LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD AUGUST 14, 2025
To the Saints in every corner of God’s Kingdom,
As we near the middle of ,the eighth month of 2025, I
know, for some, and am sure for others that things have been and are pretty
difficult to handle and deal with. We each have to try to resolve all the
things that affect us every minute of the day and in so many ways. Even in the
midst of great faith, we are constantly challenged by various afflictions and
interactions that can easily change the course of our lives IF we place them
above God.
The scriptures tells us there is nothing new under the
sun, but when something affects us personally, it becomes a new adventure or
trial of our faith. It seems difficult for us to really grasp the significance
of things that happen that are not particularly close to us, physically or
spiritually. I’m sure every congregation has a weekly prayer list that is
fairly long. Some are people we may not know and it is often hard to have that
feeling of empathy, especially if it is something we have not experienced.
In the midst of such things, how do you often feel or
what do you think? Was James really serious in James 1:2-4 when he says, “My
brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into many afflictions, 3 Knowing this,
that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have its
perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” Of
course, he was serious, because he, along with many others over the years have
truly suffered for the cause of Jesus. James was pushed off a ledge on the
temple and stoned to death. The real joy comes when we face God and He knows we
suffered for His purposes and we receive our reward.
Pure joy is when it looks like everything is falling
apart, and we turn to the ONE who holds all ,things together. Joy is not merely
a fleeting emotion, but a deep-seated enduring state of well being and
contentment that transcends circumstances. Joy is not dependent on external
factors or happiness, but rather stems from an inner sense of peace and
fulfillment even in the midst of hardship.
Arthur Oakman in his “Endowment Series,” makes the
following statements:
‘”If only we could gather to ourselves the conviction
that what goes on inside us is much more important than what goes on around us.
We know that from the deeps within each one of us there
dwells the record, the image, and the Spirit of the living God.
The life and ministry of Jesus Christ our Lord was played
out in the world around us, outside us, in order that it might be created in
us.
For in you is that power by which every circumstance of
life can be taken and made to serve the cause of the Kingdom.
When I experience within myself the knowledge of the Son
of God, then all else vanishes into insignificance.
Will what I am doing advance the cause of the Kingdom? If
it will not, it has no place in our lives. That is the way to endowment.
Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go
forward and not backward. Courage, brethren, and on, on to the victory! (DC
110:22a)”
God bless
Paul Gage
Please note the following announcement and mark your
calendars.
RESTORATION BRANCH HIGH PRIESTS
CLASS SESSIONS: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2025.
9AM – 1 PM WALDO AVENUE RESTORATION BRANCH/CPRS
ALL ARE WELCOME AND INVITED TO ATTEND.
SHARE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT HOWEVER YOU CAN AND WITH WHOM
EVER YOU CAN.
CLASSES WILL BE LIVE STREAMED/YOU TUBE.
AN ANNOUNCEMENT HAS GONE OUT TO ALL PASTORS/BRANCHES
WITH A LIST OF CLASSES AND TEACHERS.
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