DAY 83 of #100daysofJesus - The Works of Jesus - Write them Down

 DAY 83 of #100daysofJesus

I doubt a day went by in Jesus' ministry where he was not serving others and performing miracles to bless others' lives. The Gospels are full of such stories.

The very last verse in the Book of John reads:

"And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written."

This is true in a sense even greater than perhaps John comprehended at the time he penned those words. The works of Jesus would not fit into all the books because they never ceased - they continue to this day in the lives of individuals throughout the world.

It's up to us to continue to write the Gospels by writing our own experiences with Jesus in our lives. Could we pass a greater gift on to our posterity?

Admittedly, I'm not very consistent at this. I do try to maintain a journal and record the experiences where I see God's hand in my life, but to be honest, I see His hand daily and write maybe monthly. So, it can also be said that there are also many other things which Jesus did in the life of Brad that are not written.

But why was it so important for the Apostles to write down Jesus' works? Why is it important for us to write them as well?

The point is not to capture a record for the sake of having a record of nice stories.

Reading about Jesus' miracles and works helps us increase our faith in Him. We believe that He loves us as much as He loved the Jews anciently, so if He so eagerly blessed, healed, and helped them, why would He not us now?

We read of Jesus' miracles, and it helps us better recognize His miracles in our own lives.

We read of Jesus' miracles, and it gives us confidence to ask for miracles and hope that they can happen in our own lives.

As we write down what we experience, we can pass that confidence and hope down to future generations. We can also reflect back on our experiences and receive strength from remembering them.

Have you seen the hand of the Lord in your life today? this week? this year?

Write it down!

(John 21:25)

DAY 82 of #100daysofJesus - How Jesus Can Help Us

 DAY 82 of #100daysofJesus

How is Jesus able to help us in our daily trials and challenges?

In the Book of Mormon, Alma prophesies to the people of Gideon of the coming of Jesus. He teaches that Jesus would:

- "go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind."

- "take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people."

- "take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death."

- "take upon him their infirmities."

And then Alma explains why Jesus would come into the world to suffer and take upon himself all these things:

"That his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."

In other words, Jesus came to suffer all these things so that he could have perfect empathy for us and thereby know exactly how to help us in our trials and challenges.

Russell M Nelson put it this way:

"Jesus descended below all things in order to rise above all things. He expects us to follow His example. Yoked with Him, we can rise above all challenges, no matter how difficult they may be."

There is nothing that we face in our lives that Jesus does not understand having experienced it firsthand through his miraculous, vicarious atonement.

This is why He invites us to COME TO HIM. He can help us because He's been there. He's already suffered so that He can help us in our sufferings, and it's His great pleasure to do so. Turn to Him, trust in Him.

(Alma 7:11-13, https://speeches.byu.edu/.../russell.../christ-savior-born/)

DAY 81 of #100daysofJesus - Sacrifice

DAY 81 of #100daysofJesus

After Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden, they were given a commandment to make sacrifices to, pray to, and worship God.

They obediently did so, and one day an angel appeared asking them why they were making these sacrifices. Adam replied, "I know not, save the Lord commanded me."

Adam didn't even know why He was doing it, yet he showed his faith by obeying while he awaited clearer understanding. And it soon came.

The angel explained, "This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth. Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore."

In other words, Jesus would one day come to the earth and sacrifice Himself for the sins of the world. In anticipation of that Great Sacrifice, Adam and his posterity would make frequent, smaller sacrifices to help point them to Jesus and look forward to that day.

After this encounter with the angel, both Adam and Eve were filled with the Spirit of prophesy.

Adam exclaims: "Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God."

And Eve follows with: "Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient."

The scripture then records that they blessed the name of God and taught their children these things.

The tragedy and challenge of their fallen state was swallowed up in the joy of a Redeemer who would one day come into the world to save them, even Jesus Christ.

Fortunately, we no longer make animal sacrifice to remember Jesus. He asks that we remember Him each week through the partaking of the sacramental emblems, reminders of His broken body and the blood He shed for us.

Our sacrifice is that of a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

Like Adam and Eve, each of us experiences the fallen state of mortality, and none of us can save ourselves. We're not unlike our first parents!

The Joyous message of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that we have a Savior who came to free us all from sin and death. There is hope. There is a way to peace and eternal salvation. Jesus is the way. Trust Jesus!

(Moses 5:5-11, 3 Nephi 9:20)

 

DAY 80 of #100daysofJesus - I Know that My Redeemer Lives

DAY 80 of #100daysofJesus

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ by celebrating Christmas today, let us remember that the birth of the babe in a manger would have meant little without His selfless sacrifice in Gethsemane and Golgotha and His rising from the tomb the third day.

The stories we recount of the baby in Judea, shepherds, angels, wise men, and a new star are not a fable. The events described in Luke 2 and Matthew 2 actually occurred and were recorded in scripture to bring us the same glad tidings of great joy that the angels brought the shepherds. However, if our focus remains on these stories and we stop there, we are missing the point.

Even more important than Jesus' miraculous birth and necessary martyrdom, is that He lives for you and me today. Jesus is our light in a dark world. His grace is available to sustain us from day to day. He offers healing and forgiveness. He loves us and He's there for us.

Today I want to share another song - one of my favorites - that speaks to this message: I Know that My Redeemer Lives!

 

DAY 79 of #100daysofJesus - O Holy Night

 

DAY 79 of #100daysofJesus

"O Holy Night" originated as a French Christmas poem written in the 1840's for a church service. This poem has become one of the most popular and beautiful hymns of the Christmas season.

The lyrics of this song stir my soul.

It begins with the image of a world that lays "in sin and error." We feel deep sorrow not just for the world but for our own sins and shortcomings. But it all changes when He appears.

The mood shifts as our souls feel a divine worth that merited God sending and sacrificing his holy Son for you and me. We can't help but feel "a thrill of hope", rejoice, and fall to our knees in grateful adoration.

The second verse gets even more personal as we consider the chains of sin that bind us and hold us back, chains that are part of the human experience for each one of us.

And our brother, Jesus Christ, breaks those chains, as well as the chains of death, to truly redeem our souls. We can't help but sing with joy, gratitude, and praise for the birth of such a Savior on that divine and holy night.

O holy night

The stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear Savior's birth

Long lay the world

In sin and error pining

'Til He appeared

And the soul felt its worth

A thrill of hope

The weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks

A new and glorious morn

Fall on your knees

O hear the angel voices

O night divine

O night when Christ was born

O night divine

O night, O night divine

Chains shall He break

For the slave is our brother

And in His name

All oppression shall cease

Sweet hymns of joy

In grateful chorus raise we

Let all within us

Praise His holy name

Christ is the Lord

Let ever, ever praise The

Noel, Noel

Oh night, oh night divine

Noel, Noel

Oh night, oh night divine

Noel, Noel

Oh night, oh night divine

DAY 78 of #100daysofJesus - Mary's Faith

 

DAY 78 of #100daysofJesus

Today I want to focus on Mary again. I know I wrote about her in days 59 and 60, but I believe her role in Jesus' life was profound and that she is a great example of faith for all of us.

Mary had little idea what awaited her when she replied to the angel, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."

From that moment, her life changed forever from whatever "plan" she had previously held in her mind. But she was willing to put God's will above her own.

Choosing God's will did not shield her from challenges but surely gave her peace in the midst of challenge.

The faithful Mary gave birth to her first child in a stable as a teenage, unwed mother. She lost her son for days when he was "about his Father's business." She watched the Jews and Romans crucify her perfect Son. She certainly understood trials.

Are we willing to embrace a Mary-like attitude and submit our wills and our futures to God?

Mary helped bring Jesus to the world in a literal sense, but we can also help bring Jesus to the world through our own devoted discipleship. The world needs Jesus. You and I need Jesus. He is our salvation.

I want to share the Pentatonix version of "Mary, Did You Know?" - one of my absolute favorite Christmas songs. Also, I enjoyed this "5-Minute Fireside" by the singer Calee Reed who also sings the great Christmas song "What Child Is This?" at minute 6. Check them out!!

MARY, DID YOU KNOW?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifCWN5pJGIE

WHAT CHILD IS THIS?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKlkkPSR3eQ

DAY 77 of #100daysofJesus - Render Unto God the Things that Are God's

 DAY 77 of #100daysofJesus

Once again a scheming group of Pharisees and Herodians approached Jesus with a diabolic snare.

Their carefully crafted question was this time: "What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not?"

Were Jesus to answer "yes," he would be accused of betraying his heritage, for the people suffered greatly under Roman oppression. But on the other hand, if he to answer "no" he would be proved a threat to the political stability and arrested for insurrection.

But the wisdom of God is greater than that of the devil.

Jesus asked to see a coin, and when one was brought to him, he asked "Whose is the image and superscription?"

"Caesar's" was the obvious response, which he received.

Then the profound response that disarmed the wicked questioners and caused them to leave, marveling:

"Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s."

Two lessons jump out at me here.

The first is obvious - we are expected to obey the laws of the land in which we reside. We should be law-abiding, tax-paying citizens.

The second is less obvious but more important.

What does Jesus mean by rendering "unto God the things that are God's?"

The Roman coin carried the image of Caesar, clearly indicating it was Caesar's. Whose image do we carry on our souls?

"God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."

We are all created in the image of God, and this rendering could easily represent our return to our heavenly home to live again with God. Was that not Jesus' mission?

I like how the late prophet Howard W Hunter described this:

"As the coin bore the image of Caesar, so these and all men bore the image of God, their Heavenly Father. They had been created by him in the likeness of his image, and Jesus was to provide a way for them to return to him."

Jesus is our way back. He is our hope and our salvation. His grace and mercy are extended to all, even to YOU and ME. Trust Jesus.

(Matthew 22:15-22, Genesis 1:27, His Final Hours by Howard W Hunter (http://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/.../05/his-final-hours))

DAY 76 of #100daysofJesus - Samuel the Lamanite

 DAY 76 of #100daysofJesus

Five years before Jesus' birth, a prophet named Samuel was called of God to prophesy to a wicked people of Jesus' imminent coming.

Throughout the previous centuries the Nephites and the Lamanites were two adversarial civilizations in the Americas who had warred against each other. Through most of that time, the Nephites worshiped God while the Lamanites "dwindled in unbelief." However, at this time the Lamanites had become converted and the Nephites were the people struggling with their faithfulness.

Samuel was a Lamanite who felt inspired to preach repentance among the Nephites, but they rejected him and "cast him out." As he was about to return to his own people, "the voice of the Lord came unto him, that he should return again, and prophesy unto the people whatsoever things should come into his heart."

This is where it gets dangerous. If an angry, corrupt people kicks you out of town for preaching, and then you return, how do you think you'll be received?

As expected, the Nephites would not let him back into their city of Zarahemla, but this did not deter him. Samuel climbed upon the city wall and began to preach from that vantage.

Samuel preached faith in Jesus Christ and repentance.

Like the shepherds in Judea, Samuel declared "glad tidings" that the Son of God would soon be born into the world.

He prophesied of the miraculous light that would be a sign of Jesus' birth, for the sun would set without darkness. And he warned of the destruction awaiting the unrepentant.

God was obviously with Samuel, for he spoke with such power that many believed him, and "as many as believed on his word went forth and sought for Nephi [a Nephite prophet] ... that they might be baptized unto the Lord."

However, the rest of the people were angry with Samuel and sought to kill him. "They cast stones at him upon the wall, and also many shot arrows at him as he stood upon the wall; but the Spirit of the Lord was with him, insomuch that they could not hit him with their stones neither with their arrows."

Now, most people would have sensibly jumped down from the wall and left the city once the stone flinging and arrow shooting began. Not Samuel. He wasn't going to leave until as many people believed him as possible - a crazy amount of love for a people who were trying to kill him!

"Now when they saw that they could not hit him, there were many more who did believe on his words, insomuch that they went away unto Nephi to be baptized."

It wasn't until after this second group of Nephites changed their hearts and repented, that Samuel finally jumped down from the wall to return to his own people.

What was so important about Samuel's message, that God would send him twice to Zarahemla to preach to the people? What message was important enough for him to stand on the wall with stones and arrows being launched his direction? And why?

It was the message that the Messiah, Jesus Christ, was about to come into the world.

Jesus came to save all mankind, and God invites ALL of us to believe in Him and be saved.

Like the Nephites, God gives us second chances - A LOT of them!

Samuel is not often included in the "traditional Christmas story" but he was not unlike the shepherds of Judea. He saw an angel, was told of Jesus' birth, and had a special assignment to spread the word and invite souls to come unto Christ.

Samuel is a hero of mine. I could write for hours about his courage, faith, and prophetic message.

Let us focus on the true "glad tidings" of this Christmas season, the birth and reality of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I add my testimony to that of Samuel's - that Jesus is the Savior of the world!

(Helaman 13-16)

DAY 75 of #100daysofJesus - Widow's Mites

 DAY 75 of #100daysofJesus

While Jesus and his disciples were near the treasury of the temple, He took a moment to observe patrons who had come to deposit their donations.

As they watched, "many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing."

Jesus would not let this teaching moment go to waste:

"He called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living."

Jesus taught that the quality of our sacrifice counts more than the quantity.

I love how James Talmage puts it:

"In the accounts kept by the recording angels, figured out according to the arithmetic of heaven, entries are made in terms of quality rather than of quantity, and values are determined on the basis of capability and intent."

In the eyes of men, certainly the donations of the wealthy were much more impressive, but in God's eyes, the widow's offering was greatest because of the sacrifice she was willing to faithfully make.

Don't compare yourself, your capabilities, your financial success, or your talents to others. God doesn't measure us that way, and comparison isn't healthy anyway. Consider what you DO have to offer, and be willing to give your ALL to God.

Paul taught the Corinthians: "For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not."

We will never be judged by God for what we do not have to offer, but we will be abundantly blessed as we offer that which we do have. It starts with a willing mind. The widow didn't have much, but that didn't stop her from giving her ALL.

I hope we can all be a little more generous of ourselves and give what we can of our time and means to help others and build God's kingdom.

(Mark 12:41-44, 2 Corinthians 8:12, Jesus the Christ by James Talmage (Ch 31))

DAY 74 of #100daysofJesus

 DAY 74 of #100daysofJesus

Who is your neighbor?

Jesus answered the question, "Who is my neighbor?" with what is famously known as the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

While a man, presumably a Jew, was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho, he was attacked by thieves, robbed, and left for dead.

In the parable, a priest happens to be walking through, "and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side" without any attempt to help the man.

Next, a Levite came and also "passed by on the other side" after he "looked on him."

I'm sure these men were both busy, in a hurry to get to their destination, and maybe even feeling unsafe lingering in an area where thieves could still be nearby; however, these were supposed to be men of God with a special responsibility to look out for others. Neither was willing.

The third traveler was a Samaritan who "as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him."

The first startling element here is that the man was a Samaritan. The Samaritans and the Jews did not get along, and the audience of Jesus' parable would have likely felt contempt for Samaritans.

Not only did the Samaritan save his life, but he went beyond that: "and on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host [of the inn], and said unto him, take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee."

So to answer the original question, who in this parable was neighbor to the man who fell among thieves?

The obvious answer was given: "He that showed mercy on him."

Jesus then concludes his teaching with the words, "Go and do thou likewise." I believe that command applies to all of us.

We have a Christian responsibility to look out for one another, including our brothers and sisters who are not Christians.

I'm as guilty as anyone else of packing my days so full and feeling so busy that I act as the Levite or priest, ignoring or avoiding inconvenient opportunities to serve.

But I am trying to be a better neighbor. I want to have a "Good Samaritan" mindset with a greater awareness of the needs of those around me and a greater willingness to put my own agenda aside to serve those in need.

I believe that as we are willing to act the part of Jesus' disciples, God will put people in our paths to lift and serve.

The late prophet Spencer W Kimball famously said, "God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs."

If we pray and look for these opportunities, we will receive them. I believe this is the spirit of Christmas, the core of Christian living, and the hallmark of Christian discipleship.

Jesus taught, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Let us each be a Good Samaritan, lifting and serving those we find in our path, regardless of perceived differences, because we love God and our neighbor.

(Luke 10:25-37, Matthew 25:40)

DAY 73 of #100daysofJesus - Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard

 DAY 73 of #100daysofJesus

It's never too late to choose to follow Jesus.

One of Jesus' most hope-giving parables was that of the laborers in the vineyard. He taught that this parable represents the kingdom of heaven.

In this parable the hirer goes out several times during the day to hire laborers to work in a vineyard, once early in the morning, the second time later in the morning, then early afternoon, mid afternoon, and, finally, just an hour before the end of the workday.

Interestingly, the early morning group agrees to a fair day's wage, in this case one penny, while the later groups all accept work for the vague promise of "whatsoever is right I will give you."

They were obviously feeling desperate for work knowing they would not have a full day to labor!

At the end of the workday, each group of laborers is rewarded with the same wage, one penny. The earliest group that had "borne the burden and heat of the day" were not pleased with the perceived inequity even though they fairly received what they had agreed.

When you consider the reaction of the laborers who felt unjustly treated, think about the response that essentially asked, "Why should you be jealous because I choose to be kind?"

One of Jesus' Apostles, Jeffrey R Holland, gave a discourse in April 2012 General Conference about this parable that has powerfully impacted how I interpret and apply it. I will share a few thoughts here but encourage you to read the full message - it's soo good!: http://churchofjesuschrist.org/.../the-laborers-in-the...

Elder Holland teaches, "There are going to be times in our lives when someone else gets an unexpected blessing or receives some special recognition. May I plead with us not to be hurt—and certainly not to feel envious—when good fortune comes to another person? We are not diminished when someone else is added upon. We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed."

I know I sometimes fall into this trap and have to remind myself that the contest is not with those around me but with sin.

He continues: "This is a story about God’s goodness, His patience and forgiveness, and the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a story about generosity and compassion. It is a story about grace. It underscores the thought I heard many years ago that surely the thing God enjoys most about being God is the thrill of being merciful, especially to those who don’t expect it and often feel they don’t deserve it."

How beautiful is that!

"His concern is for the faith at which you finally arrive, not the hour of the day in which you got there."

And the last quote I'd like to share: "However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines."

I believe this is true with all my heart. It fills me with hope and gratitude. Jesus' grace is available for each of us, regardless of where we are on our mortal journey. Trust Jesus!

(Matthew 20:1-16)