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