Miracles

Have you ever wondered if miracles really do occur? Do you believe in miracles?
I the opportunity this week to study a few of the miracles that Jesus Christ performed in the New Testament. As I studied, I noticed the attitude of those that were healed, how they demonstrated faith by asking and believed they could be healed. Below are a few insights of these miracles and my own thoughts on how these miracles increase my faith in knowing God has the power to heal us. I invite you to read the references and consider the miracle and faith of those who were a part of these miracles.

Matthew 8-9; Mark 2 Miracles Are Evidence of Faith and God’s Power

Reference: Matthew 8: 1- 4

Miracles of the Lord: Jesus healed the Leper

Who Demonstrated Faith: The Leper demonstrated his faith he said, “if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.” Matthew 8:2

The Leper knew Christ could heal and showed faith by sharing this testimony with Jesus and showed faith by inviting Christ to heal him.

Reference: Matthew 8: 5-13

Miracles of the Lord: Jesus healed the centurion’s servant

Who Demonstrated Faith: The centurion had much faith when he petitioned the Lord to heal his servant. The Savior marvelled at the centurion’s faith because when he asked his servant to be healed he knew that Jesus had to just “speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.” Matthew 8:8 rather than Jesus being there in person to heal.

Reference: Matthew 8:14-15

Miracles of the Lord: Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law

Who Demonstrated Faith: Peter’s mother-in-law showed faith by allowing herself to be healed when Jesus touched her hand.

Reference: Matthew 8: 16

Miracles of the Lord: Jesus healed all those that were brought to him.

Who Demonstrated Faith: Those that brought their sick and afflicted to the Savior, Jesus Christ to be healed showed faith that he could and would heal them. The sick that came showed faith by coming unto Christ.

 Reference: Matthew 8: 23-27

Miracles of the Lord: Jesus calms the wind, sea and all in the boat.

Who Demonstrated Faith: Those that were in the boat showed faith by waking up the Lord to save them. The Savior says, “O ye of little faith?” but He doesn’t say they had no faith. They knew He had the power to deliver them from the situation.

Reference: Matthew 8: 28-34

Miracles of the Lord: Jesus cast the evil spirits into the swine

Who Demonstrated Faith: The devils knew that Christ was the Son of God as they declare this in verse 29, they were prepared to be cast out and knew the Savior could cast them into the swine. Jesus granted them this wish. The devils showed faith in Christ’s power.

Reference: Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34

Miracles of the Lord: Jesus heals the woman with an issue of blood.

Who Demonstrated Faith: The woman having an issue of blood for 12 years demonstrated faith by reaching out for the Savior’s garment. She had been to physicians and tried many things to heal her issue and nothing worked. Her faith is remarkable to me since the issue had plagued her for so long she still had faith to reach out to be healed my the Master.

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-10-031-jesus-heals-a-woman-of-faith?category=bible-videos-the-life-of-jesus-christ&lang=eng 

Reference: Matthew 9:27-31

Miracles of the Lord: Jesus healed the two blind men

Who Demonstrated Faith: The two blind men had faith to ask the Savior to be healed and believed that He had the power to heal.

 Reference: Mark 2: 1-12

Miracles of the Lord: Jesus healed the man with palsy

Who Demonstrated Faith: The four friends that brought their friend who was stricken with the palsy to the Lord to be healed demonstrated exceeding faith. They did all they could to bring their sick friend to be made whole again. The man who had palsy also needed to have faith in the Savior to be spiritual and physically healed. His sins were forgiven and he walked being completed healed from the palsy.

In each of these miracles, the people showed their faith by asking or allowing to be healed. They believed that Jesus Christ had the power to heal them and those they brought to the Lord.

I know personally that Jesus Christ has the power to heal us both spiritually, from the dark consequences of sin by forgiving us and by healing our infirmities. I have confidence that what ever I am asked to bear, the Lord has the power to strengthen me to endure or heal me. My daughter’s hand was severely burned just before she was 1 year old. She touched a hot steam humidifier and the skin on her little hand started to peel. I was horrified. Although I needed to take her to the hospital my mind was also focused on getting her a blessing. The next day, my home teacher, gave her a blessing and her hand was healed.

Doctors said she would need plastic surgery and physio to gain full use of her hand. Her hand healed almost completely with a very small scar on the bottom of her finger. Just enough for us all to remember the Lord is so willing to heal us and we must have faith in Him for miracles to happen according to His will. I know Jesus Christ atoned for our sins and has the power to deliver us from our sins if we reach out in faith He will heal us from the darkness we feel.

To learn about priesthood blessings:

https://www.lds.org/topics/priesthood-blessing?lang=eng

To learn about faith:

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/gs/faith?lang=eng#

To watch a message on Priesthood Power:

http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=1370500727001

The Baptism of Jesus Christ

Being baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was a highlight of my life. I remember how I felt when I was immersed and brought out of the water. I felt clean and an indescribable joy! I knew I made a step to follow Jesus and become like Him.

This week I have been studying the baptism of Jesus Christ and would like to share some of the findings with you.

Matthew 3:13-17.  The Baptism of Jesus Christ 

Why was John hesitant to baptize Jesus?

John recognized his own need to be baptized and when Jesus presents himself to be baptized John says, “I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?” Matthew 3:14

John must have felt unworthy to baptize the Son of God but the Savior says, “Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.” Matthew 3:15

What is taught here about the Holy Ghost?

After Jesus Christ was baptized, the Holy Ghost came upon Him and a sign was given that this was done. In the New Testament it reads, “ the spirit of God descending like a dove” Matthew 3:16

The sign of the Holy Ghost is a dove. We know that the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit, not a dove. The sign of the Holy Ghost is a dove. This commentary from the New Testament Student Manual explains it well.

Luke 3:22. Did the Holy Ghost Appear as a Dove? (see also Matthew 3:16)

The Prophet Joseph Smith explained that the Holy Ghost did not appear as a dove after the baptism of Jesus Christ. Rather, the descending dove signified that the Holy Ghost was present on that occasion: “The sign of the dove was instituted before the creation of the world, a witness for the Holy Ghost, and the devil cannot come in the sign of a dove. The Holy Ghost is a personage, and is in the form of a personage. It does not confine itself to the form of the dove, but in sign of the dove. The Holy Ghost cannot be transformed into a dove; but the sign of a dove was given to John to signify the truth of the deed, as the dove is an emblem or token of truth and innocence” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 81).

https://www.lds.org/manual/new-testament-student-manual/introduction-to-the-gospel-according-to-st-luke/chapter-15-luke-1-3.p127?lang=eng

Jesus Christ said He must be baptized to “fulfill all righteousness” 3 reasons Why

1.    Jesus showed us all that He was humble and He chose to fulfill what the Father asked Him to do. “he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father,” 2 Nephi 31:7 https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/31?lang=eng

2.    Jesus Christ also witnessed to Heavenly Father that He would be obedient and keep his commandments. 2 Nephi 31:7

3.    When Jesus Christ was baptized, He was showing us the path to go so that we might be obedient and receive the necessary ordinances to return home to our Heavenly Father. “it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them.” 2 Nephi 31:9

What evidence is found in Matthew 3:16-17 that the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost are three separate personages in the Godhead?

Jesus Christ was being baptized and after He was baptized the Holy Ghost was present, the sign being given as the dove. In verse 17, we read “And lo a voice from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Heavenly Father testified that Jesus Christ was His Son and He was pleased with Him when His voice is heard from above.

From this account we know that our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are separate Beings with separate roles.

For more information on this topic see the links below.

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/gs/god-godhead?lang=eng

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-10-1020-doctrine-of-the-godhead?lang=eng

I know that when I chose to be baptized that I was following Jesus Christ. I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when I was 12 on November 24, 1982. I have learned that following Christ is a eternal commitment. We make mistakes and we can be forgiven. Christ has made it possible for each of us to change to become like Him and to live in happiness here on earth and forever. That commitment many years ago has put me on a path of righteousness and I know exactly where it will take me. I invite you to learn more about baptism. To learn more about baptism please see the link here. http://www.mormon.org/faq/topic/baptism

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-10-024-the-baptism-of-jesus?lang=eng

What I know about the Savior, Jesus Christ

This is the first week of school. I am an online student taking my B.S. in Family & Marriage studies. I am a freshman and excited to share my learnings and thoughts with you.

This week in my New Testament class we were asked to complete a student choice assignment.  The assignment was to study how Elisabeth, the Shepherds, Simeon, Anna, the Wise Men, Herod, the Chief Priests and the Nephites (from the Book of Mormon) learned about the Savior, Jesus Christ, what they knew about the Savior and what they did with their knowledge.

I was impressed with many of them as they shared their witness of Christ and how He was to redeem His people. I also noted that those who had a testimony of the Savior were given a witness through the power of the Holy Ghost. that He was the Promised Messiah. Each of us can receive a witness that Jesus is the Christ and come to know Him.

What I know about the Savior?

I know Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. I know this because I have felt the pains and consequences of sin and in order to free myself from this spiritual pain, I have turned to my Savior for forgiveness and healing. I know that before the world was created our Heavenly Father chose Jesus Christ to be our Savior and through His atoning sacrifice Christ has made it possible for all to overcome death and sin. I know that Jesus is my friend that He cares for me and knows how to comfort me. (see Alma 7:11-13) https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/7?lang=eng

How have I learned these things?

I have read, studied and pondered the scriptures. I have come to know for myself that Jesus Christ is my Savior. I have asked in prayer if this is true and have felt the powerful witness of the Holy Ghost in my life to confirm this truth to me. I learn more about the Lord as I hear prophets testify of Him and as I have applied the Lord's teachings in my life.

What am I doing with what I know?

I strive each day to live as a disciple of Christ. I follow His teachings and testify how His true gospel has brought great joy into my life. I look for opportunities to serve others and share what I know with loved ones and all. I am always looking to strengthen my testimony of my Savior and His gospel and to do His will. I'm not perfect but through Christ I can overcome and He can help me on my path.

If you would like to know more about the Savior, Jesus Christ or His gospel I invite you to click on the links below
http://www.mormon.org/
http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/jesus-christ
https://www.lds.org/?lang=eng

One of my favorite mormon messages of how Christ can help you change
http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=1672986629001