"You Are Not Far From The Kingdom Of God," Jesus said.

If we ever wonder about falling out of the presence of God, allow this one promise to remind you always, me, and anyone else who might happen to come upon this page; that the more we love Him, the closer we are to the Kingdom of Heaven. We have nothing to ever doubt or to ever fear if we love Him and continue in that love. That's how close to The Kingdom Of God we are.

Now I was reading in Mark when I happend to see the scripture in a new light. guess that's how it always happens. And I'd like to share that with you. The scripture comes from Mark 12:28 - 34


As the other religious teachers and political leaders posed their questions not out of sincerity but out of trying to induce Jesus to say something that would incriminate Him, there was a religious teacher listening intently and marveling at what Jesus was saying . Likely awed by Christ's response because these men mean to harm Him, and Jesus snapped the fowlers net each time. This religious leader that was listening was actually a devout man of God. And as he listened to Jesus, he said in his heart, "He has answered well."

The story goes on to entail what conversation occurred between Jesus and this devout religious teacher, and this is what each believer can stake their claim on. You'll read farther below...

- continuing the story -

recap:
"One of the teachers of religion who was standing there listening to the discussion realized that Jesus had answered well. So he asked, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"

Jesus replied, "The one that says,' hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only God. And you must love him with all your heart and soul and mind and strength. '

The second is: ' You must love others as much as yourself.' No other commandments are greater than these."

The teacher of religion repied to Jesus, "Sir, you have spoken a true word in saying that there is only one God and no other. And I know it is far more important to love him with all my heart and understanding and strength, and to love others as myself, than to offer all kinds of sacrifices on the altar of the Temple."

Realizing this man's understanding Jesus said to him.....



do you know what Jesus said next?







He said, "You are not far from the Kingdom of Heaven."

Wow!!!

That's a promise for the heart that loves Him more than anything else in the whole world!!!!!

You my friend are not far from the Kingdom of Heaven. Keep loving God. And as you do, you will never be moved from a love for Him. Amen

Kings, Kingdoms, Presidents & Nations

Leadership is one of the hardest positions to fill. As a leader you are criticized for inaction, criticized for your action, and brought under great scrutiny. Today as I go to the voting polls, I think of one of our greatest leaders in the Bible. His name was David. Israel's great king. A man who was full of passion, commitment, failure, sin and humility. And though today, he might be criticized for his humaness, if we gaze closer at his heart, we see a man who though succommed to weakness at times, also did what was right in the eyes of God.
As a king he desired to serve his God and his fellow country men. He was the man who desired to build a proper House for God. There he lay in his palace bed, surronded by riches and comfort. And his mind drifted to His God who's presence had once shadowed The Ark of The Convenant.
How many of our leaders today can say, " I desire to be close to the very heart of God?" How many search after God, instead of following after the praise of men? How many of our leaders are willing to stand up for what is right? I'm not sure. But I do know that as I go to the polls, I go with a desire to do what is right.
This has been the toughest year for me as a voter. I want to vote the right candidate in office. My vote will help to determine which candidate is qualified for presidency. Whether or not I am right or wrong, I vote in faith. I pray for those who go to vote. It's a tough decision to know each of us will feel responsible for the candidate we've chosen. I pray for our leaders. They have a big position to fill. And it comes with a heavy price. Our nation depends upon good, sound judgments that are made by those we place in office.
God chose David as king. He was in control. And ultimately God chooses to allow all things to happen even to the deciding of who will take office as president. Guided by conscience and what is right and true let each of us make our choice not based out of fear or selfish gain, but what it is in the best interest of our country. And let the determing factor be based upon faith in what we feel led by God to do.