LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD AUGUST 24, 2023

From: Paul Gage

pauljg_64055@yahoo.com

 

LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD AUGUST 24, 2023

Greetings to the Saints in the ever so precious Name of JESUS CHRIST:

How are things going in your part of the Kingdom? Hopefully, the Lord is sending you “Showers of Blessings” as one hymn states. We don’t want sprinkles or trickles. So, what must we do to receive those “Showers of Blessings?” Usually, nothing because there is nothing we can do to buy, earn, or merit God’s blessings. They come because of God’s everlasting love for His children, but may be more likely to come when we are obedient to His commandments. In so many scriptures, God says, “If you will, then I will.” Pretty plain isn’t it? But that does not mean we will never have trials and tribulations because again, the scriptures have many examples of God’s children being subjected to the trials of daily living.

 

It was their daily “Living in the Kingdom of God,” though they were in bondage to Babylon or some other “kingdom,” that God allowed Daniel to go to the lion’s den, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to go into the fiery furnace, and also Abinadi to be burned at the stake. Only He knows what He has in store for each of us.

 

In his book, “The Word of Christ,” by Raymond D. Zinser in a chapter on Zion: The Kingdom of God On Earth, Brother Zinser talks about the pure in heart. “The pure in heart are those who live daily by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom.” In Doctrine and Covenants 102:2c we are told, “...and Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom, otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself.”

 

The demonstrations of the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom is our challenge in today’s world, especially as things continue to escalate in every aspect of life on earth. In another book which talks about the “Lord’s Prayer,” the author states that “Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done” is a parallelism, that is they both mean the same thing. The Lord’s Prayer gives us a concise and memorable definition of what the kingdom of God is:” God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven.

 

That is our commission from Jesus himself, ”Seek ye first, to build up the kingdom of God , and to establish his righteousness...” Matthew 6:38. Living in the kingdom of God means being in harmony with God’s will. To pray the Lord’s Prayer is to pray that the kingdom be consummated, beginning with the one who is praying. I believe this is what is meant by the scripture DC 38:6a “Be one, and if ye are not one, ye are not mine.” To be one with Jesus Christ means we are obedient to His commandments. This goes beyond organizations. Jesus was crucified for each of us individually so that is how we must respond to His teachings.

 

Stay strong in your faith and your service to God. Share the good news of Jesus Christ with all you can, but remember the old saying, “I’d Rather See a Sermon than Hear One Any day.” Take some time to read Revelation 2 and 3, especially note the Promises made to each of the churches. Then if you want a personal challenge, take some time to answer these questions:

1. What do you think God would say to you in regards to chastisement and counsel?

2. What do you think God would say to you in regards to encouragement and blessing?

 

May the good Lord bless and keep you,

Paul Gage