Aaaaaand I’ve got some pretty brutal weaknesses. ⁣

Satan is a smart guy. ⁣

He knows what my weaknesses are. ⁣

So he crafts temptations that perfectly prey on my weaknesses. ⁣

But, just to be clear, my weaknesses are a part of who I am. I see them as opportunities to strengthen myself and become more Christlike. They were given to me from my Father in Heaven. ⁣

Satan is NOT in my weaknesses. ⁣

But he’ll do whatever he can to get me to fall away from my faith by placing temptations before me that are most likely to work based on my weaknesses. ⁣

Anyone else excited for the time that John saw where:

“He laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years”. (Revelation 20:2)

While we can’t completely eliminate the adversary right now, how can we find little ways to “bind” Satan in our lives each day?

How can we minimize the ability he has to influence us for bad?⁣

Two strategies that have worked for me:

1. Call him out. ⁣

I’m too tired to pray tonight. – Wait, really? Even a one minute prayer? I’ve got time for this. ⁣

2. Fill my life with tons of good things. ⁣

I fill it with so much prayer and so many scriptures and so much kindness and service that I hardly have time for the bad thoughts. ⁣

Every single time I start listening to more conference talks, scriptures, and uplifting music, then my temptations to waste time or view not-so-uplifting media dwindle.

“The only power I know of that will bind Satan, or render him powerless, is righteous living.” – Eldred G. Smith

Satan is real.

But who has infinitely more power than Satan?⁣

Our Savior, Jesus Christ. ⁣

And who has access to Christ’s literal priesthood power? ⁣

Anyone who has made covenants with God and keeps them with intention.

We can have the adversary “bound” as much as possible in our lives because we have access to Christ. ⁣

And that is true hope.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Binding the adversary first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

It will be gone. ⁣

Have you cried recently?

There will be no need. ⁣

Do you ever experience pain?

There will be no more. ⁣

Have you dealt with death?

Completely gone. ⁣

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

It’s hard even to imagine that. ⁣

And yet, it sounds like exactly what I desire the most. ⁣

Pain and sorrow will be gone. ⁣

And in their place, the loving embrace of my God as I dwell with Him in His presence! ⁣

What would I be willing to sacrifice right now to gain this blessing someday?⁣

Absolutely anything.

I’ve got to endure the tears, the pain, the heartache, the death for now.

And even though it can feel brutal and crushing, I know that my God isn’t waiting for some future day to bring peace into my life.

I don’t have to completely delay any sense of peace, joy, or calm in this life.

God sees my tears.

Jesus wept.

He helps me endure with a little more joy.

He helps bring me relief that refreshes me to keep going.

He helps send peace into my life during chaotic times.

God helps us ease our lowest points now.

And someday, He will sit upon His throne and wipe away any reason for sorrow in the first place.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Wipe away all tears first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

My water bottle comes wherever I go!

We live in a two-story home and whenever I’m ready to transition up or downstairs, my kids always make sure I have my water and my phone.

My youngest is actually very concerned when I don’t have my water bottle right next to me, and will go to find it and bring it to me. It’s cute.

So the analogy that Jesus uses here really resonates with me:

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” (Revelation 21:6)

How long can I go without reconnecting with my Savior? ⁣

Longer than I can go without a drink of water?⁣

That’s a piercing question for me. ⁣

I want the Savior’s loving and peaceful influence in my life…

But do I always thirst for it?

I’m working on building that desire up on a consistent basis. ⁣

Instead of forgetting or avoiding prayers or scriptures…

I want to feel a longing and a necessity to not go without them.

Just as I wouldn’t go to bed without my water. ⁣

Some days I’m there.

But some days I’m not. ⁣

He promises that He will give the water to me FREELY once I desire it. ⁣

But I have to ask for it.

I have to want it in the same way I would want to quench my thirst. ⁣

I am grateful for a Savior who gives me what I desire. ⁣

But that means I have to work on what my desires really are.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Always with my water bottle  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Sometimes they are singing, other times they are playing a solo instrument…

But I’m asked to be their accompanist.

I love it— I truly think it’s so fun to accompany people!

Each time I am asked to do this, I put time and effort into learning the, sometimes very complicated, piano piece.

I follow the soloist with precision and rubato, and perform with the best emotion or Spirit that I can bring.

It’s a beautiful experience to create live music together and share it with others.

And… do you know who usually gets all the praise afterward?

The soloist.

I always feel a sting of jealousy or sadness when someone compliments them without mentioning me.

I know, it’s a manifestation of my pride, and the soloist is often extremely talented and worked very hard.

But I still just feel a bit… forgotten.

Now, there have been many times when the soloist or others have gone out of their way to make sure that I am recognized for my efforts.

It feels good to be acknowledged.

And it sure doesn’t feel great to be forgotten.

John wrote:

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him.” (Revelation 19:7)

Jesus deserves every honor, credit, and praise.

Anything that we do, we do because of Him.

We may know this…

But do we acknowledge this?

Do we show Him our gratitude for making everything possible?

Do we thank Him for being the essential “accompanist” for the performance we sometimes take all the credit for?

I’m working on getting better at noticing the other people around me who are often overlooked.

The ones who might feel forgotten, and who never hear “thank you”.

And while I do this with the people around me, I’m also trying to improve my recognition to Jesus.

All the praise, honor, and credit belong to Jesus!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The forgotten accompanist  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.