In the Old Testament I read that Jehoiakim began to reign and he did that which was evil. 2 Kings 23:36-37 "Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Zebudah, the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done."
In the D&C I read that corruption and darkness reign on the earth, which causes eternity to be pained, and destruction awaits the wicked. We need to make sure we repent before that terrible day comes! D&C 38: 11-12 "For all flesh is corrupted before me; and the powers of darkness prevail upon the earth, among the children of men, in the presence of all the hosts of heaven— Which causeth silence to reign, and all eternity is pained, and the angels are waiting the great command to reap down the earth, to gather the tares that they may be burned; and, behold, the enemy is combined."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet remind us of the example of Job and how he showed patience while suffering affliction. Because he endured well, the Lord brought him to a good end and showed tender mercy toward him. When we're going through trials and tribulations in our lives, we likewise need to endure them well and show forth patience--knowing that in the end all will be well with us. James 5: 10-11 "Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy."
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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
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that Josiah died and was buried and his son Jehoahaz reigned in his stead. He did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. 2 Kings 23:30-32 "And his servants carried him in a chariot dead from Megiddo, and brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own sepulchre. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his father's stead. Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done."
In the D&C I read that Jesus Christ created all things and knows all things, and He spilled His blood for us and pleaded before the Father for us. D&C 38: 1-4 "Thus saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, the Great I Am, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the same which looked upon the wide expanse of eternity, and all the seraphic hosts of heaven, before the world was made; The same which knoweth all things, for all things are present before mine eyes; I am the same which spake, and the world was made, and all things came by me. I am the same which have taken the Zion of Enoch into mine own bosom; and verily, I say, even as many as have believed in my name, for I am Christ, and in mine own name, by the virtue of the blood which I have spilt, have I pleaded before the Father for them."
Some verses with a thought booklet talk about the misery that awaits the wanton rich. James 5: 1-5 "Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter."
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In the D&C I read that Jesus Christ created all things and knows all things, and He spilled His blood for us and pleaded before the Father for us. D&C 38: 1-4 "Thus saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, the Great I Am, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the same which looked upon the wide expanse of eternity, and all the seraphic hosts of heaven, before the world was made; The same which knoweth all things, for all things are present before mine eyes; I am the same which spake, and the world was made, and all things came by me. I am the same which have taken the Zion of Enoch into mine own bosom; and verily, I say, even as many as have believed in my name, for I am Christ, and in mine own name, by the virtue of the blood which I have spilt, have I pleaded before the Father for them."
Some verses with a thought booklet talk about the misery that awaits the wanton rich. James 5: 1-5 "Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter."
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Monday, September 28, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that Josiah put away all the wizards, those with familiar spirts, idols, and other abominations, and turned to the Lord with all his heart and soul. 2 Kings 23: 24-25 "Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the Lord. And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him."
In the D&C I read that miracles and signs will be given to those who believe and whatever we ask for in faith will be given to us. D&C 35: 8-10 "For I am God, and mine arm is not shortened; and I will show miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those who believe on my name. And whoso shall ask it in my name in faith, they shall cast out devils; they shall heal the sick; they shall cause the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak, and the lame to walk. And the time speedily cometh that great things are to be shown forth unto the children of men;"
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that we should give thanks to the Father who has delivered us from the power of darkness through the atonement of Jesus Christ. Through His redemption, we can have forgiveness of sins. Col. 1: 12-14 "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"
In the D&C I read that miracles and signs will be given to those who believe and whatever we ask for in faith will be given to us. D&C 35: 8-10 "For I am God, and mine arm is not shortened; and I will show miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those who believe on my name. And whoso shall ask it in my name in faith, they shall cast out devils; they shall heal the sick; they shall cause the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak, and the lame to walk. And the time speedily cometh that great things are to be shown forth unto the children of men;"
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that we should give thanks to the Father who has delivered us from the power of darkness through the atonement of Jesus Christ. Through His redemption, we can have forgiveness of sins. Col. 1: 12-14 "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that Josiah held a solemn passover, as commanded in the book of the covenant. 2 Kings 23: 21 "And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the Lord your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant."
In the D&C I read that Jesus Christ is the light and life of the world and He loved the world so much that He gave His life for all of us, that if we would believe, we could be children of God. D&C 34: 2-3 "The light and the life of the world, a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not; Who so loved the world that he gave his own life, that as many as would believe might become the sons of God. Wherefore you are my son;"
Some verses with a thought booklet gives us a list of things the Lord hates--pride, lies, murder, wicked imaginations, being quick to do mischief, bearing false witness, and sowing dischord. God wants us to have peaceful, loving relationships with other people and this list of things that He hates, interfers with having such harmonious relationships. Prov. 6: 16-19 "These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."
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In the D&C I read that Jesus Christ is the light and life of the world and He loved the world so much that He gave His life for all of us, that if we would believe, we could be children of God. D&C 34: 2-3 "The light and the life of the world, a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not; Who so loved the world that he gave his own life, that as many as would believe might become the sons of God. Wherefore you are my son;"
Some verses with a thought booklet gives us a list of things the Lord hates--pride, lies, murder, wicked imaginations, being quick to do mischief, bearing false witness, and sowing dischord. God wants us to have peaceful, loving relationships with other people and this list of things that He hates, interfers with having such harmonious relationships. Prov. 6: 16-19 "These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."
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Saturday, September 26, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that Josiah took away all the houses of the high places and slew all the priests that had provoked the Lord to anger there. 2 Kings 23:19-20 "And all the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the Lord to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Beth-el. And he slew all the priests of the ahigh places that were there upon the altars, and burned men's bones upon them, and returned to Jerusalem."
A verse in the D&C tells us to be patient in afflictions and not to revile against those who revile against us. D&C 31: 9 "Be apatient in afflictions, revile not against those that revile. Govern your house in meekness, and be steadfast."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that is is the will of God that we give thanks in all things. Sometimes we forget to give thanks to the Lord for all the wonderful things in our lives that we're greateful for. But this verse even goes a step farther than that--we not only need to give thanks for the good things in our lives, but we need to give thanks for ALL things in our lives. Even our trials and problems can help us grow and develop in ways we couldn't have done otherwise and we need to give thanks for them also. Now that's not easy to do! But we've been told that we need to give thanks for all things in our lives, which must include the difficult things as well as the obvious blessings. 1 Thes. 5: 18 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
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A verse in the D&C tells us to be patient in afflictions and not to revile against those who revile against us. D&C 31: 9 "Be apatient in afflictions, revile not against those that revile. Govern your house in meekness, and be steadfast."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that is is the will of God that we give thanks in all things. Sometimes we forget to give thanks to the Lord for all the wonderful things in our lives that we're greateful for. But this verse even goes a step farther than that--we not only need to give thanks for the good things in our lives, but we need to give thanks for ALL things in our lives. Even our trials and problems can help us grow and develop in ways we couldn't have done otherwise and we need to give thanks for them also. Now that's not easy to do! But we've been told that we need to give thanks for all things in our lives, which must include the difficult things as well as the obvious blessings. 1 Thes. 5: 18 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
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Friday, September 25, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that Josiah overturned the worship of false gods and got rid of idolatry and those who practiced it, as well as sodomites. 2 Kings 23:4-7,14-15 "And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the Lord all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Beth-el. And he put down the idolatrous priests , whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven. And he brought out the grove from the house of the Lord, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people. And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were by the house of the Lord, where the women wove hangings for the grove. And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men. Moreover the altar that was at Beth-el, and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he brake down, and burned the high place, and stamped it small to powder, and burned the grove."
The the D&C I read that this life is the day of our probation, the time in which we prove ourselves. If we believe, we'll be raised in immortality unto eternal life, but if we love darkness rather than light and our deeds are evil, we'll receive our wages of whom we list to obey. D&C 29: 43-45 "And thus did I, the Lord God, appoint unto man the days of his probation—that by his natural death he might be raised in immortality unto eternal life, even as many as would believe; And they that believe not unto eternal damnation; for they cannot be redeemed from their spiritual fall, because they repent not; For they love darkness rather than light, and their deeds are evil, and they receive their wages of whom they list to obey."
Some verses with a thought booklet talk about the parable of the sower and how different seeds react when planted in different types of soil--just like the how the gospel is able to thrive and bear fruit when heard by receptive people but is not able to grow when heard by people with hard hearts or who allow the cares of the world to choke out the Word of God. The thought that went with this, written by F. Linn Reed from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania says: "Read please, Momma," my young daughter asked, her brown eyes peeking out from behind an armful of stuffed animals. As I tried to open the book, her menagerie hindered my efforts. First, a big brown bear blocked the words on the page, then a fallen rag doll had to be retrieved from the floor. "read, Momma," Emily said, her small brows furrowed with impatience. Finally, we put a few toys on the floor to "listen." She settled in and we enjoyed the book together. In the parable of the sower, Jesus compares the seed thrown in among weeds with those who hear the word and then are overcome by worries. Just as Emily's bears and dolls got in the way of my reading the book, my own worries often get in the way of me hearing God's Word. Just as Emily was able to hear her story when she set aside her animals, I need to set aside my jmany cares and worries when I open God's Word. By doing so, I can help the seed that is planted to not be chocked but to grow and become fruitful. Heavenly Sower, I set aside my worries for this moment, that I might truly hear your Word. Mark 4: 13-20 "And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred."
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The the D&C I read that this life is the day of our probation, the time in which we prove ourselves. If we believe, we'll be raised in immortality unto eternal life, but if we love darkness rather than light and our deeds are evil, we'll receive our wages of whom we list to obey. D&C 29: 43-45 "And thus did I, the Lord God, appoint unto man the days of his probation—that by his natural death he might be raised in immortality unto eternal life, even as many as would believe; And they that believe not unto eternal damnation; for they cannot be redeemed from their spiritual fall, because they repent not; For they love darkness rather than light, and their deeds are evil, and they receive their wages of whom they list to obey."
Some verses with a thought booklet talk about the parable of the sower and how different seeds react when planted in different types of soil--just like the how the gospel is able to thrive and bear fruit when heard by receptive people but is not able to grow when heard by people with hard hearts or who allow the cares of the world to choke out the Word of God. The thought that went with this, written by F. Linn Reed from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania says: "Read please, Momma," my young daughter asked, her brown eyes peeking out from behind an armful of stuffed animals. As I tried to open the book, her menagerie hindered my efforts. First, a big brown bear blocked the words on the page, then a fallen rag doll had to be retrieved from the floor. "read, Momma," Emily said, her small brows furrowed with impatience. Finally, we put a few toys on the floor to "listen." She settled in and we enjoyed the book together. In the parable of the sower, Jesus compares the seed thrown in among weeds with those who hear the word and then are overcome by worries. Just as Emily's bears and dolls got in the way of my reading the book, my own worries often get in the way of me hearing God's Word. Just as Emily was able to hear her story when she set aside her animals, I need to set aside my jmany cares and worries when I open God's Word. By doing so, I can help the seed that is planted to not be chocked but to grow and become fruitful. Heavenly Sower, I set aside my worries for this moment, that I might truly hear your Word. Mark 4: 13-20 "And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred."
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Thursday, September 24, 2009
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that Josiah read the book of the covenant to the people and covenanted with God to keep His commandments. 2 Kings 23:2-3 "And the king went up into the house of the Lord , and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the Lord. And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant."
In the D&C I read about the terrible destructions that will come upon the wicked when they become fully ripe with their wickedness. The time to repent is now before these terrible punishments come upon us. D&C 29: 9, 15-20 "For the hour is nigh and the day soon at hand when the earth is ripe; and all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, that wickedness shall not be upon the earth; And there shall be weeping and wailing among the hosts of men; And there shall be a great hailstorm sent forth to destroy the crops of the earth. And it shall come to pass, because of the wickedness of the world, that I will take vengeance upon the wicked, for they will not repent; for the cup of mine indignation is full; for behold, my blood shall not cleanse them if they hear me not. Wherefore, I the Lord God will send forth flies upon the face of the earth, which shall take hold of the inhabitants thereof, and shall eat their flesh, and shall cause maggots to come in upon them; And their tongues shall be stayed that they shall not utter against me; and their flesh shall fall from off their bones, and their eyes from their sockets; And it shall come to pass that the beasts of the forest and the fowls of the air shall devour them up.
A verse with a thought booklet reminds us to submit ourselves to God and resist the devil, and he will flee from us. God is more powerful than the devil and as long as we allow God to help us, the devil will have no power over us. James 4: 7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
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In the D&C I read about the terrible destructions that will come upon the wicked when they become fully ripe with their wickedness. The time to repent is now before these terrible punishments come upon us. D&C 29: 9, 15-20 "For the hour is nigh and the day soon at hand when the earth is ripe; and all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, that wickedness shall not be upon the earth; And there shall be weeping and wailing among the hosts of men; And there shall be a great hailstorm sent forth to destroy the crops of the earth. And it shall come to pass, because of the wickedness of the world, that I will take vengeance upon the wicked, for they will not repent; for the cup of mine indignation is full; for behold, my blood shall not cleanse them if they hear me not. Wherefore, I the Lord God will send forth flies upon the face of the earth, which shall take hold of the inhabitants thereof, and shall eat their flesh, and shall cause maggots to come in upon them; And their tongues shall be stayed that they shall not utter against me; and their flesh shall fall from off their bones, and their eyes from their sockets; And it shall come to pass that the beasts of the forest and the fowls of the air shall devour them up.
A verse with a thought booklet reminds us to submit ourselves to God and resist the devil, and he will flee from us. God is more powerful than the devil and as long as we allow God to help us, the devil will have no power over us. James 4: 7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
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