From: Paul Gage
LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD
APRIL 28, 2022
Living for the Kingdom of God or living in the Kingdom of God,
either way, requires certain things of us, individually and as a people. We
must believe that God will one day reign in His Kingdom upon this earth. We
must believe it and show it by the way we live. In addition, we must allow God
to use us and work through us to bring about His purposes. He has, is, and will
do this to help us live in His Kingdom, even now, and prepare us for the time
when He will dwell with those in His Kingdom. I will share an experience
that I and several others had this week. Jack Hagensen, Clareen Carroll, and I
planned a three day trip to the Council Bluffs, Iowa area for two main
purposes. One was to tour a couple of wildlife refuges in the area and the
other to share in worship with the Council Bluffs Restoration Branch Saints in
worship and see their building they recently purchased.
I contacted the
pastor, Brian Turner and explained “our” plans. Brian said that was nice, but
the Branch did not meet on Wednesday nights for prayer meeting. Instead, they
have a Kingdom Builders Ministry that meets with the youth of the branch and
the neighborhood on Wednesday evenings and have prayer services on Thursday
evenings. We had planned to return home on Thursday, so “our” plans got
changed. We then decided that we would go ahead and see the building and visit
with whoever might be there who was involved in the Kingdom Builders Ministry
and then return to our motel.
The evening activities
were to run from five pm until about eight pm, so we arrived at the church
about 4:30 pm and met Mark McCormick who is one of the leaders of the Kingdom
Builders Ministry. We also met Jerry Collins who was taking care of the lawn.
Mark gave us a complete tour of the facility and we were in awe. God had
provided them with a fantastic facility at a bargain price. Others involved in
the program arrived. Mark had asked us if we would share with the youth that
evening. We agreed.
A number of things had
come up that prevented their attending. “Our” plans were altered once more.
It was then decided to
go ahead and have a prayer service, which we did with a number of quality
prayers and testimonies. It seemed obvious that this was God’s plans for us
that night and we were totally pleased and blessed. Also present were: Brian
and Amy Burk, Mark, Nikki and Caleb (age four) McCormick, Kenny and Samantha
Wells, and Keoki Waipa. Our young brother Caleb shared in prayer and other ways
and it was felt that God’s Spirit was with us and it was His plan for each of
us.
That is how God works
things out as we live for and in His Kingdom. As the prayer goes, “Thy
Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven.” Matthew
6:11.
Also, as we live in
His kingdom, it is vital that we maintain daily contact with God and with the
Saints. One way this can be done is by a daily scripture devotion program. The
Conference of Restoration Elders (CRE) has been doing this for sometime, as
have many other groups and Branches. The current CRE Daily Devotional program
ends this Saturday, April 30 and the new one, which will run from May 1st,
this coming Sunday, through August 31, 2022 is attached to this article and is
also available on the CRE website. eldersconference.org. All pastors are
encouraged to make copies of this Devotional (Jesus and You in 2022) available
to branch members.
God Bless
Paul Gage
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