I think almost every baptismal/confirmation talk I’ve ever heard has touched on this idea that we need to receive the Holy Ghost, since those are the words used in the ordinance. ⁣

But I actually really love this idea that we don’t just decide to receive the Spirit at age 8, and then we are good to go. ⁣

I think we can choose every day, every moment, whether or not we are going to receive the Spirit. ⁣

The Spirit is there, but isn’t going to impose on our agency. ⁣

This past week of my life, I’ve really tried to actively invite the Spirit into my life. ⁣

I’ve prayed to ask for the Spirit each day. ⁣

I’ve even visually pictured receiving the Holy Ghost each day. ⁣

When I’ve been feeling down, I’ve done better at actually inviting His comfort to help me, instead of wallowing in self-pity (which I’m super good at).⁣

When I’ve been confused, I’ve practiced inviting inspiration instead of expecting it. ⁣

It’s actually been really cool. ⁣

I feel like I have a better relationship with the Spirit. ⁣

I’ve thought about having the Spirit’s presence with me much more than I have for a long time. ⁣

And… I’ve been happier. I’ve been more productive. I’ve been a little kinder. I’ve had more patience. I’ve felt more confident in making some decisions. ⁣

And I feel like there’s so much more I’m still missing!⁣

What can I invite the Spirit to do in my life that will bring me even closer to my Savior?⁣

To help me live even more as He lives?⁣

“He shall receive of my Spirit, even the Comforter, which shall manifest unto him the truth of all things, and shall give him, in the very hour, what he shall say.” (D&C 124:97⁣)

I think it takes a whole lotta faith and a quite a bit of action!⁣

So how do you receive the Holy Ghost each day?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Receive the Holy Ghost  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Matthew 13:12 confused me at first when I read it.

Does this seem fair?!

“For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath”.

Those that have more are given more?

And those that have less lose what they have?⁣

It really does not seem fair or kind or loving.

But as I continued studying it, I realized that I think these are natural consequences.

When we “have more” faith,

more of the spirit’s presence in our lives,

more Christlike attributes,

or more gospel study…

We naturally “get more.”

We get more out of our study of parables,

more opportunities to serve,

more spiritual promptings,

and more familiar with the scriptures. ⁣

And the opposite is naturally true too.

If we don’t have faith, don’t make time to study the scriptures, or don’t keep the commandments to have the spirit with us…

Then we naturally lose opportunities to serve, lose spiritual promptings, and lose gospel knowledge. ⁣

These blessings and knowledge aren’t just being given to us or taken away from us by supreme beings who want to reward and punish us for fun.

These blessings and knowledge are naturally given or taken away based on our choices and actions.

I think it actually makes perfect sense!⁣

In fact, Joseph Smith’s translation of this verse reads:

“For whosoever RECEIVETH, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance; but whosoever CONTINUETH NOT TO RECEIVE, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.” (Matthew 13:12, JST)

We decide if we receive or not.

So if we have more, we get more.

What are you trying to “have more” of today?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Have more, get more first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I think almost every baptismal/confirmation talk I’ve ever heard has touched on this idea that we need to receive the Holy Ghost, since those are the words used in the ordinance.

But I actually really love this idea that we don’t just decide to receive the Spirit at age 8, and then we are good to go.

I think we can choose every day, every moment, whether or not we are going to receive the Spirit.

The Spirit is there, but isn’t going to impose on our agency.

This past week of my life, I’ve really tried to actively invite the Spirit into my life.

I’ve prayed to ask for the Spirit each day.

I’ve even visually pictured receiving the Holy Ghost each day.

When I’ve been feeling down, I’ve done better at actually inviting His comfort to help me, instead of wallowing in self-pity (which I’m super good at).

When I’ve been confused, I’ve practiced inviting inspiration instead of expecting it.

It’s actually been really cool.

I feel like I have a better relationship with the Spirit.

I’ve thought about having the Spirit’s presence with me much more than I have for a long time.

And… I’ve been happier. I’ve been more productive. I’ve been a little kinder. I’ve had more patience. I’ve felt more confident in making some decisions.

And I feel like there’s so much more I’m still missing!

What can I invite the Spirit to do in my life that will bring me even closer to my Savior?

To help me live even more as He lives?

“He shall receive of my Spirit, even the Comforter, which shall manifest unto him the truth of all things, and shall give him, in the very hour, what he shall say.” D&C 124:97

I think it takes a whole lotta faith and a quite a bit of action!

So how do you receive the Holy Ghost each day?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Receive the Holy Ghost… today first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.