James 5:13-14

James 5:13-14

13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

 14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

This principle is one that I need to be reminded of more. I love that it says straight forward “are any among you afflicted?” of course they are going to say yes they are afflicted. We all have things that are hurting or that we are bothered by. Plain and simple answer “Pray”. Then is anyone happy? Yes people are going to be happy, even if they are afflicted with something you can still be happy. Then sing praises. Show God that we are thankful for the blessings he has given onto us. Then are any among you sick, call for priesthood holders to come and bless those that are sick. 

I know that I have fallen short of singing praises when I have received a blessing or been happy. Not always, but I know that if I am sick or something bad happens I am more likely to pray for help or guidance. But I also know that my prayers of thanksgiving can improve. My heavenly Father knows me and I can repent of my shortcomings and work to do a better job. We have been blessed with such great things in the scriptures that can lead us and guide us to be better. I also know that I can use these things to teach and remind my children to always pray to our Heavenly Father in good times and bad.

Hebrews 4:12

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a dicerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

I have found a new appreciation for this scripture. When I think of the word of God I usually don't think about something quick and sharp. Powerful yes, but if we truly let the word of God work its way in all aspects of our lives then it can cut our souls and spirits quickly and sharply. It can also help us discern the thoughts and intent of the heart. I am very grateful for the word of God in my life, and enjoy my personal and family study where we can study together and learn together.

Acts 22:4-16

Acts 22:4-16

The visualization of these verses really brought them to life for me. Saul is traveling and a great light shown onto him while he had just came to Damascus. Then a voice called out Saul, Saul. Saul fell to the ground not knowing who it was The Savior tells Saul that it is Jesus who he has been persecuting. And after a conversation the Savior tells him to go into Damascus to receive instructions. When he goes into Damascus he meets someone named Ananias who tells him to not only receive his sight but that he is a chosen one to declare the knowledge of the Savior unto mankind. But the part that really has stood out to me is when Ananias tells him to get baptized and have all of his sins washed away. This is true for all of us, if we know that these things are true and we can see how Saul/Paul is struggling with the fact that he was teaching so many that the Savior was false and now he was supposed to go and teach of the truthfulness. He was probably struggling with that sin and how he would be able to do this thing that seemed impossible. But if he would go and be baptized all of those things could be forgive of him and he could move forward toward what the Lord asked him to do.

2 Corinthians 2:10

2 Corinthians 2: 10

 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;

The phrases in this verse that stood out to me are forgive and forgave. I love how they are really showing that we can be forgiven of anything through Christ. He has paid the price of sin for us. These phrases are also telling me that if I forgive others our Heavenly Father will also forgive them. We have been blessed with the Atonement and through this we can be forgiven of our wrong doings and be made whole again, but if we withhold our forgiveness from someone else that is seeking the Atonement then we are the sinners and not those that are seeking our forgiveness. 

I am so grateful for the Atonement and that I have been blessed to know that I can be forgiven of my sins. I hope that everyone can someday understand the Atonement and the blessings it has given me and everyone else that has a knowledge of it.