FASTING, PRAYING, STUDYING AND LIVING FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD
MARCH 18, 2021
Hello to all the lovely Saints around the world,
As we continue our march toward Zion, the Kingdom of God on earth, may God bless each of you in your endeavors. In our on-going march, incorporating the spiritual disciplines, I would like to include some comments from Brother Arthur Oakman's "Lectures on the Endowment." These lectures were given to the Melchisedec Priesthood in 1966. I will adapt a few words to include all of us.
In Lecture Four: "Gifts of the Spirit," We find the following: The Lord told Joseph Smith Jr and Oliver Cowdrey, "Be not faithless, but be believing; cast aside your doubts and your fears." Saints, the power and ability to do this depends on discipline. Discipline yourself to eschew (deliberately avoid using, abstain from) that which you know is opposed to and inimical (tending to obstruct or harm) to the growth and development of your gift. Do not indulge yourself when you know. God has put into your hearts by the power of His Spirit that there are things you are doing that you ought not to do and things you are not doing you know you ought to do. Thank God for the revelation that leads men to repentance; it shows that you are still living and that He has not forsaken you.
Saints, whatever you do, don't sell yourselves short. For above and beyond this world in which we live, there is a spiritual universe. Somehow, by the grace of God and the new birth, a portion of it dwells within us-so we are creatures of this world and the world to come. There dwells in each one of us the spirit of this world and the Spirit of the Kingdom of God, and these two war one with another. Paul calls it the flesh and the spirit. We all know what he means.
Constantly we have to make the choice between one and the other. THIS MEANS FASTING AND PRAYING. (And we can include studying and living) Oakman continues, I rather think that many people in our church have lost the power to fast. Most of us have gotten into a habitual form of life. Our presence here indicates that we are not a finished product and that there are better tings yet for us. But, Saints, if they are to be achieved, we must discipline ourselves. This discipline is the creative act which God asks of us. This discipline is that which He would have of us, and He will give us the power to do it.
I don't need to tell you what fasting is. It is the organization of your life about some central principle. It is dedication; it is rejoicing; it is prayer. What does it matter what we have, just so long as we have sufficient to live, plus little extra so we can make a sacrifice to the cause of Christ? What does it matter whether we live or whether we die, if by living or dying we can glorify God and extend His Kingdom? Into our hands the good oracle has been committed, a dispensation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We've a story to tell, a song to be sung, a message to give and a Savior to show to the nations. And Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth...
May God bless and keep you and may His light shine upon you,
Paul Gage
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