Although the first part of this thought ended by stressing the synergistic growth which can come as a result of congregational worship, ultimately one’s true conversion and coming to Christ results from seeking to have the love of the Savior sink deep into their soul while being submerged in individual solitary searching.
As we turn the page in The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ and study Alma’s teachings in chapter 34 of his book we find him emphasizing the importance of and outlining the necessary individual solitary searching steps which are essential during our conversion process which will lead us to being a committed disciple of Jesus the Christ.
In verses 17 – 41 Alma provides us with a wonderful, but probably not exhaustive list of activities which should be included in our sincere solitary searching.
Gain faith in the merciful comprehensiveness of the great and last sacrificial Atonement of Jesus the Christ.
Exercise that faith as a means to bring you unto repentance by calling upon His name pleading for His mercy to come upon you.
Pray that you will continue to grow in and exercise humility.
Pray unto Him for His sustaining help in all of your stewardships.
Pray unto Him at all times in all places.
Pray unto Him for protection against the power of your enemies.
Pray unto Him for protection against the Devil who is the enemy of righteousness.
Pray that you will not be led away by the temptations of the Devil and become subject unto Him.
When not involved in formal prayer, pray unto Him continually in your heart.
Pray for the strength and patience to bear the afflictions which may come upon you.
Pray that you will hold fast to the hope you have in the Savior being the source to bring you rest from your afflictions.
Extend your charitableness to the sick, needy and naked so that your prayers will not be hypocritical or in vain.
Study the witnesses found in the Holy Scriptures of the truthfulness of the Lord’s word.
Contend not against the Holy Spirit.
Always retain thankfulness for the mercies and blessings of God.
Always retain a spirit of worshiping God.
As I was compiling this list from the teachings of Alma, I was struck with the thought, that if both sincere solitary searching as well as congregational synergistic worship have the power to bring us closer to our Heavenly Parents and Jesus the Christ and are the means of insuring the Holy Spirit fruitful ground to plant the seeds of gospel truths in our hearts, why would we only use half of the resources available rather than including all that the Lord has provided for our eternal progression?
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
❣️THINK + PLAN + PREPARE + DO + HUGS + PEACE + JOY + LOVE + INTEGRITY + FAITH + HOPE + CHARITY❣️ = 💞THE GOOD LIFE💞
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment