Spiritually-Minded

In Act 17 Paul and Silas are teaching a group of Jews in a synagogue and they immediately accept the gospel, “…they received the word with a readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily.”

It’s probably safe to say that they were spiritually-minded.

In 2 Nephi 9:39 we learn “…to be spiritually minded is life eternal.”   In Romans 8:6 tells us the blessing we receive if we are spiritually minded, “…But to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”  Who doesn’t want the peace of God?

What does it mean to be spiritually minded? I personally think that it’s doing at least one thing every day to draw the spirit into our lives.  The ideal is to take time every day to study and ponder the scriptures, but in reality, we are busy moms with jobs and there isn’t always time to study and ponder as we would like to.  But we can always do something to bring the spirit into our day. We can listen to a chapter of scripture, we can listen to a general conference talk, we can listen to an uplifting song, we can read spiritual quotes. We Just need to do something every day that turns our mind and heart to Heavenly Father.

I read an article by a pastor Brian Hedges he also thought that praying to have the spirit to be with us throughout the day would help us to be more spiritually minded and also praying to God throughout the day and inviting Him into your daily life helps with being spiritually-minded.

I pondered that, I would have to agree, I am more spiritually-minded when I am praying throughout the day wither it’s to ask for help or for guidance. But when I am praying throughout the day I am for focused on His will and not my will.

I hope that in your busy life that you will find time to turn your heart to god by doing one thing that will spiritually uplift you, and then ask for the companionship of the Holy Ghost and pray to Heavenly Father often so that you can the peace of God as promised in Romans 8:6.

Have a delightful day,

Charissa

Like Peter and John of the New Testament

From Come Follow Me Lesson July1-7

What impresses you about the faithfulness of Peter and John?

 How can we be bold in our testimony of Jesus Christ?

This week’s reading assignment was Acts 1-5.  What impressed me most was the faithfulness of Peter and John and their boldness.

Peter and John were great apostles and followers of Christ but may have not had much boldness in the beginning.  But we see that after Peter and John receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost their desire to share the gospel can’t be stopped and they become bolder in sharing the gospel.

Act 4:13

13  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Sometimes as moms we feel that we might be unlearned and ignorant when it comes to the knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  But as we study the gospel and learn the teachings of Jesus Christ with the help of Spirit our knowledge grows as well as our testimonies. We may not be able to physically sit at the feet of the Savoir and learn from Him like Peter and John but we can learn of Him and His teachings as we study the New Testament.

The greatest teaching we will ever do is in our own homes.  I have really struggled with teaching my children with boldness like Peter and John.  I worry too much what their reaction will be to what I have to say.  I came across this great talk this week “Courageous Parenting” Oct 2010 conference.  Here are a couple of quotes that I really liked-

“In these last days, what the world really needs is courageous parenting from mothers and fathers who are not afraid to speak up and take a stand. –Larry R Lawrence

Elder Robert D Hales has observed, “Sometimes we are afraid of our children-afraid to counsel with them for fear of offending them.” 

This is exactly how I feel.  My goal is to work on parenting with boldness and use Peter and John as my examples.

Acts 5:15-16

15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

As Peter grows in testimony and boldness, he also grows in compassion and carries on the work of the Savoir and heals the sick just like the Savoir. 

As moms, we have healing powers too.  I think that we forget that because we don’t see ourselves as very significant.  But think back to your mom or a mother figure to you, didn’t her kind words give you strength and encouragement, her love gives you hope, and her hugs heal your wounds.  We have that same ability for our children.  We help heal our children as we stay close to the Holy Ghost to know how to succor them in their time of need like Peter and John.

Acts 5:42

42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

This is my final goal, that I will not cease to teach and preach of Christ.  One of my favorite scriptures is 2 Nephi 25:26 “And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.”

I know that our children may not always choose to follow the teachings we have taught them.  But I do believe that they will always look to our example. I feel that if we keep our faith I have the hope that someday they will remember those things that we have taught them and practice their faith.

Have a delightful week, Love you

Love Charissa