From: Paul Gage
FASTING, PRAYING, STUDYING AND LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD
DECEMBER 16, 2021
Greetings to all of God's wonderful people all over the earth,
December is half gone and 2021 is near the end. Did you notice the change in the title of this article from the ones of the past? Last week, Brother Jay Havener, from the Oakwood Restoration Branch in Michigan made a suggestion. Basically, it is the difference in thought between "living for the Kingdom" and "living in the Kingdom." Generally speaking, if we are living for, waiting for, hoping for, etc something we are waiting on it to happen. That is, it is somewhere in the future.
Living "in" the Kingdom is saying the Kingdom is "here," and thus puts a different outlook on things. It does not mean that the "Kingdom of God is on earth as it is in Heaven," but we approach things as if the Kingdom was here in its fullness. Does that change our approach to the spiritual disciplines and even our daily walk? Maybe it should.
Visualizing that we are "in the Kingdom" gives us an image of what it might be like to be in God's Kingdom when it is in its fullness. Part if it is our thought process. In Mark 12:32-39 is one of the times when Jesus was asked what the first or great commandment was. This is found in Mathew and Luke as well as Mark, but the answer is given in different ways Read Mark 12:37-39 to see the response of the scribe and Jesus.
To think that we are a living part of God's Kingdom at this very moment paints a different picture than that of waiting for the Kingdom to come. In other words, as we approach our fasting, praying, studying, attending church, helping others, etc. think of those things in terms of doing it IN the Kingdom of God here and now. Take a little time and read DC 65.
Our Father,
Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth
as it is done in Heaven...
God bless and keep you
Paul Gage
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