God's work out plan!

What is Faith? Alma tells us that "...faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." Now some may ask..."How do we have faith?" That's simple...you don't just get this, you already have it! We all have faith, some may not recognize it as quickly as others but its something that we are born with.
I like to think of faith as a muscle ! We all are born with muscle in our bodies. Although it my not be fully developed or useful when we are babies....it is still there! When a baby is trying to learn how get around on their own they don't just stand up and start running do they? Nope it is a longer process. After multiple attempts to stand and countless rump thumps the babies muscles are strong enough to help him stand!
How do we build muscle? Work out of course! Now what is happening when we work out? Our muscles are ripping and being pushed to there maximum capacity! Working out isn't always the most convenient or desirable but it is necessary for growth!
If Faith is like a muscle than how do we build it up? Work it out !! Some ways that we can test and build our faith in Jesus Christ are:
1. Prayer- This is the best way to communicate with our Heavenly Father is through prayer! This is the time that we can pour out our hearts to God. In the scriptures we are told to cry unto the Lord. To me this means to speak to him with emotion, he wants to here from us so that he can bless us more abundantly!
2. Questions- In the book of James we are told to ask God and he will answer!
3. Scripture study- He answers our prayer through the Holy Ghost and through the scriptures! The scriptures are the writings of the Prophets and the Disciples dealings and experiences with God! If we liken the scriptures to our lives we can see how the scriptures can guide us!
4. Experiences- As we go throughout our day we can recognize some events or answers to our prayers that are obviously of God! Once again it testifies of the power and divinity of God
5. Church- You are not alone on this journey through life in fact there are many like you who want to build a relationship with Christ as well! This is why we go to church it is to be surrounded by others who want to build their faith too! Not only that but church is where we can learn about the Gospel in more detail!


By doing all of these things we can all build our faith in Christ! As we do these things we can be assured that when the trials and tribulations come we will be STRONG enough to endure through them with the strength of God! I know this because I have seen it happen in my life as well as others lives! This is why I am sharing it with you! So what do you do NOW?


GET SPIRITUALLY BUFF!

Whats your talent?

The Lord gives us talents. Now it is our responsibility to develop these God given gifts. Jason hinds recognized his talent and used it for the soul purpose of helping others come closer to Christ! Now his talent was made known to him early in his life. How many laps do you think Jason has ran? Im sure he has spent a good amount of time training and developing that his god given talent! I hope that I can use my talents for a good cause! Im sure we all can whether its running, dancing ;D , singing, quilting, or even just talking! We can all take advantage of the gifts and use them for the building up of the other and for the building up of the kingdom of God! 

The Crafty Fisherman (Satan)

Addictions can drag us down into despair

Satan is a very skilled adversary! He knows our strengths and our weakness's better than we do! He will craft his lures to our specific desires, Some artificial vices that he uses are Alcohol, Drugs, Video games, Pornography. All of which dull our sensitivity to the promptings of the Holy Spirit!  Just as the fly fisherman, Satan want to remove us from the stream(the straight and narrow path). We know that Satan's plan is not to catch and release!
Some people may fall subject to these addictions. When we give into this habit we start to lose our agency! When that happens Lucifer can have a stronger influence in our thoughts, feelings, and even our actions.

Its through our Savior we can be freed

For those who struggle with addiction and my need a helping hand, remember that God loves ALL of his children including YOU! Now as a baby when you are struggling what to you do? You cry! Now we know through out the scriptures they tell us to cry unto the Lord! To me that means speak to him through prayer with all of your thoughts as well as emotions! We know that with the Lords help we can do are things and all things are possible! As you break free of this addiction you will feel closer to our Heavenly Father and recognize his hand in your life more abundantly!

Prayer is the Passport to Peace!

You are a child of God, He is your Heavenly Father! He loves you more than you can imagine! He wants to communicate with you through daily prayer! As we develop this essential habit we will come closer to him and our thoughts and actions will be more like his! He is there just waiting to pour blessing upon you, all that he requires of you is obedience to his commandments one of which is PRAYER!
 
Some of the Principles of Prayer
Make your prayer Meaningful- We know from the scriptures that if anyone

  "...shall pray and not with REAL intent of heart... it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such."(Moroni 7:9) So give serious thought to your prayers and avoid "vain repetition" when speaking to the Lord (Matthew 6:7)

Use a language of Love, Respect, reverence, and closeness.- Yes he is your friend but also remember that He is your father! So do your best to speak to him with respect! 

Always give thanks to your Heavenly Father- We are counseled to "live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you." As you express you thanks you will recognize all that the Father has done for you that day!
Seek guidance and strength in all that you do- He promises us that he will lead and guide us. We must listen to his promptings! Remember that he will help you but we must rely on ourselves aswell! He help us when we have done all that we can do!
5 Parts to Prayer
1. Address your Heavenly Father
2. Give thanks for all that he has done for you
3. Ask for guidance and answers to any of your questions
4. Pray for others and any blessing that come to your mind
5. Close in the name of His son Jesus Christ, followed by "Amen"

Who is God?

God is our Heavenly Father and we are His children. We were made in his image! He loves us more than we can even comprehend. So much so that he weeps when we suffer and rejoices when we choose that right! Just like any father he wants to hear from us. The best way to communicate with Him is through prayer!
We have been sent here to earth to learn and grow through experiences! If we want to please or Father all we need to do is be obedient to his commandments.
Luckily He has provided us with a way to live with him again! We must be pure and clean from sin if we want to do this!

Jesus Christ's Atonement is central to this plan. The Atonement was a three part act!1. His suffered in The Garden of Gethsemane  and took upon him self ALL of our sins!
2. He died on the cross for us that we
might not suffer!
3. Then was resurrected 3 days later in his glorified and perfected state!
He did this all because:
^{John 3:16} For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 
Nobody likes to disappoint their father! So we need to follow his commandments and and we will all have joy now and in the eternities! 

Are we Christian?

To any of you who the question of whether or not Mormons are Christians, Listen to this Apostle! He like myself knows of the divinity and reality of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! He is the only way that we can live with our Father in heaven! This is only possible Is through the atonement ! This act alone allows us the opportunity to repent come become clean! So if being a Christian is being someone who believes in Jesus Christ. Now if is not clear by now let me tell you once more, I believe in Christ, the King of Kings, and my Redeemer!

Three Simple Words!

They do not love, that do not show their love! How often do we assume that others know of our love for them? Is there somebody that you have been neglecting to express you love to? Maybe a friend, a sibling, or maybe even a parent! Brothers and Sisters choose this day to change and tell them you love them! Sometime we get caught up in the thick of thin things become preoccupied or ignorant of our surroundings. "Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved!" Cherish the lord gift of love that he has given to us, and share it!