Maybe it's time for the bishop in the Close house hold to write something of a spiritual nature on the family blog. This past Saturday evening we went to the Salt lake temple as a bishopric and enjoyed each others company afterwards at dinner.
I am grateful to be able to learn something of a spiritual nature each time I attend the temple. Although what we see and hear in the temple may seem repetitious, if we go with the right spirit we can be taught from on high. So it was for me... I have never really considered the relationship between temptation and sacrifice, but as I sat in the temple, it seemed that my mind was opened up to a persective that I had not before considered.
The scriptures teach us that we should put off the natural man, for the natural man is an enemy to God. So much of the worlds view is centered on serving ones own desires and pleasures, rather than serving the needs of others. When our thoughts and actions are centered on ourselves, I believe we "open the door" so to speak, for Satan tempt us in ways that will appeal to our selfish thoughts.
However, if our focus is on serving the needs of other and sacrificing our time and giving of our talents and all the wonderful blessing the Lord has given us in the service of others, He will bless us with an added measure of strength to over come temptation when it is placed before us.
I am gratful for this knowledge, because it has given me a new perspective on how I can find true joy in the service of other...
Bishop Dad
