He makes you safe

I love Isaiah and truly I wish that I had all day to ponder, search, and study the mutiple meanings of his words.

This sings true to my feelings.

Those who do not understand the power of God will seek for safety in other groups, peoples or governments. If you know God, you would know that He is the only one that we need to trust in. Those who do trust in Him do not worry upon the matters of the world. Do not be afraid of the things that the world is afraid of, but fear that you are not pleasing your God. If you fear that you are not pleasing Him- then you will be safe, but if you do not care how He feels about you then He will become the thing that hurts you. The stumbling stone. He will take care for those whom He has made promises to do so, and those whom love Him.

2 Nephi 18:12,13,14 - Isaiah 8

Say ye not, A confederacy, to all to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. 13 Sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. 14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

I desire more than anything to be a profitable servant unto Him. To make His heart to rejoice and to be a instrument to Him in His work to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Jealous

In 2 Nephi 5 we witness Laman and Lemuel being so angry at their brother Nephi that Nephi was warned by the Lord to depart from them. 

2 Nephi 5: 3 Yea, they did murmur against me, saying: Our younger brother thinks to rule over us; and we have had much trial because of him; wherefore, now let us slay him, that we may not be afflicted more because of his words. For behold, we will not have him to be our ruler; for it belongs unto us, who are the elder brethren, to rule over this people.

The feelings of Laman and Lemuel were rooted in pride and jealousy. I can imagine it might be difficult to have a younger sibling that was blessed with the faith of Nephi and yet, not have that faith yourself? Or perhaps it was only the power to lead that they were seeking? Giving them the benefit of the doubt -perhaps Laman and Lemuel wondered why their faith was not as strong as Nephi's towards their father - the prophet - and his instructions? Instead of praying as Nephi to receive their own witness and to strengthen their faith - they became jealous and prideful. 

From the Laborers in the Vineyard by Jeffery R. Holland, April 2012 we read: 

" Brothers and sisters there are going to be times in our lives when someone else gets an unexpected blessing or receives some special recognition. May I plead with us to not be hurt- and certainly to not feel envious when good fortune comes to another. We are not diminished when someone else is added upon. We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest, the most talented, most beautiful or even the most blessed. The race that we are really in is the race against sin and surely envy is one of the most universal of those." 

There have been moments in my life when I have wished for a certain calling not because I wanted any title but because I have wanted to serve the Lord in the way that I thought that I could be of service. In this way I envied a calling that someone else had. I am very thankful that as I prayed to overcome that feeling of wishing that I had something that I didn't- He would sent me experiences that allowed me to know that I was exactly where HE wanted me which is ultimately my strongest desire. I was even given the chance to teach in the capacity that I had hoped for on occasion and boy was I thankful that the Lord knows best, because I was able to see why that calling was not my greatest strength!!! 

I love The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love that we are led in the church by a prophet of God that is the closest representative of the Savior on the earth that we have. I feel my prayers being answered daily. My God supports and sustains me in my trials. For all of these things I am eternally grateful. 

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ- whom I love - Amen. 

satan's lies and how to replace them with truth

I am so thankful that so many have chosen to follow Elder Durant's " ponderize " suggestion. I felt prompted to share one way this has blessed my life. As part of the " ponderizing " that I have been doing over the years, I was led to choose scriptures that would help me combat satan's lies that we hear in this world. I have been very influenced by his lies in the past and having "go to" scriptures that I spent time " ponderizing " to quick rescue in my head has called the spirit to my rescue as I recite them in my head as an lie pops into my head because of a message I heard in passing, through a movie and even surrounding me in the grocery store.

Here is a list of scriptures that I have used to combat these lies. Perhaps finding out what lies you are prone to and finding your own scriptures that can be called to your rescue will help you as it has helped me?

satan's lies:

I am not beautiful -

Concerning beauty of women

1 Peter 3: 3-4
New Testament

3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the a ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

1 Samuel 16:7
Old Testament

7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

Proverbs 31:30
Old Testament

30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

Material Possessions and wealth will bring happiness -

Hebrews 13:5
New Testament

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Jacob 2:18
Book of Mormon

18 But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.

Proverbs 28:6
Old Testament

6 Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

All is well if I believe in Christ, I do not need to do anything more but believe-

James 1:22-27
New Testament

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

I will never be who I want to be-

Romans 5:8
New Testament

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Luke 12: 6-7
New Testament

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Psalm 139:13-15
Old Testament

13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

Psalms of Emily

I can hardly begin to express how connected that I feel to Nephi in these words of his. Every time I read this chapter I feel so close to him. I hope someday I will be able to be worthy of standing in his presence and sharing with him how deeply I felt the same things that he did. I will write my version of what I feel next to his verses: 

 15 And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.

My special children, Here in this book that I print into hard bound books for you, I write the things that are dear in my heart. Besides my God, my Savior and you- there is nothing that makes me happier in my life than the scriptures. I truly ponder the messages, the people with in them, and the revelations that I receive as I read them- I feel blessed daily that I have been blessed with technology to study deeper and faster, because I am blessed with this talent ( living in a time that the means are available to me to do this ) I am preparing books full of what I have learned from the scriptures- for you.  

 16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.

My heart rejoices to learn anything that has to do with my God and there is hardly a better way to do that than reading the scriptures. When I read the scriptures the Holy Spirit teaches me and works as a cleansing agent in my life. I marvel and ponder at this process and the things I learn within the scriptures daily. 

 17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

I realize how blessed that I am to have been given the blessing of my testimony of the Book of Mormon, the temple ordinances, and living prophets. I realize how sinful I am each and everyday through sins of omission and disobedience from time to time. Given the circumstances that I have been placed in, having the fullness of the gospel; having been fully converted to Christ; my actions are displeasing to myself. Every day I hope that I will do better the next day. 

 18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.

 19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

At all times I am aware of the ways that my enemy satan is trying to tempt and distract me from doing a better work for my God. Just when I think I have overcome one weakness I am reminded of another that I am in great need of my Savior's enabling grace. I do know with out doubt that He has helped me overcome many of my weaknesses and that He will continue sanctify me as I make His work my number one priority. 

 20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

I consider daily where I have come from, the person of my past that He allowed the atonement to change me and He taught me each step that I must take to become what He always knew that I could be. He took me from misery and He made my life beautiful, and full of light and truth that I can share for Him. 

 21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.

He showed me how He feels about each and every one of His children and finally I was able to see how He felt about me, because I am one of them. 

 22 He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.

He has protected me with the spirit when I have been persecuted for my beliefs. He has shown those whom lack faith what He can do with a person when they come to Him- through the witness of the new creature that He has made me. 

 23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time.

I know that He hears my prayers. He has blessed me with answers to my questions by divine revelation in His holy house the temple.

 24 And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me.

All day long He is on my mind and a prayer lives each moment in my heart. I pray out loud three times a day in order that I can concentrate on my words to Him more fully. As I have done there have been times that I have felt the hands of angels upon my head in great moment of need.

 25 And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.

When I have been in depths of sorrow He picked me up and told me to go to His mountain- the temple. There I have been given glorious promises just for myself. 

 26 O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?

Why with all of these blessings can I at times be sad and feel sorry for my trials? 

 27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?

I am angry at sin. I am upset when even the elect follow the lies of my enemy satan, and yet so do I! The very thing that I hate- sin - surfaces as I am angry with wrong doings. 

 28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.

I do not want to do that be upset when I see wrongs of others, because I too do this myself! This is the way my enemy thinks he can get in. 

 29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.

I do not want to feel discontent because we as humans are not perfect and we will at times follow the lies that satan has put into our ears. I should not let these things probity me from doing His work in my life. 

 30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

I am inadequate to express the admiration in my heart to Jesus Christ and God, my Eternal Father. He makes me to rejoice daily. Even amid evil, I am allowed to feel the love that He has for everyone. I am privileged to call Him my companion. I know that I am His. 

 31 O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?

I do know what it is like to shake at the appearance to sin and I am thankful that He will continue to show me what is wrong in this world, and I know that he will win. 

 32 May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!

I desire nothing more in my life than to live with Him again. I do not care what that means for me. I will accept any offering He gives me because everything that He gives is good. I do want to have my heart broken and oh how I want to be contrite. I deeply desire all that is right in His sight. I want to be strict because I want His approval. 

 33 O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.

My garments are my royal robes and as I keep my temple covenants they are also my royal robes of righteousness. 

 34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

I do trust in thee of my God. I will trust in thee forever and ever. There is no human being that will ever fully know the desires of my heart the way that you do, and I am thankful that it is that way. 

 35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.

        I know oh my God that you have given me every blessing that I am worthy of. I know that all the blessings that I lack have been a result of my poor choices, but I do know that you do work everything for my good. You are my rock of righteousness. I give my will gladly to you. 

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

" Love is the motivating principle by which the Lord leads us along the way towards becoming like Him, our perfect example. Our way of life, hour by hour, must be filled with the love of God and love for others. There is no surprise in that, since the Lord proclaimed those as the first and great commandments. It is the Love of God that will lead us to keep His commandments. And love of others is at the heart of our capacity to obey Him. "

 - Henry B. Erying , Our Perfect Example , Oct.2009 , General Conference 

Many Ways to Know I believe

As I was ponderizing- that following Father Lehi passing away; Laman and Lemuel were angry with Nephi. It struck me that there is a lesson just for me from God in this....Nephi mentions that he had spoken the things of God and his brothers were angry with him. I was called to remembrance of the many times that I have too written, spoken and testified of my beliefs to a point that to speak in the moment of contention would only result in loss of the spirit, but I did not listen to the still small voice that bidded me to be at peace with my previous methods of sharing and testifying. I was not as faithful as my brother- the prophet Nephi in his experience. Many times in my life I have instead chosen the path to share in the wrong moment- which actually led to my heartache..In failure to listen to the spirit which teaches to be meek and mild the spirit has left me on these occasions.  Although I have been strengthened to resist more frequently than in previous years, ( I thank my God for that)  I pray today that I will continue to be better with this and follow Nephi's example to listen to the spirit when contention is trying to steal the space where the Holy Ghost lives in my heart.  I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.  http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/4.13,14?lang=eng   13 And it came to pass that not many days after his death, Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael were angry with me because of the admonitions of the Lord. 14 For I, Nephi, was constrained to speak unto them, according to his word; for I had spoken many things unto them, and also my father, before his death; many of which sayings are written upon mine other plates; for a more history part are written upon mine other plates.