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In John 6:1-13 we read the story of Christ feeding the five thousand with five loaves of barley bread and two fish. I've heard and read this story many times in the past, but today it struck me differently than before. The Lord Can Magnify Us! Just as he was able to magnify that bread and fish in a physical way to feed the five thousand, so to can the Lord magnify us spiritually if we put our faith and trust in him. We learn from Ether 12:27, in the Book of Mormon, that the Lord's grace is an enabling power. It enables us to do things far beyond our own capacity--things we would not be able to do otherwise. Faithful saints can share story after story of how the Lord's hand has blessed and strengthened them beyond their own physical capabilities. We read in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon about various groups that won great battles in the face of terrible odds as they put their trust in God. The story of Gideon in the Old Testament is a prime example. With 300 soldiers Gideon defeated an army of over 10,000 Philistines. The story of the 2000 Stripling Warriors in the Book of Mormon is another great example. On more than one occasion the Nephites appeared to be on the losing end of the battle and these 2000 young men, though greatly out numbered, stood firm and undaunted before their enemies. They had been taught to trust in God and the knew that as they did so He would bless them according to their faith. Because of their faith, even though everyone of them was wounded multiple times, not one of them died in battle, while all around them there were many of the other Nephites who did. Additionally, because of their firmness before the enemy, their enemies fled, despite the fact that their enemies greatly out numbered them. Personal Application How does this apply to you and me? We live in a day and time of great wickedness. The prophets of old speaking of our time knew we would. They knew that in comparison to the "great whore," the number's of the Saints would be few. Yet, they also knew and prophesied that the Saints would be armed with righteousness and power and that, in spite of the staggering odds against them, the Saints would win. Well may we ask ourselves, "but what can I do? I'm just one person?" The answer lies in the examples already given. We can put our faith and trust in God. We can arm ourselves with righteousness. We can be up and doing as was Captain Moroni in the Book of Mormon. We can stand firmly and boldly, undaunted before the enemies of truth and right. As we do so, not only will we come off conquerors, but we may also be instruments in God's hands to bring many thousands of our brethren who now struggle in the darkness to the marvelous light of the gospel. AuthorRandy McNeely is a father of five, an aspiring author as well as a singer/songwriter. He has written several patriotic songs, children’s songs and multiple religious hymns, including Oh Jesus, Savior of Mankind, which won a Special Recognition award in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 2008 Music Submission contest.
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I was reading in the book of Ether this morning and once again read chapter 6:17 which says: And they were taught to walk humbly before the Lord; and they were also taught from on high. I've read that verse dozens of time and never really taken the time to think about it's meaning. What really struck me was the last part, "and the were taught from on high." What Does It Mean? What does this mean? It means exactly what it says. Because they walked humbly before the Lord, they received divine guidance and revelation to direct them in their daily lives. If you click on the link for the word "taught" it takes you to the Topical Guide for "Guidance, Divine". Under this topic heading there are a multitude of scriptures reference, a few of which I will mention here. Exodus 13:21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: Psalms 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Psalms 25:9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. We Too Can be Taught From on High What marvelous promises. What beautiful comfort. We too can be taught from on high! We can know we will not be left alone if we will walk humbly before the Lord, doing everything in our power to keep his commandments. He will guides and direct our paths. If ever there were a time under Heaven when we need God's guidance, both individually and as a nation, that time is now. I hope I can be humble and faithful enough to merit His help. I pray that we can do the same as a nation. AuthorRandy McNeely is a father of five, an aspiring author as well as a singer/songwriter. He has written several patriotic songs, children’s songs and multiple religious hymns, including Oh Jesus, Savior of Mankind, which won a Special Recognition award in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 2008 Music Submission contest. In these challenging times, when there are so many spiritual crocodiles in the world in the form of drugs, alcohol, rampant immorality, pornography, bullying (the list could go on for a long time), many parents ask themselves, "Is there a safe place anywhere to raise my children?" The answer to that question, of course, is a resounding yes! Where is such a place? Safety is found in raising children in a home centered around the gospel of Jesus Christ. A Map For Our Lives How can the gospel of Jesus Christ help? It provides a road map for our lives. As we move forward, the teachings of Christ, as taught by both ancient and modern prophets and apostles, serve as guideposts along the road of life, which if we follow them, will help us stay on the correct path. All of us desires to be happy. The prophet Joseph Smith taught: Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God” Christ's gospel helps us in pursuing and staying on the path of happiness. His commandments help us understand how to conduct ourselves so that He can bless us. Speaking to Joseph Smith, the Savior taught, "I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say, but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise," (D&C 82:10). As we live virtuous lives and are faithful in keeping God's commandments, we will be directed by the Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit, in all that we do. As we diligently strive to to learn and follow God's will, we will be inspired as parents, knowing how to navigate through the minefields of sin that surround us, and being able to teach our children how to do the same. Comfort In Times of Challenge Yes, the gospel can help us and our children to navigate the minefields of sin. Does that mean we will always come through unscathed? No. What it does mean, however, on those occasions when there are wounds, is that as we understand and follow Christ's teachings, He will be there with healing balm to lift us up in our time of need. I know from my own experience that this is true. On the Monday before Thanksgiving in 2005 I had taken the day off to repair a broken stair. As I was preparing to work on the stair, we received a phone call from my mother-in-law letting us know that Mike, my wife's step-father, had had a massive heart attack that morning while on a business trip and had passed away. It came as a total shock to us. I had just talked to Mike two days before. We had just had a dinner with my brothers and sisters-in-law the night before and been planning activities for the week, which included dinner with Mom and Dad. My dear wife broke down and cried on the phone along with my precious mother-in-law. I cried along with them. As you might imagine, it was a rough week. We made it through the funeral on Friday. Then, on Saturday morning, the day after Mike's funeral, I received a call from my older sister telling me that my father, who had been ill for quite some time, had passed away that morning. Talk about a punch in the stomach! How did I make it through that week? How did my wife's family make it through that week? We made it the only way we could--by putting our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, relying upon His goodness, trusting in His timing, holding fast to the belief and knowledge, that through His tender mercies, provided by His death and resurrection, we would someday be with Mike and my father again. With that assurance, we were able to reach out in love and give comfort to those who came to reach out in love and give comfort to us. In doing so, we felt Christ's warm embrace as He carried us though our time of challenge. The Gospel is True Through this experience and a multitude of others, I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and wholesome doctrine. I know that Christ lives. I know that He directs the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. How grateful I am for this knowledge. It has guided me, my wife, and my children and all that we do. Has everything been easy? No. But life was never meant to be easy. It has however been worth it! To those of you who know and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ and are striving to live it, I commend you and urge you to keep moving forward and to share the joy of the gospel with everyone you can. To those of you who don't know of the gospel of Jesus Christ, or who know of it but don't understand it, or who know it but are not now living it, I invite you to come and see! Come and see what the gospel of Jesus Christ can do for you and your family. Come and feast at the table of the Lord and sweet refreshment find! As you do, I can make this promise, your life will never be the same! You will find greater joy and happiness than you have ever known. AuthorRandy McNeely is a father of five, an aspiring author as well as a singer/songwriter. He has written several patriotic songs, children’s songs and multiple religious hymns, including Oh Jesus, Savior of Mankind, which won a Special Recognition award in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 2008 Music Submission contest. I was reading in Moroni chapter 7 in the Book of Mormon today and had cause to pause and reflect as I read verse 3: Wherefore, I would speak unto you that are of the church, that are the peaceable followers of Christ, and that have obtained a sufficient hope by which ye can enter into the rest of the Lord, from this time henceforth until ye shall rest with him in heaven. In this chapter Moroni is quoting the words of his father which were spoken to Christian church members in ancient America. What struck me as I read was his statement about entering the Lord's rest "from this time henceforth until ye shall rest with him in Heaven." That statement implies that the people entered into the Lord's rest while they were yet on earth. "What does that mean?" I wondered. Entering The Lord's Rest To satisfy my curiosity, I first turned to my wonderful wife who remembered a quote which talked about the Lord's rest meaning "not being tossed about by every wind of doctrine." She thought it was from Elder Bruce R. McConkie. I did a search at www.lds.org and found the following quotes -- one from Elder McConkie, and one from the prophet Joseph F. Smith. The rest of the Lord, where mortals are concerned, is to gain a perfect knowledge of the divinity of the great latter-day work. Bruce R. McConkie, as quoted by Craig. W. Zwick, Entering into the Rest of the Lord, Ensign, February 2012. It means entering into the knowledge and love of God, having faith in his purpose and in his plan, to such an extent that we know we are right, and that we are not hunting for something else; we are not disturbed by every wind of doctrine, or by the cunning and craftiness of men who lie in wait to deceive.’ It is ‘rest from the religious turmoil of the world; from the cry that is going forth, here and there—lo, here is Christ; lo, there is Christ.’ … Joseph F. Smith, as quoted by Craig W. Zwick, Entering into the Rest of the Lord, Ensign, February 2012. Understanding These two quotes greatly helped me in my understanding of the term "Lord's rest" as pertaining to this life. First, we find rest when we gain a solid testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ as taught in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Second, after gaining that solid testimony, or knowledge of the truthfulness of the gospel, as we live the gospel, we will have inner peace, in spite of what may be going on in the world. We won't be blown about on every wind of doctrine because we'll be planted firmly on the foundation of Christ, "which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall," (Helaman 5:12-BOM). How grateful I am for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have a testimony of its truthfulness. I also know that as I strive to live the gospel I find inner peace, even amidst the turmoil that is going on in the world around us. Am I perfect? No. Do I have inner-peace every minute of every day? No. But having the knowledge I do have, I know I can turn to a loving Heavenly Father in prayer, asking for forgiveness of my weaknesses and my inability to live perfectly, and pleading for greater strength to do better. He hears and answers my prayers and I am strengthened and lifted. I feel peace and know I can continue forward because He is at my side. AuthorRandy McNeely is a father of five, an aspiring author as well as a singer/songwriter. He has written several patriotic songs, children’s songs and multiple religious hymns, including Oh Jesus, Savior of Mankind, which won a Special Recognition award in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 2008 Music Submission contest. In the Book of Mormon, through the prophet Alma, the Lord teaches us that "by small and simple things, great things are brought to pass (BOM Alma 37:6). I whole-heartedly believe that statement. Two recent experiences I had illustrate why. The Tea A couple of weeks ago, I had a cold and was feeling pretty miserable. I don't like going to the doctor so I was doing everything I could to take care of myself, including drinking lots of herbal tea. I have a mug that I use most of the time and in doing so, I've laid de facto claim on it. I mean, it has my lip prints all over it so surely my wife and kids know it's mine, right? Well, at the same time I was sick, some of my children were sick as well, so there were several of us making and drinking the herbal tea. One morning, much to my chagrin, I came down and found "my mug" was being used by someone else. I was a little put out that I had to find a different mug. It was a petty feeling, I know, and I knew at the time that it was silly to let it bother me. Still, it did. A short while later my thirteen-year-old daughter came into the kitchen. "Hi Dad. Did you get your tea?" "What tea?" "The tea I made you. I saw your empty cup earlier and new you weren't feeling well so I made some for you so you wouldn't need to make it." My heart melted within me and I felt truly ashamed for the shallow feelings I'd had just a few minutes before. I embraced her. "Thank you sweetheart! That was very kind. I really appreciate it. You made my day. I love you." "You're welcome Dad. I love you too." I came away feeling sincerely grateful for that simple act of kindness. The Glasses The second experience came just yesterday. I had to leave early from my home drive to a meeting nearly four hours away. I had everything ready to go the night before, or so I thought. When I came downstairs to leave, I realized I didn't have my glasses--I can see well enough to drive without them, but it is more challenging, especially in the dark. I looked in the usual places and couldn't find them. I went back upstairs, using my cell phone as a flashlight as I tried not to disturb my wife. No luck. As I came back downstairs, I was resigned to driving with out them when the thought came, did you pray? I hadn't. I said a prayer and no sooner had I finished then I remembered where they were. I walked right too them. My heart swelled with gratitude as I contemplated the fact the Heavenly Father, with all He has to do, sent me the reminder that He is aware of me, even in the small matters of lost glasses. That simple act of kindness from a loving Father lifted me all day yesterday and is still carrying me today. I Know I know God lives and that He loves us. I know that simple acts of kindness can and do make a difference in our lives. I know that what Alma taught was true. An Invitation I invite you to look for opportunities to do a simple acts of kindness and experience the positive effects it can have on both you and those you serve. AuthorRandy McNeely is a father of five, an aspiring author as well as a singer/songwriter. He has written several patriotic songs, children’s songs and multiple religious hymns, including Oh Jesus, Savior of Mankind, which won a Special Recognition award in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 2008 Music Submission contest. |
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