Mindful Latter-day Saint Apologetics
Providing thoughtful and faithful responses to criticisms and questions of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ
Through our discipleship we come to know the nature and truth of who our Heavenly Father is and what he expects of us. To which, the Savior declared, be ye therefore perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:48, Philippians 3:15-16; 3 Nephi 12:48). It means we are to be complete and full as it relates to Our Heavenly Father.
Charity is the heart and soul of service and ministry. Without compassion and mercy, no other spiritual gifts have any purpose or meaning - not even our own faith in God. The Apostle concludes that there are three important things in our lives: Faith, Hope, and Charity. His conclusion is that Charity is the greatest of the three.
When we seek first God's Kingdom, we shall be blessed with those things we stand in need of temporally. As our faith increases, so does our ability to seek God and conform to his will and desire for our lives. In doing so, we will be blessed through our obedience to the teachings and commandments that he has given us.
The world offers us all the desires and appetites that leave our bellies full and our flesh satisfied. Unfortunately, it is only temporary and we continue to remain hungry and thirsty for more of those things of the world. When we are tempted, it may come in guise of satisfying some desire. We develop an appetite for it. Eventually, it leads us to experience death of our sense of self through Jesus Christ.
Faith teaches us to act in a manner to which we believe God will help us, strengthen us, and give unto us what we need to withstand the storms in our lives. Scripture is firm on the nature of our faith as it relates to God. Christ constantly chastised the disciples - O ye of little faith. Christ commented on the simplest acts of faith - I have not seen such great faith. Faith even may bring healing into our own lives - Thy faith has made thee whole. Each time Christ ministered to those individuals it is because they had sought him out.
Seeking after my own interests begins when I mistrust God's wisdom and guidance. This is what I have come to understand about my own personal sinful nature. When I give over to choose my own will over God's I am essentially mistrusting him and trusting in my own self motivations. Such idea has become quite absurd since I have come to understand the basic teachings of scripture: God's will and care for my life is in his best interest.
I was uncomfortable with the idea of fearing God. I defended Him as One whose love is so great He needs not be feared. This was based on my own understanding of 1 John 4:18: “Perfect love drives out fear.” Today, I have come to understand that when the scriptures calls our attention to fear… Continue reading Where Wisdom in Recovery Begins – Damascus Way Recovery
Wisdom in recovery begins when we come to realize the love God has for us and are able to confidently find rest and peace. I know the truth of this reality. Such true understanding had to come by my own overwhelming awareness of His greatness, holiness, and power as they contrasted with my own sinful and carnal nature. There was nothing more fear-inducing than this. It is where I needed to begin. It is where healing and restoration of my mind, heart, and soul had to begin.
As you read these daily wisdom devotionals, remember that the word of God expresses the mind, heart, and character of our Heavenly Father. His thoughts are available to each one of us. Let these devotionals help you dig deeper into His revelation. Seek His spirit to be with you always. Develop a way to be open and receptive to personal revelations. And let the Holy Spirit change the way you think. Most of all, let your mind be renewed and your life be transformed every day.
When we seek God - we seek to live a life that is spiritually abundant and full of grace and truth.
Our Heavenly Father desires to help us through our journey. This includes guiding us in solving our problems. When we are walking in obedience to His divine will and plan, he will help us face those difficult issues and bring us through them. This means that we submit ourselves over to doing that which we may find uncomfortable.
Through personal prayer, study, and meditation on God's word do we find His wisdom and insights. Cultivating relationship with men of integrity, valor, and living a disciplined spiritual life is another means whereby we grow in Godly Wisdom.
Our faith and assurance on Christ and Heavenly Father rests on experiencing their presence and know that they are reigning in our hearts and minds.
Recovery is a dark journey for most of us. Through our faith in Jesus Christ, we come to full knowledge of His light, love, and truth. Do we forsake others struggling in their own darkness and journey? God forbid. This is the heart and foundation of recovery support groups.
There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die. ~ Proverbs 15:10, ESV ~ It is difficult to accept the truth. We want to accept our present circumstances with the idea it is just the way it is. We justify our ongoing behaviors, our reasons for wanting to continue with life,… Continue reading Authentic Trust in the Christian Life
Attend any 12-step based community support group and you will here the ritual chant of the Serenity Prayer. God grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference. It appears this saying is done in an absent-minded form of shallow profession. Something we… Continue reading Spiritual Impact of the Serenity Prayer
A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory. ~ Proverbs 24:5-6, ESV ~ What war are you waging in an attempt to claim victory? In our culture, we have this conversation about toxic masculinity along… Continue reading Full of strength and wisdom
The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult. ~ Proverbs 12:16, ESV ~ A mindful and spiritual recovery moves us away from our sense of self-importance. This is because it is our greatest threat to living out our authentic sense of being. Carlos Castaneda shares this insight: Our self-importance… Continue reading Are We Easily Offended?
Today's reading: Genesis 39 - 40:23; Ps. 10:1-11; Prov. 4:1-6; Matthew 13:31-58 And the Lord is with us Want to know the secret to success in this life? It's a prized desire for all of us to achieve success. Healthy relationships, profitable endeavor through employment, healthy families, and being a productive member of society. The… Continue reading Through Faithful Stewardship we Are Blessed
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ ~ Phillippians 3:8, ESV ~ Growing spiritually mindful helps us come to know and understand who we are… Continue reading Wisdom Through Our Guiding Principles
Today's reading: Gen 33 - 34:3; Ps. 9:1-5; Prov. 3:21-26; Matt. 12:1-21 Let us exalt and praise His Holy Name God is gracious toward us in all things. It is because of who He is, we receive blessings. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. As we read in the scriptures, we notice the… Continue reading The worthiness of God
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. ~ Isaiah 40:29 ~ Powerlessness comes when we are no longer capable of utilizing our volition to make sound choices. When we move beyond addictions and co-dependency issues, we also come to realize how limited our power is. However, we also come… Continue reading He strengthens us when we are weak and weary
One of the most challenge things in being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is having to constantly be aware of one's on going work toward perfection. Many times, as a Mormon, the constant teaching of, "you have to do this in order for this to happen," came across the… Continue reading How God meets us where we are in the present moment
If anyone serves , he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. ~ John 12:26, ESV ~ We are set free from the bondage and enslavement substance use has brought upon us because we follow in the footsteps of our… Continue reading In the Footsteps of the Master
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. ~James 3:13, ESV~ As we engage in our journey through recovery, wisdom is the guiding light that helps us live a life free from substance use. Where does this wisdom come from? It comes… Continue reading Becoming Wise
There are 3 Key elements of simple spiritual growth within the Christian life. Whether you are a new believer in Christ, estranged yourself from the Christian life, or are experiencing a drought in your spiritual journey - these simple principles will ignite a fresh spiritual growth. The central point is to come to know the… Continue reading 3 key elements of spiritual growth for authentic Christian living
At some point in each of our lives, we come to a place where we are in need of prayer, encouragement, support, and assistance. Within the Christian community, we are all in need of these things. Problem is, there is criticism, judgment, and lack of compassion and empathy upon those who come with their needs.… Continue reading How judging prevents blessings
~ Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things ~ 2 Timothy 2:7, KJV Whether it is listening to a favorite Christian broadcast, sermon, or a daily devotion - immersion into the word of God is not merely a chore to be accomplished. It requires sincere time of meditation in… Continue reading Consider the Teachings
What matters most is what sort of person you are becoming. Wise individuals care only about whom they are today and who they can be tomorrow ~ Epictetus ~ We must live by those lessons of the recovery life in order to become wise. Wisdom is not something that springs up overnight. Learning wisdom is… Continue reading Becoming Wise
Mindful Latter-day Saint Apologetics 
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