With the new year upon us and everyone setting resolutions and goals to become more and do better in life there is a single ingredient that will help more than anything else...FAITH! Faith is an interesting topic to discuss and ponder about. Here is the definition of Faith:
Faith
Faith.Faith is to hope for things which are not seen, but which are true (Heb. 11:1; Alma 32:21), and must be centered in Jesus Christ in order to produce salvation. To have faith
is to have confidence in something or someone. The Lord has revealed
himself and his perfect character, possessing in their fulness all the
attributes of love, knowledge, justice, mercy, unchangeableness, power,
and every other needful thing, so as to enable the mind of man to place
confidence in him without reservation. Faith is kindled by hearing the testimony of those who have faith (Rom. 10:14–17). Miracles do not produce faith, but strong faith is developed by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ; in other words, faith comes by righteousness, although miracles often confirm one’s faith.
Faith
is a principle of action and of power, and by it one can command the
elements and/or heal the sick, or influence any number of circumstances
when occasion warrants (Jacob 4:4–7). Even more important, by faith one obtains a remission of sins and eventually can stand in the presence of God.
In our priesthood lesson at church today I had the privilege of being the instructor and leading the class discussion on Learning by Faith. We are using the Teachings of Presidents of the Church Lorenzo Snowfor our study manual in 2013.
The main points or key takeaways I took from this chapter are the following:
1. Learning comes in various forms but requires faith, exertion, and perseverance.
2. Obtaining knowledge is necessary to gaining permanent happiness.
3. The education of the Lord's Spirit is worthy of our best attention.
4. We benefit from hearing the gospel principles over and over again.
5. When we gather to learn the gospel, both the teacher and the learner need the guidance of the Spirit.
A few of my favorite scriptures we discussed today are the following: 2 NEPHI 28:30 30 For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon aprecept,
here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken
unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn bwisdom; for unto him that creceiveth I will give dmore; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.
D&C 88:118 118 And as all have not afaith, seek ye diligently and bteach one another words of cwisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best dbooks words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.
D&C 130:18-19
18 Whatever principle of aintelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the bresurrection.
19 And if a person gains more aknowledge and intelligence in this life through his bdiligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the cadvantage in the world to come.
I am grateful for the lessons we learn each week and for the reminder this one gave me to consistently study the gospel of Jesus Christ and the things of the Spirit. This balance is necessary for us to obtain happiness and learn to do the will of Father in Heaven. I know that Jesus Christ lives today and is the Head of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am so grateful for my membership in it and love the joy it brings to my family and I.
As I am reflecting on each of my accomplishments of 2012 and the life events that took place my heart is full of gratitude. I am so thankful for the blessings of abundance I am granted from a loving Heavenly Father. It seems that time goes by swiftly and change is inevitable. I love the inspiring words found in this short video clip to CREATE. I believe as we move into a new year and set goals for ourselves it is imperative to remember to CREATE your life path. You are the author of your destiny so pick up the pen and begin writing your story.
I have many goals for the New Year but my major goals are the following:
1. Attend the temple 2-4 times per month/be a better husband/father.
2. Study from the scriptures (Book of Mormon) daily.
3. Advance to a Senior Level within in my company.
4. Get lean and fit and run my first marathon.
5. Develop myself as a better leader.
Here is an article I wrote at the beginning of the New Year 2011 on GOAL SETTING.
I love the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and all the blessings that come with it. As an entrepreneur I have the joy and privilege of meeting new people all the time, many of whom inspire me to become a better person. I want to share an experience I recently had as I met one such sister who is a new friend, business colleague, and most importantly convert in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Each day I leave my home with a prayer in my heart to be led by the Holy Ghost and to strive to serve others around me. I am a strong believer in the following scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1 1 To every thing there is a aseason, and a time to every purpose under the heaven... which leads to why I believe that we cross paths, connect and meet others for a reason. It's not just happen stance. Our lives are weaved and intertwined for a reason...God knows what each of us need all the time and therefore blesses us and answers our prayers.
DAY 1: On Wednesday afternoon I stopped at a popular restaurant that I frequent often to meet with prospective business clients and partners. I noticed a vehicle with a business logo that I was somewhat familiar with on the back and a Texas license plate which piqued my curiosity. I went inside and made some phone calls and then left to attend other meetings. On my way home for the evening I passed by the restaurant noticing the same vehicle there and I had a feeling to turn around and return there. As I pulled up a man and lady walked out the front door and proceeded to talk outside of the vehicle I had seen with the business logo. I had seen them inside earlier and decided to get out, walk over, introduce myself and ask them for a business card.
Jill, the owner of the car, was slightly stunned but graciously gave me a card and product sample. She and I exchanged business cards and agreed to connect soon to learn more about each other's businesses and to network. The Book of Mormon - GET a FREE COPY!
DAY 2: The next day, Thursday afternoon, I phoned Jill and to my surprise she answered saying, "Christopher, I was just dialing your number, crazy!" I asked her if she was available to meet that afternoon and learn more about my business...she said, SURE, I can meet you in an hour back at the restaurant.
We met and she told me she had just moved to SLC from Houston two or three weeks ago after going through a divorce. She then gave me a brief summary refresher about her business that she was involved in and then I proceeded to tell her about mine. As we were talking she said, "I notice you're wearing a CTR (Choose the Right) ring; I actually just joined the church and got baptized a few months ago." I was now anxious and excited to hear more about her conversion story to the gospel and listened intently as she told me how it came to be.
She explained how a girlfriend had been asking her to come to church in Houston for several years and how the missionaries stopped by asking if they could mow the lawn or serve her family in various ways. Through these series of events being exposed to members she also met a skydive instructor from Utah who gave her a copy of The Book of Mormon and also invited her to church. She told me she loves The Book of Mormonand cannot go to sleep at night without reading from it. (I agree with her...it is my favorite book to read from as well and brings much peace, hope, and understanding.) She also showed me pics of her baptism on her phone and said how happy it made she and her children going to church together.
I was ecstatic as I listened to her story and so I shared with her how I had the feeling to turn around the night before and to meet her. We were both joyed to know Heavenly Father had brought us together in that moment to share testimony of prayer, gratitude, and opportunity.
I finished telling her about my company and she was impressed with her new found knowledge and made the decision to partner with my company and I that afternoon. She explained how all these blessings keep coming to her and she knows she is suppose to be in Utah at this time. She fasted and prayed to move here and opportunities and blessings have been poured out the past 2-3 weeks for her.
I am very happy today as I type this knowing that Heavenly Father does lead and guide us if we ask Him to. My testimony of prayers being answered has been strengthened immensely through this experience I've had. I am joyful looking ahead as I have gained a new friend, business colleague, and most importantly for the strengthening of my faith and testimony knowing another sister's conversion story to the Restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with me Jill and may our Heavenly Father continue to lead, guide, and bless you daily...
8 And now, my beloved brethren, I perceive that ye ponder still in your hearts; and it grieveth me that I must speak concerning this thing. For if ye would hearken unto the aSpirit which teacheth a man to bpray, ye would know that ye must cpray; for the devil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray.
9 But behold, I say unto you that ye must apray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall bpray unto the Father in the cname of Christ, that he will dconsecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the ewelfare of thy soul.
19 For the anaturalbman is an cenemy to God, and has been from the dfall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he eyieldsto the enticings of the Holy fSpirit, and gputteth off the hnaturalman and becometh a isaint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a jchild, ksubmissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
32 For behold, this alife is the time for men to bprepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of cthis life is the day for men to perform their dlabors.
33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so manyawitnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do notbprocrastinate the day of your crepentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh thednight of edarkness wherein there can be no labor performed.
34 Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful acrisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth bpossess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.
12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon thearock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your bfoundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty cstorm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.
3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how amerciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and bponder it in yourchearts.
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would aask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not btrue; and if ye shall ask with a csincere heart, with dreal intent, having efaith in Christ, he will fmanifest thegtruth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may aknow the btruth of all things.
A couple of my favorite musicians invite the spirit of the season as we each reflect the TRUE meaning of Christmas and all that our Savior, Jesus Christ has done for us... This inspiring rendition is a valuable piece to share with loved ones...Take a break and invest five minutes to reflect... May you all have a GREAT week in your many endeavors!
Sunday is my favorite day of the week for many reasons. First of all, I love going to church with my family and seeing my two year old light up when he asks, "Do we get to go to church today, Daddy?" His face beams with joy and excitement when I tell him yes! He loves to go and see friends in nursery and learn about Jesus, the temple, and the Holy Ghost. It brings joy and happiness to me as well when I pick him up from his nursery after our classes are over and he proceeds to tell me what he colored, drew, or made that day. Today he made a little book about Jesus and the creation and he was super excited to show it to me and his mommy and sister when we got home...For me, church brings a lot of strength and peace to my heart.
I love partaking of the sacrament (bread and water) in remembrance of Jesus Christ and renewing the covenants I have made with my Heavenly Father at baptism and in the temple. This brings great peace and reflection, allows for personal pondering and self evaluation. Course corrections are brought to light and a new determination is planted to do a little 'better' this week than last.
I love having a day of rest and hanging out with my family in pj's; not worrying about emails or work-related stuff for a full day. We love to watch church films as a family, read from the scriptures, and play games. Today we got to watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional and hear the prophet, Thomas S. Monson speak and testify of Jesus Christ and His birth. His two counselors spoke as welland wonderful messages were given regarding our Savior, Jesus Christ. This time of year is a time to count all of our many blessings.
I love learning about and sharing the gospel. The good news (gospel) brings a lot of hope and builds my faith as I learn about Christ and His Restored gospel and church for three hours at church meetings. Once I get home, I try to carry that same spirit and to share my testimony and gospel principles I've learned here on my blog for others to discover and read. I hope you've enjoyed today's post!
IN a darkening world, it can be tough to stand tall for what we believe in...Where are your roots planted? What foundation have you built to withstand the storms of adversity?
The inspirational clip above teaches how important it is to stand firm in our faith, even if it means standing alone. Watch our modern day prophet as a young man in Navy boot camp "stand alone" and learn a great lesson...Whatever your faith is, Dare to Stand Alone ~
This video illustrates a great example of praying to God to receive answers or personal revelations to some of life's questions. Finding out if something is TRUE or not isn't always easy, but going to the source of all truth with faith can be a wise decision. I know that God is the source of all truth and if I'm troubled with something or have questions about something in particular, I can pray and ask for help and receive answers.
I know that God, our Heavenly Father, hears and answers our prayers through the power of the Holy Ghost. As we exercise faith through prayer and commune with our Father, He is able to inspire us with promptings (feelings or impressions) from the Holy Ghost or teach/instruct us from the Holy Scriptures.
I hope you each had a great Sabbath day and if you live in the United States, I encourage each of you to pray and seek divine direction as you cast your votes for our leaders of the future!
- Last week we were privileged to listen to our living prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as they spoke truth to the world about various topics that help us each live better, more fulfilled lives as families and individuals. The 182nd Semi-Annual General Conference was recorded and archived HERE: General Conference is perhaps my favorite time of year as it happens twice, in April and October each year. IF you missed listening or watching the live sessions please go and watch a few of the recorded sermons that were given. They are uplifting and inspire good. IF you're not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka as Mormon Church), and are investigating the church I invite you to come and learn now from God's called servants.
I was born and raised as a Latter-day Saint and as I've grown and become an adult I have learned for myself that this church is God's only true and living church upon the face of the earth. I have prayed to know if this church is God's restored church. The spirit has testified to me over and over that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's restored church that was established anciently by Jesus Christ while He was here upon the earth. I am so grateful for the testimony and knowledge I have of this and how the restored gospel leads me and my decisions day by day.
I know that Jesus Christ is the Head of this church and that Thomas S. Monson is the prophet called to be God's mouthpiece here upon the earth. Again, I invite you to come and learn and pray to God to learn for yourself if this is not true...
