Instructions about the Holy Ghost

Choice 2: John 14-16- The Savior's Instructions about the Holy Ghost

The role of the Holy Ghost:

• Teach us the mysteries of heaven
• Testify of Christ
• Protect us from evil influences
• Protect us from physical dangers
• Comfort us when we are sad
• Guide us when we are lost
• Cleanse us of sorrow and guilt
• Correct us when we are doing things wrong
• Allows us to receive personal revelation
• Help us share the gospel with others

John 14:15-17- The Holy Ghost is the Comforter and the Spirit is truth


John 14:26-27- The Holy Ghost teaches truth, and helps you remember things of God. The Spirit brings peace and comfort during times of trial


John 15:26-27- The Holy Ghost is sent to testify of Jesus Christ so we can bear witness of the Savior as well


John 16:7-8- The Holy Ghost is sent to be a messenger of the Lord. The Spirit is here to correct us and chastise us so we can repent of our sins.


John16:13-14- The Spirit of the Lord is here to guide us in truth and righteousness. The Spirit glorifies God.


After Christ left the earth the disciples were given the Holy Ghost to allow them to perform miracles and teach the gospel. They were able to learn from the Spirit on what to say and do to testify of Christ. They were able to be used in the hands of the Lord because they followed the promptings of the Spirit.


Having the Spirit in my life is everything to me. When I lose the Spirit, my life feels empty and lonely. When I don't have the Spirit guiding me I feel vulnerable to the temptations of Satan, I am depressed and I lose hope. I love that I get to work to have the Spirit in my life. I know when I read the scriptures daily and say my prayers the Spirit can guide me even more through my life.

The New Commandment

The New Commandment

                                                                                     

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye  love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

How do we love one another?

 serve 

teach

offer rides

listen

hug

laugh

clean

have patience

say kind words

mow their yard

cook dinners

babysit

I think when we find ways to serve others we are acting as God's hands to touch people's lives. When we love one another we help others feel God's love for them through our actions. I think praying to be an instrument in God's hand everyday we will be giving opportunities for God to bless us and others.

If we see someone being teased for the way they are dressed, we should find good things to say about them and help the others see the person in a new light. I think by saying good things about someone while they are being picked on will help the bullies change without being ridiculed themselves.

When we see a new person at church we should never assume they have friends and they don't fellowship from you. We should always go up to them and welcome them to church and ask if they need any help or directions to a class. We can also offer to sit with them and begin to ask them about themselves.

When we serve others we are putting our own desires and comforts aside to make sure others feel loved and wanted.

Prepare Now for the Coming of Christ

Prepare For The Lord and The Second Coming



Signs of the Times

• False prophet and people trying to deceive the followers of Christ
• Wars ans rumor of wars
• Earthquakes
• Famines
• kingdoms rise against kingdoms
• families will turn against each other

Take Heed:

• You will be delivered up and beaten and persecuted for what you believe
• Watch and pray for we don't what time He will come
• Remember the scriptures

Christ has come before and He has promised that He will come again, it is our responsibility to gather our preparation for His arrival. We have to prepare now and not procrastinate our days with addictions, games and depression. We need to take advantage of the time given to us here on earth. No one can gather your oil  for you, you have to gather your own oil for your lights for when Christ comes to welcome those followers back into His presence.You can deny it all you want but it is happening soon or later.

The Widow's Mite

Choice 5: Mark 12:41-44 “ The Widows Mites”

The significance of the widows gift was that she was willing to give all she had to show her devotion to the Lord.  She did not give very much in comparison to the wealthier people. When the Lord noticed how much she gave, he gathered his disciples around to teach them how a real follower of Christ should act. The widow not only gave when she could not afford it but she gave all she had.

As members of Christ’s church we need to be willing to give all of ourselves to the will of the Lord. The widow was living the way the Savior taught by living a law of sacrifice. The rich men were giving a portion of what they had with no burden or worries of the future. This widow gave in faith that she would be provided for and her needs would be taken care of by the Lord. We have to be willing to sacrifice!

Here are some ways that as members of the church can donate all our living:

·         Be strong enough to stand for truth and righteousness

·         Give service even if it is not convenient

·         Give more fast offering

·         Keeping all the commandments and counsels from the prophets

Parables that teach Eternal Truths

Luke 16:19-31 - " The rich man and Lazarus"                                                                                

 This parable is about service, love and charity. While the rich man was alive he did not help anyone and he had no compassion on Lazarus. Lazarus was suffering and hungry and the rich man did not give him anything to eat. Both of these men died and Lazarus was comforted in the arms of the Abraham and the rich man was tormented because of the decisions he made in his life.
I think one noble thing the rich man did was thinking about his brothers still on earth that needed to be warned of what was to come.
He wanted to appear to them and warn them, Abraham said that his plan would not work. If they wouldn't listen to the prophets they won't listen to a resurrected being either.

I think the moral of this story is to teach us to prepare now. We need to give of ourselves in this life so we can have comfort and peace in the next life.
I think if we can give of our money, time and love in this life we will only have joy and peace when we stand before God at the judgement day.

Luke 17:11-19- "The Ten Lepers"

God heals many people and He blesses people everyday.  Some of these people see that it is God healing them and others don't see God's hand in their lives even though they are receiving blessings everyday. I think for us to be made whole like this leper that gave praise we need to thank God everyday for the blessings He gives us.

Luke 18:9-16- "The Pharisee and the publican"

If we become self-righteous and judge others for what they are not doing right we start to damn ourselves. If we think we are better then others because we keep more of the commandments we are only digging a hole for ourselves.
I suffer with this because I expect too much from other Latter-day Saints, I expect everyone to be obedient and it makes me upset seeing people break the honor code. I know I am not perfect and I should not judge people, but this is something I need to work on everyday.

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ

Drop your nets and follow Christ

What does it take to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?

• Faith 
• Diligence
• Not making excuses to follow God
• Willing to give up your sins and comforts
• Loving God more than anyone or anything
• Loving others and having charity in our heart and  actions
• Strength to choose the right no matter what
• Courage to testify of Christ
• Humility - having the desire to learn from God, through revelation and the scriptures
• Virtue- having clean hands and a clean mind
• Willing to repent of your sins daily and striving to become better every passing day
• Willing to give up worldly possessions, status and money
• Willing to give your life for God

 Following Christ is not always easy but it is worth it. God is aware of everything I do and He blesses me so much more than I deserve. This is long list and sometimes I want to focus on a couple things at a time. This week I have to chose to work on my humility. I need to be more humble and open for personal revelation through the Spirit. I want to learn more from the scriptures and I want to feel God's presence in my everyday life. I know when I am prideful He struggles to communicate with me. I want an open signal from God and I know I have to do my part.

Being a true disciple of Christ we must give up all of ourselves to serve Him. We must serve with all our heart mind and strength, only then will we see the miracles come into our lives. We must drop our nets and follow Him.

Become as little Children

Choice 3: Matthew 18:1–14. “Become as Little Children”  What are the attributes of a child?

Children are young and fragile. They are easily taught, they observe everything around them. Children strive to have the love and approval of their parents. They want to be comforted and loved by their parents. Children love talking and being with their parents. Children just want to be noticed and loved by their parents.

Heavenly Father is our parent and we should feel this way towards Him and Jesus Christ.

Matthew 18:3-4 states " ... Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Realizing we are God's little children, we can understand our role in this life.We should strive to seek His approval and love. We should feel bad when we break His rules. We need to realize also that we don't know everything and we need His knowledge and wisdom to teach us and guide us. As children of Heavenly Father we should never want to leave His side. I know He is sad when we disobey Him or don't talk to Him. He loves us and wants us to have a close relationship with Him. We should love our Heavenly Father so much that we would be sad if He left us alone.
Being converted means to change they way you live your life. Change your heart, change your mind to think of spiritual things, and changing your actions to be in line with God's will. Without this you can not live in Heavenly Father's presence.

Doctrine and Covenants 78:17-18- 17 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are ^alittle children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you; 18 And ye cannot ^abear all things now; nevertheless, be of good^bcheer, for I will ^clead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the ^driches of ^eeternity are yours.

I don't have children yet but when I do I am going to do everything I can to protect, teach and guide them in their lives. I want them to be happy and safe, spiritually and physically. I will love them and always help them achieve their righteous goals.This is what Heavenly Father wants for us as well. He wants us to be humble so He can teach and guide us in this life.