LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD AUGUST 10,2023

 

LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD AUGUST 10,2023 Precious Greetings to all the Saints around the globe, As the world and so many people are flying off into totally ungodly things, what should or can we be doing to hasten the return of our Lord, Jesus Christ? Actually, there is nothing we can do to hasten this long awaited for event, because it is on God’s time table or schedule. As the scriptures remind us, a day for man may be a thousand years for God. Our answer, at least, partial answer is in Matthew 6:38 where Joseph Smith was inspired to make a big change in the King James Version. We are not just to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, but seek first to build up the kingdom of God and establish his righteousness. If we are to build up his kingdom then it must be here in some capacity. How do we build it up? By establishing His righteousness. That was the purpose for the Restoration of the Church. Through the priesthood and the ordinances and of course, God’s Spirit, the Saints were to live lives in obedience to God’s commandments. A person becomes righteous through total dependence on and obedience to God. We are painfully aware that only one group of people has ever been able to do that to the point of being translated to heaven. So where does that leave us in 2023? Whether we may have one more day, week, month, year or years we are called to live a life that is reflective of the life of Jesus Christ and live as though He would return at any moment. Jesus did not say this would be easy, but He did say in Matthew 11:29 “Then spake Jesus, saying, Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 30 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls; for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” This is fulfilled when we truly take His yoke upon us and not one of our own making. And in Alma 3:57-59 “Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men; for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith, Repent, and I will receive you. 58 Yea, he saith, Come unto me, and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life; yea, ye shall eat and drink of the bread and the waters of life freely. 59 Yea, come unto me, and bring forth works of righteousness; and ye shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire.” Our calling is to bring forth works of righteousness by which we build up the kingdom of God. May this be our goal as we live in the kingdom of God and await the glorious return of Jesus Christ. If we are called home before that great event, may we be among those who shall arise from the grave and meet Him in the air. God bless Paul Gage