Deuteronomy 6; 8; 11; 32
For my attention getter I am going to walk in with post-it notes stuck all over me with reminders on them, several ribbons or strings tied to my fingers, CTR ring, my cell phone connected to me in plain site, a made up frontlet (a head dress band around my head with a box connected on the front that holds a scripture) and an ipod armband connected to my left arm with a scripture in it. My first question after my class controls themselves will be what are the ways in which you remember things? What rituals or tools do you use to remember dates, people, times, events etc? Moses teaches his people ways to remember Christ and His commandments, what are ways or things we have to remember Christ, the covenants and commandments we’ve made?
*I loved the quote by President Ezra Taft Benson, people who are “captained by Christ will be consumed in Christ…Enter their homes, and the pictures on their walls, the books on their shelves, the music in the air, their words and acts reveal them as Christians” (Nov. 1985 p.6-7)
The book of Deuteronomy is the book known as the book that has all the laws in it. Moses teaches all the commandments and the laws of God in this section. He is about to die, or be translated and taken up to live with God; he goes through everything one last time with his people. Throughout his tenor he had instilled many things to help them stay in remembrance of God. This thing on my head is called a frontlet, they used these to put scriptures in, specifically a certain prayer called a Shema, found in Deut. 6:4-9; the Jews would recite this prayer 2 times daily.
* As we read this prayer I want you to listen for the commandments he gives and we will list them on the board.
Commandments- love the Lord with all thine heart and soul, and might, teach thy children and talk of them as you sit, walk, lie down and rise up, bind them on your head in frontlets, write commands on posts of the house and gates.
Deut. 6:20 is another command, testify to your children of the bondage and freedom from the Lord.
Deut. 8:2 Remember the Lord and how he led them these 40 years and all they learned from it.
Deut. 8:6 walk in God’s ways and fear him.
*How many times this week have you shared with your family or friends or co-workers or on facebook or blogger etc. of all the wonderful things the Lord has done for you this week? How many times have you shared a wonderful spiritual experience with them so they know that they can and do happen to you?
Deut. 8:11 forget not the Lord thy God
Deut. 8:14 Forget not
Deut. 8:18 remember the Lord thy God
*Are you seeing a pattern here? Are we paying attention? What can we use to remember the Lord?
Deut. 11:1 love the Lord, keep his charge, statutes, judgments, and commandments.
Deut. 11:8 Keep all the commandments
Deut. 11:16 take heed: be not deceived and serve other gods, and worship them.
Deut. 32:46 set your hearts on these words, command your children to observe and do all the words of the law.
* So to summarize: the commandments he dwells on the most in our readings are to remember the Lord, Love him with all thy heart, mind, might; do not serve other gods; keep the commandments; testify of the Lord’s goodness to everyone, especially our children. I would like to add here that this command of testifying to your children isn’t just for people who have children, or even children living at home. It is for everyone to testify to all children, I know from experience that those of you, who testify and share your personal spiritual experiences with my children in lessons or testimonies in sacrament, have touched my children in ways I cannot always do. Speaking as a child who doesn’t live with parents anymore; I find great comfort from hearing my parent’s spiritual moments. They still teach me about faith, about new ways they have found to communicate with the Lord, things they are noticing clearly as they experience old things in a new way. I love hearing their faith promoting stories; it gives me hope for my own experiences. I am thankful my parents teach me still. I know that my mom has kept a journal of all her experiences. She tells me that there are some that are so special to her that she can’t relate them verbally so she has them written down in a journal so that I can read them someday when she’s gone. I already cherish that journal and I don’t even know what’s in there, except that the entries are all from her heart. I have been trying to keep that kind of journal myself for my children thanks to her example.
Now we’ve discussed the commands let’s take a look some of the consequences that can befall us if we do forget.
Consequences: Deut. 8:19 ye shall surely perish (not-so-bad, I think that’s not brutal at all! It’s only fair don’t you think?)
Deut. 11:17 we incur Lord’s wrath, He will shut up the heaven, Now what kinds of things would we be missing if that happened. You think life is bad now, think about life without the blessings. Yuk! No rain, which means no food, no water, no clothing materials, nothing.
Deut. 32:20 Lord hides His face from us, I couldn’t even imagine my life without the spirit guiding and comforting me could you?
Deut. 32:21 basically this tells me that He would help another nation in battle against them, could this happen in the United States, Hum something to think about. 32:23 He will heap mischiefs (evils) upon them, spend his arrows upon them, I don’t know about you but what satan throws at me is bad enough, can you imagine what damage the Lord could do if He put His mind to it, being 10 x more powerful than satan?
32:24 burnt with hunger, devoured with burning heat and not just destruction but bitter destruction. Beast’s teeth and poisonous serpents, now that’s something I don’t want to picture, do you?
32:25 sword of other countries and terror from within our own walls, cities, homes where even the young, women and older wiser men and women are tortured? Are you scared into remembrance yet? Do you feel perhaps you could make some changes?
Here is my favorite scripture that shows that the Lord can be frightening if He chooses. 32:39 I am He and there is no god with me: I kill, heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand…..through 32:43
Okay so we have a taste of the Not-so-lovely consequences, let’s see what blessings can be ours, what the Lord desires to give us if we remember Him, keep His commandments, remember our covenants and teach our children.
Blessings: 6:3 we can increase mightily; what does this make you think of?
6:11 houses full of all good things, why because He put them there not because we did. Wells already dug for them, trees all ready to harvest.
11:9 our lives may be prolonged, I know some of you are saying no way, I’m checking out of here why would anyone want to stay? Think of your life without your body; those who are in the spirit world that haven’t been resurrected yet are not able to tangibly do, feel, or experience except by watching us. They may be at peace and happy, but I believe they are looking forward to being back in a perfected resurrected body again. Whenever you see the phrase ‘a land flowing with milk and honey’ it is the Lord saying that the land they are in is a land of beauty and prosperity and limitless potential.
11:11 hills and valleys, and any land that drinketh of the rain of heaven is going to be green and lush don’t you think? Have you noticed our world, how green and beautiful everything is? I love spring for that reason.
11:12 a land which the Lord is always watching over.
11:14 He will give rain in its due seasons. Meaning that whatever we need right when we need it will come to us, but we must always be remembering the Lord, in all its forms, testifying, feeling, praying, pondering etc.
11:21 that your days on the earth will be as wonderful as the days in heaven would be; now that makes me stop and think, what would that be like, what would that feel like; can you even fathom such a thing? When you think about your family members who are in paradise or those in heaven waiting to come here what do you picture life like for them? I can’t even picture the awesomeness.
11:23-25 the Lord will drive out all nations from their/our land, and looking at our dwindling armed forces we could use all the help we can get, but are we worthy of the Lord’s help? What steps can you personally take to help you get back into remembrance and keeping all commandments?
11:27 a Blessing-what blessing? D&C 130:20-25 tells us that the blessing He is speaking of is the Holy Spirit, this spirit cannot dwell with us unless we are obedient in all things.
I believe the Lord is very generous, because there are times when I slip and I still enjoy many of the blessings that we’ve discussed; I am thankful He is kind and merciful to me. I believe even though there may be times He could really get angry, He still remembers we are mortal and we are trying hard; and aren’t we thankful He can see the good intentions and desires of our hearts? I have a testimony that the Lord wants to bless us He is pleading with us to be obedient and remember Him so He can continue to bless us with the wonders He has in store for us. You may already feel so blessed and can’t picture any more goodness, but He would give it and continue to bless us as we continue to remember Him. We need to find those things that constantly keep Him in our thoughts, thankfully we don’t have to wear frontlets any more, because that would just not do good things to my hair, but there are other things we are given that can and do help us to have the Lord constantly in our thoughts and lives. I pray that you can find yours, that you can rediscover new ones, always be putting things in your lives that will help you remember the goodness of God in your lives, in the name of Jesus Christ amen.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Disneyland-the Happiest Place on Earth
We just spent a week in California. We enjoyed the Beach and swimming in the condo pool. We ate well. We loved Disneyland. We spent 3 days there and had a blast! We rode every ride several times. We had many experiences that I want to share. First off on the way down there my dad and I took turns driving(keith had to stay and work so he flew in, he was really sad to fly for 2 hours instead of drive for 12), we cruised there and only stopped once in Vegas to fill up gas and grab lunch. WOW! I was amazed. We seriously made good time. For sunday we decided that we would spend time enjoying nature. We loved the beach! I felt the spirit there. The sound of the waves was so calming. The sunset I witnessed was beautiful! I loved seeing the sun go down behind the shimmering water. Keith and I took a long walk along the beach, I collected so many unique, and colorful seashells. Seashells are a miracle to me, they are so perfect. They are so delicate, and yet to be tossed about by the rough waves and thrown up onto the hard sand and still be whole is truly an example of endurance to me. We witnessed a pelican dive bombing the water and getting a fish, that was so cool. We marveled at the incoming/outgoing tide. We talked of life and how peaceful it was there. How we felt that there wasn't a care in the world at that moment except just enjoying the moment and feeling a deep gratitude for the beauties that we take for granted. Monday we had a relaxing day, we played games, swam in the pool, shopped, watched movies, excercised in the excercise room (because we felt guilty from all the m&m's)and had fun. My kids loved the condo and playing on the elevator, riding up to the other room we had. They loved being with their cousins. Ryker was adorable. He made us laugh at every turn, Savanah and Him loved hiding in the cupboards together, we even got a picture of it, they did it for quite a while. Tues, Wed, and Thur. we spent at Disneyland and California Adventure. We had so much fun! We rode every ride several times. One weird thing-while we were getting off a ride Olivia spotted Payton, her cousin standing in line to go on it. I looked over and there was Keith's brother and 2 of his sons waiting in line. That was weird! We had no idea they were going to be there, and of all the people in line, or in that park period, to find them, was just funny. Keith, Bryson and Adam hooked up with them the 2nd day to ride rides and had a blast. I don't blame them, because they wanted to run from ride to ride, where me and the girls and my family just wanted to enjoy it all. We walked slow, we sat and enjoyed the atmosphere, we stopped to meet characters and get pictures with them. It was wonderful for everyone.
I was always taught that the spirit doesn't dwell in loud places. Well I had so many experiences where I felt the spirit so tangibly and so strong that I was constantly amazed. I shared one experience in my lesson last week of how we were on a ride and a butterfly landed on our car. That was a miracle to me. As I sat watching it I asked in my mind if that butterfly was sent there for me as a witness that the Lord was mindful of me. I truly felt that my thought was accurate and right. I felt the Lord prompt me when we left one of our children at the opposite end of the park. The spirit also prompted the child (who shall remain nameless, because this child said they would be mortified if I named them) as to where to find us. I felt the prompting of where to look and that the child was fine! I felt such gratitude for the spirit just then, I felt great comfort and love. I was grateful that the child's first reaction was to pray and that child received an answer too. The spirit was manifest in great abundance on our trip. I can't even fathom life without it!!! I am thankful for a mom who insisted on the family taking this trip even though we didn't have the money. It was taken care of, and we have great memories and experienced spiritual gifts that will last forever!I am putting on some of our pictures just for fun!
#16 "I Cannot Go Beyond the Word of the Lord"
Numbers 22-24; 31:1-16
An ironic thing happened to me this week, on my way to California; I decided to read my lesson so I could ponder it off and on during my vacation. I read it and low and behold it is some weird story of how a donkey speaks to his master to let him know the Lord’s will. I thought to myself, ‘great, how am I supposed to personalize this one, I have never had a donkey speak to me’; well I let it go thinking hopefully something will come to me. Upon entering Disneyland there are several characters greeting guests and it hits me, here I am standing in line to meet many animals that speak! I thought that was hilarious! Don’t worry though my lesson isn’t about Mickey Mouse.
To start with I am going to give a basic run down of the story then we will pull out some interesting points that are pertinent to us.
There are 2 main characters of this story. Balak is the King of Moab, he’s been observing the neighboring countries destruction at the hands of the Israelites. He’s getting concerned and calls upon Balaam; Balaam is a prophet type guy of that country. He isn’t described as a ‘prophet’ but he has a reputation of being gifted with being able to bless and curse nations with great results. (Numbers 22:3-6) He has divine help and revelation from God on his side. He is believed to be Abraham’s cousin, so that stands to reason that he has the priesthood, but it isn’t stated directly so we will just assume that he is a prophet of some kind.
Balak sends rewards to Balaam in hopes that he will be prompted to come and bless them and curse Israel. Balaam prays and receives the answer NO. Balak sends more rewards with different men. Balaam says in vs. 20 “if Balak gives me his house full of silver I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God.” But he asks again the Lord says, (vs. 20) If the men come to call thee, rise up, and JST adds IF thou wilt, go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.” In other words if you feel you must use your agency and go with them, say and do only that which I, the Lord command you to do.” Balaam decides to go v.22 God was angry with him, not for going as much as where his heart was when he went. He was probably trying to figure out a way to get the rewards as well as obey the lord. The only problem we know with that is we can’t serve both God and mammon can we? So God sends an angel to make sure that Balaam will do the Lord’s will. Balaam didn’t see the angel but his donkey does (v. 23) and turns off the road and refuses to go past the angel. Balaam gets mad and ends up smiting (hitting) the donkey (means peace) 3 times (3= power of God) Then the Lord v.28 opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, what have I done unto thee? V.30 I have been thy valiant donkey since you got me, I have never done anything for you to be mad at me have I? Then v. 31 the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes and he finally saw the angel of the Lord with a sword. The angel tells him thy way is perverse before me, that is why I stopped you, and the donkey saw me and that is why she turned from the path. Balaam recognizes his error and the angel tells him v. 35 you can go but only speak what the Lord wants you to speak. He agrees, goes and ends up blessing Israel 3 times instead of cursing them. Balak’s response to that is found after each blessing: 23:11 what hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies and, behold, thou hast blessed them. 23:25 neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all. 24:10-11 Balak was angry and says, “I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times. I thought to promote thee to honour but, lo, the Lord hath kept thee back from honor.
Sometimes it feels that way to us doesn’t it? That we are kept back from honor or worldly desires. We justify that we are doing the best we can why can’t we seem to get ahead? Sometimes it is difficult to see past the issue to the blessings, or to see the eternal ramifications of our best choices, but the scriptures tell us over and over again that God does and will bless His people temporally and eternally, just not always the way we expect.
So now let’s talk about the Lord’s will; we have 3 questions we need to answer.
1-How do I figure out the Lord’s will? 2- How do I know it’s the Lord talking? 3-In what ways does the Lord talk to us or show us what we are supposed to do?
How do I know it’s the Lord’s will?
22:6 Balaam is endowed with a gift which he uses to help people who are righteous. We too have gifts that are divinely given and as we use them we discover more gifts and talents, as we discover more we use them to bless others. If they bring good fruit then we know they are from God.
22:8 Prayer brings peace and answers of peace. I add fasting to this, it is a great way to clear our minds and bodies to hear the answer more clearly.
How do I know it’s the Lord talking?
22:23 the ass wouldn’t go forward- this is telling me that when things aren’t working out right perhaps I should rethink my ideas or choices. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my life it’s that if something isn’t working out right the reason is usually I am on the wrong path, so I pray about something different. There have been times when I pray and get nothing-no clear answer, but as I move forward if it works out for me then great, if it doesn’t I know to try a new course.
*When I was a senior in high school I had a great GPA I finished my CNA course I was totally ready for the nursing program, I applied and didn’t get in. I was crushed, I really thought I was destined to be a nurse, I had prayed and felt good about being a nurse. Now I look back and realize that my path led to me being a mother, mainly because I’ve learned more from being a mother than I ever could’ve learned as a nurse. I know that if I had become a nurse first I probably wouldn’t have had kids, I would’ve wanted a career more than a family and I couldn’t even fathom that now! The Lord knows what He’s doing even if it doesn’t feel that way.
22:28 I don’t know about you but if some donkey started talking to me I wouldn’t automatically think to myself; yep that’s the Lord talking. I’m not sure how Balaam didn’t freak out, if my donkey had started to speak I’m really not sure I would’ve stayed rational enough to have a conversation with it. So how would you know this instance was from the Lord? In this instance, before the donkey spoke Balaam had hit him 3 times, the number 3 is symbolic for the power of God. So how does this work in our day, do we sit and look for things to happen in threes? I don’t think we should get carried away here, but my mom told me a story of a lady she knows; this lady’s husband was a newly called Bishop and it was time for the stake presidency to change well the wife received a dream 3 times that her husband would be called to serve in the presidency. He was and he was completely shocked. She wasn’t shocked and told him why. Why do you think she received the dream and not him? Perhaps she needed to be prepared, perhaps he wasn’t listening, perhaps he was distracted, there are many reasons and we can make ourselves crazy trying to figure it out, but there is one other more important way to know if it is from the Lord, pray and ask if it is from the Lord and the spirit will tell you.
By this point in the story perhaps the extreme instance with the donkey would be the only way to get Balaam’s attention, and when a whole nation is at stake (Israel) the Lord doesn’t mess around. After he had been humbled a little by the donkey the Lord was able to open his eyes and Balaam finally saw the angel. The Lord will show us what we need to know, whether He shows us a clear path, or just help us to feel right and good about our choice.
Another way to know if it is from the Lord or not is to contemplate who will benefit from your actions, in this instance Balaam chose to go off to Balak, the Lord stopped him because his heart was upon the riches he would receive for himself. He wasn’t thinking about the people he would bless or even about Balak’s people, he was only thinking about himself. If when we are making decisions we need to think down the road a little, this is called the eternal perspective. We need to think who will benefit, how will they benefit, what will result from this decision, will all parties involved come out better people because of my actions. These are just a couple of questions we could ask ourselves that will help us know the Lord’s will for our lives.
This brings us to our last question: In what ways does the Lord talk to us and show us what to do?
Well we know that Balaam spoke to the Lord in prayer, that is the obvious, easiest way to talk to the Lord and feeling the spirit and asking him for reassurance from the spirit is the one we should use the most. Reading in the scriptures is the best way to receive answers. But just as Balaam also heard from his donkey we too can look for clues of the Lord’s love, now don’t go crazy on me looking for talking donkey’s but perhaps you have things in your life that bring peace and comfort to you, that somehow give you comfort that the Lord is there with you. One of God’s creations that give me comfort is butterflies. I see butterflies often, I am fascinated by them. When I was younger my mom and dad told me that butterflies can be something that tells you that angels are watching over you, this may not be doctrine, I didn’t have time to find a quote to back it up, but I just know that it has brought great comfort to my life when I need it. I have even seen butterflies in the middle of winter fly by. Just this last week when we were in Disneyland, Keith, me, and Savanah were riding on the Winnie-the-pooh ride we had just got started when a pretty big butterfly came and landed right in front of us on our car. It came and sat there for a while as we were going we all watched with amazement. I asked in my mind once again if this was an indication that an angel was with me I received the answer from the spirit that it was, and the Lord was watching out for us on our trip. I was so grateful for that moment and other moments throughout my life when the Lord made it clear He was with me and watching out for me. Not everyone will see butterflies, maybe you notice cool clouds, maybe you have a connection with birds or finding money on the ground, or maybe you just constantly feel peace and comfort sitting in a quiet moment, all these can be ways the Lord talks to us.
I have a testimony that the Lord does talk to us, He wants to talk to us, He wants us to know of His will for our lives, which is a better way, and blesses more people than just ourselves. He gives us clues to help us figure out His will through prayer and fasting. His will brings peace and contentment rather than anxiety and fear. I know these things are true with all my heart in the name of Jesus Christ amen.
An ironic thing happened to me this week, on my way to California; I decided to read my lesson so I could ponder it off and on during my vacation. I read it and low and behold it is some weird story of how a donkey speaks to his master to let him know the Lord’s will. I thought to myself, ‘great, how am I supposed to personalize this one, I have never had a donkey speak to me’; well I let it go thinking hopefully something will come to me. Upon entering Disneyland there are several characters greeting guests and it hits me, here I am standing in line to meet many animals that speak! I thought that was hilarious! Don’t worry though my lesson isn’t about Mickey Mouse.
To start with I am going to give a basic run down of the story then we will pull out some interesting points that are pertinent to us.
There are 2 main characters of this story. Balak is the King of Moab, he’s been observing the neighboring countries destruction at the hands of the Israelites. He’s getting concerned and calls upon Balaam; Balaam is a prophet type guy of that country. He isn’t described as a ‘prophet’ but he has a reputation of being gifted with being able to bless and curse nations with great results. (Numbers 22:3-6) He has divine help and revelation from God on his side. He is believed to be Abraham’s cousin, so that stands to reason that he has the priesthood, but it isn’t stated directly so we will just assume that he is a prophet of some kind.
Balak sends rewards to Balaam in hopes that he will be prompted to come and bless them and curse Israel. Balaam prays and receives the answer NO. Balak sends more rewards with different men. Balaam says in vs. 20 “if Balak gives me his house full of silver I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God.” But he asks again the Lord says, (vs. 20) If the men come to call thee, rise up, and JST adds IF thou wilt, go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.” In other words if you feel you must use your agency and go with them, say and do only that which I, the Lord command you to do.” Balaam decides to go v.22 God was angry with him, not for going as much as where his heart was when he went. He was probably trying to figure out a way to get the rewards as well as obey the lord. The only problem we know with that is we can’t serve both God and mammon can we? So God sends an angel to make sure that Balaam will do the Lord’s will. Balaam didn’t see the angel but his donkey does (v. 23) and turns off the road and refuses to go past the angel. Balaam gets mad and ends up smiting (hitting) the donkey (means peace) 3 times (3= power of God) Then the Lord v.28 opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, what have I done unto thee? V.30 I have been thy valiant donkey since you got me, I have never done anything for you to be mad at me have I? Then v. 31 the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes and he finally saw the angel of the Lord with a sword. The angel tells him thy way is perverse before me, that is why I stopped you, and the donkey saw me and that is why she turned from the path. Balaam recognizes his error and the angel tells him v. 35 you can go but only speak what the Lord wants you to speak. He agrees, goes and ends up blessing Israel 3 times instead of cursing them. Balak’s response to that is found after each blessing: 23:11 what hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies and, behold, thou hast blessed them. 23:25 neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all. 24:10-11 Balak was angry and says, “I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times. I thought to promote thee to honour but, lo, the Lord hath kept thee back from honor.
Sometimes it feels that way to us doesn’t it? That we are kept back from honor or worldly desires. We justify that we are doing the best we can why can’t we seem to get ahead? Sometimes it is difficult to see past the issue to the blessings, or to see the eternal ramifications of our best choices, but the scriptures tell us over and over again that God does and will bless His people temporally and eternally, just not always the way we expect.
So now let’s talk about the Lord’s will; we have 3 questions we need to answer.
1-How do I figure out the Lord’s will? 2- How do I know it’s the Lord talking? 3-In what ways does the Lord talk to us or show us what we are supposed to do?
How do I know it’s the Lord’s will?
22:6 Balaam is endowed with a gift which he uses to help people who are righteous. We too have gifts that are divinely given and as we use them we discover more gifts and talents, as we discover more we use them to bless others. If they bring good fruit then we know they are from God.
22:8 Prayer brings peace and answers of peace. I add fasting to this, it is a great way to clear our minds and bodies to hear the answer more clearly.
How do I know it’s the Lord talking?
22:23 the ass wouldn’t go forward- this is telling me that when things aren’t working out right perhaps I should rethink my ideas or choices. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my life it’s that if something isn’t working out right the reason is usually I am on the wrong path, so I pray about something different. There have been times when I pray and get nothing-no clear answer, but as I move forward if it works out for me then great, if it doesn’t I know to try a new course.
*When I was a senior in high school I had a great GPA I finished my CNA course I was totally ready for the nursing program, I applied and didn’t get in. I was crushed, I really thought I was destined to be a nurse, I had prayed and felt good about being a nurse. Now I look back and realize that my path led to me being a mother, mainly because I’ve learned more from being a mother than I ever could’ve learned as a nurse. I know that if I had become a nurse first I probably wouldn’t have had kids, I would’ve wanted a career more than a family and I couldn’t even fathom that now! The Lord knows what He’s doing even if it doesn’t feel that way.
22:28 I don’t know about you but if some donkey started talking to me I wouldn’t automatically think to myself; yep that’s the Lord talking. I’m not sure how Balaam didn’t freak out, if my donkey had started to speak I’m really not sure I would’ve stayed rational enough to have a conversation with it. So how would you know this instance was from the Lord? In this instance, before the donkey spoke Balaam had hit him 3 times, the number 3 is symbolic for the power of God. So how does this work in our day, do we sit and look for things to happen in threes? I don’t think we should get carried away here, but my mom told me a story of a lady she knows; this lady’s husband was a newly called Bishop and it was time for the stake presidency to change well the wife received a dream 3 times that her husband would be called to serve in the presidency. He was and he was completely shocked. She wasn’t shocked and told him why. Why do you think she received the dream and not him? Perhaps she needed to be prepared, perhaps he wasn’t listening, perhaps he was distracted, there are many reasons and we can make ourselves crazy trying to figure it out, but there is one other more important way to know if it is from the Lord, pray and ask if it is from the Lord and the spirit will tell you.
By this point in the story perhaps the extreme instance with the donkey would be the only way to get Balaam’s attention, and when a whole nation is at stake (Israel) the Lord doesn’t mess around. After he had been humbled a little by the donkey the Lord was able to open his eyes and Balaam finally saw the angel. The Lord will show us what we need to know, whether He shows us a clear path, or just help us to feel right and good about our choice.
Another way to know if it is from the Lord or not is to contemplate who will benefit from your actions, in this instance Balaam chose to go off to Balak, the Lord stopped him because his heart was upon the riches he would receive for himself. He wasn’t thinking about the people he would bless or even about Balak’s people, he was only thinking about himself. If when we are making decisions we need to think down the road a little, this is called the eternal perspective. We need to think who will benefit, how will they benefit, what will result from this decision, will all parties involved come out better people because of my actions. These are just a couple of questions we could ask ourselves that will help us know the Lord’s will for our lives.
This brings us to our last question: In what ways does the Lord talk to us and show us what to do?
Well we know that Balaam spoke to the Lord in prayer, that is the obvious, easiest way to talk to the Lord and feeling the spirit and asking him for reassurance from the spirit is the one we should use the most. Reading in the scriptures is the best way to receive answers. But just as Balaam also heard from his donkey we too can look for clues of the Lord’s love, now don’t go crazy on me looking for talking donkey’s but perhaps you have things in your life that bring peace and comfort to you, that somehow give you comfort that the Lord is there with you. One of God’s creations that give me comfort is butterflies. I see butterflies often, I am fascinated by them. When I was younger my mom and dad told me that butterflies can be something that tells you that angels are watching over you, this may not be doctrine, I didn’t have time to find a quote to back it up, but I just know that it has brought great comfort to my life when I need it. I have even seen butterflies in the middle of winter fly by. Just this last week when we were in Disneyland, Keith, me, and Savanah were riding on the Winnie-the-pooh ride we had just got started when a pretty big butterfly came and landed right in front of us on our car. It came and sat there for a while as we were going we all watched with amazement. I asked in my mind once again if this was an indication that an angel was with me I received the answer from the spirit that it was, and the Lord was watching out for us on our trip. I was so grateful for that moment and other moments throughout my life when the Lord made it clear He was with me and watching out for me. Not everyone will see butterflies, maybe you notice cool clouds, maybe you have a connection with birds or finding money on the ground, or maybe you just constantly feel peace and comfort sitting in a quiet moment, all these can be ways the Lord talks to us.
I have a testimony that the Lord does talk to us, He wants to talk to us, He wants us to know of His will for our lives, which is a better way, and blesses more people than just ourselves. He gives us clues to help us figure out His will through prayer and fasting. His will brings peace and contentment rather than anxiety and fear. I know these things are true with all my heart in the name of Jesus Christ amen.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Life is busy
Sorry I haven't been on in a while, life has been crazy, Bryson is running for office, Both he and Adam are running track, soccer has started again, school is winding down so the work load is speeding up, it's warming up so the work outside starts, etc. etc. I am happy to be alive, I am happy it is warm, I am thankful for spring. Life is GREAT!!!
#14 Ye Shall Be a Peculiar Treasure unto Me"
Exodus 15-20; 32-34
What are some of the simple things in life that you enjoy? I Love eating a hot fudge and Reses peanut butter shake right after a sweaty game of volleyball or softball or racquetball. I also love sitting on my back step feeling the sun on my face, eyes closed listening to the leaves of the trees wrestling in the wind and smelling the fresh air. Those things are very satisfying to me. I’m not sure about the shake experience but the latter experience gives me, not only a physical satisfaction, but a spiritual satisfaction. I know without doubt that when I do those very things I feel deep in my heart a great contentment. Life is good there, no kids are yelling, the checkbook isn’t screaming help me! I can guarantee myself peace and contentment every time I do that even if it is only for 5 minutes. Being outside is balm to my troubled heart. What do you do? Is there anything you do that brings you that kind of contentment? Out of those experiences, have any of them brought to your mind a learning experience? Perhaps an analogy of your life, have you learned anything about anything while experiencing a moment like that? How about the love of God, during those moments; have you felt the love of God just for you during that moment in time? Like He sent that sunshine right to my back step and sent the breeze at the perfect time just for you during just that moment? I have I can testify that during those times that the Lord is sending me His love right to me right at that moment. I don’t know what the rest of you are doing or where you are, but I know when He’s been there at the right time just for me. It is during those times that I recognize the atonement at work in my life, leading me to peace, teaching me what taking the atonement in feels like for me personally. I feel it working on me, healing me of whatever I have going on that is disturbing, it’s like I’m sitting there enjoying and nothing else matters; as I sit I feel that nothing is important for that moment except for the healing that I am experiencing.
Well that was relaxing wasn’t it? On with the lesson, the children of Israel had experiences like this quite frequently, but they didn’t recognize them as such, the Lord brought them out of Egypt, but now what? They had life a life of servitude up to this point, they were told what to do, where to live, how to act etc. Now, poor Moses had the huge job of turning these people into men and women of God! Getting there heads back to the point of centering all of life’s activities on Christ. He’s not sure how to do it but the Lord has a plan. He’s starting from scratch with them; and what I love is we get to read it and dissect it and then point out all the awesome symbolism. What this does for us is helps us to put our own lives into perspective. We can start to see how the Lord uses normal daily occurrences to teach us about the atonement and how to incorporate it as healing power into our daily living.
So let’s start in Exodus 16 we have the story of the children of Israel, who have just seen the destruction of Pharaoh and his armies; they are living in the wilderness. Coincidence? Never-the Wilderness is symbolic of this world we live in. What better place for the Lord to teach from scratch than a place where there is nothing. When does He start to teach them about the basics of life? Right away! Most of these people brought what they could carry so to say that food and water, the basic necessities for life were scarce is probably an understatement.
So lesson #1: if you want something don’t just complain about it get on your knees and pray for help from the only person who can and will help. Moses is the example here, he had a problem of all these people complaining to him and instead of complaining to his counselors he prayed about it. Ex. 16: 4 what does this teach the people? God is the only one we should be relying on. Also the Lord wants to help us, he’s waiting to help us, but He won’t force himself on us. We have to want His help.
Lesson #2: Exo. 16:12-15 He sends quail and manna. As a kid whenever I pictured manna I pictured this heavenly bread, with this heavenly name; now I know that the name manna means “what is it?” the name isn’t quite as heavenly to me anymore, what a name. Even though the people weren’t great at naming their food they still loved this manna, I wanted to discover some things about manna. What is it exactly?
Write what manna is on the board:
Exo. 16:4-5 Only the exact amount that you will be using can be gathered daily-except for Saturday night they can gather for Sunday. What does this teach them? He gives us as we need-no more, why do some seem to have more than others, this too is a test for those who have more to see if they will share, for those who don’t have tons, to see if they will humble themselves to get help as well as not be jealous. What is he trying to teach us about the Sabbath day? Ex. 16:22-25 tells us that when they normally kept the bread overnight it rotted and stank and had worms growing on it. Now, however, it saves. How important is it? So important that we should prepare for it the night before! This teaches us another principle: Christ, and the gospel blessings aren’t meant to be kept for another day, they are to be utilized to their fullest daily, not put on the shelf and forgot about until the next Sunday.
Numbers 11:7-9 Tastes like coriander seed, can be ground up baked into cakes has a fresh oil taste. Now I don’t know when the last time you tasted coriander seed and fresh oil but that sounds nasty to me. I’m sure it was delicious to them. Personally I like the description in Ex. 16:31wafers made with honey. Perhaps the taste changed with the ways they prepared it. This is true for gospel blessings as well. Even if we all are in the same calling, doesn’t mean we will get the same things out of it.
1 Cor. 10:3 it is spiritual meat and everyone gets the same thing. This is symbolic to us. All people in this gospel get the same blessings, all people rich, poor, black, white, heavy, skinny, all of us have every part of the gospel offered to us, however if you noticed each person took the amount they would eat, I imagine some took more than others, some took less, We are all offered the same spiritual meat, but we don’t all take the same amount at the same time; we also take what we need and what we are ready for.
Just like my back step experience, some days I need to sit there for 5 minutes to feel satisfied and spiritually fed, other days I feel like I should and could sit there all day long.
John 6:31-32 Christ is the true bread of life. So what’s he trying to teach them/us? Only through Christ, living the kind of live he lived, and coming to Him, remembering His sacrifice and making sure we don’t live in vain is what He is teaching us through providing bread.
Last scripture about the bread Rev. 2:17 eat hidden manna Hidden can be translated better for us as sacred gospel blessings through Christ. White stone-white=pure stone=Christ; in the stone a new name, those who have been through the temple should understand this one. If not I have a quote from Charles C. Rich who teaches what he learned from Joseph Smith what this scripture means in the journal of discourses 19; “We read in Revelations of St. John that the saints are to receive a white stone, “and in the stone a new name, which no man knoweth save him that receiveth it.” Joseph tells us that this new name, which no man knoweth save him that receiveth it.” Joseph tells us that this new name is a key word, which can only be obtained through the endowments. This is one of the keys and blessings that will be bestowed upon the saints in these last days, for which we should be very thankful.”
So manna is the blessings we get from covenants we make and keep from the temple.
The lesson manual gives us a small summary of what the manna experience gives them/us.
1-It shows the Lord whether his people would obey him Ex. 16:4
2-It would give the people daily reminders of the Lord’s power and love. Ex. 16:12 We too already talked about things you do and enjoy which is partaking of the Lord’s power (atoning) and love.
3-It would teach the people that they do not live “by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord” Deut. 8:3
4-It would humble the people and help them receive salvation Deut. 8:16
He teaches them one last thing. John 6:48-51 that the people who ate manna are dead, but the bread Christ offers will live forever, meaning the resurrection. When we partake of the living bread, daily partaking we will be eternally blessed, and our posterity will be blessed.
Lesson #3 all that talk of bread has made me thirsty hasn’t it to you? The people were thirsty in the wilderness, they wanted water, well the Lord wanted to give them water but he wanted it to be a teaching moment as well.
Ex. 17:5-6 we know that the rock signifies Christ. Who smites the rock? Our sins smite the rock, and out comes living water, atoning water, saving them from thirst.
Another experience of the Lord giving them water also gives us insight. Ex. 15: 22-23 there was no water when they first came into the wilderness. The only water they were able to find was bitter so in v. 25 the Lord shewed him a tree which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet; What does the tree symbolize? Christ on the cross, by doing this the Lord proved to them that Christ dying for us turns bitter things into sweet things. He makes a covenant with them after that v.26 if they/we hearken to the commandments, do all he asks of us He won’t put all the diseases he put on the Egyptians, because the blessing He wants to give us is that of healing; healing them/us from anger, bitterness, jealousy forgiveness etc daily and forever.
I want to share an experience I had just recently that illustrates the principle that Christ heals and we can partake of the living water and bread daily. First let me start with a question; have you ever been in the position where one of your family members was hurt or offended by someone and their battle becomes yours because you want to protect them from hurt. Well this happened to me recently one of my family members was hurt, and me being the protecting lioness wanted to claw out the eyeballs of those who hurt my family member. Of course I am a nonviolent person so I didn’t, but inside my feelings festered and grew till I knew I couldn’t even look at the offensive people without being mean. I realized about a week of anger and bitterness that my attitude was wrong and I needed to repent. I went to my knees and asked for forgiveness for holding on to my anger, for allowing the bitterness to creep in I asked forgiveness for thinking bad thoughts about the people. Because I’m stubborn I could still tell that there were not completely loving thoughts in my head and I knew that was wrong; I asked the Lord to help me get past this through the power of the atonement. I asked that the atoning power of unconditional love fill me up so I didn’t have room to dislike or be angry at these people anymore. I discussed these things for a while. By the time I stood up I felt like a new person, I could picture these people with love and understanding instead of anger and bitterness. It seemed like a miracle to me that it was that easy, and the result was complete peace.
As I studied this lesson I know that the Lord does want to send us living manna and water daily, He wants to bless us, He’s waiting to bless us in any way that we need, He’s just waiting for us to ask. He’s just waiting for us to keep the commandments, keep our covenants, just so he can send those blessings from heaven. He provides us with so many opportunities to feel His Love, through the world outside; through the things we love and appreciate most, the simple things, like sitting outside on the back step. We just have to ask, and center every daily activity on Christ, that is all He asks; include Him in your life, and He will heal in the name of Jesus Christ amen.
What are some of the simple things in life that you enjoy? I Love eating a hot fudge and Reses peanut butter shake right after a sweaty game of volleyball or softball or racquetball. I also love sitting on my back step feeling the sun on my face, eyes closed listening to the leaves of the trees wrestling in the wind and smelling the fresh air. Those things are very satisfying to me. I’m not sure about the shake experience but the latter experience gives me, not only a physical satisfaction, but a spiritual satisfaction. I know without doubt that when I do those very things I feel deep in my heart a great contentment. Life is good there, no kids are yelling, the checkbook isn’t screaming help me! I can guarantee myself peace and contentment every time I do that even if it is only for 5 minutes. Being outside is balm to my troubled heart. What do you do? Is there anything you do that brings you that kind of contentment? Out of those experiences, have any of them brought to your mind a learning experience? Perhaps an analogy of your life, have you learned anything about anything while experiencing a moment like that? How about the love of God, during those moments; have you felt the love of God just for you during that moment in time? Like He sent that sunshine right to my back step and sent the breeze at the perfect time just for you during just that moment? I have I can testify that during those times that the Lord is sending me His love right to me right at that moment. I don’t know what the rest of you are doing or where you are, but I know when He’s been there at the right time just for me. It is during those times that I recognize the atonement at work in my life, leading me to peace, teaching me what taking the atonement in feels like for me personally. I feel it working on me, healing me of whatever I have going on that is disturbing, it’s like I’m sitting there enjoying and nothing else matters; as I sit I feel that nothing is important for that moment except for the healing that I am experiencing.
Well that was relaxing wasn’t it? On with the lesson, the children of Israel had experiences like this quite frequently, but they didn’t recognize them as such, the Lord brought them out of Egypt, but now what? They had life a life of servitude up to this point, they were told what to do, where to live, how to act etc. Now, poor Moses had the huge job of turning these people into men and women of God! Getting there heads back to the point of centering all of life’s activities on Christ. He’s not sure how to do it but the Lord has a plan. He’s starting from scratch with them; and what I love is we get to read it and dissect it and then point out all the awesome symbolism. What this does for us is helps us to put our own lives into perspective. We can start to see how the Lord uses normal daily occurrences to teach us about the atonement and how to incorporate it as healing power into our daily living.
So let’s start in Exodus 16 we have the story of the children of Israel, who have just seen the destruction of Pharaoh and his armies; they are living in the wilderness. Coincidence? Never-the Wilderness is symbolic of this world we live in. What better place for the Lord to teach from scratch than a place where there is nothing. When does He start to teach them about the basics of life? Right away! Most of these people brought what they could carry so to say that food and water, the basic necessities for life were scarce is probably an understatement.
So lesson #1: if you want something don’t just complain about it get on your knees and pray for help from the only person who can and will help. Moses is the example here, he had a problem of all these people complaining to him and instead of complaining to his counselors he prayed about it. Ex. 16: 4 what does this teach the people? God is the only one we should be relying on. Also the Lord wants to help us, he’s waiting to help us, but He won’t force himself on us. We have to want His help.
Lesson #2: Exo. 16:12-15 He sends quail and manna. As a kid whenever I pictured manna I pictured this heavenly bread, with this heavenly name; now I know that the name manna means “what is it?” the name isn’t quite as heavenly to me anymore, what a name. Even though the people weren’t great at naming their food they still loved this manna, I wanted to discover some things about manna. What is it exactly?
Write what manna is on the board:
Exo. 16:4-5 Only the exact amount that you will be using can be gathered daily-except for Saturday night they can gather for Sunday. What does this teach them? He gives us as we need-no more, why do some seem to have more than others, this too is a test for those who have more to see if they will share, for those who don’t have tons, to see if they will humble themselves to get help as well as not be jealous. What is he trying to teach us about the Sabbath day? Ex. 16:22-25 tells us that when they normally kept the bread overnight it rotted and stank and had worms growing on it. Now, however, it saves. How important is it? So important that we should prepare for it the night before! This teaches us another principle: Christ, and the gospel blessings aren’t meant to be kept for another day, they are to be utilized to their fullest daily, not put on the shelf and forgot about until the next Sunday.
Numbers 11:7-9 Tastes like coriander seed, can be ground up baked into cakes has a fresh oil taste. Now I don’t know when the last time you tasted coriander seed and fresh oil but that sounds nasty to me. I’m sure it was delicious to them. Personally I like the description in Ex. 16:31wafers made with honey. Perhaps the taste changed with the ways they prepared it. This is true for gospel blessings as well. Even if we all are in the same calling, doesn’t mean we will get the same things out of it.
1 Cor. 10:3 it is spiritual meat and everyone gets the same thing. This is symbolic to us. All people in this gospel get the same blessings, all people rich, poor, black, white, heavy, skinny, all of us have every part of the gospel offered to us, however if you noticed each person took the amount they would eat, I imagine some took more than others, some took less, We are all offered the same spiritual meat, but we don’t all take the same amount at the same time; we also take what we need and what we are ready for.
Just like my back step experience, some days I need to sit there for 5 minutes to feel satisfied and spiritually fed, other days I feel like I should and could sit there all day long.
John 6:31-32 Christ is the true bread of life. So what’s he trying to teach them/us? Only through Christ, living the kind of live he lived, and coming to Him, remembering His sacrifice and making sure we don’t live in vain is what He is teaching us through providing bread.
Last scripture about the bread Rev. 2:17 eat hidden manna Hidden can be translated better for us as sacred gospel blessings through Christ. White stone-white=pure stone=Christ; in the stone a new name, those who have been through the temple should understand this one. If not I have a quote from Charles C. Rich who teaches what he learned from Joseph Smith what this scripture means in the journal of discourses 19; “We read in Revelations of St. John that the saints are to receive a white stone, “and in the stone a new name, which no man knoweth save him that receiveth it.” Joseph tells us that this new name, which no man knoweth save him that receiveth it.” Joseph tells us that this new name is a key word, which can only be obtained through the endowments. This is one of the keys and blessings that will be bestowed upon the saints in these last days, for which we should be very thankful.”
So manna is the blessings we get from covenants we make and keep from the temple.
The lesson manual gives us a small summary of what the manna experience gives them/us.
1-It shows the Lord whether his people would obey him Ex. 16:4
2-It would give the people daily reminders of the Lord’s power and love. Ex. 16:12 We too already talked about things you do and enjoy which is partaking of the Lord’s power (atoning) and love.
3-It would teach the people that they do not live “by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord” Deut. 8:3
4-It would humble the people and help them receive salvation Deut. 8:16
He teaches them one last thing. John 6:48-51 that the people who ate manna are dead, but the bread Christ offers will live forever, meaning the resurrection. When we partake of the living bread, daily partaking we will be eternally blessed, and our posterity will be blessed.
Lesson #3 all that talk of bread has made me thirsty hasn’t it to you? The people were thirsty in the wilderness, they wanted water, well the Lord wanted to give them water but he wanted it to be a teaching moment as well.
Ex. 17:5-6 we know that the rock signifies Christ. Who smites the rock? Our sins smite the rock, and out comes living water, atoning water, saving them from thirst.
Another experience of the Lord giving them water also gives us insight. Ex. 15: 22-23 there was no water when they first came into the wilderness. The only water they were able to find was bitter so in v. 25 the Lord shewed him a tree which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet; What does the tree symbolize? Christ on the cross, by doing this the Lord proved to them that Christ dying for us turns bitter things into sweet things. He makes a covenant with them after that v.26 if they/we hearken to the commandments, do all he asks of us He won’t put all the diseases he put on the Egyptians, because the blessing He wants to give us is that of healing; healing them/us from anger, bitterness, jealousy forgiveness etc daily and forever.
I want to share an experience I had just recently that illustrates the principle that Christ heals and we can partake of the living water and bread daily. First let me start with a question; have you ever been in the position where one of your family members was hurt or offended by someone and their battle becomes yours because you want to protect them from hurt. Well this happened to me recently one of my family members was hurt, and me being the protecting lioness wanted to claw out the eyeballs of those who hurt my family member. Of course I am a nonviolent person so I didn’t, but inside my feelings festered and grew till I knew I couldn’t even look at the offensive people without being mean. I realized about a week of anger and bitterness that my attitude was wrong and I needed to repent. I went to my knees and asked for forgiveness for holding on to my anger, for allowing the bitterness to creep in I asked forgiveness for thinking bad thoughts about the people. Because I’m stubborn I could still tell that there were not completely loving thoughts in my head and I knew that was wrong; I asked the Lord to help me get past this through the power of the atonement. I asked that the atoning power of unconditional love fill me up so I didn’t have room to dislike or be angry at these people anymore. I discussed these things for a while. By the time I stood up I felt like a new person, I could picture these people with love and understanding instead of anger and bitterness. It seemed like a miracle to me that it was that easy, and the result was complete peace.
As I studied this lesson I know that the Lord does want to send us living manna and water daily, He wants to bless us, He’s waiting to bless us in any way that we need, He’s just waiting for us to ask. He’s just waiting for us to keep the commandments, keep our covenants, just so he can send those blessings from heaven. He provides us with so many opportunities to feel His Love, through the world outside; through the things we love and appreciate most, the simple things, like sitting outside on the back step. We just have to ask, and center every daily activity on Christ, that is all He asks; include Him in your life, and He will heal in the name of Jesus Christ amen.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
#12 Fruitful in the Land of My Affliction
Genesis 40-45
I actually liked the object lesson for this lesson because it was very thought provoking for me, not to mention upbeat and positive.
It suggests that we pretend we’ve all just been annihilated, isn’t that upbeat and positive? Oh yeah, we have just entered the spirit world and we are awaiting our turn to review our experiences in mortality. Before going in we are asked to think about 4 questions about our adversities and how they have shaped our lives. After answering these we are going to discuss some of our potential answers. So here is the questionnaire:
1-What were some of the trials you faced in mortal life? You could list just one of you biggest if you’d rather do that.
2-What lessons have you learned from these trials?
3-If you could live your life over, what would you change about the way you dealt with your trials?
4-How could you have taken better advantage of life’s experiences?
*I want to add one more just to tie things together at the end better.
5-What is a trial you are experiencing right now?
As we discuss you can continue to answer your questions. Write on the board some of the trials about Joseph’s life. (sold into Egypt)
Hated by his brothers
Brothers conspired to kill him, sold as a slave instead
Unjustly put into prison
Helped butler only to be left in prison 2 more years 13 years total
As I thought about the questions I know I have some work to do to change my everyday attitude. Let’s talk about some of our answers. I think it is safe to say that every one’s trials fit under one of three different categories. 1-Physical struggles 2-mental or pride
3-emotional/spiritual unless there are any others that you feel we should add in here.
If not let’s move on to what lessons we can or what we are supposed to be learning from these trials/struggles?
Physical? Learn our limitations, learn to ask for help, learn that we are stronger than we think, etc.
Mental or prideful? That the Lord is in charge, that everyone will come to Christ in their own way and time, we may have to hit rock bottom before we can start climbing again,
Emotional/Spiritual? The only way to get through is to rely on the Savior, to find within us a strength that can only be found when we are at our weakest point.
Now here is the easy one, if you could live your life over how would you deal with your struggles differently? More patient, cheerfully, with more faith, learn quicker from the 1st experience instead of having to repeat the same mistakes again, not to involve others around me if I don’t have to, etc.
Last one-How could we have taken better advantage of life’s experiences? Sought the Lord’s will right from the start, and not give in till I have my answer, paid more attention to details that were overlooked, sought the Lord’s hand in my life more frequently, trusted completely, laughed more etc.
So how does one deal better with trials, how does one experience to the fullest, how does one live cheerfully, how does one get through life without wishing we had done things differently?
Now we go to our story of the day, Joseph (sold into Egypt) I would start to wonder if this guy was fictional because he dealt with his crappy life so faithfully, so honestly, so valiantly that I almost want to throw-up. But we all have a testimony that the scriptures are real and true and his story wouldn’t be in here if we weren’t supposed to learn from it.
So let’s learn. Genesis 40 Joseph has been here in prison for about 10 years, hanging out just waiting for the opportunity to get out of there. How did he do it? How did he not go crazy?
40:4 He was too busy serving the people he was in with to give his troubles much thought! 2 of the Pharaoh’s staff (chief butler/chef) were put in prison and Joseph Served them.
We know that in our church we have many opportunities to serve, callings, visit/home teaching, committees, ward parties, neighborly kindnesses. We’ve been commissioned over and over to serve one another. Why? Is it because the prophet needs us to check off that to-do-to-be-perfect checklist? Or do you think he knows that to keep us from feeling sorry for ourselves we need to get out of our own heads and get to work for someone else?
40:4 two things I get from this verse, about how Joseph stays so positive; the first he is close enough to the spirit to know these guys are sad-sad? Are you serious? Who wouldn’t be sad to be in prison? Joseph is close enough to them and the spirit to know that they are more sad than normal. Second is that he asks them about their sadness? Why? Do you think he just wanted to know why they were sad? Or do you think he actually cared enough that he wanted to help uplift them? What can we do to look for opportunities to uplift? How could we figure out who we could uplift?
40:8 they tell them they’ve have had a dream and they don’t have an interpreter. He offers his assistance, but he doesn’t forget the most important thing-that God is the real interpreter, after being here in this dreary prison, he is still giving credit to God for the Good things, not the bad ones. He is still testifying to others of the Goodness of God.
He helps them interpret their dreams. To the one he says 3 days you’ll be back serving Pharaoh, to the other one he says 3 days you are a goner-you are going to be hung. Too bad!
40:14 He is humble enough to ask for help in getting out of the prison. He’s taking a chance on this guy hoping that he will be the guy that will finally get him out of there.
*I’m not sure about you, but this is one I struggle with. I have issues with asking others for help, I want to be independent and do things on my own, but we need to learn that sometimes the Lord answers prayers through the help of others. Whether it is getting a blessing from someone, or soliciting for a job, etc.
*well we know that the butler got out and was back into Pharaoh’s service and Joseph was long forgotten for 2 more years. Finally, God allowed a miracle.
Those dream interpreters that were supposed to be experts and had interpreted for years had a mental block, I have a feeling the Lord had something to do with that, and finally the butler remembers Joseph.
41:16 Joseph interprets the dream for Pharaoh, but before he does He testifies of God again, tells him that he recognizes the dream is from God and that God is trying to give peace to Pharaoh, by giving him a chance to prepare his country. Isn’t Joseph a great missionary? Perhaps if we went around testifying of God then our lives wouldn’t be so bleak either.
41:38-39 Joseph interprets the dream, puts forth this great plan to prepare for the problem of famine, then stands back and waits.
At this point he could’ve begged Pharaoh not to lock him back up; he could’ve solicited himself for the job. He just waited, Pharaoh realized that Joseph was a man who walked with God, and He recognizes him as wise and discreet. He is offered the job.
41:45-49 He went right to work, he didn’t go find his office and get settled in and bid others to do the work, he went himself, he worked really hard doing exactly what he said he would do. We know just as Joseph does that being a hard worker and having the integrity to do a job well is one of the easiest ways of dealing with the struggles of life. He still hadn’t seen his family, he still hadn’t made amends with his brothers, and He was moving on with his life, he wasn’t dwelling on the past issues.
I knew of a kid who had lost his father at a young age. Because of this all the people in his life, mother, relatives, friends, teachers all made excuses for this boy exclaiming that, “he had lost his father, give him a break, he’s still struggling with it”. Well it’s been years and years that boy is now a man, married and I believe he has kids, guess what he is still playing that card, at work when he messes up he will tell anyone who will listen that he lost his father when he was young and it still affects him. I have no doubt that it still affects him, it always will, but it doesn’t need to hinder him. He needs to get over it and move on. How many of us hang onto old excuses, how many of us have a hard time moving past struggles and living life again. Well, take some advice from Joseph, find something-anything and get busy doing something well. It may take your mind off it. It’s been proven over and over that when you stop stressing about something it is easier for the Lord to get things in motion that will bring everything right again. Just like what happens here in our story.
41:50-52 we know that Joseph gets married and has 2 kids, all the while never forgetting the Lord and his goodness. He names his kids after the very fact that “God hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house” (Manasseh) and Ephraim which means “God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction”
*Gen. 42-44 so at this point 22 years have gone by since Joseph has seen his family. As soon as he recognized his brothers coming for food (v. 7), they bow to him(v.6) and he remembers his dream (v. 9) he could’ve said, “HA, I told you so”, “I told you that you would bow to me” instead he holds his tongue and waits patiently to find out a couple of things.
1-if they have felt bad at all about selling him
2-if they have gained any integrity
3-if they have learned anything from their experiences, to see if they have changed their actions.
So he tests them, by giving them their money back in their sacks, planting dishes from his house in their bags, keeping one of the brothers to see if they would leave him forever like they left him or if they would come back for him. He proves how patient he is, it would’ve made me crazy not to say anything all those times. After all of it comes my favorite part.
After all is said and done they past all his tests, they have proven they are changed men, 45:5-7 He forgives them, he puts at ease their guilt and forgives them before they even say one word. He didn’t wait for them to apologize, he didn’t solicit an apology, he immediately says “be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves…for God did send me before you” “It was not you that sent me hither, but God” He could’ve gotten mad and said, “do you realized what I’ve been through? Do you know where I’ve been and what I’ve had to deal with and how I’ve had to live?” He just tells them about God’s generosity toward him, he tells them all the good things and testifies to them that God is in charge and always will be. He is ever the humble servant of the Lord who continually remembers the Lord and does His will in all things.
What is your attitude to others who have wronged you? Do you have to be right? Do you hold onto grudges and rub in your success? Do you constantly bring up past issues? We know what our attitude should be, we know that we should be serving others, working hard, getting on with life and remembering to be grateful to the Lord in all things. But can we? Will we? We know it is possible because Joseph did it, Christ did it, and if we want to walk with Christ again we must do it! I know we can change one thing today. Look at the list we formed look at the trial you are experiencing right now- how will you approach it from here on out? Live it so you won’t have any regrets. Live it cheerfully, faithfully, honestly, trustingly, valiantly! I know we can change our attitudes, in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
I actually liked the object lesson for this lesson because it was very thought provoking for me, not to mention upbeat and positive.
It suggests that we pretend we’ve all just been annihilated, isn’t that upbeat and positive? Oh yeah, we have just entered the spirit world and we are awaiting our turn to review our experiences in mortality. Before going in we are asked to think about 4 questions about our adversities and how they have shaped our lives. After answering these we are going to discuss some of our potential answers. So here is the questionnaire:
1-What were some of the trials you faced in mortal life? You could list just one of you biggest if you’d rather do that.
2-What lessons have you learned from these trials?
3-If you could live your life over, what would you change about the way you dealt with your trials?
4-How could you have taken better advantage of life’s experiences?
*I want to add one more just to tie things together at the end better.
5-What is a trial you are experiencing right now?
As we discuss you can continue to answer your questions. Write on the board some of the trials about Joseph’s life. (sold into Egypt)
Hated by his brothers
Brothers conspired to kill him, sold as a slave instead
Unjustly put into prison
Helped butler only to be left in prison 2 more years 13 years total
As I thought about the questions I know I have some work to do to change my everyday attitude. Let’s talk about some of our answers. I think it is safe to say that every one’s trials fit under one of three different categories. 1-Physical struggles 2-mental or pride
3-emotional/spiritual unless there are any others that you feel we should add in here.
If not let’s move on to what lessons we can or what we are supposed to be learning from these trials/struggles?
Physical? Learn our limitations, learn to ask for help, learn that we are stronger than we think, etc.
Mental or prideful? That the Lord is in charge, that everyone will come to Christ in their own way and time, we may have to hit rock bottom before we can start climbing again,
Emotional/Spiritual? The only way to get through is to rely on the Savior, to find within us a strength that can only be found when we are at our weakest point.
Now here is the easy one, if you could live your life over how would you deal with your struggles differently? More patient, cheerfully, with more faith, learn quicker from the 1st experience instead of having to repeat the same mistakes again, not to involve others around me if I don’t have to, etc.
Last one-How could we have taken better advantage of life’s experiences? Sought the Lord’s will right from the start, and not give in till I have my answer, paid more attention to details that were overlooked, sought the Lord’s hand in my life more frequently, trusted completely, laughed more etc.
So how does one deal better with trials, how does one experience to the fullest, how does one live cheerfully, how does one get through life without wishing we had done things differently?
Now we go to our story of the day, Joseph (sold into Egypt) I would start to wonder if this guy was fictional because he dealt with his crappy life so faithfully, so honestly, so valiantly that I almost want to throw-up. But we all have a testimony that the scriptures are real and true and his story wouldn’t be in here if we weren’t supposed to learn from it.
So let’s learn. Genesis 40 Joseph has been here in prison for about 10 years, hanging out just waiting for the opportunity to get out of there. How did he do it? How did he not go crazy?
40:4 He was too busy serving the people he was in with to give his troubles much thought! 2 of the Pharaoh’s staff (chief butler/chef) were put in prison and Joseph Served them.
We know that in our church we have many opportunities to serve, callings, visit/home teaching, committees, ward parties, neighborly kindnesses. We’ve been commissioned over and over to serve one another. Why? Is it because the prophet needs us to check off that to-do-to-be-perfect checklist? Or do you think he knows that to keep us from feeling sorry for ourselves we need to get out of our own heads and get to work for someone else?
40:4 two things I get from this verse, about how Joseph stays so positive; the first he is close enough to the spirit to know these guys are sad-sad? Are you serious? Who wouldn’t be sad to be in prison? Joseph is close enough to them and the spirit to know that they are more sad than normal. Second is that he asks them about their sadness? Why? Do you think he just wanted to know why they were sad? Or do you think he actually cared enough that he wanted to help uplift them? What can we do to look for opportunities to uplift? How could we figure out who we could uplift?
40:8 they tell them they’ve have had a dream and they don’t have an interpreter. He offers his assistance, but he doesn’t forget the most important thing-that God is the real interpreter, after being here in this dreary prison, he is still giving credit to God for the Good things, not the bad ones. He is still testifying to others of the Goodness of God.
He helps them interpret their dreams. To the one he says 3 days you’ll be back serving Pharaoh, to the other one he says 3 days you are a goner-you are going to be hung. Too bad!
40:14 He is humble enough to ask for help in getting out of the prison. He’s taking a chance on this guy hoping that he will be the guy that will finally get him out of there.
*I’m not sure about you, but this is one I struggle with. I have issues with asking others for help, I want to be independent and do things on my own, but we need to learn that sometimes the Lord answers prayers through the help of others. Whether it is getting a blessing from someone, or soliciting for a job, etc.
*well we know that the butler got out and was back into Pharaoh’s service and Joseph was long forgotten for 2 more years. Finally, God allowed a miracle.
Those dream interpreters that were supposed to be experts and had interpreted for years had a mental block, I have a feeling the Lord had something to do with that, and finally the butler remembers Joseph.
41:16 Joseph interprets the dream for Pharaoh, but before he does He testifies of God again, tells him that he recognizes the dream is from God and that God is trying to give peace to Pharaoh, by giving him a chance to prepare his country. Isn’t Joseph a great missionary? Perhaps if we went around testifying of God then our lives wouldn’t be so bleak either.
41:38-39 Joseph interprets the dream, puts forth this great plan to prepare for the problem of famine, then stands back and waits.
At this point he could’ve begged Pharaoh not to lock him back up; he could’ve solicited himself for the job. He just waited, Pharaoh realized that Joseph was a man who walked with God, and He recognizes him as wise and discreet. He is offered the job.
41:45-49 He went right to work, he didn’t go find his office and get settled in and bid others to do the work, he went himself, he worked really hard doing exactly what he said he would do. We know just as Joseph does that being a hard worker and having the integrity to do a job well is one of the easiest ways of dealing with the struggles of life. He still hadn’t seen his family, he still hadn’t made amends with his brothers, and He was moving on with his life, he wasn’t dwelling on the past issues.
I knew of a kid who had lost his father at a young age. Because of this all the people in his life, mother, relatives, friends, teachers all made excuses for this boy exclaiming that, “he had lost his father, give him a break, he’s still struggling with it”. Well it’s been years and years that boy is now a man, married and I believe he has kids, guess what he is still playing that card, at work when he messes up he will tell anyone who will listen that he lost his father when he was young and it still affects him. I have no doubt that it still affects him, it always will, but it doesn’t need to hinder him. He needs to get over it and move on. How many of us hang onto old excuses, how many of us have a hard time moving past struggles and living life again. Well, take some advice from Joseph, find something-anything and get busy doing something well. It may take your mind off it. It’s been proven over and over that when you stop stressing about something it is easier for the Lord to get things in motion that will bring everything right again. Just like what happens here in our story.
41:50-52 we know that Joseph gets married and has 2 kids, all the while never forgetting the Lord and his goodness. He names his kids after the very fact that “God hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house” (Manasseh) and Ephraim which means “God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction”
*Gen. 42-44 so at this point 22 years have gone by since Joseph has seen his family. As soon as he recognized his brothers coming for food (v. 7), they bow to him(v.6) and he remembers his dream (v. 9) he could’ve said, “HA, I told you so”, “I told you that you would bow to me” instead he holds his tongue and waits patiently to find out a couple of things.
1-if they have felt bad at all about selling him
2-if they have gained any integrity
3-if they have learned anything from their experiences, to see if they have changed their actions.
So he tests them, by giving them their money back in their sacks, planting dishes from his house in their bags, keeping one of the brothers to see if they would leave him forever like they left him or if they would come back for him. He proves how patient he is, it would’ve made me crazy not to say anything all those times. After all of it comes my favorite part.
After all is said and done they past all his tests, they have proven they are changed men, 45:5-7 He forgives them, he puts at ease their guilt and forgives them before they even say one word. He didn’t wait for them to apologize, he didn’t solicit an apology, he immediately says “be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves…for God did send me before you” “It was not you that sent me hither, but God” He could’ve gotten mad and said, “do you realized what I’ve been through? Do you know where I’ve been and what I’ve had to deal with and how I’ve had to live?” He just tells them about God’s generosity toward him, he tells them all the good things and testifies to them that God is in charge and always will be. He is ever the humble servant of the Lord who continually remembers the Lord and does His will in all things.
What is your attitude to others who have wronged you? Do you have to be right? Do you hold onto grudges and rub in your success? Do you constantly bring up past issues? We know what our attitude should be, we know that we should be serving others, working hard, getting on with life and remembering to be grateful to the Lord in all things. But can we? Will we? We know it is possible because Joseph did it, Christ did it, and if we want to walk with Christ again we must do it! I know we can change one thing today. Look at the list we formed look at the trial you are experiencing right now- how will you approach it from here on out? Live it so you won’t have any regrets. Live it cheerfully, faithfully, honestly, trustingly, valiantly! I know we can change our attitudes, in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
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