Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that after Alma and his brethren heard the strange prayers of the Zoramites, they were greatly astonished. Every man of the Zoramites got up on the stand and gave the same prayer. After they said these prayers they would go home and never speak of God again until the next week when they'd again come and offer up the same prayers. Their hearts were set on wealth and they were a wicked and perverse people, full of pride, which greatly grieved Alma.   Alma 31:19-25 "Now it came to pass that after Alma and his brethren and his sons had heard these prayers, they were astonished beyond all measure.  For behold, every man did go forth and offer up these same prayers.  Now the place was called by them Rameumptom, which, being interpreted, is the holy stand. Now, from this stand they did offer up, every man, the selfsame prayer unto God, thanking their God that they were chosen of him, and that he did not lead them away after the tradition of their brethren, and that their hearts were not stolen away to believe in things to come, which they knew nothing about.  Now, after the people had all offered up thanks after this manner, they returned to their homes, never speaking of their God again until they had assembled themselves together again to the holy stand, to offer up thanks after their manner.  Now when Alma saw this his heart was grieved; for he saw that they were a wicked and a perverse people; yea, he saw that their hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of fine goods. Yea, and he also saw that their hearts were lifted up unto great boasting, in their pride."

In the New Testament we read about how Jesus stilled the raging storm.  Then He asked His disciples why they were frightened.  Didn't they have faith yet?  We sometimes go through storms in life--problems and troubles that shake up our lives.  But if we'll look to our Savior in faith, He can calm those storms, or help us get through them.  Let's never lose faith in Him.  Mark 4:35-41 "And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.  And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.  And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.  And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?  And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that we reap what we sow.  We should give to others, not grudgingly, but being cheerful givers.  God has the power to provide fr us everything we need.  His righteousness remains forever. Think of someone who has a fruit tree overflowing with fruit.  They pick ripe fruit in the morning and by afternoon there is more ripe fruit to be harvested.  There is more than the person can possibly eat, so they share it with family and friends and many can enjoy it. This is like all our God given gifts.  When our lives overflow with blessings, we can share them to bless the lives of others. Are there items in our cupboards or closets that could help someone else? Do we have time to spare to help someone else?  Do we have talents that could be used to benefit someone? Just like fruit on a tree, blessings not shared can become sour and useless.  2 Corinthians 9:6-9 "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever."