I hate when people go inactive or leave the church. Even though I have done it myself. Perhaps its the whisperings that we hear when we put off going to the gym. A slow leaving of the church is more common than a quick dissent.
We are always growing and going in one direction or another.
Often in the Christian world you'll hear stories of salvation coming from a single prayer of devotion. Which is good but not entirely the recipe for salvation. So many times throughout the scriptures the Lord tells us to keep the commandments and repent of our sins. The Lord makes it clear that He wants all that we can give Him, not just a few breaths of prayer. But, even if a few sincere breaths of prayer is all you can give Him then He'll take it and redeem you.
To gain salvation we have to remember that we are on a downward escalator and must walk up it. If we stop then we slowly go down. If we just take a few steps here and there then we might remain stagnate but eventually will succumb to going down. If we are mindful of our position on the downward escalator then we should not hesitate to see what else we can do to walk up or in other words continually repenting and seeking ways to be more like Christ. Salvation is always 6 inches in front of your face and we have to keep striving to get it. We have to continually be willing to give up something as a sacrifice to the Lord as He may ask for it. For it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do (2 Nephi 25:23).
Showing posts with label sacrifice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sacrifice. Show all posts
27.12.09
Excuses
One thing you can for sure not bring into heaven is an excuse for not listening to God. Also, no unclean thing can enter heaven, so all your bad habits will have to be shed from you before you can experience joy eternally. What a thought!
In today's world, we are told that a good life is built on having a lot of stuff, but the Savior says that it is easier for a rich man to go through the eye of a needle than into heaven. Amazing paradigm shift that is!
I love this story the Lord tells us in Luke 14:16-24:
Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
So, from this you can see that those who put off the Lord will be put off by the Lord. It won't matter what excuse you have when you are brought before God to be judged. There is not justification for sins but there is mercy unto the sinner.
The Lord calls everyone to repent. If they do not repent or give excuse then they won't be able to have that delicious supper with the Lord. In the end, will it really matter what you choose instead of God?
“If you have not chosen the kingdom of God first, it will in the end make no difference what you have chosen instead.” -Neal A. Maxwell
Theres also a quote from Woody Allen- "80% of success is just showing up." Which is true in the world but in the church I think the percent would go up a bit to 100%. Showing up. Being there. Doing what the Lord commands is the surest way of successfully avoiding the pitfalls and problems and sins of the world.
In today's world, we are told that a good life is built on having a lot of stuff, but the Savior says that it is easier for a rich man to go through the eye of a needle than into heaven. Amazing paradigm shift that is!
I love this story the Lord tells us in Luke 14:16-24:
Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
So, from this you can see that those who put off the Lord will be put off by the Lord. It won't matter what excuse you have when you are brought before God to be judged. There is not justification for sins but there is mercy unto the sinner.
The Lord calls everyone to repent. If they do not repent or give excuse then they won't be able to have that delicious supper with the Lord. In the end, will it really matter what you choose instead of God?
“If you have not chosen the kingdom of God first, it will in the end make no difference what you have chosen instead.” -Neal A. Maxwell
Theres also a quote from Woody Allen- "80% of success is just showing up." Which is true in the world but in the church I think the percent would go up a bit to 100%. Showing up. Being there. Doing what the Lord commands is the surest way of successfully avoiding the pitfalls and problems and sins of the world.
23.11.09
Very Moving Scene from Schindler's List
I believe this embodies the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ-
19.11.09
What Do the Scriptures Say About Money and the Poor?
1 Timothy 6:9
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
Luke 12:15-34
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the
heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Alma 31:28
Alma 1:30
And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need.
2 Nephi 9:11
But wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they persecute the meek, and their hearts are upon their treasures; wherefore, their treasure is their god. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also.
1 Cor. 10: 24
Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.
James 1:10-11
But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the agrace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
4 Nephi 1:3
And they had aall things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly bgift.
Doctrine and Covenants 104:15-16
And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine.
But it must needs be done in mine own away; and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low.
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
Luke 12:15-34
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the
heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Alma 31:28
Behold, O my God, their costly apparel, and their ringlets, and their bracelets, and their ornaments of gold, and all their precious things which they are ornamented with; and behold, their hearts are set upon them, and yet they cry unto thee and say—We thank thee, O God, for we are a chosen people unto thee, while others shall perish.
Alma 1:30
And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need.
2 Nephi 9:11
But wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they persecute the meek, and their hearts are upon their treasures; wherefore, their treasure is their god. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also.
1 Cor. 10: 24
Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.
James 1:10-11
But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the agrace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
4 Nephi 1:3
And they had aall things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly bgift.
Doctrine and Covenants 104:15-16
And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine.
But it must needs be done in mine own away; and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low.
17.11.09
Sacrifice
“The Important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are;
For what we could become”
- CHARLES DUBOIS
“Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” (Matt. 19:16).
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. (Math 19:21-26)
When God asks us to pay tithing, its not so the church can have money. When God asks us to fast, its not so we can lose weight. When God asks us to do anything, it is for us to remember that it is God we serve and not lesser gods like money, food or ourselves. When we ask God for help, He asks us to give up worldly things, so He can give us heavenly things. If we reject His commandments, we are rejecting His help. If we aren't giving anything to God then we are giving our hearts to the gods of this world and what a poor substitute that is, for the God who created all things.
For what we could become”
- CHARLES DUBOIS
“Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” (Matt. 19:16).
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. (Math 19:21-26)
When God asks us to pay tithing, its not so the church can have money. When God asks us to fast, its not so we can lose weight. When God asks us to do anything, it is for us to remember that it is God we serve and not lesser gods like money, food or ourselves. When we ask God for help, He asks us to give up worldly things, so He can give us heavenly things. If we reject His commandments, we are rejecting His help. If we aren't giving anything to God then we are giving our hearts to the gods of this world and what a poor substitute that is, for the God who created all things.
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