"If thy hand offend thee, cut it off"

One of the blessings that come from studying scriptures, is the enlightenment and learning that happens.  When we come across something, even though we have read it before, it means something more this time around.  These enlightenments bring us to a place of understanding and hopefully to a place where we are willing to change and do something about what it is we are being taught.

Mark 9:4-48 JST, 
"40 Therefore, if thy hand offend thee, cut it off; or if thy brother offend thee and confess not and forsake not, he shall be cut off. It is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands, to go into hell.41 For it is better for thee to enter into life without thy brother, than for thee and thy brother to be cast into hell; into the fire that never shall be quenched, where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.42 And again, if thy foot offend thee, cut it off; for he that is thy standard, by whom thou walkest, if he become a transgressor, he shall be cut off.43 It is better for thee, to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell; into the fire that never shall be quenched.44 Therefore, let every man stand or fall, by himself, and not for another; or not trusting another.45 Seek unto my Father, and it shall be done in that very moment what ye shall ask, if ye ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive. 46 And if thine eye which seeth for thee, him that is appointed to watch over thee to show thee light, become a transgressor and offend thee, pluck him out.47 It is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God, with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
48 For it is better that thyself should be saved, than to be cast into hell with thy brother, where their worm dieth not, and where the fire is not quenched."

After reading and studying these scriptures I am more aware and want to keep an eye out for those things I need to dismiss in my life so I am not offending God. In the November 2007 Ensign it teaches, "...such cutting off refers not only to friends but to every bad influence, such as inappropriate television shows, Internet sites, movies, literature, games, or music." I feel grateful that the Holy Ghost has influenced me at certain times with when and how I need to dismiss something from my life.  It has usually been in the form of movies and tv shows.  I am sure there are plenty of other things that I will be made aware of that I will need to "cut off"  as time goes on.  Again, I am thankful that Heavenly Father works with us line upon line, little by little.

Faith

I have heard and read the story of the woman with the issue of blood many times.  (Mark 5:25-34) When I read it this week, and even now thinking and writing about it, I am overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude for the spirit and knowledge I was able to gain from this story this time. Coincidentally, two days later, I was reading in Ether about the brother of Jared bringing stones to the Lord to light. 

These stories made me consider my own faith, and as little as it may be sometimes, the great things that happen line upon line, little by little.  It really is by the small things great things come to pass.  For me there have been the tiniest prayers answered, and the big, weighted questions on my mind answered, and things that happened which I never thought they could.  I believe it is because of God's mercy and my faith; my willingness to do something about what I believe.    

One of the hard parts in faith is thinking that I don’t have enough of it because the miracles I am hoping for haven’t happened or questions remain unanswered.  There are even things that seem to indicate that they will never happen which causes more frustrations.  Though I may slack in my efforts and faith in some of these moments, I am truly grateful I have not let my my faith die.  
Despite those hard, frustrating times when faith is tried; we can still feel the peace and understanding that comes from the mercy and grace of the Atonement.  I do not know what kind of faith the woman with the blood sickness had, or the faith that the brother of Jared had.  It might've been their first time ever experiencing any action of faith in their life, or might've been their millionth  step on the faith ladder.  Either way, they did something about their faith.  They reached out to Him.  They asked of Him.  They sought Him.