Apostasy is when the people turn away from God. No communication from God, leads people into strange paths marked with tradition and false doctrines. The only thing that keeps people from apostasy is following the revelations of God given to His prophets. A testimony of God's truth is the way to salvation. When tradition overtakes testimony then it is an apostasy. Its as if the telephone line gets cut, and the clarity of the message and will of God gets reduced, distorted and lost in a game of telephone.
The Pharisees and Sadducees who crucified the Savior, were huge fans of tradition, because it meant that they didn't have to be righteous on the inside. With the Lord's demonstration of the cursing of the fig tree for not having fruit, it was an object lesson to those that have the outward appearance of righteousness but show no fruit (Matthew 21). We must offer ourselves to the Lord and He will bless us with fruits of righteousness.
Cain offered fruit to the Lord instead of an animal sacrifice and it was rejected. We have to offer the kind of sacrifice the Lord demands in order to be blessed for it. The Lord demands we offer our whole selves and not just the outward appearance, or it will be rejected and we'll be cursed for mocking the Lord.
27.3.11
26.3.11
How to Progress Spiritually
Blessings are interesting things. The scriptures say as we are obedient to the commandments of God, we are "instantly" blessed. Perhaps the instant blessing is the spirit's liberation of the sin. Just as all things were spiritual before physical, I believe our spiritual blessings come first or at least each blessing we get is spiritually based. Physical blessings such as being healed, or food, or blessings of safety are easier detected but still have spiritual blessings to them.
The scriptures, (I say that so vaguely, you know those scriptures say a lot of things) talk about when we have any blessing, responsibilities are given to use properly. The lesson being- if we misuse our blessings they are turned into curses.
An example is the use of our physical bodies. We have these physical things that are given for spiritual progress. Misusing our bodies by using drugs, being sexually promiscuous, unhealthy eating habits, tattoos, piercings, etc. constitutes a misuse of given blessing and therefore a sin, which is then something that becomes an obstacle to spiritual progress.
Nobody has been a perfect steward over all that has been given, except the Son of God. Each blessing we have is a representation of God's trust. He loves us without condition but does not trust us unconditionally. We have to earn God's trust- "His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant, thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things." (Matthew 25).
Everything we're given is on loan from God as it is He that gave it to us. We show that we love Him by being responsible over our gifts through keeping His commandments. When we take good care of what He's given, then we are blessed with more and trusted with greater things.
The scriptures, (I say that so vaguely, you know those scriptures say a lot of things) talk about when we have any blessing, responsibilities are given to use properly. The lesson being- if we misuse our blessings they are turned into curses.
An example is the use of our physical bodies. We have these physical things that are given for spiritual progress. Misusing our bodies by using drugs, being sexually promiscuous, unhealthy eating habits, tattoos, piercings, etc. constitutes a misuse of given blessing and therefore a sin, which is then something that becomes an obstacle to spiritual progress.
Nobody has been a perfect steward over all that has been given, except the Son of God. Each blessing we have is a representation of God's trust. He loves us without condition but does not trust us unconditionally. We have to earn God's trust- "His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant, thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things." (Matthew 25).
Everything we're given is on loan from God as it is He that gave it to us. We show that we love Him by being responsible over our gifts through keeping His commandments. When we take good care of what He's given, then we are blessed with more and trusted with greater things.
17.3.11
Things We'll Always Need
"People spend because they want to capture the excitement shown in advertisements. When you are satisfied with what you have and your life (not trying to live like those on TV), your finances will be in a lot better shape."
Just read a great article on being more fiscal with money. As you may remember from my earlier post, I indeed need to capture a few lessons from monetary dealings. The article was a top ten list of characteristics that make you money richer. Sounds cheesy but cheese is a slang word for money in some circles. I did like the list as it was praiseworthy and true. See 13th Article of Faith. Theres plenty of gems out there, we just need to savour them up.
"The true path to financial freedom, however, is to work hard to earn money while educating yourself to continue to have more value and increase your salary."
The path to prosperity is that very thing. Hard work, diligence, education and hope. Thats what the righteous in the Book of Mormon were always doing, when they weren't righteous they turned into classes and contentious and proud which lead to mafiaosos known as the Gadiaton Robbers.
We need to be responsible and discern what is of value and what isn't. The scriptures constantly evoke imagery or lessons from money. How hard is it for a rich man to get into heaven? Pretty much impossible. But, not because he's rich but because he loves money more than God. Anybody who doesn't love God will have a hard time returning to God for eternity. God simply complies with our desires.
One thing I've learned on this journey out of debt, is that I'll always need money down the road. Let me make this clear, money isn't evil, the love of money is evil. But, just as I know I'll need food and shelter and clothes the rest of my life, I'll need money. If not money than some way of acquiring food, shelter, safety, etc. Since I know that money is always going to be a good resource, I must not waste it foolishly. One thing the Lord doesn't respect is our lack of responsibility and recklessness with opportunity.
Christ told the parable of the servants who were given some form of money and told to use it. When the master returned for an accounting of the servants use of it, the trouble came from those that didn't have faith to use it. We too can see parallels here between money, gifts, or any sort of power that is allotted us by God. Those that were scared to use it, were chastised and lost their gifts. Those that used their time wisely, received a reward for their trust in God.
Jacob in chapter 2 of self titled book, goes on about how we shouldn't pray for riches unless we are praying with a responsible/righteous cause- to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and help the less fortunate.
Isn't responsibility so Christ like? He took responsibility for all of our sins and why? Out of love. How do you we show love? Taking responsibility for what we're given. Christ took responsibility and was given all that the Father has. We too have that opportunity. When we seek it upon ourselves to help build up others, we are essentially taking responsibility for their well being and being a savior. Definition of a Savior is anyone who does for someone else what they can't do for themselves. The Lord is offended when we ask Him to do what we can do for ourselves. He doesn't help us in our sins but from our sins.
We'll always need His help but fortunately He knows the line between what we can and can't do and acts accordingly with our faith. He can have us move boulders or build mansions but he won't do anything without our faith to take a step toward and as we go, we find the Lord continually ahead of us and leading us. We won't stop on this path till He welcomes us into His arms of mercy and we are in heaven.
Just read a great article on being more fiscal with money. As you may remember from my earlier post, I indeed need to capture a few lessons from monetary dealings. The article was a top ten list of characteristics that make you money richer. Sounds cheesy but cheese is a slang word for money in some circles. I did like the list as it was praiseworthy and true. See 13th Article of Faith. Theres plenty of gems out there, we just need to savour them up.
"The true path to financial freedom, however, is to work hard to earn money while educating yourself to continue to have more value and increase your salary."
The path to prosperity is that very thing. Hard work, diligence, education and hope. Thats what the righteous in the Book of Mormon were always doing, when they weren't righteous they turned into classes and contentious and proud which lead to mafiaosos known as the Gadiaton Robbers.
We need to be responsible and discern what is of value and what isn't. The scriptures constantly evoke imagery or lessons from money. How hard is it for a rich man to get into heaven? Pretty much impossible. But, not because he's rich but because he loves money more than God. Anybody who doesn't love God will have a hard time returning to God for eternity. God simply complies with our desires.
One thing I've learned on this journey out of debt, is that I'll always need money down the road. Let me make this clear, money isn't evil, the love of money is evil. But, just as I know I'll need food and shelter and clothes the rest of my life, I'll need money. If not money than some way of acquiring food, shelter, safety, etc. Since I know that money is always going to be a good resource, I must not waste it foolishly. One thing the Lord doesn't respect is our lack of responsibility and recklessness with opportunity.
Christ told the parable of the servants who were given some form of money and told to use it. When the master returned for an accounting of the servants use of it, the trouble came from those that didn't have faith to use it. We too can see parallels here between money, gifts, or any sort of power that is allotted us by God. Those that were scared to use it, were chastised and lost their gifts. Those that used their time wisely, received a reward for their trust in God.
Jacob in chapter 2 of self titled book, goes on about how we shouldn't pray for riches unless we are praying with a responsible/righteous cause- to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and help the less fortunate.
Isn't responsibility so Christ like? He took responsibility for all of our sins and why? Out of love. How do you we show love? Taking responsibility for what we're given. Christ took responsibility and was given all that the Father has. We too have that opportunity. When we seek it upon ourselves to help build up others, we are essentially taking responsibility for their well being and being a savior. Definition of a Savior is anyone who does for someone else what they can't do for themselves. The Lord is offended when we ask Him to do what we can do for ourselves. He doesn't help us in our sins but from our sins.
We'll always need His help but fortunately He knows the line between what we can and can't do and acts accordingly with our faith. He can have us move boulders or build mansions but he won't do anything without our faith to take a step toward and as we go, we find the Lord continually ahead of us and leading us. We won't stop on this path till He welcomes us into His arms of mercy and we are in heaven.
14.3.11
True Individuality is through Obedience to God
"When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, then God will endow us with power from on high."
-Ezra Taft Benson
So, I have this new job where I have free flights. I won't say which airline. Anyway, I finally was able to get a time and day where I could use these seemingly simple benefits. Lack of planning ensued and we were off to our grand adventure. To make a short story even shorter, we ended up having to spend a lot of money we didn't have due to poor oversight.
What seemed so simple became so much of a debacle. Ended up in debt and had to keep paying overdraft fees to the bank. Our simple decision became a seemingly never ending hole of despair.
This ties to obedience because it seems to me that every time I try to "get away" with something, I end up getting in this long caught up web of consequence. When we try to do the least possible just to satisfy the letter of the law, we end up like the wealthy who threw in of their abundance and missed the better part. When we try to keep our lives from the Lord, He is unable to make that part of us better. When we withhold or try to serve and keep ourselves from the Lord, we are doing ourselves the biggest disservice imaginable.
Only when we take on our lots and tasks with full willingness is when we are blessed with added strength from the Lord. When we try to shy or shirk our obedience, we find ourselves in an ongoing stressful situation that we will eventually have to repent of and slowly get out of the debt we accumulated.
Of course, there is no time when we aren't subject or deserving of the consequences of our choices. We are helpless creatures that the Lord in perfect mercy sustains us from day to day.
-Ezra Taft Benson
So, I have this new job where I have free flights. I won't say which airline. Anyway, I finally was able to get a time and day where I could use these seemingly simple benefits. Lack of planning ensued and we were off to our grand adventure. To make a short story even shorter, we ended up having to spend a lot of money we didn't have due to poor oversight.
What seemed so simple became so much of a debacle. Ended up in debt and had to keep paying overdraft fees to the bank. Our simple decision became a seemingly never ending hole of despair.
This ties to obedience because it seems to me that every time I try to "get away" with something, I end up getting in this long caught up web of consequence. When we try to do the least possible just to satisfy the letter of the law, we end up like the wealthy who threw in of their abundance and missed the better part. When we try to keep our lives from the Lord, He is unable to make that part of us better. When we withhold or try to serve and keep ourselves from the Lord, we are doing ourselves the biggest disservice imaginable.
Only when we take on our lots and tasks with full willingness is when we are blessed with added strength from the Lord. When we try to shy or shirk our obedience, we find ourselves in an ongoing stressful situation that we will eventually have to repent of and slowly get out of the debt we accumulated.
Of course, there is no time when we aren't subject or deserving of the consequences of our choices. We are helpless creatures that the Lord in perfect mercy sustains us from day to day.
King Benjamin said-
I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.
Any moment we reject Christ, we are subject to justice. Justice in this case is not on our side as we are without merit to reach godliness on our own. We only receive this grace "after all we can do" and even then its still mercy through the merits of Christ.
How unforgiving Satan is of our sins as he makes his case to God against us! He does not sustain those that choose him but rather lets them wreak the consequences of choosing selfishly. While the Lord is the only forgiving choice we have and fortunately He makes sure that we do not pay for our sins ourselves. He only asks us to "sin no more" and "rejoice" because of His great love. What an astounding difference it is to choose obedience to God over our own will.
Neal A. Maxwell said-
Besides, there is more individuality in those who are more holy. Sin, on the other hand, brings sameness; it shrinks us to addictive appetites and insubordinate impulses. For a brief surging, selfish moment, sin may create the illusion of individuality, but only as in the grunting, galloping Gadarene swine! (See Matt. 8:28–32.)
I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.
Any moment we reject Christ, we are subject to justice. Justice in this case is not on our side as we are without merit to reach godliness on our own. We only receive this grace "after all we can do" and even then its still mercy through the merits of Christ.
How unforgiving Satan is of our sins as he makes his case to God against us! He does not sustain those that choose him but rather lets them wreak the consequences of choosing selfishly. While the Lord is the only forgiving choice we have and fortunately He makes sure that we do not pay for our sins ourselves. He only asks us to "sin no more" and "rejoice" because of His great love. What an astounding difference it is to choose obedience to God over our own will.
Neal A. Maxwell said-
Besides, there is more individuality in those who are more holy. Sin, on the other hand, brings sameness; it shrinks us to addictive appetites and insubordinate impulses. For a brief surging, selfish moment, sin may create the illusion of individuality, but only as in the grunting, galloping Gadarene swine! (See Matt. 8:28–32.)
Sameness is the word he chose for those that reject God's will for their own. Like that quote "Unique, just like everybody else." The Lord always brings out in us things we didn't know we were capable of and this is why we're here. To live up to our potential of being like God. Being beings of immense greatness and love. Not bitter creatures that seek only their own well being to consume it upon their lusts.
A talk I saw on BYUTV once gave an interesting point on the dangers of pornography. The speaker said that those who engage in pornography have a much more closed and desensitized view of the world. Their eyes much like Gollum, seeking wholeness in something that continually takes rather than gives. This sort of outlook is reflected in all of sin. All appeasement of our natural man appetites over the will of God is sin and keeps us in the dark. Just as Gollom or any addict that wastes away all the beautiful things of their lives for one more fix that continually breaks them down, deeper and deeper.
A talk I saw on BYUTV once gave an interesting point on the dangers of pornography. The speaker said that those who engage in pornography have a much more closed and desensitized view of the world. Their eyes much like Gollum, seeking wholeness in something that continually takes rather than gives. This sort of outlook is reflected in all of sin. All appeasement of our natural man appetites over the will of God is sin and keeps us in the dark. Just as Gollom or any addict that wastes away all the beautiful things of their lives for one more fix that continually breaks them down, deeper and deeper.
The speaker went on to describe the opposite images that open up the soul and bring light into it. She said the natural world is beautiful and keeps us in touch with our true selves. We feel a love from the earth in nature and it is a striking view to see what the Lord has done on this planet. Our souls are opened up by the natural world, but closed down by the natural man.
We must live as Christ like as possible if we are to be our true, open, loving and lighted selves and stand as a "city upon a hill".
Interesting to note that individuality and identity is achieved by giving up ourselves to the Lord while the opposite leads to sameness and darkness. One step further on that note, the Lord always wills that we serve others as ourselves because when we do that we are serving the Lord. True individuality is through giving up ourselves for others. I doubt the collective world at large will ever grasp this idea.
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