How to Prepare for Your Future by Russell Nelson

In a continuation of yesterday's post, I'd like to share another article from the 2000 StrongVoice Newsletter.

How to Prepare for Your Future By: Russell Nelson    Let me offer my vision of you and your future. You enter a world caught in a steep slippery slide of diminishing moral values. Against that backdrop, your character and integrity will let you stand out and shine like a lighthouse. You, your families, and your homes will become beacons of hope in a darkened world. Your faith and optimism will make you leaders in your communities, in your countries, and in the kingdom of God on earth.   It will be your privilege to proclaim the gospel to the world. You will place a high priority on those two great commandments: to love God with all your heart, and to love your neighbor as yourself (see Matthew 22:37–39). You will continue to learn and build in yourselves an ever-increasing capacity to serve others. As you do so, you will find that your own lives have been enlarged and enriched. When you serve your fellow men and women, you serve God and help to establish His Church in those lands where you live.   You will be examples to all with whom you associate—examples of forbearance, of integrity, of controlling your tempers, appetites, and emotions, as you honor your commitment to Christ.   As you adhere to the standards of the Church, you will be in great demand. And you will find true joy in total obedience to God’s laws. While some others choose which commandments they will keep, you know the fallacy and danger of this approach. It will only lead to misery. You will gain protection and spiritual strength in complete obedience. After all, he or she who does not stand for something will likely fall for anything.   What will keep you joyful and safe . . . physically and spiritually? Obedience! Obedience to all of God’s commandments will allow the Holy Ghost to be your constant companion. Such obedience will prepare you to be great leaders, great wives and husbands, great mothers and fathers. Such obedience will allow you to become more like the Lord (remember, your goal is immortality and eternal life - that goal is God’s glory.) The Lord’s vision for you as His elect children requires that you be clean, virtuous, and qualified for eternal life.         For more great messages from the 2000 StrongVoice Newsletter, click HERE. Visit http://www.2000strong.us/ for more information on their ministry.

A Great Faith by Fred Greene

I received the 2000 StrongVoice Newsletter yesterday, and was moved and inspired by it's message. I wanted to share part of it with you today.

 A Great Faith

By: Fred Greene

 

"The tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom He hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance." [1 Nephi 1:23]

         

Paul told us that "God has dealt to each one a measure of faith."[Romans 12:3]

        

The first object of our faith... is belief in God and Jesus Christ: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me." [John 14:1], which is followed by belief in their words and works.

 

However.... our Heavenly Father expects us to take that measure of faith He has given to each of us... and nurture it through study, prayer and service... in order for it to become a powerful moving force in our lives... and a witness to the world. Remembering the Parable of the Talents, we know that God expects His gifts to be multiplied. The main purpose of priesthood in the Restoration Movement.... is to feed His Sheep with faith nurturing substance... in order to increase that faith.

 

Thus His Sheep will understand that they cannot rely or follow the arm of flesh... but only the one Shepherd; Jesus Christ. Done properly and completely... by faith, all blessings will occur... and by faith, all things can be accomplished. It has been impressed upon me that the Lord is calling His people to begin building a Great Faith. I believe that the times we live in now - and in the near future - will demand of us a higher level of faith than we possess. An elevated level of faith will enable us to experience blessings in the midst of great tempests, purpose in lieu of fear, and opportunities for service in the midst of human commotion. It will call for us to trust God's will beyond what we have ever experienced before. The Scriptures give this kind of faith a name - it is called a Great Faith... and this is what will be required of us in the foreseeable future.

    

Joseph Smith described this kind of increased faith as having "power,

dominion, and authority over all things." [Lectures on Faith 1:24]... such is a Great Faith. What is a Great Faith? One having "power, dominion, and authority over all things." A Great Faith consists of at least four types of specific faith:

Obedient Faith

Courageous Faith

Trusting Faith

Experienced Faith

 

We need some of each of these types of faith in order to possess a Great Faith... one needed now, and for the future. 

 

 

 

For more great messages from the 2000 StrongVoice Newsletter, click HERE. Visit http://www.2000strong.us/ for more information on their ministry.