Where do you live? I realize that’s a simple question, but I want you to stop and think about your answer for a moment. Your immediate response might be to think of the spot on this earth where you wake up each morning.

            But if you’re a believer, you need to think more deeply than that. You need to become aware that although you are in this world, you do not belong to its natural order. You are a citizen of heaven. You are, even here and now, privileged to live in that kingdom.

            That statement would startle many Christians. Religion has taught them that they won’t reach God’s kingdom until they die and go to heaven. But Colossians 1:13 says we’ve already made the transfer.

            Because God dwells in us and among us, His kingdom is present with us right now. Jesus said it this way: “For behold, the kingdom of God is within you (in your hearts) and among you (surrounding you)” (Luke 17:21, The Amplified Bible).

            Certainly we will go on to the place called heaven when our bodies die or when Jesus catches us away. But, thank God, since we’re already citizens of the kingdom now, we can enjoy many of the benefits of heaven right here on earth. We can live our lives in love, peace, joy, prosperity, health and victory. We can also bring those kingdom blessings to others who are still under the dominion of darkness.

            “If Christians can do that,” you may ask, “why don’t they?”

            Mostly it’s because they haven’t been very aware of the kingdom of God. They have been so absorbed in the kingdom of this world—the world that they can see and touch—they haven’t given much thought to God’s kingdom.

            But we can change that! We can obey the instruction of the Apostle Paul who wrote: “Aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ [the Anointed One] is, seated at the right hand of God. And set your minds and keep them set on what is above—the higher things—not on the things that are on the earth” (Colossians 3:1-2, The Amplified Bible).

            By studying and meditating on what the Word has to say about the kingdom of God, we can become more and more kingdom of God-minded. There is so much information in the Word about the kingdom of God. I challenge you to study on your own. Get out your concordance and look up all the references to the kingdom of God or the kingdom of heaven. Let the reality of that kingdom get down in your heart so that you become kingdom of God-minded!

Speak the Word 

God has delivered me out of the kingdom of darkness and transferred  me into the kingdom of the Son of His love.  Colossians 1:13 (The Amplified Bible)