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Grow in the Knowledge of God's Word

The Kingdom of God Beings in a Believer's Heart


Ask God: One of Jesus most favorite subjects was teaching about the Kingdom of God. He wanted all to know how God's kingdom worked. For the believer, the kingdom of God is in the heart.

Good Evening Reader,

As believers, we have the kingdom on God in our hearts. It starts very small and grows, much like the Gospel which started with 12 disciples and today has millions and millions of believers. Even our faith grows when we exercise the faith we have.

God Bless.

Elvin

The Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God starts in the Heart

The Kingdom of God, also called the Kingdom of Heaven in the Gospel of Matthew, is the rule and authority of God over the hearts and lives of people. Jesus used this phrase often when teaching about God’s plan for humanity.

People during the time of Jesus—and even some today—expected a visible political kingdom with armies and earthly rulers. Jesus preached that the Kingdom of God starts by accepting Him as the Son of God. God’s Kingdom begins in the heart of a person who trusts and follows Him.

In the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast, Jesus showed that the kingdom begins very small and grows. A tiny seed grows into a large tree. A small amount of yeast is spread throughout the dough.

In the same way, when God’s truth enters a person’s life, it begins transforming their thoughts, attitudes, and actions. Over time, that transformation influences families, communities, and even nations.

God’s Kingdom is both present and future. It is present wherever people submit to God’s authority and live according to His Word. Yet it will also be fully revealed when Jesus returns and establishes His complete rule over the earth. I like to refer to the kingdom of God in a person’s heart as a spiritual kingdom, and the kingdom which Jesus will establish upon His return as a physical kingdom.

For believers today, living in the kingdom means recognizing God as King. It means trusting His leadership, obeying His Word, and allowing His Spirit to guide our decisions. As Jesus taught, when believers seek God’s kingdom first (Matthew 6:33), everything else in life begins to fall into its proper place.

Small Beginnings Produce Great Results

Jesus teaches that the kingdom of God often begins in small and unnoticed ways. Yet, God causes it to grow into something far greater than we first imagine.

Jesus often used simple pictures from everyday life to explain deep spiritual truths. One of those truths is that the kingdom of God in a believer’s heart begins very small.

In Matthew 13:31-32, Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed. A mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds a farmer could plant, yet it grows into a large plant that provides shelter for birds. What begins as something almost unnoticed becomes something strong and visible.

This teaching helps believers understand how God often works. We tend to look for dramatic beginnings and immediate results. Yet God frequently starts His work quietly. Many times our prayers are answered in the same way. God grants our request, although we don’t see the result immediately.

A single conversation about faith, a short prayer, or a small act of obedience may seem insignificant at the moment. But when God is involved, small beginnings can lead to powerful outcomes.

Jesus used the example of yeast in dough in Matthew 13:33. Only a small amount of yeast is needed. It gradually spreads through the entire batch of dough. In the same way, the truth of God’s kingdom begins working in our hearts and slowly transforms our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. Over time, that change becomes visible to others.

History and everyday life show that this principle works. A single, faith-filled believer can influence his family by sharing the message of Christ. A faithful church can impact an entire community. What begins quietly often grows as God continues His work.

This truth should encourage every believer. You may feel that your faith or your efforts for God are small, or that they are not working. Yet God does not measure results the way we do. When a believer faithfully follows Him, even the smallest step of obedience can become the starting point for something far greater.

In God’s kingdom, small beginnings are never wasted. Under His guidance, they grow, mature, and eventually produce results that bring glory to Him. God’s Word does not return to Him void.

God Is Always Working Beneath the Surface

Most often, God’s work happens quietly and gradually, even when we cannot immediately see the results. There are times when we do not see the results of our efforts in people’s lives.

Jesus explained spiritual truth through simple pictures from everyday life. One of the clearest lessons He taught is that God is always working.

In Mark 4:26-29, Jesus compared the kingdom of God to a seed planted in the ground. Immediately after planting the seed, nothing seems to happen, so the farmer goes about his daily activities. But something is happening, day and night; the tiny seed is growing. The farmer does not understand the process by which a seed becomes a plant and does not have to know. Beneath the soil, something important is taking place.

This picture teaches an important truth about the way God works in our lives as believers. Growth often happens quietly. We may pray, read Scripture, and take small steps of obedience, yet the results are not always visible right away. Still, God is at work. Just as the seed develops roots before the plant appears above the soil, God often strengthens our faith and character in ways we cannot immediately see.

In Luke 13:20-21, Jesus illustrated the same truth using the example of yeast spreading through dough. A small amount of yeast gradually spreads throughout the entire mixture. The change is steady and continuous and is invisible to the doughboy.

In the same way, God’s truth works within the heart. Over time, your heart and your life are transformed. Transformation takes time and happens quietly in your spirit.

This truth should encourage believers who may feel discouraged by slow progress. Spiritual growth is not always dramatic. It is often gradual and steady. God is shaping lives, restoring hearts, and preparing people for His purposes even when the evidence is not immediately visible.

Faith reminds us that God’s work is never wasted. Every prayer offered, every act of obedience, and every step of trust becomes part of the process. Beneath the surface, God is always working. In His perfect time, what He has been developing quietly begins to appear clearly, producing fruit that reflects God’s wisdom and power.

Worship and Respond to God’s Voice

Psalm 95 reminds us that while God’s kingdom is growing, our responsibility is to worship Him with grateful hearts and respond when He speaks to us.

The psalmist calls believers to approach God with joy, gratitude, and a willing heart. The psalm begins with an invitation to worship: “Oh come, let us sing unto the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.” In Psalm 95:6, the writer continues, “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.”

Worship reminds us who God is and who we are. He is the Creator and Shepherd. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Worship does more than express gratitude. It prepares our hearts to hear God’s voice. When believers pause to praise God, their focus shifts from the distractions of life and toward His presence. A grateful heart becomes more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

The second half of Psalm 95 gives an important warning. Psalm 95:7-8, says, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” The message is clear. When God speaks, the proper response is obedience. Be a doer of God’s Word. Delayed obedience can lead to a hardened heart by allowing time for Satan to distract. Over time, ignoring God’s voice makes it more difficult to recognize His voice.

This teaching is so meaningful; it connects closely with the growth of God’s kingdom. As God works in the world and in our lives, believers are called to participate in that work. Worship keeps our hearts humble, and obedience allows God’s purposes to move forward through us.

Every day presents opportunities to respond to God’s guidance. He may speak through Scripture, through the quiet prompting of the Holy Spirit, or through wise counsel. When we respond, our faith grows stronger, and our relationship with God deepens.

Psalm 95 reminds us that worship and obedience belong together. A grateful heart listens carefully, and a listening heart responds. When we worship the Lord and obey His voice, we position ourselves to participate in the work God is accomplishing in His kingdom.

Being a doer of the Word cannot be overemphasized. Acting on the Word creates great power in our spiritual lives.

Key Takeaways About the Kingdom of God

One way a believer can apply this message is through a simple daily habit of faith. Consider beginning each morning with a prayer and a few minutes of reading Scripture. At first, this may seem like a small and ordinary act. Nothing seems to happen. Yet over a short period of time, this daily habit will begin to shape your thoughts, attitudes, and decisions.

You will find that Scripture will guide you in how to respond to a difficult coworker. A moment of prayer may give you the patience with a family member. A quiet prompting from God may encourage you to help someone in need. These small acts may seem insignificant at the moment, but they are like the mustard seed Jesus described in Matthew 13:31-32. Small beginnings can grow into something much greater.

As you continue to worship God and listen for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, your faith will grow stronger. Friends and family will begin to notice the change and see the peace in your life. In time, those quiet daily choices will influence the people around you.

This is the way God’s kingdom grows: through small, faithful steps of obedience taken day after day.

Elvin

PS. Share your newfound knowledge with you friends.

Reader,

Hosea said his people were destroyed for lack of knowledge. Knowledge give believers and non-believers a choice. When a person does not know, they cannot choose.

Feel free to forward this lesson to your friends and family.

Grow in the knowledge of God.

Elvin

Send your comments to elvin@AskGodFor.com and let me know what you think of the lessons.

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