Thursday, September 17, 2009

Jacob 4

6 Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we truly can command in the name of Jesus and the very trees obey us, or the mountains, or the waves of the sea.

As we search and study the scriptures, we receive revelation. The Revelation of John says that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19:10). The revelation we personally receive is a witness of the reality of Jesus Christ - that He lived, that He taught a divine way to live in peace and harmony with God and our fellow men, that He suffered for everyone who will repent and call upon His mercy, and that He conquered death and rose again to become our King. The scriptures teach us who He is, and we obtain hope so that our faith becomes unshaken. Our faith can't then be shaken by the teachings of men, the ridicule of neighbors, or the vicissitudes of life. And we get power from Him to do all things.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Phil. 4:13)

There is this additional advice in Jacob 4:

10 Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works.

So many of my prayers consist of me giving advice to God. I'm grateful, of course, for many things, but then I often present my list of needs and wants. I often pray for others and their needs, but I haven't learned to take counsel from his hand. That requires listening quietly for the whispering of the Holy Spirit, and it generally comes to us as something that we know or feel that we should do -- call a family member or friend, read something, complete an act of kindness, etc.

1 comment:

stephanie from texas said...

At youth conference when i was 16, we had a seminar on prayer. we were urged to stay on our knees for a few moments after amen. just sit still and quiet, listen for Heavenly Father wants us to hear. that has been my practice ever since. what a difference it makes. a true conversation rather than a laundry list of needs and wants.