Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that as the Israelites had been a curse among the heathen in times past, they would now be a blessing. They should fear not and let their hands be strong, for the Lord would save them. Zech. 8: 13 "And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong."


In the Pearl of Great Price I read that Moses did not cease calling upon God and inquiring of Him. Because he stayed close to the Lord, it was easy for him to discern between God and Satan and Satan was unable to deceive him. Moses told Satan to depart from him. If we remain close to the Lord and turn to Him, we likewise will be able to tell Satan to leave us alone. Moses 1: 18 "And again Moses said: I will not cease to call upon God, I have other things to inquire of him: for his glory has been upon me, wherefore I can judge between him and thee. Depart hence, Satan."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell the parable of the talents. When the Lord gives us blessings, we're expected to use them instead of hiding them away. If we're blessed with wealth, we need to use it to do good. If we're blessed with talents and abilities, we're expected to use them to help others and benefit their lives. Where much is given, much is expected. Let's use what God has given us in such a way that when we meet the Lord at Judgment Day, He'll say to us, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Matt. 25: 14-30 "For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."