Small things can have a big impact. A simple "Hello" tied to a smile can change someone's day. A well-timed compliment or "Thank you" can encourage someone when their heart is feeling down. A small seed can grow into a flower, a bush, even a tree. God's kingdom sometiems appears small. It sometimes looks to be insignificant, but God causes it to grow and grow and grow. He causes it to grow in people's hearts. He causes it to grow through the work of the church. He causes it to grow as you love, care for, encourage, and speak to others. It may seem small, but it has a big impact

What's the cost of entry? Whether it's the theme park, ball park, or skate park - it likely isn't free to get in. What about the magnificent, marvelous kingdom of God? What would it cost us to get in? It's not a material amount, and it's not some great deed that we can do, but there is a cost. The cost of humility. The cost of setting aside our pride and allowing God to carry us. The cost of repentance, which turns to God to receive his mercy, favor, and grace - all which he is so willing to give us, so much so that he didn't seem to even think twice about the great cost of forgiveness to him. He gave up his only Son, and Jesus gave up his life so that we could know this forgiveness. What a blessing! What a kingdom! What a king!

As we live in the kingdom into which God has brought us through his forgiveness, we too demonstrate forgiveness to others. Though we often assume that we live autonomous lives, we are interconnected with our God and with others. Everything we have is our God's - a recognition that leads us to see the debts we have owed him. Such debts have been forgiven because of God's grace In his kingdom, we are empowered and moved to freely forgive others their debts they owe us.