FASTING, PRAYING, STUDYING AND LIVING FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD JULY 8, 2021

 From: paul gage

pauljg_64055@yahoo.com

FASTING, PRAYING, STUDYING AND LIVING FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD JULY 8, 2021

FASTING, PRAYING, STUDYING AND LIVING FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD

JULY 8, 2021

 

Greetings to the Lovely Saints Around the World Working for Zion,

 

How are you doing with the art of disciplining yourself for the Kingdom? It is not always easy to maintain a schedule for such things as fasting, praying or studying. But it is vital for us to do so, if we are to be able to live the gospel and live for the Kingdom. Jesus, as always, is our chief and only example to follow, if we want to be in the Kingdom. Imagine the feelings of those to whom Jesus said, "And then will I say, Ye never knew me; depart from me ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:30-33) What a contrast to I Peter 5:2-4. You can look that one up.

 In the 1970 Daily Bread on July 9, we find these words of counsel. We, as a people, know that what we have to offer is life-giving and strengthening and sometimes we become too insistent, and we may drive others away when we share the gospel with them. When we can show them how much we enjoy the gospel and what it does in our lives their attitude is much more receptive. In time, if they can see the beauty of the gospel in us, they will have a desire to taste its life-giving substance for themselves.

 Others won't see the beauty of the gospel just in our fasting, praying and studying, maybe not even our families, but as the results of those disciplines take effect in us, others will see the gospel being lived out in us. We sing with great enthusiasm, hymn 236, "We've Story to tell."

The verses say, We've a story to tell, a song to be sung. a message to give and a Savior to show to the nations. And the chorus, you can sing it now, "For the darkness shall turn to dawning, And the dawning to noonday bright, And Christ's great Kingdom shall come on earth, The Kingdom of love and light."

 Christ's great Kingdom is going to come whether we are ready or not. Let us be among the five wise virgins and have the proper oil in our lamps. The oil is described in Doctrine and Covenants 45:10.

 God be all around you in your efforts to help bring forth HIS Kingdom.

 Paul Gage