Sufferings of Christ

Matthew 26:45-50—Judas betrayed him

Matthew 26:67-78-- Spit on, abused, and betrayed by his friends

Matthew 27:26; institute manual, “Derision and Scourging” (184)—clothing was taken

Tied and whipped

Put him in a red robe and crown of thorns

Matthew 27:28—took his clothes

Matthew 27:29-30—Mocked him by dressing him as a “king” with things that weren’t king-like

Matthew 27:31—Put him in dirty clothes for the crucifixion

Matthew 27:35—Gambled for his clothing

Christ has endured so much. Because of that, Christ is able to know exactly how we feel at any time in our lives. He really can be a comforter because he knows exactly what we are going through. Sometimes if we think that no one can understand how we feel, we have to take a step back and realize that we always have someone we can depend on.

Instructions about the Holy Ghost

The Savior’s Instructions about the Holy Ghost

In these scriptures, I will pick out two things: what the Holy Ghost does and what disciples must do to receive the Holy Ghost.

John 14:15-17 The Holy Ghost comforts. In order to receive the Holy Ghost, one must keep the commandments and love Christ.

John 14:26-27 The Holy Ghost brings things to remembrance and teaches. He guides. In order to receive the Holy Ghost, we must listen.

John 15:26-27 The Holy Ghost testifies of Christ. In order to receive the Holy Ghost, we have to do all we can and then ask if it is true.

John 16:7-8 The Holy Ghost is the comforter and reproves the world of sin. We must be righteous in order to receive him.

John 16:13-14 The Holy Ghost guides and shows what is to come. The Holy Ghost glorifies the Lord.

I think that children building a testimony of the Holy Ghost are extremely important because getting that testimony built that young is beneficial. I remember being really young when my mother taught me about prayer and the Holy Ghost. I gained a testimony of prayer early because one day as I was playing in the back yard, I lost my favorite bracelet. I immediately thought that I should pray so I could find it, so I did. I remember the thought popping into my head that I should look over by a certain tree and sure enough, there was my bracelet. It was simple, but it really confirmed to me that the Gospel is true.

John 13:1-17, Luke 22:24-30, Mark 10:43-45 The Savior Taught the Apostles About Leadership

Christ taught about righteous leadership. How do leaders in the Church differ from leaders of the world?

John 13:1-17 In this scripture, Christ taught that leaders should be righteous examples. They should emulate exactly how the people should act. They can’t be hypocrites or else they aren’t being righteous examples. He also taught that leaders need to serve those whom they preside.

Luke 22:24-30 In this one, Christ teaches that those who are the greatest should be like those who are younger. They should serve. So leaders who serve are great leaders.

Mark 10:43-45 This basically repeats the others.

The leaders of the world don’t take into account the teachings of Christ before they make decisions. Some of them are good, but some of them aren’t. I think for the most part, Church leaders try to emulate Christ’s teachings as much as possible.

I have had many leaders at Church in my time, and most of them have been really great. I believe they followed Christ’s example. I am so grateful for them and hopefully if I ever get called as a leader, I can be like them.

Mark 13, Luke 21:5-38, Joseph Smith—Matthew: Preparing for the Savior’s Second Coming

This scripture block is all about the second coming of Christ. No one knows when it is (except God and Christ) so we have to prepare!

First I will look at these scriptures: Mark 13:5, 9, 23, 33, 35, 37

Almost all of these verses start with “take heed” and “watch.” This is the Lord warning us of the signs. He gives us signs so we can better prepare for the second coming. In these verses, Christ tells us not to let any man decieve us, that members will be persecuted, that there will be false prophets, and that we don’t know when He will come. The final verse says, “And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”

These are some other scriptures that talk about the second coming:

Doctrine and Covenants 87:8 “Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen.” So what are “holy places?” I think they are anywhere the Spirit is. The Spirit cannot dwell in an unholy place.

Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:32 “And again shall the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, be fulfilled.”

Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:37 This scripture talks about how we need to treasure the word of God. If we do that, we will not be decieved because all His instruction and guidance is in His word.

Joseph Smith—Matthew 1: 46-50 To sum up this scripture: If we are watchful and prepared at the second coming, we will be made rulers.

Doctrine and Covenants 33:17 This scripture is about the parable of the ten virgins. The Lord tells us not to let our oil lamps dry out and to be ever prayerful and watchful.

Doctrine and Covenants 45:56-57 This is also about the ten virgins. It says we need to receive the truth and be wise. We need to have the Holy Spirit as our guide.

TCIT!

Mark 12:41-44 The Widow's Mite

Most of us have heard the story of the widow's mites. It is one of my all time favorite stories in the scriptures. This is the story I would like to explore today. Read Mark 12:41-44 to get the story.

When paying tithes, the rich were casting in a bunch of money, but the poor widow only cast in two mites. Christ said that she had cast in more than the rich because she gave everything she had. In the New Testament manual I use for my class it says, "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." So entries in heaven aren't based on how much you give, but why you give it and how much you are able to give. The widow was loving the Lord with all her heart, and she knew what mattered most. Mark 12:30 says, " And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment." She was following the commandments precisely.

The widow didn't have much to give, but she gave it all. This shows what she is willing to sacrifice for the Lord. The manual also says, "On the books of the heavenly accountants that widow's contribution was entered as a munificent gift, surpassing in worth the largess of kings."

Sometimes I don't feel as if I am dedicating my whole life to Christ. Here are some things I will work on. I will keep reading my scriptures. Sometimes I skip nights because I am tired, but I will tithe my time so I can read the Lord's instructions. I will follow those instructions as well. Liken the scriptures unto myself so I can reap those wonderful benefits of living righteously.

Being a Disciple of Jesus Christ

This scripture block includes Luke 10:38-42, 11:1-13, 12:13-40, 13:23-24, 14:16-33.

What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ?

I think that being a disciple of Christ means putting Him first in everything you do. He is the first priority in your life. That is what Mary did (Luke 10:38-42) when Christ was speaking with her and Martha. The bible dictionary says a disciple is "A pupil or learner; a name used to denote the twelve, also called apostles, all followers of Jesus Christ. We also read of disciples of John the Baptist and of the Pharisees (Mark 2: 18)." A disciple must be a constant learner, and must always have his or her mind and heart open to Christ. A disciple also follows the commandments.

Since we all should want to be disciples of Christ, I am going to choose a disciple characteristic I can apply more in my life. I can work on putting Christ first on my list of priorities. Sometimes I get so caught up in the world and with everything I am doing that I forget who made my life possible and who gave me everything I have.

Luke 14:33 says, "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." So if you aren't willing to give up everything you have for Christ, then you aren't being a disciple. You must be willing to sacrifice everything and give your whole soul unto Christ. But this makes sense, since we are eternally indebted to him because he sacrificed his life so we could have salvation.

Matthew 17:14-21 The Savior Healed a Young Man

Hello again. This time I am posting on my blog extra early because I am going to be really busy the next couple of weeks.

This scripture block is about a man who was healed by Christ after Christ’s disciples weren’t able to heal him. After he heals the man, Christ tells the disciples why they couldn’t. He said they didn’t have enough faith, and they didn’t fast or pray.

3 Nephi 18:20 “And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.” This proves that prayer is essential if a miracle is to occur.

Doctrine and Covenants 50:29 “And if ye are purified and cleansed from all sin, ye shall ask whatsoever you will in the name of Jesus and it shall be done.” This teaches that in order for a miracle to happen you have to be pure and cleansed from sin. It also says that prayer plays a key role.

Doctrine and Covenants 42:48 “And again, it shall come to pass that he that hath faith in me to be healed, and is not appointed unto death, shall be healed.” And here we see that faith is also a key role. If we don’t have faith, it won’t happen.

So in summary, the three things we need to have in order for a miracle to occur are faith, prayer, and fasting.