Read: Alma 17-18
Mark: Alma 17:2-3
"Fasting can help us overcome personal flaws and sins. It can help us overcome our weaknesses--help them become strengths. Fasting can help us become more humble, less prideful, less selfish, and more concerned about the needs of others. It can help us see more clearly our own mistakes and weaknesses and help us be less prone to criticize others...Throughout the scriptures the term fasting is usually combined with prayer...Fasting without prayer is just going hungry for 24 hours. But fasting combined with prayer brings increased spiritual power." --Elder Carl B. Pratt
To ponder:
What experiences have you had with fasting?
I haven't read today's scriptures yet, but I have internet access and wanted to quickly say "hi" before we head out again! I love reading my scriptures and wanted you guys to know I'm keeping up with it on our trip! Today's thought makes me want to fast! I haven't been able to fast for years because of pregnancy and breastfeeding, so now that the kids are old enough I've really enjoyed doing it again! But I struggle with making sure it's actually a FAST and not just being hungry!
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny! Welcome back! So good to hear from you!!!
ReplyDeleteOkay, these two chapters are one of my very favorite stories in the Book of Mormon! We have Ammon, who becomes a servant to King Lamoni so that he can share the gospel! Then we have the bad guys who decide to scatter the flocks so that their brethren will be killed by the King. And Ammon is so excited by this!! This gives him the opportunity to say: Be of good cheer! And let's go find the flock! They gather the flock and the bad guys come back to do it all over again! But this time Ammon cuts their arms off, and then his brethren take the arms to King Lamoni to tell all that has happened! This is scrazy!
ReplyDeleteAnd then King Lamoni is just certain that Ammon is God! And this is exactly the opening that Ammon needed to teach the gospel! King Lamoni listens and his heart is softened, and he falls to the earth as if he is dead......
Ready for the next chapter!!!!
Love these scriptures! Love the example set by Ammon that he is willing to serve King Lamoni--he sets a great example for each of us that we must be ready and willing to serve the Lord. I love Alma 18:22 where we read: Ammon being wise, yet harmless....!!! Love this! Can't you just imagine in your mind all of this story? (Maybe leave the arms being cut off and presented to King Lamoni out....) :)
If I'm being honest, I have not seen any effects of fasting. That doesn't mean none exist, but I'm not aware of them. I could tell you stories with prayer, tithe, repentance, forgiveness and all sorts of other commandments and principles, but not this one. I fast once a month - I start it with a prayer and try to remember the specific thing I chose to fast about. I end the fast with a prayer and that is all. Maybe I need to fast longer? Maybe more often? I'm not sure. I'll continue to do it and eventually I know I'll understand more and be blessed for the effort.
ReplyDeleteFind joy in friend's and family members progress in their eternal happiness. We often ask after people's families, jobs, interests, but not always about their spirit.
Doing what is right doesn't mean you get a pass from working as hard as others. Still pray, ponder, fast and go and do what you already know is right - then keep your ears, mind and heart open for the answers He will give while you stay on that path headed in the right direction. It's like those answers are sites on the path - He can't help but answer your questions when you're on it!
Sometimes gifts offered to you by other people are not the blessings Heavenly Father has in mind for us. We must keep His will in mind. Keep the Spirit close! Ammon is given the opportunity to be a prince but instead decides to be a servant because that is where he is supposed to be - whether he knew why or not, I'm not sure, but we know how it all plays out!
Protection & blest blessings do come by standing still! We must move forward doing that which is right, giving those blessings no timeline, but knowing they will come because God said they would.
Ammon basically has the opportunity to let people think he is a god, but instead gives the credit where credit is due! Again rejecting a "gift" from man, because he knows what he ought to be doing and has faith that he will be blessed for it - and many others as well!
Take every opportunity to share God's plan of happiness! When praise falls on you - send glory to God for making you capable and the situation possible - and make sure others know it!
Sarah, this is me pressing the major "LIKE" button! :)
DeleteSarah, I totally get what you're saying. I've never really felt the benefit from fasting, either. Being hungry while praying has never honed my spiritual senses, although I do greatly enjoy fast and testimony meetings! I, like you, also feel that it's something I just need to continue to try until something clicks. Thanks for sharing this.
DeleteSo, randomly, the thing I think about when reading the scripture we were asked to mark is:
ReplyDelete1) I love how they are all brethren in the Lord.
and
2) Perhaps if I fasted more often and more earnestly I'd be a lot cooler than I am.