LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD JUNE 19, 2025

 

LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD JUNE 19, 2025

 

Dear Saints,

 

Consider this greeting from 2 Corinthians 1:2-5 “2 Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.”

 

How are things going in your corner of the Kingdom? Any tribulation, trouble, concerns about world, national and local happenings? Any problems in your own life or that of your family? Sickness, aches, pains, serious diseases? God has all the answers wrapped in one word, HIM.

 

What are your daily thoughts, actions and words in regard to the Kingdom of God?

 

The Kingdom of God refers to God's sovereign rule and reign, both in heaven and on earth. It's often described as a realm where God's will is perfectly done, and where believers experience blessings, righteousness, and peace. It's not just a future hope, but also a present reality, impacting believers' lives now and extending into eternity. 

 

Key Aspects of the Kingdom of God:

God's Rule and Reign:

The core concept is God's authority and dominion over all creation, a concept often summarized as God's "reign". 

 

Already, But Not Yet:

The Kingdom of God is both a present reality (already inaugurated through Jesus) and a future hope (awaiting full consummation at Christ's second coming). 

 

Physical and Spiritual:

While most if not all religions outside the Restoration do not think of God’s kingdom in a physical sense, Jesus taught us to pray “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it it in heaven.” Many do not make a connection of the physical to the spiritual and so generally just see one aspect of the kingdom. The Restoration believes that there will be a Kingdom of God on earth as well as in heaven. The connection is that, as in the parables of Jesus, the physical compliments the spiritual. It might be said that the kingdom of God is a spiritual reality that can be experienced wherever God's will is being done, even as we live in a physical world waiting for Jesus to return and establish His True Kingdom.

 

Transformative Power:

The Kingdom of God is associated with transformation, both individually (in hearts and minds) and collectively, impacting society and relationships. 

 

Seeking First:

Seeking first to build up the Kingdom of God and establish His righteousness, often involves prioritizing God's values and principles in every aspect of life. This can include acts of service, generosity, and a reliance on God's provision. 

 

In Matthew 13 Jesus shares seven parables about the Kingdom of God. While the parables differ in meaning, they share a common thread: the value and dire urgency of truly belonging to the Kingdom of God. How worthwhile it is to surrender our lives and earthly treasures to gain eternal life and citizenship in the Kingdom. Jesus is constantly calling “His people” to obedience to His laws and commandments which includes repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation, love for all people and mostly to love Him first, with all that we are, have, or ever hope to be. Do you, we value the Kingdom of God more than this earthly life? As we consider that question, and as Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love Me?” how are things going in your corner of the Kingdom?

 

God bless,

Paul Gage

 

Handyman Available for Work

Handyman Available for Work

Good morning.  Chuck Sperry is in town for several months.  He is looking for work.  He does remodeling, carpentry, plumbing or electrical. Please give Chuck a call if you need any help.  Thank you and have a blessed day.  

816-349-4337

En Cristo,

Chuck and Regina Sperry

la Restauración

Honduras, Centroamerica

Healing Hearts Meeting in June 2025

 Healing Hearts Meeting in June 2025

Healing Hearts is a Christ centered group open to all who are currently widowed (widows and widowers).  We offer fellowship, friendship, fun and worship.  We support each other emotionally through our presence and our common grief.  This group is open to all who are widowed, regardless of church affiliation.

We will meet at Colbern Road Restoration Branch on:

Sunday, June 22, 2025 at 2:30 - 4:00 PM

The Church of Jesus Christ

Colbern Road Restoration Branch

9525 Lake Lotawana Rd., Gate 2

Lee’s Summit, MO 64086 

Contact:  Mary Drummond 816-665-9051

Book of Mormon Roundtable - June 25

 

Book of Mormon Roundtable - June 25 The Book of Mormon Roundtable at the Stone Church is the fourth Sunday of this month starting at 3:30 in the afternoon. Monthly, these meetings have been extremely interesting, as more research is studied.  Please let everyone know, that they might be able to attend.  Also, Annie Webb will be teaching at the July roundtable, which is back at the third Sunday of the month.  If you need any information let me know.  BTW, it's all about Meso America.  Val and Mary Ann Gross valgross@sbcglobal.net

Friendly Reminder - South Crysler VCS

 

Friendly Reminder!! Early Registration for the South Crysler VCS ends this coming Monday, June 16th. Registering by this date will guarantee a t-shirt for your camper. We look forward to seeing you in July!

ZIONWORKS NEWS for JUNE 13th, 2025

 ZIONWORKS NEWS for JUNE 13^th, 2025 

                                        EMERGENCY MEETING 

    THIS IS A UNIVERSAL INVITATION TO GATHER, DISCUSS AND PRAY 

 

   The Israeli bombing of Iran’s nuclear and missile sites has suddenly ushered in the dreaded likelihood of ugly and devastating world war. With terrorist cells in the United States trained and ready for the go-ahead to attack our power grid network, our infrastructure and key governmental functions; commerce, power, water, communication, transportation and food distribution may be disrupted, to say the least. This and other terrorist influences operating within our country have demonstrated their ability to misinform and brainwash a very large percentage of our populace. It has been Christ’s instructions to “us” to be prepared in advance for these disasters by living independent from Babylon in a self-sufficient society called Zion, The Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven, a place of safety and refuge. 

    Our troubles are complex and far-ranging. Iran has been warning that if these strikes occur, they would attack U.S. embassies, installations and populations around the globe. Iran has been chanting “Death to Israel” and “Death to the United States” for decades. Israel has learned to take these threats seriously. We have been slow to take them seriously. Serious terrorist attacks have been taking place in Los Angeles, New York and other cities for the last few days, with other cities likely to get attacked by this rage of hatred. If this is a coordinated system of attacks, then the safety and functionality of many population centers and regions are already at risk. Israel’s preventative actions on Iran may trigger the go-ahead signal for larger coordinated attacks. Looking back, these types of planned and choreographed attacks have been going on for decades. 

   The leadership of the United States has stated that all U.S. citizens will be protected from Iran’s attempts to harm them. When Iran makes good on their threats, the U.S. will be inescapably involved and so will Iran’s allies. This Big Trouble seems unavoidable at this point. In fact, with news travelling slowly, sporadically and mixed with mis-information, who knows what has happened in the last few hours, already? 

   We need each other (all who Jesus would call Christians) and we need Jesus. Jesus needs all who will honor and obey him, those will hear his voice and act upon it. 

                                              RECONSIDERATION                                             

   We had considered not having a Zionworks meeting on Fathers Day, this coming Sunday, so people could enjoy the afternoon with family. If you have plans and the desire to spend the afternoon and evening with family, do so. But because of dire and dangerous world events, Zionworks’ meeting room will be open for all of the community who would like to discuss the world situation, pray about it, and fellowship under Christ’s love, guidance and protection. Please tell others and share this newsletter. 

 

                                   ---------------------------------------------------- 

                                                         

                                                        NEWS 

At our last meeting, it was determined that we would enjoy Zion and Christ among us for the entire meeting. We did. Discussions and deliberations were in love and attended by the Spirit. Because of that, communications were open and potential for misunderstandings were displaced by clear and candid expressions and exchanges of ideas and information. This situation lasted until after five o’clock. One individual told of his message from the Lord that He is watching us and that we must continue in our efforts to bring about Kingdom living. So reinforcing. To meet and live by and for the Kingdom is our uncompromising purpose. 

                                                     

 

                                                     CALENDAR 

Next Zionworks meeting: This coming Sunday, June 15^th at 2:00 PM at Central Branch, 919 S. Delaware, Independence. All Christians and all people desiring to know more about and/or live for Christ’s Kingdom are very welcome. We will do our best to experience the Kingdom as we meet. Presently, the plan is to focus in discussion and prayer on the world disasters and Christ’s solutions. See above paragraph titled “Reconsideration”. 

 

                                   ----------------------------------------------------------- 

                                                        

                                                     CONTACT 

    Your questions and comments are welcome at zionworkz@protonmail.com and at yyeoman@protonmail.com . 

 

                  With Christ and his love as our bond, 

     Your brothers and sisters at Zionworks, in the quest for Jesus’ kingdom on earth

LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD JUNE 12, 2025

 

LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD JUNE 12, 2025

 

Precious Blessings to all God’s children around the world,

 

Happy Father’s Day to all the sons of God,

 

In Genesis 3:3 we have the words of God in reference to His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ,

“But behold my beloved Son, which was my beloved and chosen from the beginning, said unto me; Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.”

 

There was never a time when Jesus did not do that which was God’s will. In Genesis 8:1-2

1 And Noah and his sons hearkened unto the Lord and gave heed; and they were called the sons of God. 2 And when these men began to multiply on the face of the earth and daughters were born unto them, the sons of men saw that their daughters were fair; and they took them wives even as they chose.

 

In Genesis 7:40 We have this statement from God, the Father, “And in the garden of Eden gave I unto man his agency; and unto thy brethren have I said, and also gave commandment, that they should love one another and that they should choose me their Father.”

 

So, when did Father’s Day begin? When God gave us the agency to choose with the intent that we would choose Him as our Father. Notice the difference between the sons of God and the sons of men in the Genesis 8:1-2 scripture above. We do not have a choice in regard to our earthly fathers, but we do in reference to our Heavenly Father. Our earthly fathers are partly responsible for our physical, birth, but through His great love and sacrifice, Our Heavenly Father gives us the opportunity to choose Him as our Spiritual Father when we make a covenant with Him and do the very best we can to obey His laws and commandments.

 

It seems from the above scriptures that when we hearken and heed God’s commandments we are his “Sons and daughters,” but when we go our own way doing our own will we are “The sons and daughters of men.”

 

First John 2 Inspired Version 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. But if any man sin and repent, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And hereby we do know that we know him--if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments is a liar; and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected; hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

 

These few verses say a great deal regarding our “Living in the Kingdom of God.” Propitiation is the act of gaining or regaining the favor or goodwill of someone.” Thus Jesus came so we might have “New life in Him” and be able to come back into the presence of God. The Apostle John reminds us many times in I John1-5 that the responsibility of regaining that favor or goodwill of God is now up to each of us. Our response to God’s great gift is reflected in how we live each day. If we live, as best we can, in obedience to God’s commandments, and do it because we truly love Him, we are living in the Kingdom. Otherwise, we are living outside His Kingdom.

 

On this Father’s Day, as well as Mother’s Day, Children’s Day, birthdays or any other special days, gifts will be given for a variety of reasons. Perhaps, and hopefully, these gift are given out of a deep and sincere love for the receiver. However, many times we give gifts out of obligation, pressure, because it’s the thing to do or whatever. Our calling and response to God’s love is to Love Him with all our heart, might, mind and strength. May we who would claim to be a son or daughter of God, demonstrate His type of love so that His Kingdom might soon be on earth as it is in Heaven.

 

OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME,

FOR THINE

IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY,

FOREVER AND EVER.

AMEN

 

God bless

Paul Gage

 

Flag Day - American Minute

 

GREAT READ TODAY ON THE AMERICAN MINUTE. IT IS A LONG ARTICLE, BUT WORTH THE READ. I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE AMERICAN MINUTE. Feel free to forward and share with your family. God bless Paul https://americanminute.com/blogs/todays-american-minute/flag-day-i-pledge-allegiance-to-the-flag-and-to-the-republic-for-which-it-stands-american-minute-with-bill-federer

LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD JUNE 12, 2025

LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD JUNE 12, 2025

 

Precious Blessings to all God’s children around the world,

 

Happy Father’s Day to all the sons of God,

 

In Genesis 3:3 we have the words of God in reference to His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ,

“But behold my beloved Son, which was my beloved and chosen from the beginning, said unto me; Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.”

 

There was never a time when Jesus did not do that which was God’s will. In Genesis 8:1-2

1 And Noah and his sons hearkened unto the Lord and gave heed; and they were called the sons of God. 2 And when these men began to multiply on the face of the earth and daughters were born unto them, the sons of men saw that their daughters were fair; and they took them wives even as they chose.

 

In Genesis 7:40 We have this statement from God, the Father, “And in the garden of Eden gave I unto man his agency; and unto thy brethren have I said, and also gave commandment, that they should love one another and that they should choose me their Father.”

 

So, when did Father’s Day begin? When God gave us the agency to choose with the intent that we would choose Him as our Father. Notice the difference between the sons of God and the sons of men in the Genesis 8:1-2 scripture above. We do not have a choice in regard to our earthly fathers, but we do in reference to our Heavenly Father. Our earthly fathers are partly responsible for our physical, birth, but through His great love and sacrifice, Our Heavenly Father gives us the opportunity to choose Him as our Spiritual Father when we make a covenant with Him and do the very best we can to obey His laws and commandments.

 

It seems from the above scriptures that when we hearken and heed God’s commandments we are his “Sons and daughters,” but when we go our own way doing our own will we are “The sons and daughters of men.”

 

First John 2 Inspired Version 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. But if any man sin and repent, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And hereby we do know that we know him--if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments is a liar; and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected; hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

 

These few verses say a great deal regarding our “Living in the Kingdom of God.” Propitiation is the act of gaining or regaining the favor or goodwill of someone.” Thus Jesus came so we might have “New life in Him” and be able to come back into the presence of God. The Apostle John reminds us many times in I John1-5 that the responsibility of regaining that favor or goodwill of God is now up to each of us. Our response to God’s great gift is reflected in how we live each day. If we live, as best we can, in obedience to God’s commandments, and do it because we truly love Him, we are living in the Kingdom. Otherwise, we are living outside His Kingdom.

 

On this Father’s Day, as well as Mother’s Day, Children’s Day, birthdays or any other special days, gifts will be given for a variety of reasons. Perhaps, and hopefully, these gift are given out of a deep and sincere love for the receiver. However, many times we give gifts out of obligation, pressure, because it’s the thing to do or whatever. Our calling and response to God’s love is to Love Him with all our heart, might, mind and strength. May we who would claim to be a son or daughter of God, demonstrate His type of love so that His Kingdom might soon be on earth as it is in Heaven.

 

OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME,

FOR THINE

IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY,

FOREVER AND EVER.

AMEN

 

God bless

Paul Gage

 

LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD JUNE 5, 2025

 

LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD JUNE 5, 2025

 

To all the dearly beloved Saints and followers of Jesus Christ,

 

As Paul wrote to the Galatians, 1:1,2, “Grace be to you and peace, from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father; to whom be glory forever and ever, Amen.”

 

It seems obvious from these two verses, that the Galatians were facing difficult situations in their daily efforts to build up the Kingdom of God and establish his righteousness. We know that this has been the case for God’s faithful followers from the beginning after Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden. God gave man his agency and man made the wrong choice and so down through all generations, even to our present time.

 

Yes, we are dealing with very similar issues today that mankind has always had to deal with. Paul also, vividly points this out in Ephesians 6:10-19. Verse 12 tells us why we need to put on the whole armor of God. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” This is what makes our efforts so difficult. We face these things many times every day as the attractions of the world are exposed to us and thus try to take our attention, time, talents, etc. away from being centered on God and His plan for us.

 

Sometimes we think that those “Strong in Faith” people never face hard times, but many scriptures tell us otherwise. In 1 Kings 18 and 19 Elijah out does the priests of Baal and then hides in a cave for fear of his life. How about Daniel and the three Hebrew men? Thrown in a lion’s den and fiery furnace because of their strong stand for God. Are you facing any kind of “Pressure” from your kingdom environment?

 

Read the account of Nephi in 2 Nephi 3:31-66. Does it sound like anything going on in you life?

When we try to do those things that will help build up the Kingdom of God and establish his righteousness, do you find similar opposition as Nephi did? How did he deal with those things he faced? He never stopped trusting in God. He put on the whole armor of God constantly as we also must do if we are to overcome the obstacles in our way. There are, of course, many examples throughout the scriptures of those who ran the race, fought the good fight and endured to the end.

 

Jesus, of course, is the main and perfect example we are to follow. We find such references in 1 Peter 2:19-25; Hebrews 4:14-16; John 13:15; 3Nephi 8:49; Mormon 3:33; and Doctrine and Covenants 38:5 a,b,c.

 

Consider the following words as you live in the Kingdom of God.

 

IN HIS STEPS Daniel Otis Teasley (1876-1942)

Are you walking where the Master’s feet have trod?
Is your life and all now hid with Christ in God?
In His steps, blessed steps. 

Do you meekly follow Jesus every day?
Do you meekly follow Jesus all the way? 

In His steps, blessed steps

Are you walking in the highway of the King?
When the cares of life surround you, can you sing?
In His steps, blessed steps.

 

Do you travel where His blessings ever fall?
Do you hear the gentle Spirit sweetly call?
In His steps, blessed steps.

 

Are you walking where no sin can e’er betide?
High above this world with Jesus crucified?
In His steps, blessed steps.

 

It is a daily effort for each of us. May we incorporate Proverbs 3:5-6 into our total existence and follow Jesus, all the way.

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 

We might add, how does God direct our paths? Through the gift and power of the Holy Ghost. We are all very much aware of the great event recorded in Acts 2 when the apostles and followers of Jesus were observing the “day of Pentecost.” Take time to refresh your memory by reading Acts 2.  This Sunday, June 8, 2025 is “Pentecost.” Everyday could/should be a day of Pentecost for us as we allow God through His great power and wisdom to come to us that His Spirit might “Rest upon us” that we might then live in the Kingdom of God and be His example to the world.

 

God bless

Paul Gage