:)

Today we read in John 14 and 15. Wow. I was not expecting today's scriptures to have such a strong positive influence on me. Today's lessons was filled with the Spirit. I think that has a lot to do with reading straight from the scriptures. We read about the time in the scriptures after a meal of the Passover. Jesus Christ tells Peter that he will deny him three times before the cock crows. We related how in those days when the cock crowed, that was the people's wake up call. It would also be a symbolic wake up call for Peter as well after he denied the Savior. We explored the statement Jesus made to Peter. Was he commanding Peter to deny him? What he saying sort of a prophecy of the future? President Kimball gave a BYU devotional once called, "Peter, my brother." He talked about how he doesn't like when people, even scholars, discredit or criticize Peter. He was obviously forgiven by the Lord of anything that would be been considered wrong. He was the chief apostle after the Savior died! The Lord would not put him in charge if he had not forgiven him of any wrongs he may have done. I also liked to think about a talk by Elder Maxwell. He also advises us not to criticize Peter. He says that Peter is the world's second best water-walker, following right after the Savior. This is such a beautiful thought to me. The principle of not judging others and following the Savior were prevalent this week in my study. I think this applies to you very well because I often find you being so loving of others. As we continue to not judge others, we will be more like the Savior. Keep up your awesome work! :)

SERVICE

The scripture I want to focus on this week is the classic, scripture mastery verse found in Matthew 25:40. I had some new and enlightening thoughts on this as we read it today. I know the Spirit was there with me in the class because of how inspired I felt. This scripture teaches me about the principle of service. I thought about all the service I have recently rendered to my sister who is going through a very difficult time because her husband is going through chemotherapy. I felt so happy that the Savior admires me for the hard work I have done. It is so hard to imagine that work I have done actually being done for him. I am not writing any of this to say I am so great or so charitable. I am writing this because I feel so motivated to continue to serve, even when I am exhausted and feel like I can do no more. The burden my sister's family is enduring is unfathomable. I know if the Savior was here on earth today, he would be serving and comforting them, so I can try my best to do that as well. 

I would like to also relate this to the story of Mary and Martha and their differing personalities. Sometimes when I am in their home, I am asked to be like Martha (cleaning, doing the dishes, and helping put their son to bed). Sometimes I am asked to be like Mary. I need to sit with my sister and listen to her talk about her thoughts and feelings. I need to be a good friend and a good listener. I view both opportunities as a big blessing.

As far as this can appeal or relate to any readers, it can give us courage to serve more faithfully. The scriptures can motivate us to do some pretty amazing things. If we are experiencing a lack of desire to deserve, we can turn to the Savior's words. We can have faith that the service we do is noticed and appreciated by the Lord.

This week in New Testament class we read Matthew 22 and 23. The passages found in these chapters, Christ is able to share his testimony with those around him. Specifically, he is answering questions of the Pharisees and the Sadducces. Because of their disdain for the Savior and his teachings, they are trying to catch him in a trap. If they can get him to contradict tradition or doctrine, they will have a good argument for finding fault in him and his teachings. It is so sad for me to think that all of these people historically wanted to prove Jesus wrong. It hurts my heart that so many people rejected and despised him. He taught such different teachings than the people were used to, but that doesn't give any good reason to be so rude.

As we already know, the Savior is perfect. He wouldn't get "trapped" in the teachings of these worldly men. He would hold to the will of the Father and teach his doctrine perfectly. The doctrine I get out of this story is that we must stick to the will of the Father. We can pray unto him if we are in need of help as well. Jesus Christ was a perfect example of following his Father in these stories. If you think about this as you read, this applies to everyone. Every single person can seek the will of the Father and do it. It is a two step process. We must not only figure out with the will of the Father is, we must also follow it.

After Christ spoke his answers to their questions, they were silenced and had no reason to keep trying to prove him wrong. This gave me so much comfort. We will not be confounded before the people we are trying to teach his doctrine. It gives me great strength to realize the Savior is by our side to help us through hard times. ALthough we may never be confronted with the same situations that Christ is, we may have situations where we need to stand up for our belief in the Savior.