Serve One Another

"Whosever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it"

Luke 9:24

"I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me... do always those things that please him"

John 8:28, 29

Poems are hard...

 

"The Long And Winding Road"

The long and winding road, that leads to your door
Will never disappear, I've seen that road before

It always leads me here, leads me to your door

The wild and windy night ,that the rain washed away
Has left a pool of tears, crying for the day
Why leave me standing here, let me know the way

Many times I've been alone and many times I've cried
Anyway you'll never know, the many ways I've tried

And still they lead me back, to the long, winding road
You left me standing here, a long, long time ago
Don't leave me waiting here, lead me to your door

But still they lead me back, to the long, winding road
You left me standing here, a long, long time ago
Don't keep me waiting here, lead me to your door

                                                 -P. McCartney

Come Ye to the Waters

Behold, my soul abhorreth sin, and my heart delighteth in righteousness; and I will praise the holy name of my God.

Come, my brethren, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.

Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice.

2 Nephi 9:49-52

Armour of God

New Testament - Ephesians 6:11-18

11.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 

12.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

14.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15.  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16.  Above all, taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 

17.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18.   Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Commandments, Instructions & Definitions:

A.Take on you the whole armour of God – to stand against the wiles of the devil, to withstand in the evil day

a. all 6 pieces of armour to be worn:

1. Loins embody truth

2. Heart holds righteousness

3. Feet move the gospel of peace

4. Faith shields and protects

5. Head contains knowledge of salvation

6. Word of God is both your defense and offense

b. wiles: devious or cunning stratagems employed in manipulating or persuading someone to do what one wants

c. withstand in the evil day: remain undamaged or unaffected by; resist

B.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

a.  principalities: demonic agents and structures that exert deceptive control over co-conspiratorial human political kingdoms and systems, forces and dominions dealing with nations and governments, high-level satanic princes set over nations and regions of the earth, commanding generals of Satan’s fallen army

b. powers: capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events, having authority and power of action in spheres open to the supernatural and natural government; high ranking, powers of evil

c. spiritual wickedness in high places: forces being directed in and upon the Church in wiles, fiery darts, onslaught and every conceivable deception about doctrine which they are capable of planning; the many types of evil spirits that commonly afflict people; the collective body of demon soldiers comprising Satan’s hordes

d. rulers of darkness of this world: governing the darkness and blindness of the world at large, operate within countries and cultures to influence certain aspects of life; governing spirits of darkness

C.   Praying always with supplication

a.     pray always to Heavenly Father, for yourself

b.     supplication:  asking humbly and earnestly

D.   Watch with perseverance and supplication for all saints

a.     watch:  to look at someone or something for an amount of time and pay attention to what is happening, to be awake during the night, to be attentive or vigilant, to keep guard

b.     perseverance:  steadfastness despite difficulty or delay, determination

c.      supplication for all saints:  asking humbly and earnestly through prayer, for all righteous, virtuous believers

Types of Armour – Definitions and Explanations:

1.     Loins girt about with truth

a.     loins:  body on both sides of spine between the lowest ribs and the hipbones regarded as the seat of physical strength

b.     girt:  tie around firmly with a belt; to “gird your loins” means to prepare for action

c.      truth:   sincerity in action, character, and utterance, fidelity to an original or to a standard, the quality or state of being true

2.     Breastplate of righteousness

a.     breastplate:  protects torso, chest, heart, lungs, vital organs

b.     righteousness:  the quality of being morally good or right, free from guilt or sin

3.     Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace

a.     feet:  used for movement, momentum, the lowest extremity in direct contact with the ground, the foundation of the body

b.     preparation:  the act of making or being ready

c.      gospel:  a teaching of doctrine or religion, ideas, principles, accepted as unquestionably true

d.     peace:  freedom from disturbance, war or violence

4.     Above all, taking the shield of faith – wherewith ye shall be able to quench all of the fiery darts of the wicked

a.     above: on high: overhead, in heaven; heavenward; at a higher level or layer

b.     shield:  one that protects or defends, protection held by the hand and arm

c.      faith:  knowledge of the existence of God: strong religious feelings or beliefs

d.     fiery darts:  a burning, sharp, pointed missile

e.      wicked:  evil by nature and in practice

5.     Helmet of salvation

a.     helmet:  head covering of hard material to prevent damage to head, skull and brain

b.     salvation:  deliverance from eternal death, being saved

6.     Sword of the spirit

a.     sword:  defensive or offensive weapon, held by the hands, an instrument of death or destruction

b.     spirit:  word of God, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost

Ephesians 6:  19-24

19.   And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

20.    For which I am an ambassador in bonds:  that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

21.    But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus(or whomever is near that can testify of these things), a beloved brother and faithful minster in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: 

22.   Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. 

23.  Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

24.  Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.  Amen.

Hymn – The Spirit of God

1.  The Spirit of God like a fire is burning!

The latter-day glory begins to come forth;

The visions and blessings of old are returning,

And angels are coming to visit the earth.

(Chorus)  We'll sing and we'll shout with the armies of heaven,

Hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb!

Let glory to them in the highest be given,

Henceforth and forever, Amen and amen!

2.  The Lord is extending the Saints' understanding

Restoring their judges and all as at first.

The knowledge and power of God are expanding;

The veil o'er the earth is beginning to burst.
(Chorus)

3.  We'll call in our solemn assemblies in spirit,

To spread forth the kingdom of heaven abroad,

That we through our faith may begin to inherit

The visions and blessings and glories of God,

(Chorus)

4.  How blessed the day when the lamb and the lion

Shall lie down together without any ire,

And Ephraim be crowned with his blessing in Zion,

As Jesus descends with his chariot of fire!

(Chorus)

Author:  William W. Phelps, 1792-1872

Quote:  “Examine your armor. Is there an unguarded or unprotected place? Determine now to add whatever part is missing. … Through the great principle of repentance you can turn your life about and begin now clothing yourself with the armor of God through study, prayer, and a determination to serve God and keep his commandments.”

President N. Eldon Tanner (1898–1982), First Counselor in the First Presidency

Quote:  We should pick up the “shield of faith, wherewith [we] shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Ephesians 6:16; D&C 27:17). A shield is the most versatile and effective means of defense in battle. Our faith, if it is built upon Christ and His gospel, can defend us against the adversary’s numerous onslaughts, just as a shield, if it is made of the right material, will withstand volleys of fiery darts.

“In the Church we can teach about the materials from which a shield of faith is made: reverence, courage, chastity, repentance, forgiveness, compassion. In church we can learn how to assemble and fit them together. But the actual making of and fitting on of the shield of faith belongs in the family circle. Otherwise it may loosen and come off in a crisis.”

President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Answers

Age 12, kneeling by my bedside, praying my little girl heart out, crying and pleading for how to obtain happiness... thru my tear-filled pleadings, a booming male voice reverberates through me:

"Keep My Commandments"

I got an answer... I GOT AN ANSWER!... and there is someone there... and yes, they care.  Keeping the commandments is the key to happiness.

Age 18, while dating my future husband, the words enter my head:

"He will be the father of your children"

And he is :)

In my 20's, while praying to find out if we will ever "make it" in our business ventures:

"You will do very well, but it will be up to you to keep the spirituality"

And I've tried, fallen, got up and tried again, and again... story of my life.

Sometime in my late 20's, early 30's, I was praying to know my worth and I receive this answer:

"Your worth is what you do for others"

And I love to serve, it brings great joy, peace and happiness. Serving others takes my mind off myself and my petty problems.

Age 32, having a hard time getting pregnant, have a strong desire for a girl, and pray fervently for a long time in my closet.  I need the tenderness that only a girl can bring. I am shown a vision of:

'A beautiful, blond, petite, spirit girl, dressed in a white, flowing, weightless short dress, smiling, giggling, singing and twirling and twirling on her ballerina toes, dancing on air. She looks right at me and smiles so brightly.'

My heart is full.  Rachel.

Age 34, Premature twins born, I am told to say goodbye to one of them, that he will not make it thru the next 24 hrs, the other stops breathing 8 times, I pray and pray to be the miracle, I know there are miracles, can this please be one?! ... do I deserve a miracle?  Who am  I  to ask?  And I hear:

"Everything will be all right"

And it is.  Better than alright.

Age 49, I am all alone, in the car, communicating out loud to my guardian angel(s). I say that I am sorry for all of the trouble and that I am sure that he/she(they) get a good laugh watching over me...

'An awesomely strong feeling washes over my entire body, warm, enveloping, safe, unconditional love and understanding, like a huge, warm hug, with a hint of humor'

And I feel these words: "we love you, we love this, and how funny you are to think we laugh at you" 

My eyes fill, my heart melts, I am loved more than I know...

When I receive these answers, I hear them and I feel them, like a direct connection to the spirit. When the answer comes in the form of a voice, it is always male and commanding, powerful, firm and loving.  When I feel the spirit, it is usually a warm feeling that flows thru my whole being, I often tear up, and the voice and the feeling always cause me to pause, with wonder and awe.

So I dedicate my life to honoring my Creator, my Savior, and those who love me, who have sacrificed for me, who want only the best for me... for eternity.

My Savior is my touchstone, my constant.  I love Him.

-liz
2/2/14

When I am weak, then am I strong

9.  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

 

2nd Corinthians 12