I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus, New Testament

I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus, is the suggested song for the New Testament lesson “Perfect That Which Is Lacking in Your Faith” studying the books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. This song was also the “suggested song” for Haggai and Zechariah in the Old Testament. I re-recorded some of it and made a new video for this week 🙂

Here are a few verses from Thessalonians that echo the concepts taught in this song:

• •  1 Thessalonians 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
  • 1 Thessalonians 3:12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
  • 13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
  • 2 Thessalonians 3:13 New Testament 13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

In the Come Follow Me Manual it says:

“In 1 Thessalonians, Paul’s words reveal both the concern and the joy of someone who has given himself wholly to serving God’s children. Especially in the first two chapters of 1 Thessalonians, you will find words and phrases that describe the attitudes and actions of a disciple of the Lord. For example, what do you learn from 1 Thessalonians 1:5–8; 2:1–13 about serving the Lord? Think about your own opportunities to serve God and His children. What do you find in these chapters that inspires you to improve your service? Consider asking yourself questions based on what you find, such as “Am I an example of the things I know?” (see 1 Thessalonians 1:7).”

What a good question to ask, “Am I an example of the things I know?” I think I have slowly, imperceptibly almost, grown in my capacity to feel, give and receive selfless love. It is a different feeling from just thinking someone is cute or funny or you like them because they do things for you or listen really well to you. I think I have felt more of a sacrifice, a desire to do something for others that I might not really be getting anything visibly back in return and actually don’t care as much about how it affects me because that is no longer my primary concern at the time. I still get annoyed a lot about things I don’t want to do, but sometimes, I can feel love and charity in my heart which guides me to sacrifice the things I want to do, in order to be there for someone else in that moment. I guess what I’m attempting to say is, “I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus”, however much I fail at it, I just keep trying. And I guess that is all we can do: slowly learn to recognize where we might be going against light, truth and love; repent with a desire to do right; and then get up the next day and try again, growing little by little.

The scripture references for I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus are:

• John 13:15, 34 15 For I have given you an ^aexample, that ye should do as I have done to you. 34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye ^alove one another; as I have loved you, that ye also ^blove one another.

The composer of this song is:  Janice Kapp Perry, b. 1938

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This video is published on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MarileeKayMusic/

and short excerpts of the videos are posted throughout the week on Instagram @comefollowmemusicbymarilee

Excerpts from “The Apostasy and the Restoration”, “Jesus Learned and Grew”, “Jesus Taught About the Sacrament” and “Jesus is Kind” by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are included within this arrangement.

Select images and film used within this music video come from churchofjesuschrist.org, Brad and Marilee Leishman and Steve Pierce