Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 1:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Romans 1:11
"For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;"

I pondered on the times I have seen and listened to a prophet and apostle of God in person. How the spirit would testify of the truthfulness of their words. It would strengthen my faith and anchor it. I imagine for the saints being able to hear Paul would be the same. How blessed I am for the day I live in. With the internet I can hear their words right in my home. I don't have to wait for an apostle to come to my area. I know the great apostasy happened with the early saints, and now with the restoration of the gospel the church as a whole will never fall into apostasy again. I think being able to hear the words of the prophet and apostles so frequently is one of the ways that is possible. We are continually being nourished. It's up to us to feast on it.

Day 4171

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 28:27

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 28:27
"For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them."

Why would anyone want to not see, hear and known and be converted? Do you intentionally do this? As I pondered on this and thought of people I knew that have done this. I thought yes, it is intentional for them. They don't want to see truth because that would mean they need to change. Pride is another reason they do not want to see, especially when they have openly persecuted the church. Thinking about this made me read 4 Nephi and how they did not dwindle in unbelief, but willfully rebel against the gospel of Christ. Yes, their hearts had waxed gross. It is my constant prayer that this never happens to me. I know how precious it is to have eyes that see and ears that hear, and know and understand.

Day 4170

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 27:10, 22-23, 31, 34

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 27:10, 22-23, 31, 34
"And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.
And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.
For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.
Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

Paul first warned them of the voyage they were to undertake. They didn't listen. Then he is visited by an angel to encourage and direct him. They then start to listen and finally everyone on the ship is saved. It made me ponder on listening to prophets and apostles. Not listening and following the counsel they are inspired with can put us in peril. We are also entitled to personal revelation for what we have stewardship over. .

Day 4169

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 26:15-16

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 26:15-16
"And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;"

I pondered on how the Lord does not appear to man unless there is a purpose. The purpose for Paul was to be a minister and witness of Him. What a powerful testimony it was because Paul as Saul was the complete opposite of who you would have thought to do so. It makes his conversion and testimony all the more powerful.

Day 4168