From: B S TURNER Owner
The Essentials - December 25, 2020
As we celebrate the birth of the savior this day and recognize that there is hope in this world there are many words of prophetic warnings about the times that we are in and there is also a deafening silence about these things.
But one thing that we have learned this year is that we need to have the essentials.
So far this year that we have learned to stock up on many items that we have taken for granted – I am sure that for the first time the day that you went to the grocery store and witnessed the empty shelves of the very basic items you were seeking your lives were changed . That had to cause you to pause a moment. Maybe there was a moment of panic or fear.
We have been given guidance for years that we should have a surplus of items that we can use in the event that there are shortages. Many have heeded that counsel and many have not. But I am not sure anyone would have seen the need to have a surplus of toilet paper and paper towels!?
Today, many of you have more canned and dry goods along with meat of various kinds in your household… You may have purchased an additional freezer and shelving to handle everything including a surplus of paper goods!
You see there was a physical event that caused this reaction – there was another event that caused a reaction years ago, it was also physical but it had a spiritual impact:
3 Nephi 1: 19-24, 27-28
Yea, in fine, all the people upon the face of the whole earth, from the west to the east, both in the land north and in the land south, were so exceedingly astonished, that they fell to the earth;
For they knew that the prophets had testified of these things for many years, and that the sign which had been given, was already at hand; and they began to fear because of their iniquity and their unbelief.
And it came to pass that there was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was midday.
And it came to pass that the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they knew that it was the day that the Lord should be born, because of the sign which had been given.
And it had come to pass, yea, all things, every whit, according to the words of the prophets.
And it came to pass also, that a new star did appear, according to the word.
And it came to pass that Nephi went forth among the people, and also many others, baptizing unto repentance, in the which, there were a great remission of sins.
And thus the people began again to have peace in the land; and there were no contentions,
The people of the land had been told for years to prepare for that day which was to come – and the sign that would be given as to when the Christ would be born….read the entire chapter and you will see that many did not take this seriously until the very day that these events were taking place. And even then there were many that still did not believe.
God has prepared for us – even Christ tell us that he is going to prepare a place for us…Paul tells us that there is really no human words to describe what is there…
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
What are the essentials that we should have to prepare for the next event? Let’s look to 2 Timothy second chapter for some guidance
16 But shun profane and vain babblings; for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
22 Flee also youthful lusts; but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient;
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
I would say that is a great start to the essentials that we must have as a people…you see if we start there then we will see what else we need to add to our spiritual lives to be ready.
It prepares the way for us to be endowed…which, in my opinion, is really living to the covenant that we have made and God fulfilling his promises to that covenant thus we enjoy the spiritual blessings that are available.
These who have been endowed will be men of extraordinary spiritual sensitivity and perception for, having walked in the high places of heaven-blessed experiences that have brought them endowment, they can never again be content to just drift along out of touch with the Holy Spirit. They will therefore be men of great spiritual power because of their perception of what is the will and wisdom of the Eternal Father. Neither these men, therefore, nor those who work with them will wander around aimlessly, or mistakenly, or fruitlessly, as Israel of old wandered in the desert areas of Sinai, and as the church of the Restoration has tended to wander. (The Endowment)
Having the spiritual essentials allows Christ to say to us…
Mark 10:40 And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on my right hand, and on my left hand, is not mine to give; but they shall receive it for whom it is prepared.
Matthew 25:35 Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
May God Bless you and your families for the balance of this year and next
Brian Turner
No comments:
Post a Comment