From: Paul Gage
LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD JUNE 29, 2023
Mid-year greetings to all the Saints in every corner of the world,
Yes, 2023 is half gone. What will happen in the Kingdom of God in the last half of the year?
Of course, only God knows. In ending several of his writings, the Apostle Paul uses the phrase, “Finally my brethren,” meaning don’t overlook what has gone before. In Philippians 4:8 he says,
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Do you take time to “Think” about the Kingdom and how our daily lives reflect that Kingdom? Or do we just roll through every day thinking mostly about the world? It is easy to become “spiritually numb” when there is so much around us that is untrue, dishonest, not fair, impure, unlovely, and of bad report.
Brother Doug Smith, last Sunday evening in the Pastors of Zion Summer Series, encouraged the Saints to think about the Kingdom and things that matter spiritually. Not a surface thinking, but in depth, like Paul, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, “Think on these things.” What do you suppose Adam was thinking about when the angel ask him why he was offering a sacrifice? Genesis 4:4-9. Or Daniel, Ruth, Peter and John, Paul and Silas, Nephi and Lehi, Joseph Smith Jr in Liberty jail and so many others. They were not thinking of themselves or the worldly things, but of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.
We have been reminded, again, and again and again of the Parable of the Ten Virgins. DC 45:10 (1831), Walter Weldon, “Tell My People,” (1991)
What were the wise ones thinking?
What were the foolish ones thinking?
Do Restorations really “think” God will shut the door and not let those in who are not ready?
Remember a song called “Awesome God?” One verse says,
“And the Lord wasn’t joking when He kicked them out of Eden.
It wasn’t for no reason that He shed His blood.
His return is very close and so you better be believing that
our God is an awesome God.”
Sunday is July 2, 2023 and the “Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.” What is the real significance of this Holy Ordinance? How do you prepare for this service? Do we really think in depth about the sacrifice Jesus made for each of us? It has been said that if only one person was ever created, God would have made the supreme sacrifice. That is how important each person is to God and the Kingdom.
If possible, take time to read the verses of the Sacrament hymns in whatever hymnal you may have. Take time to read in the four gospels as well as Third Nephi the accounts of the “Lord’s Supper.” Take time to refresh your memory of the Sacrament as found in Doctrine and Covenants 17:7, 18, and 22-23.
Something to “think about.” Why didn’t or couldn’t the wise virgins share their oil with the foolish?
God bless,
Paul Gage
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