Real Life with Pastor Steve

August 11, 2023

The kingdom of heaven belongs to…

   Quick… fill in the blank.  What’s the first thing that pops into your mind? 

    Religious people?  People who’ve got life figured out?  People who’ve never made major mistakes with their lives?  People who work hard… go to church… avoid kicking their cat… do good deeds every now and then? 

    Why do we always start there?  Why is our tendency to think that God’s kingdom is only available to those who somehow deserve it?

    I don’t know.   But I do know that when Jesus gave his very first sermon, He opened up with a line that was shocking and has been contemplated now for centuries…

   … “blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 

   God’s love and blessing isn’t held in reserve for those who seemingly deserve it, because in reality… none of us really “deserve it.”

   God’s love and blessing… his kingdom on earth through Jesus… is openly given and available to everyone… even those who aren’t perfect. His blessing … is unconditional.  The “last in line”… are included at the table. 

  May we receive and then walk in that blessing.  May we also have the heart of Jesus toward others … choosing to bless others … whether we think they “deserve” it or not. And that’s … real life. ~Pastor Steve Rowe – Eaglebrook Church

Eaglebrook Church
A Non-denominational fellowship – EaglebrookMinocqua.org
Sundays 10:00 a.m. @ 1025 Margaret Street in Woodruff
715-356-3313 –