Faith = to hope for things not seen which are true. Spiritual truth requires spiritual understanding. Imagine trying to prove French is meaningless because you only speak English. No one trying to disprove your faith will ever tell you to ask God or believe your prayers.
They’ll convince you to use English to prove French—to use physical means to prove spiritual realities. You might convince some people. But no soul will convert within from something you said about the world outside of them. Scholars speak brain. The Holy Ghost speaks spirit.
In times as blinding as these, when no one takes God at his word nor acknowledges heaven as a valid source, we must immerse ourselves in the language of the spirit. Satan has his tricks, but even his most persuasive dogmas are but gibberish before the power of the Holy Ghost.
“Ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.” (Mor. 10)
“By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. And ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost; deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men, the same today and tomorrow, and forever.” (Mor. 10)
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Noah, The Brother of Jared, & Nephi were prophets from different eras. God told them to to build vessels for a perilous journey. The blueprints were of curious workmanship unknown to man. But their boats were not the same. Their journeys & their purposes were not identical.
The Lord knew their respective needs, & he knew that the instructions they needed did not yet exist on earth. They endured doubt & scorn from others, yet they obeyed exactly. They had ears to hear the Lord & arms prepared to do the work.
We too need specific instructions not fully available on earth. We have a prophet who listens, obeys, & instructs. We have ordinances, Priesthood, tools, & a mandate to call upon God for personal revelation. The Church is a ship of curious workmanship. Our personal ships are too.
“Are you mourning over your own weakness? Take courage, for there must be a consciousness of weakness before the Lord will give thee victory. Your emptiness is but the preparation for your being filled, and your casting down is but the making ready for your lifting up.” #Spurgeon
Satan would have you believe that your feelings of weakness are a sign of impending failure. But weakness means you’re ready. Feeling empty? Good, now there’s room for him to fill you, because you’re no longer full of yourself.
Weak? Now he can show you the miracle of his matchless strength to preserve you. Tell your ego to step aside & let him do his work. Vulnerable? Good, now that your cankering pride is out of the way, he can prove the unbreakable steel of his ways, the immutable power of his truth.
“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Tim 4:12
Youth of the Church, this message is for you...
It’s been a volatile day in U.S. history. Some people you esteem as mentors, leaders, examples of the believers, are reacting strongly on social media. They’re scared & angry. They’re provoked. Some of them aren’t thinking about how their reactions are affecting others.
Do not despair. This is a test—as test for them & for you. Stay out of the mud. Be an example of the believers. The Lord is in charge. His love will not fail you. If your role models have buckled under the pressure, plant your feet in a holy place & be a role model for others.
“Let him begin by treating the Patriotism or Pacifism as a part of his religion. Then let him, under the influence of partisan spirit, come to regard it as the most important part... then merely part of the ‘Cause,’ valued chiefly bc of the arguments it can produce...” #CSLewis
This quote is the demon Screwtape instructing his apprentice Wormwood on how to convince a man to vaunt political inclinations above God & make them his idol. Moral societal matters are important—but only insomuch as they make man moral. Heed what (and who) you worship.
“We may give our human loves the unconditional allegiance we owe only to God. Then they become gods: then they become demons. Then they will destroy us, & also themselves. Natural loves allowed to become gods do not remain loves... but become complicated forms of hatred.” CSL
There are sirens among us singing men toward rocky hazards to their doom. There are poets charming the masses into dangerous paths. There are warmongers & power seekers persuading people off the strait path to the slaughter. Now is no time for good men to hide.
If you sing, sing the glory of God to guide your neighbor to His throne. If you write, write truth so bright & profound that no man can doubt nor disturb it. If you lead, plant your feet in higher, holier places and loudly declare the way to peace & safety.
Do not be provoked into the paltry matters of humans struggling for power, riches, or worthless earthly relevance. Their ways are not God’s ways. Christ came to save. Stand with him. Lift hands that hang down. Clear the fog with his light within you. Reach out, but do not let go.
“The Word of God can take care of itself, & will do so if we preach it, & cease defending it. See you that lion. They have caged him for his preservation; shut him up behind iron bars to secure him from his foes! ...” #Spurgeon
“See how a band of armed men have gathered together to protect the lion. What a clatter they make with their swords and spears! These mighty men are intent upon defending a lion. Oh fools, & slow of heart! ... ” #Spurgeon
“Open that door! Let the lord of the forest come forth free. Who will dare to encounter him? What does he want with your guardian care? Let the pure gospel go forth in all its lion-like majesty, & it will soon clear its own way, ease itself of its adversaries.” #Spurgeon