Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that the people refused to hearken to the voice of the Lord and wold not obey His commandments. They would not listen to the prophets who cried repentance unto them, but hardened their hearts and stiffened their necks. They would not receive correction. Jer. 7: 23-28 "But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward. Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them: Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers. Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer thee. But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the Lord their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth."

In the Book of Mormon I read an admonition that we should keep the commandments and pray always that we'll be able to resist the temptations of the devil. We need to repent, be baptized, and follow the example of our Savior. 3 Ne. 18: 14-16 "Therefore blessed are ye if ye shall keep my commandments, which the Father hath commanded me that I should give unto you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and ye be led away captive by him. And as I have prayed among you even so shall ye pray in my church, among my people who do repent and are baptized in my name. Behold I am the light; I have set an example for you."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us to give thanks to God for all things. ALL things! Sometimes it's easy to take things for granted forget to thank Him for all the wonderful blessings He gives us. But we're supposed to even go one step farther and thank Him for ALL things--even for things that may be difficult for us. When we're going through trials and hardships it's not easy to realize that these things may be for our good in the long run. They may teach us valuable lessons and help to strengthen us and make us into the people God wants us to be. It's a challenge to be thankful for these things at the time we're going through them. But having a heart of gratitude will actually help us get through the hard times and lift our moods as well. Eph. 5: 20 "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;"
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