In the past, I've kept a scripture journal. Lately, I've started writing in it again, because I've realized that there's some really useful stuff in there already, and I really ought to add to that. And then, I got this idea that I should retype what I write in there, so that it might be of some use to someone other than myself. So these are the entries from recently:
11/25/13
"And for a testimony that the things that they had said are true they have brought twenty-four plates which are filled with engravings, and they are of pure gold." ~ Mosiah 8:9
They believed in what was written on the plates, that they carried 24 heavy plates filled with writing when they were traveling. If they didn't have such a strong testimony, it would have been really easy to just leave all the plates behind. Having a testimony is harder than not having one. Having a testimony leads us to do hard things, and those that don't feed and grow their testimonies in the ways we've been counseled, may not stand on the Lord's side when tested. I know what I need to do to fuel my testimony, but many times, I find myself procrastinating. But I have the one and true gospel on this earth, the key to my happiness, and the answers to everything. So, why do I not devote myself to it? I need to do better. I need to be willing to lug a truckload of scriptures across the Sahara Desert, if that's what the Lord needs. I need to feed my testimony.
11/26/13
"For none can have the power to bring it to light save it be given him of God; for God wills that it shall be done with an eye single to his glory, or the welfare of the ancient and long dispersed covenant people of the Lord." ~ Mormon 8:15
I can't feel the light and happiness I feel now without God. God can shed light and understanding upon things I never would have noticed, if only I come and ask. When I study the scriptures, I feel like I am asking God to shed light on new ideas and concepts I never would have realized before. God also keeps His eyes upon our eternal glory at all times, even when we don't give it a single thought. He feels some responsibility for the welfare of our souls, because He is our Father. I need to think more about the welfare of my soul, and find ways for God to be able to shed His light on my life.
"And Corihor repented of the many evils which he had done; wherefore Shule gave him power in his kingdom." ~ Ether 7:13
Because Corihor repented of his sins, he was given power. Repentance gives us power. Satan likes to try to make us think otherwise. Satan tries to get us to believe that repentance will give us shame and weakness. This scripture tells me the opposite. God loves us, and He knows we make mistakes. If we are responsible enough to go to Him when we mess up, He will reward us with blessings and power to overcome Satan. It's like, if you make a mistake at work, it's really hard to tell your boss that you messed up, but the sooner you tell them, the sooner the problem can be fixed. Sometimes, we are afraid of being fired or castigated for our error, but usually our mistake is greeted with answers to fix it. As long as we are willing to work towards fixing the mistake, we are thought of as more responsible in our boss' eyes. I know that this can be the same with God.
11/27/13
"The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones; the sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars." ~ 2nd Nephi 18:10
Even when we are fallen, we can still build ourselves up into something even better than we were before. Satan and other people will beat us down, but we always have to remember to keep building. If we stop and let the bad thoughts tear us down more, it will take so much longer to heal them. It's better if we just don't let the bad feelings consume us in the first place. We need to turn to God. It's okay to ask for help. He's just waiting for us to turn to Him with a willing heart. Then, He can build us up into something better. If I let Him into my life when I'm feeling down, rather than Satan, I know that He can guide me to what will help me most. Then, whatever is helping me, with His influence, can build me up to be something better.
11/28/13
"O Lord, wilt thou comfort my soul, and give unto me success, and also my fellow laborers with me...(right here I got lazy and didn't want to write out a bunch of different names) yea, even all these wilt thou comfort, O Lord. Yea wilt thou comfort their souls in Christ." ~ Alma 31:32
It is very important to pray that others will fell comfort. Even if they aren't of our religion. We can't always pray for people to find exactly what they're looking for, but we can pray that they will find some measure of success, as well as comfort. I think that comfort in Christ is saying that we can find comfort knowing that Christ has felt every trial, fear, failure, etc. that we have, and will yet have. He completely and fully understands what we are going through, so He can comfort us, even when no one else is there for us. I know it's hard to trust myself in someone that can't physically be there for me, but I need to. I know that whenever I ask for comfort, He will always be there.
11/29/13
"And this Zeezrom began to question Amulek, saying: Will ye answer me a few questions which I shall ask you? Now Zeezrom was a man who was expert in the devices of the devil, that he might destroy that which was good..." ~Alma 11:21
I hope that someday I can be an 'expert in the devices of the devil', not so that I can deceive people, but rather to be able to better recognize temptations in my life. Satan is tricky, and it takes a while sometimes to realize that it's him, rather than our own thoughts. I know that if I study people's experiences in the scriptures, and in my life, I will be able to recognize Satan better and quicker.
You may think that some of my choices in scripture verses are a bit odd. Well, my rule is that I close my eyes, open my scriptures, and put my finger in a random place on the page, and whatever verse it's on is the one I write about.
~M.B.~
No comments:
Post a Comment