"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (1) "...come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord." (2) "...The Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy Glory." (3) "Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." (4) "For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ." (5)
"For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it." (6) "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (7) "...the gates of hell shall not prevail..." (8) "Truth is a knowledge of things as they are, and as they are to come. And whatsover is more or less than this is the spirit of that wicked one who was a liar from the beginning. The Spirit of truth is of God." (9) "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." (10) "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (11) "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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." (12) "spake Jesus saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (13) "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (14) "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free..." (15) "...there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved." (16)
I know that Jesus Christ lives and loves us. Through his infinite atoning sacrifice we will be resurrected after this life and through him we may gain eternal life. "...til I die I will not remove mine integrity from me." (17)
1. Psalm 27:1
2. Isaiah 2:5
3. Isaiah 60:19
4. Ephesians 5:14
5. Doctrine and Covenants 84:45
6. Doctrine and Covenants 123:12
7. 2 Timothy 3:7
8. Doctrine and Covenants 128:10
9. Doctrine and Covenants 93:24-26
10. John 1:9
11. John 1:29
12. John 3:16-17
13. John 8:12
14. John 8:32
15. Galatians 5:1
16. 2 Nephi 25:20
17. Job 27:5
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
A Source of Strength
What makes you weak? You may think that is a very strange question, but contemplating the answer can open doors of understanding and progress. Ether 12:27 says:
"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."
The most important word in that verse is "grace". Elder Richard G. Scott taught in April 2010 General Conference "our understanding of and faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ will provide strength and capacity needed for a successful life". Perhaps the saving grace of Jesus Christ is far more powerful that we realize. He suffered and died for us that we may not have to suffer according to the demands of justice. God the Father presented a plan in our premortal existence and we shouted for joy. It was expedient for our eternal progress to come to earth in a fallen existence, to walk by faith and to prove ourselves faithful. We are privileged here on earth to enter into covenants with God so that we may promise to keep His commandments and love Him with all our hearts. He in return promises blessings that will help us return to His presence with honor, glory and exaltation.
And how does grace help us? We in our imperfection do our best humbly before God, and His perfection makes up for that which we lack. It is a partnership where we are endowed by His power, perfection and glory to the enhancement of our earthly abilities. That was part of the plan. It is such a blessing to turn to the Lord knowing that He loves me, that He desires to bless me with all that I will receive, and that He wants me to be happy and prosperous. He truly can turn our weaknesses into strengths and exalt us far above this fallen existence. He literally suffered and died that He could bear the brunt of our hurts, our sorrows, our sins, our physical illnesses, our heartaches, our mistakes and our failures. He knows us. He loves us. He is helping us continually. Listen to the voice of the Spirit. You will hear your Heavenly Father whispering to you of love and joy, of happiness and success, of peace and prosperity.
"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."
The most important word in that verse is "grace". Elder Richard G. Scott taught in April 2010 General Conference "our understanding of and faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ will provide strength and capacity needed for a successful life". Perhaps the saving grace of Jesus Christ is far more powerful that we realize. He suffered and died for us that we may not have to suffer according to the demands of justice. God the Father presented a plan in our premortal existence and we shouted for joy. It was expedient for our eternal progress to come to earth in a fallen existence, to walk by faith and to prove ourselves faithful. We are privileged here on earth to enter into covenants with God so that we may promise to keep His commandments and love Him with all our hearts. He in return promises blessings that will help us return to His presence with honor, glory and exaltation.
And how does grace help us? We in our imperfection do our best humbly before God, and His perfection makes up for that which we lack. It is a partnership where we are endowed by His power, perfection and glory to the enhancement of our earthly abilities. That was part of the plan. It is such a blessing to turn to the Lord knowing that He loves me, that He desires to bless me with all that I will receive, and that He wants me to be happy and prosperous. He truly can turn our weaknesses into strengths and exalt us far above this fallen existence. He literally suffered and died that He could bear the brunt of our hurts, our sorrows, our sins, our physical illnesses, our heartaches, our mistakes and our failures. He knows us. He loves us. He is helping us continually. Listen to the voice of the Spirit. You will hear your Heavenly Father whispering to you of love and joy, of happiness and success, of peace and prosperity.
Monday, September 13, 2010
What is Truth?
What is truth? How can I find it? "Truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come." (Doctrine and Covenants 93:24) "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)
This beautiful world is full of the knowledge of God. I love truth, and I know that that there are an infinite number of truths to be found in the secular and spiritual realms. They are found in the quiet voice of the spirit which promotes peace, love, joy, happiness and hope. Our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ are ever faithful to us with open arms inviting us to come and partake of their love. As we turn our hearts to the Lord we are more able to hear the voice of the Spirit who is ever ready to teach and reveal to us things that are true.
The voices of the world are loud and persistent in trying to smother us so we can not hear that still quiet voice. They murmur, whine, seduce, profess superiority, are prideful, flatter, destroy hope, lust and tempt us to crave the things of the world. Satan blinds and deceives. His whole purpose is to keep us from truth.
Truth is abundant if you have eyes to see and ears to hear. Search for it.
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5)
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." (Matthew 7:7)
The things of God are known by the Spirit of God. Look to Him, desire to know truth and humbly ask Him to reveal it to you. I Corinthians 3:19 tells us "For the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God" and I Corinthians 2:14 tells us "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." Search with all your heart and when you find truth you will be full of peace and hope. You will feel genuine happiness. Happy hunting!
This beautiful world is full of the knowledge of God. I love truth, and I know that that there are an infinite number of truths to be found in the secular and spiritual realms. They are found in the quiet voice of the spirit which promotes peace, love, joy, happiness and hope. Our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ are ever faithful to us with open arms inviting us to come and partake of their love. As we turn our hearts to the Lord we are more able to hear the voice of the Spirit who is ever ready to teach and reveal to us things that are true.
The voices of the world are loud and persistent in trying to smother us so we can not hear that still quiet voice. They murmur, whine, seduce, profess superiority, are prideful, flatter, destroy hope, lust and tempt us to crave the things of the world. Satan blinds and deceives. His whole purpose is to keep us from truth.
Truth is abundant if you have eyes to see and ears to hear. Search for it.
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5)
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." (Matthew 7:7)
The things of God are known by the Spirit of God. Look to Him, desire to know truth and humbly ask Him to reveal it to you. I Corinthians 3:19 tells us "For the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God" and I Corinthians 2:14 tells us "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." Search with all your heart and when you find truth you will be full of peace and hope. You will feel genuine happiness. Happy hunting!
Monday, September 6, 2010
The Blessings of Heaven
There is so much confusion in the world! There are many, many problems that cannot be solved by the wisdom of man. No wonder George Washington and Abraham Lincoln spent much time on their knees. Both of these great men lived during a time of uncertainty where the destiny of our beloved country hung in the balance. George Washington was endowed and guided by our Creator to help establish this great nation that it might be free and independent above all other nations on earth. Abraham Lincoln was endowed and guided by our Creator to keep this nation together and to set a standard of love, kindness and mercy. America is hanging in the balance again. God has said, "Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of this land, who is Jesus Christ." (Ether 2:12) He also said "And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper...". (1 Nephi 2:20)
Some may believe that the answer to our problems as a nation is found in one political party or another. But that isn't true. A battle rages throughout all the earth and it is a battle between good and evil. No amount of political correctness can stem the tide of evil that is washing over us like a gigantic tsunami. God can not lie! Embracing true principles of righteousness and humbly turning to the Lord will work miracles as great as the parting of the Red Sea. The blessings of Heaven would flow down upon us.
Isaiah, a great prophet of the Old Testament, said:
"Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward."
"Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am."
"And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not."
Isaiah 58: 8, 9, 11
"And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children. "
Isaiah 54:13
I treasure the daily miracles in my life. I am eternally grateful for peace and happiness in my heart. I know that God lives and that He is a wise and loving Father who cares for all His children. May we look to Him as the source of all our blessings.
Some may believe that the answer to our problems as a nation is found in one political party or another. But that isn't true. A battle rages throughout all the earth and it is a battle between good and evil. No amount of political correctness can stem the tide of evil that is washing over us like a gigantic tsunami. God can not lie! Embracing true principles of righteousness and humbly turning to the Lord will work miracles as great as the parting of the Red Sea. The blessings of Heaven would flow down upon us.
Isaiah, a great prophet of the Old Testament, said:
"Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward."
"Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am."
"And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not."
Isaiah 58: 8, 9, 11
"And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children. "
Isaiah 54:13
I treasure the daily miracles in my life. I am eternally grateful for peace and happiness in my heart. I know that God lives and that He is a wise and loving Father who cares for all His children. May we look to Him as the source of all our blessings.
Monday, August 30, 2010
A Source of Peace and Happiness
Children are pure and innocent. Until the age of eight years they are not accountable for sin, for eight is the age of accountability. By the time I was that age, or shortly thereafter, I had memorized the 23rd Psalm from the Old Testament.
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for
thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."
I used to repeat it over and over in my mind especially at night. God was speaking to me through the holy scriptures. I believed the things He was saying to me. I still believe them, but more than that I know that he was speaking to me and still is. After all, the fruits of the Spirit are peace, joy, hope, happiness, and that is what I feel. Throughout many years since I learned the 23rd Psalm I have had times of turmoil and struggle, but a testimony of the knowledge that God spoke to me through that scripture never has left me. I also have a testimony that God knows and loves me. He knows and loves all of his children. He created us all. How could a loving parent forget his child? He can't. He doesn't, at least not one glorified and perfected as He is. Read Deuteronomy 14:1 and Job 32:8. "Ye are the children of the Lord your God..." "...there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding." In the quietness of prayer and meditation one can hear the whisperings of a loving Heavenly Father which speak peace, joy and truth to his soul. I love to hear that voice. Sometimes I can't hear it very well, and I realize that I need to become more quiet, more reverent, more earnest in drawing near to Him. Then the static begins to clear and my heart fills with peace.
An Answer
The turmoil inside me rises like a black cloud engulfing my heart and head and hiding those things that are most precious to me- tender feelings and peace of mind.
As I pray I see a light shining dimly through that vapor of darkness and then it grows brighter and brighter until it sheds light into every hidden corner of my being. I ask and it is given. I seek and I find. I knock and the door is opened.
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for
thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."
I used to repeat it over and over in my mind especially at night. God was speaking to me through the holy scriptures. I believed the things He was saying to me. I still believe them, but more than that I know that he was speaking to me and still is. After all, the fruits of the Spirit are peace, joy, hope, happiness, and that is what I feel. Throughout many years since I learned the 23rd Psalm I have had times of turmoil and struggle, but a testimony of the knowledge that God spoke to me through that scripture never has left me. I also have a testimony that God knows and loves me. He knows and loves all of his children. He created us all. How could a loving parent forget his child? He can't. He doesn't, at least not one glorified and perfected as He is. Read Deuteronomy 14:1 and Job 32:8. "Ye are the children of the Lord your God..." "...there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding." In the quietness of prayer and meditation one can hear the whisperings of a loving Heavenly Father which speak peace, joy and truth to his soul. I love to hear that voice. Sometimes I can't hear it very well, and I realize that I need to become more quiet, more reverent, more earnest in drawing near to Him. Then the static begins to clear and my heart fills with peace.
An Answer
The turmoil inside me rises like a black cloud engulfing my heart and head and hiding those things that are most precious to me- tender feelings and peace of mind.
As I pray I see a light shining dimly through that vapor of darkness and then it grows brighter and brighter until it sheds light into every hidden corner of my being. I ask and it is given. I seek and I find. I knock and the door is opened.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
The Light and Life of My Soul
Today is the first day of the rest of my life. My heart is full of quiet hope, peace, and contentment in spite of the most difficult summer I have ever experienced. My husband's poor health, our lack of medical insurance, our struggling business, my auto-immune problems, my failure to find a job, and the growing weeds in our yard were enough to drive me to tears many times. My refuge has been a room upstairs where I go to pour out my heart to God in prayer, read and ponder the holy scriptures, search my soul, and listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking to me quietly. My heart fills with peace and hope. Then I hear my daughter begin to play Chopin downstairs on the piano and I begin to weep silently. There is so much beauty and happiness in this life because "all things which are good cometh of God". And the earth is full of His goodness. He is my strength and my salvation.
Guess where all the evil comes from! I can bear witness with all my soul that God lives and loves us. We are His children. On the other hand I also know that the adversary, the devil, also lives and is very busy in this mortal existence working to ensnare the souls of God's children so that he might drag them down and make them miserable like he is. He deceives and promotes fear, unhappiness, and even soul destroying sin in those who listen to him.
I'm so glad I know God. He makes me happy and gives me peace. His infinite grace and love are always with me even in the midst of turmoil. How can that be? Does God really know who I am? That is a question for another day. I dedicate this blog to bearing witness of God, my Heavenly Father and of Jesus Christ, my Savior. They are the light and life of my soul.
Guess where all the evil comes from! I can bear witness with all my soul that God lives and loves us. We are His children. On the other hand I also know that the adversary, the devil, also lives and is very busy in this mortal existence working to ensnare the souls of God's children so that he might drag them down and make them miserable like he is. He deceives and promotes fear, unhappiness, and even soul destroying sin in those who listen to him.
I'm so glad I know God. He makes me happy and gives me peace. His infinite grace and love are always with me even in the midst of turmoil. How can that be? Does God really know who I am? That is a question for another day. I dedicate this blog to bearing witness of God, my Heavenly Father and of Jesus Christ, my Savior. They are the light and life of my soul.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)