THE ESSENCE OF KINGDOM LIVING - Michelle McKinney Hammond

Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. - GENESIS 2:8

God has made preparations for our pleasure. He created a place for us to enter and experience kingdom living in its fullness. Righteousness—right-standing with Him—peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost await. There is joy that comes from knowing and experiencing the peace that all is well with our souls and that we’ll experience God’s love for eternity.

The word “Eden” comes from the Hebrew for “delight.” It was always God’s intention for us to experience pleasure in this life and in eternity. God bookends His Word with positives. We begin in Genesis with man in the midst of God’s garden and end in Revelation with us entering His loving presence for eternity.

How do we receive the joy and happiness available in God? And why do they elude us so often? Perhaps because we spend so much time pursuing them we fail to grasp the understanding that only by the hand of God can we be transported to a place of peace and love. Entering God’s kingdom is a supernatural event completed by His hand alone. God placed the man in Eden.

Are you blocking the happiness God desires for you? Are you brushing aside His hand as He offers what you long for? Why not open your heart and let Him be your joy?

PRAY THIS PRAYER WITH ME:
Dear heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I push You away while I pursue pleasure on my own. My heart is open to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.