New Testament

 In Matthew 20:1-16 Jesus is talking to his disciples and explaining this saying, the first shall be last and the last shall be first. I love this parable about the laborers of the vineyard and find it very interesting. A landowner hires temporary laborers and started them out at around 6am for a penny (typical days wage) and returned to hire people at 9am, 3pm and 5pm and agreed to pay them whatsoever is right. It would have been unusual to pay those who have worked the least before those who have been working all day but Jesus was teaching a principle so he paid them in that order and when those that worked all day found out that the ones who only worked about a hour but probably worked hard made the same as them, they were mad and murmured even though that is the amount they agreed on but got jealous when someone else who got there late because they weren't given an opportunity to work was made equal in amount. Those that were hired last might represent those who become converte...

 In Matthew chapter 14 verse 26 it talks about the disciples having fear when they see Christ walking on the sea of Galilee. Elder Holland talks about this verse and says that too often we run from the very things that bless, save, and soothe us. We often see Gospel commandments and commitments as something to be feared and forsaken when in reality they help us and guide us on the right path. I love the next verse that continue and how Peter with his eyes focus and fixated on the savior is able to walk to Christ but when he looks away from the Savior to see the furious waves from the boisterous wind he begins to sink and cries out for the help of the Savior and Christ immediately stretches forth his hand to Peter. I love that and how much meaning it has behind it that we can apply to our lives. When we fail, stumble and loose focus or turn our faith away from the savior we begin to sink and find ourselves desperately calling for the Saviors help in which he will always be there to ...

 In Matthew 9:20-22 it talks about one of my favorite healing Jesus performed in the scriptures. The women who touched Jesus' garment and was made whole has such symbolism and hope that we may too be healed. I love the account in Luke 8 and how a talk entitles, "One among the Crowd" by Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander o f the First Quorum of the Seventy shares his insights. He says, " Among the crowd was a woman. I see a humble woman, perhaps even a timid woman, approaching the Savior from behind and then with embarrassment confessing that she had touched the hem of His garment. She was a woman exhausted and impoverished by her difficulties. She was desperate for help. Outwardly, there was little to distinguish her from any other person in the crowd. No one tried to stop her from moving toward Jesus. Certainly, the Apostles neither noticed her nor made any attempt to stop her. But there was something that set her apart from all others in the crowd that day. Though buri...

 In Matthew chapter 4 verses 1-3 we learn an important truth,  that Satan tempts us when we are vulnerable.  When we are emotionally or physically spent, when we are weary, vulnerable and least prepared to resist the insidious suggestions he makes that is when we are in our hour of danger. After Jesus Christ fasted and prayed for 40 days to be with God that is when Satan tries his hand. Bruce R. McConkie said, "Jesus did not go into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. righteous men do not seek out temptation. He went to be with God and was probably visited by the Father without question he received transcendent spiritual manifestations. The temptations came after he had communed with God, after the 40 days." By praying and fasting Jesus was able to overcome Satan. Each time we fast, we gain a little more control over our worldly appetites and passions. This is so true, in my life there have been times that I need to fast and pray to get rid of a bad habit that...