1st Corinthians chapter 3 is quite good. It talks about how we cannot deceive ourselves in this life, thinking that men know better than God. Who are we to think man's ways are better than God's ways? Specifically, our own ways better than his ways? We have to be wary of those who puff themselves up, and take all the credit for themselves, and not God. Heavenly Father blesses us abundantely in this life and only asks that we acknowledge him in all things. Because really, we are here because of him. We have bodies because of him. We have this earth to live on because of him. How can we turn our backs on the God who gave us everything? And who could easily take everything away?
We need to always remember to glory in God, not men. "Even the elect will be deceived", by other men. When we start to focus on other men in this life as being greater than God, we lose the eternal perspective. Heavenly Father is the one we give praise and glory to, no one else. "False Christs" are everywhere around us, and the aren't even necessarily people. It could be anything we devote more of our time and energy to instead of Heavenly Father.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Day 66
"Beware the Evil Behind Smiling Eyes"-that's the title of the talk I just read by Elder Anderson. He was speaking to the men in a priesthood sessions years ago, but I found many words of wisdom from that talk. Mainly, he spoke about how Satan is the master deceiver, and can make evil things seem appealing. Think about it-Satan doesn't have anything else to do in his life except watch and study people, and tempt them. He tries to figure each of us out, and figure out our weakest points and do everything he can to make them weaker.
Unlike Heavenly Father, who has always known our spirits and everything about us, weak and strong. He tries to help us become stronger. It's our choice whether we become stronger or weaker. But Satan can make things that will only harm us in the end seem like the easier thing to do. He can brush over, make up, blow up, or whatever he wants to do to something, to catch our attention.
It's been said in the scriptures many times- even the elect will be deceived. Evil is disguised so easily. There are so many forms of it. Evil is whatever takes us away from our Heavenly Father.
Elder Anderson touched on the point that the closer we draw to Christ, the greater his light is within us, and that light helps us see more clearly what is good and what is not. I think that's a perfect analogy, because Christ is often described as "the light of the world". He is the one who helps us become stronger, and better able to discern what is good and what is bad. Satan just makes everything fuzzier and more confusing. With Christ we have clarity. With Satan, we have nothing.
Unlike Heavenly Father, who has always known our spirits and everything about us, weak and strong. He tries to help us become stronger. It's our choice whether we become stronger or weaker. But Satan can make things that will only harm us in the end seem like the easier thing to do. He can brush over, make up, blow up, or whatever he wants to do to something, to catch our attention.
It's been said in the scriptures many times- even the elect will be deceived. Evil is disguised so easily. There are so many forms of it. Evil is whatever takes us away from our Heavenly Father.
Elder Anderson touched on the point that the closer we draw to Christ, the greater his light is within us, and that light helps us see more clearly what is good and what is not. I think that's a perfect analogy, because Christ is often described as "the light of the world". He is the one who helps us become stronger, and better able to discern what is good and what is bad. Satan just makes everything fuzzier and more confusing. With Christ we have clarity. With Satan, we have nothing.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Day 65
Doctrine and Covenants section 56 is pretty reprimanding. I'm reading through the scriptures today on "taking offense" and the consequences for it. As mentioned in my previous post, that's what I got out of Elder Anderson's talk-taking offense too easily can lead to no good.
So Doctrine and Covenants section 56 was a great section for me to read. The Lord is reprimanding some early members of the church over not following the law of consecration, and being selfish and prideful. He sure knows how to get his point across. One scripture he mentioned was verses 14-15- ". . .for behold, your sins are not pardoned, because you seek to counsel in your own ways. . .And your hearts are not satisfied. And ye obey not the truth, but have pleasure in unrighteousness." Yikes. How many times have I "counseled" in my own ways, thinking I know better than anyone else? Sometimes it's so subtle I don't realize I'm doing it, but I have. And like the Lord said, my heart is never satisified.
Pride is such an easy trap to fall into. There are so many forms of it, it's almost disturbing. But any time I'm making an unfair call on someone else, is a form of pride. What makes me think that I know better than the Lord when it comes to judging them? I don't. I'm not even close. He is the only one who knows the true thoughts and intentions of their hearts. I have enough to work on on my own.
So Doctrine and Covenants section 56 was a great section for me to read. The Lord is reprimanding some early members of the church over not following the law of consecration, and being selfish and prideful. He sure knows how to get his point across. One scripture he mentioned was verses 14-15- ". . .for behold, your sins are not pardoned, because you seek to counsel in your own ways. . .And your hearts are not satisfied. And ye obey not the truth, but have pleasure in unrighteousness." Yikes. How many times have I "counseled" in my own ways, thinking I know better than anyone else? Sometimes it's so subtle I don't realize I'm doing it, but I have. And like the Lord said, my heart is never satisified.
Pride is such an easy trap to fall into. There are so many forms of it, it's almost disturbing. But any time I'm making an unfair call on someone else, is a form of pride. What makes me think that I know better than the Lord when it comes to judging them? I don't. I'm not even close. He is the only one who knows the true thoughts and intentions of their hearts. I have enough to work on on my own.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Day 64
This week I'm focusing on talks by Elder Neil L. Anderson. I think for the next 15 weeks, I'm going to focus on each apostle's teachings one week at a time. It gives me something to really focus on and study.
Like I mentioned before, what I got out of conference was I need to make better use of my time, and to really study the scriptures and teachings of the church more. I just read Elder Anderson's talk called "Never Leave Him". He gave it last October.
He speaks about how in order to never stray from Jesus Christ, we need to choose 2 things: to not be offended and to not be ashamed. I'll admit, the not be offended part was something I needed to read. I love this doctrine and believe it with all my heart, but I do sometimes have a hard time not being slightly offended at the people in the church. More like, the "church culture". Reading this is helping me remember that the doctrine is perfect, but the people are not. At least, not yet. I have no room to judge others when I have my own weaknesses and faults. Who knows how many people sometimes have a hard time with me? Elder Anderson states in the talk that there will be times that we are offended, or hurt by others in the church, but we need to learn to put those things up on a shelf and carry on.
Forgiveness is taught frequently in our church. I need to be quicker to forgive, or else how can I expect the Lord to forgive me? I need to put aside the irritations I sometimes feel in my ward from others. I can't judge their lives. I don't know what's going on behind closed doors, and they don't know the same about me. I want to focus on seeing people the way Christ sees them. Seeing their potential instead of their flaws. How awful and hopeless would it be if Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father only focused on my flaws? Both wouldn't seem very approachable to me, and my relationship with them would struggle. I'm here on earth to learn how to be like them, and that includes interacting with people the same way they would.
Like I mentioned before, what I got out of conference was I need to make better use of my time, and to really study the scriptures and teachings of the church more. I just read Elder Anderson's talk called "Never Leave Him". He gave it last October.
He speaks about how in order to never stray from Jesus Christ, we need to choose 2 things: to not be offended and to not be ashamed. I'll admit, the not be offended part was something I needed to read. I love this doctrine and believe it with all my heart, but I do sometimes have a hard time not being slightly offended at the people in the church. More like, the "church culture". Reading this is helping me remember that the doctrine is perfect, but the people are not. At least, not yet. I have no room to judge others when I have my own weaknesses and faults. Who knows how many people sometimes have a hard time with me? Elder Anderson states in the talk that there will be times that we are offended, or hurt by others in the church, but we need to learn to put those things up on a shelf and carry on.
Forgiveness is taught frequently in our church. I need to be quicker to forgive, or else how can I expect the Lord to forgive me? I need to put aside the irritations I sometimes feel in my ward from others. I can't judge their lives. I don't know what's going on behind closed doors, and they don't know the same about me. I want to focus on seeing people the way Christ sees them. Seeing their potential instead of their flaws. How awful and hopeless would it be if Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father only focused on my flaws? Both wouldn't seem very approachable to me, and my relationship with them would struggle. I'm here on earth to learn how to be like them, and that includes interacting with people the same way they would.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Day 63
I loved Elder Holland's talk in conference today about how everyone gets something different out of conference. That's the point. Every single speaker isn't assigned a topic, but goes purely by inspiration. That's how our church works, we receive personal revelation and learn how to use it in our lives.
What I got out of conference in general is that I need to live within my means, and to do what I can to make good use of my time. I'm going to try and get even better at personal scripture study. This blog helps me, but I still could do a lot better. And I want to work on being better at being in-tune with the Spirit in finding ways to serve others.
What I got out of conference in general is that I need to live within my means, and to do what I can to make good use of my time. I'm going to try and get even better at personal scripture study. This blog helps me, but I still could do a lot better. And I want to work on being better at being in-tune with the Spirit in finding ways to serve others.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Day 62
In honor of conference going on this weekend, I am going to blog about it. I mostly just want to express my love and appreciation for the church and all the leaders who continue to give me guidance and direction in my life. I always look forward to conference. I think especially since I've been on my own. I always knew it would give me the inspiration I was seeking at that time in my life. I don't know how to explain it, but I grow to love our leaders of the church more and more every time I listen to them speak. I really do have a testimony of President Thomas S. Monson as our prophet. He really does listen to the spirit and teach us what we as a church need to know and need to work on. I never feel like they are condemning me, but uplifting me instead. They have humor and I believe are very current with everything that is going on in the world.
I am also so grateful for modern technology to be able to listen and watch conference through many different medias. Paul and I don't have even your basic cable, but we were able to watch it live on his computer. I'm so grateful for the ability to be connected to something this incredible just by the click of a computer mouse. I truly am blessed to live in this dispensation. To have the gospel on the earth, to be a part of it, and to continue to learn more and more in order to help me become a better person.
I am also so grateful for modern technology to be able to listen and watch conference through many different medias. Paul and I don't have even your basic cable, but we were able to watch it live on his computer. I'm so grateful for the ability to be connected to something this incredible just by the click of a computer mouse. I truly am blessed to live in this dispensation. To have the gospel on the earth, to be a part of it, and to continue to learn more and more in order to help me become a better person.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Day 61
I'm trying to work on seeing myself more as how Heavenly Father sees me. I guess what I'm really trying to say is that he sees my potential. My potential to become better. Some days I don't see that. I let the world get to me and focus on all my faults, instead of focusing on how I can change for the better. Heavenly Father knows I have faults, but he also knows I can fix them, and work on them, and become better. He sees what I fail to see. But he gives me reminders a lot, and I really appreciate that. It helps me put things back into perspective, and helps me continue to move on. I have a lot to offer, and I plan on doing my best.
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