Kingdom: A 7-Day Devotional With Maverick City X Kirk FranklinSample

“If you ever wondered

What heaven looks like,

It's looking like me and you

And if you ever questioned

What Heaven sounds like

Just let it fill the room"

- Kingdom, Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music

We serve a God who was so passionate about seeing His Kingdom come to earth that He chose to fully experience humanity with us, for us and because of us. He had a mission to “proclaim good news to the poor, freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind & set free those who are oppressed.” (Luke 4:18) He stepped into a world full of division and wickedness so that He may fully experience humanity as we do. During His time spent, He had a consistent message- “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 4:17)

If Christ had not preached the Gospel of repentance (changing our minds about sin), we would never experience true freedom, fulfillment and unity. It is in turning away from our sins that we find abundant life. This Kingdom message is the same one Jesus asks us to preach today. If the Kingdom of God is bearing fruit in our own lives, it will inevitably draw others to repentance as well (John 12:27).

The Kingdom is within you and it is also within us as one body, one voice, one Bride. Revelation 7:9 says that the throne of God is surrounded by people of “every nation, every tribe, every tongue.” We cannot value God’s Kingdom if we don’t value the unity that is found within diversity.

SCRIPTURE:

• “Do not be afraid, little sheep, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32
• “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:27
• “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9

QUESTIONS:

• How does knowing it is God’s delight to give you His Kingdom change your perspective?
• If the Kingdom of God is a place God desires to see established here “on earth as it is in Heaven”, how can you partner with God in seeing His Kingdom here on earth as it is in Heaven today?
• What are you doing to value God’s Kingdom principle of unity and diversity in your daily life?
• Write down 2-3 people in your life you are wanting to see God’s Kingdom influence and intentionally pray for them now.