Day one hundred and nine
It was a rough night last night, my husband got called into work, my youngest son was up with a stomachache, my oldest son woke up with a stomachache, and to top it all off there is a critter under the house that was scratching and making noise until this morning! This is going to be a long day. The amazing part about last night is that no one got angry or upset, we all just tried to work together to get through the night, even though we really just wanted to go to sleep. I am so grateful for the positive attitudes that helped us get through the night! That is what I prayed about, a family that can pull together and stay positive even when things aren't going so well. We have come a long way!
The Last Week of Christ's Life
I can remember as a child being read stories that had morals intertwined in them; they made an impact on me. I still remember them today and I taught them to my own children hoping that the stories, and the morals they taught, would stick with them too. What makes this type of story effective?
I'm not sure what it is about storytelling that makes such an impact on someone, maybe it's the fact that we can relate to those that are involved in the story and thus it becomes personal. Whatever the reasons, it is a teaching technique that the Savior loved to use. He was the master teacher when it came to parables or stories with a lesson. I love this quote:
"Jesus of Nazareth could have chosen to simply express himself in moral precepts; but like a great poet he chose the form of the parable, wonderful short stories that entertained and clothed the moral precept in an eternal form. It is not sufficient to catch man's mind, you must also catch the imaginative faculties of his mind." ~Dudley Nichols
And so it makes sense that during the last week of His life He would teach through parables, not only to His followers, but His enemies also.
The Parables and The Lesson
The Two Sons (Matt 21:28-32) Hypocrisy
The Wicked Husbandmen (Matt 21:33-46) Rejection of Christ
The Wedding of the King's Son (Matt 22:1-4) Peoples Response to the Gospel
The Olivet Discourse (Matt 24:1-51) Destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, destruction of the world at the Second Coming
The Fig Tree Leaves (Matt 24:32-33) Look for the signs of the Second Coming
The Faithful and the Evil Servant (Matt 24:42-51) Spiritually prepare for the Second Coming
The Ten Virgins (Matt 25:1-13) Prepare for the Second Coming
The Entrusted Talents (Matt 25:14-30) Develop the gifts we receive from God
The Sheep and the Goats (Matt 25:31-46) Separation of the righteous from the wicked; Be willing to serve one another
I think sometimes the parables are hard to understand, the message is not always clear to us, and so we read through them hoping to learn something and then move on. It took some research for me to figure out what the parables were teaching those of Christ's time and how they apply to me in this time. But these are the last lessons that Jesus Christ would publicly teach before the crucifixion. These are the topics that He thought were so important that He taught them the last week of His life. It seemed to me that they deserved more attention than a quick reading with the hopes of some inspiration to help me understand. I found this quote that inspired me to keep digging until I found what I was looking for:
"Every happening, great and small, is a parable whereby God speaks to us, and the art of life is to get the message." ~ Malcolm Muggeridge
Along with the messages that the parables were teaching I also recognized how important teaching was to the Savior. If you knew that you only had one week to live what would you choose to do? Would you spend it teaching others? Helping others to understand the Gospel was important to Christ, so important that He used the precious moments of His last week to teach and prepare those around him. What a great show of love this is to me. I hope that I can be as passionate a teacher as He is!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Faith and a Fig Tree
Day one hundred and eight
There are some important people in my life that are facing some difficult challenges and trials in their lives. They have decisions to make that will affect not only their future, but those that they love. In these times, when they are seeking the strength and courage to do what they know to be right and to show the Lord that they trust Him, I believe that praying for them can help. And so with my ever growing list of people to pray for I knelt in prayer this morning on behalf of them and pleaded with the Lord to bless them with all that they need to do His will. To bless them with the comfort and peace that comes with knowing that you are doing what's right, regardless of the outcome. And bless them that they might remember who they are and believe in themselves.
The Last Week of Christ's Life
One of the stories of the last week of Christ's life that I like is the cursing of the fig tree (Matt 21:18-22; Mark 11:12-14, 20-26; Luke 13"6-9). Remember as you read through these verses, that this is the Savior's last week. Everything He does has a purpose, there is no time to waste, all things need to be prepared for the coming events, especially the people. In the Institute Manual it explains that there were at least four reasons why the cursing of the fig tree is important:
How does one acquire faith in the first place? Desire it (Alma 18:35; D&C 11:17, 43:12). Faith is a gift from God (1 Ne 10:17; D&C 46:13-14).
What must we do to cultivate faith? Be obedient, humble, seek diligently, ask for the gift of faith (John 7:17; 1 Ne 10:18-19; Alma 32:21-27).
What must we do after faith has been given? Continue to nourish our faith by study, prayer and obedience (Mark 9:23-24; Rom 10:17; 2 Ne 31:20; Alma 32:28-37; Hel 10:4-5).
As the week progresses we will see that faith, even the faith of the Apostles, will be tested. Those that had personally seen the miracles and were taught by the Savior would struggle with the events that will unfold. It makes sense then, that in our own lives we may also struggle with our faith from time to time. There is a quote that I like that helps me when I am struggling with faith:
"Faith isn't faith until it's all your holding on to." ~ Unknown
This week, as I am focusing on the Savior's last week, I want to take the opportunity to not only hold on to my faith, but to cultivate it, to nourish it and watch it grow. I will continue to study the scriptures, say my prayers, attend my church meetings, but mostly I will be looking for the Lord in my life and sharing my feelings about Jesus with those around me. For me, this is the best way I can celebrate the Easter holiday. What will you do to cultivate your faith this week?
There are some important people in my life that are facing some difficult challenges and trials in their lives. They have decisions to make that will affect not only their future, but those that they love. In these times, when they are seeking the strength and courage to do what they know to be right and to show the Lord that they trust Him, I believe that praying for them can help. And so with my ever growing list of people to pray for I knelt in prayer this morning on behalf of them and pleaded with the Lord to bless them with all that they need to do His will. To bless them with the comfort and peace that comes with knowing that you are doing what's right, regardless of the outcome. And bless them that they might remember who they are and believe in themselves.
The Last Week of Christ's Life
One of the stories of the last week of Christ's life that I like is the cursing of the fig tree (Matt 21:18-22; Mark 11:12-14, 20-26; Luke 13"6-9). Remember as you read through these verses, that this is the Savior's last week. Everything He does has a purpose, there is no time to waste, all things need to be prepared for the coming events, especially the people. In the Institute Manual it explains that there were at least four reasons why the cursing of the fig tree is important:
- To Demonstrate His Power to Destroy (If blessings are born of righteousness, their opposite, curses, must come from wickedness. True gospel ministers seek always to bless, yet curses attend rejection of the message.)
- To Teach Faith to His Disciples (Jesus said, ‘Have faith in God’; and then He repeated some of His former assurances as to the power of faith, by which even mountains may be removed, should there be need of such miraculous accomplishment, and through which, indeed, any necessary thing may be done. The blighting of a tree was shown to be small in comparison with the greater possibilities of achievement through faith and prayer.)
- To Bear Witness of His Control over All Things (To the apostles the act was another and an indisputable proof of the Lord’s power over nature, His control of natural forces and all material things, His jurisdiction over life and death. He had healed multitudes; the wind and the waves had obeyed His words; on three occasions He had restored the dead to life; it was fitting that He should demonstrate His power to smite and to destroy)
- To Show the Fate of the Nation That Rejected Him (The religion of Israel had degenerated into an artificial religionism, which in pretentious show and empty profession outclassed the abominations of heathendom. The Judaic people would suffer for this.)
How does one acquire faith in the first place? Desire it (Alma 18:35; D&C 11:17, 43:12). Faith is a gift from God (1 Ne 10:17; D&C 46:13-14).
What must we do to cultivate faith? Be obedient, humble, seek diligently, ask for the gift of faith (John 7:17; 1 Ne 10:18-19; Alma 32:21-27).
What must we do after faith has been given? Continue to nourish our faith by study, prayer and obedience (Mark 9:23-24; Rom 10:17; 2 Ne 31:20; Alma 32:28-37; Hel 10:4-5).
As the week progresses we will see that faith, even the faith of the Apostles, will be tested. Those that had personally seen the miracles and were taught by the Savior would struggle with the events that will unfold. It makes sense then, that in our own lives we may also struggle with our faith from time to time. There is a quote that I like that helps me when I am struggling with faith:
"Faith isn't faith until it's all your holding on to." ~ Unknown
This week, as I am focusing on the Savior's last week, I want to take the opportunity to not only hold on to my faith, but to cultivate it, to nourish it and watch it grow. I will continue to study the scriptures, say my prayers, attend my church meetings, but mostly I will be looking for the Lord in my life and sharing my feelings about Jesus with those around me. For me, this is the best way I can celebrate the Easter holiday. What will you do to cultivate your faith this week?
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Palm Sunday
Day one hundred and seven
Last night around 9:30 pm we realized that one of the hoses on the water heater had burst. There was nothing we could do to repair it last night so we shut the water off and went to bed. So this morning my prayer was focused on asking the Lord to please bless us that we might be able to fix the plumbing without losing the Spirit that is with us on the Sabbath. We have experience with plumbing and it usually doesn't go as smooth as you hope and frustration sets in. Once that frustration sets in, the whole mood of the day can be trying. So I am seeking some divine help to assist in keeping our attitudes in check today!
Palm Sunday
I love this time of year because as Easter approaches Christians all over the world celebrate the resurrection of Christ. The Christian world starts this celebration with the recognition of Palm Sunday, which is today. This is the day of the triumphal entry of Christ into the city of Jerusalem. As a seminary teacher this was the beginning lesson that set the tone for the study of the last week of Christ's life and I wanted it to be great. I wanted to keep the Savior in the hearts and minds of my students. Now I want to keep the Savior in my own heart and mind this week. So I am taking a break from Exodus to go back and study the last week of the Savior's life. Here are some thoughts from the lesson I taught about Palm Sunday:
As I describe what was going on in Jerusalem on that day try to picture it in your mind, put yourself there.
All Jerusalem is in an uproar. It is the season of the Passover, and everywhere in the city thousands of travelers arrive, lambs and pigeons for offerings are being sold, and sacrificial coins clatter in the coffers of those who have perverted the stewardship of caring for Israel. As you walk around gathering the items you need for the Passover you keep hearing the same phrase, the “Prophet of Galilee.” The common people and the Pharisees are asking the same question: “What think ye, that he will not come to the feast [of the Passover]?” ( John 11:56 .)
You go about your day not realizing that this commemoration of God’s blessing to ancient Israel would be the last authorized Passover—the killing of paschal lambs after this year would be apostasy. You begin to wonder where this "Prophet of Galilee" might be. He is receiving an anointing under Mary’s hand in the quiet of Simon’s house at Bethany. He is preparing to enter Jerusalem.
There is an excitement in the city, Jesus has been seen approaching. Suddenly, the doors open and you see Jesus riding in on a donkey. The excitement of the crowd cannot be contained, they start laying their garments down and placing palm branches before Him on the ground. They start shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hasanna in the highest."
Can you feel the excitement? In your mental picture where are you standing? Are you up front so you can get the best view? What would you have said or done as He passed by?
I would hope that I would be up front with my palm branch shouting Hosanna. Although I was not there when Christ made His triumphal entry, I can still praise Him today. Whenever I pray, sing hymns, keep my covenants, take the Sacrament, share my testimony, or use the blessings of the Atonement, I am praising Him. As this week builds up to the Easter celebration I want to make sure that I keep the Savior in my thoughts. I am looking forward to following Him once again through the last week of His life and re-energizing my desire to be His disciple. Oh how I love my Savior!
Last night around 9:30 pm we realized that one of the hoses on the water heater had burst. There was nothing we could do to repair it last night so we shut the water off and went to bed. So this morning my prayer was focused on asking the Lord to please bless us that we might be able to fix the plumbing without losing the Spirit that is with us on the Sabbath. We have experience with plumbing and it usually doesn't go as smooth as you hope and frustration sets in. Once that frustration sets in, the whole mood of the day can be trying. So I am seeking some divine help to assist in keeping our attitudes in check today!
Palm Sunday
I love this time of year because as Easter approaches Christians all over the world celebrate the resurrection of Christ. The Christian world starts this celebration with the recognition of Palm Sunday, which is today. This is the day of the triumphal entry of Christ into the city of Jerusalem. As a seminary teacher this was the beginning lesson that set the tone for the study of the last week of Christ's life and I wanted it to be great. I wanted to keep the Savior in the hearts and minds of my students. Now I want to keep the Savior in my own heart and mind this week. So I am taking a break from Exodus to go back and study the last week of the Savior's life. Here are some thoughts from the lesson I taught about Palm Sunday:
As I describe what was going on in Jerusalem on that day try to picture it in your mind, put yourself there.
All Jerusalem is in an uproar. It is the season of the Passover, and everywhere in the city thousands of travelers arrive, lambs and pigeons for offerings are being sold, and sacrificial coins clatter in the coffers of those who have perverted the stewardship of caring for Israel. As you walk around gathering the items you need for the Passover you keep hearing the same phrase, the “Prophet of Galilee.” The common people and the Pharisees are asking the same question: “What think ye, that he will not come to the feast [of the Passover]?” ( John 11:56 .)
You go about your day not realizing that this commemoration of God’s blessing to ancient Israel would be the last authorized Passover—the killing of paschal lambs after this year would be apostasy. You begin to wonder where this "Prophet of Galilee" might be. He is receiving an anointing under Mary’s hand in the quiet of Simon’s house at Bethany. He is preparing to enter Jerusalem.
There is an excitement in the city, Jesus has been seen approaching. Suddenly, the doors open and you see Jesus riding in on a donkey. The excitement of the crowd cannot be contained, they start laying their garments down and placing palm branches before Him on the ground. They start shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hasanna in the highest."
Can you feel the excitement? In your mental picture where are you standing? Are you up front so you can get the best view? What would you have said or done as He passed by?
I would hope that I would be up front with my palm branch shouting Hosanna. Although I was not there when Christ made His triumphal entry, I can still praise Him today. Whenever I pray, sing hymns, keep my covenants, take the Sacrament, share my testimony, or use the blessings of the Atonement, I am praising Him. As this week builds up to the Easter celebration I want to make sure that I keep the Savior in my thoughts. I am looking forward to following Him once again through the last week of His life and re-energizing my desire to be His disciple. Oh how I love my Savior!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Changing Directions
Day one hundred and six
This morning my prayer was focused on the teachings of the gospel. Because of the things I have been taught my relationships with my Heavenly Father and my Savior have been strengthened and I am able to see things with a different perspective, a more eternal perspective, which gives me some peace and comfort in this crazy world!
Exodus 3 & 4
I've been thinking a lot about how the Lord directs us in our lives and how it usually takes us in a different direction than we thought. We make a plan, we pray about it and we are sure this is the right direction we should be going, but somewhere along the journey we are placed in a situation that makes us stop and think about where to go next. When that happens a whole set of questions pop into your mind: Why is the plan changing? What happened to the old plan? What if I'm not comfortable with the new plan?
In Exodus 3 & 4 Moses is taken out of the shepherds life that he has been living for forty years and called to the position of prophet for the Lord. I think Moses reacts like many of us do, with excuses.
Moses’ first excuse is that of inability (Ex 3:1-12). Often we feel that we're not as qualified as someone else, or that we just don’t have the ability to get the job done properly. We forget one important truth – God chose us. Who knows best, you or God?
Moses' second excuse is that of inadequacy (Ex 3: 13-22). In these verses, Moses is saying to the Lord, "I just don’t know enough about who you are!" Most of us might feel the same way. Not only do we feel that we are incapable of serving the Lord as we should, we also feel that we are just inadequate, that somehow, we just don’t know enough about God, His Word, etc, to get the job done.
God’s response to Moses is to remind him that He is the "I AM!" While Moses may be inadequate, the God who calls him and equips him certainly is not! God is in essence saying to Moses, "Just do as I say, and I will show you who I AM as you need me to." I think the same applies to us!
Do you think Noah felt adequate beside that Ark? What about David facing Goliath? All through the Bible, God’s people have been placed alongside obstacles against which they looked and felt inadequate, but with the power of God working through them, they were able to overcome them all. If God will do it for them, He will do it for you too! He is no respecter of persons (Rom.2:11).
Moses' third excuse is one of inferiority (Ex 4:1-9). Moses decides that if he tells people that he has had a personal meeting with God Himself, they will decide that Moses is lying. In other words, no one will believe what he tells them. Have you ever been in a situation where you did something because you felt it was what the Lord wanted and the people around you are looking at you like you are crazy? It makes no sense to them.
God’s response to Moses is to let him know that when the Lord gets through working in and through him, there will be no doubt in the minds of others as to the truth of Moses’ story! In fact, God makes it plain in verse 9 that no matter what the skeptics say, He will keep working in Moses until they are sure that his story is genuine! Remember it's not us, but Him that is doing the work, He can't fail!
Moses' fourth excuse is one of infirmity (Ex 4:10-17). Moses appeals to some sort of a speech impediment. It may be that Moses just thought and responded slowly, or it may be that he stuttered. Whatever the infirmity, Moses thinks it will keep him from doing the Lord's work. What is it that you tend to use as an excuse? Maybe you have a learning disability or depression, listen to what God has to say to Moses about such things:
God’s response to Moses is that He made man’s mouth and He made man’s mind, and He was able to give man what he needed when he needed it! There is no arguing with God, He always knows just what to say!
Eventually, Moses comes to accept what the Lord is asking him to do and visits Pharaoh. He gives up the life of a shepherd to go in a new direction, to lead God's people. That choice will lead him on a journey that is filled with challenges, blessings and more direction changes. It also provided him with the chance to grow into one of the most loved prophets of the Lord!
What direction changes has the Lord put in your life lately? How are you responding to these requests? It is hard to let go of one direction for another, especially when you felt like you were doing the right things to begin with. The cool thing about changing your direction to meet the Lord's is that you become a better person. A person whose new knowledge, trust and faith in the Lord leads you in new directions. So the next time you feel like giving the Lord a list of excuses, stop and think about the purpose of the changes and ask yourself if you are willing to give up the blessings and growth that comes from letting go and changing directions.
This morning my prayer was focused on the teachings of the gospel. Because of the things I have been taught my relationships with my Heavenly Father and my Savior have been strengthened and I am able to see things with a different perspective, a more eternal perspective, which gives me some peace and comfort in this crazy world!
Exodus 3 & 4
I've been thinking a lot about how the Lord directs us in our lives and how it usually takes us in a different direction than we thought. We make a plan, we pray about it and we are sure this is the right direction we should be going, but somewhere along the journey we are placed in a situation that makes us stop and think about where to go next. When that happens a whole set of questions pop into your mind: Why is the plan changing? What happened to the old plan? What if I'm not comfortable with the new plan?
In Exodus 3 & 4 Moses is taken out of the shepherds life that he has been living for forty years and called to the position of prophet for the Lord. I think Moses reacts like many of us do, with excuses.
Moses’ first excuse is that of inability (Ex 3:1-12). Often we feel that we're not as qualified as someone else, or that we just don’t have the ability to get the job done properly. We forget one important truth – God chose us. Who knows best, you or God?
- If God has called us, He has done so with full knowledge of our weaknesses and inabilities. He knows you intimately. ( Psa. 103:14)
- If God has called us, He knows that we can accomplish the task through His power (Phil 4:13).
- When He sends us out into His work, He never sends us alone (Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5; John 14:16-18; John 16:13).
- After the work has ended, He will gather us unto Himself where we will experience His great presence for eternity (John 14:3; Rev. 22:3).
Moses' second excuse is that of inadequacy (Ex 3: 13-22). In these verses, Moses is saying to the Lord, "I just don’t know enough about who you are!" Most of us might feel the same way. Not only do we feel that we are incapable of serving the Lord as we should, we also feel that we are just inadequate, that somehow, we just don’t know enough about God, His Word, etc, to get the job done.
God’s response to Moses is to remind him that He is the "I AM!" While Moses may be inadequate, the God who calls him and equips him certainly is not! God is in essence saying to Moses, "Just do as I say, and I will show you who I AM as you need me to." I think the same applies to us!
Do you think Noah felt adequate beside that Ark? What about David facing Goliath? All through the Bible, God’s people have been placed alongside obstacles against which they looked and felt inadequate, but with the power of God working through them, they were able to overcome them all. If God will do it for them, He will do it for you too! He is no respecter of persons (Rom.2:11).
Moses' third excuse is one of inferiority (Ex 4:1-9). Moses decides that if he tells people that he has had a personal meeting with God Himself, they will decide that Moses is lying. In other words, no one will believe what he tells them. Have you ever been in a situation where you did something because you felt it was what the Lord wanted and the people around you are looking at you like you are crazy? It makes no sense to them.
God’s response to Moses is to let him know that when the Lord gets through working in and through him, there will be no doubt in the minds of others as to the truth of Moses’ story! In fact, God makes it plain in verse 9 that no matter what the skeptics say, He will keep working in Moses until they are sure that his story is genuine! Remember it's not us, but Him that is doing the work, He can't fail!
Moses' fourth excuse is one of infirmity (Ex 4:10-17). Moses appeals to some sort of a speech impediment. It may be that Moses just thought and responded slowly, or it may be that he stuttered. Whatever the infirmity, Moses thinks it will keep him from doing the Lord's work. What is it that you tend to use as an excuse? Maybe you have a learning disability or depression, listen to what God has to say to Moses about such things:
God’s response to Moses is that He made man’s mouth and He made man’s mind, and He was able to give man what he needed when he needed it! There is no arguing with God, He always knows just what to say!
Eventually, Moses comes to accept what the Lord is asking him to do and visits Pharaoh. He gives up the life of a shepherd to go in a new direction, to lead God's people. That choice will lead him on a journey that is filled with challenges, blessings and more direction changes. It also provided him with the chance to grow into one of the most loved prophets of the Lord!
What direction changes has the Lord put in your life lately? How are you responding to these requests? It is hard to let go of one direction for another, especially when you felt like you were doing the right things to begin with. The cool thing about changing your direction to meet the Lord's is that you become a better person. A person whose new knowledge, trust and faith in the Lord leads you in new directions. So the next time you feel like giving the Lord a list of excuses, stop and think about the purpose of the changes and ask yourself if you are willing to give up the blessings and growth that comes from letting go and changing directions.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Why A Shepherd?
Day one hundred and five
There is a lot going on at our house, we are being blessed with some amazing opportunities, each opportunity brings with it excitement and a little anxiety, which creates a good energy in our home. My prayer this morning was filled with gratitude for recognizing the Lord's hand in my life and for the Spirit that is in my home lately. Gratitude for the team work that goes on in my family and the laughter that eases the tense moments. George Bernard Shaw once said, "A happy family is but an earlier heaven." That is how I am feeling today!
Exodus 3
The scriptures divide the life of Moses into 3 forty year periods:
So what about the second forty years as a shepherd, what did he learn from that experience? Why a shepherd and not a merchant?
The Lord appears to have a special place in his heart for the shepherds of the Old Testament. Abraham, Jacob, Moses, and even King David were shepherds. Christ would even label himself a shepherd (John 10:11). What is it about being a shepherd that prepares a person to be a leader for God's people?
Job Description:
The shepherd watches over his flock, rescues any wayward or injured lambs, guides them to food and water, protects them, and helps the sheep bed down at night in a safe area.
Watching over his flocks
Elder John R. Lasater tells of an experience where a sheep had been hit by a car. He observed the following: "the old shepherd picked up the injured lamb, place it in a pouch in the front of his robe, stroke its head, and call it by name. The interpreter told him, “All of his sheep have a name, for he is their shepherd, and the good shepherds know each one of their sheep by name.” (“Shepherds of Israel,” Ensign, May 1988, 74–75).
Attribute: A good leader has the ability both to lead a big group and to touch the lives of each individual.
"The true shepherd does not run to and fro, chasing the sheep. He walks among them and gains their trust. He teaches his sheepdogs and gives them assignments. Some will lead, and some will be behind. He then leads his sheep and goes before them. Along the way he uses voice and hand signals to direct his trusty dogs. From his vantage point, he watches over the sheep and leads them where they need to go." (Elder Robert D. Hales)
Attribute: A good leader is in the midst of those that he is called to lead, he earns their trust, and he is the example they should follow.
Rescuing the wayward
I think of the parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15) when I think of rescuing the wayward. A shepherd leaving the ninety-nine to go and find the one lost sheep.
Attribute: A good leader knows that all members of his team are important and treats them that way.
Guides them to food and water
"An entire flock of sheep can starve to death if the shepherd doesn’t provide them with food and water, either through leading them to the pasture or through bringing the feed out of the barn." (Sheep, Shepherds, and Sheepherders by James R. Moss) This is important, Jesus commanded Peter to "Feed my sheep." (John 21:15-17)
Attribute: A good leader knows the importance of feeding those he is to care for, including things of a spiritual nature that help the individual survive and grow.
Protect them and helps the sheep bed down at night in safety
The shepherd would bring the flock home to the fold at night. He would then lay down in the gate physically to protect the sheep from wolves coming into the sheepfold. He literally put his life on the line for the sheep.
Attribute: A good leader is willing to sacrifice all that is required of them for the life of those they lead, whether that means dying for them or the more difficult task of living for them in quiet dedication on a daily basis.
I have a better understanding of the attributes of a good shepherd and it makes sense that the Lord would chose shepherds to be spiritual leaders. There is a quote by Sally Johnson Odekirk that states: "When we learn the qualities of a true leader, we become true spiritual shepherds." Considering the challenge that Moses faced of leading the Hebrews out of Egypt, the forty years of preparation as a shepherd seems appropriate. His mission would require him to have mastered each of these attributes.
The challenge for me is to master these attributes in my own life. I can see how they would make me a better mother, teacher, and disciple of Christ. Moses had eighty years of preparation for his calling, this is good news to me, I still have time!
There is a lot going on at our house, we are being blessed with some amazing opportunities, each opportunity brings with it excitement and a little anxiety, which creates a good energy in our home. My prayer this morning was filled with gratitude for recognizing the Lord's hand in my life and for the Spirit that is in my home lately. Gratitude for the team work that goes on in my family and the laughter that eases the tense moments. George Bernard Shaw once said, "A happy family is but an earlier heaven." That is how I am feeling today!
Exodus 3
The scriptures divide the life of Moses into 3 forty year periods:
- Forty years as a prince in Egypt.
- Forty years as a shepherd.
- Forty years as a prophet of God.
So what about the second forty years as a shepherd, what did he learn from that experience? Why a shepherd and not a merchant?
The Lord appears to have a special place in his heart for the shepherds of the Old Testament. Abraham, Jacob, Moses, and even King David were shepherds. Christ would even label himself a shepherd (John 10:11). What is it about being a shepherd that prepares a person to be a leader for God's people?
Job Description:
The shepherd watches over his flock, rescues any wayward or injured lambs, guides them to food and water, protects them, and helps the sheep bed down at night in a safe area.
Watching over his flocks
Elder John R. Lasater tells of an experience where a sheep had been hit by a car. He observed the following: "the old shepherd picked up the injured lamb, place it in a pouch in the front of his robe, stroke its head, and call it by name. The interpreter told him, “All of his sheep have a name, for he is their shepherd, and the good shepherds know each one of their sheep by name.” (“Shepherds of Israel,” Ensign, May 1988, 74–75).
Attribute: A good leader has the ability both to lead a big group and to touch the lives of each individual.
"The true shepherd does not run to and fro, chasing the sheep. He walks among them and gains their trust. He teaches his sheepdogs and gives them assignments. Some will lead, and some will be behind. He then leads his sheep and goes before them. Along the way he uses voice and hand signals to direct his trusty dogs. From his vantage point, he watches over the sheep and leads them where they need to go." (Elder Robert D. Hales)
Attribute: A good leader is in the midst of those that he is called to lead, he earns their trust, and he is the example they should follow.
Rescuing the wayward
I think of the parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15) when I think of rescuing the wayward. A shepherd leaving the ninety-nine to go and find the one lost sheep.
Attribute: A good leader knows that all members of his team are important and treats them that way.
Guides them to food and water
"An entire flock of sheep can starve to death if the shepherd doesn’t provide them with food and water, either through leading them to the pasture or through bringing the feed out of the barn." (Sheep, Shepherds, and Sheepherders by James R. Moss) This is important, Jesus commanded Peter to "Feed my sheep." (John 21:15-17)
Attribute: A good leader knows the importance of feeding those he is to care for, including things of a spiritual nature that help the individual survive and grow.
Protect them and helps the sheep bed down at night in safety
The shepherd would bring the flock home to the fold at night. He would then lay down in the gate physically to protect the sheep from wolves coming into the sheepfold. He literally put his life on the line for the sheep.
Attribute: A good leader is willing to sacrifice all that is required of them for the life of those they lead, whether that means dying for them or the more difficult task of living for them in quiet dedication on a daily basis.
I have a better understanding of the attributes of a good shepherd and it makes sense that the Lord would chose shepherds to be spiritual leaders. There is a quote by Sally Johnson Odekirk that states: "When we learn the qualities of a true leader, we become true spiritual shepherds." Considering the challenge that Moses faced of leading the Hebrews out of Egypt, the forty years of preparation as a shepherd seems appropriate. His mission would require him to have mastered each of these attributes.
The challenge for me is to master these attributes in my own life. I can see how they would make me a better mother, teacher, and disciple of Christ. Moses had eighty years of preparation for his calling, this is good news to me, I still have time!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Being Prepared
Day one hundred and four
My new niece was born yesterday which means today I have the opportunity to play with my little nephews! They are ages 2 and 3 and are hilarious. So this morning my prayer is filled with gratitude for the arrival of a new member into our family and for the chance to spend some time with my nephews. I hope they know how much I love them!
Exodus 2
After reading chapter 2 I really wanted to write about the qualities of a godly women, but that is not what I was to focus on. The Lord directed my studies towards recognizing the preparation that is going on in this chapter.
Ex 2:1-4
I noticed that just at the time when Pharaoh's cruelty rose to it's height by ordering the Hebrew children be drowned, the deliverer (Moses) was born. Thoughts of the Second Coming popped into my head, that's the situation the world will be in before Christ comes again, just when we think all hope is lost He will come and save us.
Lesson: When men are striving to ruin God's people, God is preparing for their salvation.
I also noticed that Moses' parents were prepared for their challenge. In Hebrews 11:23 we learn that, "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment."
Lesson: Faith in God will set us above the fear of man.
Ex 2:5-10
Just when it seems that Moses is at his most vulnerable (a helpless baby alone on the water) we see that God was with him as Pharaoh's daughter finds him and takes him for her own. Then to top it off, his mother is chosen to be his nursemaid. Moses was able to learn both the Hebrew and the Egyptian ways.
Lesson: When we seem most neglected and forlorn, God is most present with us. He puts us where we will benefit the most.
Ex 2:11-15
Moses now 40 years old seems ready to protect his people. He protects a Hebrew slave from an Egyptian, but instead of keeping his secret and protecting him they turn on him. This incident leads to Moses leaving and travelling to the land of Midian, exactly where the Lord needs him to be.
Lesson: Don't be too quick to judge the actions of others, you never know who is behind their actions or where it will lead you to.
Ex 2:16-22
Moses helps Jethro's daughters at the well. This act would lead to Moses marrying, starting a family, and being spiritually prepared for his call as a Prophet of God.
Lesson: Serve others, you never know how it will affect their life or your own life. It's one way the Lord prepares us spiritually.
Ex 2:23-25
The Israelites, feeling the weight of their burdens finally cry out to the Lord. He hears them and soon will deliver them from their bondage.
Lesson: Sometimes the process of being prepared is painful and happens over a long period of time, we need to turn to the Lord and he will help us through it.
The lessons learned from this chapter are all pretty basic doctrine, but sometimes when we are in the midst of going through this preparation process we forget them. It is hard to stay focused on the positive aspects of the situation when we are feeling the growing pains. Keeping the proper perspective is a challenge that I struggle with. I needed this reminder, it put me back on track, exactly where the Lord needs me to be!
My new niece was born yesterday which means today I have the opportunity to play with my little nephews! They are ages 2 and 3 and are hilarious. So this morning my prayer is filled with gratitude for the arrival of a new member into our family and for the chance to spend some time with my nephews. I hope they know how much I love them!
Exodus 2
After reading chapter 2 I really wanted to write about the qualities of a godly women, but that is not what I was to focus on. The Lord directed my studies towards recognizing the preparation that is going on in this chapter.
Ex 2:1-4
I noticed that just at the time when Pharaoh's cruelty rose to it's height by ordering the Hebrew children be drowned, the deliverer (Moses) was born. Thoughts of the Second Coming popped into my head, that's the situation the world will be in before Christ comes again, just when we think all hope is lost He will come and save us.
Lesson: When men are striving to ruin God's people, God is preparing for their salvation.
I also noticed that Moses' parents were prepared for their challenge. In Hebrews 11:23 we learn that, "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment."
Lesson: Faith in God will set us above the fear of man.
Ex 2:5-10
Just when it seems that Moses is at his most vulnerable (a helpless baby alone on the water) we see that God was with him as Pharaoh's daughter finds him and takes him for her own. Then to top it off, his mother is chosen to be his nursemaid. Moses was able to learn both the Hebrew and the Egyptian ways.
Lesson: When we seem most neglected and forlorn, God is most present with us. He puts us where we will benefit the most.
Ex 2:11-15
Moses now 40 years old seems ready to protect his people. He protects a Hebrew slave from an Egyptian, but instead of keeping his secret and protecting him they turn on him. This incident leads to Moses leaving and travelling to the land of Midian, exactly where the Lord needs him to be.
Lesson: Don't be too quick to judge the actions of others, you never know who is behind their actions or where it will lead you to.
Ex 2:16-22
Moses helps Jethro's daughters at the well. This act would lead to Moses marrying, starting a family, and being spiritually prepared for his call as a Prophet of God.
Lesson: Serve others, you never know how it will affect their life or your own life. It's one way the Lord prepares us spiritually.
Ex 2:23-25
The Israelites, feeling the weight of their burdens finally cry out to the Lord. He hears them and soon will deliver them from their bondage.
Lesson: Sometimes the process of being prepared is painful and happens over a long period of time, we need to turn to the Lord and he will help us through it.
The lessons learned from this chapter are all pretty basic doctrine, but sometimes when we are in the midst of going through this preparation process we forget them. It is hard to stay focused on the positive aspects of the situation when we are feeling the growing pains. Keeping the proper perspective is a challenge that I struggle with. I needed this reminder, it put me back on track, exactly where the Lord needs me to be!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Does Hate Have a Purpose?
Day one hundred and three
Everyday, for three years, I prayed for the students in my seminary class. It created a really cool bond between us. They knew that every morning I would pray for them individually and that I had grown to love them more for it. When I no longer taught the class I continued to pray for them, but with time it became more of a group prayer instead of individually. Lately I've been thinking a lot about that class, many of the young men are preparing for missions and the rest of them are either in college or working. I realized that they still need my prayers, they are facing some of the most important decisions in their lives, plus the challenges and temptations of the world, they need the blessings more than ever. So my prayer this morning was dedicated to each individual in my seminary class, may they know that they are very loved and that the Lord is with them.
Exodus 1
One of the themes of this chapter is hate. The Egyptians clearly have a strong disliking for the people of Israel, enough that they make them slaves and later command that any male babies born are to be killed. I wondered if the Israelites felt the same way about the Egyptians. A passage in the Old Testament Institute Manual shed some light on this:
"Their bondage (the Israelites) certainly was not all on the negative side. It too served a good purpose. The cruelty of the taskmasters, the hatred that existed between the Hebrews and the Egyptians, and the length of the trying servitude fused Jacob's children into a united people...The hatred felt towards the Egyptians prevented intermarriage between the Hebrews and their neighbors. To reap the benefits of the Abrahamic promises, Israel had to remain a pure race, and the Lord used this means to achieve it..." (Peterson, Moses, pp. 27-30).
Leave it to God to make a positive out of a negative! Now I was intrigued, does hate have a purpose? From this quote it appears the answer is yes. What else do the scriptures tell us about hate?
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace." (Ecc 3:1,8)
So when is the time to hate and how does the Lord feel about hate?
In Proverbs 6:16-19 we are given a list of things that the Lord hates:
"These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
Everyday, for three years, I prayed for the students in my seminary class. It created a really cool bond between us. They knew that every morning I would pray for them individually and that I had grown to love them more for it. When I no longer taught the class I continued to pray for them, but with time it became more of a group prayer instead of individually. Lately I've been thinking a lot about that class, many of the young men are preparing for missions and the rest of them are either in college or working. I realized that they still need my prayers, they are facing some of the most important decisions in their lives, plus the challenges and temptations of the world, they need the blessings more than ever. So my prayer this morning was dedicated to each individual in my seminary class, may they know that they are very loved and that the Lord is with them.
Exodus 1
One of the themes of this chapter is hate. The Egyptians clearly have a strong disliking for the people of Israel, enough that they make them slaves and later command that any male babies born are to be killed. I wondered if the Israelites felt the same way about the Egyptians. A passage in the Old Testament Institute Manual shed some light on this:
"Their bondage (the Israelites) certainly was not all on the negative side. It too served a good purpose. The cruelty of the taskmasters, the hatred that existed between the Hebrews and the Egyptians, and the length of the trying servitude fused Jacob's children into a united people...The hatred felt towards the Egyptians prevented intermarriage between the Hebrews and their neighbors. To reap the benefits of the Abrahamic promises, Israel had to remain a pure race, and the Lord used this means to achieve it..." (Peterson, Moses, pp. 27-30).
Leave it to God to make a positive out of a negative! Now I was intrigued, does hate have a purpose? From this quote it appears the answer is yes. What else do the scriptures tell us about hate?
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace." (Ecc 3:1,8)
So when is the time to hate and how does the Lord feel about hate?
In Proverbs 6:16-19 we are given a list of things that the Lord hates:
"These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren"
These things would be considered sins and therfore it makes sense that the Lord would hate them. There is a purpose to hating sin, we are less likely to sin ourselves.
It is God that puts enmity between us and Satan:
"And I will put enmity thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel" (Gen 3:15; Moses 4:21)
Enmity is defined as deep-seated, often mutual hatred (web dictionary). This sounds similar to the Egyptians and Hebrews feelings. What purpose is there in enmity? Satan is an enemy of God and therefore an enemy of those that love God. If there is enmity between us and Satan, we are less likely to become like him.
The Psalmist tells us:
The Psalmist tells us:
"Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies" (Psalms 139: 21-22)
It appears that hating those that hate God has a purpose too, to unite us with God. We have to choose a side righteousness or wickedness, if we choose righteousness, then we hate wickedness (Ps 45:7; Heb 1:9).
There is a pattern to these verses, do you see it? It's not about hating people that hate us, but hating those things (sins and the wicked) that are enemies of God. The Egyptians cause their own grief because they are mistreating God's chosen people, not a wise move on their part. Yet God uses that hatred for a wise purpose, to prepare His people. We will see this pattern of God's people suffering throughout the scriptures and each time He will deliver them and their faith is increased.
We see another example of this in Deuteronomy 28. The Lord is trying to teach the people about obedience in this chapter. The lesson is: obedience leads to blessings and disobedience leads to:
"Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the Lord shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee." (v 48)
The Lord will use the opportunity to humble His people so that they are teachable. If we know that there is a puprose behind hate how should we feel about it?
"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" (Matt 5:44)
That's right we are to learn to overcome our hate, which leads us to love, which in turn leads us to be closer to God. So one purpose of hate is to teach us to love, who saw that one coming? It sounds a lot like the law of opposition comes into play here (2 Ne 2:11, 15). And with the law of opposition involved it leads to a discussion on agency, justice, mercy, obedience, etc. Wow! I had no idea that I would be led to such deep thoughts in my study of hate. I'm sure I've only touched a small portion of the lessons that could be learned from this topic.
What it all comes down to for me is: If I am having feelings of hate towards something or someone I need to ask myself what am I supposed to be learning from this experience. The process of overcoming those feelings will teach me to grow and then I can be closer to the Lord. If I can do that, then I am even becoming a little more like God and learning to make a positive out of a negative!
We see another example of this in Deuteronomy 28. The Lord is trying to teach the people about obedience in this chapter. The lesson is: obedience leads to blessings and disobedience leads to:
"Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the Lord shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee." (v 48)
The Lord will use the opportunity to humble His people so that they are teachable. If we know that there is a puprose behind hate how should we feel about it?
"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" (Matt 5:44)
That's right we are to learn to overcome our hate, which leads us to love, which in turn leads us to be closer to God. So one purpose of hate is to teach us to love, who saw that one coming? It sounds a lot like the law of opposition comes into play here (2 Ne 2:11, 15). And with the law of opposition involved it leads to a discussion on agency, justice, mercy, obedience, etc. Wow! I had no idea that I would be led to such deep thoughts in my study of hate. I'm sure I've only touched a small portion of the lessons that could be learned from this topic.
What it all comes down to for me is: If I am having feelings of hate towards something or someone I need to ask myself what am I supposed to be learning from this experience. The process of overcoming those feelings will teach me to grow and then I can be closer to the Lord. If I can do that, then I am even becoming a little more like God and learning to make a positive out of a negative!
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