In the Old Testament I read that Jehu died and his son Jehoahaz reigned in his stead. 2 Kgs. 10: 35 "And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead."
In the Book of Mormon I read that the remission of sins brings meekness of heart, which brings the Holy Ghost, or Comforter into our lives. This fills us with hope and love. Moro. 8: 26 "And the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with God."
Some verses from a thought booklet tell us that all things are possible if we have faith. The father of a sick boy who came to Jesus to have his son healed expressed belief and asked Jesus to help his unbelief. If we can show forth enough faith to ask God to increase our faith and help our unbelief, we've taken some steps in the right direction. Mark 9: 23-24 " Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."
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And it shall come to pass in the last days,when the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains....The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read how the Lord commended Jehu for doing well, but Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord with all his heart. He didn't depart from the sins of Jeroboam, who made Israel to sin. 2 Kgs. 10: 30-31 "And the Lord said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel. But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin."
In the Book of Mormon I read about charity--the pure love of Christ. It is kind, doesn't think evil, is not easily provoked, and endures all things and never fails. Charity is the greatest of all and if we don't have it, we are nothing. And how do we get charity? The answer is given in these verses. We are to pray unto the Father with all the energy of our heart that we'll be filled with this love. It is a neccessary ingredient to become true followers of Jesus Christ and to become pure like He is pure. If we have charity, it will be well with us at the last day. Moro. 7: 45-48 "And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked , thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail— But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen."
Some verses with a thought booklet ask us what we'll give in exchange for our souls, and point out that if we lose our souls, even gaining the whole world will not make up for it. Jesus then says that if we're ashamed of Him, even amidst a wicked world, He'll be ashamed of us at the last day. To truly be disciples of Christ we need to follow Him at all costs, and no matter what anybody else thinks. Mark 8: 35-38 "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
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In the Book of Mormon I read about charity--the pure love of Christ. It is kind, doesn't think evil, is not easily provoked, and endures all things and never fails. Charity is the greatest of all and if we don't have it, we are nothing. And how do we get charity? The answer is given in these verses. We are to pray unto the Father with all the energy of our heart that we'll be filled with this love. It is a neccessary ingredient to become true followers of Jesus Christ and to become pure like He is pure. If we have charity, it will be well with us at the last day. Moro. 7: 45-48 "And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked , thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail— But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen."
Some verses with a thought booklet ask us what we'll give in exchange for our souls, and point out that if we lose our souls, even gaining the whole world will not make up for it. Jesus then says that if we're ashamed of Him, even amidst a wicked world, He'll be ashamed of us at the last day. To truly be disciples of Christ we need to follow Him at all costs, and no matter what anybody else thinks. Mark 8: 35-38 "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
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Saturday, August 29, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about how Jehu gather together all the worshippers of Baal and had them slain, destroying Baal out of Israel. 2 Kgs. 10: 18-28 "And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much. Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal. And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it. And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another. And he said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments. And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the Lord, but the worshippers of Baal only. And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him. And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal. And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them. And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day. Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel."
In the Book of Mormon I read that we can be judged by our works. If we're good we'll do good things and if we're evil we'll do evil. We need to do good works for the right reaons and our hearts need to be in it. It's easy to judge good from evil. The devil will invite and entice us to do evil and will fight against God continually. But whatever invites and entices us to do good is of God and inspired by God. We need to be careful that we don't judge good to be evil or evil to be good. Moro. 7: 5-19 "For I remember the word of God which saith by their works ye shall know them; for if their works be good, then they are good also. For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing. For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness. For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God. And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such. Wherefore, a man being evil cannot do that which is good; neither will he give a good gift. For behold, a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water; neither can a good fountain bring forth bitter water; wherefore, a man being a servant of the devil cannot follow Christ; and if he bfollow Christ he cannot be a servant of the devil. Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to csin, and to do that which is evil continually. But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do agood continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil. For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge , that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night. For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil , and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him. And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged. Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell about how Elijah is fed by ravens. The thought that went with this, written by Kathryn Page Camp from Munster, Indiana, says: When we think of ravens, we think of trouble and death. We watch them circle around the carcass of a dead animal, or we read Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven" and get shivers up our spines. Yet today's Bible reading shows God using ravens in quite a different way. These ravens did not bring trouble or death, as we might expect. Instead, God used them to feed Elijah, giving him comfort and keeping him alive. God also uses our sufferings in ways we don't expect. We would do almost anything to avoid suffering, yet the Bible tells us that suffering makes us stronger and gives us hope. We may not welcome trouble, but God wants us to accept it when it comes and to learn from it. God took care of Elijah, and God will take care of us. So the next time trouble comes our way, we can rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that those sufferings will teach us endurance and give us character and hope. God of hope, thank you for taking care of us when we suffer. Please use those sufferings to make us better Christians. 1 Kgs. 17: 1-6 "And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook."
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In the Book of Mormon I read that we can be judged by our works. If we're good we'll do good things and if we're evil we'll do evil. We need to do good works for the right reaons and our hearts need to be in it. It's easy to judge good from evil. The devil will invite and entice us to do evil and will fight against God continually. But whatever invites and entices us to do good is of God and inspired by God. We need to be careful that we don't judge good to be evil or evil to be good. Moro. 7: 5-19 "For I remember the word of God which saith by their works ye shall know them; for if their works be good, then they are good also. For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing. For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness. For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God. And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such. Wherefore, a man being evil cannot do that which is good; neither will he give a good gift. For behold, a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water; neither can a good fountain bring forth bitter water; wherefore, a man being a servant of the devil cannot follow Christ; and if he bfollow Christ he cannot be a servant of the devil. Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to csin, and to do that which is evil continually. But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do agood continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil. For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge , that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night. For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil , and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him. And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged. Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell about how Elijah is fed by ravens. The thought that went with this, written by Kathryn Page Camp from Munster, Indiana, says: When we think of ravens, we think of trouble and death. We watch them circle around the carcass of a dead animal, or we read Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven" and get shivers up our spines. Yet today's Bible reading shows God using ravens in quite a different way. These ravens did not bring trouble or death, as we might expect. Instead, God used them to feed Elijah, giving him comfort and keeping him alive. God also uses our sufferings in ways we don't expect. We would do almost anything to avoid suffering, yet the Bible tells us that suffering makes us stronger and gives us hope. We may not welcome trouble, but God wants us to accept it when it comes and to learn from it. God took care of Elijah, and God will take care of us. So the next time trouble comes our way, we can rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that those sufferings will teach us endurance and give us character and hope. God of hope, thank you for taking care of us when we suffer. Please use those sufferings to make us better Christians. 1 Kgs. 17: 1-6 "And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook."
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Friday, August 28, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that Jehu slew all the house of Ahab in Jezreel. All the words which the Lord spoke concerning the house of Ahab to Elijah were fulfilled. 2 Kgs. 10:10-11 "Know now that there shall fall unto the earth nothing of the word of the Lord, which the Lord spake concerning the house of Ahab: for the Lord hath done that which he spake by his servant Elijah. So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining."
In the Book of Mormon, Moroni recounts the sacramental prayer on the bread, which reminds us of the covenants we make each week when we take the sacrament. We covenants that we're willing to take upon us the name of Christ, always remember Him, and keep His commandments. In return, Heavenly Father promises us that we'll always have His Spirit to be with us. Moro. 4: 3 "O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us to walk in wisdom and let our speech be always with grace, that we'll know how to answer every man. I think we need to the Lord's help in knowing the right things to say at the right time. Just like a stray kitten will keep coming back if we feed him, so will others keep coming back to us if we feed them spiritual food that nourishes them. Col. 4: 5-6 "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."
In the Book of Mormon, Moroni recounts the sacramental prayer on the bread, which reminds us of the covenants we make each week when we take the sacrament. We covenants that we're willing to take upon us the name of Christ, always remember Him, and keep His commandments. In return, Heavenly Father promises us that we'll always have His Spirit to be with us. Moro. 4: 3 "O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us to walk in wisdom and let our speech be always with grace, that we'll know how to answer every man. I think we need to the Lord's help in knowing the right things to say at the right time. Just like a stray kitten will keep coming back if we feed him, so will others keep coming back to us if we feed them spiritual food that nourishes them. Col. 4: 5-6 "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Daily Thoughts (Disregard The Other One)
Oops! I write these well in advance and accidentally sent out the one I wrote today (for November 5) so please disregard it (for now). This is the one meant for today.
In the Old Testament I read that the seventy sons of Ahab were slain, and their heads were put in baskets and sent to Jezreel. 2 Kgs. 10: 7 "And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent him them to Jezreel."
In the Book of Mormon I read about the sad state of the people who had hardened their hearts to the point that the Spirit of the Lord had ceased striving with them and Satan had full power over them. They were ripe for destruction, sleeping with their swords by night and battling by day, being drunken with their anger. Ether 15: 19-22 "But behold, the Spirit of the Lord had ceased striving with them, and Satan had full power over the hearts of the people; for they were given up unto the hardness of their hearts, and the blindness of their minds that they might be destroyed; wherefore they went again to battle. And it came to pass that they fought all that day, and when the night came they slept upon their swords. And on the morrow they fought even until the night came. And when the night came they were drunken with anger, even as a man who is drunken with wine; and they slept again upon their swords."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that if we walk in integrity we'll walk security, but whoever walks perversely will be found out. Having a clean conscience makes life so much easier and better! You don't have to be watching over your shoulder all the time, wondering who's going to find out your dark secrets. The thought that went with this, written by Faith Keller from Glen Carbon, Illinois, says: When driving your car, do you slow down when you see a police car parked on the side of the road? Do you take a furtive glance at your neighbor's test paper to try to find that elusive answer? Do you flirt with a coworker and hope your spouse won't find out? When the cashier gives you too much change, do you give it back? What do you do with that valuable item you find in a public place? O, how many ways we find to take "crooked paths"! Solomon reminds us that our lives will be more secure if we practice integrity. We don't fear being stopped by a police officer if we have done nothing wrong. No secret indiscretions will be discovered if we have practiced uncompromising honesty and faithfulness. Ask the Lord to reveal any "crooked ways" in your own life, and determine today to walk in the security of integrity. Lord, you desire your people to live honest and upright lives. Please show me where I fail you, and give me the desire and the strength to change these things in my life, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Prov. 10: 9 "He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known."
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In the Old Testament I read that the seventy sons of Ahab were slain, and their heads were put in baskets and sent to Jezreel. 2 Kgs. 10: 7 "And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent him them to Jezreel."
In the Book of Mormon I read about the sad state of the people who had hardened their hearts to the point that the Spirit of the Lord had ceased striving with them and Satan had full power over them. They were ripe for destruction, sleeping with their swords by night and battling by day, being drunken with their anger. Ether 15: 19-22 "But behold, the Spirit of the Lord had ceased striving with them, and Satan had full power over the hearts of the people; for they were given up unto the hardness of their hearts, and the blindness of their minds that they might be destroyed; wherefore they went again to battle. And it came to pass that they fought all that day, and when the night came they slept upon their swords. And on the morrow they fought even until the night came. And when the night came they were drunken with anger, even as a man who is drunken with wine; and they slept again upon their swords."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that if we walk in integrity we'll walk security, but whoever walks perversely will be found out. Having a clean conscience makes life so much easier and better! You don't have to be watching over your shoulder all the time, wondering who's going to find out your dark secrets. The thought that went with this, written by Faith Keller from Glen Carbon, Illinois, says: When driving your car, do you slow down when you see a police car parked on the side of the road? Do you take a furtive glance at your neighbor's test paper to try to find that elusive answer? Do you flirt with a coworker and hope your spouse won't find out? When the cashier gives you too much change, do you give it back? What do you do with that valuable item you find in a public place? O, how many ways we find to take "crooked paths"! Solomon reminds us that our lives will be more secure if we practice integrity. We don't fear being stopped by a police officer if we have done nothing wrong. No secret indiscretions will be discovered if we have practiced uncompromising honesty and faithfulness. Ask the Lord to reveal any "crooked ways" in your own life, and determine today to walk in the security of integrity. Lord, you desire your people to live honest and upright lives. Please show me where I fail you, and give me the desire and the strength to change these things in my life, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Prov. 10: 9 "He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known."
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Daily Thoughts
November 5
In the Old Testament I read that the Queen of Sheba came to visit Solomon, bringing him gold and precious things. She had heard of his great wisdom and wanted to see for herself. But she found that his wisdom exceeding even what she had been told. 2 Chr. 9: 1-9 "And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. And Solomon told her all her questions: and there was nothing hid from Solomon which he told her not. And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built, And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the Lord; there was no more spirit in her. And she said to the king, It was a true report which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom:6 Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard. Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom. Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for the Lord thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice. And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices great abundance, and precious stones: neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave king Solomon."
In the D&C we're told to each labor in our own callings. We all have things to do and contribute and we're all important, just like each member of the body is important and necessary. We can all work together to edify each other. D&C 84: 109-110 "Therefore, let every man stand in his own office, and labor in his own calling; and let not the head say unto the feet it hath no need of the feet; for without the feet how shall the body be able to stand? Also the body hath need of every member, that all may be edified together, that the system may be kept perfect."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet admonish husbands and wives to love one another. Eph. 5: 25, 28, 33 "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband."
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In the Old Testament I read that the Queen of Sheba came to visit Solomon, bringing him gold and precious things. She had heard of his great wisdom and wanted to see for herself. But she found that his wisdom exceeding even what she had been told. 2 Chr. 9: 1-9 "And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. And Solomon told her all her questions: and there was nothing hid from Solomon which he told her not. And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built, And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the Lord; there was no more spirit in her. And she said to the king, It was a true report which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom:6 Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard. Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom. Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for the Lord thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice. And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices great abundance, and precious stones: neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave king Solomon."
In the D&C we're told to each labor in our own callings. We all have things to do and contribute and we're all important, just like each member of the body is important and necessary. We can all work together to edify each other. D&C 84: 109-110 "Therefore, let every man stand in his own office, and labor in his own calling; and let not the head say unto the feet it hath no need of the feet; for without the feet how shall the body be able to stand? Also the body hath need of every member, that all may be edified together, that the system may be kept perfect."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet admonish husbands and wives to love one another. Eph. 5: 25, 28, 33 "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband."
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Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about the death of Jezebel and how she was eaten by dogs so that there wasn't enough left of her to bury. This was just as the prophet Elijah had prophesied. 2 Kgs. 9: 30-37 "And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window. And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master? And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs. And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot. And when he was come in, he did eat and drink, and said, Go, see now this cursed woman, and bury her: for she is a king's daughter. And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands. Wherefore they came again, and told him. And he said, This is the word of the Lord, which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel: And the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel."
In the Book of Mormon I read about the great wars and bloodshed across the land. So speedy was the destruction of so many people there weren't enough people left to bury the dead and the scent was terrible. It's hard to even imagine such a horrible scene! Ether 14: 21-23 "And so great and lasting had been the war, and so long had been the scene of bloodshed and carnage, that the whole face of the land was covered with the bodies of the dead. And so swift and speedy was the war that there was none left to bury the dead, but they did march forth from the shedding of blood to the shedding of blood, leaving the bodies of both men, women, and children strewed upon the face of the land, to become a prey to the worms of the flesh. And the scent thereof went forth upon the face of the land, even upon all the face of the land; wherefore the people became troubled by day and by night, because of the scent thereof."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell the story of Jairus coming to Jesus and asking Him to come heal his daughter who is dying. Along the way a woman who has been ill for many years comes and touches Jesus' garment and is healed. Jesus takes time to find out who touched His garment and then a messenger from Jairus' house comes and announces his daughter has died. However, Jesus continues on to the house and raises Jairus' daughter from the dead. The thought that went with this, written by Rev. R. Scott Greenway from Caledonia, Michigan says: In an emergency room, if a doctor treats a patient with a nosebleed while another patient with a heart attack goes unattended and dies, that doctor is in trouble. If a police officer chases someone for speeding but ignores a bank robbery, that officer could face discipline. Some situations call for immediate attention, while others can wait. Yet in our story today Jesus seems to delay an urgent case to deal with a less important one. Jesus was approached by a man named Jairus, whose daughter was at the point of death. He pleaded with Jesus to come immediately to his house and heal her. Along the way, a serious--but less urgent--situation arose. A woman who had been sick for 12 years touched Jesus and was healed. He stopped and asked, "Who touched me?" At first no one responded. But then the woman, trembling wit fear, told what had happened. Then while Jesus was still speaking to the woman, word came that Jairus' daughter had died. Jairus must have had feelings of anguish, confusion, and perhaps anger. Why had Jesus let that woman delay him? Can you relate to this? Maybe you have waited for Jesus to help you, but it seemed never to happen. Remember: Jesus is never late. He is always on time--but it's always in His time, and His timing is best. Jesus raised Jairus' daughter to life--to the glory of God. Lord, give me faith and patience when I am tested to tears and perhaps even anguish. Help me to know that your timing is best--and God will be glorified. Mark 5: 21-43 "And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, aarise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat."
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In the Book of Mormon I read about the great wars and bloodshed across the land. So speedy was the destruction of so many people there weren't enough people left to bury the dead and the scent was terrible. It's hard to even imagine such a horrible scene! Ether 14: 21-23 "And so great and lasting had been the war, and so long had been the scene of bloodshed and carnage, that the whole face of the land was covered with the bodies of the dead. And so swift and speedy was the war that there was none left to bury the dead, but they did march forth from the shedding of blood to the shedding of blood, leaving the bodies of both men, women, and children strewed upon the face of the land, to become a prey to the worms of the flesh. And the scent thereof went forth upon the face of the land, even upon all the face of the land; wherefore the people became troubled by day and by night, because of the scent thereof."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell the story of Jairus coming to Jesus and asking Him to come heal his daughter who is dying. Along the way a woman who has been ill for many years comes and touches Jesus' garment and is healed. Jesus takes time to find out who touched His garment and then a messenger from Jairus' house comes and announces his daughter has died. However, Jesus continues on to the house and raises Jairus' daughter from the dead. The thought that went with this, written by Rev. R. Scott Greenway from Caledonia, Michigan says: In an emergency room, if a doctor treats a patient with a nosebleed while another patient with a heart attack goes unattended and dies, that doctor is in trouble. If a police officer chases someone for speeding but ignores a bank robbery, that officer could face discipline. Some situations call for immediate attention, while others can wait. Yet in our story today Jesus seems to delay an urgent case to deal with a less important one. Jesus was approached by a man named Jairus, whose daughter was at the point of death. He pleaded with Jesus to come immediately to his house and heal her. Along the way, a serious--but less urgent--situation arose. A woman who had been sick for 12 years touched Jesus and was healed. He stopped and asked, "Who touched me?" At first no one responded. But then the woman, trembling wit fear, told what had happened. Then while Jesus was still speaking to the woman, word came that Jairus' daughter had died. Jairus must have had feelings of anguish, confusion, and perhaps anger. Why had Jesus let that woman delay him? Can you relate to this? Maybe you have waited for Jesus to help you, but it seemed never to happen. Remember: Jesus is never late. He is always on time--but it's always in His time, and His timing is best. Jesus raised Jairus' daughter to life--to the glory of God. Lord, give me faith and patience when I am tested to tears and perhaps even anguish. Help me to know that your timing is best--and God will be glorified. Mark 5: 21-43 "And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, aarise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat."
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Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Tetament I read that Jehu killed Joram. 2 Kgs. 9: 22-24 "And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many? And Joram turned his hands, and fled, and said to Ahaziah, There is treachery, O Ahaziah. And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot."
In the Book of Mormon I read that Ether gave great and marvelous prophecies but the people did not esteem him and cast him out so that he had to hide himself in the cavity of a rock by day and by night he went forth viewing what was going on so that he could write about it in his record, viewing the destructions that came upon the people. Ether 13: 13-14 "And I was about to write more, but I am forbidden; but great and marvelous were the prophecies of Ether; but they esteemed him as naught, and cast him out; and he hid himself in the cavity of a rock by day, and by night he went forth viewing the things which should come upon the people. And as he dwelt in the cavity of a rock he made the remainder of this record, viewing the destructions which came upon the people, by night."
A verse from a thought booklet tells us to bear one another's burdens. If someone we know is troubled, do we do our best to lighten their load? Are we willing to listen to them if they need to talk, pitch in and help them with tasks that seem overwhelming to them, or just let them know we're here for them in whatever they need? The thought that went with this, written by Tim Williams, says: There was a picture of Dr. Steve and his family on a table in the exam room where I was waiting for my annual physical. When Steve arrived in his white lab coat to begin the exam, I asked him how his children were doing. Steve told me that he had come home late one evening when everyone but his youngest son Matthew was downstairs. Even with his limited awareness of his dad's work, Matthew knew his father was having a really difficult time. Matthew didn't understand what a doctor gores through when a young patient dies, but he knew that his father had been sad all week. When Matthew came downstairs, he was proudly wearing his dad's much--too-large-for-him lab coat. "Look, Dad, I'm you!" Matthew said. "That's real cute, Matthew," Steve said absentmindedly. "No, Dad, you don't understand. Let me be you for a while. If I'm you, then you don't have to be!" Dear God, may I have the compassion to carry the burdens of those I love. Gal. 6: 2 "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."
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In the Book of Mormon I read that Ether gave great and marvelous prophecies but the people did not esteem him and cast him out so that he had to hide himself in the cavity of a rock by day and by night he went forth viewing what was going on so that he could write about it in his record, viewing the destructions that came upon the people. Ether 13: 13-14 "And I was about to write more, but I am forbidden; but great and marvelous were the prophecies of Ether; but they esteemed him as naught, and cast him out; and he hid himself in the cavity of a rock by day, and by night he went forth viewing the things which should come upon the people. And as he dwelt in the cavity of a rock he made the remainder of this record, viewing the destructions which came upon the people, by night."
A verse from a thought booklet tells us to bear one another's burdens. If someone we know is troubled, do we do our best to lighten their load? Are we willing to listen to them if they need to talk, pitch in and help them with tasks that seem overwhelming to them, or just let them know we're here for them in whatever they need? The thought that went with this, written by Tim Williams, says: There was a picture of Dr. Steve and his family on a table in the exam room where I was waiting for my annual physical. When Steve arrived in his white lab coat to begin the exam, I asked him how his children were doing. Steve told me that he had come home late one evening when everyone but his youngest son Matthew was downstairs. Even with his limited awareness of his dad's work, Matthew knew his father was having a really difficult time. Matthew didn't understand what a doctor gores through when a young patient dies, but he knew that his father had been sad all week. When Matthew came downstairs, he was proudly wearing his dad's much--too-large-for-him lab coat. "Look, Dad, I'm you!" Matthew said. "That's real cute, Matthew," Steve said absentmindedly. "No, Dad, you don't understand. Let me be you for a while. If I'm you, then you don't have to be!" Dear God, may I have the compassion to carry the burdens of those I love. Gal. 6: 2 "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."
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Monday, August 24, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about how a prophet annointed Jehu king oer Isreal and prophesied the destruction of the house of Ahab and the death of Jezebel. 2 Kgs. 9: 1-10 "And Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets, and said unto him, Gird up thy loins, and take this box of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramoth-gilead: And when thou comest thither, look out there Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi, and go in, and make him arise up from among his brethren, and carry him to an inner chamber; Then take the box of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, Thus saith the Lord, I have anointed thee king over Israel. Then open the door, and flee, and tarry not. So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead. And when he came, behold, the captains of the host were sitting; and he said, I have an errand to thee, O captain. And Jehu said, Unto which of all us? And he said, To thee, O captain. And he arose, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the Lord, even over Israel. And thou shalt asmite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord, at the hand of Jezebel. For the whole house of Ahab shall perish: and I will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel: And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah: And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her. And he opened the door, and fled."
In the Book of Mormon I read that if we come unto the Lord, He'll show us our weaknesses so that we can be humble. If we come to the Lord in humility and faith, He'll make weak things become strong unto us. Ether 12: 27 "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that a person who justifies the wicked and a person who condemns the righteous are equally wrong and they are both abominable to the Lord. In today's world, it seems it's common to justify the wicked. Things like gay marriages, abortion, and living together outside marriage are looked upon as just fine and dandy. But anyone who opposes such things is seen as narrow minded and judgmental. It's just more along the theme of calling bad good and calling good bad. And it's very prevalent in today's world. Prov. 17: 15 "He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord."
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In the Book of Mormon I read that if we come unto the Lord, He'll show us our weaknesses so that we can be humble. If we come to the Lord in humility and faith, He'll make weak things become strong unto us. Ether 12: 27 "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that a person who justifies the wicked and a person who condemns the righteous are equally wrong and they are both abominable to the Lord. In today's world, it seems it's common to justify the wicked. Things like gay marriages, abortion, and living together outside marriage are looked upon as just fine and dandy. But anyone who opposes such things is seen as narrow minded and judgmental. It's just more along the theme of calling bad good and calling good bad. And it's very prevalent in today's world. Prov. 17: 15 "He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord."
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Sunday, August 23, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that Joram died and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead. He did evil in the sight of the Lord, as did the house of Ahab. 2 Kgs. 8: 24-27 "And Joram slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead. In the twelfth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel did Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah begin to reign. Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Athaliah, the daughter of Omri king of Israel. And he walked in the way of the house of Ahab, and did evil in the sight of the Lord, as did the house of Ahab: for he was the son in law of the house of Ahab."
In the Book of Mormon we're told that faith is things hoped for which are not seen and we should not dispute them just because we haven't seen them. We will receive no witness until after the trial of our faith. I've known people who said they'd believe if they were shown some sign. But that's the wrong order of things--we need to have faith FIRST and then we'll receive a witness. Ether 12: 6 "And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell the parable of the sower, and liken seeds planted in different types of ground to the words of the gospel being planted into the hearts of different types of people. Some people reject the message of the gospel right away. Others receive it with enthusiam but as soon as it causes them any problems, they walk away. Other people allow the cares of the world to choke out the word of God. But some receive the message deep into their hearts and it permanently changes them. What type of soil to we have to receive the word of God with? Mark 4: 1-20 "And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred."
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In the Book of Mormon we're told that faith is things hoped for which are not seen and we should not dispute them just because we haven't seen them. We will receive no witness until after the trial of our faith. I've known people who said they'd believe if they were shown some sign. But that's the wrong order of things--we need to have faith FIRST and then we'll receive a witness. Ether 12: 6 "And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell the parable of the sower, and liken seeds planted in different types of ground to the words of the gospel being planted into the hearts of different types of people. Some people reject the message of the gospel right away. Others receive it with enthusiam but as soon as it causes them any problems, they walk away. Other people allow the cares of the world to choke out the word of God. But some receive the message deep into their hearts and it permanently changes them. What type of soil to we have to receive the word of God with? Mark 4: 1-20 "And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred."
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that Jehoram began to reign and did evil in the light of the Lord. 2 Kgs. 8: 16-18 "And in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat being then king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah began to reign. Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the Lord."
In the Book of Mormon I read how prophets tried to cry repentance unto the people but they refused to listen to them and would not believe them, but cast them out from among them or cast them into pits and left them to die. Then the Lord sent a great dearth upon the land in which there was no rain, followed by poisonous serpents. This finally humbled the people so that they repented and the Lord preserved them from famine. Isn't it sad that it took such extreme measures before the people were willing to humble themselves and repent? If they had listened to the prophets who first called them to repentance they could have avoided a lot of suffering. How well do we listen to our prophets today? Ether 9: 28-35 "And there came prophets in the land aagain , crying repentance unto them—that they must prepare the way of the Lord or there should come a curse upon the face of the land; yea, even there should be a great famine, in which they should be destroyed if they did not repent. But the people believed not the words of the prophets, but they cast them out; and some of them they cast into apits and left them to perish. And it came to pass that they did all these things according to the commandment of the king, Heth. And it came to pass that there began to be a great dearth upon the land, and the inhabitants began to be destroyed exceedingly fast because of the dearth, for there was no rain upon the face of the earth. And there came forth poisonous serpents also upon the face of the land, and did poison many people. And it came to pass that their flocks began to flee before the poisonous serpents, towards the land southward, which was called by the Nephites Zarahemla. And it came to pass that there were many of them which did perish by the way; nevertheless, there were some which fled into the land southward. And it came to pass that the Lord did cause the serpents that they should pursue them no more, but that they should hedge up the way that the people could not pass, that whoso should attempt to pass might fall by the poisonous serpents. And it came to pass that the people did follow the course of the beasts, and did devour the carcasses of them which fell by the way, until they had devoured them all. Now when the people saw that they must perish they began to repent of their iniquities and cry unto the Lord. And it came to pass that when they had humbled themselves sufficiently before the Lord he did send rain upon the face of the earth; and the people began to revive again, and there began to be fruit in the north countries, and in all the countries round about. And the Lord did show forth his power unto them in preserving them from famine."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that some people thought Jesus was "beside Himself" or crazy; whereas accused Him of being in league with the devil. C.S. Lewis once said that every person who hears about Jesus is faced with the choice of believing that Jesus is who He says He is and deserves our complete obedience, or believing He is an imposter who is not to be trusted, or believing that He is out of His mind. In other words, He is either mad, bad, or God. What do we believe about Jesus? Is He insane, a liar who serves the devil, or is He the Son of God who deserves our complete devotion? We need to make Jesus the center of our lives and be obedient to Him. Mark 3: 21-22 "And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself. And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils."
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In the Book of Mormon I read how prophets tried to cry repentance unto the people but they refused to listen to them and would not believe them, but cast them out from among them or cast them into pits and left them to die. Then the Lord sent a great dearth upon the land in which there was no rain, followed by poisonous serpents. This finally humbled the people so that they repented and the Lord preserved them from famine. Isn't it sad that it took such extreme measures before the people were willing to humble themselves and repent? If they had listened to the prophets who first called them to repentance they could have avoided a lot of suffering. How well do we listen to our prophets today? Ether 9: 28-35 "And there came prophets in the land aagain , crying repentance unto them—that they must prepare the way of the Lord or there should come a curse upon the face of the land; yea, even there should be a great famine, in which they should be destroyed if they did not repent. But the people believed not the words of the prophets, but they cast them out; and some of them they cast into apits and left them to perish. And it came to pass that they did all these things according to the commandment of the king, Heth. And it came to pass that there began to be a great dearth upon the land, and the inhabitants began to be destroyed exceedingly fast because of the dearth, for there was no rain upon the face of the earth. And there came forth poisonous serpents also upon the face of the land, and did poison many people. And it came to pass that their flocks began to flee before the poisonous serpents, towards the land southward, which was called by the Nephites Zarahemla. And it came to pass that there were many of them which did perish by the way; nevertheless, there were some which fled into the land southward. And it came to pass that the Lord did cause the serpents that they should pursue them no more, but that they should hedge up the way that the people could not pass, that whoso should attempt to pass might fall by the poisonous serpents. And it came to pass that the people did follow the course of the beasts, and did devour the carcasses of them which fell by the way, until they had devoured them all. Now when the people saw that they must perish they began to repent of their iniquities and cry unto the Lord. And it came to pass that when they had humbled themselves sufficiently before the Lord he did send rain upon the face of the earth; and the people began to revive again, and there began to be fruit in the north countries, and in all the countries round about. And the Lord did show forth his power unto them in preserving them from famine."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that some people thought Jesus was "beside Himself" or crazy; whereas accused Him of being in league with the devil. C.S. Lewis once said that every person who hears about Jesus is faced with the choice of believing that Jesus is who He says He is and deserves our complete obedience, or believing He is an imposter who is not to be trusted, or believing that He is out of His mind. In other words, He is either mad, bad, or God. What do we believe about Jesus? Is He insane, a liar who serves the devil, or is He the Son of God who deserves our complete devotion? We need to make Jesus the center of our lives and be obedient to Him. Mark 3: 21-22 "And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself. And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils."
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Thursday, August 20, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about how Elisha warned the Shunammite woman that there would be a famine in the land for seven years and that she should leave. She listened to him and went to the land of the Philistines for seven years. How well do we listen when our prophet speaks? He likewise can warn us of dangers or pitfalls, such as telling us to get a supply of food or to stay away from pornography. Our willingness to listen can be as vital to our physical and spiritual lives as was this woman's willingness to listen to Elisha's warning about a famine. 2 Kgs. 8: 1-2 "Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the Lord hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years. And the woman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God: and she went with her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years."
In the Book of Mormon I read that Moroni was commanded to write the things that he was that evil might be done away with and that Satan would have no more power over the hearts of the children of men, but that they would be persuaded to do good continually. This is something that we should all strive for--to we'll desire to do good and resist the enticings of Satan so that he'll have no power over us. Reading the scriptures can help us to do this. Ether 8: 26 "Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to write these things that evil may be done away, and that the time may come that Satan may have no power upon the hearts of the children of men, but that they may be persuaded to do good continually, that they may come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved."
A verse from a thought booklet tells us to cast our burdens upon the Lord and He will sustain us. Sometimes trials and troubles in our lives can seem almost too much to bear. But we need to remember that we don't have to suffer through these things alone. We can turn to the Lord and He will help us through whatever we're going through. He can help us carry our burdens if we'll but turn to Him. Ps. 55: 22 "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."
In the Book of Mormon I read that Moroni was commanded to write the things that he was that evil might be done away with and that Satan would have no more power over the hearts of the children of men, but that they would be persuaded to do good continually. This is something that we should all strive for--to we'll desire to do good and resist the enticings of Satan so that he'll have no power over us. Reading the scriptures can help us to do this. Ether 8: 26 "Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to write these things that evil may be done away, and that the time may come that Satan may have no power upon the hearts of the children of men, but that they may be persuaded to do good continually, that they may come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved."
A verse from a thought booklet tells us to cast our burdens upon the Lord and He will sustain us. Sometimes trials and troubles in our lives can seem almost too much to bear. But we need to remember that we don't have to suffer through these things alone. We can turn to the Lord and He will help us through whatever we're going through. He can help us carry our burdens if we'll but turn to Him. Ps. 55: 22 "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read the king sent two charior horses to go and see if what the lepers had told him was true. They reported back to the king that it was and so the people went to spoil the tents. And the lord upon whose hand the king leaned was appointed charge of the gate and was trampled by the people. Elisha's prophecy came true. 2 Kings 7:14-20 "They took therefore two chariot horses; and the king sent after the host of the Syrians, saying, Go and see. And they went after them unto Jordan: and, lo, all the way was full of garments and vessels, which the Syrians had cast away in their haste. And the messengers returned, and told the king. And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the Lord. And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him. And it came to pass as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be to morrow about this time in the gate of Samaria: And that lord answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, if the Lord should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof. And so it fell out unto him: for the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died."
In the Book of Mormon we're warned that any nation who upholds secret combinations to get power and gain will be destroyed. Ether 8: 22 "And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lord will not suffer that the blood of his saints, which shall be shed by them, shall always cry unto him from the ground for vengeance upon them and yet he avenge them not."
A verse with a thought booklet warns us not to be swayed by sinners who try to entice us to sin. If we have friends who attempt to persuade us to do things we know are wrong, we need to be firm in our commitment to keep the commandments. And we need to rethink having these kinds of friends in the first place. Prov. 1: 10 "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not."
In the Book of Mormon we're warned that any nation who upholds secret combinations to get power and gain will be destroyed. Ether 8: 22 "And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lord will not suffer that the blood of his saints, which shall be shed by them, shall always cry unto him from the ground for vengeance upon them and yet he avenge them not."
A verse with a thought booklet warns us not to be swayed by sinners who try to entice us to sin. If we have friends who attempt to persuade us to do things we know are wrong, we need to be firm in our commitment to keep the commandments. And we need to rethink having these kinds of friends in the first place. Prov. 1: 10 "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not."
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that the four lepers found food, silver, gold and raiment all left behind. They went and told the king. 2 Kings 7:8-11 "And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it. Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household. So they came and called unto the porter of the city: and they told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied, and asses tied, and the tents as they were. And he called the porters; and they told it to the king's house within."
In the Book of Mormon I read that the Lord sent prophets to call the people to repentance and warn them that if they continued in their wickedness, they would be destroyed. The people reviled against the prophets and mocked them, but King Shule executed judgment against all who reviled against the prophets and as a result the people were brought to repentance. Ether 7: 23-25 "And also in the reign of Shule there came prophets among the people, who were sent from the Lord, prophesying that the wickedness and idolatry of the people was bringing a curse upon the land, and they should be destroyed if they did not repent. And it came to pass that the people did revile against the prophets, and did mock them. And it came to pass that king Shule did execute judgment against all those who did revile against the prophets. And he did execute a law throughout all the land, which gave power unto the prophets that they should go whithersoever they would; and by this cause the people were brought unto repentance."
A verse from a thought booklet tells us that this is the day the Lord has made and we should rejoice and be glad in it. Can we wake up each morning feeling like this is a wonderful day, created by God, and rejoice in it? A positive, grateful attitude will go a long ways toward making our days much better and happier. Ps. 118: 24 "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
In the Book of Mormon I read that the Lord sent prophets to call the people to repentance and warn them that if they continued in their wickedness, they would be destroyed. The people reviled against the prophets and mocked them, but King Shule executed judgment against all who reviled against the prophets and as a result the people were brought to repentance. Ether 7: 23-25 "And also in the reign of Shule there came prophets among the people, who were sent from the Lord, prophesying that the wickedness and idolatry of the people was bringing a curse upon the land, and they should be destroyed if they did not repent. And it came to pass that the people did revile against the prophets, and did mock them. And it came to pass that king Shule did execute judgment against all those who did revile against the prophets. And he did execute a law throughout all the land, which gave power unto the prophets that they should go whithersoever they would; and by this cause the people were brought unto repentance."
A verse from a thought booklet tells us that this is the day the Lord has made and we should rejoice and be glad in it. Can we wake up each morning feeling like this is a wonderful day, created by God, and rejoice in it? A positive, grateful attitude will go a long ways toward making our days much better and happier. Ps. 118: 24 "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
Monday, August 17, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that the Lord had made the Syrians hear the noise of horses and chariots so that they thought a great host was upon them and they fled for their lives, leaving everything behind. 2 Kings 7: 6-7 "For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us. Wherefore they rose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life."
In the Book of Mormon I read about how the Jaredites were brought to the promised land by the Lord and how they praised His name day and night. When they arrived at the promised land they bowed themselves in humility before the Lord and shed tears of joy because of his tender mercy toward them. How grateful are we for the blessings the Lord gives us? How often do we pray in thanks and praise, not just to ask Him for more blessings? Ether 6: 8-12 "And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind. And they did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord. And thus they were driven forth; and no monster of the sea could break them, neither whale that could mar them; and they did have light continually, whether it was above the water or under the water. And thus they were driven forth, three hundred and forty and four days upon the water. And they did land upon the shore of the promised land. And when they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised land they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them."
Some verses with a thought booklet recount how Jesus called some of his disciples. When He asked them to come follow Him, they left their occupations and familiar circumstances, and went with Jesus. How willing are we to sacrifice our all to be followers of Christ? If called upon to do so, would we be willing to leave our homes and jobs to serve the Lord? Mark 1: 16-20 "Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him."
In the Book of Mormon I read about how the Jaredites were brought to the promised land by the Lord and how they praised His name day and night. When they arrived at the promised land they bowed themselves in humility before the Lord and shed tears of joy because of his tender mercy toward them. How grateful are we for the blessings the Lord gives us? How often do we pray in thanks and praise, not just to ask Him for more blessings? Ether 6: 8-12 "And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind. And they did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord. And thus they were driven forth; and no monster of the sea could break them, neither whale that could mar them; and they did have light continually, whether it was above the water or under the water. And thus they were driven forth, three hundred and forty and four days upon the water. And they did land upon the shore of the promised land. And when they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised land they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them."
Some verses with a thought booklet recount how Jesus called some of his disciples. When He asked them to come follow Him, they left their occupations and familiar circumstances, and went with Jesus. How willing are we to sacrifice our all to be followers of Christ? If called upon to do so, would we be willing to leave our homes and jobs to serve the Lord? Mark 1: 16-20 "Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him."
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Daily Thoughts
***NOTE: For the rest of the week, I'll be sending out my "Daily Thoughts" emails early, the night before instead of in the mornings. The reason for this is that I'll be attending BYU Education Week and won't have time to get on my computer in the mornings before heading out for my commute to Provo. I'll be taking notes in all my classes at Education Week, and forwarding them to everyone. If you don't want my Education Week notes, please email me that you don't want to be on the list to get them. Or if for some reason you don't receive these nightly emails of my Education Week notes (Monday through Friday) and would let to get them, please email me and I'll make sure you get them. I love attending BYU Education Week each year and try to take a wide variety of classes. I'm happy to try to share the Education Week experience with as many people as possible by sharing my notes with them. I'm looking forward to attending and hope you'll enjoy reading my notes. Anyway, here are my Daily Thoughts for tomorrow:
In the Old Testament I read four lepers entered into the gate of the city and found no one there. 2 Kings 7: 3-5 "And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die? If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die. And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there."
In the Book of Mormon I read Christ's words that if we get rid of our unbelief and hardness of heart that keeps us in an awful state of wickedness and call upon the Father with a broken heart and contrite spitie, then we'll know that God remembers the covenants He's made with our fathers. Ether 4: 15 "Behold, when ye shall rend that veil of unbelief which doth cause you to remain in your awful state of wickedness, and hardness of heart, and blindness of mind, then shall the great and marvelous things which have been hid up from the foundation of the world from you—yea, when ye shall call upon the Father in my name, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then shall ye know that the Father hath remembered the covenant which he made unto your fathers, O house of Israel."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that all things are possible if we'll but believe. Faith does work miracles! Mark 9: 23 "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."
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In the Old Testament I read four lepers entered into the gate of the city and found no one there. 2 Kings 7: 3-5 "And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die? If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die. And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there."
In the Book of Mormon I read Christ's words that if we get rid of our unbelief and hardness of heart that keeps us in an awful state of wickedness and call upon the Father with a broken heart and contrite spitie, then we'll know that God remembers the covenants He's made with our fathers. Ether 4: 15 "Behold, when ye shall rend that veil of unbelief which doth cause you to remain in your awful state of wickedness, and hardness of heart, and blindness of mind, then shall the great and marvelous things which have been hid up from the foundation of the world from you—yea, when ye shall call upon the Father in my name, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then shall ye know that the Father hath remembered the covenant which he made unto your fathers, O house of Israel."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that all things are possible if we'll but believe. Faith does work miracles! Mark 9: 23 "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."
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Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that Elisha prophied incredible plenty in Samaria and told a lord on whose hand the king leaned that he would see it with his own eyes, but would not eat of it. 2 Kings 7:1-2 "Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof."
In the Book of Mormon I read about how the Brother of Jared approached the Lord with great faith as he asked Him to touch some stones that he had prepared that they might shine forth with light so that they would not have to cross the waters in darkness. The brother of Jared showed great humility as he acknowledged that they had been driven forth and smitten because of their iniquity, but he approached the Lord with faith and trust. Ether 3: 3-6 "Behold, O Lord, thou hast smitten us because of our iniquity, and hast driven us forth, and for these many years we have been in the wilderness; nevertheless, thou hast been merciful unto us. O Lord, look upon me in pity, and turn away thine anger from this thy people, and suffer not that they shall go forth across this raging deep in darkness; but behold these things which I have molten out of the rock. And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger , and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while we shall cross the sea. Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men. And it came to pass that when the brother of Jared had said these words, behold, the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones one by one with his finger. And the veil was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord; and it was as the finger of a man, like unto flesh and blood; and the brother of Jared fell down before the Lord, for he was struck with fear."
A verse with a thought booklet teaches us to be content with the things we have rather than letting our desires wander and vex our spirits. Instead of worrying about what we don't have, let's make the best use of what we do have. Scriptures of full of examples where God has used people and things that are available, even if they didn't seem sufficient--five loaves and two fishes, a little oil and empty jars, five stones and a sling. If we'll trust in God and be content, He'll bless us with what we really need. Eccl. 6: 9 "Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit."
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In the Book of Mormon I read about how the Brother of Jared approached the Lord with great faith as he asked Him to touch some stones that he had prepared that they might shine forth with light so that they would not have to cross the waters in darkness. The brother of Jared showed great humility as he acknowledged that they had been driven forth and smitten because of their iniquity, but he approached the Lord with faith and trust. Ether 3: 3-6 "Behold, O Lord, thou hast smitten us because of our iniquity, and hast driven us forth, and for these many years we have been in the wilderness; nevertheless, thou hast been merciful unto us. O Lord, look upon me in pity, and turn away thine anger from this thy people, and suffer not that they shall go forth across this raging deep in darkness; but behold these things which I have molten out of the rock. And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger , and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while we shall cross the sea. Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men. And it came to pass that when the brother of Jared had said these words, behold, the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones one by one with his finger. And the veil was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord; and it was as the finger of a man, like unto flesh and blood; and the brother of Jared fell down before the Lord, for he was struck with fear."
A verse with a thought booklet teaches us to be content with the things we have rather than letting our desires wander and vex our spirits. Instead of worrying about what we don't have, let's make the best use of what we do have. Scriptures of full of examples where God has used people and things that are available, even if they didn't seem sufficient--five loaves and two fishes, a little oil and empty jars, five stones and a sling. If we'll trust in God and be content, He'll bless us with what we really need. Eccl. 6: 9 "Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit."
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Saturday, August 15, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about how great hosts compassed the city with horses and chariots, but when this was reported to Elisha by his servant, he told him not to fear because those that were with them were more than those who were against them. The servant could not understand how this could be true until Elisha prayed that his eyes would be opened so that he could see the mountains full of horses and chariots and fire. If we put our trust in the Lord, the unseen hosts of heaven will be on our side. 2 Kgs. 6: 15-17 "And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha."
In the Book of Mormon I read the warning that this is a choice land and whoever posseses it needs to serve God or be swept off when they are ripened with iniquity. This can serve as a warning to us in our day. We need to live righteously and serve God to remain free from bondage and captivity. Ether 2: 9-12 "And now, we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is a land of promise; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fulness of his wrath shall come upon them. And the fulness of his wrath cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity. For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God. And it is not until the fulness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are swept off. And this cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles , that ye may know the decrees of God—that ye may repent, and not continue in your iniquities until the fulness come, that ye may not bring down the fulness of the wrath of God upon you as the inhabitants of the land have hitherto done. Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written."
Some verses with a thought booklet are very comforting to those of us who have lost loved ones--they talk about the resurrection of the dead. Death will be swallowed up in victory. We'll all be resurrected. 1 Cor. 15: 52-55 "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O adeath, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"
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In the Book of Mormon I read the warning that this is a choice land and whoever posseses it needs to serve God or be swept off when they are ripened with iniquity. This can serve as a warning to us in our day. We need to live righteously and serve God to remain free from bondage and captivity. Ether 2: 9-12 "And now, we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is a land of promise; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fulness of his wrath shall come upon them. And the fulness of his wrath cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity. For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God. And it is not until the fulness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are swept off. And this cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles , that ye may know the decrees of God—that ye may repent, and not continue in your iniquities until the fulness come, that ye may not bring down the fulness of the wrath of God upon you as the inhabitants of the land have hitherto done. Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written."
Some verses with a thought booklet are very comforting to those of us who have lost loved ones--they talk about the resurrection of the dead. Death will be swallowed up in victory. We'll all be resurrected. 1 Cor. 15: 52-55 "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O adeath, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"
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Friday, August 14, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about how Elisha was able to make an axe head float so it could be retrieved fromt he water it had fallen into. 2 Kgs. 6: 5-7 "But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed. And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim. Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.
In the Book of Mormon I read that if God has stopped doing miracles for some people, it is because of their lack of faith, their unwillingness to trust in God, and their departing from doing what is right. So if God isn't performing miracles in our lives, we need to look to ourselves and seeing what we're doing that's not allowing the miracles to come into our lives. Morm. 9: 20 "And the reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way, and know not the God in whom they should trust."
A verse with a thought booklet assures is that any temptation we might face is common with man, but that we are given no temptation except that God prepares a way that we'll be able to overcome it. If we'll turn to God, He'll help us resist any temptation that might come to us. This pretty much leaves us without excuse! 1 Cor. 10: 13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
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In the Book of Mormon I read that if God has stopped doing miracles for some people, it is because of their lack of faith, their unwillingness to trust in God, and their departing from doing what is right. So if God isn't performing miracles in our lives, we need to look to ourselves and seeing what we're doing that's not allowing the miracles to come into our lives. Morm. 9: 20 "And the reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way, and know not the God in whom they should trust."
A verse with a thought booklet assures is that any temptation we might face is common with man, but that we are given no temptation except that God prepares a way that we'll be able to overcome it. If we'll turn to God, He'll help us resist any temptation that might come to us. This pretty much leaves us without excuse! 1 Cor. 10: 13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
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Thursday, August 13, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about how Naaman, a leper, came to Elisha to be healed. Instead of Elisha coming out to him and praying to God to heal him, as Naaman had expected, Elisha told him to go wash in the Jordan River seven times. At first Naaman was very angry and was going away in a huff, but he was reminded by his servants that if he'd been asked by Elisha to do some great thing he would do it, so why not this small thing. He then humbled himself enough to wash in the Jordan River and was healed. Do we sometimes act like this? If we're asked to do some simple thing that we think is beneath us, are we humble enough to respond? Are we as willing to teach in the nursary or help clean the church building as we would be to serve is some high profile leadership position? 2 Kgs. 5: 9-14 "So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some agreat thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean."
In the Book of Mormon I read that God is the same yesterday, today and forever, and He is still a God of miracles just as He was in ancient days, as described in the scriptures. Anyone who denies and He is a God of miracles has either not read the scriptures or doesn't understand what he's read. Morm. 9: 7-11 "And again I speak unto you who deny the revelations of God, and say that they are done away, that there are no revelations, nor prophecies, nor gifts, nor healing, nor speaking with tongues, and the interpretation of tongues; Behold I say unto you, he that denieth these things knoweth not the gospel of Christ; yea, he has not read the scriptures; if so, he does not understand them. For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing? And now, if ye have imagined up unto yourselves a god who doth vary, and in whom there is shadow of changing, then have ye imagined up unto yourselves a god who is not a God of miracles. But behold, I will show unto you a God of miracles, even the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and it is that same God who created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet talk about how the prophet Zechariah told the people to show mercy and be compassionate to others, not oppressing the poor or the needy and not imagining evil against their brothers in their hearts. All pretty good advice! But rather than obeying this counsel, the people turned their backs on the prophet and stopped up their ears so they wouldn't have to listen to what he had to say. They hardened their hearts as stone. Because they refused to listen to the Lord's prophet, the Lord would not listen to them, and scattered them, making the land desolate. When people listen to the words of a prophet and obey them, they're blessed. When they don't, they suffer the consequences. Zech. 7: 8-14 "And the word of the Lord came unto Zechariah, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts. Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they bcried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts: But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate."
In the Book of Mormon I read that God is the same yesterday, today and forever, and He is still a God of miracles just as He was in ancient days, as described in the scriptures. Anyone who denies and He is a God of miracles has either not read the scriptures or doesn't understand what he's read. Morm. 9: 7-11 "And again I speak unto you who deny the revelations of God, and say that they are done away, that there are no revelations, nor prophecies, nor gifts, nor healing, nor speaking with tongues, and the interpretation of tongues; Behold I say unto you, he that denieth these things knoweth not the gospel of Christ; yea, he has not read the scriptures; if so, he does not understand them. For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing? And now, if ye have imagined up unto yourselves a god who doth vary, and in whom there is shadow of changing, then have ye imagined up unto yourselves a god who is not a God of miracles. But behold, I will show unto you a God of miracles, even the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and it is that same God who created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet talk about how the prophet Zechariah told the people to show mercy and be compassionate to others, not oppressing the poor or the needy and not imagining evil against their brothers in their hearts. All pretty good advice! But rather than obeying this counsel, the people turned their backs on the prophet and stopped up their ears so they wouldn't have to listen to what he had to say. They hardened their hearts as stone. Because they refused to listen to the Lord's prophet, the Lord would not listen to them, and scattered them, making the land desolate. When people listen to the words of a prophet and obey them, they're blessed. When they don't, they suffer the consequences. Zech. 7: 8-14 "And the word of the Lord came unto Zechariah, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts. Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they bcried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts: But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate."
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about how Elisha promised a son to a Shunammanite woman and she conceives and bears a son. However, her son later dies. Elisha comes and raises the child from the dead. 2 Kings 4: 14-20, 32-37; "And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old. And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt mbrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life. And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother. And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the Lord. And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son. Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out."
In the Book of Mormon I read a verse that tells us that the eternal purposes of God will roll on until all His promises have been fulfilled. When God promises something, we can absolutely trust that He will keep His word! Morm. 8: 22 "For the eternal purposes of the Lord shall roll on, until all his promises shall be fulfilled."
Some verses with a thought booklet ask a question: If some people don't believe, does that make the faith of God of no effect? Absolutely not! God is always true, even if every man is a liar. There will always be doubters and people who have no faith, but that doesn't need to effect our faith in God. Rom. 3: 3-4 "For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged."
In the Book of Mormon I read a verse that tells us that the eternal purposes of God will roll on until all His promises have been fulfilled. When God promises something, we can absolutely trust that He will keep His word! Morm. 8: 22 "For the eternal purposes of the Lord shall roll on, until all his promises shall be fulfilled."
Some verses with a thought booklet ask a question: If some people don't believe, does that make the faith of God of no effect? Absolutely not! God is always true, even if every man is a liar. There will always be doubters and people who have no faith, but that doesn't need to effect our faith in God. Rom. 3: 3-4 "For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged."
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about how a poor widow was going to have to have her sons sold as bondsmen to pay her debt, but Elisha performed a miracle by telling her to borrow as many vessels as she could and she was able to fill them all from one pot of oil. She was able to sell all this oil to pay her debt. 2 Kings 4:1-7 "Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil. Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full. So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out. And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest."
In the Book of Mormon I read that 400 years after the coming of Christ, all the Nephites have been destroyed and only Moroni is left. There are now only wicked Lamanites and robbers left, who are at war with one another. Morm. 8: 1-9 "Behold I, Moroni, do finish the record of my father, Mormon. Behold, I have but few things to write, which things I have been commanded by my father. And now it came to pass that after the great and tremendous battle at Cumorah, behold, the Nephites who had escaped into the country southward were hunted by the Lamanites, until they were all destroyed. And my father also was killed by them, and I even remain alone to write the sad tale of the destruction of my people. But behold, they are gone, and I fulfil the commandment of my father. And whether they will slay me, I know not. Therefore I will write and hide up the records in the earth; and whither I go it mattereth not. Behold, my father hath made this record, and he hath written the intent thereof. And behold, I would write it also if I had room upon the plates , but I have not; and ore I have none, for I am alone. My father hath been slain in battle, and all my kinsfolk, and I have not friends nor whither to go; and how long the Lord will suffer that I may live I know not. Behold, four hundred years have passed away since the coming of our Lord and Savior. And behold, the Lamanites have hunted my people, the Nephites, down from city to city and from place to place, even until they are no more; and great has been their fall; yea, great and marvelous is the destruction of my people, the Nephites. And behold, it is the hand of the Lord which hath done it. And behold also, the Lamanites are at war one with another; and the whole face of this land is one continual round of murder and bloodshed; and no one knoweth the end of the war. And now, behold, I say no more concerning them, for there are none save it be the Lamanites and robbers that do exist upon the face of the land."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us to be gentle and meek and to speak evil of no man. Titus 3: 2 "To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men."
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In the Book of Mormon I read that 400 years after the coming of Christ, all the Nephites have been destroyed and only Moroni is left. There are now only wicked Lamanites and robbers left, who are at war with one another. Morm. 8: 1-9 "Behold I, Moroni, do finish the record of my father, Mormon. Behold, I have but few things to write, which things I have been commanded by my father. And now it came to pass that after the great and tremendous battle at Cumorah, behold, the Nephites who had escaped into the country southward were hunted by the Lamanites, until they were all destroyed. And my father also was killed by them, and I even remain alone to write the sad tale of the destruction of my people. But behold, they are gone, and I fulfil the commandment of my father. And whether they will slay me, I know not. Therefore I will write and hide up the records in the earth; and whither I go it mattereth not. Behold, my father hath made this record, and he hath written the intent thereof. And behold, I would write it also if I had room upon the plates , but I have not; and ore I have none, for I am alone. My father hath been slain in battle, and all my kinsfolk, and I have not friends nor whither to go; and how long the Lord will suffer that I may live I know not. Behold, four hundred years have passed away since the coming of our Lord and Savior. And behold, the Lamanites have hunted my people, the Nephites, down from city to city and from place to place, even until they are no more; and great has been their fall; yea, great and marvelous is the destruction of my people, the Nephites. And behold, it is the hand of the Lord which hath done it. And behold also, the Lamanites are at war one with another; and the whole face of this land is one continual round of murder and bloodshed; and no one knoweth the end of the war. And now, behold, I say no more concerning them, for there are none save it be the Lamanites and robbers that do exist upon the face of the land."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us to be gentle and meek and to speak evil of no man. Titus 3: 2 "To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men."
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Monday, August 10, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about how Elisha promised water for their stock and that they would be able to defeat the Moabites. This did indeed come to pass. 2 Kings 3:9-10, 14-20,24-25 "So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah, and the king of Edom: and they fetched a compass of seven days' journey: and there was no water for the host, and for the cattle that followed them. And the king of Israel said, Alas! that the Lord hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab! And Elisha said, As the Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee. But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him. And he said, Thus saith the Lord, Make this valley full of ditches. For thus saith the Lord , Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts. And this is but a light thing in the sight of the Lord: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand. And ye shall smite every fenced city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all wells of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones. And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat offering was offered, that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water. And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them: but they went forward smiting the Moabites, even in their country. And they beat down the cities, and on every good piece of land cast every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped all the wells of water, and felled all the good trees: only in Kir-haraseth left they the stones thereof; howbeit the slingers went about it, and smote it."
In the Book of Mormon I read about the great destruction among the people because of their wickedness, tens of thousands of people slain. Mormon greatly mourned their loss and lamented that they had not repented before this great destruction came upon them. Morm. 6: 7-22 "And it came to pass that my people, with their wives and their children, did now behold the armies of the Lamanites marching towards them; and with that awful fear of death which fills the breasts of all the wicked, did they await to receive them. And it came to pass that they came to battle against us, and every soul was filled with terror because of the greatness of their numbers. And it came to pass that they did fall upon my people with the sword, and with the bow, and with the arrow, and with the ax, and with all manner of weapons of war. And it came to pass that my men were hewn down, yea, even my ten thousand who were with me, and I fell wounded in the midst; and they passed by me that they did not put an end to my life. And when they had gone through and hewn down all my people save it were twenty and four of us, (among whom was my son Moroni) and we having survived the dead of our people, did behold on the morrow, when the Lamanites had returned unto their camps, from the top of the hill Cumorah, the ten thousand of my people who were hewn down, being led in the front by me. And we also beheld the ten thousand of my people who were led by my son Moroni. And behold, the ten thousand of Gidgiddonah had fallen, and he also in the midst. And Lamah had fallen with his ten thousand; and Gilgal had fallen with his ten thousand; and Limhah had fallen with his ten thousand; and Jeneum had fallen with his ten thousand; and Cumenihah, and Moronihah, and Antionum, and Shiblom, and Shem, and Josh, had fallen with their ten thousand each. And it came to pass that there were ten more who did fall by the sword, with their ten thousand each; yea, even all my people, save it were those twenty and four who were with me, and also a few who had escaped into the south countries, and a few who had deserted over unto the Lamanites, had fallen; and their flesh, and bones, and blood lay upon the face of the earth, being left by the hands of those who slew them to molder upon the land, and to crumble and to return to their mother earth. And my soul was rent with anguish, because of the slain of my people, and I cried: O ye fair ones, how could ye have departed from the ways of the Lord! O ye fair ones, how could ye have rejected that Jesus, who stood with open arms to receive you! Behold, if ye had not done this, ye would not have fallen. But behold, ye are fallen, and I amourn your loss. O ye fair sons and daughters, ye fathers and mothers, ye husbands and wives, ye fair ones, how is it that ye could have fallen! But behold, ye are gone, and my sorrows cannot bring your return. And the day soon cometh that your mortal must put on immortality, and these bodies which are now moldering in corruption must soon become incorruptible bodies; and then ye must stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, to be judged according to your works; and if it so be that ye are righteous, then are ye blessed with your fathers who have gone before you. O that ye had repented before this great destruction had come upon you. But behold, ye are gone, and the Father, yea, the Eternal Father of heaven, knoweth your state; and he doeth with you according to his justice and mercy."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us to set our affections on things above, not on worldly things. What do we place more importance on--things of the Lord or on money and possessions? Where does our heart really lie? Col. 3: 2 "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."
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In the Book of Mormon I read about the great destruction among the people because of their wickedness, tens of thousands of people slain. Mormon greatly mourned their loss and lamented that they had not repented before this great destruction came upon them. Morm. 6: 7-22 "And it came to pass that my people, with their wives and their children, did now behold the armies of the Lamanites marching towards them; and with that awful fear of death which fills the breasts of all the wicked, did they await to receive them. And it came to pass that they came to battle against us, and every soul was filled with terror because of the greatness of their numbers. And it came to pass that they did fall upon my people with the sword, and with the bow, and with the arrow, and with the ax, and with all manner of weapons of war. And it came to pass that my men were hewn down, yea, even my ten thousand who were with me, and I fell wounded in the midst; and they passed by me that they did not put an end to my life. And when they had gone through and hewn down all my people save it were twenty and four of us, (among whom was my son Moroni) and we having survived the dead of our people, did behold on the morrow, when the Lamanites had returned unto their camps, from the top of the hill Cumorah, the ten thousand of my people who were hewn down, being led in the front by me. And we also beheld the ten thousand of my people who were led by my son Moroni. And behold, the ten thousand of Gidgiddonah had fallen, and he also in the midst. And Lamah had fallen with his ten thousand; and Gilgal had fallen with his ten thousand; and Limhah had fallen with his ten thousand; and Jeneum had fallen with his ten thousand; and Cumenihah, and Moronihah, and Antionum, and Shiblom, and Shem, and Josh, had fallen with their ten thousand each. And it came to pass that there were ten more who did fall by the sword, with their ten thousand each; yea, even all my people, save it were those twenty and four who were with me, and also a few who had escaped into the south countries, and a few who had deserted over unto the Lamanites, had fallen; and their flesh, and bones, and blood lay upon the face of the earth, being left by the hands of those who slew them to molder upon the land, and to crumble and to return to their mother earth. And my soul was rent with anguish, because of the slain of my people, and I cried: O ye fair ones, how could ye have departed from the ways of the Lord! O ye fair ones, how could ye have rejected that Jesus, who stood with open arms to receive you! Behold, if ye had not done this, ye would not have fallen. But behold, ye are fallen, and I amourn your loss. O ye fair sons and daughters, ye fathers and mothers, ye husbands and wives, ye fair ones, how is it that ye could have fallen! But behold, ye are gone, and my sorrows cannot bring your return. And the day soon cometh that your mortal must put on immortality, and these bodies which are now moldering in corruption must soon become incorruptible bodies; and then ye must stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, to be judged according to your works; and if it so be that ye are righteous, then are ye blessed with your fathers who have gone before you. O that ye had repented before this great destruction had come upon you. But behold, ye are gone, and the Father, yea, the Eternal Father of heaven, knoweth your state; and he doeth with you according to his justice and mercy."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us to set our affections on things above, not on worldly things. What do we place more importance on--things of the Lord or on money and possessions? Where does our heart really lie? Col. 3: 2 "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."
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Sunday, August 9, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about how Elisha was able to heal the waters of Jerico. 2 Kgs. 2: 19-22 "And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren. And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him. And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the Lord, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land. So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake."
In the Book of Mormon I read about the continued wickedness of the people and about how it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished. Mormon said that it was impossible to describe the horrible scene of blood and carnage that resulted from the shedding of so much blood. The people's hearts were so hardened that they delighted in the shedding of blood and there had never been so great wickedness prevailing as among this people. Morm. 4: 5, 11-12 "But, behold, the judgments of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished; for it is the wicked that stir up the hearts of the children of men unto bloodshed. And it is impossible for the tongue to describe, or for man to write a perfect description of the horrible scene of the blood and carnage which was among the people, both of the Nephites and of the Lamanites; and every heart was hardened, so that they delighted in the shedding of blood continually. And there never had been so great wickedness among all the children of Lehi, nor even among all the house of Israel, according to the words of the Lord, as was among this people."
A verse with a thought booklet gives us the key to handle temptation--it's not fight, but flight. Instead of sticking around to fight temptation, we need to get out of there! Also, it's not enough just to avoid bad things. That will just leave an empty void i our lives. We need to fill our lives with good things--righteousness, faith, love, peace and prayer. 2 Tim. 2: 22 "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
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In the Book of Mormon I read about the continued wickedness of the people and about how it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished. Mormon said that it was impossible to describe the horrible scene of blood and carnage that resulted from the shedding of so much blood. The people's hearts were so hardened that they delighted in the shedding of blood and there had never been so great wickedness prevailing as among this people. Morm. 4: 5, 11-12 "But, behold, the judgments of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished; for it is the wicked that stir up the hearts of the children of men unto bloodshed. And it is impossible for the tongue to describe, or for man to write a perfect description of the horrible scene of the blood and carnage which was among the people, both of the Nephites and of the Lamanites; and every heart was hardened, so that they delighted in the shedding of blood continually. And there never had been so great wickedness among all the children of Lehi, nor even among all the house of Israel, according to the words of the Lord, as was among this people."
A verse with a thought booklet gives us the key to handle temptation--it's not fight, but flight. Instead of sticking around to fight temptation, we need to get out of there! Also, it's not enough just to avoid bad things. That will just leave an empty void i our lives. We need to fill our lives with good things--righteousness, faith, love, peace and prayer. 2 Tim. 2: 22 "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
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Saturday, August 8, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about how the mantle of the prophet Elijah was passed to the next prophet, Elisha, who watched ELijah being taken up into heaven by a whirlwind. Fifty sons of prophets witnessed this and testified that the spirit of Elijah rested on Elisha. 2 Kgs. 2: 7-15 "And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan. And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground. And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over. And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him."
In the Book of Mormon I read how Mormon cried repentance unto the people but they refused to listen to him because their hearts were too hard. After they defeated the Lamanites in battle, they boasted of their own strength and swore to avenge themselves of the blood of their brethren. At that point Mormon refused to lead them into battle anymore and his prayers for them were without faith that they would change and repent, because of the hardness of their hearts. Morm. 3: 2-3, 9-12 "And it came to pass that the Lord did say unto me: Cry unto this people—Repent ye, and come unto me, and be ye baptized, and build up again my church, and ye shall be spared. And I did cry unto this people, but it was in vain; and they did not realize that it was the Lord that had spared them, and granted unto them a chance for repentance. And behold they did harden their hearts against the Lord their God. And now, because of this great thing which my people, the Nephites, had done, they began to boast in their own strength, and began to swear before the heavens that they would avenge themselves of the blood of their brethren who had been slain by their enemies. And they did swear by the heavens, and also by the throne of God, that they would go up to battle against their enemies, and would cut them off from the face of the land. And it came to pass that I, Mormon, did utterly refuse from this time forth to be a commander and a leader of this people, because of their wickedness and abomination. Behold, I had led them, notwithstanding their wickedness I had led them many times to battle, and had loved them, according to the love of God which was in me, with all my heart; and my soul had been poured out in prayer unto my God all the day long for them; nevertheless, it was without faith, because of the hardness of their hearts."
A verse from a thought booklet tells us that the Lord doesn't look upon the outward appearance of a man the way people do, but He looks upon the heart. He sees us for what we really are, on the inside. We need to do more of that--stop judging people because they might not be physically beautful or handsome, or maybe they're overweight, or maybe they're very short, or they're handicapped in some way. Those things really don't matter in the eternal scheme of things. Let's look past the physical and see into the hearts of people, and love them for what they really are. 1 Sam. 16: 7 "But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."
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In the Book of Mormon I read how Mormon cried repentance unto the people but they refused to listen to him because their hearts were too hard. After they defeated the Lamanites in battle, they boasted of their own strength and swore to avenge themselves of the blood of their brethren. At that point Mormon refused to lead them into battle anymore and his prayers for them were without faith that they would change and repent, because of the hardness of their hearts. Morm. 3: 2-3, 9-12 "And it came to pass that the Lord did say unto me: Cry unto this people—Repent ye, and come unto me, and be ye baptized, and build up again my church, and ye shall be spared. And I did cry unto this people, but it was in vain; and they did not realize that it was the Lord that had spared them, and granted unto them a chance for repentance. And behold they did harden their hearts against the Lord their God. And now, because of this great thing which my people, the Nephites, had done, they began to boast in their own strength, and began to swear before the heavens that they would avenge themselves of the blood of their brethren who had been slain by their enemies. And they did swear by the heavens, and also by the throne of God, that they would go up to battle against their enemies, and would cut them off from the face of the land. And it came to pass that I, Mormon, did utterly refuse from this time forth to be a commander and a leader of this people, because of their wickedness and abomination. Behold, I had led them, notwithstanding their wickedness I had led them many times to battle, and had loved them, according to the love of God which was in me, with all my heart; and my soul had been poured out in prayer unto my God all the day long for them; nevertheless, it was without faith, because of the hardness of their hearts."
A verse from a thought booklet tells us that the Lord doesn't look upon the outward appearance of a man the way people do, but He looks upon the heart. He sees us for what we really are, on the inside. We need to do more of that--stop judging people because they might not be physically beautful or handsome, or maybe they're overweight, or maybe they're very short, or they're handicapped in some way. Those things really don't matter in the eternal scheme of things. Let's look past the physical and see into the hearts of people, and love them for what they really are. 1 Sam. 16: 7 "But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."
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Friday, August 7, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about how when Elijan came down to talk to the king, he told him the same thing that he'd told the messangers to tell him--asking why he'd wanted to inquire of Baal-zebub when Israel had a God to inquire of, and telling him that he would never arise from his sickbed, but would die. This indeed happen as he foretold. and Jehoram reigned in his stead. 2 Kgs. 1: 16-17 "And he said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron, is it not because there is no God in Israel to enquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. So he died according to the word of the Lord which Elijah had spoken. And Jehoram reigned in his stead in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah; because he had no son."
In the Book of Mormon I read about the continued wickedness of the people and how they were ripening for destruction. When Mormon saw the people mourn and lament, he hoped they they were beginning to repent. However, he soon realized that their sorrowing was the sorrowing of the damned and that they in open rebellion against God as they battled with each other and were hewn down. Morm. 2: 11-15 "Thus there began to be a mourning and a lamentation in all the land because of these things, and more especially among the people of Nephi. And it came to pass that when I, Mormon, saw their lamentation and their mourning and their sorrow before the Lord, my heart did begin to rejoice within me, knowing the mercies and the long-suffering of the Lord, therefore supposing that he would be merciful unto them that they would bagain become a righteous people. But behold this my joy was vain, for their sorrowing was not unto repentance, because of the goodness of God; but it was rather the sorrowing of the damned, because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin. And they did not come unto Jesus with broken hearts and contrite spirits, but they did curse God, and wish to die. Nevertheless they would struggle with the sword for their lives. And it came to pass that my sorrow did return unto me again, and I saw that the day of grace was passed with them, both temporally and spiritually; for I saw thousands of them hewn down in open rebellion against their God, and heaped up as dung upon the face of the land. And thus three hundred and forty and four years had passed away."
Some verses with a thought booklet raise the question of "Do we practice what we preach?" When we're trying to teach others the gospel, are we living it? Do we tell our children "Do as I say, not as I do?" We need to live our lives in such a way that we're actually doing what we tell others they should do. Rom. 2: 21-24 "Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written."
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In the Book of Mormon I read about the continued wickedness of the people and how they were ripening for destruction. When Mormon saw the people mourn and lament, he hoped they they were beginning to repent. However, he soon realized that their sorrowing was the sorrowing of the damned and that they in open rebellion against God as they battled with each other and were hewn down. Morm. 2: 11-15 "Thus there began to be a mourning and a lamentation in all the land because of these things, and more especially among the people of Nephi. And it came to pass that when I, Mormon, saw their lamentation and their mourning and their sorrow before the Lord, my heart did begin to rejoice within me, knowing the mercies and the long-suffering of the Lord, therefore supposing that he would be merciful unto them that they would bagain become a righteous people. But behold this my joy was vain, for their sorrowing was not unto repentance, because of the goodness of God; but it was rather the sorrowing of the damned, because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin. And they did not come unto Jesus with broken hearts and contrite spirits, but they did curse God, and wish to die. Nevertheless they would struggle with the sword for their lives. And it came to pass that my sorrow did return unto me again, and I saw that the day of grace was passed with them, both temporally and spiritually; for I saw thousands of them hewn down in open rebellion against their God, and heaped up as dung upon the face of the land. And thus three hundred and forty and four years had passed away."
Some verses with a thought booklet raise the question of "Do we practice what we preach?" When we're trying to teach others the gospel, are we living it? Do we tell our children "Do as I say, not as I do?" We need to live our lives in such a way that we're actually doing what we tell others they should do. Rom. 2: 21-24 "Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written."
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Thursday, August 6, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about how the king sent fifty men to ask Elijan to come down from the top of a hill. Elijah told them that if he was a man of God, the Lord would send fire down to consume all fifty of them, which indeed did happen. The same thing happened to another group of fifty. The captain of a third group of fifty came to Elijah pleading for his life and Elijah agreed to go down with him, after an angel from the Lord told him to go and there was nothing to fear. 2 Kgs. 1: 9-15 "Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down. And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty. Again also he sent unto him another captain of fifty with his fifty. And he answered and said unto him, O man of God, thus hath the king said, Come down quickly. And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty. And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight. Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight. And the aangel of the Lord said unto Elijah, Go down with him: be not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him unto the king."
In the Book of Mormon I read that wickedness continued to spread throughout the land to the point that the Lord took His disciples away, miracles and healings did cease, and the Holy Ghost was withdrawn--all because of the wickedness of the people. Morm. 1: 13-14 "But wickedness did prevail upon the face of the whole land, insomuch that the Lord did take away his beloved disciples, and the work of miracles and of healing did cease because of the iniquity of the people. And there were no gifts from the Lord, and the Holy Ghost did not come upon any, because of their wickedness and unbelief."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell the story of the parable of the Good Samaritan. The thought that went with this, written by Dan Nicksich from Somerset, Pennsylvania says: One of our elderly church members told me of a time when he fell on the sidewalk in front of his apartment building. He hit his head on some brickwork while falling and knocked himself out. He doesn't know how long he was unconscious but when he came to, he was aware of the sound of cars passing by in the street. Nobody stopped to even check on an elderly man lying on the sidewalk. It's the parable of the Good Samaritan all over again except for the absence of any Samaritan to help a fallen traveler. I wonder who passed by. Teachers? Real estate agents? Bankers? Mail carriers on their appointed rounds? Possibly some Christians? May we never be so busy, so preoccupied with self or even with acts of service, that we fail to notice or take the time to help someone in need. Is it I, Lord? Am I one who would simply pass by those who are in need? Give me the heart of the Samaritan, filled with your compassion. Luke 10: 25-37 "And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise."
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In the Book of Mormon I read that wickedness continued to spread throughout the land to the point that the Lord took His disciples away, miracles and healings did cease, and the Holy Ghost was withdrawn--all because of the wickedness of the people. Morm. 1: 13-14 "But wickedness did prevail upon the face of the whole land, insomuch that the Lord did take away his beloved disciples, and the work of miracles and of healing did cease because of the iniquity of the people. And there were no gifts from the Lord, and the Holy Ghost did not come upon any, because of their wickedness and unbelief."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell the story of the parable of the Good Samaritan. The thought that went with this, written by Dan Nicksich from Somerset, Pennsylvania says: One of our elderly church members told me of a time when he fell on the sidewalk in front of his apartment building. He hit his head on some brickwork while falling and knocked himself out. He doesn't know how long he was unconscious but when he came to, he was aware of the sound of cars passing by in the street. Nobody stopped to even check on an elderly man lying on the sidewalk. It's the parable of the Good Samaritan all over again except for the absence of any Samaritan to help a fallen traveler. I wonder who passed by. Teachers? Real estate agents? Bankers? Mail carriers on their appointed rounds? Possibly some Christians? May we never be so busy, so preoccupied with self or even with acts of service, that we fail to notice or take the time to help someone in need. Is it I, Lord? Am I one who would simply pass by those who are in need? Give me the heart of the Samaritan, filled with your compassion. Luke 10: 25-37 "And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise."
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Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament we read that Ahaziah became sick and sent servants to inquire of Baal-zebub whether he would be healed or not. But an angel of the Lord appeared to Elijah and told him to go meet the messangers of the king and ask them why they were going to inquire of Baal-zebub when they had a God in Israel. They were to tell Ahaziah that he would not arise from his sickbed, but would surely die. The messangers went back to the king and told him these things. 2 Kgs. 1: 2-6 "And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease. But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to enquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron? Now therefore thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed. And when the messengers turned back unto him, he said unto them, Why are ye now turned back? And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, and said unto us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that thou sendest to enquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die."
Yesterday we read how the people began to allow pride and wickedness to enter into their hearts. Today we read how this wickedness spread so that none were righteous save for the disciples of Jesus who sorrowed for the sins of the world. How sad that such a happy and righteous people could change so much. 4 Ne. 1: 42-46 "And it came to pass that the wicked part of the people began again to build up the secret oaths and combinations of Gadianton. And also the people who were called the people of Nephi began to be proud in their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, and become vain like unto their brethren, the Lamanites. And from this time the disciples began to sorrow for the sins of the world. And it came to pass that when three hundred years had passed away, both the people of Nephi and the Lamanites had become exceedingly wicked one like unto another. And it came to pass that the robbers of Gadianton did spread over all the face of the land; and there were none that were righteous save it were the disciples of Jesus. And gold and silver did they lay up in store in abundance, and did traffic in all manner of traffic."
A verse with a thought booklet talks about how God will provide refuge for us, and we can trust in Him like a baby bird finds protection under the protective wings of its parent. The thought that went with this, written by Mary L. Scramlin from Rockford, Michigan says: When I'm weary, overwhelmed, or stressed, I'm often reminded of the time we saw an elegant swan backing up to the edge of the riverbank. My husband, three little daughters, and I watched in wonder as five cygnets darted out from under a bush and scurried onto her back. Folding her wings over them, she silently glided down the river again, the cygnets totally hidden from view. I was amazed and tried to imagine how it must feel for the cygnets. Tired, tiny, and vulnerable, they got to sink down into the soft, downy white feathers and nestle peacefully under the shelter of mother's protective, powerful wings. Likewise I can turn to my God and sink into the soft, downy feathers of His wings. Once safe and secure, I can let go of all that is too big for me. I can rest and be comforted. I can look at the world around me with fresh eyes, from a new perspective. My spirit once again restored, I too, can float in peace. God, thank you for the comfort, peace, and joy we find while resting in the shelter of your wings. Your presence carries us, encourages us, and delights us. Ps. 91: 4 "He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler."
Yesterday we read how the people began to allow pride and wickedness to enter into their hearts. Today we read how this wickedness spread so that none were righteous save for the disciples of Jesus who sorrowed for the sins of the world. How sad that such a happy and righteous people could change so much. 4 Ne. 1: 42-46 "And it came to pass that the wicked part of the people began again to build up the secret oaths and combinations of Gadianton. And also the people who were called the people of Nephi began to be proud in their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, and become vain like unto their brethren, the Lamanites. And from this time the disciples began to sorrow for the sins of the world. And it came to pass that when three hundred years had passed away, both the people of Nephi and the Lamanites had become exceedingly wicked one like unto another. And it came to pass that the robbers of Gadianton did spread over all the face of the land; and there were none that were righteous save it were the disciples of Jesus. And gold and silver did they lay up in store in abundance, and did traffic in all manner of traffic."
A verse with a thought booklet talks about how God will provide refuge for us, and we can trust in Him like a baby bird finds protection under the protective wings of its parent. The thought that went with this, written by Mary L. Scramlin from Rockford, Michigan says: When I'm weary, overwhelmed, or stressed, I'm often reminded of the time we saw an elegant swan backing up to the edge of the riverbank. My husband, three little daughters, and I watched in wonder as five cygnets darted out from under a bush and scurried onto her back. Folding her wings over them, she silently glided down the river again, the cygnets totally hidden from view. I was amazed and tried to imagine how it must feel for the cygnets. Tired, tiny, and vulnerable, they got to sink down into the soft, downy white feathers and nestle peacefully under the shelter of mother's protective, powerful wings. Likewise I can turn to my God and sink into the soft, downy feathers of His wings. Once safe and secure, I can let go of all that is too big for me. I can rest and be comforted. I can look at the world around me with fresh eyes, from a new perspective. My spirit once again restored, I too, can float in peace. God, thank you for the comfort, peace, and joy we find while resting in the shelter of your wings. Your presence carries us, encourages us, and delights us. Ps. 91: 4 "He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler."
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