111217 on rebirth, renewal, humility, and faith

“Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

“And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.”

[2 Corinthians 3:3-6]

“And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: that they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.”

[Ezekiel 11:19-20]

Comment:

Paul’s letters are a mash-up of metaphor, commentary, and admonition about discipleship! I love the images in these verses and their hearkening back to Ezekiel—epistle of Christ and writing on the fleshy tables of the heart. In verses 5 and 6, Paul links humility and faith. We think nothing of ourselves. If we are sufficient as “ministers of the New Testament”, it is because of the Spirit.

111206 on discipleship, testimony, and enduring

“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, ‘Will ye also go away?’

“Then Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.’”

[John 6:66-69]

111205 on not setting your heart on things of the world

I

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [1 John 2:15]

II

And verily I say unto thee that thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better. [Doctrine and Covenants 25:10]

III

Behold, I say unto you, David, that you have feared man and have not relied on me for strength as you ought. But your mind has been on the things of the earth more than on the things of me, your Maker, and the ministry whereunto you have been called; and you have not given heed unto my Spirit, and to those who were set over you, but have been persuaded by those whom I have not commanded. Wherefore, you are left to inquire for yourself at my hand, and ponder upon the things which you have received. [Doctrine and Covenants 30:1-3]

IV

Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—that the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.

[Doctrine and Covenants 121:34-36]

111128 on love as the center of all we do

“When asked to name the greatest commandment, He did not hesitate. ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,’ He said. ‘This is the first and great commandment.’ Coupled with the second great commandment—to love our neighbor as ourselves—we have a compass that provides direction not only for our lives but also for the Lord’s Church on both sides of the veil.

“Because love is the great commandment, it ought to be at the center of all and everything we do in our own family, in our Church callings, and in our livelihood. Love is the healing balm that repairs rifts in personal and family relationships. It is the bond that unites families, communities, and nations. Love is the power that initiates friendship, tolerance, civility, and respect. It is the source that overcomes divisiveness and hate. Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope. Love should be our walk and our talk.

“When we truly understand what it means to love as Jesus Christ loves us, the confusion clears and our priorities align. Our walk as disciples of Christ becomes more joyful. Our lives take on new meaning. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father becomes more profound. Obedience becomes a joy rather than a burden.”

[Uchtdorf, Dieter F, “The Love of God”, Ensign (Nov 2009)]

111126 on god’s love (1 john 4:8 and 1 john 4:16)

“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”

[1 John 4:8]

“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

[1 John 4:16]

111125 on discipleship and the cost of discipleship (3 nephi 5:13 and others)

“Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.”

[3 Nephi 5:13]

“And he said to them all, ‘If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his across daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.’”

[Luke 9:23-24]

“And whosoever doth not bear his across, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”

[Luke 14:27]

“Let no man be afraid to lay down his life for my sake; for whoso layeth down his life for my sake shall find it again. And whoso is not willing to lay down his life for my sake is not my disciple.”

[Doctrine and Covenants 103:27-28]

111124 on thanksgiving, humility, faith, and overeating (doctrine and covenants 59:15-21)

“And inasmuch as ye do these things [offering sacraments, prayer, fasting] with thanksgiving, with cheerful hearts and countenances, not with much laughter, for this is sin, but with a glad heart and a cheerful countenance—

“Verily I say, that inasmuch as ye do this, the fulness of the earth is yours, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which climbeth upon the trees and walketh upon the earth; yea, and the herb, and the good things which come of the earth, whether for food or for raiment, or for houses, or for barns, or for orchards, or for gardens, or for vineyards; yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul.

“And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion.

“And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments.”

[Doctrine and Covenants 59:15-21]

Comment:

As I write this, I find it odd that I always considered the last verse as a scripture on gratitude—but it isn’t really. The gratitude connection is because of the reference to thanksgiving at the beginning of the passage. I suppose one who confesses God’s “hand in all things” will also be grateful for God’s hand in all things. But I think the point of verse 21 is faith and humility. It takes humility because we are all tempted to consider ourselves the master of our destiny—when what is required is submissiveness to God and His plans for us. Also, it takes faith to confess God’s hand in all things. In some things, it takes great faith to believe the hand of God could be involved.

On this Thanksgiving Day, it is also interesting to note the warning about overdoing things today: “And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion.” I will try to remember the phrase “not to excess” today.

Happy Thanksgiving