From: Paul Gage
FASTING, PRAYING, STUDYING AND LIVING FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD JANUARY 21, 2021
JANUARY 21, 2021
To all the Saints round the world, greetings in the lovely name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
2021 is off to a wild beginning, with all the political stuff, the virus, flu and other ailments too. We have read, for years, of all the wild antics of the human race down through the ages and guess what? We are it! Anything going on in the world that reminds you of the Gadianton robbers in the Book of Mormon? The world seems to be in a similar condition, so what are we going to do about it? Many will ask, "What can we do about it?" How about really getting serious about being totally obedient to God's commandments? The hymn for today, on the "Sixty Days Toward Zion" is TRUST AND OBEY, FOR THERE'S NO OTHER WAY.
An interesting scripture in the Inspired Version that is different from the King James is Matthew 6:38. Read chapter six in the KJ and also the IV. In the IV, in verse 38 you will notice that three major words have been added. Rather than just "seeking" the kingdom of God and his righteousness, we are told to "BUILD UP AND ESTABLISH." We can seek something forever and never find it, but if we are involved in Building up and establishing something, we will find fulfillment because we got into the action of helping it come to pass. How were the people of
Enoch's city able to dwell in righteousness? Most likely, because they were in total obedience to God. Some may say, "Yes, but they had Enoch." True, but WE HAVE JESUS CHRIST!
Fasting, prayer, study and even living for the kingdom f God each has its place, but our living, studying, praying and fasting must reflect obedience to God. His commandments tell us not to steal, lie, cheat, and many other things and we may pride ourselves that we are not flagrant criminals. But if you recall the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:13-31, the Lord told the one who five and gained five and the one who had two and gained two that they had been faithful over few things, so he would make them ruler over many things. What about the "little things" like telling a nurse you had not fallen, when you had, or innocently saying you had six avocados when you had seven? It is the obedience to God's commandments in small matters that lead to honoring Him in bigger things. So you tell the nurse the truth even if it shows up as a negative on your health report. Also, you go back to the place you bought the avocados and pay for the extra one.
You wouldn't want to look back and find out you missed the Kingdom of God/Zion or Celestial Glory because of a "little white lie" or a 58 cent avocado. Some of the scriptures listed today are Doctrine nd Covenants 128:8 a-c; 129:8 c-h; 132:3 4; 138:3; 140:5; 142:5; 147:5a and others.
May we, each, fast, pray, study, and live so that God's Kingdom on earth may come in 2021.
God bless and keep you
Paul Gage
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