Pastor Leo Colon's Blog

Author: Leo Colon

  • The Kingdom of Heaven is Like

    The Kingdom of Heaven is Like

    Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God our Father and Jesus Christ. Welcome to my blog! I hope the thoughts you find here will encourage you and inspire you to diligently seek God’s Kingdom. Today, I want to continue reflecting on our foundational verse for this year, 2025. I desire to seek God’s Kingdom first and His righteousness so that all these things will be added to me. I strive for a life that reflects God’s intention for me. I am learning that this is achieved by shifting my mindset from personal thinking to a Kingdom mindset. This means I must transition from my current mindset toward a Kingdom mindset.

    King James Version:

    Matt. 13:24 ¶ Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

    There are always subtleties in scripture, and this verse is no different. Jesus takes the time to teach his disciples and the larger public what the Kingdom of God/Heaven is like. In this teaching, similar to much of Jesus’s pedagogy, he uses contexts familiar to the wider audience. In an agrarian society, Jesus discusses the farmer who sows his seed in his field. Naturally, many themes can be emphasized while developing your homily on this pericope.

    The Kingdom of Heaven is likened to a man engaged in sowing. Sowing involves taking action now to seek a return later. The kingdom is about investing in your future. Being kingdom-minded means thinking ahead. You should not be overly concerned about Friday; instead, we should plan for a year from now or even five years ahead. Do you have a plan? Kingdom-minded individuals should act based on a plan. Often, you plant or sow in March and expect a harvest around October, depending on what you plant. Are you truly kingdom-minded if your focus is consistently on the present and only concerned about today? Being a good steward often entails planning for a five-, ten-, or even twenty-year horizon. Do you have a plan?

    The Kingdom of Heaven is likened to a man who sows “good” seed. Are you deliberate about your seed? Have you examined your seed? Have you deceived yourself into thinking that because it is your seed, it is good seed? Your seed might be the business you want to bring to life. Have you written a business plan? Your seed needs a plan. Is your seed a viable one? Just because you like your seed does not mean it is a good seed. You and your friends may like your seed, but that does not make it commercially viable. Examine your seed. Define good outside of your emotional attachment to it.

    Last point: the Kingdom of Heaven is likened to a man who sows good seed in “his field.” Do you own your field? The Kingdom is all about owning the field you are planting in. As a mentor to many young people, I constantly challenge their ideas of success. A young person told me yesterday that he wants to be a basketball player. I asked him why, and he gave me a perfectly acceptable answer: he wants to make the kind of money these players are making. I had him then. I said, you know, all of those players you admire are paid. Someone pays them. Why not think about becoming a basketball team owner instead of a player? If they are making two to three million dollars playing, and the owner is paying them, imagine what the owner makes! Plus, the owner has maybe ten or eleven players on that team to whom he pays a lot of money to play. Our problem is that we are not exposed to those who own the field. We elevate celebrities who work on the field. God is calling us to own our field.

    I aspire to have a Kingdom mindset.

    Again, I would like to invite you to subscribe to the blog. I will be posting regularly, with an entry every Tuesday. You can subscribe at the bottom of this page.

    Remember to invite someone to church with you this Sunday. I look forward to seeing you there. Seek God’s Kingdom first!

    Yours Because I am His,

    Leo Colon, D.Min., M.Div.,

    In His Presence Family Worship Center

    http://www.ihpfwc.org

  • Live in Expectation

    Live in Expectation

     

    Last month, we entered a new year with a fresh mindset. Now that you’ve shifted based on the word of God, it’s wise to live with expectation. Too often, God tells us He is about to do something, yet we refuse to believe or even expect it to occur. We should genuinely live with a sense of expectancy. Notice, I said we should live in expectancy. I mention this because the word of God indicates we should operate in faith, but I’m so grateful that God does not wait for us to be in the right place to accomplish what He needs to do. 

     

     

    To make my point, I need to support it with scripture. In the book of Acts, there’s an incident where Peter was imprisoned by the King. He was about to face execution because the King realized that killing Christian leaders pleased the Jews, and this was politically advantageous. The Bible tells us that the saints prayed, and God sent an angel. Here is the text I want to focus on.

    New Living Translation: 

    Acts 12:9 ¶ So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was really happening. Acts 12:10 They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate to the street, and this opened to them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him. Acts 12:11 ¶ Peter finally realized what had happened. ‘It’s really true!’ he said to himself. ‘The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jews were hoping to do to me!’

    The angel of the LORD came to free Peter; he opened the prison gates and led him to the city. The city gates opened on their own, and then the angel disappeared. Only then did Peter realize that this was real. God does not require us to agree, nor does He need us to accept what He is doing; He doesn’t even need us to believe it’s happening to deliver us. God acts according to His will. “Okay, Pastor, then why should we live with expectancy?” Here are some examples from scripture about believing without doubt. Let’s see if you notice a pattern.

    Mark 11:23, Matt. 14:31, Matt. 17:19, and Matt. 17:20

    Jesus shows us that doubt restricts our ability, not His. For the things we set out to accomplish, we must ensure that there is no doubt within us. God’s plans for your life do not require your approval, endorsement, or input. What you declare in God requires you to believe and harbor no doubt. 

    God has spoken a word into your life, and He will bring it to pass. Live with an expectation of all that God has declared for you. What does that mean? Anticipate that whatever God tells you will come to pass. It will. Conduct yourself as if you trust that God will deliver. He will.

    Again, I would like to invite you to subscribe to the blog. I will be posting regularly, with an entry every Tuesday. You can subscribe at the bottom of this page.

    Remember to invite someone to church with you this Sunday. I look forward to seeing you there. Seek God’s Kingdom first! 

     

    Yours Because I am His,

    Leo Colon, D.Min., M.Div.,

    In His Presence Family Worship Center

    http://www.ihpfwc.org

  • Trust Christ Enough to Go Public with Your Miracle

    Trust Christ Enough to Go Public with Your Miracle

     

     

     

     

     

    Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ. It is a privilege to welcome you once again to this blog site. Thank you for taking the time to share and read these blogs. I am thrilled to see your comments and reposts. It means so much to know that my efforts to brighten your day are meaningful. Please keep posting comments and sharing on your sites, and let me know if these posts have been a blessing to you. I would like to invite you to be my guest at church this week. We meet in Brooklyn at 10:00 AM at 2418 Church Avenue in the Goshen SDA Church. Our midweek Bible study is virtual tomorrow night at 7:30. Here is the link: 

     

     

     

    Join: 797 700 935 Zoom Meeting

     

    https://zoom.us/j/797700935?pwd=TW9WTnROSnBHaGowNnVRRnVxN1Y4UT09

     

     

     

     

     

    Today’s blog comes from our archive (January 13th, 2013). It is still relevant to those of us who are seekers of the Kingdom of God. I hope you enjoy it again. I know I did. 

     

     

     

    Today, I want to encourage you to share your words openly. Your miracle isn’t just found in private obedience. You need to be willing to trust Christ at His word. Let’s examine the text.

     

     

     

    John 2:8 he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions. NLT

     

     

     

    Let me share a few observations. Mary prayed. She spoke to Jesus and said, “There is no wine.” Jesus replied, “It’s not my problem.” Mary instructed the servants, “Whatever he says to do, do it.” We don’t know from the text how much time has passed between verse 4 and verse 7, but Jesus instructs the servants to fill the water pots, which are used to wash the feet of guests after their long trip, with water. Have you ever felt misunderstood because of how the result of your prayer looks? You’re praying for wine, and Jesus is talking about water? Maybe Mary wasn’t clear. Have you ever felt that way? Here is my word to you: trust Christ. He’s not finished yet. 

     

     

     

    According to our narrative, the servants do exactly as he instructs. Let’s pause for a moment. There is no proof from the text that the servants knew what was going to happen. There is no evidence that they had seen this before. In other words, they did not need to understand what God was doing in order to obey him. Can you obey God when you don’t understand his ways? Can you submit to him when it seems to be going the wrong way? Why do we so often conclude that our compliance with God’s word must only occur when we understand his message and plan? Obedience is better than sacrifice, beloved.

     

     

     

    Here is what happened next: Jesus tells them, “Now dip some out and take it to the master of ceremonies.” Beloved, there are some people who will only obey God when they know what’s going to happen. People in this situation would never witness the miracle. There are also some believers who are willing to obey Christ, but only behind closed doors. 

     

    God wants you to obey him even when others can see you doing so. When did the miracle occur? Between verse 7 and verse 8—between filling the jars and dipping some out. Not when you understood the miracle. The miracle happened, regardless of your understanding. All we need to do is follow the instructions. We must be willing to act on the direction without tasting the miracle first. Some of us wouldn’t have offered the drink to the master of ceremonies without sampling it. God desires our obedience to be unconditional and free from the need to comprehend it beforehand. He also wants you to trust him enough to go public with it. The word of the LORD to you, beloved, is: Don’t obey only in private; go public with your miracle. Go and take it to the master of ceremonies. Obey Christ in all things and witness your miracle unfold.

     

     

     

    Obedience to God’s will is the secret of spiritual knowledge and insight. It is not willingness to know, but willingness to DO (obey) God’s will that brings certainty.

    Eric Liddell

     

     

     

    Remember to plan to bring someone to church with you this Sunday. Go public with your faith. Invite several people to join you at church. I believe there is a miracle in store for you through your obedience.

     

     

     

    Live life on purpose, not by mistake.

     

     

     

    Yours Because I am His,

     

    Leo Colon, D.Min., M.Div.,

     

    In His Presence Family Worship Center

     

    http://www.ihpfwc.org

  • His Righteousness

    His Righteousness

     

     

    Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God our Father and Jesus Christ. Welcome to my blog! I hope the thoughts you encounter here encourage you and inspire you to become a diligent seeker of God’s Kingdom. Today, I want to continue reflecting on our foundational verse for 2025. I strive to prioritize seeking God’s Kingdom and righteousness first, trusting that all these things will be added to me. My goal is to live a life that embodies God’s intention for me. I am learning that I can achieve this by transforming my mindset from personal thinking to Kingdom thinking. This requires a shift from my current perspective to a Kingdom-focused mindset. 

    33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. 

     The Holy Bible: King James Version, Mt 6:33

    33 Seek the Kingdom of God* above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 

    Holy Bible: New Living Translation Mt 6:33.

     

     

    The second imperative in this verse tells us that we must seek His righteousness. Today, I would like to investigate what is meant by the phrase “His righteousness.” To apply this imperative, we need to know what Christ means by His righteousness. We should understand the difference between our righteousness and His righteousness. Then, we should look at other texts in Holy Writ that speak to the idea of godly righteousness. 

     

    The Greek word for righteousness is δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosune), which is defined as the quality of being upright. One of the primary aspects of the word δίκαιος, its lexical form, is the quality, state, or practice of judicial responsibility with a focus on fairness, justice, and equitableness. Thus, the concept of righteousness involves practicing judicial responsibility with an emphasis on fairness, justice, and equitableness. 

     

    As a seeker of the Kingdom of God, I should practice making responsible judgments with a focus on fairness, justice, and equity, starting with my own life. I need to be fair to myself and make judgments about how I manage my life. Am I fair to myself? Fairness means that after considering what should be done, I hold myself accountable for doing it or not doing it. If I need to take better care of myself, am I doing what I should do? Even if I use the legal standard of the “reasonable person” theory, would a reasonable person treat their spouse that way? Would a reasonable person stay in bed knowing that the right thing to do is to get exercise in at least four days a week? Thus, righteousness begins with me, but it does not end there. I have a responsibility to be righteous in my community. Am I a good citizen? Am I involved in my community? Seeing the plight of my community, is there more I could do? Do I regularly attend community board meetings? Righteousness is a civic responsibility. 

     

    His righteousness means I need to practice this judicial responsibility on God’s terms, not mine or according to secular norms. The apostle Paul addresses this in Romans 10:1-4. In that passage, Paul expresses “his heart’s desire” for his people, “the Israelites.” Parenthetically, the apostle conveys his love for his people. He affirms his Judaism and his love for Israel here and in other texts, namely Romans 9:3-4. In that text, he states that he is willing to be “cut off” from Christ if that is the price to be paid for “his people,” Israel. If Paul can express his love for his people, I should be bold enough to declare my love for my people, those of the African diaspora. In this text, Romans 10, he also critiques the very object of his love because his people, although zealous for God, had a zeal that was not “based on knowledge” (verse 2). Because it was not rooted in the knowledge of God, it was doomed to failure. He said: 

     

    “Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.”

    (Romans 10:3 NIV11-GK)

     

    His righteousness means our righteousness needs to be informed by the Word of God. Knowledge of God cannot be gained without knowledge of His word. So, my righteousness is righteousness practiced with knowledge of God or His Word. Practicing “his righteousness” means righteousness done God’s way. 

     

    How can I put this into practice? Read God’s word daily, even multiple times a day, and then practice judicial responsibility based on that knowledge. How do I do that? Make an effort to emulate God’s principles when making decisions. Plato said, “A good decision is based on knowledge, not numbers.” Consider how you dress, how you speak to others, and primarily, how you treat the people you love. Live according to the principle of 1 Corinthians 10:31. 

     

    “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

    (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV11-GK)

     

  • A Shifted Mindset

    A Shifted Mindset

    Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God our Father and Jesus Christ. Welcome to my blog, “From the Desk of the Pastor.” I hope that you will be encouraged by some of the thoughts you read on this site and that this will inspire you to be a diligent seeker of God’s Kingdom. Today, I want to continue reflecting on our foundational verse for this year, 2025. I desire to seek God’s Kingdom first and His righteousness so that all these things will be added to me. I aim for a life that reflects God’s intention for me. I am learning that this is achieved by shifting my mindset from personal thinking to Kingdom thinking. This means I need to transition from my current mindset to a Kingdom mindset.

    Living in a democracy, the concept of a kingdom may seem foreign to many of us. To truly understand Jesus’s message, we must let go of our Americanized view of the kingdom and embrace a biblical perspective. On Sunday at In His Presence Family Worship Center (IHP), I offered a working definition of the Kingdom that I believed would be beneficial for us as we pursue the Kingdom of God. This definition was drawn from Myles Monroe’s work:

    “A kingdom is… The governing influence of a king over his territory, impacting it with his personal will, purpose, and intent, producing a culture, values, morals, and lifestyle that reflect the king’s desires and nature for his citizens.”1

    This is a radical shift from a democratic mindset. In a democracy, one of the primary concerns is “my rights.” In a democracy, “my rights” are the main things that I and the law should focus on. Conversely, in a kingdom, the king influences his territory and impacts it with “his personal will.” This shift is crucial because I prefer to seek God’s influence over my life rather than my right to create chaos in it. The beauty of this perspective is that God’s influence is much more valuable than my right to make my own decisions. I am fallible, but God is not. His wisdom far exceeds mine, and the Bible repeatedly proves this. (NIV)

    Prov. 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;

    Prov. 3:6 in all your ways submit to him,

    and he will make your paths straight.

    In God’s Kingdom, I trust God over my own understanding. If I am honest, so much of the mess in my life came from trusting my own wisdom. My life has proven to me that my wisdom is nowhere near as valuable as God’s. I have learned not to lean on my limited understanding of any situation; His knowledge far outpaces mine. The way God thinks surpasses my thinking. When I submit, my path is straight, and my way is clear.

    Is. 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

    neither are your ways my ways,”

    declares the LORD.

    Is. 55:9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,

    so are my ways higher than your ways

    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

    In the Kingdom, I need to think more clearly. I must think like God to achieve His results. This means I need to consult God and His word to know how to think. There is a saying:

    “All that you achieve and all that you fail to achieve are the direct results of your thoughts.”2

    If everything I achieve, and even my failures, are a direct result of my thoughts, then improving my thinking will lead to the shift that I want my life to reflect. If my thoughts reflect God’s way of thinking, then I can look forward to God’s results. A kingdom mindset reflects the success that comes with doing things God’s way.

    Matshona Dhliwayo said:

    “What you think is a seed, what you say is the bud, and what you do is the fruit.”3

    I am convinced that I want fruit that comes from Kingdom thinking. If the Word of God is the seed of my thinking, then the fruit that I bear resembles God’s best. What I do then brings forth the harvest that brings glory to God and benefits me and my family. This shift in thinking helps me prevent the wrong/negative results I want to avoid. This shift in the Kingdom mindset is vital. Why?

    This shift is crucial because:

    1. The wrong mindset can hinder us from reaching the right goals

    2. It can lead to misguided decisions

    3. We may accept incorrect priorities, causing unnecessary stress

    I am seeking God’s help to think more clearly. Remember, “All that you achieve and all that you fail to achieve are the direct results of your thoughts.” I will improve my thinking. How will I think better? I will first seek the Kingdom of God. How? By reading God’s word more, mainly. Additionally, I am creating a “Book List.” You should too. This year, commit to reading more and thinking God’s way.

    I would again like to invite you to subscribe to the blog. I will be posting regularly, with an entry every Tuesday. You can subscribe at the bottom of this page.

    Remember to invite someone to church with you this Sunday. I look forward to seeing you there. Seek God’s Kingdom first!

    Yours Because I am His,

    Leo Colon, D.Min., M.Div.,

    In His Presence Family Worship Center

    http://www.ihpfwc.org

     

     

    1. Munroe, Myles. Kingdom Principles: Preparing for Kingdom Experience and Expansion (Kingdom series Book 2) (p. 31). Destiny Image. Kindle Edition. 

     2. 90 Quotes That Will Change The Way You Think – John Spence https://johnspence.com/90-quotes-change/ 

    3. Top 15 Powerful Quotes on Thoughts & Actions (by Matshona … https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/top-15-best-quotes-thoughts-actions-matshona-dhliwayo-dhliwayo 

     

  • The Blessings of Prioritizing God’s Kingdom First. 

    The Blessings of Prioritizing God’s Kingdom First. 

    Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God our Father and Jesus Christ. You have reached day six (6). Well done! You are almost at the finish line of your journey. You are nearly done with this seven-day adventure. “You have only one wake-up left.” Congratulations! You’re on your way to a marvelous 2025. One of the benefits of seeking the Kingdom of God first is that God blesses obedience. God blesses that obedience because you “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (NIV). Today, I wanted to share some of the blessings God has in store for those who seek His Kingdom first. Sometimes, it’s good to let the Word of God speak for itself without commentary. So today, I want to share Psalm 1 with you seekers of God’s Kingdom. I will present it in the NIV (New International Version) because many conservative scholars use it in contemporary English. Then, I will share The Message (a paraphrase Bible by Eugene Peterson). While not a scholarly rendering, it is often very descriptive. Enjoy.

     

    NIV (New International Version)

    Psa. 1:1 ¶ Blessed is the one

    who does not walk in step with the wicked

    or stand in the way that sinners take

    or sit in the company of mockers,

    Psa. 1:2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,

    and who meditates on his law day and night.

    Psa. 1:3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,

    which yields its fruit in season

    and whose leaf does not wither—

    whatever they do prospers.

    Psa. 1:4 Not so the wicked!

    They are like chaff

    that the wind blows away.

    Psa. 1:5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

    nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

    Psa. 1:6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,

    but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

     

     

    The Message (a paraphrase Bible by Eugene Peterson)

    Psa. 1:1 ¶ How well God must like you—

    you don’t hang out at Sin Saloon,

    you don’t slink along Dead-End Road,

    you don’t go to Smart-Mouth College.

    Psa. 1:2 ¶ Instead you thrill to GOD’S Word,

    you chew on Scripture day and night.

    Psa. 1:3 You’re a tree replanted in Eden,

    bearing fresh fruit every month,

    Never dropping a leaf,

    always in blossom.

    Psa. 1:4 ¶ You’re not at all like the wicked,

    who are mere windblown dust—

    Psa. 1:5 Without defense in court,

    unfit company for innocent people.

    Psa. 1:6 ¶ GOD charts the road you take.

    The road they take is Skid Row.

     

    Remember to drink plenty of water and have a bowl of soup after 3 PM. Create your prayer list for the year 2025. Today we will NOT be holding corporate prayer. Join Pastor Dorothy Colon for her scheduled prayer calls on Tuesday and Thursday at 6 AM. Here’s the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/797700935

    I would also like to invite you to subscribe to the blog. I will be posting regularly, with an entry every Tuesday. You can subscribe at the bottom of this page.

    Remember to invite someone to church with you this Sunday. This Sunday is Victory Sunday at IHP. I look forward to seeing you there. Seek God’s Kingdom first!

    Yours Because I am His,

    Leo Colon, D.Min., M.Div.,

    In His Presence Family Worship Center

    http://www.ihpfwc.org

  • A Shift in Decision Making

    Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God our Father and of Jesus Christ. You have made it to day number five (5). Well done! You are almost finished with your journey. We have the privilege of counting down now: “You have one day and a wake-up.” Congratulations! You are on your way to a marvelous 2025. We have been focusing on our foundational verse for the year, Matthew 6:33. Today, I want to explore one of the ways seeking the Kingdom of God impacts our decision-making.

    Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” KJV

    Seeking the Kingdom of God first means just that. Seeking the Kingdom first involves a change in our priorities. A change in our priorities signals that God is inviting us to shift our focus. We no longer rely on our instincts. We no longer prioritize our upbringing over God’s perspective. I have often told someone, “I can’t do that; that’s not how I was raised.” The way I was raised may be special and significant to me, but it cannot take precedence over God’s will for my life. It jeopardizes my purpose in God to use my past as the primary basis for my decision-making.

    Miles Monroe said:

    “The greatest mistake in life is to be busy but not effective. Life’s greatest failure is to be successful in the wrong assignment. Success in life is measured by the effective use of one’s time.”1

    I want to actively follow what God deems right rather than making my own choices and being ineffective in fulfilling my purpose. Therefore, when we prioritize seeking the Kingdom of God, our decision-making and priorities significantly shift, which will change our lives. Let’s examine three key points.

    When we prioritize God’s Kingdom:

    •We concentrate on God’s will and purposes instead of our own desires or worldly concerns.

    •Our decisions align with eternal values rather than momentary gratification.
    •We reflect on how our choices will glorify God and further His Kingdom rather than just benefit ourselves.

    I could write for days on these three points. I won’t take any more of your time, but I will discuss these issues in the coming weeks at In His Presence Family Worship Center. I invite you to be my special guest. Let’s seek the Kingdom of God together. We meet on Sundays at 2418 Church Avenue in Brooklyn, NY. Meet us at 10 AM. We would thrilled to have you as our special guest.

    Remember to drink plenty of water and have a bowl of soup after 3 PM. Create your prayer list for the year 2025. Today marks our last daily prayer for the fast. Join Pastor Dorothy Colon for her scheduled prayer calls on Tuesday and Thursday at 6 AM. Here’s the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/797700935

    Also, I would like to invite you to subscribe to the blog. I will be blogging regularly, with entries every Tuesday. Subscribe at the bottom of this page by entering your email.

    Remember, invite someone to church with you this Sunday.

    Yours Because I am His,

    Leo Colon, D.Min., M.Div.,

    In His Presence Family Worship Center

    http://www.ihpfwc.org

    1. Munroe, Myles. Kingdom Principles: Preparing for Kingdom Experience and Expansion (Kingdom series Book 2) (p. 25). Destiny Image. Kindle Edition. ↩

  • You are important to God.

    Grace and Peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God our Father and of Jesus Christ. You have made it to day number four (4). Well done. You are more than halfway through your journey. We have the privilege of counting down at this point. Instead of saying we have three days left, our late Archbishop McKinley would say, “You have two days and a wake-up.” Congratulations to you. You are on your way to a marvelous 2025. We have been concentrating on our foundational verse for the Year, Matthew 6:33. Today, I want to contextualize what we have been looking at.

    Matt. 6:28 “And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin,

    Matt. 6:29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.

    Matt. 6:30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?” NRSV

    God often uses comparisons to make his points clear to us, using references that would make sense to the hearer of his word. In verse 33, in the latter clause, Jesus states, “And all these things will be given to you as well.” NRSV

    When investigating the Kingdom of God, it is wondrous to see not only that God will perform a task but also how he will achieve it. This text invites us to examine his prior work in nature: the lilies. In the King James Version, it is rendered as “the flower”; in the New Revised Standard Version, it appears as “lilies.” Jesus says, “Consider the lilies of the field.” Lilies are beautiful, and all flowers, for that matter, are too! Whether in California, England, or Morocco, flowers and lilies are simply gorgeous. They come in various colors, and none ever fade. When you touch them, the petals feel soft against your skin. They are masterpieces of God’s creation. But let’s reflect on them. I have never encountered a rose with substandard petals. Never have I seen a rose that was anything less than exquisite. In fact, Jesus draws a comparison: King Solomon, the wisest king, made so by God, and one of the wealthiest kings in Scripture, also because God made him so, was known for the beauty of all his possessions, yet he did not compare to these lilies. It is said that the Queen of Sheba lost her breath when she beheld King Solomon’s court (1 Kings 10:4,5).

    This is how excellent King Solomon was. He impressed even other monarchs by the way his court was appointed. Not only his clothes but the robes of his servants blew Queen Sheba away. Yet Jesus said, Solomon, in all his glory, could not hold a candle to the lilies of the field. Then he makes the point, if God can do this for the grass of the field, “which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you?” It is not just about clothing you, but when he does it, you should expect God to do it in such a manner as to give you the best. This is how the Kingdom of God works. You should look for God’s best when he provides. You should not get used to meager fare. You are God’s child. You are a citizen of the Kingdom. Live that way.

    The Message Bible renders verse 30 like this: Matt. 6:30 “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?”

    You are important to God. God takes pride in you. Live that way.

    Remember, drink all the water you can, and eat one bowl of soup after three (3) PM. Make out your prayer list for the year 2025. Join us tomorrow, Friday, for prayer at six (6) AM. Here is the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/797700935

    Remember, invite someone to church with you this Sunday.

    Yours Because I am His,

    Leo Colon, D.Min., M.Div.,

    In His Presence Family Worship Center

    http://www.ihpfwc.org

  • Implementing the Kingdom of God

    Today is day number three. You are doing amazingly. This is already a victory. Remember, you are attracting God’s attention. Make a point of praying throughout the day. Have your prayer list and be focused on what you need from God. Today, let’s go back to our primary scripture.

    Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

    We understand that we should seek the Kingdom of God first; we understand what it means to seek, but how do I apply this to my day-to-day living? Here are a few thoughts.

    Start your day with God. Take time to start your day with prayer. Make it a priority so that you are not disturbed by routine. What I mean is this: Get up an extra 30 minutes early to talk with God. I know I tend to want to wake up and get right to my day. That’s OK, but take the time to spend with God. Pray, and make that a necessary part of your morning.

    Meditate on God’s word. Even take the time to memorize scripture. This will help you envelop your mindset in the things of God. Practice taking time to think on His word, meditate, and consider how scripture can be the basis for how you think, feel, and engage your community.

    Play and listen to Christian content. Listen to a sermon, podcast, or devotional throughout your day.

    Try journaling. Set aside time to write down your ideas, thoughts, and reflections as you go through this year. Your faith journey is worth writing down. You could even turn this into a blog which can encourage someone else.

    Practice righteousness throughout your day. Before you make a move, find out how God would want you to behave, create, and deal with the issue before you decide what to do.

    Try these few things to practice seeking and functioning as citizens of the Kingdom of God. I am looking forward to your testimony. Try one of these things and make it a habit. It is said that you are making a habit when you do something consistently for 21 days in a row. Then, add another item that will help you keep your mindset on the Kingdom of God.

    Remember, Drink all the water you can, and eat one bowl of soup after three (3) PM. Make out your prayer list for the year 2025. Join us this week, Monday through Friday, for prayer at six (6) AM. Here is the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/797700935

    Remember, invite someone to church with you this Sunday.

    Yours Because I am His,

    Leo Colon, D.Min., M.Div.,

    In His Presence Family Worship Center

    http://www.ihpfwc.org

  • Seek Ye First

    Welcome to day two of the fast. Your dedication is commendable and is drawing God’s attention. Let’s focus on a key paradigm for our lives, found in Matthew 6:33:

    “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

    This imperative from Jesus offers a blueprint for success in God’s Kingdom. Miles Monroe said, to seek “means to pursue, study, explore, understand, learn, and consider. Seekers must have a desire to know, and possess a passion for the object of their search. To seek means to give diligent dedication to and to preoccupy one’s self with that which one is seeking.”

     As Kingdom citizens, we should align every aspect of our lives—clothing, food, conversations—with God’s principles.

    Studying the Kingdom of God helps us function as proper citizens, understanding its laws, economics, norms, and relationships. We need to explore what’s important in God’s Kingdom: its anthem, capital, governing body, and protection.

    The Message Bible translates Matthew 6:33 as: “Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.”

    Today, seek God’s Kingdom in everything you do. Ensure your clothes and speech represent His Kingdom. Pursue, study, and explore it diligently. Your life will be enriched as a result.

    Remember, Drink all the water you can, and eat one bowl of soup after three (3) PM. Make out your prayer list for the year 2025. Join us this week, Monday through Friday, for prayer at six (6) AM. Here is the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/797700935

    Remember, invite someone to church with you this Sunday. 

    Yours Because I am His,

    Leo Colon, D.Min., M.Div.,

    In His Presence Family Worship Center

    http://www.ihpfwc.org