In the Book of Mormon we've been reading Moroni's epistle to Pahoran and how he chastised him for his great neglect and wickedness. Today we read Pahoran's reply back to Moroni in which he explains that he takes no joy in their sufferings but has not been able to help because wicked men have taken over the government and caused a great rebellion. Alma 61:1-7 "Behold, now it came to pass that soon after Moroni had sent his epistle unto the chief governor, he received an epistle from Pahoran, the chief governor. And these are the words which he received: I, Pahoran, who am the chief governor of this land, do send these words unto Moroni, the chief captain over the army. Behold, I say unto you, Moroni, that I do not joy in your great afflictions, yea, it grieves my soul. But behold, there are those who do joy in your afflictions, yea, insomuch that they have risen up in rebellion against me, and also those of my people who are freemen, yea, and those who have risen up are exceedingly numerous. And it is those who have sought to take away the judgment-seat from me that have been the cause of this great iniquity; for they have used great flattery, and they have led away the hearts of many people, which will be the cause of sore affliction among us; they have withheld our provisions, and have daunted our freemen that they have not come unto you. And behold, they have driven me out before them, and I have fled to the land of Gideon, with as many men as it were possible that I could get. And behold, I have sent a proclamation throughout this part of the land; and behold, they are flocking to us daily, to their arms, in the defence of their country and their freedom, and to avenge our wrongs. And they have come unto us, insomuch that those who have risen up in rebellion against us are set at defiance, yea, insomuch that they do fear us and durst not come out against us to battle."
In the Old Testament we read the touching words of Ruth to her mother in law Naomi, which show such devotion and loyalty. She is willing to follow Naomi back to her homeland and says that Naomi's people will become her people and Naomi's God, her God. She says nothing but death will separate them. Ruth 1:16-17 "And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me."
In some verses with a thought booklet we read the story of how a servant girl was able to be a missionary to her master, by suggesting to his wife that he go to the prophet to be healed of his leprosy. If anyone had an excuse not to be used by God, it was this girl. She had been captured by the enemy, taken from her home and family and was a stranger in the land in which she was a slave. Going through all that, she could have excused herself from being compassionate as to her master's disease and problems. But she cared. She wanted to help. And she testified about a prophet of the living God who could help him. Can we follow her example to be instruments of God's compassion, healing, and hope to bring light into the lives of others? Even people who have hurt us? 2 Kings 5:1-6 "Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper. And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife. And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy. And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel. And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy."
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
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon, continuing on with Moroni's epistle to Pahoran, Moroni continues to chasten him for neglecting to send food and supplies, thus resulting in much suffering and loss. Moroni threatens Pahoran with destruction if he doesn't repent of his iniquities and start helping and giving support. Alma 60:20-31 "Have ye forgotten the commandments of the Lord your God? Yea, have ye forgotten the captivity of our fathers? Have ye forgotten the many times we have been delivered out of the hands of our enemies? Or do ye suppose that the Lord will still deliver us, while we sit upon our thrones and do not make use of the means which the Lord has provided for us? Yea, will ye sit in idleness while ye are surrounded with thousands of those, yea, and tens of thousands, who do also sit in idleness, while there are thousands round about in the borders of the land who are falling by the sword, yea, wounded and bleeding? Do ye suppose that God will look upon you as guiltless while ye sit still and behold these things? Behold I say unto you, Nay. Now I would that ye should remember that God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first, and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also. And now, except ye do repent of that which ye have done, and begin to be up and doing, and send forth food and men unto us, and also unto Helaman, that he may support those parts of our country which he has regained, and that we may also recover the remainder of our possessions in these parts, behold it will be expedient that we contend no more with the Lamanites until we have first cleansed our inward vessel, yea, even the great head of our government. And except ye grant mine epistle, and come out and show unto me a true spirit of freedom, and strive to strengthen and fortify our armies, and grant unto them food for their support, behold I will leave a part of my freemen to maintain this part of our land, and I will leave the strength and the blessings of God upon them, that none other power can operate against them— And this because of their exceeding faith, and their patience in their tribulations— And I will come unto you, and if there be any among you that has a desire for freedom, yea, if there be even a spark of freedom remaining, behold I will stir up insurrections among you, even until those who have desires to usurp power and authority shall become extinct. Yea, behold I do not fear your power nor your authority, but it is my God whom I fear; and it is according to his commandments that I do take my sword to defend the cause of my country, and it is because of your iniquity that we have suffered so much loss. Behold it is time, yea, the time is now at hand, that except ye do bestir yourselves in the defense of your country and your little ones, the sword of justice doth hang over you; yea, and it shall fall upon you and visit you even to your utter destruction. Behold, I wait for assistance from you; and, except ye do administer unto our relief, behold, I come unto you, even in the land of Zarahemla, and smite you with the sword, insomuch that ye can have no more power to impede the progress of this people in the cause of our freedom. For behold, the Lord will not suffer that ye shall live and wax strong in your iniquities to destroy his righteous people."
In the Old Testament we read about how a man was traveling and did not want to spend the night in a city of the Jebusites, who were strangers, but rather chose to continue on so he could spend the night in Gibeah, with the children of Israel, the tribe of Benjamin. What he found there were wicked men who abused a concubine all night long until she died. How very sad that people who have the gospel and would be expected to be righteous are more wicked than those without the gospel would have been. Judges 19:11-12, 25-28 "And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it. And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over to Gibeah. But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go. Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man's house where her lord was, till it was light. And her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way: and, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen down at the door of the house, and her hands were upon the threshold. And he said unto her, Up, and let us be going. But none answered. Then the man took her up upon an ass, and the man rose up, and gat him unto his place."
In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read that the Lord was not in the wind, the earthquake, or in fire, but rather spoke in a still, small voice. Often this is the way the Lord speaks to us--not in some loud, dramatic way that shouts at us, but in a still, small voice that we have to carefully listen for and be quiet so we can hear. 1 Kings 19:11-12 "And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."
In the Old Testament we read about how a man was traveling and did not want to spend the night in a city of the Jebusites, who were strangers, but rather chose to continue on so he could spend the night in Gibeah, with the children of Israel, the tribe of Benjamin. What he found there were wicked men who abused a concubine all night long until she died. How very sad that people who have the gospel and would be expected to be righteous are more wicked than those without the gospel would have been. Judges 19:11-12, 25-28 "And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it. And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over to Gibeah. But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go. Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man's house where her lord was, till it was light. And her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way: and, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen down at the door of the house, and her hands were upon the threshold. And he said unto her, Up, and let us be going. But none answered. Then the man took her up upon an ass, and the man rose up, and gat him unto his place."
In some scriptures with a thought booklet we read that the Lord was not in the wind, the earthquake, or in fire, but rather spoke in a still, small voice. Often this is the way the Lord speaks to us--not in some loud, dramatic way that shouts at us, but in a still, small voice that we have to carefully listen for and be quiet so we can hear. 1 Kings 19:11-12 "And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon I read an epistle that Moroni wrote to Pahoran recounting the great suffering of the people and accusing Pahoran of great neglect in withholding needed help and supplies. Alma 60:3-10 "And now behold, I say unto you that myself, and also my men, and also Helaman and his men, have suffered exceedingly great sufferings; yea, even hunger, thirst, and fatigue, and all manner of afflictions of every kind. But behold, were this all we had suffered we would not murmur nor complain. But behold, great has been the slaughter among our people; yea, thousands have fallen by the sword, while it might have otherwise been if ye had rendered unto our armies sufficient strength and succor for them. Yea, great has been your neglect towards us. And now behold, we desire to know the cause of this exceedingly great neglect; yea, we desire to know the cause of your thoughtless state. Can you think to sit upon your thrones in a state of thoughtless stupor, while your enemies are spreading the work of death around you? Yea, while they are murdering thousands of your brethren— Yea, even they who have looked up to you for protection, yea, have placed you in a situation that ye might have succored them, yea, ye might have sent armies unto them, to have strengthened them, and have saved thousands of them from falling by the sword. But behold, this is not all—ye have withheld your provisions from them, insomuch that many have fought and bled out their lives because of their great desires which they had for the welfare of this people; yea, and this they have done when they were about to perish with hunger, because of your exceedingly great neglect towards them. And now, my beloved brethren—for ye ought to be beloved; yea, and ye ought to have stirred yourselves more diligently for the welfare and the freedom of this people; but behold, ye have neglected them insomuch that the blood of thousands shall come upon your heads for vengeance; yea, for known unto God were all their cries, and all their sufferings—"
In the Old Testament we read about how the children of Dan took Micah's priest and graven images and set up idolatry. Judges 18:18-20, 30-31 "And these went into Micah's house, and fetched the carved image, the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image. Then said the priest unto them, What do ye? And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for thee to be a priest unto the house of one man, or that thou be a priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel? And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people. And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land. And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh."
A verse from a thought booklet relates how Jesus healed a woman, telling her to go in peace because her faith had made her well. Likewise, the Lord can heal us if we have faith--not just of physical ills but of spiritual ones as well. Mark 5:34 "And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague."
In the Old Testament we read about how the children of Dan took Micah's priest and graven images and set up idolatry. Judges 18:18-20, 30-31 "And these went into Micah's house, and fetched the carved image, the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image. Then said the priest unto them, What do ye? And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for thee to be a priest unto the house of one man, or that thou be a priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel? And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people. And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land. And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh."
A verse from a thought booklet relates how Jesus healed a woman, telling her to go in peace because her faith had made her well. Likewise, the Lord can heal us if we have faith--not just of physical ills but of spiritual ones as well. Mark 5:34 "And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague."
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon I read that the people poured out their souls in prayer to God, that He would give them strength and deliver them out of the hands of their enemies. He visited them with assurances that He would deliver them and spoke peace to their souls. What a great blessing it is to us when we can turn to the Lord in prayer and He speaks peace to our souls, reassuring us that everything will be all right. Alma 58:10-11 "Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people. Yea, and it came to pass that the Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him."
In the Old Testament we see an example of the folly of trusting the wrong people, as Sampson trusted Delilah with the secret of his strength and she betrayed him, resulting in him being taken prisoner by the Philistines and having his eyes put out. Judges 16:15-21 "And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth. And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man. And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand. And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him. But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house."
In some scriptures with a thought booklet I read the story about how the prophet Elijah called forth rain to end the drought. However, it didn't come immediately. He kept sending his servant to check for any signs of clouds. Six times the servant checked and there was nothing. But the seventh time he reported that he saw a little cloud the size of a man's hand. Soon the heavens were black with clouds and the wind and great rain came! Sometimes this is the way our prayers are answered. Not immediately. Not as soon as we might like. But if we continue to have faith, first there's a small sign that things are beginning to happen, and then we receive all the abundant blessings we ever hoped for. 1 Kings 18:41-45 "And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel."
In the Old Testament we see an example of the folly of trusting the wrong people, as Sampson trusted Delilah with the secret of his strength and she betrayed him, resulting in him being taken prisoner by the Philistines and having his eyes put out. Judges 16:15-21 "And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth. And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man. And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand. And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him. But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house."
In some scriptures with a thought booklet I read the story about how the prophet Elijah called forth rain to end the drought. However, it didn't come immediately. He kept sending his servant to check for any signs of clouds. Six times the servant checked and there was nothing. But the seventh time he reported that he saw a little cloud the size of a man's hand. Soon the heavens were black with clouds and the wind and great rain came! Sometimes this is the way our prayers are answered. Not immediately. Not as soon as we might like. But if we continue to have faith, first there's a small sign that things are beginning to happen, and then we receive all the abundant blessings we ever hoped for. 1 Kings 18:41-45 "And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel."
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon I read about the great faith of the stripling warriors and how none of them was killed because of their great trust in the Lord, which had been taught them by their mothers. They were a great help in battling the Lamanites and were miraculously spared. Alma 57:20-27 "And as the remainder of our army were about to give way before the Lamanites, behold, those two thousand and sixty were firm and undaunted. Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them. And now behold, it was these my sons, and those men who had been selected to convey the prisoners, to whom we owe this great victory; for it was they who did beat the Lamanites; therefore they were driven back to the city of Manti. And we retained our city Cumeni, and were not all destroyed by the sword; nevertheless, we had suffered great loss. And it came to pass that after the Lamanites had fled, I immediately gave orders that my men who had been wounded should be taken from among the dead, and caused that their wounds should be dressed. And it came to pass that there were two hundred, out of my two thousand and sixty, who had fainted because of the loss of blood; nevertheless, according to the goodness of God, and to our great astonishment, and also the joy of our whole army, there was not one soul of them who did perish; yea, and neither was there one soul among them who had not received many wounds. And now, their preservation was astonishing to our whole army, yea, that they should be spared while there was a thousand of our brethren who were slain. And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe—that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power. Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually."
In the Old Testament we read about how the strength of the Lord was with Sampson so that cords could not bind him and he was able to slay 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of an ass. Judges 15:14-15 "And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands. And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us not to be unduly concerned about anything, but turn our problems over to the Lord in prayer, with thanksgiving. If we're truly grateful for all the blessings the Lord has given us, and thank Him for them, we can also come to Him with our problems and concerns and He will help us get through them. The Lord wants us to come to Him with thankful hearts but He also wants us to make our requests known to Him.
Philippians 4:6 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
In the Old Testament we read about how the strength of the Lord was with Sampson so that cords could not bind him and he was able to slay 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of an ass. Judges 15:14-15 "And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands. And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us not to be unduly concerned about anything, but turn our problems over to the Lord in prayer, with thanksgiving. If we're truly grateful for all the blessings the Lord has given us, and thank Him for them, we can also come to Him with our problems and concerns and He will help us get through them. The Lord wants us to come to Him with thankful hearts but He also wants us to make our requests known to Him.
Philippians 4:6 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
Monday, December 26, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon I read about how valiant the 2,000 stripling warriors were, and how they had fought with the strength and power of God. Miraculously, none of them had been killed in battle, and they had frightened the Lamanites into delivering themselves up as prisoners of war. Alma 56:55-56 "And now it came to pass that when they had surrendered themselves up unto us, behold, I numbered those young men who had fought with me, fearing lest there were many of them slain. But behold, to my great joy, there had not one soul of them fallen to the earth; yea, and they had fought as if with the strength of God; yea, never were men known to have fought with such miraculous strength; and with such mighty power did they fall upon the Lamanites, that they did frighten them; and for this cause did the Lamanites deliver themselves up as prisoners of war."
In the Old Testament we read because Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years. However, He then sent an angel to Monoah's wife, promising her a son even though she was barren, and saying that her son was sent to deliver Israel. Judges 13:1-5 "And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years. And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not. And the angel of the Lord appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son. Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us to use whatever gift the Lord has given us to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its many forms. The Lord has given us gifts and talents and we need to use these to bless the lives of others. Sometimes we may think that our contributions are small and of no lasting value--like visiting the home bound or serving at a soup kitchen or helping an elderly neighbor rake her yard. But a lifetime of such "small" acts of kindness and love add up to making a big difference in the lives of many. We need to look for opportunities to serve wherever we can and use the abilities the Lord has given us to help others in any way we can. 1 Peter 4:10 "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
In the Old Testament we read because Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years. However, He then sent an angel to Monoah's wife, promising her a son even though she was barren, and saying that her son was sent to deliver Israel. Judges 13:1-5 "And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years. And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not. And the angel of the Lord appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son. Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us to use whatever gift the Lord has given us to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its many forms. The Lord has given us gifts and talents and we need to use these to bless the lives of others. Sometimes we may think that our contributions are small and of no lasting value--like visiting the home bound or serving at a soup kitchen or helping an elderly neighbor rake her yard. But a lifetime of such "small" acts of kindness and love add up to making a big difference in the lives of many. We need to look for opportunities to serve wherever we can and use the abilities the Lord has given us to help others in any way we can. 1 Peter 4:10 "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon we read about how the people had made a covenant not to take up weapons of war or shed blood, but they were about to break their oath when that saw the afflictions of the Nephites and had a great desire to help defend them. However, 2,000 of their sons who were to young to have taken the oath were willing to assist in defending the Nephites, and they marched forth to battle with Helaman as their leader. Alma 56:5-9 "Therefore it sufficeth me that I tell you that two thousand of these young men have taken their weapons of war, and would that I should be their leader; and we have come forth to defend our country. And now ye also know concerning the covenant which their fathers made, that they would not take up their weapons of war against their brethren to shed blood. But in the twenty and sixth year, when they saw our afflictions and our tribulations for them, they were about to break the covenant which they had made and take up their weapons of war in our defense. But I would not suffer them that they should break this covenant which they had made, supposing that God would strengthen us, insomuch that we should not suffer more because of the fulfilling the oath which they had taken. But behold, here is one thing in which we may have great joy. For behold, in the twenty and sixth year, I, Helaman, did march at the head of these two thousand young men to the city of Judea, to assist Antipus, whom ye had appointed a leader over the people of that part of the land."
In the Old Testament I read about how the Lord rebuked the children of Israel, reminding them of how He had delivered them from their enemies many times but they had forsaken Him and turned to other gods and served them. He told them to go cry unto the other gods to deliver them in their time of tribulation. This caused the children of Israel to admit they had sinned, put away their strange gods, and serve the Lord. Judges 10:11-16 "And the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines? The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation. And the children of Israel said unto the Lord, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day. And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the Lord: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel."
A verse with a thought booklet tells about how Jesus rose up very early in the morning, while it was still dark, and went off to a solitary place where He could pray. Do we take time to commune with God? Do we get away from the noise and confusion of the world so we can have sacred time alone with the Lord? If it was important enough for Jesus to rise up very early to find solitude in which to pray, how much more important is it for us? 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."
In the Old Testament I read about how the Lord rebuked the children of Israel, reminding them of how He had delivered them from their enemies many times but they had forsaken Him and turned to other gods and served them. He told them to go cry unto the other gods to deliver them in their time of tribulation. This caused the children of Israel to admit they had sinned, put away their strange gods, and serve the Lord. Judges 10:11-16 "And the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines? The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation. And the children of Israel said unto the Lord, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day. And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the Lord: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel."
A verse with a thought booklet tells about how Jesus rose up very early in the morning, while it was still dark, and went off to a solitary place where He could pray. Do we take time to commune with God? Do we get away from the noise and confusion of the world so we can have sacred time alone with the Lord? If it was important enough for Jesus to rise up very early to find solitude in which to pray, how much more important is it for us? 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."
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon we read about the stripling warriors who were valiant young men, willing to fight for the liberty of the Nephites and covenanting to protect the liberty of the people. They were not only valiant and courageous, but they were true in whatsoever thing had been entrusted unto them. Alma 53:17-20 "And they entered into a covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites, yea, to protect the land unto the laying down of their lives; yea, even they covenanted that they never would give up their liberty, but they would fight in all cases to protect the Nephites and themselves from bondage. Now behold, there were two thousand of those young men, who entered into this covenant and took their weapons of war to defend their country. And now behold, as they never had hitherto been a disadvantage to the Nephites, they became now at this period of time also a great support; for they took their weapons of war, and they would that Helaman should be their leader. And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted."
In the Old Testament we read that the children of Israel did evil and worshiped other gods, so the Lord's anger was hot against them and He delivered them into the hands of their enemies. Judges 10:6-7 "And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the Lord, and served not him. And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet warn us not to judge others or speak evil of them. There is only one Lawgiver who is able to save or to destroy, so who are we to judge another? If we think we're better than others and are in a position to judge them, we are in need of repentance. James 4:11-12 "Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?"
In the Old Testament we read that the children of Israel did evil and worshiped other gods, so the Lord's anger was hot against them and He delivered them into the hands of their enemies. Judges 10:6-7 "And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the Lord, and served not him. And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet warn us not to judge others or speak evil of them. There is only one Lawgiver who is able to save or to destroy, so who are we to judge another? If we think we're better than others and are in a position to judge them, we are in need of repentance. James 4:11-12 "Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?"
Friday, December 23, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon we read that the people put themselves into dangerous circumstances by their own iniquity. When we don't keep the commandments, it puts us in peril. Alma 53:9 "And thus because of iniquity amongst themselves, yea, because of dissensions and intrigue among themselves they were placed in the most dangerous circumstances."
In the Old Testament I read about how after Gideon had conquered the Midianites, the children of Israel asked him to rule over them. But he refused, saying the Lord should rule over them. Judges 8:22-23 "Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian. And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the Lord shall rule over you."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that gives us eternal life, that we shall never perish. And no one will be able to pluck us out of the Father's hands. We have a safe haven in Him! John 10:28 "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."
In the Old Testament I read about how after Gideon had conquered the Midianites, the children of Israel asked him to rule over them. But he refused, saying the Lord should rule over them. Judges 8:22-23 "Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian. And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the Lord shall rule over you."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that gives us eternal life, that we shall never perish. And no one will be able to pluck us out of the Father's hands. We have a safe haven in Him! John 10:28 "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon I read that when the people were righteous they were blessed and were prosperous and happy. But when they were guilty of contention, murder, idolatry, and other wickedness, they became plagued by war and destruction. We reap what we sow. Alma 50:17-21 "And in these prosperous circumstances were the people of Nephi in the commencement of the twenty and first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi. And they did prosper exceedingly, and they became exceedingly rich; yea, and they did multiply and wax strong in the land. And thus we see how merciful and just are all the dealings of the Lord, to the fulfilling of all his words unto the children of men; yea, we can behold that his words are verified, even at this time, which he spake unto Lehi, saying: Blessed art thou and thy children; and they shall be blessed, inasmuch as they shall keep my commandments they shall prosper in the land. But remember, inasmuch as they will not keep my commandments they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And we see that these promises have been verified to the people of Nephi; for it has been their quarrelings and their contentions, yea, their murderings, and their plunderings, their idolatry, their whoredoms, and their abominations, which were among themselves, which brought upon them their wars and their destructions."
In the Old Testament we read how the Lord didn't want to leave any doubt in the people's mind that He was the one who delivered them from the Midianites, it was not by their own power and might. So He had them reduce their armies from 20,000 to 300 men. Judges 7:2-7 "And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand. And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go. So he brought down the people unto the water: and the Lord said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink. And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water. And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place."
Some scriptures witih a thought booklet tell the story of how the prophet Elijah came to a young widow asking for food. She had very little and had actually been preparing to make a last meal for her and her son to eat before they starved to death with no more food available. Elijah promised her that if he would first make some food for him, her barrel of meal and her cruse of oil would not become empty until the Lord again sent rain upon the land the the famine was over. The widow had a choice to make. Should she have faith that what the prophet said was true and give her last food to him, trusting that the Lord would provide for her son? Yes, that is exactly what she did, and the promises were fulfilled. It takes faith to be willing to give, especially when we don't see clearly how we'll have sufficient to survive ourselves. Sometimes we're called upon to do something similar to this when we don't see how we can pay our tithing and pay our bills too. But I've seen many miracles happen in many lives when people have acted on their faith and paid tithing anyway--and the Lord has provided for them. 1 Kings 17:7-16 "And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah."
In the Old Testament we read how the Lord didn't want to leave any doubt in the people's mind that He was the one who delivered them from the Midianites, it was not by their own power and might. So He had them reduce their armies from 20,000 to 300 men. Judges 7:2-7 "And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand. And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go. So he brought down the people unto the water: and the Lord said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink. And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water. And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place."
Some scriptures witih a thought booklet tell the story of how the prophet Elijah came to a young widow asking for food. She had very little and had actually been preparing to make a last meal for her and her son to eat before they starved to death with no more food available. Elijah promised her that if he would first make some food for him, her barrel of meal and her cruse of oil would not become empty until the Lord again sent rain upon the land the the famine was over. The widow had a choice to make. Should she have faith that what the prophet said was true and give her last food to him, trusting that the Lord would provide for her son? Yes, that is exactly what she did, and the promises were fulfilled. It takes faith to be willing to give, especially when we don't see clearly how we'll have sufficient to survive ourselves. Sometimes we're called upon to do something similar to this when we don't see how we can pay our tithing and pay our bills too. But I've seen many miracles happen in many lives when people have acted on their faith and paid tithing anyway--and the Lord has provided for them. 1 Kings 17:7-16 "And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah."
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon I read the contrast between the wicked king Amalickiah and Moroni. Amalickiah was very angry that he had not succeeded in his desires to overpower the Nephites and bring them into bondage. He swore in his wrath that he would drink the blood of Moroni. Moroni, on the other hand, had kept the commandments of God and had prepared for the safety of his people. When they were delivered from the hands of their enemies, they thanked God for His blessings upon them. Alma 49:25-28 "And it came to pass, that when the Lamanites saw that their chief captains were all slain they fled into the wilderness. And it came to pass that they returned to the land of Nephi, to inform their king, Amalickiah, who was a Nephite by birth, concerning their great loss. And it came to pass that he was exceedingly angry with his people, because he had not obtained his desire over the Nephites; he had not subjected them to the yoke of bondage. Yea, he was exceedingly wroth, and he did curse God, and also Moroni, swearing with an oath that he would drink his blood; and this because Moroni had kept the commandments of God in preparing for the safety of his people. And it came to pass, that on the other hand, the people of Nephi did thank the Lord their God, because of his matchless power in delivering them from the hands of their enemies."
In the Old Testament I read about how Gideon doubted, even after the Lord told Him He would be with him and help him save Israel by his hand. He wanted a sign. He asked the Lord to make dew fall upon a fleece of wool on the floor but the earth beside it to stay dry. So the Lord did that. But was that convincing enough for Gideon? No! Then he asked the Lord to make dew come upon the ground but for the fleece to stay dry. The Lord did that too. How often are we like this? The Lord tells us something but we doubt. And even if we're given a sign that it really was the Lord telling us, we want another sign. Judges 6:36-40 "And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said, Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water. And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew. And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we can rejoice and be glad all our days because we are satisfied with the mercy of the Lord. The Lord has richly blessed all of us. We all have much to be grateful for. If we can be satisfied with what we have, we will indeed find joy all the days of our lives. Psalms 90:14 "O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days."
In the Old Testament I read about how Gideon doubted, even after the Lord told Him He would be with him and help him save Israel by his hand. He wanted a sign. He asked the Lord to make dew fall upon a fleece of wool on the floor but the earth beside it to stay dry. So the Lord did that. But was that convincing enough for Gideon? No! Then he asked the Lord to make dew come upon the ground but for the fleece to stay dry. The Lord did that too. How often are we like this? The Lord tells us something but we doubt. And even if we're given a sign that it really was the Lord telling us, we want another sign. Judges 6:36-40 "And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said, Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water. And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew. And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we can rejoice and be glad all our days because we are satisfied with the mercy of the Lord. The Lord has richly blessed all of us. We all have much to be grateful for. If we can be satisfied with what we have, we will indeed find joy all the days of our lives. Psalms 90:14 "O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days."
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon we read about the great reluctance the Nephites had in going to war with the Lamanites. They took no pleasure in sending so many of them into the eternal world, unprepared to meet their God. But they likewise could not sit idly by and allow their wives and children to be massacred in a barbarous and cruel manner. Alma 48:23-25 "Now, they were sorry to take up arms against the Lamanites, because they did not delight in the shedding of blood; yea, and this was not all—they were sorry to be the means of sending so many of their brethren out of this world into an eternal world, unprepared to meet their God. Nevertheless, they could not suffer to lay down their lives, that their wives and their children should be massacred by the barbarous cruelty of those who were once their brethren, yea, and had dissented from their church, and had left them and had gone to destroy them by joining the Lamanites. Yea, they could not bear that their brethren should rejoice over the blood of the Nephites, so long as there were any who should keep the commandments of God, for the promise of the Lord was, if they should keep his commandments they should prosper in the land."
In the Old Testament we read tht the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, so He delivered them into the hands of the Midianites, who greatly impoverished them. Because of this, the children is Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord sent a prophet unto them who reminded them of how the Lord had delivered them from bondage in Egypt and had delivered them out of the hands of those that oppressed them, but they had refused to obey the Lord. When we willfully disobey the commandments of the Lord, we can't expect Him to bless us. Judges 6:1, 6-10 "And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years. And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the Lord. And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord because of the Midianites, That the Lord sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage; And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land; And I said unto you, I am the Lord your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice."
Some verses with a thought booklet describe how Paul was called to the ministry and able to serve the Lord, in spite of the fact that he had been a sinner and had persecuted the believers previously. Through the atonement of Jesus Christ and His mercy and grace, Paul was able to repent and turn his life around. Jesus Christ came into the worldto save sinners. The Lord wants to change us no matter who we are or what we have done. No matter how bad we've been in the past, we can be forgiven and still have great work to do in the service of God. What an encouraging message! 1 Timothy 1:12-17 "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen."
In the Old Testament we read tht the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, so He delivered them into the hands of the Midianites, who greatly impoverished them. Because of this, the children is Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord sent a prophet unto them who reminded them of how the Lord had delivered them from bondage in Egypt and had delivered them out of the hands of those that oppressed them, but they had refused to obey the Lord. When we willfully disobey the commandments of the Lord, we can't expect Him to bless us. Judges 6:1, 6-10 "And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years. And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the Lord. And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord because of the Midianites, That the Lord sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage; And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land; And I said unto you, I am the Lord your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice."
Some verses with a thought booklet describe how Paul was called to the ministry and able to serve the Lord, in spite of the fact that he had been a sinner and had persecuted the believers previously. Through the atonement of Jesus Christ and His mercy and grace, Paul was able to repent and turn his life around. Jesus Christ came into the worldto save sinners. The Lord wants to change us no matter who we are or what we have done. No matter how bad we've been in the past, we can be forgiven and still have great work to do in the service of God. What an encouraging message! 1 Timothy 1:12-17 "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen."
Monday, December 19, 2011
Daily Thoughts
Yesterday we read about the evil intentions of Amalickiah and how he was determined to stir up anger and hatred and lead people to war so he could gain power and control over the Nephites. Today we read the contrast of Moroni and how he did not seek war nor bloodshed, but only sought to keep the commandments of the Lord and defend his people when necessary. He prepared for war by building walls of defense and strengthening the armies. He did this to protect the lives and liberties of his people. He stood firm in his faith in Christ. Alma 48: 7-17 "Now it came to pass that while Amalickiah had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God. Yea, he had been strengthening the armies of the Nephites, and erecting small forts, or places of resort; throwing up banks of earth round about to enclose his armies, and also building walls of stone to encircle them about, round about their cities and the borders of their lands; yea, all round about the land. And in their weakest fortifications he did place the greater number of men; and thus he did fortify and strengthen the land which was possessed by the Nephites. And thus he was preparing to support their liberty, their lands, their wives, and their children, and their peace, and that they might live unto the Lord their God, and that they might maintain that which was called by their enemies the cause of Christians. And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery; Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people. Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood. Now the Nephites were taught to defend themselves against their enemies, even to the shedding of blood if it were necessary; yea, and they were also taught never to give an offense, yea, and never to raise the sword except it were against an enemy, except it were to preserve their lives. And this was their faith, that by so doing God would prosper them in the land, or in other words, if they were faithful in keeping the commandments of God that he would prosper them in the land; yea, warn them to flee, or to prepare for war, according to their danger; And also, that God would make it known unto them whither they should go to defend themselves against their enemies, and by so doing, the Lord would deliver them; and this was the faith of Moroni, and his heart did glory in it; not in the shedding of blood but in doing good, in preserving his people, yea, in keeping the commandments of God, yea, and resisting iniquity. Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men."
In the Old Testament we read about how the children of Israel intermarried with the Canaanites and worshiped false gods. They did evil in the sight of the Lord and caused the Lord's anger to come up hot against them. Judges 3:5-8 "And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites: And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and forgat the Lord their God, and served Baalim and the groves. Therefore the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushan-rishathaim eight years."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us to feed our enemy if he is hungry and give him water to drink if he is thirsty. This goes along with what Jesus would later teach in New Testament times--to love our enemies and do good for them who hate us. We need to show love and kindness to everyone, even those who don't show love and kindness to us. Proverbs 25:21 "If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:"
In the Old Testament we read about how the children of Israel intermarried with the Canaanites and worshiped false gods. They did evil in the sight of the Lord and caused the Lord's anger to come up hot against them. Judges 3:5-8 "And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites: And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and forgat the Lord their God, and served Baalim and the groves. Therefore the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushan-rishathaim eight years."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us to feed our enemy if he is hungry and give him water to drink if he is thirsty. This goes along with what Jesus would later teach in New Testament times--to love our enemies and do good for them who hate us. We need to show love and kindness to everyone, even those who don't show love and kindness to us. Proverbs 25:21 "If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:"
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon we read about how after Amalickiah obtained the kingdom, he began to incite the Lamanites against the Nephites, blinding their minds and stirring them up in anger to do battle. He was intent on overpowering the Nephites and bringing them to bondage. Alma 48:1-4 "And now it came to pass that, as soon as Amalickiah had obtained the kingdom he began to inspire the hearts of the Lamanites against the people of Nephi; yea, he did appoint men to speak unto the Lamanites from their towers, against the Nephites. And thus he did inspire their hearts against the Nephites, insomuch that in the latter end of the nineteenth year of the reign of the judges, he having accomplished his designs thus far, yea, having been made king over the Lamanites, he sought also to reign over all the land, yea, and all the people who were in the land, the Nephites as well as the Lamanites. Therefore he had accomplished his design, for he had hardened the hearts of the Lamanites and blinded their minds, and stirred them up to anger, insomuch that he had gathered together a numerous host to go to battle against the Nephites. For he was determined, because of the greatness of the number of his people, to overpower the Nephites and to bring them into bondage."
In the Old Testament I read that an angel rebuked Israel for not serving the Lord. They had been commanded to make no league with the inhabitants of the land and to throw down their altars, but they disobeyed the voice of the Lord. Since they would not drive out the people as the Lord commanded, they would become like thorns in their sides and their gods would become a snare to them. Judges 1:1-3 "Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the Lord, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them? And the Lord said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand. And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with him."
Some verses with a thought booklet remind us that God uses ordinary people for his extraordinary purposes. If we are fearful, trembling, and weak, and we struggle to find persuasive words to spread the gospel, the Lord can still use us, with a demonstration of His Spirit and power. Our faith should not stand on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. And it is through the Spirit that men are converted, not through the persuasive arguments of men. The Lord can even use shy, fearful people who struggle for the right words to preach His gospel, if they will rely on His Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:3-5 "And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."
In the Old Testament I read that an angel rebuked Israel for not serving the Lord. They had been commanded to make no league with the inhabitants of the land and to throw down their altars, but they disobeyed the voice of the Lord. Since they would not drive out the people as the Lord commanded, they would become like thorns in their sides and their gods would become a snare to them. Judges 1:1-3 "Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the Lord, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them? And the Lord said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand. And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with him."
Some verses with a thought booklet remind us that God uses ordinary people for his extraordinary purposes. If we are fearful, trembling, and weak, and we struggle to find persuasive words to spread the gospel, the Lord can still use us, with a demonstration of His Spirit and power. Our faith should not stand on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. And it is through the Spirit that men are converted, not through the persuasive arguments of men. The Lord can even use shy, fearful people who struggle for the right words to preach His gospel, if they will rely on His Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:3-5 "And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon we read that those who die with a firm faith in the Lord Jesus Christ go out of the world rejoicing and happy. For those who believe in Jesus Christ, there is nothing to fear in death. Alma 46:39, 41 "And it came to pass that there were many who died, firmly believing that their souls were redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ; thus they went out of the world rejoicing. But there were many who died with old age; and those who died in the faith of Christ are happy in him, as we must needs suppose."
In the Old Testament we read how Joshua exhorted the people to reverence the Lord and serve only Him, putting away all other gods. He told them that they must make a choice to serve the true God or the false gods of other nations--but as for Joshua and his house, he would serve the Lord. Joshua 24:14-15 "Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
In some verses with a thought booklet, the Lord called upon the people to show compassion and mercy and to treat others with kindness. However, they refused to listen. They stopped up their ears and hardened their hearts aainst the word of God. This brought forth the wrath of God and when they cried unto Him, He refused to listen to them. It sounds ridiculous to think of people plugging up their ears so they wouldn't have to listen to what the Lord had to say. But do we do something similar when we don't diligently study the scriptures or listen with intent to general conference, and when we don't try our best to obey the commandments we've been given? We need to be willing to come when God calls, listen when God speaks, and obey when God commands. Zechariah 7:9-13 "Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts. Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts:"
In the Old Testament we read how Joshua exhorted the people to reverence the Lord and serve only Him, putting away all other gods. He told them that they must make a choice to serve the true God or the false gods of other nations--but as for Joshua and his house, he would serve the Lord. Joshua 24:14-15 "Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
In some verses with a thought booklet, the Lord called upon the people to show compassion and mercy and to treat others with kindness. However, they refused to listen. They stopped up their ears and hardened their hearts aainst the word of God. This brought forth the wrath of God and when they cried unto Him, He refused to listen to them. It sounds ridiculous to think of people plugging up their ears so they wouldn't have to listen to what the Lord had to say. But do we do something similar when we don't diligently study the scriptures or listen with intent to general conference, and when we don't try our best to obey the commandments we've been given? We need to be willing to come when God calls, listen when God speaks, and obey when God commands. Zechariah 7:9-13 "Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts. Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts:"
Friday, December 16, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon we read about how Amalickiah, a very wicked man was able to cause dissensions among the people by his cunning and flattering words. Men are quick to forget the Lord and be led away by the evil one. Indeed, we see how much wickedness can be caused by one evil man. Alma 46:6-10 "Thus they were led away by Amalickiah to dissensions, notwithstanding the preaching of Helaman and his brethren, yea, notwithstanding their exceedingly great care over the church, for they were high priests over the church. And there were many in the church who believed in the flattering words of Amalickiah, therefore they dissented even from the church; and thus were the affairs of the people of Nephi exceedingly precarious and dangerous, notwithstanding their great victory which they had had over the Lamanites, and their great rejoicings which they had had because of their deliverance by the hand of the Lord. Thus we see how quick the children of men do forget the Lord their God, yea, how quick to do iniquity, and to be led away by the evil one. Yea, and we also see the great wickedness one very wicked man can cause to take place among the children of men. Yea, we see that Amalickiah, because he was a man of cunning device and a man of many flattering words, that he led away the hearts of many people to do wickedly; yea, and to seek to destroy the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of liberty which God had granted unto them, or which blessing God had sent upon the face of the land for the righteous' sake."
In the Old Testament I read the exhortations of Joshua to the people that they must keep the commandments of the Lord, love Him, and not cleave unto the nations among them, marrying them or worshiping their false gods. The Lord had never failed to bring good things upon them and keep His promises to them, but if they transgressed their covenant and served other gods, the Lord's anger would be kindled against them and they would perish quickly off the good land which the Lord had given to them. Joshua 23:6-16 "Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left; That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them: But cleave unto the Lord your God, as ye have done unto this day. For the Lord hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day. One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the Lord your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you. Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the Lord your God. Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you: Know for a certainty that the Lord your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the Lord your God hath given you. And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof. Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the Lord your God promised you; so shall the Lord bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the Lord your God hath given you. When ye have transgressed the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you."
A scripture with a thought booklet tells about how Jesus would be rejected, suffer, and be killed. However, after three days He would rise again. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ were all foretold. Mark 8: 31 "And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again."
In the Old Testament I read the exhortations of Joshua to the people that they must keep the commandments of the Lord, love Him, and not cleave unto the nations among them, marrying them or worshiping their false gods. The Lord had never failed to bring good things upon them and keep His promises to them, but if they transgressed their covenant and served other gods, the Lord's anger would be kindled against them and they would perish quickly off the good land which the Lord had given to them. Joshua 23:6-16 "Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left; That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them: But cleave unto the Lord your God, as ye have done unto this day. For the Lord hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day. One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the Lord your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you. Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the Lord your God. Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you: Know for a certainty that the Lord your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the Lord your God hath given you. And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof. Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the Lord your God promised you; so shall the Lord bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the Lord your God hath given you. When ye have transgressed the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you."
A scripture with a thought booklet tells about how Jesus would be rejected, suffer, and be killed. However, after three days He would rise again. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ were all foretold. Mark 8: 31 "And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again."
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon I read that the people became proud and lifted up in their hearts because of their riches, and they refused to walk uprightly before God or listen to His servants. Riches can be more of a curse than a blessing if they cause a person to become prideful. Alma 45: 24 "But they grew proud, being lifted up in their hearts, because of their exceedingly great riches; therefore they grew rich in their own eyes, and would not give heed to their words, to walk uprightly before God."
In the Old Testament we read how Joshua blessed the people and told them to take diligent heed to do the commandments which Moses had given them, and to love and serve the Lord with all their hearts and souls. Joshua 22:5-6 "But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us to trust in the Lord, delight in Him, and commit ourselves to Him, and He will make sure we have what we need, as well as the desires of our hearts. Psalms 37:3-5 "Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."
In the Old Testament we read how Joshua blessed the people and told them to take diligent heed to do the commandments which Moses had given them, and to love and serve the Lord with all their hearts and souls. Joshua 22:5-6 "But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us to trust in the Lord, delight in Him, and commit ourselves to Him, and He will make sure we have what we need, as well as the desires of our hearts. Psalms 37:3-5 "Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon I read a prophecy that 400 years after Christ would manifest Himself to the Nephites, they would dwindle in unbelief, and because of their iniquity they would suffer wars, famines, and pestilences, until they would become extinct. They would sin against great light and knowledge. Alma 45: 9-12 "But behold, I have somewhat to prophesy unto thee; but what I prophesy unto thee ye shall not make known; yea, what I prophesy unto thee shall not be made known, even until the prophecy is fulfilled; therefore write the words which I shall say. And these are the words: Behold, I perceive that this very people, the Nephites, according to the spirit of revelation which is in me, in four hundred years from the time that Jesus Christ shall manifest himself unto them, shall dwindle in unbelief. Yea, and then shall they see wars and pestilences, yea, famines and bloodshed, even until the people of Nephi shall become extinct— Yea, and this because they shall dwindle in unbelief and fall into the works of darkness, and lasciviousness, and all manner of iniquities; yea, I say unto you, that because they shall sin against so great light and knowledge, yea, I say unto you, that from that day, even the fourth generation shall not all pass away before this great iniquity shall come."
In the Old Testament we read that the Lord fulfilled all His promises to the children of Israel. He gave them all the land that he swore to their fathers He would give them. He gave them peace and rest from their enemies, having delivered them unto their hands. The Lord did not fail in any good thing He had promised to give them. Indeed, the Lord always keeps His word and fulfills his promises in every detail. We can count on that! Joshua 21:43-45 "And the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. And the Lord gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand. There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass."
A verse with a thought booklet reminds us of how fleeting this earth life really is--it's like a wind that passes through and is gone. Do we take opportunities to show love and spend time with those who are important to us, while they're still with us? My parents are now gone, and I often think of things I wish I could do with them. Even though I did spend a lot of time with them during their final years, I know I could have done more. I mourn for missed opportunities that are now lost. We need to take time with our loved ones while that time is still available. Psalms 78:39 "For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again."
In the Old Testament we read that the Lord fulfilled all His promises to the children of Israel. He gave them all the land that he swore to their fathers He would give them. He gave them peace and rest from their enemies, having delivered them unto their hands. The Lord did not fail in any good thing He had promised to give them. Indeed, the Lord always keeps His word and fulfills his promises in every detail. We can count on that! Joshua 21:43-45 "And the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. And the Lord gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand. There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass."
A verse with a thought booklet reminds us of how fleeting this earth life really is--it's like a wind that passes through and is gone. Do we take opportunities to show love and spend time with those who are important to us, while they're still with us? My parents are now gone, and I often think of things I wish I could do with them. Even though I did spend a lot of time with them during their final years, I know I could have done more. I mourn for missed opportunities that are now lost. We need to take time with our loved ones while that time is still available. Psalms 78:39 "For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again."
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon I read that when the people were delivered out of the hands of their enemies, they were so grateful to the Lord that they fasted and prayed, and worshiped the Lord with great joy. Sometimes we'll fast when we have a problem or something we seek help from the Lord with. But how many times have we fasted to thank Him for something, out of pure joy and gratitude? Alma 45:1 "Behold, now it came to pass that the people of Nephi were exceedingly rejoiced, because the Lord had again delivered them out of the hands of their enemies; therefore they gave thanks unto the Lord their God; yea, and they did fast much and pray much, and they did worship God with exceedingly great joy."
In the Old Testament we read that the congregation of the children of Israel assembled together and set up the tabernacle at Shiloh. Joshua 18: 1 "And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them."
In a verse from a thought booklet we read about the devotion that Ruth showed to her mother in law, as she refused to leave her but insisted on going with her. Naomi had lost her husband and her two sons and was sending her daughters in law back to their parents. But in the midst of all her loss, God provided her with a family in Ruth who refused to leave her. We need to be sensitive to those who are alone and be willing to comfort those who need comforting. We need each other. Even Jesus, in the gloomy darkness of Gethsemane, reached out to His disciples. Ruth 1:16 "And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:"
In the Old Testament we read that the congregation of the children of Israel assembled together and set up the tabernacle at Shiloh. Joshua 18: 1 "And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them."
In a verse from a thought booklet we read about the devotion that Ruth showed to her mother in law, as she refused to leave her but insisted on going with her. Naomi had lost her husband and her two sons and was sending her daughters in law back to their parents. But in the midst of all her loss, God provided her with a family in Ruth who refused to leave her. We need to be sensitive to those who are alone and be willing to comfort those who need comforting. We need each other. Even Jesus, in the gloomy darkness of Gethsemane, reached out to His disciples. Ruth 1:16 "And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:"
Monday, December 12, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon I read that that God would preserve and keep the people as long as they were faithful to Him. But if they should deny the faith and fall into transgression, they would be destroyed. Alma 44:4 "Now ye see that this is the true faith of God; yea, ye see that God will support, and keep, and preserve us, so long as we are faithful unto him, and unto our faith, and our religion; and never will the Lord suffer that we shall be destroyed except we should fall into transgression and deny our faith."
In the Old Testament we read about the faithfulness of Caleb. At the age of 40 he was sent to spy out the land and came back with a report that they could conquer wit the Lord's help. However, the other spies had reports that made the people's hearts melt and they were afraid to try to go forth against the inhabitants of the land. So they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. But the Lord blessed Caleb for his faithfulness and even at the age of 85 he was strong. Joshua blessed him and gave him a land for his inheritance. Joshua 14:7-14 " Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the Lord my God. And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord my God. And now, behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said. And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.
Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel."
In a verse with a thought booklet I read that when we wait upon the Lord, He will strengthen us so we can run and not be weary and walk and not faint--we'll feel like we've been mounted with the wings of eagles. The Lord can give us the strength to do whatever it is we need to do. Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
In the Old Testament we read about the faithfulness of Caleb. At the age of 40 he was sent to spy out the land and came back with a report that they could conquer wit the Lord's help. However, the other spies had reports that made the people's hearts melt and they were afraid to try to go forth against the inhabitants of the land. So they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. But the Lord blessed Caleb for his faithfulness and even at the age of 85 he was strong. Joshua blessed him and gave him a land for his inheritance. Joshua 14:7-14 " Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the Lord my God. And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord my God. And now, behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said. And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.
Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel."
In a verse with a thought booklet I read that when we wait upon the Lord, He will strengthen us so we can run and not be weary and walk and not faint--we'll feel like we've been mounted with the wings of eagles. The Lord can give us the strength to do whatever it is we need to do. Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon I read that the Lamanites were intent on destroying the Nephites or subjecting them to bondage. However, the Nephites only wanted to preserve their lands and their liberty and their church. So Moroni felt that it was not a sin to defend themselves with stratagem and sent spies into the land of the Lamanites. When the Lamanites fought them, they found like dragons with their fierce anger. However, the Nephites were inspired by a better cause, fighting for their homes, families, liberty and church, rather than trying to get power over other people. They were doing what they felt was their duty toward God. They were not guilty of the first or second offense, but were merely trying to defends themselves and their families. Alma 43:29-30, 44-47 "And now, as Moroni knew the intention of the Lamanites, that it was their intention to destroy their brethren, or to subject them and bring them into bondage that they might establish a kingdom unto themselves over all the land; And he also knowing that it was the only desire of the Nephites to preserve their lands, and their liberty, and their church, therefore he thought it no sin that he should defend them by stratagem; therefore, he found by his spies which course the Lamanites were to take. And they were inspired by the Zoramites and the Amalekites, who were their chief captains and leaders, and by Zerahemnah, who was their chief captain, or their chief leader and commander; yea, they did fight like dragons, and many of the Nephites were slain by their hands, yea, for they did smite in two many of their head-plates, and they did pierce many of their breastplates, and they did smite off many of their arms; and thus the Lamanites did smite in their fierce anger. Nevertheless, the Nephites were inspired by a better cause, for they were not fighting for monarchy nor power but they were fighting for their homes and their liberties, their wives and their children, and their all, yea, for their rites of worship and their church. And they were doing that which they felt was the duty which they owed to their God; for the Lord had said unto them, and also unto their fathers, that: Inasmuch as ye are not guilty of the first offense, neither the second, ye shall not suffer yourselves to be slain by the hands of your enemies. And again, the Lord has said that: Ye shall defend your families even unto bloodshed. Therefore for this cause were the Nephites contending with the Lamanites, to defend themselves, and their families, and their lands, their country, and their rights, and their religion."
In the Old Testament we read that when Joshua was old and well stricken in years, there were still some lands that needed to be possessed. Joshua 13: 1 "Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the Lord said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the Lord is our light and our salvation so we have nothing and no one to fear. He will be the strength in our lives. If we truly believe this, we have no reason to worry. So why do we sometimes worry and fear and fret? We worry that we'll be late for work. We worry that we won't have money to pay our bills. We worry that our hair is thinning. We worry that our family members aren't making good choices. We worry over health issues. We worry gas prices will prevent us going on vacation. We worry about the weather. We worry over our relationships. We worry and stew and lose sleep over every issue imaginable. Is this showing faith? Worrying is a sign that we need to turn our lives over to the Lord and trust in Him to take care of us. He is the only One who can give us inner peace. Psalms 27:1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
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In the Old Testament we read that when Joshua was old and well stricken in years, there were still some lands that needed to be possessed. Joshua 13: 1 "Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the Lord said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the Lord is our light and our salvation so we have nothing and no one to fear. He will be the strength in our lives. If we truly believe this, we have no reason to worry. So why do we sometimes worry and fear and fret? We worry that we'll be late for work. We worry that we won't have money to pay our bills. We worry that our hair is thinning. We worry that our family members aren't making good choices. We worry over health issues. We worry gas prices will prevent us going on vacation. We worry about the weather. We worry over our relationships. We worry and stew and lose sleep over every issue imaginable. Is this showing faith? Worrying is a sign that we need to turn our lives over to the Lord and trust in Him to take care of us. He is the only One who can give us inner peace. Psalms 27:1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
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Saturday, December 10, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon we read that the sons of Alma went forth among the people declaring the word to them, and even Alma himself also went forth. They taught according to the spirit of revelation. Indeed, that is the only way to teach things spiritual things, with the Spirit. Alma 43:1-2 "And now it came to pass that the sons of Alma did go forth among the people, to declare the word unto them. And Alma, also, himself, could not rest, and he also went forth. Now we shall say no more concerning their preaching, except that they preached the word, and the truth, according to the spirit of prophecy and revelation; and they preached after the holy order of God by which they were called."
In the Old Testament we read the fulfillment of the promises of the Lord. He helped Joshua conquer all his enemies and take the whole land for an inheritance for Israel. And finally the land was able to rest from ward. The Lord does fulfill his promises. Joshua 11:23 "So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we can stay calm and feel peace, knowing that the Lord will fight for us. If we're feeling troubled and overwhelmed by the circumstances in our lives, let's remember that we have the Lord fighting for us! This thought should give us comfort and peace. Exodus 14:14 "The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."
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In the Old Testament we read the fulfillment of the promises of the Lord. He helped Joshua conquer all his enemies and take the whole land for an inheritance for Israel. And finally the land was able to rest from ward. The Lord does fulfill his promises. Joshua 11:23 "So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we can stay calm and feel peace, knowing that the Lord will fight for us. If we're feeling troubled and overwhelmed by the circumstances in our lives, let's remember that we have the Lord fighting for us! This thought should give us comfort and peace. Exodus 14:14 "The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."
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Friday, December 9, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon I read about how redemption comes through repentance and is made possible because Jesus atoned for the sins of the world. The Atonement meets the demands of justice and is given because of the mercy of God. God is both just and merciful. Alma 42:10-16, 24-26 "Therefore, as they had become carnal, sensual, and devilish, by nature, this probationary state became a state for them to prepare; it became a preparatory state. And now remember, my son, if it were not for the plan of redemption, (laying it aside) as soon as they were dead their souls were miserable, being cut off from the presence of the Lord. And now, there was no means to reclaim men from this fallen state, which man had brought upon himself because of his own disobedience; Therefore, according to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of men in this probationary state, yea, this preparatory state; for except it were for these conditions, mercy could not take effect except it should destroy the work of justice. Now the work of justice could not be destroyed; if so, God would cease to be God. And thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and they were in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of God, which consigned them forever to be cut off from his presence. And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also. Now, repentance could not come unto men except there were a punishment, which also was eternal as the life of the soul should be, affixed opposite to the plan of happiness, which was as eternal also as the life of the soul.For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved. What, do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I say unto you, Nay; not one whit. If so, God would cease to be God. And thus God bringeth about his great and eternal purposes, which were prepared from the foundation of the world. And thus cometh about the salvation and the redemption of men, and also their destruction and misery."
In the Old Testament I read about how the sun and moon stood still while the Lord fought for Israel. There was never a day like that before or after. Joshua 10:13-14 "And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet recall how Gideon spoke with an angel of the Lord, who told Gideon that the Lord was with him and called him a mighty man of valour. Gideon asked how that could be and complained about how the Lord seemed to have forsaken Israel instead of providing the mighty miracles that had been spoken of by his fathers. The Lord told Gideon to go forth with his might and He would be with him and help him defeat the Midianites. This should have been enough, but Gideon still doubted. He complained that his family was poor and he was least in his father's house. But the Lord again told Gideon that he had been called and needed to go forth. How often are we like Gideon? The Lord calls us to do a work but all we do is doubt our own abilities instead of relying on the Lord and trusting that He will provide the way for us to accomplish anything He asks us to do? Judges 6:12-16 "And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee? And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house. And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man."
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In the Old Testament I read about how the sun and moon stood still while the Lord fought for Israel. There was never a day like that before or after. Joshua 10:13-14 "And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet recall how Gideon spoke with an angel of the Lord, who told Gideon that the Lord was with him and called him a mighty man of valour. Gideon asked how that could be and complained about how the Lord seemed to have forsaken Israel instead of providing the mighty miracles that had been spoken of by his fathers. The Lord told Gideon to go forth with his might and He would be with him and help him defeat the Midianites. This should have been enough, but Gideon still doubted. He complained that his family was poor and he was least in his father's house. But the Lord again told Gideon that he had been called and needed to go forth. How often are we like Gideon? The Lord calls us to do a work but all we do is doubt our own abilities instead of relying on the Lord and trusting that He will provide the way for us to accomplish anything He asks us to do? Judges 6:12-16 "And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee? And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house. And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man."
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Thursday, December 8, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon we read that wickedness never was happiness. Alma 41 10 "Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness."
In the Old Testament I read about how the Gibeonites were able to fool the people by having old bread and old clothing and claiming they'd travelled a long distance to convince them that they were from far away instead of their neighbors. The people used this evidence to convince them, but they did not inquire of the Lord. When we're confused and don't know who or what to believe, we need to turn to the Lord. If we just use reason and logic, people can fool us! Joshua 9:3-16 "And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai, They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up; And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy. And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us. And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you? And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye? And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the Lord thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt, And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at Ashtaroth. Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us. This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy: And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey. And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord. And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them. And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that in repentance and rest we'll find salvation and in quietness and trust we'll find strength. We need to repent and return to the Lord and we need to have confidence and trust in Him. But we also need quietness and taking time to ponder and pray. Isaiah 30:15 "For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not."
In the Old Testament I read about how the Gibeonites were able to fool the people by having old bread and old clothing and claiming they'd travelled a long distance to convince them that they were from far away instead of their neighbors. The people used this evidence to convince them, but they did not inquire of the Lord. When we're confused and don't know who or what to believe, we need to turn to the Lord. If we just use reason and logic, people can fool us! Joshua 9:3-16 "And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai, They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up; And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy. And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us. And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you? And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye? And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the Lord thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt, And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at Ashtaroth. Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us. This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy: And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey. And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord. And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them. And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that in repentance and rest we'll find salvation and in quietness and trust we'll find strength. We need to repent and return to the Lord and we need to have confidence and trust in Him. But we also need quietness and taking time to ponder and pray. Isaiah 30:15 "For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not."
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon we read that men are judged for their works. If they are righteous, they'll receive a wonderful reward and be raised to happiness in the Kingdom of God. But if they rebelled and chose wickedness, they will receive an evil reward. Whoever walks in the way of the Lord will be saved. Alma 41:3-7 "And it is requisite with the justice of God that men should be judged according to their works; and if their works were good in this life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good. And if their works are evil they shall be restored unto them for evil. Therefore, all things shall be restored to their proper order, every thing to its natural frame—mortality raised to immortality, corruption to incorruption—raised to endless happiness to inherit the kingdom of God, or to endless misery to inherit the kingdom of the devil, the one on one hand, the other on the other— The one raised to happiness according to his desires of happiness, or good according to his desires of good; and the other to evil according to his desires of evil; for as he has desired to do evil all the day long even so shall he have his reward of evil when the night cometh. And so it is on the other hand. If he hath repented of his sins, and desired righteousness until the end of his days, even so he shall be rewarded unto righteousness. These are they that are redeemed of the Lord; yea, these are they that are taken out, that are delivered from that endless night of darkness; and thus they stand or fall; for behold, they are their own judges, whether to do good or do evil."
In the Old Testament we read that those who refused to obey the voice of the Lord by entering into the promised land were made to wander in the wilderness for 40 years until they all had died. The Lord often promises us blessings contingent upon our obedience. If we refuse to obey, we forfeit those blessings. Joshua 5:6 "For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord: unto whom the Lord sware that he would not shew them the land, which the Lord sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey."
A verse with a thought booklet reminds us that we don't need to let our hearts be troubled because the Lord will leave us with peace--not the kind of peace that the world gives, but peace that surpasses all understanding. 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 Old Testament we read that those who refused to obey the voice of the Lord by entering into the promised land were made to wander in the wilderness for 40 years until they all had died. The Lord often promises us blessings contingent upon our obedience. If we refuse to obey, we forfeit those blessings. Joshua 5:6 "For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord: unto whom the Lord sware that he would not shew them the land, which the Lord sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey."
A verse with a thought booklet reminds us that we don't need to let our hearts be troubled because the Lord will leave us with peace--not the kind of peace that the world gives, but peace that surpasses all understanding. 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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Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon I read about the resurrection of the body and how we will be restored to a proper and perfect frame, with every limb and joint restored and not even a hair of the head being lost. The righteous will be received into the Kingdom of God and the wicked will drink the dregs of the bitter cup that then earned with their evil works. Alma 40: 23-26 "The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame. And now, my son, this is the restoration of which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets— And then shall the righteous shine forth in the kingdom of God. But behold, an awful death cometh upon the wicked; for they die as to things pertaining to things of righteousness; for they are unclean, and no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of God; but they are cast out, and consigned to partake of the fruits of their labors or their works, which have been evil; and they drink the dregs of a bitter cup."
In the Old Testament we read about how the Lord showed a miracle to the people to demonstrate to them that He was with them and would give them the promised land, driving out all the inhabitants of the land before them. The Lord cuts off the water of the Jordan River and it stands up as a heap, allowing the children of Israel to pass through on dry ground. Joshua 3:10-17 "And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites. Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan. Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man. And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap. And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people; And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan."
A verse with a thought booklet asks a thought provoking question--if God is on our side, who can be against us? Indeed, as long as we have the Lord, what else really matters? Romans 8:31 "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"
In the Old Testament we read about how the Lord showed a miracle to the people to demonstrate to them that He was with them and would give them the promised land, driving out all the inhabitants of the land before them. The Lord cuts off the water of the Jordan River and it stands up as a heap, allowing the children of Israel to pass through on dry ground. Joshua 3:10-17 "And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites. Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan. Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man. And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap. And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people; And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan."
A verse with a thought booklet asks a thought provoking question--if God is on our side, who can be against us? Indeed, as long as we have the Lord, what else really matters? Romans 8:31 "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"
Monday, December 5, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon we read about the state of people between the time of their death and the times of their resurrection. For the righteous, it will be a time of peace and rest from all their troubles and sorrows. But for the wicked it will be an awful, fearful time of weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth. What a contrast! And how very important that we choose righteously while we are here on the earth. Alma 40:11-14 "Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life. And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow. And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house—and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil. Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection."
In the Old Testament we read about the death of Moses at the age of 120 year. He was a great prophet who performed mighty miracles and spoke with the Lord face to face. He had laid his hands on Joshua who was full of the spirit of wisdom and who was now called to be the prophet and to lead the people. Deuteronomy 34:7-12 "And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses. And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, In all the signs and the wonders, which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we can know that all things will work together for our good if we love God. We can trust in Him, knowing that even when we face trials and tribulations, it will all be for our good in the end. Unexpected things are bound to crop up in our lives--illness, job loss, a conflict with a friend. We have the assurance that God will get us through and all these things will work together for our good. Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
In the Old Testament we read about the death of Moses at the age of 120 year. He was a great prophet who performed mighty miracles and spoke with the Lord face to face. He had laid his hands on Joshua who was full of the spirit of wisdom and who was now called to be the prophet and to lead the people. Deuteronomy 34:7-12 "And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses. And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, In all the signs and the wonders, which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we can know that all things will work together for our good if we love God. We can trust in Him, knowing that even when we face trials and tribulations, it will all be for our good in the end. Unexpected things are bound to crop up in our lives--illness, job loss, a conflict with a friend. We have the assurance that God will get us through and all these things will work together for our good. Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon I read about the vanity of seeking after the riches of the world, which cannot be carried with us and are of no eternal value. Alma 39:14 "Seek not after riches nor the vain things of this world; for behold, you cannot carry them with you."
In the Old Testament I read that because Moses had trespassed against the Lord, he would be able to see the promised land before him, but would not be allowed to enter into it. Deuteronomy 32:51-52 "Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel. Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel."
A verse with a thought booklet warns us that above all else we need to guard our hearts, because everything we do flows from it. One of the best ways to protect our hearts is to make sure that they are filled with love--love for God and love for others. If we truly have love in our hearts, our actions will follow. Proverbs 4:23 "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."
In the Old Testament I read that because Moses had trespassed against the Lord, he would be able to see the promised land before him, but would not be allowed to enter into it. Deuteronomy 32:51-52 "Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel. Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel."
A verse with a thought booklet warns us that above all else we need to guard our hearts, because everything we do flows from it. One of the best ways to protect our hearts is to make sure that they are filled with love--love for God and love for others. If we truly have love in our hearts, our actions will follow. Proverbs 4:23 "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon I read that there is no other way we can be saved except through Christ who is the life and light of the world. Alma 38: 9 "And now, my son, I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me that there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness."
In the Old Testament we read about how the people provoked the Lord by worshiping strange gods instead of the God who created them. When the Lord saw this, He called them a froward generation with no faith and he was angry with the foolish nation, saying He would heap mischiefs upon them and devour them with fire. Deuteronomy 32:16-24 "They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger. They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not. Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee. And when the Lord saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters. And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith. They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them. They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that those who are truly great among us are willing to serve and minister to others, following the example of Jesus who gave His life for us. Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve. Matthew 20:25-28 "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
In the Old Testament we read about how the people provoked the Lord by worshiping strange gods instead of the God who created them. When the Lord saw this, He called them a froward generation with no faith and he was angry with the foolish nation, saying He would heap mischiefs upon them and devour them with fire. Deuteronomy 32:16-24 "They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger. They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not. Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee. And when the Lord saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters. And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith. They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them. They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that those who are truly great among us are willing to serve and minister to others, following the example of Jesus who gave His life for us. Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve. Matthew 20:25-28 "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
Friday, December 2, 2011
Daily Thoughts
In the Book of Mormon I read that when we put our trust in God we will be delivered out of our trials and troubles and afflictions and be lifted up at the last day. Alma 38:5 "And now my son, Shiblon, I would that ye should remember, that as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day."
In the Old Testament we read about how Moses was getting ready to die and the Lord spoke to him about how after he was gone the people would be even more rebellious and break their covenants even more than they had while he was alive. Moses spoke to the people, admonishing them with the song the Lord gave him. Deuteronomy 31:14-30 "And the Lord said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation. And the Lord appeared in the tabernacle in a pillar of a cloud: and the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the tabernacle. And the Lord said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them. Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us? And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods. Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel. For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant. And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware. Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel. And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee. And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying, Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee. For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the Lord; and how much more after my death? Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them. For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands. And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that if we have the right spirit within us, it will sustain us in our infirmities. But who can bear a wounded spirit? When our spirit is strong, we can handle a lot of adversity, but when our spirit is crushed, life can become almost unbearable. We live from the inside out. When we have the right attitude, we can be happy regardless of our circumstances. Sometimes we think that if our circumstances (money, job, etc.) were better, we'd be happier. But the truth is that these outward things aren't really what bring lasting happiness. Some of the most unhappy people in the world are those who have plenty of money, fame, etc. Change your attitude and you'll change your life! Proverbs 18:14 "The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?"
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In the Old Testament we read about how Moses was getting ready to die and the Lord spoke to him about how after he was gone the people would be even more rebellious and break their covenants even more than they had while he was alive. Moses spoke to the people, admonishing them with the song the Lord gave him. Deuteronomy 31:14-30 "And the Lord said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation. And the Lord appeared in the tabernacle in a pillar of a cloud: and the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the tabernacle. And the Lord said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them. Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us? And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods. Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel. For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant. And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware. Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel. And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee. And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying, Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee. For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the Lord; and how much more after my death? Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them. For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands. And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that if we have the right spirit within us, it will sustain us in our infirmities. But who can bear a wounded spirit? When our spirit is strong, we can handle a lot of adversity, but when our spirit is crushed, life can become almost unbearable. We live from the inside out. When we have the right attitude, we can be happy regardless of our circumstances. Sometimes we think that if our circumstances (money, job, etc.) were better, we'd be happier. But the truth is that these outward things aren't really what bring lasting happiness. Some of the most unhappy people in the world are those who have plenty of money, fame, etc. Change your attitude and you'll change your life! Proverbs 18:14 "The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?"
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