In the Old Testament I read that in the day of the Lord, His Spirit will be poured out on all flesh and there will be dreams and visions. There will be wonders in the heavens and deliverance for anyone who calls upon the Lord. Joel 2: 28-32 "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call."
In the D&C we're told that when we're trying to teach others the gospel the Lord will put His thoughts into our minds and give us the words to say, in the very hour we need them. The things we declare in the name of the Lord need to be in the spirit of meekness. If we do this, the Holy Ghost will bear record to what we say. We do not convert other people; it is the Spirit that converts. We are merely instruments in the hands of the Lord and we need to be in tune with Him so that we can do a good job of conveying the message that He would have us deliver. D&C 100: 5-8 "Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men; For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say. But a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall declare whatsoever thing ye declare in my name, in solemnity of heart, in the spirit of meekness, in all things.8 And I give unto you this promise, that inasmuch as ye do this the Holy Ghost shall be shed forth in bearing record unto all things whatsoever ye shall say."
Some verses with a thought booklet remind us to choose our friends and companions carefully because the righteous cannot fellowship with the unrighteous and light cannot commune with darkness. How often have you seen a wonderful young person take a wrong turn in life after they began associating with the wrong kind of friend? Or someone fall away from the correct path after they married an unbeliever? That doesn't mean we can't have friends who don't believe exactly the way we do, but we should have associates that lift and build us and are a righteous influence in our lives--not ones who drag us down, try to corrupt us, and who are constantly putting temptations before us. 2 Cor. 6: 14-15 "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?"
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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
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament we're told that Ephraim's sins provoked the Lord. There is no Savior besides the Lord. Hosea 13: 1-4 "When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died. And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves. Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney. Yet I am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me."
In the D&C we're told to forgive our enemies as often as they're willing to repent of their tresspasses against us, even until 70 times 7. This can be easier said than done, but if we find ourselves very angry and upset with another person over what they've done to us, we can turn to the Lord for help in softening our hearts and helping us feel better. And this is actually more for our benefit than for the other person's because as long as we have an unforgiving, bitter heart, we will be unhappy and have no peace. D&C 98: 39-40 "And again, verily I say unto you, if after thine enemy has come upon thee the first time, he repent and come unto thee praying thy forgiveness, thou shalt forgive him, and shalt hold it no more as a testimony against thine enemy— And so on unto the second and third time; and as oft as thine enemy repenteth of the trespass wherewith he has trespassed against thee, thou shalt forgive him, until seventy times seven."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that faith without works are dead. If we truly have faith, our works will show it. We'll be willing to help those in need, not just wish them well. Do we keep the commandments with a desire to please the Lord because of our love for Him? Or are we half hearted in keeping the commandments, and only when it's convenient for us and doesn't take much effort? If we truly have faith, how we live our lives will reflect that. James 2: 14-17 "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.:
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In the D&C we're told to forgive our enemies as often as they're willing to repent of their tresspasses against us, even until 70 times 7. This can be easier said than done, but if we find ourselves very angry and upset with another person over what they've done to us, we can turn to the Lord for help in softening our hearts and helping us feel better. And this is actually more for our benefit than for the other person's because as long as we have an unforgiving, bitter heart, we will be unhappy and have no peace. D&C 98: 39-40 "And again, verily I say unto you, if after thine enemy has come upon thee the first time, he repent and come unto thee praying thy forgiveness, thou shalt forgive him, and shalt hold it no more as a testimony against thine enemy— And so on unto the second and third time; and as oft as thine enemy repenteth of the trespass wherewith he has trespassed against thee, thou shalt forgive him, until seventy times seven."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that faith without works are dead. If we truly have faith, our works will show it. We'll be willing to help those in need, not just wish them well. Do we keep the commandments with a desire to please the Lord because of our love for Him? Or are we half hearted in keeping the commandments, and only when it's convenient for us and doesn't take much effort? If we truly have faith, how we live our lives will reflect that. James 2: 14-17 "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.:
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Sunday, November 28, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament we're told that those who plow wickedness, reap iniquity, and who trust in their own ways or the ways of men will have a tumult arise among them and be cut off, because of their wickedness. Hosea 10: 13-15 "Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men. Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Beth-arbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children. So shall Beth-el do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off."
In the D&C I read that those who are honest ahd humble will be accepted by the Lord. D&C 97: 8 "Verily I say unto you, all among them who know their hearts are honest, and are broken, and their spirits contrite, and are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice—yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord, shall command—they are accepted of me."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that Jesus is the Light of the world and if we follow Him, we will never have to walk in darkness. Have you ever tried to walk along an unfamiliar path at night without even a flashlight to guide you? What a scary thing to do. You're at great risk for losing your way or even stumbling and falling. This is how we stumble and fall through life if we don't have the true Light to guide us. If we're willing to follow the Lord, He will light our path. John 8: 12 "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
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In the D&C I read that those who are honest ahd humble will be accepted by the Lord. D&C 97: 8 "Verily I say unto you, all among them who know their hearts are honest, and are broken, and their spirits contrite, and are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice—yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord, shall command—they are accepted of me."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that Jesus is the Light of the world and if we follow Him, we will never have to walk in darkness. Have you ever tried to walk along an unfamiliar path at night without even a flashlight to guide you? What a scary thing to do. You're at great risk for losing your way or even stumbling and falling. This is how we stumble and fall through life if we don't have the true Light to guide us. If we're willing to follow the Lord, He will light our path. John 8: 12 "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
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Saturday, November 27, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that the kingdoms of Judah and Israel would both fall because of their iniquities. The Lord would withdraw Himself from them and they would not be able to find Him because they had dealt treacherously with the Lord. Hosea 5: 1-7 "Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor. And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I have been a rebuker of them all. I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled. They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the Lord.5 And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity; Judah also shall fall with them. They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the Lord; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them. They have dealt treacherously against the Lord: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions."
In the D&C I read that there were contentions in the school of the prophets, which the Lord said was a very grevous sin unto Him, and that they needed to be chastened. Contention is a very serious sin, and is of the devil. It is something we need to try out best to avoid because it drives away the Spirit of the Lord. D&C 95: 9-10 "For this is the promise of the Father unto you; therefore I command you to tarry, even as mine apostles at Jerusalem. Nevertheless, my servants sinned a very grievous sin; and contentions arose in the school of the prophets; which was very grievous unto me, saith your Lord; therefore I sent them forth to be chastened."
A scripture with a thought booklet tells us that what the Lord requires of us is to be just and merciful and to walk humbly before Him. Do we behave justly in our dealings with others? Are we merciful when others have wronged us? Are we humble? These are things we all probably need to work on. Micah 6: 8 "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"
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In the D&C I read that there were contentions in the school of the prophets, which the Lord said was a very grevous sin unto Him, and that they needed to be chastened. Contention is a very serious sin, and is of the devil. It is something we need to try out best to avoid because it drives away the Spirit of the Lord. D&C 95: 9-10 "For this is the promise of the Father unto you; therefore I command you to tarry, even as mine apostles at Jerusalem. Nevertheless, my servants sinned a very grievous sin; and contentions arose in the school of the prophets; which was very grievous unto me, saith your Lord; therefore I sent them forth to be chastened."
A scripture with a thought booklet tells us that what the Lord requires of us is to be just and merciful and to walk humbly before Him. Do we behave justly in our dealings with others? Are we merciful when others have wronged us? Are we humble? These are things we all probably need to work on. Micah 6: 8 "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"
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Friday, November 26, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read abot how the people would be destroyed because of their lack of knowledge and their increase of sin. Because they rejected the knowldge of the Lord, the Lord would reject them and becase they forgot the law of God, He would forget them. Their glory would be changed to shame. Hosea 4: 6-7 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame."
In the D&C I read that no unclean thing should enter into the House of the Lord, so that the glory of the Lord and His presence may be felt there. This is why it's so immportant that we keep ourselves worthy to receive a temple recommend, and why the temple is such a sacred place where we can feel the Spirit of the Lord so strongly. D&C 94: 8 "And ye shall not suffer any unclean thing to come in unto it; and my glory shall be there, and my presence shall be there."
A verse with a thought booklet reminds us that the Lord will give us peace--not the kind of peace that the world gives, but true peace that will calm our troubled hearts and give us no reason to be afraid. Have you ever tossed and turned at night, unable to sleep because of worries and fears? I have. But if we truly trust in the Lord, we'll know that He'll help us deal with whatever comes our way. We can cast our burdens upon Him and He will give us peace. John 14: 27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
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In the D&C I read that no unclean thing should enter into the House of the Lord, so that the glory of the Lord and His presence may be felt there. This is why it's so immportant that we keep ourselves worthy to receive a temple recommend, and why the temple is such a sacred place where we can feel the Spirit of the Lord so strongly. D&C 94: 8 "And ye shall not suffer any unclean thing to come in unto it; and my glory shall be there, and my presence shall be there."
A verse with a thought booklet reminds us that the Lord will give us peace--not the kind of peace that the world gives, but true peace that will calm our troubled hearts and give us no reason to be afraid. Have you ever tossed and turned at night, unable to sleep because of worries and fears? I have. But if we truly trust in the Lord, we'll know that He'll help us deal with whatever comes our way. We can cast our burdens upon Him and He will give us peace. John 14: 27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
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Thursday, November 25, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that Israel would lose all truth, mercy, and the knowledge of God and go whoring after false gods. What a sad state for Israel to be in! Hosea 4: 1-2 "Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood."
In the D&C I read that we need to pray always so the devil will not gain power over us. If we think we're strong enough to resist Satan on our own and that we don't need the Lord's help, we are mistaken, and we're in danger of falling. D&C 93: 49 "What I say unto one I say unto all; pray always lest that wicked one have power in you, and remove you out of your place."
A verse from a thought booklet tells us that a good person, out of the good treasure of their heart, will produce good. Do our lives show, by our actions, that we are good? Luke 6: 45 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."
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In the D&C I read that we need to pray always so the devil will not gain power over us. If we think we're strong enough to resist Satan on our own and that we don't need the Lord's help, we are mistaken, and we're in danger of falling. D&C 93: 49 "What I say unto one I say unto all; pray always lest that wicked one have power in you, and remove you out of your place."
A verse from a thought booklet tells us that a good person, out of the good treasure of their heart, will produce good. Do our lives show, by our actions, that we are good? Luke 6: 45 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."
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Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that in the latter days, Isreal would seek the Lord, return to Him, and receive of His goodness. Hosea 3: 4-5 "For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days."
A verse from the D&C tells us that all things will work together for our good if we have faith, search and pray, walk uprightly, and remember the covenants we have made. If we're doing what's right we can trust in the Lord that whatever circumstances come our way, they'll be for our good. D&C 90: 24 "Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the wicked will flee even when no one is pursuing them, but the righteous are bold as a lion. When we do what's right, we have no need to fear for the Lord is on our side! Prov. 28: 1 "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion."
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A verse from the D&C tells us that all things will work together for our good if we have faith, search and pray, walk uprightly, and remember the covenants we have made. If we're doing what's right we can trust in the Lord that whatever circumstances come our way, they'll be for our good. D&C 90: 24 "Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the wicked will flee even when no one is pursuing them, but the righteous are bold as a lion. When we do what's right, we have no need to fear for the Lord is on our side! Prov. 28: 1 "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion."
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Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about how the Lord commanded Hosea to take a wife who was a prostitute. It seems pretty strange for the Lord to command a prophet to marry an immoral woman. Scholars differ in their interpretation of this. Some believe that Hosea was asked to do this because the marriage served as an object lesson to call Israel's attention to their carnal state. Others feel that Hosea never did actually contract a marriage like this. Sidney B. Sperry says: "The Lord's call to Hosea was to take a harlotrous woman to wife represents the prophet's call to the ministry--a ministry to an apostate and covenant-braking people. The children of this apparent union represent the coming of the jdgments of the Lord upon Israel, warning of which was to be carried to the people by the prophet. The figure of the harlotros wife and children would, I believe, b e readily understood at the time by the Nebrew people without reflecting on Hosea's own wife, of, if he was unmarried, on himself." Elder Henry B. Eyring commented on his experience of teaching Hosea to early morning seminary classes: "The book of Hosea, like the writing of Isaiah, uses what seem to me almost poetic images. The symbols in Hosea are a husband, his bride, her betrayal, and a test of marriage covenants almost beyond comprehension. Here are fierce words of the husband, spoken after his wife has betrayed him in adultery (Hosea 2:6-7). He goes on (through verse 13) to describe the punishment she deserves, and then comes a remarkable change in the verse that follows (Hosea 2:14-15, 19-23). At that early point in the story in just two chapters, even my yongest students knew that the hsband was a metaphor for Jehovah, Jesus Christ. And they knew that the wife represented his covenant people, Israel, who ahd gone after strange gods. They understood that the Lord was teaching them, through this metaphor, an important principle. Even though those with whom he has covenanted may be horrible unfaithful to him, he would not divorce them if they would only turn back to him with full purpose of heart. I knew that too, but even more than that, I felt something. I had a new feeling about what it means to make a covenant with the Lord. All my life I had heard explanations of covenants as being like a contract, an agreement where one person agrees to do something and the other agrees to do something else in return. For more reasons than I can explain, during those days teaching Hosea, I felt something new, something more powerful. This was not a story about a business deal between partners, nor a bout business law. This was a love story. This was a story of a marriage covenant bound by love, by steadfast love. What I felt then, and it has increased over the years, was that the Lord, with whom I am blessed to have made covenants, loves me, and you with a steadfastness about which I continually marvel and which I want with all my heart to emulate." Hosea 1: 2-3; 2: 6-7, 14-15, 19-23 "The beginning of the word of the Lord by Hosea. And the Lord said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the Lord. So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; which conceived, and bare him a son. Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths. And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now. Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.5 And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt. And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the Lord. And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the Lord, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth; And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel. And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God."
In the D&C I read about the wonderful blessings that attend keeping the Word of Wisdom, the Lord's law of health. We'll not only receive the physical blessings of better health and strength, but we'll also receive the spiritual blessings of wisdom and treasures of knowledge. D&C 89: 18-21 "And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that we will be blessed if we keep the commandments and keep ourselves undelifed. We need to seek the Lord with our whole hearts and diligently walk in the ways of the Lord. Sometimes when we're doing something wrong, we temporarily think we're happy. But it doesn't last. Sooner or later we experience disappointment, guilt, and pain for doing wrong. Wickedness never was happiness! Only by obeying the commandments and doing what's right will we be able to enjoy a fruitful and joyous life. Ps. 119: 1-4 "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently."
***By the way, a monster storm is approaching so if Daily Thoughts are delayed tomorrow or the next day it is probably because I have no power.
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In the D&C I read about the wonderful blessings that attend keeping the Word of Wisdom, the Lord's law of health. We'll not only receive the physical blessings of better health and strength, but we'll also receive the spiritual blessings of wisdom and treasures of knowledge. D&C 89: 18-21 "And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that we will be blessed if we keep the commandments and keep ourselves undelifed. We need to seek the Lord with our whole hearts and diligently walk in the ways of the Lord. Sometimes when we're doing something wrong, we temporarily think we're happy. But it doesn't last. Sooner or later we experience disappointment, guilt, and pain for doing wrong. Wickedness never was happiness! Only by obeying the commandments and doing what's right will we be able to enjoy a fruitful and joyous life. Ps. 119: 1-4 "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently."
***By the way, a monster storm is approaching so if Daily Thoughts are delayed tomorrow or the next day it is probably because I have no power.
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Monday, November 22, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that many will be purified and tried. The wise will understand but the wicked will not. Dan. 12: 10 "Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand."
In the D&C I read that we need to love one another, impart to each other, pray always, go to bed early and arise early--many things we all need to work on. D&C 88: 123-126 "See that ye love one another; cease to be covetous; learn to impart one to another as the gospel requires. Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated. And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bond of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace. Pray always, that ye may not faint, until I come. Behold, and lo, I will come quickly, and receive you unto myself. Amen."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that God's plans for our welfare are not to harm us, but to give us a future with hope. We need to trust in the Lord that He does have a plan for us and that the circumstances we go through will be for our good. A diamond doesn't start out as a precious jewel. It began as carbon. But when exposed to high temperatures and intense pressures over millions of years, it was refined into becoming what it is today. Likewise, when we have trials and difficult circumstances in our lives, they are refining us into what we have the potential to become. We need to trust that God has a plan for us that will be for our good. Jer. 29: 11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
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In the D&C I read that we need to love one another, impart to each other, pray always, go to bed early and arise early--many things we all need to work on. D&C 88: 123-126 "See that ye love one another; cease to be covetous; learn to impart one to another as the gospel requires. Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated. And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bond of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace. Pray always, that ye may not faint, until I come. Behold, and lo, I will come quickly, and receive you unto myself. Amen."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that God's plans for our welfare are not to harm us, but to give us a future with hope. We need to trust in the Lord that He does have a plan for us and that the circumstances we go through will be for our good. A diamond doesn't start out as a precious jewel. It began as carbon. But when exposed to high temperatures and intense pressures over millions of years, it was refined into becoming what it is today. Likewise, when we have trials and difficult circumstances in our lives, they are refining us into what we have the potential to become. We need to trust that God has a plan for us that will be for our good. Jer. 29: 11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
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Sunday, November 21, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that while Daniel was praying to God and confessing the sins of Israel, Gabriel came to him and showed him a vision of the Messiah who would make reconciliation for iniquity. Dan. 9: 20-27 "And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God; Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."
In the D&C we're told some of the great calamities that will befall us in the latter days--earthquakes and thunderings and lightenings and tsunamis. The whole world will be in commotion and men's hearts will fail them. We need to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ. D&C 88: 87-92 "For not many days hence and the earth shall tremble and reel to and fro as a drunken man; and the sun shall hide his face, and shall refuse to give light; and the moon shall be bathed in blood; and the stars shall become exceedingly angry, and shall cast themselves down as a fig that falleth from off a fig-tree.8 And after your testimony cometh wrath and indignation upon the people. For after your testimony cometh the testimony of earthquakes, that shall cause groanings in the midst of her, and men shall fall upon the ground and shall not be able to stand. And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds. And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men's hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people. And angels shall fly through the midst of heaven, crying with a loud voice, sounding the trump of God, saying: Prepare ye, prepare ye, O inhabitants of the earth; for the judgment of our God is come. Behold, and lo, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us to approach the throne of God with confidence, so we can find mercy and grace in our time of need. The story is told of an elderly woman whose next door neighbor was her Lifeline contact person. One day the neighbor came to visit her and the older woman told her that she'd fallen earlier that morning and it had taken her an hour of struggling to get up off the floor. The neighbor asked her why she didn't her her Lifeline to contact her. She said she didn't want to bother her and she wasn't sure if the neighbor knew where the key to her place was. The neighbor reassured her that it was no bother to help her and she knew where the key was! How silly to struggle on alone for an hour when the neighbor was ready and willing to help. Aren't we like this when we independently struggle with our problems by ourselves instead of turning to the Lord who is ready and willing to help us? We can be confident that He wants to help us and will be there for us if we'll only ask. Heb. 4: 16 "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
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In the D&C we're told some of the great calamities that will befall us in the latter days--earthquakes and thunderings and lightenings and tsunamis. The whole world will be in commotion and men's hearts will fail them. We need to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ. D&C 88: 87-92 "For not many days hence and the earth shall tremble and reel to and fro as a drunken man; and the sun shall hide his face, and shall refuse to give light; and the moon shall be bathed in blood; and the stars shall become exceedingly angry, and shall cast themselves down as a fig that falleth from off a fig-tree.8 And after your testimony cometh wrath and indignation upon the people. For after your testimony cometh the testimony of earthquakes, that shall cause groanings in the midst of her, and men shall fall upon the ground and shall not be able to stand. And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds. And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men's hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people. And angels shall fly through the midst of heaven, crying with a loud voice, sounding the trump of God, saying: Prepare ye, prepare ye, O inhabitants of the earth; for the judgment of our God is come. Behold, and lo, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us to approach the throne of God with confidence, so we can find mercy and grace in our time of need. The story is told of an elderly woman whose next door neighbor was her Lifeline contact person. One day the neighbor came to visit her and the older woman told her that she'd fallen earlier that morning and it had taken her an hour of struggling to get up off the floor. The neighbor asked her why she didn't her her Lifeline to contact her. She said she didn't want to bother her and she wasn't sure if the neighbor knew where the key to her place was. The neighbor reassured her that it was no bother to help her and she knew where the key was! How silly to struggle on alone for an hour when the neighbor was ready and willing to help. Aren't we like this when we independently struggle with our problems by ourselves instead of turning to the Lord who is ready and willing to help us? We can be confident that He wants to help us and will be there for us if we'll only ask. Heb. 4: 16 "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
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Saturday, November 20, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament we read Daniel's prayers and supplications to the Lord, asking forgiveness for the sins of Israel. He knows that they don't deserve anything because of their righteousness, because they have done wickedly. However, he knows that God is merciful. Dan. 9: 14-19 "Therefore hath the Lord watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the Lord our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice. And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly. O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us. Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name."
In the D&C we're commanded to fast and pray and to teach one another the doctines of the Kingdom. In order to teach we must first learn the doctrines ourselves. God's grace will attend us as we strive to do these things. D&C 88: 76-78 "Also, I give unto you a commandment that ye shall continue in prayer and fasting from this time forth. And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom. Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;"
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we should rejoice and be glad for each day because the Lord made them. Have you ever made the remark "Isn't this a great day?" to someone who replied, "What's so good about it?" Two people can be in the same circumstances and one will choose to find the negative and complain while the other will choose to look for the positive and rejoice in their blessings. The choice is ours. What's so good about the day? God made it, that's what! And if we choose to see the good in it and find happiness in our lives. Ps. 118: 24 "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
In the D&C we're commanded to fast and pray and to teach one another the doctines of the Kingdom. In order to teach we must first learn the doctrines ourselves. God's grace will attend us as we strive to do these things. D&C 88: 76-78 "Also, I give unto you a commandment that ye shall continue in prayer and fasting from this time forth. And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom. Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;"
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we should rejoice and be glad for each day because the Lord made them. Have you ever made the remark "Isn't this a great day?" to someone who replied, "What's so good about it?" Two people can be in the same circumstances and one will choose to find the negative and complain while the other will choose to look for the positive and rejoice in their blessings. The choice is ours. What's so good about the day? God made it, that's what! And if we choose to see the good in it and find happiness in our lives. Ps. 118: 24 "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
Friday, November 19, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about how Daniel fasted and prayed to the Lord and confessed the sins of Isreal who did not listen to the prophets and committed iniquity in their rebellion. Dan. 9: 3-6 "And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments: Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land."
A verse in the D&C is almost like poetry in the way it describes the earth, sun, moon, and stars. Oh how wonderful and glorious the creations of God are! D&C 88: 45 "The earth rolls upon her wings, and the sun giveth his light by day, and the moon giveth her light by night, and the stars also give their light, as they roll upon their wings in their glory, in the midst of the power of God."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that Jesus rose up early in the morning and found a solitary place to pray. Is there a quiet place we can go to commune with God? We might have to get up early, before others are up, to find such peace and solitude. But it's important that we follow Jesus' example and find some quiet time alone with God. Mark 1: 35 "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."
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A verse in the D&C is almost like poetry in the way it describes the earth, sun, moon, and stars. Oh how wonderful and glorious the creations of God are! D&C 88: 45 "The earth rolls upon her wings, and the sun giveth his light by day, and the moon giveth her light by night, and the stars also give their light, as they roll upon their wings in their glory, in the midst of the power of God."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that Jesus rose up early in the morning and found a solitary place to pray. Is there a quiet place we can go to commune with God? We might have to get up early, before others are up, to find such peace and solitude. But it's important that we follow Jesus' example and find some quiet time alone with God. Mark 1: 35 "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."
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Thursday, November 18, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that Daniel was cast into a den of lions, but the Lord shut up their mouths so they did not harm him. He was miraculously saved! Daniel 5:16-23 "And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom. Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation. O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will. And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:"
In the D&C we're told that intelligence, wisdom, truth, virtue, and mercy cleaves to the same. So if we want friends and companions who have these attributes, we need to be that way ourselves. Like attracts like. If we expect people to be honest and compassionate toward us, we need to be that way with others. The type of person that we are will attract similar people to us. D&C 88: 40 "For intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; wisdom receiveth wisdom; truth embraceth truth; virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light; mercy hath compassion on mercy and claimeth her own; justice continueth its course and claimeth its own; judgment goeth before the face of him who sitteth upon the throne and governeth and executeth all things."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell the story of how king Hezekiah was ill and appointed to death, but he pleaded with the Lord to spare him, pointing out that he had been righteous and done good. The Lord did spare him, and granted unto him 15 more years of life. When we come before the Lord to plead for something we really need, can we likewise tell Him that we've been righteous and tried to do His will? Are our hearts right before God? 2 Kgs. 20: 1-6 "In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord , the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake."
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In the D&C we're told that intelligence, wisdom, truth, virtue, and mercy cleaves to the same. So if we want friends and companions who have these attributes, we need to be that way ourselves. Like attracts like. If we expect people to be honest and compassionate toward us, we need to be that way with others. The type of person that we are will attract similar people to us. D&C 88: 40 "For intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; wisdom receiveth wisdom; truth embraceth truth; virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light; mercy hath compassion on mercy and claimeth her own; justice continueth its course and claimeth its own; judgment goeth before the face of him who sitteth upon the throne and governeth and executeth all things."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell the story of how king Hezekiah was ill and appointed to death, but he pleaded with the Lord to spare him, pointing out that he had been righteous and done good. The Lord did spare him, and granted unto him 15 more years of life. When we come before the Lord to plead for something we really need, can we likewise tell Him that we've been righteous and tried to do His will? Are our hearts right before God? 2 Kgs. 20: 1-6 "In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord , the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake."
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Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that the king signed a decree that anyone who asked a petition of anyone except the king would be cast into a den of lions. However, Daniel did not let that decree keep him from praying the way he usually did. The king was very upset when people came to him and insisted that Daniel had to be cast into a den of lions, but there was no way to change a decree once signed. Daniel 5:7-15 "The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof. Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied. Now the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed: There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation. Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry? I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee. And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing:"
In the D&C we're told that the resurrection is the redemption of the soul, which is the spirit and the body being united together. This is made possible through the atonement of Jesus Christ. D&C 88: 14-17 "Now, verily I say unto you, that through the redemption which is made for you is brought to pass the resurrection from the dead. And the spirit and the body are the soul of man. And the resurrection from the dead is the redemption of the soul. And the redemption of the soul is through him that quickeneth all things, in whose bosom it is decreed that the poor and the meek of the earth shall inherit it."
A verse from a thought booklet reminds us to devote ourselves to prayer, with thanksgiving. The story is told of a lady who was stopped by a policeman for not stopping at a stop sign. Apparently she'd done a "rolling stop" which can be dangerous as well as warrenting a traffic ticket. The officer told her he could tell she'd thought about stopping, but never actually did. Are our prayers sometimes like that? Do we actually stop to pray, giving it all our attention? Or do we do a "rolling stop" as we hurredly utter a few words and then rush on about our day, distracted by the world around us? Let's remember to not only slow down, but actually stop to focus on God and give Him our full attention. Col. 4: 2 "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;"
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In the D&C we're told that the resurrection is the redemption of the soul, which is the spirit and the body being united together. This is made possible through the atonement of Jesus Christ. D&C 88: 14-17 "Now, verily I say unto you, that through the redemption which is made for you is brought to pass the resurrection from the dead. And the spirit and the body are the soul of man. And the resurrection from the dead is the redemption of the soul. And the redemption of the soul is through him that quickeneth all things, in whose bosom it is decreed that the poor and the meek of the earth shall inherit it."
A verse from a thought booklet reminds us to devote ourselves to prayer, with thanksgiving. The story is told of a lady who was stopped by a policeman for not stopping at a stop sign. Apparently she'd done a "rolling stop" which can be dangerous as well as warrenting a traffic ticket. The officer told her he could tell she'd thought about stopping, but never actually did. Are our prayers sometimes like that? Do we actually stop to pray, giving it all our attention? Or do we do a "rolling stop" as we hurredly utter a few words and then rush on about our day, distracted by the world around us? Let's remember to not only slow down, but actually stop to focus on God and give Him our full attention. Col. 4: 2 "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;"
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Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about how Daniel was able to interpret the writing on the wall and tell the King that he'd been weighed and found wanting and his days were numbered. His kingdom would be divided and given to others. This indeed did come to pass. Dan. 5: 17-31 "Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation. O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will. And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old."
In the D&C we're told that faithful saints will receive the same Comforter that was promised to the disciples of old, which Comforter is the promise of eternal life. D&C 88: 3-4 "Wherefore, I now send upon you another Comforter, even upon you my friends, that it may abide in your hearts, even the Holy Spirit of promise; which other Comforter is the same that I promised unto my disciples, as is recorded in the testimony of John. This Comforter is the promise which I give unto you of eternal life, even the glory of the celestial kingdom;"
Some verses with a thought booklet tell the story of the Lord asking Solomon what he would like to be given. Instead of choosing riches or some worldly thing, Solomon asked for an understanding heart and discernment so that he'd be able to do a good job as king to the people. The Lord was very pleased with this unselfish request and not only blessed him with the wise and understanding heart he'd asked for, but also with the things he hadn't asked for. How unselfish are we in our requests to God? Do we pray for things that will help us bless the lives of others, rather than just always thinking of what we want? Do we pray for the Lord's help in doing a good job of teaching our Sunday School class--not so that other people will think we're a wonderful teacher, but so that we can touch the lives of those we teach? Do we pray for the right words to say to our friend who is going through a difficult time so we can comfort them? Do we pray to know who might need our help today and how we can best be of assistance? And when we have helped someone along the way, do we gloat and think how great we are, or do we fall to our knees and thank our Heavenly Father for the opportunity to help someone else and for His guidance in knowing how to do that? Do we pray for our own selfish needs or do we pray for gifts that will help us bless the lives of those around us? 1 Kgs. 3: 5-13 "In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days."
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In the D&C we're told that faithful saints will receive the same Comforter that was promised to the disciples of old, which Comforter is the promise of eternal life. D&C 88: 3-4 "Wherefore, I now send upon you another Comforter, even upon you my friends, that it may abide in your hearts, even the Holy Spirit of promise; which other Comforter is the same that I promised unto my disciples, as is recorded in the testimony of John. This Comforter is the promise which I give unto you of eternal life, even the glory of the celestial kingdom;"
Some verses with a thought booklet tell the story of the Lord asking Solomon what he would like to be given. Instead of choosing riches or some worldly thing, Solomon asked for an understanding heart and discernment so that he'd be able to do a good job as king to the people. The Lord was very pleased with this unselfish request and not only blessed him with the wise and understanding heart he'd asked for, but also with the things he hadn't asked for. How unselfish are we in our requests to God? Do we pray for things that will help us bless the lives of others, rather than just always thinking of what we want? Do we pray for the Lord's help in doing a good job of teaching our Sunday School class--not so that other people will think we're a wonderful teacher, but so that we can touch the lives of those we teach? Do we pray for the right words to say to our friend who is going through a difficult time so we can comfort them? Do we pray to know who might need our help today and how we can best be of assistance? And when we have helped someone along the way, do we gloat and think how great we are, or do we fall to our knees and thank our Heavenly Father for the opportunity to help someone else and for His guidance in knowing how to do that? Do we pray for our own selfish needs or do we pray for gifts that will help us bless the lives of those around us? 1 Kgs. 3: 5-13 "In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days."
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Monday, November 15, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that Belshazzar the king took golden and silver vessels out of the temple and drank wine from them while praising his idols. Then a strange writing appeared on the wall of the king's palace which no one could interpret and this greatly troubled the king. Dan. 5: 1-9 "Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein. Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone. In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another. The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof. Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied."
In the D&C we're told the meaning of the parable of the wheat and tares. The field is the world and the apostles are the sowers of the seed. Satan sows tares among the wheat in an attempt to choke it out. The wheat is tender and vulnerable and if we try to get the tares out at that point, we'll destroy the wheat also. So the wheat and tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe, at which time the wheat can be harvested and the tares burned. This day is coming when the righteous will receive their reward and the wicked will be burned. D&C 86: 1-7 "Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servants, concerning the parable of the wheat and of the tares: Behold, verily I say, the field was the world, and the apostles were the sowers of the seed; And after they have fallen asleep the great persecutor of the church, the apostate, the whore, even Babylon, that maketh all nations to drink of her cup, in whose hearts the enemy, even Satan, sitteth to reign—behold he soweth the tares; wherefore, the tares choke the wheat and drive the church into the wilderness. But behold, in the last days, even now while the Lord is beginning to bring forth the word, and the blade is springing up and is yet tender— Behold, verily I say unto you, the angels are crying unto the Lord day and night, who are ready and waiting to be sent forth to reap down the fields; But the Lord saith unto them, pluck not up the tares while the blade is yet tender (for verily your faith is weak), lest you destroy the wheat also. Therefore, let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo, the tares are bound in bundles, and the field remaineth to be burned."
A thought from a thought booklet reminds us to take Christ's yoke upon us and learn of Him. When we do this, we'll find rest to our souls and our burdens will be made light. Notice this does not say that our burdens will be removed--but that they'll be made light so we'll be able to bear them. The Lord helps us bear our loads if we'll turn to Him. Matt. 11: 29-30 "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
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In the D&C we're told the meaning of the parable of the wheat and tares. The field is the world and the apostles are the sowers of the seed. Satan sows tares among the wheat in an attempt to choke it out. The wheat is tender and vulnerable and if we try to get the tares out at that point, we'll destroy the wheat also. So the wheat and tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe, at which time the wheat can be harvested and the tares burned. This day is coming when the righteous will receive their reward and the wicked will be burned. D&C 86: 1-7 "Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servants, concerning the parable of the wheat and of the tares: Behold, verily I say, the field was the world, and the apostles were the sowers of the seed; And after they have fallen asleep the great persecutor of the church, the apostate, the whore, even Babylon, that maketh all nations to drink of her cup, in whose hearts the enemy, even Satan, sitteth to reign—behold he soweth the tares; wherefore, the tares choke the wheat and drive the church into the wilderness. But behold, in the last days, even now while the Lord is beginning to bring forth the word, and the blade is springing up and is yet tender— Behold, verily I say unto you, the angels are crying unto the Lord day and night, who are ready and waiting to be sent forth to reap down the fields; But the Lord saith unto them, pluck not up the tares while the blade is yet tender (for verily your faith is weak), lest you destroy the wheat also. Therefore, let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo, the tares are bound in bundles, and the field remaineth to be burned."
A thought from a thought booklet reminds us to take Christ's yoke upon us and learn of Him. When we do this, we'll find rest to our souls and our burdens will be made light. Notice this does not say that our burdens will be removed--but that they'll be made light so we'll be able to bear them. The Lord helps us bear our loads if we'll turn to Him. Matt. 11: 29-30 "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
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Sunday, November 14, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about how because Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego refused to worship the golden image, they are cast into a fiery furnace that was so hot it killed the servants who put them into it. However, they were protected by the Lord who preserved their lives and they were able to come out unharmed. Nebuchadnezzar realized that their preservation was through the power of God and he made a decree that no one should speak ill of their God. How much courage do we have to stand up for what is right? Dan. 3: 14-30 "Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, came forth of the midst of the fire. And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, in the province of Babylon."
In the D&C we're told that if we are strong, we should strengthen and edify those who are weak so that they can become strong also. Instead of judging other people or looking down on them, we should take them under our wing and help them to grow in the gospel. D&C 84: 106 "And if any man among you be strong in the Spirit, let him take with him him that is weak, that he may be edified in all meekness, that he may become strong also."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet put a choice before us: We can choose to love the Lord and keep His commandments or we can choose to turn our hearts away from God. We can choose which way we'll go, but we can't choose the consequences of our choices. If we make the right choice, we'll be richly blessed. If we make the wrong choice, we'll suffer cursing and perish. The choice is ours. Deut. 30: 15-20 "See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."
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In the D&C we're told that if we are strong, we should strengthen and edify those who are weak so that they can become strong also. Instead of judging other people or looking down on them, we should take them under our wing and help them to grow in the gospel. D&C 84: 106 "And if any man among you be strong in the Spirit, let him take with him him that is weak, that he may be edified in all meekness, that he may become strong also."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet put a choice before us: We can choose to love the Lord and keep His commandments or we can choose to turn our hearts away from God. We can choose which way we'll go, but we can't choose the consequences of our choices. If we make the right choice, we'll be richly blessed. If we make the wrong choice, we'll suffer cursing and perish. The choice is ours. Deut. 30: 15-20 "See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."
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Saturday, November 13, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read the story about how Nebuchadnezzar made a golden image and commanded all people to worship it. However, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego refused to do so. They would not worship anyone but the true and living God. How firm are we to resist peer pressure or what other people are trying to persuade us to do? Can we refuse to do what we know is wrong, no matter what other people say or do? Dan. 3: 1, 4-12 "Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever. Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up."
In the D&C we're warned that we need to give diligent heed to the words of the Lord and live by every one of them that proceeds from the mouth of God. D&C 84: 43-45 "And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life. For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God. For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ."
Some verses with a thought booklet outline wonderful blessings that attend us when we keep the commandments of God. He will walk with us and be our God and we will be His people. How very important that we keep the commandments and do what the Lord asks us to do! Does this mean that if we live righteously, we'll be healthy and wealthy and have no trials or problems? I don't think so. Some of the best people I know have suffered terrible tribulations. Look what Jesus, who was perfect, went through. But it does mean that we'll receive rich spiritual blessings if we do what's right. We'll have joy and peace in our close relationship with the Lord, and He'll help us get through whatever comes our way. What a rich blessing it is to have Him walk with us through life. Lev. 26: 3-4, 12 "If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people."
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In the D&C we're warned that we need to give diligent heed to the words of the Lord and live by every one of them that proceeds from the mouth of God. D&C 84: 43-45 "And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life. For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God. For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ."
Some verses with a thought booklet outline wonderful blessings that attend us when we keep the commandments of God. He will walk with us and be our God and we will be His people. How very important that we keep the commandments and do what the Lord asks us to do! Does this mean that if we live righteously, we'll be healthy and wealthy and have no trials or problems? I don't think so. Some of the best people I know have suffered terrible tribulations. Look what Jesus, who was perfect, went through. But it does mean that we'll receive rich spiritual blessings if we do what's right. We'll have joy and peace in our close relationship with the Lord, and He'll help us get through whatever comes our way. What a rich blessing it is to have Him walk with us through life. Lev. 26: 3-4, 12 "If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people."
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Friday, November 12, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that Daniel was brought before the king to tell him his dream and interpret it. Only through the help of God was he able to do this. Dan. 2: 25-30 "Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation. The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof? Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart."
In the D&C I read that without the ordinances and authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness cannot be manifest to men in the flesh. How very grateful we should all be that the priesthood of God was restored to the earth through Joseph Smith, so we can avail ourselves of the saving ordinances of the gospel. D&C 84: 21 "And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;"
A verse with a thought booklet reminds us not to be weary in well doing because if we don't faint, we'll be rewarded in due time. This scripture has special meaning to me because it popped into my head at a time when I was feeling worn out and tired while trying to give service to someone else. Just being reminded to not be weary in well doing helped invigorate me and give me the strength to carry on. I learned another important thing from this experience as well. Sometimes after studying the scriptures I wonder how much I really retain and how much I actually remember. But this experience, and others I've had over the years, teaches me that very often, in the very hour I need it, scriptures I've previously studied will pop into my head and give me just what I need at that time. What we study will often come back to us right when we need it. But if we don't study daily and add to the reservoir of our knowledge, it won't be there to come back to us in our hour of need. Gal. 6: 9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
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In the D&C I read that without the ordinances and authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness cannot be manifest to men in the flesh. How very grateful we should all be that the priesthood of God was restored to the earth through Joseph Smith, so we can avail ourselves of the saving ordinances of the gospel. D&C 84: 21 "And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;"
A verse with a thought booklet reminds us not to be weary in well doing because if we don't faint, we'll be rewarded in due time. This scripture has special meaning to me because it popped into my head at a time when I was feeling worn out and tired while trying to give service to someone else. Just being reminded to not be weary in well doing helped invigorate me and give me the strength to carry on. I learned another important thing from this experience as well. Sometimes after studying the scriptures I wonder how much I really retain and how much I actually remember. But this experience, and others I've had over the years, teaches me that very often, in the very hour I need it, scriptures I've previously studied will pop into my head and give me just what I need at that time. What we study will often come back to us right when we need it. But if we don't study daily and add to the reservoir of our knowledge, it won't be there to come back to us in our hour of need. Gal. 6: 9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
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Thursday, November 11, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read the story about how Daniel and his companions refused to eat the king's meat and drink his wine. Because of this, they were not only blessed with better physical health, but with more wisdom and understanding as well. When we obey the Word of Wisdom we're likewise promised not only better physical health but wisdom and great tresures of knowledge. We're blessed in many ways. Dan. 1: 3-20 "And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat. Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm."
In the D&C we're told to leave judgment to the Lord for He will repay. It's not our job to judge other people--it's our job to love them. The Lord will reward or punish people according to what they deserve so we don't need to concern ourselves with making this determination regarding others. We need to be steadfast ourselves, and the Kingdom will be ours forever. D&C 82: 23-24 "Leave judgment alone with me, for it is mine and I will repay. Peace be with you; my blessings continue with you. For even yet the kingdom is yours, and shall be forever, if you fall not from your steadfastness. Even so. Amen."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell the story of how Abraham was commanded to sacrifice Isaac, his son, and was willing to quickly obey. The Lord was just testing Abraham to see what he would do and at the last minute spared Isaac. But Abraham had passed the test and was greatly blessed of the Lord as a result. How willing are we to obey whatever the Lord commands us to do? We may not be commanded to sacrifice a son, but we may be asked to sacrifice our time in serving in a church calling or to help someone in need, or to just read our scriptures daily. We may be asked to sacrifice our money in tithes and other offerings. Are we willing to do whatever the Lord requires of us? We would do well to follow the example of Abraham. Gen. 22: 1-3, 9-13, 15-18 "And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice."
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In the D&C we're told to leave judgment to the Lord for He will repay. It's not our job to judge other people--it's our job to love them. The Lord will reward or punish people according to what they deserve so we don't need to concern ourselves with making this determination regarding others. We need to be steadfast ourselves, and the Kingdom will be ours forever. D&C 82: 23-24 "Leave judgment alone with me, for it is mine and I will repay. Peace be with you; my blessings continue with you. For even yet the kingdom is yours, and shall be forever, if you fall not from your steadfastness. Even so. Amen."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell the story of how Abraham was commanded to sacrifice Isaac, his son, and was willing to quickly obey. The Lord was just testing Abraham to see what he would do and at the last minute spared Isaac. But Abraham had passed the test and was greatly blessed of the Lord as a result. How willing are we to obey whatever the Lord commands us to do? We may not be commanded to sacrifice a son, but we may be asked to sacrifice our time in serving in a church calling or to help someone in need, or to just read our scriptures daily. We may be asked to sacrifice our money in tithes and other offerings. Are we willing to do whatever the Lord requires of us? We would do well to follow the example of Abraham. Gen. 22: 1-3, 9-13, 15-18 "And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice."
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Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about "strangers" that sojourn among the tribes of Israel and wondered who they are. The Institute manual says: Undoubtedly there will be converts who are not part of blood Israel who will receive an inheritance because of their devotion to the gospell. They will then be adopted into the house of Israel. These strangers may be some of the gentile peoples who will accept the gospel in the last day. Ezek. 47: 22-23 "And it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as born in the country among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel. And it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the Lord God."
In the D&C we're told to be faithful in our callings that have been appointed to us and do our best to strengthen those who are weak among us, lifting them up and giving them aid. If we're faithful to the end, we'll receive immortality and eternal life in the mansions of our Father. What can we do better to magnify our church callings? What can we do to help and strengthen those around us? Are we doing enough? D&C 81: 5-6 "Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees. And if thou art faithful unto the end thou shalt have a crown of immortality, and eternal life in the mansions which I have prepared in the house of my Father."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we cannot please God without having faith. In order to come to the Lord, we must believe that He exists, and we must have faith that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Heb. 11: 6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
In the D&C we're told to be faithful in our callings that have been appointed to us and do our best to strengthen those who are weak among us, lifting them up and giving them aid. If we're faithful to the end, we'll receive immortality and eternal life in the mansions of our Father. What can we do better to magnify our church callings? What can we do to help and strengthen those around us? Are we doing enough? D&C 81: 5-6 "Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees. And if thou art faithful unto the end thou shalt have a crown of immortality, and eternal life in the mansions which I have prepared in the house of my Father."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we cannot please God without having faith. In order to come to the Lord, we must believe that He exists, and we must have faith that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Heb. 11: 6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that the glory of the Lord filled the House of the Lord and he commanded that no strangers or uncircumsised of heart should enter into His sanctuary. Keepers of the sanctuary needed to be set to keep charge of His holy things. Even so in our day the temple is a holy place and those who enter need to be worthy. Ezek. 44: 4-9 "Then brought he me the way of the north gate before the house: and I looked, and, behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord: and I fell upon my face. And the Lord said unto me, Son of man, mark well, and behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears all that I say unto thee concerning all the ordinances of the house of the Lord, and all the laws thereof; and mark well the entering in of the house, with every going forth of the sanctuary. And thou shalt say to the rebellious, even to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; O ye house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations, In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations. And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.Thus saith the Lord God; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel.":
In the Old Testament I read about how Nebuchadnezzar had a dream which he couldn't remember and expected the wise men to tell him his dream and interpret it for him. He threatened to kill them if they didn't comply. They were unable to do so and told him no one but God could do what he asked. Dan. 2: 1-5 "And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him. Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream. Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation, The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill."
In the D&C we're told that Satan seeks to turn our hearts away from the truth and blind us from understanding it. To counteract this, we need to covenant with the Lord and not break our covenants. D&C 78: 10-11 "Otherwise Satan seeketh to turn their hearts away from the truth, that they become blinded and understand not the things which are prepared for them. Wherefore, a commandment I give unto you, to prepare and organize yourselves by a bond or everlasting covenant that cannot be broken."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. There are so many differing voices out in the world that sometimes it hard to tell which of them is telling the truth and which of them will show us the right way to go. If you're buying a house you might get different advice on how to go about it from a banker, a realtor, and a friend. Likewise on the subject of religion, some may tell you that all religions lead to the same place and others will tell you that life ends at death so it doesn't really matter. Amidst all these conflicting ideas, where do we find truth? In Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth and the life. And the only way we can come unto the Father is by Him. John 14: 6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
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In the Old Testament I read about how Nebuchadnezzar had a dream which he couldn't remember and expected the wise men to tell him his dream and interpret it for him. He threatened to kill them if they didn't comply. They were unable to do so and told him no one but God could do what he asked. Dan. 2: 1-5 "And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him. Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream. Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation, The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill."
In the D&C we're told that Satan seeks to turn our hearts away from the truth and blind us from understanding it. To counteract this, we need to covenant with the Lord and not break our covenants. D&C 78: 10-11 "Otherwise Satan seeketh to turn their hearts away from the truth, that they become blinded and understand not the things which are prepared for them. Wherefore, a commandment I give unto you, to prepare and organize yourselves by a bond or everlasting covenant that cannot be broken."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. There are so many differing voices out in the world that sometimes it hard to tell which of them is telling the truth and which of them will show us the right way to go. If you're buying a house you might get different advice on how to go about it from a banker, a realtor, and a friend. Likewise on the subject of religion, some may tell you that all religions lead to the same place and others will tell you that life ends at death so it doesn't really matter. Amidst all these conflicting ideas, where do we find truth? In Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth and the life. And the only way we can come unto the Father is by Him. John 14: 6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
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Monday, November 8, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that the Lord told the House of Israel that they should be ashamed of all their iniquities and they should put away all their whoredoms. If they would do this, the Lord would be their God forever. They should keep the laws and ordinances in full. This is good advice we need to live by today as well. Ezek. 43: 9-11 "Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever. Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern. And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof: and write it in their sight, that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them."
In the D&C we're told that if we want a place in the Celestial Kingdom, we need to prepare ourselves by doing the things we've been commanded to do. Pretty simple and straightfoward. Keep the commandments! D&C 78: 7 "For if you will that I give unto you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded you and required of you."
A verse from a thought booklet going along with this, telling us that we reap what we sow. 2 Cor. 9: 6 "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall areap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."
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In the D&C we're told that if we want a place in the Celestial Kingdom, we need to prepare ourselves by doing the things we've been commanded to do. Pretty simple and straightfoward. Keep the commandments! D&C 78: 7 "For if you will that I give unto you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded you and required of you."
A verse from a thought booklet going along with this, telling us that we reap what we sow. 2 Cor. 9: 6 "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall areap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."
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Sunday, November 7, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that because the Israelites trespassed against the Lord, He hid His face from them and allowed them to fall by the sword and be punished for their iniquities according to their uncleanness. However, after they had borne their shame, he would gather them again to dwell in safety and all the heathen would know that the Lord was God. The Lord would pour out His Spirit among His people and no longer hide His face from them. When we repent of our sins, the Lord will forgive us and we can once again draw close to Him. Ezek. 39: 23-29 "And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword. According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions have I done unto them, and hid my face from them. Therefore thus saith the Lord God ; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name; After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid. When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations; Then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there. Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord God."
In the D&C I read that all men will bow their knees to the Lord and confess to Him, and they will be judged according to their works, receiving the mansions that have been prepared for them according to what they deserve.
D&C 76: 110-111 "And heard the voice of the Lord saying: These all shall bow the knee, and every tongue shall confess to him who sits upon the throne forever and ever; For they shall be judged according to their works, and every man shall receive according to his own works, his own dominion, in the mansions which are prepared;"
A verse with a thought booklet is very comforting. It tells us that if we're weary and are carrying heavy burdens we can come to the Lord and He will give us rest. No matter what our problems or troubles are, we can turn to the Lord and cast our troubles upon Him. He will help us carry our heavy loads. Matt. 11: 28 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
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In the D&C I read that all men will bow their knees to the Lord and confess to Him, and they will be judged according to their works, receiving the mansions that have been prepared for them according to what they deserve.
D&C 76: 110-111 "And heard the voice of the Lord saying: These all shall bow the knee, and every tongue shall confess to him who sits upon the throne forever and ever; For they shall be judged according to their works, and every man shall receive according to his own works, his own dominion, in the mansions which are prepared;"
A verse with a thought booklet is very comforting. It tells us that if we're weary and are carrying heavy burdens we can come to the Lord and He will give us rest. No matter what our problems or troubles are, we can turn to the Lord and cast our troubles upon Him. He will help us carry our heavy loads. Matt. 11: 28 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
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Saturday, November 6, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about Gog and Magog. I've often wondered what is mean by this. In the Institute manuel it says: The terms God and Magog are often joined together, as for example in the phrase the "battle of God and Magog." Thus, many people assume the terms refer to two people by those names. However, Ezekiel shows clearly that Gog is a name of a person and Magog the land from which he comes. Technically, "Gog OF Magog" is the correct way to say it. Over the centuries, however, the names have come to mean the combination of nations that will fight against Israel in the last days. Ezekiel specifically told his readers where God, the great military and political leader or leaders of the last days, would come from and with whom he would be allied in the war against Israel. He used names that were current in Old Testament times, though many of these names are not familiar to modern readers. Magog, Meshech, and Tubal were in northern Asia Minor. Persia was in eastern Asia Minor, and Ethiopia and Libya (Cush and Phut) were in Africa. Gomer and Togarmah have been associated with peoples in Asia Minor and Europe. That these nations would come from north and south, east and west, represents the teaching that all nations will fight against Israel. Ezek. 38: 1-6 "And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee."
In the D&C I read that those who will come forth in the resurrection of the just will be those who received the testimony of Jesus Christ and were baptized by immersion, being buried in the water in His name. They were washed clean of all their sins and then kept the commandments. They were full of faith and sealed by the Holy Sspirit of promise. D&C 76: 50-53 "And again we bear record—for we saw and heard, and this is the testimony of the gospel of Christ concerning them who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just— They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given— That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power; And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true."
A verse in a thought booklet tells us that Christ is the Light of the world and if we follow Him, we won't walk in darkness. Imagine trying to walk on an unfamiliar path in darkness, but someone else who is familiar with the path has a flashlight. If we follow their flashlight, we won't lose our way. This is like following Jesus through life--He is the Light. If we follow Him, we won't lose our way. John 8: 12 "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
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In the D&C I read that those who will come forth in the resurrection of the just will be those who received the testimony of Jesus Christ and were baptized by immersion, being buried in the water in His name. They were washed clean of all their sins and then kept the commandments. They were full of faith and sealed by the Holy Sspirit of promise. D&C 76: 50-53 "And again we bear record—for we saw and heard, and this is the testimony of the gospel of Christ concerning them who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just— They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given— That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power; And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true."
A verse in a thought booklet tells us that Christ is the Light of the world and if we follow Him, we won't walk in darkness. Imagine trying to walk on an unfamiliar path in darkness, but someone else who is familiar with the path has a flashlight. If we follow their flashlight, we won't lose our way. This is like following Jesus through life--He is the Light. If we follow Him, we won't lose our way. John 8: 12 "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
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Friday, November 5, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament we read Ezekiel's prophecies about a Latter-day temple in Jerusalem. He proclaimed that a holy sanctuary would be part of the great reunification of Israel. And soon after this vision, he received a detailed vision of what the new temple would be like. President Joseph Fielding Smith said: Ezekiel predicted the building of a temple in Jerusalem which will be used for ordiance work after the gathering of Israel from their long dispersion and when they are cleansed from their transgressions. Ezek. 37: 26-28 "Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore."
In the D&C I read the power testimony of the Savior given by Joseph Smith who, along with Sidney Rigdon, saw Him, even on the right hand of God. And then while still in the Spirit, the Lord commanded them that they should write the vision down because Satan wanted to make war with the saints of God and sought to take the Kingdom. Have you ever had inspiration from the Lord as to how to proceed in your life and then later started having doubts about what you'd received? Or maybe you started questioning if it was really from the Lord? I think it's an important principle to write these things down when we first receive them so they stay fresh in our minds and so that we can re-read what the Lord gave us and it's more difficult for Satan to convince us that it was just our imagination. This might be a good thing to write in our journals. I know I've kept a daily journal every day of my life since March of 1967 (when I was 13 years old) and I've found re-reading it invaluable in many respects. However, often I've been more conscientious about recording mundane details about what TV shows I watched or what stores I shopped at while neglecting more important matters such as answers to prayers, and inspiration and guidance from the Lord. I need to work harder at doing a better job of recording these really important things! D&C 76: 23-24, 28-29 "For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father— That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God. And while we were yet in the Spirit, the Lord commanded us that we should write the vision; for we beheld Satan, that old serpent, even the devil, who rebelled against God, and sought to take the kingdom of our God and his Christ— Wherefore, he maketh war with the saints of God, and encompasseth them round about."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet remind us that the Lord chastens those He loves and that His rebukes are for our profit. Even though chastening can be painful and hard to bear when we receive it, if we endure it well, it will bring forth joyous fruit. The thought that went with this, written by Karen Asire from Greenville, South Carolina says: Seven-year old Addy came to her piano esson confident of her ability to play her pieces. As I listened, I noticed that she was playing one note incorrectly. After a word of praise, I gently pointed out the problem note. Addy interrupted, "No, that is not a D. I played it correctly." How could a seven-year old with only two months of lessons think she knew more than her teacher with a college degree? Yet we often act the same way towards God! As God gently points out problem areas in our lives, we try to defend ourselves. Little can be accomplished in our lives when a stubborn attitude prevails. As our Creator and Redeemer, God knows what disciple we need to help us grow toward greater godliness. With great humility, we need to submit to His correction. Lord, help me to humbly submit to your chastening hand. I recognize the great love you have for me and will strive to make my ways pleasing in your sight. Heb. 12: 5-11 "And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."
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In the D&C I read the power testimony of the Savior given by Joseph Smith who, along with Sidney Rigdon, saw Him, even on the right hand of God. And then while still in the Spirit, the Lord commanded them that they should write the vision down because Satan wanted to make war with the saints of God and sought to take the Kingdom. Have you ever had inspiration from the Lord as to how to proceed in your life and then later started having doubts about what you'd received? Or maybe you started questioning if it was really from the Lord? I think it's an important principle to write these things down when we first receive them so they stay fresh in our minds and so that we can re-read what the Lord gave us and it's more difficult for Satan to convince us that it was just our imagination. This might be a good thing to write in our journals. I know I've kept a daily journal every day of my life since March of 1967 (when I was 13 years old) and I've found re-reading it invaluable in many respects. However, often I've been more conscientious about recording mundane details about what TV shows I watched or what stores I shopped at while neglecting more important matters such as answers to prayers, and inspiration and guidance from the Lord. I need to work harder at doing a better job of recording these really important things! D&C 76: 23-24, 28-29 "For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father— That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God. And while we were yet in the Spirit, the Lord commanded us that we should write the vision; for we beheld Satan, that old serpent, even the devil, who rebelled against God, and sought to take the kingdom of our God and his Christ— Wherefore, he maketh war with the saints of God, and encompasseth them round about."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet remind us that the Lord chastens those He loves and that His rebukes are for our profit. Even though chastening can be painful and hard to bear when we receive it, if we endure it well, it will bring forth joyous fruit. The thought that went with this, written by Karen Asire from Greenville, South Carolina says: Seven-year old Addy came to her piano esson confident of her ability to play her pieces. As I listened, I noticed that she was playing one note incorrectly. After a word of praise, I gently pointed out the problem note. Addy interrupted, "No, that is not a D. I played it correctly." How could a seven-year old with only two months of lessons think she knew more than her teacher with a college degree? Yet we often act the same way towards God! As God gently points out problem areas in our lives, we try to defend ourselves. Little can be accomplished in our lives when a stubborn attitude prevails. As our Creator and Redeemer, God knows what disciple we need to help us grow toward greater godliness. With great humility, we need to submit to His correction. Lord, help me to humbly submit to your chastening hand. I recognize the great love you have for me and will strive to make my ways pleasing in your sight. Heb. 12: 5-11 "And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."
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Thursday, November 4, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about the gathering of Israel and about how they would be cleansed and the Messiah would reign over them. They would receive the everlasting covenant of the gospel. Ezek. 37: 21-25 "And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God ; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all: Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God. And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever."
In the D&C I read that every man is obligated to provide for his own family, and also to work in the church--being diligent in all things. The idler should not have place in the church unless he repents. We need to be busily engaged in temporal and church work or we will lose our crown! D&C 75: 28-29 "And again, verily I say unto you, that every man who is obliged to provide for his own family, let him provide, and he shall in nowise lose his crown; and let him labor in the church. Let every man be diligent in all things. And the idler shall not have place in the church, except he repent and mend his ways."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that if we need to repent and turn to the Lord who will take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously. If we don't return to the Lord, we'll fall by our iniquity. Hosea 14: 1-2 "O israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips."
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In the D&C I read that every man is obligated to provide for his own family, and also to work in the church--being diligent in all things. The idler should not have place in the church unless he repents. We need to be busily engaged in temporal and church work or we will lose our crown! D&C 75: 28-29 "And again, verily I say unto you, that every man who is obliged to provide for his own family, let him provide, and he shall in nowise lose his crown; and let him labor in the church. Let every man be diligent in all things. And the idler shall not have place in the church, except he repent and mend his ways."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that if we need to repent and turn to the Lord who will take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously. If we don't return to the Lord, we'll fall by our iniquity. Hosea 14: 1-2 "O israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips."
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Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read a prophecy about the Bible (stick of Judah) and Book of Mormon (stick of Joseph) becoming one in the Lord's hand. Ezek. 37: 15-17 "The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying, Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand."
In the D&C I read that we need to call upon the name of the Lord for the Comforter which will teach us all things that are expedient for us. And we need to pray always for the strength to carry on. If we do these things, the Lord will be with us even to the end. D&C 75: 10-11 "Calling on the name of the Lord for the Comforter, which shall teach them all things that are expedient for them— Praying always that they faint not; and inasmuch as they do this, I will be with them even unto the end."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us to lay aside our sins which so easily beset us and run with perseverance the race marked out for us. We need to look to Jesus who endured the cross for us and who is the author and finisher of our faith. If we continually look to the Lord in faith, we can stay on the right path, just like if we're going on a hike and can see where we're headed, it encourages us to continue on toward the goal. This was illustrated to me in an experience that happened more than 20 years ago when I was taking a totally blind man up to Timpanogos Cave. We were almost to the mouth of the cave when he decided he was too tired and could not go another step. I told him we were almost there but he refused to budge. I knew that if he could just see how short the distance was, he'd find the strength to continue on. But he was blind. He couldn't see it. So I left him and walked to the mouth of the cave myself. Then I called down to him, "Jim, can you hear me? I'm standing at the mouth of the cave. THIS is how far away it is!" Once he could hear how close it was, he was willing to continue on to the goal. We need to be able to see where we're going in order to persevere on to our goal, especially during tough times when we don't think we can go another step. Keeping our sights set on Jesus will help us know where we're going and keep us on track. And Jim, hope you don't mind me relating this experience. (He has a talking program that reads emails to him, and he listens to my daily thought emails every day). Heb. 12: 1-2 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
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In the D&C I read that we need to call upon the name of the Lord for the Comforter which will teach us all things that are expedient for us. And we need to pray always for the strength to carry on. If we do these things, the Lord will be with us even to the end. D&C 75: 10-11 "Calling on the name of the Lord for the Comforter, which shall teach them all things that are expedient for them— Praying always that they faint not; and inasmuch as they do this, I will be with them even unto the end."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us to lay aside our sins which so easily beset us and run with perseverance the race marked out for us. We need to look to Jesus who endured the cross for us and who is the author and finisher of our faith. If we continually look to the Lord in faith, we can stay on the right path, just like if we're going on a hike and can see where we're headed, it encourages us to continue on toward the goal. This was illustrated to me in an experience that happened more than 20 years ago when I was taking a totally blind man up to Timpanogos Cave. We were almost to the mouth of the cave when he decided he was too tired and could not go another step. I told him we were almost there but he refused to budge. I knew that if he could just see how short the distance was, he'd find the strength to continue on. But he was blind. He couldn't see it. So I left him and walked to the mouth of the cave myself. Then I called down to him, "Jim, can you hear me? I'm standing at the mouth of the cave. THIS is how far away it is!" Once he could hear how close it was, he was willing to continue on to the goal. We need to be able to see where we're going in order to persevere on to our goal, especially during tough times when we don't think we can go another step. Keeping our sights set on Jesus will help us know where we're going and keep us on track. And Jim, hope you don't mind me relating this experience. (He has a talking program that reads emails to him, and he listens to my daily thought emails every day). Heb. 12: 1-2 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
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