LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD MARCH 6, 2025

 

LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD MARCH 6, 2025

MARCHing to Zion greetings to all those enlisted in the army of the Lord,

Some of today's article has been taken from “LONG ENOUGH:” from the Institute for Creation Research by Henry M. Morris

And the LORD spake unto me, saying, Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.” (Deuteronomy 2:2-3)

This was the second time God rebuked Israel for staying too long in one place. Here they were camped adjacent to the region controlled by the descendants of Esau and thus kinsmen of the Israelites, but God told them to go on north toward Canaan.

Long before, they had wanted to stay too long at Mount Sinai (same as Horeb) where God had given the law to Moses. Finally, “the LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount:..Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers...” (Deuteronomy 1:6, 8).

It is possible for a Christian to become too satisfied with his level of attainment, when the Lord may well have something more for him to do. Possibly, like Israel at Sinai, we may be content to stay in a situation where we have seen God work in the past. Or, like Israel at Edom’s Mount Seir, we want to stay in what we think may be friendly surroundings, rather than venture into overtly enemy territory. Perhaps we have stayed long enough at a certain stage in our Christian growth or service, and God wants us to go further.

Paul wanted to continue preaching near his home in Asia, but God said for him to go on into Europe (Acts 16:6-10). Peter asked Jesus what John was going to do, but Jesus said, “What is that to thee? follow thou me” (John 21:22).

God may, indeed, want us to continue all of our lives right where He has placed us now, as far as location and position are concerned, but He does want us to go on further with Him. The last words written by Peter are profoundly important. “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

Also, unique to the Restoration is the account of the Brother of Jared in Ether 1:36-41 where God chastised him for not calling upon the LORD and the Latter Day Saints in Doctrine and Covenants 102.

This can apply to us individually as we face the daily ins and outs of living in the Kingdom of God. Are we stuck in a rut and most days are the same routine? Is our pattern for church attendance and participation in the Lord’s work done out of habit? Is our spiritual life, “Church as usual?” This can apply physically, mentally and emotionally as well In Philippians 2:5 Paul tells us, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Have you ever stopped to consider the mind of Christ? The mind of Christ was always the Father’s mind because many times Jesus said that He only did what God told Him to do.

As we live, daily in the Kingdom of God, as it is now available to us, we must strive to have the mind of Christ in us, doing the Father’s will. Not just on Sunday, Wednesday or special events, but every waking moment if we desire to be included in His True Kingdom when He returns to earth. This requires daily, even hour by hour concentration (practice) of God’s will that is keeping His commandments, mainly the Greatest Commandment upon which hangs all the other laws and commandments.

We, as a people, must soon shake off the coals from our garments and arise in the STRENGTH OF THE LORD or we may miss Zion. Let us respond while we can and before we have to. The Saints, especially in the Center Place must come to God, together, physically and spiritually if we are to fulfill God's purposes in us. Each member of the church has the duty to help make this happen.

God bless,

Paul Gage