WORD: OC's 60-Day New Testament PlanSample

God's Kingdom - A Real Home These are chapters of encouragement for me. First, God wants me to trust his way even when my natural instinct pushes me in the other direction. "Whoever finds his life will lose it and whoever loses his life (because of Jesus) will find it." (10:39) What? The world tells me just the opposite - look out for myself and take care of me first. God's way sounds scary in light of the world's view, but the reality is that deep down I really am attracted to a selfless life that is all in for Jesus. Now, if I just lived that way all the time! Second, God loves me despite my doubts and wonders. Matthew 11 -- the one and only John the Baptist actually wonders aloud if Jesus is The One even after the Jordan River baptism, the voice from heaven, and the spirit like a dove. And Jesus' answer - talk about patience and depth. Jesus didn't just say - "Yes, I am The One," instead he said look at the evidence, it points to the truth. It's always easier to talk the talk than to walk the walk. Oh, and rather than being impatient or dismissive of John's questions, Jesus said - he is the greatest that has ever been...except for all of us in the Kingdom of God. Third, I love the parable of the sower. I remember vividly the first time I heard this parable being used in a small group bible study in an effective, evangelistic way. I want to be the good soil. Often, I'm not. Finally, Jesus' example that the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed is special to me. As I little boy, I remember my dad - a naval combat aviator - possessing a tiny mustard seed in acrylic. Seeing that little seed made me feel like I could understand one lesson from Jesus' teaching -- God's Kingdom starts small in one's life, but with time it can grow and become a place of security and safety - a real home. By John deSteiguer President, Oklahoma Christian University