LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD MARCH 13, 2025

 

LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD MARCH 13, 2025

 

Blessed greetings to all the dear Saints in every corner of God’s Kingdom,

 

We are in the middle of March and there are so many happenings in the world that it is hard to keep up with things. However, it is not vital or required for us to keep up with the worldly events. Our task is to keep up with God and His plans for His Kingdom.

 

One of the many tools of the adversary is to distract and detain God’s children from staying in tune with God and the Holy Ghost, the Comforter that was sent when Jesus ascended back to Heaven. It is easy to get distracted by all those advertisements, short videos (30 minutes long) stories that drag on and on and other attention drawing ads and so forth. Did you ever wonder how much of the New Testament or Book of Mormon we might not have if Paul, Alma and many others had cell phones and computers? But even without all the modern technology, people have always had things to distract them and draw them away from God. Of course, that is why God sent His Only Begotten Son to be the propitiation for OUR SINS.

 

As one hymn states, “Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain. HE WASHED IT WHITE AS SNOW.. I can hear the Savior say, Thy strength indeed is small, Child of weakness, watch and pray, FIND IN ME THINE ALL IN ALL.”

 

We are told in a number of scriptures that if the last days were not shortened, even the very elect might be deceived and fall away from God. Matthew 24:18-29 is one of those scriptures and you will find similar wording in Mark 13 and Luke 21. It says, the very elect who are the elect according to the covenant. We must make sure we are among the very elect according to the covenant . What covenant?

The covenant could probably be explained in various ways, but I think Doctrine and Covenants 17:7, 18, 22 and 23.

 

SECTION 17 - Doctrine and Covenants

7a And again by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism: 7b All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, 7c and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end,
7d and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins shall be received by baptism into his church.

 

SECTION 17 - Doctrine and Covenants

18c And the members shall manifest before the church and also before the elders, by a godly walk and conversation, that they are worthy of it, that there may be works and faith agreeable to the Holy Scriptures, walking in holiness before the Lord.

 

SECTION 17 - Doctrine and Covenants

22d O God, the eternal Father, we ask thee, in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son and witness unto thee, O God, the eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he has given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

23a The manner of administering the wine: He shall take the cup also and say: 23b O God, the eternal Father, we ask thee, in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son which was shed for them, that they may witness unto thee, O God, the eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

 

The very elect are those who elect to obey all God’s commandments to the very best of their ability and not think our reward is earned just by “playing church” or putting on a front at church and going the opposite way during our time away from church. We are to consistently live and produce the Fruit of the Spirit which starts and ends with God’s Love. We are to consistently be the salt of the earth and light of the world, as Jesus has given us power to be so that others will see our fruit and glorify God in Heaven.

 

God bless

Paul Gage