Your Summer Reading List July 17, 2026 Devotional

During one of my trips to Malawi we were invited to the wedding of a staff member of Ministry of Hope. We arrived at the party a little late and there was a sea of people dancing and singing—it was a party! As we entered, a man instructed us to follow him and proceeded to lead us through the crowds all they way to the front, ‘the best seats in the house.’ I remember feeling equally honored and embarrassed (I did not know the bride or groom so I did not think it was my place to be in the front). We stayed for a bit, danced, and then I quietly led our team to what I thought was a more respectable place for our participation in the celebration. Looking back on that day I now realize I was experiencing God’s upside down kingdom of grace. I was an outsider to the wedding couple and their family and friends, yet they pulled us into their party, celebration, and dare I say family. This is the power of the kingdom of God, to bring into the family of God, the outsider, the undeserving, the yous and mes. Praise Jesus.

Do you ever feel outside the kingdom of God?

How does it make you feel that you are invited into the family of God?