Devo for 7/05/2026 - Message By Pastor Clint

Pastor Clint started a new series he titled “Citizens of Heaven” this past weekend.  He talked about how, upon our salvation, our “citizenship” is now with the Kingdom of God.  This change in “citizenship” has an impact on our American citizenship as we have become “aliens” in our home country and are now called to live our lives to a higher standard:

Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 1 Peter 2:11

This can be challenging to be ambassaders of God’s Kingdom in this fallen world.  Pastor Clint addressed many of these challenges with the stated goal of helping us think biblically about our citizenship, both in the world and as Sons of God living in it. He had a great quote summarizing how to do this:

Being citizens of heaven doesn't compete with our earthly citizenship; it governs it.

We love our nation without worshiping it, celebrate its strengths without ignoring its failures, and faithfully serve for a better future. Pastor Clint

The point is, as God’s ambassadors, we should be all about living our lives so that our actions reflect Jesus, especially toward those we may not care for or those that we may consider to be our enemies. 

In today's world, it seems the biggest challenge to living this way is dealing with someone who disagrees with us politically.  Divisiveness is growing across the country, and even within our Churches, due to political differences.   Pastor Clint spoke truth on the topic in this statement:

“If your politics make it impossible to love your neighbor,

your politics are shaping you more than Jesus.”

We all need to look within ourselves to make sure we are not contributing to the division that is going on around us.  Work to stay out of prideful disagreements.

But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 2 Timothy 2:23  

Today is a good day to get alone with God and ask Him how you are doing in this area!

Don’t forget to invite God into your day!

Topic for Study

• Loving Everyone

  • Luke 6:27-36

  • Romans 12:9-21

  • Matthew 5:46

July Memory Verse: 

John 15:12

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”