Kingdom Tension Part 8 Devotionals
Day 1: Living Between Two Ages
Devotional We live in the present age while belonging to God’s coming kingdom. This creates a unique tension in our lives – but it’s a tension that God designed for our good. Just like a guitar string needs the right tension to produce beautiful music, this spiritual tension in our lives can produce something beautiful when we understand its purpose. We’re citizens of heaven living as ambassadors on earth. While we experience the broken reality of this present age, we also carry within us the hope and power of God’s perfect kingdom that is coming.
Bible Verse
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Ephesians 1:21
Reflection Question
In what specific ways do you experience the tension between living in this world while belonging to God’s kingdom? How does this awareness impact your daily choices?
Quote Christians exist in a unique tension between two realities – the present evil age and the coming age of God’s perfect kingdom. Since the Fall, Satan has held authority over this present evil age, but through Christ’s death and resurrection, the power of the future kingdom has already begun breaking into our world.
Prayer
Father, thank you that while we live in this present age, we belong to Your kingdom. Help us embrace this tension rather than fight against it. Give us wisdom to live as Your representatives while we await the fullness of Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 2: The Spirit’s Guarantee
Devotional Think about putting a deposit down on a house – it’s a promise of what’s to come. In an infinitely more meaningful way, God has given us His Holy Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing our future inheritance. This isn’t just a nice theological concept – it’s a living reality! The Spirit within us is actively working, transforming us day by day. While we might not be perfect yet, we’re not who we used to be. Each small victory over sin, each moment of choosing love over anger, each act of forgiveness – these are signs of the Spirit’s work in us.
Bible Verse
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” – Ephesians 1:13-14
Reflection Question
What evidence of the Holy Spirit’s transforming work have you seen in your life over the past year? How does this encourage you about God’s ongoing work in your life?
Quote We have Holy Spirit who’s in us, and he leads us and he guides us and he teaches and he nurtures. He’s a paraclete. He comes alongside to help. And we need to be aware that he’s doing that because that’s what he’s doing.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, thank you for being the guarantee of our inheritance in Christ. Continue Your transforming work in us, making us more like Jesus each day. Help us to recognize and celebrate the changes You’re producing in our lives. Amen.
Day 3: Embracing the Tension
Devotional Sometimes we try to resolve every tension in our lives, but not all tension is bad. Think of a suspension bridge – it stands strong because of carefully balanced tension. Similarly, the tension we feel as believers between the ‘now’ and ‘not yet’ of God’s kingdom isn’t something to eliminate – it’s something to embrace. This tension keeps us both grounded in our present reality and hopeful for our future glory. It reminds us that while we’re not home yet, we’re definitely on our way!
Bible Verse
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6
Reflection Question
How might viewing spiritual tension as positive rather than negative change your perspective on the challenges you face in your faith journey?
Quote The solution to the tension is that there is no solution to the tension. And what you have to do with the tension is embrace it. And that somehow in that, and embracing that tension becomes the reality that that’s where life really is. That for the child of God, tension a wonderful thing.
Prayer
Lord, help us embrace the tension of living between two worlds. Thank You that this tension serves Your purpose in our lives. Give us grace to live faithfully in this present age while keeping our eyes fixed on Your coming kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 4: Living with Holy Longing
Devotional Have you ever felt a deep longing for something more, even when life seems good? That’s not a sign something’s wrong – it’s a sign something’s right! As believers, we’re meant to feel a holy discontent with this present world. We’ve tasted the goodness of God’s kingdom, and nothing less will fully satisfy. This longing isn’t meant to make us miserable, but to keep us moving forward, anticipating the perfect fulfillment that awaits us in God’s presence.
Bible Verse
“I tell you the truth, Jesus replied, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.” – Mark 10:29-30
Reflection Question
What spiritual longings do you experience? How can these longings serve as reminders of your true citizenship in God’s kingdom?
Quote At some point the realization was, is that longing was just for what’s coming. And nothing is going to satisfy this side of that happening. It’s just part of the gig.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You that our longings point us toward our true home with You. Help us not to be discouraged by these feelings, but to let them fuel our hope and anticipation of Your coming kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 5: Kingdom Power for Today
Devotional While we await the fullness of God’s kingdom, we’re not left powerless in the present. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, the power of the future kingdom has already broken into our world! We can experience genuine tastes of God’s kingdom power now – in transformed relationships, in victory over sin, in supernatural peace amid chaos. Every act of forgiveness, every choice to love, every moment of joy in God’s presence is a preview of the coming kingdom.
Bible Verse
“But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” – Galatians 1:1-5
Reflection Question
Where have you seen evidence of God’s kingdom power breaking into your daily life? How can you more intentionally live in this kingdom power?
Quote The age to come is future, but because of Jesus inauguration, how he inaugurated the kingdom at the cross, we can now taste the powers of the age to come.
Prayer
King Jesus, thank You for bringing Your kingdom power into our present reality. Help us to live as kingdom people today, demonstrating Your love, power, and presence to a watching world. May Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
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