LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 Dear Saints, Greetings from the Word of God Second Corinthians 1:2-7 1:2 “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. 6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.” Much can be said about suffering. Suffering can come in many ways and from many sources, sometimes totally unexpected. Sometimes suffering can come from those closest to us, perhaps like we may cause God to suffer by our failure to obey His commandments. Through “little” violations of God’s laws, we may suffer spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, in our school, work, home and church. Many times we ignore those little things and go right on with our lives, thinking “All is well in Zion.” How were things going in the Kingdom of God when Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden, when Cain killed his brother, when Joseph was sold in to slavery, when Daniel was thrown in the lion’s den, when Esther had to go before the King without an invitation, when Nephi was tied up by his brothers, when Joseph Smith Jr was killed in Carthage jail, when Emma Smith had to carry on after Joseph’s death, when the church has fractured over sixty times since 1830, when bad things happen to good people? The list is endless. So, how is the Kingdom of God doing with all the little hindrances and barriers and other things we allow to take us away from God and His Plan? The Kingdom of God is doing well because it is HIS KINGDOM and all our little hindrances will not detour His Plan for His Kingdom to be on earth as it is in Heaven. We have been commissioned by Jesus Christ in Matthew 6:38 “...but seek ye FIRST to build up the Kingdom of God, and to establish HIS righteousness…” When and as we are able to do that, the little things will be taken care of by His power and might. Those hindrances and barriers will be removed and those in obedience to God and are One with Him will be in His Kingdom on earth with those who come from Heaven. Psalms 125:1 They that trust in the Lord in Mount Zion cannot be removed but abide forever. 2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth, even forever. Take some time to read Church History, Volume 2, chapters 1,2, with your family God bless and keep you Paul Gage |
