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“But Jesus does not say, “Blessed are those who live righteously and maintain a righteous lifestyle.” Rather he affirms, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness.” The statement presupposes that righteousness is something the faithful continuously strive after. The blessed are not those who arrive but those who continue, at whatever cost, in their pilgrimage toward a more perfect righteousness. The constant, relentless drive toward righteousness characterizes the blessed.”
― Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels
― Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels
“all things work together for good to them that love God” (Romans 8:28). So keep loving. Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever.”
― Our Day Star Rising: Exploring the New Testament with Jeffrey R. Holland
― Our Day Star Rising: Exploring the New Testament with Jeffrey R. Holland
“It was our beloved Savior’s final night in mortality, the evening before He would offer Himself a ransom for all humankind. As He broke bread with His disciples, He said something that must have filled their hearts with great alarm and deep sadness. “One of you shall betray me,” He told them.
The disciples didn’t question the truth of what He said. Nor did they look around, point to someone else, and ask, “Is it him?”
Instead, “they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?” (Matthew 26:21–22; emphasis added).
I wonder what each of us would do if we were in the room when the Savior made that statement. Would we look at those around us and say in our hearts, “He’s probably talking about Brother so-and-so. I’ve always wondered about him,” or “I’m glad Sister so-and-so is here. She really needs to hear this message”? Or would we, like those disciples of old, look inward and ask that penetrating question: “Is it I?” In these simple words, Lord, is it I? lies the beginning of wisdom and the pathway to personal conversion and lasting change.”
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The disciples didn’t question the truth of what He said. Nor did they look around, point to someone else, and ask, “Is it him?”
Instead, “they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?” (Matthew 26:21–22; emphasis added).
I wonder what each of us would do if we were in the room when the Savior made that statement. Would we look at those around us and say in our hearts, “He’s probably talking about Brother so-and-so. I’ve always wondered about him,” or “I’m glad Sister so-and-so is here. She really needs to hear this message”? Or would we, like those disciples of old, look inward and ask that penetrating question: “Is it I?” In these simple words, Lord, is it I? lies the beginning of wisdom and the pathway to personal conversion and lasting change.”
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“There may be times when we must make a courageous decision to hope even when everything around us contradicts this hope. Like Father Abraham, we will 'against hope believe in hope' (Romans 4:18). Or, as one writer expressed, 'in the depth of winter, we find within us an invincible summer.”
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“By bearing each other’s burdens, we “fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2; see also Mosiah 18:8). Jesus taught, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Can it be that in our search for joy, the best way to find it is to bring joy to others? My friends, you know and I know this is true! Joy is like a barrel of flour or a jar of oil that will never run out (see 1 Kings 17:8–16). True joy multiplies when it is shared.
It doesn’t require something grand or complicated.
We can do simple things.
Like praying for someone with all our heart.
Giving a sincere compliment.
Helping someone feel welcome, respected, valued, and loved.
Sharing a favorite scripture and what it means to us.
Or even just by listening.
“When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17).”
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It doesn’t require something grand or complicated.
We can do simple things.
Like praying for someone with all our heart.
Giving a sincere compliment.
Helping someone feel welcome, respected, valued, and loved.
Sharing a favorite scripture and what it means to us.
Or even just by listening.
“When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17).”
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Umar’s 2025 Year in Books
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