Scripture of the Day-Pray Always

"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the son of Man." Luke 21:36

I heard an address this past week about prayer. It was by far one of the most powerful talks and discourses on prayer I have every attended physically. My heart was touched and my understanding enlightened to know what to do, personally, to become better.

Prayer is such a powerful and simplistic act that we all can do. We have been exhorted by Prophets, Apostles, God and even Jesus Christ to pray always without ceasing. As we pray we tap into the powers of Heaven which strengthen us beyond our own to carry on. We are promised within this verse that as we pray we will be blessed to be worthy and find the enabling power to overcome the adversities, trials, and affliction that will meet us in our daily life.

I know prayer is powerful. We can come to know of God and most importantly know ourselves more fully. As we pray we come to Christ and partake of the power that is found within the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know we all can start to develop this attribute in our life and find joy and happiness in our hearts. 

 

Scripture of the Day-Adveristy &Friends

"Peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands."   D&C 121:7-9

I listened to these verses today and they touched a cord in my heart that gave me confidence and enlightenment to know that God is aware of my afflictions and that he has sent angels and blessings down upon me. Verse 7 is one of my favorite scriptures. Every time I am going through a hard circumstance I read this verse and it gives me hope and encouragement to press through what ever it is I am dealing with.

God was talking to Joseph Smith originally in this texts but it is very symbolic and we can hear as it were God talking to each of us. Our afflictions may seem huge and never ending but God has reassured us that our trials will only be a small moment and they will help us to become better.

The part that is the most moving and that touched my heart so tenderly was when it said "thy friends do stand by thee...with warm hearts." We have been blessed so much in our life and when we are feeling down we can look around at our friends and know that they stand by us to help us willing to do whatever it is to give us that hope we so desperately need. God knows us and is very aware of us. Our afflictions may seem great at the moment but they will be small. We can see the blessings that lay around us as we see the blessings of friendship as they stand with us in love and support.

Scripture of the Day-Forgiveness

"And he said unto here, Thy sins are forgiven.....And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." Luke 7:48, 50

I love these verses that I read today. As I woke up this morning my thoughts were turned to the things I did previously and I pondered did I do the right thing. This then lead to me think about how I have constantly prayed to my Heavenly Father for the forgiveness of my sins.

I remember reading an article by President Boyd K. Packer this quote stood out to me. "The promise of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Atonement: to take anyone who comes, anyone who will join, and put them through an experience so that at the end of their life, they can go through the veil having repented of their sins and having been washed clean through the blood of Christ."

One of the last and most essential steps of the repentance process and tapping into the enabling power of the Atonement is forgiveness of ourselves. In order for us to complete this process and let go of everything that we have holding on our shoulders we must forgive ourselves. As I thought of myself I realized that I did not forgive myself for the things that I have asked Heavenly Father to forgive me of, I knew that he has forgiven me but I must forgive and let go. This is the importance and central purpose of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Hope In

This article is inspired by a talk, titled The Atonement, given by President Boyd K. Packer.

The Atonement is such a universal topic in our lives that many of us are unaware of the efficacy and capacity that is contained within the very realm of this mere title of a loving and affection act.

Our lives get busy, hectic and filled with so much that our minds become so overwhelmed and rundown. At moments we simply go through the daily routine of life without thought of any reaction or consequence. Its only until something happens, usually something major that stops us in our direct path and we are left to pick up the pieces and stop and think. We don't typically take time away to think about our day to day life.

For many people these moments of hardship come more and more often than not. There is hope in the Atonement of Jesus Christ for all things. President Boyd K Packer addresses such issues as the one just recently depicted.

Hope In

"I speak today to those who may be lost and are searching for that lower light to help guide them back."

                                                                                                                             - Boyd K. Packer

For many of us we are searching for something and its not until something reacts that we actually realize this truth hidden beneath. There is a path and a way that we find and that leads to happiness and joy. President Packer testifies that this path is most likely a path taken individually and constructively to help us change our very nature and become new in Christ.

"If you have made no mistakes, then you do not need the Atonement."
                                                              
                                                                                                                             - Boyd K. Packer

The Atonement is for those that have made mistakes and have sinned but it is more than just for sinners. Alma 7:11-12 we understand more than just the mere surface of this eternal act.

"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."

We do not even begin to comprehend the Atonement and all that it entails or expounds to but we can come to understand a portion of this heavenly gift given. Through these verses we understand just a little more that the Atonement is not just for sins or mistakes but for those that sorrow and need support. Christ has felt all and we can find comfort and hope in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It is real and all powerful if we are searching and need hope have hope in the Atonement for there we will find great power and comfort within our hearts. 

Scripture of the Day-Love of God

"But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you." Luke 6:27-28

This is one of the most well known verses in the scriptures. For many of us we know this verse but it seems easier to quote it than to actually follow it. We may try very hard but fail to achieve such a thing, and start to believe that it is simply impossible to do such a great and divine act to love someone that hates you.

When we are filled with the Love of God we are more easily able to love those around us even though they may not like us. Having the pure love of Christ consume our hearts we then are able to see Gods children in the same way that he sees his own children. Forgiveness, compassion, admiration, devotion, and reverence will flow as we come unto Christ and have his love. As we are filled with his love we are coupled with his divine characteristics becoming more and more like him, and doing the things that he would do.

Love is powerful and moving. As we love we grow, and as we have love for others we empower them to look beyond their limitations and reach to their full potential. Everyone needs and wants to be loved, even the most difficult people.

Scripture of the Day-Understanding

"Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise." Mosiah 12:27

Abinadi, a Nephite Prophet, comes to the people of King Noah, who is a very iniquitous man, and foretells them their destruction if they do not repent and turn unto the Lord. The Priests of King Noah contend with Abinadi asking him questions concerning the Law of Moses. Abinadi tells them this verse in response to their inquiry.

There is so much understanding and enlightenment that can come from just reading this first portion. If we desire to understand then we must be able to apply our hearts to it. There are many that proclaim to be Christians but their hearts are not converted to Christ. We can see their true nature through their actions, those that have applied their hearts follow the example of Christ. Abinadi was essentially teaching this great and noble truth that we should not just speak with our lips the things of God but must take it deeper into your hearts and allow it to change our very nature.