Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read how the Lord would gather His lost sheep and feed them in good pastures. He lovingly cares for His sheep. And keep in mind that we are His sheep. Ezek. 34: 11-16 "For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment."

In the D&C I read some verses that at times I've had a hard time understanding. They say that we need to forgive one another and that if we don't, there remains in us the greater sin. When someone sins against us it's difficult not to be angry with them. We feel justified in being upset with them. They did us wrong! But the Lord says unless we can forgive them, we're guilty of a worse sin than they are. How can this be? I have actually seen the sin of unforgiveness destroy people's lives. It changes the people that they are. They become so angry and bitter that it taints their entire attitudes and colors how they see the world. It affects how they treat others and sets a terrible example for their children. If someone has done something terrible to us, let God jugdge them. We need to let it go and with the Lord's help, find a way to forgive them. Not for their sakes, but for OURS! As bad as what they did to us may be, it's nothing compared to what we do to ourselves when we allow feelings of unforgiveness to take over our lives. If we find we just can't do it, we need to turn the situation over to the Lord and allow Him to change our hearts so that we can be freed from these bitter feelings that will destroy our lives if we don't get them under control. Our future happiness depends on it. D&C 64: 9-10 "Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin. I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that if we endure temptation, we will be blessed and receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to all those who love Him. We can't always prevent temptations from crossing our paths, but we can respond to them in the way the Lord would have us do. And remember: Resisting temptation brings great rewards! James 1: 12 "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."

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