Matthew 19:26
"...with God all things are possible."
We can take comfort knowing that nothing is impossible if the Lord is with us.
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said, "No doubt, you young men have learned that obedience is not always easy. In fact, it can sometimes seem stifling, uncomfortable, or even impossible. 'But with God all things are possible.' You can be obedient. You can defeat Satan and overcome temptation." As we trust in the Lord and his infinite power, we can know that he will not allow us to suffer beyond our capacity, nor will he leave us stranded, but will come to us and bear us up in our adversity.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Testimony
Matthew 16:13-17
"When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."
A testimony is not gained by earthly experiences, but by sacred spiritual circumstances which give us an assurance that no worldly witness could give.
Charles Didier said, "The purpose of these spiritual keys is to open spiritual doors, one by one, to come to a plain testimony as described by the prophets. Spiritual ashes might be all that are left of what was once a burning, loving, meaningful, and uplifting testimony." This means that we need to continue having these spiritual experiences that the Lord offers us so that we can strengthen our testimonies.
"When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."
A testimony is not gained by earthly experiences, but by sacred spiritual circumstances which give us an assurance that no worldly witness could give.
Charles Didier said, "The purpose of these spiritual keys is to open spiritual doors, one by one, to come to a plain testimony as described by the prophets. Spiritual ashes might be all that are left of what was once a burning, loving, meaningful, and uplifting testimony." This means that we need to continue having these spiritual experiences that the Lord offers us so that we can strengthen our testimonies.
The teachings of the Savior are for everyone
"He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" Matthew 13:9,43
Our understanding of the Savior's parables is limited only by our own efforts to understand what he will teach us.
The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “The multitude … received not His saying … because they were not willing to see with their eyes, and hear with their ears; not because they could not, and were not privileged to see and hear, but because their hearts were full of iniquity and abominations. … The very reason why the multitude … did not receive an explanation upon His parables, was because of unbelief”
Our understanding of the Savior's parables is limited only by our own efforts to understand what he will teach us.
The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “The multitude … received not His saying … because they were not willing to see with their eyes, and hear with their ears; not because they could not, and were not privileged to see and hear, but because their hearts were full of iniquity and abominations. … The very reason why the multitude … did not receive an explanation upon His parables, was because of unbelief”
Coming unto Christ
Matthew 11:28-30
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
When we walk side by side with the Savior and his teachings, we have a much greater capacity to bear the trials and problems that we encounter in our lives.
Just as one ox pulling alongside another, we need to align ourselves and our lives with the Savior's. If we 'take his yoke upon us,' he will help us pull our load and make our burdens lighter and easier than if we were trying to shoulder them alone.
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
When we walk side by side with the Savior and his teachings, we have a much greater capacity to bear the trials and problems that we encounter in our lives.
Just as one ox pulling alongside another, we need to align ourselves and our lives with the Savior's. If we 'take his yoke upon us,' he will help us pull our load and make our burdens lighter and easier than if we were trying to shoulder them alone.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Take Up HIs Cross
Luke 9:23-24
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
If we will deny ourselves and become like Christ this promise is valid for all of us. While it is difficult to deny ourselves entirely and follow Him, it is a pre-requisite for entering the Kingdom and we will "save" our lives.
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
If we will deny ourselves and become like Christ this promise is valid for all of us. While it is difficult to deny ourselves entirely and follow Him, it is a pre-requisite for entering the Kingdom and we will "save" our lives.
Responding to criticisms
In Luke 20-19-26 the chief priests try to catch Jesus in his words by asking him about giving tributes to Caesar. Christ was able to correctly respond to their inquiry and he know what the intent of their hearts was.
In dealing with others it is important to know that the Lord is omnipotent and he will help us in answering questions and criticisms about our beliefs.
Elder Hales said in the October 2008 General Conference of the church:
"As we respond to others, each circumstance will be different. Fortunately, the Lord knows the hearts of our accusers and how we can most effectively respond to them."
In dealing with others it is important to know that the Lord is omnipotent and he will help us in answering questions and criticisms about our beliefs.
Elder Hales said in the October 2008 General Conference of the church:
"As we respond to others, each circumstance will be different. Fortunately, the Lord knows the hearts of our accusers and how we can most effectively respond to them."
Gratitude
As we approach this Thanksgiving season I find it appropriate to examine Luke 17:11-19, the story of the lepers that are healed.
It is important to remember that we are always grateful and offer thanksgiving. There was a difference in these verses about being made clean and made whole. We can only be made whole by having faith and then having gratitude. While all 10 lepers were healed, there was only one that was made whole.
Matthew Abinante
It is important to remember that we are always grateful and offer thanksgiving. There was a difference in these verses about being made clean and made whole. We can only be made whole by having faith and then having gratitude. While all 10 lepers were healed, there was only one that was made whole.
Matthew Abinante
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Sinning for more love?
Luke 7
41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
… the illusion that they are somehow stronger for having committed sin
and then lived through the period of repentance. This simply is not
true. That man who resists temptation and lives without sin is far
better off than the man who has fallen, no matter how repentant the
latter may be. - Kimball
It is important to remember that we don't have to sin in order to be loved by Christ. He loves everyone and we would be better off to not sin at all.
Matthew Abinante
41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
… the illusion that they are somehow stronger for having committed sin
and then lived through the period of repentance. This simply is not
true. That man who resists temptation and lives without sin is far
better off than the man who has fallen, no matter how repentant the
latter may be. - Kimball
It is important to remember that we don't have to sin in order to be loved by Christ. He loves everyone and we would be better off to not sin at all.
Matthew Abinante
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
By Subtilty
Matthew 26:4, "And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtility, and kill him."
As I was pondering this verse, I realized that this is the way that Satan works most often. I was thinking about the Gadianton robbers in the Book of Mormon and how he just whispered and convinced one person, and then that person convinced others. And Satan still works this way in the Latter-days. For example, I was thinking about Obama being elected president and how those who oppose hom solely based on race, are subtly attacking other blacks just to show how much they hate Obama.
I realized that Satan does not like to strike out in the open, especially not at first, because then no one will listen to him. For faithful Latter-day Saints especially, if Satan tried to convince us to commit adultry, we would blantantly refuse him, but when he strikes at our thoughts first, we tend to fall into sin.
That got me to thinking about how to stop Satan. I believe that one of the most important ways to stop him is recognize how he will attack us, and according to this verse, he will strike subtly first. Because of that we must "jealously guard our thoughts". I don't know how many of you have read "The Host" by Stephanie Meyer, but I believe that many of the things she described in that book are so true of human nature...it is our thoughts that really dictate who we are and how we are going to act. It is impossible to think one way and act sincerely another way for very long and eventually our thoughts will will out and dictate our actions.
Breanna Plooster
As I was pondering this verse, I realized that this is the way that Satan works most often. I was thinking about the Gadianton robbers in the Book of Mormon and how he just whispered and convinced one person, and then that person convinced others. And Satan still works this way in the Latter-days. For example, I was thinking about Obama being elected president and how those who oppose hom solely based on race, are subtly attacking other blacks just to show how much they hate Obama.
I realized that Satan does not like to strike out in the open, especially not at first, because then no one will listen to him. For faithful Latter-day Saints especially, if Satan tried to convince us to commit adultry, we would blantantly refuse him, but when he strikes at our thoughts first, we tend to fall into sin.
That got me to thinking about how to stop Satan. I believe that one of the most important ways to stop him is recognize how he will attack us, and according to this verse, he will strike subtly first. Because of that we must "jealously guard our thoughts". I don't know how many of you have read "The Host" by Stephanie Meyer, but I believe that many of the things she described in that book are so true of human nature...it is our thoughts that really dictate who we are and how we are going to act. It is impossible to think one way and act sincerely another way for very long and eventually our thoughts will will out and dictate our actions.
Breanna Plooster
Another Comforter
John 14
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another aComforter, that he may babide with you for ever; 18 I will not leave you acomfortless: I will bcome to you.
In a world that demonstrates, ever more powerfully, the damaging effects of the great apostasy the Lord's promise to never leave us comfortless resounds. Just before the Lord's last days on the earth, he leaves the apostles (and inevitably us) with the promise of having the gift of the Holy Ghost as a guide, giver of truth and another comforter. The world at this time period was on the edge of the inevitable great apostasy...but the Lord did not leave "His people" without a guide and source of truth.
It does not surprise me that in 1820 a young boy Joseph was touched by the spirit of God when he read the infamous passage in James 1:5. This is just another testimonial to the perfectness of the plan of God. It was by that same comforter, promised by Jesus Christ, that caused the passage of scripture to penetrated Joseph's heart and then prompted the young boy to enter those woods that beautiful spring morning.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another aComforter, that he may babide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
In a world that demonstrates, ever more powerfully, the damaging effects of the great apostasy the Lord's promise to never leave us comfortless resounds. Just before the Lord's last days on the earth, he leaves the apostles (and inevitably us) with the promise of having the gift of the Holy Ghost as a guide, giver of truth and another comforter. The world at this time period was on the edge of the inevitable great apostasy...but the Lord did not leave "His people" without a guide and source of truth.
It does not surprise me that in 1820 a young boy Joseph was touched by the spirit of God when he read the infamous passage in James 1:5. This is just another testimonial to the perfectness of the plan of God. It was by that same comforter, promised by Jesus Christ, that caused the passage of scripture to penetrated Joseph's heart and then prompted the young boy to enter those woods that beautiful spring morning.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
True Devotion
Mathew 19:
29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
This passage of scripture reflects the concept of complete devotion to the work of the Lord. To help me understand it more fully I found the following quote given by President Marion G. Romney (Marion G. Romney, “Commitment and Dedication,” Ensign, Mar 1983, 3). It has helped me understand that I do not need to give up my daily pursuits unless I am called to do so and that my true latter-day saint devotion can be shown in my constant daily obedience.
“Now I am not suggesting that we all give up our daily pursuits and devote full time to the ministry. This we do only as we are called. What I am trying to say is that we should gain a knowledge of the plan of salvation and a realization that it is the only way to peace and happiness in this world and eternal life in the world to come. We should make a total commitment to, above everything else, convey by word and deed our knowledge and testimony to our fellowmen, that they may receive and rejoice in it."
"Through studying the scriptures, we should know what the Lord has revealed through his prophets concerning the plan of salvation. From regular night and morning prayer and honest compliance with gospel teachings, we should enjoy the peace and spirit of the gospel. By earnestly and specifically seeking it, we should, by the power of the Holy Ghost, obtain and retain a testimony of its divine truth. We should be so converted and dedicated to it that our total lives are influenced thereby. The right and wrong of our decisions and actions should be consistently determined by its light. If they were, we would make no mistakes in our judgments and actions on the vexing questions and problems of our day.”
- Marion G. Romney, “Commitment and Dedication,” Ensign, Mar 1983, 3
29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
This passage of scripture reflects the concept of complete devotion to the work of the Lord. To help me understand it more fully I found the following quote given by President Marion G. Romney (Marion G. Romney, “Commitment and Dedication,” Ensign, Mar 1983, 3). It has helped me understand that I do not need to give up my daily pursuits unless I am called to do so and that my true latter-day saint devotion can be shown in my constant daily obedience.
“Now I am not suggesting that we all give up our daily pursuits and devote full time to the ministry. This we do only as we are called. What I am trying to say is that we should gain a knowledge of the plan of salvation and a realization that it is the only way to peace and happiness in this world and eternal life in the world to come. We should make a total commitment to, above everything else, convey by word and deed our knowledge and testimony to our fellowmen, that they may receive and rejoice in it."
"Through studying the scriptures, we should know what the Lord has revealed through his prophets concerning the plan of salvation. From regular night and morning prayer and honest compliance with gospel teachings, we should enjoy the peace and spirit of the gospel. By earnestly and specifically seeking it, we should, by the power of the Holy Ghost, obtain and retain a testimony of its divine truth. We should be so converted and dedicated to it that our total lives are influenced thereby. The right and wrong of our decisions and actions should be consistently determined by its light. If they were, we would make no mistakes in our judgments and actions on the vexing questions and problems of our day.”
- Marion G. Romney, “Commitment and Dedication,” Ensign, Mar 1983, 3
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