The kingdom of me?

Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.— 1 Peter 3:15

In 1977, 15-year-old Kevin Baugh and a teenage friend decided to create their own country, just for fun. The Republic of Molossia began as they drew a map, created paper money, and made a flag. Today, Mr. Baugh continues his micro-nation the same way it began — just for fun. When Chicago Tribune reporter Colleen Mastony toured his 1.3 acre kingdom in the Nevada desert, Baugh assured her he still pays US taxes, which he calls “foreign aid.”

“It’s always tongue-in-cheek,” Baugh admits. “I’m doing this for the pleasure and enjoyment of having my own country.”

Not many of us will create our own nation, but we all have a kingdom of the heart where we decide who will rule. The apostle Peter wrote: “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts” (1 Peter 3:15). “Sanctify means to set apart Christ as Lord or Ruler of our life.

There is something within each of us that longs to be in control of our lives. It may be early a small corner where we assert our spiritual independence and answer to no one but ourselves.

But true freedom comes when we allow Christ to rule our hearts.

— David McCasland

’Tis mine to choose if self shall die

And never rise again;

’Tis mine to yield the throne to Christ

And bid Him rule and reign.

— Christianssen

READ: 1 Peter 3:8-17

When Christ rules in our heart, our feet will walk in His ways.

The Bible in one year:

• Judges 9-10

• Luke 5:17-39