Daily Thoughts -- Friday

In the D&C we read that we need to be diligent unto the end, but should not try to run faster or labor more than we have strength.  We need to pace ourselves and take things one step at a time.  D&C 10:4 "Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength and means provided to enable you to translate; but be diligent unto the end."

In the Old Testament we read that we should praise the Lord continually and at all times.  This doesn't just mean in good times when everything is going well for us, but in ALL times.  It isn't so easy to come to the Lord with gratitude in our hearts when we're going through trials and tribulations, but if we can find a way to do so, we'll find our hearts lifted and our burdens won't seem so hard to bear. Looking for things to appreciate and be grateful for is a great way to help us feel better, even while going through difficult times.  Psalms 34:1 "I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth."

Some verses with a thought booklet are probably very familiar to most of us.  they speak of the importance of charity, or the pure love of Christ.  No matter what other things we do or qualities we possess, if we don't have charity, it is of no profit to us.  The scriptures go on to describe some of the things that having charity entails.  If we have charity in our hearts, we are patient, kind, long suffering, unselfish, and full of faith and hope.  We are not easily provoked and we don't think evil thoughts. It's like if we have a stack of packets of sugar, all printed with the same label on them and all properly sealed, but one of them is empty.  The empty packet is of no value because it cannot be used for anything. If we have all the wrappings of a good Christian but are not filled with charity, our lives are empty.  We may be intelligent, a great speaker, and gives away lots of money, but if we lack God's love, we are empty. We could all use some improvement in showing forth more charity in our lives. 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."
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