Thursday, November 20, 2008
1 Nephi 18
Fear God exceedingly. FEAR GOD. I couldn't help but realize that I don't fear God nearly as much as I fear my family as I read this chapter. Nephi stood up to his family, to his older brother. He wasn't afraid to tell them that what they were doing was wrong. He was tied up and left helpless. I know that I am scared of not pleasing my family and we have missed church sometimes because I was too scared to tell my mom no. Obviously I had things mixed up. I know I need to do better and I will.
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Something else that I noticed in this chapter is that Nephi rode the tempest. His brothers were living in sin and disobeying God, but he had to ride the tempest with them. They were his family and he rode the storm with them. That really meant a lot to me because I find myself complaining about my situation a lot. I don't really complain out loud, but still. Nephi waited out a literal and spiritual storm even though he had done nothing wrong. I know I do wrong every now and then so if Nephi was forced to ride the waves, then so will I.
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Something else that I noticed in this chapter is that Nephi rode the tempest. His brothers were living in sin and disobeying God, but he had to ride the tempest with them. They were his family and he rode the storm with them. That really meant a lot to me because I find myself complaining about my situation a lot. I don't really complain out loud, but still. Nephi waited out a literal and spiritual storm even though he had done nothing wrong. I know I do wrong every now and then so if Nephi was forced to ride the waves, then so will I.
1 Nephi 16
Lehi finds the Liahona. I know it's often pointed out, but I can't help but realize how much the scriptures are the modern day Liahonas. There was a good chunk of time where I would read the scriptures and not get anything out of them. I would try and try, but I couldn't feel the words like I once did. Then one day my heart opened and I could feel them again. I could feel the Spirit in me as I read and I knew that I wasn't able to understand before because my heart was closed. As long as I listen to God and remember to keep Him in my life, the pointers are pointing me on and teaching me what I need to l earn from the scriptures.
1 Nephi 14
Verse 10 says there save two churches only: the church of God and the church of the devil. I think that speaks for itself well enough, but I'm really glad that I'm a member of the Church of God.
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There's a lot of talk about evil and how enticing it is. I was thinking of how evil really worked its way into my life, even at a young age. It makes me realize that I need to protect my children no matter what, even if I think they are too young to know what is going on. I hear people say that kids don't know what's happening or what grown ups are talking about. I know from experience that children can be just as perceptive as adults and every bad thing they see they keep in their mind. I hope I can be a better mom than that.
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There's a lot of talk about evil and how enticing it is. I was thinking of how evil really worked its way into my life, even at a young age. It makes me realize that I need to protect my children no matter what, even if I think they are too young to know what is going on. I hear people say that kids don't know what's happening or what grown ups are talking about. I know from experience that children can be just as perceptive as adults and every bad thing they see they keep in their mind. I hope I can be a better mom than that.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
1 Nephi 13
Verse thirty says that "an exceedinly great many (people) do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them." It seems like a really harsh verse, but people do stumble. I sometimes think that my life is one great big motion of tripping. But the thing is, we have to realize that all things will work out for the good. The Lord is aware of our every day struggles and He wants to help us return to him.
Later in the chapter, in verse thirty-two, there is a promise for people who do stumble. "Neither will the Lord God suffer that the Gentiles shall forever remain in that awful state of blindness . . ." This offers great comfort because the Lord will never allow anyone to remain blind as along as they are reaching for him.
Another verse that really made me stop and think was verse thrity-seven. It talks about how the people who are bringing forth Zion are blessed. I don't think I am doing anything to bring forth Zion and I wondered how I could do more. I think the most I can do is teach my children how to live in righteousness. In order to do that, I have to be righteous myself.
In the same verse, there is a beautiful saying. " . . . and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be." I think of Pastor and how too often we fight. The home should be a place where we can publish peace and I know that I need to work on being a better wife and mother.
Later in the chapter, in verse thirty-two, there is a promise for people who do stumble. "Neither will the Lord God suffer that the Gentiles shall forever remain in that awful state of blindness . . ." This offers great comfort because the Lord will never allow anyone to remain blind as along as they are reaching for him.
Another verse that really made me stop and think was verse thrity-seven. It talks about how the people who are bringing forth Zion are blessed. I don't think I am doing anything to bring forth Zion and I wondered how I could do more. I think the most I can do is teach my children how to live in righteousness. In order to do that, I have to be righteous myself.
In the same verse, there is a beautiful saying. " . . . and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be." I think of Pastor and how too often we fight. The home should be a place where we can publish peace and I know that I need to work on being a better wife and mother.
1 Nephi 18
This is the chapter where the boat is finished and Nephi's family go out to sea. While on their voyage, Nephi's brother make themselves merry. In verse ten, Nephi said that he did "feat exceedingly lest the Lord should be angry with us." This reminded me of my situation with my family. Sometimes they will say things that I would rather they did not say. When Paul or Gary are drunk, I simply sit by and let it happen. Nephi fears God more than the wrath of his family.
Sometimes I wonder why I have to go through all of this, but Nephi was more righteous than I and when I was reading about his trials I realized that he too had to ride the tempest even though he is good. The difference is that he feared God more than man. I know I need to improve in that area because I let my family do things I wish I didn't ever have to witness at all.
Sometimes I wonder why I have to go through all of this, but Nephi was more righteous than I and when I was reading about his trials I realized that he too had to ride the tempest even though he is good. The difference is that he feared God more than man. I know I need to improve in that area because I let my family do things I wish I didn't ever have to witness at all.
1 Nephi 17
The only thing I'm going to say on this chapter is that Nephi is truly a man of great courage and faith. He is not afraid to tell his brother's how things are and that makes me ashamed. I want to be more like Nephi when someone confronts me about my beliefs. He was not afraid, not even of his elder brothers.
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