We Must Receive In Order To Give

We give when we have, we give when we don't have.  We often give until we are utterly impoverished.  But sometimes we have problems receiving.  We must learn to receive.  How can we ask a gift of the Lord, and then not receive a gift freely given, just because it comes through an unexpected source?  Or at a time when it does not seem needed? 

Not too long ago, a friend gave me $200.  I did not feel as though I needed the money, and hesitated taking it.  But, remembering a lesson taught me by another friend, I did take the gift.  I had been ill and praying for relief, but no relief was forthcoming.  And a friend of mine asked me if I could receive?  I of course said yes, but he offered me a bit of money.  And I replied, but I don't need the money.  I needed the healing, and that is when the light went on.  If I could not receive a small gift, any gift, how could I receive the gift I was asking for? 

Anyway, back to the $200.  A friend offered me a gift of $200 and this time I accepted it.  I thought of a couple other friends who could use it, and thought to pass it on to one, or both, of them.  But the Lord had other plans.  I felt to give the $200 to a well to do family, that certainly did not need the money.  But they were praying for a gift from God.  So I did what the Spirit prompted me to do.  This well-to-do family took the gift to the Lord and made it a matter of prayer.  And they in turn were instructed to give the $200 to an elderly lady who could not make her lot payments. 

To make a long story short, I received the healing I was requesting, and the well-to-do family received a great blessing they were praying for, and the elderly lady received the payment for her home.  We must receive in order to give. 

Of course, this post began with a certain thought in mind, and ended up a completely new direction, with a deeper meaning. 

I had hoped to show the connection that we need to receive to give, and that the more we can receive, the more we can give. 

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Questions, Questions, And More Questions

Often I get asked questions, sometimes very good questions.  Although, most of the time I get asked ridiculously foolish questions.  The questions are not foolish in and of themselves, but the justifications in asking the questions make it foolish. 

To ask a questions for the purpose of finding fault, a justification, or excuse as to why it should not be applied to you is foolish.  The Lord knows the truth.  You cannot hide from Him, and you will not escape His judgements.  The scriptures teach the bottom line, and this attitude of "Nothing really matters, because Christ already suffered for us." is false.  We must progress.  The grace of Christ is offered to those who repent, not to those who justify themselves.  Mercy cannot rob justice.  This lesson must be learned, and if it is not learned here, it will be learned when it is too late. 

I am always happy to answer questions, but if you ask me a question designed to bring out an argument or justification, you will find that I will side with the scriptures every time. 

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The Healing Of A Tormented Soul!

 14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,

 15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatic, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

 16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

 17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.

 18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

 19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Recently, I visited with a lady who was tormented by an evil spirit.  She had been taught polluted doctrines since she was born, and being raised in a very controlling and oppressive religion, she had sunk into a deep depression.  People could see and commented on the darkness that she brought with her wherever she went.  I heard someone comment that they did not want anything to do with the tormented woman because of the darkness that accompanied her.  Yet, in great mercy, the Lord sought after His daughter, and I was asked to administer to her.

Following the promptings of the Holy Spirit, the first task was to remove her to a safe and quiet environment.  An environment where she would not be judged and where she could interact openly without fear.  An environment full of faith, and without doubts and fears of onlookers.  She wanted help so much, and willingly accepted the invitation for a blessing.  As we went for a walk, her first reaction was to lash out.  It was not from her heart, but from the evil spirit that was hovering over her. I took the abuse, knowing it was not from her heart that she spoke. 

I watched as the Spirit of the Lord taught her.  She was so thirsty for the truth.  She cast out her false beliefs and accepted the truth with an open heart.  I watched as the Holy Spirit led her out of darkness and into the light.  She so readily accepted the truth, and sought for more.  Because she could cast out her unbelief and so willingly entirely accept the truth taught her, the evil spirit had no more hold on her.  It hovered above her but could no longer have any influence on her.  It was at that time I reached forth and took her by the hand, spoke the words of the Spirit, and watched as the Lord banished that evil spirit and freed her.

Immediately, her countenance shone!  As we walked back into the living room, where her family was waiting, her mother stood and hesitated for only a moment, then ran to her daughter and embraced her.  All could see this precious soul had been freed and now shone with light.  The comments were of astonishment that this was the same woman.  

The Lord is still hard at work, and still performs miracles today.  Seek after the Lord.  He is right here waiting for you. 

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Priests In White

About a year and a half ago, I received instructions to seek out those Priests in White.  A task which I have been struggling to accomplish, with, what seems to be, very little results.  I have found a few of those true Priests in White, but there is so much pride among them.  No wonder the scripture says, 'hurt not the earth until we have sealed the servants of God in their foreheads.'  This will take time. 

The Priests in White are those who are the Lord's servants, those who hear His voice.  Some have seen Him face to face, some are still waiting for that pivitol moment.  But either way, these are the folks for which the earth is spared. 

The problem is, most of them are so full of pride that the Lord has talked to them, that they do not want to unite and work together.  This, of course, will be to their detriment.  It is the very few Priests in White who were united that formed the nucleus that allowed for the transformation of the earth, that allowed for the Saviour to come in His full glory. 

Do not let pride get in your way.  Humble yourselves and unite in humility and work together for the betterment of your Saviour, and His kingdom. 

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Free Yourself

Following the scriptures with a pure heart will get a person filled with the Holy Ghost.  The Holy Ghost will inspire a person to apply the scriptures in their unique circumstance. Following the Holy Ghost will get a person into the presence of the Saviour. The Saviour will give further instructions, which when applied will lead a person into the presence of the Father.  The Father will provide instructions, which when applied, He will introduce the person to the Fathers.  The Fathers will continue to teach, etc, etc, etc. 

If you have not been introduced to the Fathers, then you have not been following the counsel of the Father.  If you have not been introduced to the Father, you have slighted the lessons taught you from the Saviours own lips.  If you have not been introduced in person to the Saviour, you are not following the instructions of the Holy Ghost. If you are not filled with the Holy Ghost you are definitely not following the scriptures.

Do not wrest the scriptures. Do not make excuses, or justify what the scriptures mean or why you are able to not follow them, or you damn yourself.

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Drunkards Of Ephriam

There is a movement that seems to be taking off with speed.  It is the justification of not following the advice of the Word of Wisdom, so much so that some are using Sacrament scriptures to justify excessive drinking, especially of the Sacramental wine. 

 8 And it came to pass that when he said these words, he commanded his disciples that they should take of the wine of the cup and drink of it, and that they should also give unto the multitude that they might drink of it.

 9 And it came to pass that they did so, and did drink of it and were filled; and they gave unto the multitude, and they did drink, and they were filled. 

Being filled does not mean filled with bread and wine, but filled with the Holy Spirit. Then when filled, administer to others. So, how much it takes to be filled with the Holy Spirit is subjective, not to mention that the officiator must have true power in the priesthood to actually receive the full promise of the ordinance.  Then, once filled, stop and administer to others. 

This also introduces the concept that one must first gain the approval and authority from Heaven in order for the ordinance to have efficacy, so that those who partake can be cleansed and filled with the Holy Ghost. 

Those who administer should partake first, be filled with the Holy Spirit first, then when they are pure, administer to others. They do not partake first for any status reason, for they are to be the servants of servants, but to be cleansed first before administering to others, that they may perform their duties in righteousness.  If they partake first for any status reason, they are impure, they will not have the Holy Spirit, and cannot administer in righteousness.  They are to "wash their hands first", not because they are special, but because they don't want to contaminate the bread and wine that they serve to their children, they don't want to contaminate the souls of those to whom they administer. 

Turn to the Lord.  Perform His ordinances the way He says, and that which He promises will be given immediately according to His word. 

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We Must Accept The Truth

The wicked take the truth to be hard and won't accept it.  They argue with it, get angry with it, fight against it. 

The truth is that Jesus commanded us to be perfect.  Nephi said that the Lord gives no command unless He has also prepared a way to accomplish the thing which He commands.  So then, there is a way to be perfect.  So why argue about it.  Why not put into practice the entire gospel that Jesus taught; to repent, lay down our old life, and rise to a new life in Him; to get better; to keep progressing. 

I have had my challenges.  I grew up in a redneck home, subjected to abuse, and was taught all kinds of nasty things.  I fought very hard to get those things out of me.  And you know what?  There are still lots of left over challenges and ongoing consequences from those years.  I am not perfect; but I will not ever preach that there is no need to be!  I will never say something so anti-Christ like: "Nobody is perfect, and nobody can be, and God doesn't expect us to be." 

I say this is anti-Christ because it is exactly opposite to what Christ taught. 

I am not perfect, but I keep striving to get a little better every day.  And so many times I have failed.  But Jesus is there for me, and for you.  Don't settle for mediocrity in your morals just because you are not perfect.  Keep striving.  Keep progressing.  So what if it would take several lifetimes!  Keep progressing anyway.  It is not how perfect you have become that gains us entry into Christ's kingdom, but it is which direction we are consistently going.  Stand for Christ and preach what Christ taught, even if you are not perfect at it yourselves! 

Do not get upset or angry just because we are expected to keep all the commandments? 

I am not perfect, but I am not going to lie and say that we are not supposed to do what Christ taught.  But we must be constantly striving for it. 

I have made a lot of big mistakes in my life, and Heavenly Father knows this, yet because of the importuning of His son, Jesus Christ, He has forgiven me and let me come into His presence.  Does this mean that I have accomplished everything that I could of, had I not done those wicked things that I did?  No!  Yes, I have been forgiven, and by His grace have I progressed (I still have a long, long way to go!), but I will never have what I could have had, had I not done those things in the first place.  But there is hope.  There is always hope.  A person can repent, truly repent, and seek for the grace of Christ.  His grace is sufficient for all those who repent and humble themselves before him.  His grace is offered to all the penitent.  He loves all of His children, and wants them all to come home. 

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