The Kingdom of God

I want to talk about Father God's kingdom—and share my belief that you and I are invited to live in it today.

In the Bible, especially in the book of Acts, we read about the early church. This first community of believers was founded on the teachings of Yeshua (Jesus) and held together by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.

Luke, a physician and close companion of the Apostle Paul, is traditionally believed to have written both the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. His detail-oriented nature made him well-suited to record these events accurately and thoughtfully.

In Acts 1:1–11, Luke describes the risen Jesus speaking with His followers about the kingdom of God. He instructs them to wait in Jerusalem for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Then, before their eyes, He ascends into heaven—leaving them with the promise that He will return the same way.

This early Church was not simply an organization—it was a Spirit-formed body of believers.

• Their identity was rooted in who Yeshua is and what He accomplished for us.
• The Holy Spirit, promised by the Father, became their helper—teaching them, empowering them, and uniting them in love and purpose, just as Yeshua prayed in John 17:11: “that they may be one as we are one.”
• Entrance into this community began with repentance and baptism, as Peter declared in Acts 2:38–39: “Repent and be baptized... and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
• These believers were devoted to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. They shared their possessions, lived in unity, and praised God daily (Acts 2:42–47).

I've been reflecting deeply on this picture of the early Church, especially as I grow older. For much of my life, I’ve lived independently—doing things on my own, relying on my own strength. Family has helped at times, and for larger tasks I’ve hired assistance, though not always with satisfaction.

Now in my late 70s, I'm more aware than ever of the importance of true community. And despite being in church for most of my life, I don't believe I've ever been part of a fellowship that fully mirrors the Acts church—where the Holy Spirit knits believers together in unity, and God's authority, not man's, leads the way.

Jeremiah 9:24 reminds us what truly matters:
"Let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the Lord.

Being part of God’s kingdom is a serious calling—not to be entered into lightly. Think about what Yeshua endured on our behalf: the sinless one, crucified for us, fulfilling prophecy, rising on the third day, and appearing to many before ascending. All of this was done so we might be forgiven and restored to the Father.

Lately, I’ve been thinking more about this kingdom in light of the troubling direction I see in today’s world. What we’re witnessing from political leaders—such as President Trump and his administration—reminds me of the rise of oppressive regimes in history, like Nazi Germany in the 1930s. Many people are fearful of what the future holds.

But in God’s kingdom, fear has no place. Who is more powerful than God? When we live under His rule—trusting in His righteousness, justice, and mercy—we can find peace even in uncertain times.

The Lord's Prayer

If you have ever been in a protestant church then you probably know the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples known as the Lord's prayer. Most often when I've said it, it is usually with others and I really don't have time to really think about it in a deep way. So, I thought I would get out my Kindle and study the prayer in my Ultimate Bible Study Suite which gives the original Greek words that have been translated into our English language. So often by doing this it gives me a deeper understanding as to what is being said.

Matthew 6:9-15 King James Version (KJV)

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 6:9-15 International Standard Version (ISV)

9 Therefore, this is how you should pray:

‘Our Father in heaven,
    may your name be kept holy.
10 May your kingdom come.
    May your will be done,
        on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our sins,[a]
    as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.[b]
13 And never bring us into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.’[c]

14 Because if you forgive people their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive people their offenses,[d] your Father will not forgive your offenses.”

There is always one part in the prayer that really grabs my attention, it bothers me. It is verse 12. Something else that I just noticed and either I didn't know these verses were there or I've forgotten them. They are verses 14 & 15 which makes verse 12 pretty clear. Wow, this is definitely for me.

I'll break down verse 12 first sense that's what is getting my attention.

The Greek word translated 'forgive' is 'aphiemi' which is from another Greek word 'apo' which is a primary particle "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation.)

'aphiemi' is an intense form of, to go; to send forth, in various applications (as follow); - cry, forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away, remit, suffer, yield up.

The Greek word translated 'debts or sins' is 'opheilema' which means something owed, i.e. (figurative) a due; morally a fault; - debt.

Let me go ahead and jump to verses 14 & 15.
The Greek word that has been translated 'trespasses or offenses' is 'paraptoma' which is a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e. (unintentional) error or (willful) transgression; - fall, fault, offence, sin, trespass.

I wonder about myself. Have I not forgiven someone or do I look at something -- a wrong, or an offense, as something other than what needs forgiveness (in my mind's eye)? Verses 14 & 15 are clearly talking about me specifically whereas verse 12 says 'us'. I believe that the Bible teaches us to consider others more than what we do ourselves. I have a hard time knowing how to do that in such a way that is pleasing to God.

Here is a link to a list of Bible verses that may help: 

Considering Others

I am going to finish this with the whole chapter 6 of Matthew.

Matthew 6 New International Version (NIV)

Giving to the Needy

6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Prayer

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]
    but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Fasting

16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Treasures in Heaven

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,[c] your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,[d] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 “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.

Do Not Worry

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

  

Prayer

My first post, a prayer:

Father God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the all-mighty God, the all-knowing God, and the everywhere-present God, if You see good in this blog, I ask that you bless and protect it. Use me as a tool in your work and I give You all the praise and glory. Please bring about a clear understanding of your truths. I pray this in the name of Your precious Son, Christ Jesus. Amen