Matthew 8 - Faith and Knowing Jesus Christ

I wrote a little bit about what I learned in Matthew chapter 8 HERE.

v. 26 - I think that of course the apostles had some sort of faith.  They were following the Savior, learning from Him.  They believed Him, were ministering with Him.
I don't know that they were doubting per say, but just didn't have knowledge of just how much power the Savior has.

Often it is the same for us.  It may not be that our faith is doubting, but that we don't have a full knowledge of just what the Savior can and will do for us.

How do we find out?  Ask him.  Go to Him.

v. 29 - Even the evil spirits know who Christ is.  They recognize him... as the Son of God... in this verse. 
- I think this speaks to a pre-existence, where we all knew our Savior.  These spirits don't have bodies, they are possessing other bodies, still they know Him, more so than anyone does at this time... they are still learning and gaining faith that He actually is the Savior.
- This speaks to agency for me.  Although all may at some point come to a knowledge of the Savior, they may never choose to follow Him.  Knowing who He is, doesn't magically make us have faith.
- Although we are all subject to the presence of Satan and his followers in this life... the Savior has power over all... Be Not Afraid!!!

Day 343- The Good Word

Well, I have a bunch of new followers via Bloglovin'!  I have reached 100!  I have no idea how, but welcome to any of you that are new! 

I hope this is a place your heart, soul and spirit can be nourished, fed and enriched.

 

This is my place to record things that I'm learning as I study the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Can you believe this year is almost over?  We are at day 343!  Crazy!

I have been thirsting as of late... I'm not in my scriptures near enough for me.  I've become distracted with other things.  I can feel the shift in my life when I lose my perspective, when I misplace my priorities.

 

All we can do is repent, ask forgiveness and change, even if it's over and over again!

 

Moroni 6:4 - Nourished By the Good Word of God

4 And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.

 

First, to be 'wrought upon' is to be impacted or influenced. 

In our faith baptism is not complete without the following step of confirmation of the Holy Ghost. 

 

The new members of the church, who enter the waters of baptism are then impacted or influenced... and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost.

 

I like that this scripture uses the word power of the Holy Ghost.  To be able to tap into that power, the authority of the Priesthood needs to be present with the baptism and confirmation.

 

...that they might be remembered and nourished... why?  To keep them in the right way.

 

If you have been baptized into the LDS church your name goes on record.  When you move to a new location, your records go to your new ward or congregation.  The church keeps records of important dates like baptism, blessing of children, marriage, etc. 

 

Even if you no longer are active in the faith, unless you officially have your name removed from the records of the church we reach to you.

 

 

I thought about this just yesterday.  There is a new sister in our ward... I only know that because we have her records.  They've not been to church.  I haven't met her, but she is now a sister I visit teach.  I have called her a couple of times, with no reply!

 

I will reach to her, unless she tells me to get lost!!!

 

Why?  Because, at some point she made a commitment, entered the waters of baptism, was confirmed a member of our church, received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 

We forget, we make choices that lead us away, we feel guilty, we feel we don't fit in, we question, we hurt... and sometimes that keep us from feeling the love of our Savior. 

 

I believe members of this faith, all across the world, have sincere desires to reach to those who feel lost, or sad, or need help... We genuinely care!  I know it doesn't always feel that way to someone who leaves the church.  I stepped away for a time, my husband has left completely.  I can say from all sides, people reaching to /us, has nothing to do with anything other than genuine love!  What do they benefit from reaching to you?  Nothing... and at times they are slapped in the face, treated poorly for reaching, for caring, for loving.

 

I care for this woman I've not met.  I will reach to her.  I have no idea why she has chosen to not come to church, but I don't really care about that at this point.  At some point she made a choice to become a member of this church and I hope to help strengthen her with the good word of God... to help keep her on that path, to help her feel the love of her Savior, to help her on her journey back to Him. 

 

This is what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ right?  This is what it means to become like Him... to love as He does, to care as He does, to lift and light as He does.

 

 

Day 274 Behold Your Little Ones...

I will get myself organized with all of the writing I insist on doing!  It takes organization!

3 N 17: 11-24 Behold Little Ones

As I was reading through this section this time I thought about a recent quote I've read... can't remember where I read it, but it essentially says that it's not enough to just live a good life, assuming your children will see that and choose that path also. 

We have to teach them, they don't just grow up to be good people without learning how.  What makes you good?  Why do you make the choices you do?  What are the results of that?  We need to teach them! 

Sister Grassli (former general primary president) 'Let us not underestimate the capacity and potential power for today's children to perpetuate righteousness. No group of people in the church is as receptive to the truth.

We see the result of the Savior loving and teaching these children.  For two hundred years there is righteousness with the Nephites.  These children held on to their experience, knowledge and testimony.  They grew and taught their children, who taught their children.  We see that as more time passes and more generations follow posterity starts to forget, maybe lag a little.  The intensity and reality of the experience becomes a story some may tell and some may not. 

We had our primary program on Sunday and I thought about my cute kids as I saw them up there on the stand, bearing testimony in the simplest of form.  I thought about teaching them... I need to do so much better.

They sang 'A Child's Prayer' and I cried... I always cry.  I love that song...

Lyrics

1. 1. Heavenly Father, are you really there?
   And do you hear and answer ev'ry child's prayer?
   Some say that heaven is far away,
   But I feel it close around me as I pray.
   

   Heavenly Father, I remember now

   Something that Jesus told disciples long ago:

   "Suffer the children to come to me."

   Father, in prayer I'm coming now to thee.

This is the section where Christ blesses these children.  Not only does He himself take them, and love and care for them.  He prays to our Father in Heaven for them.

 

There is so much that is nasty and ugly in the world, so much I want to protect my children from.  I want to teach them, not only so they can grow to be good people, but so they can be happy, find peace, strength and consistency. 

 

 

 

I can teach, I can only do my best... and when it isn't enough I need to follow the example of my Savior and pray unto the Father to bless my little one's.  To give them strength and peace that I can't give them, that they don't know how to ask for yet.  Am I using the power of faith through prayer?

 

I felt the call again, reading this, that it is my job to teach.  Not just to live a good life, but to teach my children, so they know.  They have capacity to bring much goodness and righteousness into the world.

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