I truly enjoy it, and it’s one of my go-to things when I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

But I, of course, started off as an 8 year old who didn’t want to practice the piano.

I’ve been through it all.

I know it seems a bit too easy to simplify this process, but how did I get better at playing the piano?

I practiced.

I spent time devoted to strengthening my weaknesses. I taught other people piano. I spent time with experts.

And for those who really excelled at sports (not me), isn’t it the same?!

You attend a summer camp where you are focused on it. You watch it. You listen to it.

The time spent practicing something = increases skill.

Pretty obvious parallel, right?!⁣

We wanna make our testimonies stronger?

Spend time practicing it!

Study each day.

Immerse ourselves in unique experiences (camps or conferences).

Work on our weaknesses over and over.

Teach others what we know.

Time practicing = increased testimony. ⁣

How many times have we heard Paul bear his testimony now?

A million, maybe? ⁣

We get another record of his powerful testimony in Acts 26:15:

“And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.”

Do you think his testimony became stronger the more times he bore it?

Absolutely!⁣

Yes, Fast Sundays are great times to practice, but I don’t think testimonies only need to be shared over the pulpit once a month. ⁣

Are we finding ways to share what we believe CONSTANTLY?⁣

With the way we respond to a child’s poor decision?

With the way we speak about “that person”?

With the way we focus just a little more on service instead of selfishness?

That’s how testimonies grow!⁣

And truly focusing on the Savior as the cornerstone of our testimonies is the most powerful step of all.

“While it is always good to express love and gratitude, such expressions do not constitute the kind of testimony that will ignite a fire of belief in the lives of others.

“To bear testimony is ‘to bear witness by the power of the Holy Ghost; to make a solemn declaration of truth based on personal knowledge or belief’”. -Elder Ballard⁣

I am grateful for Paul’s powerful testimony and I know that the more opportunities I find to share bits of my testimony, the stronger it becomes.

Practice makes progress!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Practice makes progress  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Can you put your name in that sentence?

He did this to Paul.

“And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul.” (Acts 23:11)

Paul, as usual, was in dire circumstances with people plotting against his life from every angle. ⁣

But Paul, as usual, was still preaching of Christ and doing what he thought was right. ⁣

And that’s why the Savior told him he could be of good cheer. ⁣

Not because of Paul’s circumstances.

But because of his actions and choices!

No matter the circumstances in your life right now,

Whether they are dire, confusing, boring, joyous, frustrating, or nerve-wracking…

The Lord knows you can choose to do what is right.

I know, I know, that sounds too simple.

But none of us are predestined to fail or to turn away from God.

There is always room for service, love, personal gospel study, and keeping the commandments!

Our Savior invites us to be of good cheer because He knows we can use our agency to do something good and righteous despite our circumstances.

Our attitude and actions will always speak louder than our circumstances.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Can I find cheer in any circumstance?  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I remember rolling out of bed, being so sick, and wondering how I could even get through the day (while not being able to keep any food down).

I prayed I could just drag my body out the door.

When I was in the classroom, I desperately prayed I could make it until break time.

I prayed over food.

I prayed while having conversations with people.

I prayed when I got home and still had work to do.

⁣And I truly would feel these beautiful

spiritual boosts.

I mean, I was still sick. And miserable a lot.

But I’d see the hand of God in those little moments where I felt strength to endure or a little hug that everything would be okay.

Well eventually, I felt better.

As I got into my car at the end of a long middle school day, my mind immediately thought:

“Ah, I haven’t prayed at all today!”

I hadn’t needed the heavenly help.

And immediately I was taught this lesson:

Often, it’s the “bad times” that actually draw us closest to the Lord. ⁣

I went from pleading for His help and comfort, to thinking, “Eh, I can do this on my own”.

It’s SO HARD for me to remember this while I am going through bad times, but often they really bring me closer to God. ⁣

It’s not a punishment.

It’s actually an opportunity for a blessing. ⁣

When I think of Paul, I get exhausted with the trials he had to endure.

He clearly wasn’t being punished for anything. ⁣

“Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day”. (Acts 26:22)

But do you think he learned how to rely on God for LITERALLY everything?⁣

Absolutely. ⁣

THAT is the hidden blessing that comes from those hard times.

I’m not grateful I was sick, but I am grateful I learned how to rely on God every second during teaching a class.

THAT was my blessing.

“As Paul’s ministry clearly shows, difficulties in our lives are not a sign that God disapproves of the work we are doing. In fact, sometimes it is during the difficulties that we feel His support most strongly.” —CFM Manual

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Are trials a sign that God is punishing me? first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Not me.

At all.

But at the same time, I also am fully aware that I am not perfect.

It’s this weird human balance we all struggle with— not really wanting to be corrected while also being totally aware that we are imperfect.

One role righteous leaders have, whether it’s general church leaders, local organization presidents, or parents in their own homes, is to invite people to repent and change.

In a very individualistic culture, this can be a tough role for everyone involved.

And with the common sin of pride pervasive on all sides, it’s easy for feelings to get hurt or power to be misused.

But other times our “calls to repentance” come as the Spirit stings our conscience as we listen to someone speaking or read something that invites His presence.

Paul experienced a call to repentance.

And when the Savior very boldly invited Paul to change, how did Paul respond?

⁣”And I said, What shall I do, Lord?” (Acts 22:10)

What a humble response.

Instead of anger, annoyance, justification or any other manifestation of pride…

He chose humility.

Can you imagine if that was our response to every lesson, every talk, every family council?

Instead of feeling anger because someone dared to tell us we were doing something wrong, annoyance because they aren’t perfect either, or even apathy because you think you couldn’t learn from anyone like that, the Lord invites us to always change!

Even when the invitation comes from people who aren’t perfect either.

Jesus wants our hearts to be willing to be molded and refined.

That one sentence that stands out to you in a boring seminary lesson? “What shall I do, Lord?”

The thought that comes to your mind during a long stake conference talk? “What shall I do, Lord?”

That phrase that won’t leave your heart while attempting to read a difficult book of scripture? “What shall I do, Lord?”

If we aren’t perfect, we have room to improve.

And the Spirit can tell us what the next step is, if we are willing to get up and act!

There’s always something we can learn and improve, and the Spirit will always lead us in the right direction if we ask.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Having humility while being corrected  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.