I'm Sorry - I Forgive You

Day Twenty - Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

I grateful for the gifts of repentance and forgiveness. In day to day life these smooth ruffled feathers, restore peace, and allow us to move forward. In the eternal scheme of things repenting of sins and being forgiven by God is a gift that brings us closer to Him, and will eventually allow us to enter His presence and live with Him eternally. Now that's something to give thanks for!

Ardent - More Christ In Christmas

My Christmas ABC's

Z is for zealous. The Lord instructed Paul to write to a particular group, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore, and repent." (Revelation 3:19 KJV)

In the Webster's 1828 dictionary, zealous is defined as "warmly engaged or ardent in the pursuit of an object." Jesus's first recorded words after He was baptized by John were, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent ye, and believe the gospel." (Mark 1:15 KJV) 

The "good tidings of great joy" are that we have a Savior! He was born to redeem us from sin and death. Can there be any greater message for Christmas Day? I hope you have felt closer  to Him this season and will follow Him more zealously in the new year. 

If Ye Love Me - More Christ in Christmas

My Christmas ABC's

 

K is for keep - Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15 KJV)

In explaining the Parable of the Sower, Jesus said, "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." (Luke 8:15 KJV)

Jesus doesn't ask us just to believe in Him; He asks us to follow His example of obedience, to treat others as He did, to serve others as He did, to do the Father's will as He did. And knowing we can't be perfect as He is perfect, He took upon Himself our sins and weaknesses, our pains and sorrows, and gave His life for us, then was resurrected so that we too can live again. He asks us to have faith in Him, repent of our sins as often as we need to (that's daily for me), and follow His example. 

His gifts to us are forgiveness, comfort in times of pain or sorrow, strength to endure trials,  encouragement in our efforts to keep the commandments, and hope to continue through all things. Sometimes it's good to remember all the good gifts He gives us!

Wait, I'm not finished yet

Day Twenty-seven of Count Your Blessings

Today I'm grateful for the patience, mercy and longsuffering of God. I mean he doesn't zap me immediately when I've done wrong (which somedays is just about every minute) but let's me figure out that  I've sinned and allows me time to repent. Do you know what a blessing that is?

Interestingly enough, today two other bloggers on my list talked about repentance. A SIGN! I need to repent of my stupidity, my rebelliousness, my weaknesses, my imperfections and so on. Maybe that's why Enos prayed all night, he was talking specifics, not generalities.

Today I'm grateful for repentance and forgiveness, for mercy and the Atonement. I feel like Nephi,
"Oh wretched [woman] that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh [there's just too much of it]; and my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. I am encompassed about, because of the temptations that do so easily beset me. And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted." (2 Nephi 4:17-18)

I am a work in progress and I'm so thankful for the patience of God while I stumble about here on earth. I am eternally indebted to my Savior, Jesus Christ, for paying the price for my sins so I can repent and be reconciled to God, the Eternal Father and return at last to his presence.

Now if you'll excuse me I have some repenting to do!