Verse of the Day 2/7

Through the Bible - Leviticus 4-6
Good morning,
Last weekend Christian recording artist Shaun Groves came and spoke at our Men's Super Bowl Breakfast at our church. His message and appearance ( bad case of bedhead, beginnings of a beard, well worn jeans and shirt). People didn't come to see someone in fine clothes or a high tech performance, they came to hear his message (and probably a song or two). His message and appearance were a reminder of John the Baptist and Jesus in Matthew 3 -4 and in the other gospels.
Shaun spoke of repentance as being turning, having a change in heart and mind which is accompanied by a change in actions. He said that it also involves a change in kings or kingdoms, where your allegiance is.
Today's verse is from Matthew 4:
Matt 4:17
17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." NKJV
John the Baptist, Jesus and Shaun all had the same message. Take a look at what Jesus said in Luke at the beginning of His ministry.
Luke 4:18-20
18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,Because He has anointed MeTo preach the gospel to the poor;He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captivesAnd recovery of sight to the blind,To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."
NKJV
Shaun's passion (besides music) is bringing hope to poor and needy children through Compassion International. The focus of his music, his concerts, his public speaking is with this in mind. It reflects a change in kingdoms; from the world to His Kingdom, and encouraging others to do the same.
In what ways can we or are we showing that we serve a different King than that of the world around us?
Think of ways that you can be involved in bringing the gospel, the good news to the poor, to the brokenhearted, to the captive, to the oppressed.
In Christ,
Mike

Matt 3:1-6In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness:'Prepare the way of the Lord;Make His paths straight.'"
4 Now John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. NKJV

Matt 4:12-18
Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry(Mark 1:14,15; Luke 4:14,15)
12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
15 "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,Galilee of the Gentiles: 16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of deathLight has dawned."
17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
NKJV