Luke 17:21 “…because the kingdom of God is within you.” (NIV)*

photo by Patty Perkins

No lands to conquer

To claim and to own

No buildings of brick

Of mortar and stone.

………………..

No moated castles

With parapet walls

No golden inlay

Adorning temple halls.

………………..

Today, the kingdom

Of God resides

In hearts of flesh

Where he abides.

………………..

Expanding the kingdom

Means more hearts claimed

Changes on the inside

Bring kingdom gain.

………………..

poem by Patty Perkins

………………..

Luke 17:20-21 tells about the Pharisees asking Jesus when the kingdom of God would come. Jesus tells them people will not say, “Here it is,” or “There it is,” because it’s “within you.”

The kingdom of God is a kingdom of the heart…did they not recognize the Prince of God’s kingdom before their very eyes? A soft heart sees and accepts him. Their hearts were hardened…like temple stone.

*The One Year Bible, New International Version, copyright 1986, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois.