Hey everybody, welcome to the podcast, I’m Nick and it’s awesome to be here with you today.
Today is September 29.
Each day, we follow a simple rhythm: Slow Down, Read, Notice, Reread, Meditate, Respond, and Exercise.
Let’s begin.

Slow Down

You are stepping into a sacred space with Jesus.
Set aside the distractions of your day.
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath in, then slowly release it.
As you inhale, whisper: “Jesus, open my eyes.”
As you exhale, pray: “Help me to see Your kingdom.”
Do this three times, then rest in His presence.

Read

One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the Kingdom of God come?” Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs. You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you.”
(Luke 17:20–21, NLT)

Notice

What hits you most?
Is there a phrase that jumps out to you?
Hold that phrase gently before the Lord.

Reread

Hear this passage again — and notice what Jesus has to say about the kingdom of God.

Meditate

The Pharisees are waiting. They're looking for signs. They're expecting a dramatic arrival—a visible, unmistakable, undeniable kingdom that will announce itself to the world.
"When will the Kingdom of God come?" they ask.
They want to know the date. The time. The moment when everything changes. They want to see it coming. They want to point to it and say, "There! That's it!"
But Jesus's answer stops them cold: "The Kingdom of God can't be detected by visible signs. You won't be able to say, 'Here it is!' or 'It's over there!' For the Kingdom of God is already among you."
The kingdom isn't coming. It's already here. It's not something to wait for. It's something to recognize. It's not a future event. It's a present reality.
And it's not detected by visible signs. You can't point to it on a map. You can't see it with your eyes. You can't measure it or quantify it or prove it scientifically.
But it's real. It's present. It's among you.
This is the paradigm shift Jesus is inviting the Pharisees into: the kingdom of God isn't about external power or visible dominion. It's about internal transformation. It's about the reign of God in human hearts. It's about the way things work when God is in charge—justice, mercy, forgiveness, love, healing, restoration.
The kingdom is already among you. In the miracles Jesus performs. In the demons He casts out. In the sick He heals. In the dead He raises. In the sinners He welcomes. In the disciples He transforms.
The kingdom is present wherever Jesus is present. And Jesus is saying: Look around. Open your eyes. The kingdom is here.
But the Pharisees can't see it. Why? Because they're looking for the wrong thing. They're looking for power and dominion. They're looking for something that will serve their interests and confirm their authority.
They're not looking for a kingdom that turns everything upside down. A kingdom where the last are first. Where the servant is greatest. Where the poor are blessed. Where the broken are healed. Where the outsider is welcomed.
That kind of kingdom doesn't announce itself with visible signs. It works quietly. It transforms from the inside out. It changes hearts before it changes systems.
And Jesus is saying: It's already here. Can you see it?
Take a few moments to sit with this question:
How would my life change if I truly believed the kingdom is already here—not coming, but present?

Respond

Jesus, open my eyes to see Your kingdom. Help me stop waiting for something dramatic and start recognizing what's already happening. Help me see Your reign in justice, in mercy, in forgiveness, in love. Help me be part of what You're building right now—not someday, but today.

Exercise

The rush of life will meet you again when you leave this sacred place—but you can carry this moment into your day by forming new habits.
Habit: See the Kingdom
Today's habit is an act of intentional observation.
Jesus said the kingdom of God is already among us. Today, you're going to open your eyes and look for it.
Spend 30–45 minutes on this exercise:
Part 1: Go Somewhere and Observe: Go somewhere in your community—a park, a coffee shop, a street corner, a neighborhood. Anywhere you can observe people and life happening.
Sit and watch. Really watch. Don't check your phone. Don't get distracted. Just observe.
Part 2: Look for the Kingdom: As you observe, ask yourself: Where do I see God's kingdom at work?
Look for:
Acts of kindness or generosity
Someone helping someone else
Forgiveness or reconciliation
Love being expressed
Healing or restoration
Justice being served
Mercy being shown
Someone being welcomed or included
Write down what you see. Be specific.
Part 3: Recognize and Respond: Finally, ask yourself: How can I be part of what God is already doing?
Is there something you can do today to participate in the kingdom that's already here? One act of kindness? One moment of mercy? One person to welcome?
Before you go, pray: "Jesus, open my eyes to see Your kingdom. It's already here—in the quiet transformations, in the hearts being changed, in the love being expressed. Help me see it. Help me recognize it. Help me be part of it. Help me participate in what You're already doing in the world."
Then go. Observe. See the kingdom. And be part of it.

I have two asks of you before you go, could you please share this podcast with one person today and check out the review of this podcast on Elevate Society?

That’s your two minutes with Jesus for today.
Now, take what you’ve heard…share it and live it.
Until next time, keep slowing down, keep listening, and keep walking with Jesus.