Saturday, June 8, 2013

Being a Disciples of Jesus Christ

Luke 10:38-42  Mary was focused on serving Him in a more spiritual way, while Martha was worried more about the physical things.

Luke 11:1-13 When we come unto God with our request and have faith He will grant us more than what we asked for, or rather better than what we asked for.
It's not always as we thought it would be.

Luke 12:13-40 "21: Layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. . .
22:Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
23:The life is more than meat, . . .
29:And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. . .
31:But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you."

If we seek for the kingdom of God laying up our treasures in Him (our hearts will follow) Then we will be also taken care of physically while on this earth.

Luke 13: 23-24 straight is the gate and narrow is the way

Luke 14:16-33 forsaking all that we have. Is that spiritually speaking or physically?

New Testament Institute Manual(p.115)

(16-7) Luke 11:5–13. The Parable of the Friend at Midnight

“The parable is regarded by some as a difficult one to apply, since it deals with the selfish and comfort-loving element of human nature, and apparently uses this to symbolize God’s deliberate delay. The explanation, however, is clear when the context is duly considered. The Lord’s lesson was, that if man, with all his selfishness and disinclination to give, will nevertheless grant what his neighbor with proper purpose asks and continues to ask in spite of objection and temporary refusal, with assured certainty will God grant what is persistently asked in faith and with righteous intent. No parallelism lies between man’s selfish refusal and God’s wise and beneficent waiting. There must be a consciousness of real need for prayer, and real trust in God, to make prayer effective; and in mercy the Father sometimes delays the granting that the asking may be more fervent. But in the words of Jesus: ‘If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?’” (Talmage, Jesus the Christ, p. 435.)

"That the asking my be more fervent"
 How often do we wonder why God is not granting us our desires? Do we give up praying just because we lose faith and become impatient?
We are praying for a job that will enable us to stay in the rental home and town we're in. We love it here. And feel that this location brings us closer together, and together in God. So we pray over and over to know his will. Do we even ask to stay? We're so scared of not being able to stay or that it's God's will for us to stay that we have stopped asking for it. It is a righteous desire. We are within walking distance to our Church building, our Temple, Parks, and friendly neighbors. All these things have helped us become stronger in our faith. Would he take us away to somewhere better? So many questions. So what is okay to pray for ? His will or things things we can see right in front of us that we feel is best?

What it means to be a Disciple of Christ:
forsake all that we have; leave our sin behind and follow Him.
all our selfish desires to do God's will.
Give all we can.

Counting the costs of following Him
The cost of following him is slavery and sin.
The cost of following Him is our will and our faith.

What in the list would I like to apply more fully in my life?
How will I do this?
To leave behind sin can be difficult. But there are ways to minimize it. Going to Church, saying prayers, not letting my mind become idle/keeping busy. Recognizing temptation, looking it in the face and turing away. Turning away to follow the light of Christ.

I do this by doing more homework, knitting, talking with my daughter, husband, dog, cats, watering my flowers,
Family prayer before bed and when I wake. Prayers through-out the day to ask for help when anxiety hits hard and my minor panic attacks start to creep in.
Last but not least attending Church meetings, group meetings, and attending the Beautiful Temple.

Luke 14:33 "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all the he hath, he cannot be my disciple."

Omni 1:26 We must offer our whole souls continue in prayer and fasting; endure to the end.
Mosiah 2:24 We are always indebted to Him.
Matt 13:44-46 We must sell all that we have (our sin) and buy up that pearl that is God's path.

What is ultimately required to be a disciple of Christ?
Our will and faith.


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