you and god's kingdom

If with heart and soul you're doing good, do you think you can be stopped? Even if you suffer for it, you're still better off. Don't give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They'll end up realizing that they're the ones who need a bath. It's better to suffer for doing good, if that's what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad. That's what Christ did definitively: suffered because of others' sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all—was put to death and then made alive—to bring us to God.
[1 Peter 3: 13-18]

Nothing can stop the Kingdom of God from advancing. Since the moment Jesus broke into the world as a human baby, the Kingdom has been growing and growing and growing. And, since his death, resurrection and ascension to heaven, his Church has been carrying the message of Hope to every generation for more than 2,000 years.
YOU are a part of this Kingdom advancement. As you hold out the truth to your friends, remember that along with millions of others, you truly are a messenger of Hope. So, as today’s reading from 2 Peter tells us, if you’re doing good things for Jesus, who can possibly stop you? Even when you suffer [as we all will for being followers of the King], you’re still better off, because you’re suffering for Jesus and this only helps to grow his kingdom on earth. You see, nothing can stop the Kingdom from growing! The world thinks it can, but despite its most horrendous, or even subtle attempts to silence the voice of Jesus, the Kingdom keeps on expanding.
When you take good news to your mates this week and over Christmas, Peter says pay attention...pay attention to God. The more time we spend in his presence, through prayer and worship, the sharper and bolder we become to seizing opportunities to tell our mates about Christianity. Obviously, we do this with respect and gentleness, rather than ramming Bible verses down peoples’ throats. But if we’re gentle and respectful, it allows the Spirit to do His work of drawing people towards Jesus. Remember, we’re just the messengers. God does the rest!
So, this week, as you pray, simply reflect on the fact that you really, really are part of an awesome revolution; not just one that’s been taking place throughout 2008, but one that has been on the move - in all cultures - for over 2,000 years.
How will you take truth to your friends this week? As Peter encourages us, be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are.