"After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.'" (Mark 1:14-15)

Even though John the Baptist is about to be beheaded, Jesus is proclaiming the good news of God's kingdom! This is "What's God Doing Right Now State of the Kingdom Address!"

In I Corinthians 7:29, 31 Paul says, " This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short.... For the present form of this world is passing away."

Do you feel the tension? Repent the end is at hand! But realize that God is at work now loving this rebellious world.

Don't get hung up on the term "kingdom" like it's a political realm. Some followers of Jesus actually thought He was going to overthrow the Roman rule. I find comfort is paraphrasing the term "kingdom" into "God's way of doing things!"

In Mark 1:16-20 Jesus recruits "fishers of men" to proclaim that God is actively loving this mean world. And He will show that on the cross!

We are fortunate to live on this side of the cross and the resurrection! We know that God reigns! We know that if we are beheaded, God still reigns and there'll come the time that our body will be refashioned like unto His glorious body!

Rejoice and pass on the good news!