Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read that the gate of heaven is open to all who will have faith and who will lay hold upon the word of God, which leads us to Christ in a strait and narrow course, and helps us avoid the cunning snares and wiles of the devil, which would lead to misery.   Helaman 3:28-30 "Yea, thus we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God. Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked— And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out."

In the Old Testament we read about how Samuel exhorted Israel to forsake the false gods and worship only the Lord. He told them if they would do this, the Lord would deliver them from the hands of the Philistines.  They obeyed and put away their idols, serving only the Lord.   1 Samuel 7:3-4 "And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the Lord only."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that if we abide in the Lord, we will have confidence, rather than being ashamed, at His coming.  How are we living our lives?  Are we prepared for the Second Coming of Christ so that we can face that day with confidence? Will we be able to rush joyfully into the Lord's open arms?  Or are we guilty of sins that will make us ashamed to face our Savior?  1 John 2:28 "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming."

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