Old Testament FDREL 301 Week 5

Each Week there seems to be a favorite principle that stands out to me, and this week Joshua 3:7 was that scripture when the Lord says to Joshua, "This day will I begin to magnify thee.."

Today we were released as Temple Shift co-ordinators and I have loved serving in the temple in this assignment. I learned how to hear the voice of the Lord and truly trust Him. The Savior, Jesus Christ, qualifies us and sustains us in our callings. Although the Lord was not physically present with me, many times I felt His guiding hand, and I knew clearly He guided me to assign a sister to a specific assignment and the tender moments when I wasn't sure what to do, He did.

We look forward to continuing our service as ordinance workers on our Saturday am shift and we love the workers. It truly is a like heaven to be with people who love the Lord, and are trying to be like Him.

Below are some principles I learned this week.

Finding Principles Joshua – Judges 12

1. Scripture: Joshua 3:7

 And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.

 I wonder how Joshua felt when the Lord said to him that He would “magnify” him like the Lord magnified Moses. Thinking about this I reflect upon the many times the Lord has magnified me in my callings and responsibilities. This week my husband and I will be released as shift co-ordinators in the temple and we have had that assignment for 2 years. I have felt the Lord guide me when making a schedule later to learn that a worker was serving in a place where they knew the patron and had a special experience. The Lord is truly in the details of our lives. I have served in callings where I felt overwhelmed at the call; however, I was reassured with a feeling of peace that I would not be alone. It was after I was sustained that the hymn How Firm A Foundation was sung and I was touched by the lyrics,

“Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,

For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.

I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,

Upheld by my righteous, upheld by my righteous,

Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.”

2. Scripture: Joshua 23:8

But cleave unto the Lord your God, as ye have done unto this day.

Once I read this scripture I looked up the word cleave. Reading the word in the scripture I understand what is being said but often I find further insight when I read definitions. Cleave in Dictionary.com has the following meanings:

1.     to adhere closely; stick; cling (usually followed by to).

2.     to remain faithful (usually followed by to):

The questions I had from this word in the scripture is how do I cleave to the Lord? Do I cleave to the Lord? At times I do cleave unto the Lord maybe in times of stress, however, this scripture indicates to cleave unto the Lord “this day” not specifically in times of distress or confusion by always. Remaining faithful and true at all times. How do you cleave unto the Lord? My thoughts are close to the Lord throughout my day, and I do my best to have daily prayer and read scriptures and do what a disciple of Christ should do. I feel this pattern is key or the start to cleaving to the Lord. I feel I could do more or better everyday. (184)

3. Scripture: Judges 2: 1- 2

1 And an angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.

2 And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?

Principle: Two parts of these scriptures stand out to me. In the first verse, “I will never break my covenant with you.” There is comfort and security knowing the Lord will never break His covenants with us. We are the ones who forget or break covenants, and it takes consistency in remembering our covenants in order to keep them. The second phrase that provoked some thought was the question the Lord asks after saying ye have not obeyed my voice, why have ye done this? When we are disobedient what are we? What would we say to the Lord if He asked us this question today? What would I change or do better? Perhaps this is a question I could ask myself when reflecting on what I need to be obedient to.

Finding Principles Deuteronomy 1 - 34

1. Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:34

 34 Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?

 Moses reminding the Israelites the of the miracles the Lord has performed for them, and the evidence of His love for them. It made me think of the miracles in my life that I may overlook or take for granted. There are many tender mercies I am grateful for, but I wonder how many of those tender mercies go unnoticed. I would like to think I am grateful, however, I am sure if I look and ponder there are many more miracles for me to be grateful for. Moses repeatedly shares with the Israelites the many experiences in the wilderness to keep the blessings they have received in their minds. I think this is a good way to continue on the path of faith. (183)

2. Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:5-6

5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

When I read verse 5, I thought this was how I need to pattern my life. When I wake up in the morning if I focus on how I can love the Lord, and show Him I do how would my day be different? How would your day be different? Prioritizing my personal worship to show the Lord I put Him first before answering emails, or getting my breakfast, making phone calls or lists etc…Verse 6, teaches how I should regard the word of God by keeping the “word” in my heart. This would be difficult to do if I didn’t read, study or ponder the scriptures. I have had moments in my life where a scripture has come to my mind to uplift, or teach me and it is because I read my scriptures. I can improve in this area for sure, however, I know that we need to do more than read them. We are to let them change us, and hear the voice of the Lord through them. It is our way to personal revelation. (178)

3. Scripture: Deuteronomy 14: 1-2

1 Ye are the children of the Lord your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.

2 For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.

Principle: When I find direct words in the scriptures that teach me who I am, I feel testified to. In the first verse I am taught who I am. I am a child of God. It is a precious truth that gives me eternal perspective, and comfort. We have earthly parents who love us, however, we have perfect Heavenly Parents who know us, and love us. It took me a long time to understand that mortal traits were not who my Heavenly Father was. For instance, if I did something wrong and felt real remorse for what I did my earthly father may hold a grudge, however, my Heavenly Father loves perfectly, and forgives immediately. Though there may be consequences, Our Heavenly parents are perfect. The word peculiar has always intrigued me, and yet I feel more peculiar as I do my best to stand for truth and live in accordance to the commandments. Following the spirit or trusting my Heavenly Father may not always make sense to someone however, I know the Lord is helping me be His follower. (180)