From: Paul Gage
pauljg_64055@yahoo.com
LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD NOVEMBER 21, 2024Greetings Dear Saints,
As you know, THANKSGIVING is just a week away. Every day
should be a day of Thanksgiving to our God. As one song says, “Give thanks with
a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, Give thanks because He has given
Jesus Christ, His Son. “
We should always be grateful/thankful to God for all He
has done for us. I Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks,
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning YOU.” We can be most
thankful that we have a God who is real, loving, and forgiving. He sees and
knows all that we do in our efforts to live in His Kingdom. Maybe sometimes, we
think or hope that He does not see or know everything, but the following
reading, as well as many scriptures, give us something to think about.
THE ROOM
In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index-card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read “Girls I Have Liked.” I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.
And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn’t match.
A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their contents. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named “Friends” was next to one marked “Friends I Have Betrayed.”
The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. “Books I Have Read,” “Lies I Have Told,” “Comfort I Have Given,” “Jokes I Have Laughed At.” Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: “Things I’ve Yelled at My Brothers.” Others I couldn’t laugh at: “Things I Have Muttered under my breath at others. Gossip I told on fellow Saints.” I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes there were fewer than I hoped.
I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my life to write each of these thousands, possibly millions, of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.
When I pulled out the file marked “Songs I Have Listened To,” I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn’t found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented.
When I came to a file marked “Lustful Thoughts” I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed contents. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.
Suddenly I felt an almost animal rage. One thought dominated my mind: “No one must ever see these cards! I have to destroy them!” In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn’t matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took the file at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.
Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore “People I Have Shared the Gospel With.” The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.
And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt, started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.
But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw HIM. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but JESUS.
I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn’t bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?
Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn’t anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn’t say a word. He just cried with me.
Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.
“No!” I shouted, rushing to Him. All I could find to say was “No, no,” as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn’t be on these cards. But here it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.
He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and continued to sign the cards. I don’t think I’ll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, “It is finished.”
I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on the door. There were still cards to be written.
Have you ever wondered how God looks at your life? Jesus tells us, “That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36 KJ). If we are honest with ourselves, we will admit with sorrow and regret that we have failed in our thoughts and actions. We, too, will blush in shame for thoughts harbored and deeds committed in secret. The Bible says in Romans 2:16 that “God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ.” The Apostle Peter preached “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). Has Jesus blotted out your sins, or do they still haunt you today?
Would you like to be set free? Are the thoughts and actions of the past weighing you down? Our sins are a great weight on our hearts and lives. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
Jesus offers forgiveness. He came to earth and shed His blood for all sinners. The salvation plan is now complete. Would you like to be made whole? “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). (Psalm 51) Come to Jesus now! Repent and confess your sins. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Trust Jesus to lead you to a satisfying life with Him. He will provide direction for your daily walk of life as you “live in the Kingdom of God.”
THE ROOM – Copyright 1995 New Attitudes/Joshua Harris.
This is just another reminder that every second of everyday matters as we live for and await the fullness of God’s Kingdom on earth. We must be keenly aware of our every thought, word, and deed. Of our every interaction with others whether it be immediate family, church family, friends, neighbors, or strangers. We must be striving with all diligence to live a kingdom quality life every day. Even a life on earth, as it needs to be in Heaven.
A song called, My Tribute: says, “The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude. All that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe it all to THEE. To God be the Glory!”
A pilgrim is a person on a journey to a holy place. Let us be faithful pilgrims and be prepared to reach Zion. We are all familiar with the story of the Pilgrims who came to this country in 1620. A Pilgrim connection to us. John Howland was swept overboard during the voyage of the Mayflower to the new world. He was saved by other crew members. One of his many descendants was Joseph Smith Jr. Coincidence? Luck? Good fortune? How about a THANKSGIVING BLESSING?
A real Thanksgiving Blessing is knowing we have a Heavenly Father who knows us and still loves us and forgives us when we repent. Let us understand the true meaning of being thankful.
As one of our hymns reminds us, “Great is THY Faithfulness, Lord unto me.”
God be with you
Paul Gage
