Category: Christian

What Has Jesus Done?

At church last week, the teacher posed the question:

What has Jesus done for the world?

The answers came (I also added a few to the list):

-He created this beautiful earth for us so we could come and learn in this school called mortal life.
-Knowing we would make mistakes, He came to earth to pay the price for all the sins that would ever be committed while on the earth.

-He took on our pains and sufferings from sickness and sadness.
-He made it possible for families to be together forever. Our families can be sealed together for eternity.
-He made it so children are not accountable until they can understand for themselves.
-He made it so death is not the end. Our spirits and bodies will be reunited for the rest of eternity through Him.
-He sent us the gift of the Holy Ghost to be with us. The Spirit can be our constant companion.
-He leads and guides a Prophet on the earth today.
-He lived His life as an example for us all to follow.
-He loved us and continues to love us no matter what.
-He gave us everything.
(This list is in no way exhaustive.)

Then they asked the question:

What has Jesus done for you?

What has Jesus done for me?

Besides all the things listed above,
-He makes it possible for me to grow and change.
-He enables me to be the best person I can be.
-He blesses me with things that I need.
-He blessed me with a wonderful family who I get to take care of and who helps to take care of me.
-He gave me a wonderful husband who supports me and encourages me to be better.
-I can have the Holy Ghost to guide and comfort me because of Him.
-He makes it possible to and allows me to work with Him. I get to create things. I have opportunities to have a hand in the work of God.

There have been times in my life where I knew I was working in harmony with the Lord. I could feel the Holy Spirit with me. I could feel others being touched by the same Spirit. We were one in purpose and oh the joy, peace, excitement, and love that I felt in those moments. I want to do that again and again. That is true joy, pure joy. Working hand in hand with the Lord to do His work: I want to keep being a part of that! Isn’t it amazing we get to help?

As the hymn “I Stand All Amazed” says,
“Oh it is wonderful that He should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me”

So I ask you this, what has Jesus done for you?

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All Things Denote There is a God

I love those days where the sky is an exceptional shade of blue and it stretches completely from horizon to horizon with big, puffy clouds hung throughout the vast expanse. Ya. That view always brings happiness to my heart. I feel such awe at the beauty of it all. 

When I was a teenager, I was able to go on a religious girls’ campout for a week. It was a wonderful experience for me. We studied scriptures every day, we had many devotionals and activities that invited us to think a bit deeper about the gospel of Jesus Christ. I felt the Holy Ghost stronger there than I had ever felt it before. Being out in nature, in the mountains, and away from other distractions helped me feel closer to God. I would look up and see the clouds, almost like a connection to heaven. From then on, clouds have been uplifting to me, reminding me that I have a Father in Heaven and that He loves me. During hard times since then, I have had that reminder with me. I can go out and look at the clouds and remember that Jesus lives and loves me. 

In the Book of Mormon, Alma 30:44 it says “The scriptures are laid before thee, yea and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.” I really feel this. When I see the leaves change colors, when I think of all the different animals on the earth, when I see how our bodies can work and heal themselves, when I see the white wispy clouds floating above, I think “Wow! God is real!“

In the Bible, the children of Israel were guided away from Egypt by pillar of cloud by day. The Lord was in the cloud, leading them through the wilderness (Exodus 13:21). Perhaps there is something symbolic in clouds then. Exodus 40:34-38 talks of the cloud covering the tabernacle by day signifying they were supposed to remain where they were and move the tabernacle only if the cloud was taken up from it. Again, the Lord is guiding His people through clouds.

Is there something in the many creations of God that specifically make you feel closer to Him? Maybe it’s something in nature or knowledge given or another thing entirely. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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