In the Old Testament I read that Jehu died and his son Jehoahaz reigned in his stead. 2 Kgs. 10: 35 "And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead."
In the Book of Mormon I read that the remission of sins brings meekness of heart, which brings the Holy Ghost, or Comforter into our lives. This fills us with hope and love. Moro. 8: 26 "And the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with God."
Some verses from a thought booklet tell us that all things are possible if we have faith. The father of a sick boy who came to Jesus to have his son healed expressed belief and asked Jesus to help his unbelief. If we can show forth enough faith to ask God to increase our faith and help our unbelief, we've taken some steps in the right direction. Mark 9: 23-24 " Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."
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And it shall come to pass in the last days,when the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains....The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read how the Lord commended Jehu for doing well, but Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord with all his heart. He didn't depart from the sins of Jeroboam, who made Israel to sin. 2 Kgs. 10: 30-31 "And the Lord said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel. But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin."
In the Book of Mormon I read about charity--the pure love of Christ. It is kind, doesn't think evil, is not easily provoked, and endures all things and never fails. Charity is the greatest of all and if we don't have it, we are nothing. And how do we get charity? The answer is given in these verses. We are to pray unto the Father with all the energy of our heart that we'll be filled with this love. It is a neccessary ingredient to become true followers of Jesus Christ and to become pure like He is pure. If we have charity, it will be well with us at the last day. Moro. 7: 45-48 "And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked , thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail— But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen."
Some verses with a thought booklet ask us what we'll give in exchange for our souls, and point out that if we lose our souls, even gaining the whole world will not make up for it. Jesus then says that if we're ashamed of Him, even amidst a wicked world, He'll be ashamed of us at the last day. To truly be disciples of Christ we need to follow Him at all costs, and no matter what anybody else thinks. Mark 8: 35-38 "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
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In the Book of Mormon I read about charity--the pure love of Christ. It is kind, doesn't think evil, is not easily provoked, and endures all things and never fails. Charity is the greatest of all and if we don't have it, we are nothing. And how do we get charity? The answer is given in these verses. We are to pray unto the Father with all the energy of our heart that we'll be filled with this love. It is a neccessary ingredient to become true followers of Jesus Christ and to become pure like He is pure. If we have charity, it will be well with us at the last day. Moro. 7: 45-48 "And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked , thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail— But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen."
Some verses with a thought booklet ask us what we'll give in exchange for our souls, and point out that if we lose our souls, even gaining the whole world will not make up for it. Jesus then says that if we're ashamed of Him, even amidst a wicked world, He'll be ashamed of us at the last day. To truly be disciples of Christ we need to follow Him at all costs, and no matter what anybody else thinks. Mark 8: 35-38 "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
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Saturday, August 29, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about how Jehu gather together all the worshippers of Baal and had them slain, destroying Baal out of Israel. 2 Kgs. 10: 18-28 "And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much. Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal. And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it. And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another. And he said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments. And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the Lord, but the worshippers of Baal only. And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him. And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal. And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them. And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day. Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel."
In the Book of Mormon I read that we can be judged by our works. If we're good we'll do good things and if we're evil we'll do evil. We need to do good works for the right reaons and our hearts need to be in it. It's easy to judge good from evil. The devil will invite and entice us to do evil and will fight against God continually. But whatever invites and entices us to do good is of God and inspired by God. We need to be careful that we don't judge good to be evil or evil to be good. Moro. 7: 5-19 "For I remember the word of God which saith by their works ye shall know them; for if their works be good, then they are good also. For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing. For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness. For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God. And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such. Wherefore, a man being evil cannot do that which is good; neither will he give a good gift. For behold, a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water; neither can a good fountain bring forth bitter water; wherefore, a man being a servant of the devil cannot follow Christ; and if he bfollow Christ he cannot be a servant of the devil. Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to csin, and to do that which is evil continually. But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do agood continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil. For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge , that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night. For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil , and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him. And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged. Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell about how Elijah is fed by ravens. The thought that went with this, written by Kathryn Page Camp from Munster, Indiana, says: When we think of ravens, we think of trouble and death. We watch them circle around the carcass of a dead animal, or we read Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven" and get shivers up our spines. Yet today's Bible reading shows God using ravens in quite a different way. These ravens did not bring trouble or death, as we might expect. Instead, God used them to feed Elijah, giving him comfort and keeping him alive. God also uses our sufferings in ways we don't expect. We would do almost anything to avoid suffering, yet the Bible tells us that suffering makes us stronger and gives us hope. We may not welcome trouble, but God wants us to accept it when it comes and to learn from it. God took care of Elijah, and God will take care of us. So the next time trouble comes our way, we can rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that those sufferings will teach us endurance and give us character and hope. God of hope, thank you for taking care of us when we suffer. Please use those sufferings to make us better Christians. 1 Kgs. 17: 1-6 "And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook."
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In the Book of Mormon I read that we can be judged by our works. If we're good we'll do good things and if we're evil we'll do evil. We need to do good works for the right reaons and our hearts need to be in it. It's easy to judge good from evil. The devil will invite and entice us to do evil and will fight against God continually. But whatever invites and entices us to do good is of God and inspired by God. We need to be careful that we don't judge good to be evil or evil to be good. Moro. 7: 5-19 "For I remember the word of God which saith by their works ye shall know them; for if their works be good, then they are good also. For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing. For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness. For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God. And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such. Wherefore, a man being evil cannot do that which is good; neither will he give a good gift. For behold, a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water; neither can a good fountain bring forth bitter water; wherefore, a man being a servant of the devil cannot follow Christ; and if he bfollow Christ he cannot be a servant of the devil. Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to csin, and to do that which is evil continually. But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do agood continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil. For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge , that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night. For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil , and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him. And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged. Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell about how Elijah is fed by ravens. The thought that went with this, written by Kathryn Page Camp from Munster, Indiana, says: When we think of ravens, we think of trouble and death. We watch them circle around the carcass of a dead animal, or we read Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven" and get shivers up our spines. Yet today's Bible reading shows God using ravens in quite a different way. These ravens did not bring trouble or death, as we might expect. Instead, God used them to feed Elijah, giving him comfort and keeping him alive. God also uses our sufferings in ways we don't expect. We would do almost anything to avoid suffering, yet the Bible tells us that suffering makes us stronger and gives us hope. We may not welcome trouble, but God wants us to accept it when it comes and to learn from it. God took care of Elijah, and God will take care of us. So the next time trouble comes our way, we can rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that those sufferings will teach us endurance and give us character and hope. God of hope, thank you for taking care of us when we suffer. Please use those sufferings to make us better Christians. 1 Kgs. 17: 1-6 "And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook."
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Friday, August 28, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that Jehu slew all the house of Ahab in Jezreel. All the words which the Lord spoke concerning the house of Ahab to Elijah were fulfilled. 2 Kgs. 10:10-11 "Know now that there shall fall unto the earth nothing of the word of the Lord, which the Lord spake concerning the house of Ahab: for the Lord hath done that which he spake by his servant Elijah. So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining."
In the Book of Mormon, Moroni recounts the sacramental prayer on the bread, which reminds us of the covenants we make each week when we take the sacrament. We covenants that we're willing to take upon us the name of Christ, always remember Him, and keep His commandments. In return, Heavenly Father promises us that we'll always have His Spirit to be with us. Moro. 4: 3 "O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us to walk in wisdom and let our speech be always with grace, that we'll know how to answer every man. I think we need to the Lord's help in knowing the right things to say at the right time. Just like a stray kitten will keep coming back if we feed him, so will others keep coming back to us if we feed them spiritual food that nourishes them. Col. 4: 5-6 "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."
In the Book of Mormon, Moroni recounts the sacramental prayer on the bread, which reminds us of the covenants we make each week when we take the sacrament. We covenants that we're willing to take upon us the name of Christ, always remember Him, and keep His commandments. In return, Heavenly Father promises us that we'll always have His Spirit to be with us. Moro. 4: 3 "O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us to walk in wisdom and let our speech be always with grace, that we'll know how to answer every man. I think we need to the Lord's help in knowing the right things to say at the right time. Just like a stray kitten will keep coming back if we feed him, so will others keep coming back to us if we feed them spiritual food that nourishes them. Col. 4: 5-6 "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Daily Thoughts (Disregard The Other One)
Oops! I write these well in advance and accidentally sent out the one I wrote today (for November 5) so please disregard it (for now). This is the one meant for today.
In the Old Testament I read that the seventy sons of Ahab were slain, and their heads were put in baskets and sent to Jezreel. 2 Kgs. 10: 7 "And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent him them to Jezreel."
In the Book of Mormon I read about the sad state of the people who had hardened their hearts to the point that the Spirit of the Lord had ceased striving with them and Satan had full power over them. They were ripe for destruction, sleeping with their swords by night and battling by day, being drunken with their anger. Ether 15: 19-22 "But behold, the Spirit of the Lord had ceased striving with them, and Satan had full power over the hearts of the people; for they were given up unto the hardness of their hearts, and the blindness of their minds that they might be destroyed; wherefore they went again to battle. And it came to pass that they fought all that day, and when the night came they slept upon their swords. And on the morrow they fought even until the night came. And when the night came they were drunken with anger, even as a man who is drunken with wine; and they slept again upon their swords."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that if we walk in integrity we'll walk security, but whoever walks perversely will be found out. Having a clean conscience makes life so much easier and better! You don't have to be watching over your shoulder all the time, wondering who's going to find out your dark secrets. The thought that went with this, written by Faith Keller from Glen Carbon, Illinois, says: When driving your car, do you slow down when you see a police car parked on the side of the road? Do you take a furtive glance at your neighbor's test paper to try to find that elusive answer? Do you flirt with a coworker and hope your spouse won't find out? When the cashier gives you too much change, do you give it back? What do you do with that valuable item you find in a public place? O, how many ways we find to take "crooked paths"! Solomon reminds us that our lives will be more secure if we practice integrity. We don't fear being stopped by a police officer if we have done nothing wrong. No secret indiscretions will be discovered if we have practiced uncompromising honesty and faithfulness. Ask the Lord to reveal any "crooked ways" in your own life, and determine today to walk in the security of integrity. Lord, you desire your people to live honest and upright lives. Please show me where I fail you, and give me the desire and the strength to change these things in my life, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Prov. 10: 9 "He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known."
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In the Old Testament I read that the seventy sons of Ahab were slain, and their heads were put in baskets and sent to Jezreel. 2 Kgs. 10: 7 "And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent him them to Jezreel."
In the Book of Mormon I read about the sad state of the people who had hardened their hearts to the point that the Spirit of the Lord had ceased striving with them and Satan had full power over them. They were ripe for destruction, sleeping with their swords by night and battling by day, being drunken with their anger. Ether 15: 19-22 "But behold, the Spirit of the Lord had ceased striving with them, and Satan had full power over the hearts of the people; for they were given up unto the hardness of their hearts, and the blindness of their minds that they might be destroyed; wherefore they went again to battle. And it came to pass that they fought all that day, and when the night came they slept upon their swords. And on the morrow they fought even until the night came. And when the night came they were drunken with anger, even as a man who is drunken with wine; and they slept again upon their swords."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that if we walk in integrity we'll walk security, but whoever walks perversely will be found out. Having a clean conscience makes life so much easier and better! You don't have to be watching over your shoulder all the time, wondering who's going to find out your dark secrets. The thought that went with this, written by Faith Keller from Glen Carbon, Illinois, says: When driving your car, do you slow down when you see a police car parked on the side of the road? Do you take a furtive glance at your neighbor's test paper to try to find that elusive answer? Do you flirt with a coworker and hope your spouse won't find out? When the cashier gives you too much change, do you give it back? What do you do with that valuable item you find in a public place? O, how many ways we find to take "crooked paths"! Solomon reminds us that our lives will be more secure if we practice integrity. We don't fear being stopped by a police officer if we have done nothing wrong. No secret indiscretions will be discovered if we have practiced uncompromising honesty and faithfulness. Ask the Lord to reveal any "crooked ways" in your own life, and determine today to walk in the security of integrity. Lord, you desire your people to live honest and upright lives. Please show me where I fail you, and give me the desire and the strength to change these things in my life, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Prov. 10: 9 "He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known."
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Daily Thoughts
November 5
In the Old Testament I read that the Queen of Sheba came to visit Solomon, bringing him gold and precious things. She had heard of his great wisdom and wanted to see for herself. But she found that his wisdom exceeding even what she had been told. 2 Chr. 9: 1-9 "And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. And Solomon told her all her questions: and there was nothing hid from Solomon which he told her not. And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built, And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the Lord; there was no more spirit in her. And she said to the king, It was a true report which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom:6 Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard. Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom. Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for the Lord thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice. And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices great abundance, and precious stones: neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave king Solomon."
In the D&C we're told to each labor in our own callings. We all have things to do and contribute and we're all important, just like each member of the body is important and necessary. We can all work together to edify each other. D&C 84: 109-110 "Therefore, let every man stand in his own office, and labor in his own calling; and let not the head say unto the feet it hath no need of the feet; for without the feet how shall the body be able to stand? Also the body hath need of every member, that all may be edified together, that the system may be kept perfect."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet admonish husbands and wives to love one another. Eph. 5: 25, 28, 33 "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband."
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In the Old Testament I read that the Queen of Sheba came to visit Solomon, bringing him gold and precious things. She had heard of his great wisdom and wanted to see for herself. But she found that his wisdom exceeding even what she had been told. 2 Chr. 9: 1-9 "And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. And Solomon told her all her questions: and there was nothing hid from Solomon which he told her not. And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built, And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the Lord; there was no more spirit in her. And she said to the king, It was a true report which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom:6 Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard. Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom. Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for the Lord thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice. And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices great abundance, and precious stones: neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave king Solomon."
In the D&C we're told to each labor in our own callings. We all have things to do and contribute and we're all important, just like each member of the body is important and necessary. We can all work together to edify each other. D&C 84: 109-110 "Therefore, let every man stand in his own office, and labor in his own calling; and let not the head say unto the feet it hath no need of the feet; for without the feet how shall the body be able to stand? Also the body hath need of every member, that all may be edified together, that the system may be kept perfect."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet admonish husbands and wives to love one another. Eph. 5: 25, 28, 33 "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband."
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Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about the death of Jezebel and how she was eaten by dogs so that there wasn't enough left of her to bury. This was just as the prophet Elijah had prophesied. 2 Kgs. 9: 30-37 "And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window. And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master? And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs. And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot. And when he was come in, he did eat and drink, and said, Go, see now this cursed woman, and bury her: for she is a king's daughter. And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands. Wherefore they came again, and told him. And he said, This is the word of the Lord, which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel: And the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel."
In the Book of Mormon I read about the great wars and bloodshed across the land. So speedy was the destruction of so many people there weren't enough people left to bury the dead and the scent was terrible. It's hard to even imagine such a horrible scene! Ether 14: 21-23 "And so great and lasting had been the war, and so long had been the scene of bloodshed and carnage, that the whole face of the land was covered with the bodies of the dead. And so swift and speedy was the war that there was none left to bury the dead, but they did march forth from the shedding of blood to the shedding of blood, leaving the bodies of both men, women, and children strewed upon the face of the land, to become a prey to the worms of the flesh. And the scent thereof went forth upon the face of the land, even upon all the face of the land; wherefore the people became troubled by day and by night, because of the scent thereof."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell the story of Jairus coming to Jesus and asking Him to come heal his daughter who is dying. Along the way a woman who has been ill for many years comes and touches Jesus' garment and is healed. Jesus takes time to find out who touched His garment and then a messenger from Jairus' house comes and announces his daughter has died. However, Jesus continues on to the house and raises Jairus' daughter from the dead. The thought that went with this, written by Rev. R. Scott Greenway from Caledonia, Michigan says: In an emergency room, if a doctor treats a patient with a nosebleed while another patient with a heart attack goes unattended and dies, that doctor is in trouble. If a police officer chases someone for speeding but ignores a bank robbery, that officer could face discipline. Some situations call for immediate attention, while others can wait. Yet in our story today Jesus seems to delay an urgent case to deal with a less important one. Jesus was approached by a man named Jairus, whose daughter was at the point of death. He pleaded with Jesus to come immediately to his house and heal her. Along the way, a serious--but less urgent--situation arose. A woman who had been sick for 12 years touched Jesus and was healed. He stopped and asked, "Who touched me?" At first no one responded. But then the woman, trembling wit fear, told what had happened. Then while Jesus was still speaking to the woman, word came that Jairus' daughter had died. Jairus must have had feelings of anguish, confusion, and perhaps anger. Why had Jesus let that woman delay him? Can you relate to this? Maybe you have waited for Jesus to help you, but it seemed never to happen. Remember: Jesus is never late. He is always on time--but it's always in His time, and His timing is best. Jesus raised Jairus' daughter to life--to the glory of God. Lord, give me faith and patience when I am tested to tears and perhaps even anguish. Help me to know that your timing is best--and God will be glorified. Mark 5: 21-43 "And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, aarise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat."
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In the Book of Mormon I read about the great wars and bloodshed across the land. So speedy was the destruction of so many people there weren't enough people left to bury the dead and the scent was terrible. It's hard to even imagine such a horrible scene! Ether 14: 21-23 "And so great and lasting had been the war, and so long had been the scene of bloodshed and carnage, that the whole face of the land was covered with the bodies of the dead. And so swift and speedy was the war that there was none left to bury the dead, but they did march forth from the shedding of blood to the shedding of blood, leaving the bodies of both men, women, and children strewed upon the face of the land, to become a prey to the worms of the flesh. And the scent thereof went forth upon the face of the land, even upon all the face of the land; wherefore the people became troubled by day and by night, because of the scent thereof."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell the story of Jairus coming to Jesus and asking Him to come heal his daughter who is dying. Along the way a woman who has been ill for many years comes and touches Jesus' garment and is healed. Jesus takes time to find out who touched His garment and then a messenger from Jairus' house comes and announces his daughter has died. However, Jesus continues on to the house and raises Jairus' daughter from the dead. The thought that went with this, written by Rev. R. Scott Greenway from Caledonia, Michigan says: In an emergency room, if a doctor treats a patient with a nosebleed while another patient with a heart attack goes unattended and dies, that doctor is in trouble. If a police officer chases someone for speeding but ignores a bank robbery, that officer could face discipline. Some situations call for immediate attention, while others can wait. Yet in our story today Jesus seems to delay an urgent case to deal with a less important one. Jesus was approached by a man named Jairus, whose daughter was at the point of death. He pleaded with Jesus to come immediately to his house and heal her. Along the way, a serious--but less urgent--situation arose. A woman who had been sick for 12 years touched Jesus and was healed. He stopped and asked, "Who touched me?" At first no one responded. But then the woman, trembling wit fear, told what had happened. Then while Jesus was still speaking to the woman, word came that Jairus' daughter had died. Jairus must have had feelings of anguish, confusion, and perhaps anger. Why had Jesus let that woman delay him? Can you relate to this? Maybe you have waited for Jesus to help you, but it seemed never to happen. Remember: Jesus is never late. He is always on time--but it's always in His time, and His timing is best. Jesus raised Jairus' daughter to life--to the glory of God. Lord, give me faith and patience when I am tested to tears and perhaps even anguish. Help me to know that your timing is best--and God will be glorified. Mark 5: 21-43 "And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, aarise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat."
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