Forgiveness isn’t a gift for the offender, it’s a gift for the victim. There are all sorts of trials in life and one of them might be an undeserved injustice that affects you personally. How we deal with that injustice speaks to our heart. I’m not suggesting forgiveness is easy, but the sooner we do it, the better off we’ll be!
“Forgiveness doesn’t excuse their behaviour! Forgiveness prevents their behaviour from destroying your heart!” – Anonymous
I love Neal A. Maxwell! This is definitely his way of saying it’s how we respond to our challenges that dictate our blessings and growth!
“God does not begin by asking us about our ability, but only about our availability, and if we then prove our dependability, He will increase our capability.” – Neal A. Maxwell
The natural man has us being hard on ourselves, looking only on our weaknesses and shortcomings. Fortunately, the Atonement of Jesus Christ covers that and allows us to be better! Knowing that Christ suffered for your negative self feelings should encourage us not to dwell in those unholy thoughts. Pray to feel of His love for you and then strive to love Him back!
“Not only did Christ save us from ourselves, but He saved us from our horrible warped opinion and negative views of ourselves.” – Jeffrey R. Holland
If we could catch even a glimpse of our divine heritage and potential, we would never second guess or question the decision to commit fully to the Lord. He is the way! We need to be found choosing the right and showing our Heavenly Parents that we love Them too!
“We have a divine nature and a beautiful eternal destiny. We are indeed sons and daughters of Heavenly Parents who love us. and we love Them!” – Michelle D. Craig
A huge part of life is putting aside our own wants for something better. Having the Holy Ghost as a constant companion and following the promptings of the Spirit will do more for our growth and development than 1000 years of theory.
“The Holy Ghost makes an ideal traveling companion. If we are humble and teachable, He will take us by the hand and lead us home.” – Larry R. Lawrence
I’m grateful to a living Saviour who has provided a way for me to learn and be better. I can make mistakes and grow through it. He paved the way for us, making the covenant path possible. This holiday season, look for those gifts you have been given and look for way to be better and do better.
“Four gifts from Jesus Christ: 1. An Unlimited capacity to love 2. the ability to forgive 3. Repentance 4. a promise of everlasting life.” – Russell M. Nelson
Life is too short to be stubborn! Submit to the Lord! Pray for forgiveness, for strengths and for guidance and most of all, to feel of His love for you, because He forgives. He strengthens. He guides and He loves. We just need to prepare ourselves to receive that which He offers so freely!
“If life gets to hard to stand, kneel.” – Gordon B. Hinckley
It might seem hard now. It might seem like the ask is too difficult or the bar too high. I promise, that as you strive to do the right things, to have His Spirit to be with you, to pray and read His scriptures, in short, if you strive to make Him a part of your life, it will become easier and life won’t feel like a battlefield anymore. You’ll see it for what it is, a hospital with so many people in need. God will strengthen you, if you let Him. Be better!
“We have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.” – Mosiah 5:2
I’ll share with you a secret. There isn’t a single perfect person alive on the earth today. We are all challenged. We all have trials and temptations. We are all struggling and striving. Going to church doesn’t make you better any more than walking through the doors of a hospital makes you healthy again, but it’s a start. Going to church will invite the Spirit, remind you of your covenants and encourage you to better. We’ll still struggle, but with the Lord’s help, we won’t just manage to survive, but we’ll excel!
“A Church isn’t a monastery for the isolation of perfect people. Its a hospital where each who enter as different ailments!” – Jeffery R. Holland
One thing I’ve been working on is the tone in which I approach my kids. I work with adults in a harsh environment and that certainly doesn’t need to be transferred to my children. Take time to evaluate how you speak to your children. How you speak to them will follow them for the rest of their lives and will add to how they feel about their self worth and their view of their relationship to their Heavenly Parents.
“The things you say, the tone of your voice, the anger or calm of your words – these things are noticed by your children and by others. They see and learn both the kind and the unkind things we say or do. Nothing exposes our true selves more than how we treat one another in the home.” – Joseph B. Wirthlin
Our relationship to our Heavenly Father is key because while we have an idea of what our life should be like and where we should be going, Heavenly Father has the perfect view and knows what is best for us. This is where our relationship to Him is key, because if it’s non-existent, we will struggle with disappointment, if our relationship is strong, we’ll better maintain a positive attitude, trusting that we are in His capable hands.
“When I lay these questions before God I get no answer. But a rather special sort of no answer… it is more like a silent, certainly not uncompassionate, gaze. As though He shook His head not in refusal but waiving the question. Like, ‘peace, child; you don’t understand.'” – CS Lewis
Don’t even think about stopping now! You’ve come too far, persevered too long and grown too much to stop now! Keep on the covenant path and strive toward our Saviour! Remember that He is there, beckoning us forward, strengthening us when we need it, lifting us when we fall by the wayside! He will help us, if we will but press forward!
“Fight the good fight. Finish your course. Keep the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7
How often do we pray for something without putting in effort to help ourselves accomplish our goal and by extension, how often do have a thought or feeling after praying and do nothing about it? We cannot do nothing, we must listen, be willing to act and we must do when we have good thoughts.
“We must be willing to act when we receive an answer.” – Larry R. Lawrence
We each choose our God, every day, by our decisions and what we focus on. Choose today to focus on the best things and you will invite the Spirit of God into your life!
“Choose you this day who ye will serve; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:15
God can do all things. He is able to move mountains and raise the ocean floor. He can block out the sun, raise the dead and shut the mouth of Lions, but His greatest miracle might just be helping someone to have a might change of heart, repent of their sins and decide to be better! God provides the miracle, but He won’t force one upon us.
“It would take a miracle, you say? Well, if it takes a miracle, why not?” – Boyd K. Packer
Each and every morning, pray to your Father in Heaven. Let Him know that you are grateful for your life, your family, your home, your health your trials and your circumstances. Even if some of these things aren’t what they could be, you should still consider yourself blessed. Your trials and troubles are real, but so is your God and He gives you trials for your betterment and to make you stronger. Make sure you’re inviting Him into your life so you can come off conqueror and grow into the person He designed you to be.
“Let your first ‘ good morning’ be to you Heavenly Father.” – Karl B. Maeser
It may not be given to us to know all things, but trusting in God, who does in fact, know all things, we can learn and grow. Little by little, we will receive knowledge and light and understanding and wisdom, but only as we patiently strive and trust in Him.
“As you patiently honour the Lord’s timetable, you will be given knowledge and understanding you seek.” – Russell M. Nelson
If you look closely at this photo you’ll see a person on the point. At first glance, you might not have noticed them, or might’ve thought they were a tree or some other object. But not God. God was with them the day they went to this lake and every day before and since. He knows precisely where they are right now and how they are doing. He is invested in them. God is equally invested and watchful of you in your life. He loves you and wants the best for you, but He also wants you to learn, so He will allow you to choose for yourself. He will allow you to struggle. He will do so, with an aching heart while ever watching. He will let you struggle, but don’t ever think He doesn’t love you!
“You are not invisible to your Heavenly Father. He Loves you!” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Being abundantly aware of your weaknesses doesn’t make you weak, it makes you humble and helps you to understand your need for Christ in your life! So draw closer to God!
“As we draw close to God, He will show us our weaknesses and through them make us wiser, stronger. If you’re seeing more of your weaknesses, that just might mean you’re moving closer to God, not farther away.” – Bruce C. Hafen
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a Gospel of love, growth and harmony. When we are feeling of God’s love, there is no equal. It’s a glorious thing and when we are basking in that love, we’ll want others to feel it too! So strive! Work to stay on the covenant path and press forward toward His love, then share it with others!
“But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” – Luke 22:32
One of the finest gifts God has given us the ability to commune with Him. We need to be seeking His Council in all things, not with a rote prayer but a genuine outpouring of our soul to Him. When we pray like that, in front of our children and family, miracles can happen! Don’t ever forget that. When life gets dark and dreary, Don’t forget to pray!
“When families gather in humble prayer, powerful and lasting lessons are taught.” – Devin Durrant
The Lord’s grace is sufficient for all, but it sure makes it easier to help someone who attempts to help them-self. If you are seeking the Lord’s blessings, be found doing the things that are required to receive those blessings. You can’t expect to be blessed with safe travels when you drive like a lunatic and you can’t expect to be blessed with an immaculate garden without planting, watering, and weeding that garden. Life requires some effort on our part. We are not simply passengers in our own lives, but as we do the right things, while aligning our will with God’s, we will be blessed!
“The Lord blesses those who want to improve.” – Jeffrey R. Holland
The temple is one of my favourite places. In fact, besides being with family, it is my favourite place! I’ve come to need to be in the temple. To find solace and clarity inside it’s walls. I truly can feel of God’s love for me. If you have not gone recently, please go. If you don’t have a recommend, please get one. Make whatever changes necessary to make your way to the temple of God. Everything depends on it!
“We are never the same after coming to the temple. We change in quiet, private, personal ways. Collectively, each of us invites the presence of the Lord — Indeed the very power of Heaven — to come and concentrate on temples. Heaven’s influence has the power to change us forever.” – Jeffrey. R. Holland
Pray always and pray all ways! Pray vocally. Pray in song. Pray in quiet. Write down your prayer. Keep that prayer in your heart and mind throughout the day. Pray with gratitude in your heart for all the many blessings which you receive, but most importantly pray to your loving Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ.
“Pray without ceasing” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
~ Todd Bruce
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