A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken
Date: March 9, 2023
I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional.
B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Word and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study and savor
S - Summarize and Share
You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?
Bible Scripture Verse – Hebrews 12:28
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe."
Listen for God’s Voice
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of your unshakable kingdom and for the opportunity to grow in grace as we walk with you. Help us to approach you with reverence and awe, recognizing your greatness and holiness. We are so thankful for all you have given us and worship you with sincerity and humility. Guide us on our journey of faith and help us to remain focused on the ultimate goal of receiving your eternal kingdom. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Explore History – Who wrote it, when and to what audience? Key people in the story?
Most likely the apostle Paul was the one who wrote Hebrews but the actual author isn’t known. It was written to a Jewish-Christian audience in the first century AD. It was written to encourage Christians who were facing persecution and were considering abandoning their faith.
Study and Savor – Key Words
"Kingdom that cannot be shaken" - This means that God's kingdom is permanent and strong, unlike things in the world that can be temporary and unstable.
"Let us be thankful" - This means that we should show gratitude and be thankful for God's gifts.
"Worship God acceptably with reverence and awe" - This means that we should worship God in a way that is sincere and respectful, showing that we recognize God's greatness and holiness.
Summarize and Share
Hebrews 12:28 reminds us to have gratitude for the unshakeable kingdom of God and to worship Him with reverence and awe. It’s when we are grateful that we can grow in grace and become more like Christ.
We can do that by regularly reflecting on God's goodness and faithfulness in our lives instead of focusing on little things that aren’t truly important. We need to be focusing on the eternal nature of God's kingdom and the blessings that He has given us. When we do this, it can help us to develop a more grateful and humble attitude, which is essential for growing in grace.
When we are faced with challenges, we need to focus on the goodness of God instead of the difficulties we are facing. Write in your journal what you are grateful for, what you are thankful for. Spend time in worship, acknowledging God's greatness and holiness and show reverence and awe in our prayers.
When we do these things, we can grow in grace and become more like Christ, recognizing the eternal nature of God's kingdom and the blessings that He has given us.
Bible Cross Reference
Psalm 96:9 - "Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth." This verse emphasizes the importance of worshiping God with reverence and awe, similar to the call to worship in Hebrews 12:28.
Colossians 3:15 - "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for as members of one body you are called to peace. And be thankful." This verse encourages believers to be thankful, just as Hebrews 12:28 urges believers to be thankful for the unshakable kingdom of God.
Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking God's kingdom above all else, similar to the focus on God's unshakable kingdom in Hebrews 12:28.
Psalm 118:1 - "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." This verse emphasizes the importance of giving thanks to God for his goodness and enduring love, similar to the call to thankfulness in Hebrews 12:28.