The Football Armour of God

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Practice?!!!

Photo-shopped by: Elder Garcia

Image of Practice


NBA player Allen Iverson is known for his skills on the basketball court but he is also famously known for complaining about practice. In a news conference after his coach had publicly criticized him for missing practices Iverson went on a rant complaining about how he was the franchise player and his coach shouldn't complain about him missing practice because it wasn't a game. "We're talking about practice man, we're not even talking about the game, when it actually matters, we're talking about practice." It's clear that despite practice being what got Iverson to where he was, in the NBA, he didn't feel it was important any more. He felt as if he'd already accomplished what he needed to with practice and that it wasn't that big of a deal anymore.
    This can often become our thought too as we look upon our studies of the scriptures. Often times as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we have a belief and testimony in the scriptures and in the Church. We believe in God and Jesus Christ and we know, through past scripture reading, that they and the things they teach are true. But sadly a lot of us at times have the attitude that Iverson did. "Scripture study?!!! We're talking about scripture study man, we're not even talking about church, when it actually matters, we're talking about scripture study!" This is a horrible attitude to have!
    Whether we, or Iverson, realize it or not We Need Practice! We all need more studies of the scriptures because we need to be constantly increasing our knowledge of them and growing our testimonies in the gospel, and this can only be accomplished through the study of Gods words to us. Scripture study isn't a thing of the past. It is a thing of today and of the future. And as we continue to strengthen that knowledge and testimony in God and in Christ he will give us the insight to become superstars!! Don't let these skills, knowledge, and testimony, slip. Practice!! and read your scriptures!!!  
     Click Here to view a powerful video talking about the blessings of the scriptures.

The Three Stones That Will Defeat The Goliaths Of Life

The Three Stones That Will Defeat The Goliaths Of Life-The classic Bible story of David vs. Goliath is one that most of us have heard before. David, the sheep herder, who is not only small but young, learns of big bad Philistine, Goliath, and how he's been picking on the Israelites. While the rest of Israel's army hangs back in fear of the giant Goliath David puts his trust in the Lord and a few stones saying "he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine" and "the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands." (1 Sam. 17:37,47) And the rest of the story is history! David after being mocked by Goliath uses his sling to throw a stone at Goliath and the stone kills him! The ultimate under dog story!
   So what can we learn from this story and David's stones? In our lives we will all have Goliaths. We will all be faced with trials and challenges that seem GIANT! They seem impossible to over come! We, as the Israelite army, see no point in fighting the fight any more and we want to give up and give in. There are three little "Spiritual Stones" that can help us to over come these great Giants of life.

PRAYER- A great way to overcome the Goliaths of Life is through prayer. Prayer is direct communication with our Heavenly Father. As we are going through the struggles of life He wants to hear about it. He wants us to express to Him what we are feeling and how He can help. Through our prayers and His spirit we can find comfort and guidance in our times of need.

Scripture Study- We can rely on the words of God and the Prophets in the scriptures to bring us comfort and knowledge. We can learn from others experiences and trials in the scriptures and see how God helped them through those and then apply them to our lives. This is also where God will sometimes reveal things to us for our lives as we read.  

Church- Through attending church each Sunday we can partake of the sacrament to have God's spirit with us through out the week. We can learn from the different lessons and talks that are shared, and find comfort and peace in knowing that we have a family at church who will be there to support and help us at all times.

I know as we use these "Spiritual Stones" and God's help we can overcome the Giant trials in our lives. It's a great blessing to have these stones by our side and if we will take them out and use them we will find the happiness that we seek as we defeat the Goliaths of Life. I can promise this to you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

To Watch a video on Prayer Click Here
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15 A Day, Keeps Satan Away

When I was in seminary during high school we were challenged to read from the scriptures for 15 minutes a day. Now 15 minutes a day out of 1440 minutes in a day is not that much but some how I struggled with this. It always seemed easier to sit down and watch TV, mess around online or with friends. I went in spurts through my four years of high school where I would be consistently reading and then not so much. I could some how never make it a lasting habit. It for some reason took a reading contest in seminary my senior year with the winner receiving food to motivate me. I was able to gain a lot more than food though, I gained a habit of daily scripture study. One that continued to grow to the point now where I love to set aside an hour a day I have to study in the mission field.
    I had always known scripture study was important but until it became a want to instead of a need to or a have to did I realize the power behind the words of God. It became easier to understand the stories and teachings as I read. It became easier to feel the spirit that scripture study brought which made it easier to apply what I was learning to my life.
    Satan has a great hold upon many of our Heavenly Father's children. He's gained this hold by doing as it says in 2 Nephi 28:26 "the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell." By convincing people that the basics of the gospel, church, prayer, and scripture study are not priorities in life he can carefully lead us away from those key faith builders, he will surely lead us to "misery and endless wo"(Helaman 5:12). He looks for ways to take away the spirit and then attacks us.
    Now referring to the picture above how do you think scripture reading could have changed Darth Vader's life? Do you think that instead of the evil spirit that tempted him to try to persuade his son Luke to join the dark side that he would have followed the good spirit? Maybe even encouraged his son to attend his priesthood meetings where he could truly learn how to use the force? I think the difference spiritually that 15 minutes a day of scripture reading would have brought to Darth would have changed a lot of events in his life. The same applies to our lives.
   Can you imagine the power the spirit would bring to the world that could defeat Satan if all of us would read our scriptures every day? The old saying goes "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" Well I testify that 15 a day will keep Satan away! If not out of the world at least out of our homes, families, and our lives.