Be Bold

When I make mistakes, sometimes it can be hard for me to face God.  I feel bad, guilty, and ashamed.  I know better, and yet, I consistently do stupid things.  It can be difficult for me to speak to Heavenly Father after I have made a mistake, because I don't really feel worthy to.  And perhaps not even worthy of His  forgiveness.  But this Scripture from Hebrews 4:16 really opened my eyes.  

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."  

God knows we are imperfect, but He wants us to come unto Him nonetheless.  We will obtain mercy and grace in time of need when we boldly ask for it.  Blessings of the atonement are there for us when we have the courage and faith to take advantage of them!  

Perhaps I will never be deserving of all the grace and mercy and forgiveness God has given me in my life.  But it is such a tremendous blessing to know that even still, He will help me.  God loves us.  And not on the condition that we are perfect.  He loves us infinitely, and I think that He just might want to help us.  So let's be bold, and ask Him.    

Follow the Prophet

Eastern winds!  Perilous voyages!  Shipwreck!  Deception!  Endangered Lives!  ...What am I babbling on about, you ask?  Just Acts 27.  It's a pretty cool story and all of the above mentioned exclamations are included.  Check it out.  Tell your friends.  

It all started when Paul and company were sailing toward Rome, and they landed in a place called the fair havens.  They were going to continue their voyage, when Paul gave this prophecy and warning:

"Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives" (Acts 27: 10). 

Did the centurion listen to Paul?  Spoiler alert, they didn't.  They listened to the master of the ship instead.  Longish story short, a soft wind blew and they had almost made it when along came a storm.  They had to lighten the ship and endure great tempests.  Paul came out after awhile and told them to be of good cheer, that no man would lose their life.  

But... they still didn't really buy it.  The centurion eventually started to listen to Paul and stayed on the boat.  Paul prophesied that they would lose the ship, but all 200 some people would survive.  When all seemed lost, they cast themselves into the sea and every one of them escaped safe to land, fulfilling Paul's prophecy.  

Paul made 4 prophecies in this chapter and every one of them came to pass.  These men went through a perilous voyage and almost lost their lives.  But they were able to make it through with the help of a prophet of God.  

Sometimes we too have eastern winds blowing at us.  Life is hard.  But God hasn't left us in this tempest alone.  We too are blessed to have a prophet of God here on earth today to guide us through.  This man is Thomas S. Monson.  Sometimes the prophet's direction does not seem likely or logical (Paul's predictions may have been hard to believe), but it is always for our good, and it is always from God.  This chapter teaches me to follow the prophet.  And when I do, I can be of good cheer :)  

if you're having a hard time

My relationship with God is something I hold very close to my heart.  I know that He hears my prayers and that He knows me very individually.  This testimony brings me more comfort and peace than perhaps anything else.  The knowledge that when I feel alone, or sad, or have messed up, that God will always love me and will always be there is powerful.  This week I read Romans chapter 8.  My professor expressed to us that when he is having a hard time, this chapter is something that he always turns to.  And when I read it, it was clear to me why.  Hear is one of my favorite excerpts:

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Romans 8:26).

Wow.  When I am on my knees in prayer, not knowing how to express my thoughts or concerns to the Lord, the Spirit can do it for me.  Heavenly Father knows me and he knows my heart, even when I am unable to find words for Him.  

And another gem:

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).

Beautiful.