Spiritual Whirlwinds - Stand firm in your FAITH in Christ

We live in a time where evil, hatred, and violence are swirling about us.  The world is in commotion.  Satan knows his time is short and he is working in full force to split apart families and insert divisive wedges between relationships.  He wants us to be miserable like unto himself.  He wants to derail us from the pathway that leads to happiness, fulfillment, and joy.  

This battle is not new and from the beginning he has been waging war against faithful followers of Christ.  In the beginning he was trying to take away our agency.  Today he is trying to destroy our happiness and spiritual progression.  We live in a fallen state and must choose daily who we will serve and follow.  He wants us to oppose the plan of our maker and follow the ways of this world.  He is very good at what he does in blinding the hearts and minds of many...

BUT... we do NOT have to heed or follow his enticings.  We are taught that there is opposition in all things.  We know that wickedness never was happiness.  We can overcome evil by exercising faith in Jesus Christ and following His teachings.   As we act in faith and repent of our wrong doings we are empowered with the armor of God to withstand the storms of life.  

2 Nephi 10:23

23 Therefore, ^acheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are ^bfree to ^cact for yourselves—to ^dchoose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.

Opposition = the action of opposing, resisting, or combating; antagonism or hostility. 

                                                                                                           - Dictionary.com 

2 Nephi 2:11 For it must needs be, that there is an ^aopposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.

Jesus Christ invites each of us to Come Unto Him.  He stands at the door and knocks but we must open the door and let Him into our lives.  I bear witness that when we turn unto Christ, He turns to us with open arms of love.  He wants to help us and lift us.

Revelation 3:20

20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and ^aopen the door, I will ^bcome in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

 

As we build our lives upon the foundation of Christ and His teachings we are able to bear the burdens that we face.  We are able to withstand the fiery darts of the adversary and find strength and peace through His spirit.  We are set free.

#LightoftheWorld

"I am the light of the world, he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life."

#LIFE

- C. J. Poulsen

Service brings happiness and joy

This weekend has been awesome as we gathered locally as Latter-day Saints to worship and learn of Christ's teachings together at Stake Conference for the Riverside California Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Twice a year, Latter-day Saints throughout the world meet for a regional Stake Conference in whatever region or demographic they reside.

This is Stake Conference...not "steak."  We do not meet for a steak on the barbecue as some have assumed. :)

Stake

One of the organizational and administrative units of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A stake is composed of a number of wards or branches. It generally has a set of geographical boundaries and conforms to the tent image described in Isaiah 54:2: “Lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes.” Each stake of Zion supports and helps to hold up the Church the way a tent or tabernacle is held up by its stakes. A stake is the gathering place for the remnants of scattered Israel (D&C 82:13–14; 101:17–21).

The main topic and theme throughout the conference was Service to others brings happiness and joy. Thank you to all who spoke and sang. We were reminded of the multitude of opportunities that exist wherever we live to plug in and serve on a regular basis within our communities.  JustServe.org is the place to find several opportunities to serve in your local area.  Check it out!  It's a great place to find areas of service.

We were also taught and reminded who our greatest example of service was throughout His life and ministry here upon the earth.  The Savior, Jesus Christ was always serving those around Him.  He taught us by example, and His message was one of peace and goodwill.  He lived a sinless and selfless life.  He is the perfect example we have to follow.

I love how serving others makes me feel.  I have had many opportunities throughout my life to serve others in various capacities.  Whenever I give of my time and talents I feel uplifted and blessed that I could help someone in need.  It just feels good...  It's rewarding when you know you've influenced someone or touched someone's life for good by serving them and not expecting anything in return.  One goal I have personally set for 2017 is to be a volunteer in helping index family file names on FamilySearch.org.   This is an activity I can do late at night once the kids are in bed and work is done for the day.  It has been a great blessing for me and brings me happiness and joy.


Simple acts of service bring peace and help us develop Christlike attributes.  Is that not our goal?  To become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ?  To be His disciples?  I think it is the common goal of Christians everywhere...

As I think of examples of service, my mind is turned primarily to mothers.  I think of my own mother, my mother-in-law, my grandmothers, and my dear wife who are in constant service mode.  These women are great examples of selfless service and love.  They are in constant service within the walls of their homes and we are blessed daily by their simple acts of service.  Thank you to all mothers everywhere who give of yourself!

~ C.J. Poulsen