Lessons in the Key of Life: 2009

Dec

11

What Child Is This?

“. . . Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” – Luke 2:15

The Christmas season is upon us once again. As we approach the dawning of another Christmas morning, our hearts and minds are focused once more on those wonderful events that took place in the little town of Bethlehem during the night of miracles that occurred over 2000 years ago. On that night of nights a tiny baby boy was born. However, we should carefully note that this was no ordinary baby. Little did the world know or realize that this One who was born in the city of David on that starry night would change the course of the world forever.

One of the hymns that are frequently sung during this season of the year is titled, “What Child Is This?” Wise men down through the ages have sought to find an answer to this very important question. Some people called Him the son of David. Others called Him the son of Joseph. The Scriptures call Him the son of David, the son of Mary, the son of man, the Son of God. I would like to take just a few moments and look at these four titles, which are presented to us in Scripture, and point out four different aspects of the Christ-child.

First, as the son of David, He was the Sovereign child. In Luke 1:31-33 we read these words, “ And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” This tiny little baby who lay in the manger was the rightful King. He was not born to some day become the king. He was born King! – And not just an ordinary king, but, the KING of kings and the LORD of lords. President Ezra Taft Benson once stated, “Jesus Christ is the Lord God Omnipotent. (See Mosiah 3:5.) He was chosen before He was born. He was the all-powerful Creator of the heavens and the earth. He is the source of life and light to all things. His word is the law by which all things are governed in the universe. All things created and made by Him are subject His infinite power.” (Ensign, November 1963, p.6)

Not only was He the rightful King, but He was also a rejected king. We read about the failed plot of Herod the king to destroy the Christ-child as recorded in Matthew 2:1-16:

1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. 13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. 16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

Throughout His humble earthly life He was despised and rejected by people from all walks of life, and He still continues to be rejected by people today. The world says that there are too many other things to be concerned with and so it tries to eliminate Christ from any aspect of daily life. Some even go so far as to say that there is no room for Christ in this modern, technological, self-sufficient, fast-paced world in which we live. Thus, they feel that we no longer need His law, His love, or His sacrifice for us. Are we among those who have no room for Him in their busy lives? Do we find ourselves not needing to stand on His promises because we feel that we are doing fairly well without Him? Do we find that there is no time to do things His way because we much prefer to do things our own way? I pray that it may never be so in any of our lives.

Not only was He the rightful King and a rejected king, but He is also the soon returning KING. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 we are taught, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

Second, as the son of Mary, He was the supernatural child. The birth was seemingly impossible; however, the birth of the Christ-child was the fulfillment of the prophecy given by the prophet Isaiah as we read in Isaih 7:14-15, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.” Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men, Herod, angels, Satan, and our Heavenly father, also steadfastly investigated the birth. Without a doubt, this birth was supremely important.

Third, as the son of man, He was the servant child. The Scriptures teach us in Philippians 2:5-8, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” As the servant child, the Lord Jesus Christ shared the problems of the flesh. He experienced physical weariness, hunger, thirst, and physical pain. Yet, in all of this, He never sinned! In all that He did, He submitted to the will of the Father and showed a pattern to us to follow through His obedience, patience and ministry to others.

Fourth, as the Son of God, He is the Savior child. Read and ponder the words of John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” As the Son of God He was only sinless man who ever lived. He was the only sacrifice that could take away sins. He is the Christ – the Messiah – the Redeemer – the Savior of the world!
Concerning the Christ, President Gordon B. Hinckley once remarked: “How wondrous is the story of the great Creator, the mighty Jehovah, who condescended to come to the earth as the babe born in Bethlehem of Judea, who walked the dusty paths of Palestine teaching and healing and blessing, who gave His life on Calvary’s painful cross, and who rose from Joseph’s tomb, appearing to many on two continents – the resurrected Lord whom we read about in the testament of the Old World, the Bible, and in the testament of the New World, the Book of Mormon, as well as the word of modern revelation. We have read these, and the Spirit has borne witness in our hearts so that we too can testify that Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life, and that he that liveth and believeth in Him shall never die (see John 11:25-26). (Ensign, May 1988, p.66.)

May I conclude my remarks this afternoon by sharing with you an essay on the Life of Jesus Christ that I came across some time ago that helps to put the period in place to all that I have endeavored to share with you this day. The essay is entitled “One Solitary Life”:

Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.
He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself.

While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth – His coat. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.
Twenty long centuries have come and gone, and today He is a centerpiece of the human race and leader of the column of progress.

I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that were ever built; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life.

Brothers and Sisters as we gather together with friends and loved ones during this joyous holiday season, may we be ever mindful that Christmas is not about the beautiful Christmas decorations that we see. Christmas is not even about the beautifully wrapped packages under the tree. No, Christmas is about giving thanks to our Heavenly Father for His precious gift to the world on that very first Christmas morning – the gift of His Only Begotten Son – He who was born KING – the Messiah – the Savior of the world – Jesus the Christ – THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL. May God bless us, everyone, is my humble prayer. In the Sacred name of Him of who saints and angels sing - He who is the life and the light of the world – even the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Posted 11th December 2009 by Anonymous

Labels: Christ Christmas Savior
Dec

11

The Meaning of the Christmas Carol "The Twelve Days Of Christmas"

What do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? You may find the answer to that question to be very interesting.

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy).

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking were the eight Beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful Disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol.

Posted 11th December 2009 by Anonymous

Labels: Christ Christian Christmas
Nov

20

Faith Among Shadows

"Faith Among Shadows" by Malcolm Leal is not just another story. This is an amazing story of courage and commitment, but most of all, it is a story of the faith of one man's great-grandmother that ultimately through the trials and tests that he endured in his own life, became his faith, his story, his TESTIMONY. This is a book about faith in action. Though we have never met in person, I am honored to call Malcolm my friend, but more importantly my Brother. If there is one book you should read, I highly recommend that this be the one.

Posted 20th November 2009 by Anonymous

Labels: Endurance Faith Testimony
Oct

12

ELDER JEFFREY R. HOLLAND - THE TESTIMONY OF AN APOSTLE

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gave one of the most powerful and stirring testimonies of the Divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon and of the Prophet Joseph Smith that I believe I have ever heard. My sincere gratitude and appreciation goes to Seth Adam Smith for his hard work and diligence in putting this video together for everyone to see.

You can read Elder Holland's Conference address titled "Safety for the Soul" given during the Sunday afternoon session of the October 2009, 179th Semiannual General Conference by going here or you can view his Conference address by going here.

Posted 12th October 2009 by Anonymous

Labels: "Book of Mormon" "Joseph Smith" Faith Testimony Witness
Oct

1

Jason McElwain - Keeping the Dream Alive!

This is another true life story of hope and encouragement. This is the story of one person who was determined to keep their dream alive! Jason McElwain, nicknamed "J-Mac", is a young man with autism who made national news in 2006 when he played for four minutes during a high school basketball game and scored twenty points.

Born on October 1, 1988, to David and Debbie McElwain, Jason and his family lived in Greece, New York, a suburb of Rochester, New York. Jason was diagnosed with autism at a young age and had trouble interacting with other kids, but during his teenage years he began to develop social skills and make friends. Although he was placed in special education classes, Jason enjoyed basketball, which he was introduced to by his older brother Josh, and was appointed manager of Greece Athena High School's varsity basketball team by basketball coach Jim Johnson. For the Greece Athena's 2005-2006 basketball season, the 17-year-old McElwain was a senior and slated to graduate in the spring, but was unable to graduate.

Greece Athena High School basketball coach Jim Johnson decided to add McElwain to the roster for the team's February 15, 2006, game against Spencerport High School, so McElwain could be given a jersey and sit on the bench for the team's last home game of the season. Although the game between Greece Athena and Spencerport was for a senior night at Greece Athena High School, Johnson planned to allow McElwain to play a few minutes if Greece Athena got a comfortable lead. Greece Athena had a double-digit lead, so Johnson decided to let Jason play in the last four minutes. When teammates first passed the ball to McElwain he attempted a three-point shot and missed. McElwain got a second chance to score with a lay-up which he also missed. McElwain then got "hotter than a pistol", shooting six three-pointers and one two-point shot, before the game ended. The final score was Greece Athena 79, Spencerport 43. As soon as the final buzzer rang, fans from the stands stormed the court in celebration.

You can order a copy of Jason McElwain's story titled "The Game of My Life: A True Story of Challenge, Triumph, and Growing Up Autistic" from Amazon.Com by going here.

Posted 1st October 2009 by Anonymous

Labels: Commitment Courage Faith Hope
Sep

17

Infinite Power Of Hope

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, shares how hope encourages and inspires us to place our trust in the loving care of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
You can read President Uchtdorf's message "The Infinite Power Of Hope" by going here or you can watch the entire General Conference address from the October 2008 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by going here.

Posted 17th September 2009 by Anonymous

Labels: Hope Life
Aug

10

Likening the Scriptures Unto Ourselves

And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning. – 1 Nephi 19:23

The following Sacrament talk was delivered to the congregation of the Odenton Ward in Odenton Maryland on Sabbath Day afternoon, 24 March 2002.

Key Verses:

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. – John 5:39

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. – John 6:32-34

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. – 2 Timothy 2:15

. . . .For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children. – 2 Nephi 4:15

Good afternoon Brothers and Sisters. I always count it a pleasure and an honor to be able to address a congregation such as this and share my testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am particularly excited about the assignment that I have been given as I have the opportunity to speak for a few minutes on one of my favorite subjects – that being the importance of the Scriptures.

L. Tom Perry once said, “The Scriptures that are never read will never help us.” (Ensign, May 1985, p.23). Franklin D. Richards once said, “Knowledge received from studying the scriptures assists us in making correct decisions in all areas of life’s activities and helps us to know God and understand his purposes.” (Ensign, May 1981, p.51) And J. Richard Clark once said, “Brothers and sisters, you don’t have to be a natural student to read the scriptures: you just need to love the Lord.” (Ensign, November 1982, p.15)

For as long as I can remember the Scriptures has always been an integral part of my life. I will always be grateful for a loving mother who took the time to introduce the Scriptures to each of her children at an early age and taught them not only through words but also by example, just how important the Scriptures are and the impact that they can have on our lives. Growing up as a Baptist boy, I can remember that there were always one or more copies of the Bible in our home and my mother taught my brother, sisters and I to have a sincere respect and love for the Word of God.

That early exposure to the Scriptures has had a lasting effect on my life. As I grow older, my love and appreciation for the Scriptures grows deeper. At the age of 43, I have been blessed to read the Bible in its entirety seven times and I am currently engaged in the eighth reading of the blessed volume. Daily Scripture reading is an intimate part of my life. I have found that there is no greater joy in my life than to feast daily at the banqueting table of God’s Word. It is through the study of the Scriptures that I find joy, peace, happiness, comfort, and most of all a deeper love for my Savior. Christ taught us in John 5:39 to “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” The Apostle Paul in Romans 15:4 taught us “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

It was indeed my love for the Scriptures and my yearning to know more about the truths of the Gospel that sent me on a quest to find those truths. I began investigating the Church back in 1980 prior to joining the Navy. I met with missionaries on several occasions and enjoyed the Gospel discussions that we had. Once I left for boot camp, I lost all contact with the missionaries and did not pursue investigating the Church any further until 17 years later when I was stationed in Keflavic Iceland. It was while I was stationed there that I decided to investigate the Church once more and contacted the Church News concerning a subscription to the Church newspaper. One of the editors there, Mr. Doug Osborn, contacted the missionaries on my behalf and my quest for truth was begun once again. I met with many missionaries over the course of about a year. As I listened intently to the lessons that they taught about the Doctrines of the Gospel I began to wonder why I had not been taught some of the things that they were discussing with me before then. I became very interested in what the Book of Mormon was all about and not just the Book of Mormon but the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price as well.

To make a long story short, I told the missionaries one evening that I would not make a decision about being baptized until after I had read the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price each in their entirety. Through the Divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit I was able to develop a 40-day reading schedule for all three standard works and for the next forty days I spent all of my spare time reading and studying those blessed Scriptures. I knew as I read and pondered those pages of Scriptures that what I was reading was true and more importantly I gained a testimony that this is indeed the Lord’s true Church and that I could not afford to miss out on the blessings of becoming a member of His Church. So, on March 10, 1998, four short years ago, I was baptized and the rest as they say is history. Since becoming a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I have been blessed to have now read the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price five times each in their entirety and I am currently reading and studying each for the sixth time.

I would like to spend the remainder of my time with you this afternoon by sharing with you several key steps that have helped me in applying the Scriptures to my daily life. I also use these steps to aid me when preparing to teach the Scriptures.

Step 1: Read and meditate upon the Scriptures daily.

Ezra Taft Benson in an address to educators in Salt Lake City on September 17, 1976 said, “Always remember, there is no satisfactory substitute for the scriptures and the words of the living prophets. These should be your original sources. Read and ponder more what the Lord has said, and less about what others have written about what the Lord has said.”

Joshua 1:8 give us concise instructions for meditating upon the Scriptures daily. We read these words, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” I testify to you that daily Scripture reading will have a major impact on your life. Knowing that the Scriptures are true and that they testify of a Savior who loved me enough to die for me, gives me hope and courage to face the challenges that I must face on a daily basis. The Psalmist declared in Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

Concerning this subject President Brigham Young had this to say:

“The Old and New Testaments, the Book of Mormon, and the book of Doctrine and Covenants. . .are like a lighthouse in the ocean or a finger-post which points out the road we should travel. Where do they point? To the fountain of light. . .That is what these books are for. They are of God; they are valuable and necessary; by them we can establish the doctrine of Christ.” (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [Liverpool, England: Albert Carrington and others, 1853-1886], 8:129.)

One of the last gifts that I bought for my mother was a Bible. Each day she would spend time reading a portion of the Scriptures. When she was too sick or too weak to read the Scriptures on her own she would have my younger sister read to her or she would listen to the Scriptures being read to her via cassette or CD. In addition to reading the Scriptures, my mother also kept a notebook where she would write out her favorite Scripture passages. No matter what, she always spent a portion of each day reading and studying the Scriptures and I will forever be grateful for her example, and for her testimony of the truthfulness of the Scriptures.

Reading God’s Word is a very important part of communicating God’s Word to God’s people. Public Scripture reading was a regular part of the worship services in Israel and in the early church. Today we are blessed above all people in history because we do not have to depend on someone reading the Scriptures for us. There are enough copies of the Scriptures readily available that each person can have their own personal copy and read and study the Scriptures for themselves. Here are a few suggestions to aid you in receiving the greatest benefit from reading the Scriptures:

A. Read the Scriptures prayerfully – Ask the Holy Spirit to meet your heart’s need as you read (Psalm 119:18).
B. Read the Scriptures thoughtfully – Think about the meaning and implications of what you are reading. Don’t readjust the words printed on the page. Ask yourself how what you are reading may apply to you in your own particular situations in life.
C. Read the Scriptures carefully – Take careful note of not only how words are used in a particular passage of Scripture but how does that word or words relate to the overall meaning of the particular passage. One thing that I have found to be helpful when I am reading and studying the Scriptures is to have a note pad near by where I can record any questions that I may wish to research later or of passages that have significant meaning to me.
D. Read the Scriptures repeatedly – The more that we repeat something, the more that it becomes a part of us. I am convinced that no one can read the blessed pages of the Scriptures repeatedly and not have their lives changed in some manner.
E. Read the Scriptures extensively – Sometimes it may help to read large portions of the Scriptures at one sitting. If you choose to do this, do it at a time when you are most alert and are not likely to be disturbed by outside distractions. I have found that reading the Scriptures first thing in the morning work best for me. I make it a daily practice to begin each day by reading 5 to 6 chapters before I leave for work. I have found that this helps to set a more positive tone for the day ahead.
F. Read the Scriptures regularly – Set up a Scripture reading schedule and stick to it. One of my personal goals is to read the Bible in its entirety once each year and to read the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price each in their entirety at least twice a year. Therefore, my reading schedule is based on that goal. Each of you must choose a schedule that works best for you. The whole ideal is to begin reading the Scriptures on a regular basis.
G. Read the Scriptures faithfully – Don’t get discouraged if you get behind in your reading schedule. Faithfully resume reading where you left off.
H. Read the Scriptures obediently – Because the Scriptures are God’s Words written to us, it is essential that we are obedient to what is written therein.

Step 2: Begin your Scripture reading with prayer.

Dean L. Larsen once said, “There is a special power in the scriptures. Scripture study, combined with daily, powerful prayer, can provide much of the resolution that is necessary today to offset the influences so prevalent in the world that leads us into forbidden ways.” (Ensign, November 1989, p.63.) He also said, “I am going to give more time and attention to study and pondering of the scriptures themselves, rather than to commentaries and criticisms that others have written about them. In doing this, I am going to be open as I can be to the Spirit of the Lord so that I can understand these things for myself.” (Ensign, November 1987, p.12.)

Before we begin our daily Scripture reading we should first seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help us understand what we are about to read. Even after reading the Scriptures as many times as I have, I have found that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, no matter how many times I have read a passage of Scripture, there are always new things that I can learn. How true it is as once heard someone say, “The Scriptures are always fresh each morning, they never grow old.” Trying to understand the Scriptures with our finite minds can be a real challenge, but with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, reading, studying and pondering the Scriptures means so much more.

The Prophet Joseph Smith gave us these instructions:

“Search the scriptures – search the revelations which we publish, and ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, to manifest the truth unto you, and if you do it with an eye single to his glory, nothing doubting, he will answer you by the power of his Holy Spirit. You will then know for yourselves and not for another. You will not then be dependent on man for the knowledge of God; nor will there be any room for speculation . . .For when men receive their instruction from Him that made them; they know he will save them . . .. Again we say, Search the Scriptures, search the Prophets and learn what portion of them belongs to you.” (TPJS, pp. 11-12)

Step 3: Memorize Scriptures.

The Psalmist in Psalm 119:11 declared, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” We should all strive to memorize portions of the Scriptures. Start by memorizing some of your favorite passages. As we begin to memorize Scriptures they become a living part of us. In times of distress and trouble, the Holy Spirit will bring to remembrance those Scriptures that we have learned. Memorizing Scriptures also helps us to strengthen our testimonies. We are able to share with others those things that we know from the Scriptures. The more Scripture we memorize the more ready we are with a defense against those who attack our beliefs.

Conclusion.

Reuben Clark, Jr. in a fireside address on December 11, 1960 said: “Read your Scriptures, read them early and read them late, read them in your youth and do not abandon them when you get older.” President Ezra Taft Benson once said, “This is the answer to the great challenge of our time. The word of God, as found in the scriptures, in the words of the living prophets, and in personal revelation, has the power to fortify the Saints and arm them with the Spirit so they can resist evil, hold fast to the good, and find joy in this life.” (Ensign, May 1986, p.80.) And it was Ardeth G. Kapp who said, “We live and will one day die. And when we do, we will know our Savior, for we have searched the Holy Scriptures and felt his nearness as He walks with us on our journey home.” (Ensign, November 1985, p.95.)

Brothers and Sisters may I urge each and every one of us to become more diligent students of the Scriptures. May we develop the attitude of the Bereans in Acts 17:11 who “. . . .were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” These things I say unto you humbly in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Posted 10th August 2009 by Anonymous

Labels: Doctrine Scriptures Truth
Jun

25

Go Ye Therefore, And Teach All Nations

The following Sacrament talk was delivered to the congregation of the Severn Ward, of the Annapolis Maryland Stake, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on Sabbath day morning, 23 March 2003.

Matthew 28:19 - 20:

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Mark 16:15 - 16:

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Doctrine and Covenants 112:1,4:

“. . .bear testimony of my name and. . .send it abroad among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people. . . Let thy heart be of good cheer before my face; and thou shalt bear record of my name, not only unto the Gentiles, but also unto the Jews; and thou shalt send forth my word unto the ends of the earth.”

Good morning Brothers and Sisters. I bring you love and greetings from our Stake Presidency and wish to express to you their sincere love and appreciation for each of you and all that you do as you humbly serve in this Stake of Zion. I always count it an honor and a great privilege whenever I have an opportunity such as this one to stand at the pulpit and share my testimony of the truthfulness of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. This morning I will like to focus my remarks on our responsibility as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ to share the precious truths of the Gospel with all whom we come in contact with on a daily basis.

President Spencer W. Kimball said: “No person who has been converted to the gospel should shirk his responsibility to teach the truth to others. This is our privilege. This is our duty. This is a command from the Lord.” (Spencer W. Kimball, “It Becometh Every Man”, Ensign, Oct. 1977, 3) President Heber J. Grant said: “The first great commandment was to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, might, mind and strength; and the second was like unto it, to love our neighbor as ourselves. And the best way in the world to show our love for our neighbor is to go forth and proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, of which he has given us an absolute knowledge concerning its divinity.” (Conference Report, April 1927, p. 176.)

In Doctrine and Covenants 88:81 we are taught, “. . . it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.” Therefore, every member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is responsible to bear witness of the truths that they have been given. Each of us have neighbors, friends, relatives, co-workers, or classmates, and it is our responsibility to pass the precious truths of the Gospel on to them, both by example and by precept.

In Conference of April 1959 when President David O. Mckay made the statement “Every member a missionary!”, it was more than just an ordinary statement. It was a directive to every member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to get busy doing the work of our Heavenly Father by spreading the truths of this glorious Gospel to the regions beyond. When Christ said to His disciples in Mark 16:15, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature”, He was not saying to His disciples that this is something that you can think about doing, or something that you might want to do, but rather this was a mandate – marching orders from the Commander in Chief. There was no time for deliberation, debate, argument or discussion. He was clearly instructing His disciples that this was something that they MUST do. And my dear Brothers and Sisters, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, that same mandate – those same marching orders, are given to us at this very hour.

George Albert Smith said: “Begin on the man who lives next door by inspiring confidence in him, by inspiring love in him for you because of your righteousness, and your missionary work has already begun.” (CR, October 1916, pp. 50-51). It does not matter if we wear the black name tag or not. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we are all mandated to send forth His glorious light into the world of darkness. All of us may never have the opportunity to serve a full time mission for the Church or find ourselves as members of the Church serving in a foreign land but that does not exclude us from doing the work that our Heavenly Father has commanded us to do. Our mission field is found right in our own back yards. We have an awesome responsibility to share the Gospel with all whom we come in contact with – family members, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and classmates. President Spencer W. Kimball said: “If we do not do our duty in regard to missionary service, then I am convinced that God will hold us responsible for the people we might have saved had we done our duty.” (Ensign, October 1977, p. 5). Elder Bruce R. McConkie said: “In the day of wickedness just preceding our Lord’s return there is to be a great harvest of souls. We live in that day, the day when the harvest is ripe. We have deluded ourselves long enough with the thought that this is a day of gleaning only. This is not a day of gleaning, but of harvest . . . Now this work is going to succeed. This is absolutely guaranteed, it is the eternal decree of the Lord.”

Perhaps the greatest reason for missionary work is to give the world its chance to hear and accept the Gospel. The Lord has indicated that we can expect His power to be with us when we proclaim His Word. He indicates one way this power is to be used when He said: “. . . All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20) The Lord has also indicated that He will not only open the necessary doors for missionary work, but He will accompany those who embark in this service. Earlier in this dispensation He made the following promise to the President of the Council of the Twelve, and this same principle applies to all who are in His service today. In Doctrine and Covenants 112:19 we read: “Wherefore, whithersoever they shall send you, go ye, and I will be with you; and in whatsoever place ye shall proclaim my name an effectual door shall be opened unto you, that they may receive my word.” If missionary work is indeed the Lord's work, which it is, and if it is to go forth by His power, which it will, then why should we, as members of His true Church, fear or hesitate in taking the message of the Gospel to others? We are reminded in Matthew 5:14-16, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

The message that we bring is a message of love, hope, peace and joy. In John 3:16-17 we read “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” The message that we bring to the world is one that testifies of the fact that God still loves the world and that He has spoken yet again as an indication of that Divine love. He has restored precious truths lost over the centuries of Christian persecution, dark ages, and years of confusion – truths that are essential to our peace and happiness – truths so essential to our eternal salvation that our loving Heavenly Father has restored them in their fullness. As missionaries, we testify of a restoration that is so miraculous that only the hand of God could be its author – so miraculous in fact, that it can only be fully understood and believed by those who understand the power of God and His love for all mankind.

So then, what is the purpose of missionary work? Alexander B. Morrison sums it up this way, “The very purpose of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [is] to invite, encourage, and assist all of God’s children, both living and dead, to come to Christ, “and lay hold upon every good gift” (Moroni 10:30), that “ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel” (3 Nephi 30:2). That is why we do missionary work.” President Gordon B. Hinckley further clarified the purpose of missionary work when he said, “The work of the missionary is everlasting in its consequences. Acceptance of the gospel at the hands of a true and dedicated teacher affects not only the recipient, but also generations who are to come after the recipient.” (Ensign, May 1983, p. 85).

Missionary work affords us the opportunity to manifest our love of the Savior, who has commanded us to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) It also affords us the opportunity to express our love to all mankind. It affords us the opportunity to testify of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, the Redeemer of the World as well as an opportunity to build our faith in Christ and to teach His saving and comforting doctrine. In Doctrine and Covenants 14:3 we read, “Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, who desireth to reap, let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.”

Elder L. Tom Perry said: “More blessings come to us in going forth to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, and laboring for the salvation of the souls of men, than can possibly come to us by merely having a knowledge of the truth of our religion, and then remaining at home to mingle and labor in the ordinary affairs of life, and accumulate the wealth of this world that perishes with the using.” (Ensign, May 1984, p. 80). President Spencer W. Kimball assured us that “We are the messengers, and we have the acceptable message.” And President John Taylor said: “When men go forth in the name of Israel's God, there is no power on earth that can overturn the truths they advocate.” (JD, 12:396) Now may I take just a couple of minutes to mention a few things that I feel are key elements in becoming a faithful and successful missionary.

1. Be a student of the Word. Spend time studying the Scriptures every day. It is through the study of the Scriptures that we come to have a intimate relationship with our Savior. We learn the principles and doctrines of His precious truths. As we learn, we should develop the desire to want to share these truths with others. Truth is meant to be shared not kept to ourselves.

2. Be diligent and watchful. “ . . . be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” (1 Peter 3:15). Look for opportunities to share the Gospel and then when those opportunities arise don't be afraid to open your mouth. Again I say, truth is meant to be shared, not kept to ourselves.

3. Believe in the message that you are bringing. Have a strong testimony of the truthfulness of this Gospel. Know why you believe the things that you do and then be willing to boldly share that testimony with others.

4. Be prayerful. Prayer changes things. Even when it seems that no one wants to hear what you have to say, it is amazing how many doors are opened as a result of earnest prayer.

5. Be of good cheer. Know that whom the Lord sends to do His work, He also prepares. He will never leave you alone to fend for yourself. He is always there to lead and to guide. Therefore, make sure that you approach missionary work with the right spirit and the right attitude. Go forth, not with the attitude that you are going to change the world in a day, but with the attitude that you can and will make a difference in the world today.

May I conclude my remarks by quoting a small portion of a message by President Spencer W. Kimball titled “It Becometh Every Man”. I believe what President Kimball had to say provides an excellent summary for all of those things which have been said here today. He said:

Our role as missionaries is not primarily to convince people of the truthfulness of the gospel. If the Lord were primarily interested in convincing people of the divine nature of this work, He could, and perhaps would, demonstrate His powers in such a way that large numbers of people could know the truth in a relatively brief period of time. He could speak if He chose, and all the people on earth could hear in their own language. Or He could emblazon His words in the sky, where all could read or see them. But if those persons thus convinced did not really change their lives for the better, repent of their sins, and turn to Him in righteousness, they would be worse off than before and would be more insensitive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.

No, the Lord is not primarily interested in having His children only convinced of His work. He would like them to be converted to the gospel. Truly converted persons change their old sinful ways and turn to a new life in Christ; there is truly a “converting” or a changing in their lives. As the apostle Paul put it anciently—

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17.)

As missionaries, members are vital and necessary parts of the conversion process. Sometimes in our discussions of missionary work we state that a missionary “converts” so many persons. Actually, the missionary does not convert anyone; the Holy Ghost does the converting. The power of conversion is directly associated with the Holy Ghost, for no person can be truly converted and know that Jesus is the Christ save by the power of the Holy Ghost.

As a vital link in the conversion process, we should bear our testimonies that the gospel is true; our testimonies may well be the spark that ignites the conversion process. Consequently, we have a double responsibility: we must testify of the things we know, feel, and have felt, and we must live so the Holy Ghost can be with us and convey our words in power to the heart of the investigator.
(First Presidency Message "It Becometh Every Man", Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign, Oct. 1977, 3)

The Lord has told us that our sins will be forgiven more readily as we bring souls unto Christ and remain steadfast in bearing testimony to the world. In one of the greatest missionary scriptures, section 4 of the Doctrine and Covenants, we are told that if we serve the Lord in missionary service “with all [our] heart, might, mind and strength,” then we may “stand blameless before God at the last day.” (Doctrine and Covenants 4:2). And further, the Lord says: “And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!” (Doctrine and Covenants 18:15-16)

The best way to get people interested in the Gospel is to live the ideas and standards we expect of those who profess membership in the Church. That is the first thing that strikes home to a stranger. How do we, who profess to be members, deport ourselves as members of the Church? None of us can effectively teach the Gospel if we do not live it. The first act to qualify yourself to be a missionary is to live the principles you teach. Christ said, “Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do. Behold ye see that I have prayed unto the Father, and ye all have witnessed.” (3 Nephi 18:24) Our task is to “hold up” to the world that which Christ has done for man: the atonement, the example that He set, and the teachings that He has given us personally and through His prophets, ancient and modern. The Savior also counseled us: “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14 - 16) Someone has wisely said: “Be careful how you act, because you may be the only Standard Church Works some people may ever read.”

Brothers and Sisters, it is the responsibility of all of us to be aware of our obligation to bear witness of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ wherever we have the opportunity. If we will apply ourselves, we will find that there are many opportunities to teach the Gospel, day to day, hour by hour, wherever we may be. If we have lived it, if we have prepared for it and if we seek it, the Holy Spirit will guide us and give us the ability to teach. Always remember, words are just words, in teaching the Gospel, unless they are accompanied by the Spirit of the Lord. Our responsibility is to bring the world the message of truth, to show the world that within the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are to be found the answers to every problem that mankind encounters. We should avail ourselves of every opportunity to bring the knowledge of the Gospel to others—to our inactive Church member associates, to our nonmember family members, to our nonmember friends in college, military service, and business, to our neighbors and friends, classmates and co-workers. Of a certainty, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the brightest light and the only hope for this darkened world in which we live. “Wherefore, as Nephi teaches, “we must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.” (2 Nephi 31:20)

I leave you with my testimony that I know that there is no greater work on this earth than missionary work. I testify to you of the blessings that it brings. I further testify to you that I know that this Church is true and I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. Matthew 9:37-38, “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Brothers and Sisters, I know that He will because this is His work and His work MUST be fulfilled. That we may always be found faithful soldiers in our Savior’s Army, always ready on the alert to serve wherever we may be called to proclaim His truth is my humble prayer this day. In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Posted 25th June 2009 by Anonymous

Labels: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Doctrine and Covenants God Jesus Lord Jesus Christ
Jun

22

Studying the Scriptures

Prior to being baptized and becoming a member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 10 March 1998, I told the missionaries that were teaching me at that time that I would not make a final decision regarding baptism until after I had read the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price each in their entirety. I sincerely believe that the Lord's hand was at work in the matter as I was inspired to develop a 40-Day Reading Schedule to accomplish the reading in 40 consecutive days prior to my baptism.

Recently, on a website that I help moderate, LDS.Net, I presented a 40-day reading challenge to all who want to participate in reading the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price in 40 consecutive days, each in their entirety, commencing on 1 July 2009. I now offer that same challenge to anyone who may read this blog. A person does not have to start the reading on 1 July, but the objective, regardless of when the reading is started, is to finish reading all three volumes of Scripture, each in their entirety, within a time period of 40 consecutive days.

This is not so much a race to the finish. One of the main purposes of the challenge is to help motivate those who have never read the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price in their entirety to pick up those blessed Scriptures and read them and perhaps for some, for the very first time, discover what is actually written in each one. Believe it, or not, there are some who have been members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints their entire lives and have never read either of these volumes of Scripture in their entirety. It is my hope, my sincere prayer, that once they read them for perhaps the first time in their entirety, they will gain a thirst to want to read them again and again. I have now in my 11 years as a member of the Church read the Book of Mormon 7 times in its entirety, and the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price each 8 times in their entirety. I find that each time I read them I learn something that I did not learn before. It is indeed a continual learning process.

Oftentimes when I am reading and studying the Scriptrures, I like to use other resources that I have available in my library and look up certain portions of the Scriptures that I am reading or may have questions about for clarification. This proves to be very beneficial especially when I am preparing a talk for Church or writing an article such as this one. Each of us have our own methods of reading and studying the Scriptures. Please understand that I am not in any way saying that one method is better than another, or that a particular method is wrong and another is right.

With that being said, in my humble opinion, I do believe that sometimes we can, if we are not careful, spend more time pondering over what has been written about the Scriptures by others, than actually reading the Scriptures themselves. After all, it is the Word of God, which stands firmly on its own, that is the ultimate and final authority. Sometimes I fear that people can get too caught up in becoming concerned about what someone has written about a subject than they do about the actual subject at hand. In short, what I am saying is that there needs to be a delicate balance. Again, the Word of God itself should always be our final authority.

I particularly like what President Ezra Taft Benson taught us about this. He said, "Always remember, there is no satisfactory substitute for the scriptures and the words of the living prophets. These should be your original sources. Read and ponder more what the Lord has said, and less about what others have written concerning what the Lord has said." (Address to educators, Salt Lake City, September 17, 1976.) To me, those are great words of counsel.

I also concur with the strong counsel of President Romney, given to a group of seminary and institute coordinators in 1973. He told them, “I don’t know much about the gospel other than what I’ve learned from the standard works. When I drink from a spring I like to get the water where it comes out of the ground, not down the stream after the cattle have waded in it. … I appreciate other people’s interpretation, but when it comes to the gospel we ought to be acquainted with what the Lord says. … You ought to read the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants; and … all the scriptures with the idea of finding out what’s in them and what the meaning is and not to prove some idea of your own. Just read them and plead with the Lord to let you understand what he had in mind when he wrote them.” (Address delivered at Coordinators’ Convention, Seminaries and Institutes of Religion, 13 Apr. 1973.)

The Prophet Joseph Smith gave us this great admonition in 1832. He said,"“Search the scriptures—search the revelations which we publish and ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, to manifest the truth unto you, and if you do it with an eye single to His glory nothing doubting, He will answer you by the power of His Holy Spirit. You will then know for yourselves and not for another. You will not then be dependent on man for the knowledge of God; nor will there be any room for speculation. … For when men receive their instruction from Him that made them, they know how He will save them. … Again we say: Search the Scriptures, search the Prophets and learn what portion of them belongs to you.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1938, pp. 11–12.)

For me personally, I enjoy the race as well as the finish. Perhaps I enjoy the finish even more than the race itself, because once I have crossed the finish line, I find myself excited, wanting to run the race again and again. The beauty of reading the Scriptures is just as J. Richard Clarke once said, "Brothers and sisters, you don't have to be a natural student to read the scriptures; you just need to love the Lord." (Ensign, November 1982, p.15.)

Posted 22nd June 2009 by Anonymous

Labels: Doctrine Scriptures
May

19

Enter Into His Gates with Thanksgiving

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. – Psalm 100:4

Traditionally, every fourth Thursday in November is set aside for the celebration of Thanksgiving Day. On that day there are Thanksgiving parades on television in the morning, followed by football games in the afternoon. It is a day when family, friends, and loved ones gather together to share a bounteous meal and enjoy one another’s company.

But, amidst all of the parades, football games, and bounteous meals, Thanksgiving Day should be a day for pausing to give thanks and to reflect upon the many blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon each and every one of us. It is a time to give thanks, not only for the large blessings that are ours to enjoy, but for the smallest of blessings as well. We are admonished in the Scriptures that in everything we are to give thanks because this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning each and every one of us. (1 Thessalonians 5:18). We are further taught in the Scriptures to not fear, but to let our hearts be comforted and to rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks. (D&C 98:1).

Thanksgiving Day; however, should not be the only day that we pause to give thanks. Every day of our lives should be a day of Thanks Giving. Each and every day we should as the Psalmist declared, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” (Psalm 100:4). If we were to take the time to take a personal inventory of our lives, I am sure that each of us would find many things that we are indeed thankful for.

In my own personal life, I am thankful for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of the True and the Living God. It is He who guides my footsteps and sustains me each and every day. I am thankful for the glorious Gospel and for the things that I learn as I read and study from the pages of Scripture that help me in my daily walk as I strive to be a living witness and testimony. I am also thankful for my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of which I testify and bear solemn witness is the Lord’s True Church on the earth today. I am thankful for a Living Prophet on the earth today who through the Divine inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit is able to teach us in all righteousness. Furthermore, I am thankful for the loving support of family and friends. I fear that I do not often enough express my appreciation for each of them, but they are truly the wind beneath my wings.

These are just some of the things that I am thankful for, not only on Thanksgiving Day, but every day of my life as I strive to make each day of my life a day of Thanks Giving. None of us should ever take any of our blessings for granted. We should ever be mindful of the words of the Psalmist when he said, “So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.” (Psalm 79:13). Let us make every day a day of Thanks Giving.

Posted 19th May 2009 by Anonymous

Labels: Blessings Praise Thanks Giving

Lessons in the Key of Life

Lessons that I have learned as I journey through life.