From: paul gage
LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD DECEMBER 1, 2022
Beloved Saints of the Most High God,
Greetings and “MERRY CHRISTMAS” all month long.
As many will say, “This the best time of the year!” But then, as long as we walk with Jesus, as my yard sign says, “JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!” Of course, we all know that Jesus is the reason for every season, because without Him, there is no need for any season.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone accepted Jesus as their Savior instead of continual debates about when He was born? What a fantastic world we would live in if everyone would love as Jesus loved, even being willing to give our life for the cause of the Kingdom! Let each of us live such a life every day so as to reflect that love that Jesus shared with everyone. That is the only kind of love that will find place in Zion/Celestial Glory, so it must find place in our lives now.
As we all know, Christmas is different in various parts of the world, even in some parts of the same country. But the significance of Christmas is, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.
I’m sure everyone has their favorite Christmas scripture, hymn, poem, story etc. I will share some of my favorites today, especially as they apply to living in the Kingdom of God.
Scripture: Third Nephi 1:1-15, particularly verse 13, “And on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.” You can read and know what was happening, but WOW! Jesus spoke to Nephi the night before he was born. A true miracle indeed. Jesus wants to speak to us every day. Perhaps I, we, need to learn to cry mightily to our God all day and night.
Hymn: I especially like “O Little Town of Bethlehem” verse four.
“O Holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels,
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
OUR LORD, IMMANUEL!
All through our daily living in the Kingdom, if Jesus is not working within us, can we truthfully say we are living in the Kingdom? Keep in mind that this coming Sunday is The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.
Story: Many years ago I found a story called, “Trouble at the Inn.” A church was doing the Christmas story and a young man about ten years old, who was a little shy, but good size was chosen to be the Innkeeper. You know, the one who had to tell Joseph there was NO room in the inn. When it came to that point in the play, after he had softy told Joseph there was no room and Joseph started to leave, he called out, in a strong voice, “Come back, Joseph, YOU CAN HAVE MY ROOM!” Needless to say, the church and the community were changed forever. So, in our daily walk, are we willing to share everything we have with Jesus? He doesn’t want our room, but does ask us to give Him our hearts.
The Inspired Version in Luke 2:7 uses the words “inns.” All others say, “inn.” Does it matter?
Poem: As you know, most, if not all, hymns are poems. Hymn 105 in “Hymns of the Restoration,” “When Jesus, Our Great Master Came,” was brought to my attention as we prepared for prayer service last night at Waldo Avenue Restoration Branch. I think it is appropriate for our living in the Kingdom.
When Jesus, our great Master, came to teach us in his Father’s name,
In every act, in every thought, He lived the precepts which he taught.
So let our lips and lives express The Holy Gospel we profess;
So let our works and virtues shine To prove the doctrine all divine.
A virtue is a very high level of morality. Doctrine and Covenants 38:5c and 46:9b instruct us to practice virtue and holiness before Him and continually.
God Bless
Paul Gage
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