September Week 4 - Samuel

Ponderize Scripture:

Monday 9/26
Mosiah 8:20 "O how marvelous are the works of the Lord, and how long doth he suffer with his people..."  I like how the Lord suffers.  I feel that he feels what I feel and knows what I am going through.  He knows how to empathize. ...";yea, and how blind and impenetrable are the understandings of the children of men; for they will not seek wisdom, neither do they desire that she should rule over them!"  It is soooo easy to forget the Lord and to trust in my own strength.  Why?

Mosiah 8:21  "Yea, they are as a wild flock which fleeth from the shepherd, and scattereth, and are driven, and are devoured by the beasts of the forest."  It is interesting how the shepherd leads his sheep.  Christ is out in front leading and guiding and loving.  How do I flee from the Savior and get lost and scattered by the things of the world?  The shepherd knows the way and is calling after me.  It takes decision on my part to listen and obey.

Tuesday 9/27
Mosiah 10:13 "...Nephi was more faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord--therefore he was favored of the Lord, for the Lord heard his prayers and answered them,".  Nephi was favored because he followed, he did what the Lord asked him to do and the Lord then listened to the pleas and prayers of Nephi.  What commandments am I not faithful  in keeping?

Mosiah 10:14 "...they understood not the dealings of the Lord." Laman and Lemuel did not know the Lord.  It is in following after the Lord that we come to know him.  Communication with him helps me to get to know him more just as communication with my Linds brings me closer to her.

Mosiah 11:5 "...lifted up in the pride of their hearts".  King Noah and his people developed great pride or enmity towards God.  They thought of their own needs/desires than of others.  Selfishness, boasting are all forms of pride.  How do I show my pride?  Pride is never good.

Wednesday 9/28
Mosiah 13:12 "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of things which are in heaven above, which are in the earth beneath, or which are in the water under the earth."  What are my graven images?  Anything that I put before the Lord...  vs. 24"Thou shalt not covet..."  I thinking even comparing myself to others is a form of coveting...

Mosiah 13:28 "And moreover, I say unto you, that salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably perish..."  This is what is most important, I can never return to my father's presence by my own shear strength and intellect.  Only in and through the Holy Messiah can I have the chance.  I am powerless alone.

Thursday 9/29
Mosiah 14:4-6 "Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
"All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquities of us all."
I just feel the love of God from these verses.  I know that the Savior is our Redeemer.  I know that he can heal me and strengthen me and his act was the ultimate act of love for all if they will keep the commandments and follow the prophets.
Mosiah 15:11 "...whosoever has heard the words of the prophets...all those who have hearkened unto their words, and believed that the Lord would redeem his people, and have looked forward to that day for a remission of their sins...these are his seed, or they are the heirs of the kingdom of God"

Friday 9/30
Mosiah 16:9 "He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death."  So interesting how Christ is the life.  Without the Atonement, we would all die and not be redeemed.  Through him, we will all live again.  Christ doesn't change and the way to follow after him doesn't change either but it allows one to progress, to grow, to increase, to increase.  The way of discipleship is an endless pursuit but one that is worth it.

Mosiah 16:13 "And now, ought ye not to tremble and repent of your sins, and remember that only in and through Christ ye can be saved?"  The invitation to come unto Christ is always there.  He is the only way back to our Heavenly Father.

Saturday 10/1
Mosiah 18:16 The people of Alma were "...filled with the grace of God."  This happened because they were "desirous to enter into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light."  The Lord blesses the righteous desires and changes of heart of his people.

Mosiah 18:23 "...Every day they should give thanks to the Lord their God."  This keeps one humble and realize the grace and goodness of God and that the tender mercies that he bestows on those who seek him.