He is Risen

This week is Easter and we have the opportunity to remember Christ and his sacrifice that he made for us. I consider myself lucky because I have been in a class this last semester where I have been studying Christ's life and teachings. There is one story that touched me, especially as I have been thinking about the resurrection. This story starts after Christ had been crucified, the apostles returned to their daily tasks of fishing. Jesus, now a resurrected being, is walking on the shoreline and calls out to the disciples. I love what happened as soon as Peter recognized who it was. continuing in John 21:7, we read:

"Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea."

What would you do if you saw the resurrected Christ? Peter recognizing that it was the savior that had resurrected and immediately went to him. There have been many times in my life where I have recognized that the Lord is alive and seeking to bless each one of us. As we are blessed, we should run (or in this case swim) to him and thank him because there is much to thank him for.

He does continually bless us and seek to help us. Christ suffered for our sins so that he would know how to do this. I encourage all you this Easter season to ponder on how Christ has blessed your life and then go to him in prayer and thank him. 

I am grateful for the savior and all he does for us. I know that he did die for us as the ultimate sacrifice, that he was resurrected, and that he lives for us, giving us hope and strength.

Lively Hope

This last week in my religion class we have had the opportunity to talk about the resurrection of Christ. and how that blesses us. I really like a scripture found in 1 Peter 1:3 which reads:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

Reading this scripture it reminds me of one of the great blessings of the resurrection of Christ. Because Jesus came here to earth and suffered for each of us, we not only will rise again and be resurrected, but we can also return to, and dwell, in God's presence. This means a lot to me. Even though I am imperfect and struggle, because of Christ I can have the hope of a better future.

This scripture shows that God, our Father, sent his son Jesus Christ to die for us, and that through his death and subsequent resurrection, we can have a lively hope. Not just any hope, but a lively one. One that guarantees that we will live again, and that we will be restored to a perfect frame.

This last week we had the opportunity to listen to God's chosen prophets. They repeatedly instructed to learn of Christ. I know that as we learn of him our optimism and hope will grow. I encourage you to study out Christ and his teachings, that your hope may become more lively, and that you may recognize his abundant mercy in your life.

Revelation

We live in a world where God leads and guides us. He is  able to teach and inspire us with revelations given through the Holy Ghost. There are many things that I have learned can help us to prepare to receive teachings from the Holy Ghost such as: Pray, Being reverent,  being humble, keeping the commandments, studying, and pondering.

Jesus Christ taught in Matthew 7:7-8, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to  him that knocketh it shall be opened."

Christs teachings here mean that we can receive answers to our questions if we seek and ask. This has been extremely important to me as I have had questions because I know that I can receive help and guidance from an all knowing being, my Father.

With General Conference we have the opportunity to hear from God's prophets and apostles. They will speak on general topics, but it is our responsibility to seek personal revelation. We can seek and pray about what is taught and be blessed with answers. I have done this many times and have been blessed with answers to my questions. I encourage you to pray about and ponder the things taught this conference. If you seek the Holy Ghost, you will receive specific answers to your questions.

The Lord Calls Prophets

God is always looking to bless us as his children. He does this through many ways, the scriptures, prayer, families, and many more. In 2 Chronicles, Jehoshaphat taught another way that the Lord blesses us, through prophets. 2 Chronicles 20:20 reads:

And they rose early in the morning, and went forth in the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

I found this story to be interesting. We are taught 2 truths, to believe in the Lord and to believe his prophets. God calls prophets to bless his children. They teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As children of God, if we listen to the prophets, and live the gospel, we shall prosper.

Here in a week, we will have the opportunity to hear from one of God's prophets, Thomas S. Monson. He will speak for the Lord and if you believe in his words, you will prosper. If we prepare ourselves and open our hearts to what will be taught, something will be said that we can apply to better our lives.

Peace I give unto you

How can one experience the peace that the gospel brings? There are 2 verses that Christ taught that explain so well how we can obtain peace.

"But the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:26-27)

For me, the Spirit is a great way to receive peace. I love how the Spirit is also called the Comforter. I use the words comfort and peace synchronously. The spirit is how we can experiences the peace that the gospel brings.

The Holy Ghost is a divine gift from our Heavenly Father. His influence can always be felt by everyone, but as we are baptized, we can receive him as a gift. When we receive him through the laying on of hands, we have the promise to always have him with us.

I encourage you, if you are looking for lasting peace, seek the spirit. Pray for him to accompany you. Study the scriptures. Serve. These are all ways that I feel peace and I know God will grant unto you his peace if you do this.

Pray in Secret

As Christ was teaching His Sermon on the Mount, he taught a bit about prayer. One quote that I love is:

"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." (Matthew 6:6)

I know that personal, private prayer is extremely important in strengthening our relationship with God. I love how Christ said "enter into thy closet". Though I don't necessarily go into my closet, I try to find a quiet place to pray. When I am free of distractions I can fully focus on my conversation with God. I have seen God bless me openly based on our conversations that we have had.

Prayer is one of the best ways to grow closer to God. Much like a thoughtful conversation with a friend will strengthen that friendship, thoughtful prayer will strengthen our relationship with God. As we pray we should thank Him for all He has given us. We should also seek blessing's for others, as well as ourselves. He is our Father, He is listening, and He will answer our prayers.

I encourage you all to find a quiet place to pray, but before praying meditate on what you will say and ask. If you will seek to draw closer to God, He will draw nearer to you, and He will bless you.

Forgiveness in simple steps

This last week in my Christ and the Everlasting Gospel class we have been talking about miracles. Every miracle has both a physical and a spiritual part. One thing that I have noticed is a lot of the times the spiritual miracle is forgiveness. To be forgiven and made clean in God’s presence is truly a miracle.

As I have been studying many stories about people that were considered “unclean”, by the oral tradition of the Jews, I have noticed that they were not afraid to lay it all before Christ. Even being “unclean” they went before the Lord and asked to be helped. Through my studies on repentance I came to this scripture in Proverbs 28:13:

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy

This is comforting that we can receive mercy. I have many times needed help, and I know that as we approach the Lord with a “broken heart and contrite spirit”, He will forgive us.

Forgiveness is made possible through the atonement of Christ. We suffered for each of us and drank of the bitter cup so that our lives could be sweet. There is nothing more sweet then drawing nearer to our Father through forgiveness. All it takes is us kneeling in prayer and confessing our sins followed by forsaking, or leaving them behind.

You can follow these steps for anything. I encourage you to take these steps to draw nearer to God and taste of his sweetness.