Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 3:15

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 3:15
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"

This reminds me of the other day while I was sitting in the Emergency Room with someone in a lot of pain. They were bemoaning all the terrible things that had happened to them lately, and said they just wanted it to stop. Couldn't they just get a break. I told them, "No you can't, and it won't stop, because this is what life is all about." Each trial makes you stronger and you learn from them. You develop a resilience you would never have otherwise. Then I pointed out some of the blessings I had seen happening to them lately as they went through these trials. How they were a stronger person and in a better place because of them. It turned the conversation around and we counted blessings and reasons for hope and good things out of the bad. As they were preparing to leave the hospital they were grateful for the nice crutches I had brought with me, because I knew from experience they would need them. As I helped them settle into bed at their home they were grateful for the large ice packs with the nice wrapper I had also brought along. They knew I had been on their journey before and because of that I could in turn help them. One day when they are strong they will help others with what they have learned. For now, they knew they were a strong person that can do hard things.

Though they have turned their back on God and I could not share all that I would have wished. Helping them see and recognize blessings in their life helps to open the door to who put them there.

Day 3313

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 2:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 2:9-10
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy."

This made me want to go back and find President Nelson's talk where he explained what it meant to be a peculiar people. I thought it more recent than 1995, but couldn't find one after that.

"Peter used uplifting terms in a prophecy regarding our day. He identified members of the Church as “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.” The adjectives chosen, royal, and holy we recognize as elevating. But what about peculiar? A modern dictionary defines peculiar as “unusual,” “eccentric,” or “strange.” What kind of compliment is that?
But the term peculiar as used in the scriptures is quite different. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew term from which peculiar was translated is segullah, which means “valued property,” or “treasure.” In the New Testament, the Greek term from which peculiar was translated is peripoiesis, which means “possession,” or “an obtaining.”
Thus, we see that the scriptural term peculiar signifies “valued treasure,” “made” or “selected by God.” For us to be identified by servants of the Lord as his peculiar people is a compliment of the highest order..
(Russell M. Nelson, “Children of the Covenant" Apr 1995 General Conference)

"Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:"
(Exodus 19:5)

"For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth."
(Deuteronomy 14:2)

Day 3312

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 1:7

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Peter 1:7
"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:"

Trials are a part of life and necessary for us to learn and grow. We can chose to grow and become resilient or attempt to run away from them. The same is true with faith. It is meant to be tried and tested. We can either grow closer to the Lord or turn and run from him. It's the running part which never works to our good, for trials will never cease. We only succeed in removing the very help needed, placing ourselves in greater emotional, physical or spiritual danger. When we chose to grow great blessings follow.

"These fiery trials are designed to make you stronger, but they have the potential to diminish or even destroy your trust in the Son of God and to weaken your resolve to keep your promises to Him. These trials are often camouflaged, making them difficult to identify. They take root in our weaknesses, our vulnerabilities, our sensitivities, or in those things that matter most to us. A real but manageable test for one can be a fiery trial for another.
How do you remain “steadfast and immovable” during a trial of faith? You immerse yourself in the very things that helped build your core of faith: you exercise faith in Christ, you pray, you ponder the scriptures, you repent, you keep the commandments, and you serve others.
When faced with a trial of faith—whatever you do, you don’t step away from the Church! Distancing yourself from the kingdom of God during a trial of faith is like leaving the safety of a secure storm cellar just as the tornado comes into view."
(Neil L. Andersen, "Trial of Your Faith", Oct 2012 General Conference)

Day 3311

Today's Favorite Verse: James 5:16

Today's Favorite Verse: James 5:16
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

This made me think of when I see friends request prayers online. If I see it and say that I will pray I really do. I stop right then and say a prayer just for them. There was a time I would say I would and then I would go on my way and forget to do it. That is why now I make sure I really do.

Day 3310