What follows are excerpts from the daily devotions published at Apologia of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints concerning the new Come Follow Me 2022 - Old Testament Study. These were published between January 1 to January 7. You are encouraged to go read, comment on these devotionals and share them from the original website to your social media outlets.
Along with these devotionals, there are also links to the 40-day Challenge based on Exodus 14:13-15 where we are called to go forward into the New Year with Faith and Purpose in God. Again, comment over at the post, share them with others through your social media outlets.
Devotionals
JANUARY 1, 2022: SEEK AFTER PURE REVELATION:
Seeking after personal and divine revelation is our way of searching the horizon for God's divine wisdom, counsel, and safe passage. It is our pillar of cloud by day and our pillar of fire by night (See, Exodus 13:21-22). It never departs from us and is a constant reminder that our Heavenly Father is always with us - never forsaking us
Trust begins with understanding who we are in relationship to others. In our relationship with our Heavenly Father, we come to know the absolute reality of our own divine nature and heritage. We are created in the image and likeness of our Heavenly Father (see Genesis 1:26-27). As we come to understand our divine heritage, the Holy Spirit works in and through us to become more like Christ. Our trust in God also includes understanding that we are in the similitude and likeness of His only Begotten Son - Jesus Christ (See Moses 1:6). And there is a real, deep, personal connection with God when we come to understand our divine heritage.
Our purpose in this life is to grow, gain experience, knowledge, understanding, and to face those trials that help mold and shape us. Scripture teaches that when we come unto Christ and follow Him, we will become like Christ. It is through the plan of salvation that we experience a "fullness of Joy" and not the joy the world gives unto us (see, John 15:11). It is the joy of peace in our lives when we endure and overcome as Christ has endured and overcame (see Hebrews 12:2). And our purpose is to cultivate a rich, deep, and meaningful fellowship with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. For Christ said that the purpose of eternal life is to know God and Jesus whom the Father had sent (see, John 17:3)
JANUAR 4, 2022: OUR DIVINE DESTINY
Much like the Israelites, we are wandering in the wilderness and desert of life. Seeking freedom from those things that have us bound. Sin enslaves us, pressing upon us, and the more we resist, the weaker we seemed to become. Our Heavenly Father sent His Only Begotten Son to free us from the snares of sin and death. The Apostle Paul writes to the Romans wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin so also does life come from the infinite atonement of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:12-19).
JANUARY 5, 2022: "WORSHIP THE LORD THY GOD"
Today, our religious worship requires something more. It requires our sincere reverence and gratitude. It is a sacrifice of our own self and will. Such sacrifice comes when we call upon God, through Jesus Christ on a daily basis. It is a sacrifice of our own self and will. Such sacrifice comes when we call upon God, through Jesus Christ on a daily basis. How do we face temptation? Call upon the name of God and seek His righteousness. How do we overcome doubt? Call upon God to reveal unto us our divine heritage, purpose in this life, and remind us of our divine destiny.
JANUARY 6, 2022: "THIS IS MY WORK AND MY GLORY"
It is through our humility and submission to our Heavenly Father where he will bless and use us for his holy purposes. Even our circumstances will be used for His good will and purpose (See, Romans 8:28). Even the Apostle Paul reflected that his own personal sufferings are insignificant compared to the glory that will be revealed unto each one of us (See, Romans 8:18). In another epistle, he reflects and teaches us that we will be strengthened, restored, and established (See, 1 Peter 5:10). All that our Heavenly Father asks us to do is to seek Him daily. To take up our cross and follow the Savior (See, Luke 9:23) every day.
Through Jesus Christ, modern day revelation, and scriptural truth – we learn that Christ was chosen to fulfill God’s purpose. And it is through Christ we are given instructions on how-to walk-in humility and obedience to the principal truths of the Gospel. This moral agency provides us an opportunity to choose for ourselves whether we are or are not willing and committed to coming unto Christ and following Him. It is the invitation that each one of us is invited to take seriously. Are we willing to be baptized in the baptism of Christ? Are we willing to drink from the cup the Savior drank from? (Matthew 20:20-23; Mark 10:35-45). Are we willing to say, “Here I am, send me” to minister and bring hope and salvation to others suffering and struggling in this life?
40-DAY CHALLENGE
Knowing we are created with a divine purpose gives us pause to consider our understanding of who we are. Gives us pause to consider the reason we are here and experiencing this life. And gives us pause to consider our destiny. Our Heavenly Father knows each and every one of us intimately. Yet, many today attempt to convince themselves, whereby they also attempt to convince others, that this life is mere happenstance. Life is random. That the only means by which a person is able to define their own sense of purpose is from within themselves. To them, they deny their Father in Heaven. They deny their own divine purpose and only seek to find themselves in this life.
DAY THREE - FAITH IS WHAT DRIVES YOUR LIFE
Faith is the driving factor to us going forward into this new year with purpose and meaning. The Apostle Paul taught that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). And in Alma 32:21 we read that …faith is not to have perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen which are true.
What is this eternal perspective? It is understanding that we have a divine origin and heritage (Abraham 3:22-23). We also come to know and understand that our mortal life has more significant meaning and purpose because of our Heavenly Father’s desire and purpose. Furthermore, as we consider the eternal perspective – we stand in agreement with the apostle Paul when he says that he has fought the good fight, I have finished my course, and I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing (2 Timothy 4:7-9).
This life is a test where we have an opportunity to grow and progress in faith. This comes when we have a right vision of who we are and where we are heading. It is founded upon who Jesus Christ is, our willingness to follow him, to serve him, and to believe in what he taught and how he ministered. As we grow in faith, we are strengthened and blessed.
Our call to go forward with faith and purpose in the new year is meant for us to examine ourselves and determine whether or not we truly place full confidence in who Christ is, in the teachings of the pure doctrines of Christ, and trust in those personal revelations he has given us. Trust in Christ means we go forward with faith, despite any doubts we may have. Despite our perceived inadequacies. For if we go forward in faith, with purpose, we are blessed to accomplish those things we are called to accomplish. For if we go forward in faith, with purpose, we are able to do the things our Heavenly Father has commanded us to do.
No comments:
Post a Comment