Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:3

Today's favorite verse: 1 Corinthians 13:3

"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."

This is the beautiful chapter on charity. As I pondered it I was prompted to look up the definition of charity as the world views it. The world would see giving to the poor as charity, but Paul is telling us there is more to it. I realized each element was import to understand and I needed some type of list to keep them in mind. So I wrote one up and added some words so I can understand it better. I posted one on my computer room wall, and another in our bathroom sign holder, so the family can read.

Charity

Suffereth long (has patience)

Kind

Envieth not (happy for others)

Vaunteth not itself (is humble)

Not puffed up (not prideful)

Doth not behave unseemly 

Seeketh not her own (no prejudice)

Not easily provoked (holds their tongue)

Thinketh no evil (is pure minded, no guile)

Rejoiceth not in iniquity (seeks righteousness)

Rejoiceth in all things

Beareth all things

Believeth all things

Hopeth all things

Endureth all things

I know there is a word for "Doth not behave unseemly" and I couldn't think of it. I was thinking along the lines of acting not only in an appropriate manner, but there is an internal compass that guides their actions. Maybe temperate, showing moderation or self-restraint. So my list needs work. I thought about how the world likes to twist the true meaning of words. I want to make sure I get back to the true definition of charity. There is so much more for me to ponder on this chapter. I think its going to be a life-long pursuit.

Day 64 Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:27

Today's favorite verse: 1 Corinthians 12:27

"Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."

In this chapter I always looked at the all the wonderful spiritual gifts a person can possess. But, I noticed something different this time. Paul talks about our bodies and how there is a need to have all our members or parts. The foot can't say because it's not a hand that it doesn't belong to the body. Because your ear is not your eye doesn't mean it doesn't belong to the body. Otherwise how could you hear?

Paul then goes on to speak about the various callings in the Church. How there is a need for apostles, prophets, teachers, etc. Just because one is not the other doesn't mean it doesn't belong. It takes all parts or all members to make a whole body.

I pondered on how unique all of us are. What important roles we all play. How diverse our talents, gifts and abilities are that we bring to the table. If we did not have this diversity we would not become all we could be. What is my role? Have I played it well? Have I complained at times God made me a foot when I wanted to be an ear? I need to take another look at what I am and how it was meant to be used. I'm not any lessor because I am different. Neither is my brother. 

Day 63 Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 11:24, 28

Today's favorite verse: 1 Corinthians 11:24, 28

"And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup."

The sacrament has become a sacred special time to me as I remember my Savior and examine my life before him.  It wasn't always so. My mind would wander over my to-do lists, and random things. Then I read an article that left an impression on me. It made me realize that out of the whole week I was just asked to sit and only think of my relationship with the Savior for 10 minutes and how I wasn't even doing that. On the outside I may look like I'm doing that, but inside I wasn't. I have changed my ways and it is a beautiful time. 

Sometimes I can spend the whole time just thinking of all the beautiful words the Savior has been described in the scriptures. I will picture myself at his feet and calling him all those things. I understand how you could bath his feet with your tears. There is a special warmth that surrounds you and I could stay forever there. I have to catch myself so I don't weep out loud, so I will need to change my thoughts. I will report on my week. Look for ways that I served him and how good that felt, and look at where I need to grow. I will ask forgiveness for the mistakes I have made. I take the time to become clean. It is the best part of the week for me. Sacrament is as sacred as the temple to me. It's truly a time to worship.

Day 62 Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:23

Today's favorite verse: 1 Corinthians 10:23

"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not."

This chapter had some really good verses to quote. I finally picked this one because it seems to be talking about something I am dealing with right now. I think I'm getting better at telling which things are lawful for me to do. I think I am picking up on when things are expedient. I have seen miracles in my life where its important to do specific things by a deadline, that are expedient. When I turn to the Lord he guides me in the proper order to do things and they are done in an amazing amount of time. 

Sometimes things are not expedient, and time is just mine own. What am I filling up my time with? Are my activities the best choices for my time? Just because its lawful doesn't mean I should do it? Is what I'm doing appearing to be good on the outside but of no value to me or others on the inside? Does it edify?

Making sure things edify is a new standard for me. Otherwise I am just wasting my time. Time on this earth is so precious and I need to make the most of it. I think I will be a much better servant to the Lord if I seek those things that edify. To edify my soul will keep me closer to the spirit, in turn I can help edify others. If the Lord will help me get expedient things done, and his miracles are revealed, then what lies in store for me if I pray for help in doing that which edifies? This will be an exciting new adventure.

Day 61 Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 9:23

Today's favorite verse: 1 Corinthians 9:23

"And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you."

Paul speaks about why he serves, why he is sharing the gospel with others. This verse made me ponder on a change I've seen in myself, but I'm not sure if I can word it right. I used to do good things in the hope that one day the Lord seeing me in a crowd would say "Come, you are the faithful one." I wanted to stand out to him, be better than all those around me. Now I see that to worship him I need to bring all those others around me with me. I want to sing praises to the Lord with a innumerable choir of angels. The more that bow down and worship Him will give the most honor to Him. This is how I honor what He has done for me and serve Him. This earth journey was never meant for just me to make it back.

Day 60 Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 8:6

Today's favorite verse: 1 Corinthians 8:6

"But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him."

I love seeing scriptures in the old and new testaments that confirm what Joseph Smith saw in the sacred grove. God the Father, and his son Jesus Christ. Two distinct individuals. One in purpose, with the Son doing the will of the Father. I pondered on how this knowledge was lost from the world even though its right in the scriptures to read. 

Day 59: Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 7:12, 15

Today's favorite verse: 1 Corinthians 7:12, 15

"But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.

But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace."

There are two points that stood out to me in these verses. First, Paul is talking of himself, it is his council, not the Lords. This reminds me of the importance of living prophets. This was sound wisdom in Paul's time, it could also apply to today. The important thing is to understand what the living prophets are counseling for our times. 

These verses also made me think of my dear husband, William Zamora. He was married at the time he joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His wife did not join and was upset that he did so. One day he came home from work and found the windows and doors left wide open. Everything was gone but a pile of his stuff. She had left and taken everything else. 

We are to have peace with our spouses and not leave them for their unbelief. But, I am ever so glad she left him. He was meant for me and I love him with all my heart. She probably had no idea she left him with the greatest gift, the freedom to come find me.

Day 58: Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Today's favorite verse: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

"What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

Whenever I read these verses I always feel really bad that I'm fat. I don't have a pretty body. So I sat and pondered on that. I even got to the point that I giggled, some temples are small and some are really big. I'm just a really big temple. Then I asked myself if I met the Lord what would he be looking at? Surely its not my size, its my heart. Did I treat my body in a manner that the Holy Ghost could dwell there? I know the answer is yes. 

Then I thought of Al Fox Carraway the "Tattooed Mormon" and my eyes were opened. We may have damaged our bodies, but what really matters is if we would continue to do so today. The Lord loves us for who we are today and not for how we behaved in our past. Some choices have consequences we carry for a lifetime. None of us are denied if we come to Christ. If we cleanse the inner vessel and allow the Holy Ghost to reside there we are accepted.

Day 57: Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 5:4-5

Today's favorite verse: 1 Corinthians 5:4-5

"In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

To deliver such as one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."

This chapter is only 13 verses long but I spent a lot of time pondering on it. I could not wrap my head around what was being said. We are told to cast out the sinner from our mist to not fellowship him. I kept thinking about how the Savior went to the homes of those considered sinners and ate meals with them. How he was there to heal them. How can you heal those that have sinned if you shun them? I could not reconcile what I was being told. 

Then these verses put it into its proper light. It is when we are called together in the name of the Lord that those that are unrepented are not to partake. They need to stand back and be part of the world that they belong. There are sacred things that we do in the name of the Lord. That is only when they cannot participate. That is why when we are unworthy we do not take part in the sacrament or things of the temple. The Savior did neither of these with those unworthy. We cannot receive further light and knowledge when we allow those unworthy to partake of holy things. Are we not guilty of treating sacred things lightly and mocking when we do so. Doing this will cause the spirit to flee. 

Day 56: Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 4:3-4

Today's favorite verse: 1 Corinthians 4:3-4

"But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgement: yea, I judge not mine own self.

For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord."

I pondered this morning over the change I have seen in myself over people judging me. I used to be so quick to be offended. So angry and determined to set them straight. I would point my finger back at them and tell them of their own mistakes. I don't really know why I have changed but I have. Maybe I have just accepted I have faults and so do others. We are all trying based on the knowledge that we have. I can only control how I feel. The only person's opinion that matters to me is the Lord. I know I can never look on a person's heart as He can. I will leave the matter into His care. He is much more forgiving that I naturally am. I just need to learn to love, forgive and move on.

Day 55: Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 3:2

Today's favorite verse: 1 Corinthians 3:2

"I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are you able."

This quote reminded me years ago of a man who complained to me at church, that he was so tired of being feed milk and never the meat in Sunday School. He wanted to go deep into the mysteries. That comment made me really sad. 

I have learned over the years that the scriptures and gospel principles are in layers. What one person reads and thinks has no meat and is of no importance, just doesn't realize what lay beneath it. You can find meat below the milk if you just search for it. When you are ready it will finally be revealed to you. Nobody says you can't go home from church and study that lesson a little deeper if your soul wasn't satisfied. In fact I think that's what your suppose to do.

Day 54: Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 2:10

Today's favorite verse: 1 Corinthians 2:10

"But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."

This verse reminded me of an experience I had a couple weeks ago. In the middle of the night I was woken up hearing the word "Broken" clearly spoken to my mind. The though immediately came to me that when a horse is broken it becomes tamed. I knew it was an answer to a little gospel question I had pondered off an on. How does one have a broken heart and a contrite spirit? Now I knew that to be broken meant to become tamed. I pictured then a beautiful horse with a rider galloping in unison together. The rider taking the reins was the Savior and he guided that horse where it needed to go. It could even go into battle and avoid all the traps that lay ahead of them. 

I understood then that to be tamed meant I let the Savior have control of the reins. That my life would be beautiful no matter what lies ahead of me. He would always be with me. I had much to ponder on how horses are broken, and what better service they can render when they are tamed. It was a beautiful personal parable. 

Maybe to others that is such a simple thing, but to me it had deep meaning. My spirit yearned to understand the things of God. I wasn't obsessed over wanting to understand it, I just knew some day when I was ready it would come. God works in his own way. Even if the answer comes in the middle of the night with a single word. 

Day 53: Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:18

Today's favorite verse: 1 Corinthians 1:18

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."

I pondered today on the times I have been treated as foolish for my love of my Savior and sharing his word. If only the foolish could see my heart. If only I had the power to share it with them. Then they would know that God lives and Jesus is the Christ.

Day 52: Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 16:17-18

Today's favorite verse: Romans 16:17-18

"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."

To mark means to watch and beware of. Even inside of Christ's church there were those that had their own agenda. That wanted to change the doctrine to their own philosophies and gave great speeches that deceived.

I have seen that very thing in my day. What sadness it brings me. They know not who inspires them. I pondered on how I need to be ever careful. How wise it is to know what the prophets have said on certain matters. There is great danger when you think you are wiser than a prophet or the counsel of the Lord. I need to treasure the prophets teachings so I am not deceived. What would be even worse is to be the one that deceives others. I pray I never do that.

Day 51: Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse - Romans 15:1

Today's favorite verse: Romans 15:1

"We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves."

Last night before going to bed my niece posted this video on Facebook. I had watched it several days before. But, what was more important was her reflections on my mother. My mother gave so much to others. She was always there serving and doing what was needed. She was an amazing women. I also saw the human side of her. She would sometimes grumble at first when asked to do something. Not to the person in need just alone between ourselves. Yet, she never said no. She always did for others regardless of how inconvenient it was for her. 

This verse made me ponder on how service is. We are not there to please ourselves. Being asked to serve never comes at convenient times. Sometimes we are asked to do hard things, even greater that we feel we are physically capable of. Yet, we answer the call when the need is there. We do it humbly without any praise. We do it because we love God more than ourselves. We do it because we love our fellow man. When we pray for the strength to serve we are made strong to bear up those in need.

Day 50: Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 14:20

Today's favorite verse: Romans 14:20

"For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence."

This verse testified to me how the scriptures contain the answers for today. It made me think of the issue we face with freedom of speech. With it you have the right to say what you want, even draw what you want, but this verse show us it is still evil to do so with the intent to offend someone else. We need to be respectful and kind to each others beliefs.

Day 49: Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 13:11

Today's favorite verse: Romans 13:11

"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed."

It seems like time has been speeding up and 10 years goes by so fast its gone before you know it. I don't know when the Lord will come but I know the time is getting nearer. It's coming faster. I told my son last night I feel like someone just started to opened a door and something is beginning to happen. I feel like I'm starting to hold my breath, but totally peaceful and calm about it, with no panic that I will run out of air.

I have been pondered of late how other people are preparing for these last days. I have no desire to study their interpretations on how events will unfold. In fact I am feeling it more and more that there can be harm in doing so. The spirit speaks in a still small voice. If I prayerfully read the scriptures I will understand them as the time is right. 

As His prophesies are fulfilled the spirit will call up a remembrance of what I have read. With that knowledge I believe further light and knowledge that is needful will be given to me. I need to be as clean and faithful as I possible can. I need to give up my secret sins and lay them all on the alter. Only then will I be protected. There are worse things in life than starving to death. What I need to prepare is my soul.

Day 48: Tami Fitzgerald Harris