Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read that Nephi's brothers asked him what the meaning of the iron rod was and he explained that it is the word of God. And if we hold tightly to it, the adversary will not have power over us to blind us and lead us away to destruction. Nephi exported them, with all the power and energy of his soul, to keep the commandments always in all things and give heed to the word of God. We need to take heed in our own lives that we do this, and keep on the path that will lead us to God. 1 Ne. 15: 23-25 "And they said unto me: What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw, that led to the tree? And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction. Wherefore, I, Nephi, did exhort them to give heed unto the word of the Lord; yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always in all things."

In the New Testament I read the story of the ten lepers. Jesus healed all ten of them but only one paused to give thanks and glorify God. Jesus asked where the other nine were. We are given so many blessings in our lives. Do we take them for granted, like the nine lepers who were healed? Or do we pause to give thanks and glorify God who has poured out so many wonderful blessings to us? Luke 17:12-19 "And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole."

Some verses with a thought booklet remind us that when we do missionary work, we can sow the seeds and someone else may do the watering, but it is God who produces the increase. We might have a very eloquent way of teaching the gospel to others, but it is the Holy Ghost who converts a a person and causes their hearts to change. We can't take credit for this ourselves. We have nothing to brag about in bringing others to Christ. We of ourselves cannot change a person's heart. It takes God to do that. But we can try our best to be a good instrument in His hands to touch other people. 1 Corinthians 3:5-6 "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase."
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