An Uncircumcised Heart

Personal revelation comes as we follow the example of Christ and keep the Commandments. Romans two shares with us that we need to judge the way that we are willing to live our lives. 

We learned that we are gods children and that he wants to bless us. But he demands obedience. Those who follow him will be blessed with the spirit. He is not a respecter of persons. 

Our Heavenly Father asks us to cut the things out of our lives that will take us down foolish paths. Defined a little bit more clearly in today's vinacular that is the ways that are of the world. Taking part in righteous living as the scriptures. If we are willing to turn our hearts to godly things and focus on what really matters most, the dues of heaven will distill upon our hearts. 

Elder Joesph B Wirthlin that treasures of knowledge will come to us if we are willing to avoid addictive substances an addictive behaviors that will allow Satan to block the Holy Spirit from us.

Ezekiel 16

The prophet Ezekiel makes clear that God wants to talk to us. He sees us he knows us. He wants to build us up and then we are given our free agency to do with his blessings as we will.

16 times in the chapter the Lord reminds us that he is speaking to us through his prophets. Pretty amazing that he wants us to know that he is talking to us not that we recognize that a prophet is speaking. In the doctrine  and covenants we learn, that either by his voice or by the voice of his prophets it is the same. 

Then he tells us 41 times using the word "I" am going to do something. He uses "I will" or "I am" to tell us what he expects of us and what he will do for us depending on how we use our free agency.

We have to learn to recognize his arm in all things. Are you counting your daily blessings? Are you willing to cast on him your every care? Learning to recognize the hand of God is learning to recognize how God is working in your life. We have to learn to seek him first instead of seeking the praise of men. That comes from following his plan for all of us.

Some of the ways that we can do that is to set goals for ourselves to act as milestones. Learning to recognize what is really important. That is what can really strengthen our testimonies and edify others.

He Knows Us.

There is a great truth that Christ teaches us in the gospel of John 10:14-16. Christ says that he is the good shepherd. Meaning he cares for those in his charge.  So much so that in another story he is willing to leave the whole to search for the one. Which means that he must know those that he is responsible for.  He knows us not just casually but intimately.

He knows us! He allows us to wander. Ultimately those who accept him know him and want to follow his commandments.

Christ, then says that the love he has for us is so great. He gladly would give his life for us that we can have a relationship with him and the father following this life. What a blessing, a hope in what we have to look forward to. I am forever grateful for the bridge that is built for me by the Savior. 

The mission of the Christ is that as one is found there are others that are lost. They must be visited with the truth. They must be given an opportunity. 

It is hard when those who hear do not find it a priority to put these things to the front. The savior just asks that they have the oppertunity to hear and then they must act. He will never force us he can't. But what joy is had when we gather together as one! 

Justice & Mercy

Jesus Christ is the only way to the father (John 14:6). It is he who makes it possible for us to return. It is him that offers himself a sacrifice for our sin. I don't think that I will ever fully understand  how that works. But I am grateful for it. I am grateful for the knowledge that he will be there on my side when I come to him with a contrite heart.

It is the job of each individual that when they have received that  knowledge and it is burning within that they should share it. Share What you have. Lehi talking to his son Jacob said "....how great the importance to make these known unto the inhabitants of the earth.... Now is the time that each one who has received these things must stand up and declare the great things that our Heavenly Father has done.

Lehi goes on to teach his son that it is only through the Messiah that ressurection of all mankind will come to pass. Because he has done this we are able to come to God. What a powerful lesson. Christ allows us to come and stand before God and he will plead our case. If we accept him and repent.

There is a law. That law has a penalty. All have transgressed that law. Just being human we will and do have a need for the mercy to be extended to us! We would be lost without our elder brother Jesus the Christ. He stands to make in Lehi's words an Intercession for man. He will bridge the gap.

Being There

The Lord watches over all of us. He is looking to help. He will send his spirit. He offers us his consolation to be comforted; to call on him and he will comfort us. The Lord also has said that as brothers we need to go forth, visit with one another. Find out things that are going on in the lives of the people that were serving. Being patient in all things. The main purpose is so that you can be an instrument in the hands of the Lord being a good example first and then going forth to save many souls.

When we are watchful over those who we come in contact with and have our eyes open to the needs of our friends and family. We can be led by the Spirit to ask certain questions. Those questions give answers to prayers. Those who have been or are very patient in  their sufferings. They might never let on or tell you that something is wrong. But the spirit will guide if you have your eyes ears and hearts open. 

When trials and heartaches come it's important that we listen to the Lord that we pray. The Lord has promised us that he will be there for us. He will use his servants as instruments to be guided to those who need help in the time of need.

Scripture chain: Alma 17:10 - 11; 20:29; 26:27

Instruments

A father and son were talking in the car. The young man was so enthused about a piece of aviation knowledge that he had learned from his church leader who is a pilot. The church leader explained to the young man that when there is dense fog he has to  trust his instruments. He talked about how sometimes he has only 200 feet of visibility before touching ground. Hopefully if his instruments had worked correctly he would be just fine.

The father thought about this for a moment and asked his son what kind of instruments he thought might be guiding his life? What did he rely on in his life? At first the boy did not understand. With a gentle prod the light bulbs began to work.

The father explained that in the dense fog of life there are instruments that one can and must rely on. The greatest blessing is that of the Holy Ghost. When listened to the spirit is our navigator to safety. The spirit warns of danger. It lifts when we can't make it on our own.

Another, instrument is our scriptures. When needed the scriptures guide us to a sure knowledge of our intended course.

Just like the pilot talking to the tower to assure the pilot, prayer, is our communication with our Heavenly Father.

Then, other help is offered by parents, leaders, people who have walked the path that is currently being walked. 

There are a host of instruments at our disposal if we are willing to use them. Look around at what is available to you and use the best of what the Lord has to offer to bring you safely home!

***President Uchtdorf' "Of Things That Matter Most" October Conference 2010

***President Uchtdorf " We Are Doing a Great Work and Cannot Come Down" April Conference 2009    

The Lord Is My Deliverer

When called the Savior responded "Not my will, but thine be done." He offered himself a ransom for me. So often I take for granted the simpleness of the atonement. If followed we have a promise that he will lead us out of the devoureer's reach. He will deliver us to the place we want to be...forever with him for eternity, For some that maybe hard to fully comprehend.

Because of the Savior Jesus Christ you and I have the ability to go back and live with the father again. A temporal blessing of accepting this gift is true happiness. Yes, it takes work. It takes trial and even sacrifice but if we are willing to shirk off the world and the natural man we will be happy.

Deliverer means to me that I will be lead to a better place than where I have been. That the Lord will guide my footsteps as I am humble and pliable. When faith is exercised Christ is there to hold me up. When trial comes and my heart grows weary Christ is there.

The Lord knows our pain. He suffered so he could help us. He had to know what it felt like to show us the Eminence amount of love the father has for us. What a beautiful thought it is that he is guiding me.

My favorite portrait of the Savior is of a Young man in heavy seas stirring a boat. The Savior is pictured standing behind the captain of the ship pointing the way. The Hymn says "Dark the night of sin hath settled loud the angry billows roar. Eager eyes are watching longing for the lights along the shore" He is the light on the shore that will deliver us to the Father of Heaven and earth.