Read: Jacob 2-4
Mark: Jacob 2:18-19
"If you have not chosen the kingdom of God first, it will in the end make no difference what you have chosen instead." --William Law
To ponder:
Are your decisions based on how your choices will help to build the Lord's kingdom? If needed, how can you change?
What a powerful quote for today! We come up with a lot of excuses for a lot of different things in our lives, but in the end it doesn't matter what our excuse is. Nothing is more important than choosing God and his kingdom.
ReplyDeleteThe first set of verses that stuck out to me today that I love are Jacob 2:31-35. God truly has a special place in his heart for his daughters (like any father!). As members of the church we know that sexual sin is especially terrible, third in line after denying Christ after a sure knowledge of him (which is worthy of perdition, and almost NO ONE qualifies for committing this sin aside from Judas Iscariot) and murder. So, in the world today we can all pretty much agree that murder's a big no-no. But the rest of society is DEFINITELY NOT on the same page with most of the Christian world with regards to sexual sin. Sexual freedom (or the world's illusion of such a thing) is one of Satan's greatest accomplishments on this earth. How many unwanted pregnancies, abortions, overfilled foster systems, and shattered marriages does it take before people realize just what kind of fire they're playing with? Jacob really laid it out on his people for this transgression--God takes sexual purity VERY seriously. If you've never read or watched "Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments" by Jeffrey R. Holland, I highly recommend it! Our bodies are part of our eternal souls--we cannot desecrate them so willingly for sexual misdeeds. It's one of those lines that are easy to cross, unfortunately, because sex is actually a very pure, sacred, and heavenly gift. That's why it's so serious to take it lightly.
Onward! The other part of the reading tonight I loved was Jacob 4:14-15. How often do we look "beyond the mark" we've been told to aim for? How often have we taken for granted the plain and simple things, wanting more, even if we aren't ready? Do we reject the things that will give us a sure foundation and refuse to build there? Those deeper things will not help us if we reject the building blocks we need to get there!
As I read Jacob 2:11, I recognized that Jacob was about to tell the people something sacred and important as the Lord had instructed him to go to the temple. And boy did Jacob have a lot to say! The brethren received a pretty good chastising and 'straightening out' talk! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the scriptures that we were asked to mark today on seeking for the kingdom of God first, and once we have received a hope in Christ, then we will receive riches. This sure puts things in perspective for me and reminds me of where our priorities need to be. And, then we are counseled that once we receive riches, we need to help those around us in any way that we can. I am growing to love Jacob more and more!
For some reason, Jacob 3:1, I have read over and over. I love that Jacob tells us if we are pure in heart and pray with exceeding faith, that the Lord will console us in our afflictions and plead our cause. This touches my heart: The Lord will console us (He knows each one of us by name) and he will plead for us. I think each one of us as a parent can understand this. It makes me truly think about what it means to be "pure in heart."
Chapter 4 is just plain wonderful! Isn't this a parent or grandparent's journal to their children and the generations to come to be sure that these children know the testimonies of their ancestors? In verse 6, it says "having all these witnesses we obtain a hope and our faith becometh unshaken"--what great encouragement this would be to our children and grandchildren during times of trouble.
I love that Jacob speaks so plainly. Here is the message. And here is why. And here's how you fix it. What a great leader he is to be thorough. At the same time always offering encouragement.
ReplyDeleteSince the atonement had not occurred yet, were the people still sacrificing animals? Or were they able to use the atonement to repent?
When I began reading chapter two I first wondered why the choice was made to chastise the wicked rather than comfort the righteous, but another thought quickly followed. Comforting words would only comfort temporarily but a chastisement and reminder of what needs to change could have eternal blessings for consequences. The righteous were sorrowful because of the wickedness of the people they loved. What better comfort than something that helps a change of heart. Bringing it back to me, if I hear chastising words from someone with stewardship over me I need to be sure to not become cold or hard hearted. I need to recognize where I am weak. Be honest about my sins, repent and do better! I can only hero the people around me and comfort those who love me if I choose to do a little better each day.
ReplyDeleteI like the phrase think he the Lord justifies you in this thing? It's a good measure. If I'm carrying on with some particular behavior and have an inkling that it may not be right, I should ask if the excuse I have for doing it would satisfy the Lord or not.
How can I seek more for the kingdom of God? Keep the commandments! Keep an eternal perspective!