Water to Wine

  John 2:1-11. Here we see the small glimpse of what is known as Jesus' first miracle, water to wine. Attending a wedding, Jesus was asked to somehow provide wine for the event. Telling the servants to get 6 pots of water, He told them to fill everyone's cup with the water. And to the servant's surprise, the water turned to wine. It interesting to think about.. Jesus Christ's first miracle was simply to provide a beverage for a wedding.. not healing, raising the dead, or walking on water. What was the purpose of it?
  I guess in my point of view, changing water to wine is impossible. It goes against the laws of the universe. But Jesus Christ made it possible. He makes things ALL possible. The Apostle Paul said that through Christ we can do all things (Philippians 4:13). But where I'm getting at is that Christ can also change all things, even when it seems impossible. He can turn a dark situation into a good one. He can heal us, temporally and spiritually. And most importantly, He can change who we are, to become better people. Through Christ we can be forgiven of our mistakes, and move forward. Don't get discourage if you feel you can't change.
  Remember, Christ did change water to wine. Have faith in Him. Know that everything is possible with Christ!

Who is God?

God. To many God is a mystery. For thousands of years, many people have professed on worshiping a higher being or deity.

Who is this deity? Who is this higher being?

Throughout my life, I have heard many definitions and attributes of God. I'll list a few.

1. God is a spirit, everywhere to found. He can enter into anyone and anything
2. God is a mean God. He makes us suffer and allows bad things to happen.
3. God is a changing God. He is dictated by the words and actions of man.
4. God is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All are one.
5. God doesn't exist. Logically and scientifically it can't make sense.

For someone seeking to know God, it is challenge! So where do we turn? Where can we find truth? Who can tell us who God truly is? What are ways we can come to know God?

Thanks to the restored gospel, all of these questions can be answered. God is our Father in Heaven and we are his children (Romans 8:16).He is the supreme creator of all things. He is a man and we are created in his own image (Genesis 1:27). He has a perfect body of flesh and bone (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22). He is a God of Love (1 John 4:7-8). The trials we each go through are for our own experience and good (Doctrine and Covenants 122:5-7). The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are 3 different beings (Matt. 3:13-17) God sent his Son, Jesus Christ to atone for the sins of the world (John 3:16). God's purpose and glory is to see each of us return back to Him (Moses 1:39). He is the author of the plan of salvation. We can come to know him by prayer and reading the scriptures.The Holy Spirit will tell you all truth and bear witness of God (John 14:7,26)

I know that God lives. Without a doubt. I invite others to come to know Him as well.

Step of Faith

 
        The Apostle Peter loved the savior Jesus Christ. Throughout the scriptures he showed his love and faith to Him. One such example shows Peter's willingness and strong faith to follow the Savior.

       After a strong storm, a few of the Apostles struggle to get a shore during the night. The long and strenuous task left the ship to only travel 4 miles throughout the night. Jesus Christ knew of their distress and went out to assist the troubled Apostles. Here one of the great miracles took place in all of the scriptures. Looking up, the disciples saw a figure walking towards them on the sea. In their minds they were scared and troubled. They thought it was a spirit and cried out in fear. While the Savior was walking towards him he said, "...Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid" (Matt. 14:27) When Peter recognized Him, he was full of joy! He cried out, "..Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water" (Matt. 14:28) With his faith, Peter stepped towards the water and started to walk also on the sea. Suddenly the waves and wind became stronger. Peter's faith and confidence faltered and he began to sink into the water. Becoming fearful he cried out with agony and said, "..Lord save me!" Jesus Christ reached out his hand and simply said, " .. O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?".

      

        I always marvelled at this event. Peter's faith in the Savior proved to be very strong. And yet, when the waters became rough, he fell. I wonder if I would sink into the sea. Would I have enough faith to walk on the water as well? Would I also sink.. or keep walking? Would I even take that step of faith and even try!?

     Faith is a hope of things which are not seen but are true. To have faith is to have confidence in something or someone. Faith is not just believing but a principle of action. As stated in James, faith without works is dead (James:17-18). As I reflect on my own life, I think about me preparing to serve a mission. Giving up my job, schooling, and the people I care for is scary. I thought about if I have enough faith to do it. If I had faith in the Savior... and a hope of the blessings that he promised.

    Now reflecting again on Peter and his experience.. I realized something. There will be trouble waters in our lives. And we will fall many times and start to sink. Yet Jesus Christ will always be there with a hand to reach out. Simply, faith is a gift, given to us by our Heavenly Father. As we show our diligence to follow Christ, all will be well.

   Remember the kind words spoken to the Apostles, "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid".

 

Remember Who you are.

                       I remember going to my neighbor's house so many times, perhaps a few times a week. Over the years I have grown close to the family and they have taken me in into their home. As my friends and I would go out, the mother would always say "Remember who you are!".


                      
                       I often wondered about that statement time and time again. Who am I? Was she talking about my personality, or about what my parents have taught me? Or maybe it was something a little bit more. Many people now a days have lost a sense of identity. Others may feel lost or don't know where they come from. I remember growing up often looking into an eternal perspective. Did God really know me by name? Did he hear my prayers? Did he create me? Does he look like me? And of course, "Does God truly love me?".


                     I now know my answers. I know we have a Father in Heaven who loves us and knows us by name. He knows our troubles, sorrows, and pains. Yet he wants us to have true and lasting happiness. He has created us in his on image as his spirit children. We are all his sons and daughters. He answers our prayers, on his own time. But he does answer. Knowing these truths has brought me great comfort and peace throughout my life. So remember who you are. A child of God.
  
                 
                   I would like to conclude with a quote from an Apostle from the Church Of Jesus Christ Of  Latter-day Saints. "God sees you not only as a mortal being on a small planet who lives for a brief season—He sees you as His child. He sees you as the being you are capable and designed to become. He wants you to know that you matter to Him." President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
October 2011 General Conference "You Matter to him"