Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that God pardons iniquity and does not retain his anger forever, but has great compassion and mercy. He will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. It's so important to remember that when we have sinned, we can indeed be forgiven if we're willing to repent. Our sins can be cast away by the Lord. Picture Him casting them into the depths of the sea!  What an image.  Micah 7: 18-19 "Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."

In the D&C I read that if we can prove ourselves faithful in a few things that have been entrusted in our care, we'll be made ruler over many things. We need to humble ourselves in order to be exalted. D&C 124: 113-114 "And when he shall prove himself faithful in all things that shall be entrusted unto his care, yea, even a few things, he shall be made ruler over many; Let him therefore abase himself that he may be exalted. Even so. Amen."

In scriptures with a thought booklet, it recounts the parable of the ten virgins. Five were wise and prepared for the Lord's coming and five were foolish and not prepared. They didn't have oil in their lamps and even though they tried to rush off to get some at the last minute, it was too late. Are we preparing our lives for the coming of the Lord? Every prayer we say, every scripture we read, every act of loving service we render, every kind word we say, every good deed we perform adds another drop of oil to our lamps. This is not something we can rush out and get at the last minute. It takes a lifetime of righteous living to prepare ourselves so that when the Savior comes, He will know us. Matt. 25: 1-13 "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

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