We overcome the adversary through a strong testimony.
Revelations 12:
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
How great and glorious the day shall be when the adversary shall be bound and have no more influence over the hearts of the children of men. We must understand however, that unlike a criminal who is taken into custody and is stripped of his weapons and personal means of communication with his exterior support system, the devil will retain his means of temptation and persuasion. He shall be bound and rendered of no effect because our hearts will be completely converted to the Savior and His gospel plan. There will be no room for lust, pride, greed or contention. We will become impervious to the blows of Satan thus rendering his attacks useless and frustrating his plans.
"As you fortify your own personal testimony, you will have power to make correct choices so that you can stand unwaveringly against the pressures of an increasingly vicious world. Your testimony will be fortified as you exercise faith in Jesus Christ, in His teachings, and in His limitless power to accomplish what He has promised." (Richard G. Scott, “The Power of a Strong Testimony,” Ensign, Nov 2001, 87)
Q: How strong is my testimony? How often and in what ways do I bear it?
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Revelation 1-7
Chastening equals love.
Revelations 3:
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Most of us are familiar with the picture of the Savior standing by a door with no handle on the outside. In my mind, I always pictured him knocking during a sad time, or during a time when I would be seeking specifically for His help. However, this passage sheds new light on the a fore mentioned picture for me. When we begin to go astray, the knocking may be upside our head and the voice may be saying "Snap out of it! What do you think you're doing? You know better than that." We need to be open to the idea that no matter how long we are members of the church, we are still susceptible to the natural man and at times fall prey to its influence. At these times, the Lord will bring us back into His fold, by chastening and disciplining if necessary.
"The Lord chastens so that we will remember Him (see Hel. 12:3), trying our patience and our faith until we, too, learn that “none could deliver [us] but the Lord [our] God.” (Mosiah 23:23.)" (Neal A. Maxwell, “‘Out of Obscurity’,” Ensign, Nov 1984, 8)
Q: What means does the Lord use to chasten me(financial, familial, physical etc.)?
Revelations 3:
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Most of us are familiar with the picture of the Savior standing by a door with no handle on the outside. In my mind, I always pictured him knocking during a sad time, or during a time when I would be seeking specifically for His help. However, this passage sheds new light on the a fore mentioned picture for me. When we begin to go astray, the knocking may be upside our head and the voice may be saying "Snap out of it! What do you think you're doing? You know better than that." We need to be open to the idea that no matter how long we are members of the church, we are still susceptible to the natural man and at times fall prey to its influence. At these times, the Lord will bring us back into His fold, by chastening and disciplining if necessary.
"The Lord chastens so that we will remember Him (see Hel. 12:3), trying our patience and our faith until we, too, learn that “none could deliver [us] but the Lord [our] God.” (Mosiah 23:23.)" (Neal A. Maxwell, “‘Out of Obscurity’,” Ensign, Nov 1984, 8)
Q: What means does the Lord use to chasten me(financial, familial, physical etc.)?
1st John
We all sin and need the help of our Savior.
1st John 1:
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
There are things in our life that need correcting that for one reason or another we choose to leave alone. Whether it is a sin we enjoy committing, a good act that seems to hard to complete, or some addiction we are too ashamed to confess, we all fall short of the glory of God. There are some personal faults that I truly would like to believe are better left alone; somethings that I want to believe will resolve themselves or simply be swept under the rug at Judgment Day. Such is not the case. We must remember that our Savior and our Father know all. Our Redeemer has already felt the weight and pain inflicted by those sins. We do Him and ourselves a great disservice by no confessing them to our Father in Heaven and asking for His help. He will guide us through the steps of repentance.
Once in a while those steps will lead to the bishop's door. Do not be afraid. Your bishop loves you. Your parents love you. Your spouse loves you. Everyone who truly loves you wants to see you succeed and do well. Most of all, they want to be with you forever in the presence of God. This can only happen when their is a complete absence of sin and complete presence of righteous desires.
Take comfort in the words of Pres. Uchtdorf, "Through the merciful process of true repentance and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, our sins can be forgiven and we will “not perish, but have everlasting life.”(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “A Matter of a Few Degrees,” Ensign, May 2008, 57–60, emphasis added by author).
Q: What do I hold on to or avoid doing that is keeping my from the presence of the Spirit and my Lord?
1st John 1:
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
There are things in our life that need correcting that for one reason or another we choose to leave alone. Whether it is a sin we enjoy committing, a good act that seems to hard to complete, or some addiction we are too ashamed to confess, we all fall short of the glory of God. There are some personal faults that I truly would like to believe are better left alone; somethings that I want to believe will resolve themselves or simply be swept under the rug at Judgment Day. Such is not the case. We must remember that our Savior and our Father know all. Our Redeemer has already felt the weight and pain inflicted by those sins. We do Him and ourselves a great disservice by no confessing them to our Father in Heaven and asking for His help. He will guide us through the steps of repentance.
Once in a while those steps will lead to the bishop's door. Do not be afraid. Your bishop loves you. Your parents love you. Your spouse loves you. Everyone who truly loves you wants to see you succeed and do well. Most of all, they want to be with you forever in the presence of God. This can only happen when their is a complete absence of sin and complete presence of righteous desires.
Take comfort in the words of Pres. Uchtdorf, "Through the merciful process of true repentance and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, our sins can be forgiven and we will “not perish, but have everlasting life.”(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “A Matter of a Few Degrees,” Ensign, May 2008, 57–60, emphasis added by author).
Q: What do I hold on to or avoid doing that is keeping my from the presence of the Spirit and my Lord?
Hebrews
We must pass through trials to become perfect.
Hebrews 5:
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
What do you think of when you envision heaven? Too much I picture a place of clouds and angels playing harps where there is no strife and no trouble. With this picture in mind I ask myself, if that's what heaven is like, why does life have to be so hard here? Why can't it be easier. The bottom line is because in order to have full access to the atonement we must sacrifice. We must be presented with choices and decide what we truly desire in this life and in the life which will continue on after we have passed through the veil. The greater happiness and glory we desire in the eternities, the more we must be willing to sacrifice and prove to the Lord that even in times of trouble, we will not abandon nor forsake him.
In 1936, at the height of the Great Depression in the United States, when people were struggling to make ends meet, Elder John A. Widtsoe admonished the Saints to pay their tithing because of the spiritual blessings they would receive. He said: “Obedience to the law of tithing … brings a deep, inward joy … that can be won in no other way. … The principles of truth become clearer. … Prayer becomes easier. … The spiritual sense is sharpened [and] … man becomes more like his Father in Heaven.”(“Tithing Testimonies of Our Leaders,” Deseret News, May 16, 1936, Church Section, 5)
In times of trial, choosing to obey will always bring those promised blessing.
Q: When has being obedient helped you grow closer to the Lord or to your family?
Hebrews 5:
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
What do you think of when you envision heaven? Too much I picture a place of clouds and angels playing harps where there is no strife and no trouble. With this picture in mind I ask myself, if that's what heaven is like, why does life have to be so hard here? Why can't it be easier. The bottom line is because in order to have full access to the atonement we must sacrifice. We must be presented with choices and decide what we truly desire in this life and in the life which will continue on after we have passed through the veil. The greater happiness and glory we desire in the eternities, the more we must be willing to sacrifice and prove to the Lord that even in times of trouble, we will not abandon nor forsake him.
In 1936, at the height of the Great Depression in the United States, when people were struggling to make ends meet, Elder John A. Widtsoe admonished the Saints to pay their tithing because of the spiritual blessings they would receive. He said: “Obedience to the law of tithing … brings a deep, inward joy … that can be won in no other way. … The principles of truth become clearer. … Prayer becomes easier. … The spiritual sense is sharpened [and] … man becomes more like his Father in Heaven.”(“Tithing Testimonies of Our Leaders,” Deseret News, May 16, 1936, Church Section, 5)
In times of trial, choosing to obey will always bring those promised blessing.
Q: When has being obedient helped you grow closer to the Lord or to your family?
Philemon
We should be grateful for those around us who do good.
Philemon 1:
4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
How often do we see those around us doing good and become jealous? How often do we feel like punching the guy in the face when he comes up, and, smiling, asks us "How are you doing today?" Personally I far too often envy the public recognition I feel others are receiving for their good acts. This leads to complaining and murmuring, "If only I were a little better looking or a little funnier... then they'd see how great I am. Yep, then they'd see how much good I'd do in the world." If we do not give of the little we have the Lord will never amplify us to bless others on a grander scale. If all we can do is smile, or hold open a door, or cook a meal for someone in need, let us be pleased with our efforts and seek for ways to expand the depth and breadth of our talents. Meanwhile, let us be grateful for those who use their talents to serve and not for self-aggrandizement.
"Our realization of what is most important in life goes hand in hand with gratitude for our blessings." (Thomas S. Monson, “Finding Joy in the Journey,” Ensign, Nov 2008, 84–87)
Philemon 1:
4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
How often do we see those around us doing good and become jealous? How often do we feel like punching the guy in the face when he comes up, and, smiling, asks us "How are you doing today?" Personally I far too often envy the public recognition I feel others are receiving for their good acts. This leads to complaining and murmuring, "If only I were a little better looking or a little funnier... then they'd see how great I am. Yep, then they'd see how much good I'd do in the world." If we do not give of the little we have the Lord will never amplify us to bless others on a grander scale. If all we can do is smile, or hold open a door, or cook a meal for someone in need, let us be pleased with our efforts and seek for ways to expand the depth and breadth of our talents. Meanwhile, let us be grateful for those who use their talents to serve and not for self-aggrandizement.
"Our realization of what is most important in life goes hand in hand with gratitude for our blessings." (Thomas S. Monson, “Finding Joy in the Journey,” Ensign, Nov 2008, 84–87)
Philippians - Thessalonians
We must make good choices independently.
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
God works with us on a very personal level. While it is true that He blesses us often through other people we come in contact with we must remember to put our trust in Him primarily and not in His messengers. I was recently listening to a book on tape called "Chaos". Towards the end, the main character Jason states "God uses everyone he has, good and bad, to achieve his purposes." If we base our decisions and testimonies on other, they will lead us astray. God is faithful and does not change. We must develop a personal relationship with Him. If we do, we will never be let down or disappointed.
Elder Nelson: "It seems almost beyond comprehension to think that He paid this enormous price for each of us. And yet, as far as we are concerned individually, unless you and I do our part, we will not gain full benefit from the Atonement. It is that covenant relationship—that mutual trust—that makes His atonement such a personal gift. It brings us protection, perennial hope, and the promise of joy." (Russell M. Nelson, “Standards of the Lord’s Standard-Bearers,” Ensign, Aug 1991, 5)
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
God works with us on a very personal level. While it is true that He blesses us often through other people we come in contact with we must remember to put our trust in Him primarily and not in His messengers. I was recently listening to a book on tape called "Chaos". Towards the end, the main character Jason states "God uses everyone he has, good and bad, to achieve his purposes." If we base our decisions and testimonies on other, they will lead us astray. God is faithful and does not change. We must develop a personal relationship with Him. If we do, we will never be let down or disappointed.
Elder Nelson: "It seems almost beyond comprehension to think that He paid this enormous price for each of us. And yet, as far as we are concerned individually, unless you and I do our part, we will not gain full benefit from the Atonement. It is that covenant relationship—that mutual trust—that makes His atonement such a personal gift. It brings us protection, perennial hope, and the promise of joy." (Russell M. Nelson, “Standards of the Lord’s Standard-Bearers,” Ensign, Aug 1991, 5)
Galatians/Ephesians
It is easy to know when we are following the spirit.
Galatians 5:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
We all too often torture ourselves as to whether or not we are truly following the Spirit. We doubt if we truly are doing the Lord's will and fulfilling the great plans he has for us in this life. I love this particular scripture because it shows us what we can expect to find when we are living by the spirit. We can expect our lives to be filled with love, joy, and primarily PEACE. We may go through hard times, but if we can sit down at the end of the day and feel at peace with our Maker, then we will know we are living by the Spirit.
Said President Monson "Let us ask ourselves the questions: “Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need?” What a formula for happiness! What a prescription for contentment, for inner peace—to have inspired gratitude in another human being." (Thomas S. Monson, “May We So Live,” Ensign, Aug 2008, 4–9)
Q: When do I feel most at peace with myself?
Galatians 5:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
We all too often torture ourselves as to whether or not we are truly following the Spirit. We doubt if we truly are doing the Lord's will and fulfilling the great plans he has for us in this life. I love this particular scripture because it shows us what we can expect to find when we are living by the spirit. We can expect our lives to be filled with love, joy, and primarily PEACE. We may go through hard times, but if we can sit down at the end of the day and feel at peace with our Maker, then we will know we are living by the Spirit.
Said President Monson "Let us ask ourselves the questions: “Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need?” What a formula for happiness! What a prescription for contentment, for inner peace—to have inspired gratitude in another human being." (Thomas S. Monson, “May We So Live,” Ensign, Aug 2008, 4–9)
Q: When do I feel most at peace with myself?
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