KINGDOM TITBITS

Jesus invites people from every background to become ambassadors of His eternal kingdom. However, an encounter with Him rarely leaves a person unchanged. To follow Jesus, we must inevitably leave something behind. Those who cannot relinquish what this world offers often find themselves forced to turn away from the only One who offers what they truly need. The Man Who Had Everything (Except Peace) The rich young man was a model citizen. He had wealth, status, and a reputation for moral excellence. By every earthly measurement, he was a success. "Now behold, one came and said to Him, 'Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?'" (Matthew 19:16, NKJV). Mark’s Gospel adds that he came running and knelt before Jesus (Mark 10:17). This was desperation dressed in fine clothes. Despite his religious observance and bank balance, he was empty. He had checked every box but still stood before Christ asking, "What do I still lack?" The Tailore...

Claiming Jesus as my "icon" feels deeply personal. It goes beyond acknowledging His place in history or His role in theology. It is about recognizing Him as the defining figure of my existence. He is the person whose character I want to mirror in every mundane moment of my daily life. But why Him? In a world full of influencers and historical giants, why does Jesus stand uniquely qualified for this role? The Practical Beauty of a Dual Nature We often treat the idea of Jesus being fully God and fully human as a complex puzzle for scholars. In reality, it is beautifully practical. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14, NKJV) As the Son of God, Jesus holds divine wisdom and perfection. He knows what a perfect life looks like because He is the source of it. Yet, as the Son of Man, He felt the grit of our reality. He experienced fatigue and joy. He knew ...

Faith is not the absence of obstacles. It is the steady confidence that God is greater than any barrier you face. Throughout Bible, we see ordinary people confronting impossible circumstances. These individuals did not possess superior strength or foolproof strategies. They possessed something far more effective: a deep reliance on the Almighty God. That trust moved mountains, parted seas, and shattered chains. When the Sea Becomes a Highway The Israelites found themselves in a place of utter hopelessness in Exodus 14. Pharaoh’s army pressed in from behind with unstoppable fury. In front, the Red Sea stood as an impenetrable wall. Terrified, the people cried out. God’s response to Moses was both stunning and direct. "And the Lord said to Moses, 'Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea'" (Exo...

If distraction is the disease of our age, then Scripture and prayer are the medicine. We live in an era where the Bible is more accessible than ever, yet it remains largely unread. We speak of prayer often but practice it rarely. Our digital shelves overflow with apps, podcasts, and study guides. Still, many of us feel empty because the Word is not hidden in our hearts. We do not suffer from a lack of access. We suffer from a lack of hunger. The Word as Daily Bread Jesus made a definitive statement about our spiritual needs during His temptation in the wilderness. "But He answered and said, 'It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God"'" (Matthew 4:4, NKJV). Notice His language. He did not suggest that Scripture is a luxury for the spiritually elite. He called it our food. Just as the physical body starves without bread, the soul starves without the Word. Many believers today feel weak and tossed a...

We have become expert portfolio managers of our bank accounts while remaining largely illiterate about our souls. We analyze market trends with precision. We obsess over our diversifications and returns.  Yet, many of us ignore the only investment strategy that survives the grave: storing up treasures in heaven. Jesus gave us a clear directive on this matter. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal" (Matthew 6:19-20, NKJV). This command is not a call to some vague religious asceticism. It is a brilliant recognition of what actually lasts. We often trade the permanent for the temporary and call it wisdom. Every hour devoted solely to accumulating "stuff" is time diverted from the work of love. The Economics of Grace The eternal economy operates on principles that baf...

I have spent many hours standing at gravesides. I have watched families weep and felt the heavy silence that follows the final words of a service. In those moments, death feels like a permanent wall. It looks like a hard stop. Yet, in those same moments, I have seen something that defies the dirt and the sorrow. I have seen a hope that does not blink. This hope is not a vague wish or a sunny disposition. It is a solid reality built on two historical events: a rugged cross and an empty tomb. The Reality of the Gap We have to be honest about the problem before we can appreciate the solution. Our primary issue is not that we are stressed or that life is unfair. The problem is that sin has created a massive breach between us and God. Sin is more than a list of mistakes. It is a declaration of independence. We chose our own way over God’s way. We broke the relationship. As the scripture says: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord...