There are so many things in life that can and do draw our attention. The world of entertainment seems to be moving more and more towards more noise, more color, more excitement. It is very easy to lose perspective as we go through our week, and I've often found myself beginning to lose sight of the things that are really important.
I'm sure that I'm not alone in this dilemma, because I've seen a lot of people who aren't sure what path they should take in life, and even for those who are, it can be difficult to remain focused on the end goal. This last Sunday in church, we had some wonderful talks on priorities that really got me thinking. One of the speakers spoke of making sure that we fill our time with the important things first, before our time is consumed with the little, unnecessary things that fight for our attention.
I was thinking about that, and realized that accomplishing that task is a lot easier said than done. Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve gave a talk in October 2007 called "Good, Better, Best", and he talked a lot about how we can prioritize our lives and focus on things that really matter. (Click here to read the full talk) In this talk, he says, "As we consider various choices, we should remember that it is not enough that something is good. Other choices are better, and still others are best. Even though a particular choice is more costly, its far greater value may make it the best choice of all."
So what things are of the greatest value in life? I think that a good indicator is whether or not an activity brings us closer to God and to those around us. Obviously not everything that we do in life has to have God at the very forefront, but I think that we need to remember Him in all that we do, and especially if something draws us away from Him, we may need to reconsider our options. I've found in my own life that setting time apart to just focus on studying and learning more about my Father in Heaven and His plan for me has helped me to set things in order a lot better. There are lots of little things that I don't need to worry about so much, but things like consistent scripture study and prayer, I feel those are very vital every single day.
I'm certainly not perfect at having my priorities all in the right order, but I am working at it. As I've tried to make God a bigger part of my life, and focused more of what I do to bring myself closer to Him, things have always worked out for me. They're not always easy and carefree, but they have always worked out.
What will you do to prioritize your life?
Showing posts with label Scripture Study. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scripture Study. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Thursday, December 30, 2010
New Year, New Beginnings
This is always an interesting time of year, with the holiday rush still winding down, and the new year looming before us. It's somewhat intimidating to realize how quickly each year passes by, bringing new adventures and challenges to life. Many people use this time of year to reflect on the past twelve months, and set goals and resolutions for the upcoming year. Whether or not those resolutions last beyond the first week or two is often an entirely different story.
So what is it this year that I will focus on? For me, I look back over the last year, and I'm simply amazed at what has happened. For the last calendar year, and a little bit more time before, I have been serving as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It has been an incredible year of growth and learning for me, and I've come to more fully realize who I am as an individual, and who the Lord wants and needs me to be.
Has this last year been perfect? Of course not. I've had many shortcomings and hard times, and I haven't always responded the way I should have to them. So one of my resolutions for the upcoming year is to rely more fully on the Lord, and trust that He knows what is best for me, regardless of whether or not I can see it all at the time things are happening.
Another resolution of mine is to continue my daily scripture study and personal prayer. I never fully understood the importance of those simple actions until I began serving as a missionary. Before then, I didn't really study my scriptures as often as I should have, and I realize now how much I was holding myself back. There have been many mornings that I have received answers to my questions as I have prayerfully studied the revealed word of God. And even when I haven't received as direct of answers, showing Heavenly Father that I'm willing to put Him first in my day has helped me to invite the Spirit into all that I do.
As we face this new year, filled with hope, anticipation, perhaps a little anxiety at times, it is my prayer that we do all we can to be obedient to the Lord and turn our lives over to Him. In closing, I'd just like to share a statement made by President Henry B. Eyering, First Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church, when he said,
So what is it this year that I will focus on? For me, I look back over the last year, and I'm simply amazed at what has happened. For the last calendar year, and a little bit more time before, I have been serving as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It has been an incredible year of growth and learning for me, and I've come to more fully realize who I am as an individual, and who the Lord wants and needs me to be.
Has this last year been perfect? Of course not. I've had many shortcomings and hard times, and I haven't always responded the way I should have to them. So one of my resolutions for the upcoming year is to rely more fully on the Lord, and trust that He knows what is best for me, regardless of whether or not I can see it all at the time things are happening.
Another resolution of mine is to continue my daily scripture study and personal prayer. I never fully understood the importance of those simple actions until I began serving as a missionary. Before then, I didn't really study my scriptures as often as I should have, and I realize now how much I was holding myself back. There have been many mornings that I have received answers to my questions as I have prayerfully studied the revealed word of God. And even when I haven't received as direct of answers, showing Heavenly Father that I'm willing to put Him first in my day has helped me to invite the Spirit into all that I do.
As we face this new year, filled with hope, anticipation, perhaps a little anxiety at times, it is my prayer that we do all we can to be obedient to the Lord and turn our lives over to Him. In closing, I'd just like to share a statement made by President Henry B. Eyering, First Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church, when he said,
“We cannot see the future with precision, but we can know what the Lord intends and what it will take [for] each of us to qualify personally to participate.”
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
"Pure love of Christ"
One morning last week, I was reading through and studying Moroni, chapter seven, in the Book of Mormon. In this chapter is a great address given by the prophet Mormon to the people. There is so much contained in this address, there isn't a chance that I could discuss it all in one post. Perhaps I will get to some of the rest of it at a later time, but something really stuck out to me that I wanted to write about today.
Mormon talks about the importance of faith, hope, and charity, and how one must possess all of these attributes to come closer to God and find true happiness. Towards the end of his address, Mormon focuses on charity, and he said something very interesting.
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—
"But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him." (Moroni 7:46-47)
I've quoted these verses in an earlier post, but something I learned something very different this time. The Book of Mormon has footnotes, with further explanations and cross references to verses in the Bible and Book of Mormon. In verse 47, it has a footnote on the word "love", which directed me to the Old Testament, specifically Joshua 22:5, which reads:
"But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul."
What I felt impressed with is that charity is not only the pure love that Christ has for all men, that we can be given, but also our love for our Savior, Jesus Christ. As I thought about this concept, a flood of verses came to mind.
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men." 2 Nephi 31:20
"Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matthew 25:40
"If ye love me, keep my commandments" John 14:15
If we truly and purely love Jesus Christ, then we will strive to lay down our lives for His sake, and we do this through service to others and keeping the commandments He has given us. The more we come to love Him, the more His light will shine through us in lifting up those around us. The rest of charity just falls into place when we have Jesus Christ as our example and focus.
I thought it was pretty neat, and it really helped open my eyes to the driving motivation behind true charity. What do you think?
Mormon talks about the importance of faith, hope, and charity, and how one must possess all of these attributes to come closer to God and find true happiness. Towards the end of his address, Mormon focuses on charity, and he said something very interesting.
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—
"But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him." (Moroni 7:46-47)
I've quoted these verses in an earlier post, but something I learned something very different this time. The Book of Mormon has footnotes, with further explanations and cross references to verses in the Bible and Book of Mormon. In verse 47, it has a footnote on the word "love", which directed me to the Old Testament, specifically Joshua 22:5, which reads:
"But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul."
What I felt impressed with is that charity is not only the pure love that Christ has for all men, that we can be given, but also our love for our Savior, Jesus Christ. As I thought about this concept, a flood of verses came to mind.
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men." 2 Nephi 31:20
"Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matthew 25:40
"If ye love me, keep my commandments" John 14:15
If we truly and purely love Jesus Christ, then we will strive to lay down our lives for His sake, and we do this through service to others and keeping the commandments He has given us. The more we come to love Him, the more His light will shine through us in lifting up those around us. The rest of charity just falls into place when we have Jesus Christ as our example and focus.
I thought it was pretty neat, and it really helped open my eyes to the driving motivation behind true charity. What do you think?
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Seeking Spirituality
Last week, we were invited to do somewhat of a presentation at a local college for one of their religious groups, called "Seeking Spirituality". I guess the group gets together a couple of times a month, and talks amongst themselves, or invites people from congregations in the community to give their thoughts and opinions. They asked us how we, as member of our church and as individuals, sought spirituality.
Preparing for this opportunity, I thought a lot about what spirituality even meant. I came to the conclusion, that for me, "spirituality" was having the Holy Ghost with me at all times. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, when we are baptized and confirmed members, we are blessed with the gift of the Holy Ghost, which means that we have the opportunity to have the presence of the Holy Ghost with us at all times, as we live worthily.
This gift is truly immeasurable. Before we are baptized, we can feel the influence and power of the Holy Ghost. He helps us to come to the knowledge that Jesus Christ truly is the Savior of the world, that we have a Father in Heaven who loves us and wants the best of us, and the Holy Ghost testifies of truth to us. But to have a member of the Godhead with us, always, is an amazing promise. We cannot become converted without His influence. Conversion is a lifelong process, one at which we must always be working.
Elder David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught in the last General Conference,
"Our invitations for the companionship of the Holy Ghost occur in many ways: through the making and keeping of covenants; by praying sincerely as individuals and families; by searching the scriptures diligently; through strengthening appropriate relationships with family members and friends; by seeking after virtuous thoughts, actions, and language; and by worshipping in our homes, in the holy temple, and at church. Conversely, casualness about or the breaking of covenants and commitments, failing to pray and study the scriptures, and inappropriate thoughts, actions, and language cause the Spirit to withdraw from or to avoid us altogether."
As we do things things, and invite the Holy Ghost into our lives, we can be blessed with His guidance and comfort. I know this is true, because I've seen it in my own life. During times when I have felt lost and confused, as I turn to God in prayer and scripture study, I have felt His love and the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
How has the Holy Ghost helped you in your conversion?
Preparing for this opportunity, I thought a lot about what spirituality even meant. I came to the conclusion, that for me, "spirituality" was having the Holy Ghost with me at all times. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, when we are baptized and confirmed members, we are blessed with the gift of the Holy Ghost, which means that we have the opportunity to have the presence of the Holy Ghost with us at all times, as we live worthily.
This gift is truly immeasurable. Before we are baptized, we can feel the influence and power of the Holy Ghost. He helps us to come to the knowledge that Jesus Christ truly is the Savior of the world, that we have a Father in Heaven who loves us and wants the best of us, and the Holy Ghost testifies of truth to us. But to have a member of the Godhead with us, always, is an amazing promise. We cannot become converted without His influence. Conversion is a lifelong process, one at which we must always be working.
Elder David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught in the last General Conference,
"We more readily receive and recognize the Spirit of the Lord as we appropriately invite Him into our lives. We cannot compel, coerce, or command the Holy Ghost. Rather, we should invite Him into our lives with the same gentleness and tenderness by which He entreats us (see D&C 42:14).
"Our invitations for the companionship of the Holy Ghost occur in many ways: through the making and keeping of covenants; by praying sincerely as individuals and families; by searching the scriptures diligently; through strengthening appropriate relationships with family members and friends; by seeking after virtuous thoughts, actions, and language; and by worshipping in our homes, in the holy temple, and at church. Conversely, casualness about or the breaking of covenants and commitments, failing to pray and study the scriptures, and inappropriate thoughts, actions, and language cause the Spirit to withdraw from or to avoid us altogether."
As we do things things, and invite the Holy Ghost into our lives, we can be blessed with His guidance and comfort. I know this is true, because I've seen it in my own life. During times when I have felt lost and confused, as I turn to God in prayer and scripture study, I have felt His love and the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
How has the Holy Ghost helped you in your conversion?
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