April week 4 Linds

4/25 Monday

Mark 16:6-7 It is interesting that all of the people (or most of them) including Mary Magdalene, the disciples, were first told that Christ was risen. They still had to choose whether to believe it or not. 

John 20:3-9 Peter runs to see if Christ is alive. I love his fervor 

Mark 16:11 many "believed not"

John 20:14-16 Apparently Christ had cast Devils out of Mary Magdalene- she loved him more than others because He had healed her! We should not be afraid to seek Christ for healing when we need it- it is what brings us closer to Him. 

Wed 4/27

Mark 16:14 even many of the disciples did not believe that Christ was come.

Luke 24:29 Christ gives them the Priesthood here? Interesting that He didn't give it to them before He left- the Priesthood is literally the power to act in His name. 

John 20:29 Christ gives them a blessing of peace. 

John 20:25 Thomas does not believe until He sees Christ jOhn 20:26-29 I love this description of Thomas seeing Christ and feeling His wounds- it is beautiful. What would it feel like to see Christ? It still takes faith to believe even when Christ is in our midst (that's why Christ says he is blessed for believing) but it takes even more faith to believe when we do not see. Comforting that even the apostles sometimes struggled with faith. 

April Week 3 - Samuel

Ponderize Scripture:

Thursday 4/21
John 19:41 "Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid."  This was just a reminder that Jesus was the first to ever resurrect.  It had never been done before.  It was an act of love on his part for everyone.
Matt 28:6 "He is not here: for he is risen."  This is the news that should be shared with all.  He is risen!  ...and so shall all rise again.  There is purpose to life, there is a reason to live, there is hope.
Mark 16:6 "...Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen"  I love this; Christ is not associated with fear but with faith and with hope and with love.  Looking to Christ cultivates those things.  If I want to let go of fear more in my life, I can learn more about Christ and seek to follow after him.  It will replace the fear with faith and hope.  Also, it is interesting how the disciples of Christ did not believe the women that Christ had risen or the fact that Mary Magdalene was the first to see Jesus risen.  I think that women have great faith.  Faith precedes miracles and signs.  How important it to treat women with the respect that they deserve and to draw on the faith that they have to increase one's own faith.

April Week 2 - Samuel

Ponderize Scripture: Luke 23:34 "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

Thursday 4/14
Luke 23:28, JST31 "Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children...This he spake, signifying the scattering of Israel, and the desolation of the heathen, or in other words, the Gentiles."  Jesus said for the women not to worry for there was nothing they could do for him.  The Atonement needed to happen.  What they needed to focus on was making sure that they had their lives in order.  That is good advice.  I can't worry about others, as much as I can work on myself and making better decisions and living in a right way.  That is what I have control over.  The example of that will encourage and help others to do the same.  The Atonement of the Savior allows for me to do something about my station in life.  
Matt 27:42-43 "He saved others; himself he cannot save.  If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.  He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God."  This is so ironic.  They thought that it was all about saving oneself.  The true way to save oneself is to lose oneself in the service of others so really the Savior was saving himself because he was performing the Atonement to save others.  Service, love, kindness, charity are all required in this.
Luke 23:34 "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."  The Savior didn't get angry from their words; it didn't matter what they thought of him.  Do I care what others think, say about, or do to me or do I have a forgiving heart and realize that their actions don't have to have an effect on me?  This is important I think to realize that the best reaction is to forgive.  It doesn't mean condone or put up with abuse or injustice but forgiveness is always required.

April week 3- Linds

Mon 4/18

Matt 27:12 Jesus was accused falsely many times and never acted defensively

Matt 27:4-5 Judas realizing his fault and hangs himself. Sad ending, it's always interesting that Satan really deserts people in the end. In the long run, making good decisions and following Christ will always leave us happier. And choosing Satan will always leave us empty and miserable. 

Tues 4/19

Mark 15:32 how often do we have this mindset of "show me and I will believe." These people obviously had no intention of believing Christ. If they saw a sign, they still would not believe. Jesus could have showed them a sign (just like He can show us when we plead for one), but He knows it would be detrimental to our progress because we are here to "walk by faith."

Luke 23:39 you would think the thief being crucified alongside Jesus would be humbled but he is not. Contrast him to the other thief in 40-41 that has been humbled and understands his own sin and consequence for them.

John 19:19 Pilate knows the Christ is the King of the Jews 

3 Nephi 8:21-22 "22 And there was not any light seen, neither fire, nor glimmer, neither the sun, nor the moon, nor the stars, for so great were the mists of darkness which were upon the face of the land." Why are these symbols significant? Christ is the source of all light in the world (literal and figurative). Whether we follow him or recognize Him or not, He still is the source of all that is good. Sinning and following Satan or giving in to him will always bring darkness. When have I seen this in my life? Satan tries to make us confused and feel darkness. When I sin I feel that. This is also evident in the temple- when I attend the temple regularly, I feel enlightened, calm, peaceful, and the world seems brighter. 

Thurs 4/21

John 19:26-27 interesting that Christ tells his disciple to adopt his mother as their mother - why would he do this? To teach us that we are all family and should treat each other as such. 

April Week 1 - Samuel

Ponderize Scripture:

Monday 4/4
John 17:3 "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."  What does it mean to know God?...when I know someone, really know them I have an appreciation and understanding for them.  I know if their strengths and weaknesses and their motivations.  Most above all, I have a love for them.  To know God to me is to love him and really understand him and ulitmately become like him.  God wants me to become like him and it is only through Jesus that that is possible.  That is why it is so important to come to know the Savior as he provides the way to be able to come to know the Father.
Matt 26:41 "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." What does it mean to watch? To be observant but I think mean more so to ponder and apply and remember the words of Christ and learn from the experience.  Prayer is powerful and it takes consistent, focused, diligent effort to perform.  Also, it is a reminder of how the body tends to be lazy and self-discipline is important to seek.  The things of God don't come easily and need to be worked for.
Matt 26:42 "O My Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done."  I don't think the Savior had realized the weight/burden of the suffering that he would experience.  Nor can I comprehend it but the submissiveness, love, respect of the Son to the Father.  I think he gathered additional strength for knowing that Heavenly Father wanted this, not that the Savior had to suffer but that this act would allow for as many of his children to return to his presence as so desired.  How can I follow the Savior and be more submissive to my Father in Heaven?

Tuesday 4/5
President Henry B. Eyring Prophecy and Personal Revelation
"In general conference twice a year, we are blessed with the opportunity to hear the word of the Lord for us from His servants.  That is a privilege beyond price.  But the value of that opportunity depends on whether we receive the words under the influence of the same Spirit by which they were given to those servants.  Just as they receive guidance from heaven, so must we.  And that requires of us the same spiritual effort...if you want to get revelation, do your homework."  President Monson said the following: "I encourage you to read the talks once again and to ponder the messages contained therein.  I have found in my own life that I gain even more from these inspired sermons when I study them in greater depth."  I need to make a goal of reading and studying (marking up) the may edition of the Ensign to seek to know what the Lord wants for me and to receive the answers to my questions in life.  I almost want to download all of the talks and listen to at least one each day.  What more can I do?  How can I desire to do this more?

Wednesday 4/6
Luke 22:44 "And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and he sweat as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground."  How can I come to better understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ?  It is the most important event of this world.  Bruce R. McConkie The Purifying Power of Gethsemane "We know that in some way, incomprehensible to us, his suffering satisfied the demands of justice, ransomed penitent souls from the pains and penalties of sin, and made mercy available to those who believe in his holy name." I know that Christ suffered for me and I want to utilize the Atonement to show my appreciation and love to him.  It really is not comprehensible; I feel like I don't get how it happened or the magnitude of it all and that I easily forget.  "May I invite you to join with me in gaining a sound and sure knowledge of the Atonement."  I want to better understand the Atonement.  I want to better understand the love of the Savior for me.  I need to study more and pray more and show my faith more so that that the Lord may bless me with that knowledge and understanding.

April week 2 Linds

Tues 4/12

The Holy Ghost- Robert D. Hales, GC April 2016

-in important decisions, Lord expects us to "use our agency, study it out in our mind according to gospel principles, and bring a decision to Him in prayer." How do the principles of agency and prayer/seeking revelation work together in my life? What else can I do to seek out the answers to my questions on my own? How does faith play into all of this? 

"The Holy Ghost is not given to control us." I love this idea and this truth that God wants us to use our agency and act in faith. Sometimes I wish I could have bigger answers but part of our existence is learning to trust what we have and trust in God as we follow Him. 

-Satan will try to counterfeit the Holy Ghost but we are promised we will be able to discern if we obey the commandments and keep our covenants.- a great promise! 

Blessings of Holy Ghost: "personal revelation and constant flow of daily guidance, caution, encouragement, strength, spiritual cleansing, comfort, and peace that have come to our family through the Holy Ghost"-- How do I see these blessings in my life daily? I definitely do. Ability to see His guidance in my life daily! 

Wed 4/13

Refuge from the Storm 

-Their story is my story, Mormons were refugees! And so was Jesus. 

-part of the invitation to not turn away the naked and feed the hungry refers to these millions of refugees! 

 "The possibilities for us to lend a hand and be a friend are endless." Look for these opportunities. 

-increase your world awareness (read the news instead of Facebook)

-Being a refugee does not define them but our response to them will define us. What am I doing to help them? 

Mark 14:61-62 Christ was able to keep His calm in the midst of numerous false accusations. 

Matthew 26:75 Peter denies Christ thrice presumably because he cares too much about what other people think. How often am I in this situation & maybe don't stand up for my belief of Christ when the opportunity arises? How often do I keep my mouth shut or try to get along with others instead of testify of Christ? Peter's response that he "wept bitterly" shows how even the best of people have faults and fail to live up to their own intentions (reminds me of Elder Holland's talk). It is very hopeful for us that Peter was still a good man and was able to be a disciple even with his weakness. 

Elder Holland: Satan wants us to be miserable and discouraged because he can't improve and he is miserable. He hates it when we progress and make good decisions. The beautiful thing about the Atonement and plan is that we get credit for trying and we have "help from heaven on high" 

"The Lord blesses those who want to improve, who accept the need for commandments and try to keep them, who cherish Christlike virtues and strive to the best of their ability to acquire them."

-the foundation stone of our daily life should be that God loves me with all His heart, might, mind, and strength. 

-through the Atonement, we can escape the consequences of sin and stupidity 

"If we give our heart to God, if we love the Lord Jesus Christ, if we do the best we can to live the gospel, then tomorrow--and every other day--is ultimately going to be magnificent, even if we don’t always recognize it as such. Why? Because our Heavenly Father wants it to be! He wants to bless us." Love this. It is a beautiful promise and the source of our optimism! I love it. Treat every day as if it is magnificent because it is, with the eternal perspective of the truths of the gospel and the Atonement. Be optimistic! Helaman 5:12- we will experience Satan's storms but they will not bring us down. 

April Week 1 Linds

Ponderize: John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.""

Mon 4/4
Jeffry R. Holland GC talk (April 2016 Sunday afternoon session)
-We get credit just for trying. Satan wants us to give up, to feel overcome by our weakness and inability to be perfect in all the things that we know/feel. Knowing the Gospel and applying the Gospel are two different things; we can not become overwhelmed when our own expectations for ourselves prove to be too high, or when we can't apply all the things we know/feel.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf GC talk (April 2016 Priesthood session)
Abraham Lincoln- "Most people are as happy as they make up their minds to be."
-Happiness is a decision not a circumstance or feeling (just like love)!

Tues 4/5

John 13:6-8 Peter doesn't want Christ to wash his feet but Christ exclaims, "If I wash there not, thou hast no part in me." --How does repentance and healing make us more unified with Christ? Are there times when I am like Peter and don't want to inconvenience the Savior by my problems? He wants to heal me, help me, and it's essential that I turn to Him because that makes me "part of Him." 

John 13:14-17 none of us are too high and mighty to exclude ourselves from serving others (washing others' feet)-> He gives us a recipe for happiness. He says, "Happy are Ye if ye do them." The key to happiness is service. How can I serve better those around me- coworkers, roommates, and most importantly, Samuel? The Savior promises that as we serve others in profound ways (washing someone else's feet is not just ordinary service- it is service that could only be done with humility and debasing oneself) we will be happy. 

John 13:34-35 "this shall all men know that Ye are my disciples, if he have love one to another"--> the crowning characteristic of whether we are a disciple or not is if we have love for each other. How can I show this love to those around me? Pray for this. It is more important than anything else. How do I feel love from the Savior? From the apostles and prophets on the earth? They are willing to sacrifice for me and I can feel their genuine love for me when they speak and share their messages.

Wed 4/6

John 14:26 Comforter will come and teach me and bring all things to my remembrance that God has said.

John 14:27 "27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Learn to recognize peace and when it comes from God--> it will not replicate the type of peace the world gives. What type of peace does the world give? Freedom, yoga-type peace (which is good) but how does it compare to the peace that comes when I partake of the Sacrament? Attend the temple? Serve someone else? Make the right decision? 

John 14:18 "I will not leave you comfort less, I will come to you."--> if I feel comfortless, then I need to wait it out; He promised to not leave us comfortless so it is just a matter of waiting and recognizing the Holy Ghost in my life. Luke 22:31 Christ's relationship with Peter. Even Peter had good intentions and eventually had to face his own inadequacy and failure to always live up to his righteous intentions. 

John 15:10 keeping the commandments helps us to "abide in His love" (I feel like this has connection to the Holy Ghost)

Thurs 4/7

John 16:21-22 the price for joy- we may feel sorrow, but the joy will overcome the sorrow if we live righteously and wait log enough :) 

Matt 26:41 "spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak"--> even the apostles experienced the consequences of strong intentions and weak follow through. It's ok! Just like Jeffery R Holland said, you get credit for trying. 

Matt 26:39 Christ expresses His own desire (cup pass) but then submits His will to God's "but thy will be done." He is the perfect example of how we should pray.

Fri 4/8
2 Nephi 9:21-22 Christ's mission and purpose is to "save all men if they will hearken to His voice"; Christ spent His whole life serving others, healing others, and helping others. He did not spend any of His time doing selfish things to make himself look better. Is my attitude in all that I do (job, personal relationships, friendships, life) to serve others and help them? Conversely, do I utilize the Atonement and Christ's power to heal me every day?