God's kingdom
He has sent me to proclaim
That the time has come
When the Lord will save his people
And defeat their enemies. ~ Isaiah 61:2 (GNT)
Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news! ~ Mark 1:15 (CEB)
KEY IDEA:
Since God's kingdom is close by we need to change our lives so that we fit in.
PRAYER:
Thank you, Lord, for the good news that the day of justice is close. I want to more fully align my life with your kingdom -- your regime of righteousness and justice that has come with Jesus and which is more fully coming. I know that I can't make such a big change on my own. I need your ongoing input into my life and the transforming action of your Holy Spirit. I'm going to stay aware of my need and of your salvation. Amen.
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
