Universal Utterings

for January 10, 2026

A Godcast

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01-10-2026 Matthew 4 v1217 The Kingdom of Heaven Is At Hand

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The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 4 Verse 12 thru 17

12 When he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, 16 the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.” 17 From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

In Matthew 4:12-17, we witness the beginnings of Jesus' public ministry following His temptation in the wilderness. Upon hearing that John the Baptist had been imprisoned, Jesus withdrew to Galilee, fulfilling the prophecies spoken through Isaiah about a great light shining in darkness. This passage marks a pivotal moment where Jesus begins to proclaim the message of repentance, as He earnestly calls His listeners to turn away from their sins.

Verse 17 encapsulates His core message: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." This urgent call to repentance is not merely a suggestion; it is a powerful invitation to transformation and renewal. Jesus emphasizes the immediate reality of God's kingdom breaking into the world, making it clear that His arrival signals a new era of hope and salvation. The phrase "the kingdom of heaven is at hand" reminds us that God's reign is both a present and future reality that invites us to live with purpose and intentionality.

As we reflect on these verses, it is vital to remember that repentance is not just a one-time act; rather, it is a continual journey of seeking God, turning away from sin, and embracing the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ. Jesus’ message remains relevant today, reaching out to every heart and urging each of us to realign our lives with God's will and go to confession often.

In our modern world, the invitation to repent and to acknowledge the kingdom of heaven is still calling out to us, urging us to embrace God's grace and transformative power in confession. Let us heed this call, turning our hearts toward Him now and forevermore repeating His words of grace, ‘Repent, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Amen.

Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.

I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey Happy Birthday! and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.

I am a poet obedient to Christ,

Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins

†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®

Ephesians 6:17-20

01-10-2026 Matthew 4 v1217

**The Kingdom of Heaven Is At Hand**

In the land where shadows gift her,

News of silence split the air,

A voice rose like a gentle whisper,

In Galilee, a light laid bare.

When the news reached Him of John's arrest,

He chose to walk by the sea,

Leaving Nazareth, He came, distressed—

To fulfill what was meant to be.

“Repent,” He called, “the kingdom is near,

In darkness, hope begins to shine.

A promise of grace that we hold dear,

The love of God, in flesh divine.”

From rocky shores to towns uncharted,

His light would break the night apart,

A Savior’s mission, boldly started,

To change the world and heal each heart.

Galilee echoed with truth profound,

Fishermen left their nets behind,

For in His presence, hope was found,

A kingdom of love, for all mankind.

So let us heed that ancient call,

With hearts awakened, spirits see,

In Him, our shadows rise and fall,

His light illuminates our souls to be free. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

January 10, 2026 @ 04:59 AM EST

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