The Power of Jesus Christ in Our Lives Every Day
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What does Elder Costa say about the role of faith in Jesus Christ during times of hardship?
- How does Elder Costa suggest we can begin exercising a little bit of faith every day?
- What does Elder Costa mean when he says our covenants are transformational, not transactional?
- How does Elder Costa describe the power of remembering Jesus Christ?
- What examples does Elder Costa give of people who have faced trials and found strength through their faith in Jesus Christ?
Topics
Recognizing the Power of Jesus Christ in Our Lives
Elder Costa discusses the power of Jesus Christ in our lives and how it can provide strength and resilience in times of hardship. He shares stories of individuals who have faced significant trials and how their faith in Christ has helped them to endure.
What gives them the power to go through hard things? What gives an extra layer of strength to go on when everything seems lost? I have found that the source of that strength is faith in Jesus Christ as we intentionally seek to come unto Him each and every day.
We don’t come to Jesus because we are perfect. We come to Him because we are flawed and in Him we can "be perfected."
- What does Elder Costa mean when he says that faith in Jesus Christ is the source of strength to go through hard things?
- How does coming unto Christ everyday provide an extra layer of strength?
- How can you intentionally seek to come unto Christ each day?
- In what ways have you experienced the power of Jesus Christ in your life during times of hardship?
Beginning Each Day with Faith
Elder Costa shares his personal practice of beginning each day with prayer and scripture study. He emphasizes the importance of remembering Jesus Christ throughout the day and how this practice helps him to face problems and conflicts like Jesus would.
When I wake up, instead of looking at my phone, I say a prayer. Even a simple prayer. Then I read a scripture. This helps me with my weekly covenant that I make as I partake of the sacrament to "always remember him."
When I "remember Him," I feel a desire to change, to repent. I find the source of energy to keep my covenants, and I feel the influence of the Holy Ghost in my life.
- What benefits does Elder Costa mention about starting the day with prayer and scripture study?
- How does remembering Jesus Christ throughout the day influence Elder Costa's actions and decisions?
- How can you incorporate prayer and scripture study into your daily morning routine?
- What steps can you take to remember Jesus Christ throughout your day?
Understanding Covenants as Transformational
Elder Costa explains that keeping covenants is not a transactional relationship with God, but rather a transformational one. He emphasizes that through covenants, we receive the sanctifying and strengthening power of Jesus Christ, which enables us to become new people and overcome challenges.
Our covenants are not merely transactional; they are transformational. Through my covenants I receive sanctifying, strengthening power of Jesus Christ, which allows me to become a new person, to forgive what seems unforgivable, to overcome the impossible.
Intentionally remembering Jesus Christ always is powerful; it gives me added strength to "keep his commandments which he has given [me]." It helps me to be nicer, to smile for no reason, to be a peacemaker, to avoid conflict, to let God prevail in my life.
- What does Elder Costa mean when he says that our covenants with God are transformational, not transactional?
- How does remembering Jesus Christ always give us added strength to keep God's commandments?
- How have you personally experienced the transformational power of your covenants?
- What changes can you make to better remember Jesus Christ always?
Finding Peace and Strength in Christ During Trials
Elder Costa shares stories of people who have faced severe trials and found peace and strength through their faith in Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that faith in Christ helps us to withstand the storm and find peace, knowing that we won't perish because He is with us.
When our pain or the pain of someone we love is so much that we can’t bear it, remembering Jesus Christ and coming unto Him can lighten the burden, soften the heart, and ease the pain.
Faith in Jesus Christ is the feeling of peace to withstand the storm, knowing that we will not perish because He is in the ship with us.
- How does remembering Jesus Christ and coming unto Him help us when we or someone we love is in pain?
- What does Elder Costa mean when he says that faith in Jesus Christ gives us peace to withstand the storm?
- How have you experienced the peace and strength of Christ during your personal trials?
- How can you better remember Jesus Christ and come unto Him during times of trial?
Enduring to the End with Faith
Elder Costa speaks about the importance of enduring to the end with faith in Jesus Christ. He shares stories of individuals who have faced heartbreak and disappointment, yet have found strength to endure through their faith.
I am grateful for the opportunity that Renee and I had to meet some of these extraordinary Saints, for their many examples of faith, strength, and perseverance.
I know that He stands ready to endow us with His power if we come to Him each and every day.
- What does Elder Costa mean when he says that Jesus Christ stands ready to endow us with His power if we come to Him each and every day?
- How does Elder Costa describe the examples of faith, strength, and perseverance he has seen in the Saints he has met?
- How can you come unto Christ each and every day to receive His power?
- How have you seen the power of faith, strength, and perseverance in your own life or in the lives of others around you?
