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Friday, July 31, 2009

Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testamewnt I read that the Kiing of Israel went out and smote the horses and chariots and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter. 1 Kgs. 20: 21 "And the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter."

In the Book of Mormon I read that just before Jesus ascended unto His Father, He told the Nephits that whatever they asked would be given to them. In order to receive, we need to ask. If we knock, it will be opened unto us. Even though Heavenly Father already knows what we need, it's important that we turn to Him in prayer and ask. 3 Ne. 27: 28-29 "And now I ago unto the Father. And verily I say unto you, whatsoever things ye shall ask the Father in my name shall be given unto you. Therefore, ask , and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for he that asketh, receiveth; and unto him that knocketh, it shall be opened."

A verse from a thought booklet warns us that pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. If we think we know it all, we have a lot to learn! Prov. 16: 18 "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."
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Thursday, July 30, 2009

Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that a prophet came to King Ahab and told him that all the great mjultitude could be delivered into his hand that day so that he would know that the Lord is God. It's better to have the Lord on our side than a huge army! 1 Kgs. 20: 13 "And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord."

In the Book of Mormon I read that if the people believe what they've been given, even greater things will be given to them. But if they refuse to believe, the greater things will be withheld from them, to their condemnation. 3 Ne. 26: 9-10 "And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them. And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell the parable of the sower who sows seed in vairous kinds of ground, likening it unto people who receive the seed of the gospel planted into their hearts. Seed planted into good ground that grows into fruit is like a person with an honest and good heart who received the Word of God, and keeps it. Luke 8: 4-15 "And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience."

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read about how the people were wicked, forsook their covenants, and sought to kill Elijah. He was hiding from them in a cave. The word of the Lord came to him there--not in a strong wind, or an earthquake or a fire, but in a still, small voice. Often this is how the Lord speaks to us--in a still, small voice. And we have to be listening carefully and in tune with the Spirit or we'll miss hearing it. 1 Kgs. 19: 9-15 "And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:"


In the Book of Mormon I read a verse that says if we'll hearken unto the words of the Lord, repent and be baptized, we'll be saved. We need to search the words of the prophets who testify of these things. 3 Ne. 23: 5 "And whosoever will hearken unto my words and repenteth and is baptized, the same shall be saved. Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet say wo unto those who call evil good and good evil and who are wise in their own eyes. Isn't this a problem in today's world? Just turn on the TV and you'll see all kinds of sin portrayed as being perfectly fine. In yet someone who stands up for right, such as taking a stand against gay marriage, is considered a bad person. Isa. 5: 20-21 "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!"

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read about Elijah challened the prophets of Baal to call down fire from heaven to accept their offering. They fail. Elijah then poured water over his offerings, but fire from the Lord still consumed it. When the people saw it, they fell on their faces and acknolwedged that the Lord is God. 1 Kgs. 18: 21-39 "And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of youragods, but put no fire under. And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.3 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.4 And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know athat thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the afire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God."

In the Book of Mormon I read that if the people would repent and hearken unto the words of the Lord, He would establish His church among them, let them come unto the covenant, and give them the land for their inheritance. 3 Ne. 21: 22 "But if they will repent and hearken unto my words, and harden not their hearts, I will establish my church among them, and they shall come in unto the covenant and be numbered among this the remnant of Jacob, unto whom I have given this land for their inheritance;"

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that a wise man will listen to counsel but a fool is sure that his way is the right way. Are we ever guilty to this--being so sure we're right that we refuse to listen to anybody else? Prov. 12: 15 "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise."

Monday, July 27, 2009

Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read about how Elijah asked a widow woman for food and water when she was down to her last meal for herself and her son. But she obeyed and gave him something to eat. Because of her willingness to sacrifice, the Lord blessed her so that her barrel of meal and her cruse of oil did not fail. A miracle occured and the Lord watched out for her and her son. 1 Kgs. 17: 8-16 "And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth. And she awent and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah."

In the Book of Mormon we're told that those who do not repent and come unto Christ will eventually be cut off from among His people. 3 Ne. 21: 20 "For it shall come to pass, saith the Father, that at that day whosoever will not repent and come unto my Beloved Son, them will I cut off from among my people, O house of Israel;"

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that if we have more than what we need we should share with others who have less. Luke 3: 10-11 "And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise."

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read about how evil Ahab was. In fact, he was more evil than all the kings before him, rearing up an altar for Baal, making groves, provoking the Lord to anger. 1 Kgs. 16: 30-33 "And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him. And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him."

In the Book of Mormon I read that the Lord will remember the covenants that He has made with His people. Indeed, we can know that even though men don't always keep their promises, the Lord does. Everything he has covenanted with us will be fulfilled in His own due time. 3 Ne. 20: 29 "And I will remember the covenant which I have made with my people; and I have covenanted with them that I would gather them together in mine own due time, that I would give unto them again the land of their fathers for their inheritance, which is the land of Jerusalem, which is the promised land unto them forever, saith the Father."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that Jesus is the door by which we enter to be saved. We cannot get into the Kingdom of God except through Jesus Christ. John 10: 9 "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that Nadab and then Baasha reign in wickedness in Israel and Baasha destroys the house of Jeroboam. 1 Kgs. 15: 25-30, 33-34 "And Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned over Israel two years. And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of his father, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin. And Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him; and Baasha smote him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines; for Nadab and all Israel laid siege to Gibbethon. Even in the third year of Asa king of Judah did Baasha slay him, and reigned in his stead. And it came to pass, when he reigned, that he smote all the house of Jeroboam; he left not to Jeroboam any that breathed, until he had destroyed him, according unto the saying of the Lord, which he spake by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite: Because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned, and which he made Israel sin, by his provocation wherewith he provoked the Lord God of Israel to anger. In the third year of Asa king of Judah began Baasha the son of Ahijah to reign over all Israel in Tirzah, twenty and four years. And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin."

In the Book of Mormon I read that after the Nephites were baptized, they were given the Holy Ghost, which filled them with fire. Then angels came down out of heaven and ministered unto them. 3 Ne. 19: 13-14 "And it came to pass when they were all baptized and had come aup out of the water, the Holy Ghost did fall upon them, and they were filled with the Holy Ghost and with fire. And behold, they were encircled about as if it were by fire; and it came down from heaven, and the multitude did witness it, and did bear record; and angels did come down out of heaven and did minister unto them."

A verse with a thought booklet says we need to be humble and esteem others before ourselves, avoid strife. Philip. 2: 3 "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read how Abijam reinged in wickedness, than Asa reigned in righteousness In Judah. Kgs. 15: 1, 3, 8, 11-14 "Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat reigned Abijam over Judah. And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father. And Abijam slept with his fathers; and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead. And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father. And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.3 And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron. But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa's heart was perfect with the Lord all his days."


In the Book of Mormon I read about how Jesus had compassion upon the Nephites and asked that all the sick and afflicted be brought to Him so He could heal them, just as He had healed people in Jerusalem. 3 Ne. 17: 6-10 "And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you. Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy. For I perceive that ye desire that I should show unto you what I have done unto your brethren at Jerusalem, for I see that your faith is sufficient that I should heal you. And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their blind , and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him. And they did all, both they who had been healed and they who were whole, bow down at his feet, and did worship him; and as many as could come for the multitude did kiss his feet, insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet talk about how we learn the word of God from our youth and when we are old, the Lord will not forsake us. We should teach what we have learned to the younger generation. Ps. 71: 17-18 "O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come."