Matthew 7 - Do

This chapter talks about knowing them by their fruits.  I think the fruits or actions that come out of us are a reflection of what we are rooted in.

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I believe the deeper we are rooted in the things of Christ, the more natural the goodness falls from us (our fruits if you will).

I believe the things we do are a reflection of what we believe.  I believe faith is an action as well as a reflection.

I don't think it will be enough to just say we believe in Jesus Christ, to spend eternity in His presence.  The action of that belief is what will change us, making us worthy to be with Him.

 21 Not every one that ^asaith unto me, ^bLord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that ^cdoeth the ^dwill of my Father which is in ^eheaven.

Our behavior is a manifestation of our faith.  As we do as Christ does... as we serve, as we respond in humility, as we love, as we repent, as we go to church, make covenants, as we do... we manifest faith.  The result of that doing is a refining within us, a growth of character, a cleansing of spirit a training in Godhood.

Day 280 & 281

280 - 3 Nephi 19:20- 23
Prayer for Unity

These were my impressions as I was studying these scriptures... as well as John 17:11, 20-23

Both are accounts of the Savior praying with his apostles after he's been resurrected.

- I see such wisdom in telling the Prophet Lehi (a contemporary of Jeremiah and Habakkuk) to cross to a different land, grow his posterity and keep a record.  There are two lands now that keep a record.  We have almost nothing after the New Testament.  But, there is another people keeping a record, that also eventually fall into complete wickedness... and the record stops... but the record has been kept and we have it today... two, in two lands, both to testify of Christ, that He indeed was there, that he was resurrected, that He established His church, prayed with His people... He lives!

- He wants His people to be unified, even as He is with the Father, in both records.  I see the need for that today, through all Christian faiths, to be unified, in a world that is trying to neutralize everything, make everything politically correct so we don't offend... what is so offensive saying you believe in God?  I don't get it... it's not offensive to say you don't... we believe differently, let the differences just BE, don't try to eliminate them!  In the elimination you create a greater chasm between people, no one feels free to express their beliefs!

- From John v. 17 ^aSanctify them through thy ^btruth: thy word is ^ctruth.
Truth is eternal, unchanging... the principles of the doctrine of Christ are unchanging.

- From 3 N v. 21 Father, I pray thee that thou wilt give the Holy Ghost unto all them that shall believe in their words. 
Why?  Because that is how He communicates with us.  We feel Him through the Holy Ghost.

- There is a lot of praying going on in this section.  Christ prays with them, leaves them, prays by himself, prays again with them... an obvious reasoning that prayer is important.  But in 22 it says thou seest that they believe in me because thou hearest them, and they pray unto me;  He sees that we believe through our praying.  Prayer is a manifestation of our faith.  It is good practice for us to call on Him to go to Him, and even when we doubt, prayer shows that we are reaching and trying.

- v. 29 Father, I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me ^aout of the world, because of their faith, that they may be purified in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one, that I may be glorified in them.

I love this thought from D. Todd Christofferson

Jesus achieved perfect unity with the Father by submitting Himself, both flesh and spirit, to the will of the Father. His ministry was always clearly focused because there was no debilitating or distracting double-mindedness in Him. Referring to His Father, Jesus said, “I do always those things that please him” (John 8:29).
Surely we will not be one with God and Christ until we make Their will and interest our greatest desire. Such submissiveness is not reached in a day, but through the Holy Spirit, the Lord will tutor us if we are willing until, in process of time, it may accurately be said that He is in us as the Father is in Him. At times I tremble to consider what may be required, but I know that it is only in this perfect union that a fullness of joy can be found.


281 - 3 Nephi19:35
Miracles to Those Who Have Faith

There were miracles during this time period for the Nephites.  Christ healed many, angels were seen etc.  Miracles have not ceased today... they go on.  Those who have faith can both be a recipient of them and a witness for them. 

Watching my niece heal almost overnight when she was [thisclose] to death is a recent miracle that I witnessed.  I know that it was God's power that healed her.  I have faith that He can do that.  Miracles have not ceased.