Strength

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." ~ Phillippians 4:13

Laziness

"And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promise."

Hebrews 6:11-12

This was an important verse for me to hear today. As pageant nears, and times become more busy and chaotic, it is important that I follow the example of the faithful before me. They were not idle, and they did not procrastinate, and how successful they were. And should I follow that example, perhaps I will be blessed in the same manner. Time management is tough and hard for me to carry through, but I know that it's good. When we manage our time correctly, we have time to do other things and accomplish more than we ever expected. This week I will work on my time management, and I will remember the words of Paul when he says that it is not good to be lazy, but that we should be wise with our time in order to accomplish all that Heavenly Father has called us to do.

Comfort

"And now I say unto you the good shepherd doth call after you; and if you will hearken unto his voice he will bring you into his fold, and ye are his sheep; and he commandeth you that ye suffer no ravenous wolf to enter among you, that ye may not be destroyed."

Alma 5:60

"For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." Hebrews 10:36

Judgment

Mosiah 29:12 says "Now it is better that a man should be judged of God than of man, for the judgments of God are always just, but the judgments of man are not always just."

I saw something on facebook the other day that made me think of this, it said,

"The girl you just called fat? She's overdosing on diet pills. The girl you just called ugly? She spends hours putting makeup on hoping people will like her. The boy you just tripped? He is abused enough at home. See that man with the ugly scars? He fought for his country. That guy you just made fun of for crying? His mother is dying."

Now this is more bullying and it is a more obvious form of judgment. However, when i look at myself and the thoughts I have about people, I realise that I make judgments all the time, and I shouldn't. We make judgments about a person's character based on their clothing, or what car they drive. But how superficial is that? When you first meet someone you take them to be rude because they snapped at you for no reason, but maybe they've had some hard times in the past and they were overwhelmed with emotion. They couldn't take it out on anyone else, so they snapped at you.

Instead of snapping back or turning your head, maybe those are the times that people need you most. They need someone to take a moment to understand the shoes they walk in, and you can be that person. Non-judgmental and caring. Fill yourself with the Holy Spirit and love of Christ and being non-judgmental will be a much easier trait to aquire.

Children of God

Mosiah 5:15 - "Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen."

First, the condition that we must be steadfast and immovable, meaning that we will always rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us and follow its direction. When temptation rises to vere off the right path, turn to God, and he will keep you steadfast and immovable in your beliefs. With that faith in God, it is only natural that we would abound in good works because of our love for God. And it is promised, that if we remain faithful and follow the Holy Spirit, the Lord will seal us his, and we will become the everlasting children of God. We will be granted eternal salvation and be able to live with him forever.

To me, this is a great promise, and every day I strive to follow the Holy Spirit in everything that I do, that I may be pleasing unto the Lord. I know that I am a child of God, and that God wants to seal me his forever. And to feel that love from him is amazing.