I thought I'd pass them along...

33But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 

34"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matthew 6:33-34 (ESV)