In the Old Testament I read how Moses died without being able to go into the promised land, even though he could see the land before him. This was because he tresspassed against the Lord when he brought water forth out of the rock but did not sanctify the Lord to the children of Israel when he did it. Deut. 32:48-52 "And the Lord spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying, Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession:And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people: Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-bKadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel. Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel."
In the Book of Mormon I read Mormon's description of how King Benjamin, a righteous and holy man, was able to rid the land of false Christs and false prophets and speak to the people with much power and authority, teaching them the word of God, and laboring with all his might to bring them unto Christ and establish peace in the land. King Benjamin, along with other holy men who worked with him, were able to make wonderful changes in the land by helping the people to repent. We likewise need to follow their examples and help bring changes into our wicked world, to the best of our ability. W of M 1: 15-18 "And it came to pass that after there had been false Christs, and their mouths had been shut, and they punished according to their crimes; And after there had been false prophets, and false preachers and teachers among the people, and all these having been punished according to their crimes; and after there having been much contention and many dissensions away unto the Lamanites, behold, it came to pass that king Benjamin, with the assistance of the holy prophets who were among his people— For behold, king Benjamin was a holy man, and he did reign over his people in righteousness; and there were many holy men in the land, and they did speak the word of God with power and with authority; and they did use much sharpness because of the stiffneckedness of the people— Wherefore, with the help of these, king Benjamin, by laboring with all the might of his body and the faculty of his whole soul, and also the prophets, did once more establish peace in the land."
A verse with a thought booklet gives us a wonderful example of faith and obedience. When Abraham was called to go to a land to receive his inheritence, he went, even though he did not know where he was going. When we're called to do something--even something that's unfamiliar and scary to us--do we just go ahead and do it? Do we keep moving forward even though we can't see clearly where we're going? If the Lord is leading us, we need to follow His guidance and be willing to go wherever He leads. Heb. 11: 8 "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went."
Monday, March 16, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
In the Old Testament I read how the Lord was angry with Israel because of their wickedness and He was going to burn them in the lowest hell and heap mischiefs upon them. Deut. 32:20-26 "And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them. They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust. The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs. I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men:"
In the Book of Mormon I read a powerful verse that admonishes us to come unto Christ, offering up our whole souls as an offering unto the Lord, continuing in fasting and prayer and enduring to the end. If we do these things, we'll be able to partake of the Lord's power of redemption and we'll be saved. Omni 1: 26 "And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved."
In a verse with a thought booklet we read about how David's evil actions caused the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. In fact, because of this the Lord was going to punish David by having his child die. How good are we at being examples of true followers of Jesus Christ? Do our lives show that we are true Christians or when people see how we act, do they form a bad opinion of what we're supposed to represent? I had to laugh at a story of a man who was driving like a maniac because he was late for church, cutting off cars and swearving around them. Then just before he got to church he realized how bad it would look to turn into the church parking lot and have the people in the cars who had witnessed his terrible driving think poorly of his church when they saw him pulling in. He then drove several blocks before turning back to the church just so no one who saw his bad driving would know he belonged to that church. We need to make sure that our actions are good examples of how a true disciple of Christ should behave. Then, no matter who is watching us, we have no reason to be ashamed or give cause for other people to think, "Boy if that is how a Christian acts, I want no part of it!" 2 Sam. 12: 14 "Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die."
In the Book of Mormon I read a powerful verse that admonishes us to come unto Christ, offering up our whole souls as an offering unto the Lord, continuing in fasting and prayer and enduring to the end. If we do these things, we'll be able to partake of the Lord's power of redemption and we'll be saved. Omni 1: 26 "And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved."
In a verse with a thought booklet we read about how David's evil actions caused the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. In fact, because of this the Lord was going to punish David by having his child die. How good are we at being examples of true followers of Jesus Christ? Do our lives show that we are true Christians or when people see how we act, do they form a bad opinion of what we're supposed to represent? I had to laugh at a story of a man who was driving like a maniac because he was late for church, cutting off cars and swearving around them. Then just before he got to church he realized how bad it would look to turn into the church parking lot and have the people in the cars who had witnessed his terrible driving think poorly of his church when they saw him pulling in. He then drove several blocks before turning back to the church just so no one who saw his bad driving would know he belonged to that church. We need to make sure that our actions are good examples of how a true disciple of Christ should behave. Then, no matter who is watching us, we have no reason to be ashamed or give cause for other people to think, "Boy if that is how a Christian acts, I want no part of it!" 2 Sam. 12: 14 "Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die."
Saturday, March 14, 2009
In the Old Testament I read how the Lord told Moses that after his death, the people would break their covenants and go whoring after other gods, which would anger the Lord greatly and bring His judgments upon them. Deut. 31:16-21, 27-29 "And the Lord said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them. Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us? And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods. Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel. For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant. And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware. For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the Lord; and how much more after my death? Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them. For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands."
I read in the Book of Mormon that Mosiah was warned by the Lord to flea into the wilderness and take all those with him who would go. He heeded this warning and was willing to hearken to the voice of the Lord and be led by preachings and prophesyings. As a result the people were led through the wilderness by the power of the arm of God. Omni 1: 12-13 "Behold, I am Amaleki, the son of Abinadom. Behold, I will speak unto you somewhat concerning Mosiah, who was made king over the land of Zarahemla; for behold, he being warned of the Lord that he should flee out of the land of Nephi, and as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord should also depart out of the land with him, into the wilderness—And it came to pass that he did according as the Lord had commanded him. And they departed out of the land into the wilderness, as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord; and they were led by many preachings and prophesyings. And they were admonished continually by the word of God; and they were led by the power of his arm, through the wilderness until they came down into the land which is called the land of Zarahemla."
A verse with a thought booklet tells a similar story of someone being warned to flea--Joseph was warned by an angel in a dream that he must take Mary and Joseph and flea into Egypt for safety. He heeded this advice and the young child Jesus was protected from the wicked Herod who killed all the male children. Do we heed spiritual promptings as they come to us? Are we atuned to receive spiritual guidance in our lives? If so, we too can receive warnings that might save our lives. We need to live our lives so that we can receive guidance from the Spirit and then we need to listen to whatever those promptings tell us to do. Matt. 2: 13 "And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him."
I read in the Book of Mormon that Mosiah was warned by the Lord to flea into the wilderness and take all those with him who would go. He heeded this warning and was willing to hearken to the voice of the Lord and be led by preachings and prophesyings. As a result the people were led through the wilderness by the power of the arm of God. Omni 1: 12-13 "Behold, I am Amaleki, the son of Abinadom. Behold, I will speak unto you somewhat concerning Mosiah, who was made king over the land of Zarahemla; for behold, he being warned of the Lord that he should flee out of the land of Nephi, and as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord should also depart out of the land with him, into the wilderness—And it came to pass that he did according as the Lord had commanded him. And they departed out of the land into the wilderness, as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord; and they were led by many preachings and prophesyings. And they were admonished continually by the word of God; and they were led by the power of his arm, through the wilderness until they came down into the land which is called the land of Zarahemla."
A verse with a thought booklet tells a similar story of someone being warned to flea--Joseph was warned by an angel in a dream that he must take Mary and Joseph and flea into Egypt for safety. He heeded this advice and the young child Jesus was protected from the wicked Herod who killed all the male children. Do we heed spiritual promptings as they come to us? Are we atuned to receive spiritual guidance in our lives? If so, we too can receive warnings that might save our lives. We need to live our lives so that we can receive guidance from the Spirit and then we need to listen to whatever those promptings tell us to do. Matt. 2: 13 "And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him."
Friday, March 13, 2009
In the Old Testament I read that Moses told Joshua not to be afraid for the Lord would be with the Israelits and go before them. We can be strong and of good courage knowing the Lord won't forsake us. Deut. 31:6-8 "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the Lord hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed."
In the Book of Mormon I read that the people were very hard in their hearts, blind in their minds, and stiff in their necks when it came to the things of the Lord. However, not all the people were like this--some received revelations from the Lord through their faith and had communion with the Holy Spirit. Even if we live in a wicked world where few people hearken to the voice of the Lord, we can still have faith and still receive the fruits of the Spirit. Jarom 1: 3-4 "Behold, it is expedient that much should be done among this people, because of the hardness of their hearts, and the deafness of their ears, and the blindness of their minds, and the stiffness of their necks; nevertheless, God is exceedingly merciful unto them, and has not as yet swept them off from the face of the land. And there are many among us who have many revelations, for they are not all stiffnecked. And as many as are not stiffnecked and have faith, have communion with the Holy Spirit, which maketh manifest unto the children of men, according to their faith."
Some verses with a thought booklet are David's prayer that the Lord would hear his voice, saying he was directing his prayers unto the Lord and looking up to Him. Ps. 5: 1-3 "Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.The thought that went with this, written by Elaine L. Bridge from Hamilton, Ohio says: One of my son's former high school classmates asked me recently how my son was enjoying college life. I had to tell her that he was so incredibly busy that he rarely spoke to me anymore. It's sad to think that I spend more quality time with his laundry these days than I do with him! I miss the times when we talked more frequently about things that are going on in his life. How often does God feel the same way about us? Many of us have become so busy with the affairs of life that we rarely come to God except to make a request or to wash our dirty clothes, asking forgiveness for something we've done. Gone are the days when we sat with the Lord merely to chat about our lives or to get his opinion on some situation we may be dealing with. While God is happy to provide what we need, how God must miss the open communication he once enjoyed with his child! It's wonderfrul to know that God is even more eager than I am to get our chat time back.
In the Book of Mormon I read that the people were very hard in their hearts, blind in their minds, and stiff in their necks when it came to the things of the Lord. However, not all the people were like this--some received revelations from the Lord through their faith and had communion with the Holy Spirit. Even if we live in a wicked world where few people hearken to the voice of the Lord, we can still have faith and still receive the fruits of the Spirit. Jarom 1: 3-4 "Behold, it is expedient that much should be done among this people, because of the hardness of their hearts, and the deafness of their ears, and the blindness of their minds, and the stiffness of their necks; nevertheless, God is exceedingly merciful unto them, and has not as yet swept them off from the face of the land. And there are many among us who have many revelations, for they are not all stiffnecked. And as many as are not stiffnecked and have faith, have communion with the Holy Spirit, which maketh manifest unto the children of men, according to their faith."
Some verses with a thought booklet are David's prayer that the Lord would hear his voice, saying he was directing his prayers unto the Lord and looking up to Him. Ps. 5: 1-3 "Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.The thought that went with this, written by Elaine L. Bridge from Hamilton, Ohio says: One of my son's former high school classmates asked me recently how my son was enjoying college life. I had to tell her that he was so incredibly busy that he rarely spoke to me anymore. It's sad to think that I spend more quality time with his laundry these days than I do with him! I miss the times when we talked more frequently about things that are going on in his life. How often does God feel the same way about us? Many of us have become so busy with the affairs of life that we rarely come to God except to make a request or to wash our dirty clothes, asking forgiveness for something we've done. Gone are the days when we sat with the Lord merely to chat about our lives or to get his opinion on some situation we may be dealing with. While God is happy to provide what we need, how God must miss the open communication he once enjoyed with his child! It's wonderfrul to know that God is even more eager than I am to get our chat time back.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
In the Old Testament I read about the choice placed before the people--they could obey the Lord and keep His commandments and they would be blessed beyond measure; or they could turn their hearts away from the Lord and worship other gods and they could be cursed. It's a choice between life and death. We can all choose between good and evil, loving the Lord with all our hearts or setting our hearts upon other things. What choice will we make? Deut. 30:15-20 "See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."
In the Book of Mormon I read the wonderful story of how Enos turned to Lord in mighty prayer--all day and all night long, and received forgiveness for his sins, because of his faith in Jesus Christ, whom his father had taught him about. There are a couple of things I learned from these verses. First, that if parents faithfully teach the gospel to their children, you never know when those children will finally take these teachings to heart and come unto the Lord, even if they seem to reject them for a time. And secondly, we can't just go to the Lord with a half hearted effort in prayer and expept an answer. Sometimes it takes mightly and continued prayer and much effort on our part. But if we'll have faith in Jesus Christ, we can be forgiven for our sins and the Lord will hear our prayers. Enos 1: 1-8 "Behold, it came to pass that I, Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man—for he taught me in his language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord—and blessed be the name of my God for it— And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins. Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart. And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens. And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed. And I, Enos, knew that God acould not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away. And I said: Lord, how is it done? And he said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole."
A verse with a thought booklet reminds us that everything created by God is good and nothing should be rejected, provided it is received with thanksgiving. We all have much to be grateful for and if we receive what God has given us with thankful hearts, it generates happiness in our lives. Starting each day with an attitude of graditute sets a positive tone for the day and attracts good experiences. Closing the day expressing our thanks to God brings to our memories all the things that have occurred that day that we have to be grateful for. We can more clearly see the constant flow of God's good in our lives. Tim. 4: 4 "For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:"
In the Book of Mormon I read the wonderful story of how Enos turned to Lord in mighty prayer--all day and all night long, and received forgiveness for his sins, because of his faith in Jesus Christ, whom his father had taught him about. There are a couple of things I learned from these verses. First, that if parents faithfully teach the gospel to their children, you never know when those children will finally take these teachings to heart and come unto the Lord, even if they seem to reject them for a time. And secondly, we can't just go to the Lord with a half hearted effort in prayer and expept an answer. Sometimes it takes mightly and continued prayer and much effort on our part. But if we'll have faith in Jesus Christ, we can be forgiven for our sins and the Lord will hear our prayers. Enos 1: 1-8 "Behold, it came to pass that I, Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man—for he taught me in his language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord—and blessed be the name of my God for it— And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins. Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart. And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens. And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed. And I, Enos, knew that God acould not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away. And I said: Lord, how is it done? And he said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole."
A verse with a thought booklet reminds us that everything created by God is good and nothing should be rejected, provided it is received with thanksgiving. We all have much to be grateful for and if we receive what God has given us with thankful hearts, it generates happiness in our lives. Starting each day with an attitude of graditute sets a positive tone for the day and attracts good experiences. Closing the day expressing our thanks to God brings to our memories all the things that have occurred that day that we have to be grateful for. We can more clearly see the constant flow of God's good in our lives. Tim. 4: 4 "For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:"
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
In the Old Testament I read again that if the people would keep the commandments of the Lord, they would be blessed. This is repeated over and over again. Deut. 30:8-10 "And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the Lord, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day. And the Lord thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the Lord will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers: If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul."
In the Book of Mormon I read about a wicked man named Sherem who denied Christ and went about teaching people false doctrines according to the power of the devil, hoping to shake their faith. He used much flattery and had a perfect knowledge of how to use persuasive language. He was able to lead many people astray. However, he could not sway Jacob, who had unshakable faith. The Lord poured out His Spirit on Jacob who was able to confound Sherem in all his words. Sherem is very much like many people today--people who seem knowledgable and intellegent, but who seek to shake our faith. Are we persuaded by them, or are we like Jacob with unshakable faith, full of the Spirit and able to confound them in their words? Jacob 7: 1-8 "And now it came to pass after some years had passed away, there came a man among the people of Nephi, whose name was Sherem. And it came to pass that he began to preach among the people, and to declare unto them that there should be no Christ. And he preached many things which were flattering unto the people; and this he did that he might overthrow the doctrine of Christ. And he labored diligently that he might lead away the hearts of the people, insomuch that he did lead away many hearts; and he knowing that I, Jacob, had faith in Christ who should come, he sought much opportunity that he might come unto me. And he was learned, that he had a perfect knowledge of the language of the people; wherefore, he could use much flattery, and much power of speech, according to the power of the devil. And he had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding the many revelations and the many things which I had seen concerning these things; for I truly had seen angels, and they had ministered unto me. And also, I had heard the voice of the Lord speaking unto me in very word, from time to time; wherefore, I could not be shaken. And it came to pass that he came unto me, and on this wise did he speak unto me, saying: Brother Jacob, I have sought much opportunity that I might speak unto you; for I have heard and also know that thou goest about much, preaching that which ye call the gospel, or the doctrine of Christ. And ye have led away much of this people that they pervert the right way of God, and keep not the law of Moses which is the right way; and convert the law of Moses into the worship of a being which ye say shall come many hundred years hence. And now behold, I, Sherem, declare unto you that this is blasphemy; for no man knoweth of such things; for he cannot tell of things to come. And after this manner did Sherem contend against me. But behold, the Lord God poured in his Spirit into my soul, insomuch that I did confound him in all his words."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that it is the will of God that we should give thanks in all things. This doesn't just tell us to give thanks for the good and pleasant things in our lives, but we should give thanks in ALL things. Even trials and difficulties can be great blessings in our lives. It's not an easy thing to be thankful for them, but this is something that the Lord has asked us to do. 1 Thes. 5: 18 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
In the Book of Mormon I read about a wicked man named Sherem who denied Christ and went about teaching people false doctrines according to the power of the devil, hoping to shake their faith. He used much flattery and had a perfect knowledge of how to use persuasive language. He was able to lead many people astray. However, he could not sway Jacob, who had unshakable faith. The Lord poured out His Spirit on Jacob who was able to confound Sherem in all his words. Sherem is very much like many people today--people who seem knowledgable and intellegent, but who seek to shake our faith. Are we persuaded by them, or are we like Jacob with unshakable faith, full of the Spirit and able to confound them in their words? Jacob 7: 1-8 "And now it came to pass after some years had passed away, there came a man among the people of Nephi, whose name was Sherem. And it came to pass that he began to preach among the people, and to declare unto them that there should be no Christ. And he preached many things which were flattering unto the people; and this he did that he might overthrow the doctrine of Christ. And he labored diligently that he might lead away the hearts of the people, insomuch that he did lead away many hearts; and he knowing that I, Jacob, had faith in Christ who should come, he sought much opportunity that he might come unto me. And he was learned, that he had a perfect knowledge of the language of the people; wherefore, he could use much flattery, and much power of speech, according to the power of the devil. And he had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding the many revelations and the many things which I had seen concerning these things; for I truly had seen angels, and they had ministered unto me. And also, I had heard the voice of the Lord speaking unto me in very word, from time to time; wherefore, I could not be shaken. And it came to pass that he came unto me, and on this wise did he speak unto me, saying: Brother Jacob, I have sought much opportunity that I might speak unto you; for I have heard and also know that thou goest about much, preaching that which ye call the gospel, or the doctrine of Christ. And ye have led away much of this people that they pervert the right way of God, and keep not the law of Moses which is the right way; and convert the law of Moses into the worship of a being which ye say shall come many hundred years hence. And now behold, I, Sherem, declare unto you that this is blasphemy; for no man knoweth of such things; for he cannot tell of things to come. And after this manner did Sherem contend against me. But behold, the Lord God poured in his Spirit into my soul, insomuch that I did confound him in all his words."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that it is the will of God that we should give thanks in all things. This doesn't just tell us to give thanks for the good and pleasant things in our lives, but we should give thanks in ALL things. Even trials and difficulties can be great blessings in our lives. It's not an easy thing to be thankful for them, but this is something that the Lord has asked us to do. 1 Thes. 5: 18 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
In the Old Testament I read that if the land was destroyed through plagues and sicknesses and burned like Sodom and Gomorrah to beinc brimstone, people could look upon it in years to come and know that it was because the Lord was angry with the people for forsaking Him after all He had done for them. They had worshipped idols instead of the true God, so they received the wrath of God. Deut. 29:22-28 "So that the generation to come of your children that shall rise up after you, and the stranger that shall come from a far land, shall say, when they see the plagues of that land, and the sicknesses which the Lord hath laid upon it; And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the Lord overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath: 4 Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the Lord bdone thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger? Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt: For they went and served other gods, and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not, and whom he had not given unto them: And the anger of the Lord was kindled against this land, to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book: And the Lord rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day."
In the Book of Mormon I read that those who reject the words of the prophets concerning Christ and make a mock of the great plan of redemption, will quench the Holy Spirit and will stand with shame and awful built before the bar of God. They will go away into a lake of fire and brimstone and receive endless torment. Sounds awful! How very important that we repent while there is still time! Jacob 6: 8-10 "Behold, will ye reject these words? Will ye reject the words of the prophets; and will ye reject all the words which have been spoken concerning Christ, after so many have spoken concerning him; and deny the good word of Christ, and the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and quench the Holy Spirit, and make a mock of the great plan of redemption, which hath been laid for you? Know ye not that if ye will do these things, that the power of the redemption and the resurrection, which is in Christ, will bring you to stand with shame and awful guilt before the bar of God? And according to the power of justice, for justice cannot be denied, ye must go away into that lake of fire and brimstone, whose flames are unquenchable, and whose smoke ascendeth up forever and ever, which lake of fire and brimstone is endless torment."
I read a familiar verse in conjuction with a thought booklet--that God loves us so much that He gave His Only Begotten Son, providing a way for us to receive everlasting life. John 3: 16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
In the Book of Mormon I read that those who reject the words of the prophets concerning Christ and make a mock of the great plan of redemption, will quench the Holy Spirit and will stand with shame and awful built before the bar of God. They will go away into a lake of fire and brimstone and receive endless torment. Sounds awful! How very important that we repent while there is still time! Jacob 6: 8-10 "Behold, will ye reject these words? Will ye reject the words of the prophets; and will ye reject all the words which have been spoken concerning Christ, after so many have spoken concerning him; and deny the good word of Christ, and the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and quench the Holy Spirit, and make a mock of the great plan of redemption, which hath been laid for you? Know ye not that if ye will do these things, that the power of the redemption and the resurrection, which is in Christ, will bring you to stand with shame and awful guilt before the bar of God? And according to the power of justice, for justice cannot be denied, ye must go away into that lake of fire and brimstone, whose flames are unquenchable, and whose smoke ascendeth up forever and ever, which lake of fire and brimstone is endless torment."
I read a familiar verse in conjuction with a thought booklet--that God loves us so much that He gave His Only Begotten Son, providing a way for us to receive everlasting life. John 3: 16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
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