“He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.” (John 1:10) In a recent study I had of "Jesus Christ, Creator" from the scripture Topical Guide - this verse made me sad. It was written long ago, biblical times, but this scripture indeed has application today.
As the world continues to fight a pandemic and more and more are becoming ill with the virus, many think Christ is not in the world. Perhaps they are unaware of Him. Many may feel He is not helping in this situation, I would say He is. I see His hand guiding and directing my life. I see Him working in the lives of many of my loved ones and friends. I hear Him giving me guidance and whispering words of comfort and peace. Jesus Christ is “in the world”, evidence of Him is all around. Christ’s creations are beautiful - look around today and notice all that He has made. We can find joy and gratitude for His beautiful creations. Nature is healing. (This reminds me of this recent message from Music and the Spoken Word specifically about that -https://musicandthespokenword.com/spokenwordmessages/just-what-the-doctor-ordered-sunday-november-15-2020/).
“And the world knew him not”. That part of the verse causes me sadness. Jesus Chirst, the Savior of the world, and yet “the world knew him not”. Let me introduce you to my friend, my big brother, my Savior and champion, Jesus Christ. I love Him! I depend on Him! He is my rock and my salvation. Want to know Him too or know Him better? If you are intentional about it, let me tell you some ways that have helped me and might help you:
Pray to your Father in Heaven and ask that His son, Jesus Christ may bless you and give you His power today with the worries, concerns, anger, and challenges you are facing. In praying, ask that you may feel of His love and peace in your life today. Then notice, just notice, His hand in your life. I am grateful for prayer, and that I can pray anytime and anywhere.
Read Christ’s words in the scriptures. He is there. Open up almost anywhere and begin to read, He will show up. He shows up especially in The Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ. A few years ago I marked any reference made of Jeus Christ and he was there on almost every page, multiple times. Amazing! Sometimes after I have prayed or written down my concerns and then opened up my scriptures, I can hear a message just for me from Him. The more I am in the scriptures, the more grateful I am for them.
Look at pictures of Jesus Christ, feel the peace and see the light that can come to your heart. A few new favorite artists that I particularly enjoy are: Eva Koleva Timothy "The Lord is My Light", and Kate Lee.
(You may want to check out this recent news article, which tells more of Eva and her magnificent art.) I am grateful for talented artists that fill my soul with beauty and light.
Read and ponder upon the words of The Living Christ. A testimony of Him by living prophets and apostles. I am grateful for the testimony and witness of truth from others.
See Him lovingly portrayed in these Bible videos or in this new series, The Chosen. If you’ve seen The Chosen, don’t you love it? The Chosen has helped me see Jesus in a new way and has connected me closer to Him. I am grateful for talented people that can act and direct and create such uplifting media.
Listen to a prophet of God who knows Jesus. Isn’t it amazing that there is a living prophet of God upon the earth today who speaks of Christ and speaks to Christ? A few days ago, our prophet had a special message for us. A message of hope and healing. A prescription to make us better. Which is to express our gratitude. I don’t think our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ need our thanks and grateful hearts as much as we need it. As we recognize the blessings and notice where the blessings are coming from, it is healing to our souls and it helps us to “know Him”. A prophet of God speaks words of peace, comfort, and shares what the Lord would have us do in our lives right now to make us feel better. I am grateful for President Nelson.
Hear the many songs and read the lyrics of songs and hymns which express praise to Jesus Christ. Again, many talented artists that help me feel Christ's love, His peace, and know Him better. For which I am grateful for. I am also blessed by Spotify to create playlists and hear such songs quickly and easily.
See and read even more about Jesus Christ at this Come Unto Christ webpage. I am profoundly grateful for my Savior.
We all want this pandemic, the coronavirus to end. Perhaps what will help end the pandemic, to return to “normal living”, for us to again “prosper in the land” - is for us to know Him. Jesus Christ has all power, “all things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made.” (John 1:3.) This verse causes me to have respect, awe, and gratitude for all the things He has created for me and you. Without Him not anything was/is made. We need His guidance, His light and the inspiration He desires to give. I would think scientists and doctors have felt that guidance as they have sought a cure and developed a vaccine. Perhaps some professionals don’t recognize the guidance, but I am certain it has been there because thousands upon thousands of us have prayed and asked for His help to find a cure. And because “without him not anything is made”. I think for the cure to come quicker and for less of us getting the coronavirus, there needs to be more who see Jesus Christ in the world, more believers and followers of Him, and a lot less in the world “who know him not”.
I stated above how I am grateful for prayer and that I sometimes hear the Lord’s voice as I read the scriptures. This past week I had such an experience where the following verses spoke to my soul and I was able to personalize it for me and for you. It is a prayer of the brother of Jared found in the book of Ether 3:2-5 from The Book of Mormon.
2 O Lord, thou hast said that we must be encompassed about by the [coronavirus]. Now behold, O Lord, and do not be angry with thy [people] because of [our] weakness[es] before thee; for we know that thou art holy and dwellest in the heavens, and that we are unworthy before thee; because of the fall our natures have become evil continually; nevertheless, O Lord, thou hast given us a commandment that we must call upon thee, that from thee we may receive according to our desires.
3 Behold, O Lord, thou hast smitten us because of our iniquity, and hast driven us forth, and for these many [months] we have been in [unnormal living conditions]; nevertheless, thou hast been merciful unto us. O Lord, look upon [us] in pity, and turn away thine anger from this thy people, and suffer not that [we] shall [continue to] go forth [among this pandemic lifestyle] across this raging deep in darkness; but behold [the good intentions and efforts of so many of thy children trying and desiring to make things better.]
4 And [we] know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch [our hearts and minds], O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare [us] that [we] may shine forth in [these troubling and sometimes dark times]; and [that Thou shalt continue to] shine forth unto us in [our lives], that we may have [Thy] light while we [endeavor to endure COVID19].
5 Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men. (Ether 3:2-5)
I am hopeful that through gratitude more of us will see Christ in the world, be grateful for this beautiful world and all the other creations and blessings in our life He has made, and that the whole wide world will know Him or know Him better.
No comments:
Post a Comment