Do We Know Christ, Or Do We Just Know About Christ?

Do we know Jesus Christ?  I am not saying know about him, but do we know our Savior?  How can we really know our Savior?

Faith, Works, and Grace

Faith, Works, and Grace.  This is a topic that is often misunderstood.  I would like to clarify what we must have in order to be "saved."  What I have come to know to be true is that we need all 3.  Without them all, God's plan would be frustrated. 

Why Baptism?

How can we live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?  What must we do to return to Heaven?  What step must we take?  Romans 6 tells us what we must do to be with Christ:

 6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

 7For he that is dead is freed from sin.

 8Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

 9Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

 10For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

 11Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul teaches us that our old man must die.  We must die with Christ and then we will be raised with Christ also.  So how is this done?

The Enemy Inside Of Us

There is a destructive force very active in the world.  One that is the cause of so much heartache, chaos, and fear.  It is a force that we all have to deal with daily.  Found at its very core is the devil.  The force is anger!  The Savior put it best when He said, "For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another."(3 Nephi 11: 29)  So if it is so prevalent and powerful, how can we overcome?

What's In Your Garden?

How do we get what we want?  Is there a sure way to get good in return?  What must we do to be happy?  These are some big questions, especially in a world that may feel like nothing is certain.  Today I would like to write a little about a few things we can do that will certainly wield rewards we can count on.  I have been reading the New Testament.  The other morning in my studies, I came across a few verses of scripture in Galatians chapter six.  It is simple, but has such a powerful message.  Verses 7-9 read,

"7Be not decieved; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

 8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

 9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

How Do We Avoid Sin?

Nehemiah, in the Old Testimate, started a large task.  He recieved permission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.  He, and those helping him, worked hard.  They were focused on their work; they knew what they wanted to accomplish.  There were other people who didn't like that they were rebuilding the wall.  They sent messangers to Nehemiah"saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono."(see Nehemiah 6: 2)  Nehemiah recognized that "they thought to do me mischief."(see Nehemiah 6: 2)  He sent a reply back to them.  Nehemiah 6: 3 reads: "And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?"  He did this with all 4 of their attempts.  Nehemiah was firm in his decision; the wall was finished in just 52 days!

Are we Alone?

How can we face challenges?  How can we find peace in a world of war?  How can we rise above addictions that have a strong grip?  How can we live when all seems lost?  How is it possible?  Perhaps it isn't on our own.  To be honest, we can't on our own.  Then how is it done?

Elisha, a Prophet in the Old Testament, had a very big obstacle to face.  It was a army of soldiers, horses, and chariots.  He was surrounded, outnumbered, and yet, not afraid.  What did Elisha know, when facing a Syrian army, that we need to know?