Insights

Things I learn in New Testament this year

2-03-14: Live in the Moment
It hit me hard this week after I's mom past away that life is short. That we really need to seize the day. It was late one night and I wrote this facebook status:
I just had one of those "Holy crap" moments. Life goes by so fast. Sometimes it doesn't feel like I'm actually living it. New goal. Enjoying the moments as they happen.

We studied 1 Thessalonians this week and in chapter 2:8, it says, "So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us." And I laughed because in the margins I wrote live in the moment. I feel like sometimes when the Lord wants us to learn a lesson, we get hit with it over and over again and this is one of those times.

This verse is simple but powerful. When we interact with people it is important that we find that passion and dedication to the people we interact with. Specifically here it talks about the apostles sharing not only the Gospel but their own souls because they felt so much compassion for these people. And really that's what's important. We shouldn't be worried about ourselves in the dealings with our fellow man! The Lord is always on our side. We need to teach WHO we are and not focus on the speed in which we can affect someone. We must let them in.

I realize this might not seem like it connects, but I believe that if we are truly seeking connections with those around us, life will be more enjoyable and we won't feel like we're just watching life fly-by.

1-27-14: His Church
In the past three weeks in this class, something that keeps sticking out to me throughout all the reading of the New Testament is that this is Christ's church. It was when he was on the Earth, after his death, and has since been restored since the apostasy. His power is manifested through his servants all over the New Testament. For example, in Acts 9, Peter raised Tabitha from the dead in the name of Christ. He believed on His name and acted in His name - it would not have been possible in any other way. Because of this miracle, many people joined the church shortly after, just as they do today. Miracles are manifested in many ways and not always by raising people from the dead, but in any miracle the power and divinity of Christ is manifested therein.
Every decision that the prophets make today in guiding and directing this church comes from Christ because it is HIS church. This gospel is a living, breathing thing - with Christ at the helm, revelation comes at the times the He knows will benefit us the most and helps us to keep moving forward. He takes us, imperfect people, and leads the church perfectly.
This can be summed up best in Acts 11:17
17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

This is God's work and He is in charge.

1-20-14: Pity Parties
It's amazing to me how much we can gain out of a few simple verses in the scriptures. One thing I absolutely love about Brother Griffin's class is his emphasis to understand the doctrine, identify the principles, and find an application in our life. One of my favorite things we learned in class this past week was in Acts 5:40-41. It says:
40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 ¶And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Life is a trial of our faith. And it is really hard. We face problems and trials and hardships often. But my favorite part of these scriptures is that they left rejoicing that they were worthy to suffer. What an interesting perspective. I wrote in the margins after I read this that there is no need for a pity party because suffering is a blessing. And while this seems backwards it makes perfect sense. The Lord only gives trials we are able to handle and he knows that we will grow from these challenges which makes them more like blessings really!

1-13-14: The Divinity of Christ
I learned in Relief Society today that the Atonement goes both ways. You can use it to help you forgive. The people around you that upset you are covered by the Savior's sacrifice just as much as you are and they are allowed to make those mistakes to learn and grow from just like we are. It really put life into a better perspective.
There's been some other stuff I've learned from reading my scriptures. In my New Testament class, we're studying Acts right now and we were reading about the Resurrected Christ and my professor just pointed out how the only perfect person to walk the Earth is the only person who will have an imperfect body in the Resurrection and that made me think. Why hadn't I thought of it before? Like it's such a clear witness of his divinity! Then we learned how Christ runs his church through imperfect people perfectly. Like we are capable of miracles we can't even comprehend. And we have to be patient. Like the lame man that Peter healed on the steps of the temple. It's quite possible that he was passed by the Savior multiple times and that he watched other people be healed and yet he had to wait 40 YEARS to be healed. And in that moment he began praising God. The Church is true and Jesus lives. Sometimes I just recognize how simple and pure and true the Gospel is and it just makes me happy and also makes me wonder how anyone can doubt the church!