Thursday, February 26, 2026
Restoration Originals Community Concert - 4/18
Restoration Originals Community Concert - 4/18 On SATURDAY, APRIL 18, come enjoy a FREE evening of original music from singer/songwriters in the Restoration, sponsored by Wynterlane! This is a FREE community concert, but seating is limited-- reserve your tickets here before they're gone: https://restorationoriginals2026.rsvpify.com When: Saturday, April 18, 2026 6:30-8:00 PM (doors open at 6p) Where: Woodstock Inn 1212 W Lexington St Independence, MO 64050 Performers: - Wynterlane - Andrea Alaniz - Brooklyn Moores - Christopher Vickery - Isabella Pedersen - One Heart One Mind - Tansey Melina - The Hoods See you April 18th! 🪕 Kevin McMilian Email: contact@wynterlanemusic.com |
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Wednesday, February 25, 2026
LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD FEBRUARY 26, 2026
LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD FEBRUARY 26, 2026
Kingdom greetings to all those living in the Kingdom of
God,
Some might say, “Well, doesn’t that include everybody?”
Not unless you truly believe you are living in the Kingdom of God. That is a
matter decided on by each individual and God. Like so many other things,
everybody has their own perspective. There are actually many “kingdoms” in
existence. Some interesting statistics: In the Old Testament, while there are
many references to “kingdoms,” there are very, very few references to the
kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven. However, in the New Testament, since Jesus
came to preach and teach the “Gospel of the Kingdom,” there are 160 references
to the Kingdom of God/Heaven. Fifteen of the twenty-seven New Testament books
mention the Kingdom of God/Heaven. One hundred eleven times is the Kingdom
mentioned just in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Eleven of the fifteen books in the
Book of Mormon make references to the Kingdom, while sixty-two sections in the
Doctrine and Covenants speak of the Kingdom. It must be vital to each of us.
It is well known that where there is a kingdom, there
must be a king and subjects of the king. The members/subjects/servants of the
king are expected to obey the king’s commandments or suffer the consequences.
Things naturally go better for members of a kingdom when they are in total
obedience to the King. How many times in all the scriptures does God say, “If
you will, I will,” or “When you will, then I will.” One very good example is
Doctrine and Covenants 81:3 a “And again, I say unto you, I
give unto you a new commandment, that you may understand my will concerning
you; or, in other words, I give unto you directions how you may act before me,
that it may turn to you for your salvation. b I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what
I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.”
Notice the wording? Directions on how to act for our
salvation.
How do we know if we are living in the Kingdom of God or
even trying to live in His Kingdom? One writer put it this way, “When you are
under His Lordship/Kingship and when He is in control of your life, THAT IS THE
KINGDOM OF GOD.” So, the major questions we should ask ourselves 24/7 Am I? And
Is He? Anytime we cannot answer yes to those two questions, we need to speedily
repent and seek His forgiveness.
The major downfall of “Christians, Saints, etc” is that
we generally want to be the “Ruler” in our little kingdom, rather than
submitting to God and living under His authority in His Kingdom. From Doctrine
and Covenants 102:9 a “But firstly, let my army become very great; and let
it be sanctified before me, that it may become fair as the sun and clear as the
moon, and that her banners may be terrible unto all nations, b that the
kingdoms of this world may be constrained to acknowledge that the kingdom
of Zion is in very deed the kingdom of our God and his Christ; therefore, let
us become subject unto her laws.”
The sentence in the “Lord’s Prayer,” “Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth, AS IT IS DONE IN HEAVEN,” is not an idle phrase.
There are at least ten parables in the New Testament that speak of “The
Kingdom.” See if you can find them.
God bless
Paul Gage
*****NOTE TO RESIDENTS OF INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI:
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2026, 5:30 PM CITY HALL 111 E. MAPLE
(North side)
CITY COUNCIL MEETING. ONE ITEM IS THE PROPOSAL to build
an AI DATA CENTER
Saturday, February 21, 2026
ZIONWORKS NEWS for FEBRUARY 20, 2026
ZIONWORKS NEWS for FEBRUARY 20, 2026
WHAT WILL ZION COST YOU?
Making Zion a reality is much the same as planning and building a homestead complete with a warm and dry house practical for Mom and Dad and safe, healthy for the children. To sustain the homestead requires a means of income, a well-managed economy with workable plan to be out of debt, continual maintenance (that requires a budget, and a budget of time for the labor. [mowing, trimming, house repairs, yard and land repairs and a budget for the tools and equipment for the maintenance). There needs to be a supply of safe water, a means of heating the home, a means of sanitation and a means of safeguarding or perpetuating the home and family. Growth needs to be considered and planned for; the growing size of the family and the growth of knowledge. The place needs to be attractive and inviting to friends and well-meaning strangers. An abundance of healthy food must be assured by the head of the household, as well as a means of ensuring the physical health of each member. Because of the healthy, fundamental need for friendships and relationships outside the home, a means of travel from home to home is vital. A means of travel to buy, sell or exchange goods and services is vital as well as a means to travel to work and to explore the beauties and wonders of the land. A budget for all of this including a means of meeting emergency needs is vital. A recognizable and universally equitable means of exchange of value is vital.
Roads and bridges from home to home and from settlement to settlement become vital. The funds to maintain roads and infrastructure must be generated and those funds must be supplied by the people benefitting from them.
We can see that a well-run small town with its water system, sanitation system, electrical generation and distribution, its clinics, its fire department and first-responders, its specialty shops and specialty laborers and professionals all performing honestly and conscienciosly sounds like an efficient and happy social arrangement. With each person dedicated to Christ and to all members of the community and their well-being…well, that sounds a lot like Zion. All good skills, specialties, industry and fascinating human and spiritual endeavors find an environment for explosive growth and fruition there! It is prophesied that Zion will start out small and keep expanding until it covers a large portion of the United States. Its success will become recognized worldwide as the working model of Christ’s kingdom on earth, proving to the world that God’s word will not return to Him void!
So, where are we now in understanding and applying ourselves in this so practical and do-able enterprise? I have asked this question to a few people this past week and here are a few candid answers I have received. We should discuss this same question at our upcoming meeting this coming Sunday: “People are not willing to go all-in with each other to make Zion a reality.” “We don’t understand the conditions of Zion well enough.” “We should meet together regularly in fellowship, praise and testimony, and come together in developing close friendships.”
Certainly, we have been very blessed in our meetings, our friendship growth, our praise and testimony, our fellowship, and blessings of The Spirit and remarkable healings. These things reinforce the Lord’s pleasure this endeavor, and we are reinforced by the blessing of these friendships and the acts of helping each other, of growth together and reaching out to others in need.
So, we will continue at this coming Sunday’s meeting to plan and execute the tasks Jesus has for us to do as individuals and as a group for making His Zion a working reality. Here are the same topics mentioned for consideration in the last Zionworks News:
*How will those gathering in be housed?
*How will those gathering in be fed?
*How will those gathering in find gainful employment and contribute to Zion?
*How will this community exist and operate “independent” of the world’s infrastructure and commerce?
*What occupations and industries will we need?
*How will we relate with each other without letting our differences interfere? (Cultural upbringing, differing interpretations of scripture, differing lifestyles, differing priorities)
*Will we be perfect in Zion?
*What problems or complexities perplex us at this time about cooperating and lovingly relating, working and worshipping together?
*What will create a Christ-centered bond of permanent and growing friendship?
*Your additional questions and concerns.
* Your visions and hopes.
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I attended Richard Lade’s class last Sunday at South Crysler Restoration Branch on “Last days and Kingdom living”. It was very well researched and foot noted with a large topical scriptural compilation. It was well-presented and attended by a large number of people eager to learn and apply the call to the Kingdom. ‘So good to see and be with people actively engaged in this endeavor.
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REMINDER: Tomorrow, February 21st: WORKDAY at Central Branch, 919 S. Delaware, Independence. Beginning at 9:00 AM. Cleaning and light repairs. We are grateful for the large meeting room this branch has provided for the last two years.
NEXT ZIONWORKS MEETING: This coming Sunday at Central Branch, 919 S. Delaware, Independence at 2:00 PM in the basement. This is for any and all people seeking or curious about Christ’s kingdom on the earth.
Your questions and comments are welcome at zionworkz@protonmail.com
With Christ and his love as our bond,
Your friends at Zionworks,
Jim Huseby, coordinator
Healing Hearts Meeting - March 15
Healing Hearts Meeting - March 15
Healing Hearts is a Christ centered group open to all who are currently widowed (widows and widowers). We offer fellowship, friendship, fun, and worship. We support each other emotionally through our presence and our common grief. This group is open to all who are widowed, regardless of church affiliation.
We will meet at Colbern Road Restoration Branch on:
Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 2:30 - 4:00 PM
The Church of Jesus Christ
Colbern Road Restoration Branch
9525 Lake Lotawana Rd., Gate 2
Lee's Summit, MO 64086
Contact: Jeanie Marsh 816-678-7212
Free Resources - Stories for Families
Free Resources - Stories for Families
Many new videos have been created to go with the first four Kingdom Kids Stories. (1. Out of the Darkness 2. Into the Light 3. In His Time 4. No Fear in Love )
These stories explore some of the challenges children and families face and the scriptural solutions for them. They are about living in the Kingdom on earth. They are designed to be read or watched with a parent or teacher. Suggested ages 8-12.
My testimony is that the Lord began putting these stories in my mind, and I wrote them. I know He has a purpose for them.
Each chapter has discussion questions and links to a printable PDF with kids' pages, activities, and scripture memory songs. I hope this is a blessing and you will share it with others.
On the Living Hope website: search livinghopebranch.org + kingdom kids + kingdom kids books (Stories 1-4)
Search on YouTube, Kingdom Kids OTK, or click the link below.
P.S. This is not monetized - just a free resource.
For more information or resources contact:
Becky Stayton
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