Giving
A little bird put some thoughts in my head yesterday that have been bouncing around all night. I thought about posting last night, but just did not find the time. Tall Man was performing, I was working late, and it was way late when we got home. I could have, but just didn't.
So, I have been thinking. I also took some time to read 46. I researched the subject in the dictionary, Greek, Islamic, Hindu, and Christian. Every single one of them say the same thing. To be a martyr is to be a witness, to bear testimony of, or to stand up for beliefs. When one dies bearing this witness or is murdered because of their beliefs, the act is referred to as a martyrdom.
Obviously, there are several different areas in our religious history where we can think of martyrdom. We talk about Abel, Abinidi, Ancient Apostles, Christ, Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Stephen, and many un-named prophets who were mentioned as being cast out and stoned, but we do not know their names. However, the more I read and studied, the more I had thoughts fill my mind.
What were these people doing before their deaths? Number 46 talks a great deal about Joseph. It talks about how he spent hour upon hour, day upon day, week upon week, and month upon month giving what he had been given to the 12. He boldly declared he could not be taken until he had done so. Abinidi did the same thing. They could not touch him until he had given all that needed to be given. I am sure that we only heard or read a small portion of what he testified. Joseph gave to 12. Abinidi gave to 1. If we go down the list I am sure there were varying numbers who received the above mentioned witness'
When they died, they sealed their testimonies to become testaments. The key that kept coming to my mind was that they gave. We do not have to seal our witness with blood to make it a testimony. The Lord asks us to give. As you look in the topical guide under martyr, a certain scripture stood out in Matthew 10:39. "...loseth his life for my sake shall find it..."
As I knelt in prayer this morning and gave thanks for all that I have been given, I started wondering, what have I given? Do I give enough? To gain eternal life, live the Celestial Law of Heaven, etc...we are ask to give. We are asked to commit ourselves to the commands of God. We are to give of ourselves.
So I ask, especially at this time of the year, are we giving our lives, giving our all, standing as martyrs for His sake? When others think of us, what to they think of us as witnessing?
Hope it helps. It just another rambling from this old man.
So, I have been thinking. I also took some time to read 46. I researched the subject in the dictionary, Greek, Islamic, Hindu, and Christian. Every single one of them say the same thing. To be a martyr is to be a witness, to bear testimony of, or to stand up for beliefs. When one dies bearing this witness or is murdered because of their beliefs, the act is referred to as a martyrdom.
Obviously, there are several different areas in our religious history where we can think of martyrdom. We talk about Abel, Abinidi, Ancient Apostles, Christ, Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Stephen, and many un-named prophets who were mentioned as being cast out and stoned, but we do not know their names. However, the more I read and studied, the more I had thoughts fill my mind.
What were these people doing before their deaths? Number 46 talks a great deal about Joseph. It talks about how he spent hour upon hour, day upon day, week upon week, and month upon month giving what he had been given to the 12. He boldly declared he could not be taken until he had done so. Abinidi did the same thing. They could not touch him until he had given all that needed to be given. I am sure that we only heard or read a small portion of what he testified. Joseph gave to 12. Abinidi gave to 1. If we go down the list I am sure there were varying numbers who received the above mentioned witness'
When they died, they sealed their testimonies to become testaments. The key that kept coming to my mind was that they gave. We do not have to seal our witness with blood to make it a testimony. The Lord asks us to give. As you look in the topical guide under martyr, a certain scripture stood out in Matthew 10:39. "...loseth his life for my sake shall find it..."
As I knelt in prayer this morning and gave thanks for all that I have been given, I started wondering, what have I given? Do I give enough? To gain eternal life, live the Celestial Law of Heaven, etc...we are ask to give. We are asked to commit ourselves to the commands of God. We are to give of ourselves.
So I ask, especially at this time of the year, are we giving our lives, giving our all, standing as martyrs for His sake? When others think of us, what to they think of us as witnessing?
Hope it helps. It just another rambling from this old man.
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