I am the Light of the World

"I am the light of the world:  he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

John 8:12

Think on the different functions of light 

and how the Savior literally is the Light.

It illuminates and enables one to see.

 As we view life through the Savior's light, the better path comes into view and we can walk in God's confidence.  Otherwise undetectable pitfalls come into view and we are able to choose the safety and assurance of the Savior's way.  His light illuminates the mind with understanding.

It nourishes and sustains life. 

In plants, light initiates photosynthesis.  In humans, it triggers the body's production of vitamin D.  The Savior's gospel is the essential nourishment for the soul.  Striving to follow His example and apply His teachings triggers life giving processes deep within the core.  As we continually seek and receive His nourishment ... our spirit becomes enlarged and life thrives within.

It purifies.

I remember my grandmother laying her whites out in the sun to bleach them.  In turn, the Savior's light is SO pure and SO potent that our natures can't help but be sanctified as we bask in His light.

It warms and comforts.

 For me, I experience a physical sensation of warmth and fulness in my heart when I think on the Savior.  His love soothes the aching soul.  His words speak comfort and hope to all who seek Him.

It overcomes darkness.

Darkness and light cannot exist in the same space. In Christ's presence, Satan flees.  Confusion and deception cannot withstand "the Truth" (Jesus Christ) which sets our minds and vision free.

It heals.

Red blood cells are drawn to light enabling damaged tissue to heal.  The Savior suffered unspeakable pain which caused Him to bleed from every pore... that the door to our healing might be unlocked.   

"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: 

the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. "

Isaiah 53:5

It clarifies.

Under bright light; detail, flaw and impurity otherwise unnoticeable comes into view.  Under the Savior's revealing light, flaws within our character come to our awareness.  As we press forward in Christ, we will resist the temptation to feel overwhelmed and hopeless because of our weakness.  We will rather glory in our infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon us. (see 2Cor 12:9-10) We will rejoice in His companionship as we struggle and work to apply the healing power of the atonement to those impurities.  We will recognize that when we are weak , then are we strong... through Him that redeems us.

Righteous Judgment

 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

John 7:24

We are commanded both directly and indirectly throughout the scriptures to judge "righteous judgment".  The Savior's direction to "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine", "Beware false prophets, ye shall know them by their fruits" and "Succor those that stand in need of succor" all require that we make righteous judgments of our fellow men. In order to effectively use our moral agency we must make judgments between that which is good and that which is not... between those we can trust in and those we cannot... those we should follow and those we should not.  Sometimes a righteous judgment can be as simple as determining those who may need our help.

One talk which I have found particularly illuminating on this subject is, "Judge not and Judging" by Dallin H. Oakes.  I recommend it highly. 

In the 10th chapter of Luke we read the account of Martha as she hosted the Savior and her sister Mary for dinner.  She labored in the kitchen while Mary sat at the Savior's feet receiving of His goodness.  Placing yourself in Martha's position, can you not just see yourself thinking, "Don't mind me in here.  I'm just trying to get dinner together so that I can sit down and enjoy the Savior's company too."?  I certainly can!  Really, it wasn't the most considerate thing for Mary to leave her sister to finish preparations on her own.  In Matthew 18:15 the Savior teaches us the way to handle these types of situations... which simply are a reality of the human experience.  He says,

"Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone..."

When we take the Savior's counsel and openly address our concerns with and only with the person involved, we give the offender the opportunity to see and recognize that they have caused a problem (which they may or may not have realized) ... and we give ourselves the opportunity to understand another point of view. This often leads to our own realization that no offense was intended and was possibly even imagined!

When, on the other hand, we sit and fester, our judgment typically grows in harshness. 

Picking up on the story...

40- But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone?  bid her therefore that she help me.

41-And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

Note that the Savior acknowledges her concern, before delivering a clear yet gentle rebuke...

42- But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. 

To me it is significant that the Lord offered no correction of Martha's priorities until she complained to the Savior about her sister's priorities.  

... with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Matthew 7:2

I have become very mindful of the fact that I set the standard for how the Lord will judge me by how I choose to judge others.  If I spend my time criticizing others, either openly or in secret, I am in essence inviting the Lord's criticism of me.  If I condemn those around me... I invite the Lord's condemnation.  If on the other hand, I extend mercy and compassion to those around me... not only do I feel greater internal peace, but I invite the Lord's mercy and compassion on me in my weak and flawed effort.  

An indispensable addition to this truth is that when we stand before the judgment bar of God, we will be judged according to "the word, that which I have spoken..." John 12:48  Our Father and elder brother, Jesus Christ, are the only two who can truly know what portion of the word we had the opportunity to either receive or reject in this mortal probation.  Consequently they are the only two who have the right to administer final judgment.  We should never venture to take this responsibility upon ourselves.

What a blessing it is to view those with whom we associate through the lens of kindness and compassion!  

 

 

 

Hi There:)

This week my parents came to visit for a family baby blessing.  It has been so wonderful to get to spend some time with them!  Today particularly has been filled with tender moments, conversation, laughter, great food and just general love and goodness.

So here I am... it's 11:22 p.m. and I have yet to write my post for this week!  Aaargh!  Please forgive me!  I have had many thoughts and impressions as I have studied over the last several days which I am anxious to share with you!  I am going to save them for this coming Sunday! 

This week, I invite you to be mindful of your thoughts in regards to those around you.  Do you find that you are often critical or condemning of others???  In the upcoming post we will discuss the Savior's pattern for judging.

Have a wonderful... self watching week and thank you for your companionship!  It means so very much to me...

Carey

Christ's Victory

Happy Easter!

I have to laugh at the neighbor's lawnmower starting up in the middle of this:)

So goes the life of an amateur blogger:) :) :) 

Whom Say Ye That I Am?

15- ... Whom say ye that I am?

16- And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17- And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 16

At this point in Christ's ministry, Peter had been both witness and participant in numerous miracles performed by the Savior.  He had been on the boat in the tempestuous sea, when Christ spoke the words, "Peace be still!"  He was present when the Savior commanded power over death itself, raising Jairus's daughter.  He watched as the Savior turned a simple offering into enough to feed thousands.  Under the Savior's direction, he distributed the loaves and fishes and then collected the remains filling twelve baskets to overflowing.  After a long night being tossed about on the sea, he beheld the Savior walking on the water and  petitioned Christ to bid him to come unto Him.  The Savior's response, "Come", beckoned Peter out of the ship and into the water.  He felt the firm foundation beneath his feet until his focus shifted away from the Savior and onto the storm around him.  As he began to sink, he cried out. Immediately, he felt the Savior's strong, unwavering hand take hold of his delivering him from the awful deep.

This is the man of whom the Savior inquired, "Whom say ye that I am?"  When Peter responded, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.", Jesus taught both those present, as well as you and I, a priceless lesson.  Though Peter had first hand knowledge of the Savior's power... his testimony and witness of who Jesus was did not come as a result of those experiences.  Thousands who also beheld some of the same miracles turned and walked away from Him!  Peter's conviction was a direct result of personal revelation, given by the Father, through the Holy Ghost.

It is my testimony that the Holy Ghost is still the means through which the Father reveals  His Son unto us.  I am grateful for the privilege to study out the scriptures... to witness for myself, the miraculous walk of the Savior, Jesus Christ.  I am touched beyond measure, by my Father's delight in blessing me with further light and understanding... with deeper conviction of His love and desire for me.  I count the "hope in Christ" that this fills me with as one of my most treasured possessions.  It is my greatest goal, to live worthy of the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost!

Your Five Loaves...

5- When Jesus then lifted up his eyes and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Phillip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

8- One of his disciples... saith unto him

9- There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes; but what are they among so many?

10- And Jesus said, Make the men sit down.  Now there was much grass in the place.  So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

11- And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.

12- When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remaining, that nothing be lost.

13- Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above them that had eaten.

John 6

I love that the Savior performed this mighty miracle using the meager offering of a small boy.  Five loaves and two fishes were what the child had to offer.  On his own, the boy's gift could have fed maybe 20, but in the Savior's hands thousands were filled.  

What are the loaves and fishes the Father has given you?  What are the miracles that He waits for your offering to perform?  It is my testimony that He has endowed you with a set of gifts and talents, which in His hands, can do something for someone else that no one else ever born can do!   

Lay your gift at His feet!  

Seek His vision and will in your life! 

Move as He directs and then... 

Stand still! ...
with the utmost assurance that the arm of the Lord will be revealed!

Your meager offering, coupled with His grace and goodness have the capacity to literally change the world... one inspired word, one guided step... one uplifted brother at a time.  For this, I praise His most Holy Name!

He Healed Them

"But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings..."

Malachi 4:2

"And great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all."

Matthew 12:15

One of the over-arching themes of conference for me this weekend was "finding purpose and comfort in our trials and afflictions."  As we have discussed before on this blog, life can sometimes be downright painful.  Taking the yoke of the Savior upon ourselves and walking the path He would have us walk, is necessary to our "putting on the divine nature".  If we will suffer with Christ our trials can become the tools our loving Father uses to build our character, purify our hearts and expand our souls.  We can trust that through Him, none of the pain we experience in this life will be in vain.  God will work all things together for our good!  Throughout the Savior's ministry, countless people came to Him seeking wholeness.  I am not aware of one soul who He ever turned away.  Those who sought healing at His feet received.  As I have pondered on these principles the spirit has illuminated my mind with new understanding.  The completeness and healing we seek at the feet of the Savior can only be found as we work through the infirmities of mortality.  It is here that our character is refined and that we come to know the Savior more completely.  Without the infirmity there could be no wholeness!  

The Savior chose to experience pain and affliction so that He could understand us completely and know how to succor us in our pain and weakness.  Perhaps we also need to experience the depths of mortality, the pain and suffering, in order to more fully understand Him!  Never before and never since the life of the Savior, has any man experienced even a fraction of the grief, pain and suffering that He did.  Each time I experience heartache or injury... my thoughts are turned to the incomparable Christ who suffered infinitely more... beyond my ability to comprehend! The trials of mortality are a small price to pay to come to know and understand Him better! Today, while we cannot physically reach out and touch His robe, it is my testimony that His healing still extends to all who seek Him and to each who fears His name.  It is my testimony, that if we will be pliable in His hands, He will mold us into far greater beings than we can currently imagine!  For those who honor Him, He has promised "glories yet unseen".

Beware False Prophets

I wanted to try a video post again for this week.  I am really enjoying the learning and growth I am experiencing as I strive to follow the promptings of the Spirit for this blog.  My plan moving forward is to have both written and video entries.  Please let me know what you think.  Your support and friendship mean so very much to me.

General Conference will be broadcast Saturday, April 2 and Sunday April 3.  To view click here.

Helpful aids for studying out this post

"Do You Hear What I Hear?" posted, December 24, 2010

Matthew 7: 15-20- Beware false prophets

Galatians 5:22-23- Fruits of the Spirit

Numbers 21:5-9 & John 3:14- Moses and the serpent on the staff

Ephesians 2:19-20- Christ's church built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets

The Parable of the Sower

It is my hope that as you watch this video, you will invite the spirit to enlighten your mind.  Seek guidance as to how you can create more fertile ground in your heart to receive the pleasing word of God. May He bless you in your efforts!

Take My Yoke Upon You

28-Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29-Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30-For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 

 Matthew 11

I am SO grateful for the companionship of my Savior as I travel through this life.  Let's be honest!  Sometimes this journey can be downright painful!  Understanding that adversity is a tool which the Father uses to refine and mold me, blesses my soul with peace and hope as I struggle to navigate this sometimes burdened path.  Understanding that He knows and loves me perfectly helps me to trust that each experience He gives me is for my ultimate good.  He has custom tailored my life plan to best develop and transform me from this flawed and mortal state into something far greater.  I take great comfort knowing that His vision for my life is infinite! It is up to me to trust in that vision!  

Adversity and struggle are not optional during this period of mortality!  The choice we have lies in how we will face it!  It is my testimony that as we meet the challenges that  come, securely yoked with Christ... we will become enlarged and empowered because of the opportunity to more fully rely on Him. What a blessing it is to Walk With The Savior!!!

The True Disciple

A disciple is a learner of a discipline.  As followers of the Savior, we are engaged in the discipline of becoming like the Father.  In Matthew chapters 6 and 7, Christ teaches us the qualities and characteristics which mark true disciples.  As you read today (or maybe over the next few days... this is a long one!)... I invite you to prayerfully consider where you can become more true in your discipleship. Heed the promptings you will receive and move forward making the necessary changes to follow Him more fully.   I testify that the only sure road to peace and joy in this life, and in the life to come, is the road of the disciple! 

True disciples do the right things for the right reasons.
Matthew 6

1- Take heed that ye do not your alms (acts of religious devotion) before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

4- That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

19- Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt...

20- But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...

21- For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

In The Sermon on the Mount the Savior teaches us the higher law.  Rather than focus on the actions, His focus is on the heart.  It is possible to do all of the right things and still have your heart removed far from Him.  His desire is to have our hearts set on Him knowing that good works will follow.  When we do any good thing in the hopes of being seen of men, or to gain glory in the sight of those around us, we are as the hypocrites.  It is interesting to note that the word hypocrite in this sermon is translated from the Greek word that means "play actor".  In other words, when our heart is set on the glory of man, rather than on the glory of God we are not true disciples.  As our eye becomes single to the glory of God, we value what He values and treasure what He treasures.  We lay up for ourselves everlasting treasure in heaven, which can be undone by no one but ourselves.  God delights to bless and honor those who bless and honor Him!

True disciples follow the Savior's example of prayer.
Matthew 6

7- But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do:  for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Here the Lord is teaching us that we should be sincere when we pray, truly speaking to our Father.  Think of the phrase "vain repetitions".  When we are vain, we are excessively concerned with our appearance.  Once again the Savior's focus here is on our heart or our motivation when we pray.  Are we more concerned with how we sound or appear, or in having sweet communion with our Father?  When I pray, I love to visualize myself kneeling at the feet of my loving Father.  I can feel His love and concern for me personally.  I know that if it is important to me... it is important to Him.  I strive to pour out my heart to Him in sincerity and then to listen, or feel for His response which comes as impressions to my mind and my heart.

8- Be not he therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask of him.

The Father knows my needs far better than I do.  Clearly, He doesn't ask us to pray because it benefits Him... but rather because the effort blesses us.  Prayer is a form of work through which our will can be brought into alignment with His.  As this happens we are able to receive of His richest blessings.

9- After this manner therefore pray ye:  Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name...

In the Lord's Prayer, Christ demonstrates for us the reverent language and tone of the disciple's prayer.  As we come to understand that God is our Father and that we are His literal children, sincere prayer becomes natural and instinctive. 

True disciples treat others kindly and fairly.

Matthew 7

12- Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them:  for this is the law and the prophets.

Christ is the perfect example of how we should treat our fellowmen.  How can you tell if someone is truly converted to Jesus Christ? Paul teaches,

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal."

1 Corinthians 13:1

I believe that this is because charity is the fruit of a converted heart.  If you aren't feeling love and goodwill towards your fellowman, and aching to be a vehicle of His love... it is likely that something is amiss in your spiritual center.  The way a person treats others is the greatest evidence of how near their heart is drawn to God.

True disciples serve God and do His will.
Matthew 6

33- Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

To seek is defined as "going in search or quest of".  Why is it important to seek God and His will first before any temporal pursuit?  It is my experience that as I strive to prioritize my day according to His will everything falls into it's proper place.  Things that I mistakenly thought were important fall out of my life if it isn't part of His will and purpose for me.  My time becomes filled with pursuits which He knows will bring me the fullest joy.  I am able to invest my effort into becoming what He knows I can become.  I trust that for those who seek Him and embrace His will in their lives... He truly has glories in store which are yet unseen!  He is all-wise, all-knowing and perfectly loving.  What a gift it is to follow the Savior and draw near unto Him!

Be ye therefore perfect? - Guest contributor - My Mom

As God led Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt, he devised a perfect plan to help the covenant children leave behind the "world" and look forward to the day of true deliverance when he would come to redeem them from their sins. He gave them the Law of Moses, everything pointing to that future great and eternal sacrifice.

Approximately 1600 years later, in the the meridian of time, the keeping of the Law of Moses enabled  many to have "eyes to see and ears to hear." They recognized Jesus for who he was and followed him. They received. Sadly there were also those who had embellished the law given by God, looking blindly beyond the mark, using the law to persecute others and establish their own power.

To a multitude gathered on a mountain side, Jesus taught regarding the ten commandments given to ancient Israel. He urged his followers to "do and teach" them. However, he clarified that keeping the commandments was a matter of "heart" not a merely a legalistic exercise. The beatitudes then, now and forever reveal the keys of happiness and blessedness. They are the foundation principles of the commandments.

Jesus' teachings on that holy mount included a call to perfection. (Matthew 5:48 KJV) As we take the name of Jesus Christ upon us and are filled with his love, we keep the commandments as a matter of our love for God and for our fellowman. We yearn to grow and learn through his grace and power. We have a repentant nature as we come up against our weaknesses. We receive of the Savior's sacrifice in our behalf. We begin to reflect the light of His perfect love for each and every one we meet. Ultimately, after much striving and receiving of his grace, in him and through him we are made perfect. Jesus is literally the "fulfillment" of the law.

     Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

     And again, if ye by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.  (Moroni's final testimony) Moroni 10:32-34

Next week we will finish "The Sermon on the Mount" in Matthew 6&7.  Happy studying:)

The Priceless Friend

A friend is a person who is willing to take me the way I am, but who is willing and able to leave me better than he found me.

Marvin J Ashton

"What is a Friend?" 

In Mark chapter 2 we read:

1- And again he (Jesus) entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
2- And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

At this point in Christ's ministry, word had spread of His power and miracles.  He entered into a home to preach and it was filled to overflowing.  Four friends of a man stricken with the palsy had heard of Christ's power to heal and desired to bring their friend to the Savior.

3- And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne (carried) of four.

Seeing the crowded house, they realized that they would not be able to gain access to the Savior through the door.  How did they solve their problem?  What can we learn from their tenacity in helping their friend?

 
4- And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
5- When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
10- ... that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
11- I say unto thee, Arise and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
12- And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God...

I love that this man was healed both spiritually and physically, because of the faith  and tenacity of His friends.  These two qualities mark the difference between a good friend, and the priceless friend.  The best kind of friend is one who knows that full joy, peace and healing lie at the feet of the Savior and will do everything in his power to bring a loved one there.  I thank my Father for the dear friends in my life who by their loving examples have led me to my Savior.  I want to be that kind of a friend!

Next week:  Matthew 5- The Sermon on the Mount!  

It's ALL about LOVE

Love one another and be Happy.

It's as simple and as difficult as that! 

In 1 John 4:8 we learn that God is Love. The grand motive for all that He does is the perfect, selfless love He has for each of us.  He loves us without condition or qualification.  

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our own likeness.

Genesis 1:26 

Knowing this helps us to understand that not only do we look like Him, we also have His likeness within us.  Peter refers to this as our "divine nature". (See 2 Peter 1:4-8)   Each of us has the opportunity to develop these godly qualities if we will but seek and search for Him with all of our hearts.  Knowing that God is Love, helps us to understand that this same quality is a fundamental thread in the fabric of our souls.

 If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 1 John 4:12

As we become more loving and our focus turns outward, our hearts become a warm and safe dwelling place for His spirit.  We experience His love in new and deeper ways.  We are able to receive His love more perfectly and in turn extend His love to all with whom we associate.

Love is the guiding light that illuminates the disciple's path and fills our daily walk with life, meaning and wonder. 

Love is the way of the disciple.

 "The Love of God" October 2009 - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Next week we will look at Mark 2: 1-12

 

The Savior's Pattern

This week's reading is about the call of the original 12 apostles. In Matthew 9:36-38, we learn of Christ's purpose in calling these special witnesses.

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Then saith he unto his disciples,  

The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

He called the apostles and set them apart to be His representatives.  He gave them power to act in His name in benefit of all to whom they would minister.(Matthew 10:1)  Did He intend for only those who lived at the meridian of time to be blessed by this organization, or was He establishing the pattern for His church, so that even those of us who live today could reap the same blessings?  In Ephesians 2:19-20, Paul declares

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, 

but fellow citizens with the saints, and the household of God;

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, 

Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.

Christ demonstrated His pattern and Paul testified of it!  I add my testimony to Paul's, that indeed, Christ's church is still built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone!  I invite you to listen to the words of one of His apostles of these, the last days.