THE KINGDOM WAY
A 5-Day Devotional
Introduction: Welcome to "The Kingdom Way." In Matthew 22:37-38, Jesus reveals the
foundation of all kingdom relationships: loving God with our whole being—heart, soul, and
mind. Over these five days, we'll explore how this greatest commandment shapes our
connection with God and others. As we delve into each aspect of this all-encompassing
love, you'll discover practical ways to align your relationships with God's kingdom
principles. Whether you're seeking to deepen your relationship with God or strengthen
your connections with others, this devotional will guide you toward experiencing
relationships the Kingdom way.
Anchor Scripture: "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all
your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment." - Matthew
22:37-38
Day 1: HEART
The Kingdom Way is knowing that God has always been after our heart.
Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 6:5, Proverbs 4:23, 1 Samuel 16:7
God has always been in pursuit of our hearts. From the Garden of Eden to the cross at
Calvary, His desire has been to capture and transform our hearts. When Samuel went to
anoint the next king of Israel, God reminded him that while people look at outward
appearances, He looks at the heart. This wasn't just a one-time instruction – it's a
fundamental truth about how God relates with us.
Beyond our outward displays of worship, like lifting our hands to a worship song or doing
or saying the “right” thing, God looks at our hearts, and our motives and can see through
what things appear to be. God wants a relationship with us that goes beyond the surface
and runs deep in our hearts. God desires us to go from acquaintances to becoming friends,
sons and daughters. Relationships require us to engage our hearts, vulnerability, trust, and
transparency. The best relationships are ones that engage the heart, and this is what God
desires from us. He does not want us to engage Him on the surface or just to check off a to-
do list; Christ died for more than that. He died so we can have a relationship with Him, one
that engages our hearts fully. He wants our hearts; are you willing to give God your heart
fully?
Reflection: What does it mean to love God with all your heart? Think about your closest
relationships – how does your heart engage in those relationships? How much more should
your heart be engaged with God?
Prayer Focus: Ask God to examine your heart and reveal any areas that you haven't fully
surrendered to Him.
Today's Application: Take time to journal about the state of your heart. What occupies
your thoughts and emotions most? What does this reveal about your heart's true priorities?
Day 2: SOUL
The Kingdom Way is immersive; God is involved with our soul as well.
Scripture Reading: Psalm 42:1-2, Psalm 103:1-5, John 12:27
Our soul – the essence of who we are – longs for connection with its Creator. The soul
encompasses our emotions, our will, and our deepest desires. When David wrote about his
soul thirsting for God like a deer pants for water, he was expressing this fundamental need
for divine connection. In the Kingdom Way, God doesn't just want surface-level interaction;
He desires to penetrate the depths of our being.
There is a part deep inside of us that will never be fulfilled by anything else or anyone else
but God. Our soul will never be satisfied by anything else but God because God made it to
be so. In a world filled with distractions and temptations, it is easy to not fully immerse our
entire being and dedication to God and the things of His, but this is not meant to be so. The
Kingdom Way is to be fully surrendered and to submit not just our hearts but also our soul,
which represents the core of our being (including thoughts, feelings, and identity); the
Kingdom Way is immersing it all.
Reflection: How does your soul respond to God's presence? What nourishes your soul, and
what depletes it?
Prayer Focus: Invite God to minister to your soul, especially in areas where you feel
wounded or depleted.
Today's Application: Create a "soul care" plan – list activities that genuinely refresh your
soul and schedule time for them this week.
Day 3: MIND
God wants to engage your mind
Scripture Reading: Romans 12:2, Philippians 4:8, Isaiah 26:3
The Kingdom Way involves a transformation of our thinking. God gave us minds to know
Him, understand His ways, and make wise choices. When Paul talks about renewing our
minds, he's inviting us into a process where our thought patterns align more closely with
God's truth. This isn't about abandoning reason but sanctifying it.
It is easy to think we only engage God with our feelings and emotions and heart because
that is what we are used to seeing and hearing. However, in many places in the Bible we
see God talk about our minds. Romans 12:1-2 tells us that it is by our minds being renewed
that we don’t conform to the way of the world. Because we belong to a different Kingdom
we need our minds to also be aligned with the way of the Kingdom of God; like Romans 8:5-
6 reminds us that those who live according to the Spirit set their “minds” on the things of
the Spirit. Let your mind be involved in your relationship to God and you will be amazed at
what happens.
Reflection: What thoughts dominate your mind? How do they align with God's truth? What
needs to change?
Prayer Focus: Ask God to help you identify and replace negative thought patterns with His
truth.
Today's Application: Choose a scripture that addresses an area where you struggle with
negative thoughts. Memorize it and recite it whenever those thoughts arise.
Day 4: FIRST
The Kingdom Way is about putting God first
Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:33, Exodus 20:3, Colossians 1:18
In the Kingdom Way, priority matters. When Jesus spoke about seeking first the Kingdom of
God, He was establishing a divine order for our lives. This isn't about rigid religiosity but
about understanding that everything flows better when God has His proper place in our
lives. Just as a wheel turns smoothly around its center, our lives function best when God is
at the center.
There is a song I love by Laure Daigle called “First.” It speaks about putting God first, which
often rings in my head when I try to do anything before starting my day. No matter how
important some things are, God wants us to put Him first. This is simply the way of the
Kingdom. Anything we put before God is an idol, so we need to ensure in our daily lives
that God is first and at the center of all that we do. You make time for the things you love
and the people you love, so how much more, God? I know sometimes it is easy not to put
God and the things of God first because it often feels intangible. After all, we can't "see"
Him physically as we would see a friend, but God is the King of the Kingdom we belong to.
Putting the King first shows our love, honor, respect, and reverence to the King.
Reflection: What competes for first place in your life? How do your daily choices reflect
your priorities?
Prayer Focus: Ask God to show you practical ways to put Him first in your daily routine.
Today's Application: Review your schedule for the next week. How can you practically
demonstrate that God is first in your time, resources, and relationships?
Day 5: GREAT COMMANDMENT
The Kingdom Way is simple - the Kingdom Way is love
Scripture Reading: Matthew 22:36-40, 1 John 4:19-21, 1 Corinthians 13:1-8
Jesus distilled all 613 Old Testament laws into two simple commands: love God and love
others. This wasn't a reduction of God's standards but rather a revelation of their essence.
When we truly love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, loving others becomes a natural
overflow. The Kingdom Way isn't complicated – it's profoundly simple yet deeply
transformative.
It is a blessing to live in a time where the role of fulfilling the law (which in itself was
impossible) is not a weight we have to carry. Jesus, in His divine way, showed that by God’s
Spirit, if we genuinely love God and truly love others the Kingdom Way, we will, in turn,
keep God’s standards. The beauty of what Christ was saying became a reality when He
died, and the Holy Spirit, “our Helper,” came to help us live according to the way of the
Kingdom. The currency and language of the Kingdom is love. It might seem impossible to
love others and follow God’s standards, but please know it is possible. You can love
because God's Spirit enables us to love God and others. Loving as a citizen of the Kingdom
is not a suggestion, it is the first and greatest commandment. We have seen from God’s
character that whatever He requires of us, He enables us to do through His Spirit giving us
grace. No matter how unlovable a person seems, you can love them. You have been graced
to love because it is the way of the kingdom.
Reflection: How does your love for God influence how you love others? What would it look
like to love others as Jesus loves them?
Prayer Focus: Ask God to expand your capacity to love Him and others more fully.
Today's Application: Choose one person today who seems difficult to love. Ask God to
help you see them through His eyes and take one practical step to show them love.
Prayer: Father, thank You for showing me the Kingdom Way through Your greatest
commandment. Help me to love You wholly – with my heart, soul, and mind. Let this love
transform my relationships and make me more like Jesus. Amen.