Father God's Kingdom, or This World's Kingdom
Father God's Kingdom, or This World's Kingdom
Father God's Kingdom, or This World's Kingdom
Introduction
There are moments when something small — a headline, a story, a memory — becomes a doorway into deeper truth. This morning was one of those moments. A simple news story stirred my heart and reminded me how often we walk too close to danger even when God lovingly warns us to stay away.
Scripture
Matthew 6:24 (NIV)
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Reflection
I was on Facebook this morning and read about buffalo attacks in Yellowstone National Park. There are signs everywhere telling people to keep their distance, yet some still walk right up to these massive animals. It’s the same old story we know well: “Don’t touch the hot stove.” We warn our children, but eventually they test it for themselves.
As I sat with that thought, I realized how closely it mirrors our spiritual lives. God places loving boundaries around us — not to restrict us, but to protect us. And yet, like those visitors at Yellowstone, we sometimes drift too close to the danger we were warned about.
Connection to Today
Several things came to mind as I reflected on this. When Yeshua Jesus walked the earth, He taught that there is a better way than the one offered by the kingdom of this world. That better way is the kingdom life — a life shaped by trust, obedience, and abiding in Him.
Then I thought about my Hammer Story. Hammer experienced the kingdom way when he went to the son for help. He saw a glimpse of how life could be different. But he didn’t understand the process. He expected everything to be fixed quickly. When change didn’t come at the pace he wanted, he slipped back into his old ways.
James 4:4 (CEB)
“You unfaithful people! Don’t you know that friendship with the world means hostility toward God? So whoever wants
to be the world's friend becomes God's enemy.”
This translation hits with clarity. “Hostility toward God” is not a word we misunderstand. It’s a warning sign — bright, bold, unmistakable — just like the ones in Yellowstone. When we drift back toward the world’s way, we are walking toward danger.
John 15:4–5 (NIV)
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you… apart from me you can do nothing.”
This is the heart of the kingdom way. Abiding is not instant. It is daily. It is steady. It is the slow, faithful walk that keeps us close to Jesus and away from the danger that harms us.
1 John 2:15–17 (NIV)
“Do not love the world or anything in the world… The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of
God lives forever.”
This pairs perfectly with Matthew 6:24. Two masters. Two kingdoms. Two ways of living. One leads to life. One leads to harm.
Just like the people in Yellowstone who ignore the signs, we get hurt when we don’t listen to Yeshua Jesus. Only when we abide in Him — stay close, stay surrendered, stay attentive — are we truly safe.
And just like in the Hammer Story, we can return to Yeshua Jesus if we truly want to. He never turns us away. He rejoices when we come back. His mercy is not fragile. His welcome is not hesitant. His love is not conditional.
Hammer returns — welcomed by the Son.
Prayer
Father God, thank You for Your loving warnings and Your gentle guidance. Help me recognize the places where I wander too close to danger, and give me the courage to turn back toward You. Teach me to abide in Your Son, to trust Your timing, and to walk in the kingdom way with a steady heart. Thank You for always welcoming me home. Amen.
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