LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD NOVEMBER 2, 2023
God's best blessings to His faithful Saints,
We are all aware that God created man spiritually before he was
created physically. Doctrine and Covenants 85: 4 a,b tells that the body
and the spirit equal the soul. So, do the things we do, say and think have any
effect on our soul?
Arteriosclerosis occurs when the blood vessels that
carry oxygen and nutrients from the heart to the rest of the body (arteries)
become thick and stiff — sometimes restricting blood flow to the organs and
tissues. Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic. But over time, the walls in
the arteries can harden, a condition commonly called hardening of the
arteries.
Atherosclerosis, a specific type of
arteriosclerosis, is the buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in
and on the artery walls. This buildup is called plaque. The plaque can cause
arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow. The plaque can also burst, leading to
a blood clot. Atherosclerosis can affect arteries anywhere in the body but can
be treated. Healthy lifestyle habits can help prevent it. Arteriosclerosis
is the physical hardening of the blood vessels
in the body.
Can there be such a thing as hardening of the
arteries of the spirit?
From the beginning of mankind people have rebelled against God and
His commandments and in that process have "hardened their hearts,"
“stiffened their necks’, and however else you may want to describe
it toward God by intentionally disobeying His commandments. It started
with Adam and Eve and continues through today with you and me
The following references will point out wherein we do this.
Genesis 2:19-22 Genesis 3:29-31; Hebrews 3:7-19; Hebrews 4:7; Jacob 4; Enos
1:15-39; DC 45:1,2 DC 64:5a,b. This is critical for us every day of our
lives and especially as we approach another Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Are
you angry, envious, jealous, carrying a grudge, planning vengeance, going to
court, talking about others in gossip, etc.? Can you really say or feel that
you are “Living in the Kingdom of God” if you carry such feelings?
Take a personal look at Galatians 5. It tells us the works of
the flesh (body) and works of the Spirit. What kind of plaque do we build up in
our spirit? We might use this for a check list every day and especially before
Sacrament. Hard hearts, stiff necks, deaf ears, etc. can be prevented and cured
if we consult the Great Physician and follow His counsel.
A recurring scripture this year and strongly emphasized by
Marlin Guin in his sermon October 29, 2023 at Waldo Avenue RB has been Luke
1:17. The ministry of John the Baptist was “To make ready a people prepared for
the Lord.” God has given us the privilege of choosing for ourselves. He
can only do so much, the priesthood can only do so much. The major choice is
ours to make. We must prepare ourselves for the Lord, not only to meet Him, but
for Him to use in His Kingdom.
God Bless,
Paul Gage
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