Walk w/Christ Day 9:Forgive, forgive, forgive!

Read: 3 Nephi 14:1, Matt 18:21, Ether 12:27 & Luke 6:35-38

Although we try our best, sometimes we feel it isn't good enough. It is easy to see the flaws of others who are doing their best, also. Jesus will make our best effort perfect. Accept each person for who they are and look for the good in them.

Challenge: Every time you feel the penny in your shoe, think of one person you have an issue with and work to let go of it during the day. We constantly look to Christ for forgiveness, so today see whom you can forgive.

There's a story of two pots in India that carried water from the river to the master's house daily on the end of poles across the back of a servant. One pot had a crack in it, thus not fulfulling its potential because of half its water leaking from it. The other pot was whole and proud of its accomplishments.
One day the pot tells the servant it's ashamed to deliver only part of a load because of his crack. These flaws cause the man more work. 'Watch for the beautiful flowers on the path, as we return from the river,' says the servant.
I realized your flaw and planted seeds on your side to take advantage of it, by letting you water them. There are no flowers on the other side of the pathway.
I picked the flowers for my master to enjoy. You are needed just the way you are and many have benefited by it without your knowledge.

Moral: Take each person for what they are, looking for the good in them. Appreciate the differences of all people taking care not to compare yourself with them. Know that we all make life interesting..we are all cracked pots.

Challenge: What will forgieness do for me? Strive to forgive 7x70 in turning over my pains & offended heart to the Lord by sincerely forgiving others.

Day 8: Walk w/Christ-Feel the Atonement

Read: Isaiah 53: 3-6, John 3: 16-17, Hel 5:9, Alma 7: 11-12

To walk with the Savior we need to understand and appreciate all He has done for us. Taking advantage of the Atonement requires us to accept it and effort to realize it’s potential in our lives.

Challenge: Every time you feel the penny, pause for one moment to ponder and realize how inclusive it’s power is in your life.

There is a story about a Seminary class whose teacher asked a new student with little interest in the lessons, how many push-ups he could do. He did 200 every night & thought he could increase to 300 if done in sets of 10, for an object lesson the teacher had. The day arrived to perform, with the teacher bringing a delicious donut for each student.

He asked the first pupil if she would like a donut. The answer was, yes! Before receiving the treat, the young man had to do ten push-ups for her. Each person was asked the same question with the push-ups required, to get the donut. Some boys said they could do their own push-ups. They were told only the chosen person was allowed to do them in order to receive the goodies.

Some didn’t want a donut. It was given to them regardless and left uneaten. The push-ups had to be performed for all present with this response, “Do the push-ups so she can have a donut, that she doesn’t want.” The young man was struggling to perform the exercise and the students were concerned he wouldn’t be able to do all of it. As the class became more concerned about the maximized efforts of the boy, another student wanted to enter the classroom. Many told him to stay out, but it was okay with the push-up performer, who began doing 10 extra for the newcomer.

Nearing the end of over 350 push-ups the student was having a very hard time, the classroom was asking how they could help, but told they were not allowed. Falling to the floor as he finished the task, the teacher told the attendees, ‘So it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, pleaded to the Father, “Into thy hands I commend my spirit.” It was understood that He had done everything required of him, he collapsed on the cross and died. Like some of those in the class, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten.’

Journaling: He paid the ultimate penalty for us willingly for you & me, so that we may all enjoy the cleansing of repentance through faith in Jesus Christ.

Day 7 Walk w/Christ: Study Him in the Scriptures

Read: (1 Ne 11:25; compare Ether 8:26), Mosiah 1:5, D&C 26:1, John 5:39, Alma 17:2, 2 Ne 32:3

Challenge today: Feast on His words! Grow closer to the Father & Son by drinking of the water. If it is Sunday increase your scripture study, meditate & enjoy the Spirit.

In a talk by Elder David Bednar 2007, he asks, what is the most valuable commodity in the world? It is water. Our bodies are two-thirds water and we would die without it for more than three or four days. Water sustains life & could not exist without clean water.

As Jesus was passing through Samaria he stopped at Jacob’s Well, speaking to a woman about the ‘living waters’. He asked her for a drink saying, ‘Give me to drink’. She was surprised he, a Jew, would speak to her, a Samaritan.

Jesus answered, “ If thou newest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.”

She responded that he had nothing to draw the water with. His answer was, ‘Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:7-11, 13-14

This water represents the Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel sustaining life in spiritual ways to help us grow and develop. The scriptures are a reservoir of water we can utilize daily drinking deeply and long.

Journaling: Who do I get my strength from? Am I too busy to seek the word of God and quench my thirst?

Day 6 Walk w/Christ: Day of Gratitude

Read- Psalms 50:14, Mosiah 24: 21-22 & 3 Nephi 10:10

Challenge today: When I feel the penny today, I will think of something new to be grateful for. What are my top 10 or can I think of 100?

There’s a story about a floral shop that gives out arrangements containing only the thorny stems of the rose, but not the flower. These displays remind us to think of how we have grown, survived and become stronger through the challenges in our lives. Often we focus on the positive blessings & don’t consider our trials part of them. Looking at the prickly floral bouquet or any reminder of past troubles, helps us all to appreciate the good and hard times.
A poem by George Matheson reads:
My God, I have never thanked Thee for my thorn!
I have thanked Thee a thousand times for my roses,
But never once for my thorn.
Teach me the glory of the cross I bear, teach me the value of my thorns.
Show me that I have climbed to Thee by the path of pain.
Show me that my tears have made my rainbow.

Journal: Write some of the things that come to mind you havn't thought of for awhile & how they have helped or blessed you.

Day 5: Take One Another’s Burdens

Read verses: Gal 6:2, Heb 13:1, Psalms 54:22 & Mosiah 18:8-9, 21

As we strive to be more like Him, we need to be more aware of those around us. Some people only need a smile, others a kind word. Listen to the Spirit tell you who needs your love/ear/help today.

Challenge: When you feel the penny, try to soften your heart & open up to those around you, as Christ does everyday for us.

President Gordon B. Hinkley told a story of a remote school in Virginia’s mountains full of unruly boys. An inexperienced teacher applied knowing it would be a hard job. He let the boys set the class rules and penalty for breaking them. Soon the lunch of big Tom was stolen and the small culprit was found. He was to receive a beating without his coat on, but plead to be able to keep it on. Rules were rules. The young man had no shirt when the coat was removed, so Tom volunteered to take the licking. All agreed that a substitute could do it. Before the job was completed, little Jim had reached his arms around Tom saying, “I’m sorry that I stole your lunch, but I was really hungry. Tom I will love you till I die, for taking my licking for me! Yes, forever!

“Surely, he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…”

Journaling: Are there some in my life I can help or take a few minutes to let someone in?

Day 4: Strive for Increased Obedience

Jer 7:23, Matt 7:21, Luke 22:43-44, 1 Ne 4:18, D&C 64: 34
Many times we make mistakes in our lives, but it’s important that we repent, move on & try to be a little better, stronger and more like Him. As we walk in Jesus’ footsteps we must try to be obedient.

Challenge: Only you know what you need to work on. Choose one area today exercising your trust in God to conquer your problems. Each time you feel the penny, remember this is a great time to change & you can.

The Card Files is a story about a wall of card files that contain all of a person’s life experiences, his thoughts, joys, mistakes, challenges and so on. He doesn’t want anyone to see or know what he has and hasn’t done, thus wants to lock it all away. He cries out in shame when imagining Jesus opening and reading every one.
Jesus then signs His name to each card as the poor soul cries, No! He looks at the signature which is written in red. It is Jesus blood on every card. He puts hands on this mans’ shoulders saying, “It is finished.”

There is no lock on our door and Jesus is waiting for us to say to Him, ‘Please come in, help me. I need you.’

Journaling: Is there one thing I could do better just for today? Do I really KNOW that I will receive His help to do his will?

Day 3: Walk w/Christ--A Day of Service

Read Joshua 22:5, 24:15; Galatians 5:13-14 & Mosiah 2:17, 18:10

Jesus served all of His life. Everything He did & said was for us. He brought strength to the cripple, sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, life to the dead and accepted all sinners. He encouraged all of us to improve ourselves and strive for perfection.

Every time you feel the penny, strive to look for the chance to be His Hands! Offer to help someone, write a note of live, give 10 compliments, smile to a grumpy person or help a senior citizen—look for the chance to serve.

There’s a story of a village that was nearly destroyed during World War II. All the villagers joined together to rebuild it from the bottom up. Numerous pieces of white marble were found from the remains of a statue that stood in the town square. A sculptor was hired to rebuild it. To commemorate the completion of restoring the town, a celebration was held including the unveiling of the statue. It was a figure of Christ by Thorvalsen with hands outstretched to all, except the statue had no hands. They had been destroyed by a bomb. The inscription instead of reading as it once did, “Come unto Christ,” now read, ‘I have no hands but yours.”
Journaling: What would I do if Jesus were at my side? Am I a true disciple of Christ? What would He have ME do?