It All Starts With Us

As children of our Heavenly Father, we have certain expectations of us that are very important for us to accomplish. Our Armor of God can help us with that, but even before we put on our Armor of God to defend ourselves, it all starts with us: who we are, what we're about, and what our values are (both when we're around others and alone). The Armor of God can do nothing if we ourselves are not worthy to be wearing it.

War Of Temptations

There are many who will be reading this that have the problems of giving in to temptations. I want to preface this by saying that we have all been subject to temptations. Even Jesus Christ was put through some temptations. I feel I must say that without these temptations, there would've been very little point to coming to this earth to learn, because without temptations, it can be very hard for us to learn. There must be opposition to all things, from the yearnings of the Lord to do righteous works, to the temptations that so easily beset us from Satan. I take some of my sayings from prophets and apostles of the past and present, and hope that something I say will help put into perspective the way we all feel about these things and about how we can overcome them. I also don't say these things as a hypocrite, but as someone who has been through many temptations of all kinds, and have given in to some of them myself. I understand much about what is said below, which is why I feel so inclined to write these things.

Listen With Love

There are challenges about family and friend that are hard to face because of problems involving listening. Our own pride can cause this, thinking, "I am right and there is no other solution than my own!"  Whether it's parents talking with kids, a husband talking to his wife, or just friend to friend, listening is a huge part of communication. Think of it in this way: You are on the phone calling someone and as soon as they say, "Hello! How are you?" you hang up the phone. If you're not willing to listen, nothing will go right. In solving these problems, we can then offer guidance that will bring about a close relationship. If we listen with love, we won’t need to wonder what to say. It will be given to us by the Spirit. I know this principle is true because I have recently experienced it with a friend that I am teaching. As I listened to his concerns, I wondered what to say, but immediately after I wondered, I started to say things that weren't from me. I was saying things that I knew very little about, but after I had said it, I knew what I said was right. I don't even remember what I said. All I know is that it wasn't me saying those things. The same can apply to you. I know that if you listen with love, you will know what to say, how to say it, and say it with love.