That stoplight had a sign that said “no right turn on red”. ⁣

I despised that sign so much, because I couldn’t see any purpose for it. ⁣

Plus, the light took what seemed like forever to change every time I went to turn right. ⁣

I noticed something interesting about myself, though. ⁣

Whenever I got to the light and there was another car behind me, I would patiently wait until the light turned green. ⁣

But if I got to the light, and there wasn’t a car in sight, I would make the right turn whenever I wanted. ⁣

I thought about this pattern one time, and I realized that I only cared about following that traffic rule when someone was watching me that would judge me. ⁣

But when I was on my own, I did whatever I wanted! ⁣

I had no “integrity” when it came to following that traffic rule. ⁣

I only cared about whether or not other people THOUGHT I was following the rules. ⁣

This reminds me of the Israelites.⁣

They sometimes got a little more righteous because a good judge was with them! ⁣

But then… ⁣

“And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers”. (Judges 2:19) ⁣

As soon as the judge was gone, they went back to their wicked ways. ⁣

They KNEW what was right the whole time, but they only turned to the Lord when someone was there with them. ⁣

Do we only do the right thing when others are watching? ⁣

Do we only say our prayers if our spouse will see?⁣

Watch media that won’t drive out the Spirit if someone is in the room? ⁣

Or do we have integrity to keep the same standards, no matter who is there?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Red light integrity first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I can handle just about anything, and if I don’t know what I’m doing, I’ll figure it out.

If I’m asking someone for help, I guarantee I have thought through every possible way I could solve the problem without needing assistance first.

This is a fantastic strength in many areas of my life.

I can get things done.

Because the truth is, I can be super strong on my own.

The judges speaking against Nephi knew that they could be strong, too.

“We are powerful,” they said.

“Our enemies can have no power over us.” (Hel. 8:6)

And they really did have powerful and strong armies who could get things done and fight off enemies!

But where does all of our own strength come from?

From the One who created us and placed us on earth with a very specific purpose.

He often allows us to use our own natural (yet God-given) strength.

I can learn new things or ace a test on my own.

And the Nephite armies could totally win a battle without any religious sentiment.

But –

What happens if we team up with God?

What happens if we rely on the One who made us to add His efforts to ours?

What if we knew He could make us unstoppable?

A little army of 2,000 with no fatalities.

A man on a wall with arrows completely missing.

A young mom who is defending her home against the seemingly ever-present evils around her.

And against all odds, they all succeed.

We can do things on our own.

Or we can take our strength and add it to God’s.

And that’s where the miracles happen.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Unstoppable strength first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.