The Words of Christ

Matthew 6:1-13 There is a very powerful Spirit that testifies of the truthfulness of what the Savior teaches in these verses. Even the angels in heaven shout glorious praises to the great King Emmanuel when they are brought to consider such doctrines as these. There is an indescribable portal or connection between this world and the next. The reality of this connection cannot be disputed or contested. It is so perfectly veiled in faith as to not be discernible to any of the human senses, save it be our spirits which are in us. Yet, those who have experienced its power know that at the other end of the line is our Father in Heaven, who stands ready to listen and give instruction as we turn to Him. 

John 8:31-32 How often I have heard this scripture used out of context. I believe I've even heard it used by atheists. The full context of the scripture reveals the true power of this statement. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ( verses 31-32 )  There is an even broader context for this discussion which starts at the beginning of the chapter. Jesus is found in the temple, teaching. For Latter-day Saint context, a temple is place where those who have prepared themselves for sacred instruction and to perform ordinances of eternal significance. It is a holy place on all counts where one should prepare both spiritually and physically to enter therein. A major facet of that preparation is the cleansing of sin that one must undertake. Scriptures such as are found in Psalms 79:1 , or maybe even 1 Corinthians 3:17 , help to illustrate the ...

Mark 4:26-34 Following the Savior's instructions on how to receive the words of God, our Lord offers just a couple of short parables describing how the kingdom of God will appear seemingly out of nowhere or suddenly. I need to move on for the morning, but there is such a sweet spirit around my review of the scriptures this morning, and the service that we can render to others. (Next day) I've now resumed this study trying to connect the pieces of the impression that I have felt and made record of yesterday with the original parable. It seems to me that what the Savior may be trying to say in these verses is that there is much work that happens in the kingdom of God which goes unnoticed, so much so that it seems like the fruit appears suddenly. With a sudden harvest as what happens in the first parable, there is not even much time to enjoy the fruit of our labors, for it passes quickly. The second parable points out though how the kingdom of God will become a great place...

Mark 4:1-20 Here now, the Savior explains why the words of Christ doesn't work for everyone. While the parable is given in fairly straight forward terms (it's this, that, or the other), as I've reviewed, I find within myself different types of ground at different seasons, depending upon how well I've prepared myself to receive the words of Christ. Types of Ground: Wayside - The Savior says that when the word is sown here, "Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts." ( vs. 15 )  Stony Ground - Slightly different in its reception, the word here is received immediately with gladness. However, they are not able to establish roots and so the word has a time limit and is set to expire. Here it is after the expiration of the word or seed that "when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended." ( vs. 17 ) Among Thorns - Here too, the word is also received, but it is ...

Luke 18:1-30 (see also Matthew 19:16-26 ) This chapter begins with a parable of a widow and an unjust judge. Verse 1 explains that Jesus gave this parable for purpose of teaching "that men ought to pray always, and not to faint." As I read the other vignettes that are recorded subsequently in this chapter, these too also seem to reinforce this account and to help further illustrate the proper way in which to approach prayer. The publican was justified in his humble prayer. We cannot receive(internalize) the kingdom of  God unless we do it as a little child would. Then the account of the rich ruler illustrates the importance of dependence upon God not worldly goods. "Sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me." The Savior asked him to give up the one thing in which his confidence had been placed, which was keeping him from more fully enjoying the blessings of heaven. In words I cannot...

John 6:11 This morning I awoke and being much troubled about my current circumstances, the thought came into my mind "The words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do." So I went back specifically to the account of Jesus from the book of John and stopped in John 6. Here at the beginning of the chapter, there is what appears to be a financial question. But really there are more similarities between my current situation and this account than just the lack of financial resources. Not only are they short on cash, but they are in a place where even if they had money, it wouldn't fix their current situation. Jesus assessed the situation with his disciples. They command the multitude to sit down, then he takes what little resources that they have, and after he had given thanks, took action to distribute what they had among the multitude. Though, it is written in past tense, and almost feels like an afterthought, I can't help but to think that the most note...

I have been much impressed by this passage of scripture which creates a doctrinal foundation for bearing witness of or testifying of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The full context of the scripture comes from a conversation that the Savior had with Nicodemus, a Pharisee and ruler among the Jews of the day. Christ explains to him the very well know and oft repeated doctrine of being born again, stating "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." ( verse 5 )  He tells Nicodemus to not wonder about this particular statement, but still Nicodemus is compelled to ask "How can these things be?" ( verse 9 ) Gently reproaching this leader, the Savior asks "Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?"( verse 10 ) Immediately, the Master Teacher then goes on to explain why he would ask such a reproving question. He states "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we h...