Today’s lesson, experience, and invitation center around the concept of Daily Accountability.
I have had the blessing the last couple of years to be able to serve a fairly large group of men on a weekly, and even daily basis in my church. Each year, I have prayerfully sought God's will as to what He wants me to learn and teach during those years. Each year, the answer has come pretty clearly and powerfully to me as I have sought God's will in this.
Last year, the verse of scripture that became a weekly, and for me, daily call to action, was taken from the Book of Mormon, in the book of Alma 5:26
26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?
As I invited others, and in turn myself, to consider the question posed, “can you feel so now?”, I recognized that I had and was experiencing a change of heart in my own life. That I had, in fact, felt to “sing” because of the redeeming love that my Savior has for me and for all. There were, and are times and days where I forget, or neglect those feelings. The question of "can ye feel so now?" has rung in my head many times. Then the thought of "if not, why not?" This process of a daily self-evaluation has become vital in my life. Asking myself, "where am I? What am I feeling? Why am I feeling this way? Is there anything in my conduct from today that I need to make right? etc." has become basically necessary for me to be able to answer, "yes, I can feel so now."
This year, the "theme" verse of scripture seemed to follow along a similar path. The verse is found in 2 Nephi 31:20. I will also include verse 19 in this entry, as it provides some good background into the actual theme.
19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.
20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
It is basically another way of saying "can ye feel so now?" and then inviting me to continue... pressing forward with steadfastness and continuing to have a daily experience with my Savior. Just because I can answer today that I "can feel so now." does not mean that I can sit back and relax. Pressing forward with steadfastness is the key in my story. It is not always easy, and I am definitely not perfect at it, but I am grateful for my personal experience with the Savior that rights the ship I am on as I move through the tumultuous seas of life, with Jesus Christ as my captain.
The invitation today is to look for things that I once “knew” but have doubts or fears about now (Know). Then once the “can I feel so now” question is asked, then to ask myself, “if not, why not?” (Do). If it is concluded that there is no good reason why not, then to practice believing, and press forward with steadfastness in Christ. (Do).
* The premise of Journey Through Life is to share my personal experiences of faith and hope, and tie those to either a verse of scripture from one of many sources that people all over the world consider as inspired and holy, or a quote from Godly and inspired men and women from throughout history. From these experiences and sources, I will then issue an invitation to myself, and in turn the audience, to Do what is now Known.
I do not pretend to be an expert on doctrine or on any of the subject matters that will be shared. I only claim to be one of God’s children, walking through life, striving to do God’s will for me, and sharing what I experience.
If you feel this a positive influence in your life, please subscribe to this podcast. Also, please like and follow Know And Do on Facebook. Find us there by searching for Know And Do.
As always, my experience is that the Key to peace and happiness in life, is Knowing Jesus Christ and Doing as He teaches.
I have had the blessing the last couple of years to be able to serve a fairly large group of men on a weekly, and even daily basis in my church. Each year, I have prayerfully sought God's will as to what He wants me to learn and teach during those years. Each year, the answer has come pretty clearly and powerfully to me as I have sought God's will in this.
Last year, the verse of scripture that became a weekly, and for me, daily call to action, was taken from the Book of Mormon, in the book of Alma 5:26
26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?
As I invited others, and in turn myself, to consider the question posed, “can you feel so now?”, I recognized that I had and was experiencing a change of heart in my own life. That I had, in fact, felt to “sing” because of the redeeming love that my Savior has for me and for all. There were, and are times and days where I forget, or neglect those feelings. The question of "can ye feel so now?" has rung in my head many times. Then the thought of "if not, why not?" This process of a daily self-evaluation has become vital in my life. Asking myself, "where am I? What am I feeling? Why am I feeling this way? Is there anything in my conduct from today that I need to make right? etc." has become basically necessary for me to be able to answer, "yes, I can feel so now."
This year, the "theme" verse of scripture seemed to follow along a similar path. The verse is found in 2 Nephi 31:20. I will also include verse 19 in this entry, as it provides some good background into the actual theme.
19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.
20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
It is basically another way of saying "can ye feel so now?" and then inviting me to continue... pressing forward with steadfastness and continuing to have a daily experience with my Savior. Just because I can answer today that I "can feel so now." does not mean that I can sit back and relax. Pressing forward with steadfastness is the key in my story. It is not always easy, and I am definitely not perfect at it, but I am grateful for my personal experience with the Savior that rights the ship I am on as I move through the tumultuous seas of life, with Jesus Christ as my captain.
The invitation today is to look for things that I once “knew” but have doubts or fears about now (Know). Then once the “can I feel so now” question is asked, then to ask myself, “if not, why not?” (Do). If it is concluded that there is no good reason why not, then to practice believing, and press forward with steadfastness in Christ. (Do).
* The premise of Journey Through Life is to share my personal experiences of faith and hope, and tie those to either a verse of scripture from one of many sources that people all over the world consider as inspired and holy, or a quote from Godly and inspired men and women from throughout history. From these experiences and sources, I will then issue an invitation to myself, and in turn the audience, to Do what is now Known.
I do not pretend to be an expert on doctrine or on any of the subject matters that will be shared. I only claim to be one of God’s children, walking through life, striving to do God’s will for me, and sharing what I experience.
If you feel this a positive influence in your life, please subscribe to this podcast. Also, please like and follow Know And Do on Facebook. Find us there by searching for Know And Do.
As always, my experience is that the Key to peace and happiness in life, is Knowing Jesus Christ and Doing as He teaches.
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