Once a week, Elder Waltman and I get together with some other missionaries and we teach and learn from each other. Today was my turn to teach. I had been asked a couple days ago to prepare a talk on a Christ-like attribute of my choice. I prayed about it and came to the conclusion I should talk about humility.
"Humility is willingness to submit to the will of the Lord and to give the Lord the honor for what is accomplished. It includes gratitude for His blessings and acknowledgment of your constant need for His
divine help." -Preach My Gospel pg 120.
I really like how Ammon showed humility after serving the Lord and helping thousands of people come to a true knowledge of their savior Jesus Christ. Ammon began to talk about the success they had and one of his brethren cautioned him, "...I fear thy joy doth carry thee away unto boasting." (Alma 26:11)
"But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God." (Alma 26:12)
"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things..." (Alma 26:13)
Ammon kept no honor for himself, but gave all the honor and glory to God- where it rightly belonged.
Each of us has been given talents, ability, senses, knowledge or other gifts from God. Sometimes it is hard to see that everything we have and are, are gifts from God. And any good thing comes from Him. Anytime we have happiness or success, it is because He had His hand in it.
I for one am grateful for the blessings He has given me. He gave me the ability to see the beauty of nature. He gave me a loving family. He gave me the opportunity to be here in Nashville and meet so many wonderful children of His. This list goes on and on!
In our church we have a hymn called, "Count Your Many Blessings." I would invite each of you to take a moment to count your many blessings from God and see how He has touched YOUR life! Feel free to comment on my blog and share what you're grateful for!
Showing posts with label Alma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alma. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Pray with all energy of Heart
If I could get out just one message, or teach someone something that could change their lives I would most definitely teach the significance of PRAYER. Yes, I would love to teach people of God and Jesus Christ, don't get me wrong, but prayer is our connection with God, and is the only true way to gain a witness of their reality or divinity.
In our church, some young men are the ones who bless the sacrament (or eucharist, or Lord's supper, or communion some faiths might call it). I was one of those young men before I served my mission. As I got older, other young men started to bless the sacrament and would look to me for advice and help on how to do it. My first advice was ALWAYS to remember that the blessing is a prayer, and prayer is a conversation with someone- GOD. When you pray, you are talking to an actual being! You aren't talking to the air, or saying something that only sounds nice to the people who hear the prayer- you are talking with God.
I remember the times when the young men and I really prayed to God, and not just recited a prayer. The Holy Spirit was SO strong! We KNEW God heard us, because we were sincere and we were talking with Him with full purpose of heart. God's power was evident and we were blessed.
I know this is the case for all who pray to God, remember He's a person, and talking with him, not preaching a sermon to Him- they will be strengthened and enlightened by His spirit. So, to you readers out there, the next time you pray remember that and you will really talk with God! He will answer your prayers, and it will change your life. You will find you are closer to God than ever.
"36. Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and withersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.
"37. Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day."
-Alma 37:32-43
In our church, some young men are the ones who bless the sacrament (or eucharist, or Lord's supper, or communion some faiths might call it). I was one of those young men before I served my mission. As I got older, other young men started to bless the sacrament and would look to me for advice and help on how to do it. My first advice was ALWAYS to remember that the blessing is a prayer, and prayer is a conversation with someone- GOD. When you pray, you are talking to an actual being! You aren't talking to the air, or saying something that only sounds nice to the people who hear the prayer- you are talking with God.
I remember the times when the young men and I really prayed to God, and not just recited a prayer. The Holy Spirit was SO strong! We KNEW God heard us, because we were sincere and we were talking with Him with full purpose of heart. God's power was evident and we were blessed.
I know this is the case for all who pray to God, remember He's a person, and talking with him, not preaching a sermon to Him- they will be strengthened and enlightened by His spirit. So, to you readers out there, the next time you pray remember that and you will really talk with God! He will answer your prayers, and it will change your life. You will find you are closer to God than ever.
"36. Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and withersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.
"37. Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day."
-Alma 37:32-43
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